What We Do
Advocacy
Important decisions about Marin’s lands, waters, wildlife, climate, and communities are often made through complex public planning and policy processes. MCL helps ensure that environmental consequences are understood and considered before those decisions are made. We research proposals, consult technical experts and community partners, develop positions guided by our Environmental Goals, and advocate before public agencies and elected officials for practical, science-based outcomes.
This page brings together MCL’s formal comments, policy recommendations, public statements, and other advocacy materials. Explore our recent work or browse the archive to see where MCL has weighed in, what we recommended, and why.
Recent Advocacy
- 7.16.26 Bowman Canyon 2026 IS_MND Comment Letter
Comments on Bowman Canyon Habitat Protection and Public Access Improvement Project Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
- 7.23.26 Buck Gulch Falls Letter
Submitted comments supporting the Buck Gulch Falls Creek Restoration and Trail Improvement Project while recommending refinements to protect salmonid habitat, improve revegetation, correct factual errors, and address stream channel incision.
- NGO SB 131 Cleanup Letter
August 7, 2025
Land Use, Planning and Transportation
- MCL_SR Housing Element Comment Letter_11.30.2022
Comment Letter City of San Rafael Draft Housing Element
- MCL_ PEL Comment Letter_11.28.2022
Support Letter for SR 37 PEL Study Recommendations
- MCL_Sausalito Draft Housing Element Comment Letter_9.14.2022
Comment Letter Sausalito Draft Housing Element
- Corte Madera Draft Housing & Safety Elements
MCL reviewed draft elements in alignment with policy positions include housing, sea level rise and wildfire management.
- MCL_Corte Madera Housing Element_8.4.2022
Comment Letter Corte Madera Draft Housing & Safety Elements
- Tiburon Draft Housing Element
Tiburon Draft Housing Element balancing the need for housing and the growing consequences of climate change.
- MCL_Tiburon Housing Element Comment Letter_8.1.2022
Comment Letter Tiburon Draft Housing Element
- Mill Valley Draft Housing Element
Mill Valley Draft Housing Element balancing the need for housing and the growing consequences of climate change.
- MCL_Mill Valley Housing Element Comment Letter_7.26.2022
Comment Letter Mill Valley Draft Housing Element
- Marin County Draft Housing & Safety Elements
MCL reviewed draft elements in alignment with policy positions include housing, sea level rise and wildfire management.
- MCL Housing Safety Element 6.22.2022
Comment Letter Marin County Draft Housing & Safety Elements
- San Rafael General Plan 2040 for Chapter Award
Support for Nomination of San Rafael's General Plan 2040 for Chapter Award
- Tiscornia Marsh Habitat Restoration Proposal
Tiscornia Marsh Habitat Restoration and Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project
- MCL_Habitat Redwood_01.05.2022
Support Letter for Habitat Redwood Blvd Project in Novato
- SR 37 Flood Reduction Project from US 101 to SR 121
Notice of Preparation (NOP) of Draft EIR for SR 37 Flood Reduction Project from US 101 to SR 121
- Bay Adapt: Regional Strategy for a Rising Bay
The Bay Adapt Joint Platform is a valuable tool to help Bay Area become resilient to sea level rise.
- South Farallon Island Invasive House Mice Eradication Project
Comment Letter South Farallon Island Invasive House Mice Eradication
- Comment Letter – DEIR for San Rafael Transit Replacement Project
Draft Environmental Impact Report for the San Rafael Transit Center Replacement Project
- Project Homekey, Agenda Items #7 and #8
Project Homekey, converting a senior care facility into permanent supportive housing for the homeless.
- Richardson’s Bay Regional Agency (RBRA) Measure AA Grant Application
Richardson’s Bay Regional Agency (RBRA) Measure AA grant application – Adaptive Eelgrass Restoration Project
- Marin Water’s Diversification of its Water Supply
Recommend Marin Water diversifies its portfolio to ensure a resilient water supply for the public it serves
- Recommend Sanctions and Revised Pricing to Encourage Increased Water Conservation
recommend specific sanctions and revised pricing to support and encourage increased conservation
- Novato Costco Fuel Facility
Novato Costco Fuel Facility at Vintage Oaks Initial Study/Mitigated negative Declaration (IS/MND
- Novato Costco Fuel Facility
Novato Costco Fuel Facility at Vintage Oaks Initial Study/Mitigated negative Declaration (IS/MND
- Novato Costco Fuel Facility
Novato Costco Fuel Facility Initial Study/Mitigated negative Declaration (IS?MND
- Marinwood Carmelite Monastery’s Response
Marinwood Carmelite Monastery Response to MCL request to preserve trees planted by the nuns.
