Att A-OSMRP ISMND.pdf

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Open Space Maintenance and Restora�on Program Final Ini�al Study/Mi�gated Nega�ve Declara�on

September 2021

Attachment A

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

Prepared for: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

330 Distel Circle

Los Altos, CA 94022-1404

Contact: Aaron Hébert

Senior Resource Management Specialist

(650) 625-6561 ahebert@openspace.org

Prepared by: Horizon Water and Environment, LLC

266 Grand Avenue, Suite 210

Oakland, CA 94610

Contact: Jeff Thomas

(510) 986-4054 jeff@horizonh2o.com

September 2021 mailto:ahebert@openspace.org mailto:jeff@horizonh2o.com

Horizon Water and Environment. 2021.

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration

Program – Public Draft Initial Study/Mitigated

Negative Declaration. September. (18.041)

Oakland, CA.

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 1

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1-1

1.1 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Open Space

Maintenance and Restoration Program .......................................................... 1-1

1.2 Intent and Scope of this Document ................................................................. 1-1

1.1.1 Consistency with Other Midpen Programs ........................................ 1-2

1.3 Public Involvement Process ............................................................................. 1-3

1.4 Organization of this Document ....................................................................... 1-3

1.5 Impact Terminology ......................................................................................... 1-4

Chapter 2 Project Description ............................................................................................. 2-1

2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 2-1

2.2 Program Objectives ......................................................................................... 2-1

2.3 Conservation Outcomes .................................................................................. 2-2

2.4 Program Area ................................................................................................... 2-2

2.5 Program Activities ........................................................................................... 2-2

2.5.1 Culvert and Bridge Maintenance ........................................................ 2-5

2.5.2 Road and Trail Drainage Feature Maintenance .................................. 2-7

2.5.3 Sediment and Debris Removal ........................................................... 2-8

2.5.4 Streambank Stabilization .................................................................. 2-10

2.5.5 Water Supply Structure Maintenance .............................................. 2-11

2.5.6 Ponds ................................................................................................ 2-11

2.5.7 Minor Maintenance Activities .......................................................... 2-12

2.5.8 Vegetation Management.................................................................. 2-12

2.5.9 Road and Trail Maintenance ............................................................ 2-18

2.5.10 New Small Scale Facilities Improvements ........................................ 2-21

2.5.11 Restoration and Enhancement Projects ........................................... 2-23

2.5.12 Activities Not Covered ...................................................................... 2-27

2.6 Implementation and Oversight ..................................................................... 2-28

2.6.1 Annual Maintenance and Facilities Improvements Work

Cycle ................................................................................................. 2-28

2.6.2 Annual Program Work Plan Notification .......................................... 2-28

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Table of Contents

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 2 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

2.6.3 Maintenance Crew, Work Durations, and Equipment ..................... 2-30

2.6.4 Annual Reporting and Agency Notification ...................................... 2-33

2.7 Programmatic Avoidance and Minimization Measures ................................ 2-33

2.7.1 Activity Triggers ................................................................................ 2-33

2.7.2 Work Limits and Best Management Practices .................................. 2-36

2.8 Permits and Approvals ................................................................................... 2-43

Chapter 3 Environmental Checklist ..................................................................................... 3-1 Determination ........................................................................................................... 3-2

3.1 Aesthetics ........................................................................................................ 3-3

3.1.1 Environmental Setting ........................................................................ 3-3

3.1.2 Discussion ........................................................................................... 3-4

3.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources .............................................................. 3-11

3.2.1 Environmental Setting ...................................................................... 3-11

3.2.2 Discussion ......................................................................................... 3-12

3.3 Air Quality ...................................................................................................... 3-15

3.3.2 Environmental Setting ...................................................................... 3-19

3.3.3 Discussion ......................................................................................... 3-22

3.4 Biological Resources ...................................................................................... 3-27

3.4.2 Setting ............................................................................................... 3-28

3.4.3 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................ 3-77

3.4.4 Discussion ......................................................................................... 3-84

3.5 Cultural Resources ....................................................................................... 3-117

3.5.1 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-117

3.5.2 Existing Conditions ......................................................................... 3-118

3.5.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-123

3.6 Energy .......................................................................................................... 3-129

3.6.1 Regulatory Setting .......................................................................... 3-129

3.6.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-130

3.6.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-131

3.7 Geology, Soils, and Seismicity ..................................................................... 3-133

3.7.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-134

3.7.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-139

3.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions .......................................................................... 3-147

3.8.1 Regulatory Setting .......................................................................... 3-147

3.8.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-149

3.8.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-149

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 3 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

