Estero Americano Coastal Preserve Mitigation Project (EA-20950) (Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS MAN-41139-R3)

Estero Americano Coastal Preserve Mitigation Project (EA-20950) (Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS MAN-41139-R3)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has executed Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (EPIMS-MAN-41139-R3), pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1602, the project Applicant, California Department of Transportation. The proposed Project will provide compensatory mitigation for the loss of riparian habitat resulting from the Estero Americano Creek Bridge Replacement project (Bridge Project) (Caltrans EA 04-20950) on State Route (SR) 1 (LSAA:1600-2015-0255-03). Per the Estero Americano Creek Bridge Replacement Offsite Wetland and Riparian Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (Offsite MMP; August 2017), the Bridge Project was required to mitigate permanent impacts to riparian habitat at a 3:1 ratio with 1.1 acres to be mitigated onsite and 2.2 acres to be mitigated at the Estero Americano Coastal Preserve (Preserve). The onsite riparian mitigation consisted of willow restoration. The onsite mitigation of 1.1 acres was completed in 2023. As detailed in the Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) prepared by WRA (2023) the proposed riparian willow habitat mitigation at the Preserve includes 1.97 acres of re-establishment, 0.10 acres of rehabilitation, and 1.55 acres of enhancement; for a total of 3.62 acres. These activities would include non-native species removal, native vegetation seeding and willow planting, and grading to reduce side slope and bed erosion. The 2.2 acres of riparian restoration at the Preserve also fulfills riparian mitigation requirements for the Bridge Project’s Coastal Development Permit (CDP; Permit 2-15-1354) issued by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) and the 401 Water Quality Certification (401 Cert) issued by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB; CW-818531). Although the Bridge Project has riparian mitigation requirements to fulfill the CDFW LSAA, CCC CDP, and RWQCB 401 Cert, it also has wetland mitigation requirements per the CCC CDP, RWQCB 401 Cert, and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Nationwide 404 permit (404). Per the Bridge Project’s Offsite MMP, the CDP required 1.61 acres, the 401 Cert required 1.04 acres, and the 404 required 0.360 acres of wetland mitigation. The onsite location mitigated 0.65 acres of wetland restoration and creation, which fully mitigated all of the ACOE’s requirements. The remaining 0.39 acres of wetland mitigation required by the RWQCB 401 and 0.96 acres of wetland mitigation required by the CCC CDP will be mitigated at the Preserve. Per the HMMP, the proposed coastal wetland mitigation includes 0.97 acres of establishment, 0.61 acres of rehabilitation, and 0.35 acres of enhancement; for a total of 1.93 acres. These activities would include native vegetation seeding and planting, grading to intercept shallow groundwater to expand wetland community, reduce erosion and increase the wetland fringe surrounding a pond. Approximately 0.11 acres of riparian vegetation will be temporarily impacted. This includes 10 Monterey cypress trees. This area will be replanted with willows.

Marin

San Francisco Bay Area

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