Protecting the Environment: Fire Safety, Waterfront and Park Preservation, Sensitive Transportation Options

By Eleanor E. Pepples

We must protect our environment from the threat of catastrophic fire, protect our waterfront from development, and develop more sensitive means of transportation for our residents.

The incumbent has had eight years to build a new hills firestation and hasn't delivered.

We must protect and preserve our parks and take every opportunity to protect open space from unreasonable development.

FIRE SAFETY & FIRE PREPAREDNESS: We must not forget that the only reason the October 1991 Oakland/Berkeley fire did not do more damage to the Berkeley hills is because the wind changed direction that day. We must act quickly to adequately prepare our City and our district from the risk of catastrophic fire. District 6 is particularly at risk. Given our proximity to Tilden Park, we face the threat of both wild and urban fire.

In order to adequately protect our district from fire hazards, it is essential that the City not only build a new fire station in the hills, but also increase the number of fire fighters at each station. The current staffing level is three fire fighters per station. However, there is a two in two out policy that means that fire fighters actually have to wait for enough staff before they can start fighting an urban fire. The current number of 3 per engine does not even meet OSHA requirements or NFPA guidelines for the safety of the fire fighters, much less the safety of our City. Even Berkeley's General Plan recognizes that the optimal level for efficiency and safety is set between 4 and 5 per station; however, it provides no plan to achieve this staffing level. Because fire fighters are cross-trained as paramedics, increasing their number benefits the residents in two ways: increased fire safety and faster delivery of emergency medical response services. We must do more to protect our families and our property.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT: WATERFRONT & LAND USE: Environmental and land use issues are critical to the development of Berkeley in the next decade. Wherever possible and feasible, Eleanor is a proponent of efforts to protect and preserve open space. In addition, she believes that the City must be aggressive in its efforts to devise and implement environmentally sound solutions to the myriad problems facing our region. Among the specific issues facing the City are the following:

Air Quality Studies: Berkeley's residents would benefit from more air quality monitoring stations than we have today. In addition to the four stations (two near I-80 and two closer to Martin Luther King Way), Eleanor would propose adding at least two more stations. One potentially could be located near downtown Berkeley and another set back from I-80 to support monitoring the new Waterfront Park system.

The Berkeley Marina: Eleanor would like to see a revitalized Berkeley Marina. The Marina is one of the special and unique areas in our City. This area should be preserved and enhanced to facilitate environmentally sensitive water-related activities, such as sailing and wind-surfing. It's time the city replaced the dilapidated docks and paved the uneven parking areas.

East Shore State Park: This area is ideally suited for a bird and wildlife preserve. We must preserve and protect the area, carefully balancing the tension between accessibility and impact on wildlife. Any plans for this area must recognize the primary purpose of waterfront park: enabling residents and visitors alike to appreciate the unique aspects of our beautiful shoreline and its animal inhabitants. The City of Berkeley's interest in generating jobs and revenues are valuable and important goals in general, but are not appropriately fulfilled through waterfront development.

Creek Restoration in Berkeley: A reasonableness standard should be applied in deciding whether to preserve and restore creeks. For example, Marin Avenue is an ancient creek. Does Eleanor Pepples think we should remove that artery into the Berkeley Hills? Absolutely not. Does she think that we should protect and restore creeks where it is possible and feasible? Yes.

SENSITIVE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS: Given the increasing congestion in the Bay Area and the fact that many of Berkeley residents work outside our city, transportation alternatives are essential. Any efforts that reduce the emissions from automobiles can only help our environment. For that reason, Eleanor is a strong proponent of BART, AC Transit busses, shuttles, car pools and the use of electric cars to reduce the pollution from gas burning vehicles. In particular, AC Transit serves a very important role in the delivery of high quality public transportation in our city. Eleanor Pepples would like to see more frequent bus service throughout Berkeley. If we make our public transportation more convenient, we can encourage more residents to commute by bus instead of by car or sport utility vehicle. Eleanor also supports the development of a new ferry system, but believes that it must be implemented with the cooperation of environmental organizations to ensure wildlife and habitat protection.

Eleanor Pepples supports County Measure B.