inspection report · 2/9/2017 · debris wrack lines represent vegetation washed ashore by the...

INSPECTION REPORT

To: Point Buckler Club, LLC Case File May 15, 2017 Place ID 816826 From: Agnes Farres, Environmental Scientist Xavier Fernandez, Senior Environmental Scientist Brian Thompson, CHG, CEG, Senior Engineering Geologist Approved by: Dyan Whyte, P.G. Assistant Executive Officer Subject: Inspection of Point Buckler Island, Suisun Marsh, Solano County On February 9, 2017, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) staff performed an inspection of Point Buckler Island (Island), located off the western tip of Simmons Island in the Suisun Marsh, Solano County. Lawrence Bazel, counsel for John D. Sweeney and Point Buckler Club, LLC, granted our request for access in emails dated January 27, 2017, and February 3, 2017. Agnes Farres, Xavier Fernandez, and Brian Thompson conducted the site inspection along with Dr. Bruce Herbold (Fisheries Ecologist) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff (Bill Lee). The purpose of the inspection was to assess changes in site conditions since our March 2, 2016, inspection due to recent storms and high tides. A secondary purpose of the inspection was to facilitate our review of the Restoration Plan required by Cleanup and Abatement Order No. R2-2016-0038. Objectives for the inspection included the following: Assess current conditions on the Island including the levee, borrow ditch, channels,

crescent ponds, and structures remaining on the Island; General observations on vegetation conditions; and

Inspection of Point Buckler Island page 2 February 9, 2017

Assess the feasibility of using the existing tide gate to restore tidal flow and tidal circulation to the Island.

We could not meet all of our inspection objectives because of the extent of tidal inundation on the Island upon our arrival. We were unable to access the interior of the island because both the east and west borrow ditch crossings were impassable due to high levels of water in the interior. We also did not want to risk getting stuck in the mud and did not attempt to inspect areas where the water depth was more than knee-high due to safety concerns. Therefore, our observations of the island interior were limited to what could be seen from the levee or the boat from 9:20 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. The tide gate, located on the southwest end near the kiteboarding facilities, was completely submerged and not visible during the inspection. Therefore, Dr. Herbold was unable to assess the feasibility of using the tide gate for restoration. We had to conclude our inspection early and leave the island before high tide because of safety concerns due to overtopping of the levee and rapidly rising water levels on the Island. Photographs from the site inspection are included in Attachment A. Dr. Herbold’s observations and photographs are included in Attachment B. Inspection Summary 8:50 Met Solano County Marine Patrol (Marine Patrol) at the Pittsburg Marina. The

two Marine Patrol deputies (Deputies Michael Otto and Trevor Chesser) conducted a safety meeting, and then we loaded our equipment onto the boat.

9:05 Departed Pittsburg Marina. 9:20 Arrived at the Island. We circled around the Island by boat to observe the

exterior of the levee. We started from the boat dock in a counterclockwise direction, but could not continue through Andy Mason Slough because it was too shallow. We then turned the boat around and circled the Island in a clockwise direction, stopping when we approached Andy Mason Slough from the north.

9:55 Disembarked boat and began walking around the Island. We planned to survey general conditions by walking around the Island on the levee, then follow up with a more focused inspection of specific locations. All inspection participants started walking together along the levee, beginning from the boat dock entrance/exit, in a clockwise direction. As we approached the westernmost end of the Island near the kiteboarding facilities, we noted the rapidly rising tide levels and realized the tide would overtop the levee sooner than we expected in some locations. Agnes Farres, Xavier Fernandez, and Brian Thompson turned back to take more detailed notes and photograph locations that would soon be inaccessible due to levee overtopping. Meanwhile, Dr. Herbold and Bill Lee completed a loop around the Island levee in a clockwise direction. Agnes Farres and Xavier Fernandez were able to backtrack and walk partway along the levee in a counterclockwise direction approximately 100 yards past where a crane is stored along the east levee just north of the east borrow ditch crossing. Brian


Thompson continued further, to the approximate location where Photo A15 was taken on the northeast levee.

10:50 Left the Island due to safety concerns from Bay water overtopping the levee. 10:50 – 11:50 Observed the Island from the boat to document site conditions close to high

tide, which was predicted to occur at approximately 12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data.

11:50 – 12:10 Circled around the Island by boat to observe and photograph tidal inundation of the levee and Island interior when tide levels were nearing or at high tide.

