Sac Levee Upgrades Mitigation

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Documents

ARCF Final General Reevaluation Report - Jan 2016
Main Report
Appendices

ARCF Final EIS-EIR - Jan 2016
Main Report
Appendices

Contact Information

For more information on
Sacramento Levee Upgrades,
please contact us at the following:

Phone:
916-557-5100

E-mail:
spk-pao@usace.army.mil

Mailing Address:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Sacramento District
1325 J Street, Room 1513
Sacramento, CA 95814

How are we mitigating?

The Sacramento Metropolitan area is one of the most at risk areas for flooding in the United States. The purpose of the American River Watershed Common Features project (ARCF) is to improve the existing infrastructure to reduce flood risk along the American and Sacramento Rivers. The bank protection work and associated mitigation you are seeing along the LAR is a small piece of this larger project. In order to complete the life and safety work, we have to improve the levee and riverbank conditions in the parkway. This work occurring under the ARCF project results in impacts to the existing habitat which must be mitigated for according to the biological opinions.

Mitigation is an action taken to reduce the severity and intensity of the proposed work on the existing environment. Mitigation of impacts can apply to many things such as noise, air or water quality, traffic and special status species. The mitigation process begins with construction designing. During design the project team works to balance the project purpose with the existing environment that it needs to occur in. Then, project design and its footprint are refined, all avoidable impacts are identified and removed, and once impacts can be reduced no further, is compensation required.

Once all phases of ARCF 2016 are complete, the Sacramento and American Rivers will provide better quality habitat and a more scenic views thanks to the native vegetation that will be planted at every site.

Restoration is an action taken to repair, renovate, or replace the lost form and function of an altered or degraded habitat. For information on Sacramento District environmental projects, please visit our website: https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental-Projects/

Status of the American River Common Features (ARCF) 2016 Flood Risk Management Project, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Subsequent Environmental Impact Report XIV (SEIS/SEIR)

The American River Common Features Final SEIS/SEIR is now available.
The Final SEIS/SEIR Appendices are available for download HERE.
For more details click on the American River Common Features tab below under Current Project Activities.

The 30-day waiting period began May 12, 2025, and ends June 11, 2025.

Questions can be directed to: publiccommentarcf16@water.ca.gov and ARCF_SEIS@usace.army.mil 

American River

The American river is undergoing erosion protection efforts as part of ARCF. Additional information on those details and contracts can be found on our American River Page (https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Sacramento-Levee-Upgrades/American-River-Levees/).

The Lower American River (LAR) was designated as a federal Wild and Scenic River in 1981 and designated as a state wild and scenic river in 1972 for its outstanding recreational and fisheries values. The protected area stretches from the Nimbus dam to the confluence of the Sacramento River. These state and federal designations require that any project completed on the river does not impact the outstanding values, and that any mitigation be completed within the same stretch of the river. What this means, is that to the greatest extent possible, all LAR impacts be mitigated for on the LAR.

American River - Current/Future Projects

Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (VELB)
Elderberry Shrub Transplant Sites

Purpose – Ensure the survival of the federally threatened Valley Elderberry longhorn Beetle (VELB) by protecting the plant the provides all of the beetle’s life cycle needs. When project designs are unable to avoid an elderberry shrub, they are transplanted to a preselected location nearby. By preserving the vegetation and relocating it to an area with similar, suitable habitat, we are ensuring that the next generation of beetles emerging from the shrub are able to find everything they need to continue their species existence. Transplant sites not only receive elderberries, but other native riparian vegetation to recreate the ecosystem.

Locations – The American River Parkway has three mapped areas of VELB Critical Habitat, which makes the transplants near the project even more important. By connecting existing habitat with corridors of suitable habitat, the insects may be able to expand throughout the parkway and hopefully increase their numbers. Click here to find a map of the five ARCF transplant sites.

Rio Americano East – This site was selected in 2020 by the multi-agency mitigation project delivery team. The site received transplants from Lower American River Erosion Contract 2 in February of 2022 and between December 2022 and February 2023. Associated vegetation was also planted in 2023.

Rio Americano West - This site was selected in 2020 by the multi-agency mitigation project delivery team. The site received transplants from Lower American River Erosion Contract 2 between December 2022 and February 2023. Associated vegetation was planted in 2023.

Paradise Bend - This site was selected in 2021 by the multi-agency mitigation project delivery team and renamed from Glenn Hall to Paradise bend after USACE received comments from the public. The site received transplants from Lower American River Erosion Contract 3A in January and February of 2023 and associated vegetation was planted in 2023.

