Park District Watch

EBRPD Officials often claim they can't do anything to help protect Lake Chabot from inappropriate development. Here are some responses to try:

1) Claim: We don't have any money to acquire new properties.

Answer #1: EBRPD periodically proposes acquisition bond measures. Can I have your support to assure that Lake Chabot acquisitions will be included in upcoming ballot measures? Can I have your commitment to see that a future acquisition bond will contain language that allows for acquisition of the remaining Lake Chabot ridgelands?

Answer #2: Have you fully explored other sources of funding? For example, have you tried to obtain State matching funds for parkland acquisition? Have you explored creative funding plans with a private organization such as Trust for Public Lands? Can I have your commitment to do so?

2) Claim: It isn't in the Master Plan.

Answer: Why isn't it? Lake Chabot ridgelands should have been listed as a priority within the Master Plan. Can I have your assurance it will be given the highest priority?

Answer for a Board Member: You vote to decide what is and is not in the Master Plan. Amend the Master Plan to put it in there.

3) Claim: The quarry site has an earthquake fault and landslide problems.

Answer: Yes. And this is the very reason that it should be acquired and preserved as open space. US Geological Survey recommends that unstable lands not be used for urban development.

4) Claim: The quarry site is altered land. The District does not buy altered land.

Answer: Untrue. The District has bought altered land in the past; as it will in the future. Besides, the quarry is part of the visual ridgeline surrounding the park. It should be preserved so as to prevent the development of housing units above the park.

5) Claim: The District can not afford potential liability issues resulted from geologic hazards.

Answer: What is the liability risk? Do you have any specific information on this? There is no housing built below the quarry property. Even if there was a landslide, the slide would only fall into Lake Chabot open space.

6) Claim: We have spent millions to protect Lake Chabot already.

Answer: Your agency received public funding through Measure AA because the public wanted you to protect Lake Chabot from threatened housing development. Don't stop when the job is almost done. It makes no sense to come this close, and then allow one subdivision to be built there.

7) Claim: You can already see houses from Lake Chabot. So one more subdivision won't matter.

Answer #1: Untrue. There are a few isolated vantage points from which one can see houses from Lake Chabot Park; especially at the higher elevations; but the park, in the immediate vicinity of the Lake, is largely untouched by urban development. It provides a remote wilderness setting for those who visit. In fact, that is why people like to visit the park. Certainly, there are no subdivisions built on the ridgelands above the Lake. Go there and see for yourself.

Answer #2: If there is no point in protecting the Lake Chabot ridgelands then why do you think EBRPD has spent millions of taxpayers dollars to do so?

Answer #3: If EBRPD thinks there are subdivisions around Lake Chabot Park, then why don't these phantom subdivisions show up in the numerous promotional literature the District circulates (Measure AA literature, 1998 Report Card, EBRPD webstie, etc). Also, why don't these purported subdivisions appear on the aerial photographs taken by USGS?

8) Claim: Lake Chabot acquisitions/projects are complete.

Answer: Then why are citizens groups still fighting to protect Lake Chabot from proposed subdivisions? Lake Chabot is threatened by development. We need your help to protect it.

If you get this far and your EBRPD official is still not helpful, you might just tell them that you'd prefer to keep your money from EBRPD funding measures and donate it to an organization that is interested in helping. There are several organizations that work hard to protect Lake Chabot. They would greatly appreciate your donation -- and they'd surely put it to better use!


	Home Save Chabot History EBRPD Watch Biotics Contact Us Links Helpful Arguments EBRPD Officials often claim they can't do anything to help protect Lake Chabot from inappropriate development. Here are some responses to try: 1) Claim: We don't have any money to acquire new properties. Answer #1: EBRPD periodically proposes acquisition bond measures. Can I have your support to assure that Lake Chabot acquisitions will be included in upcoming ballot measures? Can I have your commitment to see that a future acquisition bond will contain language that allows for acquisition of the remaining Lake Chabot ridgelands? Answer #2: Have you fully explored other sources of funding? For example, have you tried to obtain State matching funds for parkland acquisition? Have you explored creative funding plans with a private organization such as Trust for Public Lands? Can I have your commitment to do so? 2) Claim: It isn't in the Master Plan. Answer: Why isn't it? Lake Chabot ridgelands should have been listed as a priority within the Master Plan. Can I have your assurance it will be given the highest priority? Answer for a Board Member: You vote to decide what is and is not in the Master Plan. Amend the Master Plan to put it in there. 3) Claim: The quarry site has an earthquake fault and landslide problems. Answer: Yes. And this is the very reason that it should be acquired and preserved as open space. US Geological Survey recommends that unstable lands not be used for urban development. 4) Claim: The quarry site is altered land. The District does not buy altered land. Answer: Untrue. The District has bought altered land in the past; as it will in the future. Besides, the quarry is part of the visual ridgeline surrounding the park. It should be preserved so as to prevent the development of housing units above the park. 5) Claim: The District can not afford potential liability issues resulted from geologic hazards. Answer: What is the liability risk? Do you have any specific information on this? There is no housing built below the quarry property. Even if there was a landslide, the slide would only fall into Lake Chabot open space. 6) Claim: We have spent millions to protect Lake Chabot already. Answer: Your agency received public funding through Measure AA because the public wanted you to protect Lake Chabot from threatened housing development. Don't stop when the job is almost done. It makes no sense to come this close, and then allow one subdivision to be built there. 7) Claim: You can already see houses from Lake Chabot. So one more subdivision won't matter. Answer #1: Untrue. There are a few isolated vantage points from which one can see houses from Lake Chabot Park; especially at the higher elevations; but the park, in the immediate vicinity of the Lake, is largely untouched by urban development. It provides a remote wilderness setting for those who visit. In fact, that is why people like to visit the park. Certainly, there are no subdivisions built on the ridgelands above the Lake. Go there and see for yourself. Answer #2: If there is no point in protecting the Lake Chabot ridgelands then why do you think EBRPD has spent millions of taxpayers dollars to do so? Answer #3: If EBRPD thinks there are subdivisions around Lake Chabot Park, then why don't these phantom subdivisions show up in the numerous promotional literature the District circulates (Measure AA literature, 1998 Report Card, EBRPD webstie, etc). Also, why don't these purported subdivisions appear on the aerial photographs taken by USGS? 8) Claim: Lake Chabot acquisitions/projects are complete. Answer: Then why are citizens groups still fighting to protect Lake Chabot from proposed subdivisions? Lake Chabot is threatened by development. We need your help to protect it. If you get this far and your EBRPD official is still not helpful, you might just tell them that you'd prefer to keep your money from EBRPD funding measures and donate it to an organization that is interested in helping. There are several organizations that work hard to protect Lake Chabot. They would greatly appreciate your donation -- and they'd surely put it to better use! last revised: June 23, 2022