REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED

VISION PLAN

CITY OF HERCULES, SEPTEMBER 2009 DRAFT Acknowledgements The Watershed Vision Plan was produced through a collaborative process led by the City of Hercules and facilitated by Restoration Design Group. Common Sense California, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the City of Hercules funded the project.

The City of Hercules would like to thank the guest speakers who contributed their time and provided their knowledge to the planning process. Speakers included:

Roger Leventhal, FarWest Engineering Erik Stromberg, Restoration Design Group Jim Hale, Contra Costa Fish and Wildlife Committee Juliana Gonzalez, Phillip Bachand, Bachand & Associates

The City of Hercules would also like to thank everyone who volunteered their time and thoughts to participate in the planning process and craft the Refugio Creek Watershed Vision Plan.

The Vision Plan document was prepared for the city of Hercules by the Restoration Design Group.

Restoration Design Group, LLC 2612b Eighth Street RDG Berkeley, CA 94710 T 510.644.2798 F 510.644.2799 www.restorationdesigngroup.com

ii SEPTEMBER 2009 Envision a watershed... “The Refugio Creek Watershed Vision Planning Group envisions a watershed with healthy creeks and ponds that provide habitat for wildlife, trails that unify and celebrate the watershed; and communities that care for, learn about, and understand the watershed.”

iii REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Contents 1 Introduction 1 Watershed Vision Plan 1 Public Process 3 Background Information 3 The Watershed 4 Watershed History 5 Current Land Use 8 Connections 9 Habitat Types 13 Watershed Tour 15 The Vision 15 Overview 15 Access 19 Education and Outreach 23 Creeks 24 Ponds 25 Wildlife and Nature 25 Storm Water and Water Quality 28 Next Steps 28 Community Organizing 28 Trail Planning 28 Additional Study 28 Conclusion 29 References

The Refugio Creek Watershed is located in Western Contra Costa County and drains into . iv SEPTEMBER 2009 Crockett

Carquinez Strait y Drainages a B Rodeo

ll o b a P

n a S 80

Hercules

Rodeo Creek Watershed

4

Refugio Creek Watershed

Garrity Creek Watershed

Pinole

Photograph by Mike Bowermaster

El Sobrante

Pinole Creek Watershed

San Pablo Creek Watershed

Wildcat Creek Watershed

021 Miles

v REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Introduction

Between February and September of 2009, Plan can be used as a fundraising and the citizens of the City of Hercules engaged planning tool and has the added benefit of in a vision planning exercise for the Refugio being a collaborative experience that brings Creek Watershed - the primary watershed in community members together to develop the City. This report documents the resulting goals and actions to enhance the watershed. process, findings, and vision.

Public Process Watershed Vision Plan The Refugio Creek Watershed Vision Planning A Watershed Vision Plan is a watershed-based Group met during six evening meetings planning document that is meant to provide and one field trip between February and a coherent vision of future projects in the September 2009. All events were open to Refugio Creek watershed. The Vision Plan is community- the public. The City of Hercules publicized Watershed Participants based, respectful of private property rights, the process through its website, direct Exploring the Watershed involves only voluntary actions, and is mailings, and a pre-kickoff meeting with key (Photo courtesy of Mike Bowermaster) developed through consensus. The Vision stakeholders.

1 SEPTEMBER 2009 Meeting and Field Trip Topics

Meeting #1 – February 25, 2008 Speaker Topics Overview of Refugio Creek Watershed (Rich Walkling, Restoration Design Group)

Watershed Vision Plan Defi ned (Drew Goetting, Restoration Design Group)

Working Session Topics Ground Rules, Interests and Concerns

Meeting #2 – March 11, 2009 Speaker Topics Creeks 101 (Roger Leventhal, FarWest Engineering)

Working Session Topics Interests and Concerns

Meeting #3 – April 15, 2009 Speaker Topics Creeks and Cities: Tools for Designing Your Watershed (Erik Stromberg, Restoration Design Group)

Working Session Topics Interests and Concerns Mapping Exercise

Field Trip – April 25, 2009 Site visits to the upper watershed, Hercules Teen Center, Refugio Park, culvert at I-80/BNSF railroad, wetlands adjacent to Bayside, Duck Pond Park, mouth of Refugio Creek Watershed, and the restored reach by Tsushima Street bridge.

Meeting #4 – May 13, 2009 Speaker Topics Wildlife in Refugio Creek Watershed (Jim Hale, Contra Costa Fish and Wildlife Committee)

Working Session Topics The visioning process was designed to Draft Goals and Actions be open and collaborative and lead to a Meeting #5 – June 10, 2009 consensus-seeking vision for the watershed. Speaker Topics The meetings and field trip provided an Forming a Watershed Group opportunity for community members to learn (Dr. Juliana Gonzalez, The Watershed Project) about their watershed, express their interests Working Session Topics and concerns, and formulate goal statements Draft Goals and Actions (continued) and action items in support of their vision. Meeting #6 – September 9, 2009 The six evening meetings were held at Speaker Topics the Hercules Public Library in Hercules, Ponds 101 (Dr. Phillip Bachand, Principal, Bachand & Associates) California. The two-hour meetings consisted of an hour of informational presentations Working Session Topics by guest speakers, followed by an hour of Setting Priorities and Review of group discussion. The field trip was held on Draft Watershed Vision Plan a Saturday morning and visited multiple sites between the headwaters of the watershed and the mouth of the creek. 2 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Background Information The Watershed varies significantly from year to year A watershed is any area of land that drains (CCCCDD, 2003). to a specified body of water. The Refugio Precipitation also varies geographically Creek Watershed drains 4.87 square miles within the watershed. The hills in the upper of northwestern Contra Costa County, watershed receive, on average, five inches California into the San Pablo Bay. The more rainfall per year than the lowlands watershed includes tree-lined hills, grassy near the mouth. Most of the annual rainfall hills and lowlands, and relatively recent occurs between November and April. Refugio urban and suburban development in the City Creek responds in kind with higher flows in of Hercules. Rodeo CreekNinety seven percent of the winter and lower flows in theib summer of Canada del Cierbo the watershed is within the City months. of Hercules (CCCCDD, 2003). Conversely, approximately The main stem of Refugio Creek is 4.52 75% of the City of Hercules miles long. The creek’s various tributaries, is within the Refugio Creek including its two largest, Ohlone Creek and watershed. the north tributary, add nearly five more miles of stream length for a total watershed channel The watershed experiences length of 9.17 miles (CCCCDD, 2003). a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, The Refugio Creek Watershed is one of a wet winters and warm, series of roughly parallel, northwest trending dry summers. The valleysTrib of Rodeo and ridges in west Contra Costa watershed receives an County. The rocks that form the ridges of average of 19 inches the watershed developed between five and of rain per year, 23 million years ago from the fossils of though that animals that lived at the bottom of the sea amount (City of Hercules, 2008). The younger rocks, closer to theTrib ofsurface, Rodeo include shale, siltstone, sandstone, layers of volcanic ash, and soft muds (Graymer, 2000). The watershed

is in the vicinity of the HaywardTrib of Rodeo Ohlone Creek Refugio Creek fault, the Rodgers Creek fault, the Concord fault, and the Calaveras fault (City of Hercules, f Pinole 2008). These faults force the rocks that

