The title to this post is what I tried to convince our Outreach Director to put as the headline on today's press release, but she went with something more sober:
"Environmental group stops secret County-developer contacts"
Regardless, it's great news - Santa Clara County will stop giving developers favored access to the County's environmental documents, something that we are convinced is both a bad idea and a violation of the Public Records Act. Now we just have to get the rest of the local governments to do the same thing. We applaud Santa Clara County for making the change.
The press release follows:
SANTA CLARA COUNTY ENDS PRACTICE OF SHARING
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS ONLY WITH APPLICANTS
SAN JOSE, CA – This week Santa Clara County ended its practice of providing preliminary environmental documents to project applicants while refusing public access to the documents and refusing to show how developers had affected the assessment of their projects’ environmental impacts.
Concerned that negotiations were going on behind closed doors, grassroots environmental group Committee for Green Foothills challenged that practice months ago, but County staff denied that the group had a right to see the drafts.
At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting, County Counsel admitted that the County’s practice might be found illegal by a judge, and the County announced it would change its policy.
County shared preliminary drafts with Stanford
Committee for Green Foothills Legislative Advocate Brian Schmidt discovered the illegal practice in this course of his review of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for Stanford University’s S1 trail. When he found that the County had shared preliminary drafts with Stanford officials -- allowing them to review and argue for changes -- Schmidt became concerned that the County had been in back-room discussions with Stanford, one of the County’s largest landowners, as well as other developers.
The County released the records from its Stanford trail documents to Committee for Green Foothills in January after the organization filed a formal request under the Public Records Act, but the County still maintained that it didn’t need to change its practice.
“Not only was this practice illegal because it excludes citizen review and biases decision-making in favor of development, it made for bad planning,” says Schmidt. “Developers have no special right to influence the government’s analysis, and allowing just one side to argue its case sets the stage for an incomplete analysis.”
Public Records Act request leads to change in policy
County staff argued that it was appropriate to limit access of preliminary versions of Draft EIRs because a later, publicly available Draft EIR allowed public access. Committee for Green Foothills disagreed, as it becomes much more difficult to change an environmental analysis after a Draft EIR has been published. The organization asked for a change in policy so that the playing field would be equal for developers, environmentalists, and the public.
Schmidt also argued that this policy biased the planning process and was illegal under the Public Records Act. The policy also violated Proposition 59, a recent voter amendment to the state constitution that maximizes public access to government records.
This week the County decided to end the previous policy, and will study choices on how to replace it.
“Committee for Green Foothills is dedicated to ensuring that the land use planning process is fair and open to the public, especially so that it allows the public to learn about and become involved in issues that might pose environmental concerns,” Schmidt said. “This is a win for open decision-making in Santa Clara County. We know that other governments including San Jose, Morgan Hill, and San Mateo County, also share draft documents with developers, and we will be working to ensure fair access in those jurisdictions as well.”
Santa Clara County may choose to make the preliminary drafts of environmental documents available to all who request them. Alternatively, the County could keep all preliminary drafts confidential (to the extent allowed under the Public Records Act), sharing them with no one. Either of these practices would end the previous unfair practice, which allowed developers and applicants unequal access, input and influence in the process.
# # #
About the Committee for Green Foothills
Committee for Green Foothills is a regional grassroots organization working to establish and maintain land-use policies that protect the environment throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Committee for Green Foothills, established in 1962, is a Bay Area leader in the continuing effort to protect open space and the natural environment of our Peninsula. For more information, visit www.GreenFoothills.org.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Friday, February 4, 2005
Audubon, MROSD, mercury ...
Lots of news to blog about!
The Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society has announced their new Executive Director, Brenda Torres. CGF works extensively with Audubon and we welcome Brenda to the neighborhood. She is replacing outgoing E.D. Craig Breon, who will be greatly missed.
A new guidebook to MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District, "Peninsula Tales and Trails" was reviewed in the Palo Alto Weekly by Acterra Executive Director Michael Closson. "Tour de force" is the summary. CGF advocacy helped protect many of the properties now managed by MROSD, and CGF support helped establish MROSD itself, so the guidebook is a welcome new publication.
On the national stage, the New York Times reports on disputes regarding control of mercury pollution in the United States, much of which comes from coal burning. The quote at the end states "Nearly every state in the country has issued fish consumption advisories due to mercury-poisoned waters." This includes reservoirs in our region, such as the Stevens Creek Reservoir. The nearby Hanson Quarry burns coal to power its cement plant. CGF recently met with Hanson staff who doubt their plant is responsible for Stevens Creek, pointing out that mercury is found naturally in the area. We will keep watching this issue.
-Brian
The Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society has announced their new Executive Director, Brenda Torres. CGF works extensively with Audubon and we welcome Brenda to the neighborhood. She is replacing outgoing E.D. Craig Breon, who will be greatly missed.
A new guidebook to MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District, "Peninsula Tales and Trails" was reviewed in the Palo Alto Weekly by Acterra Executive Director Michael Closson. "Tour de force" is the summary. CGF advocacy helped protect many of the properties now managed by MROSD, and CGF support helped establish MROSD itself, so the guidebook is a welcome new publication.
On the national stage, the New York Times reports on disputes regarding control of mercury pollution in the United States, much of which comes from coal burning. The quote at the end states "Nearly every state in the country has issued fish consumption advisories due to mercury-poisoned waters." This includes reservoirs in our region, such as the Stevens Creek Reservoir. The nearby Hanson Quarry burns coal to power its cement plant. CGF recently met with Hanson staff who doubt their plant is responsible for Stevens Creek, pointing out that mercury is found naturally in the area. We will keep watching this issue.
-Brian
Thursday, February 3, 2005
Think globally, eat locally
There's been quite a bit of buzz around David Mas Masumoto's recent book, "Epitaph for a Peach: Four Seasons on My Family Farm," which describes the passions and challenges of this third-generation farmers working in the San Joaquin Valley.
Masumoto's book has been selected for the Mercury News' "Silicon Valley Reads" program (note: this program's website includes a list of other great reads about agriculture as well).
In today's Merc, Leigh Weimers writes about the Silicon Valley Reads kickoff speech Masumoto gave in San Jose earlier this week.
He also plugs an interesting-looking panel of four local fruit growers who will discuss local – and quality – produce next Thursday, February 10. It’s at 7pm at the Almaden Expressway/Blossom Hill Road Barnes & Noble, and it’s free.
I’d say it’s well worth an evening to hear fruit tree collector Andrew Mariani, long-time farmer Phil Cosentino, cherry guru Charlie Olson, and ag attorney/ fruit grower Todd Kennedy. There’s probably a lot we can learn from these guys.
- Kathy
Masumoto's book has been selected for the Mercury News' "Silicon Valley Reads" program (note: this program's website includes a list of other great reads about agriculture as well).
In today's Merc, Leigh Weimers writes about the Silicon Valley Reads kickoff speech Masumoto gave in San Jose earlier this week.
He also plugs an interesting-looking panel of four local fruit growers who will discuss local – and quality – produce next Thursday, February 10. It’s at 7pm at the Almaden Expressway/Blossom Hill Road Barnes & Noble, and it’s free.
I’d say it’s well worth an evening to hear fruit tree collector Andrew Mariani, long-time farmer Phil Cosentino, cherry guru Charlie Olson, and ag attorney/ fruit grower Todd Kennedy. There’s probably a lot we can learn from these guys.
- Kathy
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Santa Monica's sustainable landscaping program
Taking a look at interesting programs in other areas, I came across Santa Monica's program to provide grants for landscaping that replaces water-thirsty turf and other plants with water-conserving landscaping, including native plants. Sustainable landscaping has not been a focus of CGF, but it's not completely unrelated, either. Some of the water that the good citizens of Santa Monica have been pouring on their lawns was diverted from its original destination, the San Francisco Bay. Conserving that water is a great idea. And just as CGF is concerned with conserving natural, open areas, making developed areas more natural also seems like a good idea.
-Brian
-Brian
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Forum this Sunday on conservation easements
Today's the last day to register for an interesting-looking community forum put together by the League of Women Voters, and cosponsored by CGF (among others), Conservation Easements: Land Preservation Tools for Local Communities.
The afternoon will include two panel discussions on conservation easements and open space easements, two important tools communities can use to protect open space.
