San Francisco Bay to Stockton, California, Navigation Improvement Project

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

San Francisco Bay to Stockton, California, Navigation Improvement Project This page is intentionally left blank. DRAFT INTEGRATED GENERAL REEVALUATION REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SAN FRANCISCO BAY TO STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, NAVIGATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT LEAD NEPA AGENCY: Department of Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District NON‐FEDERAL SPONSOR: Port of Stockton ABSTRACT: The San Francisco Bay to Stockton Navigation Improvement Project was originally authorized by Congress in the Rivers and Harbors (R&H) Act of 1965. The originally authorized study was scoped for a 78‐mile long navigation project to include the John F. Baldwin and Stockton channels, however, it was re‐scoped in 2016 to include navigation improvements up to Avon. The study area for this draft integrated General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Impact Statement (GRR/EIS) is a 13.2 mile length of navigation channel which spans from Central San Francisco Bay to Avon (just east of the Benicia‐Martinez Bridge) and includes the Pinole Shoal Channel and the Bulls Head Reach portion of the Suisun Bay Channel. The channels in the study area primarily serve crude oil imports and refined product exports to and from several oil refineries and two non‐petroleum industries. Although the navigation channels in the study area are authorized to a depth of up to ‐45 feet mean lower low water (MLLW), the channels are currently maintained to only ‐35 feet MLLW. The Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP)/Proposed Project includes deepening the existing navigation channel to ‐38 feet MLLW (plus 2 feet of allowable overdepth), dredging a 2,600 foot sediment trap in Bulls Head Reach to ‐42 feet MLLW (plus 2 feet of allowable overdepth), leveling a rock outcrop within the Pinole Shoal channel, and using the dredged material at beneficial reuse sites to contribute to restoration within the Delta. Send your comments by: June 9th, 2019 For further information on this statement, please contact: Stacie Auvenshine U.S. Army Corps of Engineers P.O. Box 4970 Jacksonville, FL 32232‐0019 Telephone: 904‐314‐7614 E‐mail: [email protected] This page is intentionally left blank. TABLE OF CONTENTS Using this Document Report Reference Materials: To ease navigation through the report, prompts are provided, alerting the reader to reference additional sections or graphics, or to explain the purpose of an ensuing discussion. In this report, these prompts can be identified b y this blue box format. Additionally, informational foldouts Graphics Executive Summary 1 and 2 are provided in the Executive Summary to be used while reading the document as reference maps with key points and landmarks. In addition, an overall table of contents is provided, along with detailed tables of contents and an index at the end of the report. Organization of this report follows Exhibit G-7 (Feasibility Report Content) provided in Appendix G of US Army Corps of Engineers Engineering Regulation (ER) 1105-2-100 (30 June 2004), documenting the iterative U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Plan Formulation Process. The planning process consists of six major steps: (1) Specification of problems and opportunities (2) Inventory, forecast, and analysis of existing conditions within the study area (3) Formulation of alternative plans (4) Evaluation of the effects of the alternative plans (5) Comparison of the alternative plans (6) Selection of the recommended plan based upon the comparison of the alternative plans. Steps may be repeated as problems become better understood and new information becomes available. Steps 1 and 2 are discussed in Chapters 1-2, and provide the foundation for developing alternative plans and selection of a recommended plan outlined in Chapter 3. Each chapter and summary graphic, as well as the Executive Summary, describe plan development as it progresses through the four integrated environments that shape a navigation project: the built environment (Federal project, port facilities, placement areas, transportation network, advance maintenance areas, etc.); the natural environment (physical and biological resources including species of concern); the navigation environment (navigation restrictions, etc.), and the economic environment (commodity movement, vessel fleet characteristics, and transportation costs). Concerns relative to plan formulation and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review are summarized and encapsulated in the discussions of these four main environments. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance is not addressed in this document. The recommended format of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is provided in 40 CFR 1502.10 and has been integrated into the General Reevaluation Report. The basic table of contents for the report outlines how the EIS format has been integrated into the planning process to develop a recommended plan that meets the requirements of both USACE Plan Formulation Policy and NEPA. Note that sections pertinent to the NEPA analysis are denoted with an asterisk. SAN FRANCISCO BAY TO STOCKTON NAVIGATION IMPROVEMENT DRAFT INTEGRATED GENERAL REEVALUATION REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TOC-1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary*……………………………..……………………........................................................ES-1 EIS: Summary 1 Introduction*………………………………………………………....................................................1-1 EIS: Purpose of and Need for Action 2 Existing and Future Without-Project Conditions*…………...……………..……………..……….2-1 EIS: Existing and Future Without-Project Conditions 3 Plan Formulation……………...…………………………………………….......................................3-1 EIS: Alternatives Including Proposed Action 4 Comparison of Environmental Effects of Alternative Plans*……………….…...………….…..4-1 EIS: Information on the Proposed Action 5 The Tentatively Selected Plan ………………………………………………………………………..5-1 EIS: Alternatives Including Proposed Action 6 Environmental Compliance*……………………….……………………………….………………..6-1 EIS: Scoping, Public Involvement, Compliance with Environmental Regulations 7 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………..………………...7-1 8 List of Preparers*.…………………….…………………..…………………………….…………….….8-1 EIS: List of Preparers 9 References and Index*..………………………………………...…………………………………….9-1 Appendices APPENDIX A – CIVIL SITE APPENDIX B – WATER RESOURCES ATTACHMENT 1 – Salinity Modeling Report APPENDIX C – COST ENGINEERING AND RISK ANALYSIS APPENDIX D – ECONOMIC ANALYSIS APPENDIX E – GEOTECHNICAL APPENDIX F – REAL ESTATE PLAN APPENDIX G – ENVIRONMENTAL ATTACHMENT 1 – 404(b)(1) Evaluation ATTACHMENT 2 – Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Evaluation ATTACHMENT 3 – Regulatory Setting ATTACHMENT 4 – United States Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Coordination ATTACHMENT 5 – Air Quality Report ATTACHMENT H – CULTURAL RESOURCES APPENDIX I – PERTINENT CORRESPONDENCE APPENDIX J – PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT OF PROJECT DREDGED MATERIALS The Shoaling Analysis (Bulls Head Deposition HydroSurvey Tech Memo, April 2015) and Ship Simulation Study (Vessel Simulation Navigation Study of the Proposed John F. Baldwin Ship Channel – Phase III Proposed Channel Improvements, DTMA 91-88-C-80024, Final Report, August 1992) referenced in this report are available upon request. SAN FRANCISCO BAY TO STOCKTON NAVIGATION IMPROVEMENT DRAFT INTEGRATED GENERAL REEVALUATION REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TOC-2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION* ........................................................................................................................... 1-1 FEDERAL PROJECT PURPOSE* ....................................................................................................... 1-1 STUDY BACKGROUND AND LOCATION* .................................................................................... 1-1 STUDY SPONSOR ............................................................................................................................ 1-1 STUDY PURPOSE, NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE .............................................................................. 1-1 STUDY AUTHORITIES ........................................................................................................................ 1-3 RELATED DOCUMENTS* ................................................................................................................. 1-4 FEDERAL PROJECTS & STUDIES NEAR THE STUDY AREA ............................................................. 1-5 OTHER CURRENT NON-FEDERAL STUDIES AND PROJECTS ADJACENT TO OR NEAR THE STUDY AREA 1-6 EXISTING AND FUTURE WITHOUT-PROJECT CONDITIONS ........................................................... 2-1 GENERAL SETTING* ........................................................................................................................ 2-1 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS*..................................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 GEOLOGY AND SEISMICITY ................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2.2 SEDIMENT AND SEDIMENTATION ......................................................................................... 2-4 2.2.3 WATER QUALITY AND HYDROLOGY ................................................................................... 2-7 2.2.4 AIR QUALITY ......................................................................................................................... 2-19 2.2.5 CLIMATE CHANGE .............................................................................................................. 2-26 2.2.6 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES .................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • LONGFIN SMELT Spirinchus Thaleichthys USFWS: None CDFG: Threatened
    LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. PUBLIC DRAFT SOLANO HCP JULY 2012 SOLANO COUNTY WATER AGENCY NATURAL COMMUNITY AND SPECIES ACCOUNTS LONGFIN SMELT Spirinchus thaleichthys USFWS: None CDFG: Threatened Species Account Status and Description. The longfin smelt is listed as a threatened species by the California Fish and Game Commission. Abundance of the longfin smelt has reached record lows in the San Francisco-Delta population, and the species may already be extinct in some northern California estuarine populations, resulting in an overall threat of extinction to the species within California (Federal Register 2008). The longfin smelt was also proposed for federal listing, but on April 8, 2009 the USFWS determined that the San Francisco Bay Estuary population does not qualify for listing as a distinct population segment under federal regulations. Further assessment of the entire population is being conducted, however, and future listing may be considered. Photo courtesy of California Department of Fish and Game Longfin smelt, once mature, are slim, silver fish in the family Osmeridae (true smelts). Moyle (2002) describes the species as being 90-110 mm (standard length) at maturity, with a translucent silver appearance along the sides of the body, and an olive to iridescent pinkish hue on the back. Mature males are often darker than females, with enlarged and stiffened dorsal and anal fins, a dilated lateral line region, and breeding tubercles on paired fins and scares. Longfin smelt can be distinguished from other California smelt by their long pectoral fins (which reach or nearly reach the bases of the pelvic fins), incomplete lateral line, weak or absent striations on the opercular bones, low number of scales in the lateral line (54-65) and long maxillary bones (which in adults extent just short of the posterior margin of the eye).
    [Show full text]
  • About Aquarium of the Bay
    Aquarium of the Bay Bay Ecotarium Press Kit Aquarium of the Bay Press Kit About Aquarium of the Bay Aquarium of the Bay Exhibit Highlights Aquarium of the Bay Fact Sheet Aquarium of the Bay Fun Facts Sustainability at Aquarium of the Bay About Bay Ecotarium Contact About Aquarium of the Bay i and indigenous - offering — Bay Ecotarium has a shared mission Sierra to the Sea™ Exhibit Highlights DISCOVER THE BAY UNDER THE BAY in length Go With The Flow jellies Nearshore Tunnel 0 15 Octopus and Friends Gallery This gallery features the newest aquatic additions to the Aquarium— the Pacific spiny lumpsuckers. Other animals that can be found in this gallery include a giant Pacific octopus, Dungeness crabs, and abalone. Offshore Tunnel (Sharks of Alcatraz) (Sharks of Alcatraz) Exhibit Highlights TOUCH THE BAY Touchpools touch Bay Lab RIVER OTTERS: WATERSHED AMBASSADORS : San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay Fact Sheet Overview: Aquarium of the Bay, located at the world-famous PIER 39, is the only aquarium dedicated to the diverse marine life and distinctive ecosystems of San Francisco Bay. Aquarium of the Bay is home to over 20,000+ marine and indigenous animals that can be found in San Francisco Bay and along the California coast. With more than 500,000 visitors annually, Aquarium of the Bay provides an unmatched window through which to view local marine life. Mission: Aquarium of the Bay is an institution of Bay.org DBA Bay Ecotarium, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to enable conversations on climate resilience and ocean conservation globally, while inspiring actionable change locally by protection and preservation of the San Francisco Bay and its ecosystems, from Sierra to the Sea™.
