Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Section 3.5. Biological Resources
Section 3.5
Biological Resources
Introduction
This section discusses the potential effects on biological resources resulting from
the proposed alternatives, including the No-Action Alternative, with emphasis on
potential environmental consequences related to dredging and site grading and
associated changes in site hydrology, drainage, and habitat types. Included in this
section are a description of existing vegetation communities, plant, and animal
usage; special-status communities; and special-status plant and animal species.
As impacts to species and habitats extend beyond the defined footprint of the
project, the term “Action area” will be used to describe the area of extent for
effects anticipated to result from the Project. The Action area for the Sears Point
Restoration Project will include the defined Project site (as described in Chapter
1, Introduction, and shown in Figure 1-2) and would additionally include all the
proposed Tolay Creek dredge areas and all adjacent tidal marsh habitats adjacent
to Tolay Creek that could be affected by altered hydrology inbreaching, levee
lowering, dredging of the connector channel, (asand the preferred alignment for
the power poles shown in Figure 3.5-1). As described in Chapter 2, a Habitat
Monitoring Plan similar to the example provided in Appendix D will be
developed as part of the project, and will incorporate any surveys and related
monitoring that may be required as a result of specific mitigation measures.
Affected Environment
Data Sources
Information presented in this section is based on the following data sources.
• Restoration research and monitoring in bayland wetlands of the San
Francisco Bay Estuary: The Tolay Creek Project. 2002 progress report
(Takekawa et al. 2002).
• Baylands Ecosystem Species and Community Profiles: Life histories and
environmental requirements of key plants, fish and wildlife (Goals Project
2000).
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
3.5-1
April 2012