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| Peninsula | North Bay | Eastbay | Safety Issues Eastbay News The Berkeley Waterfront Manager graciously accepted the proposal for increased rigging at the South Basin and authorized the creation of a twelve to fourteen foot wide area, running nearly the entire length of the SouthBasin dry boat storage compound, for windsurf rigging. This area was created with a number of logs and telephone poles by the Marina maintenance crew. Many thanks to Cliff and his team. Currently, a search for suitable material to cover this area is underway. There were rumors that "free" Astroturf from the University stadium could be had; turns out no more is available. Used carpet or organic material is being sought and hopefully this material will be on the ground by the beginning of June. If there are no free materials, we will need to take up a collection to fund the purchase. Look for signs posted on the fence running along the new rigging area for the latest updates. Once the rigging area is completed, the next improvement to be requested will be a ramp down the rip rap to make launching and exiting easier and safer than the current dock and it's associated problems. Please contact Don Fukushima (925) 253-1256 or Jim McGrath (510) 848-8071 with questions or offers to help the cause. Alameda Point Street Sailing Access Issues Alameda is the home to one of the most under-rated sailing sites here in the Bay and one of the most overlooked of the current crop of closed military bases. Adjacent to popular Crown Beach sits 1700-plus acres of undeveloped Bayfront property, another victim in transition. The Navy still maintains control over the former Naval Air Station, now known as Alameda Point, until the base can be turned over to the City of Alameda at an indeterminate date. As a windsurfing site it is off-limits due to the extensive sediment contamination that will need to be remediated over many years. However, as a street sailing site it is nirvana with a network of vacant, unobstructed parking lots and runways that were once home to the Pan American Clippers, the WWII Pacific seaplane fleet. Currently the Navy is denying public access to the base except for those employed by businesses operating on base. They do not have the personnel to check everyone entering the base so they admit there's an enforcement problem. Everyday dozens of unauthorized recreationalists are using the base. The Navy currently permits cyclists, skaters and runners in designated areas but has categorically denied access to street sailors and skate boarders. They claim that street sailing exposes them to excessive liablity. They cite the example of the opening of the Presidio, which they say involved a dramatic increase in personal liability suits (from street sailors, no doubt). California Law In 1963 California enacted a Recreational Use Statute in response to closures of large parcels of land to recreational users. This Statute makes private land owners immune from liabilities for injuries suffered by people who enter their land free of charge for recreational purposes. The recreational uses listed in the law are: "fishing, hunting, camping, water sports, hiking, spelunking, sport parachuting, riding, including animal riding, snowmobiling, and all other types of vehicular riding, rock collecting, sightseeing, picnicking, nature study, nature contacting, recreational gardening, gleaning, hang gliding, winter sports, and viewing or enjoying historical, archeological, scenic, natural or scientific sites." The Navy contends this statute would not apply in this case because this is public not private land (even though the public can't use it). Other Agency Views At one point the Navy said they would allow street sailing if the City of Alameda would issue a permit and assume all liablity. Since there would be no real economic benefit, the Alameda Reuse and redevelopment Authority (ARRA) refuses to consider a lease or permit. ARRA refers requests like this to the City of Alameda Department of Parks and Recreation. The city agency is severely under-funded but is very sympathetic. They offered to let street sailors use a soccer field parking lot which they lease located outside of the base gate. ARRA objected because that type of use was not specified in the original lease. One base business tenant volunteered the use of their hangar. Unfortunately, the dynamics of wind (unless the French indoor wind generators could be borrowed) makes indoor sailing infeasible. Other Concerns The most coveted area of the base has been reserved as a wildlife refuge for the endangered Least Tern, awaiting a forthcoming management plan from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Also under consideration is a proposed regional park that would fall under the East Bay Regional Park District's jurisdiction. Proposed are a Shoreline trail, beach and bath house in addition to existing facilities: boat / fishing marina, RV park, rec center, pool, tennis courts, volley ball courts. There are no plans for a dedicated windsurfing launch. It's unlikely that the Navy or ARRA will change their current positions but if anyone has any ideas or helpful strategies for short or long-term, please contact me. Andrea Wilder 510-769-6723 Intro | ABK Sports
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