Table of Contents Revised Basin Management Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report--Appendices

Home , Branciforte Creek, Corralitos Creek, Pescadero Creek, San Lorenzo River

Draft Appendices

PAJARO VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT AGENCY REVISED BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN Environmental Impact Report SCH# 2000062030

October 2001

Prepared for Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Draft Appendices

PAJARO VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT AGENCY REVISED BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN Environmental Impact Report SCH# 2000062030

October 2001

Prepared for Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency

700 University Avenue, Suite 130 225 Bush Street, Suite 1700 2685 Ulmerton Road, Suite 102 Sacramento, California 95825 San Francisco, California 94104 Clearwater, Florida 33762 (916) 564-4500 (415) 896-5900 (727) 572-5226

1000 Broadway, Suite 410 4221 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 480 700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4120 Oakland, California 94607 Los Angeles, California 90010 Seattle, Washington 98104 (510) 839-5066 (323) 933-6111 (206) 206-0900

200179 TABLE OF CONTENTS REVISED BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT--APPENDICES

Page

MAP APPENDIX

A1-A4 Proposed Pipeline Alignment; Seismic Hazards in the Project Area B1-B4 Proposed Pipeline Alignment; Habitat Characterization in the Project Area

APPENDICES

A. Plant Species Observed in the Study Area A-1 B. Bird Species Observed During Breeding Surveys B-1 C. Fisheries Resources of the Lower Pajaro River and its Tributaries C-1 D. Determination of the Minimum Bypass Flow in Corralitos Creek for the Expanded College Lake Project D-1 E. Alternative Alignments to the Import Pipeline E-1 F. Technical Memorandum 2.2 – Hydrologic Analysis and Modeling F-1 MAP APPENDIX II

0+00 10+00 II 20+00 30+00 I 40+00 50+00 60+00 70+00 80+00 90+00 Sargent 100+00 II

Fault FRAZIER

Zone 110+00

II II 120+00

Mapped Fault Trace

130+00 Surface Fault Rupture II Hazard Zone LAKE 140+00

U.S. 101 UPRR Proposed Pipeline Alignment

I 150+00 Alternative Pipeline Alignment 330+00 II 160+00 II Liquefaction Potential 320+00 BOLSA ROAD (HIGHWAY 25)

I ROAD Low Liquefaction Potential 170+00 310+00 280+00 II Moderate Liquefaction Potential 270+00 300+00 290+00 260+00 III Moderately High Liquefaction Potential 250+00 180+00 I 240+00 230+00 UPRR 220+00 210+00 190+00 152 200+00 PG&E POW ER LINE College I Lake 152 II 101 25 1

129 WATSONVILLE

AROMAS

Pacific Ocean

0 2000

Feet

360+00 ek re C

t 370+00 490+00 n 500+00 e g 560+00 r a S 520+00 380+00 550+00 510+00 480+00 540+00 470+00

530+00 UPRR 460+00 390+00

450+00 430+00 A ANDREASSAN ZONERIFT 400+00 440+00 . 420+00 Mapped Fault Trace CO 410+00 San Andreas Fault Zone A R O. A C L O Surface Fault Rupture C IT N Hazard Zone A E I T N B S A N SA U.S. 101 U.S. Proposed Pipeline Alignment I Alternative Pipeline Alignment II Liquefaction Potential

HIGHWAY129 I Low Liquefaction Potential II Moderate Liquefaction Potential I III Moderately High Liquefaction Potential

152

College Lake 152

101 25 1

129 WATSONVILLE

AROMAS

Pacific Ocean

0 2000

Feet

III 640+00 570+00 SAN ANDREAS RIFT ZONE 560+00 650+00 I 550+00

920+00 660+00 I 910+00 900+00 930+00 890+00 III 880+00 III 670+00 870+00 Fault Zone

680+00 860+00 850+00 I 840+00 Pressure 830+00 Regulator I 820+00 Isolation 690+00 810+00 Valve I Valve 700+00 800+00 770+00 760+00 710+00 790+00 720+00 780+00 750+00 730+00 III SAN JUAN ROAD 740+00 Mapped Fault Trace

Surface Fault Rupture Hazard Zone 152

College Proposed Pipeline Alignment Lake 152

101 25 BENITOSAN CO. 1 MONTEREY CO. Alternative Pipeline Alignment

129 WATSONVILLE II Liquefaction Potential I AROMAS I Low Liquefaction Potential II Moderate Liquefaction Potential Pacific III Moderately High Liquefaction Potential Ocean

0 2000

Feet

PVWMA BMP 2000 EIR / 200179 SOURCES: Alquist-Priolo Maps, California Division of Mines and Geology, 1982; Watsonville East and Chittenden Quadrangles, U.S. Geological Survey; Map A3 Liquefaction Potential Map, ABAG 1980; North County Area Plan, Monterey County, 1994; Proposed Pipeline Alignment; PVWMA. Seismic Hazards in the Project Area ORE:AqitPil as aionaDvso fMnsadGooy 1982; Geology, and Mines of Division California Maps, Alquist-Priolo SOURCES: P Ocean acific WATSONVILLE 1 0 ot onyAe ln otryCut,1994; County, PVWMA. Monterey Plan, Area County North 1980; ABAG Survey; Map, Geological Potential U.S. Liquefaction Quadrangles, Chittenden and East Watsonville III II II I College Lake Feet oeaeyHg iufcinPotential Liquefaction High Moderately Potential Liquefaction Moderate Potential Liquefaction Low Potential Liquefaction Alignment Pipeline Alternative Alignment Pipeline Proposed Zone Hazard Rupture Fault Surface Trace Fault Mapped 152 2000 129 AROMAS

101 WWTF 25

152

Proposed Water Recycling Facilities HIGHWAY 1 HIGHWAY III 1120+00 1110+00 1100+00 1090+00 1080+00 III 1070+00 1060+00

1050+00 SALINAS ROAD SALINAS 000 000 1020+00 1030+00 1040+00 III 1010+00

000 9+0900 970+00 980+00 990+00 1000+00 HAYES ROADHAYES III III esi aad ntePoetArea Project the in Hazards Seismic

960+00 rpsdPpln Alignment; Pipeline Proposed Fault Vergeles 950+00 VM M 00ER/200179 / EIR 2000 BMP PVWMA 930+00 940+00 I 920+00 III a A4 Map 910+00 BB0+00 10+00 20+00 30+00 40+00 B A 50+00 60+00 A 70+00 80+00 90+00 100+00

A FRAZIER

110+00

120+00 B

130+00

LAKE 140+00 A U.S. 101 A A C UPRR

A 150+00 330+00 A STATE R

160+00 320+00

OUT ROAD A 170+00 310+00 280+00 C 270+00 E25 300+00 290+00 260+00 250+00 180+00 240+00

UPRR ( 230+00 B 220+00 OLSA KEY MAP 152 210+00 190+00 200+00

College ROAD) Lake 152

101 25 1

129 WATSONVILLE

AROMAS

Pacific Ocean

NOTES Habitat identified within the survey corridor A Valley Foothill Riparian Unless noted by a letter, habitat is cropland/ Proposed Pipeline Alignment B Freshwater Emergent Wetland orchard/vineyard or urban/developed. Alternative Pipeline Alignment C Annual Grassland 0 2000 D Coastal Scrub Habitat areas are enlarged to enhance visibility and are not to scale (see text). E Coastal Oak Woodland Feet Survey corridor width is 250 feet. PVWMA Revised BMP EIR / 200179 SOURCE: Environmental Science Associates Map B1 Proposed Pipeline Alignment; Habitat Characterization of the Project Area 330+00 P S es A ca d S N e A T r 340+00 A o N C T r A C LARA e e C k C RUZ O 350+00 A CO . .

A SEE INSET 360+00 360+00 A ek ON RIGHT A re C STATE ROUTE 129 370+00 (RIVERSIDE DRIVE) 490+00 D t A 500+00 n 560+00 e C D rg E a 520+00 A S 380+00 A 550+00 C 510+00 480+00 k C C e 540+00 470+00 E e A 370+00 C UPRR r C 530+00 E 460+00 A E 390+00 A C E A 450+00 t A n e A ANDREASSAN ZONERIFT rg C a 380+00 E 440+00 430+00 400+00 S 420+00 410+00 O. A C . A O R C A O L T C I N A E T N B A N S A S A

U.S. 101 U.S. C 390+00

A C C C

STATE ROUTE 129 A (CHITTENDEN ROAD) C C C A A A 400+00 440+00 430+00 D 420+00

O. KEY MAP 152 C A . R O College C Lake 152 A L O 101 T 25 C I 1 N A 129 T E WATSONVILLE N B A N S A 101 U.S. AROMAS S

Pacific Ocean NOTES Habitat identified within the survey corridor A Valley Foothill Riparian Unless noted by a letter, habitat is cropland/ Proposed Pipeline Alignment B Freshwater Emergent Wetland orchard/vineyard or urban/developed. Alternative Pipeline Alignment C Annual Grassland 0 2000 Habitat areas are enlarged to enhance visibility D Coastal Scrub and are not to scale (see text). Feet E Coastal Oak Woodland Survey corridor width is 250 feet. PVWMA Revised BMP EIR / 200179 SOURCE: Environmental Science Associates Map B2 Proposed Pipeline Alignment; Habitat Characterization of the Project Area 620+00 590+00 Isolation 610+00 A A Valve 630+00 600+00 580+00 Granite D A Rock 640+00 Quarry D STATE ROUTE 129 D 570+00 (RIVERSIDE DRIVE) SAN ANDREAS RIFT ZONEC 560+00 650+00 A 550+00

920+00 660+00 910+00 900+00 A 930+00 D 890+00 880+00 670+00 E 870+00 A

MURPHY ROAD 680+00 860+00 850+00 Pressure CARPENTERIA ROAD 840+00 Regulator 830+00 Valve 690+00 820+00 Isolation 810+00 Valve D 700+00 A 800+00 770+00 760+00 O 710+00 R 790+00 720+00 Y CO 780+00 750+00 730+00 RR UA (SAN JUANUNTY ROAD)RO UPRR Q SAN MIGUEL CANYON ROAD SEE INSET AS RD ON RIGHT 740+00 AROM

AD G

11 Pressure 152 KEY MAP Regulator Valve College 780+00 Lake 152 770+00 C 760+00 101 25 E EC 1 E C

C B .

