Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chapter 2. Alternatives
actually consists of wetlands; the wetlands are scattered in patches throughout
this area. In addition, the project would enhance up to 3 acres of seasonal wetland
pools in the cattle pasture near and southeast of the former dairy complex (see
Figures 2-1 and 2-2). Approximately 3,200 CY of soil would be excavated from
the wetland area and would be used to construct various features onsite.
Areas managed as “agriculture priority areas” would be managed for crop
production while maintaining agricultural activities favorable to seasonal wetland
enhancement (such as disking).The boundary between the wetland priority and
agricultural priority areas would be marked by a low berm measuring about 1
foot high, 10 feet wide and about 4,700 feet long, which would be stabilized by
planting with native creeping wildrye (Leymus triticoides). This berm would
provide farmers with clear plowing boundaries and restrict annual weeds, and
would also provide nesting and cover for wildlife. Approximately 1,800 CY of
soil would be needed to construct the low berm and would come from
excavations associated with the enhancement of the wetland priority area, as
described above.
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
Freshwater Habitat Enhancement and Stormwater
Conveyance System Modifications
Riparian woodlands and marsh patches would be established at the downstream
end of culverts C-4 and C-5 (See Figure 2-2). Basins deeper than existing ditches
would be excavated along the south side of Highway 37. The excavation volume
for both basins is estimated at 2,700 CY. The equipment used to create these
basins would include an excavator and a small dozer.
Adjacent to these basins, excavated spoils would be side-cast and gently graded
(slopes of 5-10:1) to provide platforms for elevated riparian woodland.
Additionally, some backwater ponds and marsh pockets connected to the main
basins would be constructed to function as localized sediment detention basins
and freshwater detention basins. The resulting patches of marsh and riparian
woodland would provide habitat for all life stages of California red-legged frogs,
as well as breeding and foraging habitat for a number of bird species. Any
required maintenance for these ponds would be conducted in the same manner as
for the detention basins, including necessary surveys for CRLF.
The three pumps currently located on the perimeter levee would be removed as
part of the tidal restoration and replaced by two pump stations (SP-2 and SP-3)
located on the north side of the railroad tracks. These In addition, two storm
water pump stations, located either at culvert 3 (C-3) or culvert 15 (C-15) and
also at culvert 17 (C-17), would be constructed on concrete foundations at the
southern side of this diked baylands segment north of the railroad embankment.
It is estimated that these electrically-powered pumps would each discharge 50
cubic feet per second (cfs), be 160 horsepower, and use on average 160,000
kilowatt hours per year (KW hours/year). A third pump station, SP-1, was
proposed for placement at Culvert 53, however, based on subsequent discussions
with the adjacent landowner, this pump would not be constructed, and the
2-22
April 2012