Comment Period: November 15, 2023 – December 15, 2023
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a permit application for the discharge dredged or fill material into approximately 1.14 acres of waters of the United States to construct the Dixon 257 Mixed-Use Development project. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments.
AUTHORITY: This application is being evaluated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the discharge of fill material in waters of the United States.
APPLICANT:
Dixon Venture, LLC
Attn: Steve Gidaro
401 Watt Avenue, Suite 4
Sacramento, CA 95814
LOCATION: The approximately 279.8-acre project site is located east of Pedrick Road, north of Vaughn Road, and south of Interstate 80 (I-80) at Latitude 38.47441°, Longitude -121.8076°, in the City of Dixon, Solano County, California, and can be seen on the Dixon USGS Topographic Quadrangle.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is proposing to place approximately
3,678 cubic yards of earthen fill into 1.14 acres of waters of the U.S., comprised of agricultural ditches, to accommodate the construction of:
- 47.9-acre Dixon Opportunity Center, which would support a technology and business park and light industrial uses;
- Nine lots to accommodate low-, medium-, and high-density residential uses;
- 2.49 acres of retail commercial space;
- 13.42 acres of open space, parks, paseos, and green spaces; and
- Associated infrastructure including water facilities, wastewater facilities, drainage/stormwater control, roads, and road improvements.
The applicant believes there is a need to generate local jobs, housing, and access to the regional transportation network. The attached drawings provide additional project details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. There are approximately 1.14 acres of agricultural ditches within the project area. The site is characterized by leveled agricultural fields that historically have supported a variety of row crops. Elevations range from approximately 60 feet above mean sea level (msl) in the north to 67 feet above msl in the south.
Alternatives. The applicant has not provided information concerning project alternatives. Additional information concerning project alternatives may be available from the applicant or their agent. Other alternatives may develop during the review process for this permit application. All reasonable project alternatives, in particular those which may be less damaging to the aquatic environment, will be considered.
Mitigation. The Corps requires that applicants consider and use all reasonable and practical measures to avoid and minimize impacts to aquatic resources. If the applicant is unable to avoid or minimize all impacts, the Corps may require compensatory mitigation. The applicant has proposed to mitigate for the proposed project at a
USACE-approved mitigation bank.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: Water quality certification or a waiver, as required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board is required for this project. The applicant has not indicated they have applied for certification.
HISTORIC PROPERTIES: Potentially eligible cultural resources may be affected by the proposed project.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: The proposed activity may affect Federally listed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitat. The Corps will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate.
ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: The proposed project would not adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) as defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
The above determinations are based on information provided by the applicant and our preliminary review.
EVALUATION FACTORS: The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the described activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the described activity, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the described activity will be considered, including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people. The activity's impact on the public interest will include application of the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 230).
The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, Federal, State, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments, referencing Public Notice
SPK-2021-00634 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before
December 15, 2023.
Matt Hirkala, Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Email: Matthew.J.Hirkala@usace.army.mil
The Corps is particularly interested in receiving comments related to the proposal's probable impacts on the affected aquatic environment and the secondary and cumulative effects. Anyone may request, in writing, that a public hearing be held to consider this application. Requests shall specifically state, with particularity, the reason(s) for holding a public hearing. If the Corps determines that the information received in response to this notice is inadequate for thorough evaluation, a public hearing may be warranted. If a public hearing is warranted, interested parties will be notified of the time, date, and location. Please note that all comment letters received are subject to release to the public through the Freedom of Information Act. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the applicant or the
Corps' project manager, Matt Hirkala, by phone at (916) 557-5148 or by email at matthew.j.hirkala@usace.army.mil.
Attachments: 3 drawings