Shore Lines News from Citizens for East Shore Parks Fall 2008 Yes on Measure WW means Yes for Parks! Measure WW — EBRPD open space bond measure extension In November voters in The extension will authorize Alameda and Contra Costa another 20 years of continued counties will again have a funding for 67 current and future parks, open space, and chance to Say Yes to Parks! projects. Of the revenue Measure WW will preserve raised, 25 percent will benefit vanishing open space and shore- local parks and recreation line and help communities meet projects, while 75 percent will their recreational needs. fund regional park acquisition and development, open space In 1988 voters approved bond preservation, and habitat Measure AA, which allowed the restoration. • San Pablo Bay Shoreline (above): East Bay Regional Park District CESP is particularly focused on $855,000 to acquire, restore, and to establish our current network the following shoreline areas: provide public access. of parklands, recognized as one Although public support for Mea- of the best of any urban region • Eastshore State Park: $27 sure WW is already high, the in the U.S. million to restore and expand while completing segments of proposition requires a 2/3 YES vote That measure provided funds to the Bay Trail from Alameda and Contra Costa secure 34,000 acres, created 17 • Point San Pablo/Point Molate: County residents to pass. new parks and facilities, and $4.5 million to acquire and CESP strongly supports the con- added more than 100 miles of restore the shoreline, complete tinuation of a modest tax that has trails. Since the 1988 measure Bay Trail already been in place for 20 years. In expires this year, future park • North Richmond wetlands: the face of a growing population, projects depend on its extension. $3.6 million to preserve marshes determined developers, and a de- and develop public access for mand for parks and open space, Measure WW will authorize education programs and wildlife Measure WW is vital to preserv- total bond sales of $500 million. viewing ing the East Bay’s precious shore- Importantly, if approved, the • Point Pinole: $7.5 million to line and wildlife habitat. property tax rate will not in- develop new road, parking, More information and updates crease beyond its current tax rate recreational areas, visitor center, of 0.01% per year– $10 per year, about Measure WW are available maintenance facilities; complete at www.YesForParks.org. per $100,000 assessed valuation. park boundary; and restore wetlands

The mission of Citizens for East Shore Parks is to preserve and enhance the natural resources, and recreational and educational opportunities of the east shore of San Francisco Bay, creating a necklace of shoreline parks from the Oakland Estuary to the Carquinez Strait. 2 Shore Lines On the Horizon for CESP News from Citizens from Patricia Jones, Executive Director for East Shore Parks

