Agenda Item #9

Consider draft list of specific project funding requests related to Delta and water project funding opportunities. 9-1 9-2

Potential Delta Projects From Contra Costa County

Prepared for future Delta-related funding plans

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I. Restore the Delta Shoreline

The Delta shoreline is defined as that swath or ribbon of land adjacent to the Delta. The Contra Costa County General Plan identifies the Delta waterways as a scenic resource. As a county, we are required to improve water quality for waters leaving the county and draining into the Delta through our NPDES Permit. Restoration of the Delta shoreline at strategic and appropriate locations will provide for biological cleansing of stormwaters before it enters the Delta. This will help meet our stormwater permit requirements, enhance riparian and habitat value, improve water quality near drinking water intakes and protect scenic waterways.

Stormwater filters needed in 25 locations: Estimated Cost $30 million

Knightsen Biofilter: Estimated Cost $10 million (includes $500,000 phase 2 feasibility study)

Old River Shoreline. has been the principal in-Delta Conveyance Route to the south Delta pumps. Basic shoreline restoration: Estimated Cost $50 million

II. Protect Groundwater Resources

Most of the communities in eastern Contra Costa County (the Delta area) derive their water supply from ground wells. It is important to protect those resources and prevent intrusion of salt water or other waters laden with pollutants into the ground water supply. Detailed geologic and hydrogeologic reports would be required.

Groundwater studies: Estimated Cost $10 million

Groundwater management/protection: Estimated Cost $100 million

III. Remediate the Mercury Mine

This mercury mine is located in the headwaters of Marsh Creek on the eastern slopes of Mount Diablo. It is the largest contributor of mercury in the county to the Delta and San Francisco Bay. The mine needs to be fully remediated and downstream reaches restored to reduce pollutant loading and improve water quality in the Marsh Creek watershed. The County needs liability protection on any county action taken.

Mercury Mine Remediation: Estimated Cost $15 million

Reservoir rehabilitation and mercury sediment encapsulation: Estimated Cost $10 million

Watershed mercury assessment and monitoring: Estimated Cost $3 million

IV. Maintain and Improve Levees

Many of the levees in eastern Contra Costa County are substandard and protect valuable commercial, residential and agricultural properties. Levees help maintain water quality in the Delta, particularly in the western Delta. The levees protecting residential homes and urbanized uses need to be brought up to PL84-99 standards and improved to a 200-year-flood level of protection. Agricultural levees need to be improved to withstand overtopping of a 2 9-4 100-year-flood without breach or levee failure. If Sherman and levees are not restored, then adjacent levees will also require additional restoration and protection. A detailed list of specific levee projects, updated in February 2012, is available upon request.

Total levee improvements, including developed islands/tracts and , plus levees along major creeks. Estimated Cost: $ 1.4 billion.

Bethel Island and Hotchkiss Tract. These are the two residential communities in Contra Costa that would be subject to deep flooding if their levee failed. These two levee systems should be the first to be improved in any phased approach to levee restoration.

Holland Tract, , Veale Tract, . Additional levee projects sought by reclamation districts.

Contra Costa Canal Replacement Project in Rock Slough area: This would convert an open canal to an enclosed pipe, enabling the elimination of eight miles of levee embankment.

Delta Long Term Management Strategy (LTMS). LTMS is an ongoing joint state-federal process for permitting and implementation of beneficial reuse of dredged material for levees and ecosystem enhancement. Additional funding is need to complete the process. Estimated Cost $3 million ($1 million/year for 3 years).

Emergency Stockpile. Riprap needs to be stockpiled at strategic locations throughout the Delta to be used for repair of levee breaks and impending breaks Estimated Cost: $5 million.

V. Emergency Response

The Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) responds to emergencies in the Delta, including flooding that could result from levee breeches. The Sheriff’s Office also has a Marine Patrol Unit that patrols the Delta waters. Equipment is needed both for responding to levee breeches and to assist the Sheriff’s Office in patrolling the Delta. Airborne patrolling is key, as there are many areas in the Delta that are not easily accessible and can best be viewed by helicopter. The helicopter has enabled the Sheriff’s Air Support Unit to spot boils or seepage in levees, release of refinery items and abandoned vessels that could not be seen from the ground. These incidents were immediately reported from the helicopter to the appropriate response agency. Due to aging equipment aboard the helicopters, the Sheriff’s Air Support Unit needs a number of items to enable it to continue protecting the Delta. These items are included in the list below, along with ground-based equipment needs as well.

Delta Incident Communications Equipment. The Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services seeks mobile equipment for incident communications, for dealing with Delta area emergency incidents. Estimated Cost: $100,000.

First Responder Response Safety: 150 personal flotation devices for emergency responders. The personal flotation devices would be distributed to law and fire first responders in the jurisdictions along the Delta. These inflatable vests provide emergency flotation protection for flood fight operations. Estimated cost: $50,000.

Specific helicopter-related equipment for the Air Support Unit, as shown below (total estimated cost $1,050,000): 3 9-5

Avalex 15-inch monitors (2). The current onboard monitor is small and hard for the crews to view. The new monitors will allow the crews to view levees and pollutant spills more easily. The monitors also will improve the ability to collect video evidence of Delta incidents. Estimated cost: $20,000.

