Chpt 13 - San Joaquin County General Plan Update

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RECREATION AND
CULTURAL RESOURCES
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INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes how the recreational, archeological, and historical resources within San Joaquin
County contribute to both the quality of life and economic well being of its residents. Current conditions
regarding active and passive recreation, as well as archeological and historical resources, are addressed.
This chapter is divided into the following sections:

Recreation and Open Space (Section 13.1)
Paleontological, Archeological, and Historical Resources (Section 13.2)
Recreation and Cultural Resources
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13.1 RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE
Introduction
San Joaquin County contains several County, State, and Federal parks, recreation, and open space areas. This
section highlights the various parks and open space areas and identifies recreational opportunities within them. The
information contained in this section was compiled from a variety of sources including the California State
Department of Parks and Recreation, the Delta Protection Commission, and the San Joaquin County Department of
Parks and Recreation.
Regulatory Setting
Federal Regulations
The majority of applicable Federal regulations concerning cultural resources are established by the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966(NHPA), and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). This Federal law was created to avoid
unnecessary harm to historic properties. The NHPA includes regulations that apply specifically to Federal landholding agencies, but also includes regulations (Section 106) that pertain to all projects funded, permitted, or
approved by any Federal agency that has the potential to affect cultural resources. Provisions of NHPA establish a
National Register of Historic Places, or NRHP (the National Register is maintained by the National Park Service), the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Offices, and Federal grants-in-aid programs.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (16 U.S.C. 4321, and 4331-4335, as amended) (NEPA). The act
establishes guidelines to “preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage, and to
maintain, wherever possible, an environment that supports diversity and a variety of individual choice.” All projects
that are subject to NEPA are also subject to compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA and NEPA requirements
concerning cultural resources.
American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996 and 1996a, as amended) and Native
American Graves and Repatriation Act of 1990 (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq., as amended). These acts establish as
national policy that traditional religious practices and beliefs, sacred sites (including right of access), and the use of
sacred objects shall be protected and preserved. Native American remains are further protected by the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990.
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for establishing professional
standards and providing guidance related to the preservation and protection of all cultural resources listed in, or
eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Properties apply to all grants-in-aid projects assisted through the National Historic Preservation
Fund, and are intended to be applied to a wide variety of resource types, including buildings, structures, sites,
objects, and districts. The treatment standards, developed in 1992, are entitled "“The Secretary of the Interior’s
Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties"” codified as 36 CFR 68. The standards address four treatments:
Certified Local Government Program. The Certified Local Government (CLG) Program is a national program
developed under the National Historic Preservation Act (1966) that is designed to encourage the direct participation
Public Review Draft Background Report – July 2, 2009
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San Joaquin County General Plan Update
of a local government in the identification, registration, and preservation of historic properties located within the
jurisdiction of the local government. A local government may become a CLG by developing and implementing a
historic preservation program and commission, based on Federal and State standards.
The CLG program encourages the CLG preservation of cultural resources by promoting a partnership among local
governments, the State of California, and the National Park Service (NPS). Becoming a CLG can provide local staff
and commissions with the tools, technical training, and leadership roles required to preserve a community.
State Regulations
Sections 65560–65568, State Government Code: Open Space Lands. This part of California planning law defines
open space and requires every city and county to prepare open space plans as a required element of their General
Plan. Building permits, subdivision approvals, and zoning ordinance approvals must be consistent with the local open
space plan.
Section 5076, State Public Resources Code: Open Space Elements and Trail Considerations. This law
requires that during development of the General Plan, counties shall consider trail-oriented recreational use and shall
consider such demands in developing specific open space programs. Further, cities shall consider the feasibility of
integrating their trail routes with appropriate segments of the State system.
Section 66477, State Government Code, Subdivision Map Act. Referred to as the Quimby Act, this law permits
local jurisdictions to require the dedication of land and/or the payment of in-lieu fees solely for park and recreation
purposes. The required dedication and/or fee are based upon the residential density, parkland cost, and other
factors. Land dedicated and fees collected pursuant to the Quimby Act may only be used for developing new, or
rehabilitating existing, park or recreational facilities. The maximum dedication and/or fee allowed under current State
law is equivalent to providing three acres of park land per 1,000 persons, unless the park acreage of a municipality
exceeds that standard, in which case the maximum dedication is 5 acres per 1,000 residents.
Local Regulations
The San Joaquin County 1992 General Plan includes the following recreation objectives and policies:
Objectives
1. To serve the recreation needs of the County population by providing regional and local parks and recreational
facilities.
2. To protect the diverse resources upon which recreation is based, such as waterways, marsh lands, wildlife
habitats, unique land and scenic features, and historical and cultural sites.
3. To ensure the preservation of the Delta and the opportunity for the public to learn about and enjoy this unique
recreation resource.
4. To promote the recreational potential of San Joaquin County.
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Policies
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Parks and Recreation Facilities
San Joaquin County shall continue to be a major developer and operator of regional parks and shall
facilitate the development and operation of local parks.

The criteria outlined in Table IV-51 shall be used for the development of parks.

In providing regional recreation, the County shall emphasize activities and facilities that:
o
are best provided on the regional level;
o
need to be provided by a public agency; and
o
address the needs of the County's residents.

In urban communities where a local park is designated on the General Plan 2010 Map, recreation
development should begin when an operational authority is designated and funding for operations and
maintenance is established.

In the acquisition and development of recreation areas, the needs of the people to be served and
accessibility of the site to those served, shall be considered.

The County shall give special consideration to the recreational needs of the elderly, handicapped, youth,
and people of low- and moderate-incomes in designing the layout, features, and programs for a park.

Natural features shall be preserved in recreation areas, and opportunities to experience natural settings
shall be provided.

The County shall protect those resource areas identified in Figure IV-22 as being significant for recreation.

It shall be recognized that the value of some public land may lie in the preservation of natural or historic
features with limited or no public uses permitted on the site.

The County shall cooperate and coordinate with school districts in the joint planning, acquisition of land, and
use of school buildings and facilities for park and recreational opportunities.

Overuse and misuse of recreation areas shall be prevented.
Waterways
Areas for the following recreational opportunities should be provided along the County's waterways:
o
bank fishing;
1 Criteria identified in Figure IV-5 of the 1992 General Plan (page IV-115) for park development include park development standards for regional, community,
neighborhood, and mini parks.
2 Resources identified in Figure IV-2 of the 1992 General Plan (page IV-117) include Oak Groves, Mokelumne River, Browelli Woods, White Slough, Potato
Slough, Connection Slough, South Spud Island, Disappointment Slough, Middle River, Trapper Slough, Salmon Slough, and Stanislaus River.
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o
boating;
o
water skiing;
o
hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding;
o
picnicking; and
o
nature study.

Recreational use of the County's waterways will be supported, and the County shall ensure adequate public
access to waterways at selected locations.

Water-related resources shall be protected for their importance to recreational uses.

The recreational values of the Delta, the Mokelumne River, and the Stanislaus River shall be protected.

The recreational potential, particularly for trails, of the Calaveras River, the San Joaquin River, the Stockton
Diverting Canal, and water conveyor projects shall be recognized and studied. The potential for land use
conflicts associated with public use of waterways (e.g., trespassing, littering, vandalism) should be assessed
for selected recreation sites.
The Delta
The Delta shall be recognized as an area of international importance and as a major recreational, wildlife,
agricultural, and economic resource of San Joaquin County.

Waterway development and development on Delta islands shall protect the natural beauty, the fisheries,
wildlife, riparian vegetation, and the navigability of the waterway.

Development in the Delta islands shall generally be limited to water-dependent uses, recreation, and
agricultural uses.
Promotion of Recreation
The County shall recognize the importance of recreation as a major industry by promoting its resources and
encouraging tourism.

The County shall encourage other public agencies and the private sector to develop and operate
recreational facilities in the County if consistent with other General Plan policies. Public/private cooperation
in the provision of recreation facilities shall be supported. Public amenities (such as fishing or picnic areas)
in or adjacent to private facilities may be considered, particularly if the private facility agrees to supervise
and manage the public amenity.

The County shall continue to encourage and support the efforts of private, non-profit organizations in
providing recreation programs in the County.

Scenic corridors along recreation travelways and scenic routes shall be protected from unsightly
development. (Additional policies are included in the Open Space section of the Resources chapter.)
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Escalon General Plan
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The City of Escalon General Plan (2005) includes park standards to provide parks at a minimum rate of 5.0 acres of
park per 1,000 population, including 1.0 acre/1,000 population for mini parks, 3.0 acres/1,000 for neighborhood
parks, and 1.0 acre/1,000 for regional parks. Neighborhood parks shall be at least 5 acres. Lighting and Landscape
Districts shall be encouraged to ensure that the park facilities are adequately maintained. (Open Space,
Conservation and Recreation Element, 3.2, Recreation Policy 1)
Lathrop Comprehensive General Plan
The City of Lathrop Comprehensive General Plan (1992) includes goals and policies regarding the provision of parks
and recreation resources (Resource Management Element). The plan also includes general recreation demand
standards and space requirements for parklands and facilities. At the neighborhood park level an overall standard of
2.0 acres/1,000 population of developed parkland is needed to meet the needs of the future population. This
standard can be met through the inclusion of either neighborhood parks or mini parks. At the community park level an
overall standard of 3.0 acres /1,000 population of developed parkland is needed to meet the needs of the future
population of the entire city. In determining the amount of land dedication, land development, and/or fees required of
a developer, it is the intent of this section that the requirement shall not exceed a combined standard of 5.0
acres/1,000 population for neighborhood and community level recreation areas and facilities.
City of Lodi General Plan
The City of Lodi General Plan (1991) includes the following policy for adequate park facilities in the city (Parks,
Recreation, and Open Space Element. Policy 1): The City shall establish a standard of 8.0 acres of neighborhood
and community parkland per 1,000 population, including school parks and storm drainage detention basin parks, and
3.9 acres of neighborhood and community parkland per 1,000 population, excluding school parks and storm drainage
detention basin parks. The City shall translate this ratio to dwelling unit equivalents to correspond to the City’s fee
ordinance.
City of Manteca General Plan 2023
The City of Manteca General Plan (2003) includes the following policy for parklands within the City. (Public Facilities
and Services Element. PF-P-49):

City park acquisition and development efforts shall be based on a goal of 5.0 acres of developed
neighborhood and community parkland per 1,000 residents within the city limits.

The distribution of land between neighborhood and community parks shall be determined within the Parks
and Recreation Master Plan.
City of Ripon General Plan
The City of Ripon General Plan (2006) includes the following two policies with respect to parks and recreation
resources (Open Space and Conservation Chapter, Policies A1 and A5). City park acquisition, dedication, and
development efforts will be based on a minimum standard of 3.0 to 5.0 acres of community and neighborhood park
land per 60 to 80 acres residential or 1,000 population. This standard is separate and exclusive of school site
acreage within the city limits. The City will continue to explore leasing of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers fee title lands
along the Stanislaus River, and other lands which may be available for public recreational purposes.
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City of Tracy General Plan (2006)
The City of Tracy General Plan (2006) includes the following policy with respect to parks and recreation resources
Open-Space and Conservation Element: P1. The City shall consider increasing the parks standard of 4.0 acres per
1,000 population to 5.0 acres per 1,000 population and require that new developments provide new park acreage or
in-lieu fees at this ratio.
Major Findings

Public access to the waterways in the County is limited due to limited and small public facilities near the
Delta and because existing facilities are commonly crowded on summer weekends. Improving access to the
Delta can provide recreation gateways to over 1,000 miles of waterways.

The County’s park and recreation area has decreased by over 200 acres over the past 25 years. This trend
is not consistent with the policies of the 1992 General Plan, which call for the County to increase both the
amount of parkland available to County residents and the availability of recreation programs and facilities.
The County has been unable to meet requests for additional recreational facilities and programs such as
baseball and soccer fields, fish planting, Frisbee golf, and group picnic and wedding reception areas.

The County recreation system lacks adequate trails for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The County
currently (2008) has no new recreational facilities planned.

