School Way Bridge Replacement Project Delineation of Waters of the United States
February 24, 2010
Prepared for: Mendocino County Department of Transportation Attn: Park Steiner 340 Lake Mendocino Drive Ukiah, CA 95482
Prepared by: North State Resources, Inc. 5000 Bechelli Lane, Ste. 203 Redding, CA 96002 (530) 222-5347
51175
Delineation of Waters of the United States School Way Bridge Replacement Project
BRLSZO 5910(039)
Township 16N, Range 12W, Unsectioned Portion of Yokaya Land Grant
Mendocino County, Redwood Valley, California USGS quadrangle
February 24, 2011
STATE OF CALIFORNIA Department of Transportation
Consultant Prepared by: Date: 2/24/11 Paul Kirk Botanist/Wetland Scientist North State Resources, Inc., Chico, CA (530) 345-4552
Local Agency Approved By: Date: Park Steiner Environmental Compliance Specialist Mendocino County Department of Transportation (707) 463-4363
Caltrans Approved By: Date: Brandon Larsen Associate Environmental Planner, Office of Local Assistance District 1, Caltrans (707) 445-6410
Caltrans SEP Approved By: Date: Deborah Harmon Senior Environmental Planner District 1, Caltrans (707) 445-6431
School Way Bridge Replacement Project Delineation of Waters of the United States
S ection 1 Summary...... 1
S ection 2 Project Location ...... 1 2.1 Proximity to Major Highways and Streets ...... 1 2.2 USGS Hydrologic Unit ...... 1
S ection 3 Environmental Setting ...... 2 3.1 Current/Recent Land Use ...... 2 3.2 Site Topography and Elevation ...... 2 3.3 Climate ...... 2 3.4 Hydrology/Hydrologic Features...... 2 3.5 Soil Map Units ...... 3 3.6 Habitat Types ...... 3 Barren ...... 3 Montane Riparian ...... 3 Riverine ...... 4 Urban ...... 4
S ection 4 Methods...... 4 4.1 Field Delineation ...... 4
S ection 5 Results ...... 5 5.1 Characterization of Delineated Features ...... 5 Other Waters ...... 5 Wetlands ...... 6 Non-Jurisdictional Features ...... 6 5.2 Conclusion ...... 7
S ection 6 References ...... 7
North State Resources, Inc. School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 i Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175 Figures Figure 1. Study Area Location and Vicinity...... 8 Figure 2. Soil Map Units ...... 9 Figure 3. Waters of the United States ...... 10
Tables Table 1. Acreage Summary of Waters of the United States ...... 5
Appendices Appendix A Routine Wetland Delineation Data Forms Appendix B Representative Photographs
North State Resources, Inc. School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 ii Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175 S ection 1. Summary
On behalf of the Mendocino County Department of Transportation (County), North State Resources, Inc. (NSR) conducted a delineation of waters of the United States occurring within the approximately 5.5-acre School Way Bridge Replacement Project site (study area). The study area is located on School Way where it crosses West Fork Russian River in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, California. The purpose of the project is to replace the School Way Bridge to meet current design standards and to accommodate future traffic volumes.
The field delineation was conducted by NSR on July 26, 2010. A total of 0.350 acre of waters of the United States were mapped in the study area. Waters of the United States occurred as intermittent stream (0.342 acre, 346 linear feet) and riparian wetland (0.008 acre).
This delineation of waters of the United States is subject to verification by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). NSR advises all parties to treat the information contained herein as preliminary until the Corps provides written verification of the boundaries of its jurisdiction.
S ection 2. Project Location
The study area is located within the community of Redwood Valley on School Way at the West Fork Russian River about 10 miles north of the city of Ukiah. It is in the Redwood Valley, California 7.5- minute U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangle within an unsectioned portion of the Yokaya Land Grant. The center of study area is located at approximately UTM 10 0482061 E, 4346236 N (NAD 83 datum). The location of the study area is shown in Figure 1.
The study area includes the following Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN) or portions thereof: 163-131-45 163-131-22 163-131-23 163-131-02 163-131-03 163-131-11 163-131-07 163-131-08 163-131-21 163-131-15-00 163-131-15-70.
2.1 Proximity to Major Highways and Streets
To access the study area from U.S. Highway 101 (US-101) take the West Road exit (Exit #557) and travel east approximately 0.1 mile. Turn right at East School Way and travel approximately 0.5 mile to the Redwood Valley Elementary School. Public parking is adjacent to the study area at the playing field on the north side of School Way.
2.2 USGS Hydrologic Unit
The study area is located within the Russian USGS Hydrologic Map Unit (Cataloging Unit Number 18010110). The Russian River watershed drains approximately 100 square miles (California Department of Fish and Game 2003).
North State Resources, Inc. School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 1 Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175 S ection 3. Environmental Setting 3.1 Current/Recent Land Use
The study area is along School Way which is a main two-lane road within the small community of Redwood Valley. There is an elementary school and several private residences adjacent to the study area that is west of the bridge. East of the bridge there is a light industrial area, and the Union Pacific railroad (formerly Northwestern Pacific) crosses School Way.
3.2 Site Topography and Elevation
The topography of the study area is generally characterized as a portion of East Fork Russian River channel and the adjacent river valley terraces. The western terrace below the elementary school is steeper than the terrace on the east side of the river. The slope of School Way from the school down to the bridge is approximately eight percent. The bridge deck is at an approximate elevation of 705 feet msl. The river channel is deeply incised, and the western bank is steeper and taller than the eastern bank. The slopes along the western bank exceed 45 degrees (100 percent). All sheet flow along the road and terraces on both sides of the bridge drain towards East Fork Russian River.
3.3 Climate
Climate within the study areas is as follows based on historical data collected in Ukiah, California (Western Regional Climate Center 2010):
Type: The study area is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
Precipitation: Precipitation in the study area primarily falls as rain. Average annual rainfall is approximately 37 inches.
Air Temperature: Air temperatures in the study area range between an average January high of 57 ºF, and an average July high of 93 ºF. The year-round average high is approximately 74 ºF.
Growing Season: The growing season (i.e., 70% probability of air temperature 28 ºF or higher) in the study area is approximately 253 days and occurs between February and October. The soil temperature regime is thermic.
3.4 Hydrology/Hydrologic Features
The hydrology is provided by the West Fork Russian River, which drains southward through the study area. The West Fork Russian River is a sixth order stream that is directly tributary to the Russian River, a Traditional Navigable Water, approximately five air miles south of the study area (California Department of Fish and Game 2003). The West Fork Russian River is an intermittent stream with estimated average summer flows of less than two cubic feet per second (cfs). Based on consistent winter flows, the West Fork Russian River is classified as a Relatively Permanent Water.
North State Resources, Inc. School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 2 Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175 These flow conditions are based on a review of stream flow data from water years 2005 to 2009 from the USGS Gage No. 11461000 located near Ukiah, California.
3.5 Soil Map Units
The soil map units and miscellaneous land types within the study area and vicinity are described in the Soil Survey of Mendocino County, Eastern Part and Southwestern Part of Trinity County (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1991). Soil map units in and around the study area are shown in Figure 2. Three soil map units occur within the study area and are described below:
. Pinole gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes (179). This is a non-hydric, well drained soil formed in alluvium. The depth to a restrictive layer is greater than 78 inches.
. Pinole gravelly loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes (180). This is a non-hydric, well drained soil formed in alluvium. The depth to a restrictive layer is greater than 78 inches.
. Russian loam, gravelly substratum, 0 to 2 percent slopes (190). This is a partially-hydric, well drained soil formed in alluvium. The depth to a restrictive layer is greater than 78 inches.
3.6 Habitat Types
Habitat types were classified based on the descriptions provided in A Guide to Wildlife Habitats of California (Mayer and Laudenslayer Jr. 1988). The habitat types occurring within the study area include barren, montane riparian, riverine, and urban.
Barren The barren habitat is generally devoid of vegetation and includes School Way, adjacent gravel shoulders and parking areas, and the Union Pacific railway. Sparse opportunistic weedy species may be present within barren habitat.
Montane Riparian Montane riparian habitat occurs along the entire length of West Fork Russian River within the study area. Montane riparian habitat is generally characterized as a dense, multi-layered canopy with a dense understory. The dominant canopy tree is white alder (Alnus rhombifolia, FACW1), and California bay (Umbellularia californica, FAC) and arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis, FACW) dominate the mid-canopy. The west bank is very steep (slopes exceed 100%) and the mid-canopy shrubs are less dense than those of the east bank. Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor, FAC) provides the dominant understory of this habitat type within the study area. Subdominant trees and shrubs include big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum, FAC), coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis, UPL),
1 Wetland indicator status for plant species is based on National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: California (Region 0) (Reed 1988) and includes the following categories: Obligate Wetland (OBL) – Plants that occur almost always in wetlands Facultative Wetland (FACW) – Plants that usually occur in wetlands, but also occur in non-wetlands (i.e., uplands) Facultative (FAC) – Plants with a similar likelihood of occurring in both wetlands and uplands Facultative Upland (FACU) – Plants that usually occur in uplands, but also occur in wetlands Obligate Upland (UPL) – Plants that occur almost always in uplands
North State Resources, Inc. School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 3 Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175 Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia, FACW), Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii, FACW), California black oak (Quercus kelloggii, UPL), valley oak (Quercus lobata, FAC), red willow (Salix laevigata, FAC2), and California grape (Vitis californica, FACW).
Riverine Riverine habitat is present as the flowing channel of West Fork Russian River, and gravel bars and revetment within the ordinary high water mark (OHWM). The substrate is gravel and sand, and the channel is incised throughout the study area. There is a dense canopy of riparian vegetation adjacent to most of the riverine habitat in the study area.
Urban Urban habitat includes several disturbed areas within the study area and fallow fields slated to be used as staging areas. The urban habitat is dominated by non-native annual grasses and forbs including slender wild oats (Avena barbata, UPL), mustard (Brassica nigra, UPL), rip gut brome (Bromus diandrus, UPL), hare barley (Hordeum murinum spp. leporinum, NI), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum, UPL), and winter vetch (Vicia villosa, UPL). At the west end of the study area, the urban habitat includes a portion of a previously abandoned portion of School Way that is dominated by French broom (Genista monspessulana, UPL).
S ection 4. Methods 4.1 Field Delineation
The site routine delineation of waters of the United States within the study area was based on field observations of indicators for hydrophytic vegetation, hydrology, and hydric soils for wetlands; and on indicators of an OHWM for other waters of the United States. This methodology is consistent with the approach outlined in the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987), the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2010) and Corps regulations. Taxonomic nomenclature for plant species is in accordance with The Jepson Manual (Hickman 1993). Wetland indicator status for plant species was confirmed using Reed (1988), and the “50/20 Rule” was applied to determine plant dominance (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2010). The presence of primary and/or secondary wetland hydrology indicators was documented for each wetland feature.
A soil pit was dug in each representative wetland feature documented in the study area. Soil pits were dug to a depth sufficient to document the presence or confirm the absence of hydric soil indicators. Soils were examined in order to assess field indicators of hydric soils. Positive indicators of hydric soils were observed in the field in accordance with the criteria outlined in Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States (Hurt et al. 2003). Soil colors were determined using a Munsell® soil color chart. The hydric status of each soil map unit occurring within the study area was reviewed using the Web Soil Survey (U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service 2010). At
2 Red willow is not included in National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands (Reed 1988). This designation is based on the expert experience of the delineator.
North State Resources, Inc. School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 4 Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175 least one set of data points was selected to best represent the wetland feature type and the adjacent uplands.
Delineation of “other waters” was based on presence of an OHWM as defined in Corps regulations (33 CFR 328.3 and 33 CFR 328.4) and whether the feature qualified as tributary to navigable waters of the United States. Physical characteristics of an OHWM include, but are not limited to, a natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of the soil, destruction of terrestrial vegetation, presence of litter and debris, leaf litter disturbed or washed away, scour, deposition, presence of bed and bank, and water staining.
A total of five data points representing each feature type and associated uplands were characterized and documented throughout the study area. Field observations were conducted on July 26, 2010. Routine wetland determination data forms are presented in Appendix A.
The boundaries of delineated features and the data point locations were mapped using a Trimble Pathfinder Pro XH Global Positioning System (GPS) capable of sub-foot accuracy. Where the use of the GPS was not practicable, the features were delineated by hand onto ortho-rectified color aerial photographs. After the field delineation, the GPS data were overlain onto an aerial photograph of the study area to generate the delineation map (Figure 3).
S ection 5. Results
The boundaries and acreages of waters of the United States within the study area are illustrated in Figure 3. Waters of the United States within the study area occupy a total of 0.350 acre and include intermittent stream (West Fork Russian River) and riparian wetland. An acreage summary of waters of the United States is presented in Table 1. Representative photographs of waters of the United States are provided in Appendix B.
Table 1. Acreage Summary of Waters of the United States Waters of the United States Total Acreage Total Linear Feet
Other Waters Intermittent Stream 0.342 346
Wetlands Riparian Wetland 0.008 N/A
Total Waters of the United States 0.350 346
5.1 Characterization of Delineated Features
Other Waters Intermittent Stream Intermittent streams are natural drainages that convey waters intermittently during the late fall, winter and spring months, but are usually dry during the summer and early fall months. These features
North State Resources, Inc. School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 5 Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175 exhibit indicators of being frequently flooded for long-duration or very long-duration during the growing season.
West Fork Russian River was identified as an intermittent stream based on mapping symbols used on the Redwood Valley, California 7.5-minute USGS quadrangle and documentation of seasonally dry reaches in the Russian River Stream Inventory Report (California Department of Fish and Game 2003). Within the study area, the stream substrate is gravel and sand, and the channel is deeply incised. The cut bank along the right bank (west) is approximately four feet high and is lined with large boulder revetment. The active channel is approximately 30 feet wide. During this survey, the flowing stream was about 10 feet wide and had an estimated flow of less than two cfs. High flows during winter months are evidenced by scour around the bridge piling foundations and wrack in the streamside vegetation. The gravel bars within the stream are largely devoid of perennial vegetation (e.g., sedges or rushes).
The presence of stable OHWM indicators and consistent seasonal flows also classify this feature as a Relatively Permanent Water. The flow data on the Russian River near Ukiah, California (USGS Gage No.11461000) indicate that there have been 11 to 20 flow events per winter during the water years 2005 to 2009.
Wetlands Riparian Wetland Riparian wetland is restricted to a vegetated gravel bar that is located within the OHWM along the left bank (east) just upstream of the existing bridge. This riparian wetland is characterized as a dense stand of young white alder that are rooted in the active channel. Other species within this feature include red willow, Fremont cottonwood, and Himalayan blackberry. This feature is frequently flooded which is evidenced by drift deposits in the alder and willow branches, erosion around the bridge piling foundations, and stream gage data (USGS Gage No. 11461000). Hydric soil criteria for this feature are met due to the fact that it is a vegetated gravel bar and is frequently flooded.
Non-Jurisdictional Features One non-vegetated roadside ditch (125 linear feet; 0.002 acre) that is not subject to federal jurisdiction was mapped within the project area. This shallow, man-made roadside ditch occurs along the south side of School Way east of the bridge, and is shown as two separate, culverted segments (RD-1 and RD-2) on Figure 3. The roadside ditch conveys storm water runoff from uplands along School Way, and drains to the West Fork Russian River through a 16-inch corrugated metal culvert. The substrate within the ditch is compacted dirt and gravel. The roadside ditch is not considered a water of the United States because it is excavated wholly in uplands, drains only uplands, and does not carry a relatively permanent flow of water.
One non-vegetated storm drain outfall (48 linear feet; 0.001 acre) that is not subject to federal jurisdiction was mapped within the project area (see SDO-1 on Figure 3). The storm drain outfall conveys upland storm water runoff from a 24-inch corrugated metal pipe near the top of the engineered embankment under the east side of the School Way Bridge. The storm drain outfall is a one-foot wide erosional feature and the substrate is loamy sand. The storm drain outfall is not considered a water of the United States because it is excavated wholly in uplands, drains only
North State Resources, Inc. School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 6 Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175 uplands, and does not carry a relatively permanent flow of water. Representative photographs of the non-jurisdictional features are provided in Appendix B.
5.2 Conclusion
A total of 0.350 acre of waters of the United States was delineated within the study area. Waters of the United States identified within this report are subject to verification by the Corps. NSR advises all interested parties to treat the information contained herein as preliminary pending written verification of jurisdictional boundaries by the Corps.
S ection 6. References
California Department of Fish and Game. 2003. Russian River Stream Inventory Report
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers wetlands delineation manual. Vicksburg, Mississippi: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.
