Green Footnotes

Com m i tt e e for G r e e n Foot h i lls www.GreenFoothills.org Fall 2008 Matthew Burrows Matthew

Fog pouring over Santa Cruz Mountains in San Carlos. An opportunity to be “local, vocal, and effective” ...is what brought Matt Burrows to the Committee for Green Foothills Board of Directors. As a way for our members to get to know us better — and for potential new members to consider why CGF is important to them and to the community — we will be offering an inside peek at who our Board members are through brief interviews. We begin our new series with Matt Burrows, Board Vice President and Chair of the Development Committee. He has been a CGF member since 2003.

Q: How did you come to be a Board East side. In part due to the sort of mystical “think global, act local” organization. member of CGF? effect of the hills that hover above us, I have In 2000, while working on dedicating a I grew up in Los Altos in a working always had an ardent environmental view- bench in my mother’s memory at Rancho class family, (which I know these days point with a particular passion toward issues San Antonio, I had been in contact POST, sounds like an oxymoron); my dad was a of acting locally to have impact globally. As which started me on a path that lead to teacher and administrator in East Side Union a lifelong resident of the local area, I would CGF. I became a CGF Foothills Millennium High School District in East San Jose; my read about CGF in the news and its battles Fund member, and participated in CGF mother taught English as second language to save open lands locally and about people sponsored hikes to Coyote Ridge and Jasper locally. We grew up playing in the parks, with like Lennie Roberts leading the fights. I have the hills as a backdrop in both Los Altos and always admired CGF as the quintessential Continued on page 10 page 2 Green Footnotes Fall 2008 Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org

Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls From the Committee for Green Foothills is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to establish and maintain land use policies that protect the environment throughout San Mateo President ... and Santa Clara County.

Founded in 1962, Committee for Green his year’s Nature’s Inspiration was an especially fitting occasion to reflect Foothills is leading the continuing effort to protect open space and the natural resources of Tback on the Committee’s accomplishments in land conservation on the Santa Clara and San Mateo counties through advocacy, education and grassroots action. peninsula and in the South Bay. Celebrating Lennie Roberts: Nature’s Inspiration

Committee for Green Foothills was so named because 2008 marked 40 years since the estimable Lennie Roberts 3921 East Bayshore Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 joined the CGF Board and 30 years since she became CGF’s full-time volunteer

[email protected] advocate in San Mateo County. The magnificent results of Lennie’s decades with www.GreenFoothills.org Phone: 650-968-7243 CGF are, quite literally, visible to millions of Bay Area inhabitants every single Fax: 650-968-8431 day. Her achievements also profoundly affect Bay Area residents in other ways, Staff Cynthia D’Agosta Executive Director from the quality of the air we breathe, to the number of birds we see migrating Lennie Roberts Legislative Advocate, San Mateo County overhead, to how we think about our environment and perhaps even how we Brian Schmidt Legislative Advocate, Santa Clara County relate to each other. Wendee Crofoot Office Manager As knowledgeable, resourceful and all-around awesome as Lennie Roberts is, Board of Directors Jeff Segall President she would be the first to tell you that her accomplishments are possible only with Matthew Burrows Vice President Bill Whitmer Treasurer the steady support from a community which shares her values and her vision for Jennifer Hagan Secretary Margalynne Armstrong the future. Clearly, this support was critical in the ’60’s and ’70’s, when the pre- Mary Davey Sandy Emerson vailing vision of the future for our area was endless coast-to-bay urban sprawl. Jim Foran Thomas S. Jordan, Jr. At CGF, we know that our work, and the strong community support for it, Gail Kaiser Alex Kennett remains as vital today as it was 40 years ago. Over time, the focus of our activ- Margaret MacNiven Dave Pine ity changes. Many of CGF’s land use battles are now in southern Santa Clara April Vargas K. Christie Vogel County, where intense development pressures are building on some of the Bay Green Footnotes is published three times a year Area’s last remaining easily accessible tracts of agricultural and open space lands. by the Committee for Green Foothills for friends and supporters. Fortunately, CGF has a dedicated and effective Advocate in Santa Clara County, Editor Brian Schmidt, who is quickly building an impressive résumé of success stories Mahlon Hubenthal of his own. Crucially, Brian also understands as Lennie does that building rela- Layout Bill Murray tionships and local coalitions are essential for long-term success in environmental protection and sensible land use. At CGF, we know the challenges of protecting the natural resources in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties requires dedication and long-term commitment. With your continued support, CGF will remain the local, vocal and effective voice for the environment for decades to come. —Jeff Segall Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org Green Footnotes Fall 2008 page 3 The Importance of Growing Up with Gardens