And don't miss a special presentation awarding the Mary and Wallace Stegner Award for Environmental Stewardship to CGF co-founder Lois Crozier-Hogle, who recently announced the donation of an 11-acre conservation easement.
The forum's this Sunday, February 6 from 3-5 pm, at Congregation Beth Am (26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills), and it's free! To register (required), call 650-941-4808 or email couperus@mindspring.com.
More info on our calendar.
- Kathy
The afternoon will include two panel discussions on conservation easements and open space easements, two important tools communities can use to protect open space.
And don't miss a special presentation awarding the Mary and Wallace Stegner Award for Environmental Stewardship to CGF co-founder Lois Crozier-Hogle, who recently announced the donation of an 11-acre conservation easement.
The forum's this Sunday, February 6 from 3-5 pm, at Congregation Beth Am (26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills), and it's free! To register (required), call 650-941-4808 or email couperus@mindspring.com.
More info on our calendar.
- Kathy
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Could be worse - news on Coyote Valley
We would like San Jose to take a break on developing Coyote Valley, considering that more appropriate prospects for urban redevelopment exist that could be hurt by siphoning business to the south. We knew, however, that this was unlikely, so the next best news is that San Jose did NOT clear the deck for an Environmental Impact Report necessary for developing Coyote Valley. Following Morgan Hill Mayor Kennedy's suggestion (and maybe my own encouragement), the City directed staff to produce a list of alternatives for developing Coyote Valley prior to beginning the actual EIR.
Unfortunately, the Mercury News missed this change when it reported on the Tuesday's events. It's important because the public may have a chance for real input on what alternatives should be considered - staff is usually very hesitant to add alternatives after they have gone through the trouble of creating an EIR.
The Merc also had an editorial saying the EIR should go forward. We obviously disagree, and the step the City did take was better than simply plunging ahead.
By the way, I'll be doing a radio call-in interview on 91.5 FM community radio shortly after 10 p.m. tonight, which could be heard mostly in areas south of Palo Alto down to San Benito County. Audubon Society's Craig Breon will be hosting, and we'll discuss Coyote Valley.
-Brian
Unfortunately, the Mercury News missed this change when it reported on the Tuesday's events. It's important because the public may have a chance for real input on what alternatives should be considered - staff is usually very hesitant to add alternatives after they have gone through the trouble of creating an EIR.
The Merc also had an editorial saying the EIR should go forward. We obviously disagree, and the step the City did take was better than simply plunging ahead.
By the way, I'll be doing a radio call-in interview on 91.5 FM community radio shortly after 10 p.m. tonight, which could be heard mostly in areas south of Palo Alto down to San Benito County. Audubon Society's Craig Breon will be hosting, and we'll discuss Coyote Valley.
-Brian
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Coyote Valley/HCP news
The Gilroy Dispatch has a very informative article on how a delay in the County's Habitat Conservation Plan is playing into attempts to develop Coyote Valley. The Dispatch quotes CGF several times in the article.
And the Pinnacle newspaper has the latest news on the Coyote Valley Task Force approving an outline of the overall plan for the valley. Things are heating up over this sorely mistaken project - we will do everything we can to stop it or at least to minimize the damage it will cause.
-Brian
And the Pinnacle newspaper has the latest news on the Coyote Valley Task Force approving an outline of the overall plan for the valley. Things are heating up over this sorely mistaken project - we will do everything we can to stop it or at least to minimize the damage it will cause.
-Brian
Friday, January 14, 2005
CGF takes legal action to stop sprawl
Yesterday, CGF and Save Almaden Valley Rural Alliance filed a lawsuit in Santa Clara County Superior Court to stop San Jose's illegal effort to bring sprawl to Almaden Valley. Read about our lawsuit here, and for more information about threat to Almaden, see our Action Alert here.
San Jose has an unfortunate reputation of only listening to environmental groups after the groups have sued the City. Hopefully the City will listen now, or the courts are going to make them listen.
-Brian
San Jose has an unfortunate reputation of only listening to environmental groups after the groups have sued the City. Hopefully the City will listen now, or the courts are going to make them listen.
-Brian
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
News bits
The Metro has a nicely-titled "Secrets 'R' Us" piece, half-way down its collection of news items titled "The Fly". Metro picks up where The Pinnacle newspaper left off on the story of how CGF is fighting the County's attempts to disclose environmental documents to developers while locking them away from everyone else.
The Merc has a good article on fighting invasive plant species in San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties. This is an issue that may eventually involve CGF - invasive species are generally considered the second biggest threat to biological diversity in developed countries, with habitat loss being the number one problem. The article describes how nurseries stock invasive plants for landscaping that promptly escape and damage the environment. Voluntary action by nurseries to stop selling these plants would be welcome, but government regulation may also be needed.
Finally, the Gilroy Dispatch describes increasing interest in having the City of Gilroy join the Santa Clara Open Space Authority. Gilroy is the only part of Santa Clara County that is not included in an open space district government. Something else that needs support.
-Brian
The Merc has a good article on fighting invasive plant species in San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties. This is an issue that may eventually involve CGF - invasive species are generally considered the second biggest threat to biological diversity in developed countries, with habitat loss being the number one problem. The article describes how nurseries stock invasive plants for landscaping that promptly escape and damage the environment. Voluntary action by nurseries to stop selling these plants would be welcome, but government regulation may also be needed.
Finally, the Gilroy Dispatch describes increasing interest in having the City of Gilroy join the Santa Clara Open Space Authority. Gilroy is the only part of Santa Clara County that is not included in an open space district government. Something else that needs support.
-Brian
Friday, January 7, 2005
"My higher power was a cow"
The quote above is from a 21-year-old recovering alcoholic who found sobriety at a farm treatment center in Sonoma County, described in the San Francisco Chronicle. The organic farm/drug addiction treatment center has apparently had successes where more traditional programs have failed.
This example shows the value of preserving rural lands near to urban areas, by helping people find and retain an inner sense of peace. It also shows how farming can be done differently in the Bay Area - not that thousands of farmland acres can now become treatment centers, but rather as one example of how Bay Area farms can diversify and find special niches where they remain relevant to modern life.
This example shows the value of preserving rural lands near to urban areas, by helping people find and retain an inner sense of peace. It also shows how farming can be done differently in the Bay Area - not that thousands of farmland acres can now become treatment centers, but rather as one example of how Bay Area farms can diversify and find special niches where they remain relevant to modern life.
Thursday, January 6, 2005
Numero Uno - Comite para las Colinas Verdes
That's the "Committee for Green Foothills" in Spanish, and now (thanks to our webmaster Kathy Switky's work) almost all of the information on CGF's website can be automatically translated into Spanish with a single click of the mouse. From our front page, a Spanish reader just clicks on the button labelled in Spanish on the left hand side of the page and almost everything from then on is translated. Some English remains where the words are saved as images instead of text, but the vast majority gets translated. My Spanish is a little rusty, but my reading of the translation is that it gets the point across, which is the whole point of communicating. A quick review of other area environmental group websites indicates that CGF is the first - numero uno! - to do this in our area (Sierra Club does have a translation for national level activities). One more step in environmental outreach!
-Brian
-Brian
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Looking to the future
An excellent Op-Ed in today's Merc by Tom Steinbach from Greenbelt Alliance looks to the future of San Jose and says if "Downtown North" is developing, why develop Coyote Valley?
We may not be quite as enthusiastic about the North First Street development as Greenbelt (see our post here), particularly because of the jobs-housing imbalance, but the point is right on target that Coyote Valley is not needed for development. Any growth that does occur in San Jose should be more central and not destroy farmlands. This Op-Ed brings Greenbelt and other environmental groups even closer towards common ground regarding Coyote Valley, so it is a great way to welcome in the new year.
-Brian
We may not be quite as enthusiastic about the North First Street development as Greenbelt (see our post here), particularly because of the jobs-housing imbalance, but the point is right on target that Coyote Valley is not needed for development. Any growth that does occur in San Jose should be more central and not destroy farmlands. This Op-Ed brings Greenbelt and other environmental groups even closer towards common ground regarding Coyote Valley, so it is a great way to welcome in the new year.
