[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE MARIN CONSERVATION LEAGUE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2009

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to honor the Marin Conservation League on the occasion of its 
75th Anniversary Celebration. Founded by four visionary women, the 
League has worked to preserve and protect for public use many of the 
magnificent lands of Marin County.
  As the Golden Gate Bridge was nearing completion in 1934 Caroline 
Livermore, Sepha Evers, Portia Forbes, and Helen Van Pelt were deeply 
concerned about unplanned growth a completed bridge would enable. Not 
wanting 'hot dog stands and billboards,' they met to discuss the future 
and agreed to raise money for the county to hire planning expert Hugh 
Pomeroy.
  Intrepid women, not easily discouraged they raised $2500 and Pomeroy 
developed the first countywide planning study. Learning the powers of 
political persuasion quickly, the women convinced the Board of 
Supervisors to adopt the plan which recommended the preservation of 
significant open spaces and guided the county's future growth. Almost 
at once, they swiftly proposed and persuaded the Supervisors to enact a 
county ordinance forbidding billboards which is in force to this day.
  Caroline Livermore and her three co-founders, along with a growing 
organization, worked for more than 30 years to create public parks and 
secure for permanent preservation such Marin landmarks as Stinson 
Beach, Samuel P. Taylor Park, Drake's Bay, Tomales Bay State Park, and 
Richardson Bay Wildlife Refuge.
  Never shying away from battle, MCL stopped plans for the 
commercialization of Angel Island when it was declared surplus by the 
federal government after WWII. The League further fought to have it 
declared a state historic site and worked 14 more years to ensure the 
Park's master plan prevented commercial development, preserved historic 
resources, and protected wildlife habitat. Mt. Livermore, on Angel 
Island, was named to honor MCL co-founder Caroline Livermore.
  Working with Audubon Canyon Ranch and the Nature Conservancy, MCL 
prevented the development of a recreational resort complex locally 
dubbed `Newport Beach North.' By purchasing Kent Island and tidelands 
and donating the lands to Marin County as a park, Bolinas Lagoon was 
permanently preserved as a wildlife refuge.
  Over the years Mann Conservation League has played many significant 
roles including helping to establish Point Reyes National Seashore and 
Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In the 1960's they led the fight 
against massive development in West Marin and stopped a proposed cross-
county freeway. They advocated for agricultural zoning and in 1972, MCL 
helped launch the Marin County Open Space District.
  During the 1970's and 80's, as land became more costly, MCL shifted 
its political priorities to work collaboratively towards the protection 
of environmental quality throughout the county. They campaigned 
vigorously to oppose offshore oil drilling, prevent logging on Bolinas 
Ridge, and worked tirelessly to defeat the peripheral canal, the 
environmentally costly state plan to divert Northern California water 
to the Southland.
  Never resting on its laurels, MCL continues to work on protecting 
important natural features while developing environmental public 
policy, and working to implement that policy. Through careful research 
and evaluation, MCL prepares positions on government proposals, 
development projects and ballot propositions.
  Madam Speaker, I have appreciated working with Marin Conservation 
League on many complicated issues and know they will conscientiously 
continue to monitor project proposals, track policies, and encourage 
government to adopt decisions that protect the environment. I 
congratulate the Marin Conservation League on its 75 years of 
extraordinary achievement!

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