Brooks Island/Marina Bay restrictions.

[NCKite_Ryder]

So everything in Green is off limits? Was out on sunday (awesome by the way) and there were a bunch of us out on the butter strip... most of us stayed off the island but several walked across to get to the outside (next to the end of the jedi beginning of sand).

So whats the rule? Can you kite in the butter under the island as long as we don't go on the island? I didn't see a sign...

ALSO - I was very tempted (no helmet that day) to go out above the jedi and then boost back over it into the butter... anyone done this? Would be good footage.

mb 009803,0.jpg (73.34KiB)Viewed 3165 times

[Thor29]

So everything in Green is off limits? Was out on sunday (awesome by the way) and there were a bunch of us out on the butter strip... most of us stayed off the island but several walked across to get to the outside (next to the end of the jedi beginning of sand).

So whats the rule? Can you kite in the butter under the island as long as we don't go on the island? I didn't see a sign...

ALSO - I was very tempted (no helmet that day) to go out above the jedi and then boost back over it into the butter... anyone done this? Would be good footage.

mb 009803,0.jpg

Watch out for Darth Vader...
Sorry, I just couldn't help myself.
The Force be with you.

[Greg]

Nick-
If you dont make it. a helmet won't help.
Good luck- =- L.M.G.

[beechman]

Keif, thanks for the pic of the Caspian Tern, perhaps it will help people identify the birds to avoid.

Below is a letter posted on iKite from the EBPD that explains what they are asking for "voluntarily". I have also confirmed this information with the caretaker on the island, Matt. It is in our best interest to comply with not disturbing the birds as this will perhaps keep this spot available for us all. If they make it mandatory year round, as has been discussed, and put buoys 200' off of the sand spit, then that will put an end to a special place for kiting in the Bay.

I thank everyone who complies with this request and further ask them to be good ambassadors and help educate MB kiters at the launch. A few of us are trying to put together a map and description to post so people will have a reference.

Respectfully,

bman

Thank you for your message regarding Brooks Island.
Caspian terns, as well as several other bird species, are nesting outside the
restricted area this year. Though the birds are not listed as endangered, they are
protected by the Federal Migratory Bird treaty Act and we are obligated to protect
them while nesting. Our Wildlife Biologist conducted a survey of the spit at Brooks
Island, last Thursday, June 14, and found birds nesting along the entire length of
the spit, far beyond the signed restricted area. His recommendation is to close the
site until August 31st this year.
We are asking for voluntary compliance to avoid landing and to stay 200 feet away
from the shore. The distance is our best guess to avoid having the kite or the
kite's shadow pass over the nest. To be clear, the restriction will be for all
vessels, not just kiteboarders, until the end of August.
It is not our intention, at this time, to permanently close the entire spit, though
further discussion will need to take place on whether the area may need to be closed
seasonally.
Several emails have been sent to various Managers at the Park District about this
issue; I would like to suggest further communications come through me so that I can
find the answer and respond more quickly. My contact information is listed below
and I am available Monday through Thursday, and Sundays during the summer. Please
do not hesitate to contact me.
I have also included a link to the Fish and Wildlife Service website, pertaining to
the Federal Migratory Bird treaty Act


http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/Regul ... intro.html.


[Description: P:\Symprex\ebrpd_green_leaf.jpg]


Anne Rockwell


Shoreline Unit Manager


East Bay Regional Park District


1231 McKay Ave., Alameda, CA 94501


Tel: 510-544-3172


ARockwell@ebparks.org<mailto:ARockwell@ebparks.org> |
http://www.ebparks.org<http://www.ebparks.org>

[Greg]

I've known Anne Rockwell personally for almost 10 years, I'd say she is a VERY FAIR person!!
As parks director, Anne has alway struck a nice ballance between 'use and abuse'. If Brooks Island ends up needing to be closed because of kiteboarders, it won't make her happy to send us packing, but she WILL protect the wildlife-

This is not a joke,
Gregory Burton Boyington

[Aloha]

That is very refreshing that we have a reasonable ally in Anne and I believe we should respect her request to come to a fair compromise

The poor birds represent no marginal economic value in the eyes of the government (who so often will make decisions purely following the $), whereas recreational users do (not to mention we can vote) - so as always we represent a great partner in peaceful co-existence for the wildlife where people are working, living & playing

In the spirit of laulima & peaceful co-existence - It is my hope that further decisions made on the Brooks Island matter will take into account a FAIR balance of all the stakeholders of the spot, including the lives of the caspian seagulls and the community access of our wonderful human beings here in the bay area

Let's continue to protect & surf - Mahalo!

[jbirdmarin]

"in the spirit of laulima and peaceful co-existence" and "those birds create no marginal economical value". Hey that's the spirit!

Greg may be one of the stronger advocates, but I think many of us share his opinion.

[Aloha]

...

[Rob]

I CANT wait to LAND my kite on the SANDBAR and take a FACEBOOK default picture.

[spvone]

Please, let's not turn this into a flame war...

I was one of the guys who walked across the reach last sunday, ignorant of the voluntary ban. I plan on respecting the buffer zone from now on; as Charlie wrote, there is plenty of terrain to play in between mb and racetrack. I believe it's best to accept this olive branch from EBRPD and stay away for the time being to let the birds do their thing. If we lose access to this magical spot I will be seriously bummed. Anne and Matt are both good folks who are sympathetic to the winged island residents AND us human visitors.

Just my opinion.

bman, thanks for bringing this issue to our attention.