04-0608_CALIF DEPT OF FISH & GAME_AgreementCALIFORNIA DEPARTME9 OF FISH AND GAME •
4949 Viewridge Avenue
San Diego, California 92123
Notification No. 1600-2004-0040-R5
Page 1 of 7
AGREEMENT REGARDING PROPOSED STREAM OR LAKE ALTERATION
THIS AGREEMENT, entered into between the State of California, Department of Fish
and Game, hereinafter called the Department, and City of San Juan Capistrano (P.O.C. Mr.
Dave Adams), 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano, California 92675; Phone (949)
493-1171, Fax (949) 493-1053, hereinafter called the Operator, is as follows:
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 1602 of California Fish and Game Code, the Operator,
on the 28`" day of January, 2004, notified the Department that they intend to divert or obstruct
the natural flow of, or change the bed, channel, or bank of, or use material from the
streambed(s) of, the following water(s): Reservoir Canyon Drainage, tributary to the Pacific
Ocean, Orange County, California, Section 18, Township aS, Range 7W; USGS Map Dana
Point 7.5; and
WHEREAS, the Department has determined that such operations may substantially
adversely affect those existing fish and wildlife resources within Reservoir Canyon Drainage,
tributary to the Pacific Ocean, specifically identified as follows: Reptiles: orange -throated
whiptail, San Diego horned lizard, western fence lizard, side -blotched lizard, western whiptail,
southern alligator lizard, California kingsnake, striped racer, coachwhip, western rattlesnake
and gopher snake; Birds: coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell's vireo, Cooper's hawk, red -
shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, white-tailed kite, sharp -shinned hawk,
American kestrel, mourning dove, wrentit, California towhee, California quail, bushtit, turkey
vulture, common raven, finches, black phoebe, Say's phoebe, Cassin's kingbird, lesser
goldfinch, sparrows and numerous other songbirds; Mammals: mule deer, bobcat, coyote,
raccoon, fox, California ground squirrel, western grey squirrel, woodrat, Virginia opossum,
brush rabbit, desert cottontail, Botta's pocket gopher, mice, and striped skunk; and all other
aquatic and wildlife resources, including that riparian vegetation which provides habitat for
such species in the area.
THEREFORE, the Department hereby proposes measures to protect fish and wildlife
resources during the Operator's work. The Operator hereby agrees to accept the following
measures/conditions as part of the proposed work.
If the Operator's work changes from that stated in the notification specified above, this
Agreement is no longer valid and a new notification shall be submitted to the Department of
Fish and Game. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Agreement and with other
pertinent code sections, including but not limited to Fish and Game Code Sections 5650,
5652, 5937, and 5948, may result in prosecution.
Nothing in this Agreement authorizes the Operator to trespass on any land or property,
nor does it relieve the Operator of responsibility for compliance with applicable federal, state,
or local laws or ordinances. A consummated Agreement does not constitute Department of
Fish and Game endorsement of the proposed operation, or assure the Department's
concurrence with permits required from other agencies.
SD
Mage 2 of 7 • •
STREAMBED ALTERATION CONDITIONS FOR NOTIFICATION NUMBER: 1600-2004-0040-R5
1. The following provisions constitute the limit of activities agreed to and resolved by this
Agreement. The signing of this Agreement does not imply that the Operator is precluded from
doing other activities at the site. However, activities not specifically agreed to and resolved by this
Agreement shall be subject to separate notification pursuant to Fish and Game Code Sections 1600
et seq.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
2. The Operator proposes to alter the streambed and banks through the installation of a 4 -million
gallon water tank on a 13 -acre graded pad located at the top of Reservoir Canyon, and the
construction of an access road to the water tank. In order to install the tank and pad, grading will
occur involving flattening out and filling the top portion of Reservoir Canyon. An access road,
composed of decomposed granite, will be installed as part of this project from the graded pad,
down -canyon from the reservoir and end at Calle Delgado. The water pipe will be installed under
the access road to allow for maintenance and repairs. Once the pipe connects to the existing pipe
under Calle Delgado, water will flow in the pipe under the street to Via de Agua, turn north and
continue under Via de Agua to its terminus. The pipe will continue from this point at only 12 -inch
diameter and be routed through the hillside behind the homes to Via La Mirada where it will go back
under the street and connect with the existing pipe. The only riparian vegetation associated with the
ephemeral drainage is located at the terminus of Via de Agua.
