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Public Notices

Under the Corps' Regulatory Program, a public notice is the primary method for advising all interested parties of a proposed activity for which a permit is sought. Soliciting comments and information necessary to evaluate the probable impacts on the public interest. Public notices are also published to inform the public about new or proposed regulations, policies, guidance or permit procedures.

Public Notices published by the Sacramento District under the Regulatory Program are posted on this page. Once a public notice is available on-line, an email notification is sent to individuals on the appropriate mailing list.

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SPK-2004-00091 Sacramento County

Published May 30, 2013
Expiration date: 5/17/2013

CESPK-RD-S

SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a permit application to construct the Wild Hawk South project, which would result in impacts to approximately 1.22 acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands, adjacent to Laguna Creek. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments.

AUTHORITY: This application is being evaluated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters of the United States.

APPLICANT: Jeff Pemstein, HBT of Wildhawk, LLC, 1640 Lead Hill Boulevard, Roseville, California 95661

LOCATION: The 21.1-acre site is located immediately north of Laguna Creek, in Section 9, Township 7 North, Range 6 East, Mount Diablo Meridian, Latitude 38.46701°, Longitude -121.31844°, Sacramento County, California, and can be seen on the CA-ELK GROVE USGS Topographic Quadrangle.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is proposing to construct a small scale residential subdivision in Southeast Sacramento County. The proposed project includes construction of 78 single family residential lots, as shown on Figure 3. Construction of the project as proposed will result in the filling and grading of approximately 1.22 acres of aquatic habitat consisting of a 0.14 acre seasonal wetland, 0.72-acre wetland swale and a 0.36 acre vernal pool, as shown on Figure 2.

    Road and infrastructure access will be from Vineyard Road to the east and from the existing Wildhawk subdivision to the north. A storm drain outfall required for the project will be constructed through the property to the south and east and will discharge into an existing storm drain pipe as shown on Figure 4.

    Based on the available information, the overall project purpose is to construct a small scale residential subdivision. The applicant believes there is a need for residential development. The attached drawings provide additional project details.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Environmental Setting. There are approximately 1.22 acres of seasonal wetlands, wetland swales and vernal pool wetlands within the project area. The site, which has been generally leveled and historically farmed, is dominated by annual upland grassland species and typical wetland plants.

    Alternatives. The applicant has provided information concerning project alternatives. Additional information concerning project alternatives is available from the applicant or their agent. Other alternatives may develop during the review process for this permit application. All reasonable project alternatives, in particular those which may be less damaging to the aquatic environment, will be considered.

    Mitigation. The Corps requires that applicants consider and use all reasonable and practical measures to avoid and minimize impacts to aquatic resources. If the applicant is unable to avoid or minimize all impacts, the Corps may require compensatory mitigation. The applicant has proposed to mitigate for impacts to the wetlands on the site by purchase of wetland 2.85 vernal pool preservation credits and 1.29 seasonal wetland creation credits at Corps and USFWS approved mitigation banks.

OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: Water quality certification or a waiver, as required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region is required for this project. The applicant has indicated they have applied for certification.

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, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate.

    The above determinations are based on information provided by the applicant and our preliminary review.

EVALUATION FACTORS: The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the described activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the described activity, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the described activity will be considered, including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people. The activity's impact on the public interest will include application of the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 230).

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 determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.

SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments, referencing Public Notice SPK-2004-00091 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before June 17, 2013.

William Guthrie, Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
1325 J Street, Room 1350
Sacramento, California 95814-2922
Email: William.H.Guthrie@usace.army.mil

The Corps is particularly interested in receiving comments related to the proposal's probable impacts on the affected aquatic environment and the secondary and cumulative effects. Anyone may request, in writing, that a public hearing be held to consider this application. Requests shall specifically state, with particularity, the reason(s) for holding a public hearing. If the Corps determines that the information received in response to this notice is inadequate for thorough evaluation, a public hearing may be warranted. If a public hearing is warranted, interested parties will be notified of the time, date, and location. 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 applicant or the Corps' project manager William Guthrie, 916-557-5269, William.H.Guthrie@usace.army.mil.

Attachments: 4 drawings