Newsletter
Presidents Report on Mitigated Negative Declaration Documents and Public Meeting Re: US Bureau of Reclamation Proposed South Cypress Side Channel And: Updates on Dignity Proposed Parking, And: City of Redding Proposed Kayak Launch
We are in receipt of the Proposed South Cypress Side Channel documents and have attended the Public Outreach meeting presented by Western Shasta Resource Conservation District regarding this project and I will present our opinion(s) in this short report.
The project is described as excavation of channels connecting several small ponds along the side of the River to provide refuge for juvenile salmon, and distribution of selected-size gravels into the main stem adjacent to these excavated channels to provide spawning habitat for adult salmon.
Two bridges are to be constructed. One is in alignment with the old Freebridge and will utilize one of the existing concrete support bunks. It is to be constructed in compliance with State Fire and Emergency Vehicle Code and will support maintenance vehicle crossings. The second bridge, at the South end of Henderson Open Space, will be engineered for pedestrian traffic only.
The two bridges and a walking path provide a 'loop' walk/jog with flowing water on both sides of the downstream portion of the trek. We expect this addition to the City's River Trail System will become one of the City's most popular. A large graded area just beyond the west ramp approach to the vehicle bridge, will provide easy access to the River at a lagoon that had been used in the past by canoes, kayaks, and drift boats. The primary purpose of this area (as stated) will be to accommodate a turnaround for maintenance vehicles. Unless City of Redding blocks public access here, another opportunity will be created for oar and paddle craft enthusiasts.
Northern and Eastern edges of the existing pond will also present excellent opportunity to “put-in” and “take-out” of paddle craft. The quiet water of the pond provides for a safe learning experience. In years prior to City ownership, this pond was utilized by Yu-Kan Canoe for demonstration, teaching, as well as sales and rentals of canoes.
Large open areas of public land as well as extension of off-site, diagonal parking along Parkview Ave., look to provide sufficient day-use parking well into the future.
What might be a “fatal flaw” is the plan to turn the project over to City of Redding after 300 hours (or approximately one year) of Project funded maintenance and monitoring. In the absence of a funding source for the City, the Henderson Open Space might then be reclaimed---both by nature and by derelicts.
Stream and Greenways Alliance will submit written comments within the lawful window of public comment period. Any SAGA member wishing to add comments using our platform is invited to contact me before November 17.
. . . Dignity Health Proposed Parking Facility
You may have read that Dignity officials have announced that they will proceed now to pursue a full-blown Environmental Impact Report to replace the “shortcut” Negative Declaration. The process often takes a year or more, and may be very costly. We at SAGA worked to achieve this decision, but our efforts may, or may not have had an influence. We'll keep you posted when it comes back up for review.. . .
City of Redding Henderson Open Space Kayak Launch
As of mid-October, and according to correspondence with with Ms. Niemer, (Director), The City will forge ahead with their plans for construction of this facility.
Understandingly, Ms. Niemer has taken exception to S.A.G.A. corresponding directly with State Offices of Boating and Waterways and with expressing our various concerns regarding this project.From our perspective, it appears that the City has three issues to address prior to scheduling actual work on the ground. These are: (1) receipt of necessary permits and approvals* (2) receipt of time extension for Boating and Waterways Grant, and (3), addressing the State code requirements for Emergency Vehicle Access.
While Director Niemer has declared that the Federal Project (South Cypress Side Channel) negates the potential for an alternate launch site, we have clearly ascertained that the Federal Project provides much, much, more opportunity for access to the river and to boating and fishing opportunities. I wonder why anyone would choose to utilize the City’s proposed project when the BOR will provide so much more; more boating safety, more security for parked vehicles, less environmental impacts, better opportunity for wildlife viewing, etc.
This newsletter will be posted on our website, and I will happily expound upon, or offer more details/links etc. to any who asks.