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Trends of Indicators of Ecosystem Health
    STATUS AND TRENDS OF INDICATORS OF ECOSYSTEM HEALTH THE ESTUARY SAN FRANCISCO BAY AND SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN RIVER DELTA The San Francisco Estuary Partnership collaborates with partners throughout the Bay and Delta on regional, science-based programs to increase the health and resilience of the San Francisco Estuary. Established as part of the National Estuary Program over 25 years ago by the State of California and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Partnership manages multi-benefit projects that improve the well-being of wildlife and human communities from the inland rivers to the Golden Gate. More information can be found at sfestuary.org SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP 375 Beale Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94105 © 2019 San Francisco Estuary Partnership. All rights reserved. Please cite as The State of the Estuary 2019, San Francisco Estuary Partnership. The Delta Stewardship Council was created in 2009 by the California Legislature to advance the state’s coequal goals for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta through the development and enforcement of a long-term sustainable management plan. Informed by the Delta Science Program and Delta Independent Science Board, the Council oversees implementation of this plan through coordination and oversight of state and local agencies proposing to fund, carry out, and approve Delta-related activities. More information can be found at deltacouncil.ca.gov STATUS AND TRENDS OF INDICATORS OF ECOSYSTEM HEALTH THE ESTUARY SAN FRANCISCO BAY AND SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN RIVER DELTA SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ESTUARY THAT INCLUDES THE SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN DELTA, SUISUN BAY, SAN PABLO BAY, AND SAN FRANCISCO BAY CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .
    [Show full text]
  • The Estuary Project'snon-Profit Partner
    PublicationsPublications TheThe EstuaryEstuary Project’sProject’s Non-ProfitNon-Profit PartnerPartner (PRINT AND ON-LINE) ESTUARY, an eight-page, bi-monthly newsletter that includes fre- The Friends of the San The San Francisco quent, comprehensive inserts about CALFED’s Science Program and the Regional Monitoring Program led by the San Francisco Francisco Estuary is a 501(c)(3) Estuary Project is a federal-state- Estuary Institute non-profit organization associated with local partnership working to restore water Courtesty Delta In-Channel Island Work Group. Bay-Delta Environmental Report Card, March 1999 the Estuary Project. Its goal is to quality and manage the natural resources of Bay-Delta Environmental Report Card, September 2001 increase public awareness of the the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary while Baylands Ecosystem Habitat Goals Estuary and to encourage Baylands Ecosystem Species and Community Profiles maintaining the region’s economic vitality. Boater’s Pumpout Map & Guides for San Francisco Bay and the San public involvement in The Estuary Project oversees and tracks Joaquin & Sacramento River Delta decision-making processes implementation of a Comprehensive CCMP Workbook, October 1996 about the Estuary. Conservation and Management Plan— Erosion and Sediment Control Field Manual and Guidebook for Construction Projects and videos:“Keep it Clean”;“Hold On To The Friends support the the “CCMP”—for preserving, restoring, and Your Dirt” education programs begun enhancing the Bay-Delta Estuary.The Estuary Introduction to the Ecology of the San Francisco Bay by the Estuary Project by Project disseminates newsletters, fact sheets, SFEP web site: http://sfep.abag.ca.gov sponsoring workshops for videos, and other materials to educate the public SFEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan State of the Estuary 2002: Science and Strategies for Restoration students and teachers and about Bay-Delta wetlands, wildlife, aquatic State of the Estuary 2000: Restoration Primer by helping community groups conduct resources, and land use issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Programmatic Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Assessment for the Long-Term Management Strategy for the Placement of Dredged Material in the San Francisco Bay Region
