Re: SFO Runways

From: Matt Chapman (mchapman@cupertino.synopsys.com-DeleteThis)
Date: Mon Jul 31 2000 - 13:11:43 PDT

Next message: Emarg@aol.com-DeleteThis: "Re: Gear recommendations (experienced but new to sailing in the Bay Area)"
Previous message: Dave Polzer: "Re: Gear recommendations (experienced but new to sailing in the Bay Area)"
Maybe in reply to: Eyes4Hire@aol.com-DeleteThis: "SFO Runways"
Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
Mail actions: [ respond to this message ] [ mail a new topic ]

Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 13:11:43 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <200007312011.NAA18681@supernova.cupertino.synopsys.com-DeleteThis>
From: Matt Chapman <mchapman@cupertino.synopsys.com-DeleteThis>
To: wind_talk@opus.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis
Subject: Re: SFO Runways

Even if the new runways are not built, the sailing at Coyote Point is
already somewhat compromised by the new office buildings. The runways
do of course make it a much less interesting site by cutting off
windsurfer access to the larger bay.

I doubt anyone can calculate the effect the new runways (plus the
proposed southbay wetland changes) will have on silting between Coyote
and 3rd Ave. It's entirely possible that the changes will cause the
currents to strip away the existing tide bars at 3rd.

There is one mitigation site that has some potential - the low area
just west of the driving range. It would have basically the same
winds as 3rd Ave.

Right now it's pretty much wetlands, but we could fill and pave that!
(We'll just have SFO add a few more acres to the southbay restoration
to compensate. :^) It'll also need some serious dredging offshore to
make it sailable at mid to low tide, and beach sand to replace the
muck, and some grass areas for rigging.

Here's a sat photo of the site (before the driving range went in.)
3rd Ave is on the right side and the wetlands are on the left.

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.asp?S=11&T=1&X=1408&Y=10396&Z=10&W=2

I'm half-serious about this. Take a walk around there next time
you're at 3rd.

- Matt

__________________________ Reply Separator _______________________
>Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 11:08:49 -0700 (PDT)
>Reply-To: wind_talk@opus.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis
>Originator: wind_talk@opus.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis
>Sender: wind_talk@opus.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis
>Precedence: bulk
>From: Eyes4Hire@aol.com-DeleteThis
>X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
>X-Comment: Windsurfing Discussion Mailing List
>Content-Type: text
>Content-Length: 3406
>
>Phil March said:
>
>> Over the years, environmental groups have generally fallen into
>> two categories--those who aim to halt projects completely and
>> use any method possible and those who seek to strike a balance
>> between growth and environmentalism--and I for one fall in
>> the latter category.
>
>I believe that I fall in the latter category as well, but after doing a lot
>of research I have come to the conclusion that SFO is asking for something
>that has limited benefits and monumental impacts. The aviation and growth
>issues should be dealt with regionally because we are looking at regional
>impacts.
>
>I think it is important to have membership from all viewpoints at the 8/3
>meeting re. SFO. I think if people know more of the facts they would
>understand why we are having trouble finding a compromise position with the
>SFO Runways... the key points being:
>
>1) SFO can solve the majority of their delays without building any new runways
>
>2) Nasa and the aviation industry is working on new technologies that will
>allow SFO to receive just as many arrivals in bad weather without building a
>runway 4,300' out into the bay. Many of the new technologies are already in
>use or in field testing in commercial aircraft.
> www.ads-b.com
> www.asc.nasa.gov/tap/
>
>3) Mitigation programs cannot replace what will be lost. The winds off Coyote
>can't be moved north or south. As far as I know, there aren't a lot of good
>shoreline locations for new launches. SFBA has met with the airport and
>talked about what mitigations would be better than others.
>
>People need to sit and think about how many elements go into a world class
>windsurfing site like Coyote (not that Coyote is all we stand to lose) ...
>
>a) steady and consistent winds coming through San Bruno Gap
>b) no offshore winds that will send beginners to the East Bay
>c) a point that will catch beginners that get pushed downwind or on a flood
>tide
>d) good rigging areas
>e) long beach with room for lots of people to come in and out (vs. narrow
>ramps)
>f) more than adequate parking so you aren't out if you don't beat the crowd
>g) sailable at all tide levels unlike 3rd, Palo Alto
>h) firm bottom near shore so you don't wade in the mud
>i) amenities including bathrooms, pay phone
>j) a less windy park area for non-windsurfing friends and family
>k) conditions that appeal to very level of windsurfer from beginner to pro
>l) a windsurf shop nearby... with rentals even
>m) safe patrolled parking lot, no broken glass, rangers watching out
>
>
>In a message dated 7/28/00 9:49:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
>geohaye@yahoo.com-DeleteThis writes:
>
>> What would SFO offer us in return? They could offer us
>> all a one-time 10-cents-off coupon for a soft drink in
>> the terminal.
>>
>> As we spoke about at the SFBA Board meeting last
>> night, if SFO does a deal to flood the Cargill salt
>> ponds in the South Bay, they will probably: (1)
>> destroy healthy wetlands which would become flooded;
>> (2) end windsurfing on most days at most sites
>> automatically by lowering the effective tide levels by
>> 1 1/2 feet in the South Bay. Palo Alto, THIRD AVENUE,
>> Old Third Ave, Seal Point would be devestated. Combine
>> that with Oyster Point, Flying Tigers, Genentech,
>> Marriott Flats, Embassy Suites, and COYOTE POINT being
>> physically cut off from the Bay and silted in -- we
>> are left with no windsurfing access at all.
>>
>> ~George

Next message: Emarg@aol.com-DeleteThis: "Re: Gear recommendations (experienced but new to sailing in the Bay Area)"
Previous message: Dave Polzer: "Re: Gear recommendations (experienced but new to sailing in the Bay Area)"
Maybe in reply to: Eyes4Hire@aol.com-DeleteThis: "SFO Runways"
Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
Mail actions: [ respond to this message ] [ mail a new topic ]

This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Sep 27 2002 - 12:24:33 PDT