For the City of Novato Community Development Department, California Coastal Conservancy, and ABAG

Questa's study team was responsible for developing a public access plan to connect a 2-mile portion of the ABAG Bay Trail, a regional public aces/multi-use trail, near a proposed 988-acre wetland restoration project at the former Hamilton Air Force Base.

The work scope included preparation of a Master Plan, public policy analysis, CEQA clearance (supplemental EIR), meeting facilitation and coordination, development of trail alignment alternatives, and conceptual trail design.  The project involved significant community outreach, numerous interagency meetings, review of existing and adopted plans and policies, and development of planning alternatives, possible routes, and preliminary engineering designs. Trail routing along sensitive wetlands and endangered species habitat, as well as through residential neighborhoods, were key issues to be resolved.

Mitigation measures for possible impacts to wildlife species included native plant buffers, fencing, grade changes, trail spurs, and interpretive/ educational components.