Appendix E Revegetation Plan - California State Water ... · provided in A Manual of California Vegetation, Second Edition (Sawyer and Keeler -Wolf 2009). Taxonomic nomenclature for

Appendix E Revegetation Plan

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914 l021g revegetation plan_06152018.docx i

Revegetation Plan

Pipeline Replacement R-914 Gas Transmission Pipeline L-021G San Rafael, California

Prepared for: Pacific Gas and Electric 6111 Bollinger Canyon Road San Ramon, CA

Prepared by: Stantec Consulting Services, Inc 555 Capitol Mall, Ste 650 Sacramento, CA 95814

June 15, 2018

REVEGETATION PLAN

Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ III

1.0 VEGETATION INVENTORY.............................................................................................. 1

2.0 RESTORATION METHODS ............................................................................................... 2

3.0 RESTORATION SUCCESS CRITERIA ................................................................................ 4

4.0 MONITORING AND REPORTING .................................................................................... 4

5.0 CORRECTIVE ACTIONS.................................................................................................. 6

6.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 7

LIST OF TABLES Table 1 – Summary of impacts to Wetlands and Waters within the Project Area ............... 2 Table 2 – Proposed Plant List for Reseeding and Replanting ................................................. 3

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PROJECT MAP FIGURES ATTACHMENT B: GENERAL PLAN AREA PHOTOGRAPHS

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Introduction

This Revegetation Plan (Plan) has been prepared for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) R-914 Line 021G (L-021G) Pipeline Replacement Project (Project) in San Rafael, California (see Attachment A – Figure 1, Project Vicinity Map). PG&E is proposing to replace approximately 8,503 feet of 16-inch gas transmission pipe along L-021G from mile-point 18.39 to 20.02. The replacement section stretches from just southwest of Civic Center Drive and McInnis Parkway to north of the intersection of Silveira Parkway and North Avenue (north of McInnis Park Apartments). The pipeline will be installed 95 feet under Gallinas Creek and will not affect the bed or bank of this creek. It is anticipated that the Project will result in temporary impacts to emergent wetlands, seasonal wetlands, riparian scrub wetlands, and an ephemeral drainage in the northern work area where pipe stringing and construction laydown will occur. Permanent impacts to wetlands and waters are not anticipated for this Project. This Plan addresses the restoration/revegetation of disturbed wetland areas and details the plan for monitoring and reporting in these areas to ensure that the restoration efforts are successful.

REVEGETATION PLAN

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1.0 VEGETATION INVENTORY

Prior to construction, a vegetation inventory will be conducted using the field methods described below for annual vegetation monitoring. During the vegetation inventory, a qualified botanist will note the species composition within the wetland and water disturbance areas and establish photo-documentation points to be used for future site monitoring. The inventory data and site photos will be provided in the annual report.

Vegetation communities in the disturbance areas will be classified based on the descriptions provided in A Manual of California Vegetation, Second Edition (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 2009). Taxonomic nomenclature for plant species is in accordance with The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California (Baldwin et al. 2012).

Based on the preliminary delineation of wetlands and waters of the U.S. (WOUS) conducted by Stantec in 2017/ 2018 in the Project area, there are 10 wetland or water features located within the temporary impact area (see Attachment A – Figure 2, Impacts to Wetlands and Waters Map). These features are the focus of this Plan. Representative photos of wetland and water features impacted by the Project are included in Attachment B. A summary of impacts by feature are listed in Table 1. Temporary impacts include the placement of wooden crane mats (also referred to as timber mats).

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Table 1 – Summary of impacts to Wetlands and Waters within the Project Area

Feature Feature Type Total Impact Acreage

Impact

EM-4 Emergent Wetland 0.0110 Placement of wooden mats needed to support heavy equipment

EM-5 Emergent Wetland 1.5871 Placement of wooden mats needed to support heavy equipment and vegetation brushing needed

SW-2 Seasonal Wetland 0.0209 Placement of wooden mats needed to support heavy equipment






RS-2 Riparian Scrub 0.0604 Placement of wooden mats needed to support heavy equipment and vegetation brushing needed

ED-2 Ephemeral Drainage

0.0064 Spanning across feature with mats/plates to support heavy equipment

2.0 RESTORATION METHODS

Following the completion of construction, wetlands and waters will be revegetated and restored as needed to return these areas to pre-work conditions. It is assumed that revegetation will be needed within features EM-5 and RS-2 where vegetation removal activities have been identified. In all other disturbed wetland and water areas, the wooden mats would be removed following construction and the need for revegetation or other site restoration such as recontouring will be evaluated and documented. In keeping with pipeline safety standards, revegetation within the pipeline easement area (30 ft wide area containing the pipeline) will not include the planting of trees or deep-rooted woody shrubs.

