STAFF REPORT

Discussion Items 1. Hydrologic conditions and water supply scenarios for 2015.

a. Overview

Current conditions and outlook Pursuant to the District’s Settlement Contract with the United States, the District’s 2015 allocation will be curtailed to 75% unless inflow to Shasta Lake during the water year exceeds 4 million acre feet. Current projections indicate an inflow volume significantly below this number, so it is safe to assume that a 75% allocation is the best-case scenario. Abundant precipitation between now and May could improve this outlook, but hydrologic forecasts do not lend themselves to optimism on this point. Potential for further curtailments In 2014 all Settlement Contractors were notified in February that curtailments in addition to those provided in the Contracts would be imposed as a result of pressure from the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The initial allocation in February 2014 was 40% of contract supply. A negotiated re-operation of diversions by the Contractors resulted in a return to 75% supply. The primary issue for the State Board and NMFS was retaining sufficient storage in Shasta Lake in the fall to provide cold water for the downstream anadromous fishery. Their goal was to increase fall storage by reducing Settlement Contract allocations. Management is working closely with the other Contractors to mitigate the possibility of further curtailments, including the use of MBK Engineers for modeling and consultant services to protect our right to divert in accordance with the Settlement Contracts. Settlement Contractor Working Group The Contractor working group has a meeting scheduled in Colusa for Friday, February 6 to discuss current conditions and next steps – an independent report of this meeting will be provided to the Board.

b. Project water

In 2014, with 75% supply, the District transferred all its available Project water to local agencies including Bella Vista Water District, Shasta Community Services District, Glide Water District and Kanawha Water District. A letter from Kanawha Water District General Manager Mike Alves is attached for your reference, in which he thanks the Board for last year’s transfer and requests consideration for the transfer of water in 2015. With 75% supply the District will have 3,000 acre feet available, and almost half of that amount is dedicated under long-term transfer agreements. It is apparent that the opportunity will exist to transfer all available Project water in 2015.

Staff Report: Discussion Items Page 1 of 1

Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Brenda Haynes, President 2810 Silver Street, Anderson, Ca. 96007 Jason Munson, Director Audie Butcher, Vice President (530) 365-7329 – Fax: (530) 365-7623 Kayle Spoon, Director Robert Blankenship, Director www.andersoncottonwoodirrigationdistrict.org Stan Wangberg, GM/Sec

February 13, 2015 Office of the County Clerk County of Shasta 1643 Market Street Redding, CA 96001 RE: Notice of Exemption Clear Creek Siphon Lining and Repair Project Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District (ACID) Shasta County, California To Whom It May Concern: Enclosed is a Notice of Exemption for the work proposed to line and repair 500 feet of the ACID canal siphon in Shasta County, California. Exhibits contained in this package include:

Notice of Exemption

Brief Project Description; Finding that the Project is Exempt; Brief Statement of Reasons to Support the Finding

Detailed Project Description and Design Parameters ACID will initiate and complete the proposed activities during the Fall/Winter of 2015. If you have any questions, please contact me at (530) 365-7329.

Sincerely,

Stan Wangberg General Manager

C: Wendy Johnston/VESTRA Resources (w/o exhibits)

RESOLUTION NO. 2015-01

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ANDERSON-COTTONWOOD IRRIGATION DISTRICT TO APPROVE THE NOTICE OF EXEMPTION AND

AUTHORIZE ITS FILING FOR THE CLEAR CREEK SIPHON LINING AND REPAIR PROJECT

WHEREAS, Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District is the lead agency for a project known as the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Clear Creek Siphon Lining and Repair Project; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has requested the preparation of documentation under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed project; and

WHEREAS, it has been determined that this project is categorically exempt, resulting in the preparation for filing of a Notice of Exemption; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has reviewed the following documentation in support of the determination: Notice of Exemption; Finding that the Project is Exempt; Brief Statement of Reasons to Support the Finding; and Detailed Project Description and Design Parameters; and

WHEREAS, the Board, in its independent judgment and based on the documentation listed above, concurs with the determination that this project is categorically exempt pursuant to §15302 of the CEQA.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District that the Notice of Exemption for the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Clear Creek Siphon Lining and Repair Project is hereby approved; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Manager of Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District is directed to file this Notice of Exemption with the State Clearinghouse and with the Clerk of the County of Shasta within five days of the date of this resolution.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of February, 2015, the following Directors voting

thereon: Aye: No: Abstain: Absent:

President of the Board of Directors Attest: Secretary to the Board of Directors

Resolution No. 2015-01_Notice of Exemption – Clear Creek Page 1 of 1

28 • California State Clearinghouse Handbook

Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out Project:

