Comments Period: April 20, 2016 – May 19, 2016
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a proposal to establish the Markham Ravine Mitigation Bank. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments. A copy of the Markham Ravine Mitigation Bank prospectus is available online at the following location: https://ribits.usace.army.mil/ribits_apex/f?p=107:3:645017054514::NO:RP:P3_BANK_ID:3530.
AUTHORITY: This prospectus is being evaluated under 33 CFR Part 332.8.
SPONSOR: Westervelt Ecological Services, Attn: Tina Emmett, 600 North Market Boulevard, Suite 3, Sacramento, California 95834
LOCATION: The approximately 300-acre bank site is located northwest of the intersection of Brewer Road and North Avenue in western Placer County, west of the city of Lincoln, California, Latitude 38.88592°, Longitude -121.46053°, Placer County, California, and can be seen on the CA-Sheridan USGS Topographic Quadrangle.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Sponsor proposes to establish an approximately 300-acre mitigation bank. The Sponsor proposes to re-establish approximately 36 acres of vernal pool habitat interconnected by a series of vernal pool swales and seasonal wetlands to reflect what had likely historically occurred on-site. The attached Prospectus drawings provide additional conceptual design details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. There are approximately 2.85 acres of seasonal wetlands, wetland swales, and ditches present within the proposed bank site. There is an existing single-family residence, parking structure, and irrigation pond. The farmed portion of the proposed bank site is currently used as irrigated pastureland for cattle. The proposed bank site also contains troughs for watering, a windmill, well, fencing, and gates. A Department of the Army permit maybe required for restoration activities.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Interagency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the proposed mitigation bank include representatives from the Corps, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 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, 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.
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 as no work is proposed within Markham Ravine.
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. Comments are used in the evaluation of the proposed mitigation bank 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-2011-00684 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before May 19, 2016.
Krystel Bell, Senior Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
1325 J Street, Room 1350
Sacramento, California 95814
Email: Krystel.L.Bell@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 Sponsor or the Corps' project manager listed above.
Attachments: 1, Prospectus dated March 2016