(CGF sent the following memo to the Water District Board of Directors to encourage environmental improvements related to erosion and habitat issues. -Brian) Memorandum Date: September 21, 2009 To: Water District Board of Directors From: Brian Schmidt, Committee for Green Foothills Re: Suggestions for Agenda Item #9: EAC recommendations and staff response The Committee for...
Category: News
Old mercury contamination still a problem in our area
A nationwide news service report discusses the ongoing problem of mercury contamination in our area. We at CGF have been promoting the idea of extended producer responsibility legislation for mercury, that would require new producers or importers of mercury in California to either retrieve their own mercury or clean up sites the report discusses. This...
CGF Comments on an appeal to allow a Coastal Development Permit
(CGF Legislative Advocate Lennie Roberts submitted the letter below opposing an appeal of a decision denying a Coastal Development Permit in San Mateo County. -Brian) August 24, 2009 President Mark Church and MembersBoard of Supervisors400 County CenterRedwood City, CA 94063 Re: Item #6 on the August 25, 20009 Meeting Agenda: PLN 2003-00226 (Irizarry/Caron) Appeal of...
CGF’s San Mateo County Update
This month, the Committee for Green Foothills has been busy in San Mateo County – protecting our coasts and creeks from development and speaking out against new permits for offshore oil drilling permits. A quick update: Coastal Commission Workshop with Local Governments: A couple of years ago, the League of Cities formed a “Coastal Cities...
Ocean acidification off the Northern California Coast
Ocean acidification is a terrible and under-appreciated aspect of climate change, a result of carbon dioxide emissions changing ocean chemistry. The Acid Test documentary linked above discusses how this problem has affected coastal life in our areas, as seashells start to dissolve in the acidifying ocean. It aired yesterday and will re-air later in the...
Great news for Northern California and San Mateo Coasts
The Coastal Commission decided yesterday on a 3-2 vote to set up no fishing, no diving/underwater take zones in certain areas of the California coast, including off of Half Moon Bay. Our oceans have been so devastated with overfishing and other impacts over the last few decades that “safe zones” free from human predation make...
Tackling the rise in SF Bay levels
Climate change-induced sea level rise will have a similar effect on San Francisco Bay, leaving planners, taxpayers, and environmentalists with a difficult problem in how to manage the rising Bay. The Chronicle covers some interesting and highly speculative ideas entered in a recent contest: Once they would have been the stuff of science fiction: shimmering...
Poaching risk for state park shutdowns
The state budget emergency has led the governor to suggest closing most of California’s state parks. Henry Coe Park, here in Santa Clara County, is one of the ones at risk, and Supervisor Yeager has proposed a temporary county takeover to keep it open. One reason to do this is the increased problem of poaching...
CGF Letter on the San Jose General Plan Revision
(We sent this letter out last week regarding preserving farmlands and stopping sprawl in San Jose. -Brian) May 21, 2009 San Jose City CouncilEnvision San Jose Task Force Dear City Council and Task Force Members; The Committee for Green Foothills urges you seize the opportunity presented to you both to preserve the farmlands adjacent to...
Sanborn Park video to accompany Green Footnotes newsletter
I took a small video of the climbing area in Sanborn Park that’s described in the Spring 2009 Green Footnotes (CGF members already have the hard copy, and it will also be posted on our website): -Brian