Yearsley resigns river post

Local activist planning new group to watch over Petaluma River

November 23, 2005

By COREY YOUNG
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

If a Petaluma River issue was under discussion anytime, anywhere, chances are David Yearsley was there -- when he wasn't out patrolling the waterway himself as the official "Petaluma Riverkeeper."

But Yearsley resigned that title in August, leaving the parent organization, Baykeeper, headquartered in San Francisco.

Yearsley, who as Riverkeeper was a part-time employee, and Baykeeper Executive Director Leo P. O'Brien said it was a financial decision.

"We weren't able to meet his financial needs," O'Brien said. "Like many nonprofits, we have limited resources."

Yearsley said he's leaving the group on good terms after seven years as Riverkeeper, and by no means is he planning to end his watchdog role.

As part of the separation agreement with Baykeeper, Yearsley gets to keep the 15-foot aluminum boat in which he plies the waters of the river, often taking elected officials with him to bend their ears about topics like wetlands, the city's new environmentally friendly sewer plant or the expansion of Redwood Landfill near Novato.

But he said he'll miss holding the "keeper" title.

"I was very proud to be Riverkeeper," Yearsley said. "Being a keeper was a big thing for me."

He started as a volunteer in 1998, spending much of his time educating the public, government leaders and whoever was interested on the importance of protecting the river.

"I ran programs I felt would improve the health of the river," he said. "A big part of my role was education and outreach -- educating people about the beauty of, and the threats to, the river and the wetlands. A lot of people have never been out there."

He was usually on the river three or four times a month and sometimes made several trips each week. Most recently, he gave tours to more than 50 people in July and August, talking about opposition to the landfill's expansion plans.

Baykeeper was a good organization to work for, but "their direction was somewhat limiting to my work here," Yearsley said. "I coordinated my work with them, but it was mostly self-dictated."

The Baykeeper office also oversees the Sacramento River "Deltakeeper," who also resigned in August. The Bay Area office is part of the national Waterkeepers Alliance.

"I am parting Baykeeper amicably," Yearsley said. "I came to them with a desire to do this program in the Petaluma watershed. It's a labor of love."

O'Brien said while the Petaluma keeper program will continue, it is not yet known what form it will take.

"We think that Petaluma's an important watershed and deserves protection like any other watershed. We're taking the time to figure out the best way to serve that geography," he said, raising the possibility of a North Bay keeper position to watch over the Petaluma and Napa rivers and other waterways.

Yearsley said that fits with what he's heard.

"My impression was they're looking at more of a regional organization," he said.

Whatever shape the future Riverkeeper program takes, Yearsley said he's planning to form a new group with much of the same goals in mind.

"I have plans for setting up a new river group to continue the work I've been doing," he said. "My intention is to continue to work in the watershed."

O'Brien said his group will welcome Yearsley's future efforts.

"David is a very special person," he said. "Baykeeper and I personally are very supportive of his continuing work in the Petaluma watershed. We want to see him succeed as he continues that work."

(Contact Corey Young at cyoung@arguscourier.com)