Choked Valley
Napa County (population 142,000) is a rural relief valve for the Bay Area’s 7.5 million urban residents, but its burgeoning wine and tourist industry is overwhelming the area’s limited natural resources. Residents increasingly object to the county’s seemingly endless commercialization. The plan to develop Walt Ranch in the hills above Napa is just one more proposal of dozens pending to denaturalize this irreplaceable North Bay landscape.
Previously mostly agricultural, and still harboring vineyards but star-struck by wine fame, increasingly urbanized and touristy Napa Valley now also features music festivals, bike races, cooking classes, art shows and auctions. Now
3.3 million tourists throng its 500 wineries annually. Urban traffic chokes semi-rural Napa Valley.
Astonishingly, the natives are not too restless—at least not enough to disturb county supervisors who, in a county enjoying a $13.3 billion boom from agri-business, appear untroubled by excessive traffic, tourism or water depletion.
Hence, the Walt Ranch proposal: 209 more acres of vines replacing woodlands and chaparral. Though its environmental impact report was subject to scathing professional criticism, Walt Ranch promises “environmental responsibility,” “sustainable stewardship” and “commitment to the greater Napa Valley ecosystem.” But besides threatened trees and water, that ecosystem also includes, inconveniently, neighbors.
Insouciant remarks like “What else should be done with that land?” or “Well, that’s business,” disrespectfully dismiss the fertile idealism that may be the bane of business but the salvation of Napa County. If economic interests continue to trump aesthetic values, and the countryside vanishes, little time will pass before the great Bay Area awakening that wonders, belatedly, “How could they have let this happen to Napa County?”
Calistoga
Illegitimate
The Republicans don’t want to govern, they want to rule. Witness their willingness to shut down the government rather than negotiate. Their actions have the sour stink of fascism, and they play some of the darkest cards like racism and xenophobia to manipulate people. Their willingness to use strategies like voter suppression, intimidation and blatant lies make it clear that democracy is of no interest to them. They are drunk with power and not held accountable. It’s shameful and frightening.
I have been thinking about their refusal to hold hearings on President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland. That was an unprecedented violation of their responsibility and, I think, amounts to a coup of sorts. It makes the court a mockery and the process a sham. No appointee nominated by Trump should be confirmed. They have no legitimacy. None.
Santa Rosa
Standing Up
Glad to see the activities of the Water Protectors at Standing Rock are still being covered (“Debriefer, Nov. 16). Though Trump will put an end to it, the awakening and solidarity of all the tribes will live on. The first blizzard has hit the Great Plains, so watch for updates regarding the literal survival of those still encamped there.
Via Bohemian.com
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