Rossmoor East - This site was selected in 2020 by the multi-agency mitigation project delivery team. The site received transplants from Lower American River Erosion Contract 2 in January and February of 2023. The associated vegetation was planted in 2023.

Rossmoor West - This site was selected in 2020 by the multi-agency mitigation project delivery team. The site will receive transplants from Lower American River Erosion Contract 3B and Contract 4 between November of 2023 and February 2024. The associated vegetation will be planted later in 2024.

What’s Next - The vegetation will be cared for and monitored regularly, this includes irrigation, invasive species management, trash removal, plant replacement and surveys by a biologist to ensure the health of the site. These transplant sites are managed and monitored in accordance with the 2017 VELB Framework (https://ipac.ecosphere.fws.gov/guideline/assessment/population/436/office/%2011420.pdf). As well as service-approved habitat management plans, which include both the short-term and long-term management phases. A small rope fence may be installed around some of the planting areas to mark the areas that are habitat restoration and areas that are open to the public. Once the vegetation is mature enough to clearly define the planting areas without assistance, the rope fence will be removed.
Salmonid, Steelhead and Western Yellow Billed Cuckoo
Onsite mitigation

Replanting is planned within the bank protection footprints to replace habitat that could not be avoided during construction. Each site has a unique set of onsite conditions that determine the shape, size, elevations and planting pallet that are planned for the onsite mitigation. The areas below the ordinary high water mark of the lower American River are being planted with elevation specific species to benefit both the juvenile fish and the yellow billed cuckoo. Areas above the ordinary high water mark are being planted with native riparian species to rebuild the riparian forest /riparian scrub habitat to benefit the yellow billed cuckoo and other local wildlife. Once these revegetation efforts have had the opportunity to mature, they will enhance the overall human experience in the parkway by providing a natural user experience, shade for hikers and ensure the opportunity for wildlife viewing continues to exist. The onsite mitigation sites will be monitored and managed in accordance with a USFWS and NMFS approved habitat management plan by both USACE and its project partners.

Offsite Mitigation

The selected offsite mitigation location is near RM 1.3 on the American River and called the American River Mitigation Site (ARMS), historically known as the Gardenland Sand and Gravel Pond or the Urrutia Property. This property was purchased by SAFCA in May 2023 to complete ARCF required mitigation. The concept is to create a connected floodplain habitat in the lower American River that provides a food source and habitat for juvenile salmonids before they begin their journey to the Ocean. The backwater channel will be graded to various elevations to provide habitat at a variety of water levels throughout the year, it will be planted with elevation appropriate native riparian vegetation and culturally significant vegetation plants? to provide migratory habitat for western yellow billed cuckoo, and the higher elevations will be planted with elderberry shrubs and other scrub-shrub / oak savannah species to benefit the VELB. This site is currently in design and more details can be found in the Comprehensive SEIS https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Sacramento-Levee-Upgrades/

Mitigation Design Status

The effects of the preferred 35% design, and associated alternatives, for the American River Mitigation Site on the environment, including fish and wildlife species, is provided at a program-level in the draft SEIS/SEIR published on December 22, 2023. A suite of publicly available and site-specific data was used to inform the program-level analysis of the American River Mitigation Site 35% design, and associated alternatives. USACE encourages members of the public to review the SEIS/SEIR document for additional information, analyses, and findings on the effects of the American River Mitigation Site and provide comments to Arcf_SEIS@usace.army.mil. If members of the public have site-specific or other relevant data that may help to inform subsequent project-level analyses, please provide those data to Arcf_SEIS@usace.army.mil. USACE will continue to engage with the Tribes and other federal, state, and local agencies with a regulatory authority over the project on the design configuration, construction means and methods, planting plans, and monitoring and maintenance activities. The USACE team intends to continue to present to interested parties and workgroups for additional feedback on the proposed project once all comments on the draft SEIS/SEIR have been received and processed, and the design has advanced.

Sacramento River

The Sacramento River is undergoing erosion protection and seepage, stability and overtopping efforts as part of ARCF, additional information on those details and contracts can be found on our Sacramento River Page (https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Sacramento-Levee-Upgrades/Sac-River-Levees/) and the Sacramento Weir page (https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Sacramento-Levee-Upgrades/Sacramento-Weir/).