By Cynthia D’Agosta

In early October I attended a conference in San Jose entitled “Planning and Policy for Healthy Environments”, a leadership summit sponsored by Healthy . The event presented a fascinating combination and juxtaposition of issues about integrating agriculture into the urban environment, designing places for healthy living, and linking health care con- cerns with local land use decisions. It was a stimulating two days, being amongst colleagues from different profes- sions all focusing on how the intercon- nectedness of our professional efforts are working to provide a more sustainable, healthy urban environment. Many of the D’Agosta Cynthia Courtesy discussion topics were well presented but one talk relating children’s health to access to the environment — hit a personal cord with me and is directly related to some of CGF’s current work. Cynthia as a child with her grandparents in their backyard garden. The first break out session I attended addressed how the trend in providing gar- dens for children at schools will help to from in school — school was someplace I beyond my childhood garden and into combat two diseases that are on the rise would go to learn things like math and art. memories of the colorful cascades of in youth; obesity and diabetes. Amongst Unlike the experience of most kids today, orchard blossoms I experienced as we others, the panel included members of the food was very much linked to life lessons drove over the hills and into “The Valley Full Circle Farm (FCF) team which CGF of the home for me. I learned about grow- of Heart’s Delight” for the first time. It was introduced to over the summer when ing, cultivating and preparing food from was 1962 and I was eight years old when the two organizations had been in com- my Italian immigrant grandparents, in my family moved from Vallejo to suburban petition to win a Voice Your Choice grant their backyard in Vallejo. The importance San Jose; this is also the year CGF was from Patagonia. (CGF took home the of what the panel was saying became inti- started! I grew up playing and working in grant, but having such a strong commit- mately clearer as I sat there remembering the fields of the valley — before it became ment to the cause of FCF, CGF has since the aromas associated with the entire pro- known as “Silicon Valley”. Cutting apri- sponsored tree plantings in the orchard at cess — from the richness of the soil when cots in Evergreen Valley was my teen-age FCF.) The panel passionately spoke about we planted, to the sweet lingering of herbs summer job until the likes of Eastridge the need for kids to understand where on my fingers as we picked fresh from Mall swept over the orchards of the valley food comes from, to promote healthy the backyard, followed by the crackle and floor. Once this happened, our attention eating by making foods they have grown scent of garlic and squash simmering in was turned to sprawl and the fields were available in cafeterias, and about the chal- the pan. Then later in the summer, pun- considered disposable! It was a long time lenges they face in trying to convert old gent odors would fill the cellar as activity before I ate fresh stone fruit from the school yards to gardens. turned to the harvesting and crushing of orchard again. Listening to the panel talk about the grapes to make wine, and tomatoes cooked My fond memories and this panel dis- importance of kids today needing to con- for days in preparation of canning sauces cussion inspired me with a new dedication nect with nature through growing and for the winter. The reward came when to the issue and importance of reaching preparing their own food at school took we all gathered to eat together, and in the today’s urban youth so that they too may me back to my first gardening experiences comfort of knowing there was plenty of grow up with gardens and share in some as a child. I didn’t learn my love of nature fresh food in the cupboard. or my understanding of where food came This whole panel discussion led me Continued on page 7 page 4 Green Footnotes Fall 2008 Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org Building Partnerships and Saving Places By Cynthia D’Agosta each county. The strength of our orga- opportunities to build this important nizations ability to build partnerships is stakeholder community. The concepts of building partner- rooted in this unique association. Once n Making connections between local ships and saving places are core objectives the groundwork is set in place around a school gardens, access to outdoors, employed by CGF staff and Board alike, group, issue, or need — the full resources and fresh foods for youth, by explor- with a great sense of importance. Every of CGF are stirred into action to inspire ing opportunities with Full Circle Farm effort we undertake is about people and community members, assist with knowl- in Sunnyvale, Pacifica Gardens, and places, and the partnerships we build are edge and resources, or help to get the Collective Roots in EPA. with stakeholders of the places we work word out on an issue. n In the Baylands of East Menlo Park & to protect. Over time these partnerships Daily our efforts continue to grow East Palo Alto we have begun to build have proven to be a key foundation of our on many fronts in both counties, and partnerships to provide community organization; they may have taken on dif- with a small staff of four, CGF covers awareness and access, and to help protect ferent means and processes depending on a lot of territory! A few of the excit- these treasured open spaces. the need and issue at hand – but regard- ing efforts we are currently working on n CGF is a co-sponsor of the Santa less of the process, the successes are many! include: Clara County Creeks Coalition which Board President Jeff Segall, in his mes- n Building a coalition in South Santa will strengthen the community voice for sage in this edition, rightly commends Clara County around environmental and creek and river restoration throughout the CGF’s Advocates for effectively building conservation issues. CGF is helping to county. community relationships, and without a foster local leadership; bringing varied We invite you to join us in building doubt it is these important initial connec- stakeholders to the table to discuss impor- these important partnerships! Contact tions that often result in long term part- tant issues facing agriculture, farming, staff or Board members of CGF to learn nerships for CGF. The importance of this and ranching; and debating urban growth more about these and other efforts we face to face work brings to light the criti- issues. CGF will soon make available have underway – or to talk with us about cal nature of having advocacy positions in facilitation and outreach and educational what’s going on in your community. CGF

website update ¡Puedes visitar nuestro The Committee for Green sitio del web en español! Foothills special Spanish

La misión de Committee for Green Foothills es proteger el introduction website aire libre, las tierras agriculturas, y los recursos naturales de los condados de San Mateo y Santa Clara por el apoyo legislativo, la Our mission is to protect the open space, farmlands, and educación, y la acción del nivel local. natural resources of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties through En un tiempo crítico y cambiante, nosotros hemos empezado advocacy, education, and grassroots action. a expandir nuestros esfuerzos de alcance para que podamos pon- In such a critical and changing time, we have begun expanding ernos en contacto con nuestra comunidad entera e inspirar los our outreach efforts so that we can get in touch with our entire esfuerzos de una audiencia más ancha. El Committee for Green community and inspire the efforts of a wider audience. The Foothills es complacido para anunciar que nuestro sitio del web Committee for Green Foothills is pleased to announce that our incluye una página introductoria en español. Esta página contiene website now includes a special introductory page in Spanish. This una historia breve acerca de algunas de nuestras victorias pasadas, introduction contains a brief history about some of our past vic- nuestra declaración de objetivos, información en cómo puedes tories, our mission statement, information on how to take action tomar acción y lo que debes hacer cuando hay un problema ambi- and what do when faced with an environmental problem in your ental en su área, y cómo contactarnos. Para conseguir acceso a esta area, and how to contact us. To access this part of our website, parte de nuestro sitio del web, va a greenfoothills.org, y haga un go to greenfoothills.org, and click on “introducción en español” clic en “introducción en español” (debajo de “En Español”) en el (under “En Español”) on the left side of our homepage. We hope lado izquierdo de nuestra página principal. ¡Esperamos verle allí! to see you there! CO M M I T T E E FO R G R E E N FOOTH I LLS www.GreenFoothills.org Green Footnotes Fall 2008 page 5 Santa Clara County Big Money Buys Confusion, Redwoods Preserved Drags Measure By Brian Schmidt

