For Immediate Release
April 9, 2002

PORT OF OAKLAND, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BAYKEEPER, THE GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON SOCIETY, AND THE 5TH AVENUE NEIGHBORS ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING ON CLINTON BASIN WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECT
(Includes Earth Day Clean-Up of Site)

OAKLAND, Calif - The Port of Oakland in coalition with the San Francisco BayKeeper, the Golden Gate Audubon Society, and the 5th Avenue Neighbors, are breaking ground on a wetland habitat enhancement project, and conducting a clean up Saturday, April 20, 2002 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. in honor of Earth Day 2002. The public is invited to participate in both the groundbreaking ceremony and clean up. The location is the Clinton Basin, near the Seabreeze Café at Embarcadero and 5th Avenue.

The site contains some of the last remaining natural habitat in the Oakland Estuary. The goal of this project is to improve habitat quality in the area of Clinton Basin, and to educate the public on local natural resources. Port of Oakland Executive Director Tay Yoshitani stated, "The Port is committed to this project which will enhance the local environment." Yoshitani added, " We have been working collaboratively with the Audubon Society and BayKeeper to plan the improvement for this area which has been historically industrial for decades."

The project will restore a tidal wetland, enhance a roosting area for shore and water birds, and increase habitat diversity. The project involves cleaning up debris in the area, excavating a channel, and performing surface grading. The channel will create a small island providing roosting habitat for birds protected from disturbance by people and pets. The Golden Gate Audubon Society Director Arthur Feinstein stated, "The project is definitely a boon for the wildlife in the area. It will educate children about the environment and how to protect it. We are pleased that we could work so well with the Port of Oakland."

(Parking will be available at the site.)

Clinton Basin is located on the Oakland Estuary near Fifth Avenue and Embarcadero. Clinton Basin contains some of the last remaining natural habitat in the Oakland Estuary that has seen degradation from historic human activities. It covers an area approximately 2/3 of an acre.

The Port of Oakland will:

• Clean up debris in the area of Clinton Basin
• Excavate a channel approximately 60 feet wide and 5 to 7 feet deep
• Perform some surface grading

This will:

• Increase the tidal influence of the site
• Expand the vegetated area
• Create a small island

The result:

• Restore a tidal wetland
• Enhance a roosting area for shore and water birds
• Increase habitat diversity

The actual construction of the project will occur this summer. Shoreline clean up will take place in the week preceding Earth Day and on the day itself.

Background
In August 2001, the Regional Water Quality Board found that the Port of Oakland's method for removing an abandoned vessel from Clinton Basin did not follow their guidelines. To make amends, all the parties involved decided jointly to create a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP). A SEP is an environmental study or restoration activity that would benefit the area where the problem occurred. The Port, with input from the BayKeeper, the State Coastal Conservancy, the Golden Gate Audubon Society, and the 5th Avenue Neighbors developed the SEP.

Contact: Port of Oakland
Midori Tabata
Communications Assistant
(510) 627-1178
mtabata@portoakland.com

Contact: Audubon Society
Jacqui Smalley
Conservation Committee Chair
(510) 655-0998
smalleyj@pacbell.com