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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20131015 - Agenda Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 13-26 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Meeting 13-26 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Administrative Office 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022 Tuesday, October 15, 2013 SPECIAL MEETING BEGINS AT 2:30 P.m.* AGENDA 2:30 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT—STUDY SESSION ROLL CALL 1. Informational Presentation on Conservation Grazing Management Strategies ADJOURNMENT Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed.Agenda is subject to change of order. TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: The President will invite public comment on agenda items at the time each item is considered by the Board of Directors. You may address the Board concerning other matters during Oral Communications. Each speaker will ordinarily be limited to three minutes.Alternately,you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates. Consent Calendar:All items on the Consent Calendar may be approved without discussion by one motion.Board members, the General Manager,and members of the public may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar during consideration of the Consent Calendar. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,if you need assistance to participate in this meeting,please contact the District Clerk at(650)691- 1200.Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. Written materials relating to an item on this Agenda that are considered to be a public record and are distributed to Board members less than 72 hours prior to the meeting,will be available for public inspection at the District's Administrative Office located at 330 Distel Circle,Los Altos,California 94022. CLRTIFICATION OU' POSTING OFACENDA 1,Jennifer Woodworth,District Clerk for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(MROSD),declare that the foregoing agenda for the Special Meeting of the MROSD Board of Directors was posted and available for review on October 11,2013,at the Administrative Offices of MROSD,330 Distel Circle,Los Altos California,94022. The agenda is also available on the District's web site at httr):/4ww.oyenst)ace.org. Signed this I I"day of October,2013 at Los Altos,California. District Clerk Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District R-13-98 Meeting 13-26 October 15, 2013 AGENDA ITEM 1 AGENDA ITEM Informational Presentation on Conservation Grazing Management Strategies GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Receive an informational presentation on conservation grazing management strategies. SUMMARY Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District established a Conservation Grazing Program in February 2007 with the adoption of the District's Grazing Management Policy(see report R-07- 23). Since 2007, a total of 8 District properties, totaling over 7,700 acres, have been managed with livestock grazing. An additional 3,100 acres are expected to be added by the end of 2014, bringing the total to 10,800 acres. Conservation grazing of rangeland can occur on either a year- round schedule or a seasonal schedule. Both of these grazing practices provide specific benefits for different land management objectives on different properties depending on a number of considerations. Staff has prepared this report and presentation in order to summarize information regarding the compatibility of livestock grazing with public recreation and the natural resource benefits derived from a well managed livestock grazing operation. No action is being requested of the Board at this time. The purpose of the report and presentation is to inform Board about the conservation grazing management strategies used to manage District Preserves. BACKGROUND Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District established a Conservation Grazing Program in February 2007 with the adoption of the District's Grazing Management Policy(see report R-07- 23). This Policy was intended to supplement and complement the Agricultural Policies provided for in the Service Plan for the San Mateo Coastal Annexation Area, which was approved by the Board of Directors June 6, 2003. The Goal of the Conservation Grazing Program is to: "Manage District land with livestock grazing that is protective of natural resources and that is compatible with public access; to maintain and enhance the diversity of native plant and animal communities, manage vegetation fitel for fire protection, help sustain the local agricultural economy, and preserve and foster appreciation for the region's rural agricultural heritage. The District's Rangeland Ecologist coordinates many different aspects of the program to fulfill the Program's goal, from the number of cattle allowed to graze on a selected area(stocking rate) to the rent amount paid to the District, and other specific land management goals. Specific terms and definitions used in the program are described in Attachment 1, Livestock Terms and Definitions. The Big Dipper Ranch portion of Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve was the first District preserve to be managed with cattle grazing under the Grazing Management Policy. Since that time, a total of 8 properties, totaling