NO ON U

With Measure U, the Sonoma County Water Agency asks voters in the Santa

Rosa and Windsor areas to continue taxing themselves for a slush fund that

provides mainly for more channelizing of natural waterways in the Santa Rosa

and Mark West Creek watersheds. The claim is made that this work somehow

benefits all people in Flood Control Zone 1A.

The ballot argument for Measure U misleads when it imparts an aura of

restoration and civic duty to approval. The bulk of funds actually goes toward

making pastures and other lowlands along our watercourses safe for

development. This benefits only the owners of bordering lands.

The water agency further suggests that its projects prevent disasters. But

experience tells us that when upstream reaches of creeks are chan nelized and

stripped of vegetation, and surrounding acreage developed, rainwater runoff

will increase in volume and speed. Thus, the agency's creek work can actually

contribute to worse flooding downstream. Before asking the public to vote on

funding, the water agency should be required to describe specific projects to

be funded. Given the evidence of chronic mistreatment of our creeks and

diverse wetland treasures, let's not sign another blank check.

Vote no on Measure U.

PEETER VILMS,

Chair Sonoma County Conservation Council

Santa Rosa