Appendix 8 - SMP Requirements and Environmental Permits.pdf
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This document is a Stream Maintenance Program (SMP) manual prepared by the City of Livermore in collaboration with ICF International and Swaim Biological, Inc., involving multiple regulatory agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. The comprehensive manual describes a 10-year stream maintenance program covering approximately 42.8 miles of creeks and channels within the Livermore area, with primary activities including sediment management, vegetation management, and bank stabilization. The program aims to provide flood protection, maintain flow conveyance, and enhance natural resources through a systematic and scientifically informed approach, with activities primarily conducted during summer months when creeks are driest.
The Stream Maintenance Program includes an integrated three-tiered mitigation approach to minimize environmental impacts, with an estimated annual sediment removal of 1,000-2,000 cubic yards and potential for up to three bank stabilization projects over the program's ten-year term. The program will be funded through the City of Livermore and requires annual permitting and reporting, with a commitment to dedicating necessary resources for implementation. Mitigation efforts include on-site and off-site restoration, vegetation replanting, and watershed-based solutions, with a requirement to set aside 10% of each project's budget for broader watershed restoration projects. The program emphasizes long-term environmental sustainability, regulatory compliance, and adaptive management through annual reviews and potential program modifications.
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APPENDIX 8
STREAM MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
REVISED MANUAL
LIVERMORE STREAM
MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM
April 2015
Revised March 2023
PREPARED FOR:
City of Livermore Community Development Department Engineering Division 1052 South Livermore Avenue Livermore, CA 94550
PREPARED BY:
ICF International 620 Folsom Street, Second Floor San Francisco, CA 94107
REVISED BY:
Swaim Biological, Inc.
4435 First Street, PMB 312 Livermore, CA 94551
REVISED MANUAL
LIVERMORE STREAM MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
P R E P A R E D F O R :
| City | of | Livermore | ||
| Community | Development | Department, | Engineering | Division |
| 1052 | South | Livermore | Ave | |
| Livermore, | CA | 94550 | ||
| Contact: | Edward | Reyes |
925.960.4527
P R E P A R E D B Y :
| ICF | International | |||
| 620 | Folsom | Street, | Second | Floor |
| San | Francisco, | CA | 94107 | |
| Contact: | Kathryn | Gaffney |
415.507.7131
R E V I S E D B Y :
| Swaim | Biological, | Inc. | ||
| 4435 | First | Street, | PMB | 312 |
| Livermore, | CA | 94551 | ||
| Contact: | Leslie | Koenig |
916.849.0513
April 2015
Revised March 2023
| ICF | International. | 2015. | Livermore | Stream | Maintenance | Program. | Draft | |||
| Manual. | April. | (ICF | 00337.12.) | San | Francisco, | CA. | Prepared | for | City | of |
| Livermore, | Community | Development | Department, | Livermore, | CA. |
City of Livermore
Contents
Manual Livermore Stream Maintenance Program i April 2015; Revised March 2023
ICF 00337.12
Page List of Tables ......................................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................... viii List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ..................................................................................................... ix
Chapter 1 Introduction and Program Summary ........................................................................ 1-1
| 1.1 | Program Background and Need ............................................................................................. 1-1 |
| 1.2 | Program Purpose and Objectives ........................................................................................... 1-2 |
| 1.3 | Planning Area and SMP Area Creeks ...................................................................................... 1-3 |
| 1.3.1 | Ownership and Easements .............................................................................................. 1-3 |
| 1.3.2 | Stream Type .................................................................................................................... 1-3 |
| 1.4 | Overview of SMP Approach ................................................................................................... 1-4 |
| 1.5 | Program Activities .................................................................................................................. 1-5 |
| 1.5.1 | Sediment Management ................................................................................................... 1-5 |
| 1.5.2 | Vegetation Management ................................................................................................ 1-5 |
| 1.5.3 | Bank Stabilization ............................................................................................................ 1-6 |
| 1.5.4 | Bridge Maintenance ........................................................................................................ 1-6 |
| 1.5.5 | Other Maintenance Activities .......................................................................................... 1-6 |
| 1.5.6 | Activities Not Covered in the SMP ................................................................................... 1-6 |
| 1.6 | Impact Avoidance and Minimization ..................................................................................... 1-7 |
| 1.7 | Program Mitigation ................................................................................................................ 1-8 |
| 1.8 | Program Management ........................................................................................................... 1-9 |
| 1.8.1 | SMP Work Cycle .............................................................................................................. 1-9 |
| 1.8.2 | Program Tracking ............................................................................................................ 1-9 |
| 1.8.3 | Program Reporting ........................................................................................................ 1-10 |
| 1.8.4 | Program Review ............................................................................................................ 1-10 |
| 1.8.5 | Program Commitment ................................................................................................... 1-10 |
| 1.9 | Program Permitting and CEQA/NEPA Compliance .............................................................. 1-10 |
| 1.10 | SMP Manual Organization ................................................................................................... 1-11 |
Chapter 2 Environmental Regulations and Compliance ............................................................. 2-1
| 2.1 | Background and Regulatory Guidance ................................................................................... 2-1 |
| 2.2 | Clean Water Act ..................................................................................................................... 2-1 |