- MCL_Item 6_Update on transition plan for Mgt of Vessels in Richardson’s Bay_10.26.2020
Comment Letter Encourage BCDC to implement 1984 Richardson Bay Plan to restore eelgrass beds by removing vessels
- San Rafael Comments on Draft General Plan 2040
Comment Letter San Rafael Draft General Plan 2040
- MCL SR 37 Traffic Congestion Relief Letter_08.24.2020
Comment Letter SR37 Traffic Congestion Relief Project
- MCL SB 288 Position Letter
Non-Support Letter CA Senate Bill 288 which recasts CEQA and exempt transportation related projects
- MCL CCC Farallones Letter 06.17.20
Support Letter Eradication of Invasive House Mice Project on Farallong Islands
- Draft EIR for Novato General Plan 2035
Comment Letter Novato General Plan 2035
- BCDC Enforcement Case ER2010.038_Ltr
Comment Letter BCDC Enforcement Case ER2010.038 transition plan for RBRA and Sausalito vessel mgt in Richardson Bay
- ADV_WAT_Richardsons Bay_BCDC Enforcement Case_ER2010.038_02.20.2020
Comment Letter BCDC Enforcement Case ER2010.038 transition plan for RBRA and Sausalito vessel mgt in Richardson Bay timeline
- ADV_TRN_Comments SMART Measure I_02.04.2020
Non-Support Letter for SMART sales tax, Measure I
- ADV_POS_MSPA Renewal_01.14.2020
Support Letter for reinstatement of Marin State Parks Assoc as a state park cooperating organization
- ADV_LUP_MCL Comments Costco At Northgate Mall 10.14.2019
Comment Letter on Pre-Application and Conceptual Design Review Application of the Costco at Northgate Mall
- ADV_GEC_TAM Dianne Steinhauser Retirement 10.09.2019
General Letter congratulating Dianne Steinhauser for her service at TAM.
- ADV_LUP_Point Reyes Coast Guard Facility_MCL Comments_09.13.2019
Support Letter to use the Pt Reyes Coast Guard Facility for use as affordable housing
- ADV_LUP_Silveira Ranch Solar Photovoltaic System_MCL Comments_08.30.2019
Comment Letter on Silveira Ranch Solar Photovoltaic System
- ADV_LUP_Gnoss Field EIS 08.26.2019
Support Letter for Gnoss Field Supplement to EIS.
- ADV_LUP_TAM_Caltrans Oak Tree Planting_MCL Support_07.23.2019
Support Letter sent to TAM for planting oak tress along Highway 101 in Novato
- ADV_LUP_Silveira Ranch Solar Photovoltaic System_Comments_MCL_06.07.2019
Comment Letter on Silveira Ranch Solar Photovoltaic System
- ADV_LUP_Novato CALFIRE Application_03.06.2019
Support Letter for Novato’s grant application to CalFire for funding a robust urban forestry program.
- ADV_LUP_Novato Urban Growth Boundary_TOBA Project_01.25.2019
Support Letter for staff recommendation that TOBA project be denied.
