South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, Phase 2; Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, California; Record of Decision for Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report, 53075-53077 [2018-22763]

Download as PDF amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Notices comment on the permit application, which includes the proposed habitat conservation plan, as well as on our preliminary determination that the plan qualifies as low-effect under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, which are also available for review. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by November 19, 2018. ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the application, including the HCP, as well as our environmental action statement or low-effect screening form, you may request the documents by email, phone, or U.S. mail. These documents are also available for public inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the office below. Send your comments or requests by any one of the following methods. Email: northflorida@fws.gov. Use ‘‘Attn: TE98747C–0.’’ Fax: Field Supervisor, (904) 731– 3191, ‘‘Attn: TE98747C–0.’’ U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Ecological Services Field Office, Attn: TE69161C–0, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256. In-person drop-off: You may drop off information during regular business hours at the above office address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin M. Gawera, telephone: (904) 731–3121; email: erin_gawera@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). McDonald Ventures XXXVIII, LLC (applicant) is requesting a 5-year ITP to take sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) incidental to the conversion of approximately 0.25 acres of occupied sand skink foraging and sheltering habitat for construction of a commercial development. The 9.37-acre project site is located on parcel Number Parcel ID numbers 42226000200000400, 42226000200000500, 42226000200000700, 42226000200000800, and 42226000200000900, within Section 34, Township 22 South, Range 26 East in Lake County, Florida. The project includes the clearing, infrastructure building, and landscaping associated with construction. The applicant proposes to mitigate for the take of the threatened sand skink by purchasing 0.50 mitigation credits within the Lake Wales Ridge Conservation Bank or VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Oct 18, 2018 Jkt 247001 another Service-approved sand skink conservation bank. Our Preliminary Determination We have determined that the Applicant’s proposal, including the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would have minor or negligible effects on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, we have determined that the incidental take permit for this project would be ‘‘low effect’’ and qualify for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A low-effect HCP is one involving (1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate species and their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may request in your comment that we withhold your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Next Steps We will evaluate the HCP and comments we receive to determine whether the ITP application meets the permit issuance requirements of section 10(a) of the ESA. We will also conduct an intra-Service consultation pursuant to section 7 of the ESA. If the requirements for permit issuance are met, we will issue ITP number TE98747C–0 to the Applicant for incidental take of the sand skink. Authority We provide this notice under section 10 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the ESA’s regulations, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Jay B. Herrington, Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 2018–22749 Filed 10–18–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53075 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–NWRS–2018–N130; FXRS282108E8PD0–190–F2013227943] South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, Phase 2; Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, California; Record of Decision for Final Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; record of decision. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California State Coastal Conservancy, announce the availability of the record of decision (ROD) for the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge—Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project final environmental impact statement/ environmental impact report. The ROD explains that the selected alternative is the environmentally preferred alternative. SUMMARY: ADDRESSES: Document Availability: The ROD is available at the following places: Internet: https://www.southbay restoration.org/planning/phase2/. In Person: San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex Headquarters, 1 Marshlands Rd., Fremont, CA 94555. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Barr, Deputy Project Leader, 510– 792–0222 (phone), or chris_barr@ fws.gov. We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), and the California State Coastal Conservancy, announce the availability of the record of decision (ROD) for the final environmental impact statement/ environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (SBSP) at the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. The ROD explains that the selected alternative is the environmentally preferred alternative. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In December 2007, the USFWS and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) published a Final EIS/ EIR for the SBSP Restoration Project at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) and the CDFW Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (December 19, 2007; 72 FR 71937). The overall south bay salt pond restoration area includes 15,100 acres, which the USFWS and the CDFW E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1 53076 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Notices acquired from Cargill, Inc., in 2003. The lands acquired from Cargill are divided into three pond complexes: The Ravenswood Pond Complex, in San Mateo County, managed by the USFWS; the Alviso Pond complex, also managed by the USFWS, which is mostly in Santa Clara County, with five ponds in Alameda County; and the Eden Landing Pond Complex, in Alameda County, which is owned and managed by the CDFW. The SBSP Restoration Project presented in the Final EIS/EIR was both programmatic, covering a 50-year period, and project-level, addressing the specific components and implementation of Phase 1. In January 2008, we signed a Record of Decision selecting the Tidal Emphasis Alternative (Alternative C) for implementation. This alternative will result in 90 percent of the USFWS’s ponds on the Refuge being restored to tidal wetlands and 10 percent converted to managed ponds. Under Phase 1 of Alternative C, we restored ponds E8A, E8X, E9, E12, and E13 at the Eden Landing complex; A6, A8, A16, and A17 at the Alviso complex; and SF2 at the Ravenswood complex. We also added several trails, interpretive features, and other recreational access points. Construction was completed on the USFWS ponds in 2013. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Project The SBSP Phase 2 project site is located on the following three geographically separate pond clusters: the Ravenswood Pond Complex (R3, R4, R5, and S5), the Alviso Pond ComplexMountain View Ponds (A1 and A2W), the Alviso Pond Complex-A8 Ponds (A8 and A8S), and the Alviso Pond Complex-Island Ponds (A19, A20, and A21). These pond clusters are illustrated in Figures 1–5 on the SBSP Restoration Project website at https://www.southbay restoration.org/planning/phase2/. Phase 2 of the SBSP Restoration Project will restore and enhance over 2,000 acres of tidal wetlands and managed pond habitats in South San Francisco Bay while providing for flood management and wildlife-oriented public access and recreation. On June 3, 2016, we announced the availability of the Final EIS/EIR for Phase 2 (81 FR 35790). Alternatives We analyzed a range of alternatives in the Final EIS/EIR, including No Action Alternatives for each group of ponds. The range of alternatives included varying approaches to restoring tidal marshes (including number and location of breaches and other levee modifications), habitat enhancements VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Oct 18, 2018 Jkt 247001 (islands, transition zones, and channels), modifications to existing levees and berms to maintain or improve flood protection, and recreation and public access components (including trails, boardwalks, and viewing platforms) which correspond to the project objectives. The alternatives for each group of ponds, or pond cluster, are described briefly below. The no-action alternatives are described together, followed by the action alternatives that were considered for each pond cluster. Alviso-Island Ponds, Alviso-Mountain View Ponds, Alviso-A8 Ponds, and Ravenswood Ponds—Alternatives A (No Action) Under Alternatives Island A, Mountain View A, A8 A, and Ravenswood A (the no-action alternative at each of these pond clusters), no new activities would be implemented as part of Phase 2. The pond clusters would continue to be monitored and managed through the activities described in the Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) and in accordance with current USFWS practices. Alviso Island Ponds Alternative Island B Alternative Island B would breach Pond A19’s northern levee and remove or lower levees between Ponds A19 and A20 to increase connectivity and improve the ecological function of both ponds. Alternative Island C Alternative Island C would include the components of Alternative Island B with the addition of levee breaches on the north sides of Ponds A20 and A21, lowering of portions of levees around Pond A20, pilot channels in Pond A19, and widening the existing breaches on the southern levee of Pond A19. Alviso-Mountain View Ponds Alternative Mountain View B Under Alternative Mountain View B, Ponds A1 and A2W levees would be breached at several points to introduce tidal flow in the ponds. Portions of Pond A1’s western levee would be built up to maintain current levels of flood protection provided by the pond itself. Habitat transition zones and habitat islands would be constructed in the ponds to increase habitat complexity and quality for special-status species. A new trail and viewing platform would be installed to improve recreation and public access at these ponds. PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Alternative Mountain View C Under Alternative Mountain View C, levees would be breached and lowered to increase tidal flows in Pond A1, Pond A2W, and Charleston Slough. The inclusion of Charleston Slough (by breaching and lowering much of Pond A1’s western levee) is the primary distinguishing feature between Alternative Mountain View B and Alternative Mountain View C. Several additional new trails and viewing platforms would be installed or replaced to improve recreation and public access at the pond cluster. To continue providing water to the City of Mountain View’s Shoreline Park sailing lake, a new water intake would be constructed at the proposed breach between Pond A1 and Charleston Slough. Alviso-A8 Ponds Alternative A8 B Alternative A8 B proposes the construction of habitat transition zones in Pond A8S’s southwest corner, southeast corner, or both, depending on the amount of material available. Ravenswood Ponds Alternative Ravenswood B Alternative Ravenswood B would open Pond R4 to tidal flows, improve levees to provide additional flood protection, create habitat transition zone along the western edge of Pond R4, establish managed ponds to improve habitat for diving and dabbling birds, increase pond connectivity, and add a viewing platform to improve recreation and public access. Alternative Ravenswood C Alternative Ravenswood C would be similar to Alternative Ravenswood B, with the following exceptions: Ponds R5 and S5 would be converted to a particular type of managed pond that is operated to maintain intertidal mudflat elevation; water control structures would be installed on Pond R3 to allow for improvement to the habitat for western snowy plover; an additional habitat transition zone would be constructed; and two public access and recreational trails and additional viewing platforms would be constructed. Alternative Ravenswood D Alternative Ravenswood D would open Pond R4 to tidal flows, improve levees to provide additional flood protection, create two habitat transition zones in Pond R4, establish enhanced managed ponds in Ponds R5 and S5, increase pond connectivity, enhance Pond R3 for western snowy plover E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1 amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 203 / Friday, October 19, 2018 / Notices habitat, remove the levees within and between Ponds R5 and S5, and improve recreation and public access. Alternative Ravenswood D would also allow temporary stormwater detention into Ponds R5 and S5 via connections with the City of Redwood City’s Bayfront Canal and Atherton Channel Project. This