Comment Period: March 31, 2017 – April 30, 2017
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a proposal to establish the Wild Flower Mitigation Bank, which would result in the preservation/establishment/rehabilitation/restoration of approximately 42 acres of aquatic habitat, including wetlands, in or adjacent to Yankee Slough, in the Upper Bear (HUC 18020126) watershed. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments. This notice may also be viewed at the Corps web site at: www.spk.usace.army.mil/Media/RegulatoryPublicNotices.aspx. A copy of the Applicant’s Wild Flower Mitigation Bank prospectus can be found at: https://ribits.usace.army.mil/ribits_apex/RIBITS2.PACK_PUBLIC.DB_DOC?P_HOW=attachment&P_SESSION=2271757501787&P_DOC_ID=45442https://ribits.usace.army.mil/ribits_apex/RIBITS2.PACK_PUBLIC.DB_DOC?P_HOW=attachment&P_SESSION=2271757501787&P_DOC_ID=45442.
AUTHORITY: This prospectus is being evaluated under 33 CFR Part 332.8.
SPONSOR: Russell Kuhn
c/o Wild Flower Mitigation Bank
564 Sunrise Avenue
Roseville, California 95661
(916) 788-1703
AGENT: Shannon Karvonen
Cardno
701 University Avenue, Suite 200
Sacramento, California 95825
(916) 386-3848
LOCATION: The approximately 267-acre project site is located near Yankee Slough, at 4763 Commercial Place in the City of Sheridan, Section 24, Township 13 North, and Range 5 East, Latitude 38.9688039°, Longitude -121.371917°, Placer County, California, and can be seen on the CA-SHERIDAN USGS Topographic Quadrangle.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The bank sponsor proposes to establish an approximately 267-acre conservation and mitigation bank containing approximately 22 acres of vernal pool preservation, 10 acres of seasonal wetland re-establishment, 10 acres of vernal pool and swale re-establishment, 248 acres of Swainson’s Hawk and Avian Foraging habitat, and 19 acres of Tricolored Blackbird Nesting Habitat. The attached drawings provide additional project details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. There are approximately 43 acres of aquatic resources within the proposed bank site. The majority of the bank site consists of non-native annual grassland with an abundance of seasonal wetlands such as vernal pools and swales. Other habitats include seasonal and perennial creeks, and riparian scrub-shrub. These vegetation communities provide suitable habitat for a variety of special-status species, most notably Swainson’s hawk, tricolored blackbird, vernal pool crustaceans (vernal pool fairy shrimp and vernal pool tadpole shrimp), and a variety of special-status plants.
Based on the information provided, a Department of the Army permit may be required for some of the proposed restoration activities.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Inter-agency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the proposed mitigation bank include representatives from the Corps, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other agencies as appropriate.
HISTORIC PROPERTIES: The Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for proposed activities authorized by the Corps, as appropriate.
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, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for proposed activities authorized by the Corps, as appropriate.
ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: The proposed project will 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 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 assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments, referencing Public Notice SPK-2016-00175 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before April 30, 2017.
Leah M. Fisher
Senior Regulatory Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
1325 J Street, Room 1350
Sacramento, California 95814-2922
Email: Leah.M.Fisher@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. 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, their agent, or the Corps' project manager, Leah M. Fisher at (916) 557-6639 or Leah.M.Fisher@usace.army.mil.
Attachments: 4 drawings