9.8_-_NES_-_Murray_-_FINAL_-_City_Signed_8-26-10.pdf

Murray Street Bridge (# 36C-0108)

Seismic Retrofit Project

Natural Environment Study

Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor

City of Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County, CA

Federal Project Number STPLX-5025 (048) August 2010

For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document is available in Braille, large print, on audiocassette, or computer disk. To obtain a copy in one of these alternate formats, please call or write to Caltrans, Attn: Gary Ruggerone, Environmental Planning, 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93401; (805) 549-3182 Voice, or use the California Relay Service TTY number, 1 (800) 735-2929.

Murray Street Bridge (# 36C-0108) Seismic Retrofit Project

Natural Environment Study

Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz County, CA Federal Project Number STPLX-5025 (048)

August 2010

Approved By: ~::::.:.f-~::::::"'~~~~:::::::::::'------ Date gf-rofzo I0 Ch' . Schneiter, Assistant Director Phone Number: 831-420-5422 Office Name: Department of Public Works District/Region: City of Santa Cruz

Approved By: Date: _ Gary Ruggerone, Senior Environmental Planner Phone Number: 805-549-3182 Environmental Planning Branch District 5, San Luis Obispo

Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project

Summary

The existing Murray Street Bridge (Bridge # 36C-0108) crosses the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor in the city of Santa Cruz, California. Due to the structure’s seismic vulnerability, the City in conjunction with Caltrans has embarked upon development of retrofit design plans.

The proposed project consists of a seismic retrofit of the existing Murray Street Bridge and additional minor modifications to replace deficient bridge barriers (widening shoulders to standard widths and replacement and improvement of sidewalks and railings). The seismic retrofit project will provide the bridge with additional vertical support and resistance to lateral seismic forces by installing additional pilings and supplemental structural elements.

In order to provide sufficient area for construction operations, some boats, Harbor facilities, and commercial businesses will require temporary relocation.

Federally-listed species known from or with the potential to inhabit the project Biological

Study Area include steelhead, green sturgeon, and southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis), as well as several species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor is located within designated critical habitat for central California coast steelhead Distinct Population Segment (DPS) and the southern North American green sturgeon DPS. No federally or state listed plant species were observed in the botanical survey, and it is concluded that no native special status plant species occurs in the project area due to the highly disturbed nature of the entire area and the lack of suitable habitat. State-listed or State species of concern known from or with the potential to inhabit the project Biological Study Area include monarch butterfly and several special status bat species.

The proposed Murray Street Bridge seismic retrofit project would result in a permanent alteration of 430 square feet critical habitat for steelhead and green sturgeon with installation of 24 30-inch steel casing piles within the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor to support and reinforce the bridge design. Although this alteration would be permanent, it would not appreciably diminish the value of critical habitat for both the survival and recovery of the species and is not likely to adversely modify designated steelhead or green sturgeon critical habitat as the pile installation would not result in obstruction to fish passage or migration, or eliminate significant estuarine habitat. No other permanent or cumulative impacts would result from the project.

Potential adverse effects could result during construction activities, especially pile driving, which could, harm or harass steelhead, green sturgeon, and marine mammals in the open waters of the Santa Cruz Harbor and disrupt or diminish reproduction or cause nest abandonment in the bird rookery northwest of the project site. Construction activities could potentially impact birds nesting on the bridge as well as special-status bats that may use the existing bridge for roosting.

With implementation of avoidance and minimization measures, the project is not likely to adversely affect federally listed steelhead and green sturgeon species. With implementation

EcoSystems West Consulting Group i of avoidance and minimization efforts, potential effects on the federal listed southern sea otter and marine mammals will be minimized; however, temporary harassment may occur.

These measures include:

Conducting in-water pile driving construction activity between July 1 and mid-

November, outside the steelhead migration period, unless otherwise permitted by the National Marine Fisheries Service. This applies to all pile driving activity, including installation of permanent bridge piles, harbor berth replacement piles, and temporary piles for a construction trestle, if one is utilized, as well as removal of existing berth piles and removal of temporary trestle piles, if a construction trestle is erected. Criteria for extension of pile driving would include consideration of weather conditions. For example a low rainfall period in November and December could warrant extension to the beginning of January.

Implementation of measures to reduce underwater sound pressure levels to the greatest extent feasible.

Implementation of a marine mammal mitigation plan, including monitoring and establishment of a buffer-safety zone.

Conducting preconstruction surveys to determine if nesting birds, bats, and marine mammals are present in the project area.

Prior to breeding bird season, existing nests will be removed from the existing bridge and birds and bats subsequently excluded from nesting or roosting.

Noise reduction practices should be implemented for all construction activities whenever possible to lessen disruption to wildlife.

