Green Living for a Blue Planet

By Vesta Copestakes
Each year we celebrate Earth Day, this year on April 22nd, with events highlighting both the joys of living on this paradise planet, as well as educational efforts to raise consciousness of how precariously balanced earth is.

While I sing the praises of what change we have accomplished, I also lament the lack of change fast enough to keep our earth in balance.

At our recent Easter Egg Hunt little plastic eggs were thrown out in the grass for children to find. Made in China. Filled with little candies wrapped in paper, etc. High fructose corn syrup, which goes straight to the brain asking for more.

Then I watched as children stomped on the plastic eggs to break them open, leaving shards on the ground. Why were parents not stopping them, helping them carefully open the eggs, then taking the plastic for recycling? I picked up tiny bright colored plastic bits so birds wouldn’t think they were food as I explained to these children the consequences of their actions.

Boo, Vesta. Can’t these kids just have fun? One day?

There are so many one days, one moments of unconsciousness. They add up and our planet is suffering. “I want it NOW” has a price of consequences over time.

In my own neighborhood we had frogs singing the joys of life each night. They mistook a community swimming pool left to winter for a large pond. It cost them their lives. The people in charge of the pool didn’t like the loud sound keeping them up at night, so they shocked the pool with chlorine long before anyone will swim in those now clear blue waters. Our nights are suddenly silent.

That ”pond” had attracted frogs from a neighbor’s pond across the hill, which now is also silent, because these frogs were foolish enough to seek out others they heard from a distance.

We used to have frogs in a little run-off stream at the bottom by Speer’s Market. Trucks slamming through the mud for entertainment killed off those frogs several years ago. It’s silent there as well. You can’t destroy habitat without destroying what lives there!

Just a bit of consciousness of how these frogs are our summer mosquito protection would go a long way. They are not noisy. They are singing for reproduction. Within a short time they would have been busy parenting, then eating bugs to keep summer nights comfortable for us.

We are all connected – we just need to see it that way.

Every time we pick up an object to purchase, if we think about where it came from, how long it will live in our life, and what we will do with it when we’re done, the choices we make from start to finish are likely to change. Consciousness is necessary on a grand scale in order for life cycles to be about healthy choices.

Think about it. Then at least try to do something about it. Every little change we make in the way we live that supports our planet, also supports life on it...our life.

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Russian River Low Flow Protest

Protest ALERT!
for PERMANENT
Russian River LOW FLOW!

Background….

By Brenda Adelman
Over a year ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a Biological Opinion (BO) to institute management changes in the Russian River that would protect three fish species of concern: Coho and Chinook salmon and Steelhead Trout. While many support efforts to save the threatened and endangered species, the Order did not address many project impacts, such was water quality, recreation and the local economy. Furthermore, much of the project is a long-term experiment and results may not be known for many years.

Because of very low storage levels in Lake Mendocino, Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) was permitted to temporarily lower flows from 125 cubic feet per second (cfs) to between 35 and 70 cfs in 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2009.

SCWA was also ordered by the Biological Opinion to apply to the State Water Board for PERMANENTLY lowered flows in the Russian River, which they did on September 23, 2009. The State determined that protests are due by April 12, 2010, BEFORE they conduct environmental review. There is also a study of water quality by U.S.G.S. that will be released AFTER the protest period has ended. People are urged to ask for more time to express concerns.

For your reference, SCWA petition is entitled: “Petition for Modification of Water-Right Permits” and with State Water Board notices, can be found at the State Water Board’s website at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/publications_forms/

Lower flows to become permanent…..
It is being recommended that minimum flows in the lower Russian River be permanently decreased from 125 cfs to 70 cfs. As recently as 2006, summer flows were commonly running about 200 cfs. We do not believe that the State is required to adopt these changes as is, but before they reject or alter them, they must have good cause. We hope Russian River lovers will protest this project. The DEADLINE for PROTESTS is APRIL 12, 2010. To have a big impact, a lot of people need to respond.

Full environmental review should occur BEFORE the deadline for comments and AFTER all water quality studies and analyeses are released to the public. There are many unanswered questions about what impacts will result from this action. The process is backwards.

Long range impacts of low flows are unknown….
There are large gaps in information about the long-range impacts of lowering flows permanently. NMFS is making this demand on the lower river for the sole purpose of keeping the Estuary closed all summer in order to provide habitat for steelhead.

They did not adequately address impacts to water quality, other species (including the listed Chinook salmon), water supply, recreation, or other beneficial uses. We don’t know what will happen to the seals, the sea birds, and we don’t know why the frogs have all but disappeared.
We want something done about polluting nutrients, sedimentation, toxins, (including emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals) and temperature problems. All of these factors affect the fish and human use as well. We also wonder about long term impacts on recreation and the local tourist economy.

In the Biological Opinion, NMFS did require limited water quality monitoring for conventional pollutants such as temperature, pH, turbidity, specific conductance, bacteria, and limited nutrients. The tests for phosphorus (a nutrient) were improperly done and the results are meaningless.

Although the excursions of bacteria at lower river beaches were quite numerous (You may have noticed warning signs on the beaches.), they are being characterized as no worse than previous years during higher flows. There has been no analysis of the data, so we don’t know on what basis they are drawing those conclusions. Many believe that low flow has and will make pollution worse.

All of last summer, when lower-river flows averaged about 70 cfs, volunteers took weekly pictures at several points along the lower river. Many canoeists reported and photographed gross algae blooms. We saw large amounts and many kinds of algae; we saw extensive blooms of invasive plant species, and we saw many instances of canoes scraping bottom.

We took pictures of people and pets standing ankle deep in the middle of the river. We heard second hand stories of pets getting very ill right after playing in the river. And, at our request, the Regional Board tested a few sites for toxic blue-green algae, which they found at one of the popular local beaches. It may also be occurring at other places.

Send protests to State Water Board, SCWA, & RRWPC….
PROTEST FORM CAN BE FOUND AT SONOMA COUNTY GAZETTE WEBSITE AT: www.sonomacountygazette.com/riverflowprotest.pdf Protest should be sent to the State Board at the address listed on the form. (Please mail by April 9th, to make sure they get to the State in time.)

CLICK ON THIS IMAGE TO PRINT PETITION

Copies MUST also be sent to Sonoma County Water Agency C/O Grant Davis, General Manager, P.O. Box 11628, Santa Rosa, CA 95406, and if possible, also to RRWPC at P.O. Box 501, Guerneville, CA 95446.

Please write a letter about your own river experiences and why you are concerned about lower flows. If you have photos to include, please do so, but make sure you send to both the State Board (address on form) AND SCWA (address above). You can use form as a template for your own letter or just fill out form directly. Please circle the ways in which you personally utilize the river.

Please tell us your stories about the river….
Russian River Watershed Protection Committee will be providing our own protest to the State Water Board. It would help us if we could submit your stories about the river. Please send information to address listed below. Your name and the date should appear on the letter and also note approximate date you were in the river. We would like to hear about how very low flows will affect your business, the local tourist economy, recreation and your use of the river.
We wonder if any person or pet you know had health problems resulting from contact from the river? Did you notice any changes in water quality last year from prior years (even if it was a long time ago)? What did the water look like, how has it changed, and what did you see floating in and around? Did anyone you know have stomach distress of any kind, skin rashes, eye, ear, throat, or nose problems, or anything else? Was it necessary to visit a doctor? How long did symptoms last? Where in the river were you located after which the problem occurred? How soon afterward did you or someone you know exhibit symptoms? Please share whatever details you can.

Email Brenda and/or RRWPC at rrwpc@comcast.net with questions or comments or if you want to be placed on our mailing list. Please mail stories to RRWPC, P.O. Box 501, Guerneville, CA 95446

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~ Native American Proverb

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Salmon Creek Center Environmental Award

Green Building at its Best
Salmon Creek Environmental Center receives Highest Award

By Dennis Rosatti
Harmony Union School District will soon have an official plaque to show it has earned the highest possible award for our recently constructed Cafeteria / Auditorium / Environmental Education Center Building.

The Redwood Empire Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council will be presenting the prestigious LEED-Platinum (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) award at the Falls Center on April 21.

