Poll: Asphalt plant not suitable for Petaluma River

Respondents in an online Argus-Courier poll said that a parcel of land along the Petaluma River south of the city is not appropriate for an asphalt plant. The Dutra Group, which has plans to built the plant, was told recently by regional water regulators to justify the plant’s location. More than 80 percent of respondents said the location is not appropriate for that use.

Here are some comments:

“Absolutely not. The park is directly downwind from a huge air pollution source. The plan calls for a 500-foot conveyor belt built over the SMART tracks. Do you know how noisy that will be? It’s ridiculous that it’s even got this far. This is what happens when money buys politicians.”

“An absolutely ridiculous location for an asphalt plant. How about an oil depot at the Petaluma basin?”

“An industrial area would be more appropriate, not an area that is home to thousands of animals. This would ruin the culture of Petaluma. The land should be left alone.”

“Dutra could not pick a more sensitive, at risk area to establish such a major polluting scheme. Hundreds of thousands of diesel trucks in traffic will clog everyone’s lungs, destroy the rare bird rookeries and create a horrific ‘front door’ to Sonoma County. Spills and other inevitable accidents will destroy even more of our environment.”

“Dutra has been a good corporate neighbor to Petaluma, bringing jobs, and has given back to the community. Their operation is appropriate for Petaluma and should be welcomed.”

“Industry on the river helps keep the river dredged. The river has always been used as a barge channel. I don’t really believe there will be a giant black smoke stack.”