12:10 Concluded our inspection of the Island. 12:30 Arrived at Pittsburg Marina. Water Board Staff Observations Weather Conditions It was cloudy and raining lightly, with temperatures ranging from 61.5 – 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit. There was a gentle to moderate breeze, ranging from 11-13 miles per hour (mph), with winds gusting at 15-20 mph. Winds were moderate such that wave action did not appear to significantly contribute to levee overtopping. Levee We could not observe the condition of the outboard levee slope or the inboard levee slope because water levels in the Bay and in the borrow ditch were just below the top of the levee (levee crown)(Photos A13 – A15, A17, A19, A22, A23). One measurement from the southwest levee showed the water level was approximately two inches below the levee crown at 10:12 a.m., approximately two hours before predicted high tide. The standard for newly constructed levees in Suisun Marsh is a minimum width of 12 feet for the levee crown.1 During our March 2, 2016 inspection, we observed that the levee ranged in width from approximately 10-40 feet. During this inspection, the levee crown was visibly narrower than it was observed during the March 2, 2016 inspection. There was erosion along the inboard and outboard edge of the levee and the levee crown at multiple locations, particularly in areas where we later observed the levee overtopping (Photos A22 – A25). Some eroded sections of the south levee we measured were approximately 8 – 11 feet wide (Photos A19 and A22). Beginning approximately 10:50 a.m., we observed Bay water overtopping the levee in multiple locations, including the east levee (Photos A1 – A4), southeast levee by the boat dock (Photos A5 – A7), the southwest levee (Photos A8 – A9), the northwest levee (Photo A10), and the

1 The Suisun Resource Conservation District’s management program to preserve, protect and enhance the plant and wildlife communities within the primary management area of the Suisun Marsh. August 1980.


northeast levee (Photo A12). Water was nearly overtopping in other places (Photos A13 – A15, A17, A19, A22, A23, and A28). Wrack line Debris wrack lines represent vegetation washed ashore by the tides. We observed large mats of vegetation debris on the levee crown, up to 29 feet in length (Photos A20 and A22), and vegetation debris, including large woody debris, along both the outboard and inboard edges of the levee (Photos A17, A19, A21 – A23). Vegetation debris on the outboard edge of the levee and the levee crown included water hyacinth, which is a freshwater plant, indicating the vegetation was deposited by Delta outflows during recent storms. Island Interior We could only observe the Island interior from the levee because the interior was inundated and inaccessible. Therefore, we could not make more-detailed observations of the crescent ponds, channels, wetland vegetation, or structures in the interior. We did observe that the helipads, which are approximately two feet in height,2 were under water and conclude that the depth of inundation in the interior was two feet or more. The road crossings to the interior were entirely submerged and not visible (Photo A26). Further, the crescent ponds and interior channels were no longer distinct features as the majority of the island interior was inundated (Photos A33 – A36). Structures At the east borrow ditch crossing, one trailer’s wheels were almost entirely submerged under water, with adjacent equipment also in standing water (Photo A3). The east helipad was submerged and barely visible (Photo A33). The tide gate was submerged and not visible for inspection (Photos A13, A14, A28). At the west end, the kiteboarding facilities were in standing water (Photos A9, A14, A34). A bench located on the road to the water’s edge, was clearly visible at approximately 9:40 a.m. and was partially submerged by 12:00 p.m. (Photo A-8). We could not see the AstroTurf located next to the trailers as it was entirely submerged underwater. The west borrow ditch crossing was impassable and appeared unsafe to cross due to high water levels and the risk of getting stuck in the mud, therefore we could not observe the structures at this location more closely. Other Observations The Point Buckler Technical Assessment of Current Conditions and Historic Reconstruction since 1985 (Expert Report, May 12, 2016) found elevations on the east levee ranged from 6.6 – 8.0

2 According to the OOG China Shipping website, accessed on March 14, 2017 (http://www.oogshipping.com/flat-rack-containers.php), the bed height of a 40-foot flat-rack shipping container is approximately 2 feet (647 millimeters).