Neighbors Against Irresponsible Logging (NAIL) W to Defeat and many other environmental groups including Committee for Green Foothills celebrated a great By Lennie Roberts victory in October, when the California Board of Forestry denied the appeal by San Jose Water With the facts and issues buried Company of a rejected logging permit. As is often under an obscene amount of money the case with dramatic decisions like these, the out- spent by developers opposing Measure come turned on the narrow technical issue of wheth- W, the citizen’s initiative to protect er the company was even eligible for the type of per- open space in Redwood City, voters mit it requested, but since that permit would grant turned down the measure by a 62.9% perpetual logging rights, it was critical. Forestry margin on November 4. staff, NAIL, we at the Committee, and virtually Cargill developer DMB Associates, everyone else denied the company’s position that it the Arizona-based luxury housing was eligible for a permit meant for small landowners, builder, spent over $1.5 million as of and the Forestry Board agreed with the rest of us. mid-October to mislead and confuse Committee for Green Foothills had been active Redwood City voters. Final results on this issue over the years, meeting multiple times will likely show $2 million — or well with NAIL, government officials, government agen- over $100 per vote — spent on a tidal cies and committees to emphasize the problems wave of mailers, flyers and advertising the logging proposal created. We publicized the in an underhanded campaign designed issue multiple times to Committee members, on to scare voters. our website, and in this newsletter. Like our work Measure W was designed to provide with the De Anza Stewardship Team (see page 6), strong protection to ensure that voters working with local partners is a very effective means have the final say on any development of moving forward. We can provide affirmation on open space lands in Redwood City. that neighbor concerns are not a parochial bias but Opposition to Measure W, despite reflect the judgment of the broader environmental being overwhelmingly funded by community. Our involvement with government DMB, turned almost exclusively on agencies also helped solidify the strong resistance by misleading claims of “unintended con- local governments and representatives to the proj- sequences” for individual homeown- ect. ers rather than the future of Cargill’s The logging proposal provides a cautionary warn- lands. ing about how anti-environmental projects will use Save The Bay, Sierra Club, Friends pro-environment message. The company suggested of Redwood City, Sequoia Audubon, its proposal would reduce fire risk, when its proposal Committee for Green Foothills, and to log mature trees and introduce sunlight to the hundreds of supporters will continue forest floor would actually have the opposite effect. to fight against any development on NAIL’s effective use of scientific experts helped refute the Cargill’s 1433 acres of retired salt this message. ponds. These ponds were once thriv- Too often, though, our victories are temporary while ing wetlands and they can be again. our defeats are permanent. More proposals to log the They should be restored to protect redwood trees and Douglas firs may come along. We water quality, combat global warming, hope that efforts to stop irresponsible logging can ulti- offer flood control and provide essen- mately result in a reasonable proposal for permanent tial wildlife habitat. As Ralph Nobles protection of this vital resource: a mature, second- told the San Francisco Chronicle “This growth redwood forest that will increasingly take on the is just the battle, it’s not the war. We’ll qualities of rare old growth. CGF be back”. CGF page 6 Green Footnotes Fall 2008 Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org Team Plays Critical Role in Protecting Coyote Valley Wildlife Corridor

By Brian Schmidt

Bobcats. American badger. Deer, even Tule Elk. And yes, within official San Jose city jurisdiction, even mountain lions (but not where they pose a danger to suburbs). These animals all benefit from and use, to varying degrees, Coyote Valley as a wild- life corridor that connects the Santa Cruz Moun­tains and Mount Hamilton Range. To a great extent their future has been preserved by the students and instructors at the De Anza College Stewardship Team. A wildlife corridor is not (normally) a narrow pathway; it is a diffuse area which in Coyote Valley has some vulnerabilities that have to be carefully studied and protected. We at Committee for Green Foothills Lorenz Megan specialize in working with local partners to protect open spaces, and the De Anza community brings a unique, ongoing level Bobcat of scientific quality to their activity, rivaled only by the Neighbors Against Irresponsible Logging (see page 5). The students and wildlife biologists at De Anza’s Kirsch Environmental Center have been carefully documenting wildlife movement and use of Coyote Valley through camera traps and scat studies. They’ve found many animals, particularly badgers and deer, that have died on the busy roads of Highway 101 and Monterey Highway, but also much evidence Kajvin of successful crossing through stream cul- Deer verts and late at night when traffic dimin- ishes. We have repeatedly worked with the Stewardship Team, operating as a separate group from the official De Anza College, to help them understand the legal and political context of the development threats to Coyote Valley. The information they contributed played a key role in stopping the momen- tum to pave over Coyote Valley with a city-created plan. It should have stopped the proposed Gavilan College campus on sensitive wildlife habitat with no nearby community to serve, but unfortunately TheresaKane was disregarded. We will continue to work Zoboli Judi with the students and biologists from De Anza and other institutions to make the best of the situation, and to eliminate Mountain Lion Tule Elk Bull other damaging actions that may occur. CGF Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org Green Footnotes Fall 2008 page 7

