Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Management Alternatives
Implement Water Quality Monitoring – A water quality monitoring program
to regularly collect data regarding the basic physical parameters of the waters
within the Refuge would be implemented per available funding.
Monitor Tidal Channel Bathymetry and Channel Bank Stability – Tidal
channel bathymetry and channel bank stability would be monitored annually to
determine changes related to erosion and/or sedimentation.
Expand Opportunities of Research – Research projects that are consistent
with Refuge purposes and the mission of the NWRS would be identified for
implementation on the Refuge to benefit Refuge resources and improve
management effectiveness.
Monitor Changes Related to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise – Funding
and partnerships would be sought to routinely monitor and record tidal
elevations, changes in habitat quality and/type over time, and changes in avian
and fish species composition to better understand and address the effects of
climate change and sea level rise on Refuge resources.
Improve the Quality of Runoff Entering the Marsh – Through the formation of
a multiple agency partnership, measures to reduce water pollution levels in the
Bolsa Chica and East Garden Grove-Wintersburg flood control channels would
be designed and implemented.
Restore Native Habitat – Habitat restoration would be implemented on
approximately 37 acres of disturbed upland within the Refuge. The types of
habitats to be restored vary among the two action alternatives.
3.4.3 Detailed Description of the Alternatives
3.4.3.1 Alternative A - No Action
The No Action Alternative (Figure 3-2) proposes no changes to the present management or
public use activities occurring on the Refuge. However, as is the case today, if the Navy were
to determine that the mission of NWSSB could be compromised by the public use activities
currently occurring on the Refuge, these activities could be curtailed or eliminated.
Wildlife and Habitat Management
The majority of the wildlife and habitat management activities occurring on the Refuge are
being implemented in accordance with the approved Endangered Species Management and
Protection Plan (Protection Plan) (USFWS and Navy 1991). The primary objective of this
plan was and continues to be the establishment of a more naturally balanced ecosystem to
support the endangered species and other native wildlife occurring within the Refuge and
surrounding NWSSB. To achieve this objective, two important milestones had to be achieved:
1) eliminate the non-native population of red fox on the Refuge and adjacent Station; and 2)
reestablish a coyote population to maintain a healthy predator balance. Both of these
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment 3-11