Construction of the proposed project would result in minor, temporary adverse impacts to

EFH for Pacific coast salmon, coastal pelagic species, and Pacific coast groundfish through localized effects to water quality (e.g., increased turbidity, accidental spills of hazardous materials). Similarly, underwater sound pressures produced during pile driving activities would temporarily reduce the quality of EFH during construction activities. However, implementation of the proposed avoidance and minimization measures would reduce the likelihood, extent, and duration of these impacts. The proposed project would also result in the minor but permanent alteration of EFH through the construction of bridge support piles that would eliminate approximately 430 square feet of currently available habitat.

However, existing conditions of fish habitat within Santa Cruz Harbor are considered highly disturbed and the area to be permanently occupied by piles is minimal compared to the remaining harbor waters.

Some non-native, invasive plant species are found in the project vicinity, but none are within the work areas where soil and/or vegetation will be disturbed. There is no threat of spread of invasive species. In accordance with Executive Order 13112, in the event that any vegetation is removed during project activities, all vegetation will be disposed of at a

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EcoSystems West Consulting Group iii certified landfill to avoid the spread of invasive plants occurring on the project site. If a temporary barge is brought in for construction, all equipment will be inspected prior to entry into harbor waters to prevent potential introduction of invasive plant or animal species.

No wetlands are present within the biological study area; therefore, in accordance with

Executive Order 11990; no impacts to wetlands are anticipated. The tidal waters of the Santa Cruz Harbor are subject to Clean Water Act 404 and Rivers and Harbors Act Section 9 jurisdiction by the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) up to the high tide line. The City of Santa Cruz is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and will initiate consultation with ACOE, DFG, RWQCB and CCC.

Required project permits include:

Caltrans: Construction Authorization U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Section 404 Permit and Section 9 Permit U.S. Coast Guard: Bridge Permit California Coastal Commission: Approval of Coastal Development Permit Regional Water Quality Control Board: Section 401 Water Quality Certification California Department of Fish and Game: Potential 1601 Streambed Alteration

Permit for work within the channel of the Yacht Harbor.

Public Utilities Commission: Potential approval for encroachment and/or work within or adjacent to the railroad right-of-way. (Approval from the Owner will be required.)

Santa Cruz Port District: Approval of temporary dock removal and replacement and use of Harbor lands for construction staging areas

County of Santa Cruz: Potential Encroachment Permit for work within County roadways

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1. Project History

1.2. Project Description

Chapter 2. Study Methods

2.1. Regulatory Requirements

2.2. Studies Required

2.3. Personnel and Survey Dates

2.4. Agency Coordination and Professional Contacts

2.5. Limitations That May Influence Results

Chapter 3. Results: Environmental Setting

3.1. Description of the Existing Biological and Physical Conditions

3.2. Regional Species and Habitats of Concern

Chapter 4. Results: Biological Resources, Discussion of Impacts and Mitigation

4.1. Natural Communities of Special Concern

4.2. Special Status Plant Species

4.3. Special Status Animal Species Occurrences, Nesting Birds, and Marine Mammals

Chapter 5. Results: Permits and Technical Studies for Special Laws or Conditions

5.1. Federal Endangered Species Act Consulation Summary

5.2. California Endangered Species Act Consulation Summary

5.3. Federal Endangered Species Act Consulation Summary

5.4. Wetlans and Other Waters

5.5. Invasive Species Summary

5.6. Floodplains

Chapter 6. References

Appendix A: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Species List

Appendix B: Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan

Appendix C: Essential Fish Habitat Assessment

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List of Figures

Figure 1. Vicinity of the Murray Street Bridge (# 36C-0108) in the City of Santa Cruz, County of Santa Cruz, CA…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

Figure 2. Aerial Photo of Area Surrounding the Murray Street Bridge (# 36C-0108) and Area of Potential Impact, in the City of Santa Cruz, County of Santa Cruz, CA………………………………………. 4

Figure 3. Cross Section of the Murray Street Bridge (# 36C-0108) in the City of Santa Cruz, County of Santa Cruz,…………………………………………………………………………………………. 10

Figure 4. Biological Study Area and Surroundings……………………………………………………… 25 Figure 5. Railroad Right-of-Way……….………………………………………………………………… 26 Figure 6. Habitat Types…………………………………………………………………………………… 27 Figure 7. Wildlife Features………………………………………………………………………………...50

List of Tables

Table 1. Murray Street Bridge Retrofit Project: Construction Phasing & Approximate Schedule

Table 2. Status, distribution and habitat of special-status plants with potential to occur in the vicinity of the Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit project area, Santa Cruz, California

Table 3: Special Status Wildlife Species Listed, Proposed Species, Critical Habitat, Nesting Birds, and Marine Mammals Potentially Occurring or Known to Occur in the Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit project area, Santa Cruz, California

List of Abbreviated Terms ACOE Army Corps of Engineers Caltrans California Department of Transportation CCC California Coastal Commission CDFG California Department of Fish and Game CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CESA California Endangered Species Act CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database CNPS California Native Plant Society CRLF California red-legged frog dB decibels dbh Diameter at breast height (~4 ft) DPS Distinct Population Segment EFH Essential Fish Habitat EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ESA Federal Endangered Species Act ESHA Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area FHWA Federal Highway Administration ft foot/feet FWS Fish and Wildlife Service km kilometer(s) HBP Highway Bridge Program HBRR Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program KP kilometer post LCP Local Coastal Program m meter(s) MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act mi mile(s) MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NPPA Native Plant Protection Act NTU nephlometric turbidity units PM post mile RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board

