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.”

----------------------------------------------------------

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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Sonoma County Artist Awards for Performing, Music and Literary Arts for 2011

The Sonoma County Artist Awards for Performing, Music and Literary Arts for 2011 is a long way away as regards the actual giving of the award, but the process begins in 2010 and the application process and more have changed. Artists OF ALL KINDS need to be aware of these changes so they can prepare their work for the application process.

These awards are for Sonoma County artists only!

Firstly, everything is going virtual. Nominations, applications, submissions and judging. (It is possible that there will be a gathering in Santa Rosa for conference of many of the judges either in person or, for some, via Tele-Conferencing, to finalize their decisions.) There are several reasons for this and the biggest one is convenience for all.

The second is that we have a greater chance of not losing anything. Not that we did last time but you never know.

Thirdly we wish to expand the outreach for applicants, nominators and judges and to make the ability for their participation more convenient.

Finally, for those artists who already have much of their work memorialized online in social networks or sites such as My Space,Vimeo or You Tube, Music or Literary sites etc, artists will be allowed to reference them via URL rather than duplicate a submission. They will be asked to date stamp such references or performances.

The most important change is that we will no longer be asking nominees to submit hard copy such as DVDs, CDs or print material. That is, there will no longer be a need for an artist to create or copy any print material and submit it via the postal service with all the inconvenience that implies. Those whom we invite to be nominators will be asked to nominate on line, again saving time and lessening the inconvenience of submitting hard copy nominations. All artists' videos, audio and print material may be submitted via an online application form.

To that end I am asking you to spread the word among your respective artistic communities and to take note yourselves, that should the possibility of a $5,000 award appear enticing, artists should begin to think of memorializing their work on video or audio or by transferring it to digital. For Musicians from all genres that may not be a hard thing to do. For Performing artists, such as Theatre people, Dancers, Opera or Musical Theater performers, Street performers etc, recording their work on video or audio is getting to be far more common. Of course, getting the relevant permissions, will be a pain, but a pain worthwhile if an artist becomes a finalist. Last year many videos were submitted on DVD and I'm sure that followed the rules of the game. For Literary artists, without making any presumptions, many writers already have their work in digital format and therefore it shouldn't be a problem.

The rules, regs and restrictions for the awards will be posted online on the Artist Awards website early in 2010 and an email will go out to well over a hundred Sonoma County artists, organizations and commentators inviting them to nominate one Sonoma County artist from the categories defined. Those nominated artists will then be invited to apply for the awards. There will be a $25 submission/application fee, also payable online, to cover the costs of administering the awards program. By making the submission process an online experience the cost on postage, time and inconvenience will, we believe, be alleviated.

Finally, this award is the largest single monetary award, given out to any single artist, from each of the three categories, from any Sonoma County Arts organization. Based on a peer recognition process, the Arts Council and Community Foundation Sonoma County administer this program to encourage and promote the county's artists and to reward overall excellence, as suggested by the nominators and as adjudicated by the independent panel of judges. No member of the Board or Staff of either Arts Council of Sonoma County or Community Foundation Sonoma County will be allowed to apply for an award or have any influence or input in the final adjudication of the three winners.

So to summarize, The 2011 Sonoma County Artist Awards of $5,000 each to one Sonoma County artist each from the Performing, Music and Literary disciplines will be an all online affair. We ask that you spread the word within your community of artists to record their careers on video, audio and digitized formats to enable them to apply for this award. The award may be used in any way the winning artists deem useful and is not a grant for work to be produced but a recognition of the excellence of the artist. Many of you will be invited to nominate such an artist you think merits this award so, until then, please enjoy your festive season, keep healthy and we'll be in touch in the new year.

Thanks for all you do.

John

ps. If you have any questions please feel free to call me at 707-579-2787. The council offices will be closed from December 24th until January 4th 2010.
--
JOHN A MORAN
Performing, Music and Literary Arts Manager
The Arts Council of Sonoma County
404 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA
t:707.579.2787 ext 102
f:707.542.3412
c:707.548.4148
jmoran@artscouncilsc.com

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Sonoma County Hay Assistance Program for Horses

Help get the Word Out
- Feed the Hungry Horses

Sonoma Action for Equine Rescue needs help in getting the word out about the Hay Assistance Program. Despite the hopeful reports on the financial pages of our nation; around the NorthBay economic hardships continue to cause heartbreak and our horses continue to be shipped out to slaughter. They cannot wait for an economic upturn. They gotta eat today.

Our Donate A Bale program in all the feed stores; as well as a grant from the national ASPCA folks, have allowed us to distribute hay and feed to needy horse owners. Please help us get this information to the folks that need it. We are targeting family pets that still have homes but whose fodder is becoming beyond the means of their owners.

Basic Guidelines and Application can be found on the front page of www.saferhorse.com.
Safer 707-824-9543

HAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR HORSE OWNERS

SAFER (Sonoma Action For Equine Rescue) has a program to help horse owners who are trying to hang on to the family's horses during these hard times. Hay and Feed are donated through the Donate A Bale program at all the local feed stores as well as supplied through a grant written by SAFER and granted by the national ASPCA. Criteria are as follows.

1. No Breeding of any kind in two year period.
2. Situation must be short term (3 months or less). Hay is provided one month at a time. SAFER may not be able to supply ALL the feed needs for that time period.
3. Assistance is granted when a complete application is submitted and a site check done. Documentation must be complete. This will include financial information as requested.
4. SAFER will also assist in rehoming horses if that is a better solution. SAFER has a free web site and email alert list that actively tries to find homes for the animals. See SAFER Horse for instructions on how to list your horse or sign up for the email alert list.
5. Participants will receive a “Gift Certificate” to a local feed store.
7. Feed must be used for the designated horses for the time indicated. Feed must be protected from rain and rodents. Feed must not be sold, given away or shared with animals not so indicted on the application.

