Talbert Regional Park Final Habitat Restoration Plan Table of Contents 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 2 Scope of Work ........................................................................................................................ 3 3 Habitat Restoration Plan ........................................................................................................ 4 3.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................................................... 4 3.1.1 Site Visit/Field Reconnaissance .................................................................................... 4 3.1.2 Site Topography and Pond Bathymetry ....................................................................... 4 3.1.3 Biology and Habitat .................................................................................................... 10 3.1.4 Hydrology and Water Quality ..................................................................................... 18 3.1.5 Soils............................................................................................................................. 24 3.1.6 Site Access and Use .................................................................................................... 27 3.1.7 Utility Easements ........................................................................................................ 31 3.1.8 Opportunities and Constraints ................................................................................... 35 3.2 Description of Alternatives ...................................................................................................... 41 3.3 No Project Alternative ............................................................................................................. 41 3.4 Alternative 1 – Minimum Touch .............................................................................................. 43 3.5 Alternative 2 – Moderate Touch ............................................................................................. 45 3.6 Alternative 3 – Maximum Touch ............................................................................................. 47 3.7 Analysis of Alternatives ........................................................................................................... 49 3.7.1 Hydrology and Water Quality ..................................................................................... 49 3.7.2 Habitat ........................................................................................................................ 59 3.7.3 Public Access .............................................................................................................. 65 3.7.4 Construction ............................................................................................................... 82 3.7.5 Maintenance .............................................................................................................. 82 3.7.6 Costs ........................................................................................................................... 84 4 Conclusions .......................................................................................................................... 86 5 References ........................................................................................................................... 91 Appendix A Data Inventory Appendix B Biological Report for Talbert Regional Park Restoration Plan Appendix C Water Quality Data for Victoria Pond i Final Report Talbert Regional Park Final Habitat Restoration Plan List of Figures Figure 1: Talbert Regional Park Project Site ........................................................................................... 2 Figure 2: Topography of North Talbert Regional Park ............................................................................ 7 Figure 3: Topography of South Talbert Regional Park ............................................................................ 8 Figure 4: Earthquake Faults .................................................................................................................... 9 Figure 5: Vegetation and Habitat Map at Talbert North ...................................................................... 11 Figure 6: Vegetation and Habitat Map at Talbert South ...................................................................... 12 Figure 7: Invasive Plants at North Talbert ............................................................................................ 14 Figure 8: Invasive Plants at South Talbert ............................................................................................ 15 Figure 9: OCPW Mitigation Sites ........................................................................................................... 16 Figure 10: Groundwater Contours at South Talbert ............................................................................... 20 Figure 11: Site Drainage at South Talbert ............................................................................................... 21 Figure 12: Victoria Pond Grading Done by USACE .................................................................................. 22 Figure 13: Soil Types Found at Talbert Regional Park............................................................................. 26 Figure 14: Trails at North Talbert ............................................................................................................ 28 Figure 15: Trails at South Talbert ............................................................................................................ 29 Figure 16: Land Ownership at South Talbert .......................................................................................... 30 Figure 17: View of Victoria Pond from Victoria Street ........................................................................... 31 Figure 18: Existing Utility Easements at North Talbert ........................................................................... 33 Figure 19: Existing Utility Easements at South Talbert ........................................................................... 34 Figure 20: Conceptual Grand Plan .......................................................................................................... 38 Figure 21: Coastal Commission Jurisdiction ........................................................................................... 40 Figure 22: No Project Alternative ........................................................................................................... 42 Figure 23: Alternative 1 .......................................................................................................................... 44 Figure 24: Overview of Public Access for Alternative 1 .......................................................................... 45 Figure 25: Alternative 2 .......................................................................................................................... 46 Figure 26: Overview of Public Access for Alternative 2 .......................................................................... 47 Figure 27: Alternative 3 .......................................................................................................................... 48 Figure 28: Overview of Public Access for Alternative 3 .......................................................................... 49 Figure 29: Proposed Tidal Connection and Tidal Channels for the Salt Marsh ...................................... 51 Figure 30: Typical Cross-section of Tidal Channel .................................................................................. 52 Figure 31: Previous Modeling of Existing North Marsh .......................................................................... 54 Figure 32: Model Set-up for Alternative 3 Assuming a Northern Connection ....................................... 55 Figure 33: Existing Tide Gate at North Marsh ......................................................................................... 56 Figure 34: View through Culvert at North Marsh ................................................................................... 57 Figure 35: Tide Range in Talbert Park With Culverts Connecting to the GBC/Santa Ana River Only ..... 58 Figure 36: Tide Range in the Existing North Marsh as Connected to the Santa Ana River .................... 58 Figure 37: Alternative 1 Balboa Access Improvements .......................................................................... 67 Figure 38: Alternative 1 Victoria Street and Pond Access Improvements .............................................. 69 Figure 39: Alternative 1 Sheephills Access ............................................................................................. 70 Figure 40: Alternative 2 Victoria Pond Access Improvements ............................................................... 72 Figure 41: Alternative 2 Sheephills Access ............................................................................................. 73 Figure 42: Alternative 2 Sheephills Access ............................................................................................. 74 Figure 43: 19th Street Access Improvements .......................................................................................... 75 Figure 44: Boulevard-Type Trail Section