Dear Friends of Shoreline Parks! from the Oakland Estuary to the Carquinez PO Box 6087, Albany, CA 94706 Strait? Office: 520 El Cerrito Plaza Welcome to the second edition of our news- [email protected] letter, Shore Lines. In this issue you will find CESP continues its work with Richmond T 510-524-5000 F: 524-5008 news about the work CESP has been doing to community activists to promote parks and www.eastshorepark.org protect our shoreline, what’s on open space as the preferred Dwight Steele the “Horizon” and how you can “I played around our alternative in Richmond’s Emeritus Chair get involved. yard some and talked general plan. City Council (1914 - 2002) will be back in session in But first, I want you to relax to the fence posts, September and will no doubt Robert Cheasty and take your time to think sung songs and made engage the question of President back about how much FUN you the weeds grow…” which option is to be pre- Norman La Force had as a kid playing outside. - Woody Guthrie ferred for developing the Vice President Which visions come to mind? The first required environmental impact report. The Hon. Tom Bates rush of the surf hitting you and the smell of City’s final decision about workshops re- Vice President salt in your nose and mouth? Building a tree quested by the Planning Commission is Sylvia McLaughlin house in the backyard or a fort in the nearby unclear. Secretary trees where you imagined all sorts of sce- narios? Just lying in the grass watching the We are happy to report that our North Doris Sloan flight of dragonflies or lightning bugs? Richmond outreach activities have again been Recording Secretary Perhaps you were more scientific and you supported by Ed Bennett caught tadpoles in the creek and watched grants from the Treasurer them grow. Makes you nostalgic, doesn’t it? San Francisco Foundation and Board of Directors Guess what? Kids today don’t share those the Richard and Teddi Baggins experiences. Many are simply afraid to go Rhoda Goldman Ellen Barth outside and others “experience” nature Fund. Hon. Ken Bukowski through the television or computers. Shirley Dean CESP is especially grateful to Nancy Strauch This conclusion and more compelling infor- for her efforts to secure grant funding for our Patty Donald mation is shared in Richard Louv’s book, Last work to preserve places for kids to play and Whitney Dotson Child in the Woods–Saving Our Children from explore. Arthur Feinstein Nature-Deficit Disorder. The name says it all. Steve Granholm Louv concludes it is “free play” as described There is much more to do, and we cannot do Larry Kolb it without you! Active volunteers are what above that is most beneficial to the mental Vicki Lee development and safety of children in the makes CESP successful. David Lewis modern world. “Natural Our successes also depend upon the financial Mark Liolios play strengthens support we get from our friends. Your tax- Rich McClure children’s self-confi- deductible contributions are crucial to the dence, and arouses their Kitty McLean work that CESP does to create a world- senses–their awareness Hon. Betty Olds class necklace of shoreline parks along of the world and all that Doria Robinson San Francisco Bay. We are grateful for your moves in it, seen and Eli Saddler help. unseen.” Rich Walkling Peter Weiner What better way to facilitate “play” for local children (of all ages) than to achieve CESP’s Executive Director Advisory Board goal to create a necklace of shoreline parks Stana Hearne Samantha Murray Supporting organizations include: Golden Gate Audubon Society • Sierra Club • Save the Bay • NRSOSA Oakland Waterfront Coalition • Berkeley Partners for Parks • California Native Plant Society Nancy Strauch Environmental Defense • Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge • Friends of Aquatic Park Oceanic Society • Regional Parks Association • Urban Creeks Council • Contra Costa Hills Club Executive Director California State Parks Foundation • Citizens for the Albany Shoreline • Ecology Center Patricia V. Jones Could Golden Gate 3 Fields be sold? by Brian Parker, Albany Waterfront Committee Chair As the City of Albany proceeds with plans to engage the community in a comprehensive Waterfront Visioning Process, Magna Entertainment Corp, the owners of the privately held waterfront lands at Golden Gate Fields, face financial turmoil. According to recent financial disclosures, Magna posted a loss of $21.3 million in the second quarter of 2008, with losses totaling $67.7 million year-to-date, and an accumulated deficit of $577.8 million. For the past year Magna has tried to sell off half of its racetracks to reduce accumulating debt that threatens the corporation’s future. These offerings were characterized as sales of “fringe Albany waterfront planning update assets and smaller tracks”, and Golden by Brian Parker, Albany Waterfront Committee Chair Gate Fields is not among the properties for sale. On July 8th Fern Tiger, principal of As part of the groundwork to craft a Magna’s goal is to sell enough properties Fern Tiger Associates (FTA), presented planning process responsive to to lower the debt to the point they can a progress report to the Albany Water- Albany’s unique local circumstances, handle the remaining payments while front Committee. After only two months they have interviewed 50 people, breaking even. This asset sale plan has on the task, FTA has made substantial including Council members, City staff, been largely