Redwood City is planning to build a small, fenced concrete boat ramp at the edge of the lagoon at the far north-eastern end of Shannon Park (near the end of Davit Lane at the water’s edge of the park ). The purpose of the ramp is to provide access to the lagoon east of Shell Boulevard for maintenance purposes, primarily for the barge that harvests and removes the invasive widgeon weed. It will also be used periodically to put small craft into the lagoon for algae control and water testing. This is not a public ramp; it will be for use by the City and the City’s contractors only.

There is currently no ready access to the lagoon east of Shell — and without such access, the widgeon weed proliferates and dramatically reduces water quality. It restricts the natural flow of water and leaves an accumulation of debris when it dies out, which can also contribute to an unpleasant odor. This also negatively impacts wildlife as overgrowth of the weed can cause fish to die, by depleting the oxygen levels required to sustain aquatic life. Only a very limited amount of chemical herbicide can be used in the lagoons, so the harvester is the primary tool for control of the widgeon weed.

Ready, permanent access at this location will make maintenance much easier and less costly, and of benefit to the residents of Redwood Shores. The Redwood City Fire and Police Departments also place great public safety value on having ramp access in this area, which would shorten response times to an emergency in the eastern part of the lagoon. The City proposes to fence the ramp by continuing the existing 3-foot fence that is along the edge of the lagoon and along the perimeter of the rest of Shannon Park. Access to the ramp itself will be through a locked gate.

On January 26, the City held a community information meeting about this project, co-hosted by the Redwood Shores Community Association (over 600 invitation letters were sent to residents in the vicinity of Shannon Park). Fourteen residents attended and heard an overview of the project, including details about the harvester equipment, which many of you already see in other parts of the lagoon. This barge cuts the widgeon weed under the water following the contour of the lagoon (varying from 3 feet to 6 feet below the surface), and collects it in a hopper. The purpose is not to eradicate the weed, as it’s also considered vital fish habitat, but to manage it. Information was also provided on how this particular site was selected for the boat ramp. The packet of information that was provided at the meeting is available on the City’s website by going to http://redwoodcity.org/boatramp.

Here is an overview of some of the questions and concerns that were discussed at the community information meeting:

• There is concern that children will climb the 3-foot fence and dangerously access the lagoon from the ramp. Although it may not be as aesthetically compatible, the City can consider a higher fence at this location. The location can also be posted with ‘No Trespassing’ signs.
•  In the eastern lagoon, the city expects the harvester would operate generally during July and August, potentially up to 10 – 12 hours a day with periodic trips to the ramp to off-load the cut widgeon weed onto a truck for disposal off site (in the remainder of the lagoon, the harvester already works from April through September), when necessary to control widgeon grass overgrowth.
• On weekdays harvesting operations will not begin before 8:30 am, and will go no later than 7 pm. If harvesting is necessary on some weekends, the hours will be 10 am – 5 pm.
• During operational days, a flat bed truck will be parked on the ramp, awaiting the harvester for off-loading. The truck will haul the weed to an off-site location. On non-operational days, trucks will be parked off-site.
• The harvester is not particularly loud, especially since the new ones run on natural gas instead of diesel. Additionally, since the widgeon weed grows primarily in the large lagoon areas and less-so in the narrower areas closer to homes, the harvester is most often further out in the larger lagoon areas.
• The City and its contractor will work with neighbors to identify a lagoon location for the harvester to be safely “moored” when it is not in use — it needs to be a spot that is not too hidden in order to deter vandalism, but that is hidden enough so that it will not be unsightly to nearby residents.

After that meeting, staff brought the proposal and a summary of residents’ concerns to the City Council’s Utilities Committee, which affirmed that staff should move forward with the project. There was some discussion about whether to bring the issue to the full City Council, but the Committee members felt strongly that the project is important and necessary, and should move forward without delay. In the meantime, staff will continue to address residents’ question by providing more information through The Pilot.

The next step is for staff to develop a specific design for the project. Construction of the ramp is anticipated to begin this summer. Questions about the project can be directed to Marilyn Harang, Redwood City Public Works Superintendent at 780-7477 or .