The Committee PeterLaTourrette Feeling Friendly is watching... to Saratoga The Committee to protect against inappropri- Creek? Applauds ... ate development. The Committee for Green Foothills knows of Supervisor Ken Yeager Santa Clara County and Santa Clara County Habitat Plan, which has some current environmental problems for Saratoga Board of Supervisors for potentially dramatic ben- Creek, particularly a landslide from a winery in the supporting the Committee’s efits to wildlife but would upper watershed. We hope to get some residents suggestion that extremely also let the County Roads together to befriend the creek and help resolve large, proposed homes be Department take mitigation held to higher Green Building credit for wildlife habitat pur- environmental problems. standards than “merely” chased by the County Parks If you’re interested in helping or being part of large proposed homes. Department a group to protect Saratoga Creek, please con- tact Brian Schmidt, the Committee’s Santa Clara Ross Creek Neighbors, The federal government’s for their victory (and the proposed changes to the County Advocate, at (650) 968-7243x313 or Committee’s victory as a Endangered Species Act, [email protected]. co-plaintiff) in a lawsuit chal- for proposals to weaken spe- lenging Los Gatos’ failure to cies protection by reducing protect the creek from inap- consultation with the govern- propriate development. ment’s own biological experts.

The California Coastal The California Coastal Continued from page 3 Commission, which Commission, which is approved a scaled back hous- reviewing the San Mateo of nature’s enchantment I was fortunate enough to have. The work ing project (Pacific Ridge) that County Mid-Coast Local of ensuring garden experiences at schools is obviously critical on the fully protects endangered Coastal Program (LCP) smaller personal scale to reach our youth, but it must also be paired species and wetland habitats, Update and may be sched- with managing the continual threat and removal of our heritage and implements major traffic uling a public hearing in orchards, vineyards, ranch lands, and agricultural fields — which mitigation measures, while December. allowing 63 homes instead of results in losses on the commercial scale of jobs as well as loss of 197 originally proposed. Half Moon Bay, which faces control of our fresh food supplies. a deadline in June, 2009, to I left the first day of the conference reflecting on how the experi- The Committee is come up with $18 million as ences of my youth have influenced my professional choices as an Watching ... payment to developer Chop adult. As it turns out, I have spent the better part of my career in Keenan instead of appealing the field of landscape architecture, a profession I came upon ser- Permanente Quarry, now a controversial federal court endipitously as a young installation artist. What I appreciate most controlled by a German decision regarding wetlands about the profession is similar to what I was hearing at the confer- company, Heidelberg Cement, on the “Beachwood” prop- ence — the importance of inter-disciplinary solutions which com- which is proposing a quarry erty. bine science, community, and art when planning or designing for expansion and has other environmental issues regard- NASA/Moffett Field, health and public places. ing its operation. and a UC Santa It was a very pleasant surprise indeed when the guest speaker, Cruz-led consortium with Mr. Richard Jackson, referred to this coming together of health and San Jose, which is proposing plans for Moffett Field devel- land use industries as an approach that had not been used since the its own Green Building stan- opment, proposals that may founding father of landscape architecture, Fredrick Law Olmsted, dards that are a significant attempt environmental sus- promoted it in the late 1800’s! This was no doubt a conference improvement over current tainability but currently raise that I felt presented the issues holistically, and left me inspired to requirements but fall short of questions of impacts to open share the message. I highly recommend review of the event presen- Santa Clara County’s propos- space, to the Stevens Creek tations at: www.healthysiliconvalley.org/events. And stay tuned to als. riparian corridor, and to the CGF for follow up as we have invited Mr. Jackson to be a literary already-inadequate housing- forum speaker, at which time we will feature a book he co- authored Palo Alto, whose proposed to-jobs ratio that could cause rezoning for its foothills increased commute traffic on “Urban Sprawl and Public Health”, Island Press, 2004. The talk should update requirements and sprawl. is tentatively scheduled for March 5th. Watch for details to follow — we hope you will join us in continuing the conversation! CGF page 8 Green Footnotes Fall 2008 Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org

