CULLINAN RANCH WILDLIFE AREA---OFF LIMITS FOR KITE-BOARDING.

[Tony Soprano]

BN-Cullinan-Ranch-120115-v18-1.jpg (108.77KiB)Viewed 8817 times

CULLINAN RANCH near sears point off highway 37
WILDLIFE AREA--NO KITE-BOARDING.
Three north kite riders were there Sunday and caused a traffic jam on highway 37 by kiting along the highway in the wildlife area.

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/San_Pablo_Bay/rules.html

On a National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife Comes First!

Keep in mind, if an activity is not wildlife-related, and doesn’t help in the protection or understanding of wildlife or their habitat, there are probably refuge rules governing this activity. There are plenty of activities on the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge for you to enjoy. Be safe and have fun!

[Tony Soprano]

https://baynature.org/article/into-the-breach/

[windstoked]

It looks like Pond 3 is outside the wildlife refuge, but it doesn't look very deep on that aerial photo though.
The wind really blows through that stretch coming off the San Pablo Bay, and I've always thought there could be some great kiting potential if you could only get onto San Pablo Bay somewhere along there. I once explored trails to the bay from Mare Island, but didn't find anything feasible.

[Yoda]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cullinan ... 8514986605

They are definitely kiting within the wildlife refuge. This does not bode well for our community's image.

All of the adjacent Ponds around Cullinan Ranch are also protected wildlife areas (Napa-Sonoma Marsh Wildlife Area) and are off limits to kiteboarding as well.
Only these activities are allowed: Fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, hiking, and hunting.

"All department land, except for fishing access and public access lands, is closed to visitor access and use until and unless the land is opened for a use or uses through regulations adopted by the commission in sections 550, 550.5, 551, 552, 630, 702, or 703 of these regulations."

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx ... 847&inline
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/lands/place ... marshes-wa

[ozchrisb]

and hunting.

"All department land, except for fishing access and public access lands, is closed to visitor access and use until and unless the land is opened for a use or uses through regulations adopted by the commission in sections 550, 550.5, 551, 552, 630, 702, or 703 of these regulations."

Yup, hunt and fish all you want but no kiting! Bad for the wildlife you see.

[Yoda]

I see that someone tried informing the person who created the FB page. What an odd response - "Good luck with that."

Good luck with what? The land is controlled and patrolled by the US federal government. If anything I'd be wishing them "good luck with that", because their days are numbered. Getting caught and fined will probably make them wake up. Until then, enjoy!

[reyrivera]

John Sweeney, the facebook poster, if I'm not mistaken, isn't he the same guy who owns Point Buckler Island? Maybe got a chip on his shoulder against wildlife refuge areas after being fined for modifying his island? A couple of hundred bucks of fine is pennies for him.

[Yoda]

Maybe got a chip on his shoulder against wildlife refuge areas after being fined for modifying his island?

You could be right about this guy and his perceptions. However his problem was with the state of CA. It's one thing to be in violation with state laws, but when in violation with the federal government (US Fish & Wildlife Service), things can get WAY more serious. Excessive fines and jail time are more likely when messing with the feds.
I hope he's prepared both financially and mentally.
To use his words - Good luck with that!

[Yoda]

It's one thing to be in violation with state laws, but when in violation with the federal government (US Fish & Wildlife Service), things can get WAY more serious. Excessive fines and jail time are more likely when messing with the feds.

Up to $500 and/or 6 month jail time. Sounds fun!
https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/reftres.html