Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat Workshop June 10, 2010

Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat

Workshop • June 10, 2010

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Provide Stakeholders the opportunity to guide the direction of the SCH Project

Meeting Purpose

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Agenda

Introductions

Goals and objectives

Critical screening criteria

Construction challenges

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Introduction of Presentation Team

Rick Davis – Davis Group

Arturo Delgado – California Department of Fish and Game

Ramona Swenson – ENTRIX, Inc.

Rob Thomson – ENTRIX, Inc.

Vince Thompson – Ducks Unlimited

Species Conservation Habitat Project Goals and Objectives

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Need for SCH Project

Declining surface water elevation will lead to loss of Salton Sea habitat

Increasing salinity will lead to fishery collapse

Fishery collapse will result in loss of forage base for fish-eating birds

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SCH Project Purpose

SCH will provide conservation measures while the Legislature determines long-term action

Provides replacement for some near-term habitat losses as sea levels decline

Target: piscivorous bird species present in 2010 and dependent on the Sea for:

Foraging – fishery resourcesEssential habitat components – foraging, nesting, roosting, loafingViability of a significant portion of their population

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Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Develop a range of aquatic habitats that will support fish and wildlife species dependent on the Salton Sea

ObjectivesProvide adequate foraging habitat for piscivorous (fish-eating) bird speciesDevelop habitats required to support piscivorous bird speciesSupport a sustainable, productive aquatic communityProvide suitable water quality for fishMinimize adverse effects to desert pupfishMinimize risk of seleniumMinimize risk of disease/toxicity impacts

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Goals and Objectives

Goal 2: Develop and refine information needed to successfully manage the SCH Project through an adaptive management process

ObjectivesIdentify uncertainties in achieving the objectivesDesign science-based means to test alternatives and reduce uncertaintyDevelop and implement a monitoring planDevelop a decision-making frameworkProvide proof-of-concept for future restoration efforts

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Questions and Feedback

Goal 1:Develop a range of aquatic habitats that will support fish and wildlife species dependent on the Salton Sea

Goal 2:Develop and refine information needed to successfully manage the SCH Project through an adaptive management process

Do you agree with these goals and objectives?

Are we missing any others?

Species Conservation Habitat ProjectCritical Screening Criteria

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Screening Criteria

Two types of screening criteriaExclusionary criteria

Factors essential to the successful completion of the SCH Project

Evaluative criteriaFactors considered in comparing Project components and alternativesNot necessarily cause for elimination

Construction and operational costs

Environmental considerations

Other

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Critical Screening Criteria

Exclusionary criteria used to begin refining the range of potential sitesExclusionary criteria are

Adequate water supply (quantity, quality, and seasonal availability) Available water rightsAvailable land

Three general locations being considered

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Three Generalized Alternative Locations

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Available Land – Whitewater River

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Available Land – New River

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Available Land – Alamo River

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Questions and Feedback

Are these the right criteria?

Are there others we should consider?

Species Conservation Habitat Project

Construction Challenges

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Construction of SCH Ponds

Construction may occur in areas between -228 and -234 msl

Exposed playa with high groundwaterShallow flooded areasWater a few feet deep

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Potential Site Conditions

Examples of conditions that may be encountered during berm construction

Exposed moist but relatively firm soilsShallow flooded relatively firm soilsShallow flooded soft mucky soilsWater a few feet deep with soft or firm soils

Examples of water control structure installationLocalized dewatering Structure support in soft soils

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Receding Sea Water Surface

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Example – Moist, relatively firm soilsEquipment

Low ground pressure tractors with carry-all scrapers

MethodExcavate, haul and place with the same piece of equipment

Haul distanceShort to Medium

Relative costLow

Building Berms on Exposed Playa

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Low Ground Pressure Tractors

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Example – Shallow water, relatively firm soilsEquipment

Excavators, low ground pressure dump trucks, bulldozers

MethodExcavate and load, haul with dump trucks, spread with dozers

Haul distanceShort to long

Relative CostHigh

Building Berms in Shallow Water

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Excavator, Load, and Haul

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Dump and Spread

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Building Berms in Shallow Water

Example –Shallow water, soft mucky soilsEquipment

Amphibious excavators

MethodExcavate and drop

Haul distanceAdjacent

Relative CostHigh

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Amphibious Excavators

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Building Berms in Deeper Water

Example – 2 feet of water, soft or firm soilsEquipment

Derrick barge with clamshell bucket

MethodExcavate and drop

Haul distanceAdjacent

Relative CostMedium

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Derrick Barge Clamshell Bucket

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Layer Height Depends on Strength

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Hydraulic Dredge

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Site Dewatering

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Water Control Structure

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Structure Site Dewatering

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Structure Support in Soft Soils

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Functional Wetland Management

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Next Step – Design Considerations

Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation

Sample and test soils at potential project sitesPrevious investigations have not sampled locations around the river deltas

Assess construction feasibility at potential sites

Preliminary Berm Stabilization Alternatives

Examples of design solutions to be consideredSource of embankment materialDewateringBase stabilization with geogridsBerm stabilization with geotubes

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Questions and Feedback

Are there other issues we should address?

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Contact Information

DFG Contact:Kim Nicol, Environmental Program Manager

California Department of Fish and Game78078 Country Club Drive, Suite 109Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203(760) 200-9178 knicol@dfg.ca.gov

USACE Contact:Lanika Cervantes, Project Manager

San Diego Section, Regulatory DivisionU.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Los Angeles District6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 105Carlsbad, CA 92011(760) 602-4838Lanika.L.Cervantes@usace.army.mil

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SCH Project Website

www.water.ca.gov/saltonsea

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USGS Ponds

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USGS Pond Construction