HAP is provided by donations from the public to a registered charity.
SAFER has the SOLE RIGHT TO DETERMINE ELEGIBILITY.

Application and complete guidelines are available on the website. All donations to SAFER are tax deductible.

ALSO:
Donate A Rail
Now at Martin's Ranch Supply and
Wine Country Ranch Equipment

We need to construct some temporary pens at a foster ranch to hold horses from the auction and from surrender. NorCal Equine Rescue up in Oroville has a well known adoption facility. They will intake our auction horses but they can only come down once a month to get them. If you have any panels you can donate please do think of us and donate a few bucks at these wonderful Ranch Supply companies that are supporting this effort for the Horses.

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Sonoma County - The Green Jobs Epicenter?

A Report on Green Jobs and Training
with Resources for Green Jobs (below)

by Woody Hastings

“350 Day”, a day of international actions focused on raising public awareness of the urgency of taking action on climate change, refers to what climate scientists tell us is the maximum concentration of carbon dioxide Earth’s atmosphere can safely sustain - 350 parts per million (ppm). Unfortunately, we passed that mark in the early 1990s. We are currently at about 390 ppm and rising at about 2 ppm per year. 350.org estimates that about 5200 events took place in October in about 181 countries to focus our attention on this environmental dilemma and what we can do to change our course of action. Creating jobs in Green Technology is part of the solution.

Evelina Molina of the North Bay Institute of Green Technology, produced Action Fair, an all-day event in Santa Rosa that featured a diverse line-up of people and organizations involved in a wide variety of green career projects and programs. The bottom line is that many opportunities exist for employment and training in the rapidly developing field of “green” jobs and careers. “We want to make sure that green jobs are truly green in the sense that they provide opportunities for under-served, under-represented, low-income communities of color with barriers to employment. The jobs should provide wage-earners a family living wage, health benefits, and career pathways to prosperity. If the emerging green jobs economy does not create a fair and just opportunity for all, then it is not ‘green’ and will not create the sustainable socio-economic infrastructure that is needed to pull us out of this economic slump,” said Molina.

“It is going to require an army of people to do all the energy efficiency building retrofits, weather-stripping, and renewable energy installations that will be needed to reach the greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets that must be met to avert global disaster,” said Chris Cone of Solar Sonoma. She reminded the audience that Sonoma County has the most aggressive climate action plan in the nation, committing the county to carbon dioxide emissions reductions of 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. “The things that constitute the crisis - climate change and the recession, are the drivers that present the opportunity - a transition to a green economy fueled in part by the federal stimulus funds for green jobs,” she went on to explain.

That point was underscored by a speaker who followed, John Richau, Regional Director of the Community Alliance of Career Training and Utility Solutions who anticipates a veritable “boom” in jobs in home retrofitting over the next few years due to the fact that the California Public Utilities Commission is funneling $3.1 billion in federal stimulus money over the next three years to communities throughout California for that purpose.

Other private sector opportunities are emerging without federal assistance. GreenRay Technologies, an LED lighting start-up based in Santa Rosa, is opening a new manufacturing plant in Sonoma County and is currently hiring. “For years and years you’ve seen jobs like these moved overseas to Asia and other places. GreenRay is reversing that trend and will be employing people and manufacturing right here at home,” said Gene Quisisem, Western Regional Director for the firm. LED lights are even more energy efficient than compact fluorescents and do not contain any hazardous materials.

Many renewable energy projects and other green projects are being proposed in the Bay Area, including the North Bay. Some of them are large and offer the possibility of significant number of green jobs. One of the struggles is to ensure that the communities in which the projects are located are not left out of the employment opportunity. Multi-stakeholder agreements that address this concern are known as “community workforce agreements.”

A textbook example was provided by Joshua Arce of the Brightline Defense Project (brightlinedefense.org). Joshua recounted the recent story of a 5 megawatt solar project planned to be installed on top of the huge cap covering the Sunset Reservoir in San Francisco. No jobs from the chronically underemployed and unemployed districts of San Francisco were planned. Brightline organized a coalition of communities and succeeded in stopping the project with the demand that at least 30% of the workforce be hired from local underserved communities. The demand was met and the project was approved. Arce highlighted five key stakeholders that must be included in a successful project: 1) Industry; 2) Labor; 3) Elected Officials; 4) The local Workforce Investment Board; and last but not least 5) Community and Environmental Organizations.

The most compelling personal story of the day came from Edgardo Tafoya, a young man transformed by the career opportunities that unfolded for him via the North Bay Institute of Green Technology. Edgardo had spent many years incarcerated since some regrettable “mistakes made” during his teen years. “It was impossible to get a job just by filling out an application. I needed someone who was going to take a chance on me and believe that I have something to offer,” he said. Edgardo is now gainfully employed in the rapidly emerging “green collar” field of home energy efficiency retrofitting.

Many more opportunities are emerging in this field all the time. See the short list (below) for just a few of them.

Woody Hastings is a freelance environmental writer based in Sonoma County. Contact him at whastings@earthlink.net

Green Careers & Jobs - Sonoma County Resources*
Listed Alphabetically

Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County / YouthBuild Santa Rosa

YouthBuild Santa Rosa provides mentoring, educational & vocational training and skill development in leadership, communication, problem-solving and goal-setting to low-income youth in Sonoma County.

www.capsonoma.org/youthbuild

707-578-2034



Community Alliance of Career Training and Utility Solutions

Fresno-based organization that offers training and nationally recognized certification on a wide variety of green technologies. Sonoma County courses offered.

www.greencactus.org

559-960-7899



Eco Workforce

San Jose-based green collar workforce staffing agency focusing on energy efficiency and solar installations

www.eco-workforce.com

408-277-3114



Global Exchange

San Francisco-based organization offers a wide variety of programs including a green careers training program.

www.globalexchange.org

415- 255-7296



Green Ray

Sonoma County-based commercial and residential LED lighting start-up. Hiring for its new manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa.

