Pilarcitos Integrated Watershed Management Plan - San Mateo ...

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Pilarcitos Integrated Watershed Management Plan The first project task will identify the historical (pre-development) characteristics of the lagoon in terms of physical form, habitat conditions (to the extent possible), and land use patterns including physical, biological, and chemical components. The context for existing conditions will be informed by a historical reconstruction using available aerial photographs, surveys, maps, and historical accounts. These resources will guide geomorphic and ecological interpretations of those seasonal processes and key events that have influenced the changing dynamic condition of the lagoon over time. Factors that will be considered will include local land-use, nearshore littoral cell dynamics, coastal and fluvial geomorphic processes, ecological successional dynamics, local groundwater conditions, and seasonal and annual surface water conditions. Through spatial analyses of historic maps and air photos and supplemented with historic accounts and literature review, this task will develop a historical timeline of changes in the watershed and littoral cell. The second project task will be to evaluate the seasonality of the physical coastal and watershed processes that presently influence the lagoon including the cycles in beach dynamics, tidal prism, stream flow and temperature and salinity changes. This evaluation will lead to a better understanding of the processes that regulate the opening and closing of the bar-built estuary and control the habitat quality at different times of the year. For example, at least an approximate understanding of the following elements may be necessary to assess the feasibility of lagoon habitat enhancement: location and size (area) of the estuary/lagoon; available seasonal freshwater inflows; interaction of lagoon water supply with groundwater; freshwater inflows; ocean conditions; and tide ranges needed for lagoon breaching; littoral cell sediment dynamics, including sand supply and transport for bar formation; and sediment supply from the watershed that is delivered to the mouth. Pilarcitos Lagoon is a bar-built estuary that is similar to other Central Coast estuaries (e.g., Pescadero, Waddell, and Scotts Creeks). Studies of similar systems may provide insight into opportunities and constraints at Pilarcitos Lagoon or approaches to defining them. Based on the first two tasks leading to an understanding of the various processes involved in regulating the breaching of the lagoon, the third project task will develop description of project opportunities and constraints. Study investigators will develop a conceptual model linking observed evolution of the lagoon from historic to present day conditions to known or hypothesized changes in habitat conditions. This conceptual model of lagoon evolution will then be used to help identify opportunities and constraints for habitat enhancement within the present day and potential future system conditions. Analyses of coastal and watershed processes, obstructions, and material fluxes are required to understand whether a factor may pose a major constraint on the feasibility of habitat enhancement. This task will also identify key management and regulatory concerns of the stakeholders, including the landowner, California State Parks, and resource management agencies. Identified Priority Projects 43 October, 2008
Pilarcitos Integrated Watershed Management Plan The fourth project task will use the information generated in the first three tasks to develop broad lagoon-habitat enhancement alternatives. Each alternative will be described in terms of habitat benefits, relative costs, pros/cons, and project uncertainties. Deliverable: A report that will provide a basis for developing a technically-sound lagoon ecosystem function enhancement project in a subsequent phase. 5.3.1.4 Project Benefits This project will provide the basis for determining what, if any, lagoon fish passage and habitat enhancement approaches have the potential to provide significant benefits for fish or other species of concern and should therefore be considered for future development as a watershed enhancement project. 5.3.1.5 Project Milestones Obtain funding agreement ♦ Bid solicitation ♦ Contractor selection ♦ Develop TAC ♦ Draft report ♦ Final report Identified Priority Projects 44 October, 2008
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