Zeno Swijtink
10-22-2008, 08:14 AM
I obtained a copy of Rue Furch's response to the email from Peter Mattson, Chairman Sonoma Land Trust, in which he expressed "regret [for his] endorsement of [her] candidacy for 5th District Supervisor due to what appears to be this misrepresentation of the above referenced Gualala Redwoods property."
Furch's response has two attachments, one of which already put on this list at https://www.waccobb.net/forums/showthread.php?p=72665#post72665
The other, about a similar development plan of Gualala Redwoods Inc. just outside of the town of Gualala, is a copy of https://www.deltapac.com/index.htm.
It states: "Delta Pacific's clients, Gualala Redwoods, Inc. and Sonoma Coast Associates, are master planning the future of two beautiful prime Pacific coastal properties in Jenner, California at the mouth of the Russian River in Sonoma County and in Gualala, California at the mouth of the Gualala River in Mendocino county."
Gualala Redwood, Inc.'s CEO is J. Ollie Edmunds.
https://www.sonoma.edu/users/s/swijtink/other/ollie.jpg
Rue Furch is not running a "negative campaign." She has superior knowledge and understanding of all that is good and not so good in District 5 and does not hesitate to talk about it.
In my experience coastal development plans never die. They may be put in a drawer for when the political climate will become favorable, but they are just dormant, not dead. Let's not make that kind of change happen here!
Zeno
****************
I sent the following note to Mr. Mattson and others who had expressed interest (general and specific). I hope this clears things up for him and any others who wondered why I might be concerned about GRI and thrilled about the acquisition.
Thanks for all your help – have a great day!!
Rue
-------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Mattson
Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns. I’m glad to have the opportunity to address them. I tried calling the phone number I found for you at The Sea Ranch, but was only able to leave a message. I’m sorry I was not able to reach you.
Your email raised two main points.
The first is regarding development of the Jenner Headlands. You pointed out “As you know, the Sonoma Land Trust has spent that last four years arranging the acquisition of Jenner Headlands, 5630 acres above and around Jenner, from Dr. Ollie Edmonds, owner of Gualala Redwoods. During this time, there has been no threat of such an adjacent development”.
The project that the mail piece referred to is the proposed development of the Jenner Headlands site, also known as the Rule Ranch or “Jenner Coastal Ranch”. The mailer did not claim that project involved a widespread clear-cut, as has been done elsewhere by Gualala Redwoods (GRI). But the GRI proposal was to clear the coastal hills up to the ridge tops that would “ … develop this 3,312 acre ranch into an award wining, low density master planned community with a resort hotel, a golf course, and residential, commercial and visitor serving areas.”
I have attached the on-line prospectus with which Gualala Redwoods was soliciting partners for a joint venture to carry out the project. This solicitation continued for at least two years while your negotiations were underway, so it seems that Gualala Redwoods was keeping its options open. Gualala Redwoods is actively pursuing a similar project just outside of the town of Gualala, and has a similar project underway in Louisiana.
That said, I am delighted that the Land Trust and Agricultural/Open Space District were able to take steps to secure the Jenner Headlands. I have been a strong supporter of that effort. I have repeatedly spoken in favor of the acquisition informally, and with the Open Space District, also attending a fundraiser by the Pole Mountain group raising money and awareness for the Jenner Headlands acquisition, and the possible continuation all the way to Armstrong Woods.
I was aware negotiations were continuing, and I understand that the status of such efforts are, and need to be, confidential. At the time the mailer was sent, the fate of Jenner Headlands still seemed unresolved.
This link may also be of interest:
<https://www.mcn.org/e/jenner/vicinity/rule/default.html>https://www.mcn.org/e/jenner/vicinity/rule/default.html
Your second concern was stated as “Gualala Redwoods has been a reasonably good steward of its properties, many of which I have visited.” I understand that Gualala Redwoods has been a good neighbor to The Sea Ranch, and I’m sure that everyone concerned on both sides will do everything possible to retain that good working relationship. I will certainly do my part to insure that that kind of relationship continues.
In other arenas, my campaign and I have heard from various community groups and state agencies, which have had, and continue to have significant concerns about Gualala Redwoods’ approach to land stewardship. Some of their forest practices have been the source of continuing conflict with local groups, property owners, and various state agencies. The mismanagement of a THP about 10 years ago (cited in the mailer) resulted in significant erosion, sediment loading of the Gualala, and damage to roads. The Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered them to carry out water quality monitoring for a number of years after that incident, only rescinding the Order in August of 2005.