3. The agreed work includes activities associated with No. 2 above. The project area is located in
the Reservoir Canyon Drainage, tributary to the Pacific Ocean, in Orange County. Specific
work areas and mitigation measures are described on/in the plans and documents (Notification of
Lake or Streambed Alteration; Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration, dated November 21,
2003, SCH#2003121022; and NOD filed March 3, 2004) submitted by the Operator, and shall be
implemented as proposed unless directed differently by this agreement.
IMPACTS:
4. The Operator shall not impact more than 0.1 acre of stream channel and associated riparian
habitat, of which all are permanent impacts.
MITI ATION:
5. The Operator shall mitigate 0.1 acre of permanent impacts to riparian habitat at a compensation
to impact ratio of 3:1, for a total mitigation obligation of 0.3 acre; and shall consist of on-site
creation/restoration of willow wood land/mu lefat scrub riparian habitat.
6. The Operator shall submit a Final Revegetation/Mitigation plan for Department review within 60
days of signing this Streambed Alteration Agreement. Plans for restoration, enhancement/re-
vegetation and/or creation should be prepared by persons with expertise in southern California
ecosystems and native plant re -vegetation techniques. The plan should include at minimum: (a) the
location of the mitigation site; (b) the plant species to be used; (c) a schematic depicting the
mitigation area; (d) time of year that the planting will occur; (e) a description of the irrigation
methodology; (f) measures to control exotic vegetation on site; (g) success criteria; (h) a detailed
monitoring program; (i) contingency measures should the success criteria not be met.
7. An annual report shall be submitted to the Department by Jan. 1 of each year for 5 years after
planting. This report shall include the survival, % cover, and height of both tree and shrub species.
The number by species of plants replaced, an overview of the revegetation effort, and the method
used to assess these parameters shall also be included. Photos from designated photo stations
shall be included.
8. All planting shall have a minimum of 80% survival the first year and 100% survival thereafter
and/or shall attain 75% cover of native woody species after 3 years and 90% cover of native woody
Page 3 of 7
STREAMBED ALTERATION CONDITIONS FOR NOTIFICATION NUMBER: 1600-2004-0040-R5
species after 5 years for the life of the project. Nonnative species shall comprise less than 5% of
the cover after 5 years; and invasive species including, but not limited to, Arundo donax, castor
bean, tree tobacco and fennel, shall comprise 0% of the cover at the end of the 5 -year monitoring
period. If the survival and cover requirements have not been met, the Operator is responsible for
replacement planting to achieve these requirements. Replacement plants shall be monitored with
the same survival and growth requirements for 5 years after planting. Irrigation shall be stopped
two years prior to achieving the success criteria.
9. If after 3 years of monitoring the mitigation meets the 5 -year success criteria, AND the
Department reviews and approves the mitigation status in writing, the Operator may consider the
sites have been successful and cease monitoring.
BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS AND TIME RESTRICTIONS:
10. The Operator shall not remove vegetation within the stream from March 15`" to July 301"
(February 15`" to August 31 5' in areas with coastal saae scrub) to avoid impacts to nesting birds.
11. If work is performed within the stream channel during the winter storm period the Operator shall
monitor the five (5) day weather forecast. If it is forecasted for any precipitation, work activities shall
involve the securing of the site, so as no materials may enter or be washed into the stream. The
site shall be completely secured one (1) day prior to precipitation, unless prior written approval has
been provided by the Department. During period of precipitation, no constructign activities may
occur; activities involving the preventing of materials from entering the stream or being washed
downstream may be conducted.
12. In the event that one (1) inch of precipitation is accumulated within the watershed, no activities
shall occur on site until the flows have receded and the moisture content of the soils has stabilized.
VEGETATION REMOVAL / HABITAT PROTECTION:
13. Disturbance, removal or trimming of vegetation for equipment access shall not exceed the limits
approved by the Department.
14. Due to the presence of native riparian vegetation, all vegetation clearing shall be conducted
under the supervision of a qualified biological monitor, and the perimeter of the work site shall be
adequately flagged to prevent damage to adjacent riparian habitat, and to ensure that direct and
indirect impacts to fish or wildlife, in particular birds, are avoided.
