Ensure that San Rafael City upholds environmental laws

A new non-profit group Parks and Public Trust has filed an environmental lawsuit based on San Rafael’s violation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City adopted a Municipal Code chapter that now allows campsites for unhoused persons on public land, including all but two of the City's 25 parks. It will cost $50,000 to pursue the lawsuit.

The City approved the new Code chapter with NO environmental review, contending that camping on public land has no environmental impact and warrants full exemption from CEQA. The $50,000 is a flat fee that will cover legal counsel’s work. Should the lawsuit prevail, the group will be entitled to reimbursement of all earned attorney fees and costs from the City, including the flat fee, as this case serves the public interest by enforcing environmental safeguards. If the lawsuit does not succeed, nothing more will be owed to our counsel.

If the $50,000 is reimbursed, it will be directed to a Marin County nonprofit dedicated to housing the unhoused in an environmentally responsible manner. Your support isn’t just a donation—it’s an investment to protect the San Rafael’s future by upholding critical environmental laws, while showing compassion to the homeless. Will you join in?