Comments Period: August 24, 2018 – September 24, 2018
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a proposal to establish the Butte Sink Mitigation Bank, which would result in the preservation of approximately 316.05 acres, that would include the restoration of approximately 201 acres and enhancement of approximately 101 acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands, within the Butte Creek (HUC 18020158) watershed. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments. A copy of the Butte Sink Mitigation Bank prospectus is available online at the following location: https://ribits.usace.army.mil/ribits_apex/f?p=107:278:4580272848874::NO:RP,278:P278_BANK_ID:5095.
AUTHORITY: This prospectus is being evaluated under 33 CFR Part 332.8.
APPLICANT: Butte Creek Farms,
Attn: Mr. Ed Hulbert,
50 Sunrise Blvd,
Colusa, California 95932
LOCATION: The approximately 331.10 acres project site is located within the Butte Creek watershed Latitude 39.22859°, Longitude -121.94665°, Colusa County, California, and can be seen on the Meridian USGS Topographic Quadrangle.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The prospective Sponsor proposes to establish an approximately 316.05 acre mitigation bank. The proposed project seeks to restore and enhance approximately 302 acres of waters of the U.S. consisting of floodplain riparian habitat. The prospective Sponsor also proposes to enhance approximately 101 acres of floodplain riparian habitat.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. There are approximately 1.7-acre of freshwater emergent wetlands, 100.6-acre of freshwater forested/riparian shrub wetlands, 187.4-acre of irrigated wetlands, 8.1-acre of perennial stream, 3.1-acre of drainage channels, and 9.6-acre of irrigation canals within the proposed bank site. The site is situated in a lower floodplain area of Butte Creek characterized by irrigated, riparian and freshwater emergent wetlands within the Butte Creek water shed.
A Department of the Army permit maybe required for restoration activities.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Interagency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the proposed mitigation bank include representatives from the Corps, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
HISTORIC PROPERTIES: The Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 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 and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate.
ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: The proposed project may adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat. The Corps will initiate consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as appropriate.
The above determinations are based on information provided by the prospective Sponsor 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 Mitigation Bank. 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 Mitigation Bank 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-2014-01030 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before September 24, 2018.
Robert Chase, Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers
310 Hemsted Drive, Suite 310
Redding, CA 96002
Email: Robert.D.Chase@usace.army.mil