3.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ............................................................... 3-151

3.9.1 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-152

3.9.2 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-155

3.10 Hydrology and Water Quality ...................................................................... 3-165

3.10.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-166

3.10.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-168

3.11 Land Use and Planning ................................................................................ 3-179

3.11.1 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-179

3.11.2 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-179

3.12 Mineral Resources ....................................................................................... 3-181

3.12.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-181

3.12.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-182

3.13 Noise 3-183

3.13.1 Overview of Noise Concepts and Terminology .............................. 3-183

3.13.2 Regulatory Setting .......................................................................... 3-185

3.13.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-188

3.14 Population and Housing .............................................................................. 3-193

3.14.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-193

3.14.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-193

3.15 Public Services ............................................................................................. 3-195

3.15.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-195

3.15.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-196

3.16 Recreation ................................................................................................... 3-199

3.16.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-199

3.16.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-199

3.17 Transportation ............................................................................................. 3-201

3.17.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-201

3.17.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-204

3.18 Tribal Cultural Resources ............................................................................. 3-209

3.18.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-209

3.18.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-211

3.19 Utilities and Service Systems ....................................................................... 3-213

3.19.1 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-213

3.19.2 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-215

3.20 Wildfire 3-219

3.20.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................... 3-219

3.20.3 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-220

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 4 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

3.21 Mandatory Findings of Significance ............................................................ 3-225

3.21.1 Discussion ....................................................................................... 3-225

Chapter 4 Report Preparation ............................................................................................ 4-1

Chapter 5 References ......................................................................................................... 5-1

List of Appendices Appendix A. Program Best Management Practices

Appendix B. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program Manual

Appendix C. Air Quality/ Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculations

Appendix D. Biology Appendix

Appendix E. Noise Calculations

Appendix F. Public Comments

List of Tables Table 2-1. Existing Midpen OSPs ............................................................................................. 2-1 Table 2-2. Summary of Program Activities by Facility or Feature ........................................... 2-2 Table 2-3. Program Activity Work Limits Per Activity Type .................................................. 2-37 Table 2-4. Proposed Program Regulatory Permits, Approvals, and Consultations .............. 2-43 Table 3.3-1. SFBAAB and NCCAB Attainment Status of the State and Federal

Ambient Air Quality Standards ............................................................................ 3-17 Table 3.3-2. BAAQMD and MBARD CEQA Thresholds of Significance for Criteria Air

Pollutants ............................................................................................................. 3-19 Table 3.3-3. Daily Emissions Estimates (pounds per day) ........................................................ 3-23 Table 3.3-4. Maximum Annual Emissions Estimates (tons per year) ....................................... 3-23 Table 3.4-1 Representative Common Species That May Occur on Midpen Lands ..................... 3-48 Table 3.4-2 Covered Species of the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan .......................................... 3-59 Table 3.5-1. Surface Model Weights by Environmental Condition ........................................ 3-120 Table 3.5-2. Buried Site Sensitivity Rankings ......................................................................... 3-123 Table 3.5-3. Program Activities with the Greatest Potential to Impact

Archaeological Resources .................................................................................. 3-125 Table 3.6-1. Project Fossil Fuel Use ........................................................................................ 3-131 Table 3.8-1. Applicable BAAQMD CEQA Thresholds of Significance for GHGs ...................... 3-149 Table 3.9-1. Hazardous Materials Sites Within Midpen Lands on Government

Database ............................................................................................................ 3-153

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 5 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

Table 3.9-2. Open Space Preserves within 0.25-Mile of a School .......................................... 3-157 Table 3.13-1. Examples of Common Noise Levels ................................................................... 3-184 Table 3.13-2. Noise Standards for the Counties and Incorporated Cities where

Program Activities are Proposed ........................................................................ 3-186 Table 3.13-3. Predicted Noise Levels of Heavy Equipment and Distances to

Applicable Noise Thresholds .............................................................................. 3-190 Table 3.13-4. Construction Equipment and Vibration Distance .............................................. 3-192 Table 3.16-1. Local Access Roads Adjacent to Midpen Lands .................................................. 3-202 Table 3.18-1. Native American Contacts .................................................................................. 3-210 Table 3.21-1. Summary of Cumulative Projects in Midpen Lands and Surrounding

Area .................................................................................................................... 3-227

