Court Halts California Golf Course for Snake, Frog

HAYWARD, California, May 14, 2004 (ENS) - A judicial panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday temporarily halted the grading of land for a golf course development known as the Blue Rock Country Club east of the city of Hayward, on Walpert Ridge. The court agreed with the conservation groups and the Hayward Area Planning Association that the development’s proposed golf course may imperil endangered species and has scheduled oral arguments in the case.

Conservation groups do not oppose the housing aspect of the project - 614 luxury homes to be constructed over a 356 acre area. They do oppose a golf course covering nearly three quarters of a mile across Walpert Ridge, in prime open space and habitat for the imperiled Alameda whipsnake and the California red legged frog.

Their concern is that the golf course would destroy and fragment the existing oak woodland, grassland, and coastal scrub ecosystem.

“We support the housing and school aspects of this project. What remains at issue is whether a badly planned golf course that will destroy unique habitat must remain in this plan,” said Jeff Miller from the Center for Biological Diversity. “Where these imperiled California native species survive, we should make every effort to protect their habitat.”

On November 14, 2000, Earthjustice filed suit on behalf of the conservation group challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's failure to provide legally mandated protections for the Alameda whipsnake and the California red-legged frog in its original assessment of the Blue Rock project.

“The Bailey Ranch project in Hayward proves housing can be successfully built and profitably sold in Hayward without requiring an 18 hole golf course attached to it,” said Greg Loarie, an attorney for Earthjustice who is representing the coalition.

“We are hopeful that with this positive ruling from the Court of Appeals that an amicable resolution of this issue can be reached," said Loarie.

“The miracle of Walpert Ridge is its survival as a large, near intact ecosystem so close to the urbanization of the East Bay. Most people don't know it's there,” said Sherman Lewis, chair of the Hayward Area Planning Association. “We are asking the court for a balanced solution that allows the housing and school components of the development to go forward while deciding other issues.”