DRAFTDRAFTDelta Recreation Master Strategy:Delta Recreation Master Strategy:Aquatic Resources FocusAquatic Resources Focus

Delta Protection CommissionDelta Protection CommissionMay 26, 2005May 26, 2005

The Dangermond Group LSA

Delta Protection Commission Delta Protection Commission ReportReport

Phase I Recreation Strategy: – Existing and Future Aquatic

Resources Focus Phase II Recreation Strategy:

– Existing and Future Terrestrial Resources Focus

Unique and diverse setting – it already functions as a viable aquatic recreation region – supporting over two million visitors annually

The largest estuary on the West Coast of North America & supplies drinking water to 2/3’s of State and irrigation water to >7 million acres

Intricate in geography, environment, political jurisdictions, functions, and culture

Existing recreation is accommodated through a complex inter-relationship of public & private interests

Strategy ContextStrategy Context

Why is a Delta Recreation Strategy Why is a Delta Recreation Strategy Necessary?Necessary?

To elevate recreation to an appropriate position alongside other contending interests and concerns regarding the Delta and its future

To guide public-side support for recreation facilities and opportunities

To help overcome the inertia that currently inhibits private investment for upgrading and new aquatic serving facilities

To assist jurisdictions and decision-makers in planning for recreation

Strategy OverviewStrategy Overview The Delta Recreation Master Strategy focuses on the

relationships between Delta resources, private recreation interests and holdings, and agency stakeholders

Preference and demand data are derived from prior studies on aquatic recreation in the Delta and Statewide

Issues and OpportunitiesIssues and Opportunities Issues

– Sediment- dredging needs– Invasive species– Inertia affecting actions for

change or improvements• Permitting & regulatory

complexity• High costs of maintenance –

i.e. dredging– Lack of public and private

engagement in investment– Increasing demand over time– Growth in the Secondary Zone

lacking recreation oversight and follow-through

Opportunities

– Relatively unexploited resource areas

– Potential for greater diversity of aquatic recreation activities – especially non-motorized

– Private/public partnerships– DPR’s Valley Vision – Increased public funding

• Grants • Additional funding sources

Issues and Issues and OpportunitiesOpportunities - Dredging

Water Hyacinth inThe Central Delta Area

Egeria densa inThe Central Delta Area

Growth in the Delta Growth in the Delta Secondary ZoneSecondary Zone

Popular Aquatic Popular Aquatic Recreation SpotsRecreation Spots(Based on Boater Survey preference comments)

Recreation Needs AssessmentRecreation Needs Assessment This study makes a case

for increased investment for Recreation in the Delta

It focuses first on improving the Delta setting through public investment

It then shifts to the private facility needs based on deferred maintenance requirements and modest growth in demand over the next 15 years

The VisionThe Vision Well-maintained safe

waterways Strategically sited access

points and launch facilities Well-defined recreation

activity nodes with links between sites

Abundant waterside and landside destination points

Gateways announcing entry into region

The VisionThe Vision

Well-maintained boating facilities for docking and storage

Informative signs indicating points of interest and hazards

Coherent systems of motorized and non-motorized boating trails

Boat-in day and overnight use areas

What if No Action is Taken?What if No Action is Taken?

The Delta will continue to be a recreation destination but will be subject to the affects of other planning actions that may or may not accommodate recreation interests

There will be a continued reluctance for the private sector to make major investments for recreation improvements

Potential existing opportunities for expanded recreation maybe lost due to other priorities – especially in the urban growth fringe with the Secondary Zone

This study has looked at the aquatic This study has looked at the aquatic recreation conditions, opportunities and recreation conditions, opportunities and potential strategies potential strategies

The second phase will look at the landside The second phase will look at the landside opportunities in relationship to the aquatic opportunities in relationship to the aquatic resources resources

Will involve direct engagement with the Will involve direct engagement with the interests that can lead to the implementa-interests that can lead to the implementa-tion of identified actions for improve-tion of identified actions for improve-mentsments

Next StepsNext Steps