Creek Trib of Pinole

Pinole Creek

Refugio Watershed Creek Network

3 SEPTEMBER 2009 Few lalandslidesndslides Mostly landslides once sat on the sea floor upward at varying angles. The occasional soft layers and the tilting caused by the uplift create frequent slumping and landslides on the hill slopes (Alt R e f u u g and Hyndman, 1975). i o C r e e e e k The soils in the watershed are primarily clay and clay loams formed by the weathering of rocks near the surface. A loam is a soil that is composed of nearly equal amounts of clay, sand, and silt. The soils in the watershed support oaks and forbs, and the land is suitable for grazing, but they are not typically beneficial soils for intensive or high value

crop agriculture (SCS, 1977). yy aa BB

lloo 80 bb aa PP nn S aa 17 Inches 22 Watershed History S The oak trees, the freshwater in the creek,

R o the fish and oysters in the bay, and other o d d e e o C C r e local resources supported the Huichin people e e k R k e f u who lived in the area prior to European u g i o C r e colonization. Their territory extended from e e e k near present day Berkeley to somewhere north of Rodeo (Pinole Historical Society, 2009). Contra Costa County had one of the P i i n highest concentrations of native people in o l e C r e North America and one of the largest known e k village sites was just north of Refugio Creek watershed in present-day Crockett (Hale, personal communication). At the time, a broad tidal mud flat stretched from Point Pinole to the and a small 50’ Contour 250’ Contour tidal marsh covered much of the lower Refugio Creek watershed near the mouth of the creek (Goals Refugio Creek Tr Project, 1999). Highest Elevation In 1823, the Mexican government granted Lowest Elevation Don Ignacio Martinez 17,000 acres of land that included the Refugio Creek Watershed. (Top) Landslide Prone By the 1850s, a small town had formed Areas. Landslide in Pinole, just south of the Refugio Creek potential is greatest in Watershed (Pinole Historical Society, the upper watershed. 2009). Small farms and ranches dotted the landscape between Pinole and Port Costa (Middle) Average Yearly Rainfall. Rainfall is (Ryan, 2001). In 1878, the Southern Pacific + High Point 780-ft greatest in the upper Railroad traversed the mouth of Refugio watershed. Creek, initiating the first major transformation of the watershed (Pinole Historical Society, (Bottom) Watershed 2009). The railroad formed a barrier between Topography. The the tidal marsh near the mouth of the creek highest point of the watershed abuts and the bay. In 1879, the California Powder the Pinole Creek Works purchased waterfront land in the Watershed

4 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN e o

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aa e e BB e k o k ll o bb PP aa SSaann

R e fu gio Cre ek

00.125 0.25 Legend Miles Shallow Bay Tidal Flat Muted Tidal Marsh Beach Lagoon Historic Creek Alignment

Refugio Creek watershed for its Hercules construction of several new neighborhoods in dynamite plant. The land was in proximity the lower watershed on what had previously to the town of Pinole, but separated by a been industrial lands (City of Hercules, 2000). protective ridge. The company intentionally constructed its plants in gullies and ravines to buffer against explosions. To prevent the Current Land Use spread of fire resulting from an explosion, the Land use can indicate a lot about the habitats company cleared the land of trees and grazed and the hydrology of a watershed. Urban sheep on the grasslands (Ryan, 2001). environments, agricultural lands, and open Over the following century, the dynamite space all support different types of plants and plant grew, as did nearby towns, and a animals. When rain falls on urban lands, second railroad and a highway traversed the it runs quickly off of buildings, roads, and watershed. In the 1960s, the plant ceased parking lots to storm drains and creeks. By its manufacturing operations and began contrast, when rain falls on a meadow or selling its land to developers (Ryan, 2001). forest, it seeps into the ground and moves In 1974–75, Centex Homes of California slowly down slope. Some of it is used by built the first large suburban development in plants and some of it will move across the Hercules (City of Hercules, 2000). In 1977, surface of the land into creeks. (For more on the plant closed permanently and Hercules storm water, see the storm water side bar.) Properties, Ltd. purchased the property with In the Refugio Creek Watershed, the two the intent of developing more suburban largest land uses are single-family residential housing. The 1970s and 1980s were a time (28%) and open space (22%). This land use of rapid expansion in the watershed when the pattern is evident when driving through the first traffic lights, shopping centers, and parks upper watershed. Streets lined with single- arrived (Ryan, 2001). Toward the end of the family homes branch off the Refugio Valley 1990s the City of Hercules began planning for Historical shoreline and Creek Location a centralized downtown near the intersections and Alignment, Circa of San Pablo Avenue, Sycamore Avenue, 1850’s. and . This resulted in the

5 SEPTEMBER 2009 Refugio Creek CO (Commercial) Minor Tributary OF (Office) SV (Single Family Residential - Very Low) BP (Business Park) SL (Single Family Residential - Low) LI (Light Industry) SM (Single Family Residential - Medium) HI (Heavy Industry) SH (Single Family Residential - High) CR (Commercial Recreation) ML (Multiple Family Residential - Low) PS (Public/Semi-Public) MM (Multiple Family Residential - Medium) PR (Parks and Recreation) MH (Multiple Family Residential - High) OS (Open Space) MU (Mixed Use) AL (Agricultural Lands) 2005 Land Use data shown. Changes in Land Use have occured in the lower watershed since publication of this data.