- ADV_WAT_DEIS.EIR_Corte Madera Creek Flood Risk Management Project 11.27.2018
Support Letter for Joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Report for Corte Madera Creek Flood Risk Management Project
- ADV_lut_ScopingComments_San Rafael Transit Center Replacement Project Draft EIR 11.19.2018
Comment Letter on the San Rafael Transit Center Replacement Project Draft EIR
- adv_wat_San Anselmo Flood Risk Reduction Project FEIR 09.06.2018
Support Letter for San Anselmo Flood Risk Reduction Project (FEIR)
- ADV_LUP_San Geronimo Golf Course 08.27.2018
Support Letter for Acquisition of the San Geronimo Golf Course
- adv_wat_AB 1017 Sustainable Swordfish & Marine Life Support Senate 06.20.2018
Support Letter to State Senate for SB 1017, the sustainable Swordfish and Marine Life Protection Act
- adv_wat_AB 1017 Sustainable Swordfish & Marin Life Support Assembly 06.19.2018
Support Letter to State Assembly for SB 1017, the sustainable Swordfish and Marine Life Protection Act
- adv_wat_Marin Baylands Advocates’ Black Point Bayland Acquisition 05.14.2018
Support Letter for Wildlands Fund Application for Black Point Bayland Acquisition
- adv_WAT_Marin County Urban Streams 04.27.2018
Support Letter for Urban Streams program staffed by Sarah Phillips.
- adv_nmu_Proposed Solar Facility Ordinance Novato 03.02.2018
Support Letter for proposed Solar Facility Ordinance in Novato
Climate Change and Energy
- MCL Building Electrification letter to County 11.07.222
November 7th, 2022 — Marin County Board of Supervisors, Marin Civic Center
- Belvedere MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter Belvedere Electrification Reach Code
- Novato MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter Novato Electrification Reach Code
- SR MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter San Rafael Electrification Reach Code
- Corte Madera MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter Corte Madera Electrification Reach Code
- Tiburon MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter Tiburon Electrification Reach Code
- San Anselmo MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter San Anselmo Electrification Reach Code
- Ross MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter Ross Electrification Reach Code
- Mill Valley MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter Mill Valley Electrification Reach Code
- Larkspur MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter Larkspur Electrification Reach Code
- Fairfax MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter Fairfax Electrification Reach Code
- Sausalito MCL_Electrification Letter_7.20.2022
Support Letter Sausalito Electrification Reach Code
- Draft 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update of 5.10.2022
MCL is concerned about key elements in the California
- Model Building Electrification Ordinance
Model Building Electrification Ordinance and a Coordinated Effort by Marin County and its Towns, Cities and Agencies to Accelerate Building Electrifications
- Joint CCAs to High DER Proceeding Before CPUC
Suggest reply comments of joint Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) to High Distributed Energy Resources (High DER) proceeding before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
- MCL CAWG Letter Huffman Climate Change_12.23.2020
Comment Letter to frame Huffman’s Discussion Topics for 1.13.2021 CAWG meeting
- ADV_GEC_MCE_Self-Generation Incentive Program Equity Marketing, Education, and Outreach Plan_01.03.2020
Support Letter MCE’s Self-Generation Incentive Program Equity Marketing, Education & Outreach Plan
- ADV_GEC SB 155 (Bradford) MCL Opposition 07.03.2019
Non-Support Letter opposing SB 155 (Bradford) contravening CA’s greenhouse gas emission law
- ADV_GEC AB 56 (Garcia) MCL Opposition 07.03.2019
Non-support Letter opposition to AB56 granting new powers to the CPUC.
- adv_gec_CPUC Proposed Decision Endorsement on PCIA 08.23.2018
Comment Letter for CPUC to adopt the Proposed Decision (PD)
- ADV_GEC_SB 100 Support 08.22.2018
Support Letter for Levine’s signing on a coauthor of SB 100, CA Renewables Portfolio Standard Program: Emissions of Greenhouse Gases.
- adv_cawg_Marin Green Building Ordinance 02.22.2018
Comment Letter to delay February Hearing on First Reading of the Green Building Ordinance.
- CAWG Request to MCE 2.2.2018
Comment Letter to MCE to continue MCE’s goal of GHG reduction
Fire and Environment
- Marin Biomass Recovery Project
Marin Biomass Project gran proposal to the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to improve biomass utilization.
- Fire Innovation, Recruitment and Education (FIRE) Foundry Equity Initiative
Comment for 10/12/21 Marin County Board of Supervisors Meeting: Request from the Fire Dept to approve actions related to the Department’s Fire Innovation, Recruitment & Education(FIRE) Foundry Equity Initiative as […]
- MCL_ Comments on CWPP_9.12.20
Comments County Wildfire Protection Plan
- ADV_GEC_MCL Support Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority JPA 11.04.2019
Support Letter for Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority to create a Joint Powers Authority
- ADV_GEC_Marin County Civil Grand Jury Wildfire Preparedness Report Comments 06.04.2019
Comment Letter the Grand Jury’s report Wildfire Preparedness: A new Approach
- ADV_GEC_San Rafael Wildfire Prevention & Protection Action Plan Comments MCL 04.10.2019
Comment Letter on San Rafael’s Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan.
