Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chapter 1. Introduction, Purpose, and Need
principally done to support oat hay production and for dairy pasture land on the
NPJV and Dickson Ranch parcels. Over time, the former wetland soils have
gradually dried and decomposed, causing the land to subside by several feet
below historic elevations. The diking and subsequent subsidence has also
prevented seasonal rains from draining naturally into the Bay, which has required
the construction and maintenance of a network of drainage ditches and pumping
stations. SLT maintains these stormwater management facilities at considerable
annual expense in order to keep fields dry and prevent flooding on Highway 37
and the SMART rail line.
Agricultural activities have historically occurred in the reclaimed marsh areas
south of Highway 37. Presently, SLT maintains an agricultural lease for oat hay
farming on 619 acres on the NPJV parcel. This area is located south of Highway
37, primarily south of the SMART rail line. The Dickson Ranch parcel is also
used for some oat hay farming and the remainder of the property is maintained as
upland game bird habitat. Shooting and hunting activities are permitted on a
portion of the property leased by the Black Point Sports Club, which occupies the
easternmost portion of the Dickson Ranch parcel. Activities associated with the
bird club have resulted in localized soil contamination from lead shot and clay
targets used for skeet shooting. Common contaminants include elevated levels of
lead and various polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Grazing activities have historically occurred in the upland watershed areas both
north and south of Highway 37. Much of the NPJV site was under grazing
management at the time SLT acquired the property in January 2005. According
to SLT’s Existing Conditions Report, dated March 2005, livestock grazing of
approximately 200 cattle occurred on 1,059 acres of the property for at least five
years prior to the preparation of the report. Grazing activities have primarily
occurred within the area east of Lakeville Highway and on the north side of
Highway 37, with some additional grazing on the south side of Highway 37. In
general, the lowland grasslands and swales on the NPJV parcel have been
degraded by cattle trampling, nutrient loading, and long-term dominance by nonnative
grasses and broadleaf weeds. Hillslopes and seasonal drainages in the
upland watershed have also been degraded by cattle, causing sediment deposition
and the eventual aggradation of sediments on local streambeds.
Unsupervised public recreational access is not permitted on the project site due to
the potential for conflicts with existing agricultural operations; however, existing
segments of the Bay Trail are located near and adjacent to the project site. The
Bay Trail segment on Sonoma Baylands to the west dead-ends at the project
boundary. A second segment is located on Tubbs Island across Tolay Creek from
the Sears Point site. Absent developed trails, SLT regularly leads guided public
tours on the Sears Point property. Additionally, the San Pablo Bay National
Wildlife Refuge staff manage an on-site native wetland plant nursery. The
nursery is the center of current volunteer activities, community-based restoration,
and environmental education programs at the site.
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
1-3
April 2012