Recent Publicity for the Water Trail. Thanks to journalist Paul McHugh, an upbeat article about the Water Trail (WT) was published in the Sacramento Bee on April 21. Paul did a great job of summarizing progress to date and reasons to feel excited about the future of the trail.
Black Point Boat Launch Joins the Water Trail. At our March 6th WT Implementation Meeting, Black Point Boat Launch became the 10th designated Water Trail site. This is the second designation for Marin County Parks. Their first, McNears Beach Park, now has a beach mat and Water Trail identification and education signs.
Progress Toward PCA Status. As mentioned in our February newsletter, the Conservancy is applying to ABAG for Priority Conservation Area status for the Water Trail, opening another door to possible funding for Water Trail sites in Bay Area counties. All nine counties have either passed resolutions of support or have agendized their resolutions in time for the May 30 application deadline.
National Water Trail System. Water Trail staff is applying for designation of the SF Bay Area Water Trail into the National Water Trail System (NWTS) this year. Designation will increase communication between our Water Trail and other water trails around the country. Being part of the national network may bring eligibility for federal grants. In the meantime, managers of the NWTS plan to share our Accessibility Plan at the forum they are holding in Ann Arbor, Michigan this June.
Welcome Dick Wayman, Water Trail Project Manager! Some of you met Dick at the March 6th meeting. I have worked alongside Dick for the past 15 years at the Conservancy and am delighted that he will be the Project Manager for the Water Trail upon my retirement from the Conservancy at the end of April. We’ve had several months to work on the transition and Dick is up to speed and looking forward to fostering continued growth of the Water Trail. You can reach Dick at (510) 286-4182 or Dick.Wayman@scc.ca.gov.
Welcome, Ben Botkin, Water Trail Planner! We are pleased that Ben Botkin has joined Water Trail staff at ABAG as the new Water Trail/Bay Trail Planner. Ben has spent plenty of time on the water, both on a surf board and stand up paddleboard, and brings great enthusiasm and energy to the program. You can meet him at our next meeting on June 12th, or reach him before then at (510) 464-7936 or BenB@abag.ca.gov.
Next Water Trail Meeting. The next Water Trail Implementation Meeting will be held on June 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Coastal Conservancy, 1330 Broadway, 11thFloor Conference Room, Oakland. We expect to bring Cutting’s Wharf in Napa County forward for designation consideration, and will host guest speaker Chad Mason from the City of Richmond. Chad will share plans for a new low-float dock at the Richmond Marina and welcome ideas and input from all in attendance at the meeting. The agenda and materials will be posted on the Coastal Conservancy website ten days before the meeting.
After being involved with planning and implementation of the Water Trail for ten years, it is hard to say goodbye. The Water Trail is an exciting collaboration and community achievement. It is well established by now and is poised to grow more rapidly in the future. Thanks to all of you for your interest, participation, and support. I hope to see you on the water!
Sincerely,
Ann Buell
Project Manager
State Coastal Conservancy
ann.buelll@scc.ca.gov
Tel: (510) 286-0752
Fax: (510) 286-0470