would treat a residual salinity problem in Ponds R5 and S5. Following public review of the Draft EIS/EIR, USFWS and the California State Coastal Conservancy, in coordination with the Project Management Team and other project partners, identified the preferred alternative, which is based on restoration enhancements at all four pond clusters, as well as maintained or increased flood protection and additional public access and recreation features at two of the Phase 2 pond clusters. The preferred alternative is described in Chapter 6 of the Final EIS/ EIR. A summary is provided below. Preferred Alternative: The preferred alternative at each pond cluster is as follows: • At the Island Ponds it is Alternative Island B, with one restoration component of Alternative Island C included, which is to widen only the westernmost of the two existing breaches on the south side of Pond A19. • At the Mountain View Ponds it is essentially Alternative Mountain View B, with the substitution of one habitat enhancement (do not include Charleston Slough in tidal marsh restoration but do construct a habitat transition zone across the entire southern extent of Pond A1, but only across central portion of A2W) and the addition of one public access component drawn from Mountain View C (add recreational trail on eastern levee of Pond A2W to the northeast corner of Pond A2W). There is also a modification of one of the flood protection features presented in the two action alternatives (raise the Coast Casey Forebay levee along southern border of Charleston Slough and maintain necessary access to existing utilities adjacent to that levee). • At the A8 Ponds it is Alternative A8 B, except that the top elevation of the proposed transition zones has been increased to provide greater erosion protection. • At the Ravenswood Ponds it is similar to Alternative Ravenswood B, in its restoration goals and features for Ponds R3, R4, R5, and S5, but it also includes an additional habitat transition zone and a trail on the eastern edge of Ponds R5 and S5, all of which were included in Alternatives Ravenswood C and D. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Oct 18, 2018 Jkt 247001 Selected Alternative The ROD identifies the preferred alternative as the selected alternative. This alternative is also the environmentally preferred alternative. The basis for the decision, descriptions of the alternatives considered, an overview of the measures to be implemented to avoid and minimized environmental effects, and a summary of the public involvement process are provided in the ROD. Authority We publish this notice under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and the Department of Interior’s implementing regulations in title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations (43 CFR part 46). Jody Holzworth, Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region. [FR Doc. 2018–22763 Filed 10–18–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2017–0105; FXES11140200000–190–FF02ENEH00] Final Environmental Impact Statement on American Electric Power’s American Burying Beetle Habitat Conservation Plan in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the National Environmental Policy Act, make available the final environmental impact statement analyzing the impacts of issuance of an incidental take permit (ITP) for implementation of American Electric Power’s American Burying Beetle Habitat Conservation Plan in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas (HCP). Our decision is to issue a 30-year ITP for implementation of the HCP, which authorizes incidental take of the American burying beetle under the Endangered Species Act. DATES: We will finalize a record of decision and issue a permit no sooner than November 19, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may obtain copies of the documents in the following formats: • Electronic: Æ https://www.regulations.gov, in Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2017–0105. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53077 Æ https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ Oklahoma/. Æ CD–ROM: Contact Ms. Jonna Polk (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Æ Telephone: 918–581–7458. • Hard copy: You may review the final environmental impact statement (EIS) at the following locations (by appointment only): Æ Department of the Interior, Natural Resources Library, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. Call 202–208– 5815. Æ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Avenue SW, Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Call 505–248– 6920. Æ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 9014 E 21st St., Tulsa, OK 74129. Call 918–581–7458. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonna Polk, Field Supervisor, via U.S. mail at Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 9014 E. 21st St., Tulsa, OK 74129; or via phone at 918–581–7458. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of several documents related to an incidental take permit (ITP) application under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The final EIS was developed in compliance with the agency decisionmaking requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and is based on the habitat conservation plan (HCP) as submitted by American Electric Power (applicant). We described, fully evaluated, and analyzed all three alternatives in detail in our 2018 final EIS. Our proposed action is to issue an ITP to the applicant under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA that authorizes incidental take of the American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus; ABB) from the applicant’s maintenance, operation, and expansion of its electrical facilities in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the country, with an electric system that includes transmission lines, substations, switching stations, and a distribution network. American Electric Power’s ability to serve its customers depends on the timely installation, operation, and maintenance of its electric facilities. The plan area for the HCP includes areas where authorized incidental take would occur and conservation measures would take place, a total of almost 32 million acres. The applicant requested a term of 30 years from the date of ITP issuance. The E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 203 (Friday, October 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53075-53077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22763]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-NWRS-2018-N130; FXRS282108E8PD0-190-F2013227943]


