Messages for Leaseholders

Messages for Leaseholders
Periodically we will post messages for the leaseholders of Snug Harbor Resorts, LLC. All messages are general, not site or berth specific. Please check this page from time to time for updates. Most recent posting will show at top of list.
April 2010	No one can doubt the government has its collective eyes set on the Delta for more water conveyance options to benefit the rest of the state. These maps come from 2009 and 2010 reports as referenced on the map, and appear to me to be what is really planned for the Delta, with or without bond monies. Unfortunately, Steamboat Slough is still on the list for "channel margin habitat restoration" but it is not clear how that will impact us, as fishing, boating and other land uses here don't conflict with what they want to do, most likely. If you want to read more, go to "Ecosystem Investments for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Development of a Portfolio Framework" using a Yahoo or other search engine.	The map above is from a February 2010 report prioritizing restoration projects, and lists channel margin changes to Steamboat Slough as being done within 3-5 years. They want to set back some of the levees to make land/river habitat areas that would look much like the habitat just south of Snug Harbor on the west side of Steamboat Slough. It would require dredging, yet the dredging permit process USBR is undergoing right now does not include any Steamboat Slough work.
March 2010	It seems 2010 will bring changes to all US citizens in many ways; here in the Delta the construction plans are moving forward in the state and federal offices to build the "Central Canal" in the near term using monies from the out-of-Delta urban water agencies. The proposed bond will not be needed to build the central canal which in itself will be taking much more Sacramento River water to transport elsewhere. Its a bit curious that the Delta farmers who will be most affected by the changes, seem silent or very muted in their protest of the changes. Certainly when the Central Canal gets built, there will be more salt water intrusion into the San Joaquin and Rio Vista areas and possible up to Ryer Island. However, the inundation of the Yolo Bypass may serve to wash away the salt water in winter season. It is all very complicated and confusing. Bottom line, the Delta will change, boating access to some sloughs, particularity in the South Delta area will be limited, and if the bond passes to provide restoration monies, many islands will become either rice or tule farms. The proposal to make Steamboat Slough a "channel margin restoration area" is still on the BDCP books but the details are not known. http://deltarevision.com/maps/current-proposed/Delta_central_canal_plans.jpg Also as reported in the news, the government is asking for access to Delta properties to take photos, in some places do soils tests, and in some places they want to discuss with land owners alternate uses for the properties that might better fit their vision for the future of the Delta. The whole Delta Region, us included, is in the government sights. SHR is not an exception. Other news: We are told the replacement to the Real McCoy ferry is being built and is supposed to be put into service in 2020. Here's a link: http://www.nicholsboats.com/cache_slough.html It is being called the Cache Slough Ferry
December 2009	We hope you have been following the news page on this website. It has many links to reports, articles and information about the government's plans for the Delta. Basically, the government wants to take more water out of the Sacramento River to send to other areas of the state, and at the same time "restore" other areas of the Delta. Steamboat Slough is a historic natural waterway for salmon and for boats and if government plans go forward sometime in the near or far future Steamboat Slough will receive "channel margin restoration" so that there will be more areas like the growth just south of Snug Harbor and across the slough...land areas where more trees and plants can grow at water level for fish overhang shade and wildlife habitat. We anticipate no changes to resort operations except that costs of operation of the well will go up because of testing and reporting requirements, even though resort holds riparian water rights.
March 29, 2009	Office ramp is progressing and it should be done by the end of next month. Then we have the move-in work to do! We haven't gotten out our spring newsletter yet, but will try to do that in the next two weeks. Lots of changes and still more improvements to complete. We do plan to repair any potholes on Snug Harbor Drive, add the new electric gate system and move around boats in storage so we can do some RV site improvements. Leaseholders who's boats or trailers are in storage will be notified that the boat/trailer is being moved and to which new storage location. Of course, if you want to move the boat/trailer yourself, that would be a great help to staff! Please also note that we are not accepting any more new leases until after we get through the season. All sites that are not currently committed to receive a leaseholder or Snuggle Inn are being opened up for availability for rental on a daily/weekly basis. And due to the economy, to help families who want to vacation but can't afford to rent RV's, we will be allowing tent camping in the "Dry RV" sites scheduled to be developed along the bank on Snug Cove.
Jan 2009	Check out the news page for information about the "Delta Vision" or changes to the Delta currently being proposed by different governmental agencies. At this point in time, the changes do not appear to directly affect our operations here at Snug Harbor. But we are certainly watching proposals that may or may not go into effect as early as 2011. The new office back deck is being built now and the wheelchair access ramp plans, now in their 4th plan revision is being submitted to HCD. The delay has been due to an inability on the part of the architect to draw plans that HCD would accept, even though the company and archetect have built thousands of similar ramps all over California and the Western states! Once the office is allowed to be occupied we will be able to activate the Sony web cam for leaseholders to view. Its up now and ready for programming! Our other security systems you see around the park are for staff and limited viewing. Weather has been amazing this winter. Strangely warm and dry. The new electric gate and road leveling will happen in March or April, once we are sure we are done with rain season.
