FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT South San Diego Bay Coastal Wetland Restoration and Enhancement Project San Diego County, California Lead NEPA Agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 101 Carlsbad, CA 92011 Cooperating Agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service October 20, 2009 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER 1 - PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE ACTION ...................................... 5 1.1 Purpose of the Action....................................................................................................................5 1.2 Need(s) for the Action....................................................................................................................6 1.3 Project Objectives..........................................................................................................................7 1.4 Decision(s) to be Made and Applicable Authorities ...................................................................8 1.5 Consultation and Coordination (Public/Agency Involvement Process)...................................9 CHAPTER 2 - PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES........................................10 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................10 2.2 Proposed Action and Alternatives for the Three Project Components..................................12 2.2.1 Western Salt Ponds .................................................................................................................12 2.2.1.1 Proposed Action: Alternative 1A – Restore Intertidal Habitat using Material Imported from the Chula Vista Wildlife ..........................................................................................12 2.2.1.2 Alternative 1B - Restore Intertidal Habitat without Importing any Material from the Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve ...........................................................................................................27 Project Description ......................................................................................................................27 2.2.1.3 Alternative 1C - No Action..............................................................................................30 2.2.2 Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve ..................................................................................................30 2.2.2.1 Proposed Action: Alternative 2A – Restore Intertidal Habitat and Export Excavated Material to Pond 11...........................................................................................................................30 Project Description ......................................................................................................................30 2.2.2.2 Alternative 2B – Alternative Use of the Excavated Material .......................................35 2.2.2.3 Alternative 2C - No Action..............................................................................................36 2.2.3 Emory Cove..............................................................................................................................36 2.2.3.1 Alternative 3A - Implement Habitat Enhancement/Restoration (Proposed Action) .36 2.2.3.2 Alternative 3B - No Action..............................................................................................39 2.3 Alternatives Considered But Dismissed From Further Consideration ..................................39 CHAPTER 3 - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .................................................................40 3.1 Topography/Visual Quality .........................................................................................................40 3.2 Geology and Soils........................................................................................................................40 3.3 Hydrology .....................................................................................................................................42 - i - 3.4 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................44 3.5 Climate Change, Greenhouse Gas Emission, and Sea Level Rise .........................................47 3.6 Air Quality .....................................................................................................................................49 3.7 Noise..............................................................................................................................................52 3.8 Biological Resources...................................................................................................................54 3.8.1 Habitat Types ...........................................................................................................................54 3.8.1.1 Shallow Subtidal .............................................................................................................55 3.8.1.2 Intertidal ...........................................................................................................................58 3.8.1.3 Solar Salt Evaporation Ponds........................................................................................61 3.8.1.4 Upland Scrub...................................................................................................................61 3.8.1.5 Southern Willow Scrub...................................................................................................62 3.8.1.6 Unvegetated Upland Areas ............................................................................................62 3.8.2 Wildlife .........................................................................................................................................62 3.8.2.1 Birds .................................................................................................................................62 3.8.2.2 Fish...................................................................................................................................65 3.8.2.3 Endangered and Threatened Species and Other Species of Concern......................69 3.9 Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................................76 3.10 Land Use .......................................................................................................................................77 3.10.1 Uses Occurring Within and Adjacent to the Project........................................................77 3.10.2 Applicable Land Use Plans and Regulations ...................................................................78 3.11 Public Recreation.........................................................................................................................79 3.12 Environmental Justice.................................................................................................................80 CHAPTER 4 - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .................................................81 4.1 Effects to Topography/Visual Quality........................................................................................81 4.2 Effects to Geology and Soils ......................................................................................................83 4.3 Effects Related to Hydrology......................................................................................................84 4.4 Effects Related to Water Quality ................................................................................................88 4.5 Effects Related to Climate Change, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Sea Level Rise .......91 4.5.1 Effects Related to Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...................................................................91 4.5.2 Effects Related to Sea Level Rise ..........................................................................................94 4.6 Effects to Air Quality....................................................................................................................99 4.7 Effects Related to Noise............................................................................................................108 4.8 Effects to Biological Resources ...............................................................................................113 4.8.1 Effects to Habitat ...................................................................................................................114 4.8.2 Effects to Fish and Wildlife...................................................................................................120 4.8.3 Endangered and Threatened Species and Other Species of Concern ............................123 - ii - 4.9 Effects on Cultural Resources..................................................................................................127 4.10 Effects on Land Use...................................................................................................................130 4.11 Effects to Traffic Circulation.....................................................................................................131 4.12 Effects on Public Recreation ....................................................................................................137