http://www.oogshipping.com/flat-rack-containers.php

http://www.oogshipping.com/flat-rack-containers.php


feet consistent with elevations below the high tide line, but concluded that there was potentially 0.538 acre of terrestrial lowlands3 along the eastern edge of the Island because of the presence of an upland plant (Baccharis pilularis). However, we observed (1) a large mat of vegetation debris deposited on the east levee crown (Photo A20); and (2) overtopping of the east levee at 11:46 a.m., approximately 30 minutes before predicted high tide (Photos A2 – A4). Based on these observations, the topographic data from the Expert Report, and the presence of a facultative wetland plant (Rosa californica), we have determined that the 0.538 acre area along the east edge of the Island that was previously identified as potential upland, is not. Rather, it is below the high tide line, falls under Clean Water Act Section 404 jurisdiction, and is waters of the State and United States. Attachments Attachment A – Inspection Photographs

Attachment B – Bruce Herbold’s Inspection Observations and Photos

3 Figure 4 of the Expert Report identifies a thin sliver along the eastern edge of the Island as terrestrial lowlands.

Attachment A – Inspection Photographs Point Buckler Island

February 9, 2017

Figure A1. Map of Point Buckler Island identifying locations where photographs were taken on February 9, 2017. The base map is a natural color, aerial photograph captured by Quantum Spatial (https://quantumspatial.com/) on February 16, 2017.

Page A1 of A21

A12, A13

A1, A2, A25

A16

A5, A6, A7, A36

A10

A8 A11

A14, A15, A28, A29

A17, A18, A19, A20, A26 A21, A27, A34

A22, A37

A23, A24

A33

A35

A3, A4, A30 – A32

A9

https://quantumspatial.com/


February 9, 2017

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Tide Overtopping East Levee Photo A1 Photo A2

The above photos were taken from the southeast levee near the boat dock, facing north. Photo A1, taken at 9:54 a.m., shows rilling from along the inboard (left) edge of the levee to the levee crown. The island interior is inundated and the borrow ditch, located to the left of the levee, has overtopped the left bank. Photo A2 shows the tide overtopping the levee approximately 40 minutes later at 10:34 a.m. Flow ripples are visible along the inboard (left) edge, where we observed rilling. We left the Island 15 minutes later and returned to the boat, at 10:50 a.m., due to safety concerns, and observed water levels continue to rise at this location until 11:50 a.m. High tide was predicted to occur at approximately 12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data. Photo A1 taken by Brian Thompson, Photo A2 taken by Xavier Fernandez.


February 9, 2017

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Tide Overtopping East Levee Photo A3 Photo A4

The above photos were taken from the Island’s boat dock, facing northwest. In Photos A3 and A4, the tide has overtopped the east levee. In Photo A3, the trailer’s wheels are almost entirely submerged in water, with nearby equipment also in standing water. A large mat of floating vegetation debris is adjacent to the trailer. The east borrow ditch crossing, located to the left of the trailer, is under water and impassable. We did not attempt to cross because the water depth was more than knee-high and we did not want to risk getting stuck in the mud. The levee crown is under water and not visible between the boat dock and the trailer and equipment. Photos taken by Brian Thompson.


February 9, 2017

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Tide Overtopping Southeast Levee Photo A5 Photo A6

Photo A7 These photos were taken facing south from near the southeast corner of the Island. Photos A5 to A7 show tidal overtopping of the levee near the boat dock entrance/exit. In Photo A5, the tide has begun to come in and inundate the levee by 9:55 a.m. Photo A6 shows a greater area of inundation and flowing water (left to right) across the levee crown by 10:27 a.m. In Photo A7, taken at 10:46 a.m., the entire southeast corner is flooded and Brian Thompson measured the depth of water at approximately five inches using a yard stick at the point shown in the photo. The tidal flow over the levee and into the island interior is more turbulent and audible. We left the Island and returned to the boat at 10:50 a.m. due to safety concerns and observed water levels continuing to rise at the southeast levee until 11:50 a.m. High tide was predicted to occur at approximately 12:16 p.m. (over an hour after Photo A7 was taken) based on Port Chicago data. Photos A5 and A6 taken by Brian Thompson; Photo A7 taken by Xavier Fernandez.


February 9, 2017

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Tide Overtopping Southwest Levee Photo A8

Photo A8 was taken from the boat facing northeast and shows the tide overtopping the southwest levee. The bench located on the road to the water’s edge is partially submerged (circled in orange). Photo taken by Bill Lee.


February 9, 2017

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Comparison Photographs

March 2, 2016 Inspection February 9, 2017 Inspection Photo A9

Photo A10

The above photos show the kiteboarding facilities during the March 2, 2016 and February 9, 2017 inspections. The kiteboarding facilities consist of two trailers and two green closed-freight shipping containers installed around three white, flat-rack containers to create an enclosure. PhotoA10, taken from the boat facing northeast, shows the tide overtopping the southwest levee with water up to the top of the trailer tires. Photo A9 provides a visual reference of the depth of inundation based on the height of the trailer tires. .

