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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."  
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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! SFBA Board would like to thank the many people who took the time to submit information about various kiteboarding and windsurfing sites to be used for the Bay Water Trail program. There have been 14 submissions so far and these will be used as we work with ABAG to augment the water trail with our favorite spots
The San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail is a growing network of boat launching and landing sites, or “trailheads,” around the San Francisco Bay. The Water Trail’s network of sites encourages awareness of facilities, programs, rental concessions, and other information to help non-motorized small boaters and boardsailers have safe enjoyable days on the Bay. The Water Trail Project Management Team has representation from four state and regional agencies with mandates to act in the public interest for the entire San Francisco Bay Area: State Coastal Conservancy (Lead Agency); Bay Conservation and Development Commission; Association of Bay Area Governments / Metropolitan Transportation Commission; and, California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways. See more at http://sfbaywatertrail.org/ The SFBA had been working with other user groups on getting this California Senate Bill amended to exclude wording that would have swept up non-powered sailing into criminal law concerning powered watercraft.
Proposed Senate bill has now been amended to exclude non powered watercraft. Here is the amended legislation for California Senate Bill 1247 dated April 2, 2018 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB1247 This legislation will close some loop holes that only really applies to the Sheriffs jurisdiction on inland lakes regarding water skiing, wake Boarding behind power boats. And Jet Skies. Dear Community As you may know SFBA members are always vigilant to identify any potential issues that may be a concern for Kiteboarders or Windsurfers and are quick to take action. Here is a quick update on some of the related issues we are working on: Issue: Corte Madera Marsh kite boarding accessProblem Description Golden gate Bridge District which owns the land and then deed it to the State department of fish and wildlife. The Audubon Society at the March 2017 Corte Madera town council meeting stated that they are fine with no pedestrian access. The kite-boarders and most dog walkers are using unauthorized public access not included in the existing City of Corte Madera pedestrian access easement. The Area north of the northern drainage channel is already state fish and wildlife land that is off limits. The Corte Madera town easement allocation as it is, does not work for kite boarders. But after the levee is breached, it will naturally keep more people out. I hope we can continue to use the northern levee/dike to get to the water from Industrial drive. What SFBA is doing about this SFBA is working with Ben Botkin- water trail planner, Association of Bay area governments/ Metropolitan transportation commission to maintain and enhance kite- boarder access at this location. The SFBA mapped and described how the kite boarders are using this area, parking, trail path to water, for a future EIR scoping period. Issue: Rod and Gun Public BathroomsProblem Description The City made an application to remove the public bathroom What SFBA is doing about this SFBA contacted Public Works Engineer to inform and remind him that his application was denied by BCDC and ensure intentions are followed. Got response back that Board Sailors will be considered in the relocation of the bathroom Issue: Brick Yard in San Rafael – Land ownership concernProblem Description Not clear who the land belongs to and if people are allowed to kite-board What SFBA is doing about this SFBA located land owner and understanding is as long as kiters are behaving ok. No problem. Message is to stay respectfulIssue: Upper Third Ave Launch Erosion Issue: Upper Third Ave Launch ErosionProblem Description Third Ave in Foster City, upper launch beach is quickly eroding and soon will not be able to host kites. What SFBA is doing about this SFBA is working closely with one of the best coastal engineering firms in California on a conceptual design to rehabilitate the Third Ave beach area for both natural resource protection and existing recreational uses. The conceptual project, which is in very early stages of discussion with authorities, would create a living shoreline along the City of Foster City and County of San Mateo coastline, which should provide resiliency from sea level rise; restore, enhance and protect wetland/wildlife habitat; and rehabilitate the water contact recreational uses (e.g., Kite staging and launch) lost to erosion over the last 15 years. Issue: Construction in Berkeley threatens sailing seasonProblem Description After many years, Berkeley started construction of improvements in the South Basin in Berkeley Marina. Those improvements would relocate and improve the rigging area, pave the parking lot, and provide a bathroom. But construction has lagged, with completion of all improvements not likely until April or May. The City did not include a rigging area and pathway to the dock that it had promised in meetings with windsurfers, and allowed the contractor to use a portion of the western parking lot, so only about 40 parking spaces are available for all users. What SFBA is doing about this SFBA is working with local windsurfers to meet with the City and secure a temporary rigging area and pathway to the docks. What you can do to help Attend the upcoming meeting of the Parks and Waterfront Commission on February 14, 2018, at the Frances Albrier Center at 7:00 p.m. and express your concerns for access. https://www.mapquest.com/us/california/frances-albrier-community-center-372190745 Issue: Park plan for Gateway ParkProblem Description
After completion of construction of the Bay Bridge, Caltrans and the East Bay Regional Park District have issued a draft EIR for development of a park at the base of the Bay Bridge. However, it is not clear whether the Park Plan, developed in 2012, provides protection for the kite boarding that goes on at Radio Beach, known to kiteboarders as Royce Beach. Provision of a kayak launch from the sandy beach was specifically rejected for habitat reasons. What SFBA is doing about this SFBA is working with the Bay Water Trail staff and Bay Access, the group that sponsored the Water Trail legislation to clarify conflicting information in the document and make sure that e area and pathway to the docks. What you can do to help Review copies of the EIR, available at this site: https://mtc.ca.gov/gateway-park If you have kited from the site, or learned, comment by March 15 about the need to preserve this important kiteboarding site. SFBA is working closely with one of the best coastal engineering firms in California on a conceptual design to rehabilitate the Third Ave beach area for both natural resource protection and existing recreational uses. The conceptual project, which is in very early stages of discussion with authorities, would create a living shoreline along the City of Foster City and County of San Mateo coastline, which should provide resiliency from sea level rise; restore, enhance and protect wetland/wildlife habitat; and rehabilitate the water contact recreational uses (e.g., Kite staging and launch) lost to erosion over the last 15 years.