Due to taxation and fee limitations, financing is the biggest problem in obtaining and developing regional
recreational facilities in the County.
Existing Conditions
San Joaquin County is rich in recreational opportunities and open space areas; and recreation is an important aspect
of the County’s economy. Many of the County’s natural resources, including waterways, riparian vegetation, oak
groves, and wildlife, are a valuable part of the County’s open space and recreation system. Open space in the
County also provides the visual backdrop for scenic enjoyment by residents and visitors alike. The economy benefits
from recreation and open space due to employment, business opportunities, and tax revenue that recreational
opportunities generate. Recreation-related businesses include manufacture and sales of equipment and supplies,
boat berthing and storage, food and drink sales, overnight lodging, and equipment repair. There are also public costs
associated with recreation.
Recreation activity and the recreation experience are determined by several factors including: 1) climate and
weather, which are uncontrollable; 2) factors that are dependent on the individual and that vary with education,
income, age, time, skill, money and equipment, stamina, social interactions, and interest; and 3) factors influenced by
government. Specific recreation and open issues emphasized in this section include natural resources, developed
areas and facilities, and accessibility of resources and facilities.
Additional economic activity associated with open space can be attributed to the agricultural economy described in
Chapter 6, Agriculture. For a discussion of habitat and other biological resources in the County, see Chapter 10,
Natural Resources. For a discussion of scenic resources in the County, see Chapter 12, Scenic Resources.
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Recreational Facilities in San Joaquin County
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San Joaquin County has many recreational and open space resources and facilities available to its residents and is
centrally located with easy access to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the California coastline. The County’s
recreation and open space resources and facilities include: Federal, State, and County recreation and wildlife areas;
County maintained regional, community, and local parks; other recreational facilities (e.g., city parks, school
playgrounds, golf courses); and other recreation resources (e.g., waterways, the Delta, habitat areas, and wildlife
areas). Many of the County’s regional, community, and local parks are located at, and designed around, natural
features. The parks protect the County’s natural resources and provide residents with the benefit of these resources.
In addition, maintenance of these recreational areas further protects the natural areas of the County.
Federal Recreation and Wildlife Areas
National Wildlife Refuge
The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 6,500 acres of riparian woodlands,
wetlands, and grasslands that host a diversity of wildlife native to California's Central Valley. Established in 1987
under the authority of the Endangered Species and Migratory Bird Conservation Acts, the refuge played a major role
in the recovery of Aleutian cackling geese. The refuge includes 6,500 acres, predominantly in Stanislaus County; an
approximate 35-acre portion (Mohler Tract) located in San Joaquin County. While there are current plans to open the
Stanislaus County portion of the refuge with walking trails for birding, there are no plans to open the San Joaquin
County portion at this time (July 2008). The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge. For an
illustration and further discussion of this area see Chapter 10, Natural Resources.
State Recreation and Wildlife Areas
California State Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Areas and Ecological Reserves
Three special wildlife facilities are in San Joaquin County as shown in Figure 13-1 and Table 13-1. White Slough
Wildlife Area includes 880 acres of man-made ditches, canals (burrow ponds), freshwater marshes,
grassland/upland, and riparian habitat. Woodbridge Ecological Preserve, also known as Isenberg Crane Reserve, is
managed as seasonal Sandhill Crane habitat and allows wildlife viewing with docent supervision in the northern site
in addition to wildlife viewing via a car pull-out overlook on the south site. The Corral Hollow Ecological Reserve,
southwest of Tracy, is a 99-acre site composed of 30 percent riparian woodland and 70 percent grassland. It is host
to the large flowered fiddleneck, a State- and Federally-listed endangered plant, in addition to several special status
species. All areas are owned and managed by the State Department of Fish and Game. For an illustration and
further discussion of these areas see Chapter 10, Natural Resources.
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TABLE 13-1
NATIONAL AND STATE WILDLIFE AREAS
San Joaquin County
July 2008
Park or Recreational Facility
Operation
San Joaquin River National Wildlife
Refuge
White Slough Wildlife Area
USFWS
Woodbridge Ecological Preserve
DFG
Corral Hollow Ecological Reserve
DFG
DFG
Location
West of Modesto (off SR
132)
8 miles West of Lodi.
Terminous and Shin Kee
Tracts
7 miles West of Lodi;
Brack Tract by Hog
Slough
Southwest of Tracy
Activities/Facilities
Available
Restricted area
Hunting, fishing, hiking,
wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing, nature
tours
Restricted area
Acres
35 (of
6,500)
880
372
99
Sources: United States Fish and Wildlife Service. http://www.fws.gov/sanluis/sanjoaquin_info.htm
California Department of Fish and Game. Wildlife Areas – Bay Delta Region. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region3/
California State Parks
Caswell Memorial State Park is a 258-acre park located along the Stanislaus River near the town of Ripon, California
(see Table 13-2). The park protects riparian oak woodland and is home to several endangered animal species,
including the riparian brush rabbit, which is not known to occur anywhere else. Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation
Area is located in the hills of southern Alameda and San Joaquin Counties and features diverse terrain, ranging from
rolling hills to steep canyons, for use by off-road enthusiasts. Carnegie is administered by the California Department
of Parks and Recreation.
TABLE 13-2
STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS
San Joaquin County
July 2008
Park or Recreational Facility
Operation
Caswell Memorial State Park
State Park
Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation
Area
State Park
Location
3 miles
Southwestof
Ripon
9 miles
Southwest of
Tracy
Activities/Facilities Available
Acres
Fishing, swimming, camping,
picnicking, nature trails, wildlife viewing
258
Off-road recreation facilities;
concession store; camping; picnicking
1,500
Sources: San Joaquin County Department of Parks and Recreation. Regional Facilities. http://www.sjgov.org/parks/
Communications with Jeff Smith, Parks and Recreation Planner. July 2008.
East Bay Municipal Utility District. Mokelumne Day Use. http://www.ebmud.com/
California Department of Parks and Recreation. Parks in San Joaquin County. http://www.parks.ca.gov/
California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation. Carnegie SVRA. http://ohv.parks.ca.gov
San Joaquin County GIS
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Walnut Grove Rd.
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To Sacramento
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WILDLIFE AREA
Peltier Rd.
WOODBRIDGE
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North Unit
(DFG tours only)
Pond 6
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Viewing Platform
R iv
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Thornton Rd.
Sacramento County
South Unit
lough
c am r e S
o
Turner Rd.
Jacob Brack Rd.
Cotta Rd.
Guard Rd.
S.
elu
M ok
San Joaquin County
mne River
Pond 7
Ã
Æ
Pond 8
12
To Lodi
_
^
WHITE SLOUGH
WILDLIFE AREA
m
Ponds 9-13
W
h
ugh
Slo
ti e
To Stockton
Legend
_
^
Interstate Highway
Wildlife Area
State Highway
Ecological Reserve
Local Road
Safety Zone (No loaded firearms)
Parking
Source: California Department of Fish and Game, March 2008.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region3/
Accessed July 23, 2008.
Miles
0
1
2
Figure 13-1
San Joaquin County Wildlife Areas and Reserves
Figure 13-1
San Joaquin County Wildlife Areas and Reserves
Back of Figure
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County Parks and Recreation Facilities
Parks and Recreation functions are the responsibility of the Facilities Management Division, Parks and Recreation
Department. The Division plans, develops, operates, and maintains a system of regional parks, maintains the
landscaping at various County-owned facilities and community parks, and manages eight County Service Areas.
County Parkland Standards
There is no minimum standard for dedication of parkland within residential development in San Joaquin County. The
California State Subdivision Act limits the local park standard to 3.0 acres per 1,000 people, unless it can be shown
that the amount of existing local parkland exceeds that amount. The National Recreational Park Association (NRPA)
recommends 15-20 acres of regional parkland per 1,000 people. The County can acquire parklands through land
dedication or offers by the owner or developer typically executed on a parcel map or by requiring the developer to
pay an in-lieu fee in the amount of the cost of the improvements to acquire and construct the parkland.
Recreation land standards, such as the number of acres of parkland per 1,000 persons, provide a rough indication of
recreation need and are helpful in planning the size and location of parks. Standards, however, should be used with
caution since the use of the standard assumes a homogenous population throughout the community – homogenous
in age, income, distribution, needs, and desires. Some user groups who lack the opportunity for recreation in other
areas can be heavier users of parks, or some user groups may prefer urban parks over a natural setting.
According to the San Joaquin County Department of Parks and Recreation, in August 2008 the unincorporated
County had a population of 144,897and 634 acres of regional parkland in public ownership (not including State
parks), and 2,392 acres of regional parkland, including State parks. Over half of the regional parkland, including State
parks, is comprised of Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area. Under existing conditions the County provides
approximately 4.3 acres of regional parkland per 1,000 people, and approximately 16.5 acres of regional parkland
per 1,000 people, including State parks. In a localized setting many rural areas in the County generally do not have
local parkland in excess of 3.0 acres per 1,000 people. The County’s waterways also contribute hundreds of acres of
recreation area. While existing regional park acreage meets minimum standards recommended by NRPA, the
County regional parks are serving many out-of-county residents and many of the parks are reported as crowded,
especially during the summer months.
Determination of Future Park Locations
According to the Facilities Management Division, Parks and Recreation Department, the County locates and
develops parks based on the following characteristics of an area and the users of the proposed park or recreation
area:

accessibility, including public access to waterways;
surrounding land uses;
presence of mature Valley Oak Trees;
distance and time from population and from other parks;
demographic profiles of users;
socio-economic factors of users;
cultural and ethnic characteristics of users;
quantity and quality of existing facilities, including private;
needs and desires of population; and,
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trends or patterns in recreation.
Local parks should be spaced so that they are easily accessible, particularly by pedestrians and bicyclists. Because
they will also attract automobile traffic, they should be located on major collectors or roadways of a higher
classification.
Although regional parks are more likely to be based on natural resources and/or suitability characteristics of the site
to support specific activities, their location should also consider where the potential users live. Regional parks often
receive proportionately heavier use from the communities that are closest to them.
Existing Park and Recreation Deficiencies
The County’s park and recreation area has decreased by over 200 acres over the past 25 years. This trend is not
consistent with the policies of the 1992 General Plan, which call for the County to increase both the amount of
parkland available to County residents and the availability of recreational programs and facilities. The County has
been unable to meet requests for additional recreational facilities and programs such as baseball and soccer fields,
fish planting, Frisbee golf, and group picnic and wedding reception areas.
A major deficiency in the recreation system is the lack of trails for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. A few trails
exist in parks, and the City of Stockton has a bicycle trail along the Calaveras River, but recreational opportunities
are limited due to lack of facilities and in some places environmental degradation. In selected locations the levees
along the waterways are ideal locations for trails. Problems can arise with public access to levees where access is
not policed or supervised. The problems include trespassing, vandalism, and trash. Additionally, improvements
placed on the levees may occasionally be damaged during levee repairs.
The County also lacks specified areas for nature study or facilities for wildlife observation and education. Viewing
towers would be useful on some of the Delta’s tule islands. In addition, the entire County and Central Valley region
lacks a regional park system compared to those established in urban and coastal communities, such as the San
Francisco Bay Area. Parking areas adjacent to the County’s wildlife preservation areas are also needed. Due to
taxation and fee constraints, financing is the biggest problem in obtaining and developing regional recreation facilities
in the County.
Existing and Planned Park and Recreation Improvements
Several major capital improvements have been completed or are currently under way (2008). The largest project is in
the northern expansion of Micke Grove Park that includes a three-acre lake, a group picnic area that can
accommodate up to 350 people, a water play area, a tot lot, a restroom building, an entrance fountain, a new park
entry, and traffic circulation pattern.
The Micke Grove Zoo Master Plan was completed in 2007-08 and will provide the direction of future developments
for the Zoo. Implementation of this twenty-year plan will begin during 2008-09 with the development of an area to
house temporary or rotating exhibits to stimulate zoo visitation. The Plan includes renovation of the existing Chinese
alligator, snow leopard, Asian small-clawed river otter, green iguana, and lemur exhibits to enhance animal viewing
and activity.
The County is not planning any additional regional park facilities at this time (2008). There are only three facilities
that provide public access to the Delta, despite popularity of use and desire for access. The County has acquired the
Angraves Property, an area of approximately 200 acres located at Dustin and Liberty Roads, which could potentially
be developed into some form of regional recreation opportunity.
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San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation Areas
13
Regional Parks and Recreation Areas
San Joaquin County’s regional parks are generally large in size and provide recreational facilities and amenities,
such as boat launching facilities, zoos, gardens, museums, sport fields, and amusement parks, described below in
Figure 13-2. Regional parks tend to be composed of large tracts of undeveloped land in order to protect and preserve
the land’s unique environmental, ecological, or scenic value. According to the NRPA, for an area to be considered a
Regional Park, it must be an area or facility that has an attraction capability that is region-wide or supplements or
complements community parks and recreation facilities.
The regional parks in San Joaquin County are shown in Figure 13-2. Regional Parks are intended to serve people
from more than one community. The County owns and/or operates more than half of the parks listed in Figure 13-2.
Other facilities are often owned and operated by cities within the County. Regional parks attract the people from the
entire region because of their settings and types of activities available, including both passive recreation such as
hiking and fishing and active recreation activities, such as sport fields. For example, the Nature Center at Oak Grove
Regional Park provides interpretive programs relative to native plants, animals, and the Miwok and Yokuts Indians
and associated nature trails. Most regional parks provide a variety of activities and generally are programmed to
include more than 100 acres. Size, however, is dependent on the function of the park. A fishing access area, for
example, might be smaller than two acres.
The location of most of the County’s regional parks was determined on the basis of significant natural features, such
as the oak groves at Micke Grove and Oak Grove parks. Many of the County’s regional parks are also associated
with rivers and water activities. The location, acreage, and features of the County’s regional parks are summarized in
Table 13-3. They include the 258-acre Micke Grove Regional Park located near Lodi, the 179-acre Oak Grove
Regional Park located in Stockton, the 9-acre Dos Reis Regional Park located west of Lathrop along the San Joaquin
River, the 20-acre Westgate Landing in Lodi along the Mokelumne River, the 4-acre Mossdale Crossing Regional
Park between Manteca and Tracy, the Harmony Grove Church, the 61-acre Regional Sports Complex near the
Stockton Metropolitan Airport, the 17-acre Stillman L. Magee Regional Park along the Mokelumne River, the 61-acre
Mokelumne Day Use area, and the 22-acre Woodridge Wilderness Area. Oak Grove Regional Park is owned by the
County, but operated by the City of Ripon. This relationship is part of an agreement in which the County purchased
and developed Ripon’s existing parkland along the river and now (2009) funds the maintenance and operation of the
park.
13-13
13-14
88
m
AA m
160
S
S aa cc rr aa m
m ee nn tt oo
o rr
aa dd o
Mokelumne River Day Use Area
Stillman L. Magee Park
5
99
12
88
ll aa vv
C
C aa
12
Westgate Landing Public Access
Harmony Grove
ee rr aa
Woodbridge Wilderness Area
LODI
12
ss
Micke Grove Park & Zoo
26
C oo ss tt aa
C
C oo nn tt rr aa C
Oak Grove Regional Park
88
STOCKTON
4
4
Regional Sports Complex
Dos Reis Regional Park
LATHROP
Mossdale Crossing Park
MANTECA
120
ESCALON
120
205
RIPON
TRACY
5
108
A
A ll aa m
m ee dd aa
Caswell State Park
580
SS
132
Carnegie State Vehicle Recreation Area
ttaa
nn
iiss
llaa
uu
ss
99
132
Legend
33
City Limits
Interstate
Highway
Water
State and Regional Parks
Source: San Joaquin County GIS, 2008
0
2.5
5
Miles
10
Figure 13-2
Figure 13-2
Backside
13-16
13
TABLE 13-3
REGIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS
San Joaquin County
July 2008
Park or
Recreational
Facility
Micke Grove Regional
Park
Operation
Location
County
Lodi (off SR 99)
Oak Grove Regional
Park
County
Stockton (east of I-5 at
Eight Mile Road)
Dos Reis Regional
Park
County
west of Lathrop (off I5);San Joaquin River
Westgate Landing
Public Access
County
Lodi (north of SR 12);
Mokelumne River
Mossdale Crossing
Regional Park
County
Harmony Grove Church
County
Lathrop Between Tracy
and Manteca off I-5; San
Joaquin River
Lockeford (off SR12)
Regional Sports
Complex
County and
City of
Stockton
County
Stillman L. Magee
Regional Park
Mokelumne Day Use
Area
Woodbridge
Wilderness Area
East Bay
Municipal
Utility District
County
Next to Stockton
Metropolitan Airport
Mackville Road north of
Clements; Mokelumne
River
15 miles east Lodi (off
SR12); base of
Camanche Dam
northwest of Lodi;
Mokelumne River
Acres
Oak tree grove; Zoo;Japanese Garden;
large group picnic facilities; amusement
park; the San Joaquin County Historical
Museum; softball fields and children’s
playgrounds; a trail for the visuallyimpared; golf course, wedding and
indoor rental facilities for up to 300
diners
Oak tree grove and trails; family and
group picnic facilities; Oaks Nature
Center; 500-seat outdoor amphitheater;
10-acre lake for fishing and
paddleboats; golf course; children’s
playgrounds; youth group camping,
indoor dining/meeting facilities for up to
50 persons, 18-hole “disc” golf course
258
Boat launching, fishing, picnicking; RV
camping; tent camping; horseshoe pits
and a children’s play area
R.V./tent campsites; fishing pier;
overnight boat docking; picnic sites; and
0.5-mile of river frontage
Two-lane boat ramp with floating dock;
picnic areas; children’s playground
9
Historical structure available for
weddings and other special events
Four-field softball complex; four soccer
fields; concession stands; picnic shelter
179
20
4
2
61
Bank fishing area; access point for river
rafters; swimming; picnic tables and
barbeque
Picnicking, trails, fishing, swimming,
rafting access; one-mile river frontage
17
Undeveloped; river access; fishing;
0.25-mile river frontage
22
61
13-17
TABLE 13-3
REGIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS
San Joaquin County
July 2008
Park or
Recreational
Facility
Mountain House Old
River Regional Park
Operation
Mountain
House CSD
Location
Acres
northwest of Tracy,
Mountain House Planned
Community
Walking trails along Delta, picnic areas,
benches
82
715
TOTAL
Sources: San Joaquin County Department of Parks and Recreation. Regional Facilities. http://www.mgzoo.com/
Communications with Jeff Smith, Parks and Recreation Planner. July 2008.
East Bay Municipal Utility District. Mokelumne Day Use. http://www.ebmud.com/
California Department of Parks and Recreation. Parks in San Joaquin County. http://www.parks.ca.gov/
California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation. Carnegie SVRA. http://ohv.parks.ca.gov
Local Parks
Local parks are public recreation areas that serve a community, neighborhood, or smaller area. Local parks are
designed for convenient access. These types of parks are typically provided by cities, but may be provided by the
County or a special district in an urban community. Local parks are usually categorized as mini-parks, neighborhood
parks, and community parks and include characteristics as follows:

Mini Parks. Mini parks, also called “pocket” parks, include play lots and other recreational facilities serving
an area less than a neighborhood in size. There is only one mini park in San Joaquin County, which is
approximately one-acre.

Neighborhood Parks. Neighborhood parks usually range in size from 5 to 15 acres, and are generally
within walking distance of one’s home. Neighborhood parks are areas for concentrated recreational
activities for all age groups. They may contain areas for court and field sports and picnicking. Schools, with
their playing fields, can often augment the recreation area of adjacent parks. Neighborhood parks in San
Joaquin County account for about 40.5 acres.

Community Parks. Community parks serve larger areas and populations than neighborhood parks, and
often provide special facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, and community centers. These parks
generally have diverse activities, including areas not only for localized sports, but also for walking and
jogging. Community parks should be within bicycling distance of one’s home and served by a major street.
Community parks in San Joaquin County account for about 35.4 acres.
Table 13-4 shows community and neighborhood parks in unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County. There are
three community parks, nine neighborhood parks, and one mini park. In smaller communities recreation activities are
generally provided in conjunction with local schools. The Morada Park is located in the unincorporated area of the
County and is used exclusively as a Little League facility by the Morada community. The park is maintained by the
local Little League. Mountain House Park is also located in the unincorporated area of the County and all parks in the
Mountain House area are developed and operated by the Mountain House Community Services District (Smith
2008).
13-18
13
TABLE 13-4
COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS
San Joaquin County
July 2008
Park or Recreational
Facility
Eastside Community Park
Stockton
Community
Gianone Park & Center
Stockton
Community
Kennedy Park & Center
Stockton
Community
Mountain House Community
Park1
Tracy
Community
Morada Park
Stockton
Community
Location
Park Type
Acres
10
Ball fields, basketball court, play area and dayuse picnicking, 10 acres
Community Center, ball fields, play area, dayuse picnicking and restrooms, 15 acres
Community Center, ball fields, basketball court,
day-use picnicking, swimming pool and
restrooms, 17.6 acres
Ballfields, Tennis and Basketball Courts, multipurpose fields, play structures, walking trails,
and picnic areas
Ballfields
15
17.6
82
5
129.6
Community Park Subtotal
Boggs Tract Park & Center
Stockton
Neighborhood
Garden Acres Park & Center
Stockton
Neighborhood
Madison Park
Stockton
Neighborhood
Taft Park & Center
Stockton
Neighborhood
Raymus Village Park
Manteca
Neighborhood
Larch Clover Park & Center
Tracy
Neighborhood
Woodbridge Community Park
Woodbridge
Neighborhood
2.9
Community Center, ball field, basketball court,
play area and day-use picnicking, 2.9 acres
Community Center, ball fields, basketball court,
play area, day-use picnicking and restrooms,
7.9 acres
Ball fields, play areas, day-use picnicking,
restrooms and concession, 4.4 acres
Community Center, ball fields, basketball
courts, play area, day-use picnicking and
restrooms, 11 acres
Basketball court, ball field, play areas and dayuse picnicking
Community Center, basketball court, play area,
day-use picnicking and restrooms, 4.2 acres
Half-court basketball and play area
7.9
4.4
11
6.6
4.2
1.5
40.0
Neighborhood Park Subtotal
West Jackson Park
Stockton
Mini
1
Picnic tables
76.9
TOTAL
1 Some
of these facilities are proposed.
Source: San Joaquin County Department of Parks and Recreation. Community & Neighborhood Parks. http://www.mgzoo.com
13-19
Other Recreational Facilities and Resources
In addition to Federal, State, and County park and recreation facilities, several other facilities in the County offer
recreation and open space opportunities for residents. Other types of facilities include school playgrounds, bikeways,
scenic routes, golf courses, and museums. Other types of recreational resources include waterways and the Delta.
School Playgrounds
School playgrounds provide an important local recreation resource, particularly in the smaller communities and
neighborhoods in the County. Many of the school playgrounds are at school grounds and near elementary, middle,
and high schools within the greater Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Lincoln, Escalon, Tracy, Ripon, and other more
urbanized areas within the County. It can be efficient to site neighborhood parks adjacent to schools so that the
facilities can complement each other. In order to be of maximum use, the school playgrounds need to be open
during the non-school hours.
Bikeways
Bikeways, whether on the street or separated from it, provide an important part of the recreation system. For a more
detailed discussion of County bikeway facilities and the location of designated bicycle routes throughout the County,
please refer to Chapter 8, Transportation and Circulation.
Scenic Routes
San Joaquin County has two highways officially designated as scenic highways by the State: I-580 from I-5 to the
Alameda County line, and a portion of I-5 (Caltrans 2007). Several roadways within the County, principally in the
northeast County area, the Delta, and along riparian corridors, have been designated as local scenic highways. For a
detailed discussion and the location of State and local scenic highways, please see Chapter 11, Scenic Resources.
While not designated as scenic highways, many other of the County’s roads provide interesting recreational drives for
local residents. Routes have attractive natural amenities, interesting man-made features, or activities representative
of the County. The majority of the County’s scenic routes are located in agricultural areas, the Delta, or along
riparian corridors.
Golf Courses
There are 11 public and 8 private golf courses in the unincorporated area of the County. Additional public and private
courses are located in incorporated areas of the County. The location, acreage, and amenity features of the County’s
public and private golf courses are summarized in Table 13-5. Public 9-hole golf courses include Escalon Golf
Course, French Camp, Lyons Golf Course, Old River Golf Course, and Swenson Park Golf Course. Public 18-hole
golf courses include Lockeford Springs Golf Course, Forest Lake Golf Course, Jack Tone Golf Course, Manteca Park
Golf Course, Micke Grove Golf Course, Reserve at Spanos Park, Stockton Golf Course, Swenson Golf Course, and
Van Buskirk Golf Course, Private 9-hole golf courses include the Venetian Gardens Golf Course and Oakmoore Golf
Course. Private 18-hole golf courses include Elkhorn County Club, Brookside Country Club, Spring Creek Golf
Course and Country Club, Tracy Golf Course and Country Club, and Woodbridge Golf and Country Club.
13-20
TABLE 13-5
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY GOLF COURSES
Name
Brookside Country Club
Elkhorn Country Club
Escalon Golf Course
French Camp
Forest Lake Golf Course
Jack Tone Golf Course
Lockeford Springs
Micke Grove Golf
Manteca Park Golf Course
Oakmoore Golf Course
Old River Golf Course
Reserve at Spanos Park
Spring Creek Golf Course & Country Club
Stockton Golf & Country Club
Swenson Park Golf Course
Tracy Golf Course
Van Buskirk Park Golf Course
Venetian Gardens Golf Course
Woodbridge Golf & Country Club
San Joaquin County
July 2008
Location
Stockton
Stockton
Escalon
Manteca
Acampo
Ripon
Lodi
Lodi
Manteca
Stockton
Tracy
Stockton
Ripon
Stockton
Stockton
Tracy
Stockton
Stockton
Woodbridge
13
Size
Type
18-hole
18-hole
9-hole
18-hole
18-hole
18-hole
18-hole
18-hole
18-hole
9-hole
18-hole
18-hole
18-hole
18-hole
18-hole
18-hole
18-hole
9-hole
18-hole
Private
Private
Public
Public
Public
Public
Public
Public
Public
Private
Public
Public
Private
Private
Public
Private
Public
Private
Private
Source: List of County Golf Courses available at: http://www.golfable.com/golfcourses/county/San_Joaquin_County_CA
Museums
The County’s arts and culture recreational opportunities include the Haggin Museum, San Joaquin County Historical
Museum, and Stockton Children's Museum. Located in Stockton, the Haggin Museum is an art and history museum
featuring 19th century painters and historic features that focus on the area’s past and accomplishments of the
residents. It officially opened in 1931 after the San Joaquin Pioneer and Historical Society formed in 1928 with the
purpose of preserving the local historical materials. The San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum is
located at Micke Grove in Lodi. The Lodi Historical Society held its first meetings in 1954 and in 1961 became the
San Joaquin County Historical Society. The museum building was constructed in 1966. The San Joaquin County
Historical Society and Museum is supported by private and public sources, including gifts from the descendants of
Stockton founder Charles M. Weber, and also receives support from the County. The museum features the history of
the region and development of modern agriculture with a mission to provide an institution for the collection,
preservation, and interpretation of San Joaquin County’s evolution of agricultural, social, cultural, and economic
heritage providing continuing education. The Stockton Children’s Museum is a 22,000 square foot facility that
provides amenities for school field trips. The Stockton Symphony, San Joaquin County Ballet, and Stockton Civic
Theater provide additional cultural resources for children and adults.
13-21
The Delta
The California Delta, with half of its waterways in San Joaquin County, is the County’s single most important
recreational asset. For a detailed discussion of the Delta and its resources, see Chapter 11, The Delta. Visitors to
the Delta include local residents, residents from nearby communities, and many visitors from as far as the greater
Bay Area and other parts of the state. People may spend the day or even the entire weekend on Delta levees,
engaged in a number of activities such as picnicking, swimming, and fishing. Nature study is an important passive
recreational activity in the Delta as well as in other areas of the County. Access to the levees is limited, and legal
public access is even more rare. Most people pull their cars off the road and fish within a few feet of their vehicles,
most likely on private property. Since the levees are narrow, the parked cars and playing children can create a
hazardous situation with passing cars and trucks.The following list provides an overview of some of the recreation
resources that can be found in the Delta:

