WFT Lives On! At the August 5 Board meeting the main event was consideration of staff's request for Board approval to proceed with the CEQA study for the WFT. The discussion took nearly five hours in part because a few opponents used distortions to rally about 30 people to make public comment opposing the trail. As we told the Board, we could have brought in a hundred people to make public comment but we respect the Board's time. Instead we sent an email prior to the meeting documenting the nearly 2400 signatures supporting the WFT along with endorsement letters from the local NorCal Teams, BTCEB and Rich City Rides. A representative from the Sierra Club endorsed continued study of the WFT; a complete turnaround from its previous position made possible by our efforts in last year's Sierra Club elections. Some of the most influential pro-WFT comments came from six NorCal students who patiently waited for about 4 hours before they had a chance to make their statements. The youth were a stark contrast to the older generation speaking against the WFT.
Elizabeth Echols opened Board discussion with an eloquent and compelling summary of why she felt the WFT should go forward. She and other Board members acknowledged of the challenge that the Board faces in trying to balance the diverse wishes of the community and the dual mission of the Park District to steward But she went on to steward both natural resources and recreation. At the end of the discussion, the Board approved continuing the CEQA study for the WFT by a vote of 5-2 with Lynda Deschambault and Olivia Sanwong voting no. Deschambault echoed much of the misinformation, unfair accusations against EBRPD staff, and pejorative adjectives that has originated from WFT opponents.
The CEQA study should be completed next Spring. Given the extensive work already done by the Park, it is almost certain no show-stoppers will be revealed. Thus we can expect to have a final show down with opponents sometime next year when the Board will be asked to authorize construction. In short, WFT has made a giant leap forward but there is more to be done in the next year!
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