Page 4 - Sonoma County Gazette - May, 2018

LETTERS cont’d from page 3
Grape Cultivation
Albert, you are correct - In the previous year I had two articles on how to divert roof off into swales that replenish the groundwater system.
My question is simple...how
exactly does the wine industry benefit our economy? Does it pay for our roads that tourists drive and bike
all over to taste test? Does it pay for housing for the multitude of service workers behind the scenes...out in the vineyards working under sometimes deplorable conditions? Does it pay for our children’s education? Does it pay to keep our waters clean and clear?
I wanted to thank you for your
well written and researched article
on grape cultivation. I’ve been a local anti-pesticide advocate in Sonoma County for several years (focusing mainly on getting pesticides out of schools and parks) and have started to slowly educate myself on the status quo in grape growing.
As to yard waste - people in housing developments rarely have room for yard waste - even I take it to be composted since it takes a good two years to naturally compost the material - I don’t have the patience for a composter Out here in the woods we have rat issues so try to keep rat attracting piles at a minimum.
As Aleta says, let’s address the elephant in the room. It’s looming large.
I went to Pam Strayers talk in Sebastopol a couple weeks ago (perhaps you were there?) and was very glad to see your well-timed article in the Gazette.
As to loose stones - I am not fond of them, either - I use crushed shale on my paths and did when I had landscaping clients - but there are people who want the look of loose rocks - and putting landscaping fabric under the rocks does nothing to discourage weeds.
Our county is forever changed. It’s lost so much of its charm with the rape of the land, outrageous water usage, continued building of wineries, and more and more venues to ‘taste’ and be entertained.
I’ve been working on Sonoma County Conservation Action’s Toxic Free Future campaign and could
see some of those efforts focused on grape growing/worker’s rights in the future. I know there are a handful of other nonprofits that would also be interested in working on this issue. Keep me in mind if you decide to pursue this work further.
I ran an article a few months back on the difference between mulch and compost. I like to mulch with compost personally.
I appreciate your article Aleta, thank you. ...and I personally, don’t mind demonizing the industry. It’s theirs to own.
Thanks again! Megan Kaun
I’m totally in love with Bayer Farm - so you are one of the magic people who makes that place thrive! Thank you! ~ Vesta
Jude Mariah
Riparian Restoration
Hi Jude, Thank you for your input on my article in the April issue. I understand your skepticism surrounding the wine industry and the apparent damage it does to our environment.
Balanced Perspective
I am writing to call attention
to the good work of the Russian Riverkeeper, because of their monumental efforts in watershed restoration. Specifically in bank stabilization projects on privately owned properties where erosion was once a problem.
But we also must give credit where it
is due. Wine has put Sonoma County
on the map as a tourist destination,
and whether you think that’s good or
bad, it does generate revenue. All those tourists are paying taxes while they’re here, which does contribute towards road improvement, public services, human services, education, and environmental advancements. These tourists are
also patronizing other businesses like restaurants, hotels, and shops, most of which are owned by locals and all of whom employ locals.
I am surprised and delighted
to hear this healthy and balanced perspective, so notably lacking in public forum and local politics. My compliments to the author.
Thank you for publishing this!! Sincerely,
Laura Morgan
It is great to see a non-governmental organization and private land owners working together to restore healthy riparian conditions in the Russian River watershed. These types of restoration projects are essential in maintaining healthy water conditions for people, salmonids, and the wildlife of our watershed.
The wine industry itself directly employs 7,830 people in Sonoma County, who make an average of $16.34/hour.
I’m writing to take exception to the advice of S. Y. of Grab’N’Grow, et. al: in the 3/18 15th annual G.R.G. It is so dated now & was bad advice when “en Vogue” to route roof runoff off premises to storm drains! Dig a “drywell” or 2, keep it on
site, replenish the aquifer! Creeks overflow from runoff, are polluted unnecessarily.
I am writing this letter in hopes that property owners will consider restoring riparian buffer zones where stream banks have been degraded.
A trend like this could reduce the amount of sedimentation and aid in the recovery of the watershed.
There are many ways that we can criticize the wine industry, and many ways in which they can improve their business and farming practices, but to say that they offer no benefit to Sonoma County at all would be inaccurate.
The same principle applies to the pruned material, keep it on site; start a compost pile! Do not send it miles away for processing; then buy back as a soil amendment with petrofuel both ways. “I don’t care where it goes, as long as it’s away” is for Ostriches, not the informed!
Eric Woodruff
Keep Compost at Home!
Thank you for all your hard work. I have enjoyed watching the growth of the Gazette, a truly “local” paper.
4 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 5/18
Bike safety should be a big part of our community outreach.
My hope is that we can find a balance. Ideally, our place on the map as a wine destination would remain, but in such a way that is environmentally sustainable and not so financially top heavy.
It’s a great and wonderful thing to see so many on bikes.
Encouraging more winegrowers to become more biodynamic, and supporting the ones who already are, would be the first step in moving the process along towards a more sustainable future.
Lastly, the bit about aggregates; compacted material is great but after a few years of leaf litter on loose stones you get weeds which can be a real pain to remove.
In the past few weeks I have almost been hit twice by a young cyclist.
Thank you again for your response. ~ Aleta Parseghian
Thanks for your time,
Albert Bruin, the Composter (40+ years, winner 1st - 4th/ Best of
Once, at a blind corner on the West side of Sonoma and once walking out of an Orthopedic office in Sonoma on First St. West.
Show Compost, 2010 Sonoma County Harvest Fair, for Bayer Farm/Juilliard Park C.G., only time ever entered in competition.)
Both time these kids were going too fast on a sidewalk and seemed to be not aware.
Bicycle Safety
Think of how good that is for our precious planet and its carbon footprint.
LETTERS cont’d on page 5