initial study/mitigated negative declaration for the ...€¦ · jellys ferry restoration project...

Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration For the Proposed

Jellys Ferry Restoration Project Tehama County, California

Prepared by the:

Tehama County Resource Conservation District 2 Sutter Street, Suite D

Red Bluff, CA 96080

And

River Partners 580 Vallombrosa Avenue

Chico, CA 95926

The Lead Agency Pursuant to Section 21082.1 of the The California Environmental Quality Act

June 2014

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Table of Contents

I. Mitigated Negative Declaration .............................................................................................. 2 Project Description and Environmental Setting ............................................................. 2 Project Location ................................................................................................................ 2 Legal Description .............................................................................................................. 2 General Plan Designation ................................................................................................. 2 Zoning ............................................................................................................................... 2 Project History and Land Use ........................................................................................... 2 Project Purpose and Objectives ........................................................................................ 3 Project Description ............................................................................................................ 3 Environmental Setting ....................................................................................................... 7 Monitoring ......................................................................................................................... 7 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected ..................................................................... 8 Determination .................................................................................................................... 8 Conclusion of Mitigated Negative Declaration ................................................................. 9 Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................................ 10 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan ..................................................................... 11

Appendices

Appendix A-Initial Study/Environmental Checklist prepared by River Partners (project proponent) May 13, 2014 Appendix B-Riparian Restoration Plan for Jellys Ferry Sacramento River Bend Area of Critical Environmental Concern Prepared by River Partners February 16, 2014 Appendix C-Memorandum Prepared By MBK Engineers Related to Central Valley Flood Protection Board Designated Flood Way February 18, 2014 Appendix D-United Sates Department of Interior Bureau of land Management Redding Field Office Environmental Assessment Jellys Ferry /Oka Slough oak Woodland Restoration EA# DOI-BLM-CA-N060-2013-015EA

Jelly Ferry Restoration Project

Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Tehama County, California

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MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND

ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM

Project Title: Jellys Ferry Restoration Project

Lead Agency Under CEQA: Tehama County Resource Conservation District 2 Sutter Street Suite D Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530)-527-3013 x120

Contact person and phone number: Tom McCubbins Watershed Coordinator/CEQA Projects Manager Tehama County Resource Conservation District 2 Sutter Street Suite D Red Bluff, CA 96080 530-527-3013 x120 Cell:530-200-1231 Email: [email protected] Project sponsor's name and address:

River Partners 580 Vallombrosa Ave. Chico, CA 96002 (530) 894-5401ext. 227 Email: [email protected] Attn: Helen Swagerty Senior Restoration Biologist/Project Manager



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Mitigated Negative Declaration

Project Description and Environmental Setting

Project Location: Northern Tehama County

The project site is located in Northern Tehama County approximately 11 miles North of Red Bluff

on the east side of the Sacramento River at River Mile 266. The project area is near the southern

end of the 18,000 acre Sacramento River Bend Area of Critical Environmental Concern, which is

owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The APN numbers are APNs 009-120-

22-1 and 009-120-10-1.

Legal Description: The legal description of the site is Township 29 North, Range 3 West, Sections 34 and 35,

General Plan Designation: Upland Agriculture Zoning: Upland Agriculture

Project History and Land Use

The project area is within the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Bend Area of Critical

Environmental Concern (ACEC). In addition to providing habitat, ACEC lands and other

surrounding public property provide opportunities for hiking, horseback-riding, wildlife viewing

and seasonal game hunting. Current levels of public access to the site will continue after the

restoration project is complete. In addition, the Jellys Ferry Restoration Project would complement

recreational opportunities within the ACEC and adjacent public land by improving wildlife habitat

and aesthetic values onsite.

