Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Management Alternatives
milestones have been achieved. Other plan components include: species population
monitoring; endangered species studies; endangered species protection; predator control;
habitat restoration and enhancement; monitoring and researching environmental quality;
public use and education; and staff and funding. The Protection Plan, which is incorporated by
reference into the CCP/EA, serves as the Refuge’s “step-down” plan for predator
management, which is discussed in greater detail below.
Refuge cleanups involving volunteers and Refuge staff are organized periodically to remove
trash and other debris from the edges of the marsh and adjacent uplands. Refuge staff works
with the Navy to have more significant debris, such as old pieces of pipe, tires, and large pieces
of wood that have been pushed into the Refuge by high tides, removed from the marsh.
Concrete debris located to the southeast of NASA Island has been identified as remnants of a
structure associated with a “plugged and abandoned – dry hole” as listed on the California
Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources website. This is actually the site of an
abandoned oil well that was drilled in 1929. It was abandoned and capped in 1930 by
CalResources LLC. The total depth of the drill hole is 4,573 feet, of which 972 feet is metal
casing filled with cement. Although there was a requirement to remove all visible structures as
part of the original abandonment process, the concrete associated with the well is still present
on the site. The area affected by the abandoned well is less than 500 square feet in size.
The current responsible party for this site has been identified and has agreed to remove the
remaining structures. Removal and clean-up will require the use of heavy equipment to break
up an estimated 1,400-1,600 metric tons of concrete and to load trucks that will haul the
concrete material to an appropriate off-Refuge disposal site. Where footings go below the
surface of the ground, several feet of the concrete located below the surface will be removed
and the disturbed area will be filled with clean material to reestablish the historic marsh
elevation. In addition, the well pipe head may be lowered to beneath ground level as part of
this project. Any vegetation or dirt currently on top of concrete will be salvaged and replaced
upon completion of project. Temporary dams and dewatering may be required to limit the tidal
flow into the work area while removing the footings. Once all of the structures are removed
and the proper elevations have been achieved, native salt marsh vegetation appropriate to this
site will be planted to accelerate site restoration.
Work at the site will be limited to September 15 through February 1 to avoid impacts to
nesting least terns and light-footed clapper rails. Any work lighting will be fully shielded to
prevent light from spilling into adjacent habitat areas, and best management practices will be
implemented to protect water quality and habitat. These conditions will be outlined in a
Refuge Special Use Permit to be issued to the contractor prior to commencement of any work
on the site. Similar conditions will likely be required by NWSSB, which will also need to
approve this work. The project will also be required to comply with the provisions of the Clean
Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Coastal Management Act, and NEPA.
Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Species Management. A number of actions are
implemented on the Refuge specifically to protect and aid in the recovery of the California
least tern and light-footed clapper rail. These include annual pre-nesting site preparation,
predator management, and population monitoring. Population monitoring is conducted to
determine species abundance and ongoing population trends on the Refuge and endangered
species studies are conducted per available funding to study population dynamics and habitat
use by least terns and clapper rails.
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment 3-13