Firstly, I concur with Donna Mackiewicz’s concern over our birds. I’ve noticed a 90% drop in birds on our neighborhood in just the past two years and encourage the Board to do what is in your power to help.
On another note—and I’m speaking here as a private citizen—I am not in favor of the Board revisiting the vote for advising the BGN on the Kelseyville name change.
With all due respect to our incoming supervisors, the previous Board spent considerable time with the community process before making its decision. A decision that did not reflect the popular vote, but rather one of deep conscience.
And while supervisor Green was appointed, he made an important and valuable contribution to the Community Visioning Forum Planning Committee’s work to hear the concerns and lived experiences of Lake County residents—particularly those from historically underserved, vulnerable, marginalized and oppressed communities. I may be mistaken, but I doubt the incoming board members have the history with the issue the previous board members did.
I think it is equally important to respect the vote of those board members whose families have been directly impacted by the harm the name carries.
I recognize a balance is needed in revisiting decisions made by previous elected officials. We need a government that is responsive to new knowledge and understandings of our history—which is what this issue deals with directly—and we can’t revisit every decision made a previous elected body.
Has there been new information brought to light that needs to be considered? If so, let it be known. If not, given the above considerations and the considerable amount of time and energy expended on this topic, I encourage the Board to carry on with its current business and let the vote stand.
Redbud Audubon participated in the 50th year of citizen science reporting for National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count providing scientific data. Our Christmas Bird Count totals are the third lowest reported - down drastically over the years.
- We are still experiencing severe drought. Noting our January rainfall, the need to conserve water resources is a priority. Lake County has lost 85 % of the natural wetlands. Survival of the hitch depends on the creeks, tributaries and wetlands. Schindler Creek often gets overlooked but is just as important as all the watersheds and needs protection.
- With the drought our trees are becoming even more stressed. Your Board took prompt action regarding tree mortality with the emergency proclamation in May 2022 - thanks to Supervisor Pyska.
- CLERC is monitoring and noting the alarming spread MOB - Mediterranean Oak Borer and we cannot forget the damage of the Pine Bark Beetle and increasing migration north of Oak Sudden Death and Oak Wilt.
Our healthy trees, and shrubs – including chaparral - need protecting.
- We are moving the infestations with firewood and tree cutting practices.
- With the loss of trees our bird species are suffering.
- Moving from trees to the ground: we are home to less than 1% of CA's serpentine soil that holds ecological significance and hosts hundreds of sensitive plant species.
When we look at mitigation measures, we cannot ‘bring in” serpentine soils or their plants, to replace what we remove.
- We need strong plant, and tree protection – especially for oaks - highlighting the importance of using only native to Lake County trees and plants in mitigation - not simply CA species but Lake County specific species.
-The low bird count trend continuing this year, coupled with increase in tree mortality in the County, suggest that removal of healthy trees should not be taken lightly.
If you could consider…
- halting healthy tree removals apart from problem trees and invasive species
-slowing down on permitting projects with lots of mitigation measures
- incorporate strong mitigation language to protect these valuable resources. We can start by using the words “shall protect” over “should protect”.
- projects should wait for permitting until after the Cannabis ordinance is accepted by your Board.
The animals cannot reach out for help, so I ask you to please protect our oaks, oak savanna and chaparral, wetlands, and watersheds as you consider the impact of your every decision. Donna Mackiewicz
Firstly, I concur with Donna Mackiewicz’s concern over our birds. I’ve noticed a 90% drop in birds on our neighborhood in just the past two years and encourage the Board to do what is in your power to help.
On another note—and I’m speaking here as a private citizen—I am not in favor of the Board revisiting the vote for advising the BGN on the Kelseyville name change.
With all due respect to our incoming supervisors, the previous Board spent considerable time with the community process before making its decision. A decision that did not reflect the popular vote, but rather one of deep conscience.
And while supervisor Green was appointed, he made an important and valuable contribution to the Community Visioning Forum Planning Committee’s work to hear the concerns and lived experiences of Lake County residents—particularly those from historically underserved, vulnerable, marginalized and oppressed communities. I may be mistaken, but I doubt the incoming board members have the history with the issue the previous board members did.
I think it is equally important to respect the vote of those board members whose families have been directly impacted by the harm the name carries.
I recognize a balance is needed in revisiting decisions made by previous elected officials. We need a government that is responsive to new knowledge and understandings of our history—which is what this issue deals with directly—and we can’t revisit every decision made a previous elected body.
Has there been new information brought to light that needs to be considered? If so, let it be known. If not, given the above considerations and the considerable amount of time and energy expended on this topic, I encourage the Board to carry on with its current business and let the vote stand.
Redbud Audubon participated in the 50th year of citizen science reporting for National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count providing scientific data. Our Christmas Bird Count totals are the third lowest reported - down drastically over the years.
- We are still experiencing severe drought. Noting our January rainfall, the need to conserve water resources is a priority. Lake County has lost 85 % of the natural wetlands. Survival of the hitch depends on the creeks, tributaries and wetlands. Schindler Creek often gets overlooked but is just as important as all the watersheds and needs protection.
- With the drought our trees are becoming even more stressed. Your Board took prompt action regarding tree mortality with the emergency proclamation in May 2022 - thanks to Supervisor Pyska.
- CLERC is monitoring and noting the alarming spread MOB - Mediterranean Oak Borer and we cannot forget the damage of the Pine Bark Beetle and increasing migration north of Oak Sudden Death and Oak Wilt.
Our healthy trees, and shrubs – including chaparral - need protecting.
- We are moving the infestations with firewood and tree cutting practices.
- With the loss of trees our bird species are suffering.
- Moving from trees to the ground: we are home to less than 1% of CA's serpentine soil that holds ecological significance and hosts hundreds of sensitive plant species.
When we look at mitigation measures, we cannot ‘bring in” serpentine soils or their plants, to replace what we remove.
- We need strong plant, and tree protection – especially for oaks - highlighting the importance of using only native to Lake County trees and plants in mitigation - not simply CA species but Lake County specific species.
-The low bird count trend continuing this year, coupled with increase in tree mortality in the County, suggest that removal of healthy trees should not be taken lightly.
If you could consider…
- halting healthy tree removals apart from problem trees and invasive species
-slowing down on permitting projects with lots of mitigation measures
- incorporate strong mitigation language to protect these valuable resources. We can start by using the words “shall protect” over “should protect”.
- projects should wait for permitting until after the Cannabis ordinance is accepted by your Board.
The animals cannot reach out for help, so I ask you to please protect our oaks, oak savanna and chaparral, wetlands, and watersheds as you consider the impact of your every decision. Donna Mackiewicz