South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, Phase 2; Don Edwards 
National Wildlife Refuge, California; Record of Decision for Final 
Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; record of decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California 
State Coastal Conservancy, announce the availability of the record of 
decision (ROD) for the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge--Phase 2 of 
the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project final environmental impact 
statement/environmental impact report. The ROD explains that the 
selected alternative is the environmentally preferred alternative.

ADDRESSES: 
    Document Availability: The ROD is available at the following 
places:
    Internet: https://www.southbayrestoration.org/planning/phase2/.
    In Person: San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex 
Headquarters, 1 Marshlands Rd., Fremont, CA 94555.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Barr, Deputy Project Leader, 
510-792-0222 (phone), or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), and the California State Coastal Conservancy, announce the 
availability of the record of decision (ROD) for the final 
environmental impact statement/environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) 
for Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (SBSP) at 
the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. The ROD explains that the 
selected alternative is the environmentally preferred alternative.

Background

    In December 2007, the USFWS and the California Department of Fish 
and Wildlife (CDFW) published a Final EIS/EIR for the SBSP Restoration 
Project at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge 
(Refuge) and the CDFW Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (December 19, 
2007; 72 FR 71937). The overall south bay salt pond restoration area 
includes 15,100 acres, which the USFWS and the CDFW

[[Page 53076]]

acquired from Cargill, Inc., in 2003. The lands acquired from Cargill 
are divided into three pond complexes: The Ravenswood Pond Complex, in 
San Mateo County, managed by the USFWS; the Alviso Pond complex, also 
managed by the USFWS, which is mostly in Santa Clara County, with five 
ponds in Alameda County; and the Eden Landing Pond Complex, in Alameda 
County, which is owned and managed by the CDFW. The SBSP Restoration 
Project presented in the Final EIS/EIR was both programmatic, covering 
a 50-year period, and project-level, addressing the specific components 
and implementation of Phase 1.
    In January 2008, we signed a Record of Decision selecting the Tidal 
Emphasis Alternative (Alternative C) for implementation. This 
alternative will result in 90 percent of the USFWS's ponds on the 
Refuge being restored to tidal wetlands and 10 percent converted to 
managed ponds. Under Phase 1 of Alternative C, we restored ponds E8A, 
E8X, E9, E12, and E13 at the Eden Landing complex; A6, A8, A16, and A17 
at the Alviso complex; and SF2 at the Ravenswood complex. We also added 
several trails, interpretive features, and other recreational access 
points. Construction was completed on the USFWS ponds in 2013.