Sacramento River - Current/Future Projects

VELB and Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Beach-Stone Lakes Mitigation Sites

Purpose – The Beach-Stone Lakes Mitigation Site encompass two locations: the Beach Lake Woodland Mitigation Site (BLWMS) and the Stone Lakes Woodland Mitigation Site (SLWMS). The site provides advanced mitigation for vegetation removal along the North Beach Lake Levee, vegetation removal for the Sacramento River East Levee Seepage, Stability and Overtopping Contracts 1-4, as well as the removal and relocation of elderberry shrubs that may support VELB. The associated native riparian vegetation also provides riparian, woodland habitat to benefit yellow billed cuckoo.

Location - This mitigation site is located south of the city of Freeport, California, between the Sacramento River and I-5 along Morrison Creek.

Timeline - Work began at this site in the fall of 2019 and planting was completed by early 2020. The site is being monitored and managed in accordance with a USFWS approved habitat management plan. Plant establishment and maintenance activities will continue until 2024. Establishment monitoring will be conducted until it has been determined the plants have successfully established. This will be determined based on plant survival, growth of the canopy, and at least two years without supplemental irrigation.
Salmonid, Steelhead, Green Sturgeon and Delta Smelt
Onsite Mitigation

Replanting is planned within the bank protection footprints to replace habitat that could not be avoided during construction. Each site has a unique set of onsite conditions that determine the shape, size, elevations and planting pallet that are planned for the onsite mitigation. The areas below the ordinary high water mark of the lower Sacramento River are being planted with elevation specific species to benefit both the juvenile fish and the yellow billed cuckoo. Once these revegetation efforts have had the opportunity to mature, they will enhance the overall human experience for both boaters, and hikers along the Sacramento River East Levee. The onsite mitigation sites will be monitored and managed in accordance with a USFWS and NMFS approved habitat management plan by both USACE and its project partners.

Fish Bypass - Sacramento Weir

The new weir structure will be completed just north of the existing weir to widen the entrance of the Sacramento Bypass. The new weir would include a fish passage channel and ladder. The facility will connect the existing basin to the new structure in order to prevent future fish stranding caused by both weir structures. As negotiated with NMFS in 2020, this feature will provide 13.5 acres of mitigation credit for ARCF.

Offsite Mitigation

The proposed Sacramento River offsite mitigation is located at Grand Island. This property is owned by USACE and is currently used as a dredge material disposal site. The concept is to create beneficial use of the dredge material, and create habitat and food production for salmonids, delta smelt and green sturgeon. In area with higher elevation, native riparian vegetation would be planted to improve the migratory corridor for western yellow-billed cuckoo. This site is currently at the conceptual design level.
Mitigation Design Status
The effects of the preferred 310% design, and associated alternatives, for the Sacramento River Mitigation Site on the environment, including fish and wildlife species, is provided at a program-level in the draft SEIS/SEIR published on December 22, 2023. A suite of publicly available and site-specific data was used to inform the program-level analysis of the Sacramento River Mitigation Site 10% design, and associated alternatives. USACE encourages members of the public to review the draft SEIS/SEIR document for additional information, analyses, and findings on the effects of the Sacramento River Mitigation Site and provide comments to Arcf_SEIS@usace.army.mil. If members of the public have site-specific or other relevant data that may help to inform subsequent project-level analyses, please provide those data to Arcf_SEIS@usace.army.mil. USACE will continue to engage with the Tribes and other federal, state, and local agencies with a regulatory authority over the project on the design configuration, construction means and methods, planting plans, and monitoring and maintenance activities. The USACE team intends to continue to present to interested parties and workgroups for additional feedback on the proposed project once all comments on the draft SEIS/SEIR have been received and processed, and the design has advanced.
Mitigation Bank Purchases
North Delta Fish Conservation Bank – 12 credits for Salmon and Delta Smelt Impacts. To benefit Sacramento River erosion contract 1 and 2 impacts. – 2023

River Ranch Conservation Bank – 169.16 credits (2.74 acres) for Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beatle Impacts. To benefit Sacramento Weir Impacts – 2020

Fremont Landing Conservation Bank – 20 credits for Green Sturgeon and Salmonid Impacts. To benefit all Sacramento River erosion contract impacts. – 2019
Other ESA Mitigation and Research
Research Grant – Study of Juvenile Green Sturgeon in the Sacramento River. To reduce the NMFS mitigation ratio for all contract impacts. – 2020 to present