List of Figures Figure 2-1. Program Area ......................................................................................................... 2-1 Figure 2-2. Skyline and Foothill Regions in the Program Area ................................................. 2-3 Figure 3.4-1. Vegetation Communities Map ............................................................................. 3-35 Figure 3.4-2 Designated Critical Habitat .................................................................................. 3-51 Figure 3.4-3. Special-Status Plants Map .................................................................................... 3-61 Figure 3.4-4. Special-Status Animals Map ................................................................................. 3-69 Figure 3.4-5. Special-Status Animals Map ................................................................................. 3-95 Figure 3.5-1. Surface Archaeological Sensitivity ..................................................................... 3-121 Figure 3.7-1. Landslide Susceptibility Within the Program Area............................................. 3-137 Figure 3.9-1. CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the Program Area ......................... 3-163

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 6 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

Acronyms and Abbreviations µg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter

A

AB Assembly Bill ADA Americans with Disabilities Act APLIC Avian Power Line Interaction Committee ASA architectural and site approval ATCM Airborne Toxic Control Measure

B

BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District Basin Plan Water Quality Control Plan BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act BHS Biologically Highly Significant BMP best management practice BP before present

C

C/CAG City/County Association of Governments CAL FIRE California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection CalRecycle California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery Caltrans California Department of Transportation CALVEG Classification and Assessment with Landsat of Visible Ecological Groupings CARB California Air Resources Board CBC California Building Code CCC California Coastal Commission CCH1 Consortium of California Herbaria CDP Coastal Development Permit CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife (since 2012) CDOC California Department of Conservation CEC California Energy Commission CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CESA California Endangered Species Act CGS California Geological Survey CHRIS California Historical Resources Information System CMP Congestion Management Program CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 7 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

CNEL the energy average of the A-weighted sound levels during a 24-hour period, with 5 dB added to the A-weighted sound levels between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and 10 dB added to the A-weighted sound levels between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

CNPS California Native Plant Society CO carbon monoxide Coastal Zone NEED DEFINITION CPUC California Public Utilities Commission CRHR California Register of Historical Resources CRLF California red-legged frog CRPR California Rare Plant Rank CWA Clean Water Act CWHR California Wildlife Habitat Relationship System CY cubic yards

D dB decibels dBA A-weighted decibel dbh diameter at breast height DPM Diesel particulate matter DTSC Department of Toxic Substances Control DWR California Department of Water Resources

E

EIA U.S. Energy Information Administration EIR Environmental Impact Report EMFAC California Air Resources Control Board EMission FACtor model EO Executive Order ESA Endangered Species Act ESU Evolutionary Significant Unit

F

F&G Code California Fish and Game Code Farmland Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance FESA Federal Endangered Species Act FHSZ Very High and High fire hazard severity zone FHWA Federal Highway Administration FMMP Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program FTA Federal Transit Administration

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 8 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

FYLF foothill yellow-legged frog

G

GAMA Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment GGNPC Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy GHG Greenhouse Gas GIS Geographic Information System GSA Groundwater Sustainability Agency

H

Habitat Plan Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan HCP habitat conservation plan HDPE high-density polyethylene

I

I- Interstate in/sec inches per second IPM Integrated Pest Management IPMP Integrated Pest Management Program IS/MND Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

L lb/day pounds/day LCP Local Coastal Program Ldn the energy average of the A-weighted sound levels occurring during a

24-hour period, with 10 dB added to the A-weighted sound levels during the period from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (reflecting the elevated sensitivity during typical sleeping hours)

Leq equivalent steady-state sound level that, in a given period, would contain the same acoustical energy as a time-varying sound level during that same period

LF linear feet Lmax maximum sound level measured during a given measurement period Lmin minimum sound level measured during a given measurement period LUST leaking underground storage tank Lxx the sound level exceeded during x percent of a given measurement period

(xx is the percent exceeded)

M

Manual Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program Manual MBARD Monterey Bay Air Resources District

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 9 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act MidPen Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District MOU Memorandum of Understanding MT metric tons MTCO2e metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent

N

NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards NAHC Native American Heritage Commission NCCAB North Central Coast Air Basin NCCP natural community conservation plan NHPA National Historic Preservation Act NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NOA naturally occurring asbestos NOx nitrogen oxides NRHP National Register of Historic Places NWIC Northwest Information Center

O

OHWM ordinary high water mark OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSP Open Space Preserve

P

PCR Public Resource Code Peninsula San Francisco Peninsula PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company PM particulate matter PM2.5 particulate matter of aerodynamic radius of 10 micrometers or less PM10 particulate matter of aerodynamic radius of 10 micrometers or less Porter-Cologne Act

Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act

POST Peninsula Open Space Trust PPE personal protective equipment ppm parts per million PPV peak particle velocity Program Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 10 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

