Richmond Bay Trail Mid Year 2010 Report

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Richmond Bay Trail Mid Year 2010 Report Richmond's Bay Trail Completed Planned Bay Trail Connector Trail Richmond Bay Trail Mid Year 2010 Report RICHMOND STANDS OUT FOR HAVING 26 MILES OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY TRAIL COMPLETED, more than any other city on this planned 500 mile hiking and biking trail encircling San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. Assuming timely cooperation by planned 3-mile loop of the Bay Trail Breuner Restoration & Public Access: Contra Costa County, an additional encircling the former landfill. To be 2.6 miles should be built by year end EBRPD signed a $576,385 contract completed in 2010, this loop will pro- with completion of the Landfill Loop with Richmond’s Questa Engineer- vide dramatic vistas overlooking San trail plus a connection to Wildcat ing Corp. to conduct field investiga- Pablo Bay as well as the delta of San Creek Regional Trail. This will leave tions, prepare preliminary design and Pablo Creek. 12.4 miles of planned Bay Trail yet to an EIR for an integrated natural habi- be built in Richmond. tat restoration and public access plan Readers of this report get credit for on the former Breuner property Landfill Loop Trail funding the public agency trail plan- south of Point Pinole Regional ning, design and construction proj- Shoreline. An important objective of ects described below by voting for this project is to enhance pedestrian East Bay Regional Park District and bicyclist access to Point Pinole (EBRPD) Measures CC(2004) & Regional Shoreline by linking it with WW(2008) and statewide parks bond the San Francisco Bay Trail system. propositions 40(2002) & 84(2006). The District is working to assemble More than half of the $3.35 million in funds to complete this expected $7 competitive grant funds TRAC ob- million project in stages during the tained for City of Richmond Bay 2013–2015 period. Trail projects during the last ten years came from the state park bonds, and Landfill Loop: EBRPD used Measure CC & WW Currently there is a 1.4-mile scenic funds as leverage to obtain additional trail along the border of Wildcat grants for Bay Trail projects in Rich- Marsh on the south side of the closed mond. West County Landfill. After delays caused by the prolonged rainy season, Bay’s Best Bike Ride: Republic Services was able to begin Northern California Editor’s Picks construction for completing the in the June issue of Sunset magazine extolled Richmond’s “Bay Trail with shimmering views to the San Fran- cisco skyline ... skirts neighborhoods, parks and a marina filled with sail- boats” headlining The Bay’s Best Bike Ride Just Got Better with the new menu at the BoilerHouse Restaurant. Wildcat Creek to San Pablo Creek: of the Shipyard 3 Bay Trail. EBRPD completed construction documents for a 1.1-mile Bay Trail Point Richmond to Point Molate: link connecting the Wildcat Creek Efforts continued toward closing Regional Trail with San Pablo Creek the dangerous gap in the Bay Trail on and the Landfill Loop trail. Thanks to the south side of I-580 between cooperation by West County Waste- Tewksbury Ave. and the Rich- water District, this scenic connector mond/San Rafael Bridge toll plaza trail will be completed in 2010 if a where an existing trail goes under the hand next year enabling completion timely right of way agreement can be bridge toward Point Molate. The City of the project in 2012. obtained from Contra Costa County. of Richmond retained Questa Engi- neering to work with Caltrans and Marina Bay Trail Upgrades: Kaiser Shipyard 3: Chevron in preparing needed studies Portions of the Bay Trail connect- and construction documents at a cost The Port of Richmond advertised ing Jay & Barbara Vincent Park with of about $1.6 million. In addition to for bids to construct the 2.4-mile Kai- Meeker Slough and Marina Bay Parkway conducting field reconnaissance ser Shipyard 3 Bay Trail out Canal were built before the San Francisco Bay along the trail corridor and scoping Blvd. from Seacliff Drive and around Trail was authorized by state legislation meetings with stakeholders and sub- Point Potrero Marine Terminal to the in 1987. These older, narrower trail sec- consultants, Questa continued to Whirley Crane and SS Red Oak Vic- tions are being widened, repaved and en- gather information regarding oppor- tory. Part