15. The work area shall be identified to all workers, as represented in plans. Native vegetation
shall not be removed or intentionally damaged or beyond the designated work area.
16. Except where provided for within this agreement, the removal of soil and native vegetation from
the streambed or streambanks is prohibited without prior written approval from the Department.
EXOTIC SPECIES ERADICATION CONTROL—Wildlife and Habitat Protection (associated with
Condition #5)
17. The Operator shall not do removal or follow-up treatment of target exotic vegetation within the
stream from March 1" to August 151" to avoid impacts to nesting birds. However, the Operator may
conduct such removal/treatment of target vegetation during this time if a qualified biologist conducts
a survey for nesting birds within three days prior to the vegetation treatment/removal, and ensures
no nesting birds shall be impacted or disturbed by the activity. These surveys shall include the
areas within 200 feet of the edge of the proposed impact/work area(s). If active nests are found, a
minimum 50 -foot (200 feet for raptors) zone around the nest site shall be identified on the ground by
the placement of "caution tape" or similar identify material. No vegetation removal/treatment or any
other work shall occur within the identified nest zone until the young have fledged, are no longer
being fed by the parents, have left the nest, and will no longer be impacted by the project, even if
Page 4 of 7 • •
STREAMBED ALTERATION CONDITIONS FOR NOTIFICATION NUMBER: 1600-2004-0040-R5
the nest continues active beyond August 15`". After each treatment application the monitoring
biologist shall remove the identification tape, so that the nest site does not attract attention from
unauthorized persons. The Operator shall submit the mapped survey results to the Department for
review and approval prior to treatment to ensure full avoidance measures are in place.
18. No direct or indirect impacts shall occur to any threatened or endangered species,
including least Bell's vireo or Willow flycatcher, as a result of implementing the project or the
project's mitigation activities. If any threatened or endangered species could be impacted by the
work proposed, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) protocol surveys shall be conducted prior
to implementing the project, or the project's mitigation activities. If necessary, the Operator shall
obtain the required state and federal threatened and endangered species permits. If there is no
USFWS survey protocol for a particular listed species, the Department shall be consulted to
determine appropriate survey procedures. The Department shall be provided copies of survey
reports prior to project implementation, and prior to the implementation of mitigation activities. This
agreement does not authorize the take of any federal or state threatened or endangered species.
19. The Operator shall remove non-native vegetation from the restoration/enhancement area and
shall dispose of it in a legal manner; in all cases it shall be placed in a manner which
prevents its reestablishment in the stream, and in such a manner so that it does not negatively
effect other sensitive native habitat communities. If the Operator determines that the treated non-
native vegetation should be left in place, the Operator shall provide the Department a written (letter,
fax, E-mail) description of where and why the treated vegetation should not be removed. If the
Operator does not receive a written (letter, fax, E-mail) positive response from the Department, the
treated exotic vegetation shall be removed.
20. No alteration of the streambed, bank or channel shall occur, except as otherwise permitted in
this Agreement. The removal of soil, native vegetation and vegetative debris from the streambed or
stream banks is prohibited, except as otherwise specified within this Agreement; however, the
Operator may remove all human generated debris, such as lawn and farm cuttings, garbage and
trash.
21. All herbicide use conditions for mixing, application and clean-up shall conform with all
applicable federal, State, and local regulations, nothing in this Agreement represents a pesticide
use recommendation that allows for an actions that conflict with pesticide use reaulations.
22. Any application of herbicide shall be done by a licensed applicator in accordance with all
applicable, federal, state, local laws, and County Park procedures and/or guidelines.
23. No vehicles shall be operated within the stream except as described as foliows: Vehicles may
be used to carry equipment and transport cut vegetation; all vehicles shall use existing roads for
access to the sites; truck -based sprayers may be used only where existing roads are adjacent to
exotic species and where exotic plants are growing in large clumps with no native vegetation
adjacent; and, small soft rubber -tired ATV's may be used where existing road access is not
available, provided that such ATV's can access the central channel without entering wetland areas
or damaging native vegetation. Native vegetation shall NOT be impacted by any vehicle use.
24. Backpack sprayers may be used in all situations where the exotic plants are growing in small
clumps interspersed with the native vegetation, and in those situations where truck or ATV access
is limited or impossible.
