Soccer field vs seasonal wetlands area

In a case very similar to the "More Endangered Clapper Rail Sightings on Gallinas Creek" posting (http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/04/1814181.php), the Strawberry Point School PTA (Mill Valley) is moving ahead with plans to put up a soccer field on wetlands areas behind the school. A very distressing situation. It is called the Strawberry Point School Wetland/Field Restoration Project.

The following is from a sheet from the SPS PTA sent out last month:

"The Dream"
Since the school reopened in September 2000, Strawberry Point parents, teachers, students and administrators have dreamed of restoring and improving our outdoor environment to maximize the learning and conservation opportunities presented at our unique bayside location. That dream is embodies in a two-part plan that will:

1. Expand and improve tidal flow to the marsh on the eastern side of our school property ('Tidal WetlandZone') to enhance and preserve this precious wetland habitat which will become the centerpiece in our emerging environmental education curriculum; and

2. Restore the level grassy play area adjacent to the blacktop ('Field Zone') to remove the drowning and mosquito hazard and provide students in a safe and dry, on-site play area, separate from the protected wetlands.

So deep was our community's commitment that a powerful grassroots movement emerged at our school to accomplish the ambitious plan entirely with donated funds. Your generosity at our last two Casino Night fundraisers has us well on our way!"

end

What is not mentioned above is the absence of any environmental report (only input from parent professionals so far). The reasoning is that since the pond area behind the school is not a breeding or nesting habitat (but merely a feeding habitat) that it is alright to turn this calm, beautiful space with multiple visiting bird and other species into a Soccer field (this is what "Restore the level grassy play area" mentioned up above really translates into..."Restore" is completely incorrect here, should read "Destroying the pond area" is more accurate. This is the area that the kids could and should be using for education purposes of course! There are more species than the Canadian Geese and Mallard Ducks the PTA cites.

The "drowning hazard" mentioned above is meant to scare people and is laughable (many were unaware this was even a concern).

It is true this is a two-part plan. Transformation of the back space (part 1) is being used to justify the destruction of this habitat to make a soccer field (part 2).

The soccer field, driven by some parents with clout and money, is being steam-rolled by a recent casino auction.

This is an incredibly expensive two-part project (hundreds of thousands of dollars) that will require continued influx of money for future maintenance. Bids for landscape architects is also driving this project. With the kind of money being discussed here, watch out.

Finally, how is it possible to justify a new soccer field given that the Strawberry Rec Center is directly across the street. What message do the children get...it's okay to destroy another habitat if you get a soccer field?

Audobon Society...where are you? The parent heading up this project (along with the Principal) says the project has your support. Other parents say this is simply not the case.

What are good next steps?