Enlight 21

Stop shoreline degradation in Redwood City

Author: Gladwyn d'Souza | Category: Environment | Health | Date: 07-08-2020

Dear Editor,

One of the worst companies in the world for human rights violations and environmental degradation wants to build a small city the size of Belmont in the bay. The Trump administration brought back an environmentally destructive project by dumping the salt pond bay lands out of the Clean Water Act.

Trump has also made it easier for corporations to kill the shore birds that nest at the salt ponds by diluting the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. And Trump has further narrowed the Clean Water Act to eliminate additional bodies of water. California responded last week with a state law enshrining protection for migratory birds and a new state regulation setting definitions that expand protection to smaller wetlands and seasonal waterways.

Now we need local jurisdictions like Redwood City to take similar charge of shoreline protection including bird nesting habitat. Please save the salt ponds in Redwood City for open space.

Sincerely,

Gladwyn d'Souza

Co-Chair, Conservation Committee, Loma Prieta Chapter, Sierra Club