Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chapter 2. Alternatives
These alternatives were screened for their ability to meet the project purpose and
need, for technical, logistical, and financial feasibility, and for their ability to
avoid or substantially reduce one or more significant impacts of the Project. The
result of that screening is that two alternatives, described below, were determined
to meet the purposes/objectives and need, be feasible, and to provide a range of
environmental impacts and thus constitute a reasonable range of alternatives for
NEPA and CEQA evaluation. Five other alternatives were determined to either
not meet the purpose and need, not be feasible, or not to provide substantial
variation in environmental impacts. These alternatives and the reasons for not
considering them are described in detail at the end of this chapter. The No Action
Alternative is evaluated as required by CEQA and NEPA.
Description of Alternatives Evaluated in Detail
Overview
Both the action alternatives and the No-Action alternative are described in this
section. Each of the action alternatives would affect the same geographical area,
and vary primarily in the amount of tidal restoration that would be implemented.
Table 2-2 provides an overview of each action alternative’s features.
No-Action Alternative
Analysis of a No -Action Alternative is required under NEPA and CEQA. This
alternative would not involve wetland restoration and enhancement, new trails, or
habitat creation; thus, it would not meet the purpose/objectives and need of the. It
would also not meet the condition for the grants and other funding for purchase
of the project site by SLT. Failure to use the property for the intended purposes
would be a breach of contract, a potential violation of the conservation easement,
and could require repayment of funds. The CRLF enhancement would likely
proceed as a separate project.
It is likely that ongoing maintenance would include reduced levels of pumping to
control the groundwater level within the project area, and invasive plant control,
levee maintenance, and storm water conveyance system operation as feasible.
These activities would likely occur at a reduced level due to funding constraints.
Mosquito abatement would continue on all portions of the property as required
by the Marin-Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District (MSMVCD).
Mosquito abatement on USFWS property would be conducted in accordance
with the Draft Mosquito Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for
the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS 2011a) and the Draft San
Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment (USFWS 2011b).
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
2-3
April 2012