R

RDM residual dry matter RH/DR residential hillside/design review ROG Reactive Organic Gas RPF Registered Professional Forester RPS Renewables Portfolio Standard RWQCB California Regional Water Quality Control Board

S

SB Senate Bill SF square feet SFBAAB San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin SFDFW San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat SFGS San Francisco garter snake SO2 sulfur dioxide SOD sudden oak death SOx sulfur oxide SR- State Route SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board

T

TAC toxic air contaminant TCR tribal cultural resources TEK traditional ecological knowledge TMDL total maximum daily load tpy tons per year

U

U.S. United States U.S. 101 U.S. Highway 101 USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USC U.S. Code USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency USFS U.S. Forest Service USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service UST underground storage tank

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 11 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

V

Valley Water Santa Clara Valley Water District VdB vibration velocity in decibels VMP Vegetation Management Plan VOC volatile organic compound VMT vehicle miles traveled VTA Valley Transit Authority

W

WPT known western pond turtle WUI wildland urban interface

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 12

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Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 1-1

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) has prepared this Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) to provide the public, responsible agencies, and trustee agencies with information about the potential environmental effects of the proposed Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program (Program). This document was prepared pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970 (as amended) and the State CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations 15000 et seq.).

1.1 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Open Space

Maintenance and Restoration Program Consistent with Midpen’s mission to acquire and preserve open space land, protect and restore and the natural environment, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive recreation and education, Midpen protects over 64,000 acres of open space in the South Bay and San Francisco Peninsula. Most of these lands are located within 26 open space preserves (OSPs) that form a connected greenbelt in the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region for plants and animals to thrive while also providing low-impact recreational opportunities to the public. Midpen manages its land to ensure protection and proper care of natural resources and to provide ecologically sensitive public access.

Midpen developed the proposed Program to streamline the permitting process and provide an integrated approach to OSP maintenance, low-impact facility improvements, habitat enhancement, and environmental restoration. Administering these activities as a Program allows Midpen to apply a consistent set of methods, best management practices (BMPs), and impact avoidance approaches. A Draft Program Manual has been prepared that describes the ongoing, regular stewardship and maintenance activities within Midpen OSPs for the purpose of obtaining state and federal environmental permits.

1.2 Intent and Scope of this Document

This IS/MND has been prepared in accordance with CEQA, under which the proposed Program is evaluated at a project level (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). The Midpen Board of Directors, as the Lead Agency under CEQA, will consider the proposed Program’s potential environmental impacts when considering whether to approve the Project. This IS/MND is an informational document to be used in the planning and decision-making process for the proposed Program and does not recommend approval or denial of the proposed Program.

Open Space District 1. Introduction

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This IS/MND describes the proposed Program; its environmental setting, including existing conditions and regulatory setting, as necessary; and the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Program with regard to the following topics:

Aesthetics Agricultural/Forestry Resources Air Quality Biological Resources Cultural Resources Energy Geology, Soils, and Seismicity Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards and Hazardous Materials Hydrology and Water Quality

Land Use and Planning Mineral Resources Noise Population and Housing Public Services Recreation Transportation Tribal Cultural Resources Utilities and Service Systems Wildfire

The proposed Program incorporates BMPs to ensure there would be no significant adverse impacts on the environment. Over the long term, the Project would benefit overall watershed functions, riparian and aquatic resources, and species located in the Program Area.

1.1.1 Consistency with Other Midpen Programs

Many of the proposed Program vegetation management activities are components of other Midpen programs, namely the Integrated Pest Management Program (IPMP) (Midpen 2014) and the Wildland Fire Resiliency Program (Midpen 2021). These programs also include BMPs that specify the general work approach to avoid and/or minimize impacts to sensitive resources while conducting vegetation management activities that would apply to the proposed Program.

Midpen’s IPMP was developed to direct management of invasive plants and animals on OSPs, flammable vegetation near facilities, and rodents and insects in Midpen’s buildings. Program activities covered under the IPMP include annual brushing/mowing along roads and trails, parking lots, gats, and stiles, and recreational areas; trimming and removing aquatic vegetation in ponds and along dams; limbing or removing hazard and downed trees; applying pesticides; conducting fuel management activities in Wildland/Urban Interface areas and around facilities (e.g., managing disclines along roads, trails, and borders, limbing trees, maintaining shaded fuel breaks, clearing around buildings, emergency helicopter landing zones, and driveways); removing invasive plant and animal species; and grazing. Potential environmental impacts associated with IPMP activities were analyzed in the 2014 IPMP Environmental Impact Report (EIR) as Addended (Midpen 2014, 2019). BMPs and mitigation measures included in the IPMP EIR as Addended would apply to comparable vegetation management activities described for the proposed Program.

