Protecting Sonoma County’s Air, Water, and Community
Sonoma County is once again facing the threat of an industrial asphalt plant in Forestville, an area known for its scenic beauty, rich agricultural heritage, and environmentally conscious community. Canyon Rock, Inc.’s proposal to establish an asphalt facility along Green Valley Creek not only contradicts the environmental values of our county but also threatens public health, the local economy, and the delicate ecosystems of the Russian River watershed.
This fight is not new. Fourteen years ago, Forestville residents successfully prevented an asphalt plant from being built after a protracted 12-year legal battle. That settlement included protections for Green Valley Creek, air quality, and community well-being. Yet, despite the overwhelming public opposition then, and now, Canyon Rock is trying once again to push through a project that would expose our community to harmful pollution and industrial hazards.
Why This Asphalt Plant is a Bad Idea
A Public Health Hazard
Asphalt production emits a toxic cocktail of airborne pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are known carcinogens. These chemicals don’t just dissipate into the air; they settle in our soils, contaminate our water, and put residents, particularly children and the elderly, at risk.
Forestville, like the rest of Sonoma County, has suffered through years of extreme wildfires and hazardous air quality. Adding a high-emission industrial facility to an area that already struggles with air pollution is not just reckless, it’s an outright disregard for community health.
Threats to Green Valley Creek and the Russian River
Green Valley Creek is a critical habitat for endangered Coho salmon and steelhead trout, species that have already been pushed to the brink due to climate change and habitat destruction. The runoff from asphalt production, laden with heavy metals and petroleum byproducts, could further degrade water quality, disrupt fragile ecosystems, and threaten local wildlife.
This plant’s location is dangerously close to the Russian River watershed, a primary source of drinking water for thousands of Sonoma County residents. Any contamination from industrial operations, whether through spills, truck leaks, or airborne particulate settling into waterways, could have devastating consequences for public water supplies.
An Industrial Nuisance in a Rural Community
Forestville is a residential, agricultural, and tourism-driven area, not an industrial zone. Scenic Highway 116, which runs through Forestville, is a designated scenic corridor, celebrated for its redwood groves, vineyards, and small-town charm. The introduction of an asphalt plant, complete with heavy truck traffic, toxic emissions, and industrial noise, would erode the very character that makes this region special.
Local businesses, especially those in the wine and hospitality industry, could suffer from the presence of an asphalt plant. Visitors seeking a peaceful retreat among the vineyards will not be drawn to an area overshadowed by industrial pollution and the persistent stench of asphalt fumes.
Increased Fire and Safety Risks
The Russian River region has faced repeated catastrophic wildfires in recent years. Asphalt production requires the use of highly flammable petrochemicals, which introduce unnecessary fire hazards to an already vulnerable region. The plant’s operations would involve hot asphalt storage, heavy machinery, and transport trucks carrying combustible materials, all potential fire risks in a county where fire safety should be a top priority.
Additionally, the increase in large truck traffic on narrow rural roads presents serious safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists, and local commuters.
A Better Vision for Forestville
Instead of allowing a polluting industry to take root in Forestville, Sonoma County should focus on sustainable economic development that aligns with its environmental and community values. There are better alternatives, ones that protect air and water quality, preserve the region’s scenic beauty, and create long-term, sustainable jobs.
Forestville and Sonoma County residents have fought this battle before, and we must do so again. The Board of Supervisors should reject this asphalt plant proposal outright and uphold the protections that the community worked so hard to secure.