over 7,700 acres have been managed with livestock grazing. An additional 3,100 acres, on two distinct properties, are expected to be added by the end of 2014 bringing the total to 10,800 acres. The table below provides a summary of District lands with livestock grazing: YEAR FIRST GRAZED UNDER DISTRICT PROPERTY PRESERVE OWNERSHIP ACRES Big Dipper Skyline Ridge OSP 2007 955 Purisima Creek Redwoods Bluebrush Canyon OSP 2009 302 Purisima Creek Redwoods Lobitos Ridge OSP 2010 389 Elkus Ranch Purisima Creek Redwoods Uplands OSP 2009 450 Purisima Creek Redwoods October Farm OSP 2012 270 Tunitas Creek Ranch Tunitas Creek OSP 2008 707 Toto Ranch Tunitas Creek OSP 2012 952 Driscoll Ranch La Honda Creek OSP 2006 3,700 McDonald Ranch La Honda Creek OSP 2013 (proposed) 2,060 Mindego Hill Russian Ridge OSP 2014(proposed)—t-1,047 The Conservation Grazing Program is a shared program between the Natural Resources, Real Property, and Operations Departments, drawing on the expertise of the staff of the three departments to implement the goals of the program. The Rangeland Ecologist within the Natural Resources Department is responsible for overseeing day to day operations, project implementation, infrastructure improvements, stocking rate adjustments,preparing rangeland management plans, tenant selection processes, and monitoring. The Real Property Specialist within the Real Property Department is primarily responsible for leases and rent collection, as well as managing tenant projects for rent credit. Oversight of grazed properties is the responsibility of the Operations Department staff, which routinely patrol,perform maintenance, and are available to respond to emergencies. DISCUSSION Staff has prepared a summary of information regarding the management objectives of livestock grazing,potential impacts from poor livestock grazing practices, and the management actions used to mitigate these impacts to achieve a well managed livestock grazing operation(see Attachment 2). Grazing and Public Recreation Public recreation on lands grazed by cattle is occurring on several sister agency lands in the San Francisco Bay Region, including East Bay Regional Park District, Santa Clara County Parks, East Bay Municipal Utility District, and Marin County Parks and Open Space District. Staff has met with representatives from these agencies and toured their park and open space lands to review and discuss their experiences with public recreation on grazed properties. Livestock grazing does result in impacts to visitor experiences, most commonly cattle trampling of road and trail treads,physical and visual impacts to creeks and other wetlands and less commonly, negative visitor interactions with livestock. Mitigating these impacts requires careful management, including implementing best management practices, and planned, long-term infrastructure investments to preserve a visitor experience similar to that found on ungrazed lands. Year-round and Seasonal Grazing Cattle can graze rangeland on either a year-round schedule or a seasonal schedule. Both of these grazing practices provide specific benefits for different land management objectives. For example, seasonal grazing is typically accomplished using recently weaned calves, or"stockers', that provide several benefits such as being smaller animals (typically around 500 lbs)that are therefore easier to move into a property and not as intimidating for the public. However, stockers are not as efficient at grazing, which can result in missed areas or heavily impacted areas on a property. Conversely, year-round grazing is accomplished with cow-calf pairs (a mother cow with her calf)that are resident on the property throughout the year. These animals tend to know the property(where the water and good forage are located) and therefore distribute throughout the property better than stockers. However, mother cows can also be aggressive when threatened by dogs, resulting in negative visitor experiences and subsequent complaints. Impacts from Poor Grazing Practices Well managed grazing requires a skilled and cooperative operator who understands cattle behavior and how forage preferences change throughout the year, and who is willing to actively work with an agency lessor to meet important resource protection goals including water quality and endangered species protection. Adequate water and fencing infrastructure is also necessary to control and influence cattle behavior to achieve the desired resource benefits. Where any of these requirements are not met,negative impacts to natural resources can result. These include overconsumption of vegetation, or ill timed grazing, resulting in erosion and weed growth. Poorly timed livestock access in aquatic and riparian habitats can also result in impacts to these sensitive environments such as trampling of vegetation and creek bank erosion. Failing to rotate or move cattle throughout the property often results in over utilization of vegetation in some areas and under utilization of vegetation on others. Benefits from Excellent Grazing Practices Just as poorly managed grazing can result in negative impacts to the natural resources on a property, well managed grazing can benefit natural resources and associated processes,primarily through vegetation management. Cattle grazing removes excess biomass of exotic grasses, reducing the competition