Questions about the planning process? Email us at Watershed@MarinWater.org. |
About the Watershed Recreation Plan
Mt. Tamalpais and its adjacent watersheds support a rich array of plants and animals, panoramic vistas, and recreational opportunities that are treasured by residents and visitors alike. Marin Water began stewarding the 22,000 acres of watershed lands over 100 years ago, with a mission to provide the community with “reliable, high-quality water” and to sustainably manage the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed to protect water quality and biodiversity. The Mt. Tamalpais watershed makes up a portion of the Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO 2002) which supports a highly diverse complex of terrestrial, coastal, and marine environments spanning 82,000 acres.
Since before the turn of the last century, Mt. Tamalpais has been a magnet for recreationists. Watershed visitors include anglers, hikers, equestrians, nature viewers, runners, walkers, youth camps, cyclists and many more. In an effort to support the diverse range of visitors coming to the watershed and to help protect water quality and natural resource, Marin Water is initiating a recreation management planning process.
The planning process will explore the following elements through a series of public meetings and watershed site visits:
-
Watershed census survey – The survey will evaluate the patterns of visitation and experiences that different visitors are having on the watershed.
-
Partnership and Outreach – Various strategies will be explored to help reduce the impacts that visitors have on the watershed.
-
Visitor Management – This effort will be explored to determine best practices and tools for managing areas of high visitation in an effort to reduce congestion and associated issues.
-
Adaptive Management – A process will be developed to guide periodic review and adjustments to support changing visitor patterns.
Community Workshops, Engagement Activities, Public Meetings
Past Engagement Activities
Date |
Forum |
Meeting Materials |
June 15, 2023 Beginning at 1:30 p.m. |
Watershed Committee Meeting - Agenda Item #2: Watershed Recreation Management Plan Update |
|
5-7 p.m. |
Community Workshop #6 Watershed Recreation Management Plan Outcomes and public input |
|
5-7 p.m. |
Community Workshop #5 Watershed census survey data, best management practices and adaptive management |
|
Watershed Site Visit Roads, trails and Azalea Hill Project |
||
5 - 7 p.m. |
Community Workshop #4 Watershed facilities, visitor management, and public input |
|
5 - 7 p.m. |
Community Workshop #3 (in-person at Lake Lagunitas) Stewardship, partnership and outreach programs, and public input |
|
Ongoing August to October 2022 |
Watershed Data Collection Survey In-person and online survey collection |
----- |
5 - 7 p.m. |
Community Workshop #2 Watershed census survey update, data collection process, and public input |
|
Watershed Site Visit Ranger and Naturalist hike; meet at the Lake Lagunitas Parking Lot (parking day passes will be provided) |
||
June 8, 2022 5 - 7 p.m. |
Community Workshop #1 |
Related Documents and Resources
- Visitor Census Data Analysis (June 2023)
- Roads and Trails Management Plan
- Roads and Trails Management Plan Enviornmental Impact Report
- E-bike Citizen Advisory Committee
- Biodiversity Fires, and Fuels Integrated Plan
- Board Policy 7 Watershed Management
- Watershed Recreation Plan Initial Scoping Phase Summary Memo

