THE DAILY KERNEL

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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Late in 2007 thousands of cubic yards of waste from former Army operations were hauled away from two remediation sites, just south of the Golden Gate Bridge. A landslide develops after the cleanup is complete and prevents the reopening of Baker Beach for public use near the area of potential landslide. This video explores the cleanup sites and takes a look at the landslide at the end of April 2008.

Tags: Remediation 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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The bees are out doing, well, bee-like things.

– Doug Kern

Tags: Presidio photo 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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Morning at Baker Beach, Presidio of San Francisco.

– Doug Kern

Tags: Presidio photo by Doug
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