SFBA July 96 Newsletter

The New Crissy Field...Almost!

The new Crissy Field may yet become reality, and not just in its virtual form. See graphics next page.

Three Planning Alternatives

The Environmental Assessment (which has not been released as of this writing) considers three alternatives for the future of Crissy Field. The proposed plan (tidal marsh scheme) consists of site improvements and changes to the landscape of the 100 acres of Crissy Field north of Mason Street, including a 20-acre tidal marsh in We central portion of the site The features of the second alternative (dune or meadow alternative) are the same as We proposed plan with the exception that it includes a 20-acre, gently rolling landscape with dune scrub vegetation in We central area of Crissy Field, and no tidal marsh. Under the third option (no-action alternative), Crissy Field's promenade, dunes, vegetation and other features would remain as they are today.

West End of Crissy Field

For the first two alternatives, me size, shape, locations and beneficial uses of Crissy's west and east ends will be We tame, At the west end, the 1920's "(Crissy Airfield" will be restored to its original configuration; a grassy landing field that will function as a grand natural meadow, three times the size of the Marina Green. The 28-acre airfield will accommodate unstructured recreation, off-leash dog walking, group activities, small-scale events and public education on the role the Presidio played in building America's air power and its connections to the Pacific Rim.

West end windsurfing access will change. Beach access will not be permitted between the fishing pier and the Coast Guard pier, and existing parking adjacent to the beach just east of me Coast Guard Station is proposed to be eliminated. However, launching access will remain to the east of we Coast Guard pier, as will auto access to the former Coast Guard Station complex SFBA is presently working with park planners on a refinement to the plan which would incorporate a small, grass parking & rigging area to the east of the Coast Guard Station. Park planners are encouraged by the idea and we're confident something can be worked out.

Crissy's East End

At the east end, the total area designed for future windsurfing access and other recreation, which includes parking, staging and rigging, will be equivalent In size to the area we have today. About 30% of We parking area will feature some compilation of barefoot-friendly hard surfaced aggregate and asphalt. A majority of the parking and rigging surfaces will be subsurface-irrigated turf, most of which will be enhanced with subsurface reinforcement (mylar friendly at the turf surface).

Immediate beach and launching access will begin at the outfall pipe (big pipe) at We west end of the beach as it does today, and upon removal of much of We existing riprap, usable beach will then extend hundreds of feet further to the east. Parking will include the area bordered by the promenade at the beach to We north, to new dunes or landforms immediately adjacent to Mason Street on the south, and from the largest existing trees on We west to another landform barrier formed at the eastern edge of the park adjacent to We St. Francis Yacht Club. The new landforms and landscaping at the southern arid eastern boundaries (buffer zones) will discourage transient parking and enhance security. Permanent restrooms and showers will be centrally located within the parking area, and paved parking will remain near the beach and immediately adjacent to the promenade (running/walking path). A safety tower is also planned, though we haven't worked out the location as of today. And last but not least, two two-way corridors for entry/exit from Mason Street to the parking area will remain.

Site Design Status

By the time you read this, most of the east-end building & infrastructure demolition and removal should be completed, and the proposed Crissy Field Plan (tidal marsh alternative) his been released to the public and presented to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) Citizen's Advisory Commission (CAC). During the June 19, 1996 Advisory Commission public meeting, the tidal marsh (formerly referred to as wetland) alternative was presented to the CAC and through the public, and the other two alternatives (dune/meadow and no-action options) were summarized, No comment on the alternatives was taken, though the meeting was open to questions from the general public, During the presentation, the Park Service again recognized Crissy Field as the world-class boardsailing site that it is, and the uniqueness of its setting at the center of the highly urbanized Bay Area, They also acknowledged the role of motorized vehicles in transporting our huge loads of equipment to the beach, the need for parking and rigging space to accommodate both, and that parking is a vital component in the windsurfing equation.

Next steps are as follows:

On June 29th (history by the time you read this), GONRA and GONPA (Golden Gate National Parks Association) planners will have conducted a Crissy Field plan the area to familiarize those in attendance with the proposed tidal-marsh plan and the other alternatives.

At the time of this writing, the Crissy Field Environmental Assessment (EA) has not been completed. Once it's released (approximately July 1st), a 45-day review and comment period will begin.
Public comment will be taken at the next Advisory Commission meeting on Wednesday, July 17th at 7:30 PM in Building 201, Fort Mason. Written comments will also be accepted throughout the 45day Environmental Assessment review period, which should close on or around August 15th.
On September 18, 1996, staff from GGNPA and GONRA will report on the comments received and any changes to the plan they might recommend, Following this staff report, the Advisory Commission is expected to make its recommendation(s) to GGNRA.
Assuming everything goes smoothly and there are no problems with the conclusions in the environmental assessment, final approval would be forthcoming possibly in late September or October. This occurs when Brian O'Neill, Superintendent. GGNRA, signs a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSD). Upon reaching this milestone we can then turn our attention to fundraising. completion of final design & construction drawings, then bid documents and finally major construction activity.