Fish Habitat Assessment and Simulation Tool (FHAST) – Develop a habitat model that can be used on the Sacramento River for both green sturgeon and salmonid to determine pre and post project habitat values. – 2020 to present

Completed Projects/Contracts

River Ranch Conservation Bank
Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beatle Credit purchase for Sac Weir Impacts – 2020
Research Grant
Study of Juvenile Green Sturgeon in the Sacramento River. To reduce the NMFS mitigation ratio for all contract impacts. - 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mitigation and what is Restoration?
Mitigation is action(s) taken to reduce or compensate for the severity and intensity of the proposed work (i.e., impacts) on the existing environment, habitat, or a particular species. Additional mitigative actions are required by the resource agencies, such as USFWS, CDFW, RWQCB, and NMFS, for impacts to habitat that is used by federal and/or state listed species. This is often referred to as “compensatory mitigation.” In the mitigation process, avoidance and mitigation measures get approved by federal and/or state agencies to improve (i.e., a net gain), or, at a minimum, to maintain (i.e., no net loss) the current status of the affected resources, species, or habitat.

Restoration is action(s) taken to repair, renovate, re-establish, rehabilitate, or recreate the lost form and function of an altered or degraded habitat, or accelerate the recovery of an ecosystem, species or habitat that has been disturbed. For information on Sacramento District environmental projects, please visit our website: https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental-Projects/
Who is involved with Mitigation?
American River Common Features (ARCF) project partners, USACE, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board in coordination with the Department of Water Resources (DWR), coordinate with Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks (SCDRP), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and Unites States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) when reviewing potential mitigation locations on the Lower American River (LAR). Outreach is also done with the Technical Resources Advisory Committee, Bank Protection Working Group, Lower American River Task Force, and through public meetings and public Review under NEPA and CEQA. All parties involved have the opportunity to contribute their thoughts, opinions, concerns and best professional judgement as to which locations are selected and which resource/habitat types they would most effectively support.

The State and Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers acts are both managed by Sacramento County Department of County Parks with National Parks Service. The guidance document for these laws is the Sacramento County American River Parkway Plan, dated 2008 and requires the avoidance, reduction, and compensation for impacts to both fisheries and recreation.
What are you mitigating for?
ARCF has many types of mitigation discussed in the 2016 Final EIS/EIR and associated supplemental documentation. The offsite compensatory mitigation that is most frequently discussed is for habitat and special status species. Under the NMFS BO we are mitigating for impacts to individuals and the habitat of Winter-run Chinook Salmon, Central Valley Spring-run Chinook Salmon, Central Valley Steelhead, Green Sturgeon and their critical habitat. Under the USFWS BO we are mitigating for impacts to individuals and the habitat of Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (VELB), Delta Smelt (not found on the LAR), and Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo (YBCU). Under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) we are mitigating for impacts to valuable habitat types within the river corridors. They are: oak woodland, riparian forest, riparian scrub-shrub, and emergent wetland. Under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act we are mitigating for impacts to the fishery and recreation the LAR Parkway provides.
Why is there so much mitigation? / Why is it not on the bank protection sites?
The BO’s outline the amount of mitigation required for each listed species and their habitat. The bank protection sites are not large enough to support the amount of mitigation required and still provide the required risk reduction to life and safety. We are mitigating to the maximum amount possible onsite at each bank protection site on the river and also developing offsite mitigation locations along both the Lower American River and Sacramento River.
How are we mitigating?
USACE and its partners have diligently incorporated ways to reduce project impacts during design phase, to use bioengineering solutions along the riverbanks, create planting benches in areas that require erosion protection, and transplant elderberry shrubs to ensure the survival of the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beatle. USACE and its partners have identified a location along the main stem of the Sacramento River to enhance fish habitats for salmonids, delta smelt, and yellow billed cuckoo, as well as a location on the American River to create habitat and a food source for juvenile salmonids and stop over habitat for the yellow billed cuckoo.

In conjunction with species mitigation, USACE and its partners are improving and creating riparian forests, woodlands, and grasslands to benefit the local wildlife and recreators. Designs have been adjusted to avoid impacts to heritage oak trees, and the trees that are removed for erosion protection activities are hand selected by the landscape architects. Habitat impacts are being mitigated for at a 2:1 ratio, even though they will that time to grow and mature, vegetation is being increased in the parkway.
Where are you doing mitigation?
Per the BO’s received for ARCF, we are required by the resource agencies to mitigate as close to our impacts as possible; for impacts on the LAR, the priority is to mitigate on the LAR, for impacts on the Sacramento River, the priority is to mitigate on the main stem of the Sacramento River.