Water, Wetlands and Watersheds
- Bay Delta Conservation Plan Administrative Draft and Draft EIR/EIS
BDCP Comments to Ryan Wulff, NMFS
MCL Position on Water Supply and Distribution
- Marin Conservation League Position On Water Supply & Distribution
Adopted by the MCL Board of Directors on November 16, 2010
Parks and Open Space
- 7.16.26 Bowman Canyon 2026 IS_MND Comment Letter
Comments on Bowman Canyon Habitat Protection and Public Access Improvement Project Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
- 7.23.26 Buck Gulch Falls Letter
Submitted comments supporting the Buck Gulch Falls Creek Restoration and Trail Improvement Project while recommending refinements to protect salmonid habitat, improve revegetation, correct factual errors, and address stream channel incision.
- Greater Ross Valley Fuel Break
MCL comments on communication and stakeholders, hiring additional natural resource professionals and MWPA begin educating public.
- MCL_Greater Ross Valley Fuel Break Comment Ltr_07.28.2022
Comment Letter Greater Ross Valley Fuel Break
- Negative Declaration, 70-74 Liberty Ship Way project
MCL opposes new development in shoreline areas without consideration of sea level rise.
- MCL_Liberty Ship Way Comment Ltr_07.26.2022
Comment Letter on Negative Declaration, 70-74 Liberty Ship Way Project
- MCL_Watershed Recreation Management Plan_SCA_PC_Comment Letter 6.29.22
Comment Letter Suggested Approaches to Marin Water Watershed Recreation Management Plan
- FY23 Interior, Environmental and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill – Sign on by NPS Coalition
Support for funding to restore National Park Service operational capacity.
- Tomales Point Area Plan
MCL provided input on the scope for Tule Elk and Tomales Pt management planning process, issues to be addressed in an EIS, etc.
- MCL Measure a Renewal Support Letter
From 2013 to the present, we have witnessed accomplishments across the county, made possible by Measure A – a transformation in public investment that has been truly phenomenal!
- Fire Innovation, Recruitment and Education (FIRE) Foundry Equity Initiative
Comment for 10/12/21 Marin County Board of Supervisors Meeting: Request from the Fire Dept to approve actions related to the Department’s Fire Innovation, Recruitment & Education(FIRE) Foundry Equity Initiative as […]
- Richardson Bay Eelgrass Protection and Management Plan and Agreement BCDC
Richardson Bay Eelgrass Protection and Managment Plan and Agreement with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)
- Golden Gate Safety and Access Improvements Project Grant Application
California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) grant application to the California Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) to enable Golden Gate Safety and Access Improvements.
- Support for Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) Staff Report
Coastal Commission Staff Report recommending conditional concurrence for the Point Reyes National Seashore and North District Golden gate National Recreation Area General management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement.
- MCL GMPA Letter to CCC
Support Letter for National Park Service for Coastal Consistency Determination
- MCL LOS 2020 Measure AA Bothin Marsh 10.22.2020
Support Letter Evolving Shorelines Project at Bothin Marsh
- MCL Roys Redwoods Letter of Support_9.24.20
Support Letter for Stream Flow Enhancement Grant Application for Roys Redwoods
- MCL EBikes Comment RIN 1024-AE61 06.08.2020
Comment Letter Opposition to e-Bike Regulation to redefine the term electric bike
- ADV_POS_MSPA Renewal_01.14.2020
Support Letter for reinstatement of Marin State Parks Assoc as a state park cooperating organization
- ADV_POS_MCLSupport_CaliforniaStateCoastalConservancy_BucksLandingPurchas…
Support Letter for Coastal Conservancy to acquire Buck’s Landing
- ADV_POS_MCL Comments_GGNRA_2019 Draft Final Compendium_E-bikes_10.26.2019
Comment Letter on the 2019 Draft Final Compendium with eBikes, dated 9.26.2019
- ADV_LUP_MCL Comments MMWD Biodiversity Fire & Fuels Integrated Plan and Final EIR 10.15.2019
Comment Letter on the Final EIR for the Biodiversity, Fire and Fuels Integrated Plan for MMWD lands.
- ADV_POS_PRNS_General Management Plan Amendment_DraftEIS_MCL Comments_09.23.2019
Comment Letter on DEIR Pt Reyes National Seashore General Management Plan Amendment
- ADV_POS_DOI_Order 3376_Electric Bikes PRNS_MCL Comments_9.20.2019
Non-Support Letter of DOI Order 3376 Increasing Recreational Use of eBikes on public lands in Pt Reyes National Seashore
- ADV_POS_DOI_Order 3376_Electric Bikes GGNRA_MCL Comments_9.20.2019
Non-Support Letter of DOI Order 3376 Increasing Recreational Use of eBikes on public lands in Golden Gate National Rec Area
- ADV_POS_Bothin Marsh Sea Level Rise Adaption Project_MCL Support_07.9.2019
Support Letter for application by Marin Cty Parks Dept and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for National Coastal Resilience Fund APplication for Bothin Marsh Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project
- ADV_GEC_MMWD Biodiversity, Fire & Fuels Integrated Plan DEIR MCL Comments 06.19.2019
Comment Letter on the Draft EIR for the Biodiversity, Fire and Fuels Integrated Plan for MMWD lands.
- adv_POS_ebikes_Marin IJ Editorial Correction_04.03.2019
Letter to the Editor (Marin IJ) eBikes on county open space roads and bike paths
- ADV_POS_San Geronimo Golf Course_01.25.2019
Support Letter for performing a report and placing transition measure for San Geronimo Golf Course to become a county-wide public benefit
- adv_Azalea Hill Trails IS MND comments 11.08.2018
Comment Letter on proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration for Amendment of the Mt Tam Watershed Road and Trail Management Plan for Azalea Hill
- adv_pos_IS Negative Declaration Eagle Rim Trail 09.14.2018
Comment Letter on Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration for Eagle Rim Trail Improvement Project
- adv_pos_TRN Marin Measure A Tax 04.24.2018
Comment Letter on Transportation Authority of Marin’s Proposed Measure A Tax Renewal
- adv_pos_ Extension of Runway at Gnoss Field 04.05.2018
Support Letter for updating purpose and need of Runway 13/31 Runway at Gnoss Field Airport
- adv_pos_VTP_Draft PEIR Comments 01.11.2018
Comment Letter on Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Revised and Recirculated Vegetation Treatment Program
- adv_pos_HR 1349 Mtn Bikes Wilderness Areas McClintock 01.04.2018
Comment Letter to McClintock on HR 1349 which would allow Mountain Bikes in Wilderness Areas
- adv_pos_HR 1349 Mtn Bikes Wilderness Areas 01.04.2018
Comment Letter to Huffman on HR 1349 which would allow Mountain Bikes in Wilderness Areas
MCL Agriculture Policy
- BACKGROUND FOR AGRICULTURAL AREAS ON NATIONAL PARK SERVICE LANDS[30]
Background Agricultural Areas on NPS Land
- ADV_ALU_PRNS_GenMngrPlanAmndmt_EIS_ScopingComments 11.28.2018
Comment Letter on Pt Reyes National Seashore General Management Plan Amendment Scoping Comments
- adv_alu_Local Coastal Program Amendments_Ag 10.102018
Comment Letter on Marin County Local Coastal Program Amendment
- adv_alu_PRNS_HR 6687 Support Huffman 09.14.2018
Support Letter to Huffman in support of working dairies and ranches in Pt Reyes National Seashore and HR 6687
- adv_alu_PRNS_HR 6687 Support_Bishop 09.14.2018
Support Letter to Bishop in support of working dairies and ranches in Pt Reyes National Seashore and HR 6687
- adv_alu_PRNS_Bill HR 6687 Support 09.12.2018
Letter to the Editor in support of working dairies and ranches in Pt Reyes National Seashore and HR 6687