-Brian
Looking to the past
"Throwing a Long Shadow" is the title of a new exhibit opening Sunday at the Los Altos History Museum featuring CGF's cofounder, the author/environmentalist Wallace Stegner. More information about the exhibit is at the museum website, here.
The Merc has a good article on the man other authors have called the only American author who deserved a Nobel Prize.
CGF is co-sponsoring the exhibit, featuring materials from our archives. I have read simple comment letters on environmentally-destructive projects that Stegner wrote, just like the ones I write today. The difference, however, is that even his comment letters were works of art. Definitely throwing a long shadow.
-Brian
The Merc has a good article on the man other authors have called the only American author who deserved a Nobel Prize.
CGF is co-sponsoring the exhibit, featuring materials from our archives. I have read simple comment letters on environmentally-destructive projects that Stegner wrote, just like the ones I write today. The difference, however, is that even his comment letters were works of art. Definitely throwing a long shadow.
-Brian
Friday, December 31, 2004
Proposed casino moved away from Santa Clara County
In somewhat-good news for controlling sprawl in Santa Clara County, a proposal to place a Native American casino right across the border in San Benito County has been moved further south, to just north of Hollister. The original location was in an environmentally-sensitive floodplain and wildlife migration corridor shared between the two counties, and was close enough to promote sprawl in Gilroy. The new location eliminates some of those impacts, but would still increase traffic on Highway 101 that would ratchet up pressure to widen the highway, and may still have growth impacts on Santa Clara County. As The Pinnacle newspaper article above notes, many issues still surround this controversial project.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Coastside: Bedford Falls or Pottersville?
Last week's Half Moon Bay Review includes a thought-provoking editorial by Montara resident Barry Parr, who compares alternate realities for the San Mateo County Coast.
This is just the kind of long-range thinking that inspires those of us at Committee for Green Foothills. As the editorial says, together we CAN create the positive vision provided by Bedford Falls, and keep Pottersville from coming to our communities.
- Kathy
This is just the kind of long-range thinking that inspires those of us at Committee for Green Foothills. As the editorial says, together we CAN create the positive vision provided by Bedford Falls, and keep Pottersville from coming to our communities.
- Kathy
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Breaking the law....
Breaking the law - don't do it!
That's what we're saying to Santa Clara County and other jurisdictions that are giving developers access to environmental documents while locking out the rest of us. Here's our latest letter.
-Brian
That's what we're saying to Santa Clara County and other jurisdictions that are giving developers access to environmental documents while locking out the rest of us. Here's our latest letter.
-Brian
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Secret developer access exposed
The Pinnacle newspaper in south Santa Clara County did an in-depth article about the issue CGF exposed - developers are given access to draft environmental documents to review those documents and argue for changes while environmentalists are excluded.
Two points we can add here - County staff said giving equal access to environmentalists would be a bureaucratic nightmare. It would not - all the County would have to do is to respond to requests for the same documents the County was already giving to developers.
Second, Supervisor Gage compared the process to the County reviewing financial audit reports before they became public, and said there's nothing wrong the developers doing the same thing with environmental documents. The difference is between who's in charge of the process - the County commissions audit reports which belong to the County, but environmental documents do not belong to developers. They belong to the people of the County, and if one member of the public - a developer - can get to see them, then so should anyone else who requests the opportunity.
-Brian
Two points we can add here - County staff said giving equal access to environmentalists would be a bureaucratic nightmare. It would not - all the County would have to do is to respond to requests for the same documents the County was already giving to developers.
Second, Supervisor Gage compared the process to the County reviewing financial audit reports before they became public, and said there's nothing wrong the developers doing the same thing with environmental documents. The difference is between who's in charge of the process - the County commissions audit reports which belong to the County, but environmental documents do not belong to developers. They belong to the people of the County, and if one member of the public - a developer - can get to see them, then so should anyone else who requests the opportunity.
-Brian
Monday, December 20, 2004
San Jose to worsen the jobs-housing balance
San Jose has long (and justifiably) complained that north Santa Clara County cities would build tax-revenue-increasing business developments while failing to provide tax-revenue-decreasing housing. San Jose and areas south and east are then forced to provide housing for the North County jobs, resulting in sprawl and long commutes.
Taking this lesson to heart, San Jose now wants to become like its north County sister cities. With the planned development of Coyote Valley and North First Street, San Jose will also have insufficient housing. Given that the region as a whole is so deficient in housing, San Jose's action will significantly harm the overall region.
Here's our latest letter to the City on the subject (included free in the letter is an argument requiring farmland protection).
-Brian
Taking this lesson to heart, San Jose now wants to become like its north County sister cities. With the planned development of Coyote Valley and North First Street, San Jose will also have insufficient housing. Given that the region as a whole is so deficient in housing, San Jose's action will significantly harm the overall region.
Here's our latest letter to the City on the subject (included free in the letter is an argument requiring farmland protection).
-Brian
MROSD wants your input
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has just posted a Visitor Satisfaction Survey on their newly designed website. Let them know what you think!
Their new site is beautiful, and much easier to use than the old design. I particularly like the new preserve finder - check it out.
- Kathy
Their new site is beautiful, and much easier to use than the old design. I particularly like the new preserve finder - check it out.
- Kathy
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Stanford's improved finances to affect construction?
There's been relatively little construction on Stanford campus pursuant to the 2000 General Use Permit, but much of that lull could be attributed to finances. Things may be changing:
"The university’s investment returns last year were $1.7 billion. The university’s endowment is now $9.9 billion, up from $8.6 billion a year ago."
We'll need to keep a watch on the pace of construction, to see if it's affected by this. Spending the extra cash on environmental research and conservation would be extremely welcome.
-Brian
"The university’s investment returns last year were $1.7 billion. The university’s endowment is now $9.9 billion, up from $8.6 billion a year ago."
We'll need to keep a watch on the pace of construction, to see if it's affected by this. Spending the extra cash on environmental research and conservation would be extremely welcome.
-Brian
Monday, December 6, 2004
Fighting the monster mansion
We've been opposing a "monster mansion" on the outskirts of San Jose. It was first described as a 17,000 square-foot residence on a hilltop. It turns out to be actually 25,000 square feet. The environmental documentation needs to be redone, and Santa Clara County needs to put an upper limit on resource-consuming, speculation-inducing monster mansions.
The property is located above the white rectangle in the aerial photo above (thanks, Keyhole!). Most of the homes directly below and to the right of the white rectangle were not considered in the visibility analysis of the project, and we suspect that they will find the monster mansion dominating their views of the hills.
Here are our two letters about the project, beginning with the most current, December 3, 2004.
For more details, see our September 7th letter.
We'll keep working to fix these problems!
-Brian
The property is located above the white rectangle in the aerial photo above (thanks, Keyhole!). Most of the homes directly below and to the right of the white rectangle were not considered in the visibility analysis of the project, and we suspect that they will find the monster mansion dominating their views of the hills.
Here are our two letters about the project, beginning with the most current, December 3, 2004.
For more details, see our September 7th letter.
We'll keep working to fix these problems!
-Brian
Thursday, December 2, 2004
News roundup
San Jose is considering a new "Downtown North". It will have 100,000 jobs, supposedly, and 24,700 new residences. Shades of Coyote Valley where, once again, San Jose is not providing housing to balance all the people it is trying to attract to the region. On the other hand, this development will destroy much less open space than Coyote Valley. We'll have to think about what degree this is a CGF concern. Here is one concern however: Mayor Ron Gonzales said "he couldn't recall why he decided to cut the developers the break" of having the City (read: taxpayers) instead of the developers pay for the costs of the $1 million environmental review. It's very clear to us that developers, not the public should pay for the cost of reviewing their projects.
Los Altos Hills may require energy conservation in monster homes. Large homes would have to meet a tighter energy standard than smaller places under the proposal. This points out a significant problems with monster homes - besides eating up land and driving speculation, they consume more resources than reasonably-sized residences, for as long as the buildings are standing.
And on the subject of consuming energy, New Scientist reports that climate change culprits could face court, as damage from global warming becomes traceable to the industries that cause the warming. Global warming is another good issue for open space preservation, which promotes smart growth and energy-efficiency.
-Brian
Los Altos Hills may require energy conservation in monster homes. Large homes would have to meet a tighter energy standard than smaller places under the proposal. This points out a significant problems with monster homes - besides eating up land and driving speculation, they consume more resources than reasonably-sized residences, for as long as the buildings are standing.