Hickman, J. C. 1993. The Jepson manual: higher plants of California. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Hurt, G. W., P. M. Whited, and R. F. Pringle, eds. 2003. Field indicators of hydric soils in the United States. Version 5.01 ed. Fort Worth, Texas: USDA, NRCS in cooperation with the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils.
Mayer, K. E., and W. F. Laudenslayer Jr., eds. 1988. A guide to wildlife habitats of California. Sacramento: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Reed, P. B., Jr. 1988. National list of plant species that occur in wetlands: California (Region 0). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Report No. 88.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Version 2.0), edited by USACE: U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2010. Web soil survey.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1991. Soil survey of Mendocino County, eastern part and southwestern part of Trinity County.
Western Regional Climate Center. 2010. Ukiah, California (049122): period of record monthly climate summary, 1/ 1/1893 to 11/30/2009.
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i P M f r o r o e r a n j e p i 1 c a t 9 9 177 Study Area Soils 124 179 - Pinole gravelly188 loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes 180 - Pinole gravelly loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes 190 - Russian loam, gravelly substratum, 0 to 2 percent slopes
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School Way Bridge Replacement Project
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Study Area 1 3 - Parameter Data Points (Waters/Wetlands) 2N 3 - Parameter Data Points (Uplands)
!@ Culvert
2-foot Contours Waters of the U.S.
Intermittent Stream (0.342 acre)
Riparian Wetland (0.008 acre) Non-Jurisdictional Features
Roadside Ditch (0.002 acre)
Union Pacific Railroad Storm Drain Outfall (0.001 acre)
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Waters of the United States Label Waters Type Acreage Length (ft) IS1 Intermittent Stream 0.342 346 RW1 Riparian Wetland 0.008 - Total Waters 0.350 346
Non-Jurisdictional Features Label Feature Type Acreage Length (ft) RD1 Roadside Ditch 0.001 63 RD2 Roadside Ditch 0.001 62 SDO1 Storm Drain Outfall 0.001 48 Total Non-Juristional Features 0.003 173
Prepared by: Prepared for: Notes: Delineator: Paul Kirk Delineation Date: July 26, 2010 School Way Bridge Replacement Project Mendocino County Aerial Photograph Dated: NAIP 2009 Department of Transportation Contours Provided By: Quincy Engineering, INC ± Figure 3 340 Lake Mendocino Drive 0 50 100 200 Ukiah, CA 95482 This delineation of waters of the United States is subject Waters of the United States 5000 Bechelli Lane Suite 203 to verification by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Feet October 5, 2010 Redding, CA 95002 Phone (530) 222-5347 NSR advises all parties that the delineation is Fax (530) 222-4958 www.nsrnet.com preliminary until the Corps provides a written verification. Appendix A Routine Wetland Delineation Data Forms
Appendix B Representative Photographs
Photographs were taken on June 1, 2010 during a botanical survey of the site, and on July 26, 2010 during the wetland delineation survey.
Photograph 1. West Branch Russian River is a perennial stream (PS-1) with estimated average summer flows of less than 2 cfs. Looking upstream from the School Way Bridge. June 1, 2010.
Photograph 2. Riparian wetland (RW-1) is distinguished by a dense stand of white alder on a gravel bar that is within the OHWM. Looking east from the west side of the active channel. July 26, 2010.
North State Resources, Inc. B-1 School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175
Photograph 3. OHWM of West Branch Russian River (PS-1) under the bridge is evidenced by bed and bank formation, scour at the base of the pile footings, and destruction of terrestrial vegetation. Looking west from the east side of the channel. June 1, 2010.
Photograph 4. The active channel of the East Branch Russian River (PS-1) is approximately 30 feet wide with a sand and gravel bottom within the study area. Looking upstream from mid-channel about 20 feet north of the bridge. June 1, 2010.
North State Resources, Inc. B-2 School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175
Photograph 5. Roadside ditch (RD-1) is a man-made drainage that wholly drains uplands and flows into East Fork Russian River. The driveway culvert is more than half filled with sediment. Looking west from the east side of the bridge. July 26, 2010.
Photograph 6. Storm drain outfall (SDO-1) flows down the engineered embankment under the east side of the bridge to West Fork Russian River. July 26, 2010.
North State Resources, Inc. B-3 School Way Bridge Replacement Project February 24, 2011 Delineation of Waters of the United States 51175