Appendix 15B Delta Recreation Recreation Setting and ...

1 Appendix 15B 1 Delta Recreation 2 Recreation Setting and california State Park 3 Recommendations by County 4 The Delta occupies an area of more than 1,100 square miles at the confluence of the Sacramento and 5 San Joaquin Rivers. It encompasses over 60 islands and tracts, most of which are near or below sea 6 level. The Delta includes some of california s most fertile agricultural land and it is one of the State s 7 major Recreation areas. With some 700 miles of waterways, it is one of the largest bodies of 8 protected cruising waters in the western United states . In addition to boating, the Delta supports 9 some of the State s most important fishing Recreation . Its rich and varied wildlife populations attract 10 sports enthusiasts and nature lovers from all over the State. 1 This Appendix summarizes current 11 Recreation priorities as identified in planning and/or other documents by County within the primary 12 zone of the Delta .

2 13 Since the 1960s there have been a number of studies focused on the availability, development and 14 economic benefits of Delta Recreation to both the region and the State. These include the Delta 15 Master Recreation Plan prepared by The Resources Agency of california (now The Natural 16 Resources Agency) in September 1976; DWR s 1981 Delta Recreation Concept Plan and Delta 17 Outdoor Recreation Implementation Plan; the Recreation Facilities Plan for North and South Delta , 18 prepared in March 1988 for the US Department of the Interior (which took a collaborative approach 19 to Delta Recreation opportunities and development, and provided a summary of Delta Recreation 20 efforts dating back to the 60s); the Interim North Delta Program Final Draft Recreation 21 Enhancement Potential Reconnaissance Report, prepared in May 1994 by The Department of Water 22 Resources regarding recreational opportunities in the event of the construction of the peripheral 23 canal.

3 And the 1997 revised Inventory of Recreational Facilities, prepared by the Delta Protection 24 Commission which was intended as a resource for public and private planners. The report also 25 looked at taxes generated by the boating industry, including state taxes, local property taxes, and 26 other local revenues. 27 Within the last two years, some general policy guidance has also been offered by the Delta 28 Protection Commission s Economic Sustainability Plan, the Delta Stewardship Council s Delta Plan, 29 and plans produced by collaborations of several local water agencies through the Integrated 30 Regional Water Management planning process. Most recently, california State Parks published the 31 Recreation Proposal for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh, in response to and 32 consistent with the 2009 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Reform Act.

4 This document advocates 13 33 specific regional recommendation and envisioned outcomes for future Recreation planning and 34 development in and surrounding the Delta . Plans resulting from the latter two processes 35 incorporated input from multiple agencies and stakeholder interest groups. 36 1 Delta Master Recreation Plan, Third Edition, September 1976, The Resources Agency of california . Bay Delta Conservation Plan Draft EIR/EIS 15B-1 November 2013 ICF Delta Recreation Sacramento County 1 Recreation Setting and Relevant History 2 As evidenced by these historical Recreation studies, Sacramento County has provided and 3 continues to provide - many opportunities for Recreation . These include: (in broad categories) parks, 4 river access, bike trails, historic and natural interpretive centers, nature preserves, hiking, and bird-5 watching/wildlife viewing opportunities.

5 As in most counties, full utilization and expansion of these 6 Recreation opportunities in Sacramento County has been significantly impacted by funding 7 limitations. Since the 1960 s, Sacramento County has invested in notable projects to enhance 8 Recreation for the region, some of which are in the Delta and include: 9 1. 1962: Cliffhouse fishing access near Rio Vista, Recreation includes fishing, swimming, clamming, 10 bird watching, and picnicking. 11 2. 1972: Elkhorn boat launch facility in North Natomas, which is leased from the State. This site 12 attracts boaters and their families, has a picnic area, and a launch site for boats and personal 13 watercraft. 14 3. 1987: Sacramento County purchased over 200 acres of land along the Cosumnes River, and the 15 Nature Conservancy established the Cosumnes River Preserve.