NATURE’S INSPIRATION CGF thanks:

Judy Baldwin Barbara Blissert Buck’s Restaurant Cloudstone Vineyards Emilio Guglielmo Winery Congresswoman Anna Eshoo Thomas Fogarty Winery Kruse Winery Assemblymember Sally Lieber Jamis and Margaret MacNiven Carol Jacobs and Ollie Mayer Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve Jeff Olson, April Vargas, Lennie and Jennier Roberts Nancee Knutson Maltby’s Restaurant Kelly Porter Pi Mobility Picchetti Winery Pinder Winery POST Ridge Vineyards Assemblymember Ira Ruskin Stroh - Hall Cellars Whole Foods Woodside Winery ————————————— Chris Vogle, Sandy Emerson, Helen Quinn, Barbara Devon Davey and John Davey Wright and Katie Sanborn Photographs by Cait Hutnik

Craig Britton, Karen Scussle, Curt Riffle and Jed Cyr and Ken Nitz Judy Kleinberg, Lynn Torin and Peter Drekmeier Holly Van Houten

Karma Lama, Holly Mitten and Katie Sanborn Marcus Hays and Kathryn Pumal and the Kansen and Daisy Chu Pi Mobility Bike Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org Green Footnotes Fall 2008 page 9

NATURE’ S INSPIRATION Lennie Roberts’ Message CGF was delighted to celebrate Lennie Roberts’ many years of volunteer leadership on September 28th. She gave a short speech that was a Call To Action. We hope that you enjoy this speech as much as we did and continue to join us in the work for these special places.

Thank you all so very much for est single challenge facing our planet. enhanced for habitat. We need to being here, and for the wonderful Here’s something we can all do about protect our agricultural lands, and tribute. it. We all urgently need to come create a new imperative of buying It’s a great privilege to work for together and address how better to local, fresh produce. We need to Committee for Green Foothills. Our use our land. Rather than sprawling keep oil rigs off our coast. We need accomplishments are due to so many ever out beyond our urban centers, to turn back the past, and restore good people’s work, and I’m just one gobbling up agricultural land, and our diked off salt ponds to marshes person who happened to have had putting people onto freeways for two around the Bay, both as part of the the good fortune to be in Salt Pond Restoration proj- the right place at the right ect of the Don Edwards time and hung in there to see National Wildlife Refuge, incredible changes in both but also Cargill’s 1400 acres public attitudes and great in Redwood City. We need results in land protection. to ensure that already devel- There are so many fabulous oped areas are adequately and dedicated people who protected from sea level rise, have been part of this story. or in some cases, we may I want to specially recognize need to move out of the way Ollie and Hank Mayer who of flood and other hazards. are here today – Ollie, work- Certainly we should not ing with CGF and Sierra decide to develop in new Club, stopped the environ- areas where the risk of flood- mentally destructive Devil’s ing will continue to grow. Slide Bypass back in the early Every day decisions are 1970’s. Two days ago, Rich made at every level of gov- Gordon and I were at a great ernment that can work celebration of the comple- for – or against — the bet- tion of the Bridges across terment of the land upon Shamrock Valley. In a little which we depend. These over two years, we will all hopefully or three hours a day, we need to re- decisions, large and small, all add up. celebrate the opening of the Tunnel think how we can locate new jobs The future of our planet, the future – what a joyous celebration that will and new housing where our infra- of our human population, depends be. Ollie, thank you for all you have structure already exists. We need upon each person understanding – done for the coast of California. transit systems that are efficient and and adopting – an ethic that includes At this fateful time in our country’s convenient. We need to protect and conservation of our irreplaceable history, when we are about to elect enhance our forests, particularly old natural resources along with social new leaders, and hopefully change growth and mature second growth justice, and economic growth. What our course for the better, I would like trees which sequester more carbon better place to do this than right us all to think about the future. than young forests. We need to ensure here in San Mateo and Santa Clara Global climate change is the great- that our streams are restored and Counties. CGF page 10 Green Footnotes Fall 2008 Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org Slow, Forward Progress to Fight Paving Over the Bay Area (and California)

