Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the proposed Bahia Ridge Fire Road and Trail Improvement Project at Rush Creek Open Space Preserve Public Comment Period: April 19 through May 21, 2021 Marin County Open Space District 3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 260, San Rafael, CA 94903 This document has been prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended. Marin County Open Space District Bahia Fire Road and Trail Improvement Project, Rush Creek Open Space Preserve Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Table of Contents PROJECT INFORMATION ..........................................................................................................................vi Project Title...............................................................................................................................................vi Lead Agency Name and Address.............................................................................................................vi Contact Person.........................................................................................................................................vi Project Location........................................................................................................................................vi Local Jurisdiction, General Plan Land Use Designation, and Zoning.......................................................vi INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................................1 CEQA Framework .....................................................................................................................................1 Summary of the Proposed Project ............................................................................................................2 PROJECT NEED, PURPOSE, AND OBJECTIVES.....................................................................................2 Project Need .............................................................................................................................................2 Project Purpose.........................................................................................................................................2 Project Objectives .....................................................................................................................................5 EXISTING SETTING ....................................................................................................................................5 Project Location, Surrounding Land Uses, and Access............................................................................5 Project Area Existing Conditions...............................................................................................................5 SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT..............................................................................................7 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .........................................................................................................................10 Passive Trail Closure, Active Decommissioning and Restoration...........................................................10 Fire Road to Trail Conversion .................................................................................................................12 New Trail Construction............................................................................................................................12 Existing Social Trail Upgrade..................................................................................................................13 Erosion Control .......................................................................................................................................13 Revegetation...........................................................................................................................................15 Signage and Public Education ................................................................................................................15 Construction Activities.............................................................................................................................15 Operation and Maintenance....................................................................................................................16 Project Design Features..........................................................................................................................16 Project-Specific RTMP Best Management Practices..............................................................................20 PERMITS AND APPROVALS....................................................................................................................22 MCOSD AUTHORITY, MISSION, AND LEADERSHIP .............................................................................23 MCOSD GOVERNING AND GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS ..........................................................................23 Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP).............................................................................................23 April 2021 Page i Marin County Open Space District Bahia Fire Road and Trail Improvement Project, Rush Creek Open Space Preserve Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Inclusive Access Plan .............................................................................................................................24 Vegetation and Biodiversity Management Plan ......................................................................................26 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH .................................................................29 Public and Stakeholder Meetings............................................................................................................29 Environmental Round Table....................................................................................................................29 PROJECT STUDIES AND SPECIAL REPORTS ......................................................................................30 DETERMINATION ......................................................................................................................................39 Summary of the CEQA Analysis.................................................................................................................40 Proposed Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................................................41 Bat Protection..........................................................................................................................................42 Native Tree Protection ............................................................................................................................43 CEQA CHECKLIST ....................................................................................................................................44 AESTHETICS .............................................................................................................................................44 AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES .....................................................................................48 AIR QUALITY .............................................................................................................................................51 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ......................................................................................................................57 CULTURAL RESOURCES .........................................................................................................................82 ENERGY.....................................................................................................................................................89 GEOLOGY AND SOILS..............................................................................................................................91 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.............................................................................................................98 HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ...........................................................................................102 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY....................................................................................................106 LAND USE AND PLANNING....................................................................................................................113 MINERAL RESOURCES ..........................................................................................................................115 NOISE.......................................................................................................................................................117 POPULATION AND HOUSING ................................................................................................................123 PUBLIC SERVICES..................................................................................................................................125 RECREATION ..........................................................................................................................................127 TRANSPORTATION.................................................................................................................................130