By Hunter Cutting
The fight to save Treasure Island's Clipper Cove has been won, officially!
On April 30th, a committee vote by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal by the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) to demolish Clipper Cove's existing marina dedicated to small and medium boats, and replace it with a sprawling luxury marina dedicated exclusively to large yachts. Following that vote, the marina developers came to the table and essentially agreed to all of our requirements for protecting Clipper Cove, its community Sailing Center, and the Set Sail Learn STEM program serving SF public school 4th and 5th graders.
This Tuesday, June 5th, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an amended resolution validating the agreement and sending blunt instructions to the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA).
Many thanks go to Supervisor Jane Kim who drafted and spearheaded the resolution at the Board of Supervisors.
The marina planning process will now move forward based on a MUCH smaller marina design, one matching the footprint of the Minimum Impact design put together by the Treasure Island Sailing Center. The vast majority of the Cove will remain open.
The resolution also sets out strong language on environmental analysis and protection for the critically important eel grass beds.
The new design ensures that there is plenty of open space in the Cove to continue a fantastic Set Sail Learn STEM program. The design will also facilitate high-school racing competitions and ensure that beginning sailors can enter into the heart of the Cove and reach the beach at the west end of the Cove, an important destination for youth sailors.
The marina developers have agreed to reduce the overall footprint of the expanded marina, going down from 32% to 18% of the Cove. Of course this comes after we pushed back on the first plan (approved by TIDA staff) to expand the marina footprint to 67% of the Cove.
Some stakeholders object to any marina expansion at all. But this agreement is supported by a very large majority of stakeholders who see it as an appropriate balance of interests given that a public process, confirmed by the Board of Supervisors, already approved the concept of a marina expansion.
In addition, the Board told TIDA to mitigate any unintended sedimentation that might silt up the Cove as a result of this project and to maintain Cove depth (so that mitigation will happen and so that City taxpayers aren't stuck with the bill).
The Board is also telling TIDA to provide consideration to current berth holders with small and medium boats, so they aren’t de facto locked out of the new marina.
Of course victories stand only as long as they are defended. So we will be ready to speak up again if the need arises.
But today is a day to celebrate!
Thank you for your help in this campaign. Along with everyone who spoke up for the Cove, this is YOUR victory.
Photo courtesy www.saveclippercove.org