New Life for Eroding Shorelines: Beach and Marsh Edge Change in the San Francisco Estuary

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

New Life for Eroding Shorelines: Beach and Marsh Edge Change in the San Francisco Estuary New Life for Eroding Shorelines: Beach and Marsh Edge Change in the San Francisco Estuary San Francisco SFEI Estuary Institute i New Life for Eroding Shorelines: Beach and Marsh Edge Change in the San Francisco Estuary A technical report associated with the New Life for Eroding Shorelines Project Prepared by SFEI In partnership with Julie Beagle Peter Baye (Coastal Ecologist) Katie McKnight Roger Leventhal (Marin Public Works) Ellen Plane Gloria Desanker Funded by Marin Community Foundation California Coastal Conservancy San Francisco SFEI Estuary Institute sfei publication #984 april 2020 SUGGESTED CITATION SFEI and Peter Baye. 2020. New Life for Eroding Shorelines: Beach and Marsh Edge Change in the San Francisco Estuary. Publication #984, San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, CA. Version 1.0 (April 2020) REPORT AVAILABILITY Report is available at sfei.org IMAGE PERMISSION Permissions rights for images used in this publication have been specifically acquired for one-time use in this publication only. Further use or reproduction is prohibited without express written permission from the responsible source institution. For permissions and reproductions inquiries, please contact the responsible source institution directly. COVER and FRONT MATTER CREDITS Aerial imagery is of Whittell Marsh along Point Pinole Regional Shoreline (Courtesy of Google Earth) FUNDED BY The Marin Community Foundation and the California Coastal Conservancy ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank the Marin Community Foundation and the California State Coastal Conservancy for providing funding for this project under the Advancing Nature-Based Adaptation Solutions in Marin County grant program. Marilyn Latta, Kelly Malinowski, and Linda Tong, our grant managers at the Coastal Conservancy, provided thoughtful feedback, review, and support throughout the project. This report benefited from a truly collaborative and interdisciplinary project team led by Dr. Kathy Boyer (San Francisco State University) along with several graduate students and technicians, including Melissa Patten and Kelly Santos, Peter Baye (Coastal Ecologist), Roger Leventhal (Marin County Public Works), and Marin Audubon Society staff. We are also grateful to our technical advisors for their review and guidance throughout: Stuart Siegel (San Francisco State University), Mike Vasey (SF Bay NERR), and Jeremy Lowe (SFEI). Technical review was also provided by Josh Collins (SFEI). Thank you to the many SFEI staff who contributed to this report: Ruth Askevold, Jeremy Lowe, Sam Safran, Micha Salomon, Pete Kauhanen and interns Kelly Santos and Jacob Kupperman. As this is just the first phase of deliverables for the New Life for Eroding Shorelines project, we are looking forward to integrating these results into the outcomes of the rest of the team’s work, and continuing to add to our understanding of physical and ecological shoreline processes towards the goal of greater shoreline resilience in the face of climate change. CONTENTS Glossary ......................................................................................................................viii Chapter 1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2. Marsh edge change .................................................................................... 11 Prepared by: Julie Beagle, Ellen Plane, Gloria Desanker, Micha Salomon Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Results .........................................................................................................................................21 Patterns and examples ..............................................................................................................32 Discussion...................................................................................................................................40 Chapter 3. A technical introduction to beaches in the S.F. Estuary ........................... 47 Prepared by: Peter Baye Estuarine low energy beaches ..................................................................................................49 Estuarine beach planform and shoreline setting ........................................................................52 San Francisco Estuary beaches and sediment types .............................................................59 Estuarine beach and wetland interactions .............................................................................. 67 Wildlife habitat relationships ...................................................................................................70 Chapter 4. A remote sensing approach to evaluate beach change ............................ 85 Prepared by: Julie Beagle, Katie McKnight, Gloria Desanker Methods ......................................................................................................................................88 Results ........................................................................................................................................93 Discussion................................................................................................................................. 107 Chapter 5. Lessons learned in beach habitat pilot projects .......................................117 Prepared by: Peter Baye, Roger Leventhal Bay beach pilot restoration projects in Central SF Bay ......................................................... 