for light, space,nutrients, and water for the native grassland plant species. Trampling by livestock helps to incorporate decaying vegetation back into the soil, which increases the soil organic matter resulting in increased water retention. In turn, increased water retention recharges groundwater supplies and reduces soil compaction,which promotes the growth of desirable vegetation. Additionally,the biomass reduction improves wildland fire protection because the shorter vegetation carries a less intense and slower fire, should one occur. Finally, because adequate water is necessary for grazing, improved water infrastructure benefits the native wildlife. Ponds originally constructed for stock watering regularly provide critical habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered aquatic species. Summary of Key Points Key points identified in the Grazing Management Objectives table that are significant for the District's mission, goals and policies include: • Reduction of invasive annual grass growth to increase native grassland species abundance and diversity. • Reduction of standing plant growth, reducing wildland fire risk in the dry, summer months. • Resolution of conflicts between recreation and grazing by utilizing rotational grazing approaches, livestock familiarity with recreation, and education of the preserve users. • Use of year-round rotational grazing is generally most appropriate on properties with adequate infrastructure, including water and cross fencing and generally provides the greatest flexibility for achieving the District's multiple goals on grazing properties • Use of seasonal grazing is generally most appropriate on properties with inadequate or limited infrastructure, and/or limited water supply and is generally provides less flexibility for achieving the District's multiple goals on grazing properties. • Year-round rotational grazing combines the long-term benefits of year-round grazing with the season-specific, resource protection advantages of seasonal grazing to provide the best overall resource grazing strategy for the District. • On its existing grazing properties, the District has already demonstrated the ability to support and improve habitat for rare species,protect riparian resources and provide for diverse wildlife populations. • Improperly managed livestock grazing can result in impacts to District trails and roads, which will require additional maintenance to retain comparable user experiences to non- grazed lands. Carefully planned pasture rotation that keeps livestock off vulnerable sections of trails during the wet winter months, reinforcing vulnerable sections of trail, placement of supplement and water troughs away from trails,temporary fencing, and public education can significantly mitigate these impacts to trails. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. Attachments: 1. Summary: Conservation Grazing Program, Livestock Terms and Definitions 2. Grazing Management Objectives, Potential Impacts, and Mitigations Responsible Department Head: Kirk Lenington,Natural Resources Department Manager Prepared by: Clayton Koopmann, Rangeland Ecologist,Natural Resources Department Contact person: Clayton Koopmann, Rangeland Ecologist,Natural Resources Department Summary: Conservation Grazing Program Basic Livestock Terms &Definitions Why a Conservation Grazing Program? As part of the District's mission to protect the diversity and integrity of natural resources for their value to the environment and to people,the District utilizes livestock grazing as a resource management tool, in compliance with the District's grazing policy as adopted in 2007. Livestock grazing is implemented under a planned,carefully managed and monitored conservation grazing program to achieve the District's resource management objectives which are set forth in Rangeland Management Plans that are individually prepared for each property by a Certified Rangeland Manager. The Rangeland Management Plans address natural resource management objectives(riparian habitat,wildlife habitat, special status species, native grasslands, invasive species,wildflowers, etc.),fire fuel load reduction objectives, recreational uses,agricultural viability, livestock management, and infrastructure needs. In addition to fulfilling the District's Resource Management Policies,the Conservation Grazing program helps to fulfill the District's commitment to conserve open space and agricultural land,encourage viable agricultural use of the land,and preserve agricultural operations on the coast as set forth in the Coastside Protection Area Service Plan that was adopted by the District in 2004 as part of the San Mateo County Coastal Annexation. Who Implements the Program? The responsibility of implementing and managing the District's Conservation Grazing Program is shared between the Natural Resources Department and the Real Property Department with assistance and input from the Operations Department. Elaina Cuzick, Real Property Specialist,is responsible for drafting each grazing lease and assists with invoices for rent collection as well as work for rent projects. Clayton Koopmann, Rangeland Ecologist, is responsible for overseeing day today operations, project implementation, infrastructure improvements,stocking rate adjustments, management plan development,tenant selection process,and monitoring. Brian