129 . E 750+00

WATSONVILLE O E

C C

O E Y

AROMAS I

N E E

E B T

Pacific B

Ocean N

N O

M S NOTES Habitat identified within the survey corridor A Valley Foothill Riparian Unless noted by a letter, habitat is cropland/ Proposed Pipeline Alignment B Freshwater Emergent Wetland orchard/vineyard or urban/developed. Alternative Pipeline Alignment C Annual Grassland 0 2000 Habitat areas are enlarged to enhance visibility D Coastal Scrub and are not to scale (see text). Feet E Coastal Oak Woodland Survey corridor width is 250 feet. PVWMA Revised BMP EIR / 200179 SOURCE: Environmental Science Associates Map B3 Proposed Pipeline Alignment; Habitat Characterization of the Project Area STATE ROUTE 152 KEY MAP 152

College Lake 152 STATE ROUTE1 (CABRILLO HIGHWAY) 101 25 1

129 MAIN STREET WATSONVILLE

AROMAS

Pacific Ocean

COUNTY ROAD G11 (SAN JUAN ROAD)

920+00 930+00 D 910+00

940+00 STATE ROUTE 129 (RIVERSIDE DRIVE) E

950+00

HAYES ROAD 960+00 1000+00 990+00 980+00 970+00 1010+00 1040+00 1030+00 1020+00 LEWIS ROAD

1050+00 1060+00 HIGHWAY 1

COUNTY ROAD G12 1070+00 (SALINAS ROAD) 1080+00 WEST BEACH ROAD Proposed Water 1090+00 Recycling Facilities 1100+00 A E WWTF 1110+00

TRAFTON ROAD

1120+00

NOTES Habitat identified within the survey corridor A Valley Foothill Riparian Unless noted by a letter, habitat is cropland/ Proposed Pipeline Alignment B Freshwater Emergent Wetland orchard/vineyard or urban/developed. Alternative Pipeline Alignment C Annual Grassland 0 2000 Habitat areas are enlarged to enhance visibility D Coastal Scrub and are not to scale (see text). Feet E Coastal Oak Woodland Survey corridor width is 250 feet. PVWMA Revised BMP EIR / 200179 SOURCE: Environmental Science Associates Map B4 Proposed Pipeline Alignment; Habitat Characterization of the Project Area APPENDICES APPENDIX A PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED IN THE STUDY AREA

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency A-1 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX A PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED IN THE STUDY AREA

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

Acacia sp. Acacia Acer negundo var. californica* California box-elder Achillea millefolium* Yarrow Aira caryophyllea Hairgrass Amaranthus deflexus Amaranth Amsinckia intermedia* Fiddleneck Anagallis arvensis Scarlet pimpernel Arbutus menziesii* Madrone Arundo donax Giant reed Avena barbata Slender oats Avena fatua Wild oats Baccharis pilularis* Coyote brush Brassica nigra Mustard Brassica rapa Field mustard Briza minor Little quaking grass Brodiaea sp.* Brodiaea Bromus diandrus Ripgut brome Bromus hordeaceus Soft chess Calandrinia ciliata* Red maids Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s purse Cardaria chalepense Lens-podded hoary cress Carduus pycnocephalus Italian thistle Carex sp. Sedge Carpobrotus chilensis Sea fig Centaurium muehlenbergii* Monterey centaury Cerastium glomeratum Mouse-ear chickweed Chamomilla suaveolens Pineapple weed Chenopodium rubrum* Lamb’s quarters Cirsium sp. Thistle Cirsium vulgare Bull thistle Claytonia perfoliata* Miner’s lettuce Conium maculatum Poison hemlock Convolvulus arvensis Bindweed Conyza bonariensis Hairy fleabane Cornus sp.* Dogwood Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass Dichelostemma pulchella* Blue dicks Distichlis spicata* Saltgrass Eleocharis acicularis* Spikerush Epilobium brachycarpum* Annual fireweed Equisetum arvense* Common horsetail Erodium brachycarpum Filaree Erodium cicutarium Red stem filaree Erodium moschatum Filaree Eschscholzia californica* California poppy Eucalyptus globulus Blue gum eucalyptus

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency A-2 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX A PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED IN THE STUDY AREA

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved geranium Gnaphalium luteo-album cudweed Heterotheca grandiflora* Telegraph weed Holocarpha macradenia* Santa Cruz tarplant Hordeum leporinum Farmer’s barley Hordeum marinum ssp. gussoneanum Mediterranean barley Hypochaeris glabrata Smooth cat’s ear Juglans regia English walnut Juncus bufonius* Toad rush Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Lolium multiflorum Italian ryegrass Lotus corniculatus Birdfoot trefoil Lotus micranthus* Least trefoil Madia sativa* Coast tarweed Malva nicaeensis Bull mallow Malva parviflora cheeseweed Marrubium vulgare Horehound Medicago polymorpha Bur-clover Melilotus alba White sweet clover Melilotus indica Yellow sweet clover Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal Mimulus aurantiacus* Bush monkey flower Nasella lepida* Small needlegrass Navarretia squarrosa* Skunkweed Nicotiana attenuata Tree tobacco Oxalis pes-caprae Oxalis Paspalum dilatatum Dallis grass Picris echioides Bristly ox-tongue Pinus radiata* Monterey pine Plantago coronopus Plantain Platanus racemosa* Western sycamore Poa annua Annual bluegrass Polygonum arenastrum Knotweed Polypogon monspeliensis Rabbitfoot grass Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa* Black cottonwood Potentilla sp. Cinquefoil Pteridium aquilinum* Bracken fern Quercus agrifolia* Coast live oak Raphanus sativus Wild radish Rosa californica* California rose Rubus discolor Himalayan blackberry Rubus ursinus* California blackberry Rumex acetosella Sheep sorrel Rumex crispus Curly dock Salicornia virginica* Pickleweed

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency A-3 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX A PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED IN THE STUDY AREA

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

Salix coulteri* Coulter willow Salix hindsiana* Sandbar willow Salix lasiolepis* Arroyo willow Salvia mellifera* Black sage Sambucus mexicana* Elderberry Scirpus sp.* Bulrush Senecio mikanioides German ivy Senecio vulgaris Common groundsel Silene gallica Windmills Sisyrhinchium bellum* Blue-eyed grass Sonchus oleraceus Sow thistle Stellaria media Chickweed Toxicodendron diversilobum* Poison oak Trifolium angustifolium Clover Typha sp.* Cattail Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea Hoary nettle Vulpia bromoides Annual fescue Vulpia myuros Rattail fescue

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency A-4 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX B BIRD SPECIES OBSERVED DURING BREEDING SURVEYS

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency B-1 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX B SPECIES OBSERVED DURING BREEDING BIRD SURVEYS

Common Name Scientific Name Reach and Option Observed

Family Podicipedidae Pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps R2 A1 Family Anatidae Mallard Anas platyrhynchos R 2 O A3; R2 A1 Family Charadriidae Killdeer Charadrius vociferus R2 OA3 Family Accipitridae Red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis R2 OA3 Family Phasianidae California quail Callipepla californica R2 OA3; R2 A1; R3 B1 Family Columbidae Mourning dove Zenaida macroura R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7; R2 A1; R3 B1 Family Trochilidae Anna's hummingird Calypte anna R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7; R3 B1; R2 A1; Family Alcedinidae Belted kingfisher Ceryle alcyon R2 A1 Family Picidae Northern flicker Colaptes auratus R2 OA3 Downy woodpecker Picoides pubescens R2 OA3 Hairy woodpecker Picoides villosus R2 O A1 Nuttall's woodpecker Picoides nuttallii R2 OA3 Family Tyrannidae Western wood pewee Contopus sordidulus R2 A1 Ash-throated flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus R2 OA3; Black phoebe Sayornis nigricans R2 OA3; R3 A2; R2 A1 Pacific-slope flycatcher Empidonax difficilis R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7; R2 A1 Ash-throated flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens R2 OA3 Family Hirundinidae Tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor R2 OA3, R6 B8/C1, OB7 Violet-green swallow Tachycineta thalassina R2 OA3; R2 A1 Cliff swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica R3 B1 Family Corvidae Scrub jay Aphelocoma coerulescens R2 OA3; R3 A2; R2 A1 Stellar’s Jay Cyanocitta stelleri R2 OA3; R3 A2 American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos R2 A1 Common raven Corvus corax R2 OA3 Family Paridae Plain titimouse Parus inornatus R2 OA3; R2 A1; R3 B1 Chestnut-backed Parus rufescens R2 OA3; R2 A1 chickadee Family Aegithalidae Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7; R3 A2; R2 A1; R3 B1