Tent and RV camping sites are located throughout the Delta area of San Joaquin County. Most of the
camping areas are privately-owned and located in marinas; however, there are a few publicly-owned sites,
including Dos Reis Park on the San Joaquin River and Westgate Landing near the Mokelumne River.

There are several picnic areas located within the San Joaquin County portion of the Delta in privatelyowned
marinas and in publicly-owned parks. Public picnicking areas are located at American Legion Park in
Stockton, Buckley Cove Park on the Deep Water Channel, Dos Reis Park on the San Joaquin River,
Mossdale Crossing on the San Joaquin River, and at Westgate Landing on the Mokelumne River.

Most formal fishing access in San Joaquin County is located in publicly-owned parks or wildlife areas in the
Secondary Zone of the Delta. White Slough Wildlife Area on Terminous and Shin Kee Tracts is a wildlife
area managed by the Department of Fish and Game that allows fishing access, hunting, and hiking. Other
formal fishing access areas are in American Legion Park, Buckley Cove Park, Dos Reis Park, Fritz Grupe
Park, and Westgate Landing.

There are four trails in San Joaquin County near the Delta waterways including: the Bike and Jog Path in
Stockton on the Calaveras River, Louis Park in Stockton on the Smith Canal, Van Buskirk Park in Stockton
on Walker Slough, and White Slough Wildlife Area on Terminous and Shin Kee Tracts. While all of these
trails are publicly-owned and managed, none of these are County trails.

Along some of the waterways, particularly along the Stockton Deepwater Channel, there are sandy beaches
which are heavily used by boaters. Dredge spoils are sometimes deposited on or in front of these beaches,
making this scarce resource unusable or dangerous.
Table 13-6 lists 32 launching facilities within San Joaquin County. Many marinas that are located within County
boundaries in the Delta are privately-owned and operated. Public boat launch facilities include: Morelli Park in
Stockton on the Deep Water Channel; Buckley Cove Park in Stockton on the Deep Water Channel; Dos Reis Park in
the Lathrop area on the San Joaquin River; Louis Park in Stockton on the Smith Canal; and Mossdale Crossing in
Lathrop on the San Joaquin River. Despite the number of Delta facilities, access to the waterways is limited, since
the majority of the marinas are private.
13-22
TABLE 13-6
DELTA BOATING FACILITIES
13
Delta, San Joaquin County
July 2008
Location (Open to the
Public Unless Noted)
Buckley Cove
Dos Reis
Morelli Park
Louis Park
Mossdale Crossing
Westgate Landing
Approximately 26 Marinas
Source:
Operation
Stockton
County
Stockton
Stockton
County
County
Private
Berthing
Launching
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Boat
Rental
Camping
X
X
X
X
X
Picnic
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
California Department of Boating and Waterways. San Joaquin County Facility Index. August 2008.
Delta Protection Commission. Inventory of Recreational Facilities: San Joaquin County. August 2008
Waterways
Waterways are a well used recreational resource in San Joaquin County during the long, hot, and dry summer
months. Waterway activities include fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, hiking, nature study, and other quiet
activities, such as viewing the water and the boats. The Delta, the Stanislaus River, the San Joaquin River, the
Mokelumne River, and the Camanche Reservoir are the most important water recreation areas in the County.
Waterway recreation resources are shown in Figure 13-3. Water-related resources that provide additional benefits to
the County include:

fisheries
riparian vegetation

aesthetic beauty
water flow and supply
upland along water
wildlife habitat
freshwater marshes
water quality

beaches
public access
views of and from the water
fish and wildlife
unleveed channel islands
Camanche Reservoir and Mokelumne River
The Mokelumne River flows through the County from the Camanche Reservoir to the Delta (see Figure 13-3). It is
lined with riparian vegetation that provides habitat for many animals. Fishing, tubing, and rafting are popular
recreation activities on the river.
The Camanche Reservoir, which extends into Amador and Calaveras Counties, provides recreation areas on both
the north and south shores. The East Bay Municipal Utility District owns and operates the reservoir. Boating, fishing,
swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, camping, hiking, and picnicking are popular activities at the reservoir
at the Comanche Recreation Area. The Mokelumne Day Use Area, also owned by the East Bay Municipal Utility
District, provides a popular access point to the Mokelumne River and for visitors to the Mokelumne River Fish
Hatchery.
Two County parks, Stillman L. Magee Regional Park and Woodbridge Regional Park, provide access to the
Mokelumne. The number of visitors projected for 2008-2009 at Stillman Magee includes 26,000 people, with 18,000
13-23
people using the Mokelumne River Access (Parks 2008). Below Magee Park, the flow of the river slows and there
are few floaters. At Woodbridge the flow of the Mokelumne is diverted in the warmer weather to fill the lake at Lodi
Lake Park. This park contains a nature area in the floodplain of the Mokelumne River. Further downstream, also in
the river’s floodplain, is Woodbridge Regional Park, mentioned above.
Stanislaus River
The Stanislaus River is a narrow river lined with riparian vegetation that forms the boundary between Stanislaus and
San Joaquin Counties (see Figure 13-3). Flow on the river is controlled by a number of reservoirs further upstream,
including New Melones Reservoir. Currently (2008) the only public recreation area on the river in the County is the
Caswell Memorial State Park. The Army Corps of Engineers manages additional Stanislaus River Parks, which
include the McHenry Avenue Recreation Area, and offers a boat ramp, camping, and picnicking. As part of the New
Melones Dam project, the Corps of Engineers acquired flood and riparian easements along the Stanislaus River, as
well as a few sites for recreational development. Most areas acquired by the Corps are undeveloped. They are
located in the floodplain and are heavily vegetated. The Ripon River Park is a 30.5-acre park south of the City of
Ripon owned by the Corps and managed by the City that includes restored riparian habitat on both sides of the
Stanislaus River and a pedestrian/bike trail river crossing.
Calaveras River
New Hogan Dam regulates flows on the Calaveras River into San Joaquin County. At Bellota the major flow of the
river is carried by Mormon Slough to Stockton where the Stockton Diverting Canal returns it to the Calaveras River
proper and ultimately to the Delta. There is no formal public access along the Calaveras River in the County except
for the levees on Mormon Slough below Bellotta Dam.
San Joaquin River
The San Joaquin River divides into three channels as it enters the Delta, including: “Old River,” “Middle River,” and
the “Main-stem.” There are several habitat preserves located along the San Joaquin River. Two County parks, Dos
Reis Regional Park and Mossdale Crossing Regional Park, provide recreational access to the San Joaquin River.
Open Space
Nearly 86 percent of San Joaquin County is “open space” of some type. Open space lands consist of farmland,
grazing lands, and relatively natural watershed areas that include a variety of low-intensity uses such as rural
residences and recreational facilities (e.g. the Delta). Other land has been dedicated as open space through
conservation easements or by agencies and organizations for habitat conservation. For a detailed discussion and
the location of open space and conservation easements, see Chapter 10, Natural Resources. Wetlands, riparian
habitat, and other special habitat also provide areas of open space in the County. Certain areas in the Delta and in
other parts of the County are significant resource areas because of their beauty and/or potential value for recreation.
Several of the County’s open space resource areas have been developed as regional parks. Open space and natural
recreational resources are shown in Figure 13-4. Open Space resource areas with additional potential recreational
opportunities for the County include:

13-24
Mokelumne River
Stanislaus River
Middle River Lower
Trapper Slough

Salmon Slough
Latham Slough
Connection Slough
Disappointment Slough

White Slough
Potato Slough
South Spud Island
Light 11 (i.e., Delta navigation aid)
Northeast Oak Groves
88
m
AA m
160
S
S aa cc rr aa m
m ee nn tt oo
o rr
aa dd o
MOKELUMNE RIVER
Mokelumne River Day Use Area
TRACY LAKE
Stillman L. Magee Park
5
99
Woodbridge Ecological Reserve
12
88
ll aa vv
C
C aa
12
ee rr aa
Westgate Landing Park
LODI
12
ITE
WH
SL
ss
POTATO SLOUGH
GH
OU
Light 11
26
South Spud Island
GH
88
UG
H
Buckley Cove Marina
M
T
LA
M
Morelli Boat Ramp Park
LE
VE
RI
R
A
TR
L
NA
PP
ER
SL
G
OU
H
4
STOCKTON
H
DD
MI
UG
LO
GH
YS
OU
SL
O
Louis Park and Boat Launch
E
ISK
WH
HA
T
VIC
RIA
CA
ON
SL
O
U
DISAPPOINTMENT SLOUGH
S LO
OR
M
C TI
ON
C oo ss tt aa
C
C oo nn tt rr aa C
NNE
4
MIDD
LE R I
Dos Reis Regional Park and Boat Launch
VER
Mossdale Crossing Park and Boat Launch
SA
LM
ON
GRANT LINE CANAL
OL
D
RI
VE
R
SL
OU
GH
LATHROP
120
120
MANTECA
ESCALON
McHenry Ave. Recreation Area
205
RIPON
San Joaquin NWR
TRACY
5
108
Caswell State Park
A
A ll aa m
m ee dd aa
CO
580
SS
ttaa
nn
iiss
llaa
uu
ss
99
Legend
City Limits
132
132
Interstate
Highway
33
Water
Public Waterway Recreation Areas
Private Marinas
Boat Launches
Source: San Joaquin County GIS, 2008
0
2.5
5
Miles
10
Figure 13-3
Recreational Facilities - Waterways
Figure 13-3
Recreational Facilities on San Joaquin County Waterways
Back of Figure
13-26
88
m
AA m
160
S
S aa cc rr aa m
m ee nn tt oo
o rr
aa dd o
5
99
12
88
ll aa vv
C
C aa
12
ee rr aa
LODI
12
ss
26
C oo ss tt aa
C
C oo nn tt rr aa C
88
STOCKTON
4
4
LATHROP
MANTECA
120
ESCALON
120
205
RIPON
TRACY
5
A
A ll aa m
m ee dd aa
108
580
SS
132
ttaa
nn
iiss
llaa
uu
99
ss
Legend
City Limits
Interstate
33
Protected Natural Lands
132
Agriculture
Highway
Annual Grassland
Water
Freshwater Wetland
Riparian
Chaparral and Woodland
Developed
Primary Delta
Sources: Multi-Source Land Use Cover Data. CSU Stanislaus 2004
National Wetland Inventory GIS data. FWS 2008.
0
2.5
5
Miles
10
Figure 13-4
Open Space & Natural Recreation Resources
Figure 13-4
Open Space and Natural Recreational Resources
Back of Figure
13-28
13
13.2 PALEONTOLOGICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, AND HISTORICAL
RESOURCES
Introduction
San Joaquin County is located in an archaeologically, historically, and paleontologically rich part of the San Joaquin
Valley. To assist in the preservation of the County’s numerous and varied historical resources, this section provides
the archaeological, historical, and paleontological context of the County. By law, archaeological, historical, and
paleontological resources and values must be considered in all phases of a proposed project, including design,
permitting, construction, and long-term maintenance. This section outlines the County’s cultural and paleontological
resources, and the County, State, and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to these resources.
The primary sources of data for this section are cultural and paleontological resources listed in several databases,
including the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic American Building Survey/Historic American
Engineering Record (HABS/HAER), the California Register of Historical Resources, California Historical Landmarks,
the San Joaquin County Historical Society list of historic resources, the files of the Central California Information
Center, California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, and the files of the Museum of Paleontology, University of
California, Berkeley, and the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Deerfield, Illinois. Due to the sensitivity of many
prehistoric, ethnohistoric, historical, and paleontological site locations, the tables in this section present information
available only to the general public.
Regulatory Setting
Federal Regulations
The majority of applicable Federal regulations concerning cultural resources are established by the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). A Federal law enacted to avoid unnecessary
harm to historic properties, NHPA includes regulations that apply specifically to Federal land-holding agencies, but
also includes regulations (Section 106) which pertain to all projects funded, permitted, or approved by any Federal
agency that have the potential to affect cultural resources. Provisions of NHPA establish the National Register of
Historic Places, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Offices, and the Federal
grants-in-aid programs.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (16 U.S.C. 4321, and 4331-4335, as amended) (NEPA). The act
establishes guidelines to “preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage, and to
maintain, wherever possible, an environment that supports diversity and a variety of individual choice.” All projects
that are subject to NEPA are also subject to compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA and all NEPA requirements
concerning cultural resources.
American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996 and 1996a, as amended) and Native
American Graves and Repatriation Act of 1990 (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq., as amended). These acts establish as
National policy that Native American traditional religious practices and beliefs, sacred lands (including right of
access), and the use of sacred objects shall be protected and preserved. Native American remains are further
protected by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990.
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Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for establishing professional
standards and providing guidance related to the preservation and protection of all cultural resources listed in, or
eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Properties apply to all grants-in-aid projects assisted through the National Historic Preservation
Fund, and are intended to be applied to a wide variety of resources, including buildings, structures, sites, objects, and
districts. The treatment standards, developed in 1992, are entitled “The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Properties” codified as 36 CFR 68. The standards address four treatments:

Preservation means the act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form,
integrity, and materials of a historic property. Work, including preliminary measures to protect and stabilize
the property, generally focuses on the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and features,
rather than extensive replacement and new construction.

Rehabilitation means the act or process of making possible an efficient compatible use for a property
through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features that convey its
historical, cultural, or architectural values.

Restoration means the act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a
property as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other periods
in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period.

Reconstruction means the act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features,
and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object for the purpose of replicating its
appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location.
Certified Local Government Program. The Certified Local Government (CLG) is a national program designed to
encourage the direct participation of a local government in the identification, registration, and preservation of historic
properties located within the jurisdiction of the local government. A local government may become a CLG by
developing and implementing a historic preservation program and commission based on Federal and State
standards.
The CLG program encourages the preservation of cultural resources by promoting a partnership among local
governments, the State of California, and the National Park Service (NPS). Becoming a CLG can provide local staff
and commissions with the tools, technical training, and leadership roles required to preserve a community’s cultural
heritage. Local interests and concerns are integrated into the official planning and decision-making processes.
Any local government is eligible to apply for certification, with the exception of regional commissions and councils of
governments. A local government is any general-purpose political subdivision of California, such as a city, county, or
city/county. Certification pertains to the entire local government and its agencies, not simply to the preservation
commission that serves the local government. According to information provided by the California Office of Historic
Preservation, San Joaquin County is not a Certified Local Government, nor is any city or municipality within the
County.
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Other Federal Legislation
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Federal historic preservation legislation was initiated by the Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431-433) to protect
historic and archaeological sites. The law established the procedure for issuing permits to conduct archaeological
studies on Federal land, as well as setting penalties for noncompliance. Permits are currently issued under this act
and the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA) (16 U.S.C. 470aa-mm). The purpose of ARPA is to
enhance preservation and protection of archaeological resources on public and Native American lands. The Historic
Sites Act of 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461-467) states that it is national policy to “preserve for public use historic sites,
buildings, and objects of national significance.”
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP): Archaeological and historical sites can be given a measure of
protection if they are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (36CFR60.4 and 36CFR800). The criterion
most often applied to archaeological sites is criterion (4), which addresses the potential of a site to yield information
important in prehistory or history. The National Register criteria and other information issued by the Advisory Council
on Historic Preservation, present the legal measures of significance relevant to cultural resources. The NRHP criteria
are the following:

The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture is present in districts,
sites, buildings, structures, and objects of State and local importance that possess integrity of location,
design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and that:

are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history;
or

are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or

embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, method of construction, or that represent the
work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable
entity whose components may lack distinction; or

have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important to prehistory or history [36CFR60.4 (a-d)].
Pursuant to the intent and specification of the criteria quoted above, prehistoric and historic cultural resources may
be eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places in the event that they have yielded, or upon
further investigation may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. This evaluation is based on
inspection of the features of the site, examination of artifacts and features, the age of the site, the apparent integrity
of the site’s context, and the location and integrity of the site in its local and regional context. Under criterion (d) it is
implicit that further scientific investigation of a site based on research goals, objectives, problem domains, testable
hypotheses and other research questions that have been identified in applicable research designs (Moratto 1981;
Napton 1981) will be likely to yield information important to the explication and interpretation of local and or regional
prehistory and history.
In addition to meeting one or more of NRHP criteria, a cultural resource must possess physical and geographic
integrity. An eligible cultural resource must be essentially in the same physical condition as when it was used or
constructed, and, if it is not, its condition must be such that it may be renovated to its near original condition. A
cultural resource must also have integrity of location – it must be in its original location of use or construction. The
setting of a cultural resource must impart a feeling characteristic of the time when the resource achieved its
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significance. In reference to archaeological sites, a cultural resource must have sufficient integrity so that available
data can be recovered and analyzed in meaningful ways (King 1999; Hardesty and Little 2000).
State Regulations: Cultural Resources
California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code 21000 et seq.)(CEQA). Section 15064.5 of the
CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 15000 et seq.) requires lead agencies (as well as,
project proponents, developers, and/or landowners) to determine whether proposed projects that require
discretionary government approval may have a significant effect on archaeological or historical resources. This
determination applies to cultural resources that meet significance criteria qualifying them as “unique” or “of
importance,” listed or determined eligible for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR). If a
project may have an adverse effect on a unique or important cultural or paleontological resource, the project is
determined to have a significant effect on the environment, and the effect must be mitigated. If a cultural resource is
found not to be significant or unique under the qualifying criteria, it need not be considered further in the planning
process.
CEQA emphasizes avoidance of archaeological and historical resources as the preferred strategy of reducing
potential significant environmental effects resulting from a proposed project. If avoidance is not feasible, a data
recovery program or other appropriate measures must be developed to mitigate project impacts. In order to address
the level of potential impacts, and thereby design appropriate mitigation measures, the significance and importance
of affected cultural resources must be ascertained. CEQA Guidelines section 15064.5 includes provisions for
significance criteria related to archaeological and historical resources. A significant archaeological or historical
resource is defined as one that meets the criteria of the CRHR. A significant impact is characterized as “substantial
adverse change in the significance of a historical resource.” An impact is considered significant if any of the following
apply:

The project may disturb historical architectural resources;

The project may disturb known prehistoric or historical cultural resources; or

The project may disturb buried, unknown prehistoric or historical archaeological resources.
Public Resources Code Section 5031 identifies a historical property as being the first, last, only, or most significant
historical property of its type in the region of concern.
Public Resources Code Section 5024.1 authorizes the establishment of CRHR. Any cultural resource found within
the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of a project (undertaking) must be evaluated in respect to CRHR criteria. To be
eligible for CRHR, an archaeological or historical site must be significant at the local, state, or national level under
one or more of four criteria (see discussion below), which closely parallel NRHP criteria.
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The CEQA Guidelines define three criteria that may qualify a property as a historic resource for CEQA review:

The resource is listed in or determined eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources.

The resource is included in a local register of historical resources, as defined in Section 5030.1[k] of the
Public Resources Code, or identified as significant in a historical resource survey meeting the requirements
of section 5024.1[g] of the Public Resources Code, unless the preponderance of evidence demonstrates
that it is not historically or culturally significant; or

The lead agency determines the resource to be significant as supported by substantial evidence in light of
the whole record (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, section 15064.5[a]).
California Register of Historical Resources: On September 27, 1992, Assembly Bill 2881 (Statutes of 1992,
Chapter 1075) was signed into law amending the Public Resources Code as it affects historical resources (Public
Resources Code §4850 et seq.) This legislation, which became effective on January 1, 1993, also creates the
California Register of Historical Resources, informally the CRHR. A historical resource must be significant at the
local, state, or national level, under one or more of the following four criteria:

It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or
regional history, or the cultural heritage of California or the United States; or

It is associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national history;

It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents
the work of a master or possesses high artistic values; or

It has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the local area,
California, or the nation.
Integrity is the authenticity of a historical resource’s physical identity evidenced by the survival of characteristics that
existed during the resource’s period of significance. All resources nominated for listing on the CRHR must have
integrity. Resources, therefore, must retain enough of their historic character or appearance to be recognizable as
historical resources and to convey the reasons for their significance. Integrity is evaluated with regard to the retention
of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. It must also be judged with reference to
the particular criteria under which a resource is proposed for eligibility. Alterations over time to a resource or historic
changes in its use may themselves have historical, cultural, or architectural significance.
It is possible that historical resources may not retain sufficient integrity to meet the criteria for listing in the National
Register, but they may still be eligible for listing in the California Register. A resource that has lost its historic
character or appearance may still have sufficient integrity for the California Register if it maintains the potential to
yield significant scientific or historical information or specific data.
Resource Types. In reference to the CRHR there are several types of resources, including buildings, structures,
sites, objects, and districts.
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Site. Location of a significant event, a prehistoric or historic occupation or activity, or a building or structure whether
standing, ruined, or vanished where the location itself possess historical, cultural, or archaeological value regardless
of the value of any existing building, structure, or object. Examples of sites are trails, designed landscapes,
battlefields, habitation sites, ceremonial areas, petroglyphs, and pictographs.
Age. The criterion of the age of cultural resources is identified by the State Office of Historic Preservation as “Any
physical evidence of human activities over 45 years old may be recorded for purposes of inclusion in the OHP’s filing
system” (State of California, Office of Historic Preservation 1995).
There are three phases of cultural resource preservation actions under CEQA.

Phase 1 – Inventory of Cultural Resources. A records search, requested by the project proponent in San
Joaquin County, is conducted by the Central California Information Center (CCIC). The CCIC is located at
California State University, Stanislaus, One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382. It is part of the California
Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS), established under the authority and direction of the State
Office of Historic Preservation (OHP). The CCIC is the repository for records produced during cultural
resource investigations conducted in San Joaquin and adjacent counties. The records search is conducted
to determine: if part or all of the project area (APE) has been previously surveyed for cultural resources; if
any known cultural resources have been recorded on or adjacent to the project area; if the project area is of
low-, moderate-, or high-sensitivity for cultural resources; and whether a field (reconnaissance) survey is
recommended to locate, record, and evaluate cultural resources within the project APE. A Referral List for
Historical Resources Consultants, a compendium of firms and individuals who meet the Secretary of the
Interior’s Standards, is provided by the information center for use in obtaining the services of a qualified
professional. If the CCIC determines that there are no known cultural resources within or adjacent to the
project, and that the project area is of low-sensitivity for cultural resources, no additional analysis would be
necessary.
A field survey (reconnaissance), is a systematic effort to locate, identify, and summarize information
regarding cultural resources in a given project area, conducted by a fully qualified professional archaeologist
who inspects the project area for evidence of cultural resources.
A written report is prepared when a records search and field survey are completed. The report provides
thorough documentation of objectives and expectations of the survey, the methods used to discover cultural
resources, and the adequacy of such efforts. The report includes a clear statement of the purpose of the
survey, definition of the survey area with a map of the area or areas examined, a research design, definition
of survey methods, a summary of results of the survey, and recommendations for management and further
work, if needed. Copies of site record forms and a written report are to be filed with the CCIC. The State
Office of Historic Preservation has developed guidelines for the format and content of archaeological
records and reports. Site record forms are submitted to and reviewed by the CCIC, pursuant to Office of
Historic Preservation standards.
Native American Consultation. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recommends that
consultation with the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) be conducted as part of the Phase I
inventory. Upon request, NAHC will search their Sacred Lands Files and provide project managers with a
list of the local region’s Federally and non-Federally recognized tribes, identifying tribal elders, political, and
spiritual leaders. Each of the persons or organizations listed by NAHC should be contacted by mail to
determine if there are sites or tribally significant places within the project APE that are important or of
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concern to the heritage of Native Americans. If no response to a written request is received within two
weeks, it may be necessary to undertake contact by telephone and maintain a log of attempted contacts.