    Programmatic Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Assessment for the Long-Term Management Strategy for the Placement of Dredged Material in the San Francisco Bay Region July 2009 Executive Summary Programmatic Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Assessment for the Long-Term Management Strategy for the Placement of Dredged Material in the San Francisco Bay Region Pursuant to section 305(b)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. §1855(b)), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), as the federal lead and co-lead agencies, respectively, submit this Programmatic Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Assessment for the Long-Term Management Strategy for the Placement of Dredged Material in the San Francisco Bay Region. This document provides an assessment of the potential effects of the on-going dredging and dredged material placement activities of all federal and non-federal maintenance dredging projects in the action area (see Figure 1.1 located on page 3). The SF Bay LTMS program area spans 11 counties, including: Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties. It does not include the mountainous or inland areas far removed from navigable waters. The geographic scope of potential impacts included in this consultation (action area) comprises the estuarine waters of the San Francisco Bay region, portions of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) west of Sherman Island and the western portion of the Port of Sacramento and Port of Stockton deep water ship channels. It also includes the wetlands and shallow intertidal areas that form a margin around the Estuary and the tidal portions of its tributaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change Adaptation Study APPENDIX
    City of Richmond Climate Change Adaptation Study APPENDIX City of Richmond Climate Action Plan Appendix F: Climate Change Adaptation Study Acknowledgements The City of Richmond has been an active participant in the Contra Costa County Adapting to Rising Tides Project, led by the Bay Conservation Development Commission (BCDC) in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, the San Francisco Estuary Partnership, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and consulting firm AECOM. Environmental Science Associates (ESA) completed this Adaptation Study in coordination with BCDC, relying in part on reports and maps developed for the Adapting to Rising Tides project to assess the City of Richmond’s vulnerabilities with respect to sea level rise and coastal flooding. City of Richmond Climate Action Plan F-i Appendix F: Climate Change Adaptation Study This page intentionally left blank F-ii City of Richmond Climate Action Plan Appendix F: Climate Change Adaptation Study Table of Contents Acknowledgements i 1. Executive Summary 1 1.1 Coastal Flooding 2 1.2 Water Supply 2 1.3 Critical Transportation Assets 3 1.4 Vulnerable Populations 3 1.5 Summary 3 2. Study Methodology 4 2.1 Scope and Organize 4 2.2 Assess 4 2.3 Define 4 2.4 Plan 5 2.5 Implement and Monitor 5 3. Setting 6 3.1 Statewide Climate Change Projections 6 3.2 Bay Area Region Climate Change Projections 7 3.3 Community Assets 8 3.4 Relevant Local Planning Initiatives 9 3.5 Relevant State and Regional Planning Initiatives 10 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Oral History Off Ice University of California the Bancroft Library Berkeley, California
    Regional Oral History Off ice University of California The Bancroft Library Berkeley, California California Land-Use Planning Series SAVE SAN FRANCISCO BAY ASSOCIATION, 1961-1986 with an Introduction by Harold Gilliam and an Afterword by Me1 Scott Interviews with Barry Bunshoft Esther Gulick Catherine Kerr Sylvia McLaughlin Interviews conducted by Malca Chall 1985 and 1986 Copyright @ 1987 by The Regents of the University of California This manuscript is made available for research purposes. No part of the manuscript may be quoted for publication without the written permission of the Director of The Bancroft Library of the Univer- sity of California at Berkeley. Requests for permission to quote for publication should be addressed to the Regional Oral History Office, 486 Library, and should include identification of the specific passages to be quoted, anticipated use of the passages, and identification of the user. It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows: To cite the volume: Save San Francisco Bay Association, 1961-1986, an oral history conducted in 1985 and 1986 by Malca Chall, Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft ~ibrar~, University bf calif ornia, Berkeley, 1987. To cite individual interview: Barry Bunshoft, "Save San Francisco Bay Association and the Courts," an oral history conducted in 1986 by Malca.Chal1, Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 1987. Copy No. DEDICATION THE SAVE SAN FRANCISCO BAY ASSOCIATION DEDICATES THIS ORAL HISTORY TO THE MEMORY OF DOROTHY
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Fresh Water and Salinity Conditions in the Western Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Bay
    Historical Fresh Water and Salinity Conditions in the Western Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Bay A summary of historical reviews, reports, analyses and measurements Water Resources Department Contra Costa Water District Concord, California February 2010 Technical Memorandum WR10-001 Acknowledgements CCWD would like to thank the City of Antioch for their contribution towards funding a technical review of CCWD's draft report "Trends in Hydrology and Salinity in Suisun Bay and the Western Delta" (June 2007); their review substantially improved the work and led to the final report "Historical Fresh Water and Salinity Conditions in the Western Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Bay". CCWD is grateful to the many reviewers including Richard Denton, Matthew Emrick, Gopi Goteti, Phil Harrington, E. John List, Susan Paulsen, David Pene, Mat Rogers, and Peter Vorster. We also thank the following for sharing their data and analyses: Roger Byrne, Chris Enright, Spreck Rosekrans, and Scott Starratt, and we thank Ann Spaulding for her contributions. i February 12, 2010 Foreword - Establishing the Historical Baseline The watershed of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta) provides drinking water to more than 23 million Californians as well as irrigation water for millions of acres of agriculture in the Central Valley. The Delta itself is a complex estuarine ecosystem, with populations of many native species now in serious decline. The Delta estuary as we know it began to form about 6,000 years ago, following the end of the last ice age. Because the estuary is connected to the Pacific Ocean through San Francisco Bay, seawater intrusion causes the salinity of Suisun Bay and the Delta to vary depending on hydrological conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Sierra to the Sea the Ecological History of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Watershed
    From the Sierra to the Sea The Ecological History of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Watershed © 1998 The Bay Institute of San Francisco Second printing, July 2003 The Bay Institute of San Francisco is a non-profit research and advocacy organization which works to protect and restore the ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay/Delta estuary and its watershed. Since 1981, the Institute’s policy and technical staff have led programs to protect water quality and endangered species, reform state and federal water management, and promote comprehensive ecological restoration in the Bay/Delta. Copies of this report can be ordered for $40.00 (includes shipping and handling) from: The Bay Institute of San Francisco 500 Palm Drive Novato, CA 94949 Phone: (415) 506-0150 Fax: (415) 506-0155 www.bay.org The cover is taken from an engraving showing the entrance to the middle fork of the Sacramento River near modern-day Steamboat Slough, in C. Ringgold’s 1852 series of navigational charts and sailing directions for San Francisco Bay and Delta. Printed on recycled paper From the Sierra to the Sea The Ecological History of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Watershed July 1998 The Bay Institute FROM THE SIERRA TO THE SEA: THE ECOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY-DELTA WATERSHED Table of Contents Page CONTRIBUTORS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................. vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................... ES-1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION I. Background.......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Toxic Contaminants in the San Francisco Bay-Delta and Their Possible Biological Effects
    TOXIC CONTAMINANTS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY-DELTA AND THEIR POSSIBLE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS DAVID J.H. PHILLIPS AQUATIC HABITAT INSTITUTE 180 Richmond Field Station 1301 South 46th Street Richmond, CA 94804 (415) 231-9539 August 26, 1987 CONTENTS Acknowledgments ................ (i) I . INTRODUCTION ................. 1 I1 . TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE BAY-DELTA . 5 A . Silver .................. 7 B . Copper .................. 40 C . Selenium ................. 68 D . Mercury .................111 E . Cadmium .................133 F . Lead ...................148 G . Zinc ................... 163 H . Chromium .................171 I. Nickel ..................183 J . Tin ...................194 K . Other Trace Elements ...........200 111 . ORGANOCHLORINES IN THE BAY-DELTA .......202 A . Polychlorinated Biphenyls ........205 B . DDT and Metabolites ...........232 C . Other Organochlorines ..........257 IV . HYDROCARBONS IN THE BAY-DELTA ........ 274 A . Introduction ..............274 B . Hydrocarbons in the San Francisco Estuary . 281 C . Summary .................304 V . BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF BAY-DELTA CONTAMINANTS . 306 A . The Benthos of the Bay-Delta ...... 307 B . Fisheries of the Bay-Delta ........ 319 C . Bird Populations ............ 351 D . Mammalian Populations. Including Man . 354 E . Bioassay Data ............. 359 VI . CONCLUSIONS ................. 377 Literature Cited .............. 382 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks are due to a large number of people for their contributions to this document. Staff at the Aquatic Habitat Institute have provided their support, encouragement and talent. These include Andy Gunther, Jay Davis, Susan Prather, Don Baumgartner and Doug Segar. Word processing services were provided by Ginny Goodwind, Emilia Martins, Renee Ragucci, Audi Stunkard, Lori Duncan, and Susan Prather. Tat Cheung and Johnson Tang of the County of Alameda Public Works Agency contributed their time and talent to the preparation of figures. Melissa Blanton copy-edited the text, surviving the requirements of the author in respect of Anglicisation of local terminologies.
