The County of Santa Clara has just released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the proposed Sargent Ranch Quarry, an open-pit sand and gravel mine that would destroy the landscape of Juristac – a critical wildlife linkage and the most sacred site of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Please see the “What You Can...
Author: Alice Kaufman
Ask San Jose to Protect Lake Cunningham’s Water Quality
On Tuesday, June 28, the San Jose City Council will decide the fate of the remaining environmental funding from Measure T, the 2018 bond measure that helped protect Coyote Valley. Please email the City Council and tell them to spend this environmental funding on environmental protection such as addressing water quality contamination, rather than redirecting...
Room to Move: Why Wildlife Linkages Matter
Habitat connectivity is about understanding the lives and needs of all the species in our region and giving them what they require to survive. One of those things is the ability to move from one habitat range to another. That’s why we focus some of our strongest advocacy efforts on the wildlife linkages that are...
Species Spotlight: Ridgway’s Rail
Plants and animals often act as indicator species, telling us through their presence or absence what the condition of their ecosystem is. In this sense, the story of the endangered Ridgway’s Rail is the story of the San Francisco Bay tidal marshlands – formerly abundant, now greatly reduced. The continued survival of this shorebird species...
Tell San Jose: Don’t Impair Wildlife Movement in Coyote Valley
On Tuesday, March 8, San Jose Planning staff will give a presentation to the City Council about potentially allowing new commercial activities like restaurants and beer gardens along Monterey Road in Coyote Valley. Please ask the City to ensure that any new uses do not increase harm to wildlife habitat and connectivity in Coyote Valley....
Redwood City Ferry Terminal Must Avoid Harm to Marshland Wildlife
A proposal for commuter ferry service and a new ferry terminal at the Port of Redwood City has been in the works for several years. Now, the Port and the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), the agency that operates public commuter ferries in the Bay Area, are preparing to start work on a draft Environmental...
Santa Clara City Council Calls For Protection of Juristac
This Tuesday, the Santa Clara City Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging the County to deny permits for an open-pit mine at Juristac — a region sacred to the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and a critical wildlife linkage. Please thank the City Councilmembers for passing this resolution calling for the protection of Juristac! What’s Happening:...
A Historic Moment: Coyote Valley Finally Protected From Urban Development
Last week, San Jose took a historic step by declaring Coyote Valley a place for open space and farmland. The unanimous vote by the San Jose City Council reversed decades of misguided planning policy and declared over 3,000 acres of open space off-limits to urban development. We thank the City Council, staff, and all our...
Amazon-Style Warehouse/Distribution Center Threatens Coyote Valley
In an alarming 5-4 vote on October 27, San Jose’s Planning Commission decided against protecting Coyote Valley. Rejecting the recommendations from Planning staff and the 36-member General Plan Task Force, they voted to recommend against changing the land use in North Coyote Valley from industrial development to open space and agriculture. It is up to...
Ask San Jose Planning Commission to Recommend Protecting Coyote Valley
On Wednesday, October 27, the San Jose Planning Commission will vote on recommendations to amend the General Plan to change the land use in Coyote Valley from industrial development to open space and agriculture. Please email the Planning Commission and tell them to protect Coyote Valley! Setting the Stage for Historic City Council Vote in...