www.greenraytechnology.com



Green Sonoma County

Sonoma County-based start-up that offers residential and commercial energy audits by certified technicians. Positions available for independent referral representatives and salespersons

www.greensonomacounty.org

707-623-6757



North Bay Institute of Green Technology

Provides training, job placement, and retention of low-income, unemployed, or underemployed persons for careers in green collar jobs.

www.nbigt.org



Santa Rosa Junior College

“Local instruction leading to global solutions.” Many practical course offerings under the rubric of sustainability.

www.santarosa.edu

707-527-4011



Solar Sonoma

Promoting Solar Energy Development Countywide

www.solarsonomacounty.org

707-829-9191



Sonoma State University Center for Sustainable Communities

Provides training on sustainability topics such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, green building, land use planning and public health - for local governments and other organizations.

www.sonoma.edu/etc/home/sustainable_communities

707-664-2577


*Note: this is not a comprehensive list. It reflects the organizations that were featured at the 350 Action Fair for Green Jobs & Training on October 24th 2009

IF YOU KNOW OF MORE GREEN JOB RESOURCES - please e-mail them to: vesta@sonic.net

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Access Taylor Mountain Permit & Planning begin

To provide interim access to Taylor Mountain during the park-planning process, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, in partnership with the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department and LandPaths, is offering a permit program for the public interested in enjoying the 1000+ acre Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve.

The permit program, similar to the model developed by LandPaths for the Willow Creek addition to Sonoma Coast State Park, and the program used for Tolay Lake Regional Park, will include access for hikers, equestrians, and bicyclists.

Seasonal trail restrictions are in effect; mountain bike and equestrian uses not permitted until further notice.

To obtain a permit, you must first attend a 1-hour orientation session. RSVP required.

Please visit www.landpaths.org or call 707.524.9318 to reserve space or for more information.

ORIENTATION DATES:

JANUARY:
Saturday, Jan 9 at 11am
Monday, Jan 18 at 11 am
Saturday, Jan 23 at 10 am

En español: Domingo, 31 de enero – 1 pm

La Montaña de Taylor ya está abierta con permiso especial!
Para tener acceso a este terreno favor de llamar a 707-544-7284 x11
En español: Domingo, 31 de enero – 1 pm

FEBRUARY:
Wednesday, February 3 (10 AM)
Saturday, February 13 (2 PM)
Sunday, February 21 (11 AM)

MARCH:
En Español: Domingo, 7 de marzo (1 PM)
Sunday, March 21 (1 PM)
Wednesday, March 31 (5:30PM)

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Project Censored Looking for help

For 34 years Project Censored has been committed to bringing the most vital stories to public awareness with the belief that genuine democracy depends on freedom of the press. The new Censored 2010 yearbook has drawn international attention to some of the most important underreported stories of our times and we are researching many stories for our next book already. We continue to need your vital support of Project Censored as we transition and expand our work to bring forth the most important news stories of the year both in print and online.

Independent media, both on the local and national level, is at risk. This is just one of the reasons that Project Censored and the Media Freedom Foundation just gave Media Freedom Awards to the KPFA Flashpoints radio team at our recent book release celebration in Santa Rosa. Help us support the critical independent voices that cover the “news that doesn’t make the news.”

Project Censored is not only working on new underreported stories but spreading the word via our new Daily Censored website, Facebook page and Media Freedom Foundation PNN site which aggregates independent news from many of the most reliable sources around the world. We are also organizing the first Modern Media Dialogue Series to be held from February to May at Sonoma State University. This is the only university series in the United States devoted to dialogue and deliberation about the modern media.

Project Censored is also involved in an ongoing and growing collaboration with the college and university affiliates program through Media Freedom International. Peter Phillips and Mickey Huff not only continue to pursue censored media with this effort, but in addition there are also now over 30 affiliates with more on the way, including some from Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The 2010 book contains work from nine of the affiliates, with a few placing stories in the top ten. The MFI website will be a home base for affiliate work and continue to publish Validated Independent News stories and more detailed academic, investigative reports year round in the effort to combat censorship and the ongoing Truth Emergency in the United States and around the world.

As I begin my first year as Project Censored director I would like to personally ask each of you to consider a gift of support so that we may continue our work. Our project requires us to raise $150,000 every year and given the cutbacks in the California State system and on the Sonoma State University campus, your support is more vital to us now more than ever. Please make your tax deductible donation at http://www.projectcensored.org/about/support/

For this holiday period we have set a fund raising target of $10,000 for the next five weeks. You can watch our progress towards that goal on-line at www.projectcensored.org.

We are also offering our new Censored 2010 book edited by Peter Phillips and Mickey Huff for a special 20% discounted rate when you buy two or more for seasonal gifts. You can buy the discounted books at http://www.projectcensored.org/project-censored-2010-book-holiday-promotion

Sincerely,
Benjamin Frymer, Director Project Censored
In cooperation with Peter Phillips, President: Media Freedom Foundation

Media Freedom Foundation is the Fiscal Non-profit Fund Raising Corporation that Supports Project Censored and related Media Freedom Efforts.

Check out some of our most recent work at these links:

http://www.peterbcollins.com/podcast/PBC_20091203.mp3

http://www.dailycensored.com

http://www.projectcensored.org

http://www.mediafreedominternatinal.org

http://mediafreedom.pnn.com/5174-independent-news-sources

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12 Days of Holiday Safety from American Red cCoss

Twelve Days of Holiday Safety
from American Red Cross, Sonoma & Mendocino Counties

In the spirit of the season, the American Red Cross offers 12 holiday safety tips.

With last-minute gifts to buy, social events to attend and family and friends to visit while the weather outside may be frightful, American Red Cross, Sonoma & Mendocino Counties has 12 days of health and safety tips to make the holiday season safe, happy and bright.