Table 2 below contains a list of proposed native species (organized by the wetland or water feature type they would be used for) that would be used to revegetate wetlands and waters in Project disturbance areas, as needed. All disturbed areas will be re-seeded and/or replanted (as

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applicable) with native hydrophytic wetland or native riparian species. Restoration personnel will work with local nurseries to develop site-specific seed mixes applicable to the local landscape, water availability, time of onset of seeding phenology, and land use history. No invasive or exotic plant species will be used.

Table 2 – Proposed Plant List for Reseeding and Replanting

Common Name Scientific Name

Emergent Marsh

Salt marsh pickleweed Sarcocornia pacifica

Salt grass Distichlis spicata

Salt marsh bulrush Bulboschoenus maritimus

Rough cocklebur Xanthium strumarium

Soft rush Juncus effusus

Iris-leaved rush Juncus xiphioides

Broadleaf cattail Typha latifolia

Seasonal Wetland

Baltic rush Juncus articus var. balticus

Pale spikerush Eleocharis macrostachya

Iris-leaved rush Juncus xiphioides

Rough cocklebur Xanthium strumarium

Riparian Scrub Wetland

Arroyo willow Salix lasiolepis

Other native local willows Salix spp.

California blackberry Rubus ursinus

Ephemeral Drainage

Not vegetated

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3.0 RESTORATION SUCCESS CRITERIA

Success criteria is based on obtaining a uniform vegetative cover equivalent to 70% coverage (as compared to pre-work conditions) within all disturbed wetland and waters locations. Where preconstruction vegetative cover is comprised of predominantly non-native species, the goal of restoration will be to restore an overall vegetative cover and success will be evaluated as a function of vegetative cover and not species composition. If conditions outside of PG&E control (drought, fire, flooding, and vandalism) occur, these circumstances will be taken into account during the restoration success assessment. Once applicable state (401 Water Quality Certification) and federal permits (USACE 404 Nationwide 12 permit) for the Project are in place, additional Project requirements for assessing restoration success and monitoring success will be incorporated into this Plan.

4.0 MONITORING AND REPORTING

To ensure that the site restoration and revegetation measures are successful, the revegetation sites will be monitored for one year following construction completion, to evaluate site stability and revegetation success. Photos of the revegetated work areas will be collected at the established photo-documentation points to provide a visual comparison with pre-work photos. The proposed monitoring methodology that will be used to assess the progress and conditions at the revegetation sites are described below.

4.1 MONITORING METHODS

Prior to construction, a qualified botanist or wetland ecologist will monitor the revegetation areas to determine pre-work conditions and overall site condition. Post construction, a qualified botanist or wetland ecologist will monitor plant site progress towards pre-work conditions and overall site condition including plant survival (in riparian areas). Adjacent comparable wetland communities at least 100 feet outside of the work area will be reviewed to provide a reference for pre-work condition. One reference point will be established in each of the 4 community types during the pre-construction vegetation inventory. Photos and geographic positioning system (GPS) locations will be collected for all 4 of the reference communities.

Based on the information collected at each revegetation site, an estimate of percent cover will be determined. This information as well as species composition and overall site condition will be used to determine the success of the restoration efforts at each site.

4.1.1 Assessment of Site Conditions

Prior to construction, surveyors will document the assemblage of dominant vegetation species initially observed at each site. After observing all vegetation within the revegetation areas, the metrics estimated will include: 1) absolute cover of vegetation compared to bare ground; 2)

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relative percent cover of species observed; 3) number and species of dominants (defined as 20% cover or greater); and 4) identification of species as native or non-native.

Photographs will be taken at each revegetation area at the established photo documentation points. At least 2 photo documentation points will be established in each wetland feature (though only one will be established in the drainage due to the small impact area) and a minimum of four photos will be taken at each documentation point in all four major cardinal directions (North, East, South, and West), using a geotagging application (i.e. Solocator) on a smartphone camera. GPS points of photo point locations will be plotted on a map for use throughout the restoration and monitoring effort.

4.1.1.1 Reseeding Areas

For sites where reseeding occurs, information on species composition and percent cover using the above methodology will be used to assess revegetation success. The surveyor will also collect general information on vegetation establishment and overall biological conditions, as well as photo document the revegetation areas at the pre-established photo documentation point locations.

Success criteria is based on obtaining a uniform vegetative cover equivalent to 70% coverage (as compared to pre-work conditions) within all disturbed wetland and waters locations.

4.1.1.2 Replanting Areas

For areas where replanting will occur (assumed to be RS-2, EM-4, and EM-5), survival rates would be determined based on the total number of plants originally planted. Plants will be recorded as dead if there is no visible, viable above-ground growth. For example, if all the leaves on a plant are brown, but an examination of the stems and branches shows viable stem vigor, the plant will be considered alive, although it will be given a poor vigor rating.

The determination of plant vigor would account for the following:

● disease symptoms;

● low-density foliage;

● atypical leaf color;

● stem and foliar vigor (e.g., signs of desiccation, leaf curl);

● browsing or other wildlife-related damage; and

● vandalism.