Adjacent land uses are largely complementary to the proposed project’s endeavors. Cattle grazing is

conducted periodically on portions of adjacent lands, but cattle will be excluded from the project

area. Two large almond orchards, with a combined acreage of approximately 180 acres, are located

approximately 400 meter to the west of the project area. These orchards are separated from the



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project area by Jelly’s Ferry Road and a 150 meter-wide band of riparian habitat (mixed public and

private ownership) running from north to south. Immediately north of and adjacent to these

orchards is another series of almond and walnut orchards totaling approximately 300 acres. Grazing

has been an historic use of adjacent public lands.

Project Purpose and Objectives

The primary goal of the project is to improve the quality of wildlife habitat on the Jelly’s Ferry Unit

by establishing self-sustaining native plant communities within a three-year period. This will

benefit a broad range of sensitive animal and plant species and reduce habitat fragmentation within

the ACEC. The primary purpose of the project is to restore riparian habitat and reduce wildlife

habitat fragmentation. The Jelly’s Ferry Unit is a part of the nearly 18,000-acre Sacramento River

Bend Area, which attracts a diverse assortment of riparian-dependent species. No formal wildlife

surveys have been completed, but the area supports a wide array of riparian and upland wildlife,

including mountain lion (Puma concolor), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), river otters (Lontra

canadensis), and many migratory and resident bird species. The project area is in the transition zone

of foothills from the Sacramento valley to the Sierras. Many bird species which occur in scattered

populations at lower or higher elevations are common in the foothills. These include phainopepla

(Phainopepla nitens), violet-green swallow (Tachycineta thalassina), Vaux’s swift (Chaetura

vauxi), Lewis’s woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), and Lawrence’s goldfinch (Carduelis lawrencei).

Project Description

Proposal: River Partners in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will

restore and enhance native riparian wildlife habitat on 145 acres of the Jelly’s Ferry Unit within the

BLM’s Sacramento River Bend Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Based upon a recently

completed site assessment, two different plant communities are proposed for the project area

depending upon varying soils and topography along with hydrological and biological conditions.

These include valley oak savannah and upland herbaceous. Tree and shrub densities along with

their composition will vary across the site. An integral component of the design is a native

understory which will be included in all communities. Plantings will be completed in a grid-like tile

design. The tiles are repeated across the site and vegetative diversity and structure inherent in the

tile design are applied to the entire site in the same proportions.



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Restoration biologists chose suitable riparian plant species by matching site-specific characteristics

to the descriptions of terrestrial natural plant communities provided by CDFW’s California Natural

Diversity Database and the Holland classification system. The planting design also incorporates

essential habitat elements to conserve, restore, and enhance riparian habitat for special-status plants,

wildlife, and fish, and improve habitat quality for migratory bird species. The physical layout or

planting pattern follows the recommendations of Point Reyes Bird Observatory Conservation

Science.

Design Considerations

The proposed planting design is based on site-specific analyses of physical factors within the

project area, including soils, topography, and hydrology. Restoration biologists chose suitable

riparian plant species by matching site-specific characteristics to the descriptions of terrestrial

natural plant communities provided by CDFW’s California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB)

and the Holland classification system (Holland 1986). The planting design also incorporates

essential habitat elements to conserve, restore, and enhance riparian habitat for special-status plants,

wildlife, and fish, and improve habitat quality for migratory bird species (River Partners 2014). The

physical layout or planting pattern follows the recommendations of Point Reyes Bird Observatory

(PRBO) Conservation Science (PRBO Conservation Science 2010).

Plant Communities and Composition

Proposed for the site are two different plant communities based on the varying hydrological and

biological conditions of the site: valley oak savannah and upland herbaceous (Figure 3). The North

and South field contain areas of both plant communities. The row spacing, plant density, and

unique design features within each proposed plant community are shown in Table 2. All proposed

communities would also include an understory of native forbs and/or grasses. The overall species

composition, density, and estimated planting numbers within the Restoration Fields are shown in

Table 3. No planting would occur in the Low Impact Area. Additional planting design details are

included in the Restoration Plan (River Partners 2014) shown in Appendix A.

