09.01.2015 Views

Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

California Department of Fish and Game<br />

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service<br />

Section 3.3. Water Quality<br />

Table 3.3-2. Areas in the San Pablo Bay that Have Significant Sediment<br />

Contamination<br />

Site<br />

Mare Island Naval<br />

Shipyard<br />

Hamilton Army<br />

Airfield<br />

Pollutants Present<br />

As, Ag, Cr, Cu, Hg, Zn, TBT, PAHs, PCBs, dieldrin, endrin<br />

toxaphene<br />

Cr, Hg, Pb, PAHs, PCBs, DDT, petroleum<br />

Source: San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board 1999.<br />

Section 3.9 Hazardous Substances and Waste of this EIR/EIS discusses in greater<br />

detail mercury in San Pablo Bay and dredged material, including discussion of<br />

sediment screening criteria.<br />

Site-Specific Water Quality Conditions<br />

The existing soil conditions are important in determining water quality at the<br />

proposed wetland restoration site. The site is a former tidal salt marsh and<br />

mudflat. Soils inRunoff from this area can affect water quality because of the<br />

potential presence of acid-sulfate soils. These soils may have a low pH (high<br />

acidity) and are the result of draining the historic salt marsh and the subsequent<br />

natural processes that occurred with the oxidation of sediments that had<br />

previously been submerged and under anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) conditions.<br />

Acid-sulfate soil conditions may affect the quality of runoff because low pH<br />

levels can lead to water quality problems, such as release of sulfuric acid,<br />

aluminum toxicity and the potential for release of other metals, and fluctuations<br />

in nutrient levels. These conditions will generally be eliminated if the tidal<br />

restoration is accomplished.<br />

Agricultural Runoff<br />

Areas within and surrounding the restoration site have been used historically and<br />

currently for agricultural uses. Part of the area of the proposed tidal lagoon area<br />

has been used for oat hay farming, and most of the Project site north of Highway<br />

37 is currently used for cattle grazing. Pollutants of concern for agricultural uses<br />

include sediment, nutrients, pathogens, pesticides, metals, and salts (U.S.<br />

<strong>Environmental</strong> Protection Agency 2005).<br />

Black Point Sports Club<br />

A former shooting range, in operation since 1991, lies on the Dickson Ranch<br />

portion of the Project site. Lead shot and clay targets containing PAHs were used<br />

until 2003; steel shot and clay targets with a sulfur-based binding agent are<br />

Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration<br />

Project Final <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong><br />

Report/<strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Statement</strong><br />

3.3-8<br />

April 2012

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!