    [Show full text]
  • Restoring the Estuary
    1 AA FrameworkFramework forfor CollaborativeCollaborative ActionAction onon WetlandsWetlands US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE etlands in the San Francisco Bay Area are range of interests—including resource and regulato- Wamong the most important coastal wintering ry agencies, environmental organizations, business, and migratory stopover areas for millions of water- and agriculture—convened the San Francisco Bay fowl and shorebirds traveling along the Pacific Fly- Joint Venture (SFBJV) in June of 1995. In September way, which stretches from Alaska to South America. 1996, 20 parties representing this diverse wetlands These wetlands also provide economic benefits, constituency signed a working agreement that iden- offer a range of recreational opportunities, and con- tified the goals and objectives of the SFBJV, and the tribute to a higher quality of life for residents in the responsibilities of its board and working commit- densely populated San Francisco Bay Area. They are tees. The agreement also stated that the Implemen- essential aspects of the Bay region’s unique charac- tation Strategy would be developed to guide its par- ter and, along with the creeks that flow into the Bay, ties toward the long-term vision of the restored Bay help to define the vibrant and distinctive identities Estuary. The signatory partners recognized and of communities around the Bay. However, despite endorsed the goals of the North American Waterfowl their value, destruction of these precious natural Management Plan. However, they enlarged the goals assets continues. Today’s wetlands are only a rem- and objectives of the Plan to include benefits not nant, perhaps 20 percent of the vast wetlands seen only for waterfowl, but also for the other wildlife by the first European settlers.
    [Show full text]
  • Early Feedback from End-Users and Resulting Adaptation of Project Design
    Managing for resilience in the face of climate change: a scientific approach to targeted oyster restoration in San Francisco Bay and Elkhorn Slough, CA A project funded by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative EARLY FEEDBACK FROM END-USERS AND RESULTING ADAPTATION OF PROJECT DESIGN Kerstin Wasson, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve 4/19/2012 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The goal of our collaborative science project is to provide restoration planning tools to help those engaged in Olympia oyster restoration, policy or strategic planning to choose sites for restoration that will prove sustainable in the face of climate change. Our work will also shed light on likely impacts of selected climate-related stressors, and will determine whether resilience can be enhanced by decreasing exposure to other anthropogenic stressors. Our interdisciplinary team sought early feedback from end-users on the design of project. We sent an electronic survey to people engaged in some aspect of Olympia oyster restoration and presented our project at an oyster working group meeting and in interviews with key participants. We synthesized the results from the 48 survey respondents. Our project team thoroughly reviewed the input, and adapted the project design in response. The feedback and our response to the major components of the survey is summarized below. Focus of new science: All of our proposed focus questions for new scientific inquiry scored as moderately to very important for designing sustainable restoration strategies. The top-scoring focus areas were understanding how climate-related stressors affect oyster growth and survival, and identifying which sites have the lowest stressor levels and thus are most likely to support successful restoration projects.
    [Show full text]