Comments Period: 18 May 2018 – 18 June 2018
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a proposal to establish the South Sacramento County In-Lieu Fee Program. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments. A copy of the Prospectus is available online at the following location: https://ribits.usace.army.mil/ribits_apex/f?p=107:378:6507097356793::NO::P378_PROGRAM_ID:2848.
AUTHORITY: This prospectus is being evaluated under 33 CFR Part 332.8.
APPLICANT: Sacramento County,
Attn: Attn: Kim Hudson,
827 7th Street Suite 230,
Sacramento, California 95814-2406
LOCATION: The proposed ILF Program would include approximately 317,655 acres of southern Sacramento County, including portions of the following 10-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs): American River (HUC 1802011102), Deer Creek (HUC 1804001305), Laguna (HUC 1804001307), Lower Cosumnes River (HUC 1804001308), Lower Dry Creek (HUC 1804001209), Lower Mokelumne River (HUC 1804001211), Morrison Creek (HUC 1802016304), Sherman Lake–Sacramento River (HUC 1802016307), Snodgrass Slough (HUC 1804001210), and Upper Cosumnes River (HUC 1804001306).
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Sponsor (South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Agency) proposes to develop the ILF Program to provide compensatory mitigation for impacts to waters of the United States, including wetlands, under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, as well as waters of the state, including riparian wetland areas and associated upland riparian habitats. The proposed ILF Program would operate as a standalone program to provide compensatory mitigation for authorized impacts to aquatic resources of Sacramento County and would complement the South Sacramento County Conservation Plan, if approved. The proposed ILF program may be used to track mitigation for impacts to Federally- and State-listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and California Endangered Species Act (CESA), and may track mitigation requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The proposed Service Area is included as Figure 1 of the Prospectus.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. The proposed ILF Program would operate over a regional and watershed based Service Area covering approximately 317,655 acres of southern Sacramento County.
A separate Department of the Army permit may be required for any subsequent restoration activities under the proposed ILF Program.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Interagency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the proposed ILF Program includes representatives from the Corps, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board.
HISTORIC PROPERTIES: Based upon available information, the approval of the proposed ILF Program would have no potential to affect historic properties. The Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for any subsequent ILF Program site approvals, as appropriate.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: Based upon available information, the approval of the proposed ILF Program would have no effect on 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 for any subsequent ILF Program site approvals, as appropriate.
ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: Based upon available information, the approval of the proposed ILF Program would not result in adverse effects to Essential Fish Habitat. The Corps will initiate consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for any subsequent ILF Program site approvals as appropriate.
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 the proposed South Sacramento County Habitat Conservation Plan ILF. 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 evaluation of the proposed ILF Program per 33 CFR Part 332.8 and in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments referencing Public Notice SPK-1995-00386 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before June 18, 2018.
Krystel Bell, Mitigation Banking Specialist
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
1325 J Street, Suite 1350
Sacramento, California 95814
Email: Krystel.L.Bell@usace.army.mil
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