unsuccessful because of poor progress on the public phase of the Waterfront Committee members, real estate market conditions. Waterfront Visioning Process. Planning Commissioners, environ- mental and community leaders, and On August 6, Magna announced that The firm has gathered and reviewed other Albany residents. another track sale might be in the offing. earlier plans and City documents, includ- A press release detailing the company’s ing relevant technical studies, meeting FTA has also had discussions with Golden Gate Fields’ local manage- second-quarter financials said that the minutes, and materials from the last ment and is reaching out to meet and sale of certain assets was being “recon- election. sidered,” and it was widely assumed that engage Magna’s corporate leaders. certain previously disclosed tracks Magna In early September FTA will brief the had placed on the market might be Albany’s planning efforts are driven by City Council and the Albany Water- withdrawn. Frank Stronach, Interim a deep concern that new development front Committee on additional details CEO and controlling shareholder of plans will be proposed by Magna for of planned work. They will continue Magna, instead said the company might Golden Gate Fields or grow out of its outreach to the community and City be willing to sell up to 60% of Santa sale to another owner. The City’s commissions after that. Anita Park to help the company reduce Visioning Process is intended to guide its staggering debt load. The Visioning Process is expected to the next iteration of landowner and kick-off in early 2009. While the announcement has no clear development plans, thereby avoiding bearing on Albany, Magna had always another divisive fight over development To stay abreast of the visioning considered the Santa Anita and Albany of the property. efforts, send CESP your email address tracks part of its core holdings that, with (to: [email protected]) and The City’s investment in waterfront the paying down of the company’s debt, check our website often for updates: planning is looking like a wise invest- could be operated on a profitable ongoing www.eastshorepark.org ment that might be needed sooner basis. Now all plans are being reconsidered. rather than later. 4 Richmond accepts polluted Point Molate by Shirley Dean, CESP Board Member In the proposed agree- ment, the Navy will pay On July 29, 2008, the last meeting $28.5 million for the City before the Richmond City Council’s to perform environmental August recess, CESP board members services to satisfy the San Sylvia McLaughlin, Betty Olds, and Francisco Bay Regional Shirley Dean attended to express Water Control Board CESP’s opposition to the early transfer Order for the site of land at Point Molate from the US cleanup. Navy to the City. We three grandmoth- Visit www.pointmolateresort.com/ProjectConcepts.htm ers became a rather notorious team After the transfer is complete, the City when our picture appeared in the New proposes that Upstream Point Molate Better judgment York Times after climbing a tree to make LLC will perform the cleanup, relieving a point about saving the Memorial Oak the City of cleanup obligations. Up- prevails sometimes Grove. That night we were excited and stream is headed by James Levine who On August 20, Superior Court Judge eager to urge the Council to stand up is well known for his past involvement Barbara Zuniga issued a tentative ruling for open space at Point Molate. with the unsuccessful Zeneca cleanup. that the 2006 Municipal Services Upstream now seeks to develop the Pt. Agreement for the City of Richmond to Molate site with a huge Indian-based provide police, fire and other services to casino, hotel, retail shops, and housing. a North Richmond casino planned on The City proposes to buy insurance to Richmond Parkway by the Scotts Valley cover the City and Upstream against band of Pomo Indians violated the losses or costs arising from unknown California Environmental Quality Act conditions and environmental lawsuits. (CEQA). We asked the Council who or what will The city’s mistake was to intentionally protect the public against mistakes like postpone (perhaps avoid) compliance with CEQA. As witnessed in the Five-and-a-half-hours of political those connected to the disastrous Council’s decision to accept responsibil- theater and emotional testimony on cleanup of Zeneca. How much time will ity for a polluted Pt. Molate Navy site, other issues sorely tested our enthusi- be lost, how many problems intensified, fiscal appeal seems to trump environ- asm by the time the Council finally how many people put at risk if the City mental and public safety concerns with reached the Point Molate item. Most of fails to ensure that the cleanup is done this City Council. the 33 speakers had gone home by the right the first time? time we were called. To avoid these mistakes, CESP recom- Oakland attorney Stephan Volker represented a coalition of plaintiffs that We expressed appreciation for the many mended that the FOSET be submitted included CESP, the Parchester Village community members who worked to the Department of Toxic Substance Neighborhood Council, the Sustain- countless hours as the Point Molate Control for a full and adequate analysis ability, Parks, Recycling and Wildlife Restoration Advisory Board, to stand before approving it or transferring the Defense Fund and Richmond environ- firm against a Navy plan to just walk property. mental activist Whitney