Dutra’s Ads print the word FACTS in bold black letters, but they can’t fool us

As you may have noticed, the Dutra Group has begun to spend a significant amount of money on local print media and web presence to publicize their "claims". Do you think they are worried? Their national record of violations, fines, and court orders tell us that they are not a “good neighbor.”

MYTH vs. FACT

Dutra describes the construction of this plant as a “relocation.”
Haystack Landing is a new large plant. Dutra’s temporary small operation was shut down Nov. 1, 2007 by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) for operating without a permit and failing Best Available Control Technology (BACT).

Dutra claims the proposed site is an “industrial” area.
The Haystack Landing parcels would have to be rezoned from commercial to “industrial” to accommodate the plant, with amendments to the recently adopted Sonoma County General Plan.

Dutra claims "[The Dutra Haystack Landing Project] is subject to more than 140 conditions ... that will ensure protection of air quality, the ecology of the Petaluma River, aesthetics and the environment."
Dutra has a record of non-compliance in Petaluma and in Marin Co. (See Marin Co. Grand Jury Report). BAAQMD has issued numerous violations to Dutra in Petaluma for noxious emissions.

Dutra claims they are interested in protecting our “aesthetics.”
Two 70 ft. storage silos and a large industrial plant would greet visitors to Sonoma Co. and Shollenberger Park. They would create a negative, stunning sight adjacent to the ‘view corridor’ protected by Measure D in 1998 by a super majority of Sonoma’s voters, as well as across from Shollenberger Park.

Dutra claims their normal operating hours are “7am-5pm, Monday through Friday.”
Use Permit allows 24/7 operations for Cal Trans and other government projects, their target customers.

Dutra claims emissions from the plant “will be contained.”
Fugitive blue gases outside the plant (carcinogenic PAHs) will enter the air from trucks loaded with hot asphalt. Diesel exhaust from these trucks, loading every 3 minutes, all day long, is a health hazard to nearby residents, visiting school children at Shollenberger Park, and wildlife. The risks to the public are too great and Dutra's record of noncompliance is of great concern.

Dutra claims noise from the operations “will also be contained.”
The EIR states that noise levels to sensitive receptors (people) using Shollenberger are unacceptable and cannot be mitigated. As loud as a rock concert (112 decibels).

Dutra claims this project has undergone extensive “review and public comment.”
Were you involved?

You decide who is telling the truth. Who would profit from this project? Who would lose?

~ Save Shollenberger Park
~ Protect Petaluma’s health
~ Stand up for local business

Help us win this fight. DONATE NOW. Every dollar will go toward combating this misinformation and funding the upcoming legal challenge. Thank you for your support!