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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05191998 - C78 C.7$ THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on May 19, 1998 by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Uilkema, Gerber, DeSaulnier, Canciailla, and Rogers NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None SUBJECT: Correspondence C.78 LETTER, received May 6, 1998, from Sunne McPeak, Michele Perrault, and Dent Fickett requesting that the Board of Supervisors, along with the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors, consider naming the"Shell"Marsh the Al McNabney Marsh. Additional letters received from Barbara Vaughn, 59 Donna Maria Way, Orinda, CA 94563, Donald E. Yoder, 2021 Ptarmigan Drive No. 1, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, and Helen Deman, 1250 Hookston Road, Concord, CA 94518. *****REFERRED TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the above recommendations as noted{*****) are APPROVED. I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DA/TE SHOWN. ATTESTED__ �`..._�— Phil Batchelor,Ct of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator By.._... �fcs Deputy c.c.Correspondents (4) County Administrator ,"Ono-Table Board of Sup-t" II0"qrabIt4 BOW ofCt r ty fiatIx 6.31 Phle, 2950 Peralta al CC RECEIVED Subject: Honoring Al McNabney MAY 6 I998 3 Dear Members of the Board, CLERK BOARD t?� ►�* i'JdSO >': NIRA COSIA CO. x On May 1, 1998, Al McNabney passed away in Walnut Creek after a brief illness. Contra Costa County and the Bay Area has lost a truly wonderful individual and champion for important quality of life issues. As many of you know, Al was a constant reminder to all of us of the Important environmental and quality of life values that are continually threatened by modern life. His passion for birds and wildlife provided the foundation for his broad understanding and respect for the natural resources of Contra Costa County and the Bay Area. Tb6 thousands of hours and effort he spent working and speaking in hundreds of public forums for those creatures and places that could not speak, truly defined him as a lover of life, and the natural world around us. When an individual of Al's stature and character passes on, we are all challenged with the best way to honor a person who though very private, sacrificed so much of his life to make our collective life better. One of Al's favorite campaigns was the protection of the "Shell" marsh, which greets millions of people each year as they drive by it on Highway 680 near Martinez. From his efforts to step its development, his out cry when it was `wounded" by the oil spill in 1988 and his constant vigilance to see it managed as part of the public trust, the marsh has been a constant part of his life over the last fifteen years. , . . ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:fav 3, 1998 Page. 2 We can therefore think of no better honor to Al than to give the marsh his name. In this way countless citizens that pass by will see the marsh and know that this wonderful person, in someway herd make this natural place a part of Contra Costa County's and this region's natural heritage. We respectfully request that the Contra Costa Boardof Supervisors and the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors move quickly to formally name the "'Shell" Marsh the Al McNabney Marsh. We are prepared to work with you to pian a formal dedication of the Marsh, to arrange for signs with the Marsh's name to be installed on Highway 680 and to begin the process of developing and building a educational road side kiosk that talks about the Marsh and the person who helped protect it for ever. Sincerely, Sunne Mc Peak Michele Perrault bent Pickett cc.Mt. Diablo Audubon Sierra Club - Bay Area Chapter Save Mount Diablo THE TIMES .M McNabney a ture i dast Bav for na in Ea By Abby Colum-Sears : a talkative African gray parrot that TIMES r x� � '� he had€or more than 30 years.She WALNUT CREEK There may moister and Coco could never hold a con never be another environmentalist ,�; versation. like Al McNabney in Contra Costa �+1 ►bnelt Vokudeered after retiring County,say friends,fellow advocates ' B and even opponents. Aft 4, er retiring in the late 1970s,Al The man was synonymous with said he had nothing better to do so :' he volunteered with the Mt. Diablo environmentalism in the East Bay. f. Audubon Society It was the be He died Friday morning of natural ow:,may tS' gin- causes. `�, we,In .. ning of his environmental work. Al belonged to more environ- "They sounded like they had mental organizations,projects and something to do with birds, and by advisory councils than Heather Farmlate, then I was pretty well steeped into Park has trees,the Delta has islands V1 -'40n bird life," he had said in the inter`: or Mount Diablo has trails,he said view earlier this year. -ernor�t`� ,AdvooA%0or . in a January interview.He knew be- ltd' The organization made Al vlai Bird Conservation #3 FounWn- cause he monitored them for more f Gond,Martinez,CA fought to maintain ecologicalresident of ne than two decades. . ..:. "He was a great environmental librium ever after.That invoivematrt sprouted into other environmental warrior said Walnut Creek resident a related issues,such as overseeing Steve Barbata,who knew Al for 12 He was a great years after meeting him at an envi- e v ofToscot refinery emissions,and 'he event. environmentaldeveloping the Delta Science Cep: "Even before#hat, I was always wa rior. Even and recreation facility that becater,a proposed research,educatiartmar': aware of his eminent presence,"he his pet project the past five years said. "He made the environment before than I Was "He called it aworld-class center": more tolerable for all life forms." always aware of said Radke,the park district bowl Heartily Involved member. "He wanted everyone Funny thing was,Al rarely got his eminent volved with it to think big, It was rr outdoors. presence. He made dream of his,which will someday, soon become a reality." In his later years,the Rossmoor the environment Many nre WW*htps resident used most of his energy to read land-use studies, attend meet- more tolerable for Al was also a member of the ings and write letters.On average, Sierra Club, CalFed,Advocates for, he wrote more than 25 letters a week all life forms." Bird Conservation, Committee for` to developers,politicians and public . _Steve earbata, the American Federation of Avicul- agencies.He also subscribed to 37 Walnut Creek resident tore, Commission for Endangered conservation publications and would and Exotic Species,Committee on read every page. the Conservation on International gam about 30 years ago with a sim= When one saw Al in action ata_ Trade and Endangered Species,and plc affinity for a bird.Every day,he city planning commission or the passed the pet shop near his former the Lindsay Wildlife Museum.Al also. county Board of Supervisors meet- San Francisco home.Eventually he 'Watched over practically every de-:' ing,you would know that was no ex- made regular stops to admire one velopment plan proposed in Contra aggeration.He would spew facts and bird---a green Amazon parrot. Costa,making him the county s en- figures at Mullet speed—without for. vironmental conscience. getting to flash a smile. One day the owner suggested Al He said he had lived so Iong that "He was exceptionally take it out of the cage.It bit him.But cep nally mpetent the owner said he handled the bird his many lives all helped in his role and always very thorough,"said Mar- v well So he as an effective activist.Al was a hos- :tinez resident Ted Radke,a member �' bought that parrot, pital administrator for medical fa -of the East Bay Regional Park Dia- and soon after,another. cilities in San Francisco and Tucson,- trict board.alle earned a great deal Love of birds Anz.,and he was once a labor leader --of respect from everybody he came and belonged to the American Arbi. into contact with,whether people Al then head everything he could Mian Association, agreed with him or not." about parrots,an interest that ex- Defusing ternsion panded to other birds. Itlloet Mat rust ' He even took a job studying hos- $ut when asked about other ac. Several people comrxraemtad•tlaai.: Vital systems it A=&alla so he and complishtawts,he was always sclf- one of APs greatest talents was in- his wife, Helen,could spend their . t-fusing dry humor into heated dis- ff'ee time studying the country's 1 '"gene's not a huge rush of peo- ctrssions. live species. ;+ watrtf the job:and the envf- A, n8 "He would defuse steamy or dff- Al and Helen were two lovebirds tronment is going to pot in a hand -ficult situations with humor,"Bar- themselves.Even after 57 years of ket,"he said a few months ago. bata said."He knew people learned marriage,they still exchanged af- 'As long as I can negotiate,talk and better through humor than pointed fectionate glances and coy grins.He- walk,lE m going to keep doing it." :criticism.He was a master of ft." len matched Al's clever witticisms Helen said there will be no ser- - His presentation were often face- "With her own gentle quips. vices because her modest husband :tious.He often gave a spiel about the She said she appreciated numer-- wouldn't have wanted it.She plans :bugs and bees,birds and flowers, ous dualities about hum,but was shy to privately scatter his ashes. -water and soil,animals and trees— about commenting on her husband +1 douglit of doing it in the Delta .yet steely facts would glint through out of respect for his humble and pri- or SW marsh or maybe Mount Di- the friendly fluff. vate character. abW)Wm said.nT have to really Al's passion to save the county's Helen's only half complaint was th mk about it because he truly loved natural milieu from eradication be- having to put up with his bird Coco, ATI those areas so mach.' CWWWTH ( ' sf RECEIVE MAY 13 1998 CLERK SOAtRU or SUPERVISORS CONTRACOSTA Col r , , , _: RECEIVE.......,'... MAY 1 ! 