And on the subject of consuming energy, New Scientist reports that climate change culprits could face court, as damage from global warming becomes traceable to the industries that cause the warming. Global warming is another good issue for open space preservation, which promotes smart growth and energy-efficiency.
-Brian
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Local connection to global warming - sardines?
An interesting article in today's New York Times discusses a newly-discovered connection between the lack of sardines and global warming. It appears that these tiny fish eat, or used to eat, massive amounts of phytoplankton, which are tiny plants floating in ocean currents. With the sardines exploited and overfished, the phytoplankton proliferates, dies, and rots. As it rots it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
The study was conducted in Africa, but could be relevant to the collapsed sardine fishery off the northern California coast. Just one more lesson of the dangers in massively altering systems we don't yet understand.
-Brian
The study was conducted in Africa, but could be relevant to the collapsed sardine fishery off the northern California coast. Just one more lesson of the dangers in massively altering systems we don't yet understand.
-Brian
New guidebook for local open space
We just learned of a new guidebook to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's 25 preserves and 200+ miles of trails. "Peninsula Tales & Trails" by David Weintraub ($19.95 from WestWinds Press, available at Kepler's) promises a preserve locator map, historical, cultural and anecdotal material, including a table with trail use info (bikes, dogs, horses).
The locator map and trail use info are already available on the MROSD website, but the additional info might be quite interesting, and it's worth taking a look at this book.
-Kathy
The locator map and trail use info are already available on the MROSD website, but the additional info might be quite interesting, and it's worth taking a look at this book.
-Kathy
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Problems with the Stanford Trail EIR
Here is CGF's comment letter on the Supplemental EIR for the Stanford S1 Trail. As you'll see, we didn't like the document very much.
-Brian
-Brian
Friday, November 12, 2004
Getting angry on the job
So I'm a little embarassed to admit that I got angry at a public meeting recently. I was attending a meeting of an interminably-long committee process deciding whether to expand a city's boundaries, and a pro-development person made what I considered to be a series of unfair attacks on a new environmental representative at the committee. When the committee took a break, the development person and I got in an argument about her attacks, and I challenged her to appeal to the mayor, who was chairing the committee and was ten feet away, if she thought the environmental groups were doing anything wrong. We argued for a little more, then calmed down and had a normal conversation.
The one consolation was that somebody else at the meeting told me that I was not visibly angry. I kind of thought I was.
The only times I've become angry on the job in my year-and-a-half here are in that particular committee (on other occasions), and with Stanford's various activities. I'm not sure what that says about anything, but I'll try and keep my cool, or keep it from showing when I don't keep my cool.
The one consolation was that somebody else at the meeting told me that I was not visibly angry. I kind of thought I was.
The only times I've become angry on the job in my year-and-a-half here are in that particular committee (on other occasions), and with Stanford's various activities. I'm not sure what that says about anything, but I'll try and keep my cool, or keep it from showing when I don't keep my cool.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Pushing for change
CGF has found serious problems with County planning processes, where developers are given access to government documents that are not shared with the public, and given a chance to influence the final version of those documents without input from the public. We have more information about this illegal practice here.
We are now beginning to take action. Here is a letter we're sending to Santa Clara County. We'll see what happens next.
-Brian
We are now beginning to take action. Here is a letter we're sending to Santa Clara County. We'll see what happens next.
-Brian
Monday, November 8, 2004
Stanford's S1 "Trail" - comments are due Friday!
Santa Clara County is now accepting comments on the environmental documentation for the first of the two trails that Stanford promised to build in return for all the development it was allowed. (For background information, click here.) You can review the County's new document here:
Stanford S1 Trail Alignment Draft Supplemental EIR (scroll two-thirds of the way down the screen)
The main problem with the document is that the "trail" it identifies as environmentally superior is hardly a trail at all, and simply follows existing roads and sidewalks. The reason for this is that the County refuses to look at which trail best reduces the environmental impact from Stanford's expansion, and instead chooses the trail alignment that has the least impact on its own. Obviously, the smallest impact will come from an alignment that creates as little actual trail as possible. Instead of looking for a more natural setting, the document prefers a trail along existing roads and sidewalks, where people can already go walking.
Comments are due Friday for this document - send them to Tim.Heffington@pln.sccgov.org
We'll do a more public push on the S1 Trail when the final environmental document is complete.
-Brian
Update: You can read CGF's comment letter on the draft environmental report here.
Stanford S1 Trail Alignment Draft Supplemental EIR (scroll two-thirds of the way down the screen)
The main problem with the document is that the "trail" it identifies as environmentally superior is hardly a trail at all, and simply follows existing roads and sidewalks. The reason for this is that the County refuses to look at which trail best reduces the environmental impact from Stanford's expansion, and instead chooses the trail alignment that has the least impact on its own. Obviously, the smallest impact will come from an alignment that creates as little actual trail as possible. Instead of looking for a more natural setting, the document prefers a trail along existing roads and sidewalks, where people can already go walking.
Comments are due Friday for this document - send them to Tim.Heffington@pln.sccgov.org
We'll do a more public push on the S1 Trail when the final environmental document is complete.
-Brian
Update: You can read CGF's comment letter on the draft environmental report here.
Friday, November 5, 2004
Planning Santa Clara County's Habitat
Yesterday was the first public meeting in a process to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan for most of Santa Clara County. This is a quiet step forward on a process that will influence development for good or ill in the County over 20 years or more. CGF and other organizations will keep track of the process and publicize it, of course. There's an even a brand new website with HCP information, at:
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
A question that has long bothered me is why the HCP has been delayed so long - I originally believed it was because San Jose did not want the HCP to moderate development in Coyote Valley. We may have learned part of the answer yesterday when San Jose staff said that the development group funding planning for Coyote Valley is also funding San Jose's participation. My guess it that the development group delayed an agreement to fund the process, which is why San Jose delayed the process. Whether San Jose was actively cooperating or resisting this delay is unclear - they're not talking about it.
-Brian
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
A question that has long bothered me is why the HCP has been delayed so long - I originally believed it was because San Jose did not want the HCP to moderate development in Coyote Valley. We may have learned part of the answer yesterday when San Jose staff said that the development group funding planning for Coyote Valley is also funding San Jose's participation. My guess it that the development group delayed an agreement to fund the process, which is why San Jose delayed the process. Whether San Jose was actively cooperating or resisting this delay is unclear - they're not talking about it.
-Brian
Monday, November 1, 2004
A chance to weigh in locally
On this election-day-eve, you might, like me, be feeling the need to act locally. Here's an opportunity to have an effect on our local representation – on the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) Board of Directors.
With the addition of the San Mateo County Coastside to its jurisdiction, MROSD now needs to adjust the boundaries of its seven districts so that each contains approximately the same number of people.
They're holding a series of workshops to get input on how best to redraw the ward boundaries so that the new constituents are appropriately represented on the district’s Board of Directors. (Each ward elects one Director.)
This could affect many of the district’s nearly 750,000 constituents, as the various scenarios drawn up by staff involve adjusting boundaries of as many as four of the seven districts.
The final meeting on this issue is this Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7pm, at the District’s field office on Skyline.
You can also visit the district’s website (link to www.openspace.org) to see the proposed scenarios and provide your input electronically.
-Kathy
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Are we really getting greener?
Today’s SF Chronicle has an interesting article on the growth of the so-called "green economy," or the sales of items considered to be environmentally friendly (rather broadly defined).
Some of this is no doubt due to a cultural shift. But some of it is, I'm sorry to say, just more clever marketing on behalf of companies whose products are no more "green" than they used to be.
Some of this green spending is also bound to be driven by government incentives designed to encourage such behavior. It would be interesting to analyze trends in spending and see how they correlate to local, state and federal incentives (rebates on energy-efficient applicances, allowing hybrid vehicles to use HOV lanes, etc.).
Unfortunately this apparent greening trend is not reflected in increases in charitable giving to environmental groups. The American Association of Fundraising Counsel estimates that only about 3% of total charitable gifts go to environmental or wildlife organizations. That slice of the pie appears to be holding steady – not increasing.
If the so-called boom in the so-called green economy really reflects a cultural shift, I'd expect to see a boom in green giving, too. We'll keep working on it.