117 Assessment of pilot project estuarine beach evolution, patterns, and processes ............. 126 Ecological processes and habitat evolution of bay beach pilot projects ............................144 Project planning and implementation ................................................................................... 156 Conclusions and recommendations .......................................................................................164 Chapter 6. Conclusion ............................................................................................... 171 GLOSSARY Accretion Berm crest The vertical accumulation of sediment causing growth of The linear break in slope marking the seaward limit of the a landform. berm and landward limit of the beachface (Komar 1976). Backwash Cusps The gravity-driven flow of water back down the slope of Regularly spaced shoreline landforms (spacing typically a beach after the swash of the preceding wave (Tarbuck between a few meters and a few tens of meters along and Lutgens 2008). the shore) consisting of small (< 1 m) embayments between protruding ridges. They are a common feature of Bar reflective beaches (Mangor 2019). Elongated intertidal or subtidal sand body with a wave or ridge form, deposited by (tidal) currents or waves; Drift aligned wave-deposited bars are generally aligned nearly parallel Drift alignments are found on beach-fringed coasts where with the shore (Price 1951, 1968). Bars deposited by the dominant waves arrive obliquely to the shore and swash and backwash of waves are termed swash bars. (with accompanying currents) maintain a beach parallel Large, persistent swash bars deposited at the limit of to the direction of the resulting longshore drift. They are constructive wave action at the backshore are also called typically found on straight coasts where the obliquely- beach berms (Pethick 1984, Davis and FitzGerald 2004). arriving waves move sediment alongshore (Bird 2019). Baylands Fringing beach General term describing areas around the margin of a A narrow strip of beach at the toe of a mainland bluff, bay, including mudflats, tidal marsh, and transition zone cliff, or levee. Narrow beaches along the outer salt marsh (Goals Project 2015). edge are termed marsh-fringing barrier beaches (Pilkey and Young 2009). Beach Deposit of unconsolidated sediment ranging from Groin/micro-groin cobbles to sand, formed by wave processes along the An artificially constructed obstruction to longshore shoreline. The beach extends from the landward limit drift of beach sediment, designed to cause local beach of wave action at the base of cliffs, bluffs, dunes, or a deposition. Micro-groins are short groins restricted to marsh platform, to the seaward or bayward limit of wave the beach berm and beachface, which allow significant action and beach sediment (Davis and FitzGerald 2004, bypassing of longshore drifted beach sediment. Pilkey and Young 2009). Lateral erosion Beach berm Landward movement of the shoreline. Also known as A nearly horizontal portion of the beach or backshore marsh edge retreat or recession. formed by the deposition of sediment by the receding Living shoreline waves (Komar 1976). A shoreline management system designed to protect or Beachface restore natural shoreline ecosystems through the use of The sloping section of the beach profile below the berm natural elements, and, if appropriate, manmade elements. where the swash and backwash of waves occurs at high Any elements used must not interrupt the natural water/ tide, eroding or depositing beach sediment (swash slope) land continuum to the detriment of natural shoreline (Komar 1976). ecosystems (Restore America’s Estuaries 2015). viii Low tide terrace (estuarine) Progradation The intertidal flats (sand, mud, or other mixed sediments) Lateral bayward or seaward growth and movement of the bayward of a low-energy beach, where wave action is shoreline; expansion of the marsh or beach edge. highly attenuated
Recommended publications
  • China Camp State Park 101 Peacock Gap Trail San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 456-0766
    Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and an Pablo Bay’s education of the people of California by helping S China Camp to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and intertidal salt marshlands cultural resources, and creating opportunities State Park for high-quality outdoor recreation. provide ideal habitat for grass shrimp and shorebirds near the remnants of a former California State Parks supports equal access. Chinese fishing village. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (415) 456-0766. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected]. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov China Camp State Park 101 Peacock Gap Trail San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 456-0766 www.parks.ca.gov/chinacamp © 2010 California State Parks (Rev. 2015) M agnificent panoramic views and miles The Coast Miwok land at Point San Pedro were able of multi-use trails greet visitors to China was eventually taken from them through to continue Camp State Park. History buffs, water a Spanish land grant called Rancho San harvesting enthusiasts, hikers, cyclists, and equestrians Pedro, Santa Margarita y las Gallinas. The shrimp, aided will all find unforgettable experiences here. grant was given to Timothy Murphy. After by a new net Murphy’s death in 1850, that land was designed PARK HISTORY divided and sold to the McNear family, the in 1924 by Native People owners until the mid-1900s.
