4d) Discussion and Possible Action Including Acceptance of a Presentation from the Mendocino County Fish and Game Commission and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Regarding the Need to Establish Riparian, Stream, and Wetland Protections for the Inland Area of Mendocino County; and Direction to Staff
(Sponsor: Supervisor Haschak)
As the lead agency for approving grading permits, Mendocino County should be doing their due diligence when determining that an application for grading or other development adheres to all applicable laws. Currently the 'review' processes the county has is inadequate. It is doubtful that if you were to ask any of the planners who approved an application to build, that they could say with 100% confidence that they haven't broken any state or federal law which would protect water, wetlands and threatened or endangered species. There is no grading ordinance in effect to justify their ministerial approval of the developments that they are approving. I vote for the county to be a better steward of the environment and protect the resources that make this county a special place to live in.
The Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control & Water Conservation Improvement District (RRFC) encourages the Board to approve the recommended action. RRFC appreciates the committed work of the Fish & Game Commission in its role as Advisor to the Board on matters such as these. The Commission has identified the need to implement County Code in protecting the essential water ways in the County. In a changed climate, scientists and climatologists are expecting to see a dramatic difference from the precipitation patterns of the past to the present day and beyond. 'Weather whiplash' is a description of the occurrence of floods during extreme and prolonged droughts, increased numbers of larger atmospheric rivers, and other intense phenomena. Protecting the strained environment can and should be a priority, particularly water ways used to deliver water supply to homes and businesses as well as recharge the invaluable groundwater table. The Commission has recommended a path forward to protect riparian, stream, and wetlands which will begin rehabilitating the stressed environment and improve the resiliency of our community in weathering the unprecedented changes happening now and predicted to exponentially increase. As always, please feel free to contact me for further information, discussion, and support in the District’s Mission to steward water resources for the benefit of the people and environment. ~ Elizabeth Salomone, General Manager. www.rrfc.net email: DistrictManager@rrfc.net
Mendocino Redwood Company is fully in support of protecting the county's watercourses, lakes, and wetlands. We do so while abiding by the most comprehensive Forest Practice Rules in the country which include a significant number of regulations regarding the protection of water sources. These are part of every Cal Fire-approved Timber Harvest Plan. Additionally any alteration of a bed, bank, or channel of a stream, for instance when replacing a culvert, requires a second permit from the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife. I understand the focus of this proposed ordinance is septic systems, development, cannabis farms and potentially others. Please make it crystal clear any proposed ordinance does not apply to any harvest document approved by Cal Fire or associated agencies charged with other timber harvesting-related permits. In reviewing ordinances for Lake, Humboldt and Sonoma Counties, they included such language.
Thank you,
John Andersen
Director, Forest Policy
Mendocino Redwood Company
PS: Our neutral position only comes from the fact there is not specific language at this time.
As the lead agency for approving grading permits, Mendocino County should be doing their due diligence when determining that an application for grading or other development adheres to all applicable laws. Currently the 'review' processes the county has is inadequate. It is doubtful that if you were to ask any of the planners who approved an application to build, that they could say with 100% confidence that they haven't broken any state or federal law which would protect water, wetlands and threatened or endangered species. There is no grading ordinance in effect to justify their ministerial approval of the developments that they are approving. I vote for the county to be a better steward of the environment and protect the resources that make this county a special place to live in.
Protect the rivers from the vineyards that are diverting water. Thanks.
The Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control & Water Conservation Improvement District (RRFC) encourages the Board to approve the recommended action. RRFC appreciates the committed work of the Fish & Game Commission in its role as Advisor to the Board on matters such as these. The Commission has identified the need to implement County Code in protecting the essential water ways in the County. In a changed climate, scientists and climatologists are expecting to see a dramatic difference from the precipitation patterns of the past to the present day and beyond. 'Weather whiplash' is a description of the occurrence of floods during extreme and prolonged droughts, increased numbers of larger atmospheric rivers, and other intense phenomena. Protecting the strained environment can and should be a priority, particularly water ways used to deliver water supply to homes and businesses as well as recharge the invaluable groundwater table. The Commission has recommended a path forward to protect riparian, stream, and wetlands which will begin rehabilitating the stressed environment and improve the resiliency of our community in weathering the unprecedented changes happening now and predicted to exponentially increase. As always, please feel free to contact me for further information, discussion, and support in the District’s Mission to steward water resources for the benefit of the people and environment. ~ Elizabeth Salomone, General Manager. www.rrfc.net email: DistrictManager@rrfc.net
BOS,
Mendocino Redwood Company is fully in support of protecting the county's watercourses, lakes, and wetlands. We do so while abiding by the most comprehensive Forest Practice Rules in the country which include a significant number of regulations regarding the protection of water sources. These are part of every Cal Fire-approved Timber Harvest Plan. Additionally any alteration of a bed, bank, or channel of a stream, for instance when replacing a culvert, requires a second permit from the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife. I understand the focus of this proposed ordinance is septic systems, development, cannabis farms and potentially others. Please make it crystal clear any proposed ordinance does not apply to any harvest document approved by Cal Fire or associated agencies charged with other timber harvesting-related permits. In reviewing ordinances for Lake, Humboldt and Sonoma Counties, they included such language.
Thank you,
John Andersen
Director, Forest Policy
Mendocino Redwood Company
PS: Our neutral position only comes from the fact there is not specific language at this time.