19,9/ k.,...:.:... May 9, 1998 Contra Cresta County Board of Supervisors 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA 94553 Ladies and Gentlemen. It has come to my attention that a move is afoot to rename Shell Marsh in honor of the late Al McNabney. Having known Mr. McNabney for approximately17 years and having been intimately acquainted with the conservation work he did., I know that the Shell Marsh project was one especially dear to his heart, and he would be most pleased -- albeit reticently accepting the honor -w for Shell Marsh to bear his name from this time forward. Sincerely, VS Barbara Vaugh v�L 59 Donna Maria Way Orinda, CA 94563 DONALD E. YODER ` 2021 PTARMIGAN DRIVE NO. 1 :,..• MALNUT CREEK CA 94595-3506 (510)937-5974 May 9, 1998 937-5074 Boa d of Supervisors Contra Costa County 551 Pine Street Martinez CA 94553 Re: Shell [Marsh - Rename Honorable Supervisors : There is presently or soon will be before you a measure to rename Shell Marsh ad- jacent to Highway 583 to honor the late Al McNabney. Al still holds the title of Conservation Vice President of Mt. Diablo Audubon Society. He has been a tireless and effective worker in many aspects of conservation of the environment in general and especially on behalf of bird's. He applied common sense to solution of problems which often seemed mired down in picky wrangling as well as political hard bell arguments. He had a broad knowledge of many things that are going on with respect to development projects and saw beyond the immediate effects of plans on the drawing board. His efforts have been immeasurably beneficial in gaining benefits for preservation of the environment throughout Contra Costa County. It is most fitting that a wetland to which he gave such extensive attention and which he helped to cleanup and preserve should be named in his honor and as a lasting memorial to him. Though inadequate to fully note his accomplishments, a highway sign to mark AL MC NABNEY MEMORIAL WILDLIFE PRESERVE would seem fitting and appropriate. Your favorable action to recognize the legacy that Al has left to us will be most fitting. truly yours, MEMBER Donald E. Yod' tea' f;J ref ` The North American Bluebird Society ......... ...... ... 11,11,1......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......._. ......... ......... ......... ......... ................. _.................................................... - ................ Request to Speak Four (:THREE (3) MINUTE LIMM convie<te this form Ow 01mn the box near the OPM&ew before read, the I on R ing for � or li:�r`t _. vid,to�c anJoiser,61tm #my . �}� iwm towW � ,,,, or rc an Ow eta Of ,..._. .,�, I & M Wm to 4WA but love#me mins d. for Ove now to cc., We ilk ...._ ... ,._. -- -- »!! * RECEIV- 7 John E.Miller Vice President,Refining Y General Manager Avon/Rodeo ,1 E: Apo Ir San Francisca Area Refinery(SFAR ) at V s c�✓ Martin Tez.CA 94533-1487 Telephone:(510)372-3172 Facsimile:(bio)370-3392 May 21, 1998 Hon. Jim Rogers, Chair Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA 94553 Dear Chairperson Rogers and Members of the Board: Each of you, 1 am certain, is aware of the recent passing of longtime environmental advocate Al McNabney. His concern for the "birds and Insects" translated into major achievements, among them the preservation of wetlands in Contra Costa County, so that future generations may enjoy what we have been privileged to experience'. What you may not know is his involvement as a founding member of the Tosco-Avon Community Advisory Panel (CAP). In that capacity, he counseled our company on numerous environmental issues over the past seven years, most recently the redesign of flood gates in the area of the Shell Marsh so that the impact of a spill, if it were to occur, would be minimized. I am pleased to note that, based on his counsel, we have been successful in achieving his objective. I should also mention that the Tosca-Avon CAP meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. When traveling to the meetings from his home in Walnut Creek, Al always made a point of exiting Interstate-6813 at Marina Vista (instead of taking Highway 4 to Soiano Way) and traveling along Waterfront Road to the refinery. The purpose of taking a longer route was simple -- Al wanted to check up on the wetlands that he had helped to preserve. It has come to our attention that there is a move afoot to rename the Shell Marsh in honor of Al's memory. 4n behalf of both the Tosco-Avon Community Advisory Panel and the Tosco San Francisco Area Refineries, I would like to add our voices to those you have already heard from and ask that you honor his memory by granting that request. Sincerely yours, J�/ ohn E. Miller Vice President, Refining San Francisco Area Refinery JEM/j