On November 3rd East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) will be asking voters to support Measure W. Measure W would tax homeowners and renters so that EBRPD could receive an additional $7.3 million per year for operations and maintenance. The following is only one example of the serious management errors that have occurred in our regional parks and why we should not support Measure W.

EBRPD has undertaken a plan to clearcut large stands of eucalyptus trees in Anthony Chabot Regional Park (Lake Chabot). In 1995 approximately 200 acres were cut. In 1997 another round of eucalyptus clearcutting was approved. Again it was approximately 200 acres. This time a logging company offered to cut the trees for free.

Why would a logging company work for free? Because the trees they cut, which are sold for paper, are worth roughly $3 million dollars.

The following information appeared in a local newspaper (Montclarion , July 17, 1997):

• ...a spokeswoman for the logging company said that logged eucalyptus wood commands about $700 to $800 per truckload, which comprises about 12 trees.

• EBRPD spokesman Jerry Kent said 250 mature eucalyptus trees per acre is a safe estimate.

• At that rate, the removal would yield 50,000 trees or about 4,167 truckloads, fetching $2.9 million at a modest $700 per load.

Jerry Kent, the East Bay Regional Park District spokesman is also quoted as saying:

• “If the numbers are true, its shocking.”

• “We’ve tried to stay away from the marketing aspect, because we don’t have the resources for that - we’re a public park.”

• “If we sold the trees ourselves, the public could misread our intentions.”

First, who still doesn’t know a tree is a commodity? Second, how hard is it to tell the logging company they want a percentage of the profits? Lastly, what “intentions” could the public misread?

As things stand now EBRPD has given away millions of dollars of our park’s natural resources and is now turning around with its hand out saying they are running short on funds.

A Yes vote on Measure W is a vote to support the continuation of these inexcusable activities by both management and the elected Board of Directors. A No vote will serve as a wake-up call to the EBRPD. It will say our parks and the taxpayers who support those parks deserve better.

Toni Loveland

San Leandro

 

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