By Brian Schmidt Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). concrete that doesn’t cause flash flooding The NPDES legal requirements don’t elimi­ into streams. Several years ago, Committee for Green nate all the impacts of impervious surfaces, After several years of being warned, it’s Foothills won a competitive grant from so, CEQA’s analysis and mitigation require- time for the agencies to do their job in the Santa Clara Valley Water District for ments have not been met. protecting the environment. Increased watershed protection activities. We won on Since then, there has been some, albeit impervious surfaces are creating more ero- the basis of our proposal to conduct a legal slow, progress. The NPDES system is sion, increase flood risks, and flush ever- research white paper on the requirements of slowly narrowing the gap between what it more pollutants into our streams and other the California Environmental Quality Act requires and what CEQA demands, although water bodies. In our opinion, anywhere (CEQA) regarding development that increas- the gap will still exist for years. The Water in the state, any project subject to CEQA es impervious surfaces through bigger homes, District and Regional Water Board have par- that even slightly increases impervious wider roads, and more parking lots. ticipated in workshops that discuss the issue, surface area in a watershed where problems The resulting publication, "Controlling and the forthcoming San Jose General Plan are getting worse, and where that project Cumulative Impacts from Impervious Revision will have to consider the issue in its relies solely on NPDES compliance, is in Surfaces: Analysis and Recommendations for environmental review. This progress however likely violation of CEQA. When persua- Santa Clara County" actually has implica- still fails in complying with CEQA, as some sion fails, the question must be asked if tions throughout California. We found that cumulative impacts continue to be ignored. there is anything that can be done to move agencies were wrongly determining projects What is really needed is a "no net increase" the systems into compliance sooner so the to be in compliance with CEQA when the policy for impervious surfaces where any wrongs do not continue. Otherwise, legal projects only complied with different legal new pavement is matched by ripping out mandates through legal test cases may have requirements of the National Pollutant pavement elsewhere, or by using permeable to come . CGF

Continued from page 1 Q: What are the key than I grew up with, and now an covers land use, agriculture, and challenges you see facing even greater place to live and to open space issues exclusively in Ridge, where I enjoyed meeting CGF today? protect. We all need to act now both Santa Clara and San Mateo many of the members and staff, Organizationally, we are striv- to keep it that way and CGF pro- Counties. Our work goes to the including then CGF President ing to diversify our membership vides a way to make that happen. edges of both counties, covers Peter LaTourrette. In early 2006, geographically, culturally, and in Another challenge CGF faces the core of the peninsula, and during an unrelated call to Pete, age ranges. On one hand, hav- is a misperception that our work reaches the southernmost tip of much to my surprise and delight ing such a wide geographic area is done. When people look at the the Bay Area. With a well devel- he invited me to consider being a to cover makes the impact of our foothills, they think that all the oped reputation and a record CGF board member. I was drawn work more meaningful; however, large land holdings have already of 46 years of successes, CGF into the fray, and decided it was our challenge is to have repre- been protected. This couldn’t delves into local issues and gets time to take action, be more con- sentation from all areas, to find a be further from the truth. Yes, results, right where you live, cerned about my footprint and way to reach out to traditionally we have saved many areas, and providing you an opportunity join the board. under-represented areas and to helped create the open space to help preserve our quality of Coming from an outside cor- motivate this vast resource in the agencies that manage them — life on the Peninsula and in the porate field (the tire industry) and two counties. however, these should be seen as Valley. really having no environmental We know that different cul- only the “tip of the iceberg” in My message to those reading connections, I appreciated from tures and ages enjoy access to terms of what needs to be pro- and listening is that CGF is the the start the courteous and col- open spaces and understand the tected to maintain and improve place to pursue your passions — legial atmosphere of the board dis- importance of local agriculture our quality of life. We continue engage in concerns and issues cussions, and quickly realized that for different reasons and in dif- the battle on the ocean and bay facing our world, and to have an the Board was a smart, impressive ferent ways. At the aforemen- fronts, to the mountain tops and impact locally. There is no better group of dedicated individuals; tioned Rancho San Antonio, for farmlands!! time to act than now as it becomes many attorneys, business people, instance, I am enriched by hear- increasingly more critical that land owners, etc. The once a ing a whole host of the world’s Q: Why would you we make a difference; CGF is an month Board meetings have languages spoken on the trails, recommend someone inclusive home that enables you to become one of the most stimulat- reinforcing why this is such a join CGF? have an immediate impact. Don’t ing, challenging and rewarding unique place we inhabit. It’s a CGF is unique in that it is the wait — get involved — join us experiences of my life. more diverse valley and peninsula only non-profit organization that and act now! CGF Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org Green Footnotes Fall 2008 page 11 CGF remembers Georg Treichel

