Preface
The habitat goals presented in this report are a long-term vision for the "baylands", a part
of the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary. They have been prepared by biologists and physical scientists and are intended to help guide public and private landowners who are interested in improving and protecting wetlands and other habitats. They are designed to be especially useful for those interested in enhancing and restoring wetlands.
The habitat goals are a tool for future planning and management of the baylands ecosystem. Implementing the goals' recommendations is entirely voluntary they do not require any landowner to modify existing land uses or practices. The goals have no inherent regulatory authority and should not dictate wetlands
policy or land use regulation. While they may provide useful information to regulatory agencies, the goals should not be used by themselves to determine whether a proposed project should be authorized.
We can realize the long-term vision for the baylands only through a coordinated and focused effort. This effort must develop better scientific information regarding habitat restoration in the estuary. It also must provide funds for land acquisition and for landowner incentives and technical support. Implementation of the recommendations in this report may best be accomplished through the development of a regional wetlands plan which involves landowner groups, environmental interests, and elected officials, as well as the regulatory and resource agencies. The plan would provide specific guidance as to how, when, and where to implement the goals' recommendations. Without a plan, landowners and agencies undertaking restoration projects would still need to find ways to coordinate effectively.
The Resource Managers Group invites the citizens of the Bay Area to read this report and to develop an understanding of the habitat changes that we believe are needed to ensure a healthy baylands ecosystem. Above all, we encourage everyone who will be involved in transforming the baylands landscape to work together in a way that is creative, fair, and respectful of various viewpoints. The coming decades should be an exciting time in which the baylands are restored and enhanced in a way that truly benefits everyone in the region.