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency B-2 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX B SPECIES OBSERVED DURING BREEDING BIRD SURVEYS

Common Name Scientific Name Reach and Option Observed

Family Sittidae Red-breasted nuthatch Sitta canadensis R3 A2 Family Troglodytidae Bewick's wren Thryomanes bewickii R2 OA3; R3 B1 Family Muscicapidae Wrentit Chamaea fasciata R2 OA3 Golden-crowned kinglet Regulus satrapa R2 OA3 Swainson's thrush Catharus ustulatus R2 OA3; R3 B1 American robin Turdus migratorius R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7; R2 A1 Family Mimidae Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos R6 B8/C1, OB7 California thrasher Toxostoma redivivum R3 A2 Family Bombycillidae Cedar waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum R2 OA3 Family Sturnidae European starling Sturnus vulgaris R2 OA3; R2 A1; R3 B1 Family Vireonidae Hutton's vireo Vireo huttoni R2 OA3; Warbling vireo Vireo gilvus R2 OA3 Family Emberizidae Orange-crowned warbler Vermivora celata R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7 Yellow warbler Dendroica petechia R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7 Wilson's warbler Wilsonia pusilla R2 OA3; R2 A1 Common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas R3 A2 Black-headed grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus R2 OA3; R2 A1 Rufous-sided towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus R2 OA3; R3 A2; R2 A1 Brown towhee Pipilo fuscus R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7; R2 A1 Song sparrow Melospiza melodia R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7; R3 A2; R2 A1; R3 B1 White-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys R2 OA3 Red-winged blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus R2 OA3; R6 B8/C1, OB7; R2 A1 Brown-headed cowbird Molothrus ater R6 B8/C1, OB7; R2 A1; R3 B1 Hooded-oriole Icterus cucullatus R2 OA3 Family Passeridae House sparrow Passer domesticus R3 B1 Family Fringillidae American goldfinch Carduelis tristis R6 B8/C1, OB7 House finch Carpodacus mexicanus R6 B8/C1, OB7; R3 B1 ______

NOTE: R2 OA3 = Reach 2 Option A3

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency B-3 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-1 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Prepared for Environmental Science Associates 225 Bush St., Suite 1700 San Francisco, CA 94104 by The Habitat Restoration Group P.O. 4006 Felton, CA 95018

September, 1997

INTRODUCTION

This report is an assessment of existing conditions for fisheries resources, particularly for Central Coast steelhead (Onchorhynchus mykiss) and the tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi), in the lower Pajaro River and its tributary watershed of Salsipuedes Creek. Tidewater gobies are found only in the lowest one mile of the Pajaro River and in Watsonville Slough, while the steelhead migrates to the upper portions of these watersheds to spawn. The purpose of this report is to present sufficient information to assess the potential effects of development of the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency's proposed import and local distribution pipeline projects on fishery resources.

Inventories of riffle conditions were carried out in two areas critical for steelhead passage, the Pajaro River at Murphy Crossing, and Corralitos and Salsipuedes creeks near College Lake. Recommendations to reduce adverse impacts to steelhead are included as well.

EXISTING CONDITIONS: FISHERIES

Pajaro River and the Eastern Watershed

The Pajaro River serves as a migration pathway for adult steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) migrating to spawning and nursery habitat in the upper watershed and for steelhead smolts (1-2 year old juveniles) migrating from that habitat to the ocean. In the upper watershed Pescadero, Uvas, Llagas and Pacheco creeks, and their tributaries, provide potential spawning and rearing habitat. Pescadero and Uvas creeks provide access, spawning and rearing in all but extreme drought years. Use of Llagas and Pacheco creeks by steelhead is less frequent and less extensive. Coho salmon (O. kisutch) have not been present in the Pajaro River system since at least the late 1960's, and occasional sightings in the 1960s may have been due to hatchery strays from the San

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-2 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Lorenzo River. Scarcity of suitable cool, low gradient rearing habitat and lack of regular access preclude sustaining runs of coho in the watershed.

Chesbro Reservoir on Llagas Creek and Uvas Reservoir on Uvas Creek, which are operated by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, regulate late spring through fall stream flows in those two streams. Normally, reservoir releases are adjusted to the percolation capacity of the middle reaches of the two streams, and steelhead passage through the lower reaches is blocked by dry streambeds by May to early June (with flows persisting longer in Uvas Creek than in Llagas Creek). Flows in Pacheco Creek are partially regulated by a dam on the North Fork of Pacheco Creek (operated by the Pacheco Water District). Flow regulation by the dam, and the generally dry nature of the watershed, usually block smolt outmigration by late April to May. Storage capacity of the reservoirs in the upper watershed is relatively low compared to average annual runoff, and unregulated tributaries are present in the Llagas Creek, Uvas Creek and Pacheco Creek watersheds. Except in severe drought years, adult upstream access is provided by reservoir spill and tributary runoff during the winter storms of January through March or April.

No studies of adult and smolt steelhead migration timing have been conducted for the Pajaro River system, but, despite drier watershed conditions in the Pajaro, migration periods are probably similar to those of streams in Santa Cruz County. Adult steelhead upmigration in Waddell Creek (Shapovalov and Taft 1954) and the San Lorenzo River (Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project trapping records) is in late December through early April, with most of the run occurring in January through March. The migration of waiting adults can be triggered by storms, and even in drier years the majority of adults may be able to migrate during the infrequent storms. Smolt outmigration in Waddell Creek (Shapovalov and Taft 1954; Smith unpublished trapping records from 1992-4) and the San Lorenzo River (Smith, unpublished trapping records for 1987-89) is primarily during late March through the end of May. Three characteristics of smolt migration make it more precarious than adult migration: 1) it occurs in late spring, when streamflows are naturally low and declining, rather than during the high flows of winter; 2) it does not appear to occur much earlier in dry years, despite the more rapid decline in spring streamflows; and 3) it is a more continuous, prolonged migration, rather than an episodic dash. The relatively fixed, prolonged migration period is apparently due to the importance of size of emigrating smolts; larger juveniles migrate earlier, and many later fish apparently require spring growth to achieve a size sufficient to successfully enter the ocean. The relatively fixed late spring migration means that in dry years a large portion of late-migrating steelhead smolts may be blocked from migration. Avoiding predation is also apparently an important factor in smolt migration, as almost all migration occurs at night (Smith, unpublished San Lorenzo River trapping results).

During periods of lower flows in late spring the water temperatures of streams increase. Part of this increase is due to the seasonal increase in day length and air temperatures, and part is due to the reduced temperature buffering provided by the reduced streamflows.

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-3 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Since smolts travel mostly at night, when water temperatures are cooler, the temperature problem is probably minor for short migrations. Migrating smolts travel relatively quickly, and the distance from Murphy Crossing to Salsipuedes Creek is short (6 miles); temperature is probably not a problem at times when the flows are sufficient to allow easy passage through riffles.

No steelhead spawning or rearing occur in the Pajaro River downstream of Murphy Crossing. Other fish species are present in the Pajaro River downstream of Murphy Crossing and in Salsipuedes Creek, including Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidentalis), Sacramento squawfish (Ptychochielus grandis), hitch (Lavinia exilicauda), Sacramento blackfish (Orthodon microlepidotus), prickly sculpin (Cottus asper) and threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). None of these species require April to June streamflows for passage, spawning or rearing in excess of those required for steelhead smolt passage. Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata) is an anadromous fish, which, like the steelhead, migrate into freshwater to spawn and rear and with juveniles which migrate to the ocean to mature. Adult migration times for lamprey tend to occur somewhat later than than the peak of the steelhead adult migration (March and April). However, lamprey adults are able to negotiate relatively shallow riffles. Juvenile lampreys migrate to the ocean with peak winter flows, and rarely suffer migration blockage.

Salsipuedes Creek Watershed

Steelhead regularly use the watershed of Corralitos Creek, which joins Salsipuedes Creek immediately downstream of College Lake. Diversion dams on Corralitos and Browns creeks and wells downstream of their confluence (operated by the City of Watsonville) affect spring streamflows and fish passage in lower Corralitos Creek and in Salsipuedes Creek.

Two tributaries to College Lake and Salsipuedes Creek may also be used by steelhead for spawning and rearing. Adult access is good to Casserly Creek, and fish with smolt coloration were captured in spring 1997, confirming its continued use by steelhead. Passage is more difficult on Green Valley Creek, and size structure of fish in spring 1997 and lack of smolted fish may indicate that a major portion of the "rainbow trout" in the perennial portion of the stream are resident, rather than migratory steelhead in many years. Although no dams or major diversions occur on the two streams, spring streamflows are relatively low, probably blocking late-migrating smolts in average or dry years; on 2 May 1997 streamflows in both streams were insufficient for fish passage to College Lake, even though smolts were still apparently coming down Corralitos Creek.

College Lake is quite turbid in winter and spring, because much of its stored water is turbid storm runoff and because the bare, fine-grained soils of the shallow lake bed are easily stirred up by wind and wave action. The turbid conditions and probable lack of

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-4 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES abundant food due to turbid water and the seasonal nature of the lake) indicate that steelhead smolts migrating through the lake from Green Valley or Casserly creeks probably spend little time in the lake (less than 1 week).

