Off the northeastern edge of San Francisco Bay sits Point Buckler Island — a small stretch of land with a big reputation. Once a private playground for Silicon Valley’s elite, it’s now in the hands of conservationists who say it has become nothing short of a disaster for the environment.
The John Muir Land Trust, a nonprofit group known for preserving Northern California’s natural spaces, bought the island earlier this year for $3.8 million. The deal came after the property’s controversial former owner, John Sweeney, lost it in a court-ordered auction following years of legal and environmental battles.
“It Should Have Been a Refuge”
For Linus Eukel, the trust’s executive director, what they inherited wasn’t a dream purchase — it was a nightmare.
“This island should be a refuge, a place where small fish find food, shelter, and safe passage. Instead, it’s a death trap,” Eukel told SF Gate.
According to the trust, the once-thriving marsh has been choked off by man-made levees and blocked waterways, leaving fish stranded in stagnant pools. Young salmon now swim over the levee during high tide and get trapped in oxygen-deprived water, unable to escape.
Cleaning Up the Mess
The John Muir Land Trust says the road to recovery will be long — and expensive. The group has launched a fundraising effort to restore the island’s natural tidal flow and bring life back to its marshlands.
Their plan involves tearing down remnants of Sweeney’s luxury retreat, including helipads, docks, trailers, and even patches of artificial turf. “We’ll have to breach the unauthorized levee in several spots to re-establish the natural channels,” Eukel said. “It’s going to take time, but it’s the only way to bring this island back to life.”
For now, helicopters and barges are being used to remove debris and transport materials from the remote site. Eventually, the trust hopes to reopen the area to the public as a restored wildlife haven.
A Billionaire’s Playground Gone Wrong
Sweeney’s version of Point Buckler couldn’t have been more different. After buying the land for just $150,000 in 2011, he transformed it into a $750,000-a-year kite-surfing club catering to wealthy thrill-seekers. Regulators said he built helicopter pads, restrooms, and lounge areas — all without proper environmental approval.
In 2016, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board slapped Sweeney with a record $4.6 million fine, accusing him of inflicting severe ecological damage. Officials called it one of the worst environmental violations ever seen in the Bay Area.
From Courtroom Drama to Conservation
Sweeney’s decade-long feud with state agencies ended dramatically in January when he was arrested outside the courthouse — moments after his land was sold. Witnesses say he interrupted the auction, insisting he was still the rightful owner. “Government at its finest,” he reportedly said. “Can’t figure out how to sell a property.”
But officials stood firm, and the John Muir Land Trust walked away with the winning bid. Now, they’re determined to turn the story around.
Looking Ahead
Despite the mess, the new owners say there’s hope. “The good news? We own Point Buckler now,” the trust said in a statement. “And with the community’s help, we can bring this island back to what it was meant to be — a sanctuary, not a trap.”
Once the marsh is restored and wildlife returns, Point Buckler could once again be a symbol of life in the San Francisco Bay — this time, not for luxury, but for nature.