MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. REGIONAL SHORELINE
RESOURCE ANALYSIS
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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. REGIONAL SHORELINE (Formerly known as San Leandro Bay)
RESOURCE ANALYSIS
Adopted: September 21, 1976 Resolution No: 1976-9-262
Resolution Approving Name Change to Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline
Adopted: August 18, 1992 Resolution No: 1992-8-213
East Bay Regional Park District Plans & Design Neil Havlik September, 1976 TA BLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD
I • INTRODUCTION
Intent of I Description 2
II. HISTORICAL RESOURCES
The Indians 4 The Spaniards 4 The Americans 4 Alameda Becomes an Island 4 Publi c Acquisition 5 The Oakland Airport 5 San Leandro Bay Waterfowl Refuge 5 Filling, Dredging and Flood Control 5 The Move to Preserve San Leandro Bay 5
III. LEGAL AGREEMENTS AND JURISDICTION
Ownership 8 Leases 8 Other Agencies 9
IV. CONSTRUCTED RESOURCES
Recreational Facilities 10 Other Structures 10 Circulation 10 Utilities Adjacent Land Use " Navigation " V. NATURAL RESOURCES "
CLIMATE 13
TOPOGRAPHY 13
VISUAL QUALITY 13 HYDROLOGY
Watershed 13 Tides 13 Water Quality 14
GEOLOGY 15
VEGETATION
Salt Marsh 15 Grassland· 16 Brushland 16
FAUNA
Birds 16 Fish 16 Crustaceans, Molluscs, and other Invertebrates 17 Rare and Endangered Species 17
VI. SUMMARY AND ADDENDUM 18
VII. REFERENCES 22
VIII. APPENDIX
List of Vascular Plants 23 List of Vertebrates 25
FIGURES
Locotion Map 2 Vicinity Map 3 Extent of Marshlands 1915-1976 6 Special Lease Areas (Exhibit Ie' of Port of Oakland Lease) 7 Existing Conditions 12 LOCATfON· MAP o I ~ 10 M :l:ZIIjJmiZZ,*P??'@ J n /2l1>il1l m ik4C FOREWORD
The establishment of San Leandro Bay Regional Shoreline is a cooperative effort of several public agencies; The Cities of Oakland and Alameda, the A lameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Port of Oakland, and the East Bay Regional Park District. The last two agencies have recently entered into formal agreement regarding approximately 565 acres of land and water area at San Leandro Bay, to be utilized for publi c park purposes.
The Park District has responsibility for the planning effort of this project, which culminates years of citizen involvement toward establishment of a shoreline park at San Leandro Bay. Special acknowledgement and thanks are extended to the many individuals of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on San Leandro Bay Planning, . without whose work this project may not have come to pass at a II. Their report, Guidelines for San Leandro Bay was an exhaustive discussion of many of the problems and opportunities at San Leandro Bay which has served as a guiding document for subsequent actions, including the present report.
1. INTRODUCTION
INTENT OF REPORT
The Master Plan of the East Bay Regional Park District has established a Parkland Planning Policy to guide development of both new acquisitions and existing parklands.
For existing parks the first step in this process is the preparation of the Resource Analysis, as per the District Master Plan (page 28).
IIResource Analysis: After a parkland site has been acquired by the Distri ct and prior to the development of a land use plan, the District will complete a resource analysis which will identify features of the parkland whi ch have signifi cant resource value as well as provide a potential plan for vegetation and wildlife management. Where an aquatic element is involved, a water management plan will be in cluded. Guidelines will be established to be used in later planning processes to protect significant natural resources which could be ~dversely affected by parkland use. II
The present report has been prepared in response to the above requirement. It is a discussion of the existing resources, the present or possible future impact of development on these resources, and the preparation of guidelines designed to protect and enhance those resources. Use patterns, existing use problems, recreation potential, and the role of the park in the overall park system will be considered in the preparation of the land use development plan. DESCRIPTION
San Leandro Bay Regional Shoreline is a shoreline and water area at San Leandro Bay in the cities of Oakland and Alameda, A lameda County, California. The site includes the waters of San Leandro Bay and remaining salt marshes, and adjacent flat upland fi II. The vegetation of the upland areas is sparse, consisting of weedy grassland or open brush, with some areas being completely barren. The East Bay Regional Park District has recently completed an agreement with the Port of Oakland for management of approxi mate Iy 565 acres of water and land at San Leandro Bay for pub Ii c park purposes. An agreement with the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has also been reached regarding recreational use of the channels of San Leandro and Elmhurst Creeks. An agreement with the City of Alameda has been reached in principle regarding the 37-acre city disposal site. A Ithough not currently subject to formal agreements, several areas adjacent to the bay were included in this study for resource inventory purposes. Agreements with the East Bay Municipal Utility District and other landowners are expected.
