April 17, 2017

This statement is posted to clarify some statements made at an April 2017 meeting of the California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) Commission.

In November 2016, Dave Guinther, Vice Chair of the TISC Board of Directors drove to Sacramento to attend a DBW Commission meeting and voice support for a marina expansion compromise agreement reached between TISC and Treasure Island Enterprises (TIE) in November of 2016.  His public comments included statements such as:

“TISC and Treasure Island Enterprises have settled on a compromise for the footprint and location of the marina proposed for Clipper Cove.  A compromise that addresses the minimum space needs of TISC programs.” 

And

“While this footprint will reduce the range and depth of some our programs, it does provide the minimum space we need to access the beach and continue all of our current programs in the cove.  We acknowledge the meaningful changes that TIE made that will allow our programs to continue.”

TISC continues to discuss the merits of this compromise and acknowledges that every compromise has limitations for both sides.

At the April 2017 DBW Commission meeting referenced above, a representative of TIE  stated that TISC is pleased with the proposed marina expansion compromise plan presented by TIE.  TISC is not pleased about losing 25% of the protected cove to the marina expansion (the current marina consumes 7% of the Cove), just as we assume that TIE is not pleased to have @90 fewer boat slips.  However, we are pleased that an agreement between TISC and TIE has been reached, removing the threat of a much larger marina expansion that would effectively take over almost the entire Cove and eliminate many of TISC’s programs.

The public value of Clipper Cove is the free open water protected by the Cove which is @ 3,797,430 sq. feet.  The footprint of the proposed compromise marina layout would consume @1,195,275 sq. feet, an area equivalent to 32% of Clipper Cove, not 15% as stated by TIE’s representative during the DBW meeting.  We can only assume that TIE’s calculation of the entire Cove area includes space immediately outside of the mouth of the cove.  Although some TISC sailors and programs do utilize Bay waters immediately outside the Cove (but west of the Pier 1) the majority of our sailors are beginners and rely on the protection of the current-free waters inside the Cove.

The negative impact of the proposed compromise marina expansion would not be limited to high school and collegiate sailing, as stated by TIE’s representative at the April DBW Commission meeting, although there would indeed be a large negative impact on high school and collegiate sailors since their practice area would be reduced and they would likely no longer be able to host regional and national events due to the size limitations of the racing area imposed by the new Marina.

In addition to the impacts on high-school and collegiate sailing, adult racers who use the cove weekly for 7 months of the year would also be negatively impacted.

Additionally, our beginner sailing program and our Set Sail Learn program that teaches science through sailing to over 2,000 4th graders each year would both be impacted since the proposed marina would consume about a third of the space that these two programs currently utilize for on-the-water classes and practice. We have also been clear that, under the proposed compromise agreement, some beginning youth sailors would no longer be able to directly access/sail into the Cove or reach the beach at the west end of the cove – a very important location to teach the safety lessons required for our programs, and an important milestone for beginner sailors.

We made these concessions knowingly so that an agreement could be reached between our entities to ensure that at least a good part of the Cove would be preserved for public use.

TISC and TIE have entered this compromise agreement, and no other entities are party to this proposed compromise. The agreed-upon marina footprint has been accepted by TISC Board of Directors and staff. However, TISC can only represent the needs of TISC programs.  We do not represent other entities, stakeholders or users of the cove.  Although we asked that other stakeholders (Anchorage folks, TI Marina tenants, kayakers, Save Clipper Cove, etc) be involved in the formal TIDA planning meetings multiple times, the suggestion was declined.  Thus, the proposed compromise agreement between TISC and TIE may not adequately address the concerns of other Cove stakeholders (Baykeeper, Save Clipper Cove, Sierra Club, raft-up community, current tenants etc.) regarding the proposed Marina expansion plan, and no one should represent the TISC/TIE agreement as doing so.

TISC does not assume that any of the above misstatements were made intentionally at the April 2017 DBW Commission meeting. However, TISC has an obligation to clarify these types of statements when they are made in public settings.

Sincerely,
Carisa Harris-Adamson
Treasure Island Sailing Center, Chair

Date: November 11, 2016
From: Treasure Island Sailing Center Board of Directors
Subject: Clipper Cove Marina Development – Compromise Reached

TISC and Treasure Island Enterprises (TIE) have settled on a compromise for the footprint and location of the marina proposed for Clipper Cove.

The November 2, 2016 TIE plan, which addresses the minimum space needs of TISC programs, includes two critical dimensions:

• The eastern edge of the transient dock will be located no more than 1,144’ from the west end of the cove. This placement provides adequate space – protected from waves, current and commercial traffic – for beginner sailors to practice sailing upwind in Clipper Cove.
• The southern-most point of the 789’ transient dock and its 236’ extension will be limited to a 1,014’ protrusion into Clipper Cove. That length, about 2/3’s the distance from Treasure Island south to Yerba Buena Island, opens a passage to the beach that is sailable by many beginning sailors.

While this footprint will reduce the range and depth of some TISC programs, it does provide the minimum space needed to access the beach and continue all our current programs in the cove. TISC acknowledges the meaningful changes TIE made that will allow our programs to continue and we want to thank our community for their support during this challenging negotiation.

The TIE plan, including key dimensions for the eastern position and southern tip of the transient dock with its extensions, is located here: (“OVERALL SITE PLAN – MARINA – Adjusted Slip Configuration dated 11-2-16”).

Sincerely,
Carisa Harris-Adamson
Treasure Island Sailing Center, Chair

Date: October 21, 2016
From: Treasure Island Sailing Center Board of Directors
Subject: Clipper Cove Marina Development – October 2016 Update

Below are two documents that summarize meetings and discussions held, and analyses completed during September and October, 2016 regarding our progress on keeping Clipper Cove open for Treasure Island Sailing Center programs as well as for access by the general public.

The first document – Shared Approach Overview – contains the TISC position, program needs and rationale for our proposed shared approach solution for the use of Clipper Cove, including two compromise options and supporting analysis.

A second document – Clipper Cove Marina Expansion Economic Feasibility Study– provides a cash flow snapshot of three marina configurations, including development costs, dredging costs, and operating costs and revenues. Our analysis found that a range of marina configurations is economically feasible, including a 306-slip shared-use marina layout.