Description of Nature, Purpose and Beneficiaries of Project:

Project Location - Specific:

Notice of Exemption

To: Office of Planning and ResearchP.O. Box 3044, Room 212Sacramento, CA 95812-3044

County ClerkCounty of

From: (Public Agency)

Project Title:

Project Location – County:Project Location – City:

Name of Public Agency Approving Project:

Exempt Status: (check one) Ministerial (Sec. 21080(b)(1); 15268); Declared Emergency (Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(a)); Emergency Project (Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)); Categorical Exemption. State type and section number: Statutory Exemptions. State code number:

(Address)

Reasons why project is exempt:

Lead AgencyContact Person: Area Code/Telephone/Extension:

Signature: Date: Title:

Signed by Lead Agency

Signed by ApplicantDate received for filing at OPR:

If filed by applicant:1. Attach certified document of exemption finding.2. Has a Notice of Exemption been filed by the public agency approving the project? Yes No

28

Form D

Revised 2005

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NOTICE OF EXEMPTION CLEAR CREEK SIPHON LINING AND REPAIR PROJECT

ANDERSON-COTTONWOOD IRRIGATION DISTRICT

PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed action consists of the lining and reinforcing of the existing siphon (pipe) that conveys Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District (ACID) irrigation water south across Clear Creek. Repairing the existing siphon where it crosses Clear Creek will result in reduced potential for future catastrophic failure of the siphon structure. The siphon was originally constructed in approximately 1915 and is almost 100 years old. The siphon is 84-inch cast-in-place concrete. Portions of the bed-load material in Clear Creek that once covered the pipe have been scoured away, leaving the pipe in a semi-exposed condition. This portion of the siphon has been exposed by hydraulic forces and is worn. The siphon has leaked in the past and has been patched previously. The previous leaks were at the joints of the pipe both within the channel and on the adjacent north slope. The “in-channel” leaks have generally been repaired; however, the pipe remains fragile and reinforcement is required. ACID began reviewing alternatives for the pipe repair in 2012. Based on these evaluations, ACID has selected a cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) liner as the most environmentally sensitive and protective alternative. Other alternatives evaluated included:

Steel or composite structural pipe slip-lining

Removal and replacement

Patching and armoring

No action

Installation of CIPP provides the structural integrity needed to reinforce the structure, ensures a good seal in the siphon, does not restrict or reduce flow through the pipe, minimizes “in-channel” work and thereby reduces risks to aquatic organisms and salmon populations in the channel at all times of the year, and minimizes total soil disturbance required for installation. The project will consist of slip-lining 500 feet of the existing 84-inch concrete pipe with CIPP. This includes the north slope and channel portions of the pipe. A section of the pipe on the north bank outside of the stream channel will be removed to allow access to the pipe for CIPP installation. The section of the pipe removed will be replaced with new concrete pipe upon completion of the CIPP installation. CIPP technology has been improving steadily since its inception and is now used for the lining of drinking water, waste water, and storm water piping. The CIPP process uses heat to initiate the curing of a resin-impregnated felt liner that is inverted into the existing pipe. In this case, heat will be introduced in the form of hot water, which activates and hardens the resin. Drinking water technologies commonly use an epoxy resin and double exterior liners and are limited to pipe sizes less than 12 inches.