Midpen’s Wildland Fire Resiliency Program was developed to expand Midpen’s fuel management activities to promote healthy, resilient, fire-adapted ecosystems, reduce

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 1-3 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration wildland fire risk, and facilitate the response of fire agencies. Program activities covered under the Wildland Fire Resiliency Program include prescribed burns, disclines, shaded fuelbreaks, maintaining defensible space around facilities, removing flammable invasive species; limbing/removing trees and riparian vegetation; mowing and brushcutting;

pesticide application; and grazing. Potential environmental impacts associated with Wildland Fire Resiliency Program activities are analyzed in the 2021 Wildland Fire Resiliency Program EIR (Panorama 2021). BMPs and mitigation measures included in Wildland Fire Resiliency Program EIR would apply to comparable vegetation and fuels management activities described for the proposed Program.

Where appropriate, this IS/MND incorporates by reference these other Midpen programs and environmental documents for coverage of related proposed Program activities.

1.3 Public Involvement Process

Public disclosure and dialogue are priorities under CEQA. CEQA Guidelines Section 15073 and Section 15105(b) require that the lead agency designate a period during the IS/MND process when the public and other agencies can provide comments on the potential impacts of the proposed Program. Accordingly, Midpen circulated this document for a 30-day public and agency review period beginning August 9, 2021 and ending September 7, 2021.

The Draft IS/MND was available for review at the following locations as well as on Midpen’s website:

Midpen’s main Administration Office (330 Distel Circle, Los Altos)

Foothills Field Office (222500 Cristo Rey Dr, Cupertino), and

Skyline Field Office (21150 Skyline Ranch Road, La Honda).

Midpen considered all comments submitted in writing and received before 5:00 p.m. from the date identified for closure of the public comment period in the Notice of Intent. One public comment was received during the 30-day review period. The comment letter is included in Appendix F.

1.4 Organization of this Document

This IS/MND contains the following components:

Chapter 1, Introduction, provides a brief description of the intent and scope of this IS/MND, the public involvement process under CEQA, and the organization of and terminology used in this IS/MND.

Chapter 2, Project Description, describes the proposed Program, including its objectives and conservation outcomes; a description of the Program Area, Program

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 1-4 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration activities and facilities; Program implementation and oversight; programmatic avoidance and minimization measures; and related permits and approvals.

Chapter 3, Environmental Checklist, presents the environmental checklist used to assess the proposed Program’s potential environmental effects, which is based on the model provided in Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines. This chapter also includes a brief environmental setting description for each resource topic and identifies the proposed Program’s anticipated environmental impacts, as well as any mitigation measures that would be required to reduce potentially significant impacts to a less-than-significant level.

Chapter 4, References, provides a bibliography of printed references, websites, and personal communications used in preparing this IS/MND.

The following appendices provide documentation in support of this IS/MND:

Appendix A. Program Best Management Practices Appendix B. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program Manual Appendix C. Air Quality/ Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculations Appendix D. Biology Appendix Appendix E. Noise Calculations Appendix F. Public Comments

1.5 Impact Terminology

This IS/MND uses the following terminology to describe the environmental effects of the proposed Program:

A finding of no impact is made when the analysis concludes that the proposed Program would not affect the particular environmental resource or issue.

An impact is considered less than significant if the analysis concludes that no substantial adverse change in the environment would result and that no mitigation is needed.

An impact is considered less than significant with mitigation if the analysis concludes that no substantial adverse change in the environment would result with the implementation of the mitigation measures described.

An impact is considered significant or potentially significant if the analysis concludes that a substantial effect on the environment could result.

Mitigation refers to specific measures or activities that would be adopted by the lead agency to avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, eliminate, or compensate for an otherwise significant impact.

A cumulative impact refers to one that can result when a change in the environment would result from the incremental impacts of a project along with other related past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future projects. Significant cumulative

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 1-5 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration impacts might result from impacts that are individually minor but collectively significant. The cumulative impact analysis in this IS/MND focuses on whether the proposed Program’s incremental contribution to significant cumulative impacts caused by the project in combination with past, present, or probable future projects is cumulatively considerable.

Because the term “significant” has a specific usage in evaluating the impacts under CEQA, it is used to describe only the significance of impacts and is not used in other contexts within this document. Synonyms such as “substantial” are used when not discussing the significance of an environmental impact.

