1 San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail Site Description for Antioch Marina Location, Ownership, and Management: The Antioch Marina is located north of downtown Antioch along the San Joaquin River, and is owned and managed by the City of Antioch. Day-to- day management of the Marina and boat launch facilities are handled by the Harbormaster. Contact Name: Pflueger, James Contact Phone: (925) 779-6957 Contact E-mail: [email protected] Boat Launch Marina Launch Restaurant Launch Facility Description: The Antioch Marina serves both motorized and non-motorized boat users, providing access to the San Joaquin River, near its confluence with the Sacramento River. The Antioch Marina provides non-motorized small boat access at three primary locations: • Boat Launch - Boat Launch facilities consist of two corrugated cement boat ramps with three high-freeboard docks located on the sides of the ramps. The high-freeboard docks are made of composite and extend approximately 150 feet. This launch is designed primarily for trailered boats, but is used by many different boat types. The southernmost dock is used most by non-motorized small boats due to the sheltered water on the south side of the dock that is away from motorized boat launch traffic. This dock also has tie-offs for kayaks. A public restroom near these docks is planned for 2016. • Marina Launch – Marina facilities are located behind a locked gate within the marina; however, access to this area is open to the public upon request. Access to the Marina’s high-freeboard docks is via an ADA gangway and non-motorized small boaters will typically launch along the eastern side of the dock where a channel leads to the mouth of the Marina. • Restaurant Launch – The Restaurant Launch consists of an approximately 40-foot long gangway that leads to a low-freeboard dock on the San Joaquin River. This launch is located on the north side of the restaurant building and there is currently no accessible June 6, 2016 Site Description for Antioch Marina 2 path of travel to the dock. Improvements to the path of travel are anticipated to occur associated with improvements planned for the restaurant at the Marina in 2016/2017. Although the Marina is generally oriented towards sailboats and trailered boats, the site provides a variety of facilities that make it a good launch for non-motorized small boats. The site has ample parking and access to a variety of nearby amenities, including a restaurant (currently vacant but undergoing renovations and scheduled to open in 2017), walking paths, picnic areas, and restrooms. Existing restrooms are located approximately 170 feet south of the Marina launch and new restrooms near the Boat Launch are scheduled for construction in 2016. Ample parking is available in large lots at the site, and is allowed for up to 72 consecutive hours. The parking area has six ADA spaces in the vicinity of the docks. Site Overview Map San Joaquin Dow Wetlands River Restaurant Launch Marina Launch Restaurant Restrooms Boat Launch Parking Picnic Area San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail June 6, 2016 Site Description for Antioch Marina 3 Other Identifying or General Information: Site ID: CC25 Appreciated for Windy Conditions: No In WT Plan: No Near Food or Drink: Yes Existing or Planned: Existing Ownership: Public Proximity to Other Sites: The nearest location County: Contra Costa is Big Break Regional Shoreline, located Geo-Region: Carquinez Strait approximately 5.5 miles east on the San Launch or Destination: Launch Joaquin River. The Martinez Marina is located Home of a Club: No approximately 9 miles west. Used by a Program that Assists Persons with Disabilities: No Description of Launch/Landing: Fixed Dock/Pier Launch/Landing: Yes Boat/Trailer Ramp: Yes Float: Yes Mudflats Affect Site Usability: No Freeboard Level: High (9" and above) Beach Wheelchair Available: No Transfer/Launch Assistance System: No Stair Water Entry: No Gangway: Yes, for Marina Launch and Restaurant Beach: No Launch Water Entry Path: No Gangway Length (feet): 60 Firm-Surface Beach Crossing: No Gangway Width (inches): 40 Fee for Launch or Parking: No Other Launch/Landing Notes: Most paddlers use the Boat Launch area due to ease of use and proximity to parking. This launch can get busy during weekends with lots of trailered boats launching and landing. Use of the Marina or Restaurant Launches requires a longer walk from the parking area; however, these launches are Gangway Slope Description: Gangway slope can be more oriented towards non-motorized steep at low tides. small boat access. Restrictions: The Marina Launch requires paddlers to get a key or have the gate opened by the Harbormaster. San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail June 6, 2016 Site Description for Antioch Marina 4 Site Appears to be Suitable For: Kayak: Yes Canoe: Yes Windsurfer: No Outrigger Canoe: Yes Kiteboard: No Sculling: No Whaleboat: Yes Rowboat/Dinghy: Yes Stand Up Paddleboard: Yes Dragonboat: Yes Notes: The Boat Launch provides ramps that can be utilized by trailered non-motorized small boats (e.g., whaleboats). Transportation and Parking: General Spaces (number): 180 vehicle spaces, Loading/Unloading Area: Yes 80 trailered spaces ADA Parking Spaces (number): 12 Bay Trail: No, but a walking trail rings the Marina and links