Phase II – Evaluation of Cultural Resources. Phase II investigations are undertaken to determine whether
a cultural resource is “of importance” or “of significance.” Phase II usually includes test excavation to
ascertain the site’s boundaries, its integrity, depth, age, and other information sufficient to permit its
evaluation under CEQA, CRHP, or NRHP criteria. If Phase I and II investigations demonstrate that a cultural
resource is not significant, according to the criteria outlined in Section 15064.5 of the CEQA Guidelines and
if Federal funds are involved in the proposed project and the site is assessed or evaluated as not “of
significance” pursuant to NRHP criteria, it is considered that there will be no significant environmental effect
and further treatment of the site is not required. If the resource is evaluated as “of significance” or “of
importance,” project impacts must be mitigated pursuant to Phase III requirements.

Phase III – Treatment of Important (Significant) Cultural Resources. If significant or important cultural
resources are identified, there are several ways to treat or mitigate potential impacts, including avoidance,
data recovery, or site capping. Data recovery may be undertaken by professional archaeologists to obtain
information important to prehistory or history. Data recovery for prehistoric or historic archaeological sites
usually entails extensive archaeological excavations to obtain adequate information about the site, its
occupants, age, and other attributes. Capping, following data recovery, may be undertaken when avoidance
is not feasible. It may be possible to cover burials or other important discoveries with a protective layer of
earth or other suitable materials, or provide protection by means of conservation easements. Data recovery
for the built environment (buildings and structures) includes archival and photographic documentation, and,
where required or appropriate, data recovery by excavation or other treatment.
Section 15064.5 of the CEQA Guidelines states: “Generally, a project that follows the Secretary of the
Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating,
Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings or the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings (1995) Weeks and Grimmer, shall be
considered as mitigated to a level of less than a significant impact on the historical resource.”
Senate Bill 18 (Chapter 905, amends Section 815.3 California Civil Code “Traditional Tribal Cultural Places”).
Section 65351 of the California Government Code: “During the preparation or amendment of the general plan, the
planning agency shall provide opportunities for the involvement of citizens, California Native American tribes, public
agencies, public utility companies, and civic, education, and other community groups, through public hearings and
any other means the city and county deems appropriate.”
Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). This commission, established in 1976, was created in response
to demands from Native Americans to protect their burial grounds from destruction. NAHC authorizes California’s
Most Likely Descendants (MLDs) the right to determine the treatment, disposition, and analysis of Native American
human remains. NAHC is located at 915 Capitol Mall, Room 364, Sacramento, CA 95814 (916-653-4082). Consult
the California Public Resources Code 5097.9, or refer to California Public Resources
(http://www.nahc.ca.gov/cpr.html). Among the functions of NAHC is maintenance of lists of Native American Contacts
and Most Likely Descendents.

Native American Contacts. Project proponents or their designees are required by law to contact NAHC
and advise the Commission of the purpose and location of proposed projects, and request NAHC to provide
a list of Native American individuals and organizations that may have concerns regarding the project or its
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potential effects. Upon receipt of the list, the project proponent is responsible to contact the individuals and
organizations listed, furnishing each with a statement of the project’s purpose and a map of its location. If
the Native American contacts do not respond within two weeks, the proponent should undertake contact by
telephone, and maintain a log documenting all efforts to communicate with the Native American contacts.
The Native American contacts are not to be confused with MLDs, discussed below.

Most Likely Descendant (MLD). The Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) maintains a list of
Most Likely Descendants, those persons regarded as most likely descended from a deceased Native
American. In the event that human remains are found in a location other than a dedicated cemetery and the
remains are identified as Native American, the county coroner is required to contact NAHC. Designated
MLDs have the authority to specify the treatment and disposition of Native American human remains. MLDs
constitute a separate group from Native American contacts.
State Regulations: Paleontological Resources
The significance of paleontological resources is evaluated using State and nationally-applicable guidelines. CEQA
guidelines state that a project could have a significant effect on the environment if project activities disrupt or
adversely affect a paleontological site (CEQA Checklist, Appendix G). The California Public Resources Code,
Section 5097.5, prohibits excavation or removal of any “vertebrate paleontological site, or any other archaeological,
paleontological, or historical feature, situated on public lands, except with the express permission from the public
agency having jurisdiction over such lands.” Public lands are defined as lands owned by or under the jurisdiction of
the state or any city, county, district, authority, or public corporation. Any unauthorized disturbance or removal of
archaeological, historical, or paleontological materials or sites located on public land is considered a misdemeanor.
Local Regulations
According to the State Office of Historic Preservation, local ordinances will typically include the following:

a provision for creation of a local historic preservation commission and the responsibilities and powers given
to that commission;

an explanation of the criteria used to determine what properties can be designated under the ordinance and
the process for such a designation;

a provision for granting economic hardship waiver; and

a requirement that property owners maintain resources designated under the ordinance and guidelines for
that maintenance.
The State Office of Historic Preservation has compiled a “checklist” of cultural resources policies and their
implementation for local governments and communities (Woodward 2008). The checklist includes:

Preservation Elements

Preservation Ordinance

Preservation or Historic Resources Commissions
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CEQA Procedures/Section 106 Guidelines

Survey and Inventory of Cultural Resources

Incentives for Cultural Resources Preservation

Public Participation in Cultural Resources Preservation
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San Joaquin County
The existing 1992 San Joaquin County General Plan addresses Heritage (Cultural) Resources. The County program
for Heritage Resources is as follows:

County Program. San Joaquin County contributes to historic preservation in several ways. First, the
County museum complex at Micke Grove Regional Park contains displays of items collected by the San
Joaquin County Historical Society that best portray the history and development of the County. The County
museum is also the official depository of the County archives. Second, the County contributes annually to
the operating budget of the Haggin Museum in Stockton. Third, the County Development Code has
provisions for the reuse of historic structures and the Building Division implements the State Historic
Building Code and the State’s Point of Historical Interest Program. Finally, the County owns a State Point of
Historical Interest (Harmony Grove Church, Lockeford).

The 1992 San Joaquin County General Plan includes policies to protect San Joaquin County’s valuable
architectural, historical, archaeological, and other cultural resources:

The County shall continue to encourage efforts, both public and private, to preserve its historical
and cultural heritage.

Significant archaeological and historical resources shall be identified and protected from
destruction. If evidence of such resources appears after development begins, an assessment shall
be made of the appropriate actions to preserve or remove the resources.

No significant architectural, archaeological, or cultural resources shall be knowingly destroyed
through County action.

Reuse of architecturally interesting or historical buildings shall be encouraged.

The County shall promote public awareness of and support for historic preservation.
Municipalities
The following San Joaquin County municipalities have addressed one or more of the checklist objectives in their
present General Plans or other documents.
Escalon
The Escalon 2005 General Plan does not include specific policies or their implementation for cultural resource
preservation.
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Lathrop
The City of Lathrop 1991 General Plan includes two implementation measures:

Mitigation for the potential loss of known archaeological and cultural resources shall be avoided at the time
of development application in accordance with the procedures of CEQA Guidelines. Locations cannot be
made known to the general public. The alternatives for development design in areas of known resources
must be reviewed by Native Americans. Mitigation against the potential loss of as yet unknown
archaeological and cultural resources will require close monitoring of construction activities by the City. The
close proximity of properties intended for development to natural watercourses should be taken as a signal
of the potential for unearthing yet unknown resources. In such cases the City should instruct developers and
construction foremen of the potential for damage to artifacts and provide written instructions as to the
important and necessity of halting all excavation work until the significance of the finds can be evaluated by
competent archaeologists and Native American specialists.
Lodi
The City of Lodi 1991 General Plan addresses cultural resources as follows:
Background. Downtown Lodi contains nearly 70 buildings that remain from the city’s early days (1869-1925). Many
of these historical structures exist along Sacramento Street and School Street. The downtown area also contains
Lodi Arch, which forms the gateway to the downtown area. This Mission Revival-styled arch is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
Goal:

To preserve and enhance Lodi’s historical heritage.
Policies:

The City shall develop an historic preservation ordinance.

The City shall coordinate with the State Office of Historic Preservation in developing a historic preservation
ordinance.

The City shall work with property owners in seeking registration of historical structures as “State Historic
Landmarks or listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The City shall consult with the California Archaeological Inventory Central California Information Center, at
Stanislaus State University, on any project that could have an impact on cultural resources and implement
the center’s recommended mitigation measures.
According to information obtained from the City of Lodi Planning Department, at the time of preparation of this
Background Report (2008), the city has no historic preservation ordinance or a historic building code.
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Manteca
The City of Manteca General Plan 2023 includes the following cultural resources policies and implementation
programs:
Policies:

The City will not approve projects that may adversely affect archaeological sites without consulting with the
CCIC, conducting a site evaluation, and attempting to mitigate adverse impacts according to the
recommendation of a qualified archaeologist, pursuant to CEQA and NEPA.

The City requires that the proponent of any development in a location which may be highly sensitive for
archaeological resources (including the environs of the San Joaquin River and Walthall Slough, and on the
east side of SR 99 at the Louise Avenue crossing) consult with the CCIC, conduct a site evaluation, and
mitigate adverse impacts, according to the recommendation of a qualified archaeologist.

The City shall set as a priority the protection and enhancement of Manteca’s historically and architecturally
significant buildings.

The City will work with property owners to register historic structures as Historic Landmarks or listing on the
CRHR.

The City shall prepare and adopt a Historic Preservation Ordinance.

The City shall support property owners’ efforts to preserve and renovate historic and architecturally
significance structures.
Implementation Programs:

The City requires a CCIC records search for any proposed development.

The City requires development proponents to retain a consulting archaeologist to survey the project site.

Significant archaeological sites should be incorporated into open space areas.

The City shall inventory historic sites including pertinent data and photographs.

The City shall continue to support local historical societies.

All City permits for reconstruction or modification of existing buildings will require submittal of photographs of
the existing structures.

The City will encourage the placement of monuments or plaques at historic sites, structures, and events.

The City shall adopt a historic building code.

If human remains are discovered and are found to be Native American, the procedures specified by NAHC
are to be invoked.
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According to information obtained from the City of Manteca Planning Department, the city has no historic
preservation ordinance or a historic building code (Personal communication, Alma Martinez, Planning Technician
2008).
Ripon
The City of Ripon has a comprehensive statement pertaining to cultural resources in its 2006 General Plan. Goal C
addresses protection of archaeological sites (Policy C1-C4). In addition, Goal F states: “To protect and preserve
historically significant Sites and Structures.” Section 5.3 (Existing Resources) lists Archaeological and Historical
Resources (City of Ripon 2006), stating that the City has “adopted an ordinance with provisions for a historical
preservation district.” The City of Ripon Municipal Code (2007:331-333; Chapter 16.44: Sections 16.44.01016.44.100) provides information concerning the Historic Overlay District, setting forth the purpose, district zoning,
eligibility for local historical designation, criteria for designating landmark buildings, and maintenance of structures
and premises, in addition to other information. The purpose of the Historic Overlay District includes the following
(Chapter 16.44.010):

Implement the City's General Plan;

Deter demolition, destruction, alteration, misuse, or neglect of historic or architecturally significant buildings
that form an important link to Ripon's past;

Promote the conservation, preservation, protection, and enhancement of each historic district; and

Stimulate the economic health and residential quality of the community and stabilize and enhance the value
of property. (Ord.606, 1999)
The Ripon Historical Museum Commission meets every third Monday (Historical Museum Commission 2008).
Stockton
The City of Stockton General Plan 2035 Goals and Policy Report includes the following cultural resource goal:

To encourage the identification, protection, and enhancement of the city’s archaeological, historical, cultural,
and paleontological resources and their cultural values.
City of Stockton Municipal Code. Stockton’s Municipal Code sets forth rules and procedures for the Cultural
Heritage Board, which was established in 1969 to assist in the preservation of the City’s historic districts and
landmarks. The code also establishes criteria and procedures for the designation and maintenance of landmarks
and historic sites. Chapter 16, Article VII, Section 16-730.120 of the Stockton Development Code specifies that all
property owners and tenants of Landmarks, Structures of Merit, and structures in a Historic Preservation District shall
maintain and keep in repair such structures and premises, and shall comply with all applicable building and housing
codes and other State and local laws. In addition, a Certificate of Appropriateness approved by the Community
Development Director, with advice from the Cultural Heritage Board, must be obtained for the construction,
demolition, alteration, removal, or relocation of any publicly or privately-owned landmark, or any structure, natural
feature, or site within a Historic Preservation District.
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Tracy
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The City of Tracy General Plan Land Use Element (2006) does not specifically address cultural resources and this
topic is not covered in Open Space or Land Use categories. However, item A. 3, the Vision Statement of this
document, states the following: “Preserve its ‘hometown feel’ by creating residential neighborhoods with a sense of
place and that are diverse, attractive, safe, walkable and affordable and by preserving significant historic and cultural
resources”.
A comprehensive historic resources building inventory of the City of Tracy was conducted in 1977 (City of Tracy
1978, 1979), resulting in the identification of the Tracy Landmarks Program and a list of Tracy’s Historic Landmarks
maintained by the Community Development Agency. As of Spring 2008, the City of Tracy was drafting a Historic
Preservation Ordinance that will establish a Historic Overlay Zone and a register of local historic landmarks (City of
Tracy Community Development Agency, Special Meeting Minutes March 18, 2008).
Major Findings

Data obtained from the Central California Information Center (CCIC) indicates that as of June 2008,
approximately 96,788 acres (11 percent of the County) in San Joaquin County have been surveyed for
cultural resources. It is likely that many prehistoric sites, historic remains, and paleontological resources
might be found on the surface, as well as in subsurface contexts, throughout the County, particularly but not
exclusively in riparian (streamside or riverside) settings and on the elevated landforms flanking the County.

