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SFBA works with East Bay Regional Park to ensure EIR recognizes kiteboarding usage in Royce Beach (a.g. Toll Plaza, a.k.a Radio Beach)

9/8/2018

Royce Beach, also known as Radio Beach has become a significant launch and teaching spot for kiters, pioneered by KGB Kiteboarding of Emeryville. That site, formerly a part of the Port of Oakland and now under the jurisdiction of the East Bay Regional Park District, is part of a larger area slated to become part of the East Shore State Park. With demolition of the old bridge nearing completion, plans to make the larger area into Gateway Park began to move forward. The initial documents failed to recognize the kiteboarding activity at the site. SFBA worked with the East Bay Regional Park District and their consultants to make sure that the final EIR for the project recognizes and protects existing uses. https://mtc.ca.gov/our-work/plans-projects/recreation-open-space/gateway-park

There is also more information on the results of our work here: http://www.sfba.org/blog/toll-plazaroyce-beach-radio-beach-gateway-park-final-eir-released

Construction of the Bay Trail and other improvements to Albany Beach (aka RaceTrack) are now under way, with consideration to the kiting community.

9/8/2018

SFBA worked with local kiters, the East Bay Regional Park District, and BCDC’s Design Review Board to make sure those improvements protect the kiteboarding use that have been going on for over a decade. Kudos to Andrew Sullivan for organizing the local sailors and leading the negotiations to a successful outcome. A copy of the final plans can be found on page 8 of this link: http://www.ebparks.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=30403

From Chris Barton at EBRPD:

"Hi Andrew - Our Board approved a construction contract this afternoon. We will be sending out public notification in the next few days but wanted to give you a heads up. Construction may start in August. The beach area should partially re-open by the end of this year(2018). The new parking lot and “open area” will remain a construction zone for the Bay Trail work which will continue into fall of 2019. The beach, new restrooms and overlook will all be accessible during this period."

Improvements at Point Isabel are starting construction

9/8/2018

Thanks in part to the efforts of Dave Fielder. The East Bay Regional Park District has awarded a construction contract for improvements to the rigging area, path and breakwater that will increase the ease of using the site. Construction is expected to start in mid-September and be conclude by October, 2018.

Berkeley marina has newly paved parking and rigging areas, thanks to years of work by SFBA and local windsurfers.

9/8/2018

Photo by Kevin Kan.

Unfortunately, ferry riders liked the new pavement just as well as windsurfers and kayakers, and got there earlier. Windsurfers arrived to find the parking lot full on numerous occasions. SFBA has worked with the City, who has met with the two ferry operators and instructed them to have their customers park elsewhere, and things have improved. Long term parking designations are in the works for next year.

Crissy Field Web Cam Upgrade!

7/16/2018

Did you suffer last week without the Crissy Cam?  So did we, and it reminded us that it is time for an upgrade to the old technology!

The San Francisco Board Sailing Association (SFBA), along with generous sponsors, has supported the Crissy Field Web Cam at East Beach for over twenty years. Maintenance and housing of the camera has been the result of a positive partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. This camera is a valuable tool to sailors, law enforcement, the Coast Guard, and other federal agencies, in addition to daily water users who check it many times a day!

The time has come for a complete upgrade of hardware and software. This will result in a huge increase in performance, usability, and reliability.

The SFBA has identified a reliable vendor who has been approved by the Parks Conservancy to assist with the new install. The $4120 cost for this upgrade will include the camera itself, updated software, and installation costs:

$2500: New camera -- the Axis Q6055 (HD 1080p and 32Xs zoom) PTZ camera
$1500: Software and installation costs
$ 120: fundraiser expense

We have set up a gofundme campaign here: https://www.gofundme.com/crissy-webcam-upgrade
please visit and donate.

Thank you for your support!
San Francisco Board Sailing Association

P.S. – Join the SFBA!!!! How often do YOU check the Crissy Webcam?! The Crissy Webcam is brought to you by the San Francisco Boardsailing Association (SFBA), a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to boardsailing access and safety. Now would be a great time to join or renew your SFBA membership!  http://www.sfba.org/membership.html

410 Airport Blvd - Burlingame park - state land commission letter

7/15/2018

SFBA and other SME are working to prepare a letter to California State Lands Commission to provide feedback on conceptual designs and plans for 410 Airport Blvd. our goal is to ensure kite-boarding is considered and accommodated for.

We have a deadline of July 23rd and will keep the community posted.

San Mateo County Supervisor Visits 3rd Avenue to learn about Kiteboarding and consider our Erosion Problem

7/15/2018

On July 6th, 2018 we were happy to welcome Supervisor David Pine and his respected team: Michael Barber and Samuel Hosmer, and also with them Jennifer Liu of Foster City Park Planning.