Malone,Skyline Area Superintendent, provides support through field staff and rangers when necessary to assist the Conservation Grazing Program or to respond to potential emergencies. The three departments work cooperatively to implement the program with carefully selected grazing operators. It is critical that the District selects the best possible grazing operator with the experience, capacity and shared common interests of the District and encourage strong communication to achieve the District's resource management objectives. How does the program work? Once a grazing operator has been selected to graze a particular property,they are required to familiarize themselves with the Rangeland Management Plan for the property,which highlights items such as resources management objectives, recommended stocking rates, pasture rotations, seasonal or year round grazing application,and needs for infrastructure improvements. Once the tenant is familiar with the District's objectives,they work closely with the District's Rangeland Ecologist to establish stocking rates and pasture rotations which are feasible for the livestock operator and will achieve the District's resource management objectives. Additionally, key infrastructure projects such as off-site water development, riparian fencing, pasture fencing, road repairs, invasive species treatment,etc. are discussed and projects are chosen and implemented by the grazing tenant. Upon completion of District approved work, the grazing tenant will receive rent credit toward their rent for the grazing season (deduct the price of the completed projects from their annual rent). In this way,the operator makes permanent enhancements to the property which benefits the District,enhance the efficiency of the grazing operation and allow the operator to better achieve the resource management objectives. Rent is charged on a per Animal Unit Month (AUM) basis. Please see below for an explanation of AUM based rent fees. � � � � f � | LIVESTOCK TERMS AND DEFINITIONS: � Conservation Grazing: Livestock grazing is utilized as a resource management tool to achieve specific conservation � and/or resource management objectives. � � Year Round Grazing: Grazing occurs year-round on a grazing management unit or property.Year-round grazing has the � benefit of providing greater flexibility on when livestock graze different portions of a Preserve,avoiding wet and � sensitive habitats during critical time periods. Additionally,the livestock"learn the land"and distribute better � � throughout the Preserve, providing more uniform reduction in grassland vegetation growth. Careful management is � � necessary to avoid impacts because of the year-round presence of livestock. � � Seasonal Grazing: � Grazing is restricted to one qr more specific seasons of the year. Seasonal grazing has the benefit of allowing smaller Preserves to be grazed because smaller yearling cattle are used that can be transported more easily. � Additionally,the seasonal timing of the grazing can avoid sensitive time periods or water limitations of properties. � � Because the livestock are young and unfamiliar to the Preserve,grassland vegetation grazing is less uniform and impacts � � can be concentrated if not adequately managed. � � A grazing method that utilizes recurring periods of grazing and rest among two or more pastures in a grazing management unit orproperty. � � Cow or Cow/Calf Pair: � A mature cow,oro mature cow with a nursing calf at her side prior toweaning. The operator retains the mature cow and sells off a weaned calf between 4OD-7OO pounds annually. Profit is obtained by selling the calves ona per pound basis. Most often grazed year-round. Stocker : Calves or older animals that are maintained, often on pasture or rangeland,to increase weight and maturity before being placed inafeedlot. Profit ia obtained by weight gain on the animals ona per pound basis while on pasture. Stockers are always grazed seasonally. Rent:AUM Based Grazing lease fees are calculated utilizing anAnimal Unit Month (AUK4)systern. AUK8 is defined as one Animal Unit Equivalent(AUE)grazing for one month. One AUEia considered tobe one mature cow,two years old and above, including a nursing calf of less than eight months of age at her side. See AUE values below: Mature Cow(Including Cow/Calf pair) 1.00 Replacement Heifers/Bred Heifers 1.00 TYPE OF ANIMAL ANIMAL UNIT EQUIVELANT Mature Bull 1.50 Horse 1.25 Fees are calculated by multiplying the number of Animal Unit Equivalents(AUE)grazing on the property by the total number of months grazed for the season/year to obtain the total Animal Unit Months(AUM). The AUyN's utilized are then multiplied by the current AUM rate to determine the total lease fee for the year. The 2O12,fair market value,AUM | | rate utilized by the District was 51B.65 per AUK4. | (Sample: 5U bred heifers grazing for 6 months would be50AUEx6mmnds=3OOAUM;30DAUMx$2/I65<4UM= $5,595.DO for 6 months oƒg/ozing./ | r t Grazing Management Objectives, Potential Impacts and Mitigations CATEGORY MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES OF GRAZING POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM GRAZING MANAGEMENT ACTIONS TO MITIGATE IMPACTS NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Aquatic Habitats Reduce invasive plants that impact native plant Degradation of water quality by