Site Preparation



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Prior to project implementation, River Partners will secure a Fugitive Dust and Land Clearing Burn

Permit from Tehama County and abide by all conditions established in the permit. A copy of the

permit shall be maintained in River Partners files. To prepare the Restoration Fields, typical

agricultural practices, such as disking and floating, will reduce soil compaction and smooth the

surface for irrigation and tractor operations (e.g., mowing and spraying). Subsequently, planting

berms will only be formed within the valley oak savannah plant community. These planting berms

would be approximately 18 inches high and the berms would be oriented to flood flows (generally a

curve oriented from north to south) in order to maintain the flood conveyance patterns across the

site. Spacing between planting berms (i.e., rows) will be 40 feet as specified above in Table 2. With

the exception of installing the irrigation main and sub-main lines, no excavation or fill is planned as

part of project implementation.

2.5 Irrigation System

Prior to implementing the project, an existing well on the property will be tested to determine its

water delivery capability. If it not feasible to use, a new well will be drilled to deliver water to the

proposed drip irrigation system. Drip hose will lay on planting berms for water distribution. The

exact layout of the irrigation system will be determined during the project implementation phase.

However, the preliminary design includes a main line extending from the well, through the center

of the Low Impact Area, to the north end of the North Field. Where it passes across the Low Impact

Area, the mainline will be above ground and no trenching will occur. Elsewhere, trenching for the

main line and sub-main lines would not exceed 24-inches in depth. Each plant will have three

emitters, supplying water at a rate of 1.8 gallons/hour. After three growing seasons, the vegetation

should be self-sufficient. Removal and recycling of drip lines on the planting berms will occur at

that time. Decommissioning includes the well, but main and sub-main lines will remain

underground.

Plant Material Collection and Propagation

Plant propagation material, seeds and cuttings, would be collected from vegetation as near as

possible to the project area, whenever possible. Herbaceous understory seeds will either be

collected or purchased from sources near the project area.



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Plant Installation

Planting would begin as soon as site preparation is completed and the irrigation system installed. In

fall 2014, woody species and herbaceous plugs will be planted on the planting berms. Hand tools

will be used to excavate planting holes. The remaining project, drilling native grasses and

broadcasting forb species, is scheduled for fall/winter 2015 after seasonal rains have begun. In

preparation of planting the understory, herbicide applications will kill sprouting winter weeds.

Weed Control

Only BLM-approved herbicides, which include Round-up® (glyphosate), Garlon® (triclopyr), and

Telar® (chlorosulfuron), will be used for weed control within the project area. Mechanical weed

control would include mowing and cutting.

Restoration Fields

Various methods would be used to control invasive weed species during the proposed three-year

project. Following the planting of woody species, berms would be sprayed with a non-selective

herbicide targeting all weeds. Glyphosate is the primary herbicide that would be used to control

weeds in the Restoration Fields. The berms would be subject to weed control during the growing

season throughout the three-year plant establishment period. A combination of mowing and

herbicide application would be used between the rows during the first season following planting to

control fast growing annual grasses and forbs, and favor the establishment of the perennial

understory.

Low Impact Area

The low impact area is the lowest elevation channel that bisects the site, and could potentially be

considered a stream. In order to avoid impacts to potential Waters of the U.S., no ground disturbing

activities will occur in this area.

Enhancement activities in this area will focus on the removal of Himalayan blackberry utilizing a

masticator to grind up the above-ground vegetative portion of the plant. This will be followed by

herbicide treatment of re-sprouts. Other weeds, including prunes, will be spot treated with

herbicide. The irrigation system will have to pass through the low impact area in order to access the

northern portion of the site. No trenching will be done in this area. Instead, lay-flat irrigation tubing



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will used to pass the mainline through this area above ground. No temporary roads will pass

through the low impact area.

Equipment

Project implementation would require the use of standard farm equipment such as pick-up trucks,

all-terrain vehicles, tractors, disks, rollers, seed drills, sprayers, chain saws, and hand tools.

