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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - September 21, 2016 C-08C -IM `• CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENDA TITLE: Request San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Adopt 5 MPH Boating Speed Limit on the Mokelumne River Adjacent to Lodi Lake Park and Nature Area Until March 1, 2022 MEETING DATE: September 21, 2016 PREPARED BY: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Request San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors adopt a 5 mph boating speed limit on the Mokelumne River adjacent to Lodi Lake Park and Nature Area until March 1, 2022. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Erosion along the Mokelumne River is a significant issue at Lodi Lake Park. The areas that have lost the most parkland are from the northern edge of the Youth Area to Hughes Beach, and Pigs Lake. The City has applied, unsuccessfully, three times for State grants since 2008 to address the erosion problem. The most recent application was in 2015 to reduce erosion from the Rotary Area to the Youth Area. Part of that application included a plan to plant vegetation near the waterline when the Woodbridge Irrigation District conducts its annual dam maintenance and lowers river levels. Planting with hand tools does not require a permit. Although we were not successful in obtaining the grant, the main component of which was a riverfront trail, PRCS has been developing plans to move forward with the planting portion of the proposed project. The Lodi-Tokay Rotary Club is donating $5,000 toward purchase of the needed material, as well as labor, and PRCS expects to find other citizen groups willing to volunteer for the effort, which would take place in February 2017. According to ICF Jones & Stokes, the engineering firm that prepared the grant application for PRCS, planting native emergent vegetation along the perimeter — especially at the Rotary Area and Youth Area - - would provide bank protection via binding the soil and serving to dissipate energy from river flows and boat wakes, and would provide habitat for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife. The plantings also would serve to improve water quality of runoff leaving the park. ICF Jones & Stokes also noted that PRCS intended to pursue a temporary boating speed limit during the plant establishment period, stating that wetland plantings are most vulnerable to wave action just after being transplanted. "Once plant roots have established, plants increase in mass, and the accumulation of sediment begins, the wetland plants will be less affected by boat wakes," the application states. Staff also plans to take additional measures to restrict foot access in these areas to allow the vegetation to become established. We are getting promising results from a pilot project to reduce erosion on the west side of the lake by planting sandbar willows in 2015. According to a 2008 study at the Pigs Lake riverbank, erosion at the park is caused by a combination of factors — fluctuating water levels, boat wake and bank modifications made by upstream property owners. APPROVED: 5 en c w r, City Manager Request San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Adopt 5 MPH Boating Speed Limit on the Mokelumne River Adjacent to Lodi Lake Park and Nature Area Until March 1, 2022 September 21, 2016 Page 2 At the tip of the Rotary Area, foot traffic is problematic. On one portion of the Rotary Area, the river has claimed 14 feet of land in the past 15 years. Also, the riverbank near Pigs Lake continues to narrow and, once breached, will fill most of the Nature Area with standing water and result in the demise of the oak forest and a loss of a rare resource. The City has no ability to regulate water flows on the river or other property owners' armoring of the bank. It can, however, request that San Joaquin County — the agency with the authority to regulate boating on the river — take steps to minimize erosion. On September 6, 2016, the Parks and Recreation Commission heard PRCS staff's request to recommend the City Council request a temporary 5 mph zone from the Youth Area to the Hughes Beach location (approximately one-third of a mile), as well as a 600 -foot stretch near Pigs Lake, which would provide some protection for the plants to take root and create a buffer between erosion forces and the riverbank. The Parks and Recreation Commission, however, felt it would be confusing for boaters to determine which sections had speed limits and which didn't, and voted unanimously to request the 5 mph limit along the entire length of Lodi Lake Park and Nature Area for a five-year period as shown in the attachment. San Joaquin County Ordinance 4-4005(b)(7) states there is a 5 mph boating speed limit on "the Mokelumne River between Woodbridge Dam and the northeast boundary of the city of Lodi between the hours of seven o'clock in the evening (7:00 p.m.) and noon." The Recreation Commission recommends the City Council request the Board of Supervisors amend that ordinance by including the area adjacent to Lodi Lake Park and Nature Area until March 1, 2022. Whether or not Measure R is approved by voters on November 8 has no effect on our need to protect this new vegetation from boat wake, although it will obviously accelerate our ability to finance more permanent projects, especially at Pigs Lake. The cost of installing rip -rap along the bank at Pigs Lake in 2008 was estimated at nearly $1.2 million, while a little more than $2 million is included in the Measure R spending plan for erosion -control measures. FISCAL IMPACT: None by the request, but the County ordinance is amended by the Board of Supervisors, the erosion control measures are expected to reduce loss of additional parkland and expense of emergency repairs, relocation of park facilities. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable. Jeff HooViffion F Parks, R a d Cultural Services Director JH:tl cc: City Attorney i N i �. " u .. '�`y` '.V i��•,S x'43- t' pM._ .¢� � f. •r. i ._r h.. 9ry-+ � P. �. �+�1we {lit .� i �d . '' r tt ♦ ` c +��� ```_-„+ 444 NE NOON- ILI • d ..,,y 4'.k. - .4 ,. .' "� �'' ff ^� 713_ .� .ii. �•,• daT � _ 4 ►".� � -� ref •; a .lr,.. ,., "4xr -A Lodi Lake Boa4Laurnch 2oU1 18 �'' AA ,r 6 � w1 ry•�y` '�111� j 1993 , ! - �°, + . "`i.,�• 1 + i• 38°09'02.99' N 121°17'27.14'!I, elev 109 k dye alt 40341R 0 ` Current San Joaquin County Ordinance 4-4005 - SPEED. No person shall operate any boat or aquaplane in a manner or at a rate of speed that endangers the life, limb, or property of any person, taking into account weather conditions, light conditions; the ordinary use of waters navigated; the depth of the water; the proximity to shore, docks, swimmers, boats, and other obstacles; the conditions of the boat operated; and any other factor that a reasonable and prudent person would consider in the safe operation of the boat. Operation of a boat or aquaplane under any of the following conditions shall constitute prima facie evidence that the boat or aquaplane is being operated in violation of this section: (a) At a speed greater than will permit it to be fully stopped by the exercise of reasonable care within the assured clear distance ahead; (b) At a speed in excess of five (5) statute miles per hour in any of the following areas: (1) Within any area designated as a "slow area"; (2) Within one hundred (100) feet of any person bathing or swimming; (3) Within one hundred (100) feet of any watercraft sixteen (16) feet or less in length that might be seriously endangered by the wake of a passing vessel; (4) Within two hundred (200) feet of any swimming float, diving platform, lifeline, or designated swimming area; (5) Within two hundred (200) feet of any legal dock, wharf, dam, way, or landing float to which boats are landed or made fast or which is used for the embarkation or discharge of passengers; (6) Within two hundred (200) feet of any authorized boat, Sheriff's boat, or any other boat in the act of rescue operations, or dragging for bodies or equipment, if the boat is marked; attempting to overhaul or board a vessel involved in any violation of this chapter or other law, any vessel used for firefighting, or any vessel in the act of firefighting. (7) On the Mokelumne River between Woodbridge Dam and the northeast boundary of the city of Lodi between the hours of seven o'clock in the evening (7:00 p.m.) and noon. (c) Any violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable in accordance with the punishment for a misdemeanor, as set forth in Penal Code Section 19 or its successor.