Opposition to Measure L
This detailed rationale is provided by the Committee Against Measure L, which is a distinct group from American Canyon Engaged
Introduction
The “Committee Against Measure L” opposes the initiative because it poses significant environmental, climate, infrastructure and public process risks in American Canyon, while offering limited and uncertain benefit.
Ecological Importance of the Wetlands and Surrounding Lands
The wetlands and adjacent lands within the City of American Canyon play a crucial role in supporting the region’s ecological balance and sustaining the shoreline. Development under Measure L would destroy essential habitats for migrating birds and local wildlife. The initiative also threatens to increase pollution and traffic congestion, erase open space views, and diminish the natural beauty cherished by residents. The Committee requests that this land be preserved as agricultural/open space/watershed and that a permanent conservation easement be established for the 157-acre area, ensuring its protection in perpetuity.
Flaws and Inaccuracies in Measure L
Measure L is deeply flawed, featuring an inaccurate and incomplete project description that fails to address key concerns.
Respect for Voter Decisions
In 2022, voters rejected Measure J, which closely resembles Measure L except for the added promise of a sports facility. The City Council has a responsibility to respect the outcome of the previous vote. Ignoring the will of the voters would constitute a violation of the public trust.
Traffic and Congestion Concerns
Increasing industrial activity will result in more traffic and congestion. Green Island Road is the sole access route to the property. According to a 2023 traffic study commissioned by the City of American Canyon, over 6,500 daily trips—mostly by diesel trucks—occur on Green Island Road from Mazetti Court to Highway 29. This makes it the third most congested street in the city. The constant wear and tear requires local businesses to pay special fees for ongoing maintenance and repaving. The city also relies on uncertain federal grants for improvements. Additional traffic will exacerbate road damage, raising questions about who will bear the costs of future upkeep.
Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions from increased diesel truck traffic significantly degrade local air quality and elevate particulate matter, which is linked to higher asthma rates. The absence of an air quality monitoring system does not negate the certainty that air pollution and carbon emissions will rise with this development, especially when combined with the Buzz Oates warehouse project planned for 2026 on Green Island/Devlin. The cumulative effect will push truck and car traffic beyond current road capacity, further increasing air pollution and the city’s carbon footprint.
Infrastructure and Environmental Impact
Additional infrastructure concerns include the management of water runoff and the construction of new access roads, which would further harm the wetlands, the bay, and the mouth of the Napa River. The initiative lacks analysis of groundwater pumping and the environmental impacts of infrastructure improvements.
General Plan and Public Process
American Canyon’s current General Plan does not mention the development of Green Island Vineyard or the extension of the Urban Limit Line. There are concerns about government process. Voter initiatives should not be used to bypass planning processes that exist specifically to evaluate environmental impact, infrastructure capacity and community input.
Commitment to Carbon Emission Reductions
The city’s General Plan and City Council resolutions include commitments to reducing carbon emissions by 2030. Proceeding with Measure L would break these commitments, further eroding public trust.
Concerns Regarding Agricultural Practices
The Committee questions GIV Vineyards’ farming practices, noting that soil tests have not been conducted in over five years. Scientific studies indicate that sodium content is reduced by wet winters and seasonal changes. The Committee calls for updated soil testing and remediation to support the growth of other agricultural products.
Risks from Sea Level Rise
Sea level rise poses a significant threat to the property, with mapped data indicating that 20–60% of the land could be inundated within the next 100 years. The lack of study or planning for sea level rise by the City of American Canyon is a major concern, making any new construction risky without updated information.
Water Supply Issues
The City of American Canyon is currently involved in legal disputes with the City of Vallejo over water resources and does not have its own independent water source. As development continues, the question of where water will be sourced remains unresolved.
Environmental and Recreational Impact
The initiative would cause significant environmental harm by blocking open space views, paving over essential foraging habitat, and covering land that should remain fallow to absorb rising seawater with parking lots. Noise and lights from the development would disrupt birds and wildlife, contributing to further population declines.
Lack of Environmental Baseline Data
There is currently no baseline report on the wildlife or plant life in the area, nor on the project’s impact on rare plants, special status species, wetlands, aquatic resources, or migratory bird patterns. According to the Napa Solano Audubon Society, endangered birds such as Loggerhead Shrike, Swainson’s Hawk, and two pairs of Bald Eagles breed and live within a three-mile radius of this property. Other special status species include Black Rail, Rideway Rail, Least Tern, and Snowy Plover. While these species may not currently use the property as habitat, their nearby habitats would be significantly affected, likely resulting in population declines.
Equity and Access to Recreation
The American Canyon community includes a significant number of minority families. The Committee believes that all residents deserve access to clean air, water, and recreational opportunities. Measure L would eliminate a valuable recreational area for walking, hiking, and biking, replacing it with cement and limiting access for local residents.
In sum, Measure L prioritizes short-term development over long-term community health, environmental resilience, fiscal responsibility and democratic process. We urge voters and decision makers to reject Measure L and instead pursue land use decisions that reflect American Canyon’s stated climate commitments, protect sensitive ecosystems and respect the will and well-being of our residents.