TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...... 1 APPROACH ...... 1 OPPORTUNITIES EVALUATED...... 2 METHODS ...... 2 EXISTING CONDITIONS ...... 3 LOCATION ...... 3 COVER TYPES...... 3 EXTANT HABITAT AND ASSOCIATED SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES...... 3 CONCEPT RESTORATION ALTERNATIVES ...... 5 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ...... 5 Alternative 1. Minimal Plan ...... 5 Alternative 2. Off-site Disposal Plan...... 5 Alternative 3. Reconstructed Tidal Slough...... 5 DISCUSSION OF PROBLEM FEATURES...... 6 “Duck's Neck” Peninsula...... 6 Created Freshwater Seasonal Wetland ...... 6 Freshwater Pond ...... 7 Willow Riparian ...... 7 Parking Lot Placement...... 7 COST ESTIMATES, SCREENING MATRIX, AND DISCUSSION...... 8 COST ESTIMATES ...... 8 SCREENING MATRIX ...... 8 DISCUSSION...... 8
P:\EBR0901\Restoration Alternatives\Report.doc (02/17/10) i FIGURES AND TABLES
FIGURES
Figures are located at the end of the report.
Figure 1.0 Project Boundaries Figure 2.0 Existing Conditions Figure 3.1 Alternative 1 – Minimal Plan Figure 3.2 Alternative 2 – Off-site Spoils Disposal Plan Figure 3.3 Alternative 3 - Reconstructed Tidal Slough Plan
TABLES
Tables are located at the end of the report.
Table 1. Comparison of Features, Marsh Restoration Alternatives Table 2. Acres of Cover Types, Marsh Restoration Alternatives Table 3. Cost Estimates, Pre-implementation Phases Table 4. Cost Estimates, Pre-implementation and Implementation Phases Table 5. Screening Matrix, Marsh Restoration Alternatives
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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. CONCEPT RESTORATION ALTERNATIVES FEBRUARY 2010 BREUNER MARSH CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, RICHMOND, CALIFORNICALIFORNIAAAA
INTRODUCTION
This presentation of concept restoration alternative scenarios for the East Bay Regional Park District’s Breuner Marsh is an early phase in developing a more detailed implementation plan for the restoration of environmental values and for the creation and enhancement of recreational values on this site.
This report is written to be compatible with the Baylands Ecosystem Habitat Goals (San Francisco Estuary Project 1999). The restoration plan is also be designed to be suitable for evaluation by the trustee agencies (i.e., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Department of Fish and Game) for partial mitigation for environmental damage to Castro Cove (Castro Cove/Chevron Richmond Refinery, Draft, Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment, 2008).
This report was prepared by LSA Associates, Inc. (LSA). Roger D. Harris, Certified Wildlife Biologist, was the project manager. Malcolm J. Sproul was the principal-in-charge. Biologist Leslie Allen and GIS specialists Greg Gallaugher and Lori Welch made major contributions with assistance from other LSA staff. Civil engineer Glenn Dearth from LTD Engineering, Inc., assisted us with the construction cost estimates. LSA planner Dennis Brown provided input on the CEQA process and costing of permits.
APPROACH The purpose of the restoration plan is to increase natural habitat values of the site for marine, inter- tidal, and upland habitats. A range of restoration alternatives are presented. The alternatives are designed to be compatible with constraints presented by adjacent properties (e.g., avoidance of flooding neighbors). Compatible recreational uses are incorporated into the plan alternatives, including provisions for closing the gap in the San Francisco Bay Trail, creating spur trails, public access to the shoreline, fishing access, and public parking. Some of the trails may be placed on boardwalks to minimize impacts to sensitive habitat.
Three alternative scenarios are presented, based primarily on cost considerations and on balancing opportunities for creation of tidal habitat versus preservation of existing non-tidal habitat values. Costs of alternatives are roughly calculated at this stage in the planning process based on a per-unit cost for moving and disposing excavated material. Balancing cut and fill on-site would be desirable from a cost savings point of view, but could result in covering and thus impacting existing coastal prairie habitat. Our approach is to provide alternative scenarios of maximizing on-site cut and fill balance versus maximizing upland habitat values and off-site disposal of excess excavated materials. It may be possible to bury some if not all rubble from the model airplane port under excavated material, or some or all rubble may need to be exported. If present, hazardous materials may need to be disposed off the site.
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This report is at a conceptual level. At a subsequent design-level, professional civil engineer and hydrologist expertise would be required. Subsequent investigations would be required to determine the potential presence of hazardous materials.
OPPORTUNITIES EVALUATED Opportunities exist on the Breuner Marsh to create and/or enhance tidal wetlands, seasonal wetlands, and coastal prairie uplands. Opportunities that are presented for restoration at the Breuner Marsh include laying back the north bank of Rheem Creek to create more of a tidal slough and flood plain environment, excavation of channels delivering enhanced tidal flow into interior portions of the site, removal of fill, removal of the model airplane facility, control of invasive exotic plants, enhancement of salmon open water habitat, and native oyster restoration.