| 2.2.1 | Section 404—Fill Placement in Waters and Wetlands .................................................... 2-1 |
| 2.2.2 | Section 401—Water Quality Certification ....................................................................... 2-4 |
| 2.2.3 | Section 402 ...................................................................................................................... 2-5 |
| 2.2.4 | Regulations for the Use of Pesticides and Herbicides ..................................................... 2-7 |
| 2.2.5 | Section 303[d]—Impaired Water Bodies and Total Maximum Daily Loads .................... 2-9 |
| 2.3 | Federal Endangered Species Act .......................................................................................... 2-10 |
| 2.3.1 | Section 7—ESA Authorization for Federal Actions ........................................................ 2-11 |
| 2.4 | Migratory Bird Treaty Act .................................................................................................... 2-12 |
| 2.4.1 | Permitting Agency and Related Regulations ................................................................. 2-13 |
| 2.4.2 | SMP Compliance Approach ........................................................................................... 2-13 |
2.5 National Historic Preservation Act ....................................................................................... 2-13
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program ii April 2015; Revised March 2023
| 2.5.1 | Permitting Agency and Related Regulations ................................................................. 2-14 |
| 2.5.2 | SMP Compliance Approach ........................................................................................... 2-14 |
| 2.6 | National Environmental Policy Act ...................................................................................... 2-14 |
| 2.6.1 | Lead Agency .................................................................................................................. 2-14 |
| 2.6.2 | SMP Compliance Approach ........................................................................................... 2-15 |
| 2.7 | Federal Regulation of Floodplains ....................................................................................... 2-15 |
| 2.7.1 | SMP Relevance .............................................................................................................. 2-15 |
| 2.8 | Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act .......................................................................... 2-16 |
| 2.8.1 | Permitting Agency and Related Regulations ................................................................. 2-16 |
| 2.8.2 | SMP Compliance Approach ........................................................................................... 2-18 |
| 2.9 | California Endangered Species Act ...................................................................................... 2-18 |
| 2.9.1 | SMP Compliance Approach ........................................................................................... 2-20 |
2.10 California Fish and Game Code Sections 3503 and 3503.5—Bird Nests and Birds of Prey ...................................................................................................................................... 2-20
| 2.10.1 | Permitting Agency and Related Regulations ................................................................. 2-20 |
| 2.10.2 | SMP Compliance Approach ........................................................................................... 2-20 |
2.11 California Fish and Game Code Section 1602—Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement Program ............................................................................................................ 2-21
| 2.11.1 | Permitting Agency and Related Regulations ................................................................. 2-21 |
| 2.11.2 | SMP Compliance Approach ........................................................................................... 2-21 |
| 2.12 | California Environmental Quality Act ................................................................................... 2-22 |
| 2.12.1 | Lead Agency .................................................................................................................. 2-22 |
| 2.12.2 | SMP Compliance Approach ........................................................................................... 2-23 |
| 2.13 | Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act ................................................................................. 2-23 |
| 2.14 | Local Stream and Watershed Plans ..................................................................................... 2-23 |
| 2.14.1 | East Alameda County Conservation Strategy ................................................................ 2-24 |
| 2.14.2 | Zone 7 Stream Maintenance Master Plan ..................................................................... 2-24 |
Chapter 3 Environmental Setting .............................................................................................. 3-1
| 3.1 | Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3-1 |
| 3.2 | Topography and Landforms ................................................................................................... 3-1 |
| 3.3 | Watersheds, Creeks, and Land Use ........................................................................................ 3-1 |
| 3.3.1 | Alameda Creek Watershed .............................................................................................. 3-1 |
| 3.3.2 | Land Use .......................................................................................................................... 3-3 |
| 3.4 | Geology and Soils ................................................................................................................... 3-3 |
| 3.4.1 | Regional Geologic Context .............................................................................................. 3-3 |
| 3.4.2 | Geology of the Livermore Valley ..................................................................................... 3-4 |
| 3.4.3 | Soils ................................................................................................................................. 3-4 |
| 3.5 | Climate ................................................................................................................................... 3-4 |
| 3.6 | Regional Flooding ................................................................................................................... 3-5 |
| 3.6.1 | Flood Protection Facilities ............................................................................................... 3-5 |
| 3.7 | Groundwater and Water Supply ............................................................................................ 3-6 |
| 3.8 | Water Quality ......................................................................................................................... 3-7 |
| 3.8.1 | Surface Water Quality ..................................................................................................... 3-7 |
| 3.8.2 | Groundwater Quality ....................................................................................................... 3-7 |
