Quick link: fogr.org/news
What's New?
A chronological listing of new information added to this site.
new 6/1/12
We challenge supervisor candidates for REAL action on Sonoma County forest-vineyard conversions!
We are not interested in speculative environmental policy positions, platitudes or name-calling when there are real-time, real-world tests for people in power or influence to protect our coastal forested and woodland watersheds against sprawl of vineyards.
new 5/8/12
State approves Artesa forest-to-vineyard project in Annapolis
"State forestry officials... approved a controversial timber-to-vineyard conversion project in northwest Sonoma County, following through with a decision expected months ago."
May 8, 2012, Press Democrat
new 4/16/12
What price one more bottle of wine?
Recently, when I stepped out of our chapel, the sun had just risen. A piercing cry of a mountain lion came out of the redwood trees that may soon be cut down. Probably the lion was only looking for a mate, as his ancestors have been doing for centuries. But as our neighbor, a Kashia Pomo spiritual elder, said to me a few weeks back about a similar situation, "He is crying over the loss of his home."
Brother Tolbert McCarroll, Starcross Monastic Community
new 4/7/12
Sonoma County timber-to-vineyard conversion headed for approval
"State officials signaled this week they intend to approve a controversial
timber-to-vineyard conversion project
in rural northwest Sonoma County, overruling the latest wave of objections, this time from some neighbors, local tribes and several elected officials."
April 2012, Press Democrat
new 4/7/12
FoGR asks Codorniu to withdraw their proposal
Friends of the Gualala River again asks Codorniu of Barcelona, Spain, to withdraw its controversial
Artesa Sonoma
proposal to clear-cut ~150 acres of coastal redwood forest for new vineyards to produce wine grapes.
April 2012, FoGR
new 4/7/12
Draft rules out on hillside vineyard tree removal in Sonoma County
"Sonoma County grape growers aiming to convert forested hillsides with neat rows of vineyards will have to prove their projects won't damage local waterways under draft regulations released Thursday."
April 2012, Press Democrat
new 3/26/12
Garcia River Restoration Update
by Craig Bell
Thursday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Gualala Arts Center
46501 Gualala Road
Gualala, CA 95445
Garcia River Watershed Coordinator Craig Bell
will give an update on this unique project that involves loggers, ranchers, environmentalists, fishermen and corporate interests. Craig's talk will also include information about a number of other rivers and streams along the Mendocino coast.
update 2/23/12
Open the Artesa Final EIR to public comments!
On February 9, CAL FIRE announced that it would approve,
without accepting comments from the public,
the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Artesa Winery's plan to clear-cut 154 acres of coastal redwood forest to plant vineyards in Annapolis.
After an outpouring of public concern, CAL FIRE is rethinking their next step.
new 2/21/12
Interview with Friends of the Gualala River
Several members of FoGR are interviewed by award winning radio producer Peggy Berryhill on KGUA 88.3 FM. Topics include the proposed "Preservation" Ranch and Artesa Winery vineyard conversions.
February, 2012, KGUA Radio
new 2/17/12
Artesa: Clear-cut old growth redwood trees or destroying redwood forest?
Artesa wants to correct the supposed newspaper mis-statements that they plan to clear-cut old growth redwood trees, but we can't find ANY articles that say that. We're opposed to their plan to destroy redwood forest.
new 2/16/12
Preservation Ranch Petition
"Backers of a huge mountaintop vineyard conversion project in far northwestern Sonoma County called it Preservation Ranch. Opponents call it a bad idea, and have found tens of thousands of online petition-signers who agree."
February, 2012, KRCB North Bay Report
new 2/13/12
Artesa's controversial timber-to-vineyard plan nears approval
"A project that would clear up to 146 acres of forest for vineyards in northwest Sonoma County is nearing state approval."
February, 2012, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
new 2/10/12
Stop clear-cutting redwoods to plant vineyards
Please tell the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE) to suspend certification of
Artesa Winery's
Final Environmental Impact Report and allow public comment on relevant changes in circumstances and impacts.
Read and sign the petition!
new 2/9/12
Artesa Winery vineyard conversion nears approval?
On February 9, CAL FIRE released the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
for Artesa Winery's plan to clear-cut 154 acres of coastal redwood forest to plant vineyards in Annapolis, without accepting comments from the public on the Final EIR.
The EIR states that the project will have no significant environmental or cultural impacts.
new 2/8/12
Friends of the Gualala River and supporters presented the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors with an 18 foot long copy of a petition with over 90,000 signatures opposing the giant redwood forest destroying vineyard conversion projects, Preservation Ranch and Artesa Winery / Annapolis.
new 2/8/12
CalPERS vows to push giant Preservation Ranch vineyard project
"CalPERS has ended several months of uncertainty by signaling to Sonoma County that it intends to move forward with a huge, controversial timber-to-vineyard conversion project near Annapolis."
February, 2012, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
new 2/1/12
Sonoma Co. freezes hillside vineyard conversions
"The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an emergency halt to new vineyards and orchards on forested slopes and hilltops."
January, 2012, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
update 1/27/12
Coalition asks CalPERS to withdraw Preservation Ranch proposal
Friends of the Gualala River has joined with national, California, and regional environmental organizations in asking the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to withdraw its controversial proposal to destroy nearly 1,700 acres of coastal redwood forest by clear-cutting and converting the area for new vineyards to produce wine grapes.
new 1/27/12
Moratorium would block some proposed Sonoma County vineyards
"Growing unease about a wave of vineyard projects that call for clear-cutting forested hillsides has Sonoma County officials calling for an emergency halt until new regulations are crafted."
January, 2012, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
new 1/26/12
Vintage Capital
"When it comes to investing in wine, the old saw goes something like this: How do you make a small fortune from a vineyard? Start with a large fortune."
January, 2012, Financial Advisor magazine
new 1/25/12
Public presentation on February 7
Petition opposing destruction of redwood forests
Friends of the Gualala River and supporters will present the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors with an 18 foot long copy of a petition with over 90,000 signatures opposing the giant redwood forest destroying vineyard conversion project, Preservation Ranch, on
Tuesday, February 7.
new 1/20/12
Gualala River mouth opens during rain storm
January 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
new 1/5/12
Into the Woods
"Two proposed vineyard projects in remote areas of Sonoma County are drawing the ire of neighbors and environmentalists -- but can winegrapes preserve a redwood forest?"
December, 2011, North Bay Biz
update 1/2/12
"Pídele a Codorníu que no destruya los bosques para producir sus vinos"
[Google translation:]
Ask Codorníu not to destroy forests to produce their wines
Over 40,000 people have signed a petition on Spanish website Actuable
asking Codorníu [based in Spain] not to destroy redwood forest in Sonoma County to produce their wines.
Read and sign the petition!
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Older news items, see: News Archive 2011 News Archive 2010 News Archive 2009 News Archive 2008 News Archive 2007 News Archive 2006 News Archive 2005 News Archive 2004 News Archive 2003 |
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