Comments Period: 14 September 2018 – 15 October 2018
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is soliciting comments on a proposed In-Lieu Fee project for the Sacramento District California In-Lieu Fee Program (ILF Program). The sponsor is the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). This ILF Program Area spans 37 counties and approximately 65,000 square miles. The NFWF ILF Program, established in October 2014 was approved by the Corps, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the California State Water Resources Control Board, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (each an “Agency” and collectively the “Agencies”). A copy of the Prospectus is available online at the following location https://ribits.usace.army.mil/ribits_apex/f?p=107:378:7625836683704::NO::P378_PROGRAM_ID:2661.
The decision whether to approve funding for projects will be based on an evaluation of each proposed activity considering how and where it will compensate for aquatic resources lost through authorizations issued under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. The benefit which may reasonably accrue from each proposal must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments and/or its appropriateness, considering the ecological needs of the watershed in which it’s located.
AUTHORITY: This prospectus is being evaluated under 33 CFR Part 332.8.
SPONSOR: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,
Attn: Mr. Chris Gurney,
Wetlands Program Director, Impact-Directed Environmental Accounts (IDEA),
90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1010,
San Francisco, CA 94105,
Office: (415) 593-7627
LOCATION: The approximately 40.27-acre project site is located to miles northwest of the City of Roseville, on the 222.67-acre Reason Farms Environmental Preserve along Sunset Boulevard West north of Pleasant Grove Creek, Latitude 38.8172° N, Longitude -121.4291° W, Placer County, California, and can be seen on the Pleasant Grove, USGS Topographic Quadrangle.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Sponsor proposes to establish a 40.27-acre ILF Project. The ILF Project is located in the American River Service Area and would generate approximately 5.00 Aquatic Resource Released Credits by re-establishing approximately 5.00 acres of seasonal wetland habitat. The Prospectus provides additional project details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. There are approximately 2.60 acres of degraded seasonal wetlands wetlands within the proposed bank site. The former rice fields where the re-established seasonal wetlands would be located are predominantly upland grassland. These grasslands are dominated by non-native annual grasses and forbs such as softchess (Bromus hordeaceus), medusa head (Elymus caput-medusae), Italian ryegrass (Festuca perennis), broad leaf filaree (Erodium botrys), and rose clover (Trifolium hirtum). Elevations on the site range from a high of approximately 80 feet above mean sea level along the northern boundary to a low of approximately 60 feet above mean sea level along the southern boundary. Hydrology within restored seasonal wetlands would be supported by existing direct precipitation, surface runoff, and subsurface flow. The relatively shallow claypan or duripan underlying the site results in a seasonally perched water table that would contribute to shallow surface ponding within created depressions. A Department of the Army permit maybe required for the proposed restoration activities.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Interagency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the proposal include representatives from the Corps, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California State Water Resources Control Board, and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. Any of the projects which involve the discharge of fill into waters of the U.S. or that require state or local permits or authorizations will be sought individually and are not described in this notice.
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 Corps will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, 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 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 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.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments, referencing Public Notice SPK-2012-00286 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before October 15, 2018.
Krystel Bell, Mitigation Banking Specialist
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Email: Krystel.L.Bell@usace.army.mil
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 Sponsor or the Corps' project manager Ms. Krystel Bell, (916) 557-7745, Krystel.L.Bell@usace.army.mil.