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The Indians: Indian shellmounds once existed near the original northern shore of San Leandro Bay in what is now Alameda. The local Indians, named Costanoan by the Spaniards, were nomadic, moving among several areas with few permanent villages. Food was plentiful in the water and the extensive marshes and much of the area between the bay and hills was covered with oaks, whose acorns were a staple in the Indian diet.
The Spaniards: The first Spanish exploration of the east bay was carried out in 1772 by an expedition under Pedro Fages, and another in 1776 under Juan Bautista de Anza. In 1820 the first of many Spanish (later Mexican) east bay land grants was made, to Luis fv4taria Peralta. This grant included virtually all of what is today Oakland, Piedmont Alameda, Berkeley and Albany--a total of 43,470 acres. It extended from San Francis co Bay to the ridge line of the Berkeley/Oakland hills between Cerrito Creek on the north and San Leandro Creek on the south and included the eastern Shoreline of San Leandro Bay.
The Americans: In the 1840's Americans began to arrive in great numbers and friction soon developed between them and the Ca lifornios which reached a climax with the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846. By 1848 the war was over and California was in American hands. In that year gold was discovered in the Sierra foothills, and over the next three years the Californian population soared. In 1852 the City of Oakland was founded and the Peralta rancho was soon to disappear through subdivision, as the new state attracted more and more settlers.
In 1878 the narrow gauge South Pacific Coast Railroad was completed between Alameda and Newark. The construction of the railroad included major trestle work across the marshes south of San Leandro Bay anda bridge across the bay through what is now Doolittle Pond, entering Alameda at Encinal Avenue. The bridge remained in use until 1906, when it was damaged beyond repair by the San Francisco earthquake. By that time the line had been acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad, and a connection to Southern Pacific's main line obviated the need for the bridge and it was removed.
Alameda Becomes an Island: For some years Alameda was the gateway to, and la rgest city of, A lameda County. It was a Iso growing industria lIy with port activities expanding on Brooklyn Basin (a part of the Oakland Estuary). In 1902 a channel called the Tidal Canal, 1.4 miles long and 275 feet wide, was excavated by the US Army Corps of EngJneers to connect Brooklyn Ibsin with San Leandro Bay to improve navigation and increase port area. Construction of .Park, Fruitvale, and High Street bridges was part of the project. fv4tajor maintenance on the channel was carried out in 1910, 1922 and 1927.
4 Public Acquisition: The Peralta lands had been broken up into farms and towns by the 1860's. The communities of Oakland and Alameda grew rapidly and industrial dev elopment began a long the waterfront. In 1911, through the State Tidelands Grants Act, marshland and "submerged lands" were transferred to cities around San Francisco Bay from the state, with the stipulation that the areas be developed for port use. In the 1920's, air commerce began as an industry and Oakland began to prepare for particip ation therein. This accelerated pubHc land acquisition i'n the area south of San Leandro Bay for an airport.
The Oakland Airport: The Port Commission was established in February 1927 to oversee airport and seaport operations. The airport was completed that year. Road access to the airport was poor, so in 1928 a channel was dredged from the Tidal Canal across San Leandro Bay and up what became known as Airport Channel. This channel expedited mail and other freight deliveries to and from the airport and the industrial areas to the north. The channel served through World War II and then was abandoned, as road access improved.
San Leandro Bay Waterfowl Refuge: In 1931 an act of the California legislature created a waterfowl refuge on Sal') Leandro Bay and its surroun&ng marsbes. The act recognized the importance of the site as a resting and feeding area for birds, but had control over hunting only and no control over land use. Much of the refuge has been filled since then.
Filling, Dredging and Flood Control: The creation of the Oakland Airport, the roads and facilities serving it, and industrial development on the east side of San Leandro Bay involved filling the marshes and greatly redeuced them. In 1915 there were approximately 2,000 acres of marshland around San Leandro Bay, including Bay Farm Island marshes. By 1960 that had been reduced to about 700 acres. Filling has continued up to the present time. Today only about 70 acres of marsh remain.
There have been various dredging operations in San Leandro Bay. The Tidal Canal and Airport Channel have been discussed above. A new channel was dredged in 1948 for San Leandro Creek in its present a lignment from Hegenberger Road. A section of the bay, west of the present Oakland City Service Center was dredged at the same time, with a deep-water docking area in mind.
Following heavy floods in October 1962, Flood Control Zone 12 of the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District was formed. Work was shortly thereafter authorized for flood control measures in San Leandro and Elmhurst Creeks, and Damon and East Creek Sloughs. These areas continue to be maintained as flood control channels by periodic dredging.