Project

    The SBSP Phase 2 project site is located on the following three 
geographically separate pond clusters: the Ravenswood Pond Complex (R3, 
R4, R5, and S5), the Alviso Pond Complex-Mountain View Ponds (A1 and 
A2W), the Alviso Pond Complex-A8 Ponds (A8 and A8S), and the Alviso 
Pond Complex-Island Ponds (A19, A20, and A21). These pond clusters are 
illustrated in Figures 1-5 on the SBSP Restoration Project website at 
https://www.southbayrestoration.org/planning/phase2/.
    Phase 2 of the SBSP Restoration Project will restore and enhance 
over 2,000 acres of tidal wetlands and managed pond habitats in South 
San Francisco Bay while providing for flood management and wildlife-
oriented public access and recreation. On June 3, 2016, we announced 
the availability of the Final EIS/EIR for Phase 2 (81 FR 35790).

Alternatives

    We analyzed a range of alternatives in the Final EIS/EIR, including 
No Action Alternatives for each group of ponds. The range of 
alternatives included varying approaches to restoring tidal marshes 
(including number and location of breaches and other levee 
modifications), habitat enhancements (islands, transition zones, and 
channels), modifications to existing levees and berms to maintain or 
improve flood protection, and recreation and public access components 
(including trails, boardwalks, and viewing platforms) which correspond 
to the project objectives.
    The alternatives for each group of ponds, or pond cluster, are 
described briefly below. The no-action alternatives are described 
together, followed by the action alternatives that were considered for 
each pond cluster.

Alviso-Island Ponds, Alviso-Mountain View Ponds, Alviso-A8 Ponds, and 
Ravenswood Ponds--Alternatives A (No Action)

    Under Alternatives Island A, Mountain View A, A8 A, and Ravenswood 
A (the no-action alternative at each of these pond clusters), no new 
activities would be implemented as part of Phase 2. The pond clusters 
would continue to be monitored and managed through the activities 
described in the Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) and in accordance with 
current USFWS practices.

Alviso Island Ponds

Alternative Island B
    Alternative Island B would breach Pond A19's northern levee and 
remove or lower levees between Ponds A19 and A20 to increase 
connectivity and improve the ecological function of both ponds.
Alternative Island C
    Alternative Island C would include the components of Alternative 
Island B with the addition of levee breaches on the north sides of 
Ponds A20 and A21, lowering of portions of levees around Pond A20, 
pilot channels in Pond A19, and widening the existing breaches on the 
southern levee of Pond A19.

Alviso-Mountain View Ponds

Alternative Mountain View B
    Under Alternative Mountain View B, Ponds A1 and A2W levees would be 
breached at several points to introduce tidal flow in the ponds. 
Portions of Pond A1's western levee would be built up to maintain 
current levels of flood protection provided by the pond itself. Habitat 
transition zones and habitat islands would be constructed in the ponds 
to increase habitat complexity and quality for special-status species. 
A new trail and viewing platform would be installed to improve 
recreation and public access at these ponds.
Alternative Mountain View C
    Under Alternative Mountain View C, levees would be breached and 
lowered to increase tidal flows in Pond A1, Pond A2W, and Charleston 
Slough. The inclusion of Charleston Slough (by breaching and lowering 
much of Pond A1's western levee) is the primary distinguishing feature 
between Alternative Mountain View B and Alternative Mountain View C. 
Several additional new trails and viewing platforms would be installed 
or replaced to improve recreation and public access at the pond 
cluster. To continue providing water to the City of Mountain View's 
Shoreline Park sailing lake, a new water intake would be constructed at 
the proposed breach between Pond A1 and Charleston Slough.

