Pitkin Marsh Threatened by Development

[Zeno Swijtink]

I am posting background information and two letters that were send to Sonoma County's Planning and Resource Management Department (PRMD) regarding the proposed development at Lower Pitkin Marsh, Forestville, by True North Health. https://www.healthpromoting.com/Home/home.htm

PRMD still plans to let this project pass with just a "negative declaration".

See

https://www.ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/flowch...cy/EIR-ND.html

for what that means.

A public hearing at the Board of Zoning Adjustments will be held this Thursday, November 9th at 2:30 pm in the PRMD hearing room, 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa.

Zeno

***

From: Jo
Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 07:49:22 -0700
Subject: Pitkin Marsh Threatened by Development

A large commercial development proposed for agriculturally zoned property located on Hwy 116 just south of Forestville threatens a unique and sensitive wetland and rare plant habitat known as lower Pitkin Marsh. To learn more about the project please join us at a grass roots meeting on Monday October 30 from 7-9 pm at the home of Jon Sassin, 4769 Gravenstein Hwy. North.

Time is short: a public hearing to issue a Use Permit and to approve the project without an Environmental Impact Report is scheduled for Thursday November 9 at 2:30 pm at the Permit and Resource Management Department (PRMD) located at 2550 Ventura Ave. in Santa Rosa. Anyone with concerns about this project must attend the public hearing and voice their disapproval.

In addition, one can write a letter to:

Ms. Traci Tesconi
Permit and Resource Management Department
2550 Ventura Ave.
Santa Rosa CA 95403
Refer to: Project #UPE 05-0034
True North Health

_A Summary of the Project_

The development is proposed for a 27-acre agricultural parcel just south of Forestville on the east side of Hwy 116 North. Access would be directly from the highway at the bottom of "the Dip" where Pitkin Marsh Creek crosses under the highway and flows to Atascadero Creek. The parcel is currently used for grazing. A large percentage of the property is within the boundary of lower Pitkin Marsh, a protected wetland, biotic resource and scenic view. The Marsh contains at least 2 rare and severely endangered plants, the Pitkin Marsh Lily and White Sedge.

The applicant, "True North Health", proposes to put up approximately 30,000 sq. ft. of structures including a 29-bed live-in facility with 50 lighted parking spaces and private offices. There will also be a "commercial kitchen", a barn, greenhouse and a private residence with a garage and granny unit.

Although the applicant for the project has indicated he will set aside 11 acres of the marsh in a conservation easement, we have concerns that there is essentially no buffer between the wetland and development footprint. A large, mound septic system will be situated directly above the marsh and the project is expected to use at least 3,600 gallons of water per day from a deep well not yet constructed at the site. The project will create extremely dangerous traffic situations at the entrance/exit on Hwy 116. The on-site access road to parts of the development is 1680 feet long (nearly 5 football fields) and has two bridges over the wetland.

Several regulatory agencies have expressed concern. For example, Fish and Wildlife has stated: "Despite the great effort that has been expended to design the project to avoid direct impacts...we believe the project poses significant potential indirect effects and with little known about how to manage...this unique type of habitat, the project as proposed could ultimately lead to the eventual demise of rare plant species on the site."

We feel that once such a large commercial development is on this site, there is no going back. Based on the evidence in the record and the sensitivity of the site, we feel a full Environmental Impact Report is essential.

On behalf of the flora and fauna of lower Pitkin Marsh and the humans around it, we thank you in advance for any support you can give by: 1) writing a letter to the BZA; 2) coming to the October 30 grass roots meeting; and 3) voicing your concern at the BZA meeting November 9th.

Jo Bentz ( 829 1322) and Jon Sassin (829 9766) for Friends of Pitkin Marsh


***

Project #UPE 05-0034 True North Health application


Subject: Project #UPE 05-0034 True North Health application
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 09:25:09 -0800
From: "Sig Anderman"
To: Traci Tesconi

Dear Ms Tesconi:
*********
On behalf of Forestville Citizens for Sensible Growth, one of*Sonoma County's*oldest grassroots citizens organizations, I*would like to express our concerns regarding the*True North Health application referenced above.

Forestville Citizens for Sensible Growth has been at the vanguard of responsibility in*development and utilization of our resources in western Sonoma County for three decades. We are concerned that the proposed development of Pitkin Marsh will have a significant negative impact on the environment, and particularly the very sensitive Green Valley Creek and Russian River watershed. Specifically:

1) It is inappropriate to allow development of the upland areas of the marsh on a parcel that is zoned diverse agricultural, biotic resource, critical habitat, and scenic view.

2) A large percentage of the property is within the boundary of lower Pitkin Marsh, a protected wetland, biotic resource and scenic view. The Marsh contains at least 2 rare and severely endangered plants, the Pitkin Marsh Lily and White Sedge.

