2:06 AM February 23, 2012
Temp: 43°F
Wind is 7 mph from the North
KWMR Live Weather
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Low Rainfall Means North Marin Water District Customers in West Marin May See 25% Cutbacks This Summer. A partially collapsed well and likely unprecedented reductions in water flow levels in Lagunitas Creek add to the concerns. Board member Dennis Rodoni tells George Clyde that cutbacks are likely, and District Water Quality Supervisor Pablo Ramudo explains how reduced Lagunitas Creek stream flows could increase salinity in the well water.
The California Bluegrass Association's Winter Music Camp at Walker Creek Ranch Drew Over 200 Students, Young and Old, Over Presidents' Day Weekend. Local resident and musician Ingrid Noyes, the camp's Director, tells about the program, now in its third year. George Clyde samples some workshops and hears from Marshall resident and mandolin player Matt Cuyler in his second year as a student at the camp. More info about Noyes' CBA camps.
The West Marin Report Reporters are Taking the Holiday Weekend Off, so there is no news story today. We'll be back tomorrow with our usual daily news report. Happy Presidents' Day from all of us!
<No audio with this report.>
MCF Sponsored Group Launches Program to Fund 200 Units of New or Rehabilitated Housing for Marin Farm Workers in Five Years. Marin Community Foundation President and CEO Dr. Thomas Peters tells George Clyde that ranchers can apply now to learn more about low-cost financing and grant opportunities to be funded from various sources through the Marin Workforce Housing Trust, and dairy rancher John Taylor of Bianchini Ranch / Bivalve Dairy explains the program and why he will apply.
After Four Years of Workshops, Hearings and Hard Work, the Planning Commission Has Approved a Draft Revision of the Policies and Zoning for the Coastal Zone; Supervisors Next. Principal Planner Jack Liebster and CDA Assistant Director Tom Lai fend off minor changes to the draft LCP that would further delay the approval, while Commissioner Wade Holland expresses his frustration with the hurried process. George Clyde reports.
Additional News <not on audio>: The California Coastal Commission has sent a letter to Kevin Lunny of Drakes Bay Oyster Company demanding that he respond to charges his oyster boats were illegally in restricted parts of the estuary, and that his company is responsible for plastic debris - charges which Lunny disputes. Links to Lynn Axelrod's article in the West Marin Citizen and to the Coastal Commission's letter.
New Mercury TMDL for Tomales Bay Will Not Require Additional Action. At a workshop prior to publishing the new TMDL, Water Board engineers Keith Lichton and Carrie Austin say that remediation measures under the current TMDLs are reducing mercury levels sufficiently, but precautions continue for eating Tomales Bay fish. Andrea Blum reports.
Additional news <not on audio>: Two Republican Senators have written to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar asking why charges by Dr. Corey Goodman respecting Jon Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service, remain unanswered and were not revealed during Mr. Jarvis' nomination proceedings, among other questions. Link to a report by David Mitchell on his website, Sparsely Sage and Timely.
Three Local Businesses Report Increases in 2011 and Outline Their Plans for This Year. Sandy Wollenberg of Coyuchi, Dennis Langer of The Palace Market and John Granatir of Blue Waters Kayaking tell the West Marin Chamber of Commerce about how they did last year, and predict further improvement for 2012 in light of growing tourist interest in West Marin. George Clyde reports.