Meeting Minutes
Draft Minutes Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council
Regular Meeting November 15, 2024
Stinson Beach Community Center
Members Present: Ed Ueber (At-Large), Ralph Camiccia (Bolinas), Rudi Ferris (Bolinas Rod and Boat Club), Joe Mueller (College of Marin), Mia Monroe (Golden Gate National Recreation Area), Lilli Ferguson for Karen Reyna (Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary), Mischon Martin (Marin County Parks/Open Space District), Lynne Stenzel (Point Blue Conservation Science), Dave Press (Point Reyes National Seashore), Jean Gould (Seadrift Association), Jeff Loomans (Stinson Beach)
Members Absent: Nils Warnock (Audubon Canyon Ranch)
Staff Present: Chris Chamberlain (Interim General Manager, MCP) (Samantha Haimovitch, Superintendent, MCP), Deb Self (Restoration Director, GFA), Kelly Hyde (Planner, MCP)
Call to Order at 10:05 am
Public Comment
Open time for public expression, up to three minutes per speaker, on items not on the Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council Agenda. (While members of the public are welcome to address the Council, under the Brown Act advisory council members may not discuss, deliberate, or take action on items not on the agenda, and generally may only listen.)
- A member of the public commented upon the lack of coordination of care by the County of the wetland to the west of the Lagoon and stated that the BLAC should be concerned about more than just the Lagoon itself, including removal of eucalyptus in the areas surrounding the Lagoon.
- Deb Self of Greater Farallones Association gave a brief update on the South End project that the team is wrapping up scientific studies before moving on to next steps in the planning process.
Approve Meeting Minutes from March 1, 2024 and June 21, 2024 (Action Item)
Motion: Council to accept the Meeting Minutes from March 1, 2024 and June 21, 2024 as submitted.
M/S Ferris/Press
AYES 10
NAYS 0
ABSTAIN 1
ABSENT 1
Election of New Chair/Vice Chair of the BLAC (Action Item)
Notes: A new Chair and Vice Chair are required for a two-year term beginning at this meeting and extending until the Fall 2026 meeting. Jeff Loomans was nominated for the Chair as he had been in the Vice Chair role acting as Chair previously due to the departure of Chair Kiren Niederberger, and Jean Gould was nominated as Vice Chair.
Motion: Council to elect Jeff Loomans and Jean Gould as Chair/Vice Chair for the Fall 2024 to Fall 2026 term.
M/S Camiccia/Stenzel
AYES 10
NAYS 0
ABSTAIN 1
ABSENT 1
Introduction of new BLAC member (Information Item)
Notes: The Council recognized the introduction of Sara Allen as the new At-Large representative to the BLAC effective at the next meeting, replacing Ed Ueber.
Presentation of Marin County Board of Supervisors Certificate of Recognition Honoring Ed Ueber (Information Item)
Presentation of Certificate of Recognition from District 4 Supervisor Dennis Rodoni honoring Ed Ueber’s exemplary service to the Advisory Council.
CDA Presentation: Updates on Beach closure and detection of sewage coming from adjacent land (Information Item)
Dr. Lisa Santora, Marin County Public Health Officer, provided a PowerPoint presentation update on the Bolinas bluff seepage concerns and related beach closure on behalf of the Community Development Department.
Notes: Dr. Santora provided a presentation outlining the recent detection of potentially hazardous seepage coming from the bluffs above the mouth of Bolinas Lagoon and the Brighton Beach area. Preliminary testing showed ammonia, an indicator of fecal contamination, but additional testing did not detect human markers. Water Quality Data will continue to be monitored through October 2025 and ongoing testing beyond that time frame has been proposed. Signage has been developed for posting permanently in the area.
In the discussion following the presentation a concern over the consumption of potentially contaminated bivalves was raised, which Dr. Santora agreed to take back to the State Water Resources Board and provide an update to the community in the future.
Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank Management Plan: BLAC Subcommittee Review (Action Item)
The BLAC Subcommittee formed to review the draft Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan will present their review and recommend the BLAC accept their suggested recommendations for sanctuary priorities for the next 5-10 years.
Notes: The Draft Review comments complied by the Subcommittee were presented to the entire BLAC and the following changes were suggested:
- Stenzel – Suggested that water quality testing to be included.
