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The
Elkhorn Slough and watershed is in an area of North Monterey County,
California, that is experiencing extreme pressure to accommodate
development. Most of the watershed is still undeveloped and vulnerable
to intensive, highly profitable, mostly upscale residential
development.
The PVGC project that galvanized FANS includes construction of over 170 residences boasting views of the Slough from within its non-public access gates; an additional 9 holes to their golf course; and with it, acres and acres and acres of new impervious surfaces. The PVGC project is only one of at least 13 other large developments currently proposed in the watershed. The writing is on the wall: without the intervention of groups like FANS, the Slough will be lost forever, just like the other 90% of saltwater marshes in California already lost to development.
General Plan Update The Planning Commission and the
Board of Supervisors have been struggling, for four years with the
details of updating a 20-year old General Plan that will determine the
direction of how this sensitive region will grow.
Public TestimonyOver the last four years, FANS has repeatedly brought the general public to the planning process. At hundreds of committee meetings as well as Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor hearings, we not only testify but also disseminate information to a list of over 200 people. We have earned the reputation for "getting the people out". At this time we are awaiting the release of the Draft General Plan Update and it's Draft Environmental Impact Report. At that time the political and legal battles really begin and we will need money to continue our efforts. JOIN/SUPPORT  Rubis Creek, Photo credit to Paul Zaretsk  Thousands of volunteer hours have
gone into participation at wide range of meeting and public hearings.
FANS provides well-researched testimony, works to build coalitions with
advocacy groups in other parts of the county and state and often takes
the brunt of cheap shots from the high paid developers' lawyers.
FANS is currently preparing for the
imminent release of the PVGC development's Environmental Impact Report.
We are working to secure legal counsel and the best experts available
to rebut the claims the developer have made that this project will have
"little or no environmental impact", as well as the always pressing
need to raise funds to pay for all this.
click the picture above for full size
 The beauty of the Elkhorn Slough
speaks best for itself. With this in mind, FANS created relaxed,
informal educational tours of the main channel of the Slough targeted
for key decision makers. Over the course of five separate outings
during 2003, we introduced members of the Board of Supervisors, the
County Administrative Officer, County Counsel, members of the Planning
Commission, and State Assembly representatives to a select group of
professionals. FANS did this with the goal of providing a cross section
of scientists and water management experts who could explain in detail
what goes into protection and restoration as well as the efforts needed
to ensure long-term preservation.
click the picture above for full sizeActing as facilitators, it was made clear to our guests that the various people representing specific agencies were not representatives of FANS and our advocacy mission. The captain of the Elkhorn Slough Safari out of Moss Landing starts the tour with a historical and cultural history of the harbor and Slough, all the while pointing out wildlife and plant life. Midway up the channel, we pause, taking advantage of an incredible view of the watershed. With this backdrop our group of experts have the opportunity to describe the work they are doing and how land use decisions could effect this area. The interchange that follows is always the best part, when these county leaders have a first hand opportunity to get information that just isn't easily available to them in their busy workday. Some of these decision makers had never had an opportunity to see the Slough from this vantage point. JOIN/SUPPORT.  |
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