By David Lewis
San Francisco Bay is a part of all our lives — whether we live along the Bay, work there, walk, jog or visit parks along its shores.
But pollution and other problems have put the health of the Bay at serious risk. Many of the Bay’s wetlands have been paved over or diked off, and the North Bay shoreline communities face increasing flood risks from extreme storms and sea level rise
Now we have the first chance in our history to come together across the entire Bay Area to vote for San Francisco Bay and make it healthier and safer for future generations. Measure AA on the June 7 ballot in all nine Bay Area counties is a small parcel tax that creates huge benefits. For only $12 annually per parcel, Measure AA raises $500 million over 20 years to restore wetlands around the Bay that will provide habitat for fish and wildlife and filter out pollutants from the water.
Shoreline communities in the North Bay will directly benefit from Measure AA funds, allowing accelerated restoration of wetlands.
Measure AA includes important fiscal accountability protections. All funds must stay in the Bay Area to be used only on local habitat restoration and wildlife protection projects. The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority would provide grant funds to restoration projects, overseen by a board of elected representatives from around the Bay, including from Solano, Napa and Sonoma counties.
San Francisco Bay gives us so much. Now let’s make the Bay healthier for future generations by voting Yes on Measure AA. Visit YesonAAfortheBay.com for more information.
David Lewis is executive director of Save The Bay.