Tomales Dunes decision scheduled for Nov. 18; contact Supes now!
After decades of debate and campaigning, and prolonged deliberation by the Planning Commission, Marin's Board of Supervisors will decide how to protect the extraordinary Tomales Dunes from the encroachments of the huge recreational-vehicle (RV) campground at Lawson's Landing.
The Planning Commission has recommended a plan that is a definite improvement on the illegal and damaging uses now occurring at Tomales Dunes. All camping on wetlands will cease, a new septic system will eventually replace the illegal cesspits fronting Tomales Bay, and the permanent campers - basically second homes for 213 lucky RV owners - will be opened to the public. The plan still has serious flaws, however:
- there is no requirement to stop artificial drainage of the wetlands;
- camping is allowed to continue in the wetland buffers for at least another three years;
- the Adaptive Management Plan, which is supposed to ensure that sensitive species and habitats are protected and restored, is vague and has no teeth;
- the plan allows key improvements to be delayed, including putting off the installation of a new septic system for four or more years.
Lawson's Landing will be pushing to weaken the Master Plan. It wants:
- to extend camping in wetland buffers;
- to weaken the Adaptive Management Plan and restrict it to just a few areas;
- to retain the "second-home" campers, which produce a rental income of more than $800,000 a year;
- to allow additional delays before bringing the campground into compliance with the law;
- to replace with RV camping the tent-only camping areas that the Planning Commission recommended to provide a closer-to-nature experience for those who prefer.
WhatYouCanDo
Write to the Marin Board of Supervisors at:
3501 Civic Center Drive, # 329
San Rafael, CA 94903
or by e-mail to:
Susan L. Adams (District 1) (sadams -at- co.marin.ca.us)
Harold C. Brown, Jr. (District 2) (hbrown -at- co.marin.ca.us)
Charles McGlashan (District 3) (CMcGlashan -at- co.marin.ca.us)
Steve Kinsey (District 4) (skinsey -at- co.marin.ca.us)
Judy Arnold (District 5) (Jarnold@co.marin.ca.us)
If you don't live in Marin or don't know your district, send your e-mail to Board President Charles McGlashan.
Urge the Supervisors to enact the strongest protections for the Tomales Dunes.
Come to the meeting on Tue., Nov. 18, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael. The time (when determined) will be posted at www.co.marin.ca.us/efiles/BS/AgMn/cybagnda.htm
Show your support for the Dunes! You don't even need to speak; your presence alone will send a strong message to the Supervisors.
For more information see www.eacmarin.org/campaigns/tomales_dunes.php#2008
The County's Staff Report is posted at www.co.marin.ca.us/efiles/BS/AgMn/cybagnda.htm