1. Introduction and Background ....................................................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Purpose and Need............................................................................................................... 1 1.3. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System ........... 2 1.3.1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service........................................................................................... 2 1.3.2. The National Wildlife Refuge System .............................................................................. 2 1.3.3. Legal Policy and Guidance................................................................................................. 3 1.3.4. Appropriate Use Policy ...................................................................................................... 4 1.3.5. Compatibility Policy ........................................................................................................... 4 1.3.6. Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Policy ............................... 5 1.3.7. Wilderness Review ............................................................................................................. 5 1.4. The San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex .......................................... 5 1.5. The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge ................................. 7 1.5.1. Location ............................................................................................................................... 7 1.5.2. Refuge Setting .................................................................................................................... 7 1.5.3. History of Refuge Establishment and Acquisition ......................................................... 8 1.5.4. Land Protection .................................................................................................................. 9 1.5.5. Land Conservation Methods ........................................................................................... 10 1.5.6. Refuge Purposes ............................................................................................................... 12 1.6. Related Projects................................................................................................................ 13 1.7. Conservation Priorities .................................................................................................... 16 2. The Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process .............................................. 19 2.1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 19 2.2. The Planning Process: How this CCP was Developed ................................................ 19 2.3. The Planning Core Team ................................................................................................. 20 2.4. Public Involvement in Planning ...................................................................................... 20 2.4.1. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities .............................................................................. 20 2.5. Development of the Refuge Vision ................................................................................. 23 2.6. Development of the Refuge Goals, Objectives, and Strategies ................................... 23 2.7. Development of Alternatives ........................................................................................... 24 2.7.1. Selection of the Refuge Proposed Action ....................................................................... 25 2.8. Plan Implementation ........................................................................................................ 25 3. Affected Environment .................................................................................................... 27 3.1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 27 3.2. Regional and Historic Setting ......................................................................................... 28 3.3. Physical Environment ...................................................................................................... 37 3.3.1. Geology and Soils .............................................................................................................. 37 3.3.2. Geomorphic Evolution of the Bay ................................................................................... 38 3.3.3. Climate ............................................................................................................................... 41 3.3.4. Bathymetry ....................................................................................................................... 41 3.3.5. Tides ................................................................................................................................... 41 3.3.6. Circulation ......................................................................................................................... 43 3.3.7. Sea-level Rise .................................................................................................................... 43 3.3.8. Sediment Transport.......................................................................................................... 43 3.3.9. Creek Hydrology and Fluvial Floor Risk ...................................................................... 44 3.3.10. Coastal Flood Risk............................................................................................................ 48 3.3.11. Surface Water and Sediment Quality ............................................................................. 51 3.3.12. Groundwater Hydrology and Salinity ............................................................................ 56 3.3.13. Air Quality ......................................................................................................................... 56 3.4. Biological Resources ......................................................................................................... 59 3.4.1. Historical and Regional Context ..................................................................................... 59 3.4.2. Summary of Habitat Categories within the Refuge ..................................................... 63 3.4.3. Summary of Habitat Categories within the Approved Acquisition Boundary (not managed by the Refuge) ............................................................................................................... 68 3.4.4. Plants ................................................................................................................................. 69 3.4.5. Wildlife ............................................................................................................................... 79 3.5. Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................... 108 3.5.1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 108 3.5.2. Overview of the Native American History and Landscape ........................................ 109 3.5.3. Early Euro-American History ...................................................................................... 110 3.5.4. Archaeological Resources .............................................................................................. 112 3.5.5. Historic Resources.......................................................................................................... 113 3.6. Social and Economic Environment ............................................................................... 115 3.6.1. Land Use ......................................................................................................................... 115 3.6.2. Public Uses ...................................................................................................................... 127 3.6.3. Traffic Circulation/Parking ........................................................................................... 128 3.6.4. Public Utilities/Easements ............................................................................................ 132 3.6.5. Economics/Employment ................................................................................................ 134 3.6.6. Environmental Justice ................................................................................................... 134 4. Current Management ................................................................................................... 137 4.1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 137 4.2. Habitat Enhancement and Restoration ....................................................................... 137 4.3. Climate Change ............................................................................................................... 141 4.4. Acquisitions ..................................................................................................................... 141 4.5. Monitoring ......................................................................................................................