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For larger CIPP installations (pipes greater than 12 inches), generally two types of resin are used. The first type used commonly is the original resin, which is styrene-based. The resin is used predominately for the lining of waste water conveyance (sewer) piping. This is due to issues associated with residual styrene in the pipe rinsate and ability of the treatment plants to manage and treat any residual material and rinsate. For storm water and irrigation conveyance systems, a vinyl ester resin produced by Alcoa AOC is common and is proposed for use at this site by ACID. EcoTeck L041-FLXG is an ultra-low VOC resin that does not contain styrene. The rinsate and resin residue are less toxic than the styrene-based product. In general, this resin gels in 1 to 2 hours and hardens completely in 5 to 8 hours; however, larger pipe sizes will extend the time required. For this 84-inch pipe, the gel time may exceed 12 hours. By their nature, the CIPP resins are volatile and toxic if released to the environment. Even with the risk, however, the CIPP method can be the most environmentally safe alternative, as it requires less excavation and ground disturbance. ACID has selected the CIPP alternative because it results in no in-channel disturbance in Clear Creek. ACID is working with an experienced CIPP installer, SAK Construction, which will minimize the risk of any “out-of-pipe” discharge. The 84-inch concrete siphon has been reinspected by divers and will be prior to installation. Divers will inspect the pipe immediately prior to installation. Any debris (sticks, rocks, etc.) will be removed. Bolts on the historical plate repair will be cut and capped. All joints will be sealed with oakum and epoxy as a precaution for leakage. The two leaks identified at Seam 5 and Seam 6 will require extra attention. No resin discharge into Clear Creek is anticipated. The lining work will not require dewatering of the pipe, and there will be no pressure gradient between the pipe and Clear Creek that would “push” resin out of the pipe into the channel. The pipe is delivered with an exterior protective vinyl coating. As the pipe is inverted, the liner is inverted to the interior of the pipe, the impregnated felt on the exterior. The vinyl liner results in a smooth interior surface and limits exposure of the curing water to the resin. As a precaution, the first curing water removal will be filtered using carbon and discharged to the empty ACID canal. All remaining water will also be discharged to the canal. The resin to be used includes petro-chemicals. As the resin liquefies and gels, it provides the increased structural integrity of the completed system. In some instances, small amounts of the petroleum resin escape through small cracks or gaps in the pipe. This is rare. In response to this possibility, ACID will boom the creek below the pipe during installation and for 10 hours after installation until the resin has cured. The boom will retain and catch any sheen that may develop and catch any residual resin. This is not anticipated to be a problem during the installation, and the booming activity is being conducted as an extraordinary precaution during installation due to the sensitivity of Clear Creek for salmonids. In addition, ACID will have a collapsible container and small pump on hand should they need to remove the sheen. The work/staging area for the CIPP installation and joint repair will be located on the top of the north bank of Clear Creek. The work staging area will be approximately 200 feet by 200 feet. The staging area will be bermed and rocked. A Shasta County Grading permit and Encroachment Permit will be required and obtained for the access portion of the project.

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Equipment and supplies will be staged at the top of the slope approximately 600 feet from the creek bank in an area of approximately 7,000 square feet. The staging area, work area, and access will be located to minimize disturbance to existing trees and vegetation. The small ephemeral draw on the east side of the siphon will be protected and remain undisturbed. Some riparian vegetation (blackberry) will be removed for construction. All disturbed areas will be reseeded and mulched or remain rocked after completion of construction. The Best Management Practices (BMPs) to be used during CIPP installation include:

Certification by the liner system manufacturer that the installer is licensed and certified as competent to perform the work.

Documentation showing that the installer and any staff working on the project (1) are licensed and certified by the manufacturer of the CIPP product system to be used on the project, (2) have at least 3 years of active experience in the installation of the CIPP, and (3) have installed at least 50,000 feet of CIPP in similar conditions and that all of the above are documented in writing to ACID in advance of the project.

Certification that the manufacturer operates under a quality management system according to recognized industry standards.

Inspection at the time of installation to ensure that the liner material is not torn, cut, warmed, or exposed to direct sunlight or otherwise damaged. If any part of the liner becomes torn, cut, or damaged during insertion, the operation will cease, the damaged material will be removed, and new liner material obtained.

ACID will boom the creek below the project to ensure that any sheen or residual resin is retained at the work site.

The staging area and access roads will be rocked to provide extra protection against sedimentation into Clear Creek.

The existing access route, staging, and work areas will be selected to avoid removal of riparian vegetation, including trees.

Prior to start of work, areas around vehicles and equipment will be inspected to avoid trampling or crushing wildlife.

Standard construction BMPs will be implemented to minimize sediment transport to Clear Creek.

Standard construction BMPs will be implemented to minimize the potential to spread or introduce invasive species.

Following repair activities, all disturbed areas will be mulched and seeded with regionally appropriate seed mixes, including native grass and forb species and/or sterile quick-growing naturalized species.

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PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION The ACID Clear Creek siphon was originally constructed in approximately 1915 and is over 100 years old. Portions of the bedload material in Clear Creek that once covered the pipe have been scoured away, leaving the pipe in a semi-exposed condition. This portion of the siphon has been exposed by hydraulic forces and is worn. The siphon has leaked in the past and has been patched numerous times. The pipe remains fragile and reinforcement is required. Slip-lining replaces the need to replace the pipe completely. The CIPP slip-lining will provide structural reinforcement and prohibit future leakage.

PROJECT LOCATION The project area is located in southwest Redding, near the intersection of State Route 273 and Clear Creek Road within the Redding U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5 minute quadrangle, Sections 25 and 26, Township 31 North, Range 5 West, MDBM. The latitude and longitude of the site are 40.507611 and 122.389806, respectively. The elevation at the site is approximately 575 feet above mean sea level. The general project location is shown on Figure 1. The USGS topographic map is included as Figure 2. Engineering sheets are included as Sheets 1, 2, and 3.