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 1-6

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 2-1

Chapter 2

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Introduction

This document evaluates the potential environmental effects of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (Midpen’s) Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program (Program) to provide the public, relevant public agencies, and stakeholders with information about proposed Program implementation and its potential environmental effects. The proposed Program is summarized below. The draft proposed Program Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program Manual (Manual) is provided in Appendix B.

The proposed Program activities described herein are currently conducted by Midpen. Thus, the proposed Program would not expand Midpen’s existing activities but would rather repackage what Midpen already does in order to streamline the associated regulatory permitting processes. Many of the proposed Program activities are components of other Midpen Programs and described in other Midpen documents, including but not limited to, the Integrated Pest Management Program (IPMP) (Midpen 2014) and the Wildland Fire Resiliency Program (Midpen 2021c). Where appropriate, this Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) incorporates by reference these other Midpen programs and environmental documents for coverage of related proposed Program activities.

2.2 Program Objectives

The objectives of the Program include:

▪ Streamlining the regulatory permitting process by obtaining comprehensive long-term permits that improve work planning and implementation, and reduce delays.

▪ Utilizing existing and planned Midpen restoration and enhancement efforts in a strategic manner to ensure that the overall Program has a net benefit to regulated habitats and special-status species.

▪ Protecting and enhancing the natural environment and improving low-intensity public access throughout Midpen Open Space Preserves (OSPs).

▪ Avoiding and minimizing potential impacts to the natural environment when conducting activities by assessing habitat, species, and resource conditions.

Open Space District 2. Project Description

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 2-2 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

▪ Identifying and prioritizing maintenance and facilities needs by weighing potential impacts vs. permitting requirements and timelines.

2.3 Conservation Outcomes

Conservation outcomes of the Program, which were derived and modified from Midpen’s Resource Management Policies, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Guidance Manual, and Wildland Fire Resiliency Program, include:

▪ Reduce soil disturbances, erosion, and water quality impacts associated with maintenance activities through careful planning combined with implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that provide erosion control and protect water quality.

▪ Promote growth of native vegetation and protect and restore special-status species and sensitive habitats, and rehabilitate areas disturbed prior to Midpen ownership.

▪ Acquire and provide public access to lands while also protecting and restoring natural resources.

▪ Remove and manage invasive species while protecting natural resources and public health.

▪ Reduce fire fuels that contribute to the risk of catastrophic wildfire and restore ecosystems by removing invasive plant species and/or dead and excessive accumulated vegetation due to past fire suppression.

2.4 Program Area

The Program area includes Midpen’s Sphere of Influence, consisting of approximately 236,233 acres in northern Santa Clara and southern San Mateo counties, and a small portion of Santa Cruz County. Within the Program area, Midpen protects over 64,000 acres of open space in the South Bay and San Francisco Peninsula (refer to Figure 2-1). Most of these lands are located in 26 OSPs in the Santa Cruz Mountains (refer to Table 2-1) within either the Skyline region or Foothill region (refer to Figure 2-2).

