Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

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California Department of Fish and Game U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 3.7. Agricultural Resources production. Assuming that the year-to-year differences in the harvested acreage of oat hay are due to adverse weather conditions, it appears that there are presently approximately 65,000 acres dedicated to oat hay in Sonoma County and approximately 7,700 acres dedicated to oat hay in the north Bay area in general. Table 3.7-1. Acreages of Oat Hay Harvested during 2005-20062004-2008 in North Bay Counties County 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Sonoma 5,979 4,638 3,123 4470 4896 Marin 1,525 1,525 115 273 1505 Napa 193 183 193 188 157 Total 7,697 6,346 3,431 4931 6558 Sources: County of Marin 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009; County of Napa 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009; County of Sonoma 2005, 2006, 2007c, 2008b, 2009. Note: Based on San Francisco Estuary Institute EcoAtlas maps, Solano County does not appear to have any significant areas of remaining undeveloped diked historic baylands on which oat hay can be produced. The grazed portions of the project area mostly occur on upland soils of the Diablo, Haire, and Clear Lake series and severely eroded areas of these soils. These areas are capable of providing forage to support 60 to 120 “animal-unit days” when well managed, which, when compared to other soils in the county, are moderate to high levels. These soils are used only for dry land pasture (i.e., rangeland) in the project area; the more gently sloping areas may also be used for oat hay elsewhere in the county (Miller 1972). Farmland Designations The most recent FMMP maps available for Sonoma County were published in 2004. The maps indicate that the overall 2,327-acre project area contains the following farmland categories, as shown in Figure 3.7-1. • Farmland of Local Importance: 1,175 acres • Grazing Land: 1,092 acres • Water: 56 acres • Other Land: 2 acres All of the area designated as Farmland of Local Importance is used for oat hay production, duckupland game bird hunting, and livestock grazing. Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration Project Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement 3.7-6 April 2012
California Department of Fish and Game U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 3.7. Agricultural Resources LESA Analysis In accordance with the form’s instructions, Jones & Stokes completed the initial parts of the USDA Form AD-1006 (i.e., Parts I, III, and VI) on the USFWS’ behalf. Part VI is the Site Assessment aspect of the analysis and has a total maximum number of 1260points. Jones & Stokes’ analysis for the Project resulted in 94 points. Jones & Stokes then forwarded the form to the NRCS requesting that they complete Part IV (Land Evaluation) of the form. The NRCS subsequently returned the form to Jones & Stokes (Sternfels pers. comm.) without completing Part IV. The NRCS indicated that for agricultural lands that are not irrigated, their standard practice is not to complete the form, since under the federal definition of Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, Farmland of Local Importance, and Unique Farmland, sites must be irrigated. Consequently, the NRCS regards lands that do not qualify as one of the above four categories as not being subject to the farmland conversion rating assessment. In California, the County Boards of Supervisors designate Farmlands of Local Importance. Sonoma County has determined that portions of the project area are Farmlands of Local Importance (Sonoma County, 2008b). Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Measures Approach and Methods Information related to agricultural land issues in the project area was reviewed and compared to the restoration alternatives to evaluate the potential for significant losses of farmlands identified as sensitive by Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines. Potential impacts were compared to the thresholds of significance described below to determine the level of significance of each impact. Additionally, the significance of converting the agricultural lands in the project area was quantitatively evaluated by initiating the preparation of federal form AD-1006 (USDA Farmland Conversion Impact Rating form). Impact Mechanisms The following impact mechanisms would affect the agricultural use of the project area. • Tidal Marsh area south of the railroad - restoring tidal action to an area presently mostly used for oat hay production. Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration Project Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement 3.7-7 April 2012
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Sears Point Wetland and Watershed R
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Sears Point Wetland and Watershed R
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Contents List of Tables ...........
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California Department of Fish and G
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Executive Summary This summary prov
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Table ES-1. Summary of Impacts and
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Table ES-1. Continued Page 3 of 141
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Table 1-1. List of Local, State, an
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Table 2-2. Action Alternatives Cons
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Chapter 3 Affected Environment and
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Section 3.1 Geology, Soils, and Pal
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Section 3.2 Surface-Water Hydrology
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Section 3.3 Water Quality Introduct
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Table 3.5-2. Special-Status Species
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Section 3.11 Air Quality Introducti
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Section 3.12 Noise Introduction Thi
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Section 3.14 Aesthetics Introductio
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Section 3.15 Environmental Justice
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Chapter 4 Consultation and Other Re
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Sonoma Land Trust Chapter 4. Consul
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Chapter 5 Public Involvement and Sc
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Sonoma Land Trust Chapter 7. Refere
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Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

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