METHODS Historic aerial photographs were examined to understand prior site conditions and to estimate the locations of fill, past industrial use, and past agricultural use. The aerial photographs indicated that the site is substantially altered from pristine conditions. Examination of the historic aerial photographs showed that the location of Rheem Creek had been altered at least twice and that the site did not support riparian (i.e., freshwater) vegetation. Originally Rheem Creek flowed through the center of the Breuner Marsh and was a tidal slough at the location of the present property.
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
LOCATION The Breuner property is located on San Pablo Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay estuary. The property is in the City of Richmond, western Contra Costa County. The Point Pinole Regional Shoreline is to the north.
See Figure 1 for the project boundaries. Also illustrated on Figure 1 are topographic lines at 2-foot contour intervals derived from the Contra Costa County Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) database.
COVER TYPES Figure 2 illustrates existing conditions in a broad-brush fashion. More precision and detail will be developed in later phases of this study. Cover types were delineated from interpretation of aerial photographs and previous jurisdictional determinations of wetlands along with input from LSA’s direct field experience with the property.
The wetland cover types include the existing stream channel, seasonal wetland, tidal wetlands, and open water and mudflats. Seasonal and tidal wetlands are distinguished based on previous wetland delineations, although precise boundaries have been reinterpreted to fit the most recent aerial photographic base. The two upland cover type categories are developed and grassland. Developed includes roads and the model airplane facilities. Grassland includes all other upland and does not distinguish between ruderal, non-native grassland, and remnant coastal prairie.
Since the 1970s, the wetlands on the Breuner site have been subject to a substantial amount of fill activities. Fewer than 3 acres have been restored, but the restoration has only been marginally successful in re-establishing native salt marsh habitat. Despite the alteration of habitat on the site, the site possesses important natural values and has a high potential for restoration.
EXTANT HABITAT AND ASSOCIATED SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES The site currently supports productive shallow-water habitat in the form of tidal channels, inter-tidal mudflats, and sub-tidal water habitats. These habitats support phytoplankton and benthic micro-algae, which in turn form the base of the food chain for vertebrates including fish and water birds. The shallow-water portions of the site provide spawning and rearing habitat for marine, estuarine, and anadromous fish along with marine invertebrates. Eelgrass (Zostera marina), a marine flowering plant, may grow in the open shallow-water areas or has a potential to be established there.
Special-status animals that may be present in the shallow-water habitat include the federally and State-listed endangered coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and the federally listed threatened green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) and steelhead (O. mykiss).
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The federally and State-listed endangered California least tern (Sternula antillarum browni) is known to forage in San Pablo Bay and may use the Breuner Marsh off-shore areas.
Extensive stands of tidal salt marsh are present on the site, mainly vegetated by pickleweed (Salicornia virginica). High marsh plants include native salt grass (Distichlis spicata). Salt pannes, a limited habitat type, are found within the salt marsh.
Among the special-status species believed to be utilizing the tidal salt marsh at the Breuner Marsh are the federally and State-listed endangered California clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus), the State-listed threatened California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus), and the federally and State-listed endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris).
The Breuner site also supports extensive non-native grasslands and limited areas of coastal prairie, which provide foraging habitat for raptors such as the white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), a California fully protected species, and short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), a California species of special concern. The San Pablo vole (Microtus californicus), a California species of special concern, has been trapped in the on-site grasslands along with the salt marsh harvest mouse, which utilizes the grassland cover immediately adjacent to its preferred pickleweed habitat. The salt marsh wandering shrew (Sorex vagrans) is a California species of special concern, which is found in the vicinity and may potentially be present on site.
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CONCEPT RESTORATION ALTERNATIVES
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED Figures 3.1-3.3 illustrate the three concept restoration alternatives considered. Table 1 summarizes the features of each alternative.
Alternative 1. Minimal Plan Alternative 1 presents the minimum of what it would take to open the property to the public and complete the link of the Bay Trail through the facility. No new wetland areas would be created and none would be directly impacted. This alternative would be installed in a single season.
The minimal plan involves establishment of a staging area at the base of Goodrick Avenue with a 40- car parking lot and a toilet, extension of the Bay Trail across the property north to Giant Marsh and along a spur to the “duck’s neck,” and demolition of the above ground buildings of the model airplane port, but leaving the runway and building pads in place.
Alternative 2. Off-site Disposal Plan The layout of the off-site disposal plan, alternative 2, is derived from an earlier drawing prepared by the EBRPD, which has been subsequently modified to account for a more in-depth understanding of existing conditions. It includes the built facilities in Alternative 1, although the parking lot has been moved to the east to provide a setback from biologically valuable upland transition land adjacent to tidal salt marsh. The intention for both alternatives 2 and 3 would be to enhance the existing grasslands to improve the composition of native grass and forb species. This alternative would take two or three seasons to install.
Alternative 2 would create 25.61 acres of tidal wetland and 10.27 acres of seasonal wetland for a total of 35.88 acres of new wetland. A net gain of 33.96 acres of wetland would be achieved with some wetland lost from installation of the parking lot.
Alternative 3. Reconstructed Tidal Slough Alternative 3 calls for deposition of fill on-site to create a coastal scrub vegetation community on a constructed hill. If contaminated material would be excavated on-site, that material would be hauled off to a proper disposal facility. The main feature of Alternative 3 would be the recreation of the historical slough that once traversed the property. This alternative would take two or three seasons to install.
Alternative 3 would create 30.36 acres of tidal wetland and 2.16 acres of seasonal wetland for a total of 32.52 acres of new wetland. A net gain of 22.32 acres of wetland would be achieved with some wetland lost from installation of the parking lot. Also some of the existing seasonal wetland would be restored to a presumably higher value tidal wetland.
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Alternative 3 calls for a hill to be created in the existing coastal plain, a topographic feature that was not historically present. This hill, according to our cut/fill calculations, would have to be about 20 feet high in order to accommodate the projected volume of excavated spoils. The resultant hill could be used as a recreational overlook with a path to the top. The hill would also serve as a deposition area for the demolished model airplane port building.
Creation of a native coastal scrub vegetation community is not assured. LSA’s past experience with creating coastal scrub suggests that proper soils are critical. Further investigations would be required to determine if suitable soils are available. As a fall-back option, the hill could be vegetated in grassland. The intention for both alternatives 2 and 3 would be to enhance the existing grasslands to improve the composition of native grass and forb species.
DISCUSSION OF PROBLEM FEATURES “Duck's Neck” Peninsula Consideration was given to the so-called “duck’s neck” peninsula into the bay, which could be in part used to create a shorebird roost and a possible nesting island for California least terns (Sternula antillarum browni) and shorebirds. After further investigation these improvements were rejected at this stage on the basis of technical feasibility, environmental benefit, regulatory constraints, recreational trade-offs, and cost. However, it is recommended that, at the subsequent planning phase of this project, this potential improvement be more thoroughly investigated.
San Pablo Bay is extremely shallow at the location of the duck’s neck. In order to isolate the tip of the peninsula from the adjacent mainland, it would be necessary to not only excavate some of the existing peninsula but also a channel in the existing Bay. Such a Bay channel would have a high potential to silt in again and thus require regular maintenance, which would have on-going financial and environmental costs and regulatory concerns. Further, such a channel would destroy existing cordgrass (Spartina sp.) tidal marsh, which is habitat for shorebirds.
Such an island, even if it were reduced in elevation, could become an attractant to nesting California and more likely western gulls (Larus californicus and L. occidentalis), which may be considered pest species under certain circumstances. Other negative considerations include the loss of recreational opportunities by reducing human access to the Bay and the fact that even with an approximately 100- foot break in the existing levee, the proposed bird-nesting island would still be subject to human disturbance.
Created Freshwater Seasonal Wetland Consideration was also given to creating additional freshwater seasonal wetland in the existing grassland areas. Creation of such a vegetation community is technically feasible. The topography on- site is fairly level, so that excavation of water collection areas can be done cost-effectively. The clay soils are suitable for the retention of water, and the existing watershed plus wet season diversions from Rheem Creek could provide the needed hydrology.
However, upon further consideration, this vegetation community was not targeted to be created at this phase of the planning process. Historically, this vegetation community was not extensive on the site. Creation of new freshwater seasonal wetlands would reduce grassland vegetation, which is also of
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value. There were no target special-status animals that would be especially attracted to these types of wetlands. And, there was not a particular assemblage of native hydrophytic vegetation that was identified that would be valuable to encourage. However, it is recommended that, at the subsequent planning phase of this project, the potential for creation of this vegetation community be more thoroughly investigated.
Freshwater Pond A shallow seasonal pond feature could feasibly be created along the eastern boundary of the site in the existing grassland. The clay soils would likely retain water, which could be drawn off the drainage ditch that parallels the railroad right-of-way. Initially such an open water feature would attract migratory waterfowl, although over time it may become colonized by dense wetland vegetation and thus preclude waterfowl. After consideration, this feature was not included because it was not part of the historical landscape.
Willow Riparian A similar analysis was made for willow riparian vegetation as was made for freshwater seasonal wetland (above). Some clusters of willows are extant on-site along the drainage ditch on the eastern boundary and along the former constructed channel of Rheem Creek. However, more extensive willow riparian communities were not historically present. The salt marsh native soils are not especially conducive for supporting willows. Willows also are phreatophytic plants, which typically have deep roots that tap a permanent source of underground water. Whether such water sources are available on-site is not known at this time.
Alternative 2 does show the creation of an extensive riparian area along the north bank of the existing Rheem Creek channel, near the mouth. This feature was retained from an earlier concept restoration plan prepared by the EBRPD.
Parking Lot Placement A parking lot is a necessary feature, but its placement raised some environmental concerns. The parking lot would have to be at the entrance of the site for convenience and public safety considerations. Usually a feature such as a parking lot would be placed entirely on uplands so as to avoid filling jurisdictional wetlands. In this case, the parking lot was situated partly in wetlands even though a no-fill alterative was technically feasible.
An upland placement would have placed the parking lot immediately adjacent to tidal wetland and would have directly impacted high quality upland transition vegetation. The chosen placement of the parking lot was dictated by environmental concerns, which sets it back from the tidal wetlands and avoids directly impacting the upland transition vegetation. The trade-off is that it fills some seasonal wetlands. These seasonal wetlands are jurisdictional, but are not natural features. These seasonal wetlands were created by the berms built for Goodrick Avenue and the service road along the reconstructed channel of Rheem Creek. These wetlands are vegetated almost entirely with non-native species. Considering the project as a whole, there would be a net gain in wetland acreage even though these low quality seasonal features would be filled.
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COST ESTIMATES, SCREENING MATRIX, AND DISCUSSION
COST ESTIMATES See Table 4 for detailed estimation of costs for each of the three alternatives. The cost estimates cover the following phases of plan development and implementation:
Pre-implementation o Concept Plan o Preliminary Engineered Plans o Environmental Review o Permits, Entitlements, and Environmental Documentation o Final Engineered Plans and Specifications Implementation o Labor o Materials and Fixed Fee Contractors Post Construction Monitoring and Maintenance
Major costs would be incurred for excavation and hauling of fill in alternatives 2 and 3. As illustrated in Figures 3.2 and 3.3, the excavation areas in a broad sense may be divided into north and south portions. On Table 4, the costs are correspondingly broken down into north and south sections.
As expected, Alternative 2 with off-site spoils disposal is almost twice as costly as Alternative 3 with non-site spoils disposal. Alternative 1, with no excavation, is estimated to be about a third of the cost of Alternative 3 and an sixth of the cost estimate of Alternative 2.
SCREENING MATRIX See Table 5 for a matrix that compares the three alternatives based on the following factors: Technical feasibility Cost effectiveness Time to provide benefits Duration of benefits Compliance with applicable federal, State, and local laws and policies Multiple resource and service benefits Avoidance of adverse impacts Public health and safety Likelihood of success
DISCUSSION This report is designed to provide a starting point for consideration of restoration alternatives. Additional baseline resource studies would be advised to provide empirical data for choosing and
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refining a restoration alternative. We recommend more extensive baseline investigations at a future point in the restoration process, including:
a. Detailed field mapping with GPS of all cover types; b. Detailed field mapping stands of existing invasive, exotic weeds with GPS; c. Creating a complete list of plants by habitat type; d. Sample and map soils to better understand the distribution of native soils versus imported fill and evaluate for restoration potential; e. Possible small mammal trapping assessment. Small mammals are extremely accurate indicators of habitat quality. However, live-trapping at this site is constrained by the presence of the listed salt marsh harvest mouse; f. Cultural resources studies to determine if there are any historical properties or archaeological artifacts that should be avoided. For example, there may be sunken ships that would be more efficiently (i.e., economically) preserved in place rather than removed and recorded; g. Hazardous materials survey of potential excavation areas; and h. Preliminary hydrologic and water quality analyses of each alternative.
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Avenue
Goodrick
FIGURE 1.0 Breuner Property Elevation Contour (NAVD88)
Breuner Marsh Restoration
0 150 300 FEET Project Boundaries
SOURCE: Aerial Imagery and Contours from Contra Costa County (2008) I:\EBR0901\GIS\Maps\Restoration Alternatives\Figure1.0_Project Boundaries.mxd (02/22/2010) Southern Pacific Railroad
Avenue
Goodrick
FIGURE 2.0 Existing Tidal Wetland Existing Ruderal Upland Existing Seasonal Wetland - Ruderal Existing Stream Channel Existing Seasonal Wetland - Pickleweed Existing Open Water / Mudflat Existing Salt Panne Existing Developed Breuner Marsh Restoration Existing Grassland Breuner Property
0 150 300 FEET Existing Conditions
SOURCE: Aerial Imagery from Contra Costa County (2008) I:\EBR0901\GIS\Maps\Restoration Alternatives\Figure2.0_Existing Conditions.mxd (02/22/2010) Southern Pacific Railroad
Avenue
Goodrick
Existing Tidal Wetland Existing Ruderal Upland FIGURE 3.1 Existing Seasonal Wetland - Ruderal Existing Stream Channel Existing Seasonal Wetland - Pickleweed Existing Open Water / Mudflat Existing Salt Panne Existing Developed Breuner Marsh Restoration Existing Grassland Created Developed Created Trail (30 feet wide)
0 150 300 Boardwalk (12 feet wide) Breuner Property Alternative 1 FEET Minimal Plan
SOURCE: Aerial Imagery from Contra Costa County (2008) I:\EBR0901\GIS\Maps\Restoration Alternatives\Figure3.1_Minimal Plan.mxd (02/22/2010) Southern Pacific Railroad
Avenue
Goodrick
Existing Tidal Wetland Created Tidal Wetland FIGURE 3.2 Existing Seasonal Wetland - Ruderal Created Seasonal Wetland Existing Seasonal Wetland - Pickleweed Created Grassland Existing Salt Panne Created Riparian Breuner Marsh Restoration Existing Grassland Created Developed Existing Stream Channel Created Trail (30 feet wide)
0 150 300 Existing Open Water / Mudflat Boardwalk (12 feet wide) Bay Trail Route and Spurs Alternative 2 FEET Existing Developed Off-site Spoils Disposal Plan Breuner Property Bridge (16 feet wide)
SOURCE: Aerial Imagery from Contra Costa County (2008) I:\EBR0901\GIS\Maps\Restoration Alternatives\Figure3.2_Off-site Spoils Disposal.mxd (02/22/2010) Picnic Area
Southern Pacific Railroad
Avenue
Goodrick
Existing Tidal Wetland Created Tidal Wetland FIGURE 3.3 Existing Seasonal Wetland - Ruderal Created Coastal Scrub Existing Seasonal Wetland - Pickleweed Created Seasonal Wetland Existing Salt Panne Created Developed Breuner Marsh Restoration Existing Grassland Re-constructed Slough Existing Stream Channel Channel Thalweg Created Trail (30 feet wide) 0 150 300 Existing Open Water / Mudflat Boardwalk (12 feet wide) Alternative 3 FEET Existing Developed Reconstructed Tidal Slough Plan Bay Trail Route and Spurs Breuner Property
SOURCE: Aerial Imagery from Contra Costa County (2008) Bridge (16 feet wide) I:\EBR0901\GIS\Maps\Alternatives\Figure3.3_Reconstructed Tidal Slough.mxd (02/24/2010) LSA Associates, Inc. Breuner Marsh Restoration Alternatives
Table 1. Comparison of Features, Marsh Restoration Alternatives Breuner Marsh Restoration, Richmond, California East Bay Regional Park District
Restoration alternatives 1. Minimal Plan 2.Off-site Spoils Disposal Plan 3. Reconstructed Tidal Slough Plan Feature (no excavation) (on-site spoils disposal) Spoils disposal None Dispose all spoils off-site, except Dispose contaminated spoils off-site; otherwise, where fill is needed (e.g., parking lot use excavated material for parking lot pad, pad) created coastal scrub area, etc. Staging area south 1-acre paved parking lot for 40 1-acre paved parking lot for 40 1-acre paved parking lot for 40 vehicles and of entrance bridge vehicle and toilet, straddling vehicles and toilet, pulled back from toilet, pulled back from coastline but impacting existing road and avoiding coastline but impacting degraded degraded seasonal wetlands. wetland impacts. seasonal wetlands. Rheem Creek No treatment No treatment Lay down north bank near mouth to allow for treatment tidal flooding of constructed wetlands Model airplane Demolish and remove above Demolish and remove for off-site Demolish above ground structures and dispose facility ground structures; leave pads in disposal off-site; break up pads and bury under coastal place scrub area Entrance bridge Leave existing structure in place Replace with 16-foot-wide structure Replace with 16-foot-wide structure
Riparian plantings None Plant near mouth of Rheem Creek None; assume infeasible (soils/hydrology saline) along north bank and inappropriate (historically not present)
Bay Trail All on-ground surface trail Combination of on-ground surface trail Combination of on-ground surface trail and and boardwalk boardwalk "Duck neck" No treatment; keep existing No treatment; keep existing conditions No treatment; keep existing conditions for spur treatment conditions for spur trail from Bay for spur trail from Bay Trail for public trail from Bay Trail for public access to Bay Trail for public access to Bay access to Bay
Picnic area None None; remove non-native pine tree in Preserve pine tree at picnic area between "duck area slated for tidal marsh neck" and Bay Trail; install 2 picnic tables and waste receptacle Sea level rise Assume accretion will preserve Assume accretion will preserve tidal Assume accretion will preserve tidal wetlands; response tidal wetlands; uplands will be wetlands; uplands will be inundated. most uplands will be inundated, but coastal scrub inundated. area will remain.
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Restoration alternatives 1. Minimal Plan 2.Off-site Spoils Disposal Plan 3. Reconstructed Tidal Slough Plan Feature (no excavation) (on-site spoils disposal) Historic slough No re-creation No re-creation Re-create based on historical photos; no connection with present-day Rheem Creek. Salt pannes Preserve Preserve Preserve Salt marsh harvest No change Expands tidal wetlands, but reduces Expands tidal wetlands, but reduces buffer of mouse habitat buffer of surrounding grasslands surrounding grasslands
California clapper No change Expands tidal wetlands and tidal Expands tidal wetlands, tidal channels, and tidal rail habitat channels slough Grassland Control for invasive noxious Enhance to encourage a native coastal Enhance to encourage a native coastal prairie vegetation plants prairie floral component; control for floral component; control for invasive noxious invasive noxious plants. plants. Coastal sage No action No action Create mounded substrate and plant with native scrub vegetation coastal scrub vegetation Fence along north No action No action Remove fence and excavate slightly meandering boundary tidal channel; feature too small to show on small- scale figures. 2-acre ruderal No action Remove entirely to create tidal wetland Bury with additional spoils from on-site spoils pile and new grassland. excavation and revegetate with native coastal scrub.
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Table 2. Acres of Cover Types, Marsh Restoration Alternatives Breuner Marsh Restoration, Richmond, California, East Bay Regional Park District
Acres of cover type Restoration alternatives Base- 1. Minimal Plan 2. Off-site Spoils 3. Reconstructed Tidal line (no excavation) Disposal Plan Slough Plan con- Exis- Crea- Total Exis- Crea- Total Exis- Crea- Total Cover types Description of cover type ditions ting ted ting ted ting ted Open water Includes off-shore bay lands to property 103.53 103.53 0.00 103.53 103.53 0.00 103.53 103.53 0.00 103.53 /mudflat line. Stream channel The constructed Rheem Creek channel 0.78 0.78 0.00 0.78 0.78 0.00 0.78 0.78 0.00 0.78 carries urban runoff and tidal waters. Tidal wetland Includes tidal marsh, unvegetated beach, 16.76 16.75 0.00 16.75 16.76 25.61 42.37 16.74 30.36 47.10 and shallow unvegetated channels.
Seasonal Includes some muted tidal and fresh/ 15.01 15.01 0.00 15.01 13.12 0.00 13.12 11.30 0.00 11.30 wetland - brackish/ saltwater seasonal wetlands with ruderal ruderal vegetation; may include some native salt grass. Seasonal Includes some muted tidal and fresh/ 14.13 14.13 0.00 14.13 14.13 10.27 24.40 7.70 2.16 9.86 wetland - brackish/ saltwater seasonal wetlands pickleweed dominated with pickleweed Salt panne Although delin-eated as seasonal wetland, 1.01 1.01 0.00 1.01 0.97 0.00 0.97 0.95 0.00 0.95 receives muted high tidal influence.
Riparian Includes "riparian" designation on EBRPD 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.59 2.59 0.00 0.00 0.00 plan. Grassland Includes non-native and coastal prairie 61.30 59.28 0.00 59.28 25.05 0.52 25.57 32.23 0.00 32.23 grassland. Coastal scrub Create native cover of sage and other low- 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.32 7.32 growing shrubs. Ruderal upland Includes a large spoil pile vegetated with 2.04 2.04 0.00 2.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 non-native mustard. Developed Roads, Bay Trail (road and boardwalk), 2.82 2.26 2.58 4.84 0.91 3.13 4.04 1.24 3.05 4.29 staging area, etc. Total (acres) 217.37 217.37 217.37 217.37
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Table 3. Cost Esimates, Pre-implementation Phases Breuner Marsh Restoration, Richmond, California East Bay Regional Park District
Assumptions: Cost estimates do not include time of EBRPD staff. 2010 is the base year; an inflation factor should be attached to projections past 2011.
Phase Task Comments/Assumptions Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Concept Plan Subtotal: $87,000 $87,000 $102,000 Concept plan Includes design alternatives $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 Baseline biological and soil surveys Map native grasslands, invasive plants, special-status species habitat, $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 existing woody vegetation, native vs. imported soils. Characterize wetlands on the basis of vegetation. Phase II investigation Hazardous material in shallow soil $15,000 $15,000 $30,000 Jurisdictional wetland delineation Includes verified JD with Corps; includes characterization of wetland $17,000 $17,000 $17,000 vegetation. Assume existing delineation has expired and conditions have changed sufficiently.
Preliminary Engineered Plans Subtotal: $204,000 $216,000 $234,000 Surveyor Map topography to 0.5-foot contours (~150 acres) $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 Hydrologic analysis Physical processes affecting drainage, creek, shoreline (including sea $50,000 $50,000 $60,000 level rise) Biological assessment Uses data from baseline bio and soil surveys, above; includes wildlife $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 surveys; provides biological mitigation measures Cultural Resources assessment Cost for base-line investigations only, includes assessment of resources $6,500 $6,500 $6,500 for further studies. **Scope and budget for all alternatives will need to be adjusted based on preliminary findings. Civil Engineer Includes drafting of plans, BMPs $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 Landscape Architect Public access, amenities, interpretive exhibits $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 Revegetation, Maintenance and Monitoring Plan $2,500 $4,500 $2,500
Environmental Review Subtotal: $86,600 $205,400 $235,400 Kick-off Meeting, Site Visit, Data Gathering, Draft Project No NOP for Initial Study; lesser effort on Project Description $8,000 $10,000 $10,000 Description, Notice of Preparation Initial Study/Notice of Intent Assumes mitigated Negative Declaration would be adequate for Alt 1 $75,000 $0 $0 Draft Environmental Impact Report Assumes no Initial Study prior to EIR; biology, cultural and other technical $0 $150,000 $175,000 studies accounted for elsewhere Public Meetings 2 meetings for IS/ 3 meetings for EIR $3,600 $5,400 $5,400 Final Environmental Impact Report Preparation of responses to comments and FEIR $0 $40,000 $45,000
Permits, Entitlements, and Environmental Documentation Subtotal: $62,000 $69,000 $74,000 U.S. Army Corps Section 404 Nationwide Permit $5,000 $7,000 $7,000 Regional Water Quality Control Board Section 401 $5,000 Department of Fish and Game Section 1602 Alternatives 2 and 3 only $0 $5,000 $5,000
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Phase Task Comments/Assumptions Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Department of Fish and Game Section 2081 California clapper rail, California black rail, and salt-marsh harvest mouse. $8,000 $8,000 $8,000
Bay Conservation and Development Commmission $8,000 $8,000 $8,000 permit U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion Formal consultation between USFWS and Corps for California clapper rail $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 and salt-marsh harvest mouse. National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion Formal consultation between USFWS and Corps for listed fish species. $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
City Permits $20,000 $25,000 $30,000 Right-of-way Approvals $6,000 $6,000 $6,000
Final Engineered Plans + Specifications $85,000 $123,480 $134,480 Wetland grading plans, drainage plan, erosion control $75,000 $80,000 $90,000 plan, restoration plan, details and specifications. Bridge design cost 10% of bridge construction cost $0 $12,480 $12,480 Bridge geotechnical investigation New bridge only $0 $20,000 $20,000 Construction cost estimate $10,000 $11,000 $12,000
GRAND TOTAL - Pre-Implementation Phases $524,600 $700,880 $779,880
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Table 4. Cost Esimates, Pre-implementation and Implementation Phases Breuner Marsh Restoration, Richmond, California East Bay Regional Park District
Assumptions: Cost estimates do not include time of EBRPD staff, with the exception of Construction Administration. 2010 is the base year; an inflation factor should be attached to projections past 2011. Two construction seasons (limited to May 1 - October 15) required for completion; an estimated total of 216 work days.
Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Phase Task Comments/Assumptions Unit cost Metric Quantity Total Cost Quantity Total Cost Quantity Total Cost Concept Plan $87,000 $87,000 $102,000
Preliminary Engineered Plans $204,000 $216,000 $234,000
Environmental Review $86,600 $205,400 $235,400
Permits, Entitlements, and Environmental Documentation $62,000 $69,000 $74,000
Final Engineered Plans + Specifications $85,000 $123,480 $134,480
Implementation - labor $160,240 $243,800 $250,000 Biological construction monitoring Per permit conditions $620 day 72 $44,640 140 $86,800 150 $93,000 Water quality/ BMP monitoring Per permit conditions; includes onsite $700 day 20 $14,000 30 $21,000 30 $21,000 turbidity analysis Environmental reporting and coordination with Includes as-built report $900 day 24 $21,600 40 $36,000 40 $36,000 agencies Construction Administration - in-house Bidding services, contract administration, $80,000 $100,000 $100,000 inspection, submittal review, requests for information and contract close-out
Implementation - materials and fixed fee contractors $1,340,596 $11,580,581 $5,326,054 Bay trail elevated 12-foot concrete boardwalk $1,100 foot 600 $660,000 1,844 $2,028,400 740 $814,000 Bay trail un-elevated, unpaved $4 foot 0 $0 $0 0 $0 Bay trail un-elevated, paved 12-foot wide trail with 2" asphalt over 6" $51 foot 2,540 $129,540 2,355 $120,105 2,558 $130,458 aggregate base Paved road New/raised or repaired $250 foot 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Excavation, north tidal area Slow equipment on wet soil $12 cubic yard 0 $0 81,263 $975,156 200,975 $2,411,700 Excavation, south tidal area Slow equipment on wet soil $12 cubic yard 0 $0 157,627 $1,891,524 68,945 $827,340 Haul debris to off-site disposal Asphalt, rubble, lumber [load, haul 5 miles $40 cubic yard 733 $29,320 5,002 $200,080 733 $29,320 round trip, $16/cy disposal fee] Haul fill to off-site diposal, north tidal Clean fill [load, haul 5 miles round trip, dump, $22 cubic yard 0 $0 81,263 $1,787,786 0 $0 excavation area no disposal fee] Haul fill to off-site diposal, south tidal Clean fill [load, haul 5 miles round trip, dump, $22 cubic yard 0 $0 157,627 $3,467,794 0 $0 excavation area no disposal fee] Import fill $20 cubic yard 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Trailside fence 4-foot metal $7 foot 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Security fence along eastern property line 6-foot vinyl coated chain link $16 foot 5,671 $90,736 5,671 $90,736 5,671 $90,736 Vehicle gate 16 foot $2,000 each 1 $2,000 1 $2,000 1 $2,000 Signage (safety and interpretation) Inclusive from inception to installation $200 sign 20 $4,000 35 $7,000 45 $9,000
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Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Phase Task Comments/Assumptions Unit cost Metric Quantity Total Cost Quantity Total Cost Quantity Total Cost New bridge over Rheem Creek H20 standard bridge, 20 ft wide x 50 ft long $300 sq foot 0 $0 520 $156,000 520 $156,000 [NOTE: Construction cost is based on square foot area of bridge deck. Cost includes allowance for abutments. Assumes precast concrete construction] Parking lot/ staging area (1 acre) - paved Capacity for 40 cars [150 ft x 300 ft size; 4" $500,000 lump sum 0 $0 1 $500,000 1 $500,000 asphalt over 6" aggregate base] Parking lot/ staging area (1 acre) - gravel Capacity for 40 cars [150 ft x 300 ft size; 6" $175,000 lump sum 1 $175,000 0 $0 0 $0 aggregate base] Bathroom facilities/toilet at staging area Pre-fab, heavy duty, stainless steel fixtures $250,000 lump sum 1 $250,000 1 $250,000 1 $250,000 Picnic area Two tables and waste receptacle $3,000 lump sum 0 $0 0 $0 1 $3,000 Non-native tree removal Including stump grinding $500 tree 0 $0 1 $500 0 $0 Drill seeding Coastal Scrub $2,500 acre 0 $0 0 $0 8 $20,000 Drill seeding Coastal Prairie $2,500 acre 0 $0 26 $65,000 33 $82,500 Riparian planting (3.4 acres) Container stock trees and shrubs propagated $100 plant 0 $0 371 $37,100 0 $0 and installed w/ weed block, browse control and irrigation; 25-ft spacing for trees, 10-ft spacing for shrubs Riparian planting (700 linear feet) Live willow poles, harvested and installed at $20 pole 0 $0 70 $1,400 0 $0 10-ft spacing at water line
Post Construction Monitoring and Maintenance (as required by permits) - 10 year period $165,000 $620,500 $525,000 Wetland monitoring Vegetation and hydrology, Years 1-5, 7, 10 $7,000 year 7 $49,000 7 $49,000 7 $49,000 Riparian monitoring Vegetation, Years 1-5, 7, 10 $1,500 year 0 $0 7 $10,500 0 $0 Upland vegetation monitoring Enhanced/created coastal scrub and prairie $7,000 year 0 $0 7 $49,000 7 $49,000 Endangered species/wildlife monitoring $10,000 year 7 $70,000 7 $70,000 7 $70,000 Planting area maintenance Includes, weeding, replacement plants and $30,000 year 0 $0 3 $90,000 0 $0 irrigation Weed management - Years 1-5 Approx. 90 acres of uplands and non-tidal $50,000 year 0 $0 5 $250,000 5 $250,000 wetlands Weed management - Years 6, 8 and 10 Approx. 90 acres of uplands and non-tidal $18,000 year 0 $0 3 $54,000 3 $54,000 wetlands Reporting Years 1-5, 7, 10 $4,000 year 7 $28,000 7 $28,000 7 $28,000 Sign-off and documentation Includes Corps jurisdictional delineation one time 1 $18,000 1 $20,000 1 $25,000
GRAND TOTAL $2,190,436 $13,145,761 $6,880,934
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Table 5. Screening Matrix, Marsh Restoration Alternatives Breuner Marsh Restoration, Richmond, California East Bay Regional Park District
Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Screening criteria Minimal Plan Off-site Spoils Disposal Plan Reconstructed Tidal Slough a. Technical feasibility HIGH MODERATELY HIGH MODERATELY HIGH This is a relatively simple plan, with the This is a complex plan. The major This is a complex plan. The major most challenging aspect being the technical challenge would be creating technical challenge would be creating board walk across existing salt marsh. the proper elevations to achieve the proper elevations to achieve restoration objectives. The proposed restoration objectives. The proposed riparian vegetation type may be coastal scrub vegetation type may be technically problematic for this technically problematic for this location, given soils and hydrology. location, given soils.
b. Cost effectiveness HIGH MODERATE TO LOW HIGH Small and relatively not costly Off-site disposal of excavated spoils Small and relatively not costly improvements would substantially would be a costly component. improvements would substantially enhance public recreational values. enhance public recreational values. Costly, but highly effective restoration improvements would result in enormous gains in natural values.
c. Time to provide One season for installation and then Two to three seasons to install and Two to three seasons to install and benefits full public use. then open to public use but another 5- then open to public use but another 5- 10 years to full maturation of restored 10 years to full maturation of restored vegetation. vegetation. d. Duration of benefits In perpetuity, absent sea level rise and In perpetuity with provision for sea In perpetuity with provision for sea with a low level of maintenance. level rise and a moderate level of level rise and a moderate level of maintenance. maintenance. e. Compliance with IN COMPLIANCE IN COMPLIANCE IN COMPLIANCE applicable federal, State, and local laws and policies
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Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Screening criteria Minimal Plan Off-site Spoils Disposal Plan Reconstructed Tidal Slough f. Multiple resource and MODERATE VERY HIGH VERY HIGH service benefits The public access component will be The public access component will be The public access component will be enhanced with installation of the Bay enhanced with installation of the Bay enhanced with installation of the Bay Trail but natural values would not be Trail. Valuable wetland and adjacent Trail. Valuable wetland and adjacent correspondingly enhanced. upland vegetation types and special- upland vegetation types and special- status species habitat would be status species habitat would be substantially created and enhanced. substantially created and enhanced.
g. Avoidance of adverse MODERATELY HIGH HIGH AFTER RESTORATION HIGH AFTER RESTORATION impacts Increased public access would have A very substantial increase of natural A very substantial increase of natural low impacts on natural resources. values after restoration would more values after restoration would more than compensate for any adverse than compensate for any adverse impacts. impacts. h. Public health and HIGH HIGH HIGH safety The proposed improvements would The proposed improvements would The proposed improvements would pose no manifest risks to public health pose no manifest risks to public health pose no manifest risks to public health and safety and would have ancillary and safety and would have ancillary and safety and would have ancillary benefits in terms of outdoor benefits in terms of outdoor benefits in terms of outdoor recreational opportunities. recreational opportunities. recreational opportunities. i. Likelihood of success HIGH MODERATELY HIGH MODERATELY HIGH See technical feasibility above. See technical feasibility above.
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