THE DAILY KERNEL

Just returned to the computer tonight after a day of meetings to see this article on Tennessee Hollow restoration project in today’s Chronicle. Peter Fimrite, staff writer at the Chronicle, interviews Allison Stone of the Presidio Trust. If you’re not familiar with where the Tennessee Hollow watershed or El Polin Springs are located in the Presidio, here’s a map, courtesy of the Presidio Trust.

Lots of very interesting thoughts in the comments section. Many wondered why the water at El Polin Springs was not potable. While lots of answers were given, the principle reason is that the spring is not protected at the source from contamination by mammals, wild and domestic. The spring is fairly low flow, easily contaminated by coliform bacteria and therefore, not good to drink.

Great to see this project receiving some good press and congratulations to Allison for the interview.

–Doug Kern

Tags: Restoration by Doug
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Back in May I noted this ABC News report on the dangers of artificial turf. Today’s LA Times reports that California Attorney General Jerry Brown alleges in a lawsuit against top makers of green plastic playing fields that:

…three makers of artificial turf deliberately failed to disclose that their products contain lead.

It turns out that lead is used to give the green color to artificial turf. According to the article:

lead,…,has been identified by state agencies as a chemical that can cause cancer, damage to male and female reproductive systems, and birth defects in developing fetuses.

The article does indicate that excessive lead was not found in all of the artificial turf samples from the three companies.

However, it was noted that:

Although artificial turf presents little or no danger when it is new, lead levels rise to potentially harmful levels as it gets older, said Deputy Atty. Gen. Dennis A. Ragen, the state’s lead attorney on the lawsuit.

The lead in artificial turf is a serious issue as the field ages and the dust from the material comes off on children’s hands, which they then put in their mouths. Lead contaminated dust could wash off the field and into the environment. Any installation of artificial turf at the Presidio should be carefully considered in the light of this information.

–Doug Kern

Tags: Restoration by Doug
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Guided Project Tours at El Polin Springs in the Presidio’s Tennessee Hollow Watershed 

• Saturday, September 6, 10:30 am–Noon
• Saturday, September 13, 10:30 am–Noon
• Meet at the picnic tables at El Polin Springs, off MacArthur Avenue, in the Presidio. RSVP/Directions (415) 561-5357.
• Sponsored by the Presidio Trust 

Restoration of the Tennessee Hollow watershed is now continuing at El Polin Springs, a place remarkable for nature and wildlife as well as for its extraordinary human history.

Beginning in September 2008, habitat restoration will begin to return ecological richness to the wetland area surrounding the springs. As a first phase, 60 eucalyptus, cypress, and pine trees will be removed from around El Polin Loop. Habitat will then be restored with plants and trees grown in the Presidio Nursery, including coast live oak and California buckeye, as well as wax myrtle, toyon, willows, and native grasses.

Later, a number of improvements will showcase the history of the area and welcome visitors. El Polin Loop will be transformed into a boardwalk and trail with a new picnic area, public restrooms, and benches. The stone channels and well will be restored, and interpretive gardens and other features will share the long history at the springs.

For complete project details, visit the Presidio Trust website on the Tennessee Hollow Project.

Artist’s conceptual rendering of boardwalk and restored habitat around El Polin Springs. Illustration by Art Zendarski.

Tags: Restoration by Doug
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In this July 29 Chronicle “Letter to the Editor” one reader laments. 

She refers to this July 27 article by Harold Gilliam, the Chronicle’s environmental columnist for three decades, that gave her hope for a green vision of the Presidio, “a vision to stir our blood.” Reflecting on the Presidio of San Francisco, Mr. Gilliam asks,

So what happened to the original vision? And now that green is the color of the day, the year and hopefully the century, isn’t it high time we revive that vision?

–Doug Kern

Tags: New Construction, Restoration by Doug
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Received this update from the Presidio Trust Remediation Department regarding the landslide at Baker Beach. The Trust, in coordination with regulatory agencies and the National Park Service, will be making repairs to the slope next week. Progress. This is good news. Beach goers are going to appreciate when the site is eventually opened again to the public.

The short term work to smooth the top of the slide area to prevent toppling failure will occur next Wednesday (May 21st). The work is anticipated to take one day. Equipment will mobilize to site on May 20th. The beach will be cleared and personnel stationed there during the smoothing work to advise beachgoers of the activity, and monitor for safety.

Comments welcomed.

– Doug Kern

Tags: Remediation, Restoration by Doug
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This observation from TDK reader MZ on the Batteries to Bluffs Trail.  [added emphasis is mine. -dk]

During the course of bird surveying this Saturday in the Presidio I came upon a person with a leashed dog on the Batteries to Bluffs trail.  Being that this trail is one on which dog walking is not allowed, I approached the individual to inform him of this fact. Much to my surprise, I recognized the dogs handler as an off duty employee of the US Park Police, stationed at the Presidio.  I know this individual to be a very conscientious and dedicated employee and one who would never knowingly violate any of the Parks rules.  After a greeting and some discussion, I learned that this Presidio law enforcement officer was not aware that the Batteries to Bluffs trail is off limits to dogs.  

This indicates to me that the trailside signage is inadequate, as is GGNRA interagency communication. If the employees of the GGNRA and the other federal agencies working within the GGNRA are not aware of the laws pertaining to pets in the park, how in the world can we expect the general public to know and abide by the rules?

This is yet another indicator that the outreach, education and enforcement efforts regarding pets in the Park are too soft and, consequently, are not as effective as they need to be.

Your thoughts?

– Doug Kern

Tags: Restoration by Doug
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Synthetic turf has been recommended for potential use at the Presidio of San Francisco for upgrading the ballfields. Identified advantages are greater playing time and less maintenance. In October 2007, the Urban Watershed Project commented on the use of synthetic turf as proposed in the Tennessee Hollow Environmental Assessment:

While we do understand and support the benefits of using synthetic turf, UWP remains concerned about water quality impacts from this surface downstream of proposed ballfield sites. We would like to see that potential impacts are studied prior to installation and that the synthetic turf presents no danger to downstream receptors.

I’d still like to know whether maintenance of the field will introduce problem chemicals to the environment and restored creeks below the site.  For example, what is applied to clean and disinfect the field?  Fabric softeners?

While potential water quality impacts remain a major concern, what about the human health impacts?  Check out the April 17, 2008 video below from ABC News looking at the potential health impacts from synthetic turf. I certainly support further investigation into synthetic turf prior to its use at the Presidio. 

– Doug Kern

Tags: Restoration by Doug
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Today, we visit the Coyote Gulch restoration site in the Presidio of San Francisco. Formerly known as “Baker Beach Disturbed Area 3″ this site contained tens of thousands of cubic yards of waste, filling the ravine to the rim. In 2004, this waste was removed by the Presidio Trust and later replanted and restored by the National Park Service and the Trust. Removing the waste revealed a small creek flowing down to the beach which now supports wetland plants. Insects, birds and mammals have since recolonized the area. And that’s how the restoration cycle works. Coyote Gulch — a great example of what the Presidio of San Francisco can be.

– Doug Kern

Tags: Remediation, Restoration by Doug
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This past week, I ventured out on to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail on the Presidio of San Francisco. This trail runs along the coastal bluffs on the west side of the Presidio and provides great views of the ocean, beach, cliffs and the Golden Gate Bridge. I encourage you to get out there this month and see the wildflowers.  It’s a beautiful and adventurous trail.  Check out the video below.

Tags: Restoration by Doug
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This evening the Goldman Environmental Prize recognized seven recipients for outstanding grassroots environmental achievement.  It was a moving and inspiring event.  On Saturday, the recipients were honored at the Crissy Field Center, where they mingled with youth active in the environmental movement and planted new seedlings in the Crissy Marsh.  Please visit the Goldman Environmental Prize website for full details on the award winners.

– Doug Kern

Tags: Milestone, Remediation, Restoration by Doug
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