College Lake is presently pumped dry in late spring to allow agricultural use of the lake bed. The pumped water provides passage flows for steelhead from College Lake tributaries and also for those from the Corralitos Creek watershed.

The Pajaro River Lagoon

Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek streamflows can provide for steelhead passage and also supply fresh water to the Pajaro River estuary. In spring the freshwater inflow provides a surface wedge of lighter fresh water on top of the salt water in the Pajaro River estuary. This freshwater wedge allows steelhead smolts to move up and down in the water column to aid in gradually adjusting to sea water. When flows are sufficient for passage to the estuary the inflows are also probably sufficient to provide a good fresh to saltwater transition zone. Migrating smolts may spend several weeks feeding in the estuary and adjusting to sea water. This transition may not be required, as many central California streams lack good transitional estuaries. However, the transition may improve survival of smolts, especially smaller smolts, upon entering the ocean.

A sand bar forms across the mouth of the Pajaro River in many years. Bar formation is primarily a function of beach-building processes produced by low-energy summer waves. Spring and early summer freshwater inflows are not an important factor in bar formation in a large estuary like that of the Pajaro River (Smith 1990). Tidal flux through the mouth is substantially higher than inflows, and even after the sand bar forms seepage through the large sand bar should be sufficient to prevent overtopping and sand bar breaching.

After sand bar formation freshwater inflows freshen the summer lagoon and may be important to lagoon ecology (Smith 1990). However, at the Pajaro River, even in most years when the sand bar forms, the formation is usually in mid to late summer. This is much later than the period of steelhead smolt passage and estuary adjustment, and is also later than the present practice of pumping water from College Lake. Tidewater gobies (Eucyclogobius newberryi), a federally-listed endangered species, are present in the Pajaro River estuary. Sand bar formation is important for providing the calmer lagoon conditions favored by tidewater gobies (Smith 1990), but the salinity of the lagoon is generally not important to goby success. Tidewater gobies in central California maintain large populations in lagoons ranging from fresh water (Soquel Creek in 1988 and Pescadero Creek in 1985) to ocean salinities (Corcoran and Moran Lagoons in 1996) (Smith, unpublished).

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-5 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

STEELHEAD PASSAGE CONDITIONS

Methods

Conditions for steelhead passage are the only fish habitat factor potentially impacted by the proposed water management plans. Passage conditions were evaluated by establishing depth transects in Salsipuedes Creek and in the Pajaro River at shallow riffles that were most likely to impede steelhead upstream or downstream migration. These same riffles and their configurations may not exist from year to year, but the riffles chosen are probably typical of the worst riffles present in most years.

Transects were established at three riffles on Salsipuedes Creek in April 1997. Depths at one of the riffles (a "typical", rather than a critical/difficult passage riffle) were recorded at 1 foot increments across the riffle 3 times between 25 April and 9 May, at flows of 15.1, 4.7 and 2.0 cubic feet per second (cfs). Depths at 2 other riffles, which represented very difficult "critical" passage were recorded 5 times between 25 April and 29 May, with the above flows and with flows of 0.9 and 0.4 cfs. The last two flows were far below those needed for passage, but provided information on how depth changed with flow and with algal growth. The two critical riffles were the only difficult riffles in the creek in 1997, and both had wide, diagonal gravel bars producing the riffles. The most difficult stretched over 80 feet across a bankfull channel about 30 feet wide. The upstream to downstream length of each riffle was short; the length of difficult passage was less than 5 feet.

Four riffles were transected on the Pajaro River: 1 immediately upstream of Murphy Crossing, 2 within 1.4 miles downstream of the crossing, and one 4.1 miles downstream of the crossing. The 3 upstream riffles were diagonal riffles formed in broad portions of the channel that are usually dry in summer or have very little streamflow. The downstream riffle was the only true riffle in the portion of the channel with regular summer surface water, dense streambed vegetation, and a generally narrower low flow channel (due to the vegetation). Depths were measured at the transects downstream of Murphy Crossing 5 times from 18 April to 12 June, at flows of 65 to 7.6 cfs. Transects were measured twice upstream of Murphy Crossing, on 25 April and 9 May, at flows of 50.5 and 21.7 cfs; construction of the crossing inundated this most critical riffle. Substrates at the riffles were predominantly sand and fine gravel deposited by the high January flows. The configurations were not stable, and the deepest portions of the sandy riffles were gradually scoured deeper over the study period. Because of the channel instability, the transects were not a strict test of the relationship between stream flow and riffle depth; 20 cfs in April would not have provided the passage conditions that 20 cfs in late May would have provided.

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-6 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Passage Criteria

Steelhead adults can pass through riffles if they can easily find a continuous route through and if that route offers depths and velocities that allow them to easily swim upstream. The length of the shallow portion of the riffle is also a factor for both swimming and route-finding; a very short riffle is more easily passed (with a brief burst of effort) than a long riffle offering similar conditions. Because of the multi-factored nature of fish passage, passage criteria are somewhat of a judgment call. However, passage standards should allow migrating fish to pass through a riffle without repeated attempts or delay and without injury or excessive exertion; they should not be set at levels that "well-motivated" fish can negotiate, with difficulty, most of the time. Smolts can pass downstream through riffles if there is a continuous route that is deep and wide enough to attract them and allow them swim through. Routes that become too shallow as the fish pass downstream may not only block downstream passage, but may prevent the fish from retreating upstream against the current to seek an alternate route.

In both the Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek shallow riffles are infrequent and short, reducing the cumulative effect of riffles on upstream or downstream passage. All riffles were relatively flat, so velocities were relatively slow, and therefore not considered a problem for upstream passage.

For this evaluation routes through riffles were considered minimal passage for upmigrating adult fish if 0.45 feet deep, or about the body and tail depth of a large (2 years in the ocean) steelhead. Such a depth would allow the body and tail to be fully submerged so that tail and body swimming action was efficient; many adult steelhead in the Pajaro River are smaller and could migrate with less depth. At 0.6 feet deep the depth would be more than sufficient to prevent interference from the substrate with the swimming action of a large fish; depth was judged fully passable. The route was considered acceptable if it was in the thalweg or passed 20% of the streamflow or was at the upstream portion of a diagonal riffle (where the diagonal configuration would funnel the fish to the route). Minimum route width was 3 feet and the total width of all routes through the riffle had to be at least 10 percent of riffle width (with at least 1/2 of that at 0.6 feet or deeper) and carry approximately 15% of the flow through the riffle. If the route(s) were much deeper and/or migrating fish were funneled to the route by the riffle configuration or channel thalweg, then less total width or flow was required.

For evaluating smolt downstream passage the minimum depth used was 0.15 feet (as deep as the body depth of large smolts). A depth of 0.2 feet was judged fully passable. Minimum route width was 2 feet, and total width of the route(s) had to equal 25% of the riffle width and normally carry about 50% of the flow through the riffle. As with adult passage, routes that were deeper or likely to funnel fish because of riffle configuration were judged passable with less total route width.

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-7 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

No flow passage requirements were estimated for downstream passage of spent adult steelhead, as most would have outmigrated prior to the late spring smolt migration.

Depth distribution across the Pajaro River riffles changed progressively over the study period, as the deepest portions of the unstable, sandy riffles gradually scoured deeper and carried a greater proportion of the flow. Under those conditions a lesser flow later in the season provided passage conditions equivalent to a much greater flow early in the study. For this evaluation the greater early season flow was judged necessary for passage. This conservative approach guarantees that the flow used will provide passage under the most difficult of conditions throughout the migration period.

Results

Adult Passage in the Pajaro River. The 4 Pajaro River riffles were estimated to be passable to adult steelhead at 16 to 45 cfs (Table 1; Appendix A). The most difficult passage was at the very wide diagonal riffle immediately upstream of Murphy Crossing (riffle 4). However, because the passage route was at the upstream end of the diagonal riffle, upstream migrating fish would be funneled to the route. That riffle was estimated to be passable at about 45 cfs, based upon conditions observed at 50.5 cfs. The other two diagonal riffles (riffles 2 and 3) were estimated to be passable at 25-35 cfs. At riffle 3 passage conditions were similar at 21.7 and 43.0 cfs, due to scour of the route between the sample days. Although the route was at the downstream end of the riffle, the remainder of the riffle was very shallow and migrating fish would be attracted to, or quickly find, the route. The most easily passable riffle (riffle 1) was not a diagonal riffle, most of the channel was relatively deep, and the route was in the thalweg. In general, the stream channel in the portion of the river near riffle 1 had relatively easy passage, because the streamside vegetation (primarily Salix spp.) confined and deepened the low flow channel.

Smolt Passage in the Pajaro River. The 4 riffles on the Pajaro River were judged passable to smolts migrating downstream at 12 to 20 cfs (Table 2). Again, the most difficult riffle for passage was riffle 4, the very wide diagonal riffle at Murphy Crossing. Although the multiple routes occupied about 30% of the riffle width at 21.7 cfs, the largest route was at the upstream end of the diagonal riffle, and some smolts might funnel to the shallower downstream portion of the riffle, even at 20 cfs. Smolts might also have similar problems at Riffle 2.

