R EAL E STATE Q&A
N E W S
Seeking compromise on wetlands
by Monica Corman
Second Home Market Picking Up
â– How can agencies protect species while giving the public greater access? Q: I am considering buying a second home but am unsure of whether this market has hit bottom yet. Do you have any comments? A: I have heard from agents working in the second home markets, and from some who own second home properties that the best areas are showing increased activity. All primarily second home areas were hit hard by the economic downturn of the past few years. There were many foreclosures in these areas, and will be more before the current cycle ends. But there are more new buyers in these markets than there have
By Miranda Simon Special to the Almanac
T
he Menlo Park Library was flooded with new ideas Feb. 10 as experts and locals debated the next steps in restoring the Ravenswood salt ponds near the Dumbarton Bridge. There are several obstacles on the road to restoration, so local residents, engineers and scientists delved into a four-hour exercise in creative thinking on how to work around them. Transforming the six salt ponds into wetlands and marshes involves funneling water into them. This may result in overflooding around Highway 84 leading to the Dumbarton Bridge if new levees aren’t built — a process that requires both planning and funding, and will probably not be achieved over the next several years. This led the discussion to shift toward another important aspect of the project: building trails and opening areas to public access — and all the benefits and detriments that may entail. The Ravenswood salt ponds complex is part of 15,000 acres of historic wetlands to be restored in the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. The South Bay salt ponds, long operated by Cargill Inc., a salt supplier based in Minneapolis, were purchased for $100 million in federal and state funds in 2003. Since then, Pond SF2, south of the Dumbarton Bridge has been restored, with a 0.7mile trail built at the pond site, complete with descriptive panels. Locals and experts are now debating how to continue with the restoration and create public access without harming the habitat of the species in the area. “We had good and vigorous discussion on the results and
South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project
The Ravenswood section of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project consists of several ponds covering 1,500 acres in an area near the Dumbarton Bridge.
the tradeoffs balancing public access and the goals of the (Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife) Refuge to protect endangered species,� said John Bourgeois, manager of the South Bay restoration project. As one can imagine, letting neighbors walk their dogs where endangered snowy plovers nest may not be such a good idea. But opening the area to visitors may bring public attention to the project — and maybe some much-needed cash from private investors. Reaching this compromise was one of the main goals of the meeting. Caitlin Robinson-Nilsen from the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory outlined the areas where snowy plovers have nested in the past and offered ideas for trails where the plovers would be out of harms way; Sheryl Strong from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service led a discussion on how to shoo away California gulls, one of the snowy plovers’ main predators; and long-time residents
reminisced about historic trails around the ponds that they’d like to see reopened. “After hearing input from the public, we will compile the information and come up with what we think is going to be our plan,� Mr. Bourgeois said. By summer, the team plans to hire a consultant to handle the permitting and environmental reports needed for the Ravenswood area, he said. But all this must be done on a short budget, he said. The project received $8 million in grants from the federal government last year but will not be getting much in federal funds this year. President Obama has pledged to veto legislation containing earmarks — precisely what the project had relied on until now, Mr. Bourgeois said. “With this climate of no new earmarks, it’s going to be more difficult to get the money we need,� he said, adding that the project is looking toward state bonds and private investment to move forward. A
been at any time in the past few years. Prices are down but stable in the best locations. These areas include Carmel and Lake Tahoe. It is a good time to buy a second home if you are in the market for this kind of property. There is good inventory and there may be more properties available if sellers think it is a good time to sell. Many sellers who would have sold in the past two years have waited for signs of improvement and this is now happening. The second home market will be one to watch this year as we emerge from the recent downturn.
For answers to any questions you may have on real estate, you may e-mail me at mcorman@apr.com or call 462-1111, Alain Pinel Realtors. I also offer a free market analysis of your property. www.MonicaCorman.com
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N P O L I C E C A L LS This information is from the Atherton and Menlo Park police departments and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Under the law, people charged with offenses are considered innocent until convicted. ATHERTON Grand theft reports: ■Power washer stolen from rear of truck, Tuscaloosa Ave., Feb. 7. ■Video camera discovered stolen from vehicle, perhaps during Christmas vacation, Catalpa Drive, Feb. 9.
MENLO PARK Grand theft reports: â– Losses estimated at $2,000 in theft of two bicycles, Campbell Lane, Feb. 7. â– Loss of $1,152 in theft of two phones from display counter, T-Mobile at 515 El Camino Real, Feb. 5. Fraud report: Loss of $1,042 in check fraud, 3700 block of Haven Ave., Feb. 9. Stolen vehicle report: Light blue 2005 Dodge Dakota left running and unattended, 1200 block of Hollyburne Ave., Feb. 9. Possession of burglary tool: Arrest made for misdemeanor possession of shaved key, a burglary tool used in stealing vehicles, 700 block of El Cami-
no Real, Feb. 6. Theft report: Loss of $33 in unauthorized use of credit card, 300 block of Ivy Drive, Feb. 5. WOODSIDE Theft report: Purse, checks, credit cards, jewelry, camera and more stolen from unlocked vehicle, 1000 block of Portola Road, Feb. 6. PORTOLA VALLEY Theft report: Purse and credit cards stolen from unlocked vehicle, 4000 block of Alpine Road, Feb. 6.
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www.bowmanschool.org February 16, 2011 N The Almanac N 7