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UCSC University of California Santa Cruz USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service WBWG Western Bat Working Group WPT western pond turtle

Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1. Project History

The existing Murray Street Bridge (Bridge # 36C-0108) crosses the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor in the City of Santa Cruz, California (Figure 1). Due to the structure’s seismic vulnerability, the City in conjunction with Caltrans has embarked upon development of retrofit design plans. The City also received approval from Caltrans to rehabilitate the bridge, including replacement of the deficient bridge barriers under the federal Highway Bridge Program (HBP), formerly the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program. In order to bring the bridge up to current standards, the narrow shoulders will be widened as part of the project.

1.2. Project Description

The proposed project is located at the eastern edge of the City of Santa Cruz in the County of Santa Cruz. The project area includes the Murray Street Bridge which spans the Santa Cruz Harbor, portions of lands within the Santa Cruz Port District harbor area, portions of the harbor waters, and the area along the Murray Street road right-of-way, west of Lake Avenue (Figure 2).

The area north of bridge includes portions of harbor paths that would be temporarily disrupted during construction.

The proposed project consists of a seismic retrofit of the existing Murray Street Bridge, which spans the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor and additional minor modifications to replace deficient bridge barriers (widening shoulders to standard widths and replacement and improvement of sidewalks and railings). The seismic retrofit project will provide the bridge with additional vertical support and resistance to lateral seismic forces by installing additional pilings and supplemental structural elements. In order to provide sufficient area for construction operations, some boats, Harbor facilities, and commercial businesses will require temporary relocation.

Bridge Seismic Retrofit. The nine-span bridge is supported by two abutments (identified as Abutments 1 and 10, located at the western and eastern ends of the bridge, respectively) and 8 “bents” (identified as Bents 2 through 9, located at 60-foot intervals between the abutments). The seismic retrofit project consists of the following basic elements:

(1) Installation of concrete infill walls at Bents 2, 3, 4, and 9. These walls will span the voids between the existing concrete support columns and will be anchored to the columns with bonded dowels.

(2) Installation of shear keys and seat extenders at Abutment 1 and Bents 2 through 9.

(3) Retrofit of foundations with 16-inch diameter CISS (cast-in-steel-shell) piles at Bent 9 and Abutment 10. These piles will extend to depths of approximately –55 feet to – 85 feet at Bent 9 and to depths of approximately –30 feet to –50 feet at Abutment 10.

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(4) Retrofit abutment with two 96-inch CIDH piles behind Abutment 10 to a depth of -50 feet.

(5) Retrofit of both outriggers and bents with 30-inch diameter CISS piles at Bents 6, 7, and 8 and 30-inch diameter CIDH (cast-in-drilled-hole) piles at Bent 5. These piles will extend to depths of approximately -55 feet to -80 feet at Bent 5 and at approximately –85 feet to –110 feet at Bents 6-8.

(6) Installation of fenders to protect new piles.

Figure 3 provides a cross section showing the abutment and bents and proposed improvements.

The installation of new piles at Abutment 10 and Bents 5 through 9 will include two piles on each side for a total of 24 piles. Both the CISS piles and the CIDH piles will be installed at 1:12 angles.

Additional Bridge Improvements. The project also includes replacement of deficient bridge barriers. In order to bring the bridge up to current standards, the narrow shoulders will be widened to provide standard 5-foot shoulders. The shoulder widening will consist of approximately an additional 2 feet on the north side of the bridge and 5-6 feet on the south side of the bridge. It is not anticipated that any work other than an overhang extension will be required on the north side widening. In addition, the construction of new bridge railings is required to conform to current codes. Roadway lane widths will remain the same as currently exists.

The proposed project will include the following improvements:

(1) Removal of existing curbs, sidewalks, and barrier railings on the bridge.

(2) Installation of new girders, road foundations, and road surfacing along the entire southern edge of the bridge, providing 5.5 feet of additional width. (The girders will be supported by the new 30-inch piles at Bents 5 through 8 and the 16-inch piles at Abutments 1 and 10 and at Bents 2, 3, 4, and 9.

(3) Installation of a new cantilevered extension along the entire northern edge of the bridge, providing approximately two feet of additional width. (This will not require additional foundation work.)

(4) Repaving of the bridge surface, and construction of a new 7-foot, 6-inch wide sidewalk on the south side of the bridge. Class 2 bike lanes will be provided in the roadway shoulders.

(5) Installation of new metal bridge railings on both the southern and northern sides of the bridge.

Murray Street Bridge

Figure 1. Vicinity of the Murray Street Bridge (# 36C-0108) in the City of Santa Cruz, County of Santa Cruz, CA.

