Martinez Beavers and Hydrology

Martinez Beavers and Hydrology

Subcommittee member Igor Skaredoff summarizes the hydrology section of the report here for the website. In case you don’t already know, his name is synonymous with the stewardship of Alhambra Creek and he has been long honored for his tireless work and dedicated community spirit. Having watched him at close quarters these past three months, I would add praise for a cooperative and diplomatic personal style that allows him to find friends where others would only find argument. He writes:

The Martinez Beaver Committee’s report to the City Council contains a proposed solution to the Beaver coexistence/Flood protection issue.

This proposal leaves the dam in place and controls its height. It also provides some low (2ft tall) “seating walls” to fill in the gaps in the existing structures that help protect against flooding. Additionally, the proposal improves drainage at the Castro/Marina Vista intersection to allow a controlled overland flow to re-enter the Creek north of the Marina Vista Bridge. The floodplain would also be expanded in the section of Creek between the Escobar and Marina Street Bridges by excavating a terrace.

Taken together, these measures would provide flood protection that is equivalent or better when compared with the “pre-beaver” situation.

Additional enhancements, such as interpretive signs, habitat improvement by planting California Native Plants and enhancing the educational improvements are also included.

Several local and county groups and agencies are prepared to partner with the City to develop, execute and steward this project, and to help write grant applications for funding to supplement the City’s investment.

This proposal offers a way for the Martinez community to coexist with the beavers while protecting itself from flooding. The opportunities offered by successful coexistence for stimulating downtown visitation and enhancing education and habitat are also part of the proposal.

The proposed flood protection improvements are shown in the illustration below. For more detail, see the complete report available elsewhere on this webpage.

Igor Skaredoff

Thanks Igor for your hard work on this report and your calming influence on our beaver-passionate spirits!

Heidi P. Perryman, Ph.D.

(Originally printed in the Martinez Gazette, Letters to the Editor January 26-27 weekend edition. Since we’re on the cusp of yet another crucial vote I felt it bore repeating.)

While in another time or forum I could be referring to an actual pulpit, let me be clear it is the Bully Pulpit that I am referring to. A bully pulpit as defined by the online version of the American Heritage Dictionary is: an advantageous position, as for making one’s views known or rallying support.

Recently a council member was overheard discounting what seems to be overarching support of leaving the beavers put. Citing such noteworthy sources as the Contra Costa Times blog spot as their barometer the conclusion was the citizenry is evenly divided. I’m not convinced.

I have to admit that the only time I bothered to read past the initial blog entries was shortly after the city stayed its decision to euthanize the beaver family. Having first hand experience in being flamed for positing my position over the war in Iraq (Navy mom) on blogs such as Yahoo! once offered I’m of the opinion that the vast majority of those responding do so because of the anonymity of the internet. Sadly my opinion was reinforced by the remarks I did read. How is it that people coalescing in support of maintaining the eco incubator we’ve created with our flood control canal found ourselves in diametric opposition to those who value life baffled me.

However misdirected the sentiments, the apparent frustration pointed to an undeniable truth – the will of the people once awakened around a single solidifying event is a force to be reckoned with. In this political season where ‘change’ is the buzzword a bully pulpit handily mastered is the best change agent available to those who wield it.

During all of the initial fervor in October an online news headline read; “Martinez does give a dam,” that one line summed up what had just taken place. The citizens of Martinez found themselves firmly resolved to be heard, we rejected the patriarchal edicts issued by city hall; we stood up and we were counted. That is the power of the pulpit and again it is a force to be reckoned with.

There’s talk afoot of building a bridge between Scotland and Martinez. I can think of no better tribute to the vision of John Muir than to protect this small sliver of water and its inhabitants and no greater shame than to disrupt a wildlife corridor. Now how’s that for diametrically opposed?

Linda Meza