One of Mill Valley's Special Places is About to be Damaged Beyond Repair

Without consideration of cost, process, wildlife and environmental impact, actual fire mitigation assessment, or neighborhood input!

The Bamboo Steps is one of Mill Valley's iconic special places. As part of its fire mitigation program, Tuesday the City plans to cut down a defining section of the bamboo, forever destroying the central section of this remarkable place.

The City has already acknowledged the special status of the Bamboo Steps by agreeing not to cut down most of it. So why now destroy the very HEART of it?

Why destroy the last 80 feet of bamboo at the heart of the Steps when:

• The Fire mitigation impact is non-existent, with most of the bamboo and acres of other proximate vegetation left standing?

• There is a promised/threatened 5 foot tall City-constructed "fence" with no design, no budget, no environment impact assessment, and no community impact?

• There was no written agreement to ensure that anything removed would be replaced with other landscaping whatsoever.

• Community caregivers and local residents and residents on the steps should have been given but were not, an opportunity to request a grant from the city or submit a proposal for a restoration project of some kind.

•When thinning or other mitigation steps have not been specifically considered for this area?

•There has been no wildlife impact or environmental assessment, when the entire neighborhood ecosystem of owls, song birds, rodents, and plant life is inextricably connected to the bamboo?

•This is not private vegetation in someone's yard - this is a community jewel enjoyed and marveled at by 100+ people a day.

We therefore ask for: the City Council to publicly meet to reconsider this action; to reconsider saving one of the dwindling number of special places in our City; and for the City to agree to a 90 day delay in this understandable but misguided and ill-conceived action.

SAVE THE BAMBOO STEPS

how else can you act? email mstjohn@smfd.org Michael St. John , Fire Inspector/Battalion Chief, MV Fire Department, to express your support. Thank you for all who have reached out!