of the trail and hanced with new landscaping and tunities, constraints and design crite- the staging area at the his- lighting as a project of Richmond Com- ria. The Questa team will use toric Kaiser cafeteria is munity Redevelopment Agency. Rich- information gathered to prepare a being built as part of the mond’s Questa Engineering Corp. has Caltrans Project Study Report and Honda Port of Entry Pro- completed design and construction Preliminary Environmental Analysis ject. This Bay Trail proj- documents, and Agency staff expect to Report, which will identify and select ect should be completed initiate trail improvements later this year. the apparently viable trail route link- by Spring 2011 with en- ing Point Richmond and Point Mo- gaging exhibits about his- Thank you for supporting completion of late by the end of this year. The goal is toric Kaiser Shipyard 3 as the Bay Trail in Richmond. Please share to complete construction design with part of the Rosie The this report with your friends and neighbors, cost estimates, comply with CEQA & Riveter/World War II encouraging them to join the Richmond NEPA and obtain the necessary ease- Home Front National Historical Bay Trail Network at no cost by e-mailing ments from Chevron & Caltrans by Park. [email protected]. For maps and early 2012. This will provide a basis other information about the Bay Trail in for seeking funds to cover the ex- Shipyard 3 to Ferry Point: Richmond, please visit http://pointrich- pected $15 million cost of construc- mond.com/baytrail/ The San Francisco Bay Trail Pro- tion. As part of a utility tax settlement ject awarded a $150,000 grant to the with the City of Richmond, Chevron City of Richmond for a new shoreline reaffirmed its commitment to pro- trail linking the Shipyard 3 Bay Trail vide a trail easement and invest up to with Brickyard Cove. Combined $2 million for security enhancements with a $300,000 local grant from related to the trail. EBRPD Measure WW, funds are in Steering Committee place to close two Bay Trail gaps be- Atlas Road Entry to Point Pinole tween Shipyard 3 and Ferry Point. Regional Shoreline: Donald Bastin The City’s Engineering Services Depart- Bruce Beyaert Under contract to EBRPD, Mark ment will begin construction design Bruce Brubaker Thomas & Company is designing a Jay Corey with comple- bridge over the UP rail tracks for ac- Whitney Dotson tion of these cess to Point Pinole Regional Shore- Jerry Rasmussen trails expected line from the end of Atlas Road. This Nancy Strauch Spring 2011 will provide a new park entry from to coincide the existing Class I trail along Atlas ERFECT with opening AGE Road. Plans and permits should be in DESKTOP Design by Perfect Page Desktop Publishing PUBLISHING.
Recommended publications
  • Fall 2011  510 520 3876
    BPWA Walks Walks take place rain or shine and last 2-3 hours unless otherwise noted. They are free and Berkeley’s open to all. Walks are divided into four types: Theme Friendly Power Self Guided Questions about the walks? Contact Keith Skinner: [email protected] Vol. 14 No. 3 BerkeleyPaths Path Wanderers Association Fall 2011 510 520 3876. October 9, Sunday - 2nd An- BPWA Annual Meeting Oct. 20 nual Long Walk - 9 a.m. Leaders: Keith Skinner, Colleen Neff, To Feature Greenbelt Alliance — Sandy Friedland Sandy Friedland Can the Bay Area continue to gain way people live.” A graduate of Stanford Meeting Place: El Cerrito BART station, University, Matt worked for an envi- main entrance near Central population without sacrificing precious Transit: BART - Richmond line farmland, losing open space and harm- ronmental group in Sacramento before All day walk that includes portions of Al- ing the environment? The members of he joined Greenbelt. His responsibilities bany Hill, Pt. Isabel, Bay Trail, Albany Bulb, Greenbelt Alliance are doing everything include meeting with city council members East Shore Park, Aquatic Park, Sisterna they can to answer those questions with District, and Santa Fe Right-of-Way, ending a resounding “Yes.” Berkeley Path at North Berkeley BART. See further details Wanderers Asso- in the article on page 2. Be sure to bring a ciation is proud to water bottle and bag lunch. No dogs, please. feature Greenbelt October 22, Saturday - Bay Alliance at our Trail Exploration on New Landfill Annual Meeting Thursday, October Loop - 9:30 a.m. 20, at the Hillside Club (2286 Cedar Leaders: Sandra & Bruce Beyaert.
    [Show full text]
  • Contra Costa County, California
    VOLUME 3 OF 5 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA AND INCORPORATED AREAS Community Community Name Number ANTIOCH, CITY OF 060026 BRENTWOOD, CITY OF 060439 CLAYTON, CITY OF 060027 CONCORD, CITY OF 065022 DANVILLE, TOWN OF 060707 EL CERRITO, CITY OF 065027 HERCULES, CITY OF 060434 LAFAYETTE, CITY OF 065037 MARTINEZ, CITY OF 065044 MORAGA, TOWN OF 060637 OAKLEY, CITY OF 060766 ORINDA, CITY OF 060722 PINOLE, CITY OF 060032 PITTSBURG, CITY OF 060033 PLEASANT HILL, CITY OF 060034 RICHMOND, CITY OF 060035 SAN PABLO, CITY OF 060036 SAN RAMON, CITY OF 060710 WALNUT CREEK, CITY OF 065070 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY (UNINCORPORATED AREAS) 060025 REVISED March 21, 2017 Federal Emergency Management Agency FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY NUMBER 06013CV003C NOTICE TO FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY USERS Communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program have established repositories of flood hazard data for floodplain management and flood insurance purposes. This Flood Insurance Study (FIS) may not contain all data available within the repository. It is advisable to contact the community repository for any additional data. Part or all of this FIS may be revised and republished at any time. In addition, part of this FIS may be revised by the Letter of Map Revision process, which does not involve republication or redistribution of the FIS. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the user to consult with community officials and to check the community repository to obtain the most current FIS components. Initial Countywide FIS Effective Date: June 16, 2009 Revised Countywide FIS Dates: September 30, 2015 March 21, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME 1 – March 21, 2017 Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Goga Wrfr.Pdf
    The National Park Service Water Resources Division is responsible for providing water resources management policy and guidelines, planning, technical assistance, training, and operational support to units of the National Park System. Program areas include water rights, water resources planning, regulatory guidance and review, hydrology, water quality, watershed management, watershed studies, and aquatic ecology. Technical Reports The National Park Service disseminates the results of biological, physical, and social research through the Natural Resources Technical Report Series. Natural resources inventories and monitoring activities, scientific literature reviews, bibliographies, and proceedings of technical workshops and conferences are also disseminated through this series. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the National Park Service. Copies of this report are available from the following: National Park Service (970) 225-3500 Water Resources Division 1201 Oak Ridge Drive, Suite 250 Fort Collins, CO 80525 National Park Service (303) 969-2130 Technical Information Center Denver Service Center P.O. Box 25287 Denver, CO 80225-0287 Cover photos: Top: Golden Gate Bridge, Don Weeks Middle: Rodeo Lagoon, Joel Wagner Bottom: Crissy Field, Joel Wagner ii CONTENTS Contents, iii List of Figures, iv Executive Summary, 1 Introduction, 7 Water Resources Planning, 9 Location and Demography, 11 Description of Natural Resources, 12 Climate, 12 Physiography, 12 Geology, 13 Soils, 13
    [Show full text]
  • Wildcat Creek Restoration Action Plan Version 1.3 April 26, 2010 Prepared by the URBAN CREEKS COUNCIL for the WILDCAT-SAN PABLO WATERSHED COUNCIL
    wildcat creek restoration action plan version 1.3 April 26, 2010 prepared by THE URBAN CREEKS COUNCIL for the WILDCAT-SAN PABLO WATERSHED COUNCIL Adopted by the City of San Pablo on August 3, 2010 wildcat creek restoration action plan table of contents 1. INTRODUCTION 5 1.1 plan obJectives 5 1.2 scope 6 Urban Urban 1.5 Methods 8 1.5 Metadata c 10 reeks 2. WATERSHED OVERVIEW 12 c 2.1 introdUction o 12 U 2.2 watershed land Use ncil 13 2.3 iMpacts of Urbanized watersheds 17 april 2.4 hydrology 19 2.5 sediMent transport 22 2010 2.6 water qUality 24 2.7 habitat 26 2.8 flood ManageMent on lower wildcat creek 29 2.9 coMMUnity 32 3. PROJECT AREA ANALYSIS 37 3.1 overview 37 3.2 flooding 37 3.4 in-streaM conditions 51 3.5 sUMMer fish habitat 53 3.6 bioassessMent 57 4. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 58 4.1 obJectives, findings and strategies 58 4.2 recoMMended actions according to strategy 61 4.3 streaM restoration recoMMendations by reach 69 4.4 recoMMended actions for phase one reaches 73 t 4.5 phase one flood daMage redUction reach 73 able of 4.6 recoMMended actions for watershed coUncil 74 c ontents version 1.3 april 26, 2010 2 wildcat creek restoration action plan Urban creeks coUncil april 2010 table of contents 3 figUre 1-1: wildcat watershed overview to Point Pinole Regional Shoreline wildcat watershed existing trail wildcat creek highway railroad city of san pablo planned trail other creek arterial road bart Parkway SAN PABLO Richmond BAY Avenue San Pablo Point UP RR San Pablo WEST COUNTY BNSF RR CITY OF LANDFILL NORTH SAN PABLO RICHMOND San Pablo
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Status of Coho Salmon in Streams of the Urbanized San Francisco Estuary, California
    CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME California Fish and Game 91(4):219-254 2005 HISTORICAL STATUS OF COHO SALMON IN STREAMS OF THE URBANIZED SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY, CALIFORNIA ROBERT A. LEIDY1 U. S. Environmental Protection Agency 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105 [email protected] and GORDON BECKER Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration 4179 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 325 Oakland, CA 94611 [email protected] and BRETT N. HARVEY Graduate Group in Ecology University of California Davis, CA 95616 1Corresponding author ABSTRACT The historical status of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, was assessed in 65 watersheds surrounding the San Francisco Estuary, California. We reviewed published literature, unpublished reports, field notes, and specimens housed at museum and university collections and public agency files. In watersheds for which we found historical information for the occurrence of coho salmon, we developed a matrix of five environmental indicators to assess the probability that a stream supported habitat suitable for coho salmon. We found evidence that at least 4 of 65 Estuary watersheds (6%) historically supported coho salmon. A minimum of an additional 11 watersheds (17%) may also have supported coho salmon, but evidence is inconclusive. Coho salmon were last documented from an Estuary stream in the early-to-mid 1980s. Although broadly distributed, the environmental characteristics of streams known historically to contain coho salmon shared several characteristics. In the Estuary, coho salmon typically were members of three-to-six species assemblages of native fishes, including Pacific lamprey, Lampetra tridentata, steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss, California roach, Lavinia symmetricus, juvenile Sacramento sucker, Catostomus occidentalis, threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, riffle sculpin, Cottus gulosus, prickly sculpin, Cottus asper, and/or tidewater goby, Eucyclogobius newberryi.
    [Show full text]
  • Pt. Isabel-Stege Area
    Tales of the Bay Shore -- Pt. Isabel-Stege area Geology: The “bones” of the shoreline from Albany to Richmond are a sliver of ancient, alien sea floor, caught on the edge of North America as it overrode the Pacific. Fleming Point (site of today’s racetrack), Albany Hill, Pt. Isabel, Brooks Island, scattered hillocks inland, the hills at Pt Richmond, and the hills across the San Pablo Strait (spanned by the Richmond Bridge) all are part of this Novato Terrane. Erosion and uplift eventually left their hard rock as hilltops in a valley. Still later – only about 5000 years ago -- rising seas from the melting glaciers of our last Ice Age flooded the valley, forming today’s San Francisco Bay. The “alien” hilltops became islands, peninsulas linked to shore by marsh, or isolated dome-like “turtlebacks.” Left: Portion of 1911 map of SF Bay showing many Native American sites near Pt. Isabel and Stege. Right: 1853 U.S. Coastal Survey map showing N. end of Albany Hill, Cerrito Creek, Pt. Isabel, and marshes/ to North. Native Americans: Native Americans would have watched the slow rise of today’s Bay. When Europeans reached North America, the East Bay was the home of Huchiun Ohlone peoples. Living in groups generally of fewer than 100 people, they moved seasonally amid rich and varied resources, gathering, hunting, fishing, and encouraging useful plants with pruning and burning. They made reed boats, baskets, nets, traps, mortars, and a wide variety of implements and decorations. Along the shellfish-rich shoreline they gradually built up substantial hills of debris – shell mounds -- that kept them above floods and served as multipurpose homesites, burial sites, refuse dumps, and more.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change Adaptation Study APPENDIX
    City of Richmond Climate Change Adaptation Study APPENDIX City of Richmond Climate Action Plan Appendix F: Climate Change Adaptation Study Acknowledgements The City of Richmond has been an active participant in the Contra Costa County Adapting to Rising Tides Project, led by the Bay Conservation Development Commission (BCDC) in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, the San Francisco Estuary Partnership, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and consulting firm AECOM. Environmental Science Associates (ESA) completed this Adaptation Study in coordination with BCDC, relying in part on reports and maps developed for the Adapting to Rising Tides project to assess the City of Richmond’s vulnerabilities with respect to sea level rise and coastal flooding. City of Richmond Climate Action Plan F-i Appendix F: Climate Change Adaptation Study This page intentionally left blank F-ii City of Richmond Climate Action Plan Appendix F: Climate Change Adaptation Study Table of Contents Acknowledgements i 1. Executive Summary 1 1.1 Coastal Flooding 2 1.2 Water Supply 2 1.3 Critical Transportation Assets 3 1.4 Vulnerable Populations 3 1.5 Summary 3 2. Study Methodology 4 2.1 Scope and Organize 4 2.2 Assess 4 2.3 Define 4 2.4 Plan 5 2.5 Implement and Monitor 5 3. Setting 6 3.1 Statewide Climate Change Projections 6 3.2 Bay Area Region Climate Change Projections 7 3.3 Community Assets 8 3.4 Relevant Local Planning Initiatives 9 3.5 Relevant State and Regional Planning Initiatives 10 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 4.9 Land Use and Planning
