Our survey was a big success, with over 428 people visiting the site, 303 of whom identified Gallinas Creek as their watershed. 82% of those surveyed were in favor of a watershed approach to managing watershed issues such as stormwater and flooding.

Read the summary of our survey by clicking on this PDF link:

GWC Watershed Survey Summary (PDF)

The survey was also featured on the front page of the Marin IJ on Nov. 12, 2011. If you took the survey – thank you! Your voice has been heard, and our survey results have been submitted to the County!

Many of you had questions so here are some answers!

TIMELINE/PROCESS:

Q: What progress has been made so far?  What is the timeline for the master watershed plan?

A: The Timeline is still being developed by Liz Lewis, Marin County DPW’s Principal Planner for the Watershed. We will have more info at our meeting on Wednesday, Feb 29 at the Korean Presbyterian Church, 7 -9 pm when Liz Lewis will present the Draft Watershed plan for Gallinas Creek. Also, the County website for our watershed is a good source of information.

VOLUNTEERING

A: Yes you can volunteer! There are many ways to contribute! Visit our website to view a list of certain jobs we can REALLY use help with. Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly board meetings. Those who have signed up also receive our monthly announcement on projects going on that we can use help with.

THE DITCH

Q: I’m sorry the Las Gallinas creek is a concrete ditch, but I have seen it filled to capacity near Scotties Market.  Try to restore that section and you will either flood out houses or see the banks washed away.

Q: This is a misguided approach.  The cement channel was put in TO PREVENT flooding and make the water go where it is suppose to.  That’s the whole problem with the Ross Valley.  WATER does not flow properly down dirt channels

A: The initial hydrology study commissioned by the Santa Margarita HOA et al shows that restoration can be done without causing flooding. A good restoration can actually alleviate flooding by giving the creek room to spread out. The Ditch was constructed to maximize building space and push water off the landscape as fast as possible. This causes flooding to downstream neighborhoods. Engineering that is creek sensitive shows that bank stabilization with trees and vegetation is more resilient and stronger than rip rap or concrete. Certainly no one wants to see erosion or flooding in any part of the watershed; that’s why a coordinated plan, based on science, is so necessary.

AIRPORT:

Q: Because of the trash and pollution that it would cause to the Gallinas Creek, is the council fighting the development proposed at the Smith Ranch Airport?

A: Sea Level Rise due to climate change will adversely impact already existing infrastructure in the coming years and cost residents more and more to maintain and protect. We think it is irresponsible to put more infrastructure into an area that is behind a levee, below sea level. The proposal will also negatively affect the endangered Clapper Rail and other species but light and noise pollution as well as the increased trash and predators (rats) that come with human habitation. We support soccer facilities closer to the public they will serve.

DREDGING:

Q: Dredging is of utmost importance.  Without dredging the excessive alluvial soil, the creeks will vanish! Is dredging the creek a viable financial option in the near future? When will we redredge?? We have been paying in to a fund for 20 years to maintain a dredged Gallinas Creek.  Because of heavy runoff from Terra Linda, our creek is almost fully silted in.  This is unacceptable, yet local agencies are dragging their heels and year after year nothing gets done.

A: Dredging will certainly be one of the issues being addressed in the country watershed plan for our area. She can answer questions at the upcoming SVNA Watershed meeting on Feb. 29.

Q: This survey monkey is flawed because someone could answer 70 surveys the exact same way…skewing the accurate results.

A: We were able to collect and use IP addresses to remove duplicate answers.

Comment: Salmon were never as high up as Safeway on Freitas Parkway!

A. Steelhead, a type of salmon, were historically seen as high up in the watershed as Scotty’s Market. Gallinas Creek was a spawning ground for them. The Freitas brothers reported swimming in the creek during the summer, so large pools existed then, before the ditch went in.