The Battle for Walpert Ridge

"The negotiations [with Hayward 1900] included some key features in the area of the golf course and one rock outcropping because it was important to the snake. We did a lot of fine-tuning."

But Professor Rohlf of Lewis and Clark's environmental law clinic says he doesn't think the Blue Rock scenario is all that unique. "This happens all the time," he says. "I've talked to a lot of these biologists. The biologists at the service say that the project will harm the species, and they write a jeopardy opinion. It goes to the developer and the developer goes ballistic, so they bring all sorts of pressure to bear on the Fish and Wildlife Service. Then they make a few cosmetic changes here and there, and then, magically, it's no longer jeopardy."

Sarah Hughes

Walpert Ridge has been a battleground between developers and environmentalists for more than 20 years.

Related Content

• Environmentalists Use Sex to Promote Earth Day
  April 20, 2012
• Police Need Your Help in Finding Men Responsible for Brutal Beating in Civic Center
  March 15, 2012
• Cookies in The Shape of Pirates -- or Your Face
  March 5, 2012
• Julie's Coffee & Tea Garden in Alameda is a Reason to Cross Two Bridges
  December 20, 2011
• Environmental Groups Fight to Put Gray Wolf Back on Endangered Species List
  August 12, 2011

More About

• Hayward
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Jeff Miller
• Wildlife
• Sciences

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Meanwhile, Steve Miller, president of Hayward 1900, says his company has suggested multiple mitigation factors that will, in his mind, make Walpert Ridge an even more attractive place for the endangered snake and frog. "We'll create a better [environment]," he insists. "When people look at the whole history of the project, they'll see that this is a very sensitive project, sensitive for the species, creating a community, a school for children. We're not really the developers. We're the guys that put this project together for the biologists and for the city."