(1) Recreational development should be given priority for shoreline location to the extent that the use facilitates the public’s ability to access (visual and physical), enjoy, and use the water and shoreline. Where appropriate, such facilities should be dispersed along the shoreline in a manner that supports more frequent recreational access and aesthetic enjoyment of the shoreline for a substantial number of people.

(2) Preference should be given to activities on publicly owned lands which are consistent with County, State, and federal park and recreation plans for water-oriented recreational uses and development.

(3) The need to accommodate water-oriented recreational development should be balanced with the need to protect shoreline resources including native vegetation, substrates, water quality, and fish and wildlife species and habitats.

(4) Recreational developments should facilitate appropriate use and enjoyment of shoreline resources while also conserving them.

(5) Recreational development should incorporate educational information and display information about the shoreline environment and the effects of human actions on shoreline ecological functions and processes.

(6) Recreational facilities should only be located within shoreline jurisdiction when they support a water-oriented recreational use. Non-water-oriented recreational facilities should be prohibited in ecologically intact shorelines and should be located landward of the shoreline buffer in Tables 6-1 and 6-2 of this Program.

(7) Recreational developments should be designed to minimize the need for clearing and grading. Utilities and roads should not be located or expanded in areas where damage to persons, property, and/or shoreline functions or processes is likely to occur.

(8) Recreational developments and plans should provide a varied and balanced choice of recreation experiences in appropriate locations. Public agencies and private developers should coordinate their plans and activities to provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities without duplicating facilities.

(9) Trail links between shoreline parks and public access points should be provided for walking, horseback or bicycle riding, and other nonmotorized access where appropriate.

(10) Cooperative efforts among public and private persons toward the acquisition and/or development of suitable recreation sites or facilities should be explored to assure long-term availability of sufficient public sites to meet local recreation needs.

(11) The County should review proposals for new recreational developments to determine if any such development would thwart or substantially compromise planned restoration actions. The County should work with the proponents of each project to resolve likely conflicts between the recreational development and planned restoration.