According to the CCIC, San Joaquin County contains 4,853 documented historical resources, including 262
prehistoric archaeological sites, 239 historic archaeological sites, 14 multi-component archaeological sites,
and 4,338 historic buildings or structures that need to be preserved to share significance of cultural
resources through interpretive education opportunities with the community and visitors.

Historic Preservation Directory of Properties in the Historic Property Data File for San Joaquin County
(dated 03-20-2008) lists 3,261 evaluated historic properties. Of these, 33 are of national importance and are
listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), 380 are of State importance and are listed on the
California Register of Historic Resources (CRHR), 26 are listed as California Historical Landmarks (CHL),
and 9 as California Points of Historical Interest (CPHI), which provides an opportunity to support a cultural
resources program or larger preservation effort within County.

Many archaeological sites in the County have been destroyed by construction, agriculture, and river erosion.
Remaining archaeological sites in San Joaquin County represent about 5 percent of the original inventory
and are of exceptional importance for the study of regional prehistory.

It is a policy of the State of California to “conduct study of the state’s total effort to preserve and salvage the
archaeological, paleontological, and historic resources of the State.” (Public Resources Code 5097.91), but
there is no coordinated effort between State and local municipalities to inventory, assess, and plan for the
conservation of unique, significant, or representative examples of San Joaquin County’s cultural heritage.
Coordination is needed for adequate preservation of cultural resources.
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Significant, and/or important cultural resources may exist in the subsurface of farmland or other highly
modified localities, such as within cities. For example, archaeological investigations within the City of
Stockton (Olsen and Wilson 1964) demonstrated that significant cultural remains can be found below the
surface of “disturbed,” cultivated, or industrialized areas in San Joaquin County.