25. The mitigation activities shall be conducted in such a manner to minimize overspray of
herbicide on to adjacent native vegetation.
26. A small amount of selective trimming of native species (e.g. willow, oak and sycamore) may
occur to prevent overspray of herbicide from reaching these branches, but only as provided within
the conditions of this Agreement. Native vegetation may only be trimmed; individual plants
Page 5 of 7 •
0
STREAMBED ALTERATION CONDITIONS FOR NOTIFICATION NUMBER: 1600-2004-0040-R5
shall not be removed. Material in excess of three (3) inches DBH shall require specific notice to
and consultation with the Department.
27. A qualified biological monitor shall be present and/or shall examine the site and mark native
vegetation that is to be trimmed with flagging to ensure impacts are within the conditions of this
Agreement.
28. Herbicide mixing sites shall only be located in areas devoid of vegetation, and where there is no
potential of a spill reaching a vegetated area or a stream, for example avoid mixing at a storm
water -inlet.
29. Any herbicide used where there is the possibility that the herbicide could come into direct
contact with water shall be approved for use in an aquatic environment (e.g. Rodeo). Great care
shall be taken to avoid contact with any native vegetation, and it shall only be applied on calm days
to prevent airborne transfer of the herbicide.
EQUIPMENT AND ACCESS:
30. No equipment shall be operated in ponded or flowing areas. When work in a flowing stream is
unavoidable, the entire stream flow shall be diverted around the work area by a barrier, temporary
culvert, new channel, or other means approved by the Department. Construction of the barrier
and/or the new channel shall normally begin in the downstream area and continue in an upstream
direction, and the flow shall be diverted only when construction of the diversion is completed.
Channel bank or barrier construction shall be adequate to prevent seepage into or from the work
area. Channel banks or barriers shall not be made of earth or other substances subject to erosion
unless first enclosed by sheet piling, rock rip -rap, or other protective material. The enclosure and
the supportive material shall be removed when the work is completed and removal shall normally
proceed from downstream in an upstream direction.
31. Staging/storage areas for equipment and materials shall be located outside of the stream.
32. Access to the work site shall be via existing roads and access ramps.
33. No equipment maintenance shall be done within or near any stream channel where petroleum
products or other pollutants from the equipment may enter these areas under any flow.
34. Vehicles shall not be driven or equipment operated in water covered portions of a stream or
lake, or where wetland vegetation, riparian vegetation, or aquatic organisms may be destroyed.
POLLUTION. SEDIMENTATION AND LITTER:
35. All equipment shall be properly cleaned offsite prior to entering the stream channel.
36. All sediment and associated material removed from the stream channel shall be legally hauled
and disposed of off-site.
37. Raw cement/concrete or washings thereof, asphalt, paint or other coating material, oil or other
petroleum products, or any other substances which could be hazardous to aquatic life, resulting
from project related activities, shall be prevented from contaminating the soil and/or entering the
waters of the state. These materials, placed within or where they may enter a stream/lake, by
Operator or any party working under contract, or with the permission of the Operator, shall be
removed immediately.
38. No debris, soil, silt, sand, bark, slash, sawdust, rubbish, cement or concrete or washings
thereof, oil or petroleum products or other organic or earthen material from any construction, or
associated activity of whatever nature shall be allowed to enter into or placed where it may be
washed by rainfall or runoff into, waters of the State. When operations are completed, any excess
Page 6 of 7 •
STREAMBED ALTERATION CONDITIONS FOR NOTIFICATION NUMBER: 1600-2004-0040-R5
materials or debris shall be removed from the work area. No rubbish shall be deposited within 150
feet of the high water mark of any stream or lake.
39. The Operator shall comply with all litter and pollution laws. All contractors, subcontractors and
employees shall also obey these laws and it shall be the responsibility of the operator to ensure
compliance.
