SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

XII. SUMMARY OF COMMMENTS AND RESPONSESB. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RESPONSES3.0 RIPARIAN AREASComment I-50: “Sedimentation – The Management Plan should include actions to achievelong-term stability of the creek system through enhancing and supporting natural processes. Astep in this direction would be to implement a watershed analysis that examines upland andinstream stressors to stream stability. A stable system will require less active sedimentmanagement, will distribute appropriate sized sediments where they are needed for fish spawning,and will provide for the storage, transport and exchange of sediment and water while minimizingexcessive bank erosion, channel incision or excessive aggradation. The watershed plan shouldinclude recommended best management practices for activities likely to impact creek stability.”(Regional Water Quality Control Board)Comment I-51: “Stream Rehabilitation –Bioengineering techniques should be consideredwherever possible for rehabilitation of shoreline areas (actions aqu5-aqu7). We also recommendthat training in these techniques be provided under action sta6.” (Regional Water Quality ControlBoard)Response: The recommendation to use bioengineering techniques is noted. The ManagementPlan includes actions to reduce sedimentation and protect water quality (aqu6, aqu7, aqu8) andthus to protect riparian corridors. Due to the nature of the shallow alluvium in this area (asdiscussed above), there is evidence that the Sunol Valley never supported substantial riparianhabitat. It should also be noted that the Management Plan proposes selective improvements inwatershed management.Actions and studies recommended by commentors could be considered by the SFPUC in periodicreviews and updates of the Management Plan, but are not proposed at this time, nor analyzed inthis EIR.4.0 INVASIVE PLANTS AND WILDLIFEComment I-52: “Page III.E-23 of the EIR notes a concern about the potential impacts of nonnativevegetation on the larval host plant for Callippe silverspot butterfly, which is violet (Violapedunculata). This is one plant that favors sites which have natural low productivity or wherecompetition with non-native grasses are reduced by active vegetation management. Whenmanagement is removed from such sites, violets and other herbs are usually out competed bytaller and faster growing non-native grasses.In contrast to statements in the EIR, we have also found that serpentine areas are in manyinstances resilient to invasion by non-native vegetation. Very few non-native plants are adaptedto the harsh edaphic conditions that occur in serpentine derived soils.Feral pig populations have been dramatically increasing in numbers and range within AlamedaCounty. They are likely abundant within the Alameda Watershed. Pigs forage within wetlands,floodplains and along shoreline habitat on the available green forage. They regularly wallowNOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan C&R.83 ESA / 930385