Marin IJ: Editorial: Marsh Plan a Win For Environment, Path Users
The path across Mill Valley’s Bothin Marsh is one of the busiest walking, jogging and biking routes in Marin County.
It’s also flooded more than 30 days a year due to storms and even on sun-drenched days when king tides are at the highest levels.
The path is an example of old and abandoned railroad tracks being transformed into a popular path for walkers, runners and bike riders. Its use and importance has grown over the years as more people hop on their bikes to get to and from work or to run errands. It is both a recreational and transportation asset that links Mill Valley to Sausalito.
On July 14, a count of path users exceeded 7,500 people.
But having the route frequently blocked by tidal flooding has raised understandable concern and, given the threat of climate change, it is likely to get worse.
Over the past decade, coming up with a plan to address that concern has been advancing and it appears there is community consensus for both raising and moving the path in order to address problems with it being flooded and improving the environment of the marsh it now bisects.
Rather than simply raising the path, the proposal is to move the path inland so it rings the marsh – the wetlands habitat would no longer be divided, restoring historic tidal circulation. The path would not only be raised to six feet above the marsh, it would also be widened to 18 feet, providing improved safety for its various users. The perimeter route would also be longer and include new trailheads at Rosemont Avenue and Tam Junction.
At the south end, a new pedestrian and bike bridge would cross Coyote Creek and connect to the McGlashan Trail that leads to Sausalito.
The plan is the work of a joint effort led by the county Parks and Open Space Department and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, who are part of the One Tam partnership.
The so-called “Ring the Marsh” plan is the product of years of study and planning, as well as extensive community outreach.
Obtaining funding for the project may be the biggest challenge at this point. Refining the design, completing the required environmental review and preparing applications for regulatory permits is being funded by the county, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority and the Marin Community Foundation, as well as philanthropic contributions and collaboration with One Tam.
The best cost estimate the county could provide for design and development of the new path and marshland restoration is “tens of millions.”
Transforming the blueprints into reality is going to take time, but important progress is being made.
“The proposed Bothin Marsh Evolving Shorelines Project exemplifies an integrated approach to climate adaptation by combining transportation resilience, habitat restoration, public access improvements and community connectivity,” the county parks department staff report said.
Flooding and safety have been the foremost concerns raised during numerous community outreach presentations.
There’s been some concerns raised about replacing the current direct route with a longer perimeter path, but the proposed design brings advantages of improved access.
Longtime Mill Valley resident Nona Dennis, a noted local conservation activist, says the community involvement that’s gone into the proposed design is the result of “one of the most transparent, public-oriented processes you can imagine.”
Given its popular use and the path’s importance in terms of recreation and transportation, that effort has been well invested.
It is far from a reality, but progress has been made and the importance of community consensus on the overall goal cannot be overestimated.