In 2000, Gualala Redwoods proposed the Cassady THP for over 100 acres in Mendocino County. Multiple agencies objected, principally over impacts to endangered salmonids. When CDF denied the application in 2002, Gualala Redwoods sued to overturn the denial. In December of 2005, the Mendocino County Superior Court upheld the denial.
Another THP was submitted in June of 2001 to cut 100 acres. The plan was opposed by neighbors, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Dept. of Fish and Game. CDF approved the plan in April of 2004. Following filing of a lawsuit in August of 2004, the THP approval was rescinded. Again questions of water quality, sedimentation, and fishery impacts were predominant.
Perhaps you can see why I might have concerns if the Jenner Headlands was not preserved.
I am supportive of sustainable forestry and of good land stewardship, and it sounds as though your relationship with Gualala Redwoods has been an entirely positive one. I look forward to learning more, and better understanding the relationship you have established so that we all realize the best possible outcomes.
In closing, I am thrilled at the acquisition. It is critically important to have secured this site. I know that the Certificates of Compliance had to have factored into the appraisal, and is yet another reason that I will continue to monitor the use of paper subdivisions to either bump up property values in an appraisal (particularly with public funds), or to actually create rural subdivisions contrary to the General Plan.
I hope this reassures you as to my priorities, as well as my understanding and research into the situation.
I am copying this email to others who have asked for clarification as well.
Thank you once again, for your commitment to our county, and your interest in the 5th District Supervisor’s race.
Yours,
Rue Furch
On 10/19/08 2:24 PM, "P. Mattson" <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Rue:
As chairman of The Sonoma Land Trust, I was troubled while reading your green paper mailer sent this week "To all my friends in Northwestern Sonoma County". Your reference to Gualala Redwoods and its purported plan to clear-cut near Jenner for a property development and an air strip is either a gross distortion or needs much more clarification.
Snip: ". . . Gualala Redwoods, which is next in line to clear slopes near Jenner for more luxury homes, a golf course, and a private air strip."
As you know, the Sonoma Land Trust has spent that last four years arranging the acquisition of Jenner Headlands, 5630 acres above and around Jenner, from Dr. Ollie Edmonds, owner of Gualala Redwoods. During this time, there has been no threat of such an adjacent development.
Further, Gualala Redwoods has been a reasonably good steward of its properties, many of which I have visited.
I regret my endorsement of your candidacy for 5th District Supervisor due to what appears to be this misrepresentation of the above referenced Gualala Redwoods property.
Sincerely,
Peter Mattson
Chairman
Sonoma Land Trust
Furch's response has two attachments, one of which already put on this list at https://www.waccobb.net/forums/showthread.php?p=72665#post72665
The other, about a similar development plan of Gualala Redwoods Inc. just outside of the town of Gualala, is a copy of https://www.deltapac.com/index.htm.
It states: "Delta Pacific's clients, Gualala Redwoods, Inc. and Sonoma Coast Associates, are master planning the future of two beautiful prime Pacific coastal properties in Jenner, California at the mouth of the Russian River in Sonoma County and in Gualala, California at the mouth of the Gualala River in Mendocino county."
Gualala Redwood, Inc.'s CEO is J. Ollie Edmunds.
https://www.sonoma.edu/users/s/swijtink/other/ollie.jpg
Rue Furch is not running a "negative campaign." She has superior knowledge and understanding of all that is good and not so good in District 5 and does not hesitate to talk about it.
In my experience coastal development plans never die. They may be put in a drawer for when the political climate will become favorable, but they are just dormant, not dead. Let's not make that kind of change happen here!
Zeno
****************
I sent the following note to Mr. Mattson and others who had expressed interest (general and specific). I hope this clears things up for him and any others who wondered why I might be concerned about GRI and thrilled about the acquisition.
Thanks for all your help – have a great day!!
Rue
-------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Mattson
Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns. I’m glad to have the opportunity to address them. I tried calling the phone number I found for you at The Sea Ranch, but was only able to leave a message. I’m sorry I was not able to reach you.
Your email raised two main points.
The first is regarding development of the Jenner Headlands. You pointed out “As you know, the Sonoma Land Trust has spent that last four years arranging the acquisition of Jenner Headlands, 5630 acres above and around Jenner, from Dr. Ollie Edmonds, owner of Gualala Redwoods. During this time, there has been no threat of such an adjacent development”.
The project that the mail piece referred to is the proposed development of the Jenner Headlands site, also known as the Rule Ranch or “Jenner Coastal Ranch”. The mailer did not claim that project involved a widespread clear-cut, as has been done elsewhere by Gualala Redwoods (GRI). But the GRI proposal was to clear the coastal hills up to the ridge tops that would “ … develop this 3,312 acre ranch into an award wining, low density master planned community with a resort hotel, a golf course, and residential, commercial and visitor serving areas.”
