Encinal Dune Restoration and Public Access

The project funds the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) to implement the Encinal Dune Restoration and Shoreline Stabilization Project.

The project will remove invasive ice plant, restore dune habitat (0.32 acres), remove a rusting barge (0.06 acres) and other debris (0.14 acres), stabilize eroding shoreline, and establish a beach nourishment program for the sandy beach (0.19 acres) at Encinal Beach. The project will improve water access (0.06 acres) and create new trail linkages to the Encinal Boat Ramp and Alameda Point Trail.

The site offers excellent opportunities to restore the beach and adjacent dunes to a more natural condition while improving both recreation and habitat values. After removal of ice plant and revegetation of the upland dune area with native vegetation, the restored area will encourage plant diversity and provide habitat for the variety of wildlife that are found in the area. Once restored, the new beach environment will be able to provide habitat for three federally listed species (Western Snowy Plover, California Least Tern, and the Red Knot), and will benefit other water-associated birds.

In addition, the beach area is a popular launch site for non-motorized watercraft. By removing large woody debris and improving access to the beach EBRPD will be providing a better recreational site both functionally and aesthetically. By removing the large rusty barge and stabilizing the shoreline they will be removing debris while protecting a portion of the Bay Trail from erosion and constructing watercraft improvements for a designated Bay Water Trail location