Dotson. away, claiming that the site was clean. Early transfer is premature. At this Under the Comprehensive Environmen- point, we don’t even know whether the Office & meeting space available tal Response Compensation and Liabil- developer will actually obtain the CESP is located at 520 El Cerrito Plaza, ity Act, the Navy can prepare a Finding necessary approvals for this massive above Trader Joe’s. We have office space of Suitability for Early Transfer casino development. we’d like to share and a meeting area (FOSET) if it concludes that the prop- CESP opposes the use of this priceless available to community groups for a erty is environmentally suitable for natural resource for an urban casino small fee. early transfer despite incompletion of and we urged the Council to instead Also, we would put to good use some all remedial action necessary to protect provide a safe place for all to enjoy the equipment if you or your company would human health and the environment. In magnificent shoreline. like to make a tax-deductible gift of a an early transfer, the City assumes Powerpoint projector, laptop PC, responsibility for achieving regulatory Unfortunately, the Council voted 7-0 conference phone, digital camera, easels, compliance for the environmental clean (the Mayor and one member absent) to or a folding tradeshow display board. up of the site. proceed with the early transfer. We Love Volunteers! Zeneca clean-up must include Stege Marsh CESP always appreciates some help! Big By Pierre Thompson contained sedimentary toxicants. Such needs right now are website maintenance The Zeneca/former Stauffer Chemical disruptions to the local ecosystem have and tablers for the events below. Company site is notorious for its toxic serious implications for human health. soup, and that toxic soup is paralleled We could really use in-kind donations of by bureaucratic soup. Four government When the State Water Resources website publishing, computer network- agencies have some say about the Control Board submitted its most ing, printing, and laminating. Please timing and sophistication of the Zeneca recent 303(d) list of water quality contact Patricia Jones at 524-5000 or cleanup: the U.S. EPA, State Depart- limited segments to EPA, they placed [email protected]. ment of Toxic Substances Control the marsh on an auxiliary list for (DTSC), the State Water Board and San impaired waters being addressed by other actions. The State Board, and Sept 14: SOLANO STROLL, 10 a.m.-6 Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality p.m. Come visit CESP at our booth in Control Board (Regional Board). later EPA, based this decision on the Environmental Alley, relocated this misinformation that the Regional year to the top of Solano Ave between CESP is anxious to see the maximum Board’s implementation of its Cleanup Fresno Ave and The Alameda, by area of the Zeneca site cleaned, re- and Abatement Orders would be more stored, and preserved as parkland, effective. But the Regional Board’s WaMu Bank. Free admission. including the 20-acre Stege Marsh cleanup efforts failed and cannot serve www.solanoavenueassn.org/strol.htm south of the Bay Trail. The marsh has as an adequate substitute for the always had dubious ownership. Neither standards that would be created and Sept 20: COASTAL CLEANUP. the University of California, operator enforced if Stege Marsh were assigned Albany 9 a.m.–noon. Meet at foot of of the adjacent Richmond Field to its proper place on the primary Buchanan near the racetrack. Station, nor Cherokee-Simeon Ventures 303(d) list for impaired waters. Richmond 8:30 a.m.–noon. Meet at is willing to pursue cleanup beyond Shimada Park at Marina Bay. their domain. So what can be done to facilitate the www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ cleanup? State agencies must consider ccd.html Later this year DTSC will circulate a potential 303(d) sites every two years. Lot 3 draft Remedial Action Plan to Southeast Shoreline Citizen Advisory Oct 3, 4, 5: HOMEFRONT FESTIVAL. clean up unsafe levels of metals, Committee member Sherry Padgett Richmond celebrates its history with a pesticides, volatile organic compounds, believes that the key to triggering festival at Marina Bay. Free admission. and other hazardous waste. Cherokee- cleanup is to have the Regional Board www.homefrontfestival.com Simeon Ventures, the developer that add Stege Marsh to the EPA’s 303(d) proposes to build a high-rise condo- list for California. Once listed, the minium on Lot 3, will be primarily marsh would undergo a Total Maxi- responsible for the cleanup, under mum Daily Load assessment to deter- Wednesday, Oct 29, 3-6:30 p.m. DTSC oversight. The previous cleanup mine what’s needed for cleanup, fol- Cruise San Pablo Bay with CESP. attempt, which lasted from 1998 to lowed by an implementation plan. The 2004, failed. 303(d) listing guarantees that site Your donation of $125 will help cleanup will occur in a timely manner However, clean up limited to Lot 3 CESP’s efforts to promote Measure under federal oversight. would still leave Stege Marsh highly WW. To reserve space on board the contaminated, as revealed in a recent What You Can Do: Exercise your right Delphinus, please contact Vicki Lee research report. Mud sucker fish were as a citizen. Attend CAG meetings and found to have severe reproductive add your voice to the call for clean up-- at 510-741-1201 impairments and spartina salt exudates both north and south of the Bay Trail.

