Lagoon Lifesaver-- October, 2000

The Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem Restoration Study (it won't become a "Project" until construction is authorized by Congress) is progressing, although considerably more slowly than originally planned and hoped.

Since our last letter, the procedural steps to be followed in the planning process have been refined somewhat. The Army Corps of Engineers and Marin County named a Habitat Evaluation Expert Panel comprised of members of the Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee, and others, to include individuals with expertise in the various populations that could be impacted by the restoration efforts (birds, fish, mammals, invertebrates, plants, etc.).

In August the Corps of Engineers provided the Habitat Evaluation Expert Panel with analytical data about the six options under consideration. The panel met to discuss the options and the data, as a preliminary step in validating the environmental soundness of the restoration. The current schedule calls for determination of the "Preferred Option(s)" by early November, and public informational meetings in Bolinas and Stinson Beach in late-November/early-December.

Availability of the Draft Feasibility Report, including a Draft EIR/EIS, is scheduled for Spring 2001. Release of the document begins a public review and comment period, which includes public hearings before the Marin County Parks, Open Space and Cultural Commission and the Marin County Planning Commission. All of this suggests that the original schedule for Corps of Engineers HQ to submit the plan to Congress by mid-2001 was highly optimistic; the Corps schedule slipped by several months in August.

The Corps District Office in San Francisco can start work on Phase III (Pre-Construction Engineering and Design) as soon as the Draft EIR/EIS is sent to Washington (next spring), and is cooperating with Marin County and Bolinas Lagoon Foundation to find a way to shorten the time required for Phase III by one year or more. If we are successful, the time lost this past summer and fall will be made-up, and implementation will begin close to or on schedule in 2004.

Congress is finalizing the FY 2001 budget this month (I hope). The $300,000 requested for our study was included in a bill sent to the President, and we are confident that our study will be adequately funded in the budget that is eventually approved.

Our web site should be online by the end of this month, at www.bolinaslagoon.org. Take a look, and tell your friends and neighbors to do so also. The site was developed by Harold Hedelman of the Center for Electronic Art, and funded by a grant from the Outrageous Foundation. The photographs are used through the generosity of Bob Campbell, Clint Graves and Andrew McKinney; and Sarah Warnock wrote "The Natural History of Bolinas Lagoon." We are indebted to these contributors for a first-class job.

In closing, I'd like to express particular thanks to Senator John Burton and Assemblymember Kerry Mazzoni. Largely as a result of their efforts, the State of California has granted $4 million to Marin County for this study. Kerry is retiring from the Assembly in January, and a note of thanks to her and Senator Burton would be most appropriate, and appreciated, I'm sure. (Their addresses are shown below.)

Also due notes of appreciation are Senator Barbara Boxer and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey. Their leadership and support in Washington continue to be superb, and we can count on them for their continued support in the years ahead. (Their addresses are also shown below.)

Supervisor Steve Kinsey has provided a strong sense of leadership to the effort, which is acknowledged and appreciated.

A final word of thanks and appreciation to all of you who continue to support our work with your donations. All gifts to Bolinas Lagoon Foundation are put to work for the study, and are tax deductible.

Sincerely,

Bucky Mace
For the Foundation