“This award publicly recognizes our commitment to inspiring students and community to become responsible stewards of the environment, not just through education, but through the example of this environmentally green building,” said District Superintendent/Principal Dave Miller.

Environmental consciousness is a longstanding part of the Harmony community. The school District supports a place-based, environmental education curriculum, taking advantage of the four distinct habitats of redwood forest, wetlands, grasslands, and creek found on this rural, 50-acre campus in western Sonoma County. Rooftop solar panels installed several years ago provide a portion of its energy. Its student-run recycling/composting program keeps thousands of pounds of waste out of the landfill every year, and students help tend the school’s organic garden that provides much of the produce served every day with the school lunch program.
Now, the District’s newest building—the first LEED-Platinum certified building in the county—not only supports but also extends the school community’s commitment to sustainability in a myriad of ways.

The floors and walls of the Falls Center are all made from such recycled materials as hospital surgical gowns, wine cork tiles, and ground glass; a wind-fallen redwood from the campus provided lumber for wainscoting; energy efficient florescent fixtures and skylights provide lighting; low-flow bathroom and kitchen fixtures are all high-efficiency and water-conserving. A complex drainage system collects rooftop rainwater, funneling it into a catchment system to enhance the existing wetlands; and a “living” roof, planted with 12 species of drought tolerant plants, covers one section of the structure, helping “reduce storm-water runoff, improve building performance, conserve energy, and provide habitat for insects and birds,” according to Kevin Falkerson of SYMBIOS, the firm that designed and installed the roof. Together with the living roof, landscaping around the building will offer further opportunities for students to study native plants and their uses. “Talk about getting an education!” says Alexis Persinger, architect for the project. “These students are living in sustainable design every day.” Adds project coordinator Victoria Johnston, “Our vision was to build the first LEED-Platinum public school building in California, which took a tremendous amount of perseverance and determination. I’m thrilled we succeeded.”

The new green building provides a cafeteria, assembly space, office space, and a meeting room for use by the school district as well as the surrounding community. Every lunch period, from tables in the bright, naturally lit, passive solar cafeteria, students can look out a wall of windows across the playing fields to wilder fields and forest beyond. A large, eco-themed mosaic mural (designed and created by students last spring) gracing the foyer and bathrooms serves as a starting point for elementary grade research into local flora and fauna. The assembly hall, with its state-of-the-art media center, already has hosted several author visits, musical performances, and various community events, with monthly movie nights in the offing.

“Green building is a blossoming field of study with very promising career paths,” says Dennis Rosatti, HUSD board member and executive director of the non-profit organization Sonoma County Conservation Action. “The District is proud to be setting this good environmental example for our students, while providing a glimpse of what might be in store for them in the future.”

The award ceremony on Wednesday, April 21 will run from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, starting with a 20-minute documentary on the history of the building, followed by the presentation of the plaque. Food and drink will be provided, and tours of the building will be available. The cost is $10. Due to the size of the assembly hall, participants will be limited to 80 people. To reserve a seat or for more information, contact USGBC’s Redwood Empire Chapter at www.usgbc-rec.org.

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350 Garden Challenge Sonoma County

350 GARDEN CHALLENGE COMMUNITY KICK-OFF!
TUES, MARCH 30th 7-9pm

Imagine a garden on every block in Sonoma County! On a single ambitious weekend, May 15th and 16th, we will transform 350 Sonoma County landscapes into bountiful gardens, which save water and emissions, grow food and habitat, and promote greywater and Low Impact Development (LID). Daily Acts, GoLocal, and iGROW Sonoma, with the generous support of Sonoma County Water Agency and countless community partners and the cities of Sonoma County are spearheading this initiative to involve everyone in homegrown food production! By choosing the number 350, we’re participating in the international campaign to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis.

Please join us Tuesday, March 30th, from 7 to 9 pm to:
• hear from sponsors and supporters
• meet others organizing the event
• get details about projects, key organizers, and the May weekend
Sonoma County Water Agency Meeting Room
404 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa

Every community will have at least one higher profile model garden, be it an entire block transformed into edible landscapes, a water efficient annual vegetable garden, a perennial food forest, a native drought tolerant prairie or a garden irrigated by greywater. These educational sites will model specific techniques that produce food and save water.

Local businesses are getting involved by offering discounts and donating materials, including a potential donation of wine barrels, potting soil and tomatoes for container gardens in areas with limited access to land. We will emphasize local economic development to generate support for our local businesses.

With hundreds of new gardens being installed this spring, we intend to highlight these efforts and build a community movement, while also challenging individuals to grow even more gardens. Helping create a homegrown local food system directly addresses climate change by shortening the miles food travels to the table, and improves the health of county residents by increasing accessibility of fresh food. We encourage everyone to join by registering their garden and volunteering at www.igrowsonoma.org or calling Beth Dadko at 707-565-6681.

DAILY ACTS’ UPCOMING COTATI WORKSHOPS
TRANSFORM YOUR THIRSTY LAWN

Daily Acts and the City of Cotati have formed a unique partnership to offer Cotati residents these incredible workshops throughout the year. These April workshops are just the beginning. Come tour a greywater system and hear from greywater experts in June! Join the Cotati Garden Wheel and initiate your own lawn to food transformation in your own backyard! Come to these April workshops to build your skills, then contact the City of Cotati to get rebates and resources to help you save water and money, and live more sustainably!

Workshop: Transform Your Thirsty Lawn!
Saturday, April 3rd 10am –– 4pm, Free for Cotati Residents, $10-20 non-residents
Location: Pocket Park, corner of LaSalle and Loretta Avenues, Cotati
Register by calling 707-789-9664 or emailing erin@dailyacts.org
In this incredible hands-on workshop, we’ll kick off the gardening season and our Cotati Water Conservation Education Series by completing the lawn transformation we started in 2009. Patrick Picard, award-winning landscape designer, will revisit the permaculture principles incorporated in this 5,000 square foot neighborhood park. We’ll cover topics such as fruit tree guilds, insectory and habitat-producing plants, and the soil-building and earthwork techniques that Cotati residents and Daily Acts implemented at the park last fall. We’ll learn about, Carex pansa, a drought-tolerant sedge alternative to turf, and plant a model native grass lawn at the site. We’ll talk about Cotati’s Cash for Grass program, and show how the model garden at Pocket Park ties in with this larger city effort to save water and build resilient and rich community landscapes!

Workshop: Transform your Thirsty Lawn: Sheet Mulching 101
Sunday, April 18th 10am––2pm, Free for Cotati residents, $10-20 non-residents
Annually in the US, millions of pounds of pesticides are used and billions of gallons of fuel consumed in lawn care. But there’s no need to rip out your lawn, transport it to the landfill, buy more soil, and waste time, money and emissions! By composting your lawn in place, it mimics a natural forest’s process of soil building and provides a host of benefits – saving water and money, building soil, suppressing weed growth, reducing herbicide and pesticide use and much more. We will discuss easy-to-find local waste and recycled resources to inexpensively turn your yard into fertile ground for growing the water-savvy garden of your dreams. We will cover the benefits of sheet-mulching, local incentive programs and how to do it. Then, we’ll get some hands-on practice at Cotati’s beautiful Demonstration Garden smack dab in the middle of town as we put sheet-mulching theory into weed-subverting action!

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Roblar Road Quarry Hearing April 1

ROBLAR ROAD QUARRY HEARING

The Planning Commission meeting is still planned for April 1, 1:45 p.m. at the Permit & Resource Management Dept. hearing room in Santa Rosa. The commission will again take public comment, but only on the hydrology issues related to the FEIR. Due to the letter sent in December to the County from the California Regional Water Quality Board pointing out serious deficiencies in the FEIR with respect to blasting next to the closed landfill and its potential impacts on water, we think the County and the applicant have been scrambling to come up with some plan that will attempt to mitigate these serious issues. Since the County staff recommended the Planning Commission accept the project last December despite there being more than 160 conditions of approval to be addressed, we think they will approve it on April 1 and pass it along to the Supervisors for a vote this spring.