1. When the weather outside is frightful, heat your home safely. Never use your stove or oven to heat your home. Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month. Be sure to have your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly: chimney fires are common and dangerous.

2. Drive your sleigh and reindeer safely. Avoid driving in a storm, but if you must, keep your gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, route and when you expect to arrive.

3. Prepare your vehicle for traveling to grandmother’s house. Make an emergency kit and include items such as blankets or sleeping bags, jumper cables, fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type), compass and road maps, shovel, tire repair kit and pump, extra clothing, flares, tow rope. You can purchase soft blankets, first aid kits and other items to have in the car from your local Red Cross. See www.arcsm.org for details.

4. Help prevent the spread of the flu. Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Use sanitizing wipes to disinfect hard surfaces such as airplane tray tables, luggage handles, cell phones, door handles and seat armrests.

5. Use a Red Cross-trained babysitter when attending holiday festivities. Red Cross-certified babysitters learn to administer basic first aid; properly hold and feed a child; take emergency action when needed; monitor safe play and actively engage your child; and some may be certified in Infant and Child CPR. Want to get your 11- to 15-year-old trained? See www.arcsm.org and click on “Take a Class,” or call (707) 577-7600.

6. Prevent hypothermia by following Santa’s lead. Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears. Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.

7. Roasting chestnuts on an open fire? Avoid many fire dangers that are common this time of year. Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking and be alert. Keep anything flammable—such as potholders, towels or curtains—away from your stove top. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried. Never leave candles burning unattended.

8. Be a lifesaver during the holidays and always. The Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED. Your local Red Cross chapter has conveniently scheduled courses and can have you trained and certified in a few hours. Your business can offer Red Cross classes, too. See www.arcsm.org and click on “Take a Class” for a schedule of classes, or call (707) 577-7600.

9. Designate a driver or skip the holiday cheer. When you designate a driver who won’t be drinking, you help make sure a good party doesn’t turn into a tragedy. A good host ensures there are non-alcoholic beverages available for drivers. The designated driver should not drink any alcoholic beverages, not even one.

10. Cut down on your heating bills without being a Grinch. Get your furnace cleaned by a professional; change the filters regularly. Make sure heat vents aren’t blocked by furniture. Close off any rooms you aren’t using and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround your windows and door moldings. Put up storm windows or storm doors to keep the cold out.

11. Don’t move a muscle, until they buckle. Each person in your vehicle should have their seatbelts securely fastened before driving off. Ensure children are buckled up and their car seats are installed appropriately based on their age and size. Children 12 and under should always sit in the backseat.

12. Resolve to “Be Red Cross Ready” in the New Year. You can take one or more actions to prepare now, should you or your family face an emergency in 2010. Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.

If you have a serious home emergency such as a fire or flood, and need help from the local Red Cross for shelter, food or medicine, call 707-577-7600 or 1-800-608-8634.

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season from American Red Cross, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.


Visit www.arcsm.org to learn more about the local Red Cross and the services they provide to our community.


ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, SONOMA & MENDOCINO COUNTIES

American Red Cross is a neutral, humanitarian organization that provides relief to those affected by disasters, and prepares people to prevent and respond to emergencies. American Red Cross, Sonoma & Mendocino Counties, like all Red Cross chapters, is self-sustaining and receives no funding from the national organization. It receives no direct funding from United Way, and minimal government funding. All disaster assistance, and service to members of the Armed Forces, is free and made possible by voluntary donations of time and money by the people of Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Donations can be made online at www.arcsm.org, via mail to, 5297 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, or by phone at (707) 577-7600. Mendocino residents can call (707) 463-0112.

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Sonoma County Composting Toilet Project Approved

Sonoma County Water Agency Approves
Composting Toilet Pilot Project

On December 15th, the Sonoma County Water Agency Board of Directors approved a pilot project that will test “composting toilets” in Occidental. Composting toilets require no external water source and do not discharge to sewers, making them potentially well-suited for communities with limited water supply and sewer capacity. Currently, composting toilets are not permitted in Sonoma County.

“Many of my west county constituents are interested in composting toilets,” said Director Efren Carrillo, who represents Sonoma County’s fifth supervisorial district. “This pilot project will provide the data and analysis we need to tell us whether and how to move forward.”


Initially the pilot project will involve four households within the Occidental County Sanitation District. It will include the installation, monitoring, evaluation and, after the evaluation period, removal of the composting toilets, which are designed to compost the waste products within the units. Composting toilets are used in other parts of the world, but have limited distribution in the United States. The data from the pilot project will help determine whether the toilets are suitable for use in Occidental and in communities that have limited sewer capacity.

In addition to the composting toilet pilot project, the Sonoma County Water Agency (which operates the Occidental County Sanitation District) is offering a direct installation high-efficiency toilet program to sanitation district customers. Through this program, residents and businesses receive free installation of high-efficiency toilets, showerheads and faucet aerators.

For additional information about the composting toilet program, contact Doug Messenger, 707.547.1952 or e-mail: douglas.messenger@scwa.ca.gov.

For information about the direct installation program, call Brian Lee at 707.547.1918 or e-mail: brian.lee@scwa.ca.gov.

Below is some additional information on Composting Toilets - for the full document, please visit: http://oikos.com/library/compostingtoilet/

What is a Composting Toilet System and How Does it Compost?

Composting toilet systems (sometimes called biological toilets, dry toilets and waterless toilets) contain and control the composting of excrement, toilet paper, carbon additive, and, optionally, food wastes. Unlike a septic system a composting toilet system relies on unsaturated conditions (material cannot be fully immersed in water), where aerobic bacteria and fungi break down wastes, just as they do in a yard waste composter. Sized and operated properly, a composting toilet breaks down waste to 10 to 30 percent of its original volume. The resulting end-product is a stable soil-like material called "humus," which legally must be either buried or removed by a licensed seepage hauler in accordance with state and local regulations in the United States. In other countries, humus is used as a soil conditioner on edible crops.

