MAY 2021 DROUGHT EMERGENCY DECLARED IN MARIN

Dear RGM Supporters,

Marin is experiencing the worst drought on record, imposing mandatory water use restrictions with a 40% reduction in consumption by residents. Sonoma Water cut exports to Marin by 20%.

MMWD MEETING JUNE 1, 2021

Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) board met to discuss the drought and the controversial service connection ban amid debate over housing and the environment. 

Resident’s voiced concerns over the lack of water for current demand and issuance of new water hook up permits to accommodate state housing mandates requiring 14,000 new units by 2030. 

MMWD delays their decision on hook up pause.

MMWD MEETING JUNE 15th, 2021

Final determination on new hook ups to be discussed at this meeting. We encourage you to attend, ask questions and stay informed.

RGM’S QUESTIONS ABOUT WATER USE AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS:

• What specifically are the plans for long term water use? How long will residents need to decrease water use? Will changes be permanent?

• What additional water and infrastructure will be needed for 14,000 additional housing units? Where will funding for this additional water & infrastructure come from?

• Will the State, City and Water District, considering the seriousness of the drought, mandate that new projects include low water use appliances, purple pipe/grey water systems (not just irrigation), water capture/recycling (permeable surface as opposed to hardscape to reduce water run-off) and heat control - drought tolerant grass or alternatives?

RGM’S COMMITMENT

RGM supports responsible new housing accompanied by necessary infrastructure improvement that will add to the vitality of our community without overtaxing our resources. We will continue to monitor the MMWD and our state representatives in regards to actions that will affect local development such as plans at Northgate. We will keep our supporters and the community informed.

NORTHGATE UPDATE

In April, after San Rafael officials reviewed the Northgate Town Square application, they issued a Completeness Review Package requesting additional information, thus extending the application submission date to June 10 or later. 

We are currently waiting for the updated project application to be submitted.  Once the application is deemed complete by the City, the application will proceed to two hearings at which public input will be extremely important: 

• an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping hearing (where the content of what is to be included in the EIR study is decided)

• a joint session of the Planning Commission and the Design Review Board to review the conceptual design.   

RGM will let you know the dates for each via an email so be prepared to mark the dates on your calendar and attend or send an email to make your views known.

Please periodically visit the RGM Calendar, be on the lookout for our emails and if not already on our mailing list, please sign up to stay updated.

PUBLIC MEETING FORMAT CHANGES

Starting on June 15, 2021, public comment for City Council and Planning Commissions will change in the following ways: 

• Public comment will no longer be received through YouTube live chat.

• Correspondence will need to be submitted by 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting to be published online and forwarded to the City Council. Any correspondence received after that deadline will be included with the record the following day.

• The City Clerk's office will no longer read comments aloud into the public record.

Here are the following ways you can provide public comment: 

• Submit public comment in writing before 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting.

• Join the Zoom webinar and use the 'raise hand' feature to provide verbal public comment.

Dial-in to Zoom's telephone number using the meeting ID and provide verbal public comment.

SAN RAFAEL VACANCY POSITIONS

Want to help shape the future of San Rafael and give back to your community?

Currently there are two vacancies. Do your skills match the positions? Someone you might know?

• Design Review Board, (see page 3) consists of design professionals who provide advice on new development projects and most exterior changes to existing buildings.

• Planning Commission, (see page 6) advise on land use and property development issues.

DID YOU KNOW? A GLIMPSE INTO OUR PAST…

HISTORY OF THE MIWOKS

Marin County was established and built on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Miwok. The Miwok people inhabited northern California dating back some 3000 years according to anthropologists who located artifacts in southern Sonoma County.

San Rafael was first inhabited by the Coast Miwok people, with a peak pre-European population of about 1,500. Settlements existed in what is now Downtown San Rafael (Nanaguani), Terra Linda (Ewu), and Marinwood (Shotomko-cha). The Miwok developed a rich culture and complex language. They were sustained by abundant natural resources.

In 1770, the state-wide Miwok population totaled about 11,000. European settlement began in 1817. After the Mission period ended in the 1830s, the Miwok population had been severely reduced by European diseases brought by white settlers and missionaries, displacement, and federal policies of removal and genocide. By 1910, the Miwok population was reduced to 671. 

The Miwoks had their land stolen from them first by the Spanish and then the Mexicans using land grants that placed the Miwoks in forced servitude. Land grants in San Rafael and its environs eventually became ranches and farms. In 1958 the federal government “terminated” the recognition of the Miwok tribes along with other tribes. In 2000, new legislation was signed granting a group called the Federated Coast Miwok (500 registered members) to restore full rights. 

To date, Coast Miwok people are still here, relearning their culture and language, and advocating for land to be designated for their ceremonial practices.  They are one of two Tribal groups, alongside the Southern Pomo, who comprise the citizenship of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria

(History references: San Rafael 2040 General Plan, Marin County 2030 Climate Action Plan, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria website)

STAY CONNECTED

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