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Source: TRC Engineers

Figure 2. Aerial Photo of Area Surrounding the Murray Street Bridge (# 36C-0108) and Area of Potential Impact, in the City of Santa Cruz, County of Santa Cruz, CA.

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Harbor Berth Removal and Replacement . A total of 12 recreational boat berths will be removed during construction, which includes removal of 2 berths from dock T with replacement at end of Phase 2 and removal of 10 berths from dock FF. To accommodate the removed berths, 11 new berths will be constructed on the west side of the harbor at Docks A through F. A temporary dock FF--with fewer berths—will be constructed at the southern end of the dock, which will accommodate 6 boats during construction. (Affected portions of Dock FF will be restored at the end of Phase 4.) Additionally, the berth for the commercial “Chardonnay” boat will be temporarily unavailable for a period of approximately two weeks during Phase 4 construction.

Although design plans have not yet been completed for the reinstalled berths, it is expected that the docks would be plastic, wood or concrete over polyethylene floats and would be anchored with pilings. Piles would be drilled into the harbor floor by mechanical hammer. Estimates provided by the Santa Cruz Port District indicate that the removal of berths will require the removal of 23 pilings. A total of 35 berth pilings will be installed for the new berths at docks A through F and replacement berths at the docks T and FF (see Table 1 for schedule). There would be no dredging or placement of fill in Harbor waters with reinstallation of docks and both berths.

1.2.1. Description of Construction Activities.

Construction Schedule and Phasing. The Murray Street Bridge Retrofit project is tentatively proposed for construction in five partially overlapping phases. Generally, work will begin on the eastern side of the Harbor and progress to the western side. The timing of each phase and a brief description of work to be performed during each phase is provided in Table 1. Overall, the seismic retrofit work will be executed over a period of approximately 18 months within four construction phases as described in Table 1. The additional bridge improvements will be constructed over a period of approximately 6 months as part of Phase 5 of the construction. Due to need for large construction equipment and harbor access, as described in Table 1, there will be traffic control on Murray Street to include various measures such as temporary lane closures, temporary one-way traffic movement, and detours.

Construction Methods and Equipment. The proposed project includes the following construction activities and associated equipment.

Demolition and Harbor Berth Removal/Replacement: The primary demolition activities include the removal of pilings at Bent 6, the temporary removal of the gangway under Bent 4, the removal of existing sidewalks and railings along the entire length of the bridge, the removal of pavement at both ends of the bridge, and the temporary removal of two berths at Dock T and 10 berths at the FF dock; approximately 17 piles will be removed.. To accommodate removed boat berths, 11 new berths will be constructed on the west side of harbor with 12 associated piles, and 6 temporary berths with 6 piles will be relocated at Dock FF.

Equipment: Demolition will require the use of equipment such as cranes, excavators, front-end loaders, dump trucks, concrete saws, and jackhammers. The dock piles will either be driven in with a vibratory pile driver or a pile driver if needed.

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Work Platforms within the Waterway: Work within the waterway will require either the use of barges or construction of trestles to provide work platforms. If barges are utilized, prefabricated modular units may be brought to the site and locked together. This type of platform can be installed, reconfigured, and removed relatively quickly, but the system is not suitable for areas that are too narrow to accommodate the modules. For example, footings from the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge to the north and footings from the Murray Street Bridge appear too close together to allow use of a modular barge between footings. In these areas, a trestle likely will need to be constructed.

Construction of a trestle could vary depending on materials available to contractors. One possible trestle configuration would be 60-foot long steel girders over the Harbor navigation channel. The spans would be supported on falsework bents, perhaps constructed of steel piles which are a fairly common falsework material. Piles would be driven in the water by a crane sitting over the land. Preliminary estimates by the project engineer indicate that up to 120 12-inch steel beams would be required for a trestle spanning the bridge; vibratory drivers would be used. Approximately 6-8 of these small size piles could be installed per day. All piles would be removed at the end of construction. The trestle could be made of “Bailey Bridge” panels that can be used to provide bents or towers. The deck might be made of heavy timbers or open-grid panels with a safety railing to keep people and materials on the deck..

Pile Installation within the Waterway: The CISS piles at Bents 5 through 8 will be installed within the waterway by driving 30-inch steel casings either to refusal at rock or into a shaft drilled within rock (depending on the location). The shaft and/or casing will be dewatered and concrete will be poured into the casings, which will be left in place.

The 30-inch CIDH piles at Bent 5 will also be constructed by pouring concrete into permanent steel casings; dewatering is not expected to be achievable at this location, and a “wet” installation is planned.

The installation of new piles at Bents 5 through 8 will include two piles on each side for a total of 16 piles. Both the CISS piles and the CIDH piles will be installed at 1:12 angles.

Overall the installation of piles is expected to take approximately 2 days for each pile for a total of 32 days. The pile driving is not expected to occur concurrently.

