Greco Island Explained

Greco Island
Iucn Category:IV
Photo Alt:Across shimmering blue water, a flat stripe of dark vegetation can be seen beneath calm skies.
Map:San Francisco Bay Area#California#USA
Map Width:220
Label:Greco Island
Label Position:Right
Location:Redwood City, California
Coordinates:37.5177°N -122.183°W
Coords Ref:[1]
Area:[2]
Governing Body:Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Owner:US Fish and Wildlife Service

Greco Island[1] is a wetland island in Redwood City, California. Greco Island is part of the larger Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Westpoint Slough follows the South side of the island while Redwood Creek is along the West. The San Francisco Bay bounds the North and East sides of the island.

History

Greco Island was named after a longtime resident of the island who lived there until he died of a stroke. The Bank of Italy, to whom the land had been mortgaged, then sold it to the Leslie Salt Company.[3]

San Mateo County plans from 1969 called for continued development of the Port of Redwood City area with recreational facilities by acquiring the land on Greco Island.[4]

Greco Island was one of the first areas along with Fremont, Mowry Slough, and Alviso to be included in a proposal for The San Francsico Bay National Wildlife Refuge in 1972.[5]

In 2007 a report on the shoreline of the island determined that it was composed of fine sediment forming extensive mudflats that are submerged during high tide. This shore is sensitive to erosion from waves and nearby marine traffic and of concern if traffic were to increase.[6] The waters bordering Greco are frequently traveled by vessels from both the Port of Redwood City and Westpoint Harbor.

In more recent years concerns over sea level rising have encouraged more active recovery of marshland in the bay including the areas surrounding the island.[7]

Wildlife

The endangered Salt marsh harvest mouse is one of many species that lives upon Greco Island.[5]

A pair of Short-eared owls was confirmed living on the island in 1994.[8]

Harbor seals in the bay visit the island for their hauling-out.[9]

Another endangered animal, the California clapper rail uses Greco Island and nearby Westpoint Slough as a habitat.[10]

Gallery

Marshland above high tideFile:Pacific Shores Center 05 of 23.jpgViewed from Pacific Shores CenterFile:Greco trail map 2012.pngGreco Island at center with nearby trailsFile:Greco Island and Bair Island.pngBoundary of Greco Island in refuge

See also

Notes and References

  1. 224532. Greco Island. 29 December 2016. 19 January 1981.
  2. Web site: HydroPlan LLC. Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact. US Army Corps of Engineers. 4 January 2017. 2–17. June 2015.
  3. Book: Terremere. Alice. Demma. Philip. An interview with Leonard Dalve. May 1982. Redwood City Archives Committee. Redwood City, California. 2-4. 4 January 2017.
  4. Book: Port of Redwood City Levee Project: Environmental Impact Statement. 4 January 2017. June 1975. US Army Corps of Engineers. 30.
  5. Web site: Appendix P. Response to Comments. US Fish and Wildlife Service. 4 January 2017.
  6. Web site: Preliminary Wake Wash Impact Analysis Redwood City Ferry Terminal. Redwood City Port. Coast and Harbor Engineering. 4 January 2017. 1 April 2007.
  7. News: Kelly. Kevin. Menlo Park: As the sea rises so should the urgency to tackle the problem locally, officials agree. 4 January 2017. San Jose Mercury News. 4 November 2015.
  8. Book: Bair Island Restoration and Management Plan: Final EIS/EIR. 4 January 2017. June 2006. California Department of Fish and Game. 36.
  9. Fox. Kathlyn Snyder. December 2008. Harbor seal behavioral response to boaters at Bair Island refuge. MS thesis. San Jose State University. SJSU ScholarWorks. 4 January 2017. 10.31979/etd.qkp6-eha5. 978-1-109-07546-5. . free.
  10. Web site: Spautz. Hildie. McBroom. Jennifer. California Clapper Rail Surveys for the San Francisco Estuary. SF Invasive Spartina Project. California Coastal Conservancy. 5 January 2017. 31 October 2006.