A vigor rating of good, fair, or poor (values of 3.0, 2.0, and 1.0, respectively) will be assigned to each plant. Dead plants will not be assigned a vigor rating. The ratings are defined below.

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● Good (3.0): a seedling with less than 25% of its aboveground growth exhibiting one or more of the factors listed above.

● Fair (2.0): a seedling with 25%–75% of its aboveground growth exhibiting one or more of the factors listed above.

● Poor (1.0): a seedling with more than 75% of its aboveground growth exhibiting one or more of the factors listed above.

● Dead: a seedling that is no longer visible or that does not appear capable of growth.

4.1.2 Annual Reporting

An annual report describing the results of the performance monitoring will be submitted to the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as needed, by January 31 in the year following construction completion to allow time for site regrowth and new plant growth and establishment. Annual reports will quantify conditions at the revegetation sites to demonstrate progress toward meeting the performance standards and success criterion. The annual report will include the following:

● a summary of the revegetation location and description;

● a summary of the restoration or revegetation methods used at the site;

● a summary and analysis of the monitoring results, including an evaluation of site conditions in the context of the performance standards and success criteria;

● a list of the personnel, or their contractor, who prepared the content of the annual report and/or participated in monitoring activities that year;

● Site photos collected at the pre-established photo documentation sites; and

● Remedial measures identified and implemented including any adaptive management measures taken during the monitoring period that result in changes to the Plan.

5.0 CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

The purpose of the Revegetation Plan is to ensure that disturbed Project work areas are restored to near pre-work conditions. Remedial measures provide a mechanism for modifying the Revegetation Plan if the sites do not achieve the success criteria within one year.

If restoration areas do not appear to be on an upward trajectory toward meeting the 70% revegetation success criteria, then Project restoration personnel and/or inspecting biologists shall document this deficiency, attempt to ascertain the source of the problem, and propose adaptive management measures and/or remedial actions. The problem, the actions taken, and

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the results of the actions shall be documented in the annual monitoring report. The purpose of the remedial measures is to address unsuccessful restoration efforts and to further help meet the prescribed success criteria established in this Plan. PG&E will seek approval from the RWQCB for the most suitable remedial measures based on site condition, but the following are general adaptive management measures that may be proposed if restoration success criteria are not met within one year:

• Additional years of monitoring

• Remedial seeding or planting to ensure successful vegetative cover and composition

6.0 REFERENCES

Baldwin, B. G., D. H. Goldman, D. J. Keil, R. Patterson, T. J. Rosatti, and D. H. Wilken, editors. 2012. The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California, second edition. University of California Press, Berkeley, California.

Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler‐Wolf, and J. M. Evens. 2009. A Manual of California Vegetation, second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.

Attachment A Project Map Figures

Project Area

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Order No. 74008652: R-914 Pipeline ReplacementFigure 1. Project Vicinity

Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyGas Transmission Pipeline Replacement Project

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Disclaimer: Stantec assumes no responsibility for data supplied in electronic format. The recipient accepts full responsibility for verifying the accuracy and completeness ofthe data. The recipient releases Stantec, its officers, employees, consultants and agents, from any and all claims arising in any way from the content or provision of the data.

Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, EsriJapan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, © OpenStreetMapcontributors, and the GIS User Community


Order No. 74008652: R-914 Pipeline Replacement Figure 2. Impacts to Wetlands and Waters

Sheet 1 of 8

Proposed Pipeline AlignmentHDD AlignmentHDD PitBell HolePipe String and Laydown AreaStaging AreaWork Area

Project ComponentsTidal Drainage (no impacts)Salt Marsh (no impacts)Ephemeral Drainage (0.006 acre impacted)Emergent Marsh (1.600 acres impacted)Riparian Scrub (0.060 acre impacted)Seasonal Wetland (0.636 acre impacted)

Temporary Wetland/Waters Impact (2.30 acres)

Waters of the U.S.

McInnis Pkwy

Vista Marin Dr

Brigdewater Dr

McInnis Pkwy

SM-2

TD-1

SM-2EM-1

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Waters of the U.S.

McInnis Pkwy

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Waters of the U.S.

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Waters of the U.S.

Yosemite Rd

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Silveira PkwySilveira Pkwy

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Waters of the U.S.

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SW-9 SW-9

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Waters of the U.S.

SW-9EM-5

EM-5

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Sheet 8 of 8




Waters of the U.S.

Attachment B General Plan Area Photographs

Photo 1. Looking north at SW-2.

Photo 2. Looking southwest at SW-6.

Photo 3. Looking east at SW-9.

Photo 4. Looking north at SW-8.

Photo 5. Looking south at EM-4.

Photo 6. Looking west at ED-2.

Documents

Appendix E Revegetation Plan - California State Water ... · provided in A Manual of California Vegetation, Second Edition (Sawyer and Keeler -Wolf 2009). Taxonomic nomenclature for