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innovative approaches to handicap access and transportation should be used at Bair Island. To this end the City is also willing to facilitate meetings between experts in handicap access and transportation and the NWRS. Access Northern California, a non - profit organization dedicated to facilitating greater access to travel and recreational opportunities in Northern California for people with physical disabilities, has agreed to participate with the City. Nobles Mount will have a 360 degree view that includes Bair Island, Pete's Harbor, Middle and Outer Bair Islands. Signage at Nobles Mount should inform the viewer of the struggle to protect what can be a jewel in the crown of the refuge system and the people who have given of their lives to make this refuge a reality. This approach differs from the NWRS approach in that the City plan reduces direct conflicts between persons and species at the critical interchange area at the mouth of the rehabilitated Inner Bair slough. Instead of encroaching on the important Smith Slough transition area to be created with a levee breach, visitors will be able to view but not affect this rich habitat. The City agrees with NWRS that Inner Bair Island should be completely filled with dredge spoils and sculpted to provide prime habitat and prime views. In this way we can ensure Bair Island's promise while at the same time restricting access and limiting impacts. This new transition zone will allow tidal inundation of Bair Island. Harbor seals and dolphins frequent this zone. The City believes that this area can become an end destination for day travelers seeking a wildlife experience in an urban setting. Boaters and kayakers should be encouraged to view the Refuge on Bay and use Pete's Harbor so long as endangered species are not taken under the ESA. The City recommends that pedestrian flow on Inner Bair Island proceed at a human pace. Bicyclers seeking to traverse the area have the Cal Trans lanes adjacent to US 101 to get them quickly from place to place. Traffic within the refuge should be limited to walkers and runners. A wildlife refuge must remain a place of education, conservation and rehabilitation. The City recommends that the Whipple Street entrance planned by the Refuge as the main entrance to the refuge be closed. Whipple Street access should be for emergency and authorized vehicles only. Further, the City is willing to join with the refuge to cooperate and encourage redesign of the Whipple Street entrance to provide improved vehicular approach to the refuge parking lot. The City recognizes the opportunity the refuge provides to explore innovative approaches to education. Urban interface with refuge operations means that we should exploit the teaching role of the refuge for Redwood City and regional education. Currently, the school system supports Redwood creek restoration and Bair Island restoration is a natural follow -on role for our schools. The City has 12