The primary objective of the composting toilet system is to contain, immobilize or destroy organisms that cause human disease (pathogens), thereby reducing the risk of human infection to acceptable levels without contaminating the immediate or distant environment and harming its inhabitants.

This should be accomplished in a manner that
• is consistent with good sanitation (minimizing both human contact with unprocessed excrement and exposure to disease vectors, such as flies).
• produces an inoffensive and reasonably dry end-product that can be handled with minimum risk.
• minimizes odor.

A secondary objective is to transform the nutrients in human excrement into fully oxidized, stable plant-available forms that can be used as a soil conditioner for plants and trees.

The main components of a composting toilet are:
• a composting reactor connected to one or more dry or micro-flush toilets;
• a screened exhaust system (often fan-forced) to remove odors, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and the by-products of aerobic decomposition;
• a means of ventilation to provide oxygen (aeration) for the aerobic organisms in the composter;
• a means of draining and managing excess liquid and leachate;
• process controls, such as mixers, to optimize and manage the process; and
• an access door for removal of the end-product.

The composting reactor should be constructed to separate the solids from the liquids and produce a stable, humus material with less than 200 most probable number (MPN) per gram of fecal coliform.

General Types of Composting Toilet Systems
Composting toilet systems can be classified in several ways:


• Self-Contained versus Centralized
Composting toilet systems are either self-contained, whereby the toilet seat and a small composting reactor are one unit (typically small cottage models), or centralized or remote, where the toilet connects to a composting reactor that is somewhere else.

• Manufactured versus Site-Built
One can either purchase a manufactured composting toilet system or have a site-built composting toilet system constructed (however, the latter can be difficult to get permitted by local health agents).

• Batch (Multiple-Chamber) versus Continuous (Single-Chamber)
Most composting toilet systems use one of two approaches to manage the composting process: either single-chamber continuous composting or multi-chamber batch composting processes.

It is difficult to generalize about which process affords the greatest opportunity for complete processing and minimizes the potential for pathogen survival. In a batch system, a finite supply of nutrients is cycled and recycled through microbe populations until the nutrients, both the free ones and those bound in microbial protoplasm and cell walls, are ultimately converted to stable, fully oxidized forms, and the fungi have performed their work on the remaining lignin and cellulose compounds, releasing antibiotics in the process.

Definitive research is needed in this area.

Active versus Passive

As with solar systems, composting systems are usually either passive or active. Passive systems are usually simple moldering reactors in which ETPA (excrement, toilet paper and additive) is collected and allowed to decompose in cool environments without active process control (heat, mixing, aeration).

Active systems may feature automatic mixers, pile-leveling devices, tumbling drums, thermostat-controlled heaters, fans, and so forth. The trend in the composting of municipal solid waste (garbage and trash), sewage sludge and yard and agricultural residues is toward active systems. By making the process active, the size of the composter can be reduced, because composting efficiency is speeded up (and the volume of the material reduced faster).

Passive systems are designed to optimize the process by design, not mechanical action, allowing only time, gravity, ambient temperature and the shape of the container to control the process. Passive composters are often referred to as moldering toilets, as the process at work is natural uncontrolled decay at cool in-ground temperatures at or below 68° F. In this cool environment, molds (fungi and actinomycetes) are the primary biological decomposers, because it is a bit too cool for the faster-acting mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria.

For the full document this information was pulled from, please visit: http://oikos.com/library/compostingtoilet/

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Redwood Empire Food Bank Opens WIC Store at Santa Rosa Headquarters

The Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) is expanding its hunger relief safety net with the addition of a new store at its Santa Rosa headquarters to serve low-income women and children eligible for food assistance through the federal WIC program.

Beginning this fall, pregnant women, new mothers and children under the age of 5 will be able to redeem their WIC vouchers for nutritious food at the REFB where they also will obtain advice and information on other vital hunger relief programs for themselves and other members of their families.

David Goodman, executive director, said the introduction of a WIC Store is a natural fit for the REFB, which is the largest hunger relief agency on the California coast north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

“We see this as a unique opportunity to widen our safety net for people in need,” he said.
“Women and children served under the WIC program are also eligible for our own food relief programs,” Goodman said. “By operating our own WIC Store we will be able to provide the nutritious foods these women and children receive through WIC plus make sure they take advantage of other programs such as our special programs for kids and our regular food assistance distributions.”

Goodman said the REFB WIC Store may also offer other products not covered by WIC.
“There are many ways we can help low-income families stretch their budgets, such as offering them discounted diapers and other common household necessities for families with infants and young children,” he said.

The REFB received final State Department of Public Health authorization to operate a WIC program on Monday. Goodman said the REFB plans to have a WIC Store open by September.
The REFB is only one of two non-profits in the State of California authorized to operate WIC stores. The other non-profit is the Yolo County Food Bank.

WIC is the common abbreviation for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. It is a federal health and nutrition program administered by the state.
WIC helps low-income families by providing vouchers for buying healthy supplemental foods, such as milk, juice, cereal, baby formula, eggs, produce, beans and other staples, from WIC-authorized vendors. The program also provides nutrition education and helps families find healthcare and other community services.

About 12,300 women and children receive WIC assistance in Sonoma County. Statewide, the program serves 1.4 million people.

Goodman said the REFB WIC Store will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the REFB headquarters, 3320 Industrial Drive in Santa Rosa.

WIC customers will be served by a bilingual staff and food bank eligibility workers who can direct mothers and families to other food support services including for kids the Every Child, Every Day – Summer Hunger Initiative, After School Snacks for Kids, Megan Furth Harvest Pantry, and Emergency Food Assistance program as well as other food and produce distributions open to all who are need.

“Low-income mothers and families with very young children need to get as much food into the household as they can,” he said. “Having WIC part of our hunger relief program will help do that.”