The design calls for Cast-In-Steel-Shell Concrete (CISS) in which the shell is driven into the ground by a pile driven where the pile hammer is moved away and an auger is twisted into the shell to remove the native material from within the shell. When the auger is full, it is raised up above the top of the shell and the entire crane boom and drilling equipment is rotated to the left or right away from the hole, lowered back to just above the deck, and then the auger is spun to remove the materials from the auger. The spoils would be deposited in a truck or trucks on the trestle, Harbor lands or Murray Street, which may entail deposition into a steel box that is lifted to the trucks. The materials are not expected to be hazardous, and the contractor is responsible for disposal at an approved disposal site.

Equipment: The installation of these piles requires the use of a crane(s), a drilling rig, a pile driver, excavation and earthmoving equipment, concrete trucks and pumps, concrete vibrators, supply trucks, welding equipment, and other machinery. The piles will either be driven in with a pile driver or a vibrator.

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Pile and Anchor Installation outside the Waterway: The CISS piles at Bent 9 and Abutment 10 will be installed by driving 16-inch steel casing to depths of approximately –30 to –85 feet and filling them with concrete. These piles will be installed perpendicular to the ground surface. The 96-inch diameter anchor pile for Abutment 10 will require excavation and installation of a temporary steel casing, which will be filled with concrete.

The anchor pile excavation will be dewatered by pumping, if necessary.

The installation of new piles at Bent 9 and Abutment 10 include two piles on each side for a total of 8 piles. Overall the installation of piles is expected to take approximately 2 days for each pile for a total of 16 days. The pile driving is not expected to occur concurrently.

Equipment: The installation of these piles will require the use of excavation equipment, soil tamper equipment, and the other construction equipment described above for installing piles within the waterway.

Construction of Concrete Pile Caps, Infill Walls, Shear Keys, Bent Caps, etc.: This part of the project will include the installation and construction of various project features below the bridge roadway surface and above the piles. Sheet piling will be placed around the piles, the area dewatered and pile caps formed. Wooden forming supported from the piling would be placed for the pile caps. Wooden forming will be placed on existing footings to place infill walls. Forms would be placed atop pile caps for columns, and attached to the tops of columns for bent caps and shear keys.

Equipment: Equipment required for this part of the project would include a crane to place sheet piling, a pump for dewatering, light duty equipment to place wooden forming, concrete trucks and a concrete pump to place concrete, welding equipment, supply trucks and other machinery/equipment.

Superstructure Construction: This part of the project will include the installation of new girders on the southern edge of the bridge, the installation of a cantilevered extension along the northern edge of the bridge, and the construction of barrier railings.

Equipment: Equipment required for this part of the project would include a crane, concrete trucks and pumps, paving equipment, trucks to haul supplies, welding equipment, and other machinery.

Roadway Approach Construction: Excavation of existing road approaches will be performed. Gravel base and asphalt concrete will be placed to match the new widened bridge deck. The roadway approach work will be limited to less than 200 feet from each end of the bridge. Sidewalks, guardrails and streetlights will be constructed.

Equipment: Equipment used will be typical paving equipment including graders, loaders, bulldozers, sheep's-foot rollers, dump trucks, and a paving machine.

Contractor Staging. Contractor staging activities for Phases 1 and 2 of the project will take place in an approximately 8,000 square-foot portion of an existing boat yard beneath the eastern edge of the bridge. At the end of Phase 2, the boat yard will be restored. Contractor staging activities for Phases 3, 4, and 5 of the project will take place in the northern portion (approximately 11,000 square feet) of a parking lot situated at the western edge of the bridge.

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Adjacent existing offices, bathroom facilities, and storage areas will be relocated, as described below. This staging area will be used through the end of Stage 5, when original facilities will be restored.

Temporary Harbor Facility Relocation. The temporary use of portions of the eastern harbor boat yard and the western parking lot for contractor staging as described above, in combination with provision of construction access to the bridge from the waterway, will result in temporary disruptions of harbor activities including boat berths, boat storage, buildings, and businesses. As discussed above, 12 recreational boat berths will be removed and replaced. The contractor staging area on the east side of the Harbor will require that nine boats in the boat yard be temporarily relocated to boat storage for approximately four months. On the west side, 60 rowing boats stored under the existing Murray Street bridge will be temporarily relocated to a recently constructed on land dry boat storage facility near docks A and B. An additional 200+ square feet of storage area would be constructed to accommodate the temporary row boat storage. Row boats stored under Span 2 and UCSC Rowing Facility boats under Span 1 will be temporarily relocated to the US Coast Guard parking lot and fenced.

Existing offices, bathroom facilities, and storage areas located north of the western staging area (and within the City’s right-of-way) will be displaced during Phases 3, 4, and 5 of the project.

These facilities include: the UCSC storage building, the Lighthall Yacht Charters office, rowing equipment storage, the Santa Cruz Rowing Club Oar House, the Chardonnay Sailing Charters office, the Pacific Yachting Sailing School Charters office, and men’s and women’s restrooms.