I have attached the on-line prospectus with which Gualala Redwoods was soliciting partners for a joint venture to carry out the project. This solicitation continued for at least two years while your negotiations were underway, so it seems that Gualala Redwoods was keeping its options open. Gualala Redwoods is actively pursuing a similar project just outside of the town of Gualala, and has a similar project underway in Louisiana.
That said, I am delighted that the Land Trust and Agricultural/Open Space District were able to take steps to secure the Jenner Headlands. I have been a strong supporter of that effort. I have repeatedly spoken in favor of the acquisition informally, and with the Open Space District, also attending a fundraiser by the Pole Mountain group raising money and awareness for the Jenner Headlands acquisition, and the possible continuation all the way to Armstrong Woods.
I was aware negotiations were continuing, and I understand that the status of such efforts are, and need to be, confidential. At the time the mailer was sent, the fate of Jenner Headlands still seemed unresolved.
This link may also be of interest:
<https://www.mcn.org/e/jenner/vicinity/rule/default.html>https://www.mcn.org/e/jenner/vicinity/rule/default.html
Your second concern was stated as “Gualala Redwoods has been a reasonably good steward of its properties, many of which I have visited.” I understand that Gualala Redwoods has been a good neighbor to The Sea Ranch, and I’m sure that everyone concerned on both sides will do everything possible to retain that good working relationship. I will certainly do my part to insure that that kind of relationship continues.
In other arenas, my campaign and I have heard from various community groups and state agencies, which have had, and continue to have significant concerns about Gualala Redwoods’ approach to land stewardship. Some of their forest practices have been the source of continuing conflict with local groups, property owners, and various state agencies. The mismanagement of a THP about 10 years ago (cited in the mailer) resulted in significant erosion, sediment loading of the Gualala, and damage to roads. The Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered them to carry out water quality monitoring for a number of years after that incident, only rescinding the Order in August of 2005.
In 2000, Gualala Redwoods proposed the Cassady THP for over 100 acres in Mendocino County. Multiple agencies objected, principally over impacts to endangered salmonids. When CDF denied the application in 2002, Gualala Redwoods sued to overturn the denial. In December of 2005, the Mendocino County Superior Court upheld the denial.
Another THP was submitted in June of 2001 to cut 100 acres. The plan was opposed by neighbors, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Dept. of Fish and Game. CDF approved the plan in April of 2004. Following filing of a lawsuit in August of 2004, the THP approval was rescinded. Again questions of water quality, sedimentation, and fishery impacts were predominant.
Perhaps you can see why I might have concerns if the Jenner Headlands was not preserved.
I am supportive of sustainable forestry and of good land stewardship, and it sounds as though your relationship with Gualala Redwoods has been an entirely positive one. I look forward to learning more, and better understanding the relationship you have established so that we all realize the best possible outcomes.
In closing, I am thrilled at the acquisition. It is critically important to have secured this site. I know that the Certificates of Compliance had to have factored into the appraisal, and is yet another reason that I will continue to monitor the use of paper subdivisions to either bump up property values in an appraisal (particularly with public funds), or to actually create rural subdivisions contrary to the General Plan.
I hope this reassures you as to my priorities, as well as my understanding and research into the situation.
I am copying this email to others who have asked for clarification as well.
Thank you once again, for your commitment to our county, and your interest in the 5th District Supervisor’s race.
Yours,
Rue Furch
On 10/19/08 2:24 PM, "P. Mattson" <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Rue:
As chairman of The Sonoma Land Trust, I was troubled while reading your green paper mailer sent this week "To all my friends in Northwestern Sonoma County". Your reference to Gualala Redwoods and its purported plan to clear-cut near Jenner for a property development and an air strip is either a gross distortion or needs much more clarification.
Snip: ". . . Gualala Redwoods, which is next in line to clear slopes near Jenner for more luxury homes, a golf course, and a private air strip."
As you know, the Sonoma Land Trust has spent that last four years arranging the acquisition of Jenner Headlands, 5630 acres above and around Jenner, from Dr. Ollie Edmonds, owner of Gualala Redwoods. During this time, there has been no threat of such an adjacent development.
Further, Gualala Redwoods has been a reasonably good steward of its properties, many of which I have visited.
I regret my endorsement of your candidacy for 5th District Supervisor due to what appears to be this misrepresentation of the above referenced Gualala Redwoods property.
Sincerely,
Peter Mattson
Chairman
Sonoma Land Trust