Photo A9 taken by Brian Thompson. Photo A10 taken by Bill Lee.


February 9, 2017

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Tide Overtopping Northwest Levee Photo A11

Facing north, photo A11 shows the tide flowing over the top of the northwest levee towards the borrow ditch (left to right) at 10:23 a.m. Track marks from vehicle tires are visible on the levee crown and appear recent, since the last rain or tidal flooding of the levee. The tide continued to rise after this photo was taken; the predicted high tide was at approximately 12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data. Photo taken by Bill Lee.


February 9, 2017

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Tide Overtopping Northeast Levee Photo A12 Photo A13

The above photos were taken facing southwest as we circled the Island in the boat at two different times. The northeast levee is visible in Photo A12 at 9:25 a.m., along an unvegetated portion of the outboard levee. By 11:53 a.m., the tide overtopped this portion of the northeast levee (shown by the arrows) in Photo A13. Photos taken by Brian Thompson.


February 9, 2017

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Tide Nearly Overtopping Southwest Levee Photo A14 Photo A15

Facing south, Photo A14 shows the tide nearly overtopping the southwest levee by 10:10 a.m and Xavier Fernandez measured the water level to be approximately two inches below the top of the levee at 10:12 a.m. The levee crown was narrower at this location and may be subject to more erosion. Xavier Fernandez measured the levee crown to be 10 feet wide. This is the location of the tide gate, which we could not inspect because it was entirely submerged. Photo A15 shows the same location facing north. The water is nearly overtopping the left bank of the borrow ditch, and has overtopped the right bank of the borrow ditch. Note the partially submerged kiteboarding facilities in the background. Photo A14 taken by Brian Thompson. Photo A15 taken by Bill Lee.


February 9, 2017

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Tide Nearly Overtopping Northeast Levee Photo A16

Photo A16, facing north, shows the tide nearly overtopping the northeast levee by 10:31 a.m. The tide is still rising at the time of the photograph; high tide was predicted to occur at approximately 12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data. Photo taken by Bill Lee.


February 9, 2017

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March 2, 2016 Inspection February 9, 2017 Inspection Photo A17 Photo A18

Photo A17, facing west, shows the south levee during our March 2, 2016, inspection and provides a visual reference of the height of the outboard levee. The outboard levee slope is eroded with vegetation debris deposited on the levee crown. Fringing tidal marsh is visible next to the outboard levee during a lower tide. Photo A18, also facing west, was taken near the same location before predicted high tide. The water is nearly overtopping the levee by 10:20 a.m., over an hour before the predicted high tide (12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data), and the fringing tidal marsh next to the outboard levee is underwater and no longer visible. There is vegetation debris, including water hyacinth, and a sizeable log on the outboard edge of the levee. Both photos show vegetation debris that has been deposited on the levee crown. Photo A17 taken by Benjamin Martin. Photo A18 taken by Brian Thompson.


February 9, 2017

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March 2, 2016 Inspection February 9, 2017 Inspection Photo A19 Photo A20

Photo A19, facing west, shows the south levee and borrow ditch during our March 2, 2016, inspection. The inboard levee slope is eroded with vegetation debris deposited on the inboard edge of the levee. The banks of the borrow ditch are clearly visible. Photo A20, also facing west, was taken near the same location. The tide is nearly overtopping the levee crown at 10:20 a.m. prior to high tide (predicted to occur at 12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data). Water is nearly overtopping the left bank of the borrow ditch and has overtopped the right bank. Vegetation debris, including water hyacinth and woody debris, has been deposited along the inboard edge of the levee. The levee appears to have eroded at this location and Agnes Farres and Xavier Fernandez measured the levee crown to be eight feet in width. Photo A19 taken by Benjamin Martin. Photo A20 taken by Brian Thompson.


February 9, 2017

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Wrack Line at East Levee Photo A21 Photo A22

Photo A21 taken at 10:42 a.m. facing west, shows a large mat of vegetation debris deposited on the east levee crown, next to the trailer. Water levels continued to rise at this location and one hour later, the mat of vegetation debris is floating on water, the trailer’s wheels are almost entirely submerged in water, and nearby equipment is also in standing water (see Photo A3). Photo A22, also facing west, shows vegetation debris, including water hyacinth, deposited on the outboard levee by the boat dock. Photo A21 taken by Xavier Fernandez. Photo A22 taken by Brian Thompson.


