“County Staff continually asserts that they consulted with “stakeholders”. I know for a fact that they most certainly did NOT consult with any stakeholders who raised concerns about the regulations. There were many of us – both individuals and groups – who were never asked for input and who, moreover, were told directly by county counsel that we could only provide input at the public hearings.”
For the Public Comments File – Objection to certification of the Sonoma County fire ordinance
Members of the Board of Forestry,
Sonoma County residents have been raising safe fire roads issues with the Board of Supervisors for over 2 and a half years.
In October of 2018 the concern was at such a level that several residents met with County Counsel, Permit Sonoma and a fire official to discuss these issues. They were alarmed when County Staff said that all roads built before 1991 were exempt from any regulations. Several residents were so concerned that they consulted and hired legal counsel who sent a letter to County Counsel challenging the County’s approach in November of 2018. County Counsel’s response in January of 2019 was incomprehensible, illogical and failed to explain why the County’s approach was legal or consistent with the Cal Fire regulations. Residents responded with a detailed analysis and specific examples, but County Counsel refused to meet or discuss further.
Residents then wrote opinion pieces addressing the Fire Safe Roads issue which were published in the Press Democrat (the major Sonoma County newspaper) and the San Francisco Chronicle in early 2019. Copies of these opinion pieces were sent to all the members of the Board of Supervisors.
Residents continued to raise concerns. In August of 2020 when the revised ordinance was adopted their comments at the hearing were ignored and the Chair of the Board ridiculed residents’ concerns as being “emotional”. The Board discussion focused on concerns about stifling development. They made no effort to explain why development on long, narrow dead-end roads was safe or that the ordinance could be reconciled with the Cal Fire regs.
- BOF members can listen to the entire August 4, 2020 hearing (about an hour) at http://sonoma-county.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1034 It begins at 7 hours, 8 minutes
County Staff continually asserts that they consulted with “stakeholders”. I know for a fact that they most certainly did NOT consult with any stakeholders who raised concerns about the regulations. There were many of us – both individuals and groups – who were never asked for input and who, moreover, were told directly by county counsel that we could only provide input at the public hearings.
Written by Fire Safe Road Team