Valley feathers still ruffled
Salmon plan ‘complete’
By Andrea Blum
On Feb. 9 the Board of Supervisors will accept the Salmon Enhancement Plan as a finished report ending the county’s contract with the consultants who developed the document and abiding by its agreement with the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network after two years in the making.
The ultimate plan, however, is not finished product. The plan as written is currently a series of recommendations; the plan as codified still has a road to travel.
The next step of the Salmon Enhancement Plan was the subject of a meeting organized by the San Geronimo Valley Stewards Wednesday night who invited Linda Dahl, assistant director of the county’s Community Development Agency to speak on what comes next.
“This plan will be accepted but not adopted,” said Dahl who admitted there were flaws in the process. “The plan needs to be accepted by Feb. 11 as recommendations. The workshops are the next step.”
Dahl explained how the workshops would work and the need for community involvement with all voices heard. “This is a reference document,” she said holding up the plan. “But as we go forward it will be a different book and you will be able to make modifications. That’s the purpose of the workshops.” Read more...
The presentation from Dahl and the county’s SEP meeting on Thursday last week still did not allay fears in the 75-plus person crowd who believe their private property rights are at risk by the county’s actions and those of SPAWN— an organization viewed by some as a powerful and well-funded force.
Some in the crowd felt singled out, complaining that homes along creeks in Kentfield can do as they please.
“People are still agitated and frightened by ordinances,” said Liza Crosse, aide to Supervisor Steve Kinsey who was at last week’s SEP meeting. “But I do think we are rounding a corner and moving toward working together.”
It was the second meeting of the San Geronimo Valley Stewards since the organization’s inception in August 2009. The group formed after homeowners living near Valley creeks felt they needed a voice.
“I want us to go beyond the knee jerk reactions and actually study the details so we know our community’s efforts can achieve the best result for the people and the environment for the lowest cost to our community,” said Taylor Hamblett, a founder of the group and the voice that got the attention of the Board of Supervisors. “We don’t want to blame all the salmon’s troubles on the ocean and think we can do nothing and we don’t want to say that building all buildings is bad. We want to see the best possible solution for everyone.”
During the meeting, Dahl explained that there would be a series of discussion workshops that would include all members of the community to express and form ideas of how the county can balance property rights with saving salmon habitat. Dahl said she has 10 staffers working as facilitators for the workshops involving science, community rights and landowner assistance.
But one thing is certain; at least one ordinance will be a result of the plan. The tree ordinance will be modified, said Dahl. It could include a riparian vegetation ordinance within the first 35 feet of a steam bank which would prohibit removal of riparian vegetation. Later, Dahl said, the county will tackle another aspect of the tree ordinance, which allows five trees to be cut each year on every property. “Changing that ordinance is critical,” said Lagunitas resident Jean Berensmeier, chair of the Valley planning group.
Confusion on the finalized SEP document aside, at least one Valley resident came away with one clear point, “The document is accepted as complete,” said Bob Wick, a Woodacre resident of the salmon plan. “What we do with it now is up to us.”
The first of a series of workshops will be held March 6 from 9 am to 2 pm at the San Geronimo Community Center.
