Petaluma River Tidings: February 11, 2009

A lot has happened already in the New Year. An unfortunate environmental threat has brought much needed attention to our River’s resources. A new President and Petaluma City Council majority offer the promise of positive change locally and nationally. Friends of the Petaluma River’s main focus in 2009 will be on creating a Petaluma River Heritage Center. While nurturing the River’s well being will always be important to our mission, we believe that engaging people with the River’s cultural heritage and natural resources will help to build a diverse constituency of all ages and backgrounds to Celebrate and Conserve its treasures for years to come.

Dutra / Asphalt plant tentatively approved by Board of Supes:

The good news is that public awareness of the Petaluma River has been raised regionally and hundreds of people have become active in promoting and protecting the River’s natural resources. The bad news is that the Board of Supervisors tentatively approved the Dutra Company’s asphalt plant permit by a 4 to 1 straw vote on Feb 3rd.  Many Shollenberger Park users and River aficionados, including the entire Petaluma City Council, voiced their concerns about the location and “unavoidable impacts” of the proposed facility.  In person and in writing there was an outpouring of sentiments by over 50 speakers and 3000 petition signers. The Supervisors have asked for more air quality information and additional protections before they re-visit the proposal in March.  Friend’s position was stated in a letter to the Planning Commission last August and again at the hearing on Feb 3rd.  We advocated for the EIR’s alternative location option and suggested building a totally enclosed facility on the vacant Pomeroy property upstream.

Community activists Joan Cooper and David Keller, have organized opposition and launched a website that you can visit to get information and/or get involved.

The story is being covered by front page articles in the local papers:

“Asphalt Plant OK’d for Now” – February 5, 2009

“Asphalt Plant Critics Threaten to Sue County” – February 6, 2009

There is still time to comment and make your views known. You can express your ideas about this environmentally sensitive issue by writing letters to:
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
575 Administration Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

River Heritage Center plans move forward:

Friends of the Petaluma is taking a leadership role for the creation of a Petaluma River Heritage Center in the Livery Stable and on adjacent grounds at Steamer Landing Park. We are currently crafting an agreement with the City’s Parks & Rec. Dept. to restore the stable to run river related programs there. By setting up a series of events we want to engage the public in visiting the site and help us refine the vision for the River Heritage Center. A Steering Committee representing a broad segment of the community has been assembled, to help with this effort. There are many ways you can support this campaign; by attending events, talking to others, and making tax deductible donations to Friends.

Help needed – volunteer opportunities to help the Heritage Center exist in many areas:

• PR & Outreach help for community presentations & public events.
• Carpentry and related skills for restoration and renovation of the Livery Stable
• Administrative, technical, and fundraising assistance.

Please contact David Yearsley via Email or call 763-7756 to volunteer

Upcoming River Heritage Center events:
Feb.  6th -  Ongoing Information display; currently at Petaluma Public Library – 100 Fairgrounds Dr.
Feb. 18th – Presentation to the Petaluma Recreation, Music, & Parks Commission – 7PM – 11 English St.
Mar. 9th   – Presentation to the Petaluma Museum’s volunteer committee – 2PM –  Museum,  20 4th St.
April 5th – Open house & celebration of Traditional Small Craft visit  – 10AM – 2PM – Livery Stable

Friends receives $1000 from Peets:

We want to thank the wonderful folks at Peets Coffee & Tea in downtown Petaluma for making us the recipient of this years “Holiday Giving” campaign. During the week before Christmas Peets allowed Friends to have an in store display and agreed to match all public donations up to $1000. We are delighted that to report that the contributions to Friends totaled over $1,200! We recently received a check from Peet’s Hq. for $2,263.00.  Our sincere appreciation goes out to all the people who contributed during this campaign and made it an overwhelming success.

Board sets priorities for 2009 at annual retreat:

The Board of Directors met for their annual retreat at Papa’s Taverna on Fri. Jan 9th.  
Their evaluation of the organization included:

• Strengths – many successful events, good community recognition, expanded fleet for boat tours.
• Weaknesses – limited capacity, not enough funding
• Challenges – weakened economy / economic downturn, collaboration with other groups.
• Opportunities – River Heritage Center leadership, potential income stream from activities.

It was decided to capitalize on the organizations strengths and focus our efforts to accomplish our mission of “promoting appreciation of the Petaluma River and protecting the vitality of its natural resources”.  The priorities they set for the coming year include:

1. The creation of a River Heritage Center would be the primary activity for 2009.
2. Additional River tours and a possible boat rental operation would help to generate revenue.
3. Increased collaboration and support of other groups and agencies will expand our capacity

The Board also decided to contract with non-profit consultant Michelle LeBeau to help build our internal capacity, plan the River Heritage Center campaign and research grants. Several Board members made substantial personal contributions to cover part of the cost of her proposal. Contributions are still needed for the grant writing portion of her contract. We are seeking donations in the $100 to $500 range to cover that portion. Please contact David Yearsley via Email or call 763-7756 if you can help.

Donations are tax deductible and can be made online or mailed to Friends at  PO Box 4928 Petaluma 94955.

Dolphin River tours return to Petaluma:

Dolphin Charters will again offer their popular 3 hr. Petaluma River tours on April 5th, 6th, 11th & 12th. To learn more about them visit Dolphin Charters’ website.

Event committee is making plans:

An energetic group of volunteers are planning several exciting fundraising events for the coming months.

The first event will be a Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard the beautiful 50’ Delphinus donated by the good folks at Dolphin Charters.  Save the evening of Fri. April 10th.  More information coming soon.

Some important River dates for 2009 include:

April 5th – Petaluma River Row
April 10th – Benefit Sunset River Cruise
May 2nd – Petaluma River cleanup
May 30th – Day on the River
Sept. 12th – Petaluma River Fest / Mayor’s Boat Ride