FINDING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT The project falls under categorical Exemption Class 1 as defined in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301 Existing Facilities. Class 1 projects are defined as:

Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographic features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. The types of “existing facilities” itemized below are not intended to be all-inclusive of the types of projects which might fall within Class 1. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use, including (d) restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety.

ACID finds that the project, as proposed and designed, meets the requirements and intent of this exemption.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF REASONS TO SUPPORT THE FINDING The Class I (Section 15301) exemption includes the maintenance of existing structures with no expansion of use. There will be no expansion of use under the proposed project, which simply lines an existing pipe structure.

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SITE LOCATION

UV273

UV151

UV44

UV299

UV5

CentralValley

ShastaLake

Shasta

BellaVista

Redding

Igo

Anderson

PaloCedro

FIGURE 1GENERAL SITE LOCATION

CLEAR CREEK SIPHONREDDING, CALIFORNIA

P:\GIS\71114\ClearCreekSiphon\71114_GeneralSiteLocation.mxd0 2.5 51.25

Miles

PROJECT LOCATION

SOURCE: USGS 7.5' TOPOGRAPHIC MAP, REDDING QUADRANGLE

FIGURE 2TOPOGRAPHY

CLEAR CREEK SIPHONREDDING, CALIFORNIA

0 1,000 2,000500Feet

Pipe

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San Buenaventura Land GrantTownship 31N, Range 5W, Section 25 and 26, M.D.B.M.

Association of Environmental Professionals 2011 CEQA Guidelines Appendices

257

CEQA APPENDIX H: ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION FORM

Association of Environmental Professionals 2011 CEQA Guidelines Appendices

258

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CEQA APPENDIX H: ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION FORM CLEAR CREEK SIPHON LINING AND REPAIR PROJECT

ANDERSON-COTTONWOOD IRRIGATION DISTRICT

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING 33. Topography: The project site is 280 feet of an ACID siphon that runs under Clear Creek.

Elevation at the site is approximately 575 feet above mean sea level. Within portions of the project area, slopes (i.e. 12 percent) occur in relation to the banks of Clear Creek. The adjacent land is relatively flat, with the site located on the southwestern edge of Redding. Topography of the site was depicted on Figure 2.

Soils: Soils within the project area, as classified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, consist of Reiff gravelly fine sandy loam (RkA) and Reiff fine sandy loam (RhA), both exhibiting 0 to 3 percent slopes. Both soils are associated with the floodplain of Clear Creek and derived from alluvial parent material. These soils are moderately deep (80 inches) and well drained. A map of soils within the project area is provided as Figure 3.

Climate: The Redding area is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The region receives, on average, 34 inches of annual precipitation, mostly in the form of rain and falling between October and May. Average temperatures in the area range from 46.0 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit in July (National Climatic Data Center, Redding Airport Station; ID: GHCND: USW00024257; period of record 1981-2010). Summer temperatures regularly reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hydrology: The siphon crosses Clear Creek, which drains out of Whiskeytown Reservoir through controlled releases from the dam approximately 15 miles upstream. The siphon is approximately 1.3 miles upstream from the channel’s confluence with the Sacramento River. Clear Creek is a permanently flowing channel approximately 130 feet wide at the siphon location. Due to urban residential development along the south side of the channel and scattered industrial and commercial development along both sides, there is a limited riparian corridor along the south bank; however, a more developed riparian corridor is supported along the north bank. One intermittent drainage flows into the creek in the vicinity of the siphon. This feature was supported by leaks from the siphon and from localized runoff following winter storm events. The leaks were repaired in 2013.

Immediately below the siphon, sheet metal was installed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prevent downcutting of the channel bottom. The sheets are approximately 3 feet in height from the bottom of the channel and span the width of the creek, forming a dam. Biological Resources: A reconnaissance-level search of the site was conducted to define site-specific habitat potential, along with determining the extent of pre-jurisdictional wetlands and other water features within the project area. Prior to the site visit, database searches were conducted and aerial photographs were reviewed to create a preliminary list of

PROJECT AREA

NeE2

RmA

PmA

TaD

Ch

RkA

W

RkA

RgA

W

Ch

RkA

RgA

W

RhA

CeA

Ad

NeD

RbB

Gp

RgA

RmA

TbA

SOURCE: MICROSOFT 2010 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH; NRCS 2004