Altw. O
40. The Operator may request one extension of this Agreement, if the Operator requests the
extension prior to the expiration of its original term. The Department shall grant the extension
unless it determines that the Agreement requires modification because the measures contained in
the agreement no longer protect the fish and wildlife resources that the activity may substantially
adversely affect. In the event the Department makes that determination, the Department shall
propose measures intended to protect those resources. If the Operator disagrees with the
Department's determination that the Agreement requires modification to protect fish and wildlife
resources or with the measures proposed by the Department, the disagreement shall be resolved
pursuant to the procedures described in subdivision (b) of Section 1603. The Department may not
extend an agreement for more than five years. The original Agreement shall remain in effect until
the Department grants the extension request, or new measures are imposed to protect fish and
wildlife resources by agreement or through the arbitration process, however, the original Agreement
may not remain in effect for more than one year after its expiration date. If the Qperator fails to
submit a request to extend an agreement prior to its expiration, the Operator shall submit a new
notification before commencing or continuing the activity covered by the Agreement. Any activities
conducted under an expired agreement constitute a violation of Fish and Game Code Section 1600
et seq. The extension request and fees shall be submitted to the Department's Region 5 Office
Streambed Team at 4949 Viewridge Avenue, San Diego, California 92123. If the Operator fails to
request the extension prior to the agreement's termination then the Operator shall submit a new
notification with fees and required information to the Department. Any activities conducted under an
expired agreement is a violation of Fish and Game Code Section 1600 et seq.
41. The Operator shall provide a copy of this Agreement to all contractors, subcontractors,
and the Operator's project supervisors. Copies of the Agreement shall be readily available at
work sites at all times during periods of active work and must be presented to any Department
personnel, or personnel from another agency upon demand.
42. The Department reserves the right to enter the project site at any time to ensure compliance
with terms/conditions of this Agreement.
43. All provisions of this Agreement remain in force throughout the term of the Agreement. Any
provisions of the Agreement may be amended or the Agreement may be terminated at any time
provided such amendment and/or termination is agreed to in writing by both parties. Mutually
approved amendments become part of the original Agreement and are subject to all previously
negotiated provisions.
44. If the Operator or any of the individuals mentioned above, violate any of the terms or conditions
of this agreement, all work shall terminate immediately and shall not proceed until the Department
has taken all of its legal actions.
45. The Operator shall notify the Department, in writing, at least five (5) days prior to initiation
of construction (project) activities and at least five (5) days prior to completion of
construction (project) activities. Notification shall be sent to the Department at 4949 Viewridge
Avenue, San Diego, California 92123, Attn: Donna Cobb, ES. SAA# 1600-2004-0040-115.
46. It is understood the Department has entered into this Streambed Alteration Agreement for
purposes of establishing protective features for fish and wildlife. The decision to proceed with the
Fuge 7 of 7
STREAMBED ALTERATION CONDITIONS FOR NOTIFICATION NUMBER: 1600-2004-0040-R5
project is the sole responsibility of the Operator, and is not required by this agreement. It is further
agreed all liability and/or incurred cost related to or arising out of the Operator's project and
the fish and wildlife protective conditions of this agreement, remain the sole responsibility of
the Operator. The Operator agrees to hold harmless the State of California and the Department of
Fish and Game against any related claim made by any party or parties for personal injury or any
other damages.
47. The Department reserves the right to suspend or cancel this Agreement for other reasons,
including but not limited to the following
a. The Department determines that the information provided by the Operator in support of
the Notification/Agreement is incomplete or inaccurate;
b. The Department obtains new information that was not known to it in preparing the terms
and conditions of the Agreement;
C. The project or project activities as described in the Notification/Agreement have
changed;
d. The conditions affecting fish and wildlife resources change or the Department
determines that project activities will result in a substantial adverse effect on the
environment.
48. Before any suspension or cancellation of the Agreement, the Department will notify the
Operator in writing of the circumstances which the Department believes warrant suspension or
cancellation. The Operator will have seven (7) working days from the date of receipt of this
notification to respond in writing to the circumstances described in the Department's notification.
During the seven (7) day response period, the Operator shall immediately cease any project
activities which the Department specified in its notification. The Operator shall not continue the
specified activities until that time when the Department notifies the Operator in writing that adequate
methods and/or measures have been identified and agreed upon to mitigate or eliminate the
significant adverse effect.
CONCURRENCE
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
1 �F 6(F/v14
(signature) (date)
Dave Adams, City Manager
(sig ature) (date)
Prepared by: Donna L. Cobb, Environmental Scientist
CALI NIA DEPT. OF FISH AND GAME
�Ael
(signature) (dat) //Z7,e
C.F. RAYSBROOK. Regional Manager