Mike Jones, President
Stream and Greenways Alliance
[email protected]
* Permit from CDFW, Approvals for alternate paving material (Fire Official And Americans with Disability Act)Bcc: (93) members and stakeholders
Presidents Report on Mitigated Negative Declaration Documents and Public Meeting Re: US Bureau of Reclamation Proposed South Cypress Side Channel And: Updates on Dignity Proposed Parking, And: City of Redding Proposed Kayak Launch
We are in receipt of the Proposed South Cypress Side Channel documents and have attended the Public Outreach meeting presented by Western Shasta Resource Conservation District regarding this project and I will present our opinion(s) in this short report.
The project is described as excavation of channels connecting several small ponds along the side of the River to provide refuge for juvenile salmon, and distribution of selected-size gravels into the main stem adjacent to these excavated channels to provide spawning habitat for adult salmon.
Two bridges are to be constructed. One is in alignment with the old Freebridge and will utilize one of the existing concrete support bunks. It is to be constructed in compliance with State Fire and Emergency Vehicle Code and will support maintenance vehicle crossings. The second bridge, at the South end of Henderson Open Space, will be engineered for pedestrian traffic only.
The two bridges and a walking path provide a 'loop' walk/jog with flowing water on both sides of the downstream portion of the trek. We expect this addition to the City's River Trail System will become one of the City's most popular. A large graded area just beyond the west ramp approach to the vehicle bridge, will provide easy access to the River at a lagoon that had been used in the past by canoes, kayaks, and drift boats. The primary purpose of this area (as stated) will be to accommodate a turnaround for maintenance vehicles. Unless City of Redding blocks public access here, another opportunity will be created for oar and paddle craft enthusiasts.
Northern and Eastern edges of the existing pond will also present excellent opportunity to “put-in” and “take-out” of paddle craft. The quiet water of the pond provides for a safe learning experience. In years prior to City ownership, this pond was utilized by Yu-Kan Canoe for demonstration, teaching, as well as sales and rentals of canoes.
Large open areas of public land as well as extension of off-site, diagonal parking along Parkview Ave., look to provide sufficient day-use parking well into the future.
What might be a “fatal flaw” is the plan to turn the project over to City of Redding after 300 hours (or approximately one year) of Project funded maintenance and monitoring. In the absence of a funding source for the City, the Henderson Open Space might then be reclaimed---both by nature and by derelicts.
Stream and Greenways Alliance will submit written comments within the lawful window of public comment period. Any SAGA member wishing to add comments using our platform is invited to contact me before November 17.
. . . Dignity Health Proposed Parking Facility
You may have read that Dignity officials have announced that they will proceed now to pursue a full-blown Environmental Impact Report to replace the “shortcut” Negative Declaration. The process often takes a year or more, and may be very costly. We at SAGA worked to achieve this decision, but our efforts may, or may not have had an influence. We'll keep you posted when it comes back up for review.. . .
City of Redding Henderson Open Space Kayak Launch
As of mid-October, and according to correspondence with with Ms. Niemer, (Director), The City will forge ahead with their plans for construction of this facility.
Understandingly, Ms. Niemer has taken exception to S.A.G.A. corresponding directly with State Offices of Boating and Waterways and with expressing our various concerns regarding this project.From our perspective, it appears that the City has three issues to address prior to scheduling actual work on the ground. These are: (1) receipt of necessary permits and approvals* (2) receipt of time extension for Boating and Waterways Grant, and (3), addressing the State code requirements for Emergency Vehicle Access.
While Director Niemer has declared that the Federal Project (South Cypress Side Channel) negates the potential for an alternate launch site, we have clearly ascertained that the Federal Project provides much, much, more opportunity for access to the river and to boating and fishing opportunities. I wonder why anyone would choose to utilize the City’s proposed project when the BOR will provide so much more; more boating safety, more security for parked vehicles, less environmental impacts, better opportunity for wildlife viewing, etc.
This newsletter will be posted on our website, and I will happily expound upon, or offer more details/links etc. to any who asks.
Mike Jones, President
Stream and Greenways Alliance
[email protected]
* Permit from CDFW, Approvals for alternate paving material (Fire Official And Americans with Disability Act)Bcc: (93) members and stakeholders