introducing Exclusion fencing community diversity pathogens into water supply Rotational grazing(avoid or minimize riparian Reduce thatch and dense vegetation which Erosion of stream bank and increase pastures during wet season) enhances wildlife movement sedimentation Establish vegetation buffers Trampling of stream channel and spawning Annual photo monitoring habitats Degradation of aquatic habitat margins and vegetation Plant Communities Increase native grass diversity,abundance,and Degradation of native grasses and wildflowers by Rotational grazing(avoid sensitive areas at key composition grazing at wrong stage of growth cycle stages) Increase wildflower diversity,abundance,and Trampling of wildflowers by livestock Maintain infrastructure to allow for pasture rotations composition Increasing spread of invasive plant populations Follow grazing prescriptions set forth in Grazing Reduce invasive plants that impact native plant Introduction of new invasive plants to a property Management Plan community diversity Placement of salt/supplement and water troughs Reduce encroachment of coyote brush into Annual photo monitoring grassland habitats 24 hour quarantine of new cattle entering premises check source of supplemental hay Special Status Reduce thatch and dense vegetation which Degradation of habitat through over utilization of Partial fencing of stock ponds to protect CRLF Wildlife Species enhances movement of San Francisco garter sensitive habitat areas breeding habitat and emergent vegetation snake and California red-legged frog in upland Trampling of adults and egg masses or breeding Placement of supplement&off site water habitats habitat Rotational grazing(avoid pastures containing breeding amphibians at key stages) Lower stocking densities Annual monitoring Soils Composition Enhance soil organic matter through trampling Soil compaction,particularly on wet soils Rotational grazing(avoid pastures containing roads that incorporates decaying vegetation into soils Erosion of heavily used cattle trails which may &trails succeptible to damage during wet season) channel water Lower stocking densities Annual monitoring/RDM measurements Placement of supplement&off site water Page 1 of 3 Grazing Management Objectives, Potential Impacts and Mitigations CATEGORY MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES OF • ACTIONS USER FRIENDLY RECREATION Hiking Enhance the aesthetic value of the preserve, Degradation of roads and trails by livestock hoof Rotational grazing to exclude livestock from wet wildlife habitat,and vegetation for preserve marks/pocking roads/trails areas during wet season Mountain Biking users to enjoy Presence of livestock feces on trails and Reinforce sections of trail with high susceptibility Increase maintenance of roads and some trails grasslands to impacts Equestrian by the grazing operator Presence of livestock causing visitor fear Placement of supplement&water troughs Promote San Mateo County's rich agricultural Conflicts with aggressive livestock,particularly Install fencing where appropriate heritage with off-leash dog access Education of visitors to modify behavior and avoid conflict or perceived aggressive behavior Encourage tenant to graze docile livestock accustomed to recreational uses Require all livestock to have an ear-tag with individual identification number to facilitate visitor reporting of aggressive encounters Rotational grazing to reduce human/livestock interaction during high use months Placement of salt/supplement and water to reduce human/livestock interaction WILDLAND FIRE FUEL LOAD REDUCTION Plant Communities Reduce vegetation lower wildfire fuel loads and Degradation of native grasses and wildflowers by Rotational grazing(avoid sensitive areas at key provide a safe environment for preserve grazing at wrong stage of growth cycle stages) neighbors Trampling of wildflowers by livestock Annual photo monitoring Increasing spread of invasive plant populations 24-hour quarantine of new cattle entering premises Introduce new invasive plants to a property Page 2 of 3 Grazing Management Objectives, Potential Impacts and Mitigations CATEGORY MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES OF GRAZING POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM GRAZING MANAGEMENT ACTIONSTO MITIGATE IMPACTS AGRICULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS Site Presence •Provide improvements and maintenance of Reduction of user'wilderness'experience due to Installation of self-closing pedestrian gates infrastructure(water systems,fences,gates,and increased infrastructure Installation of interpretive and educational signs Support Local roads) Reduction of Preserve aesthetics due to Implementation of BMPs for infrastructure Agricultural Economy Provide an additional set of eyes and ears on the unsightly infrastructure improvements property to alert the District about criminal Damage to signs by livestock rubbing Installation of'cattle proof'signs&infrastructure Support Agricultural activity,needs for maintenance,or emergencies Heritage Support local businesses and infrastructure(such as large animal veterinarians,feed stores, specialized contractors,etc.) Educate and familiarize the public regarding grazing operations,safety around livestock,and benefits of grazing as resource management tool Page 3 of 3 II Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District