Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Table of Contents
Volunteeers and Partners ................................................................................... 3-39
3.4.4 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis ....................... 3-39
Expand the Number of California Least Tern Nesting Sites ....................... 3-39
Expand the Refuge Boundary to Include the Los Cerritos Wetlands ........ 3-39
Include Oil Island into the Refuge Following Termination of Oil
Production Activities .......................................................................................... 3-39
Improve Public Access onto the Refuge ........................................................... 3-40
3.4.5 Comparison of Alternatives by Issue ....................................................................... 3-40
Chapter 4 –Refuge Resources ............................................................................................. 4-1
4.1 Environmental Setting .......................................................................................................... 4-1
4.1.1 Location and Property Description ........................................................................... 4-1
4.1.2 Flyway Setting .............................................................................................................. 4-1
4.1.3 Historic Setting ............................................................................................................. 4-3
4.2 Physical Environment ........................................................................................................... 4-8
4.2.1 Topography/Visual Quality ......................................................................................... 4-8
4.2.2 Geology and Soils ........................................................................................................ 4-11
4.2.3 Mineral Resources ...................................................................................................... 4-14
4.2.4 Agricultural Resources .............................................................................................. 4-14
4.2.5 Hydrology/Water Quality .......................................................................................... 4-15
4.2.5.1 Hydrology .......................................................................................................... 4-15
4.2.5.2 Water Quality .................................................................................................... 4-21
4.2.5.3 Watershed Planning ......................................................................................... 4-27
4.2.6 Climate/Climate Change/Sea Level Rise ................................................................ 4-28
4.2.7 Air Quality ................................................................................................................... 4-30
4.2.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ....................................................................................... 4-32
4.2.9 Contaminants .............................................................................................................. 4-34
4.3 Biological Resources .............................................................................................................. 4-37
4.3.1 Regional and Historical Context .............................................................................. 4-37
4.3.2 Regional Conservation Planning .............................................................................. 4-38
4.3.2.1 Ecoregion/Landscape Conservation Cooperative Planning ....................... 4-38
4.3.2.2 Applicable Species Recovery Plans ................................................................ 4-39
4.3.2.3 Shorebird Conservation Planning .................................................................. 4-39
4.3.2.4 Waterbird Conservation .................................................................................. 4-40
4.3.2.5 Sonoran Joint Venture Bi-national Bird Conservation ............................... 4-40
4.3.2.6 Marine Protected Areas .................................................................................. 4-41
4.3.2.7 California Wildlife Action Plan ....................................................................... 4-41
4.3.3 Habitat and Vegetation ............................................................................................. 4-41
4.3.3.1 Shallow Subtidal Habitat ................................................................................. 4-42
4.3.3.2 Intertidal Channels and Tidal Mudflat Habitats ......................................... 4-44
4.3.3.3 Coastal Salt Marsh Habitat ............................................................................. 4-45
4.3.3.4 Upland Habitat ................................................................................................. 4-46
4.3.3.5 Sensitive Plants ................................................................................................. 4-47
4.3.4 Wildlife ........................................................................................................................ 4-47
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment iii