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Yes, the Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem Restoration project is alive and well; progress continues.
After reviewing the comments submitted in response to the Draft EIR/EIS/Feasibility Study Report released last June, Marin County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have determined that the County Open Space District will play the lead role in completing the Feasibility Study phase (Phase 2) of the project. This expanded County role will give the members of the Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee (BLTAC) greater involvement in the process.
As of this writing, the County is preparing a draft request for proposals, scope of services, and a work plan for a consulting firm(s) to complete Phase 2. The work plan is divided into two primary tasks: the first task involves studying the validity of previous findings and assumptions to determine if human intervention in the lagoon’s natural processes is required to preserve and protect its habitat and natural resource values. The second task involves development of limited-scope restoration plans assuming a decision is made to move forward with the project upon completion of the first task. The draft scope and work plan are to be considered by the BLTAC at its regular meeting on Friday, June 6.
The work plan uses the goals and objectives of the 1996 Bolinas Lagoon Management Plan Update as guiding principles. (Copies of the 1996 Bolinas Lagoon Management Plan Update are available in the Bolinas, Stinson Beach and Marin Civic Center Libraries.) The tentative schedule specifies that the Task 1 report be completed late this year, and that for Task 2, by mid-year 2004. Public meetings are included in the design and review process. In short, the work plan addresses the major critical comments received between June and October 2002. Furthermore, the close BLTAC involvement and the opportunity for public review and comment will forestall a repeat of the large number of criticisms leveled against the documents released in June 2002.
While the County Open Space District is progressing with the completion of the Feasibility Study, the Corps of Engineers plans to produce, calibrate and analyze a sediment model for Bolinas Lagoon. Care will be taken by both the County and the Corps not to take any action that will prejudice the outcome of the Feasibility Study. Their actions will provide information necessary for making an informed decision about the next phase of the Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem Restoration explorations.
Once again the members of the Bolinas Lagoon Foundation Board wish to thank the many, many persons who care about Bolinas Lagoon, want the lagoon preserved as valuable wildlife habitat, and have supported our work for the past several years. Your contributions have made possible a grant we made to the Open Space District to help defray the cost of additional staff, to help keep the project on schedule. THANK YOU!!!
Bucky Mace
For the Foundation Board