to an extensive trail system ADA Parking Description: Six ADA parking within the Dow Wetlands Preserve. spaces, including 4 van-accessible spaces are located near the Marina offices and Public Transportation: TriDelta Transit bus restaurant. Two van-accessible spaces are 387 stops at 2nd Street and K Street, located between the Boat Launch parking approximately ¼ mile from the Marina. area and the Marina offices and four trailered ADA van-accessible spaces are located near the Boat Launch. Duration (hours): Up to 72 hours Overnight Parking Allowed: Yes Overnight Parking Description: 72 hour parking. $5 fee per 24-hours to park for Large surface parking lots provide parking trailered boats. near the boat launch and include a pick-up and drop-off area. San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail June 6, 2016 Site Description for Antioch Marina 5 Other Site Amenities: Total Restrooms: 4 Boat Washing: Yes Total ADA Restrooms: 2 Rigging/Staging Area: Yes Restroom Description: Public restrooms do Picnic Tables: Yes not appear to be accessible. The public can Benches: Yes use the ADA private restrooms (for berth BBQ: Yes tenants) upon request of the Harbormaster. Boat Storage: No New ADA restrooms near the Boat Launch are scheduled for construction in 2016. Public restrooms are located near the Marina Path of Travel: Distance to Launch from Parking Area (feet): Boat Launch – 180; Marina Launch – 240; Restaurant Launch – 280. Distance to Launch from ADA Parking (feet): Boat Launch – 180; Marina Launch – 240; Restaurant Launch – 280 Distance to Launch from ADA Restrooms (feet): 190 (Marina Launch) Distance from ADA Restrooms to ADA Parking (feet): 40 (Marina Launch) Path of Travel Exists: Yes Path of Travel Description: The striped path of travel occurs within the Boat Launch parking lot that leads to the docks. The entrance to the boat ramps has experienced substantial subsidence, which has caused some steep slopes near the entrance to the ramp that may exceed 8%. The Boat Launch high-freeboard docks otherwise appear to be accessible. The path of travel to the Marina is paved and generally level from the parking area to the Marina gangway. No accessible path of travel currently exists to the Restaurant Launch; however, it is anticipated that one will be installed associated with planned improvements to the restaurant. San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail June 6, 2016 Site Description for Antioch Marina 6 Overnight Accommodations: Hotel: No Hostel: No Ship: No Camping: No Other: No Accommodations Description: No overnight accomodations are located at the Marina. A Holiday Inn is located approximately ¾ mile south of the site. Additional Notes Related to Accessibility: The launch ramp and path of travel appear to be accessible. The public restroom does not appear to be accessible but the City is scheduled to construct a new, accessible, restroom near the launch ramp. Safety and Security, including Parking: The parking area has 24/7 video surveillance and is well lit. Duck hunting occurs in nearby wetlands October to February. Outside the Antioch Marina, small craft should be cautious and avoid the barges and other large ships that frequent the shipping lanes along the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. Cargo ships, motorized boats, and sailboats are regularly moving along the rivers and within the Marina, so small non- motorized boats need to take caution to avoid these vessels. Winds and currents on the rivers can be strong; paddlers need to take care to stay within their skill level. Wildlife and Habitat Considerations: Extensive marshes known to contain sensitive species and habitats occur on islands and along the shoreline of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers in the vicinity of the Antioch Marina. The Antioch Marina is directly adjacent to the 200-acre Dow Wetlands Preserve. The Preserve has undergone substantial restoration and is accessible by kayak from the San Joaquin River. Paddlers are allowed to land on a dock within the preserve. Managers of restoration efforts determined that kayak access to the wetlands would not impact the educational and environmental goals of the Dow Wetlands Team. A letter of support for designation of the Antioch Marina from Dow’s Public and Government Affairs Director is attached. The Water Trail educational sign directs users not to land in marshes and to keep buffer distances from sensitive species. San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail June 6, 2016 Site Description for Antioch Marina 7 Education, Outreach, and Stewardship, Including Signage: The Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Antioch leads programs for thousands of school students each year near the Antioch Marina as they explore local wetlands, learning about species, habitats, and water science. Delta Kayak Adventures offers a variety of tours to promote stewardship of the Delta. Other Existing or Anticipated Water Trail-Related Issues and Opportunities: The Antioch Marina is anticipated to have a variety of improvements during the next two years including a new public restroom near the Boat Launch, improvements to the path of travel to the Restaurant Launch, installation of small boat storage, and potentially a small boat vendor. A new tenant is coming into the restaurant