Since I posted the myths versus facts on our blog a few weeks ago, hundreds of people have emailed me. Some good, some bad and and a few who refuse to engage in debate in a polite manner. Well, thanks to everyone who sent me an email. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to shoot me your thoughts. I decided to further illustrate my point that opponents of the Saltworks plan have to bend the truth or not tell the entire truth when making their arguments with an expanded truth versus fiction. See below.
What some groups have said: “Retired salt ponds are not the place for housing – they are a golden opportunity to restore healthy wetlands that scientists say the bay’s wildlife desperately needs.”
What the truth is: The Redwood City Saltworks site is an active salt harvesting facility operating today. This area is not “retired,” as some groups claim. As part of the 50/50 Balanced Plan, we propose to ACTIVELY restore more than 400 acres of these lands to tidal marsh habitat, at PRIVATE expense. Nearly 40,000 acres are ALREADY in public ownership around the Bay desperately awaiting funding for restoration. Some of Saltworks’ opponents propose to tax Bay area residents to come up with those dollars. We believe the economic vitality of a project like the Saltworks is a better solution.
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What some groups have said: “Common sense argues against putting new development at sea level on top of unstable bay mud at risk of liquefaction in an earthquake.”
What the truth is: The point here is simple: The substrate at the Saltworks site is the same as many other areas in the Bay Area.
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What some groups have said: “True infill development around transit hubs is the green way to accommodate Bay Area growth. Destroying the undeveloped open space that makes the Bay Area so livable is not.”
What the truth is: We agree with this statement. Did you know that the 50/50 Balanced Plan is within a quarter mile of more than 10,000 jobs and is directly adjacent to the proposed ferry terminal in Redwood City? In addition, the 50/50 Plan proposes the creation of a true transit link between the proposed ferry terminal, the Saltworks site, major employment areas and the Caltrain station in downtown Redwood City.
Some groups would have you believe that the Saltworks site is “open space” in the same sense that Bair Island in Redwood City is open space or the pristine rolling hills of 280 is open space. That simply is not true. I would encourage everyone to visit the site and see the trucks and front loaders rolling over the crystallizer beds and decide for themselves whether this site is open space.
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What some groups have said: “The bay, including these salt ponds, belongs to all of us, not just Redwood City.”
What the truth is: Actually, the Saltworks site is private property. However, realization of the 50/50 Balanced Plan would bring environmental and social benefits to the entire Redwood City and regional community. What some groups want to do is play the self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner of any perspective that conflicts with their unilateral view.
