The Committee is Watching...

Committee for Green Foothills’ Legislative Advocates and volunteers juggle multiple projects to protect the environment in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

In addition to those projects described in this issue's articles, the Committee is watching:

... author and trails expert Jean Rusmore, who shared her favorite local getaways for fall in conversation with Jay Thorwaldson, at a recent CGF environmental forum funded by the Peninsula Community Foundation and cosponsored by Hewlett-Packard and Wilderness Press.

... the revision of the Midcoast Local Coastal Plan, for which the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is reviewing recommendations from the County Planning Commission.

... Apanolio Creek, where a barrier to passage of steelhead trout (a failed culvert) will be removed as part of the restoration of the upper Pilarcitos Creek watershed, west of Skyline in San Mateo County.

... the Wavecrest Village Project in Half Moon Bay, where coastal views, endangered species, wetlands, and important wildlife habitat for winter raptors are threatened by development.

... over 360,000 acres in Santa Clara County whose landowners are under contract with the state's Williamson Act (designed to protect local agriculture) - but on which Santa Clara County has allowed development and subdivisions.

... San Jose, which is trying to loosen restrictions on growth (including in Coyote Valley) and, by doing so, placing the rest of San Jose in financial risk.

... Congressman Mike Honda, who has sponsored legislation fast-tracking potential recognition of a politically-divided Native American tribe in south Santa Clara County, and where one of the factions has aligned with a developer who hopes to use the tribe's status to evade the County's land use regulations.

... Morgan Hill, which is considering an expansion of city limits beyond what is necessary (although less than developers requested).

... wetlands that have been left unprotected by Santa Clara County solely because they are not regulated under the Clean Water Act.

... Sterling subdivision and mega-house proposal, unanimously rejected by the San Mateo County Planning Commission and now under appeal to the Board of Supervisors.

... Almaden Valley near South San Jose, where a private water company is trying to sneak in development by extending water services to a rural area, in contravention to county policies.