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Tuesday's Internet Edition, January 06, 2009.
Wilton Action Group studies land use, farming issues
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Photo by Fran Soto
Charlotte Mitchell, executive director of the Sacramento chapter of the Farm Bureau, gives a presentation on Nov. 20 to Wilton Acton Group members on the Farm Bureau's activities in the area.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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Members of the Wilton Action Group (WAG) gathered Thursday, Nov. 20 for another education session as they await the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission's (LAFCo) response to Elk Grove's move to incorporate the Cosumnes River floodplain into their city limits. "It is a slow process," said Wilton resident Bill Kutzer, who is spearheading the effort to fight Elk Grove's intrusion into the floodplain. Kutzer added, "I didn't realize how long some of these things can go."
As the community waits, Kutzer has invited speakers to WAG monthly meetings in an effort to stay active and engaged in this issue.
Representing the Sacramento chapter of the Farm Bureau, Charlotte Mitchell, executive director, spoke on issues concerning Farm Bureau as well as its history. "The Farm Bureau is a non-government entity that represents the farmer," said Mitchell, who describes herself as a third generation farmer married to a fifth generation farmer. "Our purpose is to protect and promote the farming industry."
Although only two employees staff the Sacramento chapter, Mitchell emphasized the extent of activities, events and issues the office is pursuing. Activities include safety seminars for farm employees and employers, a health and safety fair and the annual golf classic and dinner to raise funds to purchase animals at the California State Fair.
Mitchell reported that their newest endeavor was the study of growing and buying local. "We are looking at what is in the county and what we can offer," she said. "This program is tailored to help specialty farmers." Mitchell said that specialty farms as small as two to five acres were part of the study. She added that more information is available on their website at www.sacfarmbureau.org.
Emphasizing that the Farm Bureau was not at this time in support or in opposition of topics currently under discussion, Mitchell said those subjects include groundwater, the Delta, air and water quality regulations, the Williamson Act, habitat conservation, efforts to combat cockfighting and issues involving Elk Grove's Sphere of Influence (SOI) application to LAFCo.
"We've not taken a position on the SOI but have expressed concern that it be studied thoroughly," she said. Mitchell did add that, in her personal opinion and not speaking for the Farm Bureau, she was personally opposed to incorporating the floodplain that could be developed into another American parkway. "I see no need to have farmland in the City of Elk Grove," she said.
Mitchell gave a brief history of the Farm Bureau since its inception in 1917. "When looking back at the minutes in 1917, you find they were concerned with the same issues as today," she said. Mitchell also said there are 3,000 members in Sacramento. The Farm Bureau is membership driven, offers benefits to members and is open to anyone, not just farmers.
Speaking on land use issues, Wilton resident Barbara Washburn gave a detailed analysis of land use law and litigation. Expanding on her address to LAFCo on the Elk Grove SOI application, which was limited to three minutes by the commission, Washburn educated WAG on Assembly Bill (AB) 32, Senate Bill (SB) 375 and Stockton vs. Sierra Club lawsuit. Washburn explained that AB 32, which was signed in 2006, was enacted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1995 levels.
Washburn explained that SB 375, signed in September 2008, was enacted to create sustainable community strategies, transportation planning and reform of housing and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). "SB 375 will stop what the SOI could cause," Washburn said. "The SOI will lead to sprawl, more production of greenhouse gases and threaten sensitive nature areas." She added that LAFCo was considering SB 375 in their discussions of the SOI application.
As an example of the growing awareness of land use planning and development patterns, Washburn cited the Stockton vs. Sierra Club lawsuit. "Stockton's general plan update didn’t consider the ramifications of CO2 emissions and would induce sprawl," she said. "The agreement stated that new development must consider emissions and change pattern of development to decrease driving and increase walking and biking." Washburn emphasized that it was a huge deal that the state was getting involved in land use planning.
In conclusion, Kutzer reported that Elk Grove City planners, the mayor and the county were exploring the idea of a greenbelt on the Cosumnes River and asked the audience for feedback. After Kutzer stated that a greenbelt could mean many things, one Wilton resident responded that to him a greenbelt meant public access.
The next WAG meeting will be Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Wilton Fire District Station 81 at the corner of Dillard and Wilton roads. To sign up for WAG alerts, Wilton residents can call 687-7542 or e-mail kutzerb@frontiernet.net.
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