Oct 2008	Updating the leases for 2009. No price changes anticipated but more flexibility for leaseholder families will be added. There have been lots of changes in 2008. One important thing is that we went through an extensive Use Permit Update Process with Solano County, which removed some substantial restrictions on use, and gave us "permanent entitlements". We will be issuing lease renewals by the beginning of November, as many leases expire December 1st. There are many rumors swirling around about the plans for the Delta. Lots of farmers and other landowners pretty upset because they got letters from the State asking them to meet do discuss easements or acquisitions. We did not* get one of those letters* and I specifically contacted the person who's supposed to be in charge of communication regarding DWR habitat restoration plans. Snug Harbor is "outside the study area" for the Yolo-Bypass plan, as they call it. In the meantime, Shed B of the covered berths did receive an updated roof and straightening and strengthening of the support structure. Floats that needed replacement were replaced and the shed looks great. Shed C floats are our next waterside focus. The change to the resort entrance area, where a large turn-around area has been added, is partially done.
Sept 2008	Have you been listening to the news about the "Delta Vision" or the "Dual Conveyance" plan? One opinion: Basically, to stop having lawsuits about killing the fish in the water pumps, the emerging plan seems to be to direct or encourage salmon and other fish to travel up Steamboat Slough, Sutter Slough and use the Yolo Bypass area (Liberty Island and Prospect Island areas) so that they will not be sucked into the new water pumps the Gov wants to put along the Sacramento River north of Walnut Grove. All of this is in the "planning" stages but so many of the "building blocks" are already in place that it appears to really be in the implementation stage, not just planning. More info regarding how it might, or might not affect Snug Harbor
Oct 2008	New Office: Why isn't it open yet? Around April 2008 the new modular office arrived at Snug Harbor. We set up a "temporary office" in one of the studio park models, planning to be in the new office by Memorial Day week end. The new office got set on foundations, electrical was upgraded for the site since there were large dual A/C units, and it was all finaled. HOWEVER, the plans for the wheelchair-assessable entrance ramp was not approved by HCD. They needed more details, so the plans were sent back to the design engineer/archetect. When the plans came back again to submit, we were told they could not be accepted because there was pending change of codes. We had to wait. On July 28, 2008 the state voted in an update to the building codes and ADA requirements for commercial buildings. The new code was not published in any architect's manual yet, but HCD provided links to online resources, which were then provided to the design firm and to others to give bids as well. We decided it might be better to do an aluminum ramp rather than wood structure as the prefabricated ones can be changed if needed. And here we sit. As of 10/1/08 we have not received drawings or plans that could be acceptable to HCD and we are told there may be a conflict between State and Federal ADA regulations, that should have been resolved in the July 2008 update but its "not clear". Now we just hope it can be occupied by December! Its a great office setting and will be a good meeting area for leaseholders and others, when it gets done.
4/27/08	North Bath finaled and ready for use May 2008! North bath should be ready for use at the end of this week, if approved by HCD. We have been working on the new Marina View entrance road, leveling all of Snug Harbor Drive, putting up the new office, and getting ready to put in a new electric gate. Probably a bad year to be doing this work, given the state of the economy, but the process for plans and permits was started last year so we decided to finish what we started. Its looking good!! Click on photos to see enlarged versions... New office set on its site rolling the re-leveled road Enlarging the road called Marina View Circle, to get ready for a new electric gate and entrance system.
3/2008	North bath disconnected so that it can be pivoted out of the way of the planned revised roadway for Marina View Circle. Plan to use the South Bath for the next few weeks as we have to rebuild the wheel chair access ramps once again. Also a new landing deck.
1/6/08	The gazebo by the office blew over and folded like a piece of paper on 1/4, and the power was out for about 18 hours. Other than that, all is fine. Since the power was out for about 1 million people between SF and Sacramento, the phone company also had problems-we may not have gotten messages left on the general phone #. If you have questions or concerns, email us instead!
1/4/2008	Its very windy at Snug Harbor. Lots of rain, too. No signs or warnings of flooding, but in case you want to see the state flood level reporting site, go to http://cdec.water.ca.gov/stage_maps/lwrsac_0hr.html Office will be closed until Monday, but staff are onsite. Coast Guard and other authorities say stay off the water!!
12/31/2007	Large tree branch reported down near South Bath. Subsequent inspection by tree service verified whole tree should be removed because it could fall. Most of tree removed 1/3/08, but the large stump was made into a nice little love seat facing Steamboat Slough!