FIGURE 3SOILS

CLEAR CREEK SIPHONREDDING, CALIFORNIA

0 600 1,200300Feet

PipeSoil Map Unit

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habitat types and special-status species that may have potential to occur on the site. The information below was collected from preliminary investigations and field visits. The siphon alignment from Clear Creek Road to Clear Creek lies within a maintenance easement. To support ACID operations and maintain the siphon, any woody vegetation which begins to establish within the easement is periodically removed. Within the lower portion of the easement, nearer the channel, vegetation primarily consists of blackberry shrubs with the occasional alder, cottonwood, or other riparian-associated saplings. Additional vegetation within the easement includes primarily annual grasses and forbs in addition to scattered live oaks and foothill pines. Vegetation: The two habitat types identified in the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships system and mapped in the CALVEG database as occurring on the site include Blue Oak Woodland and Blue Oak-Foothill Pine. Site-specific analysis has determined that the project area is comprised of Blue Oak-Foothill Pine and Valley Foothill Riparian as shown on Figure 4. Blue Oak-Foothill Pine: This mix of hardwoods, conifers, and shrubs forms diverse horizontal and vertical layers. The shrub component is typically composed of several species that tend to be clumped with interspersed patches of Annual Grassland. Most existing stands of this type are in mature stages, with canopy cover ranging from 10 to 59 percent. Individual trees seldom exceed 49 inches in diameter and rarely grow to heights of 100 feet. Blue oaks and gray pine typically comprise the overstory of this habitat type that lines the foothills above the Central Valley floor. Tree species typically associated with this habitat are interior live oak and California buckeye. Interior live oak sometimes dominates the overstory, especially in rocky areas and on north-facing slopes at higher elevations. At lower elevations, where blue oaks make up most of the canopy, the understory tends to be primarily annual grasses and forbs. Where a shrub layer occurs, it usually includes patches of species such as Ceanothus, manzanita, redberry, coffeeberry, poison-oak, and California redbud (Cercis occidentalis). Blue oak-foothill pine habitats seldom form areas of continuous cover over large areas; rather, mosaics of grassland, chaparral, and strips of riparian forest occur depending on soil type and moisture regime. The habitat is nearly continuous in the western foothills of the northern Sierra Nevada. Valley Foothill Riparian: In this habitat type, the dominant tree species include cottonwood, sycamore (Plantanus racemosa) and various oaks. Understory composition often includes alders, boxelders (Acer negundo) and Oregon ash. A shrub layer including species such as wild grape (Vitis californica), wild rose (Rosa californica), blackberry, blue elderberry (Sambucus cerulean), poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), and various willows may be well developed. The herbaceous layer generally consists of sedges, rushes, and grasses and may include species such as miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), Douglas sagewort (Artemisia douglasiana), poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum), and hoary nettle (Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea). Transition to adjacent non-riparian vegetation is usually abrupt, especially near agriculture. Valley-Foothill Riparian habitats may intergrade upstream with Montane Riparian vegetative communities. Valley-foothill riparian habitats are found in valleys bordered by sloping alluvial fans, slightly dissected terraces, lower foothills, and coastal plains. They are generally associated with low velocity rivers and streams, and flood plains with gentle topography. Valleys provide deep alluvial soils and a high water table.

SOURCE: BING 2011; USFS 2006

FIGURE 4CWHR VEGETATION TYPES

CLEAR CREEK SIPHONREDDING, CALIFORNIA0 200 400100

Feet

ACID Right-of-WayPipe

SiteVegetationBlue Oak-Foothill PineValley Foothill Riparian

CWHRBarrenBlue Oak WoodlandBlue Oak-Foothill PineMixed Chaparral

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The substrate is often coarse, gravelly, or rocky and soils more or less permanently moist but well aerated. Special-Status Plants and Wildlife: Database searches for potentially occurring special-status plant and wildlife species were conducted by querying the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), the California Native Plant Society’s (CNPS) Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) species lists. The CNDDB was reviewed for records of special-status plant and wildlife species in the Redding USGS quadrangle and the eight adjacent quadrangles. The CNDDB is limited to reported sightings and is not a comprehensive list of special-status plant and wildlife species that may occur in a particular area. The CNPS database outputs a list of rare plants that have been documented within the nine-quadrangle search area. The USFWS list is county-based. Special-status species considered in this assessment meet one of the following criteria:

Federally listed as threatened or endangered

State listed as threatened or endangered

Identified as a California Species of Special Concern

California Rare Plant Rank of 1 or 2 as determined by CNPS Lists of special-status wildlife and plant species with the potential to occur within Shasta County and the nine-quadrangle search area, based on known occurrences or suitable habitat within the search area, are provided in Tables 1 and 2. Although certain species may have the potential to occur within the search area, no potential may occur within or adjacent to the project area due to site-specific habitat suitability. The following tables provide a summary of each species and identifies their potential to occur within the project area. The CNDDB-documented occurrences within 1 and 5 miles of the site are shown on Figure 5. Special-status species that are known to occur or have a high potential to occur within the project area, include Central Valley steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Central Valley spring-run and fall-run/late fall-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), western pond turtle (Emys marmorata), foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii), several bats, and various migratory birds. Western pond turtles and foothill yellow-legged frogs are both identified as Species of Special Concern in California. The turtle occurs from California to British Columbia, utilizing streams and ponds, along with immediately adjacent uplands for nesting. The species is known to occur within the Clear Creek drainage. Foothill yellow-legged frogs occur from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and Coastal ranges north through the Cascades to northern Oregon, preferring shallow, slow-moving foothill streams. The riparian habitat along the banks of Clear Creek provides suitable nesting habitat for migratory birds and roosting habitat for bats. During field surveys, a nest structure, determined to be an osprey nest, was observed near the top of the cell tower located adjacent to the project area.

dubious pea

steelhead - Central Valley DPS

Shasta chaparral

vernal pool tadpole shrimp

steelhead - Central Valley DPS

chinook salmon - Sacramento River winter-run ESU

osprey

western pearlshell

chinook salmon - Central Valley spring-run ESU

bank swallow

Great Valley Valley Oak Riparian Forest

Great Valley Willow Scrub

Great Valley Valley Oak Riparian Forest

Great Valley Cottonwood Riparian Forest

Great Valley Valley Oak Riparian Forest

Great Valley Valley Oak Riparian Forest

California linderiella

Red Bluff dwarf rush

California linderiella

western pond turtle

Red Bluff dwarf rush

western pond turtlevalley elderberry longhorn beetle

Red Bluff dwarf rush

SOURCE: MICROSOFT 2010 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH; CNDDB DECEMBER 2014

FIGURE 5CNDDB OCCURRENCESCLEAR CREEK SIPHONREDDING, CALIFORNIA

0 1 20.5Miles

CNDDB Occurrence1-Mile Buffer Around Project Area5-Mile Buffer Around Project Area

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During the field visits, an examination of the vegetation within and adjacent to the project area was made specifically in an effort to locate elderberry shrubs that may provide habitat for valley elderberry longhorn beetles. No elderberry plants were observed in or near the site. Attention was also directed towards riparian shrub layers to determine if willow flycatchers may be potentially present during the nesting season. No riparian deciduous shrubs arranged in dense patches along a meadow or floodplain were present, and it is unlikely that nesting willow flycatchers would inhabit the area. A similar visual examination, looking for potential sites that could support breeding bank swallows, identified no exposed vertical banks of friable soils present within or adjacent to the project area. As such, no bank swallow nesting habitat is present. During field surveys, no amphibians or reptiles were observed. Extensive restoration has been completed within the Clear Creek drainage for the purpose of improving spawning habitat for salmonids. The work completed included the removal of Saeltzer Dam, which increased base flows, channel and floodplain reconstruction, and the addition of spawning gravel in numerous locations. The area of the project is critical habitat as shown on Figure 6. Special-status fish species that occur in Clear Creek include:

Central Valley Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Chinook Salmon Spring-Run, Sacramento River Drainage (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Chinook Salmon Central Valley Fall-Run /Late Fall-Run (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) 34. Surrounding land use includes large-parcel rural residential, single-family residential, on all

sides and the Redding (Wintu) Rancheria gaming operation to the southwest. Adjoining properties are visible on Figure 2.

Known occurrences of sensitive species on adjoining parcels was included on Figure 5. No

other known sensitive areas are included.

SOURCE: BING 2011

FIGURE 6CRITICAL HABITAT

CLEAR CREEK SIPHONREDDING, CALIFORNIA0 1 20.5

Miles

1-Mile Buffer Around Project Area5-Mile Buffer Around Project Area

Chinook salmonSteelheadSlender Orcutt grass

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Table 1 POTENTIALLY OCCURRING SPECIAL-STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES

Common and Scientific Names

Status Fed/State Distribution Preferred Habitats

Known/Potential Occurrence in Project Area

AMPHIBIANS

Pacific Tailed Frog Antrozous pallidus

--/CSC From Mendocino County north through Oregon and Washington. Inland occurrences as far east as Shasta County

