Conservation Report: April 2004
Schaefer Ranch Project, Dublin
San Francisco Public Utility Commission Watershed Plan
South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project
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Pleasanton Waterslide Project
Many thanks to Bill Rose for keeping us posted on the proposed project to substantially expand the commercial waterslides on Shadow Cliffs Regional Park property. Due at least in part to public comment, the project has been scaled back in size. The project will now avoid the woodlands and heron rookery. Staging for construction will be constrained to an area along Stanley Blvd. The developer will be required to come back to the Pleasanton City Council with revised plans later this year. The date of this meeting will be posted on OhloneAudubon.org and, if time allows, in the Kite Call. Your OAS Board of Directors has voted to oppose the project.
Schaefer Ranch Project, Dublin
Janice and Frank Delfino wrote to SF Regional Quality Control Board on behalf of Ohlone Audubon Society expressing concerns about proposed building on a site in Dublin prone to landslides, They commented on grading that could create flood control problems, and the resulting loss of over one mile of freshwater creeks. They also questioned the mitigation plans for the loss of native trees on the site. This project was scheduled for a hearing on April 21. Contact Evelyn Cormier for the status of this project.
San Francisco Public Utility Commission Watershed Plan
At its February 19 public meeting, the SF PUC outlined its plans for the Alameda watershed area. A number of questions were raised about areas included and excluded from the plan. The Apperson quarry area has been excluded from the Habitat Conservation Plan as of now, even though it is in the center of the watershed area. A follow-up meeting should be announced soon for more public input.
South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project
California Department of Fish and Game, the Coastal Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service are collaborating on planning, and eventual (we hope) execution of, a project to restore the 25-square-mile South Bay Salt Ponds. An advisory group (the Stake Holder Forum) has been recruited to help guide the planning. The Stakeholder Forum three working groups held meetings on April 15, at Moffett Field in Mountain View. The results of those meetings can be viewed on the website, www.southbayrestoration.org, which also posts upcoming schedules and other data. Other informative websites are: desfbay.fws.gov, and sfbayjv.org. Currently the 5 year plan is under development, to be implemented and monitored in stages so the success of the project may be monitored. Part of the discussion about what species of birds should be included in the planned restoration, since different species require different water levels and other habitat features. In cooperation with The Wildlife Refuge, a volunteer organization, Wildlife Stewards, is conducting docent training during the month of May in order to provide the public with increased knowledge of the project, and to garner support for the prolonged effort needed to accomplish the restoration. If you are interested in going on a tour, contact Carmen Minch at the Don Edwards SFBay National Wildlife Refuge, 510-792-0222, or watch for details in the DESFNWR "Tideline " newsletter. —EC