The buildings will be protected during construction, and a temporary 600 square foot facility (modular) will be installed on the US Coast Guard parking area for a period of approximately six months, which will temporarily house these businesses. An existing memorial bench and plaque will be removed, properly stored, and reinstalled in the West Harbor upon completion of construction.

An existing pedestrian path is located adjacent to the project site on both the east and west sides of the harbor, which is used by pedestrians, bicyclists and kayakers. The path is located on lands owned by the Santa Cruz Port District, and use and management is under the Port District’s jurisdiction. The existing path would be temporarily blocked during some periods of construction due to construction staging activities during Phases 1 and 2 on the east side and during Phases 3,4, and 5 on the west side. The northern limits of these paths are shown in the area north of the bridge on Figure 2. The City intends to keep trails open during non-construction periods.

However, there will be periods when construction staging on either side of the harbor will require temporary path closure due to safety during construction equipment use and when the stairway on the west side is replaced. A detour plan has been prepared.

In addition, as indicated above, traffic on Murray/Eaton will be subject to temporary controls. A portion of Lake Avenue may be also be subject to temporary traffic controls during setup of the construction staging area on the east side of the Harbor. The existing pedestrian path on both sides of the Harbor, the western concrete stairway, and the access ramp to Dock FF also will be closed during certain phases of construction. Approximately 30-50 Harbor parking spaces (for permit users) on the west side of the Harbor will be temporarily unavailable when the construction staging area is setup in that location.

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Railroad Right-of-Way Encroachment. The Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) maintains a bridge and track located approximately 20 to 30 feet north of the Murray Street Bridge (as measured from edge of deck to edge of deck, with the distance increasing west to east).

Construction on the northern side of the bridge will require railroad flaggers for the protection of workmen and railroad traffic. The Union Pacific Railroad tracks and right-of-way border Murray Street on the north and are within the Area of Potential Impact. It appears that a northwestern sliver of Murray Street is within the railroad right-of-way. Any encroachment into the right-of-way during project construction will need to be coordinated with and approved by Union Pacific and potentially the California Public Utilities Commission.

Figure 3. Cross Section of the Murray Street Bridge (# 36C-0108) in the City of Santa Cruz, County of Santa Cruz, EcoSystems West Consulting Group 10

SOURCE: TRC Engineers

Table 1. Murray Street Bridge Retrofit Project: Construction Phasing & Approximate Schedule.

Work Tasks Effects on Harbor and Road Operations Phase 1: Construction in East Zone 2 months ( May-July)[1]

* Temporarily relocate overhead utilities north of bridge * Install traffic control system with alternating 1-way traffic

* Prepare construction staging area (8,000 sq.ft.) at harbor boat yard * Close Murray for 7 days for driving anchor piles

* Retrofit Bent 9 & Abutment 10; install anchor piles * Temporary relocation (dry storage) of 9 dry-docked boats from boat yard

* Erect Girder Span 9 * Traffic controls along Lake Avenue during construction staging area setup

* Remove existing south rail * Close east walkway under bridge

* Close bridge sidewalk Phase 2: Construction in Eastern Waterway 5 months (July-December)

* Construct new berths (8) at ends of docks A through F * Temporary relocation of 2 boats from Dock T to AA or new dock N-Q

* Remove berths (12) at docks T and FF * Temporary closure of East Drive & part of harbor boat yard

* Construct work platform(s) (trestle or barge) for Stage 2 work [2] * Availability of only one boat channel under the bridge for 6 non-consecutive half-days

* Retrofit Bents 7 & 8 (includes installing anchor piles at Bents 7 & 8)

* Erect Girder Spans 7 & 8 and construct Deck Spans 7, 8, & 9

* Construct north and south rails (optional) [3]

* Restore boat yard; reopen pedestrian path

* Remove east work platform

* Replace berths (2) at Dock T upon construction in the eastern waterway and only between July and mid-November Phase 3: Construction in West Zone 6 months (December-May)

* Install row boat storage at docks A/B & USCG area * Closure of West Path, western concrete stairway and access ramp to Dock FF

* Install temporary building at USCG area * Temporary relocation of affected facilities (offices, storage, restrooms, etc.)

* Temporarily relocate existing offices and row boats to above [2]

* Close portion of western parking lot [2]

* Construct temporary access ramp to Dock FF

* Retrofit Abutment 1 and Bents 2, 3, & 4

* Erect Girder Spans 1, 2, & 3 [and construct Deck Spans 1, 2, & 3]

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Phase 4: Construction in Western Waterway 5 months (May-October)

* Construct modifications to Dock FF; move 7 boats to new Dock FF * Closure of West Path, western concrete stairway and access ramp to Dock FF

* Construct work platform(s) (trestle or barge) for Stage 4 work * Temporary relocation of affected facilities (offices, storage, restrooms, etc.)