Headwater streams within lower montane coniferous forests, North coast coniferous forests, and riparian forests

No potential for occurrence due to lack of suitable habitat

Shasta Salamander Hydromantes shastae

--/ST Endemic to Northern California within small area around Lake Shasta

Cismontane woodland and limestone outcrops

No potential for occurrence; outside species range

Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog Rana boylii

--/CSC Northern Oregon, west of Cascades south along coast and the western Sierra Nevada

Slow-moving, gravelly streams and rivers with sunny banks in forests and chaparral

High potential for occurrence due to suitable habitat

CA Red-legged Frog Rana draytonii

FT/CSC Coast range from Mendocino County to northern Baja and scattered populations in the western Sierra Nevada

Found in forests, woodlands, and grasslands near perennial or seasonal water bodies, including stock ponds, ponds, marshes and streams

No potential for occurrence; site is outside of current species’ range

BIRDS

Tricolored Blackbird Agelaius tricolor

--/CSC Central Valley and northeastern corner of California, small populations in Oregon and Nevada

Nest near fresh water in adjacent vegetation, especially near marshes. Forage in grasslands and croplands

No potential for occurrence due to lack of suitable habitat

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Delisted/CE Scattered throughout North America Usually associated with aquatic habitats including, lakes, streams, reservoirs and coastal areas

Moderate potential for occurrence due to suitable foraging habitat

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia

--/CT Northern parts of North America during breeding, southern parts during non-breeding and South America during non-breeding

Riparian corridors. Nest in cavities dug into riverbanks or cliffs

No potential for occurrence due to lack of suitable habitat

Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis Subspecies: caurina or occidentalis

Ssp. caurina: FT/CS;

Ssp. occidentalis: FS/CSC

Ssp. caurina: British Columbia through Coast Ranges and Cascades to Northern California east to the Pit River; Ssp. occidentalis: from Shasta County through the Sierra Nevada to northern Baja

Forests with complex structure, high canopy closure, and large trees for nesting. Younger stands often used for foraging

No potential for occurrence; outside of species’ range

FISH

Delta Smelt Hypomesus transpacificus

FT/ Lower Sacramento, San Joaquin Delta, San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay

Tidal waters within the mixing zone No potential for occurrence; outside species’ range

Central Valley Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss

FT/ Sacramento River and accessible tributaries Cool water streams with riffle pool complexes and appropriate gravel for spawning

Known to occur within Clear Creek

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Table 1 POTENTIALLY OCCURRING SPECIAL-STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES

Common and Scientific Names

Status Fed/State Distribution Preferred Habitats

Known/Potential Occurrence in Project Area

Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Spring-run FT,

Winter-run FE, Fall/Late Fall-

run CSC

Sacramento River and accessible tributaries Cool water streams with riffle pool complexes and appropriate gravel for spawning

Spring-run and Fall/Late Fall-run known to occur within Clear Creek

INVERTEBRATES

Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp Branchinecta lynchi

FT/--

Central Valley from Shasta County to Tulare County, along Coast Range from Solano County to Santa Barbara County, and southern CA in Riverside and San Diego Counties

Vernal pools No potential for occurrence due to lack of habitat

Valley Elderberry Longhorn

Beetle Desmocerus californicus dimorphus

FT/ Central Valley and surrounding foothills to 500 m in elevation

Elderberry (Sambucus sp.) shrubs No potential for occurrence due to lack of habitat

Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp Lepidurus packardi

FE/-- Central Valley from Shasta County to Merced County

Large, deep vernal pools No potential for occurrence due to lack of habitat

Shasta Crayfish Pacifastacus fortis

FE/CE Limited to the mid Pit River drainage, including the Fall River and Hat Creek sub-drainages

Cool, clear, spring-fed headwaters No suitable habitat occurs on the project site.

MAMMALS

Pallid Bat Antrozous pallidus

--/CSC Western North America Arid regions with rocky outcroppings or grasslands with water and appropriate roost sites

High potential for occurrence due to suitable habitat

Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat Corynorhinus townsendii

--/CSC Western North America

Desert shrub, mixed conifer, heavily vegetated riparian areas, pinyon-juniper. Mines, caves, rock piles, lava tubes for roosting

High potential for occurrence due to suitable habitat

Western Red Bat Lasiurus blossevillii

--/CSC Along western edge of Central America up to western Canada

Cismontane woodland, lower montane coniferous forest, but prefer riparian forest and riparian woodland with tree roost sites