| 3.9 | Vegetation Communities and Creek/Channel Land Cover ..................................................... 3-8 |
| 3.9.1 | Alkali Meadow and Scalds ............................................................................................... 3-8 |
| 3.9.2 | California Annual Grassland ............................................................................................ 3-9 |
| 3.9.3 | Mixed Evergreen Forest/Oak Woodland ......................................................................... 3-9 |
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program iii April 2015; Revised March 2023
| 3.9.4 | Mixed Willow Riparian Scrub ........................................................................................ 3-10 |
| 3.9.5 | Mixed Riparian Forest and Woodland ........................................................................... 3-10 |
| 3.9.6 | Sycamore Alluvial Woodland ......................................................................................... 3-11 |
| 3.9.7 | Valley Sink Scrub ........................................................................................................... 3-11 |
| 3.9.8 | Alkali Wetland ............................................................................................................... 3-12 |
| 3.9.9 | Perennial Freshwater Marsh ......................................................................................... 3-14 |
| 3.9.10 | Seasonal Wetland .......................................................................................................... 3-14 |
| 3.9.11 | Pond .............................................................................................................................. 3-15 |
| 3.9.12 | Riverine Stream ............................................................................................................. 3-15 |
| 3.9.13 | Vineyard ........................................................................................................................ 3-16 |
| 3.9.14 | Cropland ........................................................................................................................ 3-16 |
| 3.9.15 | Ruderal .......................................................................................................................... 3-17 |
| 3.9.16 | Golf Course/Urban Park ................................................................................................ 3-17 |
| 3.9.17 | Urban-Suburban ............................................................................................................ 3-17 |
| 3.9.18 | Rural Residential ............................................................................................................ 3-18 |
| 3.10 | Focal Plants and Wildlife ...................................................................................................... 3-18 |
| 3.10.1 | Focal Plants .................................................................................................................... 3-19 |
| 3.10.2 | Focal Wildlife ................................................................................................................. 3-22 |
Chapter 4 Pre-Maintenance Planning Approach and Impact Avoidance .................................... 4-1
| 4.1 | Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 4-1 |
| 4.2 | Maintenance Principles ......................................................................................................... 4-1 |
| 4.2.1 | Maintenance Principle 1: No Unnecessary Intervention ................................................. 4-2 |
| 4.2.2 | Maintenance Principle 2: Understand the System and Its Processes ............................. 4-3 |
| 4.2.3 | Maintenance Principle 3: Consider Adjacent Land Uses ................................................. 4-3 |
| 4.2.4 | Maintenance Principle 4: Apply System Understanding to Maintenance Actions .......... 4-4 |
| 4.2.5 | Maintenance Principle 5: Manage for Incremental Ecological Improvement ................. 4-4 |
| 4.2.6 | Maintenance Principle 6: Integrate Maintenance Activities Toward Sustainability ........ 4-5 |
| 4.2.7 | Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 4-5 |
| 4.3 | Sediment Management Approach ......................................................................................... 4-5 |
| 4.3.1 | Framing Considerations ................................................................................................... 4-5 |
| 4.3.2 | Sediment Management Goals ......................................................................................... 4-6 |
| 4.3.3 | Sediment Management Triggers ..................................................................................... 4-7 |
| 4.4 | Vegetation Management Approach ...................................................................................... 4-7 |
| 4.4.1 | Framing Considerations ................................................................................................... 4-7 |
| 4.4.2 | Vegetation Management Goals ....................................................................................... 4-9 |
| 4.4.3 | Vegetation Management Triggers ................................................................................... 4-9 |
| 4.5 | Bank Stabilization Approach ................................................................................................ 4-10 |
| 4.5.1 | Framing Considerations ................................................................................................. 4-10 |
| 4.5.2 | Bank Stabilization Goals ................................................................................................ 4-11 |
| 4.5.3 | Bank Stabilization Triggers ............................................................................................ 4-11 |
| 4.6 | Sediment Reuse and Disposal Approach ............................................................................. 4-12 |
| 4.6.1 | Sediment Disposal Goals ............................................................................................... 4-12 |
| 4.6.2 | Annual Disposal Planning .............................................................................................. 4-12 |
Chapter 5 Maintenance Activity Descriptions ........................................................................... 5-1
| 5.1 | Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 5-1 |
| 5.2 | Timing of Work ...................................................................................................................... 5-1 |
| 5.3 | Sediment Management ......................................................................................................... 5-1 |
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program iv April 2015; Revised March 2023
| 5.3.1 | Sediment Sources ............................................................................................................ 5-2 |
| 5.3.2 | Sediment Removal Areas ................................................................................................ 5-3 |
| 5.3.3 | Sediment Disposal ........................................................................................................... 5-7 |