The Move to Preserve San Leandro Bay: In 1970, filling began on a 200 acre marsh area between San Leandro Creek and Airport Channel. This area had been diked off from the bay in 1965. The Port of Oakland, which conducted the filling, was loudly criticized for this action. This criticism continued when the Bay Conservation and
5 Development Commission allowed the filling, although the Port agreed at that time to drop plans for all further filling in San Leandro Bay. The criticism also led to the creation of the Advisory Group on San Leandro Bay Planning. This group of citizens and repres entatives of various agencies, together with Port staff, provided a report entitled, "Guidelines for San Leandro Bay," which outlined a II aspects of the bayls ecology, recreation potentia I, planning needs, and problems, which has served as a guiding document for subsequent actions.
The US Army Corps of Engineers in 1972 required permits for all new filling in areas diked off from the bay but originally part of it. This action stopped the planned filling of Doolittle Pond.
On 1 April 1976, the Port and Oakland and the East Bay Regional Park District signed a formal agreement regarding Port lands tota !ling approximately 565 acres around San Leandro Bay, creating the new Regional Shoreline. The lease takes effect upon complet ion of the Land Use Development Plan for the parkland, and its adoption by both agencies.
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PORT OF OA~~D LEASE TO EAST 3.~y REGIO:-iAL PARK DISTRICT
:\\ 111 LEGAL AGREEMENTS AND JURISDICTION
Ownership: Most of the land within the study area is publicly owned. The Port of Oakland is the largest land owner with 575 acres within the study area (Fan Marsh will not be leased to the Park District). The City of Alameda owns an approximately 37-acre dump site and over 100 acres of tidelands. 85 acres of the East Bay Municipal Utility District's Corporation Yard area were studied for resource inventory purposes. Other landowners include the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and several private firms. The Park District at this time holds no real property interest within the study area.
Leases: The Port of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Park District have entered into formal agreement regarding 565 acres of Port holdings on San Leandro Bay. Major points of this agreement affecting the Park District's use of the land are shown on figure 4 and outlined below:
Area One: . This area may be subleased if desired by the Park District for a restaurant, subject to Port approval.
Area Two: This is the existing city park, San Leandro Bay Park Refuge. This site is also to be taken over by the Park District for future maintenance and operation.
Area Three: The Port has the right to an easement of a width and location to be determined by the Port over, across and below the leased property and/or any portion of San Leandro Bay for transportation and utility crossings in order to serve Metropol itan Oakland International Airport subject to all necessary approvals. This easement includes the tip of Arrowhead Marsh which may be temporari Iy damaged by construct ion of a tunnel or tube under San Leandro Bay, provided that it shall be substantially restored upon completion of the project.
Area Four: Fan Marsh, not a part of the lease area, shall be maintained by the Port in its natural condition until such time as any change is lawfully authorized by BCDC and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Area Five: Until such time as Pardee Road is extended the District has the right of temporary access and utility extension in this area.
Area Six: This is an area of potential railroad and BART tracks, which would continue across San Leandro Creek, and then turn south. The Port sha II not have to pay the District any compensation for improvements the District may place here if such rail road or B.ART extensions are installed.
Area Seven: These three parcels are retained by the Port for potential road extensions. Until such roads are installed, these areas may be used by the Park District as part of the lease area; however' no compensation is required of the Port for loss of improve ments installed by the District.
Area Eight: Doolittle Pond shall be used only for wildlife and shoreline access purposes.
8 The Port retains the right to locate and construct its own uti lities and to grant non exclusive easements to others provided those uti lities are underground or otherwise not visible (as under a bridge).
The Land Use-Development Plan for the parkland "in addition to other matters referred to in this lease, will set forth the responsibility for the following matters: dredging, beach erosion, rip rap, connections between improvements and uti lity lines, access, and drainage and surface runoff. Said development plan shall also show the design guidelines for any bridge, automobile, pedestrian or rail, which shall cross, connect or be adjacent to the demised premises (other than the transportation faci lity referred to in Area Three and shall likewise set forth the use to be made of Airport Channel.)
The Park District and City of Alameda have adopted a lease agreement regarding a 40- acre area west of Doolittle P-ond, which is currently a city dump site. Major points of this lease, which is being finalized, are that: Q 3-acre area on the southeast corner of the site is to be reserved for potential city disposal purposes; and that Alameda lease wi II run concurrently with the Port lease.
The District and the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District have also adopted an agreement regarding the use of service accesses being established by the Flood Control Distri ct for recreational purposes.