CARRQ (Citizens Advocating for Roblar Rural Quality) is trying to mobilize more support for a fight at the supervisor level. As a small grass roots organization this is definitely a David and Goliath story. We are working a little bit with the Sonoma County Conservation Action group and we have support from the RussianRiverkeepers, Community Clean Water Institute and the Sebastopol Water Information Group. Supervisorial candidates (Second District) John King and Pamela Torliatt are opposed to the project, with John King speaking against it at the last planning commission meeting.

This quarry should be of concern to all Sonoma County residents, not just those of us who live nearby.

Some key reasons are:

The use of $2.3. million of taxpayer dollars to purchase property from John Barella (owner of North Bay Construction) to preserve 750 acres of dairy land as Open Space. Now he and the County want to take back some of those acres to run 200 to 400 gravel trucks a day over this pristine area.

The County will be liable in perpetuity for any environmental hazards/impacts caused by the quarry if it is built and permitted to operate for 20+ years (and aren’t they already in a big enough mess with the current landfill let alone the closed, unlined landfill on Roblar Road?)
The County has not adequately tested the potential health hazards that could be present from particulate matter blowing westward toward Cotati/Petaluma from the quarry site once blasting and hauling the gavel begins.

The County has shown no economic need for the rock from this site. Blighting this area to provide John Barella’s company with up to 80% of the rock from this quarry (therefore not really making this rock widely available to other companies or citizens at a cheaper rate) would be a travesty.

We need all the help we can get publicizing this quarry beyond the ~300 residents in the Roblar/Valley Ford/Meacham and Pepper Road areas who support CARRQ. We know this project isn’t as sexy or as visible as the Dutra asphalt plant on the Petaluma River. But blasting the daylights out of a beautiful hillside when there is no public benefit to do so surely would be of interest to people who love living in Sonoma County—we need to get the word out and would appreciate as broad of coverage in the West County Gazette as you can give us.

I’ve attached the public notice about the upcoming Planning Commission meeting and a document with some key issue points.

Thank you very much,

Donna Spilman
www.carrq.org
Become a fan of CARRQ on Facebook!


CONTROVERSIAL QUARRY PROPOSAL FOR ROBLAR ROAD
CARRQ FACT SHEET

1. This proposed Roblar quarry is surrounded by a dairy belt off Roblar Road, allegedly preserved as Open Space.

2. The property is directly adjacent to an old unlined and uncapped landfill, closed in 1975, which long time local residents have admitted contain many undesirable chemicals dumped there in the years it was an active landfill, prior to public understanding of the harm in the chemicals.

3. In the 1980’s and 1990’s two separate applications to develop this land as a quarry were strongly objected to by neighbors and rejected by the County.

4. In 2001, the County's Open Space District offered the owner of the land around the rejected quarry $1.6 million of taxpayer money to buy development rights to preserve it as Open Space. The owner died before accepting.

5. Later in 2001, John Barella, the owner of North Bay Construction, bought 750 acres of this land. Mr. Barella asked the County to buy his development rights for the same 750 acres and put it into Open Space.

6. In 2003, the County paid John Barella $2.3 million for the same 750 acres it had previously offered for $1.6 million, to preserve it from development.

7. In 2003, Mr. Barella and North Bay Construction asked for permission to mine gravel from the rejected quarry.

8. In 2008, North Bay decided that it would need to run its gravel trucks through the Open Space to operate its planned gravel mine. North Bay Construction’s lawyer wrote and asked the County’s Open Space District to allow them to run gravel trucks through the same land whose development rights they had sold to the County for $2.3 million in 2003.

9. North Bay Construction said the proposed quarry will have 200 to 400 trips of gravel trucks on the roads every day for the next twenty years. There will be blasting causing excessive dust.
10. Serious concerns of harmful air quality and potential damage to local water quality, both for area wells and the Estero Americano, have not been able to be mitigated.

11. On December 17, 2009, based on the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR), the staff of the County Planning Commission recommended that the County let North Bay Construction develop the quarry, even though the County admits there are more than 160 conditions surrounding the project that cannot be mitigated to prevent hazards to water, air quality, health and safety, and environmental impacts to nearby streams and wetlands.

12. The County’s Planning staff recommended that the County approve mining in the gravel pit and allow North Bay Construction’s trucks to run through the Open Space land.

13. The County’s justification for the project is that rock from the proposed Roblar quarry is needed for local construction projects and that County residents will be able to get cheaper gravel. The Russian Riverkeepers organization has investigated the need for gravel and determined there is “no documented shortage of aggregate (gravel) and the future supply from existing sources is well over 100% of the demand.”

14. Neither the County nor North Bay Construction have tested the dump to know what kind of poisons are in it and how much of them will flow out when the mining digs into its side. For that reason, the California State Regional Water Control Board has told the County the EIR is deficient.

A gravel mine at this location is a terrible idea. It’s bad for the land, bad for the water, bad for these narrow two lane back country roads and bad for residents, drivers and bicyclists who travel along Roblar Road, Valley Ford, Pepper and Meacham Roads.

The County will decide whether or not to permit the quarry operation very soon. Now is the last opportunity to speak up. Write or call your County representatives!


Citizens Advocating for Roblar Rural Quality (CARRQ)
For more information: www.carrq.org
Spread the word! Become a Fan of CARRQ on Facebook and log in with your opinion.

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Russian River Watershed Geologic Mapping

As part of the Baseline Watershed Assessment for the RRWAMP (Russian River Watershed Adaptive Management Plan), the California Geological Survey (CGS) prepared a “Geologic Map and Landslide Potential Evaluation of the Russian River Watershed” under contract to the US Army Corp of Engineers. CGS completed the landslide potential evaluation using an approach similar to that developed by CGS for watershed investigations under the North Coast Watershed Assessment Program, the Watershed Mapping Program and other programs.

The methodology used in this investigation included the compilation of a watershed geologic map, the preparation of a Landslide Potential Matrix that evaluated the slope stability characteristic of the geologic unit for several categories of slope steepness, and then creating a Relative Landslide Potential Map that was modeled from these data using ArcGIS. The geologic map and landslide potential map was digitized into ESRI shapefiles using ArcGIS.

The CGS maps and accompanying report are available on the Russian River Interactive Information System web site: http://www.russianriverwatershed.net/

The Geologic and Landslide Potential maps consist of GIS files available at: http://www.russianriverwatershed.net/Content/10109/Physical_Geography.html

...under the “File Name Data Hyperlink” of “Geology”. There are four GIS files with “Source” of “CALGEO.”

The CGS Report is at:
http://www.russianriverwatershed.net/Content/10107/preview.html

...under the “Short Description” heading of “Geology”. The report is the first citation. The direct link is: Haydon, W. D. California Department of Conservation California Geological Survey. 2007. Landslide Potential Evaluation, Russian River Watershed, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, California http://www.russianriverwatershed.net/docManager/1000003375/CGS%20Russian%20River%20LPM%20Report_2.pdf

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding CGS’s investigations in the Russian River Watershed.

Best regards,
Wayne D. Haydon
Engineering Geologist
California Geological Survey
135 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
phone (707) 576-2162
fax (707) 576-2844
email Wayne.Haydon@conservation.ca.gov

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Flood Safety Awareness Week

It’s Flood Safety Awareness Week -- Did you know that in many cases flood dangers can be diminished by removing unsafe dams or poorly located levees? Is there an outdated dam or levee in your community? Catch a sneak peak of our new video about how communities removed dams and levees to solve flooding problems.

American Rivers is working with communities across the country to bring flood management into the 21st century. By protecting wetlands, moving development out of floodplains, and removing outdated dams, we can cost-effectively protect homes and businesses, as well as healthy rivers and clean water.

After you watch the trailer of our new film, please share the film. With your help, we can protect communities from unsafe dams and damaging floods!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Lindloff
Senior Director, River Restoration
http://act.americanrivers.org
To contact American Rivers, email us at outreach@AmericanRivers.org.
American Rivers ©2010

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Ask EcoGirl: Eco-Remedies for Our Health Care Crisis

Dear EcoGirl: The health care crisis is such a timely topic right now. Can an environmental perspective help provide solutions?