| 5.4 | Vegetation Management ....................................................................................................... 5-8 |
| 5.4.1 Vegetation Classes to Guide Management Actions | ........................................................ 5-9 |
| 5.4.2 | Vegetation Management in Creeks and Channels ........................................................ 5-10 |
| 5.4.3 | Access and Staging ........................................................................................................ 5-13 |
| 5.4.4 | Herbicide Use ................................................................................................................ 5-14 |
| 5.4.5 | Vegetation Control with Grazing Animals ..................................................................... 5-14 |
| 5.5 | Bank Stabilization ................................................................................................................. 5-14 |
| 5.5.1 | Bank Stabilization in Creeks and Channels .................................................................... 5-15 |
| 5.6 | Other Maintenance Activities .............................................................................................. 5-16 |
| 5.6.1 | Bridge Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 5-16 |
| 5.6.2 | Culvert Repair and Replacement ................................................................................... 5-16 |
| 5.6.3 | Habitat Restoration and Landscape Maintenance ........................................................ 5-18 |
| 5.6.4 | Trash and Debris Removal ............................................................................................. 5-18 |
| 5.6.5 | Access Road and Trail Maintenance .............................................................................. 5-19 |
| 5.7 | Protocols for Active Flooding and Emergency Maintenance Activities ............................... 5-20 |
| 5.7.1 | Active Flooding .............................................................................................................. 5-21 |
| 5.7.2 | Seasonal Work Window Extensions .............................................................................. 5-22 |
| 5.7.3 | Emergency Permitting ................................................................................................... 5-22 |
| 5.7.4 | Mitigation for Active Flooding or Emergency Work Project .......................................... 5-24 |
Chapter 6 Estimated Maintenance Activity Impacts .................................................................. 6-1
| 6.1 | Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 6-1 |
| 6.2 | Summary of Program Impacts by Activity Type ..................................................................... 6-2 |
| 6.2.1 | Sediment Removal Activities ........................................................................................... 6-2 |
| 6.2.2 | Vegetation Management Activities ................................................................................. 6-3 |
| 6.2.3 | Bank Stabilization Activities ............................................................................................. 6-5 |
| 6.2.4 | Other Maintenance Activities .......................................................................................... 6-7 |
| 6.3 | Summary of Program Impacts by Species .............................................................................. 6-9 |
| 6.3.1 | Focal Plants ...................................................................................................................... 6-9 |
| 6.3.2 | Focal Wildlife ................................................................................................................. 6-10 |
6.4 SMP Activity Quantified Impact Estimates .......................................................................... 6-13 Chapter 7 Impact Reduction and Minimization ......................................................................... 7-1
| 7.1 | Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 7-1 |
| 7.2 | Program-wide Best Management Practices ........................................................................... 7-2 |
| 7.2.1 | General Avoidance and Minimization Measures ............................................................ 7-2 |
| 7.2.2 | Air Quality Protection ...................................................................................................... 7-2 |
| 7.2.3 | Biological Resources Protection ...................................................................................... 7-3 |
| 7.2.4 | Cultural Resources Protection ......................................................................................... 7-3 |
| 7.2.5 | Hazardous Materials Safety ............................................................................................. 7-4 |
| 7.2.6 | Vegetation Management ................................................................................................ 7-5 |
| 7.2.7 | Water Quality and Creek/Channel Protection ................................................................. 7-5 |
| 7.2.8 | Good Neighbor Policies ................................................................................................... 7-5 |
Chapter 8 Program Mitigation .................................................................................................. 8-1
| 8.1 | Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 8-1 |
| 8.2 | Regulatory Guidance .............................................................................................................. 8-1 |
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program v April 2015; Revised March 2023
| 8.2.1 | East Alameda County Conservation Strategy .................................................................. 8-2 |
| 8.2.2 | 2008 Final Rule ................................................................................................................ 8-2 |
| 8.3 | Mitigation Approach .............................................................................................................. 8-3 |
| 8.3.1 | Tier 1: On-site Mitigation within Impacted Reaches ....................................................... 8-3 |
| 8.3.2 | Tier 2: Off-Site Mitigation at Other Drainage Reaches .................................................... 8-8 |
| 8.3.3 | Tier 3: Integrated Watershed Mitigation ........................................................................ 8-8 |
| 8.4 | Mitigation Ratios .................................................................................................................. 8-11 |
| 8.4.1 | Focal Species ................................................................................................................. 8-12 |
| 8.4.2 | Waters of the U.S. and State ......................................................................................... 8-12 |
8.4.3 Riparian Vegetation ...................................................................................................... 8-12
| 8.5 | Mitigation Timing ................................................................................................................. 8-13 |
| 8.6 | Mitigation Notification and Reporting ................................................................................. 8-14 |
Chapter 9 Program Management ............................................................................................. 9-1