    [Show full text]
  • Creeks of UC Berkeley
    University of California, Berkeley 2 A TOUR OF THIS WALKING TOUR is a guide to Strawberry STRAWBERRY Creek on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. Strawberry Creek is a CREEK ON major landscape feature of the campus, with THE UC its headwaters above the UC Botanical Garden BERKELEY in Strawberry Canyon. This tour covers only the central campus and should last about an CAMPUS hour. It begins at Faculty Glade, follows the South Fork downstream, and ends at Giannini Hall along the North Fork. A map with indicated stops is located at the end of this booklet. A BRIEF HISTORY In 1860, the College of California moved from Oakland to the present campus site, pur- chasing the land from Orrin Simmons, a sea captain turned farmer. Strawberry Creek was one of the main reasons the founders chose Simmons’ tract. “All the other striking advan- tages of this location could not make it a place fit to be chosen as the College Home without this water. With it every excellence is of double value.” The creek was named for the wild strawberries that once lined its banks. The central campus at that time was pastureland and grain fields. Coast live oaks, sycamores, bay laurel trees, and native shrubs lined the banks of Strawberry Creek. Three forks of the creek meandered through the cam- pus. In 1882, the small middle fork draining the central glade was filled to build a cinder running track, now occupied by the Life Sci- ences Building Addition. By the turn of the century, urbanization had already begun to affect the creek.
    [Show full text]
  • San Francisco Bay Area Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
    San Francisco Bay Area Integrated Regional Water Management Plan October 2019 Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures.............................................................................................................................. ii Chapter 1: Governance ............................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background ....................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Governance Team and Structure ...................................................... 1-1 1.2.1 Coordinating Committee ......................................................... 1-2 1.2.2 Stakeholders .......................................................................... 1-3 1.2.2.1 Identification of Stakeholder Types ....................... 1-4 1.2.3 Letter of Mutual Understandings Signatories .......................... 1-6 1.2.3.1 Alameda County Water District ............................. 1-6 1.2.3.2 Association of Bay Area Governments ................. 1-6 1.2.3.3 Bay Area Clean Water Agencies .......................... 1-6 1.2.3.4 Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency ................................................................. 1-8 1.2.3.5 Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District .................................. 1-8 1.2.3.6 Contra Costa Water District .................................. 1-9 1.2.3.7
    [Show full text]
  • Berkeley Marina Area Berkeley Pier/Ferry Facility
    Berkeley Marina Area Specific Plan + Berkeley Pier/Ferry Facility Planning Study COUNCIL WORKSESSION February 16, 2021 Overview • Waterfront background and issues • Update on status of Pier/Ferry and BMASP projects • Discuss possible solutions and changes • Get City Council feedback History of Berkeley Marina COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #1 BERKELEY MARINA AREA specific plan 01/28/2021 page 3 Berkeley Marina History COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #1 BERKELEY MARINA AREA specific plan 01/28/2021 page 4 Existing Berkeley Marina COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #1 BERKELEY MARINA AREA specific plan 01/28/2021 page 5 Berkeley Waterfront Regulatory Agencies + Land Use Restrictions Land Use Restrictions • State Lands Commission – Tideland Grant Trust (1913) • BCDC - 100’ Shoreband Jurisdiction • BCDC – 199 Seawall Drive and Parking Lot – Fill Permit (1966) • City of Berkeley Measure L – Open Space Ordinance (1986) • Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grants – (early 1980) Regulatory Agencies • Army Corp of Engineers • BCDC • California Department of Fish and Wildlife • State Regional Water Quality Control Board • State Lands Commission COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #1 BERKELEY MARINA AREA specific plan 01/28/2021 page 6 Economics of Berkeley Marina Area Operating Revenues* Operating Expenses Berth Rental Fees (55%) Marina Operations Hotel Lease (21%) Waterfront Maintenance Other Leases (14%) Marina Capital Projects Other Boating Fees (5%) Fund Lease Management Youth Programming (2%) Recreation Programs Other (2%) Internal Service Charges Water-Based Recreation (1%) Debt Service Security Special Events *Based on FY19 revenue COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #1 BERKELEY MARINA AREA specific plan 01/29/2021 page 7 Marina Fund Challenges Reserves depleted in FY2022 Annual Change in Reserve Balance End of Year Reserve Balance 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #1 BERKELEY MARINA AREA specific plan 01/29/2021 page 8 Marina Fund Challenges • Marina Fund was never set up to succeed.
