ROBERT SIBLEY VOLCANIC REGIONAL PRESERVE LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENT COMMUNITY MEETING #2 NOVEMBER 16, 2016
Presentation Overview Introduction Project Overview LUPA Project Status Technical studies Preliminary Findings Preliminary Stream Design Site Opportunities & Constraints Community Identify Future Recreation & Interpretive Opportunities Next Steps - Staying Involved & Connected
LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENT PROJECT PURPOSE Incorporate subject open space & developed local trails into Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve [EBRPD Resolution No. 2006-12-280] AND Preserve the rich heritage of natural & cultural resources & provide open space, trails, & safe & healthful recreation & environmental education [District 2013 Master Plan]
LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENT PROJECT GOALS 1) To augment existing public recreation and interpretive opportunities at Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, including but not limited to, providing camping, trail use, staging areas, and/or outdoor education focused on natural ecology and cultural pre-history and history; and 2) To enhance the natural ecology of the Preserve through conservation easements, and the restoration of a tributary of Upper San Leandro Creek including, potentially providing upstream migration access for native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
MEETING PURPOSE For the community to identify recreation and interpretive facilities and programs focusing on the McCosker parcel for incorporation into the Sibley Preserve Land Use Plan Amendment
LUPA Study Area Wilder Development 660-acre - Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve Sibley Regional Preserve incorporating LUPA Study Area 1,299 Acres 389-Acre Future Conservation Easement Acquisition 250-Acre Donation - EBRPD Owns in Fee
SUMMARY OF KNOWN LUPA SITE FEATURES & PROGRAMS Site Features LUPA Study Area - 1,299 Acres 660-acre - Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve 389-Acre Western Hills Open Space Future Conservation Easement Acquisition Primary purpose - habitat conservation Recreation amenities include: 2 new staging areas Trail connections to City of Orinda Parks, Sibley Trail System & new McCosker Parcel 250-Acre McCosker Parcel Donation EBRPD currently owns in fee Stream restoration project underway Interim public access opportunities & baseline data Opportunities to develop recreation amenities & programs Operations & Public Safety Sibley Parks staff and EBRPD Public Safety Department provide the following services to the entire 1,299 acres of the Preserve: 3 on-site security residences Public safety & visitor experience enrichment through on site patrol & emergency response Fuels management & fire response Land management through Grazing IPM weed abatement Habitat monitoring
LUPA PROJECT STATUS - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT April 2016 Community Mtg. #1 Project Introduction November 16, 2016 Community Mtg. #2 Identify Alternatives July 2016 Landbank Tour December 4, 2016 Community Tour Wilcox Station Staging Area Sibley Regional Preserve Youth Involvement August 2016 Eco-teen Camp Identify Alternatives January 18, 2017 Community Mtg. #3 Select Preferred Alternative(s) Youth Involvement November 2016 Canyon School Identify Alternatives Spring 2017 Initiate LUPA Select Preferred Alternative(s)
Technical Studies - Preliminary Stream Assessment Findings Soils & Geology Disturbed areas contain 7-30 feet of fill material with an average depth of 20-25 feet It will be possible to balance cut and fill material on-site Stream channel fill material is suitable for onsite reuse Stream Design Geomorphology The gradient of the stream s main stem is about 6 % Habitat for rainbow trout the stream design will include: A mix of cascades, resting pools, and spawning sites Over summering pools with a minimum depth of 1.5 feet A low flow channel 8-12 feet wide Circulation Primary access into the site will be an all-weather surface off Pinehurst Rd. Three - single lane (16 foot wide), fire truck rated bridges will be incorporated into circulation system
Preliminary Stream & Circulation Design Bridge Opportunity to integrate a nature trail on the east side of the creek Opportunity to integrate a nature trail on the east side of the creek &/or outdoor classroom space where the creek is approachable with gentle bank Single lane fire road New connection to single lane fire road Park Security Residence Bridge Opportunity for new trail Single lane fire road Bridge 2-lane access road Trailhead Parking for 10 cars
Site Analysis - Riparian Corridor Existing Conditions
Preliminary Stream Design A mix of: Cascades Pool-riffles Step-pools Resting pools
Recreation & Interpretive Programs & Facilities Opportunities & Constraints
Site Features Opportunities Panoramic views Unique geology Sense of seclusion & intimate views Riparian channel restoration Encompasses whole watershed Constraints: Steep terrain Limited areas for recreation facility development Main tributary channel culverted & filled
Biological Features Opportunities Variety of habitat types including: o Coastal prairie grasslands o Coast live oak woodlands o Coastal scrub communities Rich riparian habitat, but no special status natural communities constraining development in disturbed areas Constraints: Potential for listed & special wildlife & plant species of concern including: o California red-legged frog o Alameda striped racer o Golden eagle o Rainbow trout o Pallid Manzanita o Ben-flowered fiddleneck o Oregon Meconella
Cultural Features Opportunities Geological resources Rich history including: o OA&E Railroad o 150+ year Ranching History o Canyon Community History o Redwood History/Lumber Mills o Quarrying/Construction Constraints: Highly disturbed site with few remnants of earlier history
