The Health and Safety of Mt. Tamalpais and the Marin Community

By Liza Crosse

Some of you have expressed concern about the distortion of facts and misinformation being spread regarding fire risk management and any potential use of herbicides of the Watershed.

I am happy to address those concerns and provide a clear position.

I oppose spraying herbicides on the watershed.

However, there are some things for which I have an absolute commitment -- as a MMWD Boardmember, and your representative.

Some of you have expressed concern about the distortion of facts and misinformation being spread regarding fire risk management and any potential use of herbicides of the Watershed.

I am happy to address those concerns and provide a clear position.

I oppose spraying herbicides on the watershed.

However, there are some things for which I have an absolute commitment -- as a MMWD Boardmember, and your representative.

I will always: 1) seek to provide our community with the greatest amount of factual data so that the community can be educated and come to an informed decision.

2) promote a robust, healthy, and informed public process prior to any decision that holds such an impact for our community as a whole.

3) seek to present the most comprehensive set of options -- without personal prejudice or judgement -- so that everyone in our community always has an equal voice in the discussion, and a clear, educated understanding of the processes and options available.

Here are the FACTS of the process:

The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) ceased the use of any herbicide in the watershed in 2007, and no herbicide has been used in the watershed since.

The MMWD is responsible for approximately 20,000 acres of watershed lands on Mt. Tamalpais. We now have an urgent and severe fire threat caused in significant part by an infestation of invasive, non-native, and highly flammable vegetation -- particularly French and Scotch Broom, which currently covers over 1000 acres and is spreading rapidly. This biological disaster threatens native habitats and species and presents our entire community with dire fire and water management danger.

Not only does fire risk human life and property, but it would also cause tremendous long-term damage to our water supply. The status quo is not acceptable.

The MMWD board members feel a strong responsibility for addressing this very critical issue in a way that keeps our community safe, keeps our watershed healthy, does not cause an undue cost burden to water consumers, and is line with Marin County values. We take this commitment very seriously.

In 2012, prior to my appointed to the MMWD Board, a Vegetation Management Plan was drafted (but not approved), which studies two approaches for addressing the very grave threat. We are now under way with the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) due mid-2015.*

These studies include reviews of the effectiveness of a number of management methods applied in similar circumstances around the world.

The MMWD serves you. It's our job to provide the community with all of the facts, science, options, and data so that -- together -- we can make informed decisions based on an assessment of the risks, benefits, and costs. No approach has been approved -- nor would it be approved without the scientific facts from the EIR, and a vigorous, inclusive, and informed community discussion.

Neither approach includes general spraying of glyphosate.

If you have any questions, I remain happy to go over those with you. Also please feel free to visit our issues page on the website for a more in-depth perspective.

I look forward to a robust public debate, once the reports are complete mid-2015.

I hope everyone will join in this extremely vital, timely, and important discussion.

Thank you! Liza Crosse

• The EIR is required by California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) to comply California Environmental Law.