Other Agencies: Numerous agencies have jurisdiction over portions of San Leandro Bay. The City and Port of Oakland, and City of Alameda have planning jurisdiction. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission have regulatory powers over land use and filling within the bay and around it: BCDC within 100 feet of higher high water, and the Corps within the tidal area. Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has flood control jurisdiction. The Regional Water Quality Control Board has jurisdiction relating to sewage discharge and seepage from dumps and other fi II.
The U. S. Coast Guard, California Department of Navigation and Ocean Development, and the cities of Oakland and Alameda share law enforcement jurisdictions on the waters.
9 1V CONSTRUCTED RESOURCES
Recreational Facilities: At this time most of the land within the study area is undeveloped. Much of it is used informally for a variety of recreational activities including fishing and bird watching. On the east side of the bay, the City of Oakland has developed a small park, the San Leandro Bay Park Refuge, west of its municipal corporation yard. This park includes parking, children's play areas, picnic faci Iities, some man-made beach, a fishing dock, and a bicycle path. On the west side of Airport Channel is a spectator area for the occasional power-boat races held by the California Speedboat Association. The site is currently leased by the Association from the Port. Further north, one small area on the southeast corner of the Alameda city dump site has been developed as a model airplane field. The area is adjacent to Doolittle Pond.
The Aeolian Yacht Club occupies a site opposite the San Leandro Bay channel from the Alameda city dump site. This is a private facility shared by some 30 or 40 boat owners.
Three golf courses are nearby: the Alameda Municipal Golf course across Doolittle Drive from the dump, and the Lew Galbraith Golf Course southeast of the Airport. Near the south end of Airport Channel is the smaller (3 hole) Oak Port Golf Course.
Other Structures: On the Alameda shore San Leandro Bay is fronted by residential develop ment the new Lincoln School, and vacant a-acre Wood property. The remainder of the shoreline is zoned for industry, and both light and heavy industrial uses, and someVClcant land. Most of these sites are owned by the Port of Oakland. Privately owned industrial land which is mostly developed lies between East Creek and High Street on the northeast corner of the study area. The shoreline in this area is designated for park and recreation use in the City of Oakland Policy Plan.
The Port currently leases lands along Doolittle Drive to ahoat works and sales facility, a bar/restaurant, and a sandblasting company. There are also a salt-water pumping station for emergency fire-fighting purposes, and two piers which extend a short distance into Airport Channel.
Circulation: San Leandro Bay is accessible at several points around its periphery. Doolittle Drive, a major through road (State Highway 61), forms essentially the western edge of the bay for a distance of 1 *miles although part of this length is fenced off (California Speedboat Association), and other areas have no suitable offroad parking. A staging area also exists at the north end of Edgewater Drive at the San Leandro Bay Park Refuge.
Other points of access involve trespass, but despite this the shoreline is heavily used by fishermen, bird watchers and hikers.
Port of Oakland plans call for an extension of Edgewater Drive to 66th Ave and extension of Pardee Drive in an arc crossing San Leandro Creek and connecting into Edgewater Drive. A connector between Pardee Drive and Doolittle Drive (Swan Way) south of Airport Channel is also proposed. These roads would form portions of the parkland boundary.
A loop bicycle route around San Leandro Bay is expected to ultimately become part of a
10 shoreline bicycle/hiking trail, although exact routing has not been determined.
Utilities: Availability of utilities is generally good. EBMUD and Port-owned water lines exist under most streets in the area. The major exception to this is Doolittle Drive; water lines in this area are under Earhart Drive. Sewage facil ities also are present; both sewer and water lines are normally included in road extensions. Electrical power and telephone service are likewise available. These facilities are underground in the Industrial Park area, but above ground in the North Field Area.
Adjacent Land Use: The Port of Oakland, EBMUD, the City of Alameda, and PG&E are the major property owners around San Leandro Bay. In addition there are other private industrial owners in Oakland, and residential and recreational (Aeolian Yacht Club) owners in Alameda.
Most of the land immediately adjacent to San Leandro Bay in Oakland is vacant. The Oakland City Service Center has a I inear park on its western side. Industrial land between East Creek and High Street does not util ize the immediate shore I ine except for the Gallagher Burke Company. EBMUD has a servi ce yard on part of its property. Light industry dominates most of the Port Industrial Park area. Other regionally signifi cant land uses nearby are the Nimitz Freeway, the Oakland/Alameda County Coliseum, and the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport and its support facilities.
Navigation: Although it is considered a navigable waterway, San Leandro Bais shallowness limit its usefu Iness for this purpose. At mean lower low water most of the bay contains less than one foot of water, and the San Leandro Channel (under Bay Farm Island bridge) is about five feet deep. Deeper areas occur at Airport Channel, the dredged area west of the Oakland Municipal Service Center, and the Tidal Canal.