Smolt Passage in Salsipuedes Creek. Most riffles on this stream were narrow, straight, and easily passable, requiring as little as 1.0 - 2.0 cfs for passage (Riffle 1). However, the two measured diagonal riffles required an estimated 3.0 and 7.5 cfs for passage (Table 3). The configuration of Riffle 3, a wide, diagonal riffle, spread much of the flow across shallow portions of the riffle at 4.7 cfs. Downmigrating smolts would have difficulty

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-8 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

"route-finding" and might be trapped in shallower portions; several dead, stranded smolts were observed at 4.7 cfs.

Smolts were observed to have migrated down Corralitos Creek to Salsipuedes Creek at 1 cfs in May 1997 (probably with great difficulty). The flow in Salsipuedes Creek would include flow from Corralitos Creek, as well as from College Lake. The contribution from Corralitos Creek would be at least 1/2 cfs during smolt migration.

MITIGATING PROJECT IMPACTS TO STEELHEAD PASSAGE

Pajaro River

The impact to steelhead passage by diversion of Pajaro River water near Murphy Crossing can be avoided by providing minimum bypass flows during the steelhead migration period. Bypass flows should be:

1 January through 31 March (adult upstream passage): 45 cfs

1 April through 31 May (smolt downstream passage):

20 cfs from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM (during the nighttime migration period)

12 cfs from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (when little migration is likely)

Salsipuedes Creek

Impact to steelhead smolt passage by altering College Lake storage and/or reducing the pumping of College Lake water into Salsipuedes Creek can be avoided by providing minimum bypass flows during the steelhead smolt migration period. Bypass flows should be:

15 March through 31 May: 7.5 cfs in Salsipuedes Creek at its junction with Corralitos Creek, with a minimum of 2 cfs from College Lake to provide passage to the confluence.

1. Only 7 cfs would have to be provided from College Lake water, as Corralitos Creek flow of at least 1/2 cfs would be necessary to allow Corralitos Creek smolts to reach Salsipuedes Creek.

2. From 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM only 4.5 cfs is necessary in Salsipuedes Creek, as few smolts migrate during daylight.

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-9 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

3. After 1 May no Salsipuedes bypass flow would be required if Corralitos Creek is dry at Highway 152.

The reduction of daytime smolt bypass flows in the Pajaro River and in Salsipuedes Creek to 60% of nighttime passage flows is because few smolts apparently migrate in daytime. The few smolts migrating in daytime would also have an easier time route finding and could probably easily pass all but 1 riffle in each stream. The fluctuating flows may also act to speed smolt passage, similar to the effect of small spring storms (Smith, unpublished smolt trapping records for Waddell Creek).

The lack of a requirement for passage flows in Salsipuedes Creek after Corralitos Creek has dried at Highway 152 is because smolts would no longer be coming down Corralitos Creek; smolts would also no longer be coming down Green Valley or Casserly creeks, which tend to dry before Corralitos Creek.

College Lake

If the outlet structure for College Lake is modified to increase the capacity of the lake, the new structure should provide for adult steelhead upstream passage at least equivalent to present conditions.

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-10 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

TABLE 1 RIFFLE CONDITIONS AND ADULT PASSAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR 4 RIFFLES IN THE PAJARO RIVER

Riffle Configuration Route Route Width @Flow Passage Location % / est. % flow Flow

Riffle 1 4.1 Miles < straight thalweg 17% / 25% 21.7 16 Murphy Crossing

Riffle 2 1.4 Miles < Diagonal multiple 25% / 35% 43.0 Murphy Crossing upstream diagonal 25 12% / 20% 21.7

Riffle 3 0.7 miles < Diagonal downstream 10% / 25% 43.0 Murphy Crossing diagonal 35 10% / 25% 21.7

Riffle 4 Above Murphy Diagonal upstream 9% / 15 50.5 45 Crossing diagonal very wide

TABLE 2 RIFFLE CONDITIONS AND SMOLT PASSAGE FLOWS FOR 4 RIFFLES IN THE PAJARO RIVER

Riffle Configuration Route Route Width @Flow Passage % / est. % flow Flow

Riffle 1 straight thalweg 21% / 50% 15.1 15 24% / 57% 7.6

Riffle 2 diagonal multiple 39% / 60% 15.1 upstream 12 middle 45% / 65% 7.6

Riffle 3 diagonal downstream 12% / 60% 21.7 85% / 95% 15.1 12

Riffle 4 diagonal upstream 30% / 45% 21.7 20 wide multiple

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-11 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX C FISHERIES RESOURCES OF THE LOWER PAJARO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

TABLE 3 RIFFLE CONDITIONS AND SMOLT PASSAGE FLOWS FOR 3 RIFFLES IN SALSIPUEDES CREEK

Riffle Configuration Route Route Width @Flow Passage % / est. % flow Flow

Riffle 1 straight thalweg 77% / 95% 2.0 1.0

Riffle 2 diagonal multiple 31% / 55% 4.7 downstream 3.0

single 25% / 55% 2.0 downstream

Riffle 3 diagonal multiple 60% / 75% 15.1 7.5 multiple 12% / 30% 4.7

LITERATURE CITED Shapovalov, L. and A. C. Taft. 1954. The life histories of the steelhead rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri gairdneri) and silver salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). California Department of Fish and Game Bulletin 98. 275 pp.

Smith, J. 1990. The effects of sandbar formation and inflow on aquatic habitat and fish utilization in Pescadero, San Gregorio, Waddell and Pomponio Creek estuary/lagoon systems, 1985-1989. Report to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. 96 pp.

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency C-12 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX D DETERMINATION OF THE MINIMUM BYPASS FLOW IN CORRALITOS CREEK FOR THE EXPANDED COLLEGE LAKE PROJECT

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency D-1 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR Determination of the Minimum Bypass Flow in Corralitos Creek for the Expanded College Lake Project

Prepared for: Environmental Science Associates 225 Bush Street, Suite 1700 San Francisco, CA 94104 by: Dennis Jackson 708 - 14th Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062

July 10, 2001 Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 2

Determination of the Minimum Bypass Flow in Corralitos Creek for the Expanded College Lake Project College Lake is a seasonal water body. Currently, College Lake is pumped dry in the spring and the lakebed is used for farming. Approximately 260 acres of land are inundated each year resulting in the storage of 1,400 acre-feet of water. The expanded College Lake project would construct earth dams to increase the storage in the seasonal lake to 4,600 acre-feet. The expanded lake would inundate an additional 160 acres of land. Water would be diverted from Pinto Lake and Corralitos Creek. The diversion from Corralitos Creek would be west of College Lake and north of the Watsonville airport. Water diverted from Corralitos Creek would be sent to the Pinto Lake diversion near to South Green Valley Road. Figure 1 shows the location of the Corralitos diversion. Since steelhead, a federally listed species, use Corralitos Creek the diversion will have to be constructed and operated in a manner to avoid harming the steelhead population.

NMFS Diversion Conditions to Protect Salmonids The State Water Resources Control Board Division of Water Rights (DWR) has been working to develop conditions on water development projects to protect federally listed salmonid species. The DWR has made several proposals to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). The DWR submitted a proposal in January 2001 to NMFS and DFG. In April 2001, NMFS sent a letter to DWR stating that the DWR proposal contained, "…a number of unresolved issues" but, that agreement on the remaining issues was expected. The exchange of letters, referenced above, shows that there is still disagreement between the DWR and the state and federal resource agencies. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the exact conditions that DWR would impose on the Corralitos project. Therefore, the most conservative approach at this time appears to be to apply the conditions (guidelines) favored by the NMFS. The discussion between NMFS, DFG and DWR has been focused on coastal watersheds north of San Francisco. However, the NMFS is still formulating its recommendations for watersheds south of San Francisco. The NMFS guidelines recommend that: 1. the season of diversion be limited to the period December 15 to March 31 2. the minimum bypass flow be set equal to the unimpaired February median discharge 3. the maximum instantaneous diversion rate should be set equal to 15% of the 20% winter exceedence discharge (unimpaired). The NMFS is considering using the March median discharge as the minimum bypass flow south of San Francisco since their studies show that the March median tends to be higher than the February median discharge. However, review of United States Geological Survey (USGS) records for gauging stations in the Santa Cruz Mountains shows that the February median tends to be greater than the March median. Therefore, the February median discharge is used as the minimum bypass flow in this study. Two of the NMFS guidelines require estimating the long-term discharge record at the location of the diversion. Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 3

USGS Gauge

Figure 1. Location of the proposed Corralitos Creek diversion is about 1.3 miles upstream of Green Valley Road. A USGS stream gauge with 45-years of record is located at Green Valley Road.

