CC Min 2004-09-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Wim deWitt, 44 year Redwood City resident, expressed his pleasure with the plan stating that although some improvements might be in order, his hope is that the two plans will dovetail together. One topic missing is on the east bay of the Dumbarton Bridge and Alviso there are nature centers and rather than having an open area for schools to come, he expressed that urging the NFWS to obtain funding for a nature center. Ralph Nobles, involved in Bair Island for the last 22 years, stated his pleasure in the possible cooperation between the City and the NFWS that will serve to hasten the restoration of Bair Island. He stated he supports the City's plan in concept but that it is conditional on the support by the science of the NFWS. He stated that this was the first urban wildlife refuge in the United States. He further acknowledged the City's recognition that Bair Island is an asset for the wildlife and the people in the area. He stated that he likes the idea of easy access but that he does have a concern regarding the 3 to 1 slope necessary for the mounds. He also stated that he agrees that dogs should be allowed provided they are carefully controlled by leash. Robin Smith, Chairperson of Sequoia Audubon Society, thanked Council for getting so involved in Bair Island. She shared some various statistics found when Sequoia did work out in Bair Island early on over the course of 16 months and 5,089 observations (copy on file): People activities: 5% boated, 7% bicycled, 27% jogged, 61 % hiked or walked. With those people, 35% had one or more dogs along, 58% were without dogs and over time, pet owners learned that pets should not go into the water areas. She stated that the areas proposed for the two bridges are areas that at low tide have the largest bird activity underneath them and the biggest mudflat exposed area. This interjects a disturbance in an area where there is not one now. Melissa Hippard, Director of the Loma Prieta chapter of the Sierra Club and Redwood City resident, complimented the City Council for taking a proactive approach to the project and recognizing the value that local partnerships have for enhanced refuge management and user experience. She stated that the Chapter supports the direction of the preferred alternative identified in the recently released draft environmental impact report for Bair Island. She stated the following response to some of the City's recommendations: one access point for Bair Island is most appropriate in order to minimize negative impacts of predators and control public access at a single point. The suggestion of a bridge between the existing parking lot on Bair Island Road and inner Bair Island has some merits and should be studied for potential. A bridge on the north end is not necessary nor reasonable. Whipple Avenue access — the emergency service access to this location will always be necessary. Under these circumstances, it will always be a place where the public can access the refuge property. Dredge soils from Redwood Shores lagoon — this should be considered only upon CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JOINT MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 13, 2004 PAGE 10 MINUTES Book No. 60 Page No. 314