Summary of some noted comments made at the Novato May 2, 2001 US Fish & Wildlife Baylands Refuge meeting held at the Best Western Hotel follows. These are taken from notes and may not be exact quotes:
Novato Mayor Jim Henderson:
If no owners are willing to be included in the mapping refuge, why are you spending taxpayer dollars? Aren’t there other projects you could be working on? Shouldn’t you be looking to the Petaluma and Napa river lands, where the land costs are cheaper?
You should fold your North Bay mapping process for one that is more economical, desirable and less impacting…
I am in favor of refuges, but I think there must be a proper place for them and this (Marin) is not the proper place…
Supervisor Cynthia Murray:
I echo the Mayor’s words and have additional concerns that revolve around negative transportation and housing impacts that the Refuge will deliver…
We (Marin) have done an excellent job of protecting resources. We know how to take care of ourselves. Leave us alone…
USFWS Marge Kolar:
This is just a study area. We are studying whether these lands are appropriate to include in the Refuge Boundary
Jerry Corda, farmer and impacted property owner:
As a fourth generation rancher, we don’t need this. Environmental groups had larger impact in this process than property owners, why is this? Why do they have so much input? What do you do for farmers? This will just further decrease our income and today’s farmers can’t afford a further decrease in income.
There must be a group instigating this (anti-Refuge) movement. Corda was for this and now is against it. We own several properties and we have only had positive reactions from our owners.
Attorney Samston, representing fishermen clients:
What is the process to get out of this?
USFWS Marge Kolar:
The Refuge boundary will not affect fishing.
USFWS Charles Houghton:
We will try to
accommodate all those who want out. But
that is not a promise that all will get
out… We want to hear from you.
The US government does not have to own state lands.
People should come first.
Don Dickenson , CAPSS (Citizens Aligned to Preserve St Vincent Silveira)
Should include whole 17,600 acres in permanent Refuge. It is essential to do this since developers covet these lands. Development is inappropriate on these lands since these lands are along the flyway for shorebirds.
In a totally unscientific count of public speakers. the
vote on those for and against establishing the refuge seemed to be: Vote from May
2nd meeting.
5 11 1
May 1st Meeting
9 15 1
Two day (May 1- May 2, 2001) totals
14 26 2