at the Antioch Marina. The tenant is planning to invest in site improvements that would benefit paddlers, such as an improved path of travel to the Restaurant Launch. San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail June 6, 2016 Site Description for Antioch Marina 8 Accessibility of Sites within the Suisun/Delta Geo-Region: There are six potential/existing Water Trail sites identified within this geo-region: Suisun City Marina (Designated); Downtown Suisun City (Designated); Belden’s Landing; Antioch Marina; Big Break Regional Shoreline; and, Bay Point Regional Shoreline. Of these, the Suisun City Marina, Downtown Suisun, Antioch Marina, and Big Break Regional Shoreline provide a variety of accessible facilities. The Suisun City Marina provides accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and a loading and unloading area. The City of Suisun is pursuing a grant for a low- freeboard attachment to the existing high-freeboard dock. Downtown Suisun City also provides an ADA gangway to a high-freeboard dock and ADA parking. Big Break provides an accessible path of travel to the beach, and accessible restrooms, parking, drinking fountains, and trails. The experiences that are available in the Suisun/Delta Geo-Region are primarily more rural experiences in slough environments. San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail June 6, 2016 Summary of Environmental Review based on the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail Plan Final Environmental Impact Report Antioch Marina June 10, 2016 Resource Area Impacts Analysis Notes Recreation The Antioch Marina is a Water Trail users may submit References: WT developed facility with boat comments to Water Trail staff DREIR, pp. 3-32 to 3- launching available from through the website if they witness 37. several locations, parking, or experience recreational conflict restrooms, restaurant, a pier at any designated site. The Water and observation deck, and a Trail educational sign would picnic area and trails. Facilities include warnings about seasonal are well maintained and have hunting in the Bay (Oct – Jan) and sufficient capacity to includes the State Fish and Wildlife accommodate increased levels website for specific information. of use. Hunting is allowed in many the marshes within four miles of the site, although hunting is not allowed in any of the marshes immediately adjacent to the site. Navigational and Small boat users should be The Water Trail educational sign Personal aware of winds, tides, and that would be installed provides Safety currents and how to boat near information related to navigational References: WT other vessels on the San and personal boating safety. DREIR pp. 3-38 to 3-51, Joaquin and Sacramento and Figures 3.4.2-1 Rivers. and 3.4.2-2. Aesthetics The Antioch Marina is The Water Trail will require the References: WT DREIR considered an urban/wildland inclusion of a Water Trail pp. 3-56 to 3-68. interface site, characterized by identification sign at the site as well the public marina adjacent to as the educational sign. A “sign industrial facilities, backed by program” will be developed with the views of marshes across the City of Antioch to ensure that the San Joaquin River and rising I.D. signs and educational signs do hills beyond. not result in sign clutter at the site. Resource Area Impacts Analysis Notes Biology- There is marsh habitat along Preventing the inadvertent spread Vegetation the shoreline adjacent to the of exotic, invasive plant species is References: WT Marina and across the San important at all launch sites. The DREIR pp. 3-69 to 3-92 Joaquin River. Boaters could WT educational sign and website and explore the San Joaquin River, ask WT users to help prevent the Table 3.7.2-1 and Table Dow Wetlands, and the sloughs spread of invasive species by 3.7.2-2. surrounding it. Endangered and rinsing boats and equipment rare plant species such as immediately after use and by not Suisun marsh aster and soft landing in marshes or on levees. salty bird’s-beak have been found in the area. Biology – Birds There is currently one active The WT educational sign includes References: WT FEIR heron or egret rookery located information about how to paddle text and map within four miles of the site. responsibly around wildlife and to maintain a buffer distance from nesting herons and egrets, and to avoid landing in the marsh or on levees. The WT website and brochure include more detailed information about not disturbing nesting birds. Biology – Rafting This site provides access to Avoiding disturbance of rafting Waterfowl areas where rafting waterfowl waterfowl is addressed in the References: WT may congregate. Water Trail educational sign, DREIR pp. 3-93 to 3- brochure, and website. 131 and Table 3.8.2-1, Figure 3.8.2-1. Biology – Ridgway’s Black rail and Ridgway’s rail Signage is needed to emphasize rail and California black habitat are present in the the importance of keeping a 50-foot rail and high tide refugia nearby marshes. buffer from rail habitat (not entering References: WT DREIR channels less than 100 feet wide) pp. 3-93 to 3-131 and and staying clear of high-tide Figure 3.8.2-2, refugia, and that landing in Personal marshes and on levees is Communication with prohibited. The Water Trail CDFW educational sign, brochure and website include this information.