Supervisor Hopkins rolls over for wine industry….again. Seriously no tension between rural and agriculture (alcohol farming)? “I don’t see a tension between rural and agricultural,” Hopkins said. “I really believe that agriculture is part of our rural character and that…
Dear Editor: County residents increasingly recognize that a moratorium on new wine industry permits is needed until long-promised tourism event regulations are in place and enforced. (“Moratorium on wineries sought,” August 7) Tennis Wick, the head of Permit Sonoma, states…
“Napa’s oaks have become a flashpoint in the story of wine’s takeover. Ninety-five per cent of those on the valley floor have been felled, the vast majority replaced by grapes. Now developers are eyeing the surrounding hillsides. “With great success…
We urge you to write a letter if you live in this neighborhood, you know traffic is bad already. This project will be open 7 days a week. Add to this the huge project right down the street on Occidental…
A response to the mass emailing campaign by the Sonoma County wine industry. We all want peace and quality neighborhoods to raise our children and grow old in. Please consider sending your thoughts to your supervisor. Currently the supervisors are allowing…
By Mike Dunne in the Sacramento Bee A new book by an expert on the Napa Valley isn’t hopeful about the direction Napa has taken: water availability, traffic congestion, pollution and erosion in the valley, and corporate takeover of…
From our friends at Preserve Rural Sonoma County: Several Sonoma County groups and their representatives have appealed the September 21st Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) approval of a large winery and event center at 7097 Westside Road near Healdsburg, the site of historic…
Update: Skirting Protections http://www.pressdemocrat.com/opinion/7459500-181/thursdays-letters-to-the-editor EDITOR: The recent article about proposed development along Old Redwood Highway on the outskirts of Santa Rosa is an example of efforts to skirt protections for open space and greenbelts (“Cloverleaf Ranch a family affair for…
What part of cumulative impacts, flawed traffic studies, making significant environmental damage a Mitigated Negative Declaration to by pass environmental issues and back dating permits to get wineries in compliance are Napa and Sonoma County officials not getting? http://napavalleyregister.com/eagle/news/local/mystery-group-challenges-napa-s-winery-environmental-reviews/article_4eda5bfd-dc0a-56cb-b510-0827a52bee13.html Challenge to Napa’s…
A prominent environmental law firm has told Napa County: You have a pattern and practice of failing to comply with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Correct this, or we will make sure you do! In a letter dated August 11,…
We agree that PRMD bends over backwards to mitigate anything the wine industry wants. We believe a moratorium on all winery/events permits until a countywide cumulative impact report is completed should be enacted. As for the “studies” used to mitigate the…
Napa Valley Register by Barry Eberling – Updated Nov 20, 2016 People waged the Walt Ranch battle in the Napa County Board of Supervisors chamber and on the street. County supervisors on Friday opened what will be a multi-day hearing…
It is a fight over the limits of land ownership. Other Napa land owners are paying keen attention to the outcome as more vineyards are planned. It has taken Hall Winery, owner of the 2,300 acre Walt Ranch, a decade…
The “green deserts” keep taking their toll…….nothing lives but the vines. COMMENTS FROM THE ARTICLE: Shepherd Bliss Birds are far more important to nature’s balance than the invasive wine grape. “Silent Spring” was the book by scientist Rachel Carson, l962,…
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/events/5973816-181/napa-wine-tourism-growth?artslide=0 PUBLIC COMMENTS TO ARTICLE: Shepherd Bliss • 2 days ago As an organic food farmer in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, I am alarmed by the Napafication of our county by the bloated wine industry. Napa County vinters like “bad apple”…
Is this what peak wine looks like? http://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/5979046-181/walt-ranch-vineyard-project-in BILL SWINDELL THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | August 16, 2016, 7:51PM An environmental group filed an appeal Tuesday with the Napa County Board of Supervisors over a controversial vineyard conversion project that is…