Physical Setting Corralitos Creek drains the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its headwaters lie along the San Andreas Rift Zone. The creek flows through Eureka Canyon for a few miles. The creek leaves Eureka Canyon about 0.25 miles above Browns Valley Creek, the largest tributary of Corralitos Creek. The community of Corralitos lies about 0.6 miles downstream of the confluence of Browns Valley Creek and Corralitos Creek. The discontinued USGS stream gauge, Corralitos Creek near Corralitos, was located about 1.2 miles upstream of the community of Corralitos. After the creek leaves Eureka Canyon, it flows across an alluvial valley until it ends by joining Salsipuedes Creek. Corralitos Creek joins Salsipuedes Creek at Highway 152 (Lake Avenue). The USGS operates a stream gauge at Green Valley Road called Corralitos Creek at Freedom, approximately 1.8 miles upstream from the confluence with Salsipuedes Creek. The Purisima Formation is exposed in the headwaters of Corralitos Creek. In the lower portion of Eureka Canyon the creek begins to traverse alternating exposures of the Aromas Red Sands and alluvium down to Varni Road (about 2.3 miles downstream of Browns Valley Creek). Downstream of Varni Road the creek flows through alluvium (Greene, 1977). A geologic cross section in the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency's 1993 Basin Management Plan (BMP) suggests that a confining layer underlies the creek starting somewhere within about one mile downstream of Varni Road. The confining layer is roughly 200 feet below the ground surface (Figures 2-3 and 2-5, PVWMA BMP, 1993). Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 4

The BMP notes that the Purisima, Aromas Red Sands and the alluvium are three distinct water bearing formations in the area. The Purisima Formation is the lies below the Aromas Red Sands and the alluvium. The Aromas Red Sands is divided into an upper and lower unit. Discontinuous confining layers of clay separate the upper and lower units. The upper unit is mostly older fluvial deposits. The lower unit is mostly wind blow deposits. The alluvium overlies the Aromas Red Sands. The alluvium has a basal gravel layer, about 50 feet thick, that serves as a major source of water for shallow levels (PVWMA BMP, 1993). The section of Corralitos Creek between the Browns Valley Road bridge and Varni Road (approximately 1.7 miles), is typically dry in the summer, with isolated pools (phone conversation, Kristian Schoeder, Santa Cruz County Planning, 6/27/01). The creek goes dry sometime between June and August depending on the rainfall total of the previous winter. Flow in the creek returns somewhere above Green Valley Road. According to Schoeder, some local residents report that the creek started to dry up in the summer about twenty years ago. Historically, the seasonally dry section may have supported coho salmon. Bruce Laclergue, Water Resource Manager for Santa Cruz County, notes that the ground water, near the seasonally dry section of creek, is unconfined and so it is hydraulically connected to the creek. It is unknown if the seasonally dry section dries up because of ground water pumping or if there has been significant deposition in the reach. Mr. Laclergue reports that, during the last two or three years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of applications to deepen wells in the area (personal communication, Bruce Laclergue, 7/5/01). The reported increase in the deepening of wells is indirect evidence suggesting that the water table surface is lower than its historic level.

City of Watsonville Diversion The City of Watsonville (City) obtains its water supply from Corralitos and from ground water. The City diverts about 1.8 million gallons per day (MGD) from Corralitos Creek upstream of its confluence with Browns Valley Creek. The City also diverts about 0.22 MGD from Browns Valley Creek. In addition, the City obtains some of its water supply from wells near the confluence of Corralitos Creek and Browns Valley Creek. The City's water treatment plant is located in the community of Corralitos. The City first began diverting water from Corralitos Creek in the late 1800's. The City's water treatment plant was damaged by the October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The plant was closed from the day of the earthquake until March 26, 1997. During 1996, the plant was being tested so water was diverted from the creek but it was returned to the channel about 1.5 miles downstream, at the Browns Valley Road Bridge. Since 1997, the water treatment plant has been shut down when the turbidity in the creek exceeds 10 NTU. For example, the water treatment plant was shut down from February 12, 1998 to May 25, 1998 (personal communication, phone call, Keith Kimes, 6/27/01). Table 1 shows the average daily diversion, by month, since the water treatment plant re-opened in 1996. The City Water Department is reviewing its diversion records for the period prior to the 1989 earthquake and hence, it is not available for this study. Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 5

Table 1. Watsonville Water Department monthly water net diversions from Corralitos Creek for 1996-2000. Net diversions are in cubic feet per second (cfs). MGD is millions of gallons per day.

Average Average Daily Daily Diversion Diversion 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 cfs MGD January 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.00 0.87 0.29 0.19 February 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 March 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.01 April 0.00 0.76 0.00 0.40 1.18 0.58 0.38 May 0.00 2.34 0.12 2.16 2.36 1.75 1.13 June 0.00 2.33 2.21 2.54 2.73 2.45 1.58 July 0.00 2.07 2.50 2.69 2.76 2.51 1.62 August 0.00 2.50 2.52 2.37 2.56 2.49 1.61 September 0.00 2.54 2.46 2.28 2.10 2.34 1.51 October 0.00 1.67 2.21 2.38 2.17 2.11 1.36 November 0.00 1.20 1.78 2.00 2.51 1.87 1.21 December 0.00 1.22 1.38 2.42 2.28 1.82 1.18 Source: City of Watsonville Water Department.

Other Corralitos Creek Diversions The State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) records for appropriative water rights in Santa Cruz County were downloaded from their web-site. The records referencing Corralitos Creek were consolidated. A total of 19 applications and statements-of-use were found on Corralitos Creek. All of these appropriations are upstream of the confluence of Corralitos Creek and Browns Valley Creek. The majority of these appropriations are located near Diablo Canyon and Shingle Mill Creek in the headwaters. Corralitos Creek near Diablo Canyon has been declared Fully Appropriated from May 1 to November 31 (SWRCB Decision 1471). The total direct diversion for these appropriations is 0.49 cfs and 127 acre-feet of storage, excluding the Statements-of-Use filed by the City of Watsonville. The SWRCB records do not contain any information on the number of riparian diversions or the total amount of riparian diversions.

Methods to Estimate the Unimpaired Discharge Figure 1 shows the location of the proposed diversion from Corralitos Creek. The proposed diversion is located about 1.29 miles upstream of USGS Corralitos at Freedom, Ca gauging station located at Green Valley Road. There are three simple ways to estimate the impaired daily discharge record at the diversion site. The first method would be to use the observed discharge record for the USGS Corralitos at Freedom, Ca gauging station as a first approximation of the discharge at the diversion site. The actual flows at the diversion site probably would be less then the flows observed at the USGS gauge since a significant portion of the total watershed area (about 23%) lies between the gauge and the proposed diversion site. The second method of estimating the discharge at the proposed diversion site would be to prorate the discharge record of the Corralitos Creek at Freedom stream gauge based on the watershed Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 6

Mean Annual Flood vs Watershed Area for 8 USGS Gauging Stations in the Santa Cruz Mountains

4,000

Soquel C at Soquel 3,500 y = 71.971x + 377.13 R2 = 0.8523 3,000

2,500

Branciforte C at Santa Cruz 2,000 Corralitos C at Freedom Wb Soquel C Nr Soquel

1,500 Mean Annual Flood, cfs

Carbonera C 1,000 at Scotts Valley Aptos Creek at Aptos Aptos Creek Corralitos C near Corralitos near Aptos 500

0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Watershed Area, square miles

Figure 2. Regional relationship between mean annual flood and watershed area developed from eight USGS stream gauges in the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. area above the diversion. The watershed area above the stream gauge is 27.8 square miles. So, 77.34% of the watershed area of the gauge lies above the proposed diversion site. Thus, an estimate of the daily average discharge at the diversion site could be obtained by multiplying each daily discharge value from the record for the Corralitos Creek at Freedom gauge by 0.77. A third method to estimate the impaired discharge record at the diversion site would be to prorate the discharge record at the USGS gauge by the estimated mean annual flood. This method requires developing the relationship between the mean annual flood and watershed area. There are eight USGS stream gauges in the Santa Cruz Mountains with a sufficiently long annual maximum flood record to estimate the mean annual flood (see Table 2). Figure 2 shows the relationship between the mean annual flood and watershed area for the eight USGS stations. The ratio between the mean annual flood at the diversion site and at the USGS gauge could be used to prorate the discharge record from the USGS gauge. These three methods can be partially corrected for the affect of the City's surface diversions by adding the City's average daily diversion to the observed discharge record at the USGS gauge prior to estimating the discharge at the diversion site. However, the City's diversion record, prior to the Loma Prieta earthquake, was not available for this study. So, the correction for the City's diversion can only be approximate. None of these three methods provide a way to correct the observed USGS discharge record for the riparian diversions or the change in the water table level near Varni Road. One method to adjust for these affects is to use a regional dimensionless-flow-duration curve. Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 7

Table 2. USGS gauging Stations in the Santa Cruz Mountains, south of the San Lorenzo River. The length of record for the average daily discharge for the first eight stations in the table is 14 years or more. Length of Record Area USGS No. Station Name Start End Years sq mi 11159150 Corralitos C near Corralitos 10/1/57 10/11/72 15 10.6 11159200 Corralitos C at Freedom 1 10/1/56 5/31/01 45 27.8 11159690 Aptos Creek near Aptos 10/1/71 9/30/85 14 10.2 11159700 Aptos Creek at Aptos 10/1/58 10/6/72 14 12.3 11159800 West Branch Soquel C near Soquel 10/1/58 10/6/72 14 12.2 11160000 Soquel C at Soquel 1 5/1/51 9/30/00 49 40.2 11161300 Carbonera C at Scotts Valley 1 2/7/85 6/6/01 16 3.6 11161500 Branciforte C at Santa Cruz 4/1/40 9/30/68 28 17.3

11153790 Uvas C at Sveadal 10/1/72 10/1/74 2 2.88 11153800 Alec Canyon near Morgan Hill 11/7/69 5/3/72 2 0.91 11159400 Green Valley near Corralitos 10/1/63 9/30/67 4 7.05 11159940 Soquel C near Soquel 10/1/68 9/30/72 4 32 1 Active USGS stations.

Figure 3 shows the regional winter (December 15 to March 31) dimensionless-flow-duration curve for first eight USGS stream gauges, located in the southern Santa Cruz Mountains, shown in Table 2. All of these eight stations have 14 years or more of daily discharge records. The other four stations have no more than four years observed daily discharges and so were not used in this study. None of the curves in Figure 3 have been adjusted for upstream diversions. The y-axis (vertical) of Figure 3 is the ratio of the daily discharge to the winter 20% exceedence discharge for each gauging station. The winter 20% exceedence discharge is the discharge that is equaled or exceeded 20% of the time between December 15 and March 31. Dividing all of the daily discharges for a gauging station by the winter 20% exceedence discharge provides a way of comparing the flow duration curves of different gauging stations. The x-axis of Figure 3 is in the z-score of the probability of exceeding the dimensionless discharge (ratio of daily discharge to the winter 20% exceedence discharge). The use of the z- score axis is a way of simulating the use of normal probability paper. There is a non-linear relationship between the exceedence probability and the z-score. A z-score of zero corresponds to the median (50% of the dimensionless discharges are greater than the indicated y-value). Positive z-scores indicate that the exceedence probability of the dimensionless discharge is greater than 50%. For example, a z-score of 1.0 corresponds to an exceedence probability of 84.135%. A z- score of -1.0 corresponds to an exceedence probability of 15.865%. The z-score of the winter 20% exceedence discharge is -0.84. The shape of the flow duration curve indicates how the streamflow declines over time. A curve that tends to become horizontal with higher z-scores (exceedence probabilities) indicates that the winter dry weather flows are approaching a constant value, indicating a steady ground water input. Four of the USGS gauges; Aptos Creek at Aptos; West Branch of Soquel Creek near Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 8

Dimensionless Winter (December 15-March 31) Flow Duration Curves for 8 USGS Stations in the Santa Cruz Mountains

100

0.1

0.01 Carbonera

0.001

Corralitos at Freedom Corralitos near Corralitos Ratio of Daily Discahrge to Winter 20% Exceedence Discharge

0.0001 -4.000 -3.000 -2.000 -1.000 0.000 1.000 2.000 3.000 4.000 z-Score Corral. at Freedom Aptos near Aptos Soquel at Soquel Branciforte Corral. near Corr Aptos at Aptos Wb Soquel Carbonera Figure 3. Dimensionless winter flow duration curves for eight USGS gauging stations in the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. The x-axis is the z-score of the probability of exceedence. An exceedence probability of 50% has a z-score of 0.0. Curves that tend to become horizontal indicate that dry weather flows approach a constant value. A sharply declining curve indicates that dry weather winter flows tend to continue to decline or even go to zero.

Soquel; Aptos Creek near Aptos and Branciforte Creek at Santa Cruz exemplify near constant dry weather flows. A curve that declines sharply with increasing z-score (exceedence probability) indicates that the winter dry weather discharge continues to decline and possibly goes to zero. The Corralitos Creek at Freedom stream gauge exemplifies a stream whose winter dry weather discharge tends to go to zero. The Corralitos Creek at Freedom stream gauge recorded a discharge of zero during the winter on 412 days out of 4,816 days (8.55%) over the 45 years of record. In dry years, streamflow from the upper watershed soaks into the ground above Varni Road so flow at the gauge is provided only by the local ground water system. The streamflow at the gauge is impaired by the upstream diversions and by ground water pumping upstream of Varni Road. The flow duration curves for Corralitos Creek near Corralitos, Carbonera Creek at Scotts Valley, and Soquel Creek at Soquel lie in between the curves for Corralitos at Freedom and the four stations with near constant winter dry weather discharge. Surface diversions or ground water pumping affects all three of these stations. The City of Watsonville diverts water just upstream of the Corralitos Creek near Corralitos gauge. A well just upstream (USGS Water Resource Data for the 2000 Water Year) may affect the Carbonera Creek at Scotts Valley gauge. The Soquel Creek station is affected by many surface diversions (USGS Water Resource Data for the 2000 Water Year). Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 9

The unimpaired dimensionless winter flow duration curve for the Corralitos Creek at Freedom gauge was estimated by creating an unimpaired regional winter dimensionless-flow-duration curve. The regional flow duration curve was created by averaging the flow duration curves for the four USGS gauges with near constant winter dry weather discharge and the Soquel Creek at Soquel station. The two stations on Corralitos Creek and the station on Carbonera Creek were excluded from the averaging process because diversions and ground water pumping have impacted them. The winter flow duration curve for the Soquel Creek station appeared to more similar to the four stations with near constant winter dry weather flow than to the other three impacted stations. It was assumed that discharges above the winter 20% exceedence discharge were not significantly affected by diversions or to ground water pumping. The data from the Watsonville Water Works indicate that their monthly average daily diversion is less than 3 cfs. The winter 20% exceedence discharge for the Corralitos at Freedom gauge is 54 cfs. So, the Watsonville diversion is about 5% of the winter 20% exceedence discharge which, is about the accuracy of the discharge record. So, the assumption that discharges above the winter 20% exceedence discharge are not significantly affected by diversions appears justified. Finally, there are no significant reservoirs to seriously alter the higher discharges. The unimpaired dimensionless winter flow duration curve for the Corralitos Creek at Freedom gauge was estimated by replacing the portion of the curve below the winter 20% exceedence discharge with the unimpaired regional winter flow duration curve. The estimated unimpaired discharge record for the Corralitos Creek at Freedom gauge was then created by multiplying each point on the unimpaired dimensionless flow duration curve by the winter 20% exceedence discharge for the station (54 cfs). The discharges were then sorted by date to obtain the discharge record in chronological order.

Results The NMFS method to estimate the bypass flow requires estimates of the unimpaired February median discharge and an estimate of the unimpaired winter 20% exceedence discharge. The minimum bypass flow is set equal to the unimpaired February median discharge. The maximum diversion rate is set equal to 15% of the unimpaired winter 20% exceedence discharge. Table 3 shows the February median, March median and winter 20% exceedence discharges for the USGS gauge, Corralitos Creek at Freedom. The observed (impaired) discharge record at the Corralitos Creek at Freedom stream gauge was used to calculate the February and March median discharge and the winter 20% exceedence discharge. The "area ratio" estimates the corresponding discharges at the point of diversion (POD) by multiplying the ratio of watershed area above the POD to the area above the gauge. The "flood ratio" estimates the corresponding discharges at the point of diversion (POD) by multiplying the ratio of estimated mean annual flood at the POD (1,930-cfs) to the estimated mean annual flood at the gauge (2,380-cfs). The unimpaired discharge record at the Corralitos Creek at Freedom stream gauge was estimated by the flow duration method as described in the previous section. The unimpaired discharge record at the POD was estimated by applying the area ratio to unimpaired discharge record at the gauge. The flood ratio method was not used to prorate the unimpaired discharge record since the results of the are ratio and flood ratio method differ by only about 5%. Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 10

Table 3. Estimates of the February median, March median and winter 20% exceedence discharges for the Corralitos Creek at Freedom stream gauge and the proposed diversion site. The impaired condition is the observed discharge record.

February March Winter 20% Median Median Exceedence Discharge Discharge Discharge cfs cfs cfs Impaired Condition USGS Gauge - Observed 14.0 14.0 54.0 Diversion Site - Area Ratio 10.8 10.8 41.8 Diversion Site - Flood Ratio 11.3 11.3 43.8

Unimpaired Condition USGS Gauge 19.2 19.1 54.0 Diversion Site - Area Ratio 14.8 14.8 41.8

The minimum bypass flows and maximum diversion rates were calculated from the information in Table 3. A spreadsheet was prepared to apply the NMFS bypass guidelines to the: (1) the observed USGS discharge record; (2) the observed USGS discharge record prorated by watershed area; (3) the observed USGS discharge record prorated by the ratio of the mean annual flood at the POD and at the USGS gauge; (4) the estimated unimpaired discharge record - prorated by watershed area. Table 4 shows the estimated average annual diversion for each of the four methods. Table 4 also shows the annual maximum, minimum and median diversions that would have been allowed over the period of record (the 1957-2001 water years).

