Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Chapter 5
contaminants related to past military activities are avoided to ensure no adverse effects related to
contaminants.
Prior studies conducted on the Refuge by the Navy as part of their Installation Restoration
program identified total petroleum hydrocarbon and chromium levels that exceeded State Water
Resources Control Board designated levels to protect marine waters. Additionally, in 1995 a study
was completed to assess the effects of operations at NWSSB on the biota of the Refuge’s salt
marsh habitat. This study focused on the potential bioaccumulation of chemicals in species that are
primary food items of the California least tern and light-footed clapper rail. Although observed
contaminant levels in primary food items did not warrant a concern for immediate remediation,
levels were sufficient to potentially produce sublethal effects in the least tern and clapper rail.
Because a major pathway for contaminants of concern, including cadmium, chromium, copper,
lead, nickel, zinc, DDE, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), are erosion and runoff from
surrounding upland areas, the draft INRPM for NWSSB (U.S. Navy 2011) recommends further
monitoring to assess bioaccumulation of chemicals in these species particularly in the northwest
and southeast areas of the Refuge.
Public Use
No contaminants are known or expected to be present in areas used by the public as part of the
public use programs currently conducted on the Refuge.
5.2.2 Alternative B – Maximize Salt Marsh Restoration, Continue Current
Public Uses
Under Alternative B, the wildlife and habitat management activities described in Alternative A
would be expanded to include additional activities intended to protect and aid in the recovery of the
light-footed clapper rail and California least tern; to increase our understanding of the array of
species present within the Refuge and their relationship with other species and existing habitats;
to broaden our understanding of how the Refuge’s trust resources are being affected by climate
change and sea level rise; and to restore the remaining disturbed habitat areas on the Refuge to
functional salt marsh and wetland/upland transition habitat. This alternative also includes the
implementation of an IPM Plan and a Mosquito Management Plan. No changes to the public use
program described in Alternative A would occur under this alternative.
5.2.2.1 Effects to Topography/Visual Quality
Wildlife and Habitat Management
Each of the management activities conducted under Alternative A would also occur under
Alternative B. None of these would result in adverse effects to topography. In addition,
Alternative B calls for restoration of salt marsh and wetland/upland transitional habitats in several
locations around the Refuge. The proposed restoration sites include: approximately 20 acres of
land located to the north of Case Road Pond; one acre on the eastern-most island in the Case Road
Pond; ten acres to the southeast of 7 th Street Pond; and five to six acres located along the western
edge of 7 th Street Pond and around the existing drop tower at the southern end of 7 th Street.
Restoration of the areas to the north of Case Road Pond and southeast of 7 th Street Pond would
involve the removal of fill material to achieve elevations supportive of the type of habitat proposed
for each site. The Case Road site, the area to the southeast of 7 th Street Pond, and the area to the
east of the drop tower would be restored to a range of sub-tidal, intertidal mudflat, salt marsh, and
wetland/upland transitional habitat, while the area to the west of 7 th Street Pond and west of the
drop tower would be restored to wetland/upland transitional habitat. Conventional land
5-12 Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge