Singer evaluated the Soquel Creek watershed after the flooding of Soquel Village in 1982, and identified the massive landsliding that occurred in Amaya Canyon. According to Singer, erosion hazards are understated, misleading and contradictory. He challenged the draft EIR's assumption that application of the State Forest Practice Rules is sufficient to control erosion. Tim Kleiner, a neighbor of SDSF, doubted that fire danger had been evaluated properly. He said that proposed camping would increase fire danger, and pointed out lack of access to the area by Burrell Fire Station.
Riparian hardwoods provide valuable bird nesting sites and habitat for insects that birds feed upon.
The leaves of deciduous riparian trees form the food base for aquatic insects that provide food for steelhead and other fishes. But the Management Plan proposes to cut native riparian hardwood trees and replace them with conifers, which would adversely impact wildlife adapted to these areas, and greatly increase sedimentation. Removal of old-growth riparian trees depletes sources of large woody debris vital for fish habitat and stream channel stability. The riparian zone should have a high proportion of hardwood trees. Riparian hardwoods are best adapted to rapid regeneration after flood events, and are used for erosion control because of their rapid growth.