Signed, A Health Advocate

Dear Health Advocate: Ah, what a great question. Yes, I’ve been amazed that, amidst all the fierce health care debates, the environmental dimension is still largely being ignored, even given the clear connections between our high illness rates and exposure to environmental pollutants and everyday toxics.

Unfortunately, I feel that neglecting this issue has been a key reason that illness and medical costs have been escalating beyond what our culture can afford. However, addressing this harm can help us produce our much-needed breakthroughs in reducing both illness and health care expenses.

The Vital Link Between the Environment & Our Health
A key remedy then is for our mainstream health care system to embrace, in both policy and patient care, these essential truths connecting the environment and our shared health.

1) The environment is not “out there” but intimate with our bodies. It’s the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe, the products we buy, and the surfaces we touch everywhere in our lives. All the toxics and pollutants that our culture produces travel around the globe, harming people and the planet along the way — including us.

2) Humanity’s pollutants are consistently found in everyone’s bodies, no matter how clean our lifestyle. Did we really imagine that we could pollute the earth and not poison ourselves?

3) Everyday toxics are contributing significantly to high rates of common diseases.
A study by Safer Chemicals Healthy Families (SCHF, www.safer chemicals.org) estimates that toxic chemicals cause 30% of childhood asthma cases, 10% of diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and 5% of childhood cancer. Chronic diseases such as these affect half our population, generating 75% of health care costs and 70% of deaths.

4) Modest changes could drastically cut illness and costs. The Milken Institute estimates that small environmental and behavioral changes could cut 40 million chronic illness cases by 2023. SCHF calculates that trimming just 0.1% from medical costs would save $5 bilbillion a year. Pam Palitz of Environment California says, “Good chemical reform policy is good fiscal policy. We literally cannot afford the status quo when it comes to toxic chemical exposure.”

True Prevention
When today’s medical system talks about prevention, it usually just means early detection. However, health professionals and individuals can help millions of people actually avoid disease by taking committed action towards these three key eco-objectives.

1) Drastically reduce our individual and shared exposure to toxics and pollutants.
There are many effective (and often cheaper) ways to meet our needs at home, work, and play, without poisoning ourselves, our families, other creatures, and water supplies. (See my past columns for tips plus Health Care Without Harm, http://www.noharm.org/).

It’s also important to take community level action, such as improving toxics laws (see my Nov. 2009 column), encouraging cleaner manufacturing and energy production (including phasing out coal and nuclear power), and supporting health groups that address environmental factors (such as Breast Cancer Action, http://www.bcaction.org/).

2) Prioritize an eco-healthy diet, both in our lives and our hospitals (please!).
Much of what nurtures a healthy environment also nourishes individual health, including eating fresh whole foods, low on the food chain, and organic. Most mainstream food has been depleted and polluted by toxic farming practices. Studies show that choosing organic notably reduces dietary and environmental toxics, increases nutrients, and encourages less-toxic agriculture.

3) Integrate earth-friendly traditional healing as an equal partner. A wide variety of traditional natural modalities have been proven over generations to skillfully assess and adjust body imbalances early, with little or no side effects to ourselves or the planet. This gracefully maintains our wellness at a much lower cost, while avoiding pharmaceuticals’ harm to our environment and water supplies. For more about integrating Western and traditional approaches, plus other key system reforms, see Dr. Weil’s book Why Our Health Matters. I hope that these ideas inspire you to help heal our medical system by reweaving it with the earth again.

Ask EcoGirl is written by Patricia Dines, Author of The Organic Guides, and Editor and Lead Writer for The Next STEP newsletter. Email your questions about going green to for possible inclusion in future columns. View past columns at http://www.askecogirl.info/.

Your can also become a Facebook fan of "Ask EcoGirl", to show your support and stay in touch! Join at www.facebook.com/AskEcoGirl.

"EcoGirl: Encouraging the eco-hero in everyone."

© Copyright Patricia Dines, 2010. All rights reserved.

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Sonoma Mountain gets a Trail

North Slope Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail Project Kicks-Off
District acquisitions totaling $12 million to connect to Jack London State Historic Park

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, acting as the District’s Board of Directors, approved five contracts totaling $391,360 to prepare for the construction of the North Slope Ridge trail on Sonoma Mountain, and to assist the District with other trail development projects at the Montini and Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserves.

“Sonoma Mountain now joins the ring of Bay Area summits that provide public access,” said Valerie Brown, First District Supervisor. “State, County and District-protected properties will be linked together by a multi-use trail that allows the community to enjoy 5,500 acres of contiguous open space.”

The agreements include services from Sonoma County Regional Parks Department for construction management of park improvements, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council (BARTC) for trail planning and construction oversight, and the Conservation Corps North Bay for trail construction and stewardship tasks such as invasive plant control and fire abatement. Additional contracted services include engineering, surveying, and permitting work that must occur prior to construction. Construction is expected to begin early this summer and be substantially completed by late fall.

“This project will help provide local youth with meaningful work and new perspectives,” said Gary Miltimore, Sonoma County Program Director of the Conservation Corps North Bay. “They will be working alongside people that are passionate about providing safe, yet exhilarating, public access to Sonoma County’s richest natural resources.”

The proposed multi-use trail will traverse four District-protected properties, totaling approximately 454 acres and a public investment of more than $12 million, the 84-acre Sonoma Mountain Woodlands parcel owned by Regional Parks, and the approximately 1,400-acre Jack London State Historic Park. The $1.4 million construction project encompasses access road improvements, a parking area, and a 4.25-mile trail that will total approximately nine miles of trail from the proposed trailhead at Jacobs Ranch on Sonoma Mountain to the Hayfields trailhead at Jack London State Historic Park and add to the larger Bay Area Ridge Trail.

“The North Slope Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail will be a treasured link in the visionary 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail,” said Janet McBride, BARTC Executive Director. “We are thrilled that trail construction is poised to begin—this is the happy result of many years of passionate, persistent efforts among many partners.”

The California Coastal Conservancy has supported the preservation of, and access to, Sonoma Mountain by providing a total of $2,385,000 in grant funding for planning, land acquisition, and public access improvements. The Coastal Conservancy was able to release $341,666 of a $575,000 grant frozen by the State to begin the construction.

“There is no better place to experience the spectacular beauty of Sonoma County than its namesake mountain,” said Maxene Spellman, project manager for the State Coastal Conservancy. “The new trail will lead hikers into the quiet intimacy of nature and offer majestic views that take in much of the North Bay’s awe-inspiring landscape.”

“This project once again demonstrates the significance of partnerships in our land conservation efforts,” said Bill Keene, General Manager of the District. “Our combined teamwork in funding, planning, and implementing this project will provide needed jobs, public access, and protection of diverse wildlife habitats and sensitive natural resources.”

About the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. Since 1990, the District has protected more than 83,000 acres. Agricultural and open space lands have been protected through a 1/4-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and reauthorized in 2006. For more information, please visit www.sonomaopenspace.org

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Santa Rosa's Roseland Community Park gets Funded

District Awards Matching Funds for City of Santa Rosa Park
Board approves $2.42 million for Roseland Creek Community Park and Trail Project

Today (February 23, 2010), the Board approved a $2.42 million grant to the City of Santa Rosa for the acquisition of 7 acres located at 1370 and 1400 Burbank Avenue for an eventual park and trail project located in southwest Santa Rosa. The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District recommended the project for funding in 2008 as part of its Matching Grant Program.

“This park is a needed asset for the community and will directly benefit the children in the Roseland School District,” said Efren Carrillo, Fifth District Supervisor. “Through the Matching Grant Program we are able to bolster local programs to make more parks and recreational opportunities available, as well as create quality environmental, educational and economic resources for the neighborhoods of our cities.”

This acquisition represents a portion of the larger 18 acres identified for park and trail development located between Burbank and McMinn Avenues, and is the first of a multi-phased project. The City is currently negotiating additional acquisitions totaling approximately 11 acres located at 1027 McMinn and 1360 Burbank Avenues and has applied for funding from the District as part of its 2009 grant program.

