News Archive 2008
A chronological listing of information added to this site.
[Where What's New
items go when they're no longer new.]
Fireworks over the Gualala River estuary?
update 6/12/08
On June 11, 2008, the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously
to order the Gualala Festivals Committee to cease and
desist from conducting a fireworks display over the Gualala River estuary.
Fireworks over the Gualala River estuary?
new 6/3/08
California Coastal Commission hearing
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chambers
575 Administration Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
The Commission will consider ordering the Gualala Festivals Committee to cease and desist in its plans to shoot fireworks over the Gualala River estuary this year without a permit. The meeting starts at 10 a.m.; the cease & desist order is agenda item 13.
If you want to prevent fireworks from harming nesting seabirds, then fill out a speaker slip and let the Commission know what you think. You can also meet with other fireworks opponents at 9:30 a.m. outside the chambers.
Restoration Day at Gualala Point Park
new 5/16/08
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 10:00 a.m.
Gualala Point Regional Park
Join botanist, Peter Baye, this Saturday, May 17th for some lively nature discussions and exercise with a purpose. Gualala Point Regional Park needs our help!
Yellow bush lupine has appeared on the dunes and is crowding out the natives. Yes, the lupine is a native plant, but apparently not at that site, so the local natives are not adapted to its ways. The end result is a net loss of species - several replaced by one.
This lupine also deposits large amounts of nitrogen in the soil, paving the way for bigger, badder weeds.
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Department will provide pruning saws, gloves, tarps to haul the lupines out of the dune area and staff to remove it to their compost site. John Ryan, the parks Volunteer/Intern Coordinator will also have water, juice and snacks on hand.
Bring some food & drink for yourself and come out to help restore the Gualala Point Dunes. Parking will be free of charge to anyone volunteering and John will have passes ready when we arrive. Meet at 10:00 by the Visitor Center.
Sonoma County Regional Parks Department
Ph: 707-565-3356
Protecting streamflow: Is it still possible
new 4/27/08
to preserve the flows that salmonids need?
Thursday, May 15, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Gualala Community Center
47950 Center St., Gualala
Friends of the Gualala River presents a public program featuring Matthew Deitch, Ph.D. from the
Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration.
"If the steelhead and coho that were once abundant in coastal California are to have any chance of recovering in the 21st Century, agencies and stakeholders alike need to re-think how we evaluate water use . . ." Read more →
Gravel Mining in the Gualala River
update 4/27/08
Sonoma County Supervisors have postponed a hearing on a new permit;
the lead federal agency has already denied the permit application.
Gravel mining proceeded in 2005 and 2006 without county or federal permits.
Exploring the changing banks, beds and bars
new 4/15/08
of the Gualala River Lagoon
Friday, April 18, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Gualala Community Center
The Gualala River has a distinctive, intermittent type of estuary with an unstable but self-repairing natural dam - the barrier beach at Gualala Point.
Learn more about the habitats and vegetation formed by the interplay of the barrier beach and river with Dr. Peter Baye, who specializes in the flora and ecology of coastal plant communities, particularly sand dunes, beaches, and tidal marshes.
This program is co-sponsored by Friends of the Gualala River and the California Native Plant Society. Refreshments will be served, and admission is free.
Retaining wall: Coastal Commission hearing
update 4/15/08
The Coastal Commission will schedule a de novo hearing on the proposed retaining wall project at a date to be announced later.
Cease and desist fireworks!
update 4/15/08
The Bureau of Land Management released a report on seabird and marine mammal monitoring at Gualala Point Island. The species most affected by the fireworks was Brandt's cormorants.
The Coastal Commission intends to issue a cease and desist order.
Gravel Mining in the Gualala River
update 4/15/08
Gravel mining proceeded in 2005 and 2006 without county or federal permits.
Sonoma County Supervisors will consider a permit on May 13;
the lead federal agency has already denied the permit application.
Retaining wall above the estuary?
update 3/29/08
Destroying coastal bluff, native vegetation and the Gualala Bluff Trail
for a project that hasn't even been reviewed makes no sense, and violates California law.
The Coastal Commission will review the proposed project on April 11.
Advice puts Eel River diversion plan on shelf
new 3/29/08
A recently revived proposal to divert water from a protected
portion of the Eel River near Dos Rios has been quietly shelved
following a negative legal opinion.
Natural history presentation at Horicon School
new 2/19/08
Friends of the Gualala River presented a natural history digital slide
show of the Gualala River and its watershed, wildlife, and vegetation,
to the kindergarten through fourth grade classes of Horicon School in
Annapolis.
Vineyard conversions in Annapolis
new 1/18/08
A Revised Notice of Preparation: Draft Environmental Impact Report
for the Annapolis Area Timberland Conversions Project
states that the Martin project has been revised
to include a 1.5 acre irrigation reservoir.
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