    [Show full text]
  • Marin Islands NWR Sport Fishing Plan
    Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 MARIN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 3 SPORT FISHING PLAN 3 1. Introduction 3 2. Statement of Objectives 4 3. Description of the Fishing Program 5 A. Area to be Opened to Fishing 5 B. Species to be Taken, Fishing periods, Fishing Access 5 C. Fishing Permit Requirements 7 D. Consultation and Coordination with the State 7 E. Law Enforcement 7 F. Funding and Staffing Requirements 8 4. Conduct of the Fishing Program 8 A. Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures (if applicable) 8 B. Refuge-Spec if ic Fishing Regulat ions 8 C. Relevant State Regulations 8 D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Sport Fishing 8 5. Public Engagement 9 A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Fishing Program 9 B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Fishing Program 9 C. How Anglers Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations 9 6. Compatibility Determination 9 7. Literature Cited 9 List of Figures Figure 1. Proposed Sport Fishing Area Fishing…………………………………6 Marin Islands NWR Fishing Plan Page 2 MARIN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SPORT FISHING PLAN 1. Introduction National Wildlife Refuges are guided by the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), the purposes of an individual refuge, Service policy, and laws and international treaties. Relevant guidance includes the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, and selected portions of the Code of Federal Regulations and Fish and Wildlife Service Manual.
    [Show full text]
  • Section 3.4 Biological Resources 3.4- Biological Resources
    SECTION 3.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 3.4- BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 3.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES This section discusses the existing sensitive biological resources of the San Francisco Bay Estuary (the Estuary) that could be affected by project-related construction and locally increased levels of boating use, identifies potential impacts to those resources, and recommends mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate those impacts. The Initial Study for this project identified potentially significant impacts on shorebirds and rafting waterbirds, marine mammals (harbor seals), and wetlands habitats and species. The potential for spread of invasive species also was identified as a possible impact. 3.4.1 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES SETTING HABITATS WITHIN AND AROUND SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY The vegetation and wildlife of bayland environments varies among geographic subregions in the bay (Figure 3.4-1), and also with the predominant land uses: urban (commercial, residential, industrial/port), urban/wildland interface, rural, and agricultural. For the purposes of discussion of biological resources, the Estuary is divided into Suisun Bay, San Pablo Bay, Central San Francisco Bay, and South San Francisco Bay (See Figure 3.4-2). The general landscape structure of the Estuary’s vegetation and habitats within the geographic scope of the WT is described below. URBAN SHORELINES Urban shorelines in the San Francisco Estuary are generally formed by artificial fill and structures armored with revetments, seawalls, rip-rap, pilings, and other structures. Waterways and embayments adjacent to urban shores are often dredged. With some important exceptions, tidal wetland vegetation and habitats adjacent to urban shores are often formed on steep slopes, and are relatively recently formed (historic infilled sediment) in narrow strips.
