Local
Marin County to ban construction to protect embattled salmon

The Associated Press
2008-02-07 17:00:29.0
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LAGUNITAS, Calif. -

Marin County officials have agreed to ban new construction within near streams in the San Geronimo Valley to protect endangered coho salmon.

Officials negotiated the agreement with environmentalists after the number of coho salmon returning to spawn in Marin County this winter reached alarmingly low numbers.

Environmentalists worry that development can disrupt streambeds and make it more difficult for salmon to survive.

The agreement bans new construction within 100 feet of all streams in the San Geronimo Valley for two years while scientists come up with building guidelines that would better protect the coho salmon.

The county's Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the building moratorium at its meeting on Tuesday.

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Information from: Marin Independent Journal, http://www.marinij.com