Friday, February 27, 2009

Wildlife Impacts of Asphalt Plant

Dutra claims they will ensure protection for species habitat, and that the Egret and Heron nesting sites at Haystack Landing were studied in the EIR and will not be driven out. Statements from these experts appear to contradict that claim:

“Dear Sonoma County Planning Commission,
I was informed about some changes contemplated in the County General Plan, initiated by the Dutra Group, that could have a negative impact (noise disturbance) on the endangered California Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus) in the upper Petaluma River tidal wetlands. We have conducted protocol-level surveys for this marsh bird over the last several years and detected pairs present during the breeding season at several locations in tidal marshlands associated with Ellis Creek, just south of Shollenberger Park. Exact locations are on file with the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNNDB) and in reports submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species, Sacramento. These locations are available upon request from Avocet Research.

Please consider potential noise impacts to the breeding success of this critically endangered species prior to amending noise restrictions currently in place.

The linear marshlands along the Petaluma River upstream from Ellis Creek to the Petaluma Marina also support the state-threatened California Black Rail (Latterallus jamaecensis cortuniculus). This species could also be negatively impacted by increased noise pollution and industrial activity at this location.

Thank you for your attention to this issue.”

Jules Evens, Principal
Avocet Research Associates

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"...these (egret and heron nesting) sites may be subsequently abandoned in response to changes in the frequency or intensity of human activity. Therefore...noise, artificial lights, conveyer activity...are likely to increase the risk of abandonment."

John P. Kelly PhD
Director, Conservation Science and Habitat Protection
Audubon Canyon Ranch

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Noise is also a big concern because of a nesting rookery on the northwest corner of the project, said Bob Dyer, senior wetlands docent at Shollenberger. Since monitoring of the rookery began in 2003, Dyer and others have counted about 250 Great Egret, Snowy Egret and Blue Heron chicks born there, he said. “It’s been a productive colony and we’re concerned about the impact of a noisy asphalt factory very close by,”

Bob Dyer – Senior Docent / Petaluma Wetlands Alliance
Press Democrat Article 2/21/08
Posted by Friends of Shollenberger Park at 12:52 PM

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Community bench donations for inscribed bricks now closed


The bench pad has been installed. We will have a Dedication Gathering in January 2017 at the Community Bench site, located on the South loop of the walking path at Shollenberger Park. Check it out!

Donations to Save Shollenberger always welcome and needed. Think of our park and the work we need to keep doing to save it when making your end of the year donations — tax deductible!



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Shollenberger Shindig
Feb 25, 2019
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A Benefit for Friends of Shollenberger (O.W.L. Foundation) fund to protect our park.

Mission Statement

We are a group of ordinary citizens who enjoy open space, clean air, and community well being. We have joined together to preserve and protect Shollenberger Park and the Petaluma Wetlands for all of our families and for future generations.

We provide information and a forum for citizens to learn about our local environmental issues and work towards protecting our park. As a “Special Project” of the O.W.L. Foundation, (http://owlfoundation.net/OWL.htm), we are a non-profit organization and donations to support our activities are tax-deductible.

Read More

  • 2014 Petition for Rehearing
  • Dutra Reply Brief 9/25/2012
  • Dutra Opening Brief 7/20/2012
  • Judge Chouteau's decision 12/23/2011
  • City Opening Brief (PDF)
  • Trial Brief CEQA Brown Act (PDF)
  • Dutra's Record
  • Our Partners In This Fight
  • More Information

This fight is not over!

Stay tuned for our next steps in preserving and protecting Shollenberger Park and Petaluma Wetlands, and our community from an asphalt factory at Haystack Landing.

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      • Outreach Toolkit
      • Wildlife Impacts of Asphalt Plant
      • Community Health Forum Announced
      • Sebastopol City Council Expected to Support Us!
      • Public Record Re-Opened! Email Your Concerns Now!!
      • Dutra’s Ads print the word FACTS in bold black let...
      • Mayor Commentary: Wrong place for asphalt plant
      • Where do we go from here?
      • The Power of Reality: a youtube collage of what co...
      • Supervisor Mike Kerns: You sold us down the river!
      • The Vote is Today!
      • A Dark Cloud is hanging over Petaluma: the Dutra A...
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