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------V NATURAL RESOURCES
CLIMATE
San Leandro Bay is characterized by a Mediterranean cfimate. The winters are cool and wet, the summers warm and dry. Average annual rainfall for the area is approximately 18 inches (taken from Oakland Airport) and falls mostly between October and May.
Temperatures are mild, being strongly influenced by San Francisco Bay. Average daily maxima are 55.80 F in January and 71.60 in July; minima are 39.60 in January and 54.90 in July. * Frosts are uncommon.
Winds are generally westerly, blowing off the ocean, but may vary in direction, especially in fall and winter. During the summer the winds may bring in fog or low clouds which generally burn off by noon. Winter tule fogs are occasional and these can sometimes force closure of the Oakland Airport. Humidity, strongly influenced by the proximity of San Francisco Bay, is generally moderate to high.
Located as it is in a heavily industrialized and highly traversed area, San Leandro Bay experiences periods of signifi cant air pollution. This is caused by the high number of emission sources (industrial sites, planes, and ground vehicles) combined with the occasional temperature inversions. In the Bay Area spring and fall are the times when these conditions are most likely to prevail; however, significant air pollution levels can occur at any ti me of the year.
TOPOGRAPHY
Elevations around San Leandro Bay range from sea level to about 35 feet at the Alameda City Dump (Mt. Trashmore), but most of the land is flat fill about 5 to 10 feet above sea level. Distinct dropoffs occur between the fill lands and water or marsh.
VISUAL QUALITY
San Leandro Bay is surrounded by residential and industrial property. Views near at hand or along the shoreline tend to be dominated by fences, buildings, billboards in some areas, or rip-rap. The size of the bay, however, reduces. the impact of the man-made elements across it. On clear days, the Oakland Hills form the viewshed boundary on the east and San Bruno Mountain and the Santa Cruz Mountains form it on the west. The northeastern area is dominated by a gas holding tank some 200 feet high. In favorable weather views of San Francisco from the east side of the bay are excellent.
HYDROLOGY
Watershed: San Leandro Bay forms the outlet of several streams, all of which have been greatly modified in their lower reaches by human activity. -These are San Leandro Creek, Elmhurst Creek, Arroyo_Viejo, Lion -Creek, East Creek and Peralta Creek. Sausal Creek also used to run into San Leandro Bay, but since 1902 has -emptied
* Source: Port of Oakland, 1974. Airport Master Plan: Draft Environmental Impact Report, volume 2
13 directly into the Tidal canal. The streams encompass a total watershed area of approximately 65 square miles. The largest of these is San leandro Creek, whose 48 square mile water shed includes Redwood and Anthony Chabot Regional Parks, EBMUD watershed lands, and Moraga. Arroyo Vie jo watershed encompasses about 6 square mi les. The lower stretches of these streams have all been channelized in flood control programs.
Tides: San leandro Bay is an arm of San Francisco Bay. The water area occupies approximately 650 acres, which reduces at the lowest tides to about 100 acres. The extensive mudflats thus exposed are a rich habitat for birds, and when inundated they are a rich habitat for fish. Tidal fluctuations may reach a maximum of9!feet. The highest tides will overtop the dike at Doolittle Pond and inundate the pond. They may also inundate parts of Doolittle Drive it self.
Water Quality: Generally poor circulation and urban surroundings combine to create water quality problems at San leandro Bay, which is considered similar to south San Francisco Bay in water quality. Factors affecting water quality here include:
1) Storm water runoff from Damon Slough, East Creek Slough, Elmhurst Channel, San leandro Creek, and the Oakland North Airport.
2) Possible seepage from the Alameda dump.
3) Overflows occurring at EBMUD's South Intercepter into the Elmhurst Channel, which, during periods of heavy rainfall discharges untreated sewage into the Bay. These overflows occur approximately 11 or 12 times during normal wet years.
4) Dredging and disposal of spoils.
Water pollution can reduce numbers of plankton, which would have far-reaching effects in the animal food chain. Pollutants may act upon the plankton directly by toxicity (introduction of poisonous substances) or indirectly by fertilizing, wherein sewage or other nutrients cause rapid growth of algae which, when it dies, is attacked by bacteria. The bacterial action depletes the oxygen supply in the water. Where there is no oxygen; there will be no zooplankton, or any of the animals that feed on them; thus, the food chain is broken.
Steps taken to improve water quality in San leandro Bay include the following'i'
1) The Regional Water Quality Control Board staff has indicated plans to take action to require the control of floatables from storm water discharges into the bay.
2) EBMUD is making plans toward the eventual elimination of overflows from the sanitary interceptor sewer into San leandro Bay.
