Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Chapter 5
Public Use
Expanding the public use program at Seal Beach NWR would not result in any significant adverse
effects to water quality on the Refuge or in Anaheim Bay.
5.2.3.7 Effects from Climate Change/Sea Level Rise
Wildlife and Habitat Management
The effects of climate change and sea level rise on Refuge resources and facilities would be the
same for Alternative C as those described under Alternative A, above. However, Alternative C
also includes the strategies intended to assist Refuge staff in identifying and addressing changes
related to sea level rise, as described in Alternative B, as well as an additional strategy for
attempting to replace intertidal habitats anticipated to be converted to subtidal habitat as a result
of sea level rise. The implementation of these types of measures is expected to adequately address
the effects of sea level rise over the 15-year life of this CCP. However, despite these actions, the
SLAMM results indicate that sea level rise over the next 25 to 100 years are likely to have a
profound impact on the trust resources protected within the Seal Beach NWR. Therefore,
reevaluation of the goals, objectives, and strategies addressed in this the CCP may be necessary in
the future to determine if and how additional strategies for addressing the effects of sea level rise
on these coastal resources should be implemented.
Public Use
Of the proposals included in Alternative C to expand opportunities for public use, the proposal to
construct an elevated observation deck could be subject to impacts related to sea level rise at some
point in the future. In order to avoid impacts related to sea level rise, the SLAMM results will be
taken into consideration in selecting the site for the proposed elevated observation deck.
5.2.3.8 Effects to Air Quality
Wildlife and Habitat Management
Each of the management activities conducted under Alternative A would also occur under
Alternative C. As described in Section 5.2.1.8 above, none of these activities would result in
adverse effects to air quality. The additional management activities included within Alternative C
that relate to habitat restoration, culvert replacement, concrete debris removal, removal of the
drop tower, and improvements to support cordgrass habitat in the marsh would result in
temporary, localized adverse impacts to air quality related to fugitive dust and tailpipe emissions
generated by construction equipment (e.g., land excavators, motor graders, dump trucks,
excavator with a hydraulic hammer, generators). The various activities would take place over a
period of two to three months and are not expected to generate emissions in excess of current air
quality standards. To ensure that all emissions are minimized to the maximum extent practicable,
the following measures would be included in the construction specifications for all construction
related projects implemented on the Refuge:
Measures shall be implemented to prevent visible dust emissions from leaving the project
site boundary, including, but not limited to, watering prior to and during any earth
movement; watering exposed soil three times per day, as applicable; installing wind
fencing; covering excavated materials to prevent erosion; and stopping work during high
wind conditions.
The load of all haul vehicles shall be covered to reduce fugitive dust generated during the
transport of materials and any stock piled material shall be covered to reduce the
production of dust.
5-28 Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge