Comment Period: August 31, 2022 – September 30, 2022
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a proposal to establish the Coyote Creek Wetlands Restoration In-Lieu Fee Project (NSW-1/NWV-1) for the Sacramento District California In-Lieu Fee Program, which would result in the establishment of 6.66 acres of water of the United States and the rehabilitation of 0.83 acre of waters of the United States, including wetlands, in the Thomes Creek-Sacramento River subbasin 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC 18020156) 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 Coyote Creek Wetlands Restoration Project (NWS-1/NWV-1) initial project prospectus is available online at the following location https://ribits.ops.usace.army.mil/ords/f?p=107:278:14771823093456::::P278_BANK_ID:6368.
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 82.08-acre ILF project site is located between Interstate-5 and the Corning Canal, approximately 3 miles south of Red Bluff, in an unsectioned part of Township 26 North, Range 3 West, at 40.0949°, Longitude -122.2206°, in Tehama County, California.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
For ILF Projects: The ILF Project would result in the re-establishment of 1.87 acres of vernal pools, 0.91 acres of vernal swale, 2.01 acres of intermittent stream, and 0.16 acre of perennial stream; the establishment of 1.71 acres of perennial marsh, rehabilitation of 0.67 acre of vernal pool, and enhancement of 0.16 acre of vernal pool, in or adjacent to the Thomes Creek-Sacramento River subbasin 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC 18020156) watershed. The project would generate 3.88 Aquatic Resource Credits and 3.15 Vernal Pool Credits in the Northwest Sacramento River Watershed Aquatic Resources Service Area and the Northwest Sacramento Valley Vernal Pool Service Area, respectively. The project would fulfill 3.10 Advance Aquatic Resource Credits and 3.12 Advance Vernal Pool Credits.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. There are approximately 0.14 acre of emergent marsh, 1.09 acres of intermittent stream, 3.07 acres of perennial stream, 1.36 acres of seasonal swales, 0.85 acre of seasonal wetlands, 0.50 acre of seep, and 0.59 acre of vernal pool within the project site. Elevation on the site ranges from 280 feet to 295 feet above mean sea level. Most of the site is characterized by mima mound topography, located within the terrace above Coyote Creek. The remainder of the project site is located within the historic floodplain of Coyote Creek, which flows from west to east across the southern portion of the project site. An unnamed intermittent stream flows from west to east across the northern portion of the project site.
A Department of the Army permit would be required for restoration activities.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Interagency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the proposed ILF project includes representatives from the Corps, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX, California State Water Resources Control Board, and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
HISTORIC PROPERTIES: Based on the available information. the Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation, as appropriate.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: The proposed ILF Project 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, as appropriate.
ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: The proposed action 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 September 30, 2022.
Laura Shively, Mitigation Banking Specialist
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Email: Laura.B.Shively@usace.army.mil
Telephone: (916) 557-5258
Attachments: ILF project Figures