| 9.1 | Stream Maintenance Program Work Cycle ............................................................................ 9-1 |
| 9.2 | Creek and Channel Reconnaissance and Assessment ............................................................ 9-2 |
| 9.3 | Develop Annual Work Plan .................................................................................................... 9-2 |
| 9.4 | Develop Annual Summary Project Description ...................................................................... 9-3 |
| 9.5 | Develop Annual Mitigation Plan ............................................................................................ 9-4 |
| 9.6 | Agency Notification ................................................................................................................ 9-4 |
| 9.7 | Project Implementation ......................................................................................................... 9-5 |
| 9.8 | Annual Reporting ................................................................................................................... 9-5 |
| 9.9 | Data Management ................................................................................................................. 9-6 |
| 9.10 | Five-Year Program Review ..................................................................................................... 9-7 |
Chapter 10 Literature Cited ...................................................................................................... 10-1
10.1 Printed References ............................................................................................................... 10-1
Chapter 11 List of Preparers ..................................................................................................... 11-1
| 11.1 | City of Livermore .................................................................................................................. 11-1 |
| 11.2 | ICF International .................................................................................................................. 11-1 |
Appendix A Figures
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program vi April 2015; Revised March 2023
Tables
At End of Chapter
1-1 SMP Reaches, Lengths, Coordinates, and Figure Numbers 2-1 2010 Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments in the City of Livermore 2-2 Status of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) in the SMP Area 2-3 Focal Species with the Potential to Occur in the SMP Area 3-1 Land Cover Acreages by Reach 4-1 Discrete Sediment Sampling and Analysis Reporting Limits 5-1 Invasive Plant Species Known to Occur In and Around the Planning Area 6-1 Potential Impacts of SMP Activities on Beneficial Uses 6-2 Altamont Creek Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-3 Altamont Creek Tributary Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-4 Arroyo Del Valle Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-5 Arroyo Las Positas Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-6 Arroyo Las Positas Tributary Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-7 Arroyo Mocho Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-8 Arroyo Seco Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-9 Collier Canyon Creek Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-10 Cottonwood Creek Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-11 Granada Channel Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-12 Realigned Arroyo Las Positas Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-13 Isolated Reach Maintenance Activity Impacts by Land Cover Type 6-14 Fairy Shrimp Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-15 Callippe Silverspot Butterfly Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-16 California Tiger Salamander Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-17 California Red-Legged Frog Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-18 Golden Eagle Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-19 Tricolored Blackbird Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-20 Western Burrowing Owl Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-21 American Badger Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-22 San Joaquin Kit Fox Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-23 Plant Maintenance Activity Impacts 6-24 Summary of Maintenance Activity Impacts by Creek or Channel 7-1 Stream Maintenance Program Best Management Practices 7-2 Best Management Practices by Activity 7-3 Focal Species by SMP Reach
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program vii April 2015; Revised March 2023
8-1 Regulatory Agencies and Relevant Jurisdictions 8-2 SMP Preferred Plant Palette 8-3 Performance Standards and Success Criteria for Mitigation Plantings 8-4 Focal Species Mitigation Ratios 8-5 Tier 1 & 2 Mitigation Ratios
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program viii April 2015; Revised March 2023
Figures
In Appendix A
Figure 1-1 Regional Vicinity Figure 1-2 Ownership Map Figure 3-1 Topography Figure 3-2 Livermore Valley Subwatershed Figure 3-3 Livermore Drainage Areas Figure 3-4 Livermore Drainage Network Figure 3-5 Hydrologic Soil Groups in Livermore Figure 3-6 Known Flooding Locations in Livermore Figure 3-7 Reaches and Vegetation – Drainage Index Map Figure 3-8 through Figure 3-18 Reaches and Vegetation – Altamont Creek Figure 3-19 through Figure 3-21 Reaches and Vegetation – Altamont Creek Tributary Figure 3-22 through Figure 3-50 Reaches and Vegetation – Arroyo del Valle Figure 3-51 through Figure 3-81 Reaches and Vegetation – Arroyo las Positas Figure 3-82 through Figure 3-86 Reaches and Vegetation – Arroyo Las Positas Tributary Figure 3-87 through Figure 3-101 Reaches and Vegetation – Arroyo Mocho Figure 3-102 through Figure 3-117 Reaches and Vegetation – Arroyo Seco Figure 3-118 through Figure 3-126 Reaches and Vegetation – Collier Creek Figure 3-127 through Figure 3-130 Reaches and Vegetation – Granada Channel Figure 3-131 through Figure 3-141 Reaches and Vegetation – Realigned Arroyo las Positas Figure 3-142 Reaches and Vegetation – Cottonwood Creek Figure 3-143 Reaches and Vegetation – Ravenwood Drainage Swales Figure 3-144 through Figure 3-145 Reaches and Vegetation – Bear Creek Basins
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program ix April 2015; Revised March 2023
Acronyms and Abbreviations
ACCWP Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program ACRCD Alameda County Resource Conservation District Agreement Multi-Party Master Agreement BA biological assessment BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District basin plan water quality control plan Bay Area San Francisco Bay Area BMPs best management practices BO Biological Opinion Cal-IPC California Invasive Plant Council CCCFCWCD Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District CCR California Code of Regulations CDD Community Development Department CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CESA California Endangered Species Act CFGC California Fish and Game Code CFR Code of Federal Regulations CIPs capital improvement projects City City of Livermore CMP corrugated metal pipe CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database CNPS California Native Plant Society Construction General Permit General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction
Activity CSC California Species of Special Concern lists CWA Clean Water Act DPR California Department of Pesticide Regulation DPS distinct population segments EA environmental assessment EACCS East Alameda County Conservation Strategy Eagle Act Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act EBRPD East Bay Regional Park District EIR environmental impact report EIS environmental impact statement EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ESA federal Endangered Species Act FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FIRMs flood insurance rate maps FR Federal Register General Permit Statewide General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for the Discharge of Aquatic Pesticides for Aquatic Weed Control in Waters of the United States (General Permit No. CAG 990005)
GIS geographic information systems gpm gallons per minute
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program x April 2015; Revised March 2023
HCPs habitat conservation plans I-580 Interstate 580 IP Individual Permit IS Initial Study LARPD Livermore Area Recreation and Parks District LPC Las Positas College LWD large woody debris MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act MEP Maximum Extent Practicable mg/L milligrams per liter MND Mitigated Negative Declaration MRP Municipal Regional Permit MS4s municipal separate storm sewer systems NAHC Native American Heritage Commission NCCPs natural community conservation plans ND negative declaration NEPA National Environmental Protection Act NFIP National Flood Insurance Program NHPA National Historic Preservation Act NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NOI Notice of Intent NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service NWPs nationwide permits OHWM ordinary high water mark Porter-Control Act Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act ppm parts per million PRC Public Resource Code RCDs Resource Conservation Districts RCP reinforced concrete pipe Regional Boards Regional Water Quality Control Boards RGPs Regional general permits RMA Routine Maintenance Agreement RWQCBs Regional Water Quality Control Boards SAA Streambed Alteration Agreement RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board SFPUC San Francisco Public Utilities Commission SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer Small MS4 General Permit General Permit for the Discharge of Storm Water from Small Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer Systems WQO No. 2003-0005-DWQ SMMP Stream Maintenance Master Plan SMP Stream Maintenance Program sq km square kilometers SSC California Species of Special Concern lists State Water Board State Water Resources Control Board SUSMP Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan SWMP Stormwater Management Program SWPPP sormwater pollution prevention plan SWQMP Stormwater Quality Management Plan
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program xi April 2015; Revised March 2023
TDS total dissolved solids TMDLs total maximum daily loads UCC Urban Creeks Council UGB Urban Growth Boundary USC U.S. Code USGS U.S. Geological Survey WDRs Waste Discharge Requirements Zone 7 Zone 7 of the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program 1-1 April 2015; Revised March 2023
Chapter 1 Introduction and Program Summary
1.1 Program Background and Need
| The | Stream | Maintenance | Program | (SMP) | was | developed | by | the | City | of | Livermore | (City) | to | improve |
| and | define | the | management | and | maintenance | of | engineered | and | modified | flood | control | channels | ||
| and | non-modified | natural | creeks | within | the | City’s | SMP | Area | as | depicted | within | this | document. | The |
| SMP | establishes | programmatic | guidance | to | conduct | maintenance | activities | and | avoid | and | minimize | |||
| environmental | impacts. | The | SMP | also | provides | the | organizational | framework | to | oversee | routine | |||
| creek | and | channel | maintenance | activities | and | ensure | the | program | is | compliant | with | the | terms | and |
| conditions | of | its | permits. |
| Compliance | with | federal | environmental | laws | and | regulations | such | as | the | federal | Endangered | ||||
| Species | Act | (ESA) | and | Clean | Water | Act | (CWA), | and | state | laws | and | regulations | administered | by | the |
| California | Department | of | Fish | and | Wildlife | (CDFW) | and | the | San | Francisco | Bay | Regional | Water | ||
| Quality | Control | Board | (RWQCB) | has | required | an | increasingly | extensive | authorization | process. |
| The | time, | effort, | and | costs | of | the | annual | permitting | process | were | key | factors | in | developing | the | SMP. | |
| Prior | to | the | SMP, | each | individual | maintenance | project | underwent | separate | permit | approval. | This | |||||
| typically | involved | submitting | between | one | to | two | individual | permit | applications | to | various | ||||||
| regulatory | agencies | per | year. | The | annual | permitting | process | required | a | 10 | to | 18 | month | planning | |||
| and | application | process | for | a | work | period | that | typically | lasted | only | 3 | to | 4 | months | or | less. | Likewise, |
| the | costs | of | annual | permitting | often | exceeded | the | costs | of | the | maintenance | work | itself. |
| Other | areas | that | needed | maintenance | but | required | more | extensive | environmental | analysis | were | |||||
| often | deferred | due | to | attempts | to | acquire | federal | funding | to | complete | the | necessary | technical | |||
| studies. | When | funding | was | not | forthcoming | the | technical | studies | and | environmental | analysis | were | ||||
| often | delayed | due | to | workload | constraints. | As | a | result, | doing | the | bulk | of | the | environmental | review | |
| and | analysis | up | front | will | save | a | great | deal | of | time | and | money | and | make | annual | maintenance |
| possible | within | current | workload | constraints. |
| Similarly, | the | work | effort | and | time | commitment | for | the | regulatory | agencies | has | also | become | heavy. | ||
| The | result | has | been | a | decrease | in | the | annual | permitting | efficiency | for | both | the | City | and | the |
| regulatory | agencies. |
| Beside | the | time | and | effort | requirements | for | the | annual | permitting | of | maintenance | projects, | there | |||
| was | also | a | loss | of | maintenance | efficiency | and | resource | protection | with | planning | projects | ||||
| individually. | The | SMP | was | developed | to | provide | consistent | program | actions, | avoid | and | minimize | ||||
| program | impacts, | characterize | Planning | Area | resources, | develop | suitable | mitigation, | and | provide | ||||||
| oversight | across | the | SMP | Area. | An | integrated | SMP | will | better | utilize | time | and | funding, | and | offer | a |
| regional | approach | to | resource | management | versus | incremental | permitting | on | a | project-by-project |
basis.
