Clear Cutting of Trees along Bay Area Streams

Bay Area Streams to be Clear Cut 

under New Federal Policy

Community and Local Officials join together to send a message to the Feds, Save Our Trees

On Monday, October 11, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Wildcat Creek, Bay Area community leaders and elected officials including Congressman George Miller and Congressman John Garamendi will join together at a press conference to protest the largest federally mandated clear cutting of trees and vegetation in the Bay Area and California’s history. Recently released Army Corps of Engineer guidelines require that federally constructed levees along streams and rivers be free of all trees and shrubs based on a new National Levee Safety Program. Of the 3,000 miles of streams and rivers affected in California, more than 100 miles are pegged to be clear cut in the Bay Area. Local officials will refute the new policy and echo the community’s request to save the trees and shrubs, protect recreation and preserve habitat for endangered species.

The site of the press conference is a graphic example of the clear cutting policy which has already stripped a portion of Wildcat Creek marsh in western Contra Costa County from its wildlife habitat. A tour of the barren levee and nearby riparian forest slated for clear cutting will be provided immediately following the press conference.


Who: Congressman George Miller; Congressman John Garamendi; John Gioia, Chair, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors; Bruce Wolfe, Executive Officer, Regional Water Quality Control Board; Chuck Armor, Regional Manager, Department of Fish and Game; Witney Dotson, North Richmond Shoreline Open Space Alliance; Mitch Avalon, Bay Area Flood Protection Agencies; Mark Cowin from the State Department of Water Resources, East Bay Regional Park District and Bay Area Watershed Network

What: Press conference to speak out against federal clear cutting policy to remove more than 100 miles of trees and shrubs along Bay Area streams

When: Monday, October 11, 2011
Press conference starts at 11:00 a.m.
Tour of Wildcat Creek immediately following press conference

Where: Wildcat Creek, 2135 Richmond Parkway, Richmond, CA 94801 (map below)

Contact: Mitch Avalon, 925-260-5329, Bay Area Flood Protection Agencies

Driving Directions:

From North
-On I-80 Westbound, exit Richmond Parkway
-Travel 4.5 miles on Richmond Parkway (west and south)
-One block past Pittsburg Ave, turn right into the driveway before the bridge

From South
-Take I-80 Eastbound, exit 580 West
-On 580 westbound, exit Richmond Parkway
-Travel 3 miles on Richmond Parkway (north)
-Make a U-turn at Pittsburg Ave. signal
-One block past Pittsburg Ave, turn right into the driveway before the bridge

Press Conference
Wildcat Creek Trail Staging Area
2135 Richmond Parkway, Richmond
Parking reserved for media in lot