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Enough Already!
Enough Already!
Daniel Mufson | Jul 21, 2014 on: The WDO
It seems as though one winery after another is regularly approved along with all sorts of variances. I don’t understand why variances are given when a proposed structure just doesn’t fit on the owner’s plot such as was just done for the Longmeadow property or the Yountville Hill extravaganza.
The 2013 Agricultural Crop Report states that we have over 500 wineries along with nearly 4.5 million tourists annually. Certainly many more of both are being planned for. When do we all say, “Enough!”
How much water do we have to supply all these grapes, visitors and yes, the 25% of Napa County citizens who live in the unincorporated areas and rely upon wells for their existence? The NVR regularly talks about water in terms of the municipalities with their state supplies but there is scant mention of our other citizens. With the lowest rainfall since 1908, what will become of our people and crops when the ground water runs out?
How many citizens and wineries have had to drill deeper wells each year and how deep they need to drill?
This doesn’t have to be a fight over grapes or people but rather how can we all continue to exist as California experiences this “extreme drought.” Surely there is a point when all good people can say, enough. Are we the only county that is not concerned about survival?
Why are increases in the number of visitors to each winery regularly upgraded? Does anyone measure just how long it takes to travel up and down the valley at any time from 6 AM to 6 PM; how long it takes to enter 29 or Silverado Trail from a cross road - especially to make a left turn? The obvious solution to making these turns will be to install traffic lights at each crossroad. Then we will look like the rest of the Bay Area, not an agricultural preserve.
Are there really enough grapes to satisfy the 75% rule - many think not.
These are the key issues on the valley floor. Now there are a host of applications to build on the hills and mountains where the roads are substandard and the water supply questionable. Are we really going to allow wineries to drill 16” wells; build extensive caves and visitor centers and then open their doors to all comers at the top of dead end roads?
I recommend that the Board exhibit leadership and declare a moratorium on any further wineries/visitor centers until we have a transparent report on the cumulative effects of these factors on our health and well-being. We the people deserve this.
It seems as though one winery after another is regularly approved along with all sorts of variances. I don’t understand why variances are given when a proposed structure just doesn’t fit on the owner’s plot such as was just done for the Longmeadow property or the Yountville Hill extravaganza.
The 2013 Agricultural Crop Report states that we have over 500 wineries along with nearly 4.5 million tourists annually. Certainly many more of both are being planned for. When do we all say, “Enough!”
How much water do we have to supply all these grapes, visitors and yes, the 25% of Napa County citizens who live in the unincorporated areas and rely upon wells for their existence? The NVR regularly talks about water in terms of the municipalities with their state supplies but there is scant mention of our other citizens. With the lowest rainfall since 1908, what will become of our people and crops when the ground water runs out?
How many citizens and wineries have had to drill deeper wells each year and how deep they need to drill?
This doesn’t have to be a fight over grapes or people but rather how can we all continue to exist as California experiences this “extreme drought.” Surely there is a point when all good people can say, enough. Are we the only county that is not concerned about survival?
Why are increases in the number of visitors to each winery regularly upgraded? Does anyone measure just how long it takes to travel up and down the valley at any time from 6 AM to 6 PM; how long it takes to enter 29 or Silverado Trail from a cross road - especially to make a left turn? The obvious solution to making these turns will be to install traffic lights at each crossroad. Then we will look like the rest of the Bay Area, not an agricultural preserve.
Are there really enough grapes to satisfy the 75% rule - many think not.
These are the key issues on the valley floor. Now there are a host of applications to build on the hills and mountains where the roads are substandard and the water supply questionable. Are we really going to allow wineries to drill 16” wells; build extensive caves and visitor centers and then open their doors to all comers at the top of dead end roads?
I recommend that the Board exhibit leadership and declare a moratorium on any further wineries/visitor centers until we have a transparent report on the cumulative effects of these factors on our health and well-being. We the people deserve this.