Alviso-A8 Ponds

Alternative A8 B
    Alternative A8 B proposes the construction of habitat transition 
zones in Pond A8S's southwest corner, southeast corner, or both, 
depending on the amount of material available.

Ravenswood Ponds

Alternative Ravenswood B
    Alternative Ravenswood B would open Pond R4 to tidal flows, improve 
levees to provide additional flood protection, create habitat 
transition zone along the western edge of Pond R4, establish managed 
ponds to improve habitat for diving and dabbling birds, increase pond 
connectivity, and add a viewing platform to improve recreation and 
public access.
Alternative Ravenswood C
    Alternative Ravenswood C would be similar to Alternative Ravenswood 
B, with the following exceptions: Ponds R5 and S5 would be converted to 
a particular type of managed pond that is operated to maintain 
intertidal mudflat elevation; water control structures would be 
installed on Pond R3 to allow for improvement to the habitat for 
western snowy plover; an additional habitat transition zone would be 
constructed; and two public access and recreational trails and 
additional viewing platforms would be constructed.
Alternative Ravenswood D
    Alternative Ravenswood D would open Pond R4 to tidal flows, improve 
levees to provide additional flood protection, create two habitat 
transition zones in Pond R4, establish enhanced managed ponds in Ponds 
R5 and S5, increase pond connectivity, enhance Pond R3 for western 
snowy plover

[[Page 53077]]

habitat, remove the levees within and between Ponds R5 and S5, and 
improve recreation and public access. Alternative Ravenswood D would 
also allow temporary stormwater detention into Ponds R5 and S5 via 
connections with the City of Redwood City's Bayfront Canal and Atherton 
Channel Project. This would treat a residual salinity problem in Ponds 
R5 and S5.
    Following public review of the Draft EIS/EIR, USFWS and the 
California State Coastal Conservancy, in coordination with the Project 
Management Team and other project partners, identified the preferred 
alternative, which is based on restoration enhancements at all four 
pond clusters, as well as maintained or increased flood protection and 
additional public access and recreation features at two of the Phase 2 
pond clusters. The preferred alternative is described in Chapter 6 of 
the Final EIS/EIR. A summary is provided below.
    Preferred Alternative: The preferred alternative at each pond 
cluster is as follows:
     At the Island Ponds it is Alternative Island B, with one 
restoration component of Alternative Island C included, which is to 
widen only the westernmost of the two existing breaches on the south 
side of Pond A19.
     At the Mountain View Ponds it is essentially Alternative 
Mountain View B, with the substitution of one habitat enhancement (do 
not include Charleston Slough in tidal marsh restoration but do 
construct a habitat transition zone across the entire southern extent 
of Pond A1, but only across central portion of A2W) and the addition of 
one public access component drawn from Mountain View C (add 
recreational trail on eastern levee of Pond A2W to the northeast corner 
of Pond A2W). There is also a modification of one of the flood 
protection features presented in the two action alternatives (raise the 
Coast Casey Forebay levee along southern border of Charleston Slough 
and maintain necessary access to existing utilities adjacent to that 
levee).
     At the A8 Ponds it is Alternative A8 B, except that the 
top elevation of the proposed transition zones has been increased to 
provide greater erosion protection.
     At the Ravenswood Ponds it is similar to Alternative 
Ravenswood B, in its restoration goals and features for Ponds R3, R4, 
R5, and S5, but it also includes an additional habitat transition zone 
and a trail on the eastern edge of Ponds R5 and S5, all of which were 
included in Alternatives Ravenswood C and D.

Selected Alternative

    The ROD identifies the preferred alternative as the selected 
alternative. This alternative is also the environmentally preferred 
alternative. The basis for the decision, descriptions of the 
alternatives considered, an overview of the measures to be implemented 
to avoid and minimized environmental effects, and a summary of the 
public involvement process are provided in the ROD.

Authority

    We publish this notice under the authority of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and the Department of 
Interior's implementing regulations in title 43 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (43 CFR part 46).

Jody Holzworth,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2018-22763 Filed 10-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.