Take Action: A New Threat to Coyote Valley

Take Action: A New Threat to Coyote Valley

Thank you to all those who submitted comments to the Board of Trustees.  The form to do so is now closed.  Thanks to advocacy and public outcry, the Gavilan Board of Trustees made some major modification to the bond measure language, and we are continuing to monitor the situation as it develops.

On Tuesday, July 10 at 7:00pm, the Gavilan College Board of Trustees will consider a November bond measure that includes funding for new buildings on Gavilan’s Coyote Valley campus. We need you to attend or send an email to ask that the Coyote Valley development be removed from the bond measure language.

Gavilan College Board of Trustees meeting

Tuesday, July 10, 7:00 p.m.

Gavilan College, Social Sciences Bldg, Room 206

5055 Santa Teresa Blvd, Gilroy, CA 95023

 

What’s Happening:

Gavilan College is a community college with a main campus near Gilroy. A couple of years ago, Gavilan began construction of a satellite campus on Bailey Road in Coyote Valley (over the strong objections of environmental organizations). Now, Gavilan College may put a bond measure on the November ballot that includes funding for new buildings on their Coyote Valley campus. We are concerned because we see any approval of funding for their Coyote Valley campus as a step towards full build-out of Phase II of their Coyote Valley campus. That Phase II build-out would drastically expand the current footprint of the campus to service an anticipated 10,000 students, replacing the temporary classrooms with multi-level buildings, a parking structure, more surface parking, a firing range, and sports fields. While we do not object to the other funding projects listed in the ballot language, we are requesting removal of funding for any new improvements or buildings at the Coyote Valley campus.

 

Why It’s Important:

Coyote Valley is a unique landscape linkage, connecting the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range. Mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats and other wildlife live in and move through Coyote Valley’s fields, farmland, creeks and wetlands. Increasing development in this vital wildlife area can be harmful to wildlife by increasing the risk of roadkill, stressing animals with lights, noise and human activity, driving away prey animals, and reducing habitat area. In addition, Coyote Valley is an important floodplain, as was shown in the 2017 floods when the entire Gavilan campus was cut off by flooding. Coyote Valley should be preserved for its important wildlife, water, agricultural and recreational values.

 

Thank you for your support. Together we can protect Coyote Valley for future generations.

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