February 9, 2017

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Wrack Line and Erosion at Southwest Levee Photo A23 Photo A24

Photo A23, taken at 10:21 a.m. facing east, shows a large deposit of vegetation debris along the southwest levee and on the levee crown. Agnes Farres and Xavier Fernandez measured the wrack line on the levee crown to be 29 feet in length at this location. This indicates that at a minimum, the tides overtopped the levee along this 29-foot section. The levee appears to have eroded at this location and Agnes Farres and Xavier Fernandez measured the levee crown to be approximately 11 feet wide. Photo A24, taken at 10:16 a.m. facing south, was taken at the same location. There is water hyacinth along the outboard edge of the levee and vegetation debris deposited on the levee crown. The presence of water hyacinth, a freshwater plant, indicates that vegetation was deposited by Delta outflows during recent storms. Photos taken by Xavier Fernandez.


February 9, 2017

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Inboard Levee Erosion Photo A25 Photo A26

Photos A25, taken at 10:38 a.m. facing north, show rilling along the inboard edge of the east levee. Photo A26, taken at 10:20 a.m. also facing north, shows rilling along the inboard edge of the south levee. Note that in both photos, water has overtopped the borrow ditch and the Island’s interior tidal marsh is inundated. Photos taken by Xavier Fernandez.


February 9, 2017

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East Borrow Ditch Crossing Impassable Photo A27

Photo A27, taken at 10:41 a.m. facing west, shows the east borrow ditch crossing, which was under water and impassable due to inundation during our inspection. Only a portion of the fence posts and gates are visible above the water. Note the Island’s interior tidal marsh is inundated. Photo taken by Xavier Fernandez.


February 9, 2017

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Tide Gate March 2, 2016 Inspection Tide Gate February 9, 2017 Inspection Photo A28 Photo A29

Photo A28, facing south, shows the tide gate outlet during our March 2, 2016 inspection. There is vegetation and woody debris above and adjacent to the tide gate outlet, deposited up to the levee crown. Photo A29, facing west, was taken over the location of the tide gate outlet during our February 9, 2017 inspection. The tide gate outlet is submerged and not visible and the tide is nearly overtopping the levee at 10:09 a.m., approximately two hours before predicted high tide (predicted to be 12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data). Photo A28 taken by Agnes Farres. Photo A29 taken by Brian Thompson.


February 9, 2017

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Interior Inundation

Photo A30 Photo A31

Photo A32 Here we show a series of photos taken from the same point on the southeast levee (facing west) at three different times within an hour. In Photo A30, taken at 10:53 a.m., the tide has begun to overtop the southeast levee and flow across the levee crown. A portion of the levee crown, indicated by the orange circle, is still visible. In Photo A31, taken at 11:13 a.m., the tide is rapidly flowing across the levee crown and only a small portion of the levee crown remains visible, indicated by the orange circle. In Photo A32, taken at 11:46 a.m., the levee crown is no longer visible and the tide has flowed across the levee crown, into the borrow ditch, and across the Island interior, flooding the interior tidal marsh. High tide was predicted to occur at approximately 12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data. Note the vegetation debris, including water hyacinth, on the outboard edge of the southeast levee in the foreground. Photos taken by Xavier Fernandez.


February 9, 2017

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March 2, 2016 Inspection February 6, 2017 Inspection

Photo A33

Photo A33 shows the east helipad observed during our March 2, 2016 inspection. Photo A34, taken at 10:40 a.m. from the east levee facing west during the February 9, 2017 inspection, shows the Island’s interior tidal marsh is inundated. The yellow, circle “H” marking on the east helipad is visible beneath the water, indicated by the orange circle. The bed height of a 40-foot, flat-rack shipping container is approximately 2 feet (647 millimeters).1 Therefore, we conclude that the depth of inundation at this location at the time the photo was taken was two feet or more. Photo A33 taken by Agnes Farres. Photo A34 taken by Xavier Fernandez

1 Source: OOG China Shipping website on March 14, 2017: http://www.oogshipping.com/flat-rack-containers.php

Photo A34


February 9, 2017

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Interior Inundation Photo A35

Photo A35 shows the kiteboarding facilities, located on the west end of the Island, in standing water and inundation of the interior tidal marsh (photograph taken at 10:04 a.m.; high tide predicted to be 12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data). The Astroturf in front of the kiteboarding facilities has also been entirely submerged and is not visible. Water levels continued to rise at this location and by 12:02 p.m., water is up to the top of the trailer tires (see Photo A10). Photo taken by Bill Lee.