Paleontological specimens are found in western San Joaquin County (Alt and Hyndman 2000; Hackel 1966;
Hanson 2005; Hoots et al. 1954; Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley 2008) and may
be unearthed elsewhere in the County during project activities. Rosenthal and Meyer (2004) state that 11
localities in San Joaquin County have yielded Late Pleistocene-Age large mammals, including bison,
Jefferson’s Ground Sloth, Yesterdays Camel, Columbian Mammoth, horse, and American Mastodon. The
files of the Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley, list 791 fossil specimens from 83
localities within the County (see Appendix 13A, Identified/Protected Historical Resources within San Joaquin
County).
Existing Conditions
This section summarizes the archaeological, ethnographic, historical and paleontological settings in San Joaquin
County, and provides the essential background pertaining to these resources.
Archaeological Setting
Little is known of the earliest occupants of San Joaquin County, although it is probable that the San Joaquin Valley,
Sierra Nevada foothills, and the eastern flanks of the Diablo Range were occupied throughout most of the latter part
of the Holocene Epoch (~10,000 years ago to the present). Finding evidence of early cultures in the Central Valley is,
however, a daunting task, due to the mantle of alluvial sediment covering most of the Valley, a deposit up to six miles
(9.6 kilometers) thick and ranging in age from the late Mesozoic to the Historic Period. The more recently deposited
alluvium may conceal evidence of early human habitation (Heizer 1974; Rosenthal and Meyer 2004; Rosenthal et al.
2007).
The background of archaeological research in the Central Valley is presented by Beardsley (1948, 1954), Heizer
(1949, 1978), Jones and Klar (2007), Moratto (1984), Napton (1981), Ragir (1972), and Towne (1976).
Archaeological investigations in the Central Valley commenced in the Delta area of San Joaquin County, where from
1880 to 1906 James M. Barr excavated numerous prehistoric burial mounds. Other pioneer investigations were
conducted by Meredith (Holmes 1902). Beginning in 1912 Elmer Dawson excavated sites near Lodi, his work
subsequently reported by Schenck and Dawson (1929). Collections of artifacts from mounds near Stockton were
obtained for the University of California, Berkeley, by P. M. Jones (1923). Other research was undertaken by
Fenenga (1970), Heizer (1974), Hewes (1941), Olsen and Wilson (1964), and Schulz and Johnson (1980).
One of the most important archaeological research projects undertaken in the Central Valley and the Delta occurred
in the 1930s through a series of excavations conducted by Lillard et al. (1939), yielding evidence that verified
Dawson’s earlier work, and lead to the development of three major periods of Central Valley prehistory: the “Early,”
“Transitional,” and “Late” periods. Subsequently, Heizer (1949) referred to these periods as “horizons.” The sequence
proposed by Heizer was adopted by Beardsley (1948, 1954) and is now applied to the Bay Area and also to the lower
Central Valley. These three horizons are each explained below.
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Early Horizon: 2500 BC-500 BC
13
The early horizon burials were found oriented in the prone position, fully extended, often face down, head to the west.
Other important aspects of this horizon included the discovery of material cultures that included well-made
charmstones often used for ceremonies, large, heavy projectile points, flat slab millingbases, stone bowl mortars, and
pestles. Other discoveries included fiber-tempered, hand-molded baked clay objects substituted for cooking stones.
This period is represented in Sacramento County at CA-SAC-107 (Windmiller Mound) and in San Joaquin County at
five sites (CA-SJO-56, -68, -112 -142, and -168). Primary references include Heizer (1949, 1974), Lillard et al.
(1939), and Ragir (1972). These five sites attributed to the Windmiller Culture.
Middle Horizon: 500 BC-AD 800
Middle horizon patterns suggest the people of this period were less concerned with the orientation of burials. Many
burials were found tightly flexed, and cremations, although rare, were often accompanied by funerary goods. There is
evidence of warfare, however,less than 5 percent of skeletons have imbedded projectile points. Material culture
included coiled basketry inferred by the presence of numerous bone awls or fragments of awls, used to make
baskets. Charmstones, presumably used in ceremonies and baked clay objects were also common to objects occur.
Sites attributed to this phase include CA-SAC-66 (Morse Mound) and CA-SAC-43, (Brazil Mound) (Waechter 1997).
Primary references include Beardsley (1948, 1954), and Schenck and Dawson (1929).
Late Horizon: AD 800-AD 1820
Archaeological investigations during this period indicate cremations frequently occur. The material culture includes:
quantities of shell beads; serrated, small side-notched obsidian projectile points; and bowl mortars, pestles, and
steatite pipes. Sites include CA-CCO-138 (Hotchkiss Mound), and CA-STA-44 (Hoods Creek site). Primary
references include Bennyhoff (1977) and Fredrickson (1973, 1974).
Central Valley Archaeology and San Joaquin County
The prehistory of the Central California Valley is revealed through archaeological investigations and a typology of
artifacts found with burials during excavations. Evidence from this period suggests that the Central Valley Delta
region has been occupied since the Early and Middle Horizon (2500 BC to 800 AD). California “horizons,” their
salient, characteristic and cultural traits, the time periods subsumed by each, and many other topics concerning them
have been extensively discussed in the California archaeological literature (Jones and Klar 2007; Moratto 1984). For
example, in 1972 Ragir referred to the three horizons as “cultures,” respectively the Windmiller, Cosumnes, and
Hotchkiss cultures. Fredrickson (1973) regarded these entities as “patterns,” the Windmiller, Berkeley, and Augustine
patternsand later proposed three cultural periods: Paleo-Indian, Archaic, and Emergent.3 Another researcher,
Rosenthal et al. (2007) defined the following temporal divisions based on calibrated radiocarbon dates: Paleo-Indian
(11,550-8550 B.C.), Lower Archaic (5550 to 550 B.C.), Upper Archaic (550 B.C. to A.D.1100), and Emergent (A.D.
1100 to Historic. While the radiocarbon dates imply a high degree of accuracy, the data supporting some of the
postulated periods (Paleo-Indian and Archaic) are meager. For example, evidence of Paleo-Indians in the Central
Valley, according to Rosenthal et al. (2007), “consists of basally thinned and fluted projectile points found at scattered
surface locations, primarily in the southern portion of the basin. . . . To date, only three localities in the San Joaquin
Valley have produced early concave base points . . . including Tracy Lake [northwest of Woodbridge], the Woolfsen
3 For additional information, consult Beardsley (1948, 1954), Bennyhoff and Fredrickson (1994), Fredrickson (1973), Gerow and Force (1968), Lillard et al.
(1939), Moratto (1984), and Ragir (1972).
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[Wolfsen] Mound (MER-215), and the Tulare Lake basin.” At a latter location is the Witt Site, reported by earlier
reserachers Riddell and Olsen (1969), fluted points were found on the ancient lakeshore.
Early archaeological remains attributable to Paleo-Indians are extremely scarce in and near San Joaquin County.
Existing archaeological finds include a fluted projectile point from the vicinity of former Lake Tracy. This find was
characterized by Heizer (1938) as “Folsom-like,” referring to projectile points found at the famous site near Folsom,
New Mexico, dated by radiocarbon assays of associated bison bone at 10,500 years before present (Meltzer 2006).
Another find from the Lake Tracy area is a crescent-shaped artifact comparable to similar specimens found
elsewhere in California and Nevada and regarded by many scholars as ancient (Beck 1971). These finds are
exciting, but do not conclusively demonstrate the presence of early humans in the Central Valley. Therefore, more
substantial remains are those attributed to the Early Horizon (“Windmiller Pattern”), the earliest well-established
cultural manifestation of occupation evident in the Central Valley (Heizer 1974).
Windmiller takes its name from the Windmiller Ranch, Sacramento County, where some of the earliest regional
archaeological investigations were conducted (Lillard et al. 1939). The excavation reveals substantial evidence of a
prehistoric culture that apparently flourished in the Central Valley, particularly in the Stockton-Delta region and
elsewhere from approximately 2500 BC to the beginning of the Commonera. Unfortunately, fewer than a dozen
Windmiller sites are known, six are located in San Joaquin County near or within the City of Stockton, one of which,
the “Blossom Mound” (CA-SJO-68), is the oldest known Windmiller site (Ragir 1972). Another, the Bear Creek site
(CA-SJO-112) (Olsen and Wilson 1964), is one of the latest sites attributed to this cultural phase. Radiocarbon dates
of this excavation period indicate that this culture or phase flourished from 4,350 to 990 years ago (Moratto 1984) yet
ongoing studies demonstrate more details on the lifestyles of these early cultures, including food sources and
cooking methods and tools.
One of the principal foods consumed by Windmiller people was acorn meal. Groundstone tools found at some of the
known sites indicated the possible collection of plants, such as the acorn meal. These findings were determined from
the discovery of numerous amorphously-shaped baked clay objects that were interpreted by archaeologists as local
substitutes for cooking stones, (Heizer 1937). Suitable stones (or hand-molded globs of clay) were heated in fires
and placed in baskets containing acorn or other vegetal meal making it possible to cook meal in baskets without
exposing them directly to flame. However, it is assumed that repeated use of the stones or clay globs, eventually
caused them to fracture since the discarded, thermally-altered fragments of cooking stones and clay globs form a
significant part of the debris found at many Central Valley archaeological sites.
Other artifacts characteristic of the Windmiller pattern found at sites consist of several types of artifacts, including
large projectile points made of obsidian, carefully polished ground stone implements archaeologists call
“charmstones,” which had ceremonial significance. While much has been learned about the Windmiller culture
(Heizer 1949, 1974; Moratto 1984; Napton 1981; Ragir 1972) through evident archaeological deposits in the lower
Central California Region many aspects of this distinctive but enigmatic cultural expression remain to be studied
(Meighan 1987).
Several of the most important archaeological sites in San Joaquin County are located along the San Joaquin River,
its tributaries, and the Delta (Moratto 1984; Rosenthal et al. 2007). These sites (CA-SJO-56, -68, and –112) were
tested or partially excavated by professional archaeologists as well as avocationalists, yielding evidence of cemetery
features and anthropic deposits referred to as the “Windmiller Culture” (Lillard et al. 1939; Heizer 1949, 1974; Olsen
and Wilson 1964; Ragir 1972). On the basis of cumulative research in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region,
Heizer and his colleagues considered Windmiller to be the oldest known, well-established cultural manifestation in
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west-Central California, a conclusion essentially unchallenged today (Bennyhoff and Fredrickson 1994; Jones and
Klar 2007; Rosenthal et al. 2007) despite the paucity of known sites ascribed to this archaeological pattern.
Other archaeological sites in San Joaquin County found later include the French Camp Slough site (CA-SJO-91)
(Johnson 1970) also known as the Mormon Slough site excavated by Fenenga (1970), the Safflower site (CA-SJO145), and the Brown site (CA-SJO-165), located on the east side of the San Joaquin River (Rolen 1976). Recent
investigations required by State and Federal laws have documented numerous prehistoric and historical sites in San
Joaquin County.
Ethnographic Setting
Most of San Joaquin County was part of the former territory of the Penutian-speaking Northern Valley Yokuts. Their
territory extended from the foothills of the Coast Range east into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, north to the
Calaveras River and south to the San Joaquin River. Yokuts villages, consisting of a few families to several hundred
people, usually were located along principal watercourses. One of the primary sources of food for California Native
Americans, the acorn, is scarce in many parts of the Yokuts territory, but they made use of other edibles, gathering
nuts, seeds, and roots of many plants. Acorns and other seeds were processed in portable mortars made of stone or
white oak. River-cobble pestles were used in mortars to pulverize vegetal materials.
Yokuts made pottery simply by smoothing or pressing out a lump of clay obtained from riverbanks. Unmodified rocks
or cobbles of suitable size and shape were used as “cooking stones” to heat processed vegetal foods, such as acorn
mush, in baskets. When rocks were not locally available “baked clay globs” were substituted. The Yokuts used flaked
stone tools (arrowheads and knives) made of chert or obsidian, the latter obtained from sources east of the Sierra
Nevada through trade with neighboring Paiute or Miwok. The Northern Valley Yokuts constructed several types of
dwellings, including the mat-covered gabled kawi, a communal dwelling, and a wedge-shaped family dwelling (te)
made of tule, in which each family had separate quarters. Other structures included flat-roofed shades supported by
posts. Sweathouses were built by digging a pit several feet deep and building within it a pole framework covered with
earth. Water was poured on hot rocks inside the structure to produce steam.
Ethnographic information for the Yokuts of San Joaquin County is based primarily on what was known prior to 1925
concerning the Southern Valley Yokuts, the “northerners” having been virtually wiped out by malaria and smallpox
epidemics in the 1830s. A valuable source is the Handbook of Yokuts Indians by F. F. Latta (1977). The destruction
of Native American tribal cultures in the Central Valley from 1776 to 1900 due to disease and other forms of cultural
disruption is discussed by Cook (1943, 1955, 1960, 1962), Heizer and Almquist (1971), and Hurtado (1988). Primary
source materials concerning the Yokuts were collected by Kroeber (1925), Latta (1977), Powers (1877), Schenck
(1926), and Wallace (1978).
It is believed that during prehistoric times part of San Joaquin County was occupied by Miwok, a tribe consisting of
five distinctive cultural groups, each of which spoke a different Miwokean language (Kroeber 1925; Levy 1978). The
foothill and mountain reaches of the Mokelumne and Calaveras rivers were occupied by the Northern Sierra Miwok,
and part of the Central Valley by the Plains Miwok (Baumhoff 1963, 1978; Beals and Hester 1964; Bennyhoff 1977;
Heizer and Elsasser 1980; Kroeber 1925).
Levy discusses the territory and village sites of the Eastern Miwok. Unfortunately, ethnographically documented
knowledge of Plains Miwok village locations is confined for the most part merely to lists of villages; often only the
approximate location and estimated population of a village is known. Kroeber, Levy, and Bennyhoff respectively,
published information regarding village locations, but the scale of their maps is so small that the depictions give only
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the approximate positions of most of the villages, the majority of which of course no longer survive. A few have been
identified as archaeological sites (Bennyhoff 1977). Kroeber (1925) lists in the County four ethnographically known
Native American villages, located on the lower Mokelumne River.
Today, Native Americans continue to reside in San Joaquin County. According to the U. S. Census Bureau (2008),
approximately 1.3 percent of the County’s population is composed of American Indians and Alaska Native persons.
Historical Setting
Hispanic Era
Catholic missionaries and soldiers of Spain entered southern California from Mexico in 1769, and founded San
Diego. They subsequently established a chain of 21 missions, as well as presidios, secular cattle ranches, and
villages northward along the coast. Their presence in the Central Valley, however, was limited to occasional
expeditions and forays undertaken to capture Native Americans who had fled the coastal missions. The Spanish
explored the Central Valley in a cursory way but failed to build missions there, and did not venture into the Sierra
Nevada. Juan Crespi and Pedro Fages in 1772 were the first to see the San Joaquin River, followed by Jose Moraga,
who probably reached the vicinity of the mouth of the Calaveras River in 1776. Other explorers followed, but Spain
gradually declined as an imperial power, its influence in California ended in 1821, followed by the ascendancy of
Mexico, the Mexican Period lasting from 1822-1848. Spanish influence persisted due to the establishment of
ranchos. Six Spanish and later Mexican land grants were wholly or partly within the present-day County. They are
Arroyo Seco, Campo de los Franceses (including Stockton), Estanislao (Thompson’s), Zanjon de Mokuelumnes,
Pescadero (claimed by Pico) and Pescadero claimed by Higueria), and two unnamed and ultimately rejected grants
applied for by José Castro and John Rowland (Cowan 1956).
American Era
American exploration of the Central Valley began with the arrival of trappers, traders, and explorers, including
Jedediah Smith in 1827, the Ewing-Young expedition in 1832-33, and the J. R. Walker party in 1834. In 1844 John
Frémont and his party headed south through the San Joaquin Valley (Frémont 1887). The mountain men
experienced numerous clashes with Native Americans along the Mokelumne and Calaveras rivers (Hoover et al.
1958).
John Marshall’s epochal discovery of gold in the tailrace of Sutter’s Mill in January 1848 brought thousands of goldseekers to the Sierra Nevada “Mother Lode” region. One of the indirect but far-reaching consequences of the Gold
Rush was occupation of the valley by ferry operators, storekeepers, innkeepers, and others who supplied the miners
with goods and services. Numerous ferries operated along the San Joaquin and its tributaries (MacMullen 1944).
Most appeared overnight and disappeared just as quickly when the flow of Sierra-bound miners and prospectors
dwindled. In 1850 the few settlements in San Joaquin County included Stockton, San Joaquin City, French Camp,
Chalmer’s Ranch, and the ranchos. San Joaquin City, an agricultural settlement established in 1849, consisted of
several one-story houses and numerous tents. It served as a terminal for boats traveling along the San Joaquin River
between Stockton and Tuolumne City in Stanislaus County. French Camp, a California State Historic Landmark and
founded by French-Canadian trappers was the southernmost camp of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the western
terminus of the Oregon Trail from about 1832 to approximately 1845.
Stockton was established by Charles Weber, who saw the advantage of its location as a supply center for miners
bound for the Mother Lode. Weber laid out the town, originally known as Tuleberg, in 1847. It was renamed Stockton
for Commodore Robert F. Stockton, and by 1850 the little settlement had a population of 5,000 (Marschner 2000).
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During the 1850s the more productive parts of the Central Valley were taken up by farmers and stockmen. In 1872
the Central Pacific Railroad entered the County, connecting the San Joaquin Valley with markets to north and south,
and, importantly, the east (Gilbert 1879). By 1885 much of San Joaquin County was under cultivation, wheat being a
major crop. The remaining grasslands were occupied by huge herds of cattle, the era of the “cattle kings,” typified in
the Central Valley south of San Joaquin County by the vast land holdings of Miller and Lux (Treadwell 1950). As
agriculture increased in the Central Valley most of the former land grants were broken up into numerous small farms,
and the valley began to take on its present densely settled, highly productive aspect. The key to intensive agriculture
was a means of overcoming seasonal aridity and the equally damaging seasonal floods produced when the Valley
fields were inundated by melt water from the Sierra Nevada snow pack. Seasonal floods were controlled by
constructing reservoirs and gradually releasing water during the growing season, providing reliable water supplies
throughout what was to become one of the leading California food-producing counties (Davis 1984; Gilbert 1879).
The Port of Stockton was opened in 1933, the first inland seaport in California (Davis 1984).
Paleontological Setting
The following summary of the geological evolution of the Central Valley is taken in part from Elam (2001) and Hoots
et al. (1954). During the Mesozoic Era (208-65 million years ago) the Sierra Nevada formed, but the region that
would become the San Joaquin Valley lay several thousand feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. During the
Late Cretaceous Period (75-65 million years ago) flowering plants, early dinosaurs, and the first birds and mammals
appeared. The basic form of the Great Central Valley took shape during the Cenozoic period, first as islands, then as
mountains. During the late Cenozoic Era (65–2 million years ago), the Sierra Nevada eroded to mere hills compared
to their earlier appearance, the Coast Ranges rose, and the San Joaquin Valley began to form.
During the Paleocene Epoch (65-53 million years ago) dinosaurs became extinct and mammals gradually evolved as
the dominant group of animal life. During the Eocene Epoch (53-39 million years ago), the western edges of the San
Joaquin Valley rose above sea level. Sedimentation and tectonic uplift of geological formations continued until two
million years ago. In the subsequent Oligocene Epoch (39–23 million years ago) sedimentation continued, and during
the Miocene Epoch (23–5 mya) the Diablo Range was uplifted. The Pliocene Epoch (5–2 million years ago) was a
time of tremendous uplift, and great quantities of sediment eroded from the nearby mountain ranges accumulated in
the valley, eventually forming a deposit thousands of feet thick. In the Pleistocene Epoch (2 million to 10,000 years
ago) the Sierra Nevada range was increasingly elevated and glaciated, resulting in the formation of spectacular
features such as Yosemite Valley. During the Holocene Epoch (10,000 years ago to the present) the San Joaquin
Valley was above sea level and achieved its present appearance, 466 miles long and 19 to 50 miles wide, enclosed
by the Siskiyou, Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, and Coast Ranges on the north, east, south, and west, respectively. The
valley contained fresh water lakes and rivers attractive to herds of prehistoric grazing animals, including Columbian
Mammoth, camel, bison, and native horse. The fossil remains of these creatures have been found in San Joaquin
County and adjacent areas (Rosenthal and Meyer 2004).
According to standards and guidelines published by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (2008), sedimentary rock
units with a high potential for containing significant nonrenewable paleontological resources are those within which
vertebrate or significant invertebrate fossils have been determined by previous studies to be present or likely to be
present. Significant paleontological resources are fossils or assemblages of fossils, which are unique, unusual, rare,
uncommon, diagnostically or stratigraphically important, and those which add to the existing body of knowledge in
specific areas, stratigraphically, taxonomically, or regionally (Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 2008).
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The vast majority of paleontological specimens from San Joaquin County have been found in rock formations in the
foothills of the Diablo Mountain Range. However, remains of extinct animals such as mammoth, could be found
virtually anywhere in the county, especially along watercourses such as the San Joaquin River and its tributaries.
Identified/Protected Historical Resources within San Joaquin County
The Historic Preservation Directory of Properties in the Historic Property Data File for San Joaquin County (dated 0320-2008) lists 3,261 historic properties that have been evaluated in the County (see Appendix 13A). Of these, 33 are
of national importance and are listed on the NRHP, 380 are of state importance and are listed on the CRHR, 26 are
listed as California Historical Landmarks (CHL) and 9 as California Points of Historical Interest (CPHI) (see Appendix
13A).
Paleontological specimens are found in western San Joaquin County (Alt and Hyndman 2000; Hackel 1966; Hanson
2005; Hoots et al. 1954; Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley 2008) and may be unearthed
elsewhere in the County during project activities. Rosenthal and Meyer (2004) state that 11 localities in San Joaquin
County have yielded Late Pleistocene-Age large mammals, including bison, Jefferson’s Ground Sloth, Yesterdays
Camel, Columbian Mammoth, horse, and American Mastodon. The files of the Museum of Paleontology, University of
California, Berkeley, list 791 fossil specimens from 83 localities within the County (see Appendix 13A,
Identified/Protected Historical Resources within San Joaquin County).
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