Concord faces major choice on base reuse

Former Weapons Station could become open space, big subdivision, or mix

The future of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station (CNWS) is one of the largest planning questions - and open-space opportunities - to face the Bay Area.

Last year the 5,170-acre inland part of the base was closed. It will probably be sold at fair market value to the city of Concord, but there is also the alternative that the Navy would allow public transfer to a park district or similar entity. The part of the base near the Delta will be kept by the Army.

The area could become a major public open space - or a major development project (or some combination), depending on decisions in the coming months and years.

Closed military bases often turn out to have preserved exceptional wildlife, flora, and historic sites. We have found this at the Alameda Naval Weapons Station and at the Presidio, and it is true also at Concord. In the midst of Central Contra Costa's burgeoning suburbia, the CNWS harbors the rich riparian environment of Mount Diablo Creek, supporting salmon and other fish; a vast number of birds, insects, and reptiles; and mammals ranging from deer to foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions. It harbors endangered species such as red-legged frogs as well as salamanders.

The beauty of the creek as it meanders through the hills is picture-perfect. The land includes many secluded sites originally used by Native Americans and early settlers.

The Navy has prepared an Environmental Impact Report, which finds arsenic in surface soils around ammunition depots and chemical residues in training areas. There is also ongoing monitoring of perchlorate in the groundwater. According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, this is "below the threshold levels of concern". A Draft Remedial Investigation is expected to be ready in July or August.

The planning process

Originally the city included the area of the CNWS in its 2030 General Plan. The draft delineate an expanded Urban Limit Line to allow development in a mixture of 13,000 homes, offices, commercial space, parks, and recreation areas. Open space would have been around 50%. Many local residents and environmental activists, however, want most of the land to be zoned as open space. The Planning Commission responded to the public input in April and May with a recommendation that the city "eliminate the proposed development parameters [and] concentrate the emphasis on existing urban areas".

On May 23 the City Council, serving as the Local Reuse Authority for the base, voted to remove the CNWS from its general plan and vowed to "begin from a clean slate", in the words of Mayor Susan Bonilla.

The city is now in a process of community input via workshops, public hearings, and discussions in Council working sessions. The Sierra Club has not yet determined a specific position regarding development possibilities, but we hope for a major open-space component, perhaps 85% or more, and that any development on the site be carefully planned in agreement with the community to minimize negative impacts on open space and on the rest of the city.

We hope that the city will seriously consider the Sustainable Community Alternative submitted by the Mount Diablo Audubon Society, which would include the creation of Concord's own "Golden Gate Park". The Chamber of Commerce has stated that it will fight this concept, and its president recently accused environmentalists of "scare tactics".

WhatYouCanDo

The planning process for the station will be long and involved. We need volunteers to help analyze the planning documents and help shape the Sierra Club's positions. To help, or for more information, contact Chapter conservation director or call (510) 848-0800, ext. 304