AMENDED CLOSING MEMORANDUM To: Stephen E. Abhors,General Manager OW (:CJ From: Michael C. Williams,Real Property Manager Date: October 15,2013 Subject: Former Lobner Trust Property, Funding and Acquisition Agreement with the County of Santa Clara,Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Escrow closed on the Funding and Acquisition Agreement(Agreement)with Santa Clara County (County)on October 15,2013. This Agreement provides$225,000(50%)reimbursement for the District's purchase of the 10.79-acre the Lobner Trust property on February 15,2013. As part of this Agreement,the District conveyed a conservation easement to the County covering the subject property. (see attached map) The following chart presents dedication and transaction details for this property: DEDICATION&ACQUISITION INFORMATION Board Approval Date& Preserve Ownership Status: Num & County Grantor Acres (FM Resolution Easement,Lease, General Mana ber or Manager Area & Mgmt Agreement)A.P.N. Approval Date Santa Clara County of Santa Fee-District April 23,2013 Monte Bello 351-13-018 10.79 Conservation Res No.13-10 Clara I Easement-County Mgmt.Status: Dedication Date Closing Date (Open,Closed,CMU, & Funding Value GIS Code or Other) Status(intended or Type Withheld) $225,000-District 10/15/2013 Open Withheld Grant 12IL000-County $450,000 1608 $4501000 1 1 Misc.Notes: cc: Accounting Operations Manager Board of Directors Planning Manager Field Offices(SFO,FFO&SAO) Public Affairs Administrative Assistant GCS Administrator Public Affairs Manager Legal Administrative Assistant Real Property Administrative Assistant Management Analyst Senior Real Property Planner Natural Resources Manager I Jj_`7 Monte Bello pen SpacePreserve �—� i1 - Upper $t4ve�tis Creek Park < Sdrt�"d1ra Count Lobner Parcel y) 10.79 Acres = APN: 351-13-018 t1 e ( 401 f o 4 j � r Lobner Property Lobner Parcel r>r J Watershed Land r�� Non MROSD Conservation i//1 or Agricultural Easement MROSD Preserves Private Property ® MROSD Conservation Other Protected Open Space Developed Land or Agricultural Easement m or Park Lands Nhile the District strives to use the best available digital data.this data does not represent a legal survey and is merely a graphit Illustration or geographic i p S i la Regional Open P Memorandum 0 en Space District P To: MROSD Board of Directors Through: Steve Abbors,General Manager From: Julie Andersen,Planner Il,Natural Resources Department i Date: October 18,2013 Re: Progress Update,El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Plan Please see attached letter that was sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service updating them on work l completed to date under the El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Plan and providing an updated schedule for the remaining two years of work. I i i � � � � | GENERAL MANAGER � ------- Regional � 0 D8OSDJ[e I Wopenmsu|a Regional Open Space District | BOARD v"DIRECTORS � ��s.ern en` � °mko K1snm"m � lell Cp m'tmo+ NwIeUexIPxa uv—y*^��^ us.�~aoo October 18~2o1] Mr. Dick Butler North Coast Office Supervisor National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,Southwest Region 'National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS), Protected Resources Division 777 Sonoma Ava°Room]25 Santa Rosa,CA954o4-47J1 RE: Update for the El Corte cle Madera Creek Watershed Protection Program(ECDM WPP) Dear Mr. Butler, � The information in this letter is being provided to you to update the NMFS on work completed to � date under the ECDM WPP and to provide you with an updated schedule for the remaining two years of work. During the 2013 construction season,the District was able to complete 2of the 8remaining high priority work sites. Completing the VVPP remains a high priority for the District and vvehave � � scheduled implementation of four work sites for the 2014 work season,with the remaining two work sites scheduled for 2o15' Please see attached table of the updated project schedule.Also included is � a map of the locations for the remaining work sites and pictures of the two completed work sites. � Warm regards, 61-AIWO74- StephenE.Abbons,General Manager Attachments: Table 1. Updated work schedule Map of remaining work sites zo14'2o15 Photos ofwork completed|nz01] � | 3*oo'me u`�mm,,c*woz2 | "6"p60�`zon | ,m"oem,u^as | *wwupa«spacew4 � � � � cc: Board of Directors,MROSD Kevin Woodhouse/Ana Ruiz,Assistant General Managers,MROSD Kirk Lenington,Natural Resources Department Manager,MROSD Meredith Manning/Tina Hugg,Co-Acting Planning Managers,MROSD Jonathan Ambrose,Wildlife Biologist, N M FS Protected Resources Division,Santa Rosa Kristine Atkinson,Fisheries Biologist,CDFW,Yountville Bruce Wolfe,Executive Director,San Francisco Bay RWqCB,Oakland Cameron Johnson,San Francisco Bay South Section Branch Chief, US Army Corps of Engineers Ryan Olah,Coast Bay Delta Branch Chief,USFWS Robert Zatkin,San Carlos Table 1. UPDATED Schedule, El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve, WPP Previously Scheduled Revised Completion Construction Work Site Work Effort Priority Date Date Upgrade trail drainage by Springboard Trail installing reverse grade Completed dips and base rock High 2013 2013 Convert 1000 ft of road to trail by installing reverse grade dips,and abandon "Blue Blossom Trail 750 feet of trail (no longer (West) in use)by removing