NO ON U
With Measure U, the Sonoma County Water Agency asks voters in the Santa
Rosa and Windsor areas to continue taxing themselves for a slush fund that
provides mainly for more channelizing of natural waterways in the Santa Rosa
and Mark West Creek watersheds. The claim is made that this work somehow
benefits all people in Flood Control Zone 1A.
The ballot argument for Measure U misleads when it imparts an aura of
restoration and civic duty to approval. The bulk of funds actually goes toward
making pastures and other lowlands along our watercourses safe for
development. This benefits only the owners of bordering lands.
The water agency further suggests that its projects prevent disasters. But
experience tells us that when upstream reaches of creeks are chan nelized and
stripped of vegetation, and surrounding acreage developed, rainwater runoff
will increase in volume and speed. Thus, the agency's creek work can actually
contribute to worse flooding downstream. Before asking the public to vote on
funding, the water agency should be required to describe specific projects to
be funded. Given the evidence of chronic mistreatment of our creeks and
diverse wetland treasures, let's not sign another blank check.
Vote no on Measure U.
PEETER VILMS,
Chair Sonoma County Conservation Council
Santa Rosa
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