Not exactly objective reporting in my opinion. It is pretty clear that Ms. Dremman is against having a golf course near the wetlands and is trying to shape public opinion here with exaggerated statements and observations. Palo Alto is not in "hot water".

For anyone who has not golfed at Baylands before, the areas in question are minuscule. Yes, there are probably approximately three holes on the golf course where golfers have created shortcuts off the cart paths, as there are at all courses. My rough guess is that we are talking about approximately 300 sq feet over a 55 acre area (2.4 million square feet) - or one hundredth of one percent. I can't speak to the planting or maintenance of invasive species.

Ms. Dremman writes a lot about her personal observations and that of another "local environmentalist," I am not exactly sure what that means - a trained professional or a concerned citizen. The issues cited by the Water Board, however, are primarily around Palo Alto's lack of reporting.

As for the dollars in question, any additional costs to the city of Palo Alto will most likely pale in comparison to the millions of dollars of tax revenue generated by Baylands each year. Palo Alto is not in hot water.

I am not a resident of Palo Alto but I have every confidence the city will respond responsibly and appropriately to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

While I appreciate the exposure to environmental issues, I find this particular article to be exaggerated journalism and perhaps self-serving by the author.

"Startled a jackrabbit!" Seriously?

If you've ever played Baylands, there are jackrabbits, ground squirrels, geese, ducks, coots, and gulls all over that course - not just in the protected areas that are cordoned off, but on the fairways, on the cart paths, on the greens, on the driving range, even in the parking lot. HUNDREDS of them, maybe even THOUSANDS. Everywhere.

Yes, there are a few "cut throughs" that walkers have made and the course is actively trying to prevent this with new fences. But there isn't much wildlife in those cut through areas because they are so narrow so close to active cart paths.