3) Planning dredging and spoils disposal will involve environment impact surveys to determine ways to minimize damage to fish, release of heavy metals (mercury, lead, zinc) into suspension, and to utilize the spoi Is in a useful manner.
14 GEdLOGY
The San leandro Bay area is comprised geologically of bay muds and sands and recent fill.
IIOlder bay mud ll refers to the earliest, and thus deepest, of these deposits. This material ranges to more than 200 feet in thickness. Being pushed down by the weight of material above it, the older bay mud has been consolidated and contains less water than overlying sediments.
The lIyounger bay mud ll refers to the most recent silt deposits. These have been laid down within the last 7,000 years, approximately since the last retreat of the icecaps. In San leandro Bay this younger bay mud is generally less than 20 feet deep, overlaying the older bay mud. The depth to bedrock is unknown for San leandro Bay itself, but a boring on Bay Farm Island in Alameda (one mile west) encountered bedrock at a depth of 1,000 feet. In some areas sand deposits (Merritt sand) occur between the younger and older bay mud.
Filling of salt marshes and tidal flats of the San Leandro Bay area began in earnest around 1927, when the original Oakland Airport, now known as North Field, was constructed. The fill consisted primarily of dredged mud and sand from San Leandro Bay placed behind dikes. The original airport was built on salt marsh. Other filling around San leandro Bay also began as industrial development increased. The present commercial airport (South Field) was constructed in 1957-58 by a similar fill method on tidal flats. Today the flats and marshes of San leandro Bay are entirely surrounded by fi lied lands.
VEGETATION
Vegetation diversity in and around San leandro Bay is severely limited, due to the lack of variation in soil conditions, the recent fi II, and u.rban development. About 70 acres of salt marsh still exist. The upland communities consist of weedy grassland and brush land. Some areas of maintained lawns or other landscape plantings also occur. Some areas are barren of vegetation or essentially so. The communities are. briefly describe.d below.
Salt Marsh: Located in the heart of a highly urbanized area, the salt marshes of San Leandro Bay have suffered perhaps the greatest reduction in area of any marshlands in the Bay Area. In 1915 there were approximately 2000 acres of salt marshes around San Leandro Bay (fig. 3 ). By 1960 this had been reduced to about 700 and today it stands at around 70 acres. This represents a 97% reduction in salt marsh acreage. The last major filling took place in 1970-71 on marshland immediately south of Arrowhead Marsh, in which about 200 acres of marshland were filled.
Several plant species are characteristic of salt marshes, but the marshes tend to divide into two types: cordgrass marsh and pickleweed marsh. Occuring with cordgrass and pi ckleweed are several other species characteristi c of the marshes. Pi ckleweed and some other marsh plants are parasitized by dodder which often creates orange patches in the marshes where it is dense. Jaumea is a low succulent member of the sunflower family. Sea lavender, salt grass and alkali heath are found generally on high spots in the marshes. Gum plant is a salt-tolerant shrub which has benefited greatly from man's activities. It occurs on the edge of the marsh and has found abundant habitat along the edges of fill areas. The yellow flowered plant is restricted to marsh edges
15 around the shores of San Francisco Bay. One introduced species, Australian saltbush, is a common plant on dikes and other areas of salty soil near the bay.
Major remaining marsh areas around San Leandro Bay include Arrowhead Marsh, a 55- acre cordgrass marsh, jutting into the middle of the bay, Damon Marsh at the head of Damon Slough (Arroyo Viejo) a diverse marsh occupying about 10 acre, Doolittle Pond, a diked area of about 18 acres which includes some pickleweed marsh; the 8-acre Fan Marsh west of Doolittle Drive; and fringes of pickleweed marsh along Doolittle Drive, Airport Channel and San Leandro Creek. New marshes are forming on the north side of East Creek slough and along the Alameda shore.
Grassland: The grassland found around San Leandro Bay occurs on filled, vacant land ., It consists of exotic annual grasses and weeds. Native plants are minimal or non-existant. The most common plants are rye grass, bromes, oats, and severol weedy broadleaved herb species. A relatively rich association of exotics occurs on the slopes of the Alameda Dump.
Brushland: Only one small area immediately north of Arroyo Viejo contains dense enough brush to qualify as brushland. This area of about one acre consists of dumped earth with the scattered mounds wh i ch have had a number of years to revegeta te • Coyote brush and anise dominate with an understory of small grasses and herbs with occasional willows. Nearby areas are also in the process of becoming brush land •
FAUNA
San Leandro Bay is generally poor in mammal, reptile and amphibian wildlife. Upland areas support jack rabbits and other small mammals, chiefly rodents. The limited habitat and heavy and constant disturbance has restricted most of the native mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The latter two are generally not found to any degree in salt marshes.
Harbor seals are occasionally seen in the bay.
