Programmatic Environmental Compliance and Permitting for Invasive Weed Control and Habitat Restoration Projects. Presented by: Ron Unger

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1 Programmatic Environmental Compliance and Permitting for Invasive Weed Control and Habitat Restoration Projects Presented by: Ron Unger October 2,

2 Benefits of Programmatic Compliance Enables new projects with little or no delay More efficient for resource agencies More efficient for project proponent More money spent on-the-ground 2

3 Potential Project Activities Invasive weed abatement Riparian habitat restoration Fish habitat enhancement Bank stabilization Erosion control Others? 3

4 LOWER PUTAH CREEK WATERSHED PROGRAM L O W E R P U T A H C R E E K C O O R D I N A T I N G C O M M I T T E E 4

5 5 Regional Location

6 Sacramento Sacramento River River N W E S Yolo Bypass Putah Creek San Francisco Bay Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta 6

7 Overview of Lower Putah Creek Resource Assessment 40-mile riparian corridor Fish and wildlife habitat Plant communities Invasive weeds Erosion Trash 7

8 8 Invasive Weeds Assessment

9 Invasive Weeds - Overview 22 invasive weeds Over 1800 infestations distributed in 40 miles of riparian habitat 6.2 % of riparian corridor infested 6.6 % (5.7 acres) of shaded riverine aquatic (SRA) overhead cover infested 9

10 Invasive Weeds - Threats Habitat Degradation Competition with Native Species Erosion Bank Destabilization Fire Channel Avulsion 10

11 Invasive Weeds Study Area Reaches Reaches of Mainstem Putah Creek and Pleasants Creek Tributary Reach 6: Monticello Dam to Putah Diversion Dam Reach 5: Putah Diversion Dam to Hwy 505 Reach 4: Hwy 505 to Stevenson s Bridge Reach 3: Stevenson s Bridge to Interstate 80 Reach 2: Interstate 80 to Mace Blvd Reach 1: Mace Blvd to Yolo Bypass Reach 7: Pleasants Creek Tributary 11

12 Invasive Weeds - Distribution Acres Total Infested Area All Weeds by Reach Reach Yellow star thistle Water milfoil Virginia creeper Vinca major Tree tobacco Tree of heaven Tamarisk Pepperweed Pepper tree Pampas grass Milk thistle Himalayan blackberry Fig Fennel Eucalyptus English Ivy Domestic almond Catalpa Black locust Arundo donax 12

13 13 Invasive Weeds and Sensitive Resources Mapping Example

14 14 Programmatic Environmental Compliance and Permitting

Control Bank Stabilization Fish Habitat Enhancement Trash

15 Programmatic Environmental Compliance and Permitting Known sites Sites yet undetermined Activities: Invasive Weed Control Bank Stabilization Fish Habitat Enhancement Trash Removal Planting of Native Riparian Vegetation Nestbox Installation 15

16 Sensitive Resources Along The Creek: Anadromous fish including Pacific Lamprey (FSC), Central Valley Steelhead (FT), and Central Valley Fall/Late Fall Run Chinook Salmon (CSC, FC) Extensive stands of Blue Elderberry habitat for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (VELB) (FT) Nesting raptors and migratory birds Northwestern Pond Turtle (CSC, FSC) Wetlands and Riparian Habitat Cultural Resources 16

17 Required Permits/Documents CEQA compliance document Streambed Alteration Agreement from CDFG CWA Section 404 Permit from USACE CWA Section 401 Clean Water Cert from RWQCB Informal consultation with NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) and USFWS 17

18 Goals: Streamline environmental compliance and permitting process Maximize available funding for on-the-ground accomplishments Obtain programmatic permits for next 5 to 10 years 18

19 The Strategy: Document sensitive resources Incorporate avoidance measures in project description Early agency consultation and buy-in Take agency members in field and consult on avoidance measures 19

20 Summary of Resource Protection Measures No heavy equipment during raptor and migratory bird breeding season (or conduct surveys to confirm absence) In-stream work only during low-flow periods outside of salmonid spawning season No fueling and parking near sensitive resources Establish buffers around nests, elderberries (20 ft), known cultural resources Flag resources to be protected Replant with native riparian vegetation 20

The CEQA Document Categorical Exemption 15304 Minor Alterations to Land Lead Agency

21 The CEQA Document Categorical Exemption Minor Alterations to Land Lead Agency Solano County Water Agency (SCWA), a member of the LPCCC, fiscal agent, permit applicant 21

22 The Streambed Alteration Agreement Covers bed and bank work: bank stabilization invasive weed removal by heavy equipment Covers all of lower Putah Creek (30 miles) and tributaries (10 miles) 3 years, renewable 22

23 The Section 404 Permit Permit: Nationwide Permit 27 Stream and Wetland Restoration Activities For work below Ordinary High Water Mark : installation of spawning gravels Invasive weed (e.g., Arundo, tamarisk) removal from gravel bars bank stabilization 2 years, renewable 23

24 FESA Compliance Not likely to adversely effect letter from USFWS (VELB) and NOAA Fisheries (formerly NMFS) (anadromous fish) Incorporation of avoidance measures into project descriptions Informal meetings with agency representative on and off the site 24

25 The Section 401 Certification Clean Water Certification from Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board based on NWP 27 application 2 years, renewable 25

26 Projects Facilitated by Permits Over 20 acres Arundo removed since October 2002 Streambank stabilization projects Riparian habitat restoration projects Erosion control projects Fish Spawning Habitat Restoration 26

27 Funding provided by: CALFED Bay-Delta Authority Team Arundo del Norte CalEPA Integrated Waste Management Board Putah Creek Council Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee (LPCCC) California Coastal Commission Future grants 27

28 Conclusions Programmatic compliance and permits possible for watersheds Choose project activities unlikely to cause adverse effects Include resource protection measures Resource assessments essential Establish regulatory and permit process early Develop project descriptions through close coordination with agencies Enables regional approaches to regional-scale problems Enables more on-the-ground accomplishments 28

29 29

COASTAL CONSERVANCY. Staff Recommendation September 22, 2011 GREEN VALLEY CREEK COHO HABITAT ENHANCEMENT DESIGN

COASTAL CONSERVANCY. Staff Recommendation September 22, 2011 GREEN VALLEY CREEK COHO HABITAT ENHANCEMENT DESIGN COASTAL CONSERVANCY Staff Recommendation September 22, 2011 GREEN VALLEY CREEK COHO HABITAT ENHANCEMENT DESIGN Project No. 07-106-02 Project Manager: Lisa Ames RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorization to disburse