Belmont Creek

Pescadero Creek

RogersCreek

Kano ff

Cree k

Pilarcitos Creek

Br ad le y

C re ek

Clear Creek

Mills Creek

San PedroCreek

D e

En M ed io

Ar ro yo

Alambique Creek

Clea r C ree k

M on ta ra

C re ek

Mills Creek

San V ice nte Creek

Slat e C ree k

Fr en ch m an s

C re ek

Denniston Creek

Arroyo Leon Creek

Cord ille ras C ree k

Little Butano

Creek

Lo bit os C ree k

San M ateo Creek

Alpine Creek

R ed w oo d C re ek

Sa n

Vi ce nt e

C re ek

San M ate o C ree k

Pomponio Creek

Tu nit as C re ek

Bear Gulch Creek

Lo s

Tr an co s

Cr ee k

Pu ris im a C re ek

La Honda

Creek

El C or te

M ad er a

C re ek

Pilarcitos C reek

Gazos Creek

San Gregorio Creek

ButanoCreek

Pescadero Creek

Dry Creek

H en ey

Cre ek

Herbert Creek

Ohlone Creek

Loyola C reek

Dav es

Creek

S ta nfo rdChannel

Buckeye Creek

ShannonCreek

AlmendraCreek

Purisima Creek

Sm ith

Cr ee k

S oda Spring Creek

Limekiln Canyon

Va so na

Creek

Pr osp ec tCreek

Ar as tra de ro

Creek

VasonaCanal

Junipero Serra Channel

Ro de o Cr ee k

Deer Creek

Sun ny va le

W es tC ha nn el

Hal e Creek

Wildcat Creek

Regnart Creek

Barr on

Cree k

Ross Creek

Su nn yv al e Ea st Ch an ne l

GuadalupeS lough

Guadalupe Creek

Mata de ro Creek

Alamitos Creek P erm anente

C reek

Saratoga Creek

Adobe Creek

Ca lab az as

Cr ee k

Sa nT omas Aquino Cre ek

St ev en s

Cr ee k

Los Gato s Creek

Guadalupe River

San Fra nc isquito Creek

St ev en s

C re ek

St. Joseph's Hill

Russian Ridge

Saratoga Gap

Sierra Azul

Teague Hill

Thornewood

Tunitas Creek

Skyline Ridge

Windy Hill

Rancho San

Antonio

Bear Creek Redwoods

Coal Creek

El Corte de Madera Creek

El Sereno

Fremont Older

La Honda Creek

Picchetti Ranch

Pulgas Ridge

Long Ridge

Los Trancos

Monte Bello

Miramontes Ridge

Purisima Creek

Redwoods

Foothills

4 0 42

Miles

Figure 2-1: Program Area Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Routine Maintenance and Facilities Improvements Program

May 2021

P a c i f i c

O c e a n

Legend Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

District Boundary Sphere of Influence Preserves Within the Program Area Easement or Management Agreement Within the Program Area

S a n F r a n c i s c o B a y

H a l f

M o o n B a y

M o n t e r e y B a y

Pacific Ocean

SA N T A C L A R A

AL A M E D A

SA N B E N I T O

ST A N IS L A U S

SA N

J O A Q U I N

C O N T R A C O S T A

SA N T A C R U Z

SA N

M A T EO

M E R C E D

M A R I N

SA N

F R A N C I S C O

SO L A N O

NA P A

SO N O M A

Martinez

Salinas

Oakland

San Jose

Stockton

Hollister

Santa Cruz

San Rafael

Redwood City

FairfieldNapa Detail

California

0 20

Miles

Program Area

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 2-2

P a c i f i c O c e a n

San Francisco Bay

0 4 82 Miles

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MROSD Boundary

Sphere of Influence

Foothill and Skyline Region Boundary

Foothills Field Office

Skyline Field Office

Data Source: ESRI 2020; MROSD 2020

Figure 2-2 Skyline and Foothill Regions in the Program Area

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 2-4

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 2-1 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

Table 2-1. Existing Midpen OSPs

OSP Size (Acres) Miles of Existing

Trail Grazing

Foothill or Skyline Region

County/ Community

Bear Creek Redwoods 1,437 7.2 No Foothill Los Gatos

Coal Creek 508 3.7 No Skyline Palo Alto Foothills

El Corte de Madera Creek 2,906 34.8 No Skyline Redwood City

El Sereno 1,430 6.5 No Foothill Los Gatos/ Monte

Sereno

Foothills 212 0.2 No Skyline Palo Alto/ Los Altos

Fremont Older 739 12.1 No Foothill Cupertino

La Honda Creek 6,144 10.6 Yes Skyline Redwood City

Long Ridge 2,226 14.1 No Skyline La Honda

Los Trancos 274 6 No Skyline Los Altos

Miramontes Ridge 1,716 -- No Skyline Half Moon Bay

Monte Bello 3,537 18 No Skyline Palo Alto/ Los Altos

Picchetti Ranch 308 3.1 No Foothill Cupertino

Pulgas Ridge 366 6.2 No Foothill San Carlos

Purisima Creek Redwoods 4,798 28.9 Yes Skyline Half Moon Bay

Rancho San Antonio 3,988 25.2 No Foothill Los Altos Hills

Russian Ridge 3,491 13.1 Yes Skyline Redwood City

Saratoga Gap 1,613 1.4 No Skyline Santa Clara County

Sierra Azul 18,939 25.8 No Foothill San Jose

Skyline Ridge 2,143 12.4 Yes Skyline La Honda

St. Joseph’s Hill 270 4.2 No Foothill Los Gatos

Teague Hill 626 .2 No Skyline Woodside

Thornewood 167 1.6 No Skyline Woodside

Tunitas Creek 1,660 -- Yes Skyline San Mateo County

Windy Hill 1,414 13.6 No Skyline Portola Valley Note: Midpen owns properties along the Bayside within the Ravenswood and Stevens Creek OSPs; however, these OSPs are not included in this Program and thus, are not shown in this table.

