Clean Water. Mission Creek.

By Keith J. Coffman-Grey

I favor efforts that remove concrete from the banks of Mission Creek but allow adequate flood control on its lower portion. I agree with the Planning Commission's recent proposal for lower Mission Creek - a natural-bed with riprap banking, trees and adequate landscaping, and this proposal I understand includes removal of concrete upstream as well.

But even these cleanup efforts could affect plants and animals in the area, and I favor efforts to protect the tidewater gobies during and after this lower creek naturalization process.

I support Project Clean Water, which private environmental groups and local governments have created to improve pollution control in the waterways and ocean. I stand opposed to the pollutants and toxic pesticides that, along with the concrete embankments, harm the habitats of the species that reside near and in the river.

As a community leader who endorsed Measure B and was on the "Yes on B" Committee, I spent many months educating on this issue, and we sent out hundreds of listservices, postcards and email alerts to help pass the Measure with nearly 70% of the City voters.

Additionally, as a concerned citizen, I have attended the newly-formed Creeks Advisory Committee to make sure the money raised from the bed tax revenues is indeed being steered in the right direction. We must ensure the best results possible from Measure B clean creeks money, and I will remain open to creative ways in which the City can empower property owners near creeks to reduce pollutants.