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program 1-2 April 2015; Revised March 2023
1.2 Program Purpose and Objectives
| The | primary | purpose | of | the | SMP | is | to | provide | an | efficient | and | organized | program | to | conduct | stream |
| maintenance | activities, | comply | with | all | relevant | environmental | regulations, | and | maintain | flood | ||||||
| capacity | while | enhancing | the | Planning | Area’s | natural | resources. | The | SMP | has | been | developed | ||||
| carefully | to | balance | these | goals | of | flood | protection, | permitting, | and | protecting | and | enhancing | ||||
| natural | resources. |
The following list summarizes the SMP objectives:
| l Provide | adequate | flood | protection | and | conveyance | capacity | for | creeks | and | channels | within | the |
| SMP | Area; |
| l Use | a | systemic | and | scientific | understanding | of | the | watershed | and | individual | stream | reaches | to |
| guide | maintenance | activities; |
| l Use | the | stream | system | understanding | to | develop | informed | maintenance | approaches | that | avoid |
| and | minimize | environmental | impacts; |
| l Improve | communication, | coordination, | and | permitting | efficiency | between | regulatory | agencies | ||||
| and | the | City | through | an | open | and | collaborative | program | notification | and | reporting | process; |
| l Develop | an | adaptable | and | sustainable | program | that | can | respond | to | changing | environmental, |
| maintenance, | and | regulatory | conditions; |
| l Provide | an | administratively | stable | program | that | provides | transparency | in | oversight | and |
| implementation | of | program | activities; |
| l Obtain | long-term | permits | providing | coverage | of | program | activities | under | Federal | and | State |
| regulations | such | as | ESA | and | CWA; | and |
| l Comply | with | the | requirements | of | the | California | Environmental | Quality | Act | (CEQA) | and | National |
| Environmental | Protection | Act | (NEPA) | (where | appropriate). |
| The | purpose | of | this | SMP | Manual | is | to | establish | and | define | the | overall | maintenance | program | and |
| describe | the | program’s | maintenance | activities, | natural | resources, | and | approaches | to | avoid | or | ||||
| minimize | impacts | to | environmental | resources. | This | SMP | Manual | is | intended | for | use | by | City | ||
| maintenance | staff, | engineers, | and | resource | managers, | as | well | as | environmental | regulatory | agency | ||||
| staff | and | other | watershed | stakeholders. |
| This | SMP | Manual | provides | a | description | of | the | activities | that | will | be | conducted | as | part | of | the | SMP. |
| As | such, | this | manual | serves | as | the | description | of | activities | permitted | by | the | relevant | regulatory | |||
| agencies. | The | evaluation | of | program | environmental | impacts | is | addressed | through | a | parallel | Initial | |||||
| Study/Mitigated | Negative | Declaration | (MND) | developed | in | compliance | with | CEQA. | The | SMP | IS/MND | ||||||
| uses | the | description | of | program | activities | in | this | manual | as | the | basis | for | its | evaluation. |
| The | SMP | is | envisioned | to | be | a | flexible | program | subject | to | periodic | revisions | reflecting | improved |
| understanding | of | resource | conditions, | maintenance | technologies, | or | management | practices | over |
time.
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program 1-3 April 2015; Revised March 2023
1.3 Planning Area and SMP Area Creeks
| The | City | of | Livermore | conducts | planning | activities | within | the | “Planning | Area.” | Figure | 1-1 | (see | ||
| Appendix | A) | presents | the | Planning | Area | located | in | the | City | of | Livermore, | Alameda | County, | ||
| California. | The | Planning | Area | includes | City | limits, | plus | the | areas | the | City | owns | by | Doolan | Canyon, |
| the | area | between | Portola | Avenue | and | Interstate | 580, | and | Sycamore | Grove | Park. |
| SMP | activities | will | occur | within | the | “SMP | Area,” | which | is | defined | as | the | limit | of | maintenance |
| activities | (i.e., | the | area | within | which | maintenance | activities | could | occur). | The | primary | creeks | and | ||
| channels | included | in | the | SMP | Area | are | Arroyo | Las | Positas, | Altamont | Creek, | Arroyo | Seco, | Arroyo | |
| Mocho, | and | Arroyo | del | Valle. | Secondary | tributary | creeks | and | channels | include | the | Realigned | Arroyo | ||
| Las | Positas, | Cottonwood | Creek, | Collier | Creek, | and | Kellogg | Creek, | as | well | as | other | unnamed | ||
| tributaries | and | concrete | channels. | Table | 1-1 | lists | all | of | the | creek | and | channel | reaches, | individual | |
| reach | lengths, | and | figure | sheet | references | where | associated | vegetation | mapping | is | depicted. | In | total, | ||
| approximately | 42.8 | miles | of | stream | are | included | in | the | SMP | Area. |
1.3.1 Ownership and Easements
| The | SMP | Area | streams | managed | under | the | SMP | are | owned | by | the | City, | the | Alameda | County | Flood |
| Control | and | Water | Conservation | District | Zone | 7 | (Zone | 7), | Livermore | Area | Recreation | and | Parks | |||
| District | (LARPD), | or | by | a | private | landowner | (see | Figure | 1-2 | in | Appendix | A). | The | City | owns | and/or |
| maintains | for | private | entities | approximately | 24.1 | miles | (56.6% | of | SMP | Area | streams), | Zone | 7 | owns | ||
| approximately | 10 | miles | (23.4%), | and | LARPD | owns | approximately | 7.1 | miles | (16.6%). | In | addition, | ||||
| Zone | 7 | partially | owns | (i.e., | owns | portions | of | a | given | stream | cross-section | based | on | parcel | ||
| boundaries) | approximately | 0.8 | mile | (1.8%), | and | has | drainage | easements | on | approximately | 0.8 | mile |
(1.8%).
| The | City | has | a | Recreational | Use | License | Agreement | in | place | with | Zone | 7 | to | conduct | maintenance | of |
| stream | channels | where | the | City | also | maintains | an | access | easement | for | recreational | trails | that | follow | ||
| the | channel. | This | agreement | is | long-standing | (initiated | in | 1968 | and | re-issued | in | 2005) | and | allows | ||
| the | City | to | use | Zone | 7 | facilities | to | construct, | improve, | maintain | and | operate | facilities | for | parks | and |
| recreation | purposes. | The | Agreement | has | a | term | of | 25 | years, | and | may | be | renewed | in | 25-year |
increments.
| Privately | owned | reaches | are | not | regularly | maintained | by | the | City, | but | the | City | will | implement | ||
| maintenance | actions | to | clear | debris | or | excess | vegetation | at | the | request | of | the | landowner | and | if | the |
| City | determines | that | the | site | requires | maintenance. | LARPD | may | manage | reaches | it | owns | or | reaches | ||
| owned | by | the | City | according | to | established | management | agreements | between | the | City | and | LARPD. |
1.3.2 Stream Type
| There | are | two | main | types | of | streams | found | in | the | SMP | Area: | natural | creeks | and | engineered/ |
| modified | channels. | The | following | sections | describe | these | two | stream | types. |
1.3.2.1 Natural Creeks
| Natural | creeks | are | non-engineered | and | non-modified | creek | systems. | Natural | creeks | may | require |
| maintenance | activities | to | maintain | flow | conveyance | and | reduce | the | flooding | hazard. | Maintenance |
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program 1-4 April 2015; Revised March 2023 work in natural creeks typically involves clearing debris or vegetation that is causing a flow obstruction.