Road and cover the lower hillsides. The upper hillsides are blanketed with open Land Use spaces that reach down like fingers between neighborhoods. Most of the commercial Single Family Residential 28% land use is centered in the lower watershed Open Space 22% Public/Semi-Public 9% near I-80. Downstream of the planned town Multiple Family Residential 8% center, the land use is mixed use, higher- Industrial 7% density residential, and business parks. In Business Parks and Offi ces 7% total, 68% of the land in the watershed is Parks and Recreation 6% Commercial 5% developed and 32% is dedicated to parks, Mixed Use 4% open space, or agricultural land uses Agricultural Lands 4% (CCCCDD, 2003). Total 100%

Note: The last remaining industrial parcel in Hercules (Hilltown) was recently rezoned to Planned Commercial-Residential.

Landuse within the Watershed

6 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN yy aa B Rodeo oo ll Future Transit Terminal 8 bb (Train, Bus, Ferry) aa PP

nn aa SS

R e f u u g i o C Hercules

Pinole

010.5 Miles

Open Space Bay Area Ridge Trail - Existing Proposed Open Space Bay Area Ridge Trail - Proposed P Refugio Creek Watershed Bay Trail - Existing P ii n o l Creek Bay Trail - Proposed l e Creek Tributary Other Trail - Existing

Existing and Proposed Trail Network. Note the gap between Refugio Creek Path and the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

7 SEPTEMBER 2009 80

R o d e o C r e e k Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline 4

C C r r e e k Franklin Canyon (Proposed Public Access)

Fernandez Ranch (Future Public Access)

EBMUD l e C r e e k

Connections approximately the same location near the The Refugio Creek Watershed is at the middle of the watershed. Refugio Valley nexus of many different existing and Road forms the backbone of the upper planned transportation corridors. The Water watershed. Bus lines, sidewalks, and walking Emergency Transportation Authority is and biking trails surround and traverse the planning a ferry terminal that will connect watershed. These provide alternatives to the Hercules waterfront with downtown travelling by automobile and, in the case San Francisco. The Union Pacific Railroad of hiking and biking trails, recreational traverses the watershed along the shoreline. opportunities that can improve public health An Amtrak Capitol Corridor station is planned and encourage community interactions. near the mouth of the creek. San Pablo Avenue, Interstate 80, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad all meet in

8 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Habitat Types Mixed Oak/Bay Woodland Northwest Contra Costa County is a region of The upper Refugio Creek watershed supports great biodiversity. It is bordered to the west a mix of oak and bay woodland, primarily by the San Pablo Bay and to the north by the on its northerly facing slopes. Oaks are one Carquinez Strait. These water bodies serve as of California’s most iconic trees and the migratory barriers to terrestrial animals and State Woodlands Preservation Act protects plants. Contra Costa is also the transition all California oak woodlands (Vollmar from the generally cool coastal climate to Consulting, 2006). The dominant tree species the hot interior climate. These factors and here are coast live oaks, valley oaks, and others combine to make Contra Costa County California bay trees. Beneath the trees are either the northern or southern extent of many shade-tolerant shrubs such as blackberry, species (J. Hale, personal communication). creeping snowberry, or toyon. In drier areas Despite being 68% developed, the upper in the watershed, the understory may be watershed of Refugio Creek is bordered entirely grasslands (Holland, 2005). by large, open space areas including the Muir Heritage Land Trust’s Fernandez Oaks in California support an enormous Ranch, Municipal Utility District’s diversity of life within their canopy. The 18 watershed lands, and open space owned by species of California oak trees and shrubs local homeowners associations. The lower support over 5000 species of insects and watershed is bordered by the San Pablo Bay. hundreds of species of other animals (birds, The bay is connected to the upper watershed mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) (Pavlik by the creek. This rich and diverse mixture et al, 1991). Other studies have shown of habitat types provides food, shelter, that oak woodlands like those in Refugio Creek Watershed support over 60 species of (Left to right) Mixed and migration corridors for wildlife in the Oak/Bay Woodland in watershed. mammals and 110 species of birds (Holland, the watershed. 2005). In the Refugio Creek Watershed, these The brief descriptions that follow are general oak woodlands provide food and habitat for Annual Grassland in summaries of the kinds of habitats that exist deer, quail, turkeys, and other wildlife. the upper watershed. in Refugio Creek Watershed. It is the result of Mixed Riparian Forest a very cursory examination of the watershed in the Refugio Creek and not based on detailed surveys. This is not corridor. an exhaustive analysis; it captures only the Mixed Riparian Forest most prevalent habitat types. at the edge of Refugio Creek

9 SEPTEMBER 2009 Annual Grasslands animals than anywhere else in the watershed The majority of open space in the watershed (with the possible exception of seasonal or is comprised of annual grasslands. These tidal wetlands). Many species of animals grasslands surround the mixed oak/bay are dependent on riparian areas during one woodland, the riparian forests, and most of or more stages of their life. The health and the urbanized areas of the watershed. Most size of a riparian area can have a significant of the plant species that dominate the annual impact on water quality. Wide riparian grasslands are introduced species. These buffers can filter out water pollutants before introduced species may include wild oats, they reach the creek. As a result, woody brome, wild barley, soft chess, and foxtail riparian habitats are protected as sensitive fescue (Kie, 2005). Absent prescribed habitats by State Fish and Game Code and grazing or other grassland management, these county ordinances (Vollmar Consulting, aggressive weeds are able to out-compete 2006). native wildflowers, bunchgrasses, and costal For an urbanized watershed, the Refugio prairie species that would otherwise dominate Creek Watershed is blessed with a healthy in grassland areas of the watershed (Vollmar riparian corridor for much of its length. In Consulting, 2006). many other towns in California, buildings Annual grasslands are often home to western encroach into the riparian zone, and trees fence lizards, common garter snakes, black- have been removed to accelerate flood tailed jackrabbit, California ground squirrel, waters. In the most extreme situations, mule deer, and coyote. Birds found in urban creeks have been paved or buried. In annual grasslands include burrowing owls, the Refugio Creek Watershed, the riparian short-eared owls, horned larks, western canopy is as wide as 200 feet in some meadowlarks, turkey vultures, northern places. Even along Sycamore Avenue, the harriers, American kestrels, black-shouldered most heavily developed area, the creek has a kites, and prairie falcons (Kie, 2005). corridor nearly 100 feet wide. In the upper watershed, the dominant species are coast live oak, California bay, various willow species, and California buckeyes. In the Creek Corridor/Mixed Riparian Forest lower watershed, newly restored reaches of The area where land meets water tends to creek are dominated by willows and shrubby be the most biologically rich and diverse vegetation. land in a watershed. Creek side (or riparian) areas tend to have more species of plants and