Environmental Setting

The existing vegetation in the project area is dominated by various nonnative annual grasses and

forbs. Winter vetch (Vicia villosa) is abundant across the entire site, and star thistle is abundant

across the southern half of the site. An abandoned river channel separates the project area into

northern and southern halves. A thin band of trees runs along the southern bank of the old river

channel. Vegetation here consists primarily of large valley oaks, which give way to a thin band of

planted black walnuts (Juglans californica) toward the west.

There is a defined moisture gradient along the length of the old river channel; conditions being

summer xeric (dry) on shallow soils in the higher western stretch and increasingly mesic (wetter)

toward the lower, eastern portion of the channel. Vegetation within the channel reflects this

gradient. The western reach of this channel is dominated by a mix of native and nonnative annual

grasses and forbs. Toward the eastern portion of the abandoned river channel, vegetation is

increasingly dominated by remnant wetland and riparian vegetation, including Oregon ash

(Fraxinus latifolia), Gooding’s black willow (Salix goodingii), and arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis),

as well as several rush (Juncus spp.) and sedge (e.g. Carex spp., Eleocharis, and Cyperus spp.)

species within and around ephemeral pools of standing water. Populations of several native forb

species occur along the length of the abandoned river channel, including: purple clarkia (Clarkia

purpurea), Valley-tassels (Castilleja attenuate), and johnnytuck (Triphysaria eriantha) on shallow,

drier soils in the west and Ithuriel’s spear (Triteliea laxa), Santa Barbara sedge and pale spike-rush

(Eleocharis macrostachya) in the deeper, wetter soils toward the east. Monitoring



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See “Appendix A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) for the Jellys Ferry

Restoration Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Tehama County, California”.

This project will be monitored for adherence to project Mitigation Measures and infestation of

noxious plants. This phase of project work will be completed by the responsible entity shown in the

Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact

that is a "Potentially Significant Impact" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.

Aesthetics

Agriculture Resources X Air Quality

X

Biological Resources

X

Cultural Resources Geology/Soils

X

Hazards & Hazardous Materials

X

Hydrology/Water Quality Land Use/Planning

Mineral Resources

Noise Population/Housing

Public Services

Recreation Transportation/Traffic

Utilities/Service Systems

Mandatory Findings of Significance

DETERMINATION: (To be completed by the Lead Agency) On the basis of this initial evaluation:

I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

X

I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.

I find that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant impact" or "potentially significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by Mitigation Measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.

I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR



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or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or Mitigation Measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.

Signature

Date

Conclusion of the Mitigated Negative Declaration

Discussion:

Other Public Agencies whose approval is required (e.g. permits financing approval or participation agreement)

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the lead agency in preparing the Environmental Assessment to satisfy NEPA requirements and the Tehama County Resources Conservation District (TCRCD) is the CEQA lead agency.

Federal Agencies

Bureau of Land Management NEPA Compliance BLM is the lead agency

Herbicide Permit BLM must adopt any herbicides not currently approved for use on their lands. State Agencies California Department of Fish and Wildlife A 1600 Stream Alteration Agreement may be required based upon an assessment by the CDFW made prior to project implementation

Local Agencies Tehama County Resources Conservation District CEQA Compliance The MND will be adopted prior to project implementation.

Tehama County Air Quality Management District (TCAPCD)



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Fugitive Dust and Land Clearing Burn Permit Permit will be secured prior to project implementation.

Mitigation Measures

Mitigation Measures as described in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) for the Jellys Ferry Restoration Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Tehama County, California” shown below will be implemented by River Partners and other entities as noted in the plan. Implementation of these Mitigation Measures will reduce the environmental impacts of the proposed project to a less than significant level.