6 Sacramento County Regional 16 Parks officially became a patron of the Preserve in 1993 after purchasing an additional 600 17 acres. Over the years additional purchases by Preserve partners have expanded the preserve to 18 nearly 46,000 acres. Recreational opportunities include non-consumptive activities such as 19 bird watching, photography, paddling, nature study, hiking, and limited hunting. Fishing is 20 allowed only from a boat: 21 The communities of Courtland, Clarksburg, Locke, Walnut Grove and Isleton evoke the heritage of 22 small towns, agriculture, riverboats and railroads. Too often, however, the deterioration or loss of i 23 buildings impairs these towns historic fabric and hinders the reuse of important structures. 24 Revitalization due to increased recreational user traffic will help support growth and economic 25 stability in these towns.

7 26 On the north edge of the Delta , Interstate Highway 5 and Freeport Boulevard (SR 160) lead into the 27 town of Freeport, which serves as a Gateway for Recreation and the Sacramento River. At the 28 entrance of Highway 160 from I-5, is a public ball field and golf course. Along the river side of 29 Highway 160 is the Freeport Water Intake facility and various industrial staging areas. This is an 30 ideal location for a trailhead and information center supporting the Delta as a unique place. 31 Currently many people utilize the abandoned railroad tracks and dirt paths for jogging and biking. 32 The unkept pathways lead for miles past the town of Freeport. From Freeport as far south as Walnut 33 Grove people park along Highway 160 and fish off the levees. Many cycling groups ride down busy 34 Highway 160 because the current trails do not support this sport.

8 There are no public bathrooms or 35 safe parking areas for these recreational users. 36 Bay Delta Conservation Plan Draft EIR/EIS 15B-2 November 2013 ICF Delta Recreation california State Park s Proposal 1 Several of the recommended projects in State Parks 2011 Proposal are located in Sacramento 2 County. These include: 3 1. Delta Meadows and Locke Boarding House. 4 2. Delta Meadows is a state park which has visitor facilities that are closed to recreationists. It is 5 currently being managed as a preserve to protect an undeveloped piece of the Delta , and 6 encompasses sloughs and wet meadows which support abundant wildlife and wetland birds. 7 Enhanced Recreation opportunities include boating, canoeing, bird watching, photography and 8 camping. Currently the Delta Meadows area is used by recreational boaters who tie-up to 9 shorelines for the summer in large houseboats and privately-rented platforms.

9 The trails are 10 maintained for maintenance access but there is not public access, parking or restrooms. State 11 Parks recent Proposal recommends to Complete park planning and create a basecamp by 12 developing facilities, connections, and interpretation. 13 3. Locke is a National Historic Landmark, unique in the United states as a city built exclusively by 14 Chinese immigrants during the early 20th Century. Currently the town provides for historical 15 landmarks, small museums , as well as a memorial that is undergoing upgrades/updates. 16 Unmaintained trails lead behind the small town to Snodgrass Slough, where many people fish. 17 There is no public parking, restrooms or easy access. There is an old boat launch that is no 18 accessible. 19 4. Stone Lakes. The Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the Fish and Wildlife 20 Service, has just opened their Blue Heron Trails feature, after many years of habitat restoration 21 and development.

10 This Preserve offers guided nature tours and a viewing platform. Increased 22 education/recreational opportunities and partnerships include connecting to the california 23 Recreational Trail System and formulating a cooperative management plan. There are also ideas 24 of connecting train rides to and/or through the preserve to allow more public access and fewer 25 impacts to wildlife. 26 5. Brannan Island SRA: This serves as a regional base camp and is one of the outstanding water-27 oriented Recreation areas in the world, with a maze of waterways and marshes through the 28 Delta . The park is implementing budget-driven service reductions and though the boat launch is 29 open 7 days a week, the park itself is closed several weekdays and camping is limited. 30 Recreational opportunities at this site include boating, canoeing, windsurfing, swimming, 31 camping, hiking and picnicking.