MMWD Increases Fines For Fire-Related Offenses In Tamalpais Watershed

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Marin Municipal Water District's Board of Directors this week voted to increase fines for smoking, operating campfires, lighting fireworks and other fire-related offenses in the Mount Tamalpais Watershed.

The fines, increasing for the first time since 2017 pending approval by Marin County Superior Court, are meant to lower the threat of wildfires in the 22,000 acres of the watershed, which is the source for about 75 percent of the water used by the district's 191,000 customers, Marin Water officials said.

The fine for a first offense for smoking will increase from $35 to $75, with subsequent offenses bringing a fine of $250. People caught setting fires or lighting fireworks now face a fine of $500, up from $185. The board voted Tuesday to make the changes.

"One errant spark or lit cigarette butt can have drastic consequences, not only for those visiting the watershed and our Mt. Tam neighbors, but for the water quality in our reservoirs and our water treatment and delivery infrastructure," Marin Water board president Larry Russell said in a news release.

"Anything we can do to cut down on those risks, particularly human-caused fire, is important."

More information on the district's watershed resiliency efforts can be found here.

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