High potential for occurrence due to suitable habitat

Pacific Fisher Martes pennanti

candidate/CSC Klamath, Cascade, North Coast and Sierra Nevada ranges

Intermediate/old growth forest with high canopy closure; dens in cavities

No potential for occurrence; outside species’ range

REPTILES

Western Pond Turtle Emys marmorata

--/CSC California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, British Columbia

Slow-moving streams and ponds. Lays eggs in uplands adjacent to water

Known to occur within Clear Creek drainage

Key: Federally Endangered (FE), Threatened (FT); California Endangered (CE); California Threatened (CT); California Fully Protected (CFP); California Species of Special Concern by DFG (CSC)

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Table 2 POTENTIALLY OCCURRING SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SPECIES

Common and Scientific Names

Status Fed/State/CNPS Distribution Preferred Habitats

Known and Potential Occurrence in Project Area

Slender Silver Moss (Anomobryum julaceum)

--/--/2.2 Western United States Mesic sites, rock outcrops and road cuts of North Coast and lower montane coniferous forests. 100 to 1000 m

No potential for occurrence, lack of suitable habitat

Sulphur Creek Brodiaea (Brodiaea matsonii)

--/--/1B.1 Endemic to Shasta County Cismontane woodlands, meadows and seeps on metamorphic schist. 195 to 215 m

Low potential for occurrence, marginal habitat

Pink Creamsacs (Castilleja rubicundula ssp. rubicundula)

--/--/1B.2 Endemic to California Grasslands, meadows, seeps, and chaparral. Serpentine soil. 20 to 910 m

Low potential for occurrence marginal habitat

Pointed Broom Sedge (Carex scoparia)

--/--/2.2 North America Wet areas, marshes, gravelly seeps, margins of ponds and streams, and roadside ditches within Great Basin scrub. 130 to 1000 m

No potential for occurrence, outside species’ range

Northern Clarkia (Clarkia borealis ssp. borealis)

--/--/1B.3 California Chaparral habitat types in cismontane woodlands/lower montane coniferous forests from 400 to 1340 m

No potential for occurrence, marginal habitat and outside elevation range

Silky Cryptantha (Cryptantha crinita)

--/--/1B.2 Endemic to Northern CA Valley and foothill woodland openings, along rocky streambeds or gravel bars. 61 to 1215 m

No potential for occurrence within Clear Creek due to lack of suitable habitat

Norris’ Beard Moss (Didymodon norrisii)

--/--/2.2 California Rock outcrops in cismontane woodland and lower montane coniferous forest from 600 to 1973 m

No potential for occurrence, marginal habitat and outside elevation range

Red Bluff Dwarf Rush (Juncus leiospermus var. leiospermus)

--/--/1B.1 California Endemic Species

Vernal pools and swales from 35 to 1020 m No potential for occurrence due to lack of suitable habitat

Legenere (Legenere limosa)

--/--/1B.1 Endemic to California Vernal pools and grasslands from 1 to 880 m No potential for occurrence due to lack of suitable habitat

Shasta Snow-Wreath (Neviusia cliftonii)

--/--/1B.2 Western United States Lower montane coniferous forests from 1218 to 2000 m

No potential for occurrence, marginal habitat and outside species’ range

Slender Orcutt Grass (Orcuttia tenuis )

FT/CE/1B.1 California Endemic Species

Vernal pools and reservoirs in grasslands, blue oak and oak-juniper woodlands and Jeffrey pine forests from 35 to 1760 m

No potential for occurrence due to lack of suitable habitat

Nuttall’s Ribbon-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus)

--/--/2.2 North America Marshes and swamps from 369 to 2172 m No potential for occurrence due to lack of suitable habitat

Sanford’s Arrowhead (Sagittaria sanfordii)

--/--/1B.2 Endemic to California Marshes and swamp from 0 to 650 m No potential for occurrence due to lack of suitable habitat

Canyon Creek Stonecrop (Sedum obtusatum ssp. paradisum)

--/--/1B.3 Endemic to California Chaparral, broadleafed upland forest, lower montane coniferous forest, and subalpine coniferous forest from 300 to 1900 m

No potential for occurrence, marginal habitat and outside elevation range

Key: Federally Endangered (FE); Federally Threatened (FT); California Endangered (CE); California Threatened (CT); California Species of Special Concern by Department of Fish and Game (CSC)

California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Rare Plant Ranks 1B = Rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere 2 = Rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common elsewhere

Threat Ranks .1 = Seriously endangered in California (over 80% of occurrences threatened-high degree and immediacy of threat) .2 = Fairly endangered in California (20-80% occurrences threatened) .3 = Not very threatened in California (<20% of occurrences threatened / low degree of threat or no current threats known)