Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Section 3.1. Geology, Soils, and Paleontology
the United States. The CBC incorporates most of the UBC’s requirements, but
provides more stringent standards for seismic design.
Portions of the CBC that are particularly relevant to geology and geologic
hazards include Chapter 16, Division IV (Structural Design Requirements—
Earthquake Design), and Appendix Chapter 16 (Structural Forces [including
seismic loading]); Chapter 18 (Foundations and Retaining Walls); Appendix
Chapter 18 (Waterproofing and Dampproofing Foundations); and Chapter 33
(Site Work, Demolition, and Grading), together with Appendix Chapter 33
(Excavation and Grading). The requirements of Appendix Chapter 33 apply only
if they are explicitly adopted by a jurisdiction, even if the remainder of the CBC
is used. The County has adopted Appendix Chapter 33 and incorporated its
requirements by reference into its zoning code.
California Public Resources Code
Several sections of the PRC protect paleontological resources. Section 5097.5
prohibits “knowing and willful” excavation, removal, destruction, injury, and
defacement of any paleontologic feature on public lands (lands under state,
county, city, district, or public authority jurisdiction, or the jurisdiction of a
public corporation), except where the agency with jurisdiction has granted
express permission. Section 30244 requires reasonable mitigation for impacts on
paleontological resources that occur as a result of development on public lands.
The sections of the California Administrative Code relating to the State Division
of Beaches and Parks afford protection to geologic features and “paleontological
materials” but grant the director of the state park system authority to issue
permits for specific activities that may result in damage to such resources, if the
activities are in the interest of the state park system and for state park purposes
(California Administrative Code 4307–4309).
Regional Topography
The project site is located in the Coast Ranges geomorphic province,
characterized in the project vicinity by low rugged mountains and generally
narrow northwest-trending valleys (Norris and Webb 1990).
The project boundary encompasses extensive diked baylands, the hillslopes of
Sears Point (known locally as Cougar Mountain), seasonal creeks, and alluvial
fans with lowland grassland-swale complexes that link uplands and wetlands.
Topography across the project site exhibits a general trend of decreasing
elevations from the hillslopes of the Sonoma Mountains bordering the northeast
project boundary through alluvial fans into the subsided diked baylands along the
southern portions of the project boundary. Elevations range from approximately
300 feet above mean sea level to several feet below mean sea level in portions of
the subsided diked baylands (Wetlands and Water Resources 2005b).
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
3.1-4
April 2012