10 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Freshwater Marsh Eucalyptus Like riparian areas, freshwater marshes are The Refugio Creek Watershed includes biologically productive and diverse areas. several stands of eucalyptus, including one Freshwater marshes are flooded frequently near the Teen Center on Refugio Valley Road and the plants and animals that live there and on the slopes of the lower watershed. have adapted accordingly. More than 160 Eucalyptus stands are characterized by tall, species of birds rely on freshwater marshes for dense eucalyptus trees that form a closed food, cover, or water in California (Kramer, canopy with little understory. Eucalyptus 1988). trees grow quickly even after fires or other disturbances. Eucalyptus trees were The largest freshwater marshes in the Refugio introduced to California in 1856 and have Creek Watershed are in the lower watershed. come to occupy a diverse range of conditions Duck Pond, near Taraya Terrace, is a small throughout the state. They were frequently body of water drained by a small outlet planted as part of industrial activities to buffer channel that flows beneath Sycamore Avenue. against noise, explosions, or other related The pond is surrounded by willows, cattails, impacts (Pearson, 1988). and eucalyptus trees. The surface of the pond is often green from duckweed and other Crows, ravens, barn owls, and some species aquatic vegetation that grows in the open of hawks commonly make use of eucalyptus sunlight. In the Western Preserve, between for roosting, perching, and nesting. Fallen Bayside’s western border and Sycamore eucalyptus litter can provide cover for Avenue, is a larger, deeper freshwater alligator lizards, gopher snakes, and wood (From left to right) wetland. This wetland includes broad stands rats (Pearson, 1988). Freshwater Marshes exist in the lower of cattails and open water. Its surface also watershed. turns green with vegetation in response to intense sunlight and possibly elevated levels Eucalyptus are not of nutrients entering it from the surrounding native to California and support less biological lands, a common occurrence in urban diversity than similar watersheds. native forests.

Urban/Suburban neighborhoods provide a different type of habitat for plants and animals.

11 SEPTEMBER 2009 Urban/Suburban Urban and suburban development is its own form of habitat. Though it is not necessarily intentional, lawns, buildings, street trees, garbage, and other artifacts of urban living provide food and shelter for certain species. Rats, crows, mice, pigeons, coyotes, and many other animals have adapted to urban environments, often thriving along with people. Pets also contribute to the habitat quality of an urban area. Domestic cats and dogs are effective hunters that have a profound impact on local populations of wild animals. An East Bay Regional Park study found that a study site without house cats had twice as many birds compared to a study site with house cats. The site with cats no longer supported birds from some of the ground-dependant species, such as California quail (Hawkins, 1999). A similar study in San Diego found that cats from residences adjacent to a 50- acre open space study plot were returning 840 rodents, 525 birds and 595 lizards each year. The local animal population could not sustain itself with this level of predation (Crooks, 1999). These studies demonstrate that humans interact with the surrounding open spaces in many, often subtle ways.

12 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN A B

C D

Rodeo Creek ib of Canada del Cierbo

A Trib of Rodeo B

C D Trib of Rodeo F

Trib of Rodeo Ohlone Creek Refugio Creek E G

f Pinole

H I

Creek Trib of Pinole J

Pinole Creek Watershed Tour 13 SEPTEMBER 2009 E F Photopoint E: Ohlone Creek. Refugio Creek’s largest tributary is Ohlone Creek. Ohlone Creek drains a hilly, mostly residential area of Hercules. Coast live oaks, eucalyptus, and bay trees grow on the steep slopes of upper Ohlone Creek. The creek enters a culvert at Ohlone Park near Ohlone Elementary School and reemerges downstream of Interstate-80. Ohlone Creek meets Refugio Creek near the John Muir G H Parkway.

Photopoint F: Railroad Culvert. The railroad, Interstate-80, Sycamore Avenue, and Refugio Creek all converge at nearly the same point in the watershed. Refugio Creek flows underground for approximately 800 feet and reemerges north of the intersection at San Pablo and Sycamore Avenues. I J Photopoint G: Refugio Valley Park. At Refugio Valley Park, the creek flows into an artificial pond named Lake Refugio. Lake Refugio attracts ducks, geese, and anglers. Prior to recent budget cuts, the California Department of Fish and Game stocked trout in the lake.

Photopoint H: Upper Refugio Photopoint A: Mouth Creek. Near the top of the At its mouth, Refugio Creek flows beneath the watershed, Refugio Creek Union Pacific Railroad into a broad mudflat and is just a few feet wide. enters San Pablo Bay. Mudflats look featureless, but Willows, oaks, buckeyes, and a single handful can contain 40,000 organisms. These other trees form a complete organisms depend on a combination of nutrients canopy, shading the creek and provided by the bay and by Refugio Creek and providing food, cover, and attract feeding shorebirds during low tide. habitat for animals.

Photopoint B: Restored Reach Photopoint I: Teen Center. As part of the redevelopment of the lands of the The Hercules Teen Center Hercules Powder Company, the City of Hercules is situated on the banks of restored approximately half a mile of Refugio Creek. Refugio Creek across from A new channel was carved and planted. Today, the Hercules Middle High School. restoration is still relatively new. Trees and plants The Teen Center offers before are growing and the channel is adjusting to its new and after school programs for state. More restoration is expected downstream. youth. Its location and purpose make it an excellent place to Photopoints C and D: educate youth about creek and Duck Pond and Lower ponds. watershed issues. The “ponds” in the lower watershed are freshwater wetlands with cattails, snags (dead trees), and other common wetland plants. The ponds are Photopoint J: Upper Watershed valuable habitat for many birds, amphibians, and Hillside Slopes. other animals, but the naturally occurring green Oaks and bay trees cover the algae and submerged vegetation that proliferate in north and east facing slopes during warm, sunny months can occasionally attract in the upper watershed. complaints about the smell and appearance during Grasslands cover the south and warm months. west facing slopes.