1.3.2.2 Engineered and Modified Channels
Engineered Channels
| Engineered | channels | are | channels | that | were | designed | and | built | to | convey | a | design | discharge. | In | the |
| SMP | Area, | engineered | channels | have | typically | been | built | with | a | trapezoidal | cross-sectional | shape. | |||
| Most | of | the | engineered | channels | have | earthen | banks | and | beds; | however, | some | channels | have | ||
| hardened | banks | and | beds. | Bed | and | bank | hardening | typically | occurs | at | or | near | road | and | culvert |
| crossings | to | protect | these | structures. | Structures | such | as | access | roads, | drop | inlet | culverts, | outfalls, | ||
| flap | gates, | and | road | crossing | culverts | constructed | in | association | with | the | engineered | channels | also | ||
| require | routine | maintenance. |
Modified Channels
| Modified | channels | are | natural | creek | channels | with | existing | earthen | beds | and | banks | that | have | been |
| modified | either | through | vegetation | removal, | in-channel | grading, | or | channel | widening | or | ||||
| straightening | to | improve | flow | conveyance. | Though | modified, | these | channels | are | not | engineered | or | ||
| constructed | according | to | specific | design | criteria | to | convey | a | discharge | of | a | particular | magnitude. |
1.4 Overview of SMP Approach
| This | SMP | Manual | was | developed | with | past | maintenance | lessons | in | mind | to | create | an | improved | |
| program | that | would | maintain | creeks | and | channels | more | effectively, | would | provide | greater | ||||
| environmental | protection | and | benefits, | and | would | be | more | time | and | cost | efficient | for | both | the | City |
| and | regulatory | agency | staff. | The | development | of | the | SMP | benefited | from | review | of | other | stream | |
| maintenance | programs, | most | notably | the | Sonoma | County | Water | Agency’s | SMP | program | which | was | |||
| the | model | for | this | City | of | Livermore | SMP. |
| The | central | tenet | of | the | SMP | approach | is | that | management | activities | are | conducted | using | an | |
| informed | and | systemic | approach | to | minimize | stream | impacts | while | providing | necessary | flow | ||||
| conveyance. | A | thorough | understanding | of | the | physical | and | biological | stream | system | is | at | the | core | of |
| this | informed | approach. | The | SMP | utilizes | an | analytic | and | targeted | approach | to | understand | the | ||
| degree | of | maintenance | work | actually | required | for | a | given | situation. |
| While | the | analysis | of | maintenance | problems | may | be | focused, | the | development | of | solutions | is | |
| watershed-wide | in | perspective. | For | example, | the | SMP | approach | considers | how | to | reduce | in-stream | ||
| sediment | loads | from | erosion | “hot | spots” | in | the | watershed | lands | upstream | that | are | introducing | large |
| amounts | of | sediment | to | the | stream | system | downstream | (see | the | integrated | watershed | mitigation | ||
| program | described | in | Chapter | 8, | Program | Mitigation). |
| The | SMP | employs | a | more | comprehensive | watershed | approach | than | the | current | project-by-project | ||
| annual | process. | The | watershed | approach | of | the | SMP | manages | creeks | and | channels | with | an |
| understanding | of | the | overall | stream | system | and | its | physical | and | biological | processes. | The | SMP |
| approach | considers | each | site | and | reach | as | a | component | within | a | watershed | system | integrating |
| upstream | inputs | and | downstream | outputs. | Such | a | perspective | enables | improved | management | of | ||
| resources | across | the | whole | watershed | system. | For | example, | consideration | of | sensitive | habitats, |
Livermore Stream Maintenance Program 1-5 April 2015; Revised March 2023
| sediment | sources | in | the | upper | watershed | areas, | or | the | most | efficient | way | to | manage | a | stream |
| corridor’s | vegetation | are | all | improved | in | planning | and | implementing | maintenance | through | a | ||||
| broader | program. |
1.5 Program Activities
| The | Stream | Maintenance | Program | has | three | primary | activities: | sediment | management, | vegetation | ||||
| management, | and | bank | stabilization. | In | addition | to | the | three | core | SMP | activities, | the | SMP | also |
| involves | other | smaller | and | infrequent | maintenance | activities | such | as | bridge | maintenance, | culvert | |||
| repair | or | replacement, | access | road | and | trail | maintenance, | and | trash | and | debris | removal. | The | SMP |
| also | includes | the | transport | and | disposal | of | collected | sediment | and | vegetation. | SMP | activities | are | |
| summarized | below | and | described | in | more | detail | in | Chapter | 5, | Maintenance | Activities. |
1.5.1…
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