CESPK--RD-N
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a proposal to establish the Antonio Mountain Ranch Conservation and Mitigation Bank, which would result in the preservation of approximately 60.8 acres, and establishment, restoration, or enhancement of 55.3 acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands, in or adjacent to Orchard Creek, in the Lower Sacramento (HUC 18020109) watershed. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments. A copy of the Applicant’s Antonio Mountain Ranch Conservation and Mitigation Bank prospectus is available online in the project’s cyber repository on RIBITS.
AUTHORITY: This prospectus is being evaluated under 33 CFR Part 332.8.
BANK SPONSOR: Ron Bertolina, Lewis Antonio Mountain Ranch LLC, 7700 College Town Drive, Suite 101, Sacramento, California 95826-5303
LOCATION: The 797.9-acre site is located on Orchard Creek in Sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, Township 12 North, Range 6 East, Mount Diablo Baseline and Meridian, Latitude 38.847933°, Longitude -121.338041°, Placer County, California, and can be seen on the CA-Roseville USGS Topographic Quadrangle.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is proposing to establish an approximately 797.9-acre conservation and mitigation bank containing preserved, restored or established vernal pools and seasonal wetlands, and preserved, enhanced, or restored streams. The attached drawings and the prospectus available on RIBITS provide additional project details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting: There are approximately 81.59 acres of wetlands and streams within the proposed bank site. Approximately 160 acres of the site has been disturbed by agricultural leveling. The balance of the site is characterized by vernal pool grassland interspersed with ephemeral or intermittent streams and some perennial marsh habitat.
Based on the information provided, a Department of the Army permit will be required for some of the proposed activities.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: Water quality certification or a waiver, as required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board may be required for this construction of this proposed bank. The Inter-agency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the proposed mitigation bank may include representatives from the Corps, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or other agencies as appropriate.
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 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 applicant 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. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments, referencing Public Notice SPK-2007-02181 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before September 9, 2013.
William Ness, Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
1325 J Street, Room 1350
Sacramento, California 95814-2922
Email: William.W.Ness@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 applicant or the Corps' project manager William Ness, 916-557-5268, William.W.Ness@usace.army.mil.
Attachments: 4 drawings