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Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) for the

Jellys Ferry Restoration Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

Tehama County, California In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15074(d), when adopting a mitigated negative declaration, the Lead Agency will adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) that ensures compliance with Mitigation Measures required for project approval. The Tehama County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD) is the lead agency for the Jellys Ferry Restoration Project and has approved this MMRP as a part of the final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) supporting the project. Monitoring activities will be completed by the Project Manager listed in this IS/MND. The MMRP lists the Mitigation Measures developed in the IS/MND which were designed to reduce environmental impacts to a less-than-significant level. This MMRP also identifies the party responsible for implementing the measure, defines when the Mitigation Measure must be implemented, and which party or public agency is responsible for ensuring compliance with the measure. Potentially Significant Effects and Mitigation Measures The following is a list of the resources that will be potentially affected by the project and the Mitigation Measures made part of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. Included are Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Hazards and Hazardous Materials along with Hydrology and Water Quality.

Air Quality Mitigation Measure #1—Fugitive Dust

All ground-disturbing operations shall be suspended when winds exceed 20 miles per hour or when winds carry dust beyond the property line despite implementation of all feasible dust control measures.

All areas subject to ground disturbance shall be watered as necessary to prevent fugitive dust



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violations.

Onsite dirt piles or other stockpiled particulate matter shall be covered, wind breaks installed, and water and/or soil stabilizers employed as necessary to reduce windblown dust emissions.

All transfer processes involving a free-fall of soil or other particulate matter shall be operated

in such a manner as to minimize the free fall distance and fugitive dust emissions.

Traffic speeds on all unpaved surfaces shall be reduced to 15 miles per hour or less.

Unnecessary vehicle traffic shall be reduced by restricting access.

Onsite dirt piles or other stockpiled particulate matter shall be covered, wind breaks installed, and water and/or soil stabilizers employed as necessary to reduce windblown dust emissions.

Schedule: Responsible Party: Verification of Compliance: Monitoring Party: River Partners/TCAPCD Initials: ____________ Date: ____________

Mitigation Measure #2–Construction Equipment Exhaust

All construction equipment shall be maintained in proper tune according to manufacturer’s specifications. Maintenance, repair and tuning reports for equipment shall be kept by River Partners.

To the extent practicable, the use of diesel construction equipment meeting the CARB’s 1996 or newer certification standard for off-road heavy-duty diesel engines shall be maximized.

Unnecessary vehicle idling shall be restricted to 5 minutes or less.

The use of gasoline-powered equipment in lieu of diesel-powered equipment shall be maximized where feasible.

Visible emissions from stationary diesel-powered equipment shall not exceed 40 percent opacity for more than three minutes in any one-hour.

Schedule: Responsible Party: Verification of Compliance: Monitoring Party: River Partners



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Initials: ____________ Date: ____________

Biological Resources Mitigation Measure #3 – Rare and Endangered Plant and Wildlife Species If any Federal or State listed threatened or endangered species are detected in the project area that maybe impacted by the project work, then all project related activities shall immediately stop within that area which shall be flagged with a 25’ “No Treatment Zone”. All sightings shall be documented using the California Natural Diversely Data Base (CNDDB) field survey form a copy of which shall be submitted to the CNDDB and the USFWS. A copy shall also be incorporated into the River Partners project files. Schedule: Responsible Party: Verification of Compliance: Monitoring Party: River Partners Initials: ____________ Date: ____________ Mitigation Measure #4 – Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle

No activities that could result in the removal of the VELB habitat (i.e., the removal of elderberry shrubs) shall be implemented. Elderberry is a target species of conservation and enhancement at the Jelly’s Ferry unit. Conservation measures from the Programmatic Biological Assessment for Integrated Weed Management (BLM 2007) were designed to prevent adverse effects to VELB from vegetation management activities being performed within 100 feet of elderberry plants.

All elderberry plants shall be flagged with highly visible flagging to ensure they are not

targeted by any removal activities. In an effort to aid in identification and removal activities, work shall occur when plants are in leaf of have been otherwise previously identified.

A representative from BLM or BLM approved resource advisor who is familiar with

elderberry identification shall be on site at all times to ensure elderberry is not targeted by removal activities.

BLM or BLM approved resource advisor shall instruct work crews about the status of the

beetle, plant identification and the need to protect its elderberry host plant before treatment activities where the potential for elderberry exists.

