Comment Period: November 17, 2021 – December 17, 2021
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a proposal to establish the Calf Pasture Meadow Restoration ILF Project as part of the Sacramento District California ILF Program, which would result in the re-establishment, of approximately 14.95 acres of acres of montane wet meadow, in the American River Watershed Aquatic Resources Service Area and is anticipated to generate 12.52 released aquatic resource credits. 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 October 2021, Calf Pasture Meadow Restoration Project (AME-1) Sacramento District California ILF Program American River Watershed Service Area Initial Project prospectus is available online at the following location https://ribits.ops.usace.army.mil/ords/f?p=107:278:10818260289161::::P278_BANK_ID:6207.
AUTHORITY: This prospectus is being evaluated under 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 332.8.
SPONSOR: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Attn: Ms. Stephanie Tom Coupe
1133 Fifteenth St NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
stephanie.tomcoupe@nfwf.org
LOCATION: The approximately 19.26-acre ILF project site is located on Bassi Creek in Township 13 North, Range 15 East, Sections 27, 28, 33, and 34, 38.9386°, Longitude -120.2917°, in Eldorado National Forest, in Eldorado County, California.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The ILF Project would result in the re-establishment, of approximately 14.95 acres of montane wet meadow by reconnecting Calf Pasture Creek to the adjacent floodplain, in the American River watershed. The project would generate 12.52 aquatic resource credits within the American River Watershed Aquatic Resource Service Area. The project would fulfill the sale of 5.82 Advance Aquatic Resource Credits and create an additional 6.70 Released Aquatic Resource Credits, which could be used to fulfill future Advance Credit sales or sold as Released Credits.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. There are approximately 2.37 acres of wet meadow and 1.87 acres of stream channel within the ILF project site. Bassi Creek flows along the southeastern edge of the site and Calf Pasture Creek bisects site. Calf Pasture Creek is incised, and wet meadow habitat generally occurs along its stream bank with adjacent upland meadows throughout the project site. The site is located at approximately 6,650 feet in elevation (NAVD88) an has an average slope of 2.7%.
A Department of the Army permit will be required for restoration activities.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Interagency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the ILF Project includes representatives from the Corps, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, State Water Quality Control Board, and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
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 Project site approvals, as appropriate.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: The proposed ILF Project may affect federally-listed endangered or threatened species and their critical habitat, specifically the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae). 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 ILF 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 ILF Project. 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 Project 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-2012-00286 must be submitted via email to the office listed below on or before December 17, 2021
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Attn: Laura Shively
1325 J Street, Room 1350
Sacramento, California 95814-2922
Email: Laura.B.Shively@usace.army.mil
Telephone: (916) 557-5258
Attachments: ILF Project Drawings