February 9, 2017

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Interior Inundation Photo A36 Photo A37

Photo A36, taken from the east levee facing west, shows the majority of the Island’s interior tidal marsh is inundated. Photo A37, taken from the southeast levee facing northwest, also shows the extent of inundation in the Island’s interior tidal marsh prior to high tide. Both photos were taken before high tide, predicted to occur at approximately 12:16 p.m. based on Port Chicago data. Photo A36 taken by Brian Thompson. Photo A37 taken by Bill Lee.


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Inspection Observations and Photos

By: Bruce Herbold Date of Inspection: Thursday February 9, 2017 Levee Overtopping The levees were getting overtopped by 10:30 and by 11:45 they were roaring with water. The biggest flow seemed to be at the tip of the island near the boat dock. As we were there the flow, which had been entering from the tip south of the boat dock, either shifted or was joined by substantial flows immediately landward of the boat dock. depths rapidly went from dry or shallow to quite deep, where I was concerned about our ability to return to the boat because our original path onto the island had become more than a foot deep and quite a torrent. The Island is a Fish Trap I am convinced that the threat of the present configuration of the island poses a risk as a simple fish trap to fishes of concern, primarily winter-run salmon. Point Buckler is located along the migratory corridor of all anadromous fish of the Central Valley, including the listed Winter-run Chinook Salmon, Spring-run Chinook Salmon, Steelhead Trout and Green Sturgeon, as well as many other non-listed species. Outmigrating juvenile salmonids, or smolts, tend to stay close to the edge of water bodies where emergent vegetation can provide them with food and refuge from predation. As described in the May 2016 Point Buckler Technical Assessment of Current Conditions and Historic Reconstruction Since 1985, approximately half of all migratory salmon smolts will pass close to Point Buckler and likely use the fringing marsh along its levees. The broad overtopping of the levees greatly facilitates the entrance of salmon smolts and other fish from the fringing marsh on the outboard side of the levee into the borrow ditch on the inside of the levee. The borrow ditch, which was deepened during unauthorized work on the island, is deep enough to allow predatory fish to live there and predation risk is expected to be high, especially with little vegetation for salmon smolts to hide in. Once the tide begins to ebb, any small fish on the inboard side of the levee would have to cross the open waters of the borrow ditch to get to the central marsh areas of the island to find refuge from predation. As tidal height falls below the level of the levee, the only way for fish in the interior to exit the island is to traverse the borrow ditch to the single tide gate on the southwest end. In addition to predation in the borrow ditch, fish discharged through the tide gate suffer turbulence and high velocity discharge into the open waters of Grizzly Bay, where they would be easy prey to open water fish of the bay. Fish staying in the interior would be subject to avian predation, low dissolved oxygen, and eventually desiccation as the wetlands dried out. In any case, they would have little opportunity to complete their


B-2

migration to the ocean. Some fish might be able to exit the island on subsequent tides high enough to overtop the levees, but they would have to survive hours of predation risk in the borrow ditch. Survival of any fish entrained on to Point Buckler is almost certainly close to zero. Since half of the outmigrating salmon pass close to Point Buckler, its impacts could be considerable on listed, commercial, and sport salmon runs.


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Photo 1. Images of Vehicles Upon Arrival and One Hour After Arrival

A – Equipment, Upon Site Arrival Note that 8-wheeled buggy, Polaris, and mower all on non-submerged ground

B – Equipment, One (1) Hour After Site Arrival Note submergence of 8-wheeled buggy, Polaris, and mower


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Photo 2. Partially Submerged Astro-Turf at Path to Water, Southwest Corner of Island Note the levee overtopping before reach the path (A), standing water atop the astro-turf on the path (B), in area stated by Sweeney as “always dry”

Photo 3: Submerged Containers in Southwest Corner of Island

Ground surface area around containers fully inundated, up to doors of “lounge” container (A). Levee overtopping into area around containers (B).

A B

A B


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Photo 4. View of Tide Gate Location, Outboard Side of Levee

Nothing of any structures were visible

inspection report · 2/9/2017 · debris wrack lines represent vegetation washed ashore by the...

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