Point Reyes Light - December 4, 2003
Programs encourage & discourage wood fires
By Andrew Pridgen
A series of actions this week by the County of Marin will particularly affect West Marin:
· A rebate program introduced to "encourage homeowners to replace old woodstoves and fireplace inserts." For an undisclosed "limited time," residents can get rebates of $250 when they remove their old woodstoves or inserts and dispose of them at an approved dumping site – as long as they install an "EPA Phase II-rated woodstove appliance." More rebate information is available at <www.maringreenbuilding.org>.
On the other hand, for those not getting rid of their woodstoves, the nonprofit Community Action Marin is offering free firewood to qualifying families. Cords of wood, or up to $300 in cooking gas, are available through the program. Those interested can call 485-1489.
· Supervisors officially took ownership of Stinson Beach Village Green II, which is on the site of the town’s former gas station. Turning over the green to operation by the county Public Works Department was the Stinson Beach Village Association.
· Supervisors also approved the first reading of an ordinance which would increase several fees for farmers and ranchers seeking to become a part of the Marin Organic Certified Agricultural program.
"It is a certification program that is conducted by the Ag Commissioner’s Office," said Kinsey aide Liza Crosse. "Marin is the first county in the US to undertake an organic certification program."
The fee increases, Crosse said, would be to cover staff time spent on paperwork, as well as visiting farms to ensure members and potential members meet program guidelines. The county hopes that by raising fees it will bring in another $3,240 to help fund the program.
In addition, the ordinance would simplify the language of these guidelines. "Simplification would hopefully encourage people to be certified," said Crosse. Supervisors will vote on the ordinance at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16.
· Supervisors discussed in closed session whether to appeal SPAWN’s trial-court victory against the county. In early November, Marin Superior Court Judge Lynn Duryee agreed with the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network that the county had failed to meet requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act when it approved construction of a home proposed near San Geronimo Creek. County supervisors are still deciding whether to appeal Judge Duryee’s ruling that the county had failed to do an adequate environmental review of Josh Hedlund’s plans before the board approved them.