October 06, 2004

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Publication Date: Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Two huge projects may shape Bayfront

By Marion Softky
Almanac Staff Writer

Redwood City's Bayfront is seething with promise and controversy, as two contrasting programs move forward:

** Plans to restore 1,400 acres of diked wetlands on Bair Island -- the open expanse off the end of Whipple Avenue -- to tidal marsh for wildlife, with some access for the public.

** A Redwood City vote on Measure Q to decide whether Pete's Harbor, just across Smith Slough, will be developed as Marina Shores with high-rise towers. A simple majority yes vote would approve a rezoning ordinance unanimously passed by the Redwood City council.

Bair Island

How much for critters? How much for the public?

Actually, Bair Island is three islands lying between Steinberger Slough beside Redwood Shores, and Redwood Creek at the Port of Redwood City. Inner and Middle Bair islands are separated by Smith Slough; Middle and Outer Bair islands by Corkscrew Slough. In total they make up more than 3,000 acres and are part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

In restoring the historic condition of salt marsh swept by Bay tides, two major questions are emerging:

** Should all three island be restored to tidal action, or should Inner Bair Island become a managed marsh that would support the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse, but not the California clapper rail?

** How much public access should be allowed? What about parking lots, bridges, dogs, boating, and hunting?

About 40 people gathered September 22 to hear the plans and weigh in on the issues described in the draft environmental impact statement/report (DEIS/EIR).

Restoration is important not only to restore some of the salt marsh that used to ring San Francisco Bay 150 years ago, said refuge manager Clyde Morris. If nothing is done, eventually levees will break, a lake will form, and tides will flush silt into Redwood Creek and Pete's Harbor. "Restoration will be better for wildlife, and you won't have that nasty mosquito habitat," he said.

Much of the restoration will depend on adjusting tidal flows distorted over 150 years of diking and filling. These have almost dried up Steinberger Slough, and increased the flow and siltation in Redwood Creek, Mr. Morris explained. By putting a flow restricter in Corkscrew Slough and other adjustments, he hopes to rebalance tidal flows so that levees can be breached without damaging results.

Some of the silt dredged every few years from the Port of Redwood City could be used for filling an area on Inner Bair Island that has subsided, and would otherwise become a mosquito-attracting duck pond instead of a marsh. "Pilots (from the San Carlos Airport) don't like ducks and geese," Mr. Morris said.

The main disagreements appear to be over public access. The draft report proposes access from the end of Whipple Avenue, with several alternatives for limited trails and viewing locations on Inner Bair Island.

Redwood City wants far more access for recreation and education of all sectors of the public, from school children to seniors and the disabled. "It is our front door," said Vice Mayor Barbara Pierce in a special presentation.

Under the Redwood City proposal, the Whipple Avenue access would be closed and replaced with two access points near the San Carlos Airport, and near Pete's Harbor. There would be a major parking lot at each access point, and two new bridges would give access to refuge trails on Inner Bair Island -- and possibly a new interpretive center.

The deadline for public comment on the draft report is October 12. The final report, which will reflect the comments received, should be out by the end of the year, said refuge director Marge Kolar. The final decisions will be made by the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Then it will take another year to prepare engineering plans and get permits before major work can start. And that will be limited by the funding that can be obtained. "It will take a while," Ms. Kolar said.

Meanwhile, refuge employees and volunteers are busy pulling up exotic weeds and getting rid of invading predators that like to feed on endangered mice and birds. "We've got rid of the red foxes. The blue herons are back," said Ms. Kolar.

Marina Shores

One big question hovering over Redwood City's Measure Q is: Will history repeat itself?

Ralph Nobles sees many parallels with the fight he led in 1982 that saved Bair Island -- now being restored -- from a development even bigger than the Marina Shores proposal for the area just across Smith Slough from Bair Island.

Marina Shores, which has been under study in Redwood City for four years, would be a "waterfront village" with canals and a marina on 46 acres of Pete's Harbor and the Peninsula Marina. It could include up to 1,930 housing units in some 17 towers up to 240 feet high, along with commercial, new offices, and a hotel.

The debate is furious in Redwood City, while people outside wonder about the larger effects -- such as traffic on Bayshore, and availability of housing.

While the developers will pour $10 million into mitigating traffic by building a connection to Woodside Road and providing a downtown shuttle, opponents fear some 14,000 new cars a day would add to gridlock.

Proponents point to the increase in the Peninsula housing supply, including 15 percent of the units for below-market housing. Opponents carp that these will be mostly luxury condos. Ten percent will be available to people making $109,000 per year, and 5 percent will go to people with very low incomes.

Marina Shores has strong official support, including from Rep. Anna Eshoo, state Sen. Jackie Speier, and the Housing Leadership Council. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors backed Measure Q with four votes. Supervisor Rich Gordon abstained because he serves on the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, which may have to rule on the project.

Mr. Nobles, who is now a planning commissioner for San Mateo County, hopes that history will repeat itself November 2, and that Marina Shores will go the way of the development proposed for Bair Island in 1982. This project will have a record 27 environmental impacts that can't be mitigated, he told the Supervisors September 14. "This project will have more skyscrapers than San Jose."

INFORMATION

Bair Island

** Deadline for public comment is October 12. The public may submit written comments to Clyde Morris, P.O. Box 524, Newark, CA 94560; or FAX to 510-792-5828; or email to sfbaynwrc@rl.fws.gov.

** Copies of the draft environmental reports (DEIS/EIR) may be viewed at the Redwood City Library, or downloaded from www.southbayrestoration.org. For information or a compact disc, call the refuge at 510-792-0222.

** For canoe trips or to volunteer for restoration work, contact Save the Bay at 510-452-9261, or www.savesfbay.org.

Measure Q

** Measure Q asks Redwood City voters whether they wish to adopt an ordinance, unanimously passed by the Redwood City Council, to rezone property located at Peninsula Marina and Pete's Harbor for residential and commercial development, and for marinas, parks and open space. A simple majority "yes" vote would result in approval of the ordinance. For information on Measure Q, contact the San Mateo County Elections Department at 312-5222, or www.shapethefuture.org.

** Proponents may be reached at 369-8601, or www.qfacts.com.

** For No on Q, call 369-7268, or www.no-on-q.org.

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