The Loma Prietan - November/December 2009

The July/August Loma Prietan reported that Arizona-based developer DMB Associates has unveiled a proposal to pave over 1400 acres of Cargill Salt Ponds, an existing FEMA flood zone and historical tidal wetland, with up to 12,000 homes, one million square feet of office, retail, and public buildings, and a new community of possibly 30,000 people. The plan includes just 440 acres for wetland restoration.

Objections to the project address the wisdom of building in flood-prone lowlands, increased congestion on already clogged Highway 101, concern about where fresh water is to come from, and the potential costs of maintaining a development that may depend on pumping to keep foundations and crawl spaces dry.

On August 10, 2009, The Redwood City Council voted unanimously to retain consultants and legal counsel to review the development. Interested readers can review the DMB plan at www.redwoodcity.org/cds/planning by clicking on The Saltworks Proposal.

Cynthia Denny and David Walling are members of the Chapter's Wetland Committee.