In 2025, the Coalition focused on issues that affect all of us, including impacts from operations at the San Rafael Rock Quarry, safety along Pt. San Pedro Roadway, advocacy and educational programs related to local wetlands, and improving our collective disaster readiness. This update summarizes this work, reflecting the dedication of our volunteers and the impact of your support.
The Quarry Committee addresses issues related to the San Rafael Rock Quarry, a large-scale industrial mining operation in our neighborhood, which significantly impacts the Pt. San Pedro Road residential community. We encourage the community to provide input to the Coalition so we can keep the quarry informed on Community concerns.
Following the Quarry’s 2021 permit extension (to 2044), the Quarry and Coalition agreed to engage in ongoing dialogue in three areas: Wetlands, Air Monitoring, and Roadway Maintenance and for the quarry to retain a wetlands expert, Dr. Stuart Siegel, to do an independent analysis of marsh restoration plans. One year ago, the operational rights of Dutra Materials were sold to CRH Americas. The Dutra family retains land ownership and Aimi Dutra remains the community liaison.
- Wetlands: Our Committee leadership met with CRH’s quarry management team, including the Quarry’s environmental consultant, to discuss Dr. Siegel’s report, which identifies opportunities for overall additional enhancement of the Quarry marshes. The Quarry explained they are not able to implement his recommendations at this time due to regulatory and permitting requirements and financial considerations. However, the quarry team remains open to future discussions where some of these opportunities might be reconsidered, perhaps as part of a sea level rise project, with a broader consortium involving multiple agencies.
- Air Monitoring: Discussions are underway to develop criteria for determining when compliant air monitoring should take place. In the meantime, CRH has stated the company is exploring new technologies to reduce emissions.
- Roadway Maintenance: The Coalition believes that Quarry’s 20-year permit extension, and resulting truck traffic, necessitates long-term roadway maintenance in addition to the ordinary wear and tear along the road. Although a slurry seal is planned for Point San Pedro Road in Spring 2026, we continue to advocate for more long-term solutions that mitigate truck noise and provide environmental benefits.
- Truck Traffic: In 2025, the amount of truck traffic increased over recent years, approaching the 125 round-trip per-day maximum. Community complaints about the trucks, including that they have been caravanning on Pt. San Pedro Road, have been conveyed to the Quarry and we are in discussions with the quarry as they develop strategies to reduce truck caravanning.
Disaster Preparedness Committee
Our Disaster Preparedness Committee focuses on resident training, stockpiling emergency supplies, and wildfire prevention.
- Emergency Supplies: The Coalition maintains over $30,000 in donated medical and rescue supplies, stored in one central cache and one mobile emergency trailer, to ensure community self-reliance in a major disaster.
- Firewise: A March seminar brought representatives from over 22 neighborhoods to learn how to become Firewise Communities and how defensible space can help maintain insurance coverage. A Department of insurance representative explained how Firewise status can help lower insurance costs and retain coverage in fire-prone areas.
- Community Education: An April workshop with the San Rafael Fire Department educated over 70 residents on home-hardening and fire prevention strategies. A similar event is planned for 2026.
- Vegetation Management: Our annual Earth Day Broom Pull in April, in collaboration with the SRFD, Friends of China Camp, and Glenwood Neighbors, gathered over 40 volunteers to remove flammable vegetation. The event will return in 2026.
- Volunteers Needed: The Committee seeks new members, especially CERT-trained volunteers and residents with medical or communications skills.
- To volunteer, contact: John Lenser, John@Lenser.com.
The Roadway Committee advocated for improvements and collaborated with Marin County and the City of San Rafael to ensure safety, maintenance, and planning along Point San Pedro Road.
- Roadway Resurfacing and Safety Improvements: Worked with Marin County and the City of San Rafael to discuss plans for resurfacing Point San Pedro Road. Proposed improvements to be implemented when the slurry seal is applied include: Standard 11-foot travel lanes, buffered bike lanes and safety enhancements, and improved pavement striping.
- Crosswalk Safety: Supported a successful city grant application for pedestrian-activated crossing lights at Knight, Peacock, and Riviera.
- Median Maintenance: Continued to work with City Public Works on median maintenance, addressing weed control, irrigation, and planting. New members are welcome for the Median Subcommittee.
The committee meets bi-monthly and focuses on protecting local wetlands and educating the community.
- Advocacy: Committee members continued discussions with Quarry representatives to support restoration and long-term protection of Quarry Marsh. This work aligns with the Quarry Committee’s wetlands focus.
- Education Webinars: We hosted two webinars, now available on our YouTube channel:
- May 14: The Migratory Shorebird Project: Featured Matt Reiter of Point Blue Conservation Science.
- October 28: Echoes in the Dark: Featured Jessie Bunkley of Bat Conservation International on bat conservation, local bat species, their ecological role, and conservation challenges.
- Book Club: The Coalition launched its first book club meeting in September, sponsored by the Wetland Committee. We discussed The Birds in the Oaks by local author Jack Gedney. Future book clubs may explore other local themes.
This committee was established in the early 2000’s to provide community input and monitor the construction of the Village at Loch Lomond Marina. With construction substantially completed in 2024, the committee was dissolved in May 2025. Historical information remains available on the website.