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 2-2 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

The Program area contains over approximately 900 culverts (including ditch relief and stream crossings), 150 trail bridges (including fords, puncheons, and boardwalks), 25 vehicle bridges, approximately 230 miles of streams (excluding many unmapped seasonal drainages and tributaries), 100 waterbodies (mostly ponds), 115 miles of single-track maintained unpaved trails, and 230 miles of maintained roads (including paved, unpaved seasonal, and unpaved all-season).

Midpen acquires several hundred acres across multiple properties each year within their Sphere of Influence and sometimes thousands of contiguous acres at once from private landowners. Newly acquired properties often come with a number of environmental issues such as permitted and unpermitted structures in sensitive environmental areas, unpermitted ponds or water diversions, invasive species, poorly designed/maintained roads, or generally degraded infrastructure and/or degraded habitat. Midpen undertakes comprehensive planning processes for these properties; however, urgent items such as road repairs, invasive species, or other critical natural resources issue must be addressed rapidly to protect natural resources. Midpen also oversees and facilitates work on neighboring lands or partner properties within their Sphere of Influence such as lands of the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), State Parks, the San Mateo Resource Conservation District, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, or the rights-of-way of local, County, and State roads.

2.5 Program Activities

The vast majority of Midpen’s proposed Program activities would benefit listed species and their habitats, consistent with Midpen’s mission statement of acquiring and preserving a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity, protecting and restoring the natural environment, and providing opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Table 2-2 summarizes activities that would be covered by the Program, which generally includes: (1) routine maintenance activities; (2) small-scale facility improvements and new low-intensity/small footprint facilities; and (3) restoration and enhancement projects. Facility improvements and new low intensity/small facility projects would be included in the Program when they are necessary to maintain OSP facilities and amenities in good condition while simultaneously reducing the threat of, or correct degradation of, natural environments, particularly where sensitive species would benefit.

Table 2-2. Summary of Program Activities by Facility or Feature

Facility or Feature Typical Examples of Activity Type

Routine Maintenance Activities

Ponds/lakes

Berm repair/maintenance

Outlet, inlet, and pipe repair

Trash and woody debris removal

Vegetation removal

Sediment removal (may include some recontouring)

Invasive plant treatment

Wildlife structure installation (basking platforms/logs)

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 2-3 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

Facility or Feature Typical Examples of Activity Type

Livestock exclusion fencing and gate repair

Trash rack clearing

Water supply structures

Spring box and/or water tank maintenance or replacement

Water line replacement, extensions, or realignments

Instream diversion intake clearing

Vegetation removal

Roads

Grading and shaping (may include rocking)

Culvert repair and replacement

Removal of asbestos from culverts and other structures

Sediment and debris removal at inboard ditches and stream crossings

(including culvert inlets, outlets, and rocked fords)

Fords and swales repair and replacement (including new culverts in place of fords)

Bank stabilization

Repair of gabion rock or riprap

Road brushing/mowing

Vegetation management

Minor relocation of road segments (unpaved) to correct resource concerns

(e.g., erosion, rutting)

Installation of new roadside and trailside ditch relief culverts at non-stream crossings

Repair and replacement of driveways

Bridges

Replace decking and handrails

Minor structural repairs

Repair and fortify bridge abutments

Sediment and debris removal

Addition of surface material to puncheons

Vegetation management/removal

Bridge removal or replacement (e.g., increasing span to outside ordinary high water mark [OHWM])

Removal of lead paint

Repainting bridges

Roadside/trailside ditches

Replace culverts and ditches

Install new rolling dips and fords

Replace and repair fords

Sediment and debris removal

Vegetation management

Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program September 2021 | 2-4 Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

Facility or Feature Typical Examples of Activity Type

Cleaning ditches

Trails

Grading and shaping

Culvert repair and replacement

Repair and replace fords and swales (including with new culverts)

Bank stabilization

Repair of gabion rock, riprap, or retaining walls

Boardwalk repair

Trail brushing/mowing

Vegetation management

Minor relocation/reroute

Sediment and debris removal at channel/trail crossings

Maintenance of rolling dips

Fence, gate, and signage repair

Creeks

Vegetation management

Sediment and debris removal

Downed tree management and large woody material removal

Bank stabilization

Trash rack clearing

Other Midpen Parks and Open

Space features (picnic or rest areas, natural areas, rangeland, staging areas, parking lots, tenant structures, field offices, etc.)

Invasive species removal (e.g., manual, mechanical, chemical, and biological) in natural lands

Fire fuel management (e.g., manual, mechanical, grazing, and chemical) for disc lines and fuel breaks

Maintenance/clearing of defensive space buffers around buildings, staging areas, roads, trails, water supply infrastructure, and use areas

Mechanical and chemical…