14 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN The Vision

Overview both sides of Interstate 80, feel connected. Over six meetings and one field trip, residents Access refers both to access to the creek and of the Refugio Creek Watershed learned about access throughout the watershed. Vision their watershed, expressed their interests planning group members recognized the and concerns, and worked collaboratively to abundance of planned and existing trails generate goals and propose actions in support in the watershed. A creek-side hiking and of their goals. The articulation of their desires biking trail connects Refugio Valley Park to can be summarized by the following vision the headwaters of Refugio Creek two and a statement: half miles upstream. A network of sidewalks The Refugio Creek Watershed Vision Planning connects Refugio Valley Park with the central Group envisions a watershed with: healthy commercial area and the lower watershed creeks and ponds that provide habitat for west/northwest of Interstate 80. The San wildlife; trails that unify and celebrate the Francisco Bay Trail will traverse the San watershed; and communities that care for, Pablo Bay shoreline. The Bay Area Ridge learn about, and understand the watershed. Trail will pass near the headwaters of the watershed. The vision planning group generated interests and concerns that were then converted to The group identified opportunities to improve goals. These goals can be categorized in the access throughout the watershed. Interstate following six topic areas: access; education 80 serves as a physical and psychological and outreach; creeks; ponds; wildlife and barrier between the two halves of central nature; storm water and water quality. The Hercules (upstream and downstream). The group proposed actions to support these goals group proposed ways to improve bike and that are detailed below. pedestrian access to encourage walking and highlight the creek experience in central Hercules. Access Several recommendations were to improve Goal: pedestrian access around the natural areas in the lower watershed. Recommendations Provide connected biking and pedestrian include a pedestrian bridge between Bayside opportunities throughout the watershed and John Muir Parkway and a boardwalk to to improve health, provide alternatives the west side of San Pablo Avenue that would to driving, create an appreciation for the allow visual access into the natural area and watershed, and make central Hercules, on pedestrian connection between John Muir

15 SEPTEMBER 2009 Community Members Parkway and Sycamore Avenue. Parkway/Alfred Noble Drive Participating in the Refugio Creek Vision • Complete the creek trails down to the bay Plan Watershed Tour The group recognized that the creek-side trail and Trail that travels from Refugio Valley Park to the • Create a loop trail in middle of the headwaters could be augmented to create watershed by connecting the existing two loops; one along the ridges of the upper trail between Refugio Valley Road with watershed and one on either side of the creek an informal trail on other side of creek between the Teen Center and Refugio Valley (connect at Teen Center and upstream of Park (See trails side bar for more detail). Country Run) • Connect existing trails (and provide legal access) to create a loop trail along the Proposed Actions: ridges of the upper watershed starting at Watershed Trails Falcon Way and Refugio Valley Road (See sidebar for more detail) • Create an access point to Bay Area Ridge • Construct a boardwalk through the ponds Trail and Fernandez Ranch at the top of in the lower watershed to connect the Refugio Valley Road Bayside neighborhood to the future • Create a creek access point at the parking Sycamore Park/school site. pull out across from Hanna Ranch • Consider using boardwalks to access Elementary School sensitive areas in the creek • Improve the cross walk (lighting and stop • Use appropriate materials for creek access signs) at Refugio Valley Road and Carson points (low impact materials such as Street by Hanna Ranch Elementary School decomposed granite for trails rather than • Identify and highlight access points to concrete) Ohlone Creek trails • Plant native, drought tolerant vegetation • Maintain the trail across from the lower especially trees, along trail. For example, exit of Hercules Middle High School so trees grow naturally very well along the that it does not fall into the creek creeks and stream beds of the EBMUD • Create a boardwalk between the Bayside land directly east of Hercules. Many of community and San Pablo Avenue and these trees were planted 14 years ago and another to the west of San Pablo Avenue are thriving to this day without irrigation to provide pedestrian access between or maintenance. John Muir Parkway and Sycamore Avenue • Build a pedestrian bridge from South Front Street in Bayside to John Muir Improving Connections through Central

16 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Creekside Trail

Boardwalk

Upper Watershed Loop Trail

Creek Loop Trail Franklin Canyon (Proposed Public Access)

R e e ff u g ii o o C r e e k

EBMUD

17 SEPTEMBER 2009 Trails

The will soon would encircle the upper watershed in a traverse the Refugio Creek Watershed 4.5 mile loop. Since the Vision Planning along the San Pablo Bay shoreline. The process did not investigate all the legal Bay Area Ridge Trail will pass on EBMUD issues and the needs of all the landowners lands very near the head of Refugio that would be involved, the trail is Valley. Between the two is the Refugio represented on the map conceptually. Valley Trail. The trail currently begins at the upstream end of Refugio Valley Road., From the same traffi c circle, the group just 350 yards short of the planned Bay identifi ed a second potential loop trail that Area Ridge Trail. In order to connect the would head downstream to Refugio Valley trails, access agreements would need to be Park. The trail that currently connects to worked out between the City, EBMUD, and the park travels between Refugio Valley the homeowners’ association that owns the Road and Refugio Creek on the south land in between Refugio Valley Road and side of the creek. An informal trail on city the planned Ridge Trail. property parallels the existing trail but on the north side of the creek. This trail Between the head of Refugio Valley could be improved and included into the Road to Refugio Valley Park, the trail is trail network, creating a pleasant loop trail a combination hiking and biking trail between the middle and upper watershed. that runs mostly along Refugio Creek. Between Refugio Valley Park and San Pablo Downstream of Refugio Valley Park, the Avenue, the trail is a series of sidewalks creek, the trail, and Sycamore Avenue all and pedestrian crossings that move users need to fi t underneath the Burlington under the freeway and railroad overpasses. Northern Santa Fe Railroad Bridge. The Downstream of San Pablo Avenue, a trail creek goes underground into a culvert user can continue toward the Bay via wide and the trail becomes a sidewalk on the sidewalks along Sycamore Avenue or San opposite side of Sycamore Avenue. The Pablo Avenue/John Muir Parkway. Planned roads are highly traffi cked, and the sidewalk development in the lower watershed will crosses many intersections. connect these pathways with the Bay Trail. The planning group identifi ed a need to The watershed vision planning group redesign the trail experience through identifi ed several other trail opportunities this reach of the watershed. The group in and around the watershed. The expressed a desire to better integrate the trails for most of these already exist as creek, the trail, and the stores in the area maintenance roads in the open space that to create a better, smoother, and more rings the watershed. Much like the Ridge compelling connection between the middle Trail connections, access agreements, watershed and the lower watershed. liability, and other legal issues would need to be worked out with the landowners The planning group stated its desire for and the legal entity that would assume better pedestrian access in and around the management of the trail. natural areas of the lower watershed to encourage walking, provide nature viewing The planning group identifi ed the potential experiences, and better appreciate the for an upper watershed trail that began natural areas. Suggested boardwalks or at the traffi c circle at Refugio Valley Road, pedestrian bridges include connections Falcon Way, and Redwood Road. A trail between Bayside and John Muir Parkway, that ascended up to the north and south Bayside and San Pablo Avenue, and a ridges and traveled along both ridges to boardwalk to the west of San Pablo the Bay Area Ridge Trail on EBMUD lands Avenue.

