AgdaPkt 2004-09-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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�! ,� counterproductive. An attractive, yet predator-proof fence along the landward contiguous boundary of the Refuge will provide more protection to the species than open Whipple Street access. The most common terrestrial predators of clapper rail and salt marsh harvest mice (raccoons and fox) are all capable of swiinming. Unfortunately, because we did not have access to the NWRS plan or draft EIS we are unable to study plans the refuge has to control the waters surrounding Bair Island. Nor could we evaluate a predator control plan on Bair Island. Instead, the City recominends that access to the refuge be strictly limited to pedestrian access bridges. The bridges to Bair Island should be designed to protect the refuge from access by predator. Special care should be given to the design of the bridges to ensure that predators cannot use them to access the island. One possible design is similar in concept to an aviary entrance, the bridge should be covered with a mesh or chain link and have doors at either side. The doors on either side of the bridge should remain closed at all times. Handicapped access on both sides of the bridge will both serve a need to visitors but also protect against accidental entrance of animals onto the Island. The environmental message is clear, in order to reach the Bair Island Complex it is man, not the species that must enter a cage. In its recommendations the City has attempted to reflect its vision for the better future of the refuge. The Refuge will be a City constituent and neighbor and, in turn, it will contribute to the Ciry's quality of life. For safety and security the City recommends that refuge consider opening and closing at dusk and dawn to increase after hour's securiry. The bridge doors should be lockable and self closing to increase securiry. The City also recommends informarional signage explaining that the purpose of the doors is to protect the refuge from predators that might frustrate our shared goal of endangered species recovery. On Inner Bair Island under the Redwood City plan visitors to the refuge would be directed to either the Interpretive Center or towards "Nobles' Mount." One need have only a nodding knowledge of the history of the estuaries and the Bay to know of the considerable involvement of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Nobles. Indefatigable advocates for Bay habitat, the Nobles fought for Bair Island and sought its preservation and rehabilitation. The City believes that it is a fitting monument to these environmental pioneers that one of the overlooks planned for Bair Island be named after the Nobles. The City recommends that on Bair Island the interior public area of the refuge be defined by a berm of approximately 3 feet in height. Such a berm would provide unmistakable evidence of the care taken to channel visitors to the refuge into areas that limit by design their impact on critical habitat. 8