SUMMARY OF 2010 PLANNING GROUP ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In 2010 the Steering Committee and membership carried on a 38 year old heritage of protecting the natural beauty of the San Geronimo Valley and Valley resident’s rural way of life by making decisions in keeping with the SGV Community Plan and Planning Group objectives as well as facing today’s critical issues head on. Our growing membership reaffirms the positive actions of the Steering Committee. The membership reelected them for the 2010-11 year.
PLANNING GROUP POSITIONS
• Supported Salmon Enhancement Guidance Document for SGV. County accepted.
• Supported 2010 -11 budget funding for SEP projects/programs/planner. County approved.
• Supported Marin Clean Energy program. County approved.
• Supported funding for a Woodacre Flats septic feasibility study. County approved.
• Supported modified version of Riparian Vegetation Ordinance for SGV. Ongoing.
• Supported AB 37 that would allow residents to opt-out of SmartMeters. Regretfully, if passed, it would go in effect too late to help current concerned residents. On going.
• Working with SGV Land Trust on options to protect Blueberry Ridge. Ongoing.
• Supported Lagunitas School Dist. restoration at Lagunitas School that includes a restoration on the Marietta Larsen Preserve and a portion of Larsen Creek. Ongoing.
PLANNING GROUP PROJECTS AND FUNDING
• Received $1000 Lions Club grant to improve Forest Knolls Park.
• Received $2000 donation to develop the Planning Group Environmental Guide on the website.
• Collaborated with County Dept. of Public Works and UC Cooperative Extension to submit an assessment/restoration grant for 47 SGV creek side landowners for 2011 (12 on waiting list!)
• Collaborated with County Dept. of Public Works and UC Cooperative Extension to submit an assessment/restoration grant from Coastal Conservancy. Approved in November 2010.
• Submitted comments on two homes that required public notification.
• Reviewed complaints with county regarding illegal tree cutting.
• Submitted EIR comments on SF Drake Rehab project. Ongoing.
• Submitted multiple comments on SEP draft and Riparian Vegetation Ordinance draft. On going.
• Attended county meeting to provide input to Open Space Dist. Road & Trails Management Plan.Ongoing.
• Co-hosted Arroyo Creek Fish Passage Celebration with County of Marin.
• Provided free loan of weed wrenches to residents and two organizations to remove broom.
• Provided a monthly membership Newsletter with projects, positions, grant updates and educational information about wood smoke, wild fire, restorations, Vial of Life and fun stuff.
• Planning Group sponsored 3-4 min, videos for the web site and YouTube that raise awareness and educate about the Valley environment (salmon, otters, birds, frogs, vultures, etc.). Ongoing.
• Web Site launch 2011.
MEETINGS
• 16 meetings of MMWD Pine Mtn. Tunnel Task Force. Ongoing.
• 8 meetings on Dept. of Public Works grants. Ongoing.
• 4 meetings of Forest Knolls Park Committee to plan volunteer landscaping. On going.
• 2 meetings on Parks & Open Space Vegetation Management Plan. Ongoing.
• 3 meetings on Dept. of Public Works SF Drake Blvd. Rehab project. Ongoing.
• 1 county workshop by Parks & Open Space Dist. on Trails.
• 7 meetings on Community Development Agency’s Riparian Vegetation Ordinance (Kinsey, PG Steering Committee and membership, Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors). Pending.
• Attended DPW hosted meeting of 17 federal, state, regional and local organizations who support the SEP. Projects to implement the SEP were described and organizations listed 5 information they could provide to implement the Salmon Enhancement Plan. Ongoing.
• 1 field trip with County Open Space Dist. to review Giacomini Open Space Preserve restoration efforts and concerns.
• 1 PG hosted meeting with Open Space Dist. staff who reported on past, current and future restoration efforts on Giacomini OS Preserve. PG offered volunteers and out reach. Ongoing.
• 1 PG hosted community meeting about MCE with Supervisor McGlashan presiding.
• 4 community meetings of Community Development Agency on SEP. Completed.
• 5 MMWD Technical Advisory Committee meetings (plus 3 field trips). Ongoing.
• 3 meetings regarding Woodacre Flats septic problems. Ongoing.
• 1 homeowners/SPAWN meeting to reduce sediment along Conifer Road.
• Monthly membership meetings. Ongoing.
• 30+ Steering Committee and Committee meetings. Ongoing.
• 1 ½ day annual retreat. Completed.
When we see land as a community to which we belong
we may begin to use it with love and respect.
-Aldo Leopold