Table 4. Comparison of the estimated average annual diversion for the Corralitos Creek diversion to College Lake calculated by four methods. The column labeled "Adopted" gives the estimated average annual diversions obtained by rounding the estimated unimpaired bypass flow up and rounding the maximum diversion rate down. At USGS Area Flood Station Ratio Ratio Unimpaired Adopted acre-feet acre-feet acre-feet acre-feet acre-feet Average 656 508 531 456 436 Maximum 1,497 1,159 1,213 1,069 1,022 Minimum 6 5 5 0 0 Median 670 519 543 454 434

Bypass Flow 14.0 10.8 11.3 14.8 15.0 Max Diversion Rate 8.1 6.3 6.6 6.3 6.0 Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 11

The estimated unimpaired discharge record at the POD indicates that the unimpaired February median discharge at the POD is 14.8 cfs. This estimate was rounded up to 15 cfs and adopted as the minimum bypass flow for the POD. The maximum diversion rate at the POD was estimated to be 6.3 cfs from the estimated unimpaired discharge record at the POD. This estimate was rounded down to 6 cfs and adopted as the maximum diversion rate. The adopted minimum bypass flow and maximum diversion rates were also applied to the estimated unimpaired discharge record at the POD. The flood ratio method produced the highest estimate of the total average annual diversion at the POD, which was about 530 acre-feet. This scenario assumes a minimum bypass of 11.3 cfs and a maximum diversion rate of 6.6 cfs. The method to estimate the unimpaired discharge gave the lowest estimate of the total average annual diversion, which was about 430 acre-feet. This scenario assumes a minimum bypass of 15 cfs and a maximum diversion rate of 6 cfs. The estimated total annual average diversion from these two methods differs by only 14%. Preliminary hydrologic modeling for the proposed Expanded College Lake project used a minimum bypass of 5 cfs and a maximum diversion rate of 7 cfs which resulted in an estimated average annual diversion of about 650 acre-feet. However, a minimum bypass of 5 cfs does not conform to the NMFS guidelines since it is about only one-half of the estimated February median discharge at the POD. In conclusion, it is expected that a minimum bypass flow of 15 cfs and a maximum diversion rate of 6 cfs would be accepted by NMFS. Minimum Corralitos Creek Bypass Flow for the Expanded College Lake Project Page 12

References State Water Resources Control Board staff report, Assessing Site Specific and Cumulative Impacts on Anadromous Fishery Resources in Coastal Watersheds in Northern California, January 23, 2001. Bybee, James, National Marine Fisheries Service letter to Mr. Harry Schueller, State Water Resources Control Board, dated April 18, 2001. Greene, Gary H., Geology of the Monterey Bay Region, USGS Open-File Report 77-718, 1977. U.S. Geological Survey. Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, Basin Management Plan, 1993. Webster, M.D. S.W. Anderson, M.F. Friebel, L.A. Freeman, J.R. Smithson, Water Resource Data, California, Water Year 2000, vol. 2, Pacific Slope Basins, Arroyo Grande to the Oregon State line Except for the Central Valley, U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, 2000. USGS, Water Resource Data, California, Water Year 1972, vol. 2, Pacific Slope Basins, Arroyo Grande to the Oregon State line Except for the Central Valley, U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, 2000.

Personal Communications Bruce Laclergue, Water Resource Manager for Santa Cruz County, 6/26/01, face-to-face discussion. Bruce Laclergue, Water Resource Manager for Santa Cruz County, Kristian Schoeder, Santa Cruz County Planning, 6/27/01, phone conversation. Keith Kimes, Operations Supervisor, Watsonville Water Department, 6/27/01, phone call, APPENDIX E ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENTS TO THE IMPORT PIPELINE

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency E-1 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX E ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENTS TO THE IMPORT PIPELINE

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES FOR IMPORT PIPELINE SEGMENTS

Several pipeline local route variations were considered by the PVWMA for specific segments of the Import Pipeline. These alternative routes are represented by dotted lines on Maps A1 through A4 in the Map Appendix. The alternative routes were proposed because of engineering design considerations (e.g., availability of easements) and flexibility in final site selection, and are not complete alternatives to the project as their implementation would still involve construction of the Import Pipeline to bring water into the PVWMA service area. In some cases, however, the alternative pipeline routes would result in environmental impacts that would be more adverse than would occur with the proposed pipeline alignment. For example, the alternative pipeline route between Stations 452+00 and 528+00 would require two additional crossings of the Pajaro River, resulting in additional impacts to riparian plant and animal species and their habitat. The proposed alignment would avoid these two river crossings and extend along public rights-of-way in these areas.

A discussion of the environmental impacts associated with the alternate pipeline alignments is presented below. In summary, the impacts associated with the preferred alignment would either be similar to, or lesser in magnitude than, those associated with these alternative alignment segments.

EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE PIPELINE ALIGNMENTS

The alternative alignments are identified by their station locations along the proposed pipeline alignment.

Station 73+00 along Miller’s Canal to Station 121+00. This alternative alignment extends south from Station 73+00 of the preferred alignment across cropland to Miller’s Canal, then extends west along Miller’s Canal and joins the preferred alignment at Station 121+00. Development of this alternative alignment would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed pipeline alignment.

Stations 73+00 to 140+00. This route extends south from Station 73+00 of the proposed Import Pipeline alignment across cropland, extends westerly along Miller’s Canal, and then extends south across cropland to Station 140+00 of the preferred alignment. Development of this alternative alignment would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed alignment.

Stations 140+00 to 288+00. This route extends southwest from Station 140+00 across cropland along the south side of the Pajaro River to Station 288+00 of the preferred alignment. Development of this alternative alignment would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed alignment. However, the alternative alignment would extend through cropland, while the proposed alignment in this area would be located within an existing PG&E easement. Therefore, this alternative alignment would result in the temporary disruption of a greater amount of agricultural land during construction.

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency E-2 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX E ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENTS TO THE IMPORT PIPELINE

Stations 360+00 to 421+00. This alternative alignment extends from the west side of U.S. 101 across the Pajaro River and the UPRR tracks, and then turns west up the eastern slope of the Sargent Hills, where it reaches an elevation of approximately 300 feet mean sea level (msl). From this point, it turns south downhill where it joins Station 421+00 of the proposed alignment. This alternative alignment would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed alignment. However, nesting red-tailed hawks were observed along this alternative alignment. Activities near nesting raptor sites could result in reproductive failure due to loss of habitat, or cause abandonment of the nest.

Stations 367+00 to 443+00. This alternative alignment follows the previous alternative alignment across the Pajaro River and the UPRR tracks, and continues up the eastern slope of the Sargent Hills to an elevation of approximately 300 feet msl. From this point the alternative alignment extends southwest, crossing Sargent Creek before it joins the proposed alignment at Station 443+00. This alternative alignment would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed alignment. However, nesting red-tailed hawks were observed along this alternative alignment. Activities near nesting raptor sites could result in reproductive failure due to loss of habitat, or cause abandonment of the nest. This alternative alignment would traverse Azule clay loam soils in the Sargent Hills that have moderate shrink- swell potential, are moderately corrosive, and have a high to very high erosion potential.

Stations 452+00 to 527+00. This alternative alignment extends across the UPRR tracks and the Pajaro River, then follows Highway 129 past residential development within the community of River Oaks. The alternative alignment crosses the Pajaro River and the UPRR tracks a second time and joins the proposed alignment at Station 527+00. Development of this alternative alignment would result in substantially more adverse environmental impacts than would occur with the proposed pipeline. The two additional river crossings would increase impacts on riparian habitat and associated special status species, including central coast steelhead, California red-legged frog, Western pond turtle, yellow warbler, yellow-breasted chat, and nesting raptors. The two additional river crossings also could result in increased soil erosion, downstream sedimentation, and stream channel alterations. In addition, residential land uses along Highway 129 in River Oaks would experience traffic, air quality, and noise impacts during project construction. These impacts would not occur with development of the proposed pipeline alignment.

Stations 571+00 to 600+00. This alternative alignment extends across Highway 129 and the Pajaro River, and extends along the river to Station 600+00 of the proposed alignment. Evidence of flood-related landsliding was documented along this alternative alignment during a field reconnaissance. Slope instability could adversely affect pipeline installation and/or long-term maintenance of facilities.The proposed alignment is located approximately 200 feet east of this alternative alignment and would not be subject to landslide hazards. With the exception of landslide hazards, this alternative alignment would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed alignment.

Stations 625+00 to 679+00. This alternative alignment parallels the proposed alignment closely along the UPRR tracks. It would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency E-3 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX E ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENTS TO THE IMPORT PIPELINE with the proposed alignment. However, the alternative alignment would be located within a narrow riparian corridor between the Pajaro River and the UPRR tracks, while the proposed alignment would be located between the four sets of Granite Rock railroad tracks that parallel the UPRR tracks. Development of the alternative alignment would disturb riparian vegetation, while the proposed alignment would avoid this impact.

Stations 858+00 to 925+00, and Stations 872+00 to 925+00. These alternative alignments extend north of the UPRR tracks and the proposed alignment, and include two crossings of San Juan Road. These alternative alignments would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed alignment. However, the two additional highway crossings would result in adverse traffic impacts that could be avoided with the proposed alignment.

Stations 862+00 to 872+00. This alternative alignment would extend along the south side of the UPRR tracks, parallel to the proposed alignment. It would also be located within the UPRR right-of-way and would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed alignment.

Stations 925+00 to 984+00. This alternative alignment would extend along San Juan Road north of the proposed alignment, and would include two crossings of San Juan Road plus a UPRR crossing. Additional traffic impacts associated with the highway crossings would result from development of this alternative alignment that would not occur with the proposed alignment. Clear Lake clay soils, which have a high shrink-swell potential, occur along the portion of the alternative alignment between the UPRR tracks and Hayes Road.

Stations 925+00 to 1005+00. This alternative alignment would extend along the UPRR right-of- way and Lewis Road. Because it would be located entirely within rights-of-way, it would not affect any sensitive environmental resources. Clear Lake clay soils, which have a high shrink- swell potential, occur along the portion of the alternative alignment that extends along Lewis Road. This alternative alignment would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed alignment.

Stations 1005+00 to 1115+00 and Stations 1040+00 to 1115+00. These alternative alignments would extend along local roads and would cross the UPRR tracks and Salinas Road. With the exception of the segment that extends from Station 1040+00 to the Salinas Road crossing, these alternative alignments would be located within roadways and would have minimal environmental impacts. These alternative alignments would have environmental impacts similar to those that would occur with the proposed alignment.

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency E-4 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR APPENDIX F TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 2.2 – HYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS AND MODELING

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency F-1 Environmental Science Associates Revised BMP Draft EIR