On February 3, 1994, the Mendocino County Planning Commission held a meeting, in workshop format, to discuss the need for a riparian habitat protection ordinance and consider next steps in the process. At the beginning of the meeting, Tom Schott, of the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District, summarized the significance of riparian zones and the environmental benefits stemming from protective measures. The most telling segment of Schott's presentation was a series of slides depicting various stream rehabilitation projects in the county, involving bank stabilization and rehabilitation of habitat. Schott's presentation illustrated the extraordinary regenerative possibilities of natural forces when enhanced and promoted by well-designed programs.
Diane Paget, representing Friends of the Navarro Watershed, presented arguments in favor of adopting an ordinance emphasizing the need for uniform measures to insure protection of sensitive riparian areas. Paget explained that Friends of the Navarro had developed a proposal whose express intent was not to over-regulate agriculture or require land owners to go through the regulatory process unnecessarily. In their proposal allowance is made for existing uses and practices.
In the course of the meeting, several members of the audience expressed concern that adoption of a riparian protection ordinance would be an unwanted intrusion on private property rights and that regulations currently in place were sufficient to afford protection. It was noted that the Corps of Engineers, Department of Fish and Game and the Regional Water Quality Control Board have jurisdiction within riparian zones and that an ordinance would add unneeded and unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and regulation.
Several members of the Planning Commission expressed at least tentative support for the necessity of adopting an ordinance. Others appeared to be disinclined to support an ordinance or require additional information. Billy Cornett, Chairman of the Commission, stated that he favors protection of riparian habitat, but feels that existing regulations are sufficient.
At the conclusion of the discussion, commission members agreed the next step should be to familiarize themselves on the nature of the regulations currently in place to protect riparian habitats. County staff were requested to invite representatives from the Corps of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Board and Department of Fish and Game to attend a meeting of the commission, sometime in March, to review regulations and policies with commissioners and respond to their questions.
In a subsequent interview, Diane Paget summarized her reaction to the hearing. She believes the riparian ordinance is strongly opposed by gravel extraction interests and the Farm Bureau. Statements to the effect that existing regulations are adequate, as well as those emphasizing the dangers of over-regulation, are being heard with great sympathy by several members of the Planning Commission.
Paget stated that Friends of the Navarro Watershed will continue their campaign for an effective riparian protection ordinance and requested that MEC members and readers of the MEC Newsletter advise their County Supervisors or members of the County Planning Commission of their support. Paget would also appreciate being apprised of any problem or condition in a riparian zone of which MEC members are aware, that requires correction but where remedies are not possible because of inadequate regulations. Persons interested in helping may contact Friends of the Navarro Watershed, P.O. Box 861, Boonville, CA 95451.
At the meeting of the Planning Commission on February 19, 1994, it was decided to appoint an ad-hoc committee consisting of commissioners Anne Oliver and Geraldine Rose. This committee will review the issues raised during discussions of the Planning Commission with members of the County Planning Staff and other resource persons. The committee's mandate is to attempt to develop a statement of policies regarding riparian habitat protection on which the Planning Commission can act and report their findings at the commission meeting on April 12, 1994.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1998
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