M&T CHICO RANCH/LLANO SECO RANCHO FISH SCREEN FACILITY SHORT-TERM PROTECTION PROJECT (SCH NO. 2012092050) DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT/INITIAL STUDY Prepared for: Prepared by: 2365 Iron Point Road, Suite 300 Folsom, CA 95630 DECEMBER 2013 Page Left Blank Table of Contents M&T CHICO RANCH/LLANO SECO RANCHO FISH SCREEN FACILITY SHORT-TERM PROTECTION PROJECT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT/INITIAL STUDY TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Project Background .............................................................................................. 1-3 1.1.1 Private Property Relying on the Pumping Facility .................................. 1-4 1.1.2 Public Lands Relying on the Pumping Facility ....................................... 1-5 1.1.3 Summary .................................................................................................. 1-5 1.2 NEPA Purpose and Need ..................................................................................... 1-8 1.3 CEQA Project Objectives .................................................................................... 1-9 1.4 Project Setting and Location .............................................................................. 1-10 1.5 Legal Authority, Permitting and Approvals ....................................................... 1-16 1.5.1 Environmental Compliance ................................................................... 1-16 1.5.2 Permitting Requirements ....................................................................... 1-18 1.5.3 California Moratorium on Suction Dredging ......................................... 1-20 1.6 Consultation and Coordination .......................................................................... 1-21 1.6.1 CEQA Notice of Preparation and NEPA/CEQA Public Scoping .......... 1-21 1.6.2 Document Review and Availability ....................................................... 1-22 1.7 Document Organization ..................................................................................... 1-23 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTERNATIVES ............................................................. 2-1 2.1 No Action Alternative .......................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.1 Dredging Would Not Occur ..................................................................... 2-3 2.1.2 Removal of the Temporary Rock-toe and Tree Bank Revetment Installed in 2007 ....................................................................................... 2-7 2.2 Proposed Action/Project .................................................................................... 2-10 2.2.1 In-river Dredging and Spoils Disposal Operations ................................ 2-10 2.2.2 Rock-toe and Tree Revetment Monitoring and Maintenance ................ 2-23 2.2.3 Environmental Commitments and Mitigation Measures ....................... 2-27 2.3 Alternatives Considered But Not Carried Forward ........................................... 2-47 2.3.1 Dredging with Gravel Stockpiled on Private Property (with A Nature Conservancy Conservation Easement) .................................................. 2-47 2.3.2 Dredging with Gravel Stockpiling on the USFWS Phelan Island Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge ............................... 2-52 M&T Chico Ranch / Llano Seco Rancho Fish Screen Facility Draft EA/IS Short-term Protection Project i December 2013 Table of Contents 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ... 3-1 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Resources Not Evaluated in Detail ...................................................................... 3-1 3.2.1 Agriculture and Forestry Resources ......................................................... 3-2 3.2.2 Land Use and Planning ............................................................................ 3-5 3.2.3 Public Services ......................................................................................... 3-5 3.2.4 Utilities and Service Systems................................................................... 3-5 3.2.5 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice ............................................ 3-6 3.3 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ......................................................................... 3-6 3.3.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting ........................................ 3-6 3.3.2 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................. 3-22 3.3.3 Environmental Consequences ................................................................ 3-26 3.3.4 Environmental Commitments ................................................................ 3-72 3.4 Terrestrial Resources (Botanical and Wildlife) ................................................. 3-73 3.4.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting ...................................... 3-73 3.4.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................... 3-125 3.4.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................. 3-130 3.4.4 Environmental Commitments .............................................................. 3-159 3.5 Recreation and Navigation Safety ................................................................... 3-160 3.5.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting .................................... 3-160 3.5.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................... 3-162 3.5.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................. 3-164 3.5.4 Environmental Commitments .............................................................. 3-173 3.6 Hydrology and Water Quality .......................................................................... 3-174 3.6.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting .................................... 3-174 3.6.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................... 3-191 3.6.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................. 3-194 3.6.4 Environmental Commitments .............................................................. 3-218 3.7 Geology, Geomorphology and Soils ................................................................ 3-218 3.7.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting .................................... 3-218 3.7.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................... 3-227 3.7.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................. 3-232 3.7.4 Environmental Commitments .............................................................. 3-242 3.8 Aesthetics/Visual Resources ............................................................................ 3-243 3.8.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting .................................... 3-243 3.8.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................... 3-247 3.8.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................. 3-248 3.8.4 Environmental Commitments .............................................................. 3-252 M&T Chico Ranch / Llano Seco Rancho Fish Screen Facility Draft EA/IS Short-term Protection Project ii December 2013 Table of Contents 3.9 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................... 3-253 3.9.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting .................................... 3-253 3.9.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................... 3-254 3.9.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................. 3-259 3.9.4 Environmental Commitments .............................................................. 3-264 3.10 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions .................................................... 3-264 3.10.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting .................................... 3-265 3.10.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................... 3-272 3.10.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................. 3-282 3.10.4 Environmental Commitments and Mitigation Measures ..................... 3-294 3.11 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ................................................................... 3-295 3.11.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting .................................... 3-296 3.11.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................... 3-296 3.11.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................. 3-296 3.11.4 Environmental Commitments .............................................................. 3-300 3.12 Traffic and Circulation ..................................................................................... 3-301 3.12.1 Affected Environment/Environmental Setting .................................... 3-301 3.12.2 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................... 3-301 3.12.3 Environmental Consequences .............................................................