Kathy
Some of this is no doubt due to a cultural shift. But some of it is, I'm sorry to say, just more clever marketing on behalf of companies whose products are no more "green" than they used to be.
Some of this green spending is also bound to be driven by government incentives designed to encourage such behavior. It would be interesting to analyze trends in spending and see how they correlate to local, state and federal incentives (rebates on energy-efficient applicances, allowing hybrid vehicles to use HOV lanes, etc.).
Unfortunately this apparent greening trend is not reflected in increases in charitable giving to environmental groups. The American Association of Fundraising Counsel estimates that only about 3% of total charitable gifts go to environmental or wildlife organizations. That slice of the pie appears to be holding steady – not increasing.
If the so-called boom in the so-called green economy really reflects a cultural shift, I'd expect to see a boom in green giving, too. We'll keep working on it.
Kathy
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Helping nature in underserved communities
I sit on the Environmental Advisory Committee for the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Our local water district is very different from most districts, who view their mission as getting as much water as possible no matter the consequence, and placing development over flood planning and environmental protection. Our water district has come a long way. The County passed a "Clean Safe Creeks" parcel tax measure to finance environmental improvements, and lately our advisory committee has been helping design guidelines for spending that money.
One criterion emphasized supporting environmental improvements in underserved areas, which would often be poor communities of color with a creek area full of trash, barriers to fish passage, and non-native weeds. I supported the criterion but noted it was given little weight compared to other criteria. I moved that it be made one of the most important criteria for determining which projects received funding, and my motion had unanimous support.
I think improving access to natural areas for communities of color, and improving the quality of those natural areas, are important work opportunities for groups like CGF.
-Brian
One criterion emphasized supporting environmental improvements in underserved areas, which would often be poor communities of color with a creek area full of trash, barriers to fish passage, and non-native weeds. I supported the criterion but noted it was given little weight compared to other criteria. I moved that it be made one of the most important criteria for determining which projects received funding, and my motion had unanimous support.
I think improving access to natural areas for communities of color, and improving the quality of those natural areas, are important work opportunities for groups like CGF.
-Brian
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Rank the danger
So which is more likely to kill you:
Hike alone for an hour at dusk in mountain lion territory;
Take an evening drive for an hour; or
Sit in front of television for an hour, eating a half-pint of ice cream?
I'm not completely certain on first and second place, but my best guess is first place goes to the ice cream, second place goes to the evening drive, and fiftieth place to hiking in mountain lion territory.
Backing up this argument requires some math. Usually, the equation, lawyer + math = ugly sight, but I think I can handle this one. According to this website, the automobile death rate in the US is 1.5 deaths per 100 million miles. If the hour-long evening drive covers 30 miles, my computer says the death risk is one in 2.2 million.
So what's the risk of dying from mountain lions on an hour-long hike? I don't know, but we can be sure it is far less than one in 2 million. There are 35 million people in California. If one-tenth of them hiked one hour each year, that would be 3.5 million hours annually. Six people have been killed by lions in California since 1890. This lawyer's math says that driving is a lot more dangerous.
When people are reading Palo Alto Weekly and deciding whether to change their behavior because of lions, please don't switch from relatively safe hiking in lion territory to relatively dangerous things like driving or packing on the calories and fat from ice cream.
-Brian
Hike alone for an hour at dusk in mountain lion territory;
Take an evening drive for an hour; or
Sit in front of television for an hour, eating a half-pint of ice cream?
I'm not completely certain on first and second place, but my best guess is first place goes to the ice cream, second place goes to the evening drive, and fiftieth place to hiking in mountain lion territory.
Backing up this argument requires some math. Usually, the equation, lawyer + math = ugly sight, but I think I can handle this one. According to this website, the automobile death rate in the US is 1.5 deaths per 100 million miles. If the hour-long evening drive covers 30 miles, my computer says the death risk is one in 2.2 million.
So what's the risk of dying from mountain lions on an hour-long hike? I don't know, but we can be sure it is far less than one in 2 million. There are 35 million people in California. If one-tenth of them hiked one hour each year, that would be 3.5 million hours annually. Six people have been killed by lions in California since 1890. This lawyer's math says that driving is a lot more dangerous.
When people are reading Palo Alto Weekly and deciding whether to change their behavior because of lions, please don't switch from relatively safe hiking in lion territory to relatively dangerous things like driving or packing on the calories and fat from ice cream.
-Brian
Monday, October 11, 2004
Economic disaster: environmental aspects of surviving a housing bubble
(The following is a "thought-piece" originally intended to be part of an article in the forthcoming newsletter, but we decided it didn't quite fit. We hope it's an interesting read here. More good stuff to come in the Fall 2004 newsletter...
-Brian)
No one has difficulty identifying a speculative financial bubble – with hindsight. Dot-com businesses and Japanese real estate were valued not for their actual worth but for the belief that others would consistently pay more for the same thing. In each case, the sky-high prices had to collapse. Identifying a bubble before it bursts is much harder. Economic experts are split over whether the constant rise in real estate values in the Bay Area or elsewhere constitute a speculative bubble. Not being economic experts, we cannot make any firm conclusions except that it is possible that a housing bubble exists, and that we should be prepared for the possibility that real estate prices could collapse.
Imagine a drastic scenario - what would a fifty-percent collapse in housing prices do the environment and to our work in the Bay Area? As to the environment, the price collapse would certainly reduce much of the pressure to build sprawling hillside housing, pressure that results from the tremendous profits developers can make at current prices. On the other hand, we can expect developers to argue that environmental regulations that were affordable for high-priced markets are no longer affordable, and should therefore be dropped. We should oppose any effort to allow permanent sprawl on the basis of a temporary drop in prices.
While the environment may not be harmed, our own work in protecting the environment could be drastically affected by a collapse in housing prices. As a local nonprofit, we depend on local donors, who in turn fund us based on their own financial situations. If people see the market value of their homes cut in half, they will feel much less able to give generously. A widespread collapse in housing prices could even trigger a recession, further constricting financial donations. This situation will require tremendous effort by environmental organizations and by their supporters to make their way through the financial difficulties, and continue to do their work.
Preparation and improvisation combine to form the basis of any response to disasters. Preparing for this and other disasters, is part of the work we will continue to do in order to protect the environment.
-Brian)
No one has difficulty identifying a speculative financial bubble – with hindsight. Dot-com businesses and Japanese real estate were valued not for their actual worth but for the belief that others would consistently pay more for the same thing. In each case, the sky-high prices had to collapse. Identifying a bubble before it bursts is much harder. Economic experts are split over whether the constant rise in real estate values in the Bay Area or elsewhere constitute a speculative bubble. Not being economic experts, we cannot make any firm conclusions except that it is possible that a housing bubble exists, and that we should be prepared for the possibility that real estate prices could collapse.
Imagine a drastic scenario - what would a fifty-percent collapse in housing prices do the environment and to our work in the Bay Area? As to the environment, the price collapse would certainly reduce much of the pressure to build sprawling hillside housing, pressure that results from the tremendous profits developers can make at current prices. On the other hand, we can expect developers to argue that environmental regulations that were affordable for high-priced markets are no longer affordable, and should therefore be dropped. We should oppose any effort to allow permanent sprawl on the basis of a temporary drop in prices.
While the environment may not be harmed, our own work in protecting the environment could be drastically affected by a collapse in housing prices. As a local nonprofit, we depend on local donors, who in turn fund us based on their own financial situations. If people see the market value of their homes cut in half, they will feel much less able to give generously. A widespread collapse in housing prices could even trigger a recession, further constricting financial donations. This situation will require tremendous effort by environmental organizations and by their supporters to make their way through the financial difficulties, and continue to do their work.
Preparation and improvisation combine to form the basis of any response to disasters. Preparing for this and other disasters, is part of the work we will continue to do in order to protect the environment.
Wednesday, October 6, 2004
Bicycling to sports complex gets you expelled
A recent study shows that suburban sprawl creates a car-dependent lifestyle pattern that fosters chronic diseases.
Unfortunately, then, San Jose is promoting sprawl with with its recent proposed sports complex, located on a road so dangerous that children are forbidden under threat of expulsion from walking or bicycling to the athletic fields. The complex is a prelude to tearing out the remaining agriculture and replacing working farms with subdivisions.
Our comment letter on the project is here.
Unfortunately, then, San Jose is promoting sprawl with with its recent proposed sports complex, located on a road so dangerous that children are forbidden under threat of expulsion from walking or bicycling to the athletic fields. The complex is a prelude to tearing out the remaining agriculture and replacing working farms with subdivisions.
Our comment letter on the project is here.
Tuesday, October 5, 2004
Breaking news: San Jose upholds ban on trapping coyotes
It's fun to get a news item out before the news media does, and here it is: San Jose failed to pass an "urgency ordinance" that would allow trapping coyotes in part of Almaden Valley. As an "emergency" measure that skips the normal process, it needed 8 of the 11 City Council members to support it, and got only 7.
The Merc has background information here (posted before tonight's vote).
While I attended the meeting, I didn't speak or take a position. I don't think the situation in that area has been handled well, and exterminating the coyotes is not a good idea for the long term. However, the curiosity and lack of fear shown by these particular coyotes (assuming residents are not exaggerating) is disturbing. I couldn't possibly see CGF supporting the trapping, but I wasn't certain enough about safety to move from neutrality to a position opposing the measure.
The council members had to make a decision though. The politically-easy choice was to support trapping, so I respect Council members Reed, Campos, Williams, and Lezotte for opposing the measure. No disrespect intended to the other seven council members, who could be voting based on principles, not on politics.
-Brian
The Merc has background information here (posted before tonight's vote).
While I attended the meeting, I didn't speak or take a position. I don't think the situation in that area has been handled well, and exterminating the coyotes is not a good idea for the long term. However, the curiosity and lack of fear shown by these particular coyotes (assuming residents are not exaggerating) is disturbing. I couldn't possibly see CGF supporting the trapping, but I wasn't certain enough about safety to move from neutrality to a position opposing the measure.
The council members had to make a decision though. The politically-easy choice was to support trapping, so I respect Council members Reed, Campos, Williams, and Lezotte for opposing the measure. No disrespect intended to the other seven council members, who could be voting based on principles, not on politics.
-Brian
Should better surveillance mean lower penalties?
In an interesting blog by security expert Bruce Schneier, he argues that technology's increasing ability to detect legal violations has its downside. Calling it "Bigger Brother", he cites the example of Baltimore using aerial maps and computer software to detect code violations such as rooftop decks built without permits. Schneier argues that because technology makes detection easier than before, stiff penalties for environmental violations are not necessary as deterrents for violations that used to be hard to detect.
Is he right? Should we reduce penalties for environmental violations here in the Bay Area?
If penalties were based exclusively on their deterrent value, then he would be right. But penalties for environmental violations also reflect harm done to society. They may also be insufficiently deterring because setting them at a level that truly stops misbehavior would be seen as unjust. No one advocates capital punishment for constructing buildings without a permit. Finally, just because new technology exists somewhere doesn't mean that people are using it. I would love for Santa Clara County to do some overflights of large scale developments, but I don't expect that to happen anytime soon.
Penalties for environmental violations are set for reasons that have little to do with their optimal deterrent value, so being able to detect the violations more easily does not automatically mean penalties should be lowered. I don't read Schneier as saying they automatically should be either, but big environmental violators will think differently.
Is he right? Should we reduce penalties for environmental violations here in the Bay Area?
If penalties were based exclusively on their deterrent value, then he would be right. But penalties for environmental violations also reflect harm done to society. They may also be insufficiently deterring because setting them at a level that truly stops misbehavior would be seen as unjust. No one advocates capital punishment for constructing buildings without a permit. Finally, just because new technology exists somewhere doesn't mean that people are using it. I would love for Santa Clara County to do some overflights of large scale developments, but I don't expect that to happen anytime soon.
Penalties for environmental violations are set for reasons that have little to do with their optimal deterrent value, so being able to detect the violations more easily does not automatically mean penalties should be lowered. I don't read Schneier as saying they automatically should be either, but big environmental violators will think differently.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
CGF's first movie review: it's "Monumental"
"Monumental" is the title of a new documentary about the life of David Brower, the most important and maybe the most interesting environmentalist of the 20th Century. This documentary features archival footage of Brower's work and his experience as a leading mountaineer prior to World War II.
Brower built Sierra Club to prominence, got fired, built Friends of the Earth to prominence, got fired, and built Earth Island to prominence, which didn't get around to firing him. The documentary emphasizes his "no compromise" style, both its strengths and weaknesses. As a lawyer, I sometimes questioned the efficacy of refusing compromises, and I also wondered if he really was as purist as the film suggests. Compromising on outcomes is sometimes necessary, but overall, Brower's success in refusing to compromise on principles is a refreshing and important reminder.
This movie gets four stars out of five (I didn't like all the music, but no one should listen to my music opinions). As a small independent film, it will be difficult to see in theaters, but the video and DVD versions may be easier to find or rent.
-Brian
Brower built Sierra Club to prominence, got fired, built Friends of the Earth to prominence, got fired, and built Earth Island to prominence, which didn't get around to firing him. The documentary emphasizes his "no compromise" style, both its strengths and weaknesses. As a lawyer, I sometimes questioned the efficacy of refusing compromises, and I also wondered if he really was as purist as the film suggests. Compromising on outcomes is sometimes necessary, but overall, Brower's success in refusing to compromise on principles is a refreshing and important reminder.
This movie gets four stars out of five (I didn't like all the music, but no one should listen to my music opinions). As a small independent film, it will be difficult to see in theaters, but the video and DVD versions may be easier to find or rent.
-Brian
Monday, September 27, 2004
Ethnic diversity increases support for open space
I recently attended a very interesting meeting of the Bay Area Open Space Council, a grouping of nonprofits and government agencies concerned with managing open space. One presentation (available on their website) concerned the effect of increasing ethnic diversity on public support for open space. The presentation was short, but had mostly positive news. Here it is in three steps:
1. Support for open space increases with education and income levels.
2. Recent immigrant groups tend to have lower educational and income levels, and those levels rise in subsequent generations.
3. Despite being a (mostly) recent immigrant population, Hispanic voters tend to support open space preservation at the same rate as non-Hispanic whites.
In other words, the Hispanic population is starting off at a higher level of support for open space than non-Hispanic whites ("Anglos"). As subsequent generations move up the income and educational ladders, we can expect even greater levels of support, magnified by the increasing Hispanic population. (Polls of other ethnic groups also showed encouraging support for open space.)
The challenge for environmental nonprofits is to attract and support this powerful constituency, as well as the many other constituencies in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. This is something that we here at CGF are working on, need to be working on, and will continue to be working on in the future.
-Brian
1. Support for open space increases with education and income levels.
2. Recent immigrant groups tend to have lower educational and income levels, and those levels rise in subsequent generations.
3. Despite being a (mostly) recent immigrant population, Hispanic voters tend to support open space preservation at the same rate as non-Hispanic whites.
In other words, the Hispanic population is starting off at a higher level of support for open space than non-Hispanic whites ("Anglos"). As subsequent generations move up the income and educational ladders, we can expect even greater levels of support, magnified by the increasing Hispanic population. (Polls of other ethnic groups also showed encouraging support for open space.)
The challenge for environmental nonprofits is to attract and support this powerful constituency, as well as the many other constituencies in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. This is something that we here at CGF are working on, need to be working on, and will continue to be working on in the future.
-Brian
Earth and Art Day in Woodside
We at CGF find it very timely and appropriate that the theme of Woodside’s annual environmental festival this year is “Earth and Art.” They’ll be holding the event on Saturday, October 9 from noon – 4pm at the Runnymede Sculpture Farm, where some 150 modern sculptures are placed about the 120-acre landscape so as to blend with the natural environment.
It's timely for us because it's three weeks (to the day!) before our big event on October 30, Nature's Inspirations, which will celebrate the local landscape artists who inspire all of us to keep doing what we do to protect local natural lands.
The Woodside event provides a rare opportunity to see Runnymede, which isn’t generally open to the public. Once you read last year’s Almanac article about Runnymede, you'll want to go just to see this place. Plus the Woodside folks have lots of great environmental activities, info and entertainment planned.