Birds: For many years San Leandro Bay has been recognized for its importance as a bird refuge, as demonstrated in the establishment in 1931 of the 1600-acre San Leandro Bay Waterfowl Refuge by the state legislature. The bay provides excellent feeding grounds, but nesting and resting areas have been drastically reduced by filling and the intrusion of man. About 100 species of birds have been observed in the San Leandro Bay area, including resident and migratory species.
An important problem at San Leandro Bay relates to birds and aircraft. As more and more safe nesting areas for birds are destroyed, the birds have retreated closer and closer to the airport, where resting areas which are safe from people and dogs still exist. This can increase the danger of a bird strike. Such an accident could cause major damage to aircraft. Thus it is important to preserve and enhance remaining bird habitat in areas where hazards to airplanes can be minimized.
Fish: The same mudflats which at low tide provide feeding grounds for birds at high tide provide feeding grounds for fish. Possibly as many as 70 species occur in San Francisco Bay; many of these can be expected in San Leandro Bay. Most important as game fish are striped bass, perch, smelt and shiners. Steelhead and sturgeon are both known from San Leandro Bay.
16 Crustaceans, Molluscs, and Other Invertebrates: Clams, oysters, mussels, snails, shrimp, barnacles and crabs are found on the mud flats, on objects (pilings, etc.) in them or in the water itself. They provide an important link in the food chain of the bay. Other invertebrates live in the rich mud in countless numbers. These animals, including nematodes, ribbon worms, annelids, copepods, and larval forms of molluscs form a major food item for larger animals.
Rare and Endangered Species: Both the California clapper rail and least tern are known to have nested at San Leandro Bay in the past. These sped es, together wi th the salt marsh harvest mouse, may have been eliminated locally by the reduction of marshlands. An important migratory species at San Leandro Bay is the brown pelican, which appears to be increasing in numbers.
17 VI. SUMMARY
SAN LEANDRO BAY REGIONAL SHORELINE a shoreline and water area at San Leandro Bay in the cities of Oakland and Alameda, A lameda County, California. The site includes the waters of San Leandro Bay and remaining salt marshes, and adjacent flat upland fill. The vegetation of the upland areas is sparse, consisting of weedy grassland or open brush, with some areas being completely barren. The East Bay Regional Park District has recently completed an agreement with the Port of Oakland for management of approximately 565 acres of water and land at San Leandro Bay for public park purposes. An agreement with the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has also been reached regarding recreational use of the channels of San Leandro and Elmhurst Creeks.
HISTORICAL RESOURCES
San Leandro Bay was originally surrounded by over 2000 acres of salt marsh. In the 1850's several landings were established on streams flowing into the bay, where goods were transported by boat to market. In 1878 a railroad trestle over San Leandro Bay was built by the narrow-gauge South Pacific Coast Railroad, completing its link to San Jose. This trestle remained until 1906 when the San Francisco earthquake damaged it beyond repair. In 1902 the Tidal Canal was dredged, making Alameda an island. In 1925 public acquisition by the newly created Port Commission was begun. The Airport Channel was dredged in 1928 in connection with the development of the Oakland
Airport 0 In 1931 the State legislature passed a bill establishing a 1600 acre San Leandro Waterfowl Refuge.
Since that time the history of the area has been one of filling and industrial development. Of the original marsh acreage, only some 70 acres still remaino
18 CONSTRUCTED RESOURCES
The study area includes several developed areas. The City of Oakland's Bay Refuge Park is a developed shoreline strip some 1000 feet long with installed irrigation, play areas, fishing dock shoreline trail and parking area. At the southeren end of Airport Channel, adjacent to Doolittle Drive is the Oakland Sandblasting Company site which includes a quonset" hut. Further north along Doolittle Drive is a small bar and restaurant, several boat works and sales buildings, a boat launch ramp and spectator seating for the speedboat -competitions held occasionally at Airport Channel. These are all leased facilities.
The site is bordered by developed and undeveloped industrial lands on the east and south. On the west Doolittle Drive forms the boundary of the parkland.
Sewer and water I ines are in place under Earhart Road and Doolittle Drive, at the Bay Park Refuge and under roads in the northeast comer of the study area (EMBUD, PG&E and private lands).
The parkland is currently accessible from the Nimitz Freeway at 66th Avenue and and Hegenberger Road off ramps, and from Doolittle Drive (State Highway 61).
NATURAL RESOURCES
Climate: Proximity to San Francisco Bay modifies the larger climati c influences, reducing temperature extremes such that temperatures below freezing or above 850 F (2cf' C) are uncommon. Rainfall averages about 18 inches ( 45 cm.) annually, falling mostly between the months of September and May.