* Retrofit Bents 5 & 6 (including installation of anchor piles) * Temporary relocation of 8 boats from Dock FF

* Erect Girder Spans 4, 5, & 6 [and construct Deck Spans 4, 5, & 6] * Availability of only one boat channel under the bridge for 6 non-consecutive half-days

* Construct north and south rails [3]

* Remove work platform(s) Phase 5: Construction of Superstructure and Barrier Rails [no timing provided]

* Remove sidewalks & temporary barrier rails

* Construct new barrier rails

* Restore Dock FF, parking lot, existing offices and related facilities

* Restore all remaining facilities to original condition

* Repair deck Footnotes:

[1] Note that construction phases overlap; the sum of the construction periods specified is therefore greater than the total period indicated by start and finish dates.

[2] These tasks could be initiated and/or completed during the prior stage.

[3] [These tasks could be completed either in Phase 2 or 4.

[4] Temporary closure of Murray Street bridge roadway to all traffic is possible during any phase for a short duration. The alternating one-way traffic with sign control will occur during the construction, but not during the full duration of construction activities.

Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project Chapter 2 StudyMethods

Chapter 2. Study Methods

2.1. Regulatory Requirements

Local, State, and Federal regulations have been enacted to provide for the protection and management of sensitive biological and wetland resources. At the federal level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is responsible for protection of terrestrial and freshwater organisms through implementation of the federal Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Also at the Federal level the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) is responsible for protection of anadromous (migratory) fish, marine wildlife, and marine mammals. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) has primary responsibility for protecting wetlands and jurisdictional “other waters of the U.S.” under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. At the State level, the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is responsible for administration of the California Endangered Species Act, and for protection of streams and water bodies through the Streambed Alteration Agreement process under Section 1600 of the California Fish and Game Code. Certification from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is also required when a proposed activity may result in discharge into navigable waters, pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 404(b) (1) Guidelines.

Federal Regulations

Federal Endangered Species Act. The federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (Title 16 United States Code, Section 1531 et seq., as amended) prohibits federal agencies from authorizing, permitting or funding any action that would result in biological jeopardy to a species listed as Threatened or Endangered under the ESA. Listed species are taxa for which proposed and final rules have been published in Federal Register (USFWS 2008a, b, c, d, e).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) responsibilities include administering the Act, including Sections 7, 9, and 10. Section 9 of the Act, prohibits the take of animal species that are federally listed as Endangered or Threatened. Section 3(18) of the Act defines “take” to mean to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. Service regulations (50 CFR 17.3) define “harm” to include significant habitat modification or degradation which actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, spawning, rearing, migrating, feeding, or sheltering. “Harassment” is defined by the Service as an intentional or negligent action that creates the likelihood of injury to listed species by annoying it to such an extent as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns which include, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering. Exemptions to the prohibitions against take may be obtained through coordination with the Service in two ways: 1) through interagency consultation for projects with federal involvement (i.e., funded, authorized, or carried out by a Federal agency) pursuant to Section 7; or 2) through the issuance of an incidental take permit under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. The Act or its implementing regulations do not prohibit take of listed plant species.

However, federal agencies cannot undertake activities that would jeopardize the continued

EcoSystems West Consulting Group 13 existence of a threatened or endangered plant or animal species. In addition, the removal of threatened or endangered plants may be a violation of the Act under certain circumstances, if the action is not in compliance with state law.

If “Critical Habitat” is determined and published in the Federal Register as a formal rule, that designated critical habitat (plant or animal) receives protection under Section 7 of the Act through the prohibition of destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat by actions carried out, funded, or authorized by a Federal agency (i.e., Federal Highway Administration [FHWA] funding ). Consultation under Section 7 does not apply to activities on private or other non-federal lands that do not involve a Federal nexus. Therefore, the critical habitat designation would not afford any additional regulatory protections under the Act with regard to those activities.

Essential Fish Habitat. In October 1996, Congress passed the Sustainable Fisheries Act (Public Law 104-297) which amended the habitat provisions of the Magnuson Act. The renamed Magnuson-Stevens Act calls for direct action to stop or reverse the continued loss of fish habitats. Toward this end, Congress mandated the identification of habitats essential to managed species and measures to conserve and enhance this habitat. Congress defined “Essential Fish Habitat” (EFH) for federally managed fish species as “those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding or growth to maturity” (National Marine Fisheries Service, July 2008). Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) are discrete subsets of EFH that provide extremely important ecological functions or are especially vulnerable to degradation. Councils may designate a specific habitat area as an HAPC based on one or more of the following reasons:

Importance of the ecological function provided by the habitat Extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human-induced environmental degradation Whether, and to what extent, development activities are, or will be, stressing the habitat type Rarity of the habitat type

The HAPC designation does not confer additional protection or restrictions upon an area, but can help prioritize conservation efforts. Healthy populations of fish require not only the relatively small habitats identified as HAPCs, but also other areas that provide suitable habitat functions.

HAPCs alone will not suffice in supporting the larger numbers of fish needed to maintain sustainable fisheries and a healthy ecosystem.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act. All migratory birds and their nests are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) (Title 16 United States Code, Section 703-712 as amended; 50 Code of Federal Regulations Section 21; and 50 Code of Federal Regulations Section 13) and by CDFG codes that support the act. The MBTA makes it unlawful to “take” (e.g., pursue, kill, harm, harass) any migratory bird or raptor listed in the 50 Code of Federal Regulations Section 10, including nests, eggs, or products.

While not all migratory birds meet criteria for listing under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15380 (see next section below), the project would be required to comply with all applicable provisions of the MBTA.

EcoSystems West Consulting Group 14

Marine Mammal Protection Act. All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (Title 16 United States Code, §§ 1361-1421h, October 21, 1972, as amended 1973, 1976-1978, 1980-1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992-1994 and 1996). The MMPA prohibits, with certain exceptions, the take of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas, and the importation of marine mammals and marine mammal products into the U.S.

Executive Order 13112 - Invasive Species. This order enlists federal agencies to prevent the introduction of invasive species, provide for their control and minimize the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause. In addition, federal agencies are required, when feasible, to restore native species and ecosystems and promote public awareness about invasive species.

Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. Although definitions vary to some degree, wetlands are generally considered to be areas that are periodically or permanently inundated by surface or groundwater, and that support vegetation adapted to life in saturated soil. Wetlands are recognized as important features on a regional and national level due to their high inherent value to fish and wildlife, use as storage areas for storm and flood waters, and water recharge, filtration, and purification functions. Technical standards for delineating wetlands have been developed by the ACOE and the USFWS, and generally define wetlands through consideration of three criteria: hydrology, soils, and vegetation. The following sections describe both federal and state regulatory programs that include protection of “Wetlands and Waters of the U.S.” The State regulatory program is described under State Regulations, Clean Water Act Section 404.

Clean Water Act, Section 404. Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the ACOE is responsible for regulating the discharge of fill material into waters of the United States. The term “waters” includes wetlands and non-wetland bodies of water that meet specific criteria as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations. All three of the identified technical criteria (related to hydrology, soils, and vegetation) must be met for an area to be identified as a wetland under ACOE jurisdiction, unless the area has been modified by human activity. In general, a permit must be obtained before fill can be placed in wetlands or other waters of the U.S. The type of permit depends on the amount of acreage and the purpose of the proposed fill, subject to discretion of the ACOE.

The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 prohibits the dumping of refuse into navigable waters or the creation of any navigational obstruction, and it regulates the construction of wharves, piers, jetties, bulkheads, and similar structures in ports, rivers, canals, or other areas used for navigation. Section 9 of the Act prohibits the construction of any bridge, dam, dike or causeway over or in navigable waterways of the U.S. without federal approval, whereas Section 10 regulates the construction of wharves, piers, jetties, bulkheads, and similar structures in ports, harbors, rivers, canals, or other areas used for navigation. Although the Clean Water Act now predominates in the regulation of surface water pollution, the Rivers and Harbors Act provides supplemental jurisdiction for addressing certain kinds of water pollution, and especially for dredge and fill activities. As with the Clean Water Act, discharges of refuse or fill material, or

EcoSystems West Consulting Group 15 construction activities in waterways, require a permit. The permitting agency is the Army Corps of Engineers.

Executive Order 11990 mandates that Federal or Federally assisted projects and programs minimize the destruction, loss or degradation of wetlands and avoid new construction in wetlands, taking into account public health and safety, maintenance of natural systems, and other public interests.

State Regulations

Section 1600 of the Fish and Game Code. Jurisdictional authority of the CDFG over wetland areas is established under Section 1600 of the Fish and Game Code, which pertains to activities that would disrupt the natural flow or alter the channel, bed, or bank of any lake, river, or stream.

The Fish and Game Code stipulates that it is unlawful to substantially divert or obstruct the natural flow or substantially change the bed, channel or bank of any river, stream or lake without notifying the CDFG, incorporating necessary mitigation, and obtaining a Streambed Alteration Agreement. The Wetlands Resources Policy of the CDFG states that the Fish and Game Commission will strongly discourage development in or conversion of wetlands, unless, at a minimum, project mitigation assures that there will be no net loss of either wetland habitat values or acreage. The CDFG is also responsible for commenting on projects requiring ACOE permits under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958.

California Coastal Act. The California Coastal Commission (CCC) also regulates wetlands within the coastal zone under the California Coastal Act. Criteria for delineating wetlands potentially subject to regulation by the CCC are similar to those for delineating wetlands potentially subject to ACOE jurisdiction, with one important exception. Following the California Department of Fish and Game criteria, the CCC requires that an area need only have a positive indicator for one of the three technical criteria (hydrology, soil, or vegetation) in order to be defined as a wetland (CDFG Environmental Services Division 1987, CCC 1994).

Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The RWQCB is responsible for upholding State water quality standards. Pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, projects that apply for an ACOE permit for discharge of…