Tilling and plowing will not be allowed within 100 feet of elderberry until an on-site visit is

made by the BLM or a BLM approved resource advisor and the equipment operator. Afterwards, tilling and plowing will be permitted within 10 feet of the dripline of elderberry plants. Tilling and plowing shall be done in a manner that avoids damaging plants (ie. breaking branches through careless use of tilling and plowing equipment).



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Mowing shall be allowed after coordination with BLM or a BLM approved resource advisor

to within five (5) feet of elderberry plant stems. Mowing shall be done in a manner that avoids damaging plants (ie. stripping away bark through careless use of mowing/trimming equipment).

Weed removal activities are permitted to occur immediately adjacent to elderberry plants or

under canopies provided they are conducted with the use of hand tools and no damage will occur to elderberry plants.

Invasive tree species required to be felled shall be fallen away from elderberry plants. In a

effort to prevent leaf scorch increased stress to elderberry plants, invasive trees providing a shaded canopy to elderberry shall not be felled during the summer.

In order to prevent toxicity to elderberry and VELB from spray drift, herbicides shall be

applied with nozzle tips that produce large droplets (not mist) and spray pressures no greater than shall be required to obtain adequate coverage. Spray application of herbicides shall not be applied when winds are gusty or in excess of 5 m.p.h.

To avoid the potential impacts to elderberry, the use of small surface area spray application

equipment shall be used as well as the use of the smallest amount of herbicide at any one time. Within 25 feet of elderberry herbicide treatments shall be limited to low pressure, large droplet sprayers and no foliar treatments of invasive species shall occur within 10 feet of elderberry on direct application of herbicides shall be permitted.

In an effort to prevent double applications, an agriculturally approved marking dye or mineral

oil shall be added to the herbicide solution (when applying by hand sprayer) to aid in identifying treated individuals.

All herbicide applications on public lands shall be directly supervised by a certified pesticide

applicator. Mixing of herbicides and filling of tanks shall occur in staging areas, outside the 100-foot buffer. All applications shall conform to label directions.

Schedule: Responsible Party: Verification of Compliance: Monitoring Party: River Partners/BLM Initials: ____________ Date: ____________

Mitigation Measure #5 – Nests If proposed activities are planned to occur during the nesting season for raptors and migratory birds (typically March 1st through August 31st), River Partners or BLM shall retain a qualified biologist to conduct a focused survey for active nests of raptors and migratory birds within and in the vicinity of (no less than 500 feet outside project boundaries, where possible) the disturbance area no more than 30 days prior to ground disturbance or tree removal. If active nests are located during



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surveys, USFWS and/or CDFW shall be notified regarding the status of the nests. Construction activities shall be restricted as necessary to avoid disturbance of the nest until it is abandoned or a qualified biologist deems disturbance potential to be minimal (in consultation with USFWS and/or CDFW). Restrictions may include establishment of exclusion zones (no ingress of personnel or equipment at a minimum radius of 500-feet around the nest for Swainson’s hawk, 100-feet around the nest for other raptors and 50-feet around the nest for other migratory birds) or alteration of the construction schedule. No action is necessary if construction will occur during the non-breeding season (September 1st through February 28th). Schedule: Responsible Party: Verification of Compliance: Monitoring Party: River Partners/BLM Initials: ____________ Date: ____________

Cultural Resources Mitigation Measure #6 – Cultural Resources

In areas containing cultural resources, no tillage, well placement, or irrigation lines shall be allowed. These areas may be hand planted (ie. using shovels, hoes and other hand tools, with species approved by the Redding Field Office Archaeologist. This work shall be monitored by the Redding Field Office Archaeologist or qualified designee.

In the event archaeological deposits are discovered during project activities, all work in the immediate vicinity of the discovery shall be stopped immediately until the BLM Redding Field Office Archaeologist determines how to address the discovery. This will ensure that no cultural resources are impacted by restoration activities. If previously unknown cultural resources are identified during the implementation of this project, planting plans shall be altered to avoid impacts to these sites.