18 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Hercules Creek Access • Improve bike and pedestrian access under • Provide formal access to the creek in I-80 and railroad tracks along the culvert Refugio Valley Park to link the upper creek with the lower • Better connect the trails with the creek creek. This “culvert trail” would start at • Formalize and limit access points into the the Creekside Center clock sign, continue creek to protect habitat under I-80 and the railroad bridge, travel • Include interpretive signs at formal creek through the future Market Town project access points (old park & ride lot), cross San Pablo Avenue, and end adjacent to the east side Education and Outreach of Bayside. This “culvert trail” should have public art, in the form of paintings, Goal: murals, mosaics, stamped concrete, etc., Educate the community to improve water that use thematic water elements along quality and habitat, create opportunities to the way to educate the public of the interact with the creek, and to appreciate the presence of the buried creek. Sidewalks, Refugio Creek Watershed. crosswalks, etc., could have stamped concrete (for example) with creek Early on, the planning group recognized the wildlife, creek plant life, and general value of the watershed and the educational water imagery that would visually opportunities it offers. Ohlone link (like breadcrumbs of Elementary School, Hercules public art) the two ends of Middle High School, the the culvert together. Hercules Teen Center, and • Beautify and integrate the potential school between creeks and trails the Baywood and Bayside to create a better neighborhoods are all pedestrian experience adjacent to or very near when walking between creeks. For residents, the Refugio Valley Park and creek is a very visible feature San Pablo Ave. throughout much of Hercules. • Town center should use the Yet while the creek is always creek as part of its identity nearby and visible, it may not and access always be understood or appreciated. • Improve visual access on existing path The planning group recognized many next to creek and on the retail side opportunities to highlight the creek, work overlooking creek. together to improve the creek, and integrate it more fully into the lives of watershed residents. The most detailed of these Trail Quality and Trail Experience proposals, providing creek-based programs at • Clean up the trails the Hercules Teen Center, is explained in a • Plant native, drought tolerant vegetation sidebar. along trail (especially trees) • Create interpretive trails near the Bayside neighborhood and the proposed park/ Proposed Actions: school in the lower watershed • Provide trash cans and pet litter bags Community Organization along trails • Create a citizen-based community group • Create an interpretive program along the to help steward the creek trails that tells the story of Hercules and • Have a watershed coordinator plan and the watershed, and highlights the plants, coordinate creek activities wildlife, and other resources • Partner with The Watershed Project,

19 SEPTEMBER 2009 Hercules Community Gardeners, Kadets, plantings, improved creek access, and a the Teen/Youth Council, and Earth Team loop trail (see sidebar) to educate the community • Make connections between schools and other groups to share ideas and resources Events Educational Materials • Provide regular watershed tours for the public • Create “Blurbs” or summaries of • Establish a “Creek Fest” similar to the watershed issues Pinole Creek event • Create a self-guided tour using number • Hold pollution and debris pickup not posts at places along the creek. Tour just in creeks but in entire watershed on guides could be available on-line or at Coastal Cleanup Day and other days places like the library • Add Coastal Cleanup Day to the list of • Establish a clearing house or archive to regular events the City hosts/participates retain reports, photos, and art pertaining in. This would require close coordination to the watershed with the City’s Special Events • Create a Refugio Creek book that would Coordinator, Parks and Rec Department include a list or species with photographs and perhaps the Middle High School of plants and animals found in the Environmental Science classes. watershed • Place interpretive signage along Muir Parkway sidewalk and other reaches near Schools creek restoration area to explain the creek • Identify teachers to be environmental and restoration coordinators • Create and maintain a website for • Conduct water quality testing through watershed information both in Hercules educational programs with the schools or and outside of Hercules (include volunteers activities, links to other websites, data Despite an abundance and information clearinghouse) of open space, • Create a creek docent program through residents of Refugio the schools • Use interpretive signs to interpret the Creek Watershed do • Create creek-stewardship program at history of sites and areas along the creek not always have access. Teen Center along with garden, native

20 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Teen Center

The San Francisco Bay Trail will soon along both ridges to the Bay Area Ridge traverse the Refugio Creek Watershed Trail on EBMUD lands would encircle along the San Pablo Bay shoreline. The the upper watershed in a 4.5 mile loop. Bay Area Ridge Trail will pass on EBMUD Since the Vision Planning process did not lands very near the head of Refugio investigate all the legal issues and the Valley. Between the two is the Refugio needs of all the landowners that would be Valley Trail. The trail currently begins at involved, the trail is represented on the the upstream end of Refugio Valley Road., map conceptually. just 350 yards short of the planned Bay Area Ridge Trail. In order to connect the From the same traffi c circle, the group trails, access agreements would need to identifi ed a second potential loop trail be worked out between the City, EBMUD, that would head downstream to Refugio and the homeowners’ association that Valley Park. The trail that currently owns the land in between Refugio Valley connects to the park travels between Road and the planned Ridge Trail. Refugio Valley Road and Refugio Creek on the south side of the creek. An informal Between the head of Refugio Valley trail on city property parallels the Road to Refugio Valley Park, the trail is existing trail but on the north side of the a combination hiking and biking trail creek. This trail could be improved and that runs mostly along Refugio Creek. included into the trail network, creating Between Refugio Valley Park and San a pleasant loop trail between the middle Pablo Avenue, the trail is a series of and upper watershed. sidewalks and pedestrian crossings that move users under the freeway and Downstream of Refugio Valley Park, the railroad overpasses. Downstream of San creek, the trail, and Sycamore Avenue all Pablo Avenue, a trail user can continue need to fi t underneath the Burlington toward the Bay via wide sidewalks along Northern Santa Fe Railroad Bridge. The Sycamore Avenue or San Pablo Avenue/ creek goes underground into a culvert John Muir Parkway. Planned development and the trail becomes a sidewalk on in the lower watershed will connect these the opposite side of Sycamore Avenue. pathways with the Bay Trail. The roads are highly traffi cked, and the sidewalk crosses many intersections. The watershed vision planning group identifi ed several other trail opportunities The planning group identifi ed a need to in and around the watershed. The redesign the trail experience through trails for most of these already exist as this reach of the watershed. The group maintenance roads in the open space that expressed a desire to better integrate rings the watershed. Much like the Ridge the creek, the trail, and the stores in the Trail connections, access agreements, area to create a better, smoother, and liability, and other legal issues would need more compelling connection between to be worked out with the landowners the middle watershed and the lower and the legal entity that would assume watershed. management of the trail. The planning group stated its desire The planning group identifi ed the for better pedestrian access in and potential for an upper watershed trail around the natural areas of the lower that began at the traffi c circle at Refugio watershed to encourage walking, provide Valley Road, Falcon Way, and Redwood nature viewing experiences, and better Road. A trail that ascended up to the appreciate the natural areas. Suggested north and south ridges and traveled boardwalks or pedestrian bridges include connections between Bayside and John Muir Parkway, Bayside and San Pablo Avenue, and a boardwalk to the west of San Pablo Avenue.

