Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chapter 2. Alternatives
be installed as funding becomes available. The riparian exclusionary fencing and
pasture fencing would provide for protection of the enhancement area. The
fencing would consist of cross channel fences to restrict livestock from entering
the stream corridor. Partial or complete exclusion fencing would also be installed
around the CRLF breeding pools.
As described previously for the seasonal wetlands enhancement, upUp to 57,000
CY of excavated soil from the pond excavation may be hauled to project areas
south of Highway 37 in on-road dump trucks. Equipment used for earthwork
would include dozers, excavators or loaders, and on-highway and off-road trucks.
Other Upland Areas
Approximately 1,060 acres of the project site is in active use as cattle grazing
land. As part of the Proposed Project, SLT plans to continue the existing grazing
operations. A Grazing Plan was developed for the area North of Highway 37 in
2006 (Bush 2006). Surveys of the grazing area that were performed for the
Grazing Plan indicate that the grazing is compatible with many of the sensitive
species in the grazing area. SLT has made some changes to grazing operations to
eliminate manure spreading, and provide additional fencing and new water
sources for cattle and to protect and enhance the sensitive species habitat in the
area. Implementation of the Grazing Plan may include evaluation of fertilizer
placement on the property, seasonal grazing restriction in some areas, and
changes in cattle distribution.
SLT and USFWS currently provide guided interpretative walks of the upland
areas; these are expected to continue after the project is complete.
Construction Schedule
All construction is expected to occur over a two-to three-year period with a
construction window between April and December, or as feasible based on
weather. Construction activities would be implemented to ensure compliance
with regulatory requirements.
The first year of construction would include the initial stage of construction for
the new levee, excavation of contaminated soil, the removal of the existing
buildings, stormwater conveyance system, and excavation for the tidal marsh
features south of the rail line. The second year would include completing the new
levee construction, completing the storm water conveyance system, constructing
tidal marsh features, and road and trail features. Prevegetation of the site is
anticipated during the third year, at the end of which perimeter levees would be
lowered, the Connector Channel to San Pablo Bay would be excavated, and
Breaches 1 and 2 would be excavated. Depending on the rate and location of
construction activities, pre-vegetation may also be accomplished in portions of
the property during years 1 and 2, potentially allowing completion of restoration
construction in Year 2.
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
2-33
April 2012