Sonoma County Decides on Dutra - 12-08-09

Dear Vesta,
Here is the e-mail letter template (see attachment) that readers can copy and send and pass along to friends and supporters of our work to keep the wetlands clean. I also attached the figures on excess available capacity for asphalt production in Sonoma County, which as referenced in the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR): There is no NEED for an additional plant in Sonoma County, whatever location.

Asphalt has been laid all over the South County without Dutra. Their defunct operation was very small and did not supply all of the asphalt needs when it was operating. Its closure by Bay Are Air Quality Management District (for operating without a permit and after numerous air quality violations) has not created a shortage of asphalt in the South County.

The entire Petaluma City Council is on record as unanimously opposed to the Dutra Asphalt Plant at Haystack Landing. They are supported by five cities, including Sebastopol. The County is trying to force a factory into Petaluma's Urban Growth Boundary and scenic view corridor. If the County can do this to Petaluma, it can do it to Sebastopol, Healdsburg, Sonoma,
Cloverdale and Santa Rosa. All of these cities' Councils wrote letters in support of the City Petaluma rejecting the Dutra Asphalt Plant. This asphalt plant will be destructive for the environment, degrade the health of the residents and wildlife, and turn away tourism business dollars. Cheap asphalt? Dutra has made no binding agreement to save the tax payer any money. Convenient asphalt - at what cost to the environment?

Thanks for your help in reaching out to the West County. It is crucial that Sup. Carrillo hear from his constituents on this issue. His vote will determine the outcome of this vote.

Joan

What people can do do help:
1) -mail Sup, Efren Carrillo before Dec. 8th
ecarrillo@sonoma-county.org

2) Attend the Hearing On TUES December 8th @ 2 PM
in solidarity with Friends of Shollenberger Park

3) Go to SaveShollenberger.com to sign our on-line Petition

TEMPLATE OF LETTER SUGGESTION:

Dear Supervisor Carrillo:

I am a West County (Sonoma County) Voter and I ask you to vote to protect one of our County's finest assets, the wetlands and wildlife habitat of Shollenberger Park. Vote "NO" to approving the Dutra Asphalt Plant.

Don't spread pollution - clean it up. Shollenberger Park, Alman Marsh wetlands and adjacent Ellis Creek Polishing Ponds are the last of a precious resource, a high elevation salt marsh. Our Open Space tax-dollars have paid to acquire and protect these lands and an asphalt plant is incompatible with these goals.

Don't destroy what we have restored. Don't increase air pollution and associated cancers. Instead work towards reducing air contaminants produced by existing asphalt plants and reducing illness in Sonoma County by protecting the environment.

When asked, the Sonoma County Voter votes green by a Super Majority: 1998 Measure D Voter Mandated Scenic View Corridor, Open Space District Funding, Smart Rail, and Community Separators and Urban Growth Boundaries. Don't ignore the mandate of the West County voter who passed
Measure D to protect the Scenic View Corridor south of Petaluma.

I will remember how you vote. Vote NO on the Dutra Asphalt Plant.

Sincerely,
Joan Cooper (your name here)