Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chapter 2. Alternatives
While this alternative would support project wetland formation in the tidal area
and wetland maturation for the Tolay Creek restoration project better than in the
Project, given the extensive amount of existing tidal salt marsh and mudflat
disturbance that would occur with this alternative, related increased potential
impacts on endangered and threatened species (i.e., salt marsh harvest mouse,
California clapper rail, California black rail), air quality, and increase in energy
consumption, costs, project delay, and that successful wetland formation could
occur with a lesser amount of dredging, this alternative was dismissed from
further consideration in this document.
Bayfront Spur Trail Alternative
In early evaluation of potential trail options, a spur trail running from the current
terminus of the Bay trail on the east side of Sonoma Baylands along the existing
Sonoma Baylands levee southward to San Pablo Bay was considered as part of
the Project. This trail would provide additional recreational opportunity to
observe both wetland restoration projects over time and to directly view the
mudflats and open water of San Pablo Bay.
While this alternative would provide for increased recreational opportunities not
provided by the Project, this alternative was dismissed from further evaluation
due to likely substantial conflict between management of the bayfront area for
the benefit of listed wildlife species and recreational use.
Dickson Ranch Alternative
This alternative would include tidal wetland restoration on the former North
Point Joint Venture property south of the rail line (approximately 435 acres) and
would maintain the Dickson Ranch parcel as pumped, diked bayland, which
could allow existing agricultural and recreational activities to continue. This
alternative also could maintain the private Black Point Sports Club on-site and
allow upland game bird hunting to occur on the Dickson Ranch parcel. Actions
north of the SMART rail line and north of Highway 37 would be the same as the
Project.
The tidal restoration would include a new levee along the west perimeter of the
Dickson Ranch parcel that would link to a levee south of the SMART rail line
and connect with the Sonoma Baylands levee. A segment of the Bay Trail could
be extended along the new levee south of the SMART rail line and then cross
Dickson Ranch provided that compatible management between hunt club,
agricultural, and trail uses could be established.
This alternative would avoid loss of approximately 550 acres of non-irrigated
agricultural land, approximately half of which is used for oat hay production, and
avoid removal of the Dickson Ranch and sports club structures.
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
2-47
April 2012