REFB staff also will be ready to direct women and others who are not yet WIC qualified how to apply for the WIC assistance.

Goodman said the REFB will welcome WIC recipients into a friendly and easy environment where participants are always treated with dignity and respect.

“Supermarkets do a good job serving WIC customers, but sometimes in a busy grocery store, especially when there is confusion over eligible foods or some other mix-up, a WIC transaction can cause delays at the check out stand,” he said. “This can lead WIC recipients to feel embarrassed or unwelcome.”

“That won’t happen here because at REFB our single reason to exist is to provide hunger relief to people in need,” Goodman said.

Working with 133 partner agencies, the REFB provides food to some 60,000 people a month in Sonoma County. It is also a source of food for pantries in Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

Goodman said the addition of the WIC Store to the REFB operation is part of on-going efforts to increase the REFB’s impact on hunger. The REFB is also developing a line of food products that will provide busy families with ingredients and recipes with which parents can quickly prepare nutritious meals for the dinner table.

“We are pursuing opportunities that are perceived to be out of our reach by many people,” said Goodman. “We’re like the little dog that has no perception of its size and tries to bite the big dogs. We strive to be as big as possible to better serve our community and its people.”

For more information on the REFB or WIC Store, contact Goodman at 707-523-7900.

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California State Parks Initiative

“It is with great hope that I report that a significant step towards sustainability for our State Parks was taken this week by the California State Parks Foundation and partners. On November 3rd a proposed statewide ballot measure was filed with the Attorney General's office. The "California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010, would create a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding to protect state parks and conserve California wildlife." - Michelle Luna, Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods

Initiative Basics:

The State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund ("Trust Fund") revenues could only be spent on state parks, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs.

The Trust Fund would be funded by an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California cars, motorcycles and recreational vehicles that would be collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the annual vehicle license fee. Larger commercial vehicles (those subject to the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act), mobile homes and permanent trailers would be exempt.

Vehicles subject to the surcharge and all occupants of those vehicles would have free day use admission to all state parks throughout the year.

Trust Fund revenues would amount to approximately $500 million each year (based on about 28 million registered vehicles) and 85% would be allocated to state parks and 15% to other state wildlife and ocean protection agencies.

With a new dedicated revenue stream in place, approximately $130 million of General Fund dollars, that provide a portion of overall state parks funding, would now be available for other vital needs, like schools, health care, social services or public safety.

The Trust Fund would be subject to an independent audit by the State Auditor and a Citizens' Oversight Committee would be created to ensure funds are spent appropriately. Audit, oversight and administrative costs of this measure would be limited to 1% of the annual revenues.

Next Step - Qualified Signatures on Petitions

The next step will be to qualify enough signatures in the next few moths to get the initiative on the ballot in November of 2010. Stewards will be spearheading this effort in Sonoma County and if you are willing to help, please email stewards@mcn.org with your name, preferred email address and phone number. I will have more information after November 16th and will send out another update at that time.

Other Ways for you to Help Stewards Restore Services in our Parks

Support our Quilt drawing with a donation online. The drawing will take place at the Annual Volunteer Celebration on December 4, 2009.

Support our Holiday Online Auction (see below)

We are honored to have recently received another challenge grant from the Dean Witter Foundation for general support. The $20,000 award includes a $10,000 matching grant, which means we need your help to raise the $10,000 that will be matched by the Dean Witter Foundation dollar for dollar.

If you are able to donate now.

Thanks for your continued support,
Michele Luna

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Sonoma County Historic Water Package

Sonoma County Water Agency News UPDATE

Historic Water Package Includes North Coast Funding

Three Million Gallons Per Year Saved

Biological Opinion One year Milestones

Water Supply Report
As of 11/01/09


Historic Water Package Includes North Coast Funding
The Sonoma County Water Agency is pleased that the State Legislature passed and the Governor signed an $11 billion overhaul of the state's water system that includes the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010.

Portions of the funding from the Act will be allocated for critical salmon and habitat restoration and recycled water projects, including $45 million for North Coast Integrated Regional Management Planning, $138 million for Bay Area IRWMP, $50 million for coastal salmon restoration projects to the California Coastal Conservancy, $50 million to the Coastal Conservancy for the Ocean Protection Act projects and $1 billon for statewide recycling. The Act will appear on the November 2, 2010 ballot for voter approval.

For more information about the water package and bond initiative, visit www.acwa.com.

Three Million Gallons Per Year Saved
More than 350 high-efficiency toilets have been installed in October through SCWA's Sanitation District High-Efficiency Fixture Direct-Install Program saving nearly 3 million gallons of water per year from being flushed down the drain and into county sanitation systems. Eligible homes and businesses in participating sanitation zones and districts receive free high-efficiency toilets and urinals with free, professional installation and recycling of the old fixtures, plus free low-flow showerheads and aerators through the program.

These new high-efficiency toilets use at least 63 percent less water than the original 3.5 gallon per flush low-flow toilets from the early 1980's and at least 20 percent less than the 1.6 gallon per flush ultra-low flow toilets from the 1990's.

All toilets installed through the program must be listed on SCWA's List of Qualifying Toilet Models. Currently, the toilets on the list must meet or exceed U.S. EPA WaterSense specifications for performance and water efficiency. Beginning January 1, 2010, SCWA will limit the list to only include toilets with a maximum of 1.1 gallons per flush in addition to meeting WaterSense specifications. Although the change from 1.28 to 1.1 gallons per flush may seem trivial, that fraction of a gallon adds up as SCWA's goal is to change out every toilet in sanitation district service areas.