3) We understand that several regulatory agencies have expressed concern. For example, the Department of Fish and Wildlife has stated: "Despite the great effort that has been expended to design the project to avoid direct impacts...we believe the project poses significant potential indirect effects and with little
known about how to manage...this unique type of habitat, the project as proposed could ultimately lead to the eventual demise of rare plant species on the site."

4) We might also add that it*would be*inappropriate to allow*a large commercial development on a busy two lane country road (116) that is already overloaded with gravel trucks and traffic and is outside of the urban growth boundary.

Because of the potential long term indirect negative impacts to the marsh,*Green Valley*Creek and the Russian River, and the short term, irreversible negative environmental impacts due to construction, we believe that a "negative declaration" process is insufficient, and hereby request that you recommend or direct the preparation of a full Environmental Impact Report*to provide a more in depth study of the potential environmental impacts, including better public notice and community input.


Very*truly yours,

Sig Anderman,*Forestville Citizens for*Sensible Growth*

*****

From: "Robert Rawson"
Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 00:18:43 -0800
Subject: letter of opposition to "True North Health" project

November 4, 2006


Ms. Traci Tesconi

Permit and Resource Management Department 2550 Ventura Ave.

Santa Rosa CA 95403

Refer to: Project #UPE 05-0034

Dear Ms. Tesconi,

The Graton Community Services District, (GCSD) is a Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Parks and Recreation District serving the town of Graton.

GCSD did not receive any notice or Negative Declaration regarding the 29 bed, live-in facility proposed by “True North Health” for its proposed project. It is our understanding that this project will create approximately 30,000 square feet of additional impervious structures and 50 lighted parking spaces, some or all of these spaces being paved surfaces. Is this information correct?

GCSD is located down gradient of the proposed project site. GCSD would like to receive notices regarding all developments within our watershed drainage and groundwater aquifer, and wishes to be provided with adequate time to comment upon such projects and their impacts.

It is our understanding that Flooding Impacts, ground water depletion, and takings of endangered species were not addressed by the Negative Declaration issued for this project. Is this information correct?

The GCSD Wastewater reclamation facilities are situated in the drainage of Pitkin Marsh, down slope of the proposed project location. Sullivan Creek drains Pitkin Marsh and transects the Graton Treatment works just prior to where it flows into Atascadero Creek and above its confluence with Green Valley Creek.

GCSD is concerned that the proposed project may pose significantly impacts that could jeopardize the safe operation of wastewater treatment facilities, exacerbate flooding, deplete ground water resources, reduce critical summer creek flows, and take endangered species. The GCSD treatment works was constructed in 1976. In that 30 year interval the GCSD has experienced four major flooding events, and numerous minor flood incidents. The 2006 flood event had a significantly greater impact on the treatment facility than any previous flood. The 2006 flood event caused the Graton wastewater treatment works to become completely inundated by Atascadero and Sullivan Creeks. This flood event resulted in the loss of wastewater treatment capacity for several days, damaged the operations building and posing a significant potential for public health impacts. This single event generated approximately $500,000 dollars in FEMA claims on behalf of the GCSD. Roads, businesses, homes and other entities suffered significant damage as a result of the flooding. The pattern and volume of rainfall preceding this flood event was not significantly greater than that which has been experienced during previous wet weather events. What has changed in this watershed drainage since 1976? While this is an issue that an EIR should address, the most probably cause for the increased flooding is accelerated runoff from impervious surfaces such as roads, building construction, and projects like this proposal being constructed in the watershed without regard to cumulative impact. Flash flooding has been observed to be an increasing problem for Sullivan Creek. Any significant increase in impermeable surfaces, constructed in the Pitkin Marsh watershed is likely to increase the flash flooding incidence in Sullivan Creek. Even minor flooding inundates Ross Road at the point where it crosses Sullivan Creek. When Ross Road is flooded the wastewater treatment facilities are isolated from the Southern approach on Ross Road. This cuts off vital access to and from sewer lift stations, the collection system, and the availability of prompt assistance from emergency response vehicles. This isolation represents a significant delay in emergency response time that can result in sewer spills, and delays in emergency response to chemical and chlorine gas leaks.

Flooding creates a number of dangerous conditions that impact the safe operation of the Wastewater Treatment plant and interfere with the Districts intentions to maintain full compliance with the Clean Water Act.

We understand that the proposed project will have a large, onsite mound septic system designed to transpire water. Such systems transpire water into the air rather than percolating and recharging water back into the ground water table. We understand that this project is expected to use at least 3,600 gallons of water per day from a deep well that has not yet been constructed. The loss of this volume of water from the summer flow of Sullivan Creek is a concern, as this creek now runs into Atascadero Creek and represents a significant source of summer flow to Green Valley Creek. Stream flow almost ceases at the mouth of Green Valley Creek, along Martinelli Road, during the late summer months.