    [Show full text]
  • Recovery Plan for Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle
    Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle, (Cincindela dorsalisdorsal/s Say) t1rtmow RECOVERY PLAN 4.- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SFAVI ? Hadley, Massachusetts September 1994 C'AZ7 r4S \01\ Cover illustration by Katherine Brown-Wing copyright 1993 NORTHEASTERN BEACH TIGER BEETLE (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis Say) RECOVERY PLAN Prepared by: James M. Hill and C. Barry Knisley Department of Biology Randolph-Macon College Ashland, Virginia in cooperation with the Chesapeake Bay Field Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and members of the Tiger Beetle Recovery Planning-Group Approved: . ILL Regi Director, Region Five U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Date: 9 29- ~' TIGER BEETLE RECOVERY PLANNING GROUP James Hill Philip Nothnagle Route 1 Box 2746A RFD 1, Box 459 Reedville, VA Windsor, VT 05089 Judy Jacobs Steve Roble U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service VA Natural Heritage Program Annapolis Field Office Main Street Station 177 Admiral Cochrane Drive 1500 East Main Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Richmond, VA 23219 C. Barry Knisley Tim Simmons Biology Department The Nature Conservancy Massachusetts Randolph-Macon College Field Office Ashland, VA 23005 79 Milk Street Suite 300 Boston, MA 02109 Laurie MacIvor The Nature Conservancy Washington Monument State Park 6620 Monument Road Middletown, MD 21769 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHEASTERN BEACH TIGER BEETLE RECOVERY PLAN Current Status: This tiger beetle occurred historically "in great swarms" on beaches along the Atlantic Coast, from Cape Cod to central New Jersey, and along Chesapeake Bay beaches in Maryland and Virginia. Currently, only two small populations remain on the Atlantic Coast. The subspecies occurs at over 50 sites within the Chesapeake Bay region.
    [Show full text]
  • Pinolecreeksedimentfinal
    Pinole Creek Watershed Sediment Source Assessment January 2005 Prepared by the San Francisco Estuary Institute for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Contra Costa Resource Conservation District San Francisco Estuary Institute The Regional Watershed Program was founded in 1998 to assist local and regional environmental management and the public to understand, characterize and manage environmental resources in the watersheds of the Bay Area. Our intent is to help develop a regional picture of watershed condition and downstream effects through a solid foundation of literature review and peer- review, and the application of a range of science methodologies, empirical data collection and interpretation in watersheds around the Bay Area. Over this time period, the Regional Watershed Program has worked with Bay Area local government bodies, universities, government research organizations, Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) and local community and environmental groups in the Counties of Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco. We have also fulfilled technical advisory roles for groups doing similar work outside the Bay Area. This report should be referenced as: Pearce, S., McKee, L., and Shonkoff, S., 2005. Pinole Creek Watershed Sediment Source Assessment. A technical report of the Regional Watershed Program, San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI), Oakland, California. SFEI Contribution no. 316, 102 pp. ii San Francisco Estuary Institute ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors gratefully
    [Show full text]
  • Codornices Creek Watershed Restoration Action Plan
    Codornices Creek Watershed Restoration Action Plan Prepared for the Urban Creeks Council By Kier Associates Fisheries and Watershed Professionals 207 Second Street, Ste. B Sausalito, CA 94965 November, 2003 The Codornices Creek watershed assessment and salmonid restoration planning project, the results of which are reported here, was funded by the Watershed Program of the California Bay-Delta Authority, through Contract No. 4600001722 between the California Department of Water Resources and the Urban Creeks Council. The Urban Creeks Council is a non-profit organization working to preserve, protect, and restore urban streams and their riparian habitat. The Urban Creeks Council may be reached at 1250 Addison Street, Ste. 107, Berkeley, CA 94702 (510- 540-6669). Table of Contents Executive Summary..................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................... ii Introduction Fish and stream habitat records................................................................................................. 1 Other Codornices Creek studies................................................................................................ 1 Methods: How Each Element of the Project Was Undertaken Fish population assessment methods ........................................................................................ 2 Salmonid habitat assessment methods.....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Strawberry Creek Collection, 1874-2000