In addition to the Direct-Install Program, SCWA also offers $150 high-efficiency toilet rebates for the do-it-yourselfers and $125 high-efficiency clothes washer rebates to select sanitation zones and districts. A new high-efficiency clothes washer uses 40 to 60 percent less water and energy per load than a standard, top-load clothes washer. Other rebates are available for businesses including a sustained reduction rebate for installing any fixture or technology that will permanently reduce the amount of water going down the drain.

http://www.scwa.ca.gov/direct-install/

Public Policy Facilitating Committee Update
The Public Policy Facilitating Committee (PPFC) met on October 29, 2009 to receive an update on implementation of the Biological Opinion, which was issued one year ago. The National Marine Fisheries Service, the California Department of Fish & Game, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer and SCWA discussed successes and problem areas on Year One milestones and provided a preview of what's ahead in Year Two of the implementation of the Biological Opinion. If you missed the meeting, please visit SCWA's Web site to view materials and presentations from staff. If you have any questions, please contact Ann DuBay at 707.524.8376.

Water Supply Report
As of 11/01/09

Lake Sonoma
Lake Sonoma's water supply pool is currently 78% full
Storage: 191,542 acre-feet (Water Supply Capacity: 245,000 acre-feet)
Rate of Release: 104 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs)
Required Dry Creek Flow Rate: 80 cfs

Lake Mendocino
Lake Mendocino's water supply pool is currently 50% full
Storage: 43,246 acre-feet (Water Supply Capacity: 89,000 acre feet)
Rate of Release: 153 cfs
Required Upper Russian River Flow Rate: 75cfs

Lake Pillsbury (PG&E Facility)
Lake Pillsbury's water supply pool is currently 42% full
Storage: 31,511 acre-feet (Maximum allowed: 78,901 acre-feet)
Rate of Release: 90 cfs
Cumulative inflow: 2,637 acre-feet

Lake Van Arsdale (PG&E Facility)
Potter Valley Diversion: 45 cfs
Eel River Release: 43 cfs

Hacienda Bridge
Rate of Flow: 215 cfs
Required Lower Russian River Flow Rate: 125 cfs


Public Meetings/ Notices
http://scwa2.computergrafixco.com/eNews/index.asp?issue=11/1/2009&campaign=Enews&article=2217

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Save Shollenberger Park in Petaluma

TRUCKS OR DUCKS?? IT'S UP TO US!

We need your help to collect names & emails for Sonoma County residents opposed to the Dutra Asphalt Plant at Haystack Landing. Please collect contact information for folks in your community and forward the lists to us at our office:

Friends of Shollenberger Park
322 Western Ave
Petaluma, CA 94952

Or scan and email to us at SaveShollenberger at gmail.com
http://www.saveshollenberger.com/

We are hearing that the new Dutra proposal will go in front of the County Supervisors in early December...so time is of the essence! Thanks!!

Your opinions on this project can be e-mailed to the Snoma County Board of Supervisors at:
http://supervisors.sonoma-county.org/

The Petition can be found here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveShollenberger/

more below....


New Signs & Bumper Stickers Now Available!

New Save Shollenberger signs and bumper stickers will be available for pick up this Saturday (10/31) from 10am-2pm at our Headquarters. The first 50 bumper stickers and 20 signs are FREE!

322 Western Ave.
Petaluma, CA

The Dutra proposal is likely to return to the Board of Supervisors in December, so it is vital that we begin to once again grow community awareness and return this issue to the forefront of Sonoma County consciousness. The large majority of Petaluma residents are against this Asphalt plant, as well as the entire Petaluma City Council and 5 other Sonoma County cities…but it could come down to the vote of one individual on the Board of Supervisors.

Don’t let this decision be made for us. Stand up and speak your mind.

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Public Health H1N1 Vaccinations

Get Vaccinated Against The 2009 H1N1 (Swine) Flu!

FREE Swine Flu Vaccination for those who meet Public Health Criteria
November 14 in Windsor & Santa Rosa - FREE
November 21 in Petaluma - FREE
December 5 at 9 Locations in Sonoma County - Donation

Getting vaccinated is the best protection against the 2009 H1N1 flu. Persons with a regular health provider should contact them about getting the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

Public Health is offering 2009 H1N1 flu vaccinations to people who meet all of the following:
• Live in Sonoma County,

• No health insurance, and

• One of the following priority groups:
1. Anyone who lives in a household or provides daily care to an infant less than 6 months old.
2. Children and young adults ranging from 6 months to 24 years old.
3. All pregnant women.
4. Adults ages 25 to 64 who have an underlying medical condition that puts them at risk from flu complications.
5. Health care workers and emergency medical personnel.

Please note: if you do not meet these conditions, you may be asked to wait until more vaccine becomes available later this year.

The vaccination clinics will take place from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Saturday, November 14th - No Cost

Windsor High School, 8695 Windsor Road, Windsor

Lawrence Cook Middle School, 2480 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa


Saturday, November 21st - No Cost

Casa Grande High School, 333 Casa Grande Rd, Petaluma


Saturday, December 5th - Donation Requested

Nine locations around the county, call or check the website for details

The vaccinations are free and no appointment is necessary. Additional vaccination clinics are planned for November and December. A separate vaccine to prevent seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for most individuals, but seasonal flu vaccinations will NOT be provided at the clinics this Saturday or at the November clinics. Only the December clinics will offer both 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

The 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus is circulating in communities and has continued to cause illness through the Fall. Most cases of H1N1 Influenza are fairly mild, but influenza can be a serious disease; in Sonoma County, there have been over 80 hospitalizations and 10 deaths due to this virus. The best prevention for influenza is vaccination.

Nationally, vaccine distribution is rolling out to states and counties. Most people will get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine at local doctors’ offices, medical clinics, health centers, and pharmacies. Dr. Mark Netherda, Deputy Public Health Officer stated, “The purpose of these first Public Health vaccination clinics is to serve those Sonoma County residents at greatest risk, especially those who do not have a medical provider, or other means to get the vaccine.”

Please call the Public Health Information Line (707)565-4477, or visit our website
www.sonoma-county.org/H1N1 for times, locations and to confirm last minute details.