In September of 2006, I personally observed a significant stretch of Green Valley Creek had become completely dry above Iron Horse Bridge and below Sullivan Creek. This is even more significant when one considers the fact that 2005-2006 represented a wet year, not a dry year. It must be noted that Green Valley Creek is one of only two creeks in the Russian River system that support runs of Coho Salmon. Coho Salmon are on the Endangered Species list along with Freshwater Shrimp. Other species enjoying special status, including Steelhead Trout which are also threatened due to pollution and the rapid depletion of ground and connected surface water in this watershed. GCSD has applied for $650,000 dollars in California Proposition 50 Grant funds to undertake restoration projects in the Sullivan, Atascadero, and Green Valley Creek Watersheds, down gradient of this project. This includes a Ground Water Management Plan. Ground water is a concern and it has not been adequately studied in this watershed.

No significant project should be permitted in this watershed drainage until a Groundwater Management Plan has been completed and it can be shown that there is adequate water to prevent a taking of endangered species, or other significant impacts on other holders of water rights. This includes the residents of the town of Graton that derive all of their water from wells.

Considering the identifiable impacts posed by this project, GCSD requests an Environmental Impact Report, and a public hearing process. Sincerely,

Robert W. Rawson
General Manager,
Graton Community Services District.

[Zeno Swijtink]

I am attaching comment letters from two geologists, Jane Nielson and Richard Ely. [You can see the attachments on the website - B]

[Zeno Swijtink]

Here is an update from the Friends of Pitkin Marsh:

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING PITKIN MARSH-

To those of you who attended the November 9th public hearing and/or wrote letters of concern or opposition about the proposed True North Health development project on lower Pitkin Marsh- THANK YOU! It appears that our collective community voice was heard by the applicant, Sonoma County and the appointed officials of the Board of Zoning Adjustments. We have made a great first step in raising public recognition of Pitkin Marsh and in fostering community support for its permanent protection!

Outcome of the November 9th Public Hearing-

In the 30-day public comment period prior to the November 9th public hearing, the Sonoma County Planning Department received many written comments from the community, including Friends of Pitkin Marsh, which expressed concerns about the project. Sonoma County also received strong written comments of concern and requests for an EIR from Fish and Wildlife, the Regional Water Quality Control Board and California Department of Fish and Game. As a result, just prior to the November 9th hearing, True North Health asked for a continuance to respond to public and agency comment. The continuance also allows the applicant additional time to revise the project or explore other options. A time period for the continuance was not given at the hearing, but we have heard it will be for 60 days which means that the project could return in January 07.

At the hearing on November 9th, the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) did not take any action to approve or disapprove the project, but the BZA did decide to allow the continuance. It was encouraging to see many supporters of Pitkin Marsh show up at the November 9th public hearing and to hear one of the BZA Board members support preservation of the site.

Where Do We Go From Here?-

Although our efforts to protect the marsh from this large development have paid off in the short term, potential threats to the marsh still exist. For this reason, Friends of Pitkin Marsh will continue to stay apprised of the project, follow up on the status of the property and support efforts toward permanent and full protection of the property. Friends of Pitkin Marsh plans to continue to organize, conduct outreach activities and keep our supporters updated with information or alerts when needed.

Again, THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the recognition and protection of this famous and unique biological treasure, known as Pitkin Marsh.

Jo Bentz
A Friend of Pitkin Marsh

[erinsheff]

Where, please, is Pitkin Marsh?
Erin

[Zeno Swijtink]

Where, please, is Pitkin Marsh?
Erin

Pitkin March is between Gravenstein Highway and Vine Hill Road, just North of Guerneville Road.

For a map click here

The dip there on Gravenstein Highway contains the creek and riparian buffer that drains Pitkin March towards the Atascadero Creek.

Pit March gave name to the Pit March Lilly. See here

- Zeno

[Zeno Swijtink]

Subject: Lower Pitkin Marsh
From: "Wendy Eliot"

Good news! I am pleased to announce that the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District will be considering providing funds for the acquisition of Lower Pitkin Marsh, the 27 acre property that was proposed for development of the TrueNorth Residential Care Facility. District staff will be requesting $500,000 towards acquisition of the property at its meeting next week. This is a public meeting and I urge you to attend and speak on behalf of this project, the Authority gives great weight to public support. Your message can be a simple one, thanking the District for its contribution and articulating why this project is important. I have included meeting information below and have attached a project summary. Please contact me with any questions or comments, and let me know if you will be attending. If you are not able to attend the meeting, you can send a letter to the District, attention: Marta Puente.

Please forward this along to others who may be interested.

What: Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Authority Meeting
Re: Authorization to provide $500,000 toward the acquisition of Lower Pitkin Marsh from Synergy PMC (TrueNorth)
When: Thursday, May 17 at 5 p.m
Where: SCAPOSD office, 747 Mendocino Avenue, Suite 100, Santa Rosa

Thank you!
Wendy

Wendy Eliot
Conservation Director
Sonoma Land Trust
966 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Tel: 707/526-6930
Fax: 707/526-3001
www.sonomalandtrust.org