Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Section 3.4. Public Health and Safety
To minimize these impacts, SLT or its successors in interest shall implement
Mitigation Measure PH-MM-1, as described above.
Conclusion: Less than Significant with Mitigation.
Full-Tidal Alternative
With implementation of the Full-Tidal Alternative, approximately 1,335352 acres
of tidal marsh habitat would be restored compared to 970 955 acres under the
Project. The construction methods used to establish tidal marsh habitat would be
the same as described under the Project and would result in the potential for
providing suitable habitat for mosquito populations, at a slightly larger scale than
under the Project. However, under the Full-Tidal Alternative, the amount of
seasonal wetlands and vernal pools that would be restored and/or enhanced
would be considerably less than under the Project, (as shown in Table 3.4-1).
Because the potential for propagation of mosquito populations still exists with
implementation under this alternative, these impacts are still considered
potentially significantThe Full-Tidal Alternative would result in a net reduction
of potential mosquito breeding habitat and would therefore likely result in a net
reduction in mosquito production in the project area.
To minimize these impacts, SLT or its successors in interest shall implement
Mitigation Measure PH-MM-1.
Conclusion: Less than Significant with Mitigation.
Impact PH-2: Risk to the Public or Structures Resulting
from Flooding Hazards or Impediment ofInadequate
Access for Emergency Response Service
Proposed Project
Construction of the Project would require flooding of the site to establish tidal
marsh habitat south of the SMART rail line. Project components that would be
implemented to protect structures and the public from flooding hazards include
constructing a flood control levee south of the SMART rail line, modifying
stormwater conveyance facilities, raising and extending access roads, and
relocating above-ground utilities south of the SMART rail line. These
components would ensure that flooding hazards would be minimized.
As part of the restoration effortThe new access road would provide enhanced
vehicle access to the USFWS Refuge Headquarters and increase public safety by
providing vehicle access to the site from Reclamation Road, rather than directly
from Highway 37. Also, as part of the Project, SLT would attempt to partially
bridge the gap between two disconnected segments of the San Francisco Bay
Trail by constructing one or more trail alignments across the Sears Point property
as well as providing additional trails on the property. A total of five trail
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
3.4-11
April 2012