The site was identified as a potential park in the City’s general plan and comprises a reach of Roseland Creek, grasslands, and oak savanna. The proposed park is within a one-mile radius of four elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools of the Roseland School District, and is expected to support a variety of community activities, including environmental education and after-school programs.

“The acquisition of this property will bring us closer to realizing our general plan goal of increasing parkland and recreational amenities for our residents,” said Marc Richardson, Assistant City Manager and Director of Recreation, Parks and Community Services. “By partnering with the District, the City of Santa Rosa is able to leverage its resources to create an 18-acre park envisioned by the community.”

As its matching contribution, the City will provide nearly $2.8 million of city funding, grants, and professional in-kind services toward ongoing park maintenance, restoration and enhancement of the creek. The Matching Grant Program guidelines require a 1:1 contribution match from applicants, which can include direct contributions and in-kind services and materials, with no more than 50 percent of the match identified for operations and maintenance.

Both Measures C and F, approved by the voters in 1990 and 2006, respectively, provide for the Matching Grant Program. Since 1994, the District has administered and based funding for this program on available sales tax revenues. To date, nearly $28 million in matching grants have been selected for funding of land acquisition, development of recreational amenities, and restoration of open space within or near urban areas. Projects include the Town Green in Windsor, the Prince Memorial Greenway in Santa Rosa, and the 250-acre expansion of land along the Petaluma River for public access and habitat enhancement adjacent to Schollenberger Park. As the District anticipates an approximate 10 percent decline in its revenue for FY09-10, the program is budgeted at $2 million or nearly 13% of its total revenues for the year.

“Now, more than ever, this program is especially important as it leverages the resources of our city, local agency, and non-profit partners to develop parks and restore open space for our urban communities,” said District General Manager Bill Keene. “Our success relies on the ability to offer a program that responds to the changing needs of our applicants.”

About the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. Since 1990, the District has protected more than 83,000 acres. Agricultural and open space lands have been protected through a 1/4-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and reauthorized in 2006. For more information, please visit www.sonomaopenspace.org

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Protecting Sonoma Coumty Land for the Future

Agreement Protects Natural Area along Highway 12
Conservation easement keeps 165-acre Danielli property “forever wild” and preserves historic agricultural use.

In an area surrounded by existing or planned residential development and vineyards, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District will purchase an easement over the 165-acre Danielli property which will keep approximately 148 acres natural and provide for 17 acres of agricultural use.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, acting as the District’s Board of Directors, approved the $1.48 million agreement between the District and Lola Danielli. The purchase price represents a 10% or $164,500 reduction of the appraised value, and the agreement eliminates the potential for development of six parcels and provides for continued agricultural and existing residential uses on the property.

“We thank Lola Danielli and applaud her family’s efforts to voluntarily preserve their land,” said Valerie Brown, First District Supervisor. “Together we’re maintaining our county’s quality of life and ensuring wildlife habitat.”

The property has been in the Danielli family since the 1940s and will adjoin two existing open space easements that will create 420 acres of contiguous wildlife habitat. Forever protected are the oak woodland, conifer forest, meadows, chaparral, and seasonal creeks that characterize the property.

“It was always the wish of my parents to keep this land open and undeveloped,” said property owner Lola Danielli. “Working with the District has allowed us to keep this land natural and protect these vital resources for future generations.”

The expanse of the property runs from the northeast side of Sonoma Highway across from the Oakmont subdivision, halfway between downtown Santa Rosa and Kenwood, to nearly a mile into the hills on the northeast side of Sonoma Valley. Elevations range from 400 to 850 feet along the property’s two ridges. Additionally, it is located within a major groundwater basin that recharges the water supply to Santa Rosa Creek.

“More than half of the nearly 83,000 acres we’ve conserved protects the County’s natural areas and critical habitats.” said Bill Keene, General Manager of the District. “By setting aside these protected areas, we are able to preserve our native plants and animals, promote clean air and water, and provide educational opportunities for the community.”

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About the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. Since 1990, the District has protected more than 83,000 acres. Agricultural and open space lands have been protected through a 1/4-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and reauthorized in 2006. For more information, please visit www.sonomaopenspace.org

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Russian River Coho Salmon get National Grant

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation today announced an award of $696,000 to the Coho Water Resources Partnership, which is working to improve stream flows and water supply reliability in five tributaries of the Russian River critical to the recovery of endangered coho salmon.

Russian River Receives Major National Grant to Benefit Endangered Coho Salmon

By Lisa Hulette, Gold Ridge RCD

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation today announced an award of $696,000 to the Coho Water Resources Partnership, which is working to improve stream flows and water supply reliability in five tributaries of the Russian River critical to the recovery of endangered coho salmon.

The number of coho salmon in the Russian River watershed has declined precipitously in recent decades. Although multiple factors have harmed the population, resource agencies have found that low flows and water diversions can be especially problematic in the Russian River tributaries.

“The severity of the coho population decline and the importance of the Russian River to coast-wide recovery efforts made the Foundation place special programmatic emphasis on the watershed,” said Jeff Trandahl, the Foundation’s executive director. “Our coho recovery investments are backed by a comprehensive, scientifically sound business plan that highlights the path to recovery.”

Initial efforts will focus on five first-priority streams: Dutch Bill, Grape, Green Valley, Mark West and Mill Creeks. Fueled by the grants, partners will work to find areas that have the greatest opportunities for better water management, solutions that knock down hurdles to recovery, and ways to finance necessary permits and on-the-ground work.

“More than 95 percent of the target watersheds are held in private ownership, and the guiding principal of this project is that water for both human uses and coho salmon can be secured through careful planning and water supply management,” said Kara Heckert, Executive Director of the Sotoyome Resource Conservation District.

The multi-disciplinary Partnership includes the Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration, Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center WATER Institute, Sotoyome Resource Conservation District, Trout Unlimited, University of California (UC) Research and Extension Center’s Hopland GIS Lab, UC Cooperative Extension, and Sonoma County Water Agency.

“Just as the climate of the Russian River watershed can place pressures on coho and water users during the dry season, the rainy winter can provide opportunities to ameliorate those pressures,” said Mary Ann King, Stewardship Coordinator with Trout Unlimited. “One of the critical challenges is to identify the timing and mechanisms through which water can be acquired and stored to enhance streamflow for coho salmon.”

The long-term goals are to restore a more natural flow regime during the dry season, increase the number of wild coho salmon, and augment water storage capacity for a variety of land uses in each watershed.

“We are all very excited about the potential to implement creative and innovative solutions that will address the needs of both fish and people,” said Lisa Hulette, Executive Director, Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, “and we are committed to working with landowners on a voluntary basis with the primary goal of creating a collaborative foundation from which landowners and agencies will work together to create reliable water supplies for future generations.”

• The Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration (CEMAR) is a nonprofit, environmental research company. CEMAR – in conjunction with the University of California Hopland Research and Extension Center -- will provide scientific and technical guidance for creating and validating water management models.

• The Gold Ridge and Sotoyome Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are local public agencies that engage stakeholders and landowners in land management practices that promote resource conservation. The RCDs will lead initial outreach and develop the primary outreach mechanisms for communicating objectives and benefits with landowners.• The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center’s (OAEC) Watershed Advocacy, Training, Education, & Research (WATER) Institute was created to catalyze local and regional water policy and sustainable water management practices. OAEC will coordinate outreach and education efforts with the RCDs and provide technical guidance.

• Trout Unlimited (TU) is a nonprofit organization that has been working on water rights reform and streamflow protection along California’s North Coast for 20 years. TU will work with landowners and agencies to break through the legal and institutional barriers to progress on stream flow restoration.

• The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in Sonoma County provides university research-based outreach on natural resources management, and, in collaboration with state and federal agencies, coordinates the Russian River Coho Salmon Captive Broodstock Program. UCCE will provide monitoring and technical expertise related to understanding coho population dynamics in the watershed.

• The Sonoma County Water Agency is a wholesale provider of water to 600,000 people in Sonoma and Marin counties. The Agency will provide critical technical support and expertise. Funds for implementing the Russian River Biological Opinion will be used as matching funds for this project.

For more information, please visit: www.cohopartnership.org.

Lisa Hulette
Executive Director
Gold Ridge RCD
PO Box 1064
Occidental, CA 95465
P: (707) 874-2907
F: (707) 874-9607
W: www.goldridgercd.org

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Ask EcoGirl:Sharing your Eco Love

Dear EcoGirl: This Valentine's Day, how can I express my love for both my sweetie and the planet? Signed, An Ardent Eco-Suitor

Dear Ardent: Ah, love, love. And, luckily in this modern era, we can celebrate not just the delights of romantic love, but also our affection and appreciation for our friends, pets, wildlife, community and certainly all life on earth.

So, yes, here are some easy ways you can eco-upgrade your amorous expressions, embodying your values while revealing that oh-so-attractive eco-awareness that so many beloveds admire.

Chocolate kisses

Chocolate, one of our favorite indulgences, also unfortunately (like so many mainstream foods) is often produced in ways that harm people and the planet.

For example, most cacao beans (chocolate's foundation) are grown using toxic pesticides in tropical locales where rainforests were cleared to create monoculture plantations that no longer offer shade habitat to migratory songbirds and other wildlife. Plus, workers typically labor in dangerous conditions for inadequate wages.

Luckily, we have options that are eco-wiser, healthier for workers, and even tastier! So, after you learn your giftee's preferences (e.g., milk chocolate or dark, dietary restrictions, etc.), head to your local health food store and choose from their earth-friendly selection of organic, fair trade, and vegan varieties. Here are two that I recommend:

• Shaman Chocolates. My personal favorite is dark chocolate with raspberries, and all varieties are organic, fair trade, and support the cultural survival of Mexico's indigenous Huichol people. These shamanic natives have long considered chocolate sacred, using it in ceremonies "to show their love for Mother Earth." How cool is that? Look at the store or see www.shamanchocolates.com.

• Sjaaks Organic Chocolates. This local organic fair trade chocolate (made in Eureka) comes in various forms, including bars, truffles, hearts, boxes, and holiday packaging. They even have vegan choices! You can buy Sjaaks in stores, online, and at their Petaluma warehouse (by appointment). More information is at www.sjaaks.com, 775-2434.

Rose blossoms

OK, so now on to the other half of this famed heart duo, roses. But certainly flowers are natural, right? Well, sadly, while they start out that way, they're often doused with toxic pesticides during growing and shipping, and regulations are less-protective than for food.

I discovered this personally many years ago, when a suitor's lovely bouquet gave me terrible headaches, and I reluctantly had to banish it to the porch, only to be viewed from afar.

Of course, whatever toxic dose I received, the workers must've risked worse, and indeed most of our cut flowers come from countries such as Columbia and China where workers have their health compromised by toxics while earning low wages and receiving scant worker protection. Yuck, who wants to encourage that? Plus pesticides are indeed found on the flowers, making them smell much less sweet.

So look for eco-flower options, starting with organic roses, at your health food store or online. See for instance pioneer Organic Bouquet, www.organicbouquet.com, or www.californiaorganicflowers.com.

You'll also see other flower labels touting ecological claims, but look carefully at their specifics. Do they actually say "no toxics allowed"? And do they have third-party certification? For example, VeriFlora and Whole Trade labels speak about the environment and workers, and perhaps they're an improvement, but they don't have strong statements about avoiding toxics. That's why I value, and encourage you to first support, the solid and clear commitments of the organic standard.

For an engaging article about workers in industrial versus organic flower operations, check out http://audubonmagazine.org/features0801/organics.html.

And beyond

From here, who knows where your eco-gifting imagination might go? Perhaps an organic potted flower will fit your vision, say from Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery (www.harmonyfarm.com, 823-1925). Or a romantic meal featuring organic local cuisine. And a walk in nature's freshness can help spark that vibrant snuggly togetherness. (More gift ideas are on my website.)

And, along the way, I encourage you to savor the joy that comes from nurturing that which nourishes us all in oh so many ways.

============================

Ask EcoGirl is written by Patricia Dines, Author of The Organic Guides, and Editor and Lead Writer for The Next STEP newsletter. Email your questions about going green to for possible inclusion in future columns. View past columns at http://www.askecogirl.info/.

Your can also become a Facebook fan of "Ask EcoGirl", to show your support and stay in touch! Join at www.facebook.com/AskEcoGirl.

"EcoGirl: Encouraging the eco-hero in everyone."

© Copyright Patricia Dines, 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fight for Air - Sonoma County Healthy Home Website

IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU OR YOUR FAMILY SICK?

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU HAVE AN UNHEALTHY HOME?

New “Healthy Homes” Webpage Launched
on Sonoma County Environmental Health Division Website

The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services, Environmental Health Division has launched a new webpage resource with information about how to identify health and safety problems in homes, and how to keep our homes healthy.

“Poor housing conditions can definitely affect the public’s health, which is why we’re so pleased to launch this webpage”, said Walt Kruse, Director of Environmental Health.

The webpage was created in cooperation with the Sonoma County Asthma Coalition through a grant from California Breathing of the California Department of Public Health. The webpage includes the following resource information:

· Aspects that define healthy homes
· What constitutes a substandard housing violation
· Indoor air quality asthma triggers
· A quick reference table and map of code enforcement jurisdictions that include the public contact numbers for submitting substandard housing complaints/tips
· Frequently asked questions regarding mold
· Tenant/Landlord resources
· Many helpful and informational links to external resources for Healthy Homes related topics

The new webpage is located at the following link: http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/eh/healthy_home.htm

For any questions regarding the webpage, please contact the Environmental Health Division at (707) 565-6565

Shan Magnuson
Associate Director
Sonoma County Asthma Coalition
American Lung Association in California
115 Talbot Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707-527-5864
smagnuson@alac.org
www.sonomaasthma.org

I am committed to bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on this planet as the guiding principle of our times.

Saturday, March 27, 2010
www.fightforairclimb.org

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Bohemian Grove Forest Management Protest

As many now know, the plan to log valuable stands of timber at the Bohemian Grove property in Monte Rio, California was signed off for approval by CALFIRE on December 29, 2009. This development, characterized by Judge Bill Newsom as a "thinly disquised plan..." to log "one of the last two great stands of old-growth" has disappointed more than a few, both Russian River residents and many of the environmentally conscious community.

So what's next? With such approvals, there's a thirty day window to file appeal via legal means. Who better to tell the story than John Hooper, organic farmer and past member of the Bohemian Club. John knows the Bohemian Club property and its trees far better than many, and as an owner of forestry stands himself, he has a strong sense of how forests can best be managed.

A wealth of information, including professional testimonials, forestry reports, and forestry management statistics relevant to the Bohemian Grove NTMP is available for review at

http://www.savebohemiangrove.org

John has taken time to discuss the situation's latest developments in an interview with David Kenly and Harvey Mendelson, and that interview is now online as a podcast.

To listen to the interview, podcast player software is required. We recommend iTunes for either MAC or PC. It's free and downloadable from the Apple site at http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Once iTunes (or a similar podcast player) is installed, subscribe to the ArrowFlight Green Parallel podcast to hear the interview with John Hooper. All you have to do is click on

itpc://www.arrowflight.com/podcasts/green.xml

or, in the event your computer doesn't accept this address, enter the following directly into the podcast subscription area of iTunes, usually found in the "Subscribe to Podcast" menu item in the "Advanced" menu.

http://www.arrowflight.com/podcasts/green.xml

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Sebastopol Raw Sewage Spill into Laguna de Santa Rosa

UPDATE January 21 - repair is complete - see below

This is an EMERGENCY message
from the City of Sebastopol.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - The City of Sebastopol has experienced a rupture of our main wastewater transmission pipe requiring us to shut down pumping to the treatment facility. City crews will be pumping and hauling wastewater generated in the City by truck to the treatment plant in Santa Rosa, until the wastewater main repairs are completed.

During the next 24-48 hours, residents are requested to limit indoor water use to a minimum, to minimize the amount of wastewater flow which must be trucked to the plant. In particular, use of dishwashers, clothes washers and showers should be curtailed during this period. If you have questions, call the Public Works Department at 823-5331 during normal business hours.
If you live in the City of Sebastopol, PLEASE immediately adopt strict conservation measures for all water use which might flow to the Laguna through the sewer system.

Thank you for your cooperation.

All residents that are downstream of the spill, from the city limits to the Russian River, 500 feet on both sides of the Laguna. (about 70 residents).

There has been an accidental release of wastewater into the Laguna De Santa Rosa surface waterway. If your water wellhead is under water, where contaminants can enter your well, do not use your water for the next 48 hours. Please avoid contact with the Laguna surface water as it may carry contaminants. If you have questions, call the Sebastopol Public Works Department at 823-5331, during normal business hours. Thank you for your cooperation.

UPDATE January 21 - repair is complete

January 21, 2010
At 11:37 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, the City or Sebastopol received a report of a broken sewer main in the Meadowlark Field east of the Laguna de Santa Rosa, north of Highway 12. Public Works and Engineering staff responded to the scene and confirmed a break in the sewer transmission main which carries wastewater from the City of Sebastopol to the Subregional sewer treatment plant on Llano Road. At the time it was discovered, water was flowing from the broken main across the field to the drainage way leading to the Laguna de Santa Rosa.

The City immediately made the required reports to State regulatory authorities and proceeded to arrange for containment of the spill and repairs to the main. City residents were notified to conserve water as much as possible until repairs could be made, to limit the amount of wastewater flowing to the system.

At the time of the incident, the Laguna was flooding out of its banks into the field, due to heavy rains earlier in the morning. On the recommendation of the North Coast Regional Board, all residents downstream of Sebastopol with water wells within 500 feet of the Laguna de Santa Rosa were also notified of the wastewater spill.

The City had a contractor on scene by 12:50 p.m. to excavate the broken main and make repairs. Pump trucks were also deployed at the site of the main break to contain the leaking wastewater to the extent possible, and near the City’s sewer pumping station on Morris Street. The pump station was shut down and wastewater flowing in the system was pumped into tanker trucks and hauled to the treatment plant during the afternoon and evening, to divert wastewater flow from the area of the main break. The contractor completed repairs to the transmission main by 9:54 p.m. and the pumping system was put back in service.

The City continues to investigate the cause of this rupture, and will be assembling additional reports from our engineers and field personnel.

Susan Kelly, Public Information Officer
City of Sebastopol
(707) 823-2151
---------------------------------

The Laguna de Santa is an important tributary to the Russian River. What happens in the Laguna gets carried downstream to the Russian River then out to sea. Accidents happen and the City of Sebastopol is responding quickly to this problem. What's important is that people need to realize that this is not just a Sebastopol problem - it impacts the entire waterway from the spill put to the sea and beyond.

The GOOD NEWS is that it is being taken care of as diligently as possible by Public Works. Residents who rely upon the Sebastopol Wastewater System need to realize how much they play a part in the success of this defense and clean-up. Life does not go on as usual during the time it takes to haul wastewater away and fix the problem. Flushing the least amount of water down the drain makes the job easier - and quicker - for Public Works.

In these heavy rains the Laguna will flush itself out as well - and take a lot of cow manure from the dairies that line the Laguna along with the human waste. Agricultural lands that line our waterways also dump many products into the water as rains wash across surface soil and soak through layers of soil, leaching nutrients of all kinds in the process. All of this material ends up in the Laguina, the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean.

More than likely the 70 homes that line the Laguna down stream from the spill have septic systems along with their water wells and these systems get flush with rainwater at this time of year as well. Are all of these systems up to code and as efficient as a sewage treatment plant? Are all of the septic systems that are used in homes along the Russian River up to code nand keeping their effluent from entering our waterways?


The wastewater/sewage spill in Sebastopol has a short-term solution/fix that will bring their wastewater back into compliance within a few days. The Laguna, Russian River and Pacific Ocean are vulnerable 365 days a year.

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Jenner Headlands is Protected FOREVER!

We are very pleased to announce that escrow has CLOSED.
FOREVER is a VERY LONG TIME - Thank you!
Thanks to our willing sellers, Sonoma Coast Associates, Gualala Redwoods, Inc., and Russian River Redwoods and the collaborative efforts of all our amazing partners, Sonoma Land Trust is now the proud steward of this incredible coastal property!

Sonoma Land Trust acquires Iconic Coastal Property

After a five-year quest, and in spite of significant hurdles related to California’s economic crisis, the Sonoma Land Trust closed escrow December 17, 2009 and acquired the stunning 5,630-acre Jenner Headlands — a nationally significant project and the single largest conservation land acquisition in Sonoma County. This $36 million purchase was completed due to the extraordinary efforts and collaboration of 10 public and private funding partners.

“This is an example of what can be achieved, even in these challenging times, when we work together,” said Amy Chesnut, Sonoma Land Trust acquisitions director and manager of this project from the outset. “We’ve been fortunate to have conservation-minded landowners and enthusiastic partners all willing to do what was necessary to make this deal succeed. It’s been an outstanding collaboration on behalf of the public and future generations.”

Located north of the town of Jenner where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean, and extending two-and-a-half miles along Highway 1 and inland toward Cazadero, this one-of-a-kind coastal treasure has it all — rich habitat for fish and wildlife, dramatic views, extensive opportunities for future recreation and a spectacular segment of the California Coastal Trail.

“Along with its sheer scenic beauty that all of us will now be able to enjoy, the vast ecological values of this intact landscape will also help us and other species adapt to the effects of climate change,” said Efren Carrillo, Sonoma County Fifth District Supervisor. “Instead of a handful of estate homes, we’ll have thousands of acres of diverse habitat and, in the future, many miles of hiking trails, all protected forever.”

Watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM3Jmtf1XH8

Acquisition funding

Financial support for this acquisition was provided through grants and loans from the following agencies and organizations:

• Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District ($9.15 million);
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program ($5.85 million);
• USDA Forest Service, Forest Legacy Program ($1 million);
• Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation ($4 million); and
• The Wildlands Conservancy, Save the Redwoods League, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, which provided bridge loans totaling $16 million to make the acquisition possible in advance of anticipated grant funds from the State Coastal Conservancy and Wildlife Conservation Board.

“The Jenner Headlands is an immense and incomparable treasure, and its protection has been sought for decades by the land conservation community,” said Sam Schuchat, executive officer of the Coastal Conservancy. “We are inspired by the Sonoma Land Trust’s ability to enlist so many funders and bring this extraordinary project to fruition, especially during this very difficult time in California.“

In addition to their funding contributions for the acquisition, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District have agreed to contribute $2 million and $1 million, respectively, to support the Land Trust’s management, stewardship and public access activities for the property.

The property was purchased from Sonoma Coast Associates, Gualala Redwoods, Inc. and Russian River Redwoods, all interrelated companies. As part of the transaction, the sellers have donated $1 million to support the Sonoma Land Trust’s efforts. “This is one of the most spectacularly beautiful tracts of land on the entire Pacific Coast. We are so pleased to be a part of this transaction,” said Ollie Edmunds, CEO of Gualala Redwoods, Inc.

“We are glad that the new owners are passionately committed to caring for and protecting this beautiful tract of land after closing today,” added David Ferreira, Russian River Redwoods resident partner.

Property management and public access

The Sonoma Land Trust will own and manage the Jenner Headlands for several years until an organization or agency is identified as the permanent owner. The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District will hold a conservation easement on the property that removes the threat of development and requires that the land be managed to protect and enhance the natural resources, which are plentiful:

• 13 habitat types;
• 8 watersheds;
• 8-1/2 miles of streams;
• 3,100 acres of redwood and Douglas fir forest;
• 1,500 acres of rare coastal prairie; and
• numerous threatened and endangered species, including the northern spotted owl, steelhead trout, Coho salmon, peregrine falcon, red tree vole and osprey.

The Sonoma Land Trust is committed to balancing the protection of these sensitive resources with public use. The first order of business will be to conduct natural and cultural resource assessments to inform the development of a comprehensive resource management plan. During this time, guided hikes will be offered regularly by the Land Trust and its recreational partners on the coastal portion of the property beginning in January, 2010. Throughout this initial phase, which is expected to last from one to two years, ways to provide broader, multi-use access will be explored.