FLIR Video Extender (2). This item will allow the crew to zoom in closer to the effected area while maintaining their flight altitude. This will enable them to avoid disturbing Delta wildlife while patrolling, and increase safety for the flight crew. Estimated cost: $30,000.

FLIR 8500 Imaging System with Extender: Due to the age of one of the helicopter’s visual imaging systems, a new one will need to be purchased. This will provide the helicopter with two systems so the Delta can be viewed any time of day or night. Estimated cost: $290,000.

Avalex DVR Thumb Drive Recorder (2). This system allows for instant downloading of video evidence onto a thumb drive. The current system can only be downloaded after the completion of the flight, and on to a DVD+R. Most DVD+Rs cannot be played on the Air Support Unit’s system. This means multiple conversion steps must be taken in order to prepare video evidence taken from helicopters. Estimated cost: $20,000.

Augmented Reality System (ARS) Moving Map (2). This item will allow the aircrew to view incidents in front of them on a screen without interruption. Currently the crew must scan between video screens and map screens with the possibility of losing items when switching. This will increase safety for Delta boaters. Estimated cost: $280,000.

Technisonic Radios (2). These new radios will be part of the new multi-jurisdictional radio system agreement. This will allow the various agencies in the Delta area to communicate with each other without delay. Estimated cost: $210,000 including certified installation.

Garmin 500H Flight Display, and related Garmin equipment (2). These systems will allow the aircrew to know if other aircraft, approaching storms, terrain or towers are in the area. This will enable the crew to pay stricter attention to the Delta without constantly valuating if there are obstructions in the vicinity. Estimated cost: $200,000.

VI. Restore Delta Creeks

The creeks leading into the Delta need restoration to improve water quality entering the Delta and improve habitat for aquatic species. These creeks include Kellogg Creek, Fisk Creek, Brushy Creek, East Antioch Creek, West Antioch Creek, and Marsh Creek.

Estimated Cost: $125 million

4 9-6 VII. Provide Upland (On-Land) Disposal Sites for Dredged Material

Maintaining the improvements envisioned in the Delta Vision and other Delta planning documents will require ongoing maintenance. These maintenance requirements will include sedimentation removal and dredge reuse sites. Disposal sites in upland areas need to be identified and acquired for such purposes. One proposed site, for example, is the Sherman Island rehandling facility. This could be done in conjunction with the LTMS Study.

Estimated Cost: $25-$30 million to secure land for 3 or 4 sites

VIII. Water Quality and Water Quantity Stations

In order to monitor and understand the changes in water quantity and water quality entering the Delta from eastern Contra Costa County, water quality stations and stream gauges should be installed and maintained at specific locations on select streams entering the Delta. Better understanding of hydrology is needed to design and implement sustainable restoration of East County creeks, and water quality information will help inform decisions on improving habitat for aquatic species.

Estimated Cost: $250,000

IX. Recreational Trails

The East Bay Regional Park District has developed a master plan of trails to provide for recreational use and access to natural resources in eastern Contra Costa County.

Estimated Cost: $25 million.

X. State Route 4 – Old River Bridge Replacement (Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties)

Old River Bridge is an obsolete and inadequate bridge crossing Old River at the County line on Highway 4. The bridge approaches are unsafe and turn 90° immediately after the bridge abutment. This bridge needs to be realigned and replaced for public safety and emergency response and evacuation purposes.

Feasibility Study: Estimated Cost $ 1 million.

Environmental/Permitting/Design: Estimated Cost $ 10 million

Bridge Replacement Construction: Estimated Cost $100 million

XI. BDCP Impact Determination

The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP), at least in its currently proposed project, will have a huge impact on Contra Costa County, but it is beyond the technical abilities of County staff to analyze these impacts. The County needs resources to provide an independent and objective analysis of BDCP to determine its impacts.

Technical Consultants: Estimated Cost $300,000 5 9-7

XI. Sewer pipe replacement and relocation at Orin Allen Youth Facility

A sewer pipe at the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility in Byron is located in an area where it is frequently cracks due to weather and deterioration, which causes sewage spills and water pollution problems in the watershed. The pipe needs to be relocated underground where it will not be vulnerable. This is a recurring water quality issue.

Estimated Cost: $100,000

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

A. Levee Subvention Program (now SB 200)

Support extension of the (up to) 75% state cost-share for levee rehabilitation through the levees subvention program that is scheduled to sunset this year. Support multi-year budgeting/funding commitment for the levees subventions program.

B. Water Bond

Support removal of 50% local match in the proposed water bond. This local match requirement for Delta sustainability grants is not affordable for Delta communities and should be eliminated.

C. Ground Water Monitoring

Support legislative requirements that would enable counties to develop a revenue stream to pay for newly required groundwater monitoring. This could be achieved through a regional water use fee or by establishing the ability to develop a local fee.

D. CALFED

Support and advocate for the CALFED Levee Stability Improvement Program

E. Habitat Conservation Plans and Natural Community Conservation Plans (HCP/NCCPs)

Support funding for local HCP and NCCP plans and projects in the Delta.

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