- Mueller – Suggested the College of Marin Lab could assist with testing.
- Ferris – Suggested a tide gauge be recommended to install in the Lagoon.
Motion: Council to accept the changes as noted.
M/S Camiccia/Mueller
AYES 10
NAYS 0
ABSTAIN 1
ABSENT 1
Lilli Ferguson, speaking on behalf of the Greater Farallones/Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, gave an update to the timeline that the external review would not be taking place in winter of 24-25 as previously noted so the review and comments would likely be more appropriately submitted at a later date. Jeff proposed to attend and speak at the Advisory Council Meeting on December 6, 2024 and bring up concerns as noted.
Establish subcommittee to compose letter to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Action Item)
Review of recent continued Lagoon concerns and selection of a subcommittee to compose a letter to CDFW requesting increased patrol and enforcement to address recent recurring infractions of laws governing fishing and harvesting of lagoon wildlife, as well as pervasive behavior by visitors which counters harvesting “best practices”.
Notes: The BLAC reviewed the history of concerns regarding poor fishing and clamming practices in the Lagoon over the past 4 years and efforts to draw the attention of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to ask for increased enforcement and monitoring of these behaviors of the public. A Subcommittee was formed to write another letter to CDFW asking them to increase patrols and enforcement. The Subcommittee is comprised of : Councilmembers Ferris, Camiccia, Press and Martin.
Motion: Subcommittee to convene and draft a second letter to CDFW.
M/S Cammicia/Press
AYES 10
NAYS 0
ABSTAIN 1
ABSENT 1
Update on Caltrans projects along State Route 1 between Town of Stinson and Bolinas Wye (Information Item)
Update from Marin County Parks Planner, Kelly Hyde, regarding various upcoming Caltrans sea-level rise projects along State Route 1 along the Bolinas Lagoon.
Notes: Planner Hyde presented an update on Caltrans sea-level rise projects. In Fall 2022 they conducted a site-specific Adaptation Study for the area and recommendations will be forthcoming. It was proposed to have Caltrans attend the April 2025 meeting to present updates.
Agency Reports (Information Item)
Agency members may report on agency activities that have taken place since the previous BLAC meeting that do not appear on the agenda. Council cannot discuss or take action on these items.
Notes:
NPS: None
GFNMS: None
MCP: Senior Planner Veronica Pearson has left the County. Year 1 of the Bolinas Wye Project has wrapped up with Year 2 beginning June of 2025, which will install the bridge, remove the crossover road, and re-establish Lewis Gulch Creek. The Letter Property restoration project will resume soon. Work at Kent Island to continue removal of invasives continues.
PRNS: A fisheries team was working in Pine Gulch Creek this summer. They detected fry and juvenile steelhead. PRNS has a new Superintendent, Ann Altman.
Council Member Comments (Information Item)
Council members may speak about items of interest that do not appear on the agenda. Council members cannot discuss or take action on these items.
Notes:
Seadrift: Councilmember Gould is excited about the South Shoreline Project moving forward.
Rod and Boat Club: Councilmember Ferris spoke about Western Gulls in the Lagoon.
Point Blue: None
College of Marin Lab: Councilmember Mueller thanked outgoing Councilmember Ueber for his many years of service. Reported that the Lab is Built! They are getting help from Bodega Bay Lab. Working to provide educational opportunities to disadvantaged youth. Ribbon cutting March 29, 2025.
Town of Bolinas: Councilmember Camiccia mentioned that he and Councilmember Ueber joined the BaLTAC in the 1980’s.
At-Large: Ed thanked the BLAC group.
Town of Stinson Beach: Councilmember Loomans mentioned that regarding sea-level rise, CDA is conducting an environmental hazards inquiry and that a County Sea Level Rise is being convened.
Next Regular Meeting Date (Action Item)
Approve Friday April 11, 2025 for the next Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Council meeting.
Notes: The Council proposed April 25, 2025 at 10:00 am for the next meeting instead of April 11.
Motion: Vote on April 25, 2025 for the next meeting date.
M/S Cammicia/Press
AYES 10
NAYS 0
ABSTAIN 1
ABSENT 1