Greco Island

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.

Greco Island
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Across shimmering blue water, a flat stripe of dark vegetation can be seen beneath calm skies.
Viewed across the Westpoint Slough
Map showing the location of Greco Island
Map showing the location of Greco Island
Greco Island
Map showing the location of Greco Island
Map showing the location of Greco Island
Greco Island
Map showing the location of Greco Island
Map showing the location of Greco Island
Greco Island
LocationRedwood City, California
Coordinates37°31′04″N 122°10′59″W[1]
Area817 acres (331 ha)[2]
Designated1972 (1972)
Governing bodyDon Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

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]

  • Marshland above high tide
    Marshland above high tide
  • Viewed from Pacific Shores Center
    Viewed from Pacific Shores Center
  • Greco Island at center with nearby trails
    Greco Island at center with nearby trails
  • Boundary of Greco Island in refuge
    Boundary of Greco Island in refuge

See also

References
  1. "Greco Island". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. 19 January 1981. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  2. HydroPlan LLC (June 2015). "Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact" (PDF). US Army Corps of Engineers. pp. 2–17. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  3. Terremere, Alice; Demma, Philip (May 1982). An interview with Leonard Dalve. Redwood City, California: Redwood City Archives Committee. pp. 2-4. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  4. Port of Redwood City Levee Project: Environmental Impact Statement. US Army Corps of Engineers. June 1975. p. 30. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  5. "Appendix P. Response to Comments" (PDF). US Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  6. "Preliminary Wake Wash Impact Analysis Redwood City Ferry Terminal" (PDF). Redwood City Port. Coast and Harbor Engineering. 1 April 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  7. Kelly, Kevin (4 November 2015). "Menlo Park: As the sea rises so should the urgency to tackle the problem locally, officials agree". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  8. Bair Island Restoration and Management Plan: Final EIS/EIR. California Department of Fish and Game. June 2006. p. 36. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  9. Fox, Kathlyn Snyder (December 2008). Harbor seal behavioral response to boaters at Bair Island refuge (MS thesis). San Jose State University. doi:10.31979/etd.qkp6-eha5. ISBN 978-1-109-07546-5. ProQuest 304825168. Retrieved 4 January 2017 – via SJSU ScholarWorks.
  10. Spautz, Hildie; McBroom, Jennifer (31 October 2006). "California Clapper Rail Surveys for the San Francisco Estuary" (PDF). SF Invasive Spartina Project. California Coastal Conservancy. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
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