“This is a good day for conservation in California — the protection of this rare and remarkable property is the right outcome for the public and our wildlife,” said John Donnelly, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Board.

“It was a long time in coming, but it is a thrill to be able to add the Jenner Headlands to the sweep of permanently protected lands along the Sonoma coast,” said Ralph Benson, executive director of the Sonoma Land Trust. “There is a 19th Century etching of the Jenner Headlands showing the Russian River flowing into the Pacific, and it’s a wonder to know that the old Rule Ranch will look as open, beautiful and wild in the 21st Century as it did through time immemorial.”

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We are especially indebted to the following organizations for providing support and funding for the acquisition:

California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
California State Coastal Conservancy
California Wildlife Conservation Board
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
NOAA, Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program
The San Francisco Foundation
Save the Redwoods League
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Tellabs Foundation
The Wildlands Conservancy
USDA Forest Service
and
The Members and Donors of Sonoma Land Trust

Please contact Tenley Wurglitz at (707) 526-6930 ext.112 or tenley@sonomalandtrust.org if you have any questions.

With gratitude,
Amy & Ralph

Ralph Benson
Executive Director

Amy Chesnut
Acquisitions Director

Sonoma Land Trust
966 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404-4814
(707) 526-6930
http://www.sonomalandtrust.org/

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Leaf Blower Ban Proposed for Sebastopol

Restrict Leaf Blowers

By Shepherd Bliss

I appreciate the Sebastopol City Council for discussing a leaf blower ban, which it was scheduled to do at its Jan. 5 public meeting. Since Carmel banned them in 1975, nearly 35 years ago, many California and U.S. cities have limited leaf blowers, including Santa Monica, Mill Valley, Tiburon, and Los Angeles. Millions living in small to large communities are protected from chronic leaf blowing, but not the some 8000 human souls in our sweet, sometimes peaceful, small town of Sebastopol. We lag behind.


Councilmember Guy Wilson, now Vice Mayor, put the idea of a ban--in response to residents complaining to him--on the Nov. 17 Council agenda. A music teacher approached him, because she could not teach while blowers were being used. Another resident works at night and needs to sleep during the day. Someone else wanted to meditate without the interruption. “For centuries societies operated well without leaf blowers. I don’t get why we need them,” Wilson noted.

Some spoke in favor a ban, whereas a smaller number opposed it. Leaf blowers upset many people; others dismiss their damage and marginalize the issue. During December more residents spoke to the Council to support a ban. Among those testifying were a downtown homeowner who lived in Palo Alto when that city banned leaf blowers and a real estate agent with customers who come to Sebastopol seeking peace and quiet, which leaf blowers destroy. If you want your opinion on this matter heard, you can attend the Jan. 5 and/or Jan. 19 Council meetings in the Youth Annex next to the Sebastopol Community Center on Morris Street, starting at 6 p.m.


Costs Outweigh Benefits
Fallen leaves are part of nature’s cycle. A blanket of leaves on the ground can be lovely. By disturbing leaves we harm the ecosystem, including air quality, and provoke more chaotic climate change. While on trees they beautify and transform light into oxygen. When they fall they become mulch, then compost, and eventually topsoil.

The multiple costs of leaf blowers to the environment and people far outweigh their few benefits. They spew toxins into the air and create health problems. This article focuses on noise pollution. “The high-pitched noise of leaf blowers drives me and others crazy,” testified downtown homeowner Nancy Hubert before the Council.

I have researched the health hazards of loud noise for over 25 years now. In l985 Penguin Books published my chapter “Sound Pollution” in the best-selling “New Holistic Health Handbook.” My chapter “Sound Shy” appeared in the award-winning book “Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace.” (www.vowvop.org).

Some can tolerate the loud noise of leaf blowers. It annoys others. I am one of those, including other military veterans, whose nervous system is sensitive to loud sounds, leading to either a flight or fight response. My typical response has been to flee the sound, even when it invades my home, pushing me away from sleep, eating, studying, working, listening to music, conversing with friends, and other home-based activities. I am now ready to actively advocate a more peaceful and serene Sebastopol free of leaf blower threats.

Taking the Lead in Sonoma County
Sebastopol could join the many other communities who protect their residents from the health hazards of leaf blowers, thus being the first city in Sonoma County to do so. We could take leadership on this matter, helping educate people about noise contamination. I do not like the idea of more regulations, but this is a situation where we need protection.

“I had an award-winning landscaping business in Santa Barbara,” Jeff Snook explained in an interview. He now farms in the Sebastopol countryside. “I used a leaf blower professionally. It can be an effective tool, but they are grossly over-used. I came to hate them because of the damage they do to the user, plants, wildlife, and neighbors. I eventually stopped using blowers. This got me some business. It is an unnecessary machine and harmful to the garden. Brooms and rakes can be faster and cheaper in residential areas. Broom don’t blow.”

Snook explained that some landscapers in Santa Barbara “complained that they would be put out of business by a ban. That did not happen.” Others supported the ban. They helped set up a Green Gardeners Program that provided incentives to landscapers to quit the leaf blower habit. They could take a workshop, get certified as a green landscaper, and the City supported them in ways such as by putting them on their website.

“Fear of change is the main obstacle here,” Snook contended. “Landscapers are not the problem. The problem is the machine. Fortunately, with brooms and rakes, we have good alternatives. We need to re-train landscapers, gardeners, and homeowners. Landscapers using leaf blowers were once seen as a problem in Santa Barbara, but when they supported the ban it made them look good and they became heroes to some.”

“The air out of a leaf blower travels at more than one hundred miles an hour,” Snook explained. “Small particles are shot at plants and insects. This absorbs water. It kicks up dust that clogs the breathing of plants. The dust settles on leaves, clouding the sun. They are abusive to plants. They take topsoil off and plug pores on the surface, damaging water recharge. Leaf blowers are not good for gardens.”

More than leaves get blown. Among the many unintended tiny victims are bees. The mysterious colony collapse phenomenon took the lives of 29% of U.S. beehives last winter. Bees add an estimated $15 billion a year to U.S. agriculture by pollinating fruit, nuts, and vegetables. Leaf blowers have far more hidden costs than financial benefits.

Second hand cigarette smoke harms. You do not need to smoke to be hurt; you merely need to be near someone smoking. Leaf blower noise also damages. Smoking and leaf blowing are public health hazards. No one has the right to blow smoke in my face. Nor do they have the right to blow loud noise into my ears.

Harmful Noise Pollution
I concentrate on leaf blowers here for several reasons and do not propose limiting lawn mowers, chain saws or other garden tools. They are not as damaging as the high-pitched whine of blowers that disturb the ecosystem. Leaf blowers also have effective, quiet alternatives--brooms and rakes.

The health hazards of loud noises are documented at www.nonoise.org. Among them are the following: hearing loss, greater risk of heart attacks, damage to the endocrine system and stomach, depressed immunity, increased adrenaline, change in heart rate, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels, social discord, impaired communication, heightened social conflicts, and increased psychological, social and emotional problems.

“Leaf blowers are a weapon of mass destruction,” contended one Sebastopudlian.

Educating Decision-makers
An information and education campaign that increases public awareness regarding leaf blowers would be helpful. This would further the environmental goals that Sebastopol contends that it follows and promote the safety of its citizens and its local economy, especially with respect to the growing eco-tourism industry.

Sebastopol could use a carefully-worded ordinance that focuses only on leaf blower use within residential areas, rather than commercial areas. We need to take the time to discuss this matter, rather than rush to a weak ordinance.

Leaves are a vital part of the ecosystem. My farm gladly receives bagged leaves that are unwanted and provide a place for them to rest in peace, thus feeding the soil that nourishes our boysenberries and apples.

Sebastopol prides itself as a green city and promotes eco-tourism. This sentiment should be expressed in a restriction on leaf blowers, which can certainly not be considered environmentally friendly.

(Shepherd Bliss, sb3@pon.net, has run the organic Kokopelli Farm for most of the last 20 years and currently teaches part-time at Sonoma State University.)

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