E-R Letter Praises BEC's Solution

July 30, 2005

We at New Urban Builders appreciate the recognition for our effort to work out a win-win solution on the former Pleasant Valley Assembly of God property along Humboldt Road (E-R editorial, July 25). However, the full story must rightly include the vital role of the Butte Environmental Council (BEC) and its executive director Barbara Vlamis. It was more than a year ago that we first discussed a creative solution for our need to mitigate some loss of wetlands in our Meriam Park project and BEC’s objective of preserving in perpetuity the valuable wetlands on the adjacent Pleasant Valley Assembly of God. Those initial conversations and the many meetings, plans and discussions that followed have lead to the successful result which was detailed in the pages of the E-R last week.

BEC’s advocates have worked consistently over the years for sustainable urban growth and preservation of the natural environment in and around Chico and Butte County. They also remain both creative and pragmatic in seeking ways to pursue these values. I hope the solution on the Pleasant Valley Assembly of God parcel is seen as evidence of how productive dialogue and collaboration can advance the values of the natural environment as well as respond to the need for good long-term planning and development.

Tom DiGiovanni, Chico