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CGF ADVOCATES
A Committee Snapshot

Brian Schmidt is a very busy advocate. With a backpack slung on one shoulder, a modest dayplanner in one hand and the key to his Prius in the other, Brian is hurrying off to yet another meeting — probably the first of several today.

As described in “Tip of the Iceberg,” CGF’s Advocates, Lennie and Brian, find themselves devoting a significant amount of work time serving on outside committees. Lennie Roberts, our power-house advocate for San Mateo County described her involvement in just one of her committees, the Corridor Study Technical Advisory Committee, and below is a quick snapshot of the committees Brian serves on in Santa Clara County.

Santa Clara County
Community Resource Group — the CRG helps exchange information between Stanford University, the County, and the community for implementing the Stanford General Use Permit. The CRG is currently controversial because the County refuses to discuss certain Stanford issues, but Brian will continue his involvement.

Viewshed Stakeholder Group — the County is considering revi-sions to its zoning ordinance to limit visibility impacts from large, ugly buildings in prominent locations. This committee is currently on hold, but may come back as the County considers draft ordinances.

Williamson Act Advisory Committee — the Williamson Act gives tax benefits to people who farm their land, but abuse of this provision has required changes. The Advisory Committee provided the first reaction to proposed changes. While no longer meeting, some version of this committee may also convene when it becomes time to review the enacted changes.

San Jose
Technical Advisory Committee to the Coyote Valley Task Force — this staff-level committee advises the Task Force helping develop the Coyote Valley Special Plan. While we oppose developing Coyote Valley, we can also use our participation to reduce the impacts if development does happen.

Environmental Focus Group — an ad-hoc committee of environmental organizations that advises San Jose staff about Coyote Valley, this committee gives environmental groups a better chance to describe their concerns.

Santa Clara Valley Water District
Environmental Advisory Committee — the Water District Board refers environmental issues to the EAC to get their input, particularly regarding how to spend environmental restoration money from the Clean Safe Creeks bond measure. Brian was recently elected vice-chairman of the Committee.

Performance Audit Advisory Committee — similar to a financial audit, the Performance Audit examines how well the Water District is conducting its functions. Brian is the environmental representative on an advisory committee of stakeholders that reviews the ongoing audit.

Intergovernmental
Habitat Conservation Plan Stakeholder Group — this five-year project will determine what level of mitigation will be required for impacts to endangered species in most of Santa Clara County. Committee for Green Foothills is one of many environmental groups tracking the issue closely by participating as a Stakeholder.

Serving on such committees provide Lennie and Brian with the critical opportunity to engage decision makers and provide important feedback and suggestions early on, rather than waiting to a much later stage. Being involved with such an array of committees does come at the cost of time and sometimes, sheer frustration. However, CGF’s Advocates will use any chance they have to bring about significant conservation opportunities for preserving our local environment.

Published October 2006 in Green Footnotes.

Page last updated October 30, 2006.