You’ll have to buy tickets in advance -- they won’t be sold at the gate. You can get them at the Woodside Town Hall M-F, 8-12 and 1-5. Admission for adults is just $3, or for $10 you’ll also get lunch from jzCool. Kids are $5 with lunch, or $2 for admission only.
CGF will have a booth at the event – stop by and say hello!
- Kathy
It's timely for us because it's three weeks (to the day!) before our big event on October 30, Nature's Inspirations, which will celebrate the local landscape artists who inspire all of us to keep doing what we do to protect local natural lands.
The Woodside event provides a rare opportunity to see Runnymede, which isn’t generally open to the public. Once you read last year’s Almanac article about Runnymede, you'll want to go just to see this place. Plus the Woodside folks have lots of great environmental activities, info and entertainment planned.
You’ll have to buy tickets in advance -- they won’t be sold at the gate. You can get them at the Woodside Town Hall M-F, 8-12 and 1-5. Admission for adults is just $3, or for $10 you’ll also get lunch from jzCool. Kids are $5 with lunch, or $2 for admission only.
CGF will have a booth at the event – stop by and say hello!
- Kathy
Thursday, September 23, 2004
A victory for San Jose on high speed rail
Today's Mercury News had a good article with a bad headline in the print version: "High Speed Rail Setback for San Jose" (the online headline is better). The bullet train environmental planning process will now consider a route over Altamont Pass that may, we emphasize may, be more environmentally beneficial. Only doing the study will let us know - that's what good planning is all about. And doing good planning that minimizes environmental impacts to Santa Clara County is a victory for the people of San Jose.
You'll be hearing more about this development. This particular case is a good example of environmental group coordination. Sometimes CGF has taken the lead with support of other groups, such as curtailing abuse of a zoning process called lot line adjustments. Sometimes we have shared leadership, such as on Coyote Valley and on the illegal golf course in Morgan Hill. Sometimes we've supported other groups taking the lead. Sierra Club took the lead on the high speed rail - we wrote a comment letter, appeared at two hearings, and arranged a meeting with a congressional staffer, but Sierra Club did by far the majority of work. We'll happily accept some of the credit for this interim victory, and happily credit Sierra Club for its leadership on the issue.
You'll be hearing more about this development. This particular case is a good example of environmental group coordination. Sometimes CGF has taken the lead with support of other groups, such as curtailing abuse of a zoning process called lot line adjustments. Sometimes we have shared leadership, such as on Coyote Valley and on the illegal golf course in Morgan Hill. Sometimes we've supported other groups taking the lead. Sierra Club took the lead on the high speed rail - we wrote a comment letter, appeared at two hearings, and arranged a meeting with a congressional staffer, but Sierra Club did by far the majority of work. We'll happily accept some of the credit for this interim victory, and happily credit Sierra Club for its leadership on the issue.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Rushing towards sprawl in Coyote Valley
One advantage of this blog is it gives us a chance to share documents that might not fit on other parts of the website. Here (in PDF format; requires Acrobat Reader) is a letter we delivered yesterday to the San Jose City Council.
Of particular interest is our concern that the county-wide habitat plan may have been deliberately delayed by San Jose to keep it from affecting Coyote Valley. This suspicion has been floating around for a while now; it will be interesting to see if we finally get a reaction to it by making it public.
-Brian
Of particular interest is our concern that the county-wide habitat plan may have been deliberately delayed by San Jose to keep it from affecting Coyote Valley. This suspicion has been floating around for a while now; it will be interesting to see if we finally get a reaction to it by making it public.
-Brian
Friday, September 17, 2004
More South County development rumors
The news buzzing around is that the Ohlone Native American tribe living in the south Santa Clara County area has cut a deal with the owners of the 5,000-acre Sargent Ranch. The landowner is supposedly paying for the process of lobbying for federal recognition, and in return the tribe supposedly will help Sargent Ranch develop free from County land use constraints because of some kind of relationship with the federally-recognized tribe. Very unclear, as can be seen from this summary. Watch for news about this over the next few days.
CGF has long opposed short-sighted development of Sargent Ranch. This latest issue adds a very different wrinkle that we'll have to study, but it appears to involve some very cynical maneuvering by Sargent Ranch landowners. We have not heard anything yet to change our belief that destroying natural areas and working ranchland in Sargent Ranch is a bad idea.
-Brian
CGF has long opposed short-sighted development of Sargent Ranch. This latest issue adds a very different wrinkle that we'll have to study, but it appears to involve some very cynical maneuvering by Sargent Ranch landowners. We have not heard anything yet to change our belief that destroying natural areas and working ranchland in Sargent Ranch is a bad idea.
-Brian
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Local land conservancy next step in open space protection
Our colleagues at Peninsula Open Space Trust have been raising private money to buy open space since 1977, and have been remarkably successful. Their work often depends on that of Committee for Green Foothills, which acts to defend lands from development so that they remain as open space and are thus worthy of purchasing, but it's that critical step of purchase - and thus permanent protection - that makes our work on land use issues ultimately very satisfying.
They've recently launched a complete redesign of their website, and it's both professional and informative. I especially like the interactive map linked from this page.
- Kathy
They've recently launched a complete redesign of their website, and it's both professional and informative. I especially like the interactive map linked from this page.
- Kathy
News roundup- Santa Clara County
A news roundup, with our comments.
In the Mercury News:
Plan to clean up mercury contamination in the Bay reaches the Water Board today. These plans rarely get to that level without having the political path paved in advance, so it will likely go ahead. CGF follows this issue, but we are careful to remain an open-space/natural resource protection group. If we tried to become a toxics-control organization as well, the effect would be to lose our focus and efficiency.
Morgan Hill Times:
A proposal to expand the San Martin airport is in the works. Proponents say it will help bring jobs to the bedroom communities of South County, while opponents say its just another effort that will promote development of the North County, which lacks housing and will ultimately result in sprawl. This echoes a similar argument over Coyote Valley. Proponents have a somewhat better argument here than is the case in Coyote Valley, but we are reserving our judgment for now.
Morgan Hill ponders expanding the city limits in the southeastern area. We have written about this before, indicating that we have some doubts about the process. I am quoted as saying a compromise between developers and environmentalists would be a good thing, but I certainly intended to say it could be a good thing. The devil is in the details.
The Pinnacle News:
Gilroy supports a southern alignment of the proposed bullet train to Los Angeles. We have no final position on the best alignment, but the southern alignment could harm wetlands in the Pajaro River watershed. We would like to see the Altamont route studied. Left unmentioned in the article is the financial problems this project is encountering. Rumors suggest it is a very long way from ever happening.
The Gilroy Dispatch:
Both the local Native American tribe and members of the local community are opposed to a $300 million casino proposed by a five-member tribe that does not live here. Interestingly, a prominent opponent of a failed measure that would have stopped sprawl in San Benito County is now opposing the casino, which could cause sprawl in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties. They say politics makes for strange bedfellows....
-Brian
In the Mercury News:
Plan to clean up mercury contamination in the Bay reaches the Water Board today. These plans rarely get to that level without having the political path paved in advance, so it will likely go ahead. CGF follows this issue, but we are careful to remain an open-space/natural resource protection group. If we tried to become a toxics-control organization as well, the effect would be to lose our focus and efficiency.
Morgan Hill Times:
A proposal to expand the San Martin airport is in the works. Proponents say it will help bring jobs to the bedroom communities of South County, while opponents say its just another effort that will promote development of the North County, which lacks housing and will ultimately result in sprawl. This echoes a similar argument over Coyote Valley. Proponents have a somewhat better argument here than is the case in Coyote Valley, but we are reserving our judgment for now.
Morgan Hill ponders expanding the city limits in the southeastern area. We have written about this before, indicating that we have some doubts about the process. I am quoted as saying a compromise between developers and environmentalists would be a good thing, but I certainly intended to say it could be a good thing. The devil is in the details.
The Pinnacle News:
Gilroy supports a southern alignment of the proposed bullet train to Los Angeles. We have no final position on the best alignment, but the southern alignment could harm wetlands in the Pajaro River watershed. We would like to see the Altamont route studied. Left unmentioned in the article is the financial problems this project is encountering. Rumors suggest it is a very long way from ever happening.
