Prologue to USACE Letter

Early last week, a large portion of the membership of the RRWC received an appeal for endorsement of a letter of protest which evolved out of a "emergency" meeting of RRWC members at the EC on 16 August. This ad hoc assembly was sparked, in turn, by the USACE's freshly-issued bulletin oncerning the Vino Farms riprap application. The protest letter (see "USACE letter" ) was led in by the following intro:

Dear RRWC Member:

Many of us have been participating reluctantly in the RRWC process, more in a defensive mode now, with real expectations fading for the Council as an opportunity for cooperative development of sound, nature-based watershed management policy. Even those who remain positive would have to agree that there has been ample reason to remain skeptical, and feel manipulated.

The recently-issued USACE Public Notice (of August 5, pertinent parts quoted in letter to USACE) detailing Vino Farms' permit application to put in 1120 feet of riprap in the Middle Reach threw into sharp relief the main problems with the Council's current situation: another damaging project beyond the Council's reach, gratuitous use of the Council's name, and erroneous representation of the Council's mission.

It's now excruciatingly evident that in order for the council to be anything more than a clearinghouse for project and study money, major changes in the process MUST take place, and soon! That is why we are asking you to read this letter, and become a co-signer. E-mail or phone me BY THURSDAY if we can use your name. Please consider signing as an individual if your group endorsement will take longer to obtain, but include your affiliation for information only.

(signed by a member from each RRWC caucus and distributed to fellow caucus members)