Existing & Planned Access to Sibley Regional Preserve Sibley - Main Staging Area - Skyline Blvd. Parking for 34 cars Sibley Old Tunnel Rd. Parking for 10 cars Huckleberry Preserve Skyline Blvd. Parking for 12 cars Huckleberry Preserve Pinehurst Rd. Trailhead no parking Sibley Wilcox Station Staging Area - Pinehurst Rd. Parking for 10 cars City of Orinda Wilder Park Parking for 273 spaces - 10 spaces dedicated to Sibley Preserve access Wilder Rd. S. Terminus EBRPD Staging 19 cars 2 horse trailers Opportunities Multiple access points o Disperses use o Provides local access to many communities Constraints: Limited parking at all sites
Brainstorming Preferences Park Design Presentation WORKSHOP ACTIVITY Overview
McCosker Project Area 5.9 acres Lower Terrace 0.9 acres Middle Terrace - Acres: 3.9 Upper Terraced Area Acres: 1.1 Redwood Girls Group Camp 0.9 Acres Capacity: 50 people, 10 cars Coyote Hills - Dairy Glen Camp 1.5 Acres Capacity: 50 people, 10 cars Tilden - Gillespie Youth Camp 1.2 Acres Capacity: 75 people, 15 cars Chabot - Bort Meadow Camp 5 Acres Capacity: 200 people, 75 cars Comparative Development Areas Examples of East Bay Regional Park Group Campsites Occupancy: Minimum 11, Maximum 200 Dining Area: Picnic tables, serving tables, & extra-large BBQ Other Common Amenities: Fire circle, drinking fountain with spigot, toilets Sleeping & Activity Areas: Minimum size 0.9 acres, maximum 5 acres Parking Overnight parking passes REQUIRED - passes mailed 7-10 days prior to reservation Parking capacity is set 7 to 75 cars dependent on camp size; no other parking is allowed Security: Group camps are accessed through 2 gates: trailhead/staging area gate & group camp gate Gates are locked daily; no entrance is allowed after 10:00pm until the next morning Group camp gate is to be kept locked closed at all times
Comparative Development Areas McCosker Project Area 5.9 acres Lower Terrace 0.9 acres Middle Terrace - Acres: 3.9 Upper Terraced Area Acres: 1.1 Temescal Building & Parking - 0.9 acre Capacity: 130 people, 28 cars Trudeau Meeting Facility Building & Parking - 1.3 Acres Capacity:164 people, capacity 30 cars Roberts Park Open Area, Picnicking, Play Area & Swimming & Parking - 9.26 acres (developed area) Capacity: 10 reservable picnic sites capacity 35 to 300 people Tilden Botanic Garden Building & Parking -10 acres Capacity: Tours 20 people, 20-40 cars
Why the emphasis on small destination activities & site restoration? Master Plan goals of balancing conservation with recreation & interpretive activities Degraded creek system with opportunities to enhance habitat Limited site access Limited opportunities for parking Water availability limited no connections to City water systems Limited sewage management capabilities - no connections to City sewage systems
Potential Development Areas Lower & Middle Terrace Site Features Two large, level areas Equipment storage Barn Public vehicle access & parking opportunities Trail access opportunities Potable water & septic or vault toilet options Maintenance & emergency vehicle access Potential Development Areas Lower Terrace 0.9 acres Middle Terrace - Acres: 3.9
Potential Development Area Potential Development Area Upper Terrace Area - Acres: 1.1 Upper Terrace Site Features Several smaller, level disturbed terraces Remnants of McCosker quarrying business No public vehicle access or parking opportunities Trail access opportunities Potable water & vault toilet option Maintenance & emergency vehicle access
Interpretive & Recreation Development & Program Opportunities WORKSHOP ACTIVITY Ground Rules Be Respectful Acknowledge others Be inclusive Active listening - Consider interests & philosophy each individual no prejudging, no putdowns, attacks or threats Tolerance Observe courtesy & agree to disagree
Interpretive & Recreation Development & Program Opportunities WORKSHOP ACTIVITY Present Ideas Ground Rules Be Respectful Acknowledge others Be inclusive Active listening - Consider interests & philosophy each individual no prejudging, no putdowns, attacks or threats Tolerance Observe courtesy & agree to disagree
MCCOSKER & WESTERN HILLS LUPA NEXT STEPS Dec 4, 2016 - On-site Tours/Open House RSVP at Sign-in table Jan 18, 2017 - Community Meeting # 3 o Community Review of Alternatives o Community Determination of Preferred Design MCCOSKER LOOP TRAIL Dec 6, 2016 - Board Meeting
SIBLEY LUPA NEXT STEPS Winter 2016-2017 Dec 4 - On-site Tours/Open House Dec 6 Board Mtg. McCosker Loop Trail Jan 18 -Community Meeting # 3 Community Review of Design Alternatives Community Determination of Design Recommendations Spring Summer 2017 LUPA initiated incorporating Community Recommendations Fall 2017 Spring 2018 LUPA Completed CEQA Analysis Community Review of LUPA & CEQA 4 th Newsletter Board - CEQA Certification Board - LUPA Approvals Fall 2017 Spring 2018 Regulatory Permitting Ongoing - Pursue Grant Funding Summer 2018 Summer 2019 Permits Obtained Funding Secured WHOS land transfer completed Stream Restoration Construction 2-Parcel Preserve opening 3 rd Newsletter
Land Use Plan Amendment incorporating the McCosker & Western Hill Open Space will: Evaluate park resources & facilities Document agreements & restrictions related to park use Provide recommendations for managing resources Identify future recreation uses & service facilities incorporating recommendations from community workshops CEQA analysis will: Inform decision-makers & public of potential environmental effects Identify ways to avoid or significantly reduce effects Prevent significant, avoidable damage through project alternatives or mitigation measures
STAYING INVOLVED & CONNECTED There are several easy ways for you to participate in this Land Use Planning process: Sign up on the attendance sheet to be placed on the e-mail mailing list Visit our website at the following link: http://www.ebparks.org Attend upcoming public planning open houses & presentations: Dec 4 th & Jan 18 th Volunteer - Information about our volunteer program can be accessed at the following link: http://www.ebparks.org