Marin County received the green light Thursday from a federal judge to continue managing a recreational vehicle encampment along Binford Road by removing residents’ personal property for storage or disposal.
Legal representatives of the camp’s residents filed a request for a temporary restraining order Tuesday in an effort to stop the province from clearing the area.
The county claims it must ensure water quality in the Rush Creek Preserve and maintain safe public access to the two-lane road and dirt shoulder north of Novato. It runs parallel to US Highway 101, between the preserve to the east and businesses to the west.
A provincial program collects property that cannot be safely stored inside, under or on top of an RV at the site. According to the province, property is stored or destroyed with the owner’s consent.
“County personnel are removing hazardous or excess materials that have accumulated along public roads that pose safety hazards or an environmental hazard,” said Marin County Sheriff Jamie Scardina.
Provincial data shows the encampment started with about a dozen vehicles in 2020 as people’s income and living situations were challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. By August last year it had grown to 115 residents and 150 vehicles, including personal vehicles.
Efforts to provide services and rehousing options were approved by the Board of Supervisors in August. By December, the encampment had been reduced to 101 residents and 132 vehicles. On Friday, a provincial spokesperson said 90 people were living in 50 locations in the camp.
An April grant of more than $3.7 million from the state’s Encampment Resolution Fund strengthens the county’s plan to house residents. The province aims to rehouse at least half of the residents of the Binford encampment within two years and the rest within three years.
Lisa Warhuus, director of the county’s Department of Health and Human Services, said the county has helped provide alternate housing for 25 former camp residents since August, with 12 already identified for alternate housing.
“Our goal has always been to help individuals find safe housing and provide important support and services with a coordinated, compassionate and service-oriented response,” said Warhuus.
District 5 Supervisor Eric Lucan, who represents much of Novato, said the county is prioritizing both rehousing residents and protecting local water quality.
“We must focus on helping residents transition to safe housing while we work to protect sensitive waterfront habitat,” he said. “We have made progress, but our goal remains to identify housing options with an open, collaborative and humane approach.”
