AS PART OF ITS PENDING APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION (FROM THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE), THE ELKHORN SLOUGH FOUNDATION (WHICH IS THE HOME OF THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF THE ENDANGERED SOUTHERN SEA OTTERS ON THE WEST COAST), MUST GO THROUGH A “PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD”. THE ACCREDITATION COMMISSION IS SEEKING INFORMATION ON HOW WELL THE ELKHORN SLOUGH FOUNDATION COMPLIES WITH NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS OF BOTH THE TECHNICAL AND ETHICAL OPERATIONS OF LAND TRUST. IF APPROVED, THE 4 THOUSAND ACRES OF FARMLAND, RANCHLAND, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT, WOULD BE OFF-LIMITS TO DEVELOPMENT FOREVER. THE ELKHORN SLOUGH IS THE 2ND LARGEST TRACT OF TIDAL MARSHLAND STILL EXISTENT IN CALIFORNIA. IT IS REPORTEDLY HOME TO 550 SPECIES OF MARINE INVERTEBRATES, 340 SPECIES OF BIRDS, AND 102 SPECIES OF FISH….AS WELL AS COLONIES OF SEA LIONS AND HARBOR SEALS. COMMENTS CAN BE SUBMITTED BY E-MAIL, SNAIL-MAIL (TO THE COMMISSIONS ADDRESS IS SARATOGA SPRINGS NEW YORK), FAX…OR ON-LINE AT: www.LandTrustAccreditation.org THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ENDS OCTOBER 27TH OF THIS YEAR.