    Section 4.9 Land Use and Planning 4.9 LAND USE AND PLANNING 4.9.1 Introduction This section evaluates the potential land use and planning impacts of development under the 2014 LRDP. The planned 2014 LRDP land uses are described and assessed for potential conflicts with existing RBC site and surrounding land uses and land use plans. Public and agency NOP comments related to land use and planning are summarized below: The EIR should consider proposed new building heights and massing in terms of compatibility with surrounding uses. The EIR should consider 2014 LRDP compatibility with the Eastshore State Park General Plan goals and policies. The 2014 LRDP should conform to local zoning and approved local land use policies to the maximum extent feasible. These comments are considered in the analysis below. 4.9.2 Environmental Setting Project Site The approximately 134-acre RBC site is in the City of Richmond, approximately 5 miles northwest of the UC Berkeley campus and the LBNL site in Berkeley (see Figure 3-1). The City of Richmond is in Contra Costa County. The RBC site is bounded on the west by a PG&E service station, on the northwest by Regatta Boulevard, on the northeast by Meade Street, on the east by South 46th Street, and on the south by the San Francisco Bay. I-580 runs parallel to Meade Street along the northeastern boundary of the RBC site. Existing On-Site Land Uses The RBC site has been the location of a variety of industrial enterprises dating back to the mid- 19th century.
    [Show full text]
  • E a St Shor E Pa R K Proj Ec T Gen Er a L Pl
    PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT EASTSHORE PARK PROJECT GENERAL PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT STATE CLEARINGHOUSE # 2002022051 July 2002 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT EASTSHORE PARK PROJECT GENERAL PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT STATE CLEARINGHOUSE # 2002022051 Gray Davis Governor Mary D. Nichols Secretary for Resources Ruth Coleman Acting Director of Parks and Recreation P.O.Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 July 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT SUMMARY ............................................................................ 1 A. PURPOSE OF THE EIR........................................................................................................ 1 B. PROPOSED PROJECT ......................................................................................................... 2 C. PLANNING PROCESS......................................................................................................... 4 D. EIR SCOPE............................................................................................................................ 5 E. SUMMARY........................................................................................................................... 5 F. REPORT ORGANIZATION................................................................................................. 7 II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION............................................................................................................... 9 A. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................9
    [Show full text]
  • Circuit of Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline
    Circuit of Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline 1. Summary of Trail: This hiking circuit of Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline features railroad and WWII history, sandy beaches, rocky ridge lines, native grasslands with wildflowers and stunning vistas overlooking San Francisco and San Pablo Bays: San Francisco, Oakland, Angel and Brooks Islands and Mounts Tamalpais, St. Helena and Diablo. 2. Modes of Transportation: hiking 3. Length: 5.1 miles. Allow up to three hours. 4. Location: Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline in Richmond. 5. Level of Intensity: moderate 6. Overall Elevation Gain: Total elevation gain is about 700 feet spread over five short, steep ascents. Downhill stretches are moderate except for one short, steep descent. 7. Trail Features: This hike is unusually scenic and rich in both cultural and natural history. The Potrero Hills forming the backbone of Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline were an island until 1900 when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad built a causeway for trains bringing freight and passengers from Chicago to Ferry Point for transshipment to San Francisco. These hills represent one of the few remaining sites in the East Bay with native coastal prairie habitat containing perennial bunch grasses. The Miller/Knox lagoon picnic area offers good bird watching opportunities. This hike includes an overlook of Point Potrero with structures remaining from Shipyard 3, which was one of Richmond’s four Kaiser Permanente shipyards responsible for building 747 ships during WWII -- more that any other facility in the nation. Possible adjuncts to this hike include visiting the Golden State Model Railroad Museum, which is open noon to 5 PM Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with trains operating only on Sunday (confirm at http://gsmrm.org/ or telephone 234- 4884).
