12/11/2002
The Stream Setback Ordinance is a detailed, complex attempt to satisfy the Board of Supervisor's direction that such an ordinance be drafted. Obviously much work has been completed to get it to this stage. Just to read all of the information is overwhelming.
Something to think about:
If it were possible to calculate the amount of mud created during a rainy, one-day period by hikers in California, the resulting siltation and degradation of our streams and rivers might be staggering. Say, hypothetically, that one rainy day of hiking created 50 cubic yards of soil erosion. We then multiply that number by the number of rainy days, say 40, per year and we arrive at 2000 cubic yards of silt being deposited in our waterways per year. That is the equivalent of 200 dump truck loads! This is a terrible thing. it must be causing undue harm to the riparian habitat. Statistics are discovered and created backing up our belief. The logical thing to do is to create a law that forbids all hiking on rainy days. A law is drafted, revised and passed with relative ease due to our efforts in previous similar legislation which we have incrementally introduced .We feel good in giving up our right to rainy-day hiking for the sake of the environment.
Fortunately, through an exemption process, hiking is allowed on rainy days for those of us who can prove, by hiring certified professionals, that we won't cause environmental damage. And, of course, the Director overseeing all hiking activities needs to deem the exemption appropriate.
Yes, we are working at protecting our environment.or, at least, it feels like it.
It seems to me that the Stream Setback Ordinance is not that far-removed from the hypothetical situation described above. It is hard to believe our waterways are in serious jeopardy when seemingly valid information indicates significant reduction in siltation. Though endless statistics are brought forward as evidence, I wonder if we sometimes can't see the forest for the trees.
Back to the hiking scenario:
Yes, we have reduced the amount of siltation from 2000 cubic yards to a scientifically estimated 500 cubic yards.
Of course what we didn't know was that one slide, from one stream, on one day, caused by Mother Nature, injected 20,000 cubic yards of silt into one stream.
Viewing the universe through a microscope creates a skewed picture of reality. When micro-management is used to control our lives and property in the name of the environment, that information is likely skewed in relationship to the overall picture.
Sometimes it's a good thing to get away from the microscope and open our eyes to the entire picture. Logical reason should be used in applying valid information into the creation of new laws. Using a sledgehammer to kill a fly doesn't make sense, especially if a flyswatter is available. Those that back their positions with reams of documentation don't necessarily have the answers except as is applies to their agenda.
It is our obligation to ask hard questions of those who would control every aspect of our lives.
Dennis Watson
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