Your Comments

Please note that this planning, design and implementation process is not over until it's over, and we'd like to continue to hear from you! As expected, your SFBA Crissy Field Committee plans to comment at the CAC meeting on July 19th, and will provide written comments to GGNRA by the end of the comment period, which we will publish in a following newsletter, For those of you who've been dogging us. keep it up. For those of you who haven't discussed Crissy planning with us, we'd like to know what you think. Do you like what you see? Any concerns? See anything that hasn't been addressed? If you have any comments, suggestions, concerns, and even encouragement, please contact us via phone, fax, or E-mail. I can he reached at (415) 885-4357 in the evenings, fax at (415) 885-4263 and E-mail at LVEV95A@prodigy.com. Also feel free to wax poetic with the other members of this SFBA team which includes John O'Brien, Jeff Bunch and Jay Valentine.

If you'd like to provide comments to the National Park Service directly, yet can attend the July 17th meeting and/or send written comments Superintendent Brian O'Neill, GGNRA, Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123. A copy of your written comments to me would he appreciated to help SEBA best represent your interests and those of all its members.

Bill Robberson,
Crissy Field Committee

RULES FOR CALLING 911 IN AN EMERGENCY RESCUE

If there is an emergency on the water, you can call 911 or call the US Coast Guard Golden Gate Station at 331-0162 or 331-8247. You must follow this protocol:

Reponting Source - identify who you are and where you are calling from. The Coast Guard must be able to get back in touch with you, so stay by the phone until the rescue is completed. If the situation requiring rescue changes. report this immediately so that the rescue operation can be hailed or modified.
DETAILED INFORMATION - give a detailed description of the person requiring rescue. the equipment Involved and the location. If someone is missing, try 10 find names and telephone numbers of others who might know this person so it can he determined if the person has returned and is safe.
VISUAL CONTACT - do your best to establish or maintain visual contact with the person in trouble. Report any changes in location or success in the rescue effort.

When an emergency is called in. and there is no follow-up to advise if the person is safe, the Coast Guard and Fire Department are inquired to continue their full rescue effort until the Individual is found, This can be very expensive and time consuming and can take away from resources available for other rescue efforts that may he needed elsewhere.

If an individual is rescued either by self-rescue, recreational or commercial boat, another windsurfer, or event by a Fire Department jet ski or Coast Guard boat, do not assume that the emergency officials are informed of the rescue. Be sure to call in and report the situation so the emergency can be called off.

HELP WANTED

SFBA Newsletter Coordinator

The SFBA is a nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteer effort. The SFBA Board is looking for a responsible individual to help with coordinating and editing the newsletter. The position involves some writing of articles, copy editing and coordination with the graphic artist on layout, printing dates and mailing. Work on the newsletter is periodic during the season, with four issues corning out between April and September. If you are interested in becoming more involved In the SFBA and the sport, please send some information about yourself, your qualifications and ideas to:
Keith Epstein, 80 Maple Lane. Walnut Creek, CA 94395. Keith will contact you to discuss further job responsibilities. There are two more issues due out this season and we need your help now, so please respond soon.

Windsurfing Fatality Underscores Need for Safety and Common Sense

On Sunday, May 27, Barnes Walker Woodhall, 35, of Santa Clara died, apparently of exposure, while sailing out of Oyster Point. According to reports on the Internet, Woodhall was encountered by other sailors about two miles downwind of the launch. He was struggling to waterstart in dying winds. and was wearing a shorty wetsuit. This was a cold, foggy day. He twice declined offers of assistance and the suggestion that be derig and head for Coyote Point. He was reported missing the next day and his body was found near the Oakland Airport. The coroner's office has not released the cause of death. Our sympathy goes out to his family and friends. Memorial donations may be made to the Whale's Tail Project, a school water safety program, through the American Red Cross, Palo Alto Area Chapter, 400 Mitchell Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94301.

There has been much discussion in the Windtalk group [on the Web. go to http://www.sfba.org/ for more info] about what Woodhall did wrong, and safety measure like warm wetsuits, strobe lights, and inflatable buoys; but the fact remains that the Bay is a wilderness where we depend on sound judgment. Keep this in mind whether its you ors omeone else in trouble, and err on the side of caution. In addition to having the right equipment, safety requires keeping distance from shore in line with skill level, sailing with a buddy, and in any case keeping an eye on the other people around you, and staying around other people, especially when its cold, or getting late. Finally, if you see someone that's in trouble, keep an eye on them to see they make it in, even if they refuse any help.

Third Avenue Cleanup Ones Off

Saturday, June 8 saw about thirty boardheads come together with clockwork precision to whip 3rd Ave into top condition. We haxi ho'ers, who knocked down the ruts in the rigging area and spread a new layer of gravel; and sew'ers, who filled, sewed, and placed about 70 sandbags on the 2 launch ramps. Then there was Bob "Mud Man" Prevett and crew, who cleaned up various hazards and obstacles. This year's haul was light -two truck tires, a washing machine, and miscellaneous smaller bits. There isn't enough junk left to keep them happy, so next year we will plant some before the event. You will now find luxurious launch conditions - the downwind ramp is a virtual grand staircase from the end of the ramp, and the upwind ramp is now quite useable. Two ramps - no waiting! Once again, many thanks to Windsurf Warehouse of South San Francisco for providing food, drink, and official event dog.