    [Show full text]
  • Pt. Isabel Regional Shoreline Closed Oct. 27 for Trail Repair
    > East Bay Regional Park District | Embrace Life! > About Us > News > Pt. Isabel Regional Shoreline Closed Oct. 27 for Trail Repair News Pt. Isabel Regional Shoreline Closed Oct. 27 for Trail Repair By EBRPD Public Affairs October 9, 2015 The East Bay Regional Park District will CLOSE Pt. Isabel Regional Shoreline from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, for slurry-seal repair work on the paved trails. No entry into the park will be allowed from either the Isabel Street side or the Rydin Road side. The Marina Bay-to-Point Isabel Trail from the bridge at Meeker Slough to the end of Rydin Road will be closed; there will be no access to North Point Isabel. The trail from the end of Central Avenue to Isabel Street will also be closed. In addition, Mudpuppy’s Dog Wash and the Sit and Stay Café will be closed for the day. The closure is to allow work crews to slurry seal the asphalt, which will help smooth out and protect the trail and reduce the need for replacement. The material is wet, very sticky, smelly and difficult to remove. We do not want people or dogs on it until it is completely dry. The project will take all day, including drying time. North Point Isabel trails will not be slurry sealed. That area will be closed because the trails that lead to it are being slurry sealed and there will not be any way to access it. The asphalt there needs replacement, which is a bigger job and will be done at another time.
    [Show full text]
  • California Clapper Rail ( Rallus Longirostris Obsoletus ) TE-807078-10
    2009 Annual Report: California Clapper Rail ( Rallus longirostris obsoletus ) TE-807078-10 Submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento December 16, 2009 Submitted by PRBO Conservation Science Leonard Liu 1, Julian Wood 1, and Mark Herzog 1 1PRBO Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Drive #11, Petaluma, CA 94954 Contact: [email protected] Introduction The California Clapper Rail ( Rallus longirostris obsoletus ) is one of the most endangered species in California. The species is dependent on tidal wetlands, which have decreased over 75% from the historical extent in San Francisco Bay. A complete survey of its population and distribution within the San Francisco Bay Estuary was begun in 2005. In 2009, PRBO Conservation Science (PRBO) completed the fifth year of field work designed to provide an Estuary-wide abundance estimate and examine the temporal and spatial patterns in California Clapper Rail populations. Field work was performed in collaboration with partners conducting call-count surveys at complementary wetlands (Avocet Research Associates [ARA], California Department of Fish and Game, California Coastal Conservancy’s Invasive Spartina Project [ISP], and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). This report details PRBO’s California Clapper Rail surveys in 2009 under U.S. Fish and Wildlife service permit TE-807078-10. A more detailed report synthesizing 2009 and 2010 survey results from PRBO and its partners is forthcoming. Methods Call-count surveys were initiated January 15 and continued until May 6. All sites (Table 1) were surveyed 3 times by experienced permitted biologists using a point transect method, with 10 minutes per listening station. Listening stations primarily were located at marsh edges, levees bordering and within marshes, boardwalks, boat-accessible channels within the marsh, and in the case of 6 marshes in the North Bay, foot access within the marsh.
    [Show full text]