21 SEPTEMBER 2009 22 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Creeks Proposed Actions: Goal: • Evaluate fish passage at the Refugio Improve water quality, increase native Valley Park drop structure habitat, and restore the creeks of the Refugio • Daylight the creek downstream of the fire Creek Watershed to as natural a condition as station (alongside Refugio Valley Road) possible. • Investigate the potential to irrigate the community garden with creek water As described above, Refugio Creek is in • Replace non-native vegetation (e.g., ivy, relatively good condition for an urban creek. pampas grass, eucalyptus) with native For most of its length, it is above ground. vegetation There is not a lot of infrastructure constricting • Restore Ohlone Creek between San Pablo the creek, and it is well- vegetated with trees Ave. and Sycamore Ave. in conjunction and understory plants that shade the creek, with development of the adjacent supply stabilizing structure, and provide property food and cover for animals. The vision • Keep Ohlone Creek as open as possible, planning group did not have access to any modeled after the San Luis Obispo creek survey data that quantified the health of the restoration creek, but visual inspection by the group and • Manage the creeks as wildlife corridors professional judgment helped suggest some • Ensure that the creek is maintained as opportunities. Key among these is using planned native plants to replace non-native plants, • Manage the creeks primarily for wildlife particularly ivy, pampas grass, and eucalyptus and habitat while accommodating public in Refugio Valley Park and elsewhere. access and flood protection Replacing these species with native species • Install stream gauges to gather data on will increase the habitat value and improve stream flow the resiliency of the entire creek system. 23 SEPTEMBER 2009 Ponds Native Vegetation Goal: Native plants are plants that existed in Improve water quality, increase native California prior to European contact. habitat, and reduce the maintenance costs of They evolved simultaneously with native California animals, fungi, and microbes. the ponds in Refugio Creek Watershed. Together, they created a complex network of supporting organisms. When The vision planning group discussed three Europeans arrived in California, and ever ponds in the Refugio Creek Watershed: since, they brought with them plants Refugio Lake, Duck Pond, and the lower from elsewhere. In some cases, the new ponds near the Bayside and Baywood plants are fairly harmless. In other cases, the plants take over certain habitats and neighborhoods. Each pond is unique in prevent native plants from growing. The character and presents distinct challenges. new plants are able to out-compete the native plants because the pests, weather Refugio Lake is in Refugio Valley Park. It is conditions, or other factors that kept them an artificial lake constructed as part of the in check in their home countries were not park several decades ago. Refugio Creek present in California. The loss of native plants can be harmful to the animals that flows into the lake and exits through a drop evolved to depend on them for food and structure under Sycamore Avenue. The lake shelter (CNPS, 2009). is a significant feature in a very popular park. It attracts geese and ducks. In the Creeks in Contra Costa County have many non-native plants that can out-compete past, it has been stocked with fish and is still native plants. Eucalyptus, Himalayan occasionally used by recreational anglers. blackberry, giant reed, pampas grass, Algerian ivy, periwinkle, and other non- When Refugio Creek enters into Refugio native plants can dramatically change Lake, the water slows. When it slows, it the character of a creek and its ability to drops much of the sediment it carries and the support native wildlife. A key feature of creek restoration is removing non-native sediment deposits in the lake. The City of plants and replacing them native plants. Hercules has had to dredge the pond in the Native plant restoration is extremely past to remove this sediment. valuable to the health of the creek and it can be accomplished by volunteers. Aquatic vegetation and algae grow well in Some common native plants in and near shallow ponds that are exposed to direct Refugio Creek are coast live oak, valley oak, California bay, Fremont cottonwood, sunlight. The lake has three aerators that California buckeye, arroyo willow, Pacifi c spray the lake water into the air like fountains willow, elderberry, California rose, and to keep the water flowing and full of oxygen. California blackberry. This helps combat the unsightly growth of unwanted aquatic vegetation and algae. Despite these efforts, vision planning group members mentioned the presence of “pond scum” in the lake during summer months. Duck Pond and the lower ponds are in the lower watershed and all feed into Refugio Creek. These ponds have more natural looking features than Refugio Lake. Vision planning group members frequently commented on both the sight and smell of the ponds in the summer months when they filled with algae and aquatic vegetation such as duck weed. Nearby residents also expressed concern over possibly providing mosquito habitat in the ponds. In all three ponds, the problems and solutions

24 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN are complex and require further study beyond • Create wildlife enhancement projects that the scope of the Vision Plan. The vision are ready for funding in order to access planning group identified the problems mitigation funds associated with the quality of the ponds • Reduce impacts of feral cats, wild turkeys, (and perhaps maintenance costs related to and other non-native species dredging of Refugio Lake) and recommended • Manage the creeks primarily for wildlife further study. and habitat while accommodating public access and flood protection

