The Newspaper of the San Francisco Bay Chapter
March - April 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Berkeley's creeks need your help
Speak up March 22 for creeks and watersheds; protections are at risk
The Berkeley Creeks Task Force is about to issue recommendations about revisions to the Berkeley Creek Ordinance. There is real pressure to reduce the protective setback distance along Berkeley's creeks, and to allow building of houses and other roofed structures, unroofed structures (such as decks and patios), and impermeable surfaces (such as parking lots) closer to the creeks.
WhatYouCanDo
Come to a critical public hearing about the ordinance revisions and recommendations -
Wed., March 22, 7:00 pm
North Berkeley Senior Center
1901 Hearst Ave. (at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive)
Berkeley
Urge the Task Force and Planning Commission to:
- protect and restore creeks and watersheds to reduce stormwater runoff and pollution, to prevent floods, and to enhance fisheries and wildlife habitat;
- set stringent setbacks on creeks to protect riparian buffers and to promote natural restoration;
- expand the ordinance regulations to include unroofed structures;
- give incentives to property owners to protect and restore creeks;
- promote through an education campaign watershed-wide innovative strategies for stormwater runoff and flood reduction;
- handle culverts differently from open creeks in the ordinance;
- urge the city to study the condition of Berkeley's storm drains and necessary culverts and consider funding sources for repairs.
People and wildlife need healthy creeks and watersheds. Come speak out for strong protections - while addressing the concerns of creekside property owners. Tell the Task Force and the Planning Commission not to weaken the ordinance, but to make it stronger, more flexible, and more effective for all!
If you absolutely can't make the hearing, please write in your comments right away to both the Creeks Task Force and the Planning Commission at:
EDando@ci.berkeley.ca.us (Erin Dando, Creeks Task Force secretary) and
CPaine@ci.berkeley.ca.us (Carli Paine, Planning Commission secretary).
The mailing address for both of the above is:
Berkeley Planning Department
2180 Milvia St.
Berkeley, CA 94707.
For full details on the meeting, recommendations, and other background, visit the Creeks Task Force web site or call Erin Dando at (510) 981-7429.
© 2006 San Francisco Sierra Club Yodeler