Gravel Donations Sought - Do Your Part!!!

On top of all their hard work. The Cleanup attendees coughed up $255 cash toward reimbursing SYBA for the gravel, which cost about $450 (Foster City is paying for the sandbags and trash pickup). If you sail Third Ave. and you didn't help out you should send at least $10 to SFBA earmarked for Third Ave. gravel. In addition to your $10 annual dues. What's more, you should get your lazy, leeching buddies to chip in and join up too!

Foster City Firms Up Parking Improvement Plans

Third Avenue regulars got a chance to review the parking and access road plans at the June 8 cleanup. The plans, to be implemented this summer. Include significantly more parking; at least double the existing number. and include paving of the parking area and access road.

A turn-around will be created at the end of the lot eliminating about the first five spots on each side, but providing the opportunity for people to drop off equipment without blocking people in or having to back out. The parking area will be lengthened by about 50% toward Third Avenue. and an access gate will be added near We beach. The existing access road will be torn out and a new access road will extend about 500 feet west from the parking area and then 500 feet south to a new four way signalized intersection with Third Avenue. Along the north side of the 500 foot long east-west leg there will be perpendicular overflow parking on a base rock surface (same as current lot). Except for a few spaces at the east end. there wilt be no parallel parking along the access road (unless Foster City police continue to look the other way as they have with the existing access road).

Foster City needs two permits in order to construct this project: one from the state BCBC for the portion near the beach, and one from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the north-south leg of the new access road. They don't need any permit for the middle. east-west portion of the project. Depending on how tong it takes to get the permits. Foster City may do the project in phases. They would like to build the east-west portion by the end of July 1996 in any case. They will phase the work so that there is always some parking and access available.

Windsurfers and other bay shore users are fortunate that Foster City and VB Golf are undertaking these improvements. It should make for more convenient access for more people (although we'll miss the romantic Baja-like experience of the dirt road and parking).

Old Third Ave. Launch Site Plans Clarified

Also on view at the June 8 cleanup were plans for the widening of Third Avenue at the "old" launch site near the blue tanks. The road will he widened to four lanes with curbs We entire way, similar to the portions farther west. However, parallel parking will be provided on both sides. The expected timing for construction is Spring, 1997.

Windsurfers Support for Parks Sought

Those of you who sail out of Coyote Point, and/or who live in San Mateo County should he aware of the dire financial condition of the San Mateo County Parks Department. Due to other county budget priorities, funding for county parks has decreased 38% since 1982. While parks attendance has increased 50%. The result is that many ranger positions have been eliminated and critical projects and maintenance put off. Although the staff has done an excellent job of doing more with less, if this continues a magnificent system of parks is headed down the tubes, and the impact will be felt even by those who care about nothing but windsurfing. For the past few years a citizen's committee has carefully evaluated every possible means of securing more funding for county parks. The best. and maybe only. possible option appears to be joining forces with local schools and libraries to propose a 112 cent sales tax increase to support these three financially-strapped institutions critical to our quality of life. If this measure can he put on the ballot it will require approval by 2/3 of the voters to pass. The citizen's coalition has asked for SFBA support for legislation to allow the measure to go on the ballot for a November 1997 vote. As your Peninsula board representative I have taken the liberty of writing letters of support that the measure be put on the ballot. Then SFBA members and other citizens can vote their own conscience.

Coyote Point Use Studies Underway

Although long delayed and reduced in scope by the budget crisis described above, San Mateo County Parks is proceeding with a study leading to a new master plan for Coyote Point Park. A focus group meeting to get input from shore and water users was held Wednesday. May 29. SFBA will keep members posted as the process unfolds, but Coyote Point tailors are urged to get involved directly by contacting the Parks staff at the park. who are conducting the study with the help of a consultant

Flying Tigers Access Opportunity?

For the past few years this former popular launch site north of S.F. International Airport has been kept closed by the airport. SFBA has worked to reopen the access with pro bono legal help from the firm of Pillsbury, Madison and Sutro, but to no avail. Now the airport is planning a whole series of projects along the north side. including a harbor facility access road improvements and runway extensions. for which they need a permit from the BCDC. The BCDC may he able to help us get access as part of the permit process - this is how the Third Avenue access came about. To improve our chances to regain access we need windsurfers to send letters to BCDC. and later pack the hearing. Letters should be as specific as possible about dates and frequency of windsurfers' former use of the site (any photos out there?). They should be sent to:

San Francisco Bay Conservation
and Development Commission
30 Van Ness Avenue. Room 2011
San Francisco. CA 94102
Attn: Jeff Jensen

Updated - 7/27/96