RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
ADOPT the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Program for the Project.
SPECIFY that the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Chief Engineer is the custodian of the documents and other material that constitute the record of proceedings upon which the Board’s decision is based, and that the record of proceedings is located at 255 Glacier Drive, Martinez, CA.
DIRECT the Director of Conservation and Development to file a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk, and,
AUTHORIZE the Chief Engineer to arrange for payment of $2,354.75 for California Department of Fish and Wildlife fees, a $50 fee to the County Clerk for filing the Notice of Determination, and a $25 fee to Department of Conservation and Development for processing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated Project cost: $17,500,000.00 (45% San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority Grant, 30% Flood Control Zone 3B Funds, 9% Environmental Protection Agency Water Quality Improvement Grant, 9% Bay Area Integrated Regional Water Management Grant, 7% California Water Conservation Board Grant) Grant approval is anticipated but not yet received. Additional grant applications are being submitted.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this Project is to restore and enhance wetlands and associated habitats in Lower Walnut Creek and provide sustainable flood management, while allowing opportunities for public access and recreation.
The proposed project would restore and enhance coastal wetlands and adjacent habitats along the southern shoreline of Suisun Bay and from the mouth of Walnut Creek at Suisun Bay upstream along Walnut Creek and Pacheco Creek, improving habitat quality, diversity, and connectivity along four miles of creek channel, over approximately 386 acres in total. Key project elements include:
Restoration and enhancement of tidal and seasonal wetlands, lowland grasslands, and upland grasslands and scrub in all reaches through invasive plant species control, excavation and grading, and revegetation in all reaches, creation of new setback levees in the South and Middle reaches to provide sustainable flood protection, creation of new public access opportunities including trails and boardwalks, recreational water access points, and an interpretive center in the North Reach, opportunities for the future extension of the Iron Horse Trail in the South Reach, protection of existing water and wastewater infrastructure in the South and North Reaches, and landfill infrastructure in the Middle Reach.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Delay in approving the project may result in a delay of design, construction, and may jeopardize funding.