County of Sonoma
Department of Public Health Services
Public Health Division

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Roblar Road Quarry Final EIR Ready for Review

Roblar Road Proposed Quarry
The FINAL Environmental Impact Report is Ready for Review at PRMD web site:

http://www.sonoma-county.org/prmd/divpages/projrevdiv.htm

If you’d like to learn some history on this proposed project – please go to this web site created by citizens concerned with this project:
http://carrq.org/

Quarries will continue to be an issue in our county because much-needed aggregate material - rock - is located in the hills near where people live. One of the reasons people live there is because these quarries created jobs and people settled near their jobs. Now that we are protecting our rivers from gravel mining, we need rock products to come from land-based quarris. There is no road that does not use rock. Every home requires rock products to be built. The list goes on and on. Rock is part of the construction and maintenance of our lives. Where we obtain this rock is the question for many and as time goes on, quarries are operating at higher levels of environmental responsibility all the time...hence the Environmental Impact Reports and rules and regs around the impact these quarries have both on the land and on neighbors.

Sonoma County Citizens for Responsible Land Use

We are a group of Sonoma County residents who are concerned about the rural land use in the county. There are a number of private projects that are for profit ventures that endanger the environment and create potential fiscal costs to Sonoma County taxpayers.

We encourage you to investigate our site to understand the issues that you might be paying for in future taxes!

We also encourage you to write to your supervisors, state and federal legislators about land use in Sonoma County.

Citizens Against Roblar Rock Quarry

Our primary issue is the proposed development of a rock quarry next to an old Sonoma County Landfill!

The project is located on Roblar Rd.
• The landfill has potentially dangerous materials that were dumped in the 50's and 60's.
• The landfill has no protective liner to prevent leaking.
• The quarry will blast rock from the property adjacent to the landfill. They propose once to twice a month with 20 to 25 detonations
• Sonoma County and its residents can be liable for the environmental damage to the landfill as a result of the blasting.
• This damage could affect the water wells in the area, land contamination, and present heath risks to residents, people using Roblar Road on their way to the coast.
• The project will have 149 rock trucks on Roblar, Pepper, Mecham and Stony Point roads an annual impact of 37,500 additional rock trucks!
• Roblar Rd is a favorite route for bicyclists.
• Roblar Rd does not have a bicycle lane or is fit for the additional truck traffic that the quarry will create
• Dunham School is located on Roblar Road, which makes the children subject to the increased traffic.
• Operation hours 6 AM to 10PM weekdays and 6 AM to 4:30 PM Saturdays

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Jenner Headlands Moves Closer to Protection

Board approves $11.1 million District expenditure for historic acquisition

As a next step in the preservation of the 5,630-acre Jenner Headlands coastal property, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, acting as the District’s Board of Directors, approved the expenditure of $10,150,000 to allow the District to fund approximately one-third of the $36 million acquisition, and an additional $1,000,000 toward the restoration, public access improvements and management of the property.

“Conservation of this magnificent property will not only ensure the protection of extraordinary natural and scenic resources, but it will eventually provide a premier outdoor recreation experience,” said Efren Carrillo, Fifth District Supervisor. “The Sonoma Coast is a site of international significance, and we—the County, the voters, and the conservation community—have remained steadfast in our commitment to the preservation of all that is Sonoma County.”

In 2005, a robust collaboration led by then-Fifth District Supervisor Mike Reilly and involving the Sonoma Land Trust, the District, the California State Coastal Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration committed to preserving the property adjacent to Sonoma Coast State Park. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service will contribute $1,000,000 for the acquisition upon the close of escrow, which will be reimbursed to District.

“Our public and private funders have found a way, in these challenging times, to make sure we don’t lose this incredible opportunity to protect this extraordinary landscape.” said Amy Chesnut, Acquisitions Director of the Sonoma Land Trust. “By leveraging the District's funds with federal, state and private funding, the community will reap the benefits. Key ingredients in any complex conservation transaction are a willing landowner and strong partners who go the extra mile to ensure success. We have that and more with this project. It is a remarkable collaboration.”

Jenner Headlands will become part of 20,000 acres of interconnected public and privately-protected coastline between Bodega Head and Fort Ross. It will eventually include a 2.5-mile stretch of the California Coastal Trail. Close of escrow is expected by mid-December and the Sonoma Land Trust will own and manage the property. During the management planning process, Interim public access will be provided through guided hikes by the Trust and its partners.

Next steps for acquisition include the consideration of the project by the Wildlife Conservation Board on November 17, and securing the remaining $16 million in loan funding to bridge the gap left by frozen State bond proceeds.

In return for its investment, the District will hold a conservation easement which will restrict development and require a management plan to protect and enhance the ecological and cultural resources of the property. This represents the largest conservation land acquisition in Sonoma County, and will bring the total land protected by the District to more than 80,000 acres.

“The District works every day to protect our diverse natural heritage by investing in the restoration and conservation of major ecosystems and wildlife habitats throughout our County,” said Bill Keene, Interim General Manager of the District. “Protecting Jenner Headlands is vital to a healthy environment and vibrant economy, and we applaud the leadership of our partners for bringing together the necessary commitments to make this project a reality.”

Jenner Headlands, also known as Rule Ranch, represents the largest coastal conservation easement held by the District, in terms of acreage and investment. In total, the District has protected nearly 15,000 acres along the Sonoma Coast, including the nearly 3,400-acre Willow Creek addition to Sonoma Coast State Park. This expenditure represents more than one-third of the approximately $30 million budgeted for FY 09-10 District acquisitions.


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 approximately 80,000 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.


About the Sonoma Land Trust
The independent non-profit Sonoma Land Trust preserves scenic, natural, agricultural and open land for future generations. Since 1976, the Sonoma Land Trust has protected nearly 20,000 acres of beautiful, productive and environmentally-significant land. For more information, please visit www.sonomalandtrust.org.

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