SFBA has been protecting and enhancing Boardsailing access for over 30 years, and does not condone or encourage short term actions which may be in violation of existing coastal protection laws. At the same time, given present concerns about the highly eroded and small launch area immediately adjacent to the levee revetment (rocks) and the risks it creates, SFBA encourages the kiting community to submit sound ‘safety’ design ideas for consideration in the near future. SFBA will work with local and State authorities to address the safety issues and potential solutions, and facilitate potential solutions as quickly as possible. We are all responsible to each other, and when launching at Third Ave kiters need to take consideration the slippery footing on wet clay and close proximity of downwind hard obstacles (rock wall) when launching at Third Ave. There have been kite launch mishaps that have resulted in serious injuries at this and other sites. It is requested that kiters use care when launching each other, and speak with other kiters that they see taking risks they may not be aware of, and not using known safe techniques. Being a steward of a site means to be willing to take time to watch what is going on and to speak up when you see things that could be safer, and where improvements could result in a lower risk of a sketchy launch and possible loss of control. Albany, CA - The BCDC authorized the beach restoration plan with 'special accommodation for kite boarding' today. This included expanded open space for launch and landing and maintenance of grass to accommodate for our lines. Kirk van Druten (aka Moon) and Andrew Sullivan (now SFBA Board Member) were there to make this happen! The benefit to our community of Board Sailors is continued ability to use Albany beaches for our sport. Thanks again for all the support from the community!   Dear BoardSailors (kiters and windsurfers). This letter was sent to us from NOAA. Please Pay Attention:
Good day, I'm reaching out to your organization to help ensure a safe experience on the water for boardsports and boating enthusiasts, and for the whales that are currently feeding in San Francisco Bay and nearshore coastal waters. NOAA's Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is concerned about recent incidents that may threaten some our wildlife that are entering San Francisco Bay and adjacent waters. The local population of humpback whales usually feed in our marine sanctuary waters just beyond the Golden Gate. However, as you may know from the intensive media coverage this phenomenon generated this year and in 2016, the whales are now regularly following anchovies into the narrow bay entrance and the bay itself. Over the past several weeks there have been a number of documented whale-strikes by small craft and boarders entering areas where these whales are known to be feeding. These are wild animals weighing nearly 80,000 lbs. but are still vulnerable. While here, they are focused heavily on foraging before their lengthy fall migration and several months' fast. Their swimming and surfacing patterns are completely unpredictable. This places anyone who enters the 300-foot perimeter that NOAA recommends in a dangerous position; the whales are in danger, too. If a whale becomes startled or veers suddenly, people can be seriously injured, and anyone near them, or trying to rescue them, could be struck. The whale itself could be lacerated and injured by keel, board or hull impacts, or entangled in lines, or forced into the path of a ship. Earlier this week a seasoned whale rescuer on the east coast died when a young whale, panicked and trying to escape, struck him with its fluke. We don't want to see that tragedy happen ever again. As a member of NOAA's Large Whale Disentanglement Network, I know that rescue operations never permit actual entry into the water; so it would appear he may have been on a small boat at the time. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for protecting marine mammals, and I am attaching their "Don't Give Chase - Give Whales Space" flyer. Please share this with your membership and others in the water sport community. A mention of what to do if you have a whale encounter would be a useful addition to a website Q&A page and any other outreach your association provides. I hope you'll join us in promoting a saner, safer and more environmentally responsible approach to recreation around all forms of marine wildlife. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Mary Jane Schramm GFNMS Media/Public Outreach Attention kiteboarders who launch at Albany Beach next to the race track. The East Bay Regional Park District has proposed a project which would eliminate the current rigging area and most of the current parking. There are several activities coming up that may well decide if Albany Beach remains viable as a site to launch kites:
Below (if you are on mobile scroll all the way down) please find the most recent plan and a draft response letter by SFBA laying out our concerns. 
ALBANY BEACH (Known as "RaceTrack" to bay area Kiters) CALL TO ACTION
Two important events for kiters are coming up, and it is critical for the users of Albany Beach ("RaceTrack") to be well represented:
There are two issues that are critical to the kiteboarding community. First, there are some groups in Albany that are opposed to the amount of parking proposed. While 20 new spaces are proposed, in addition to the 40 spaces now available on Buchanan Street, only 13 of those spaces are available for the length of time kiters and kayakers would be out on the Bay. Second, while the design proposes to enlarge the beach, it also proposes to fence off a section of the dunes with a 4 foot-high fence that might prove to be hazardous to the launching of kites. Now for a little more background. There are folks who have opposed the designation of Albany Beach for access to the Bay. Norman LaForce of the Sierra Club joined with another group to sue the park district, arguing that kite boarding and windsurfing would destroy eel grass. Ultimately they lost that lawsuit. Second, there is a group called Albany Strollers and Rollers that appears to oppose parking. They have an article on the upcoming meeting http://www.albanystrollroll.org/event/public-meeting-on-albany-bay-trail-and-beach-restoration/?instance_id=8206 Third, we missed the first meeting of the Design Review Board of BCDC, and should follow up with the staff. The meeting was held April 17, and the staff report can be found here: http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/drb/2017/0417AlbanyBeach.pdf. It would be helpful if you reached out to Andrea Gaffney (415-352-3643) and talk with her about how that meeting went and what our concerns are. |
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February 2019
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