    http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf1w1002mz No online items Inventory of the Strawberry Creek Collection, 1874-2000 Processed by Water Resources Collections and Archives staff. Water Resources Collections and Archives Orbach Science Library, Room 118 PO Box 5900 University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA 92517-5900 Phone: (951) 827-2934 Fax: (951) 827-6378 Email: [email protected] URL: http://library.ucr.edu/wrca © 2006 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. Inventory of the Strawberry MS 88/1 1 Creek Collection, 1874-2000 Inventory of the Strawberry Creek Collection, 1874-2004 Collection number: MS 88/1 Water Resources Collections and Archives University of California, Riverside Riverside, California Contact Information: Water Resources Collections and Archives Orbach Science Library, Room 118 PO Box 5900 University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA 92517-5900 Phone: (951) 827-2934 Fax: (951) 827-6378 Email: [email protected] URL: http://library.ucr.edu/wrca Collection Processed By: Paul Atwood Date Completed April 2006 © 2006 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. Descriptive Summary Title: Strawberry Creek Collection, Date (inclusive): 1874-2000 Collection number: MS 88/1 Creator: Vincent H. Resh, Luna B. Leopold, and Water Resources Collections and Archives staff Extent: 1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes) Repository: Water Resources Collections and Archives Riverside, CA 92517-5900 Shelf location: Water Resource Center Archives. Language: English. Provenance Acquired from various individuals, including University of California professors Vincent H. Resh, Robert B. Charbonneau, and Luna B. Leopold, Waterways Restoration Institute director Ann L. Riley, and other sources. Access Collection is open for research.
    [Show full text]
  • Initial Study/Environmental Assessment: Kent Island Restoration at Bolinas Lagoon
    DRAFT INITIAL STUDY/ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: KENT ISLAND RESTORATION AT BOLINAS LAGOON Marin County Open Space District and US Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District August 2012 DRAFT INITIAL STUDY/ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: KENT ISLAND RESTORATION AT BOLINAS LAGOON PREPARED FOR Marin County Open Space District Marin County Civic Center 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 260 San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 499-6387 and US Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District 1455 Market St San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 503-6703 PREPARED BY Carmen Ecological Consulting Grassetti Environmental Consulting Peter R. Baye, Coastal Ecologist, Botanist August 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................1 1.1 Purpose of this Document ............................................................................................................1 1.2 Document Structure ..............................................................................................................1 2.0 PROPOSED PROJECT AND ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................3 2.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................3 2.2 Environmental Setting ..............................................................................................................3 2.3 Purpose and Need ..............................................................................................................6
    [Show full text]
  • China Camp State Park
    1 San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail Site Description for China Camp State Park Location, Ownership, and Management: China Camp State Park, owned by the California State Parks and operated by Friends of China Camp, is located on the San Rafael shoreline of San Pablo Bay off of North San Pedro Road Road. Boaters can launch from a scenic beach located next to the pier and historic China Camp Village. The site is popular with kayakers and stand up paddlers because it is very scenic and is a good launch spot to explore the Marin shoreline. Contact Name: Maria Mowrey Contact Phone: (707) 769-5652 Contact E-mail: [email protected] Village Beach (south) Boat Launch Path Village Beach (north) Facility Description: China Camp State Park offers an exceptionally scenic setting for non- motorized boating from the sandy shoreline near the China Camp village. The beach near China Camp village is a sand and pebble beach that extends 0.25 miles, with a designated boat launch area located in the southern portion of the village area parking lot. China Camp village has an unpaved parking lot, restrooms, picnic tables, boat rinse, and showers. The Quan Bros. snack shop at China Camp village is open on weekends. Food, beverages, and ice cream are available. The museum and remaining historic structures from the village and a pier are also located here. Paved parking is also available at the top of the hill leading down to China Camp village, approximately 600 feet from the boat launch area. In addition to facilities at the village, China Camp State Park offers swimming, windsurfing, wildlife-watching, hike-in / bike-in camping, picknicking and 15 miles of mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian trails.
    [Show full text]