Proposed Actions: Storm Water and Water Quality • Improve the water quality (pond scum) at Goal: Refugio Lake • Evaluate ways to improve the water Reduce flood risk and improve water quality quality in lower watershed ponds in Refugio Creek Watershed. • Evaluate improving the drainage out of Though the planning group did not have any Duck Pond by shading the outlet channel data quantifying flooding or water quality with native riparian trees and adjusting in Refugio Creek Watershed, it did come to the outlet elevation appreciate the value of green storm water • Investigate the costs and benefits of treatment and improving water quality. maintaining Refugio Lake Water that is allowed to seep into the ground • Consider increasing water flow in and out moves slowly to the creeks and along the way of the lower watershed ponds to naturally it is cleansed of pollutants and impurities. eliminate mosquito habitat Water that flows off of buildings, roads, and parking lots into storm drains flows quickly Wildlife and Nature to the creek, carrying pollutants and causing higher flows in the creek. These higher flows Goal: can sometimes lead to flooding. Provide, protect, and improve habitat Based on a general understanding of storm for desired wildlife in the Refugio Creek water and water quality, the vision planning Watershed. group recommended several actions that will With nearly a third of the watershed as help improve creek health. open space and being adjacent to large open spaces in the Rodeo and Pinole Creek watersheds, the Refugio Creek Watershed Proposed Actions: still supports wildlife. Several planning group members expressed their delight, upon • Place “Drains to Bay” signage at all storm moving into the watershed from elsewhere, at drains the quantity of wildlife near their homes. • Evaluate opportunities to filter trash, grease, and pollutants from storm water at Designing specific strategies to manage the pipe outfalls and storm drain inflows wildlife is beyond the scope of the vision • Use BMPs (best management practices) to planning group. However, actions the group keep trash and pollutants out of creek proposed reflect an appreciation for the • Consider alternatives to storm drains wildlife with which they share the watershed. (swales, rain gardens) • Investigate the capacity for on-site water retention Proposed Actions: • Organize creek clean-ups • Conduct water quality testing through • Manage the creeks as wildlife corridors educational programs with the schools or • Identify sites for mitigation (for threatened volunteers and endangered species) • Use more pavers and pervious surfaces

25 SEPTEMBER 2009 • Install permanent BMPs on storm drains with a permanent funding source to maintain it • Improve retention of storm water runoff • Future dog parks should treat water quality issues associated with dog waste

26 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN Storm Water Treatment When rain falls on a forest or open fi eld, of insulating the buildings beneath them. the water soaks into the ground and Swales substitute for concrete drains and slowly moves downhill. As it does, it is allow water to move more slowly and cleansed of impurities. When water falls cleanse itself before entering the creek. on the roof of a building, it drains quickly Bio-retention cells, similar to those at the into gutters, across pavement, into storm Hercules Public Library, retain water and drains, and into the creek, along with the use it to grow plants rather than pass it pollutants it encounters along the way. on into storm drains. Rain gardens do When much of the watershed is covered much the same thing on a larger scale. in buildings and pavement, this can have Permeable paving substitutes for asphalt a profound impact on the creek. When where cars need to drive or park. The it rains, the creek quickly rises as water permeable paving provides a strong surface rushing off of pavement is delivered to support vehicles, but allow water to rapidly into the creek. It can cause infi ltrate in ground below. unexpected fl ooding and the pollutants it carries can be harmful to the plants and Continuous Defl ective Separation systems animals in the creek. can trap debris, sediment, and oil and grease from storm water runoff. CDS are Cities all over the west coast are installed at key outfalls and uses screens beginning to realize the benefi t of green to remove these pollutants from storm storm water treatments. Green storm water before it enters the creek. Green water treatments are strategies and storm water treatments can be initially techniques to slow water down, spread expensive and often require more room it out, and allow it to infi ltrate into the than traditional storm water treatments. ground, much as it would in a more However, many cities are beginning to natural setting. realize that the long term benefi ts to the creek and the community outweigh the Living roofs retain rain water in roof initial costs. top gardens that have the added benefi t

27 SEPTEMBER 2009 Next Steps particular, the group was very interested The Refugio Creek Watershed Vision Planning in redesigning the pedestrian connection Group has articulated a vision, identified between Creekside Center and San Pablo supporting goals, and proposed actions for Avenue (“the culvert trail”). Similarly, the Refugio Creek Watershed. While this the group expressed interest in improving document captures the group’s vision, it is not pedestrian trail network in the lower an end in and of itself. The value of a vision watershed, including boardwalk access to the and a Vision Plan is in the actions that follow. west of San Pablo Avenue and connections The challenge is to maintain the momentum between Bayside and the surrounding trails generated by the vision planning process and and sidewalks. The vision planning groups translate that into results. seemed to recognize that these improvements should occur simultaneous to other imminent The Vision Plan lists many exciting actions developments in the lower watershed such as to begin to fulfill the vision. The question New Town Center and Sycamore Downtown. remains which action to take first. In a watershed like Refugio Creek, where there are not urgent flooding, water quality, or Additional Study endangered species issues, the choice may The vision planning group identified many not be obvious. The topics that seem to areas for further study. These were issues garner the most interest and concern are that the group was interested in but were listed below. too complex to address within the scope of the vision planning process. Paramount among these were the vegetation, smell, and Community Organizing potential mosquito issues related to Duck The vision planning group suggested forming Pond and the ponds in the lower watershed. a community-based creek group to study, Similarly, there was interest in better steward, and care for the creek. Commonly understanding Refugio Lake, its maintenance referred to as ‘friends’ groups (e.g., Friends of requirements, and possible alterations. Refugio Creek Watershed), these watershed Explanations and solutions for these issues groups are abundant in Contra Costa County. may be fairly simple with the assistance of a Friends of Pinole Creek have been active limnologist (someone who studies lakes and in their watershed for many years. Friends ponds). groups typically set an agenda to improve the creek through creek clean ups, monitoring, partnering with schools and engaging Conclusion with local governments. A few dedicated The vision articulated in this document is individuals working together in a friends a reflection of the cultural values of the group can have a profound impact on the residents and the current conditions of the health of the creek and the character of a city. watershed. As conditions change, new Support is available from local non-profits residents arrive in Hercules, and cultural such as The Watershed Project, and from the values evolve, this vision may change. County through its Contra Costa Watershed At such time, the Vision Plan may need Forum. revising or updating. Until then, The Refugio Creek Watershed Vision Plan will serve as a reference guide for future actions, recommending activities that the community Trail Planning is likely to support, and informing decisions that relate to the watershed. While the vision planning group did not choose priorities, there was considerable interest from nearly everyone in improving the trail network in the watershed. In

28 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN References

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30 REFUGIO CREEK WATERSHED VISION PLAN