Mystic Lake Wetlands Restoration Project Riverside County, CA Photograph by Phil Schermeister "We came to the banks of a large and pleasing lake (Mystic Lake) several leagues in circumference and as full of white geese as water, they being so numerous that it looked like a large white grove." Juan Bautista de Anza, 1774 Proposed Modification to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Levee Construction and Channelization Projects on the San Jacinto River A Request for Section 1135 Funding in Fiscal Year 1996 UBDADY FEB 2 g 2012 Bureau of Reclamation Denver, CD FACT SHEET AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers PROJECT NAME: Mystic Lake Wetlands Restoration Project, CA AUTHORIZATION: Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (PL 99-662), 1135(b) PURPOSE: To modify existing ACOE projects — including San Jacinto Levee, CA and Bautista Creek, CA, both built in 1960 to augment the original Mystic Lake Bypass Levee constructed in the early 1900’s with Corps assistance — to restore and enhance lost or impaired habitat associated with those projects. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: ACOE funds, in conjunction with non-federal funds, will be used to acquire and restore 425 +/- acres within the 921 +/- acre core area of Mystic Lake, a critical wetland area within the historic pre-diversion course of the San Jacinto River near Riverside, CA. The project will allow targeted redirection of flows into the Mystic Lake basin, restoring and enhancing one of the most critical inland wetland habitat systems in North America. PROJECT COST: $3.75 millon (or 75% of total cost) in ACOE funding in FY96, to supplement $1.25 million (or 25% of total cost) in identified non-federal cost-share funds. Project sponsor: State of California, Department of Fish and Game. JUSTIFICATION: Construction of the San Jacinto River Levee and the Bautista Creek Channel in 1960 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with the Mystic Lake Bypass Levee constructed in the early 1900’s, redirected the San Jacinto River flood flows away from the historic Mystic Lake, with a corresponding loss of wetlands and associated freshwater habitat. Prior to these flood water diversion projects, retention of natural flows in the Mystic Lake basin provided consistent high-quality freshwater wetland habitat for the wide diversity and large populations of wildlife species that use the San Jacinto Valley. Currently, however, Mystic Lake’s historic wetlands remain dry except during times of extreme flood flows. Still, Mystic Lake is widely considered, during these flows, to be the most significant inland wetland in Southern California. The San Jacinto Valley is nationally and internationally known for its tremendous biological diversity; some of the highest bird counts and greatest diversity of bird species wintering in an inland location in North America have been recorded in the area. Over 150 bird species rely on the area’s wetlands, including twenty-six species of shorebirds that use the Mystic Lake wetlands as a migratory stopover. The area also is unrivaled in the state for the diversity and abundance of wintering birds of prey, with twenty- two species of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls nesting and foraging at Mystic Lake and the adjacent 4,850-acre San Jacinto Wildlife Area. A state-designated Significant Natural Area, Mystic Lake also is a key site for recovery of the federal and/or state-listed Stephens’ kangaroo rat, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, brown pelican, and Swainson’s hawk. Additionally, this property is a key link in the wildlife corridor that connects the Lake Perris State Recreation Area and the San Jacinto Wildlife Areas with the San Bernardino National Forest. Without more frequent, regular flows, Mystic Lake’s critical habitat is productive only intermittently, and the lake and wetlands disappear completely in below-normal rainfall years due to the existing diversions. Despite the longstanding involvement of the Corps in these structural water management projects, lost and damaged habitat has never been replaced or restored. The Mystic Lake Wetlands Restoration Project offers a premier opportunity as authorized under Section 1135 of PL 99-662, to create and improve habitat in a state that has experienced the loss of 96 percent of its wetland habitat in the past century. Available on a willing-seller basis for acquisition and restoration is the 921 +/- acre Lakeview Investment Company property, which comprises most of the historic bed of Mystic Lake. Within this overall acreage, an estimated 425 acres can be acquired and restored this year if requested federal funds are made available to supplement the non-federal match to be provided by the State of California (primarily the CA Department of Fish and Game, the project s sponsor). Acquisition of this portion of the property will allow modification of the Mystic Lake Bypass to permit managed flows to return through the natural river course to Mystic Lake. The balance of the property may also be secured and similarly restored in future phases, in partnership with this effort but without additional financial responsibility to the Corps, by other government agencies and private entities. Apart from the benefits to wildlife, the return of traditional flows to Mystic Lake is expected to bring additional flood protection to downstream farmland, as storm water flows now channelled away from the area will pond in the lakebed. In fact, the benefits of this project may extend even further. The San Jacinto Valley, and the Mystic Lake property in particular, are the focus of an ongoing interagency cooperative effort aimed at meeting a variety of water management needs including the conservation of natural habitat, floodwater retention and erosion control, reclaimed water storage, groundwater recharge and recreational opportunities. Consequently, the proposed project is strongly supported by a variety of public jurisdictions and community interests. Map 1 Badlands Wildlife Corridor Mystic Lake Acquisition LOCATION MAP 8 MILES TO RIVERSIDE 22 MILES TO PALM SPRINGS SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST PERRIS (¿y1 > ; Wì4% Moreno Highlands Specific Plan f>5C planned txjsme > - • * Palm Ciesl Specific Plan Anderson Properly \V í -S ¡Jori.-Iio Valley öravel San Jacinic Wiidttt» Aras COfG racfcimed w*t#r storile area Agriculture Private Duck Clubs Agriculture r San Jeofnto Wldltfa Ara« CDPG 5 Mystic Lake has historically been among the most critical wetland areas in southern California. Construction of several diversion and channelization projects has resulted in significant habitat loss, leaving the lakebed dry for long periods between intermittent flood flows. Requested funds, along with nonfederal cost-snare funds, will permit acquisition and restoration of these premier wetlands. White Pelicans Photographs by Phil Schermeister White Pelican Photograph by Phil Schermeister Over 150 species of shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and other birds use the wetlands of Mystic Lake. The area, with some of the most heavily used wintering habitat of any inland location in North America, is particularly critical for migratory species on the Pacific Flyway. Black-necked Stilt Photograph by Phil Schermeister Owl Photograph by DifgbmY l-LB *8 W -1 Bureau of Reclamation ____ T>>mrer CO '___ White-faced Ibis Increased rainfall over the last few years has beckoned the white-faced ibis to the San Jacinto Wild­ life Area after an absence of 70 years. Acquisition of Mystic Lake will enable ephemeral wetlands to be transformed into permanent wetlands encouraging the proliferation of new and current species. Grebe Photographs by Phil Schermeister Photograph by Phil Schermeister The rapidly diminishing wetlands in California makes the preservation and restoration of Mystic Lake a clear necessity for wildlife. Threatened with development, Mystic Lake is a natural refuge for wildlife as well as the expanding population of Riverside County and surrounding areas. This highly valued resource provides recreational and educational opportunities including bird watching, boating, fishing, duck hunting and educational programs for children. Gadwalls Photograph by Phil Schermeister "The choice that must be made is whether the northern San Jacinto Valley be developed into houses or into the most significant wetland and wildlife preserve in the southern half of California." The Riverside Press Enterprise, Jim Mathews, 1991 MORENO VALLEY p pacesetter“ H€IGHT~ The Palms SUNNYMEAD HILL ^ the (ourvtryside •TSUGAR MILL,] North Ridge -»Stonebndge St e r l in g R a n c h MEADOW VISTA IT I H KITAGL HOMES MORENO DEL REY Photograph by Dave Feliz.