Hydrology and Water Quality: San Leandro Bay is very shallow; it occupies approximately 700 acres,whi ch shrinks to about 100 at low tides. The Airport Channel and another area west of the Bay Park Refuge have been dredged in the past. San Leandro Bay receives the flow of San Leandro Creek, Arroyo Viejo and several smaller creeks with a total watershed of about 65 square miles. Several water quality problems exist with the bay" notably storm runoff, possible leachates from the Alameda City Dump, seasonal sewage overflows (during storms), and deposit of dredge spoils and associated disturbances.
Vegetation: Salt marsh dominated by cordgrass and pickleweed occupy approximately 75 acres. The largest stands of marsh are the 50 acre Arrowhead Marsh, the 10 acre Damon Marsh and the 8-acre Fan Marsh. Other marsh areas occur along Doolittle Drive and on the north side of East Creek Slough. These marshes at one time occupied more than 2000 acres in this area.
Upland vegetation consists of weedy dicots and grasses, with occasional exotic trees and brushy areas. Few native plant species are present.
19 Fauna: The upland habitat has allowed an influx of animals adapted to such habitats. Jack rabbits are the most commonly seen mamals. Birds such as ducks, geese,.herons, egrets, grebes, gulls, terns, sandpipers, plovers, willets, avocets and coots are commonly seen about the bay. At least three endangered species (clapper rail, least tern, and salt-marsh harvest mouse) can be expected here occasionally. Perhaps as many as 100 species of fish occur in the bay. Bass and perch are the primary targets for fishermen. Molluscs and crustaceans are important food items for the larger animals.
In 1931 the California legislature designated the area around San Leandro Bay (l,600 acres of water and marsh) as the San Leandro Waterfowl Refuge, as official recognition of this valuable habitat. Since then most of the marshland has been lost, but despite the tremendous reduction in habitat, many species of shore birds' and water birds are still found around San Leandro Bay. The birds need nesting and resting areas safe from people and dogs.
20 SAN LEANDRO BAY REGIONAL SHORELINE RESOURCE ANALYSIS ADDENDUM
This addendum summarizes public questions pertaining to the Resource Analysis and staff response to them.
1. Does the City of Oakland still plan to connect Edgewater Drive and the Embarcadero through Damon Marsh?
Response: The City's planning staff have indicated that this connector is still shown on City roadway plans.
2. What is the status of shellfish in San Leandro Bay?
Response: According to the "Guidelines for San Leandro Bay" report extensive mussel population occur in the marshes and along channel banks at San Leandro Bay, and clams can be found in the mudflats. Oysters however have not been observed.
3. Who has responsibility for dredging at San Leandro Bay?
Response: The Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is charged with the responsibility of maintenance dredging on the streams flowing into San Leandro Bay, and the Tidal Canal was a Federal project which according to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers does not require maintenance dredging. There are no currently maintained channels within San Leandro Bay itself.
4. What is the extent of the "bird strike" problem at the Oakland Airport?
Response: According to Director Cogswell, who has conducted extensive research into this question, the major problem relates to dumps near airports where gulls are the major problem. Shorebirds making regular use of San Leandro Bay are not presently a danger to the jet runway at Oakland Airport. Anticipated future dump closings at Alameda and San Leandro should further reduce the problem.
21 REFERE NCES
Special acknowledgement is made to the Citizens Advisory Group on San Leandro Bay Planning, whose "Guidelines for San Leandro Bay" provided extensive back ground information for nearly a II sections of the present report.
HISTORICAL RESOURCES
I. Kemble, J. H. 1957. San Francisco Bay, A Pictorial Maritime History. Bonanza Books, New York.
2. MacGregor, B. A. 1968. South Pacific Coast. Howell-North Books, Berke Iey •
3. Port of Oakland. 1974. Airport Mastel' Plan Draft Environmental Impa ct Report.
4. Roemer, Elsie. Personal Communications
5. Soares, Vi. Alameda Historical Society. Personal Communications
6. Stanley, Laurel. Port of Oakland. Personal Communications.
LEGAL AGREEMENTS AND JURISDICTION
I 0 Lease agreements:
EBRPD and Port of Oakland EBRPD and Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conserva tion District EBRPD and City of Alameda
CONSTRUCTED RESOURCES
I. Havlik, Neil. EBRPD. "Utilities Around San Leandro Bay". Personal Memorandum.
NATURAL RESOURCES
I. Abbors, Steve. EBRPD. Personal Communications
2. Cogswell, Dr. Howard. California State University, Hayward. Personal Communications.
3. . Nuzum, Bob. EBRPD. Personal Communications.
4. Roemer, Ersie. Personal Communications.
5. Russo, Ron. EBRPDo Personal Communications
22
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