By Tom Jordan

Georg Van Humboldt Treichel died at Stanford Hospital on September 22, 2008. Georg was a board member of Committee for Green Foothills from the beginning in 1962. He was born in Wisconsin in 1930 and was educated at the University of Wisconsin and at the University of California Berkeley, taking his advanced degrees in biogeography, human ecology and wildlife management. He began his career as a staff ecologist of a UN agency based in Switzerland concerned with the conservation of nature and natural resources (ICUN). While at ICUN he worked mainly in Kenya and Tanganyika and helped establish the UN’s International Commission on National Parks, as well as, helped plan and establish The World Wildlife Fund. While in Africa in 1957 he contracted polio and thereafter walked with a metal crutch on each arm. This did not slow down Georg. He did extensive field work in Latin America (including the Amazon Basin), the Caribbean Islands, Europe, USSR, India, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Pacific Islands. He spent time in 138 countries and did field work in 77 African parks and reserves. At the time he came on the first CGF board Georg lived in Portola Valley with his wife Jeanie and was a professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at San Francisco State. From 1964 – 1966, he produced for KQED the series “The Nature of Conservation”, the first series of ecologically oriented programs on educa- tional television in the country. In the 1960’s Georg was on the Board of Directors of Save San Francisco Bay Association and when the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission was created Georg was appointed to the board and served as a SFBCDC Commissioner for several years. He was also on the Board of the Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy and Zero Population Growth. He is survived by his wife Jeanie and his son Carl. He was a latter day Aldo Leopold – knowledgeable, clear seeing, and plain spoken. I was never with him that I George Treichel at Glacier Bay National Park did not laugh greatly and learn much. CGF page 12 Green Footnotes Fall 2008 Com m i t t e e for G r e e n Footh i lls www.GreenFoothills.org

Santa Clara County’s Legislator of the Year: Mary Davey By Brian Schmidt and one that has regional significance in guaranteeing open space and public access for everyone in the greater Bay Area. While the Committee for Green Foothills operates as a tax deduct- Mary’s effectiveness as a legislator is enhanced by her diverse back- ible non-profit that takes no side in races for public office, we do ground of service. As previously pointed out in publications like the take great pride in the honors awarded to leaders associated with the Palo Alto Weekly, Mary has been a columnist; Mayor of Los Altos Committee for all Hills; Chief Executive their accomplish- Officer of Advocates for ments. Women, Santa Clara On October 15th, County; Executive Offices 2008 the Santa Clara housing advisor; a direc- County League of tor of Midpeninsula Conservation Voters Citizens for Fair Housing; chose CGF Board President and CEO of Member and past Peninsula Volunteers, CGF Board President Inc. and of Planned Mary Davey as its Parenthood Santa Clara "Legislator of the County; interim Executive Year". The Award Director of Palo Alto was bestowed upon Red Cross; and a board Mary primarily due member of Hidden Villa; to her long, suc- all in addition to being cessful work at a mother and a happily the MidPeninsula married wife. Regional Open Space, I had the privilege of although her many introducing Mary at the Don Weden Don other contributions to Brian Schmidt, Mary Davey, and Ira Ruskin League of Conservation environmental pro- Voters award ceremony tection are also well where she received her known. In addition to MidPen’s work acquiring land in Santa Clara commendation, and enjoyed everything the she and Assemblyman Ira County, Mary presided over the agency’s expansion to the San Mateo Ruskin had to say. Happy celebrations like these are great rewards for coast. This was an environmental victory that CGF worked on as well, work well done. We salute you Mary Davey! CGF

Nonprofit Organization 3921 E. Bayshore Road Com m i t t e e for U.S. Postage Paid G r e e n Footh i lls Palo Alto, CA 94303 Permit No. 284 Palo Alto, CA