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Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

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California Department of Fish and Game<br />

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

Section 3.3. Water Quality<br />

Full-Tidal Alternative<br />

As above, further degradation of groundwater supplies is unlikely due to the<br />

Sears Point site’s historic connection to San Pablo Bay. Contamination of<br />

shallow groundwater supplies through salt water intrusion or hazardous materials<br />

spills areis therefore unlikely to affect deeper groundwater aquifers. This impact<br />

is considered less than significant, and no mitigation is required.<br />

Conclusion: Less than Significant.<br />

<strong>Impact</strong> WQ-4: Changes in Dissolved Oxygen<br />

Concentration in Receiving Waters<br />

Proposed Project<br />

Implementation of the Project would initially create a new basintidal area with a<br />

muted tidal regime by breeching the existing levee (see Section 3.2, Surface-<br />

Water Hydrology, Tidal Hydraulics, and Sedimentation). The shallow depths,<br />

windy conditions, and tidal exchange velocities should maintain relatively high<br />

dissolved oxygen concentrations in the restored wetlands, providing adequate<br />

habitat conditions for aquatic organisms and fish. Inadequate tidal flushing in<br />

portions of the new basinrestored area due to a lack of circulation could result in<br />

stagnation, depressed dissolved-oxygen concentrations, and algal blooms. The<br />

pre-vegetation construction phase would involve temporary water control<br />

structures to manage the site as a muted system for 1–2 years. The water control<br />

structures allow for built-in adaptability in the system to avoid problems<br />

likeWater with low dissolved oxygen levels and stagnant water. could also be<br />

discharged from the site.<br />

Additionally, since the tidal restoration plan has been designed to include<br />

adequate channel formation to assure tidal flows throughout the tidal basin, these<br />

effects are not anticipated. Additional breach(es) (Breaches 3 and/or 4) would be<br />

considered if it is determined to improve dissolve oxygen levels within the site.<br />

Therefore, this impact is considered less than significant, and no mitigation is<br />

required.<br />

Conclusion: Less than Significant.<br />

Full-Tidal Alternative<br />

As above for the Project, shallow depths, windy conditions, and tidal velocities<br />

will maintain relatively high dissolved oxygen levels; however, a muted tidal<br />

system could also create stagnant pools and associated areas of depressed<br />

dissolved-oxygen concentrations. This is of particular concern north of the rail<br />

line, where there is a potential for more sheltered conditions and flows are<br />

limited to the capacity provided by the bridge or box culvert in the rail line levee.<br />

The bridge or box culvert would be sized to avoid potential flow constrictions.<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 />

3.3-19<br />

April 2012

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