[ECOLOG-L] Urban stream "restoration" as a front for ecological destruction?

[Dr. Rachel O'Malley]

Hello all,
I have observed a disturbing trend in my home in Santa Cruz, California 
that I see echoed in this recent article from Berkeley, CA 
http://berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2009-02-19/article/32287?headline=Green-Neighbors-The-Richmond-Chainsaw-Massacre-Part-One

In these cases, urban riparian corridors are denuded in the name of 
public safety, despite the existence of  a restoration plan of some 
sort.  In the Santa Cruz case, the work is done by furloughed prisoners 
engaged by the city government, no qualified biologists are employed, 
and a vegetation removal permit entitled "riparian restoration" is 
issued , despite the heavy removal of willows, box elders and other 
natives. 

Is this new trend peculiar to the Central Coast of California, or are 
others seeing similar problems with urban stream "restorations"?

Please share any stories you may have with me... 

Thanks,

Rachel O'Malley