Schedule: Responsible Party: Verification of Compliance: Monitoring Party: River Partners Initials: ____________ Date: ____________

Mitigation Measure #7 – Human Remains If human remains are discovered during project activities, all activities in the vicinity of the find shall be suspended and the Tehama County Coroner’s Office shall be notified. If the coroner determines that the remains may be those of a Native American, the coroner shall contact the NAHC. Treatment of the remains shall be conducted in accordance with the direction of the County Coroner and/or the NAHC, as appropriate. Schedule:



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Responsible Party: Verification of Compliance: Monitoring Party: River Partners Initials: ____________ Date: ____________

Hazards and Hazardous Materials / Hydrology and Water Quality Mitigation Measure #8—Pollutants

Fuel, oil and other petroleum products, as well as pesticides/herbicides shall be stored only at designated staging areas. Staging areas shall be located greater than 100 feet from aquatic habitat (e.g., the Sacramento River). The use of hazardous materials shall be avoided or minimized where possible. Material containment containers shall be clearly labeled with the identity of the materials, handling and safety instructions, and emergency contact. Any soils contaminated by spills shall be contained and shall be removed to an approved disposal site.

On-site equipment shall be maintained to minimize petroleum drippings. Stationary power

equipment (e.g., engines, pumps, generators) shall be positioned over drip pans.

During fuel transfer and filling, absorbent pads, pillows, socks, booms or other spill containment materials shall be available. Trained personnel shall monitor the filling of equipment and shall stop fuel flow immediately if a spill occurs. Fuel transfer/filling shall not resume until the problem is resolved.

Schedule: Responsible Party: Verification of Compliance: Monitoring Party: River Partners Initials: ____________ Date: ____________

Mitigation Measure #9 — Fire Hazards

Contractors or landowners providing equipment shall provide adequate fire protection equipment. This shall include a water wagon located at equipment operation areas as well as fire extinguishers attached to all mechanized equipment. In addition, firefighting hand tools shall be made available at all areas where equipment is operated.

Contractors or landowners providing operations equipment (dozers, etc.) shall make daily

inspection of equipment for leaks, correcting and repairing any such leaks prior to resuming their use. The inspection reports shall be submitted to the River Partners Project Manager along with evidence of any repairs required and completed before returning equipment to project work sites. Inspection reports shall be incorporated into River Partners project files.

Schedule:



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Responsible Party: Verification of Compliance: Monitoring Party: Construction Contractor/River Partners Initials: ____________ Date: ____________

Summary of Findings This IS/MND has been prepared to assess the project’s potential effects on the environment and an appraisal of the significance of those effects. Based on this IS/MND, it has been determined that the proposed project will not have any significant effects on the environment after implementation of Mitigation Measures. This conclusion is supported by the following findings:

1. The proposed project will have no effect related to Aesthetics, Geology and Soils, Land Use and Planning, Mineral Resources, Population and Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Transportation and Traffic along with, Utilities and Service Systems.

2. The proposed project will have a less than significant impact on Agricultural and Forest Resources,

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Noise.

3. Mitigation is required to reduce potentially significant impacts related to Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Hazards and Hazardous Material as well as Hydrology and Water Quality.

The Initial Study/Environmental Checklist included in this document discusses the results of resource-specific environmental impact analyses which were conducted by the Tehama County Resource



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Conservation District with assistance provided by various State agencies and other organizations. This Initial Study revealed that potentially significant environmental affects that could result from the proposed project. The project’s proponent, River Partners has revised its project plans and has developed Mitigation Measures which will eliminate impact or reduce environmental impacts to a less than significant level. The Tehama County Resource Conservation District has found, in consideration of the entire record, that there is no substantial evidence that the proposed project as currently revised and mitigated would result in a significant effect upon the environment. The IS/MND is therefore the appropriate document for CEQA compliance.



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Appendices



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(See separate documents as appendices)

initial study/mitigated negative declaration for the ...€¦ · jellys ferry restoration project...

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