CDM Camp Dresser & McKee In Association with San Pablo Bay Watershed Restoration Framework Program November 2000 Prepared for: This document is best viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 4.0 (free) And Internet Explorer 5.0 (free) Final Report Contents Welcome and User’s Guide Section 1 – The New Watershed Restoration Approach 1.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................1-1 1.2 Regulatory Framework..............................................................................................1-3 1.3 Overview of the History of National Water Protection Efforts..........................1-3 1.4 The Benefits of Aquatic Habitat Restoration .........................................................1-4 1.5 The Watershed Approach .........................................................................................1-5 1.6 The Science of Aquatic Restoration .........................................................................1-6 1.7 An Overview of Restoration Efforts to Date in the San Pablo Bay Watershed1-6 1.8 Summary ......................................................................................................................1-8 Section 2 – Description of the San Pablo Bay Watershed 2.1 Overview......................................................................................................................2-1 2.2 Physical Description...................................................................................................2-1 Geologic History .........................................................................................................2-2 Topography .................................................................................................................2-2 Geology.........................................................................................................................2-4 Climate..........................................................................................................................2-4 Hydrology....................................................................................................................2-5 2.3 Land Use.......................................................................................................................2-8 Agriculture...................................................................................................................2-8 Urban Development.................................................................................................2-10 2.4 Human Habitation....................................................................................................2-12 Earliest Habitation: Native Americans .................................................................2-12 1760s to 1834: The Missions ....................................................................................2-12 1834 to 1840s: Spanish and American Settlement ...............................................2-12 1840s to 1860: The Gold Rush.................................................................................2-13 1900s: Urbanization and Intense Agriculture......................................................2-13 Section 3 - Ecology of the San Pablo Bay Watershed 3.1 Overview of Existing Ecological Conditions .........................................................3-1 3.2 San Pablo Bay Watershed Habitat Types ...............................................................3-1 Open Water .................................................................................................................3-3 Wetlands.......................................................................................................................3-4 Lakes and Ponds .......................................................................................................3-12 Stream Corridors.......................................................................................................3-13 Upland Habitats........................................................................................................3-17 3.3 Plants and Animals of the Watershed: Trends and Species Accounts...........3-21 Plants ..........................................................................................................................3-22 Invertebrates .............................................................................................................3-23 i San Pablo Bay Watershed Table of Contents Restoration Program Fishes ..........................................................................................................................3-24 Amphibians and Reptiles........................................................................................3-27 Birds ............................................................................................................................3-29 Mammals....................................................................................................................3-32 3.4 Non-native Invasive Species ..................................................................................3-34 Introduction ..............................................................................................................3-34 Aquatic Habitats: Open Water, Sloughs, Lakes and Ponds ..............................3-35 Tidal Marsh and Intertidal Mudflats ....................................................................3-37 Freshwater Systems: Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds..................................................3-37 Invasive Plant Species in Riparian and Upland Areas.......................................3-38 Introduced Predators ...............................................................................................3-39 Section 4 – Challenges to Watershed Restoration Efforts 4.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................4-1 4.2 Causes of Alteration to the Watershed ...................................................................4-2 4.3 Effects of the Alterations to the Watershed............................................................4-8 Erosion and Sedimentation.......................................................................................4-9 Poor Water Quality...................................................................................................4-12 Flooding......................................................................................................................4-14 Loss/Modification/Degradation of Habitat........................................................4-16 Loss of Biodiversity ..................................................................................................4-19 4.4 Conclusion-Challenges to Restoration..................................................................4-20 Section 5 – Restoring the San Pablo Bay Watershed 5.1 Restoration Opportunities in the San Pablo Bay Watershed ..............................5-1 Introduction ................................................................................................................5-1 Specific Opportunities and their Benefits ..............................................................5-1 Social and Regulatory Considerations ...................................................................5-2 Planning and Monitoring .........................................................................................5-4 Environmental Impacts of Restoration...................................................................5-5 5.2 Watershed Restoration Methods..............................................................................5-6 Introduction ................................................................................................................5-6 Dredged Materials .....................................................................................................5-8 Levee Modification ..................................................................................................5-13 Water Reuse ..............................................................................................................5-17 Control of Invasive Species ....................................................................................5-21 Passive Restoration ..................................................................................................5-24 Buffers ......................................................................................................................5-25 Re-Vegetation............................................................................................................5-27 Short-Term Habitat Measures................................................................................5-30 Stream Channel Restoration...................................................................................5-30 Bank Stabilization.....................................................................................................5-32 ii San Pablo Bay Watershed Table of Contents Restoration Program Instream Habitat Structures ...................................................................................5-33 Best Management Practices – Agricultural & Grazing......................................5-37 Best Management Practices – Urban & Stormwater ..........................................5-40 Section 6 – Restoration Project Planning and Implementation 6.1 General Guidelines.....................................................................................................6-1