NEFR Is Alive and Well

NEFR, Neighbors for Environmental and Fiscal Responsibility, is alive and well. Nearly two months after petitions in opposition to the Otterson Drive Extension were submitted to city hall, the grassroots group is as committed as ever to preserving Comanche Creek and to enforcing sound fiscal management in city government. The petitions, well in excess of the city's requirement, have been certified and were presented to the city council on Tuesday, 12/5. The successful petition gives the council two options: 1) rescind its approval of the project or 2) call a special election and let Chico residents approve or reject the project.

With the election of Larry Wahl to the 4th council seat, it's unlikely the current council will rescind its earlier decision. Wahl has been a staunch supporter of the project and has stated unequivocally that he sides with developers on such issues because he wants what they want for Chico, a frightening admission. However, in the end, Wahl may not have his chance to do for Chico what the developers want to do. With Scott Gruendl's request for a recount of the council election, we may yet see a positive, progressive change in the council. Gruendl led Wahl by 205 votes on November 7 but fell 74 votes behind after absentee ballots were counted. If a recount tips the election in Gruendl's favor once again, the new council may vote to rescind the decision and reject the Otterson Drive Extension, the best possible outcome for NEFR and for this community.

In the meantime, NEFR is on the move. Following up on Butte Environmental Council's initial research, it has created a Toxic Task Force to assess the hazardous impact of the MTBE/gas plume under the Midway. In addition, the group is appealing to the city council to create its own toxic task force, county-wide, to ensure the health and safety of area residents. According to NEFR issues of health and safety, along with creek preservation, are the most pressing concerns for residents, not developing an enhanced entrance for a handful of developers to the tune of $2.7 million. NEFR is also meeting with Midway neighbors to evaluate further the impact of this project on all residents immediately affected.

Without a doubt, NEFR has stirred local waters. It succeeded in getting more than 4,000 signatures and in rallying our community behind the important values of environmental and fiscal stewardship. It has brought into clear focus that we are at a crossroads, here in Chico and in the county. Which road will we take? The road that will find us living in a Chico we don't recognize in 20 years -- where creeks and woodlands are cemented over and housing tracts crawl aimlessly over the now wild hills? Or we will find ourselves living in a Chico we still know and love - a city guided by wise land use policy, fiscally sound project development, and clear vision?

Yes, we need economic development. Yes, we need to attract business and employ our residents. But, we can't do so at the expense of our community's richest asset - its pristine natural environment. With the destruction of 98% of California's riparian habitat, we have to draw the line here and now. And if we can't do so by stopping the Otterson Drive Extension and preserving Comanche Creek, then we have little hope for future battles. As most readers already know, the city's own $100,000 Environmental Impact Report (EIR) rejected the project and area residents spoke out overwhelmingly against the project during a long string of public meetings. Yet, the former city council, clearly aligned with development and arrogant in its misuse of power, ignored the public will and its fiscal responsibility.

So, "No, never!" says NEFR. The fight is not over. And, if this passionate and well-organized group has its way, it won't be over until our city council does the right thing -- until public trust in our city government is restored and sound management of our irreplaceable natural environment prevails.

This column originally appeared in December 2000 in the Chico Examiner.