Yes, I will help CESP continue Name the work to complete a necklace of shoreline parks. Here is my gift of: Street City ZIP $50 $100 Other $ ____ Phone E-mail

Clip and mail this coupon with your Citizens for East Shore Parks tax-deductible donation to support our PO Box 6087 core program of citizen advocacy. Albany, CA 94706 Shore Lines Citizens for East Shore Parks Non-Profit Org. PO Box 6087 Address Correction Requested U.S. Postage Albany, CA 94706 PAID Berkeley, CA www.eastshorepark.org Permit # 1048 510-524-5000

Friends,

Please help CESP continue the work to complete a necklace of shoreline parks.

A coupon is on the reverse for your much-needed contribution. All donations to CESP are tax- deductible.

Thank you!

For more information, contact Isa P Isa contact information, more For site. construction the entering s at 510-544-2207. at s Affair Public in ones olt-J

parts of the Meadow. The other trail will not be affected. Perimeter trails will be open except when trucks are trucks when except open be will trails Perimeter affected. be not will trail other The Meadow. the of parts

public safety during Phase II of the Meadow restoration project. The 1/3-mile trail bisects the eastern and western and eastern the bisects trail 1/3-mile The project. restoration Meadow the of II Phase during safety public

from August 25–October 15, EBRPD EBRPD 15, 25–October August from eekdays w During ail at the Berkeley Meadow for Meadow Berkeley the at ail tr north-south the close will

August 25–October 15 25–October August

Temporary Trail Closure at Berkeley Meadow, Eastshore State Park State Eastshore Meadow, Berkeley at Closure Trail Temporary

.org . .org bmontano@ebparks

• Robert Cheasty, Citizens for East Shore Parks Shore East for Citizens Cheasty, Robert •

RSVP to Brenda Montano, 510-544-2200 or 510-544-2200 Montano, Brenda to RSVP

• Doug Fielding, Association of Sports Field Users Field Sports of Association Fielding, Doug •

ribbon-cutting and closing ceremony. Please ceremony. closing and ribbon-cutting

• Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, City of Richmond of City McLaughlin, Gayle Mayor •

Refreshments will follow immediately after the after immediately follow will Refreshments

• Mayor Ken Bukowski, City of Emeryville of City Bukowski, Ken Mayor •

Road at the Bay) the at Road

• Mayor William Jones, City of El Cerrito El of City Jones, William Mayor • 400 Gilman Street, Berkeley (west of Frontage of (west Berkeley Street, Gilman 400

• Mayor Robert Lieber, City of Albany of City Lieber, Robert Mayor • North Synthetic Field Synthetic North

• Mayor Tom Bates, City of Berkeley of City Bates, Tom Mayor •

ptember 6 from 10:30am-11:30am from 6 ptember Se Saturday,

• Nancy Skinner (EBRPD Board Member, Ward 1) Ward Member, Board (EBRPD Skinner Nancy •

• Loni Hancock (California State Assembly) State (California Hancock Loni •

The speakers will be: will speakers The

of the East Bay Regional Park District, will open the festivities. the open will District, Park Regional Bay East the of

The program begins at 10:30 a.m. Pat O’Brien, General Manager General O’Brien, Pat a.m. 10:30 at begins program The

Bay cities to provide this much needed place to play! to place needed much this provide to cities Bay

CESP is a big fan of the cooperative effort of the five East five the of effort cooperative the of fan big a is CESP

Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex. Sports Regional Bates Tom the of opening grand

Join CESP and East Bay sports field users to celebrate the celebrate to users field sports Bay East and CESP Join September 6! Opening Day for the Ballfields in Eastshore State Park State Eastshore in Ballfields the for Day Opening 6! September