The Gilroy Dispatch:
Both the local Native American tribe and members of the local community are opposed to a $300 million casino proposed by a five-member tribe that does not live here. Interestingly, a prominent opponent of a failed measure that would have stopped sprawl in San Benito County is now opposing the casino, which could cause sprawl in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties. They say politics makes for strange bedfellows....
-Brian
Monday, September 13, 2004
Mercury News perspective on Coyote Valley shifting?
The Merc has two new editorials on Coyote Valley, in advance of today's Coyote Valley Task Force meeting:
Triggering Coyote, and
Main Issues Must Be Solved Before Approval.
The Merc is right to insist on "triggers" that require job creation prior to Coyote Valley residential development. From CGF's perspective, this requirement shows the fallacy of developing Coyote Valley, since it will be years before the City needs to expand to that area.
The Merc is also right to insist on a greenbelt, although we are frankly cynical about whatever San Jose will ultimately propose. The City may try to ram a square peg of developed residences into the round hole of greenbelt purposes, and announce a perfect fit.
Where the Merc is wrong is supporting the current timetable for planning. It is right to support advanced planning rather than rushed, last-minute planning, but what we have here is rushed, last-minute advanced planning in order to accommodate Mayor Gonzales' term of office. People take over a year to design their dream home, but San Jose hopes to plan a city of 80,000 in the same amount of remaining time. If there's any reason for planning something that is so far away from being needed, at least it should not be rushed.
Nevertheless, the Merc appears to be listening to critics of Coyote Valley proposals. We'll keep working on them.
Triggering Coyote, and
Main Issues Must Be Solved Before Approval.
The Merc is right to insist on "triggers" that require job creation prior to Coyote Valley residential development. From CGF's perspective, this requirement shows the fallacy of developing Coyote Valley, since it will be years before the City needs to expand to that area.
The Merc is also right to insist on a greenbelt, although we are frankly cynical about whatever San Jose will ultimately propose. The City may try to ram a square peg of developed residences into the round hole of greenbelt purposes, and announce a perfect fit.
Where the Merc is wrong is supporting the current timetable for planning. It is right to support advanced planning rather than rushed, last-minute planning, but what we have here is rushed, last-minute advanced planning in order to accommodate Mayor Gonzales' term of office. People take over a year to design their dream home, but San Jose hopes to plan a city of 80,000 in the same amount of remaining time. If there's any reason for planning something that is so far away from being needed, at least it should not be rushed.
Nevertheless, the Merc appears to be listening to critics of Coyote Valley proposals. We'll keep working on them.
Thursday, September 9, 2004
The nice developers in Morgan Hill
Probably the most interesting meeting to date about the proposed Urban Limit Line (ULL) in Morgan Hill happened on Tuesday. The ULL is supposed to indicate either the permanent limit to the city's growth, or its limit in fifty years, depending on the person describing it. This contrasts with the city's current Urban Growth Boundary, which limits growth for a 20-year period. Environmentalists are generally not happy about the ULL, as it seems to increase the pressure to develop. The city has been holding out the prospect of a greenbelt and open space conservation in order meet some environmental goals, but whether the tradeoff is worth it remains unclear.
The biggest fireworks will concern an 1,200 acre area to the southeast of the current city boundaries, most of which is being farmed. I have been attending meetings of an advisory sub-committee, which appeared likely to recommend that this area be brought within the ULL, and later have an "Area Plan" developed that will recommend open-space preservation.
Somewhat to my surprise, the sub-committee appeared to agree with my argument on Tuesday that moving the ULL first while determining the Area Plan later would give all the negotiating leverage to developers. The subcommittee is now rethinking that idea, while we environmentalists ponder our options.
After the meeting, I was surrounded by a mix of landowners and developers who were less than happy about my comments. We ended up talking for nearly half an hour, and I re-discovered something I've seen numerous times before, that the people on the opposite side of our environmental conflicts can be perfectly nice and decent. One of them even invited me out to their land, and I hope to take up the offer.
The issue that we environmentalists have to remember though is that we support the environment because it's important to do so, regardless of whether the other side has the best or worst of intentions.
-Brian
(Morgan Hill provides additional information on the ULL process here.)
The biggest fireworks will concern an 1,200 acre area to the southeast of the current city boundaries, most of which is being farmed. I have been attending meetings of an advisory sub-committee, which appeared likely to recommend that this area be brought within the ULL, and later have an "Area Plan" developed that will recommend open-space preservation.
Somewhat to my surprise, the sub-committee appeared to agree with my argument on Tuesday that moving the ULL first while determining the Area Plan later would give all the negotiating leverage to developers. The subcommittee is now rethinking that idea, while we environmentalists ponder our options.
After the meeting, I was surrounded by a mix of landowners and developers who were less than happy about my comments. We ended up talking for nearly half an hour, and I re-discovered something I've seen numerous times before, that the people on the opposite side of our environmental conflicts can be perfectly nice and decent. One of them even invited me out to their land, and I hope to take up the offer.
The issue that we environmentalists have to remember though is that we support the environment because it's important to do so, regardless of whether the other side has the best or worst of intentions.
-Brian
(Morgan Hill provides additional information on the ULL process here.)
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
Joni Mitchell and capital depreciation schedules
Joni Mitchell, who wrote the song with the lyrics "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot", may not have realized her connection to obscure tax code provisions. Brian Leiter, a professor from the University of Texas, might see it.
Leiter reports on a proposal to accelerate capital depreciation schedules to a single year, which he says will have the effect of creating a tax profit off of money-losing speculative ventures, such as pink hotels, swinging hot spots, and associated parking lots. Interestingly, he states the schedule was made much shorter in 1954, near the beginning of America's post-war sprawl expansion. Leiter warns that writing off costs in a single year would make things much worse, manipulating the tax code in a way that rewards bad economic decision-making and environmental destruction.
Joni Mitchell's lyrics are here. Land use and tax policy advocates need to work together to avoid the problem she describes.
-Brian
Leiter reports on a proposal to accelerate capital depreciation schedules to a single year, which he says will have the effect of creating a tax profit off of money-losing speculative ventures, such as pink hotels, swinging hot spots, and associated parking lots. Interestingly, he states the schedule was made much shorter in 1954, near the beginning of America's post-war sprawl expansion. Leiter warns that writing off costs in a single year would make things much worse, manipulating the tax code in a way that rewards bad economic decision-making and environmental destruction.
Joni Mitchell's lyrics are here. Land use and tax policy advocates need to work together to avoid the problem she describes.
-Brian
Thursday, September 2, 2004
Creative diversion of waste
Today's SF Examiner has an article about an operation that's trucking food waste from restaurants in San Francisco not to the landfill, but to a giant composting plant in Vacaville.
This is a creative way to keep landfills from filling as quickly (and could alleviate, or delay, problems such as that posed by Santa Cruz County's need for a new site) and, as it turns out, also provides real and measurable benefits to the agricultural and other operations using the finished compost.
- Kathy
This is a creative way to keep landfills from filling as quickly (and could alleviate, or delay, problems such as that posed by Santa Cruz County's need for a new site) and, as it turns out, also provides real and measurable benefits to the agricultural and other operations using the finished compost.
- Kathy
Some good news for Stevens Creek
Next to Stevens Creek and Stevens Creek County Park lies an undeveloped 124-acre parcel that had been proposed for a 1,500-student private academy. Besides destroying the parcel's environmental value, the proposal would have had significant traffic impacts and access issues.
Canyon Heights Academy has now announced an alternative, permanent location for their school, on the site of a former elementary school in Campbell. The short-term threat to Stevens Creek appears to have passed. The next question though is what will happen to the 124-acre parcel. More development proposals may come down the pike, but conservationists might consider it as a possible addition to Stevens Creek park. If preservation is not feasible, then residential development should be required to protect the area's natural value as much as possible.
More information on the parcel and the threat to it can be found at the Stevens Canyon Residents Association.
Canyon Heights Academy has now announced an alternative, permanent location for their school, on the site of a former elementary school in Campbell. The short-term threat to Stevens Creek appears to have passed. The next question though is what will happen to the 124-acre parcel. More development proposals may come down the pike, but conservationists might consider it as a possible addition to Stevens Creek park. If preservation is not feasible, then residential development should be required to protect the area's natural value as much as possible.
More information on the parcel and the threat to it can be found at the Stevens Canyon Residents Association.
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