Our respected Site Stewards - Mandi Browning, Robert Tillman and Tony Parsons were there to greet the team and show the sport.

Mr Ben Botkin our trusted ally in ABAG ran the meeting very efficiently and ensured all aspects are discussed. The results, in the words of Micheal Barber:

"Thank you for the excellent presentation and tour of the kite surfing site last Friday. I was already very excited by the potential of the site based on my first visit in March. That enthusiasm is now shared by Supervisor Pine, along with Hilary and Marcus, from the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability.

At this point in time, we will need to strategist internally and discuss in more detail with Jennifer and other staff in the city of Foster City. As we discussed during the tour, we will need to identify who would be the lead agency for this project going forward. This will take a few weeks. We will circle back with you as soon as we have more information to share with you."

Toll plaza/Royce Beach/ Radio beach/ Gateway park final EIR released

7/14/2018

The SFBA has been working with Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and its consultancy firm, ICF, to ensure that Kiteboarding is accommodated for and considered in the EIR regarding the Toll Plaza area.

The Final EIR was released by MTC in early July 2018 and can be found on the MTC web site: https://mtc.ca.gov/our-work/plans-projects/recreation-open-space/gateway-park

We would like to point you to several additions and changes that we were able to achieve in the FEIR and Responses to Comments

Vol. 1: Response to Comments
- Chapter 3, Master Response No. 1 concerns Kiteboarding
- Chapter 3, Individual responses includes responses to each comment letter, but most of the responses on kiteboarding refer back to the Master Response.
Vol. 2: Revised Draft EIR
- Chapter 2
  - “Passive Recreation” Page 2-1: Footnote shows new definition of “passive” recreation which now includes kiteboarding among other non-motorized activity.
  - Existing Setting: Page 2-2 – added mention of frequent use of Radio Beach by kiteboarders
  - Fence: Table 2-1, pg. 2-17 changed to limit fencing to 4 feet and non-mesh, clarified fence is east of Radio Beach (e.g. along the access road - see Figure 2-5 on P. 2-16)
  - Radio Beach, Section 2.5.4, p. 2-25 – added description of existing activity, and clarified informal parking to continue as at present.
  - Fencing: P. 2-27, Section 2.5.4.3 – changed to note location east of Radio Beach, 4 foot limit, not use chain or mesh, and coordination with kiteboarders for final design
- Section 3.9, Recreation
  - Existing Setting, P. 3.9-13, Section 3.9.2.3 – Addition of existing setting about kiteboarding at Radio Beach.
  - Impact LU-3, P. 3.9-28: Addition of new language about kiteboarding continuing, continuing existing parking opportunity, and design of fencing to minimize potential conflicts with kiteboarding.

ICF mentioned to us that there is no comment period or formal public review period for Final EIRs under CEQA. That said, a public lead agency is required to consider any comments submitted prior to certification of the EIR. The current plan is for the BATA Board to consider certification of the EIR on July 25th at their 10:00 am meeting at MTC in San Francisco. The BATA Oversight Committee will also meet on July 11th, at 9:30 a.m. at MTC to consider the project and the EIR and make recommendations to the BATA Board.

Albany Bulb/ Race Track Beach update status

7/14/2018

Construction may start in August. The beach area should partially re-open by the end of this year. The new parking lot and “open area” will remain a construction zone for the Bay Trail work which will continue into fall of 2019. The beach, new restrooms and overlook will all be accessible during this period."

Gateway Park (AKA Royce Beach, AKA Radio Beach, AKA Toll Plaza) EIR Submissions

4/8/2018

SFBA would like to thank everyone who submitted letters to Peter Lee, Assistant Director, Bay Area Toll Authority, regarding our kiting community’s usage of Royce’s Beach and our need to protect and enhance access there.

As you may recall, the The Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) has issued a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Gateway Park, which includes Royce Beach, called Radio Beach in the report (known to us BoardSailors as "Royces Beach" or "Toll Plaza").

While parts of the EIR call for allowing existing uses—"Radio Beach would remain accessible to the public as under current conditions.”, the EIR designates the site for passive recreation. We cannot imagine any form of recreation more active than kiteboarding.

Further, the EIR calls for fencing of the area to the east of the beach, and identifies a need for only five (5) parking spaces. Because these proposed infrastructure changes would make it very difficult to use Royce Beach for kiteboarding, SFBA is working with Toll Authority representatives to amend their plan.

As the Environmental Review and planning process progresses, SFBA will keep the Boardsailing community updated!