Point Reyes Light - November 9, 2000

Lawson’s Landing will need EIR for upgrade

By Gregory Foley

After a series of objections by West Marin environmentalists, county planners have canceled a Monday, Nov. 13 public hearing by Marin Planning Commissioners on whether Lawson’s Landing campground in Dillon Beach should be allowed to upgrade its sewer system and visitor facilities.

Planning commissioners were scheduled to first consider the planning staff’s decision that the project would not require an environmental-impact report. The panel was then set to decide whether it would approve a new Lawson’s Landing masterplan along with a series of permits.

Dean Powell, principal planner for the Marin Community Development Agency, said Tuesday that Marin Environmental Coordinator Tim Haddad late last month changed his mind about the EIR, after several scientists working with environmental groups including the Environmental Action Committee argued that the project does indeed need an EIR under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Dune ecology

"We received a lot of comments from environmental groups in West Marin, primarily about the septic system, the impact on wetlands, and the intensity of use," Powell said. "Several specialists in dune ecology studied the situation and provided a reasonable doubt about the Negative Declaration."

Powell explained that Lawson’s Landing property owners Bill and Nancy Vogler – who were told of the county’s decision roughly 10 days ago – can either appeal that decision to the county Planning Commission or agree to hire a consultant and move ahead with the EIR.

If the Voglers were to go ahead with paying for an EIR, Powell noted, the proposal would be removed altogether from the Planning Commission agenda and would probably not be considered by commissioners until well into next year.

233 RVs & 1,000 cars

Although the site has been approved by the state Department of Housing and Community Development to accommodate 233 recreational vehicles and 1,000 cars, it does not operate with a county permit since it was established before one was required.

The owners have made repeated efforts since the early 1990s to update the decades-old facilities and get them legalized.

The main issue is the sewage-treatment system proposed for the RV park and campground. The EAC and other groups have opposed the project moving forward without extensive study of the system’s impact on the property’s sand-dune ecosystem, which would be used as a leachfield.

The dunes are considered by some scientists to be one of the last healthy examples of its kind on the California coast.

In addition, North Marin Water District, in a letter to Powell, noted that the septic system proposed for Lawson’s Landing "does not address compliance with the August 1989 Dillon Beach Community Plan policies and objectives" in several areas.

The letter points out that the community plan prohibits development of the dune area except for "treated sewage disposal in the dunes if the operating entity is a public agency."

Point Reyes Light Cover | News | Coastal Traveler