Onsite mitigation is defined as vegetation planting within the same footprint as the bank protection work.

Offsite mitigation is defined as vegetation planting outside of the bank protection footprint, in areas that will provide similar species benefits such as protection and food sources to what is being impacted by the project. Per the BO’s mitigation should occur as close to the impacts as possible.
Will it look different than it does now?
Yes, bank protection will result in visual changes within the construction footprint. Each site has a unique design and therefore visual impacts will vary from site to site. The project objective is to reduce the risk to people and infrastructure from levee failure and overtopping. The footprints have been shrunk to only the at risk locations, then the designs have been manipulated to reduce impacts to the existing aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Unfortunately, not all impacts to existing vegetation could be avoided and would need to be removed to achieve the project objective. The erosion protection sites often include onsite planting areas near the river’s edge, these will be planted with native riparian species and the levee slopes will be planted with a native grass seed mix.
What about the existing vegetation?
USACE and its partners only revegetate using native vegetation, regardless of the sites future use. The species commonly used in the planting plans include, but are not limited to Cotton Wood, Sycamore, Oak, Elderberry, Alder, Birch, Willow, button bush, coyote brush, mug wart and native annual grasses.

All existing land is providing habitat for one species or another, it is impossible to create new land for mitigation without changing the existing conditions.

At the Rio Americano and Rossmoor elderberry transplant sites, we are converting grassland to elderberry savannah. The planting plans include elderberry, which is the host plant for VELB, and other native species that thrive in the dryer, higher elevation environment. The sites will still provide habitat for songbirds, small rodents, reptiles and foraging for birds of prey.

At the Paradise Bend site, we are working around patches of native vegetation to transplant elderberry shrubs, we are removing invasive locust trees, to plant native shade trees and retaining publicly used trails to access the beach areas. The site will continue to provide habitat for songbirds, deer, small rodents, reptiles and foraging for birds of prey.

At the American River Mitigation Site (ARMS) site, the existing riparian and upland will be expanded, connecting it with the surrounding corridor, The managed open space would the removed and replaced with native vegetation. The existing pond and floodplain will be reconnected to the river increasing the refuge and foraging area for special status fish species.
When will mitigation sites be constructed?
This is site specific. The elderberry shrubs need to be removed from the bank protection sites before bank protection improvements can begin, so the timing is tied to the construction year start date. Additionally, because elderberry shrubs are the only host plant to the listed VELB, they have to be carefully removed when the beetle is dormant, generally between November 1 and February 15.

Onsite planting will occur after the erosion work is complete, either that fall or the following spring when water levels allow.
Who is responsible for the sites in the short term and long term?
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for the initial construction, planting, monitoring and maintenance until the site’s success criteria are met, per the NMFS and USFWS Biological Opinions (BO). Once the success criteria are met, the mitigation sites are handed over to the non-federal sponsor or local maintaining agency for long term care.
Will the sites be closed to the public short term / long term?
The mitigation sites are intended to restore habitat for listed species. The sites will not be closed to the public long term, however pedestrian access will be limited until the vegetation has had a chance to become mature and established.
Will the Paradise Bend site prevent access to my favorite beaches?

Paradise Bend is the only VELB transplant site that is near a publicly accessed beach. Mitigation work at this site will not prevent the public form utilizing the beaches or hiking trails but could result in rerouting of some informal access trails for habitat establishment and public safety. During construction there will be signage and flaggers to ensure public and worker safety. After construction there will be low rope fences around the vegetation areas, guiding recreators to publicly accessible trails.
How can I stay informed?
USACE is planning to host two virtual public meetings on January 10, and 16, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the draft SEIS/SEIR and obtain public feedback. USACE values public comments and in order for your comments to be documented in the final SEIS/SEIR, you will need to submit comments in writing to ARCF_SEIS@usace.army.mil.

Instructions on how to participate in the virtual meetings can be found at www.sacleveeupgrades.com. Stakeholders can also obtain a copy of the draft SEIS/SEIR from the website and sign up to receive future project-related email updates, such as the Final SEIS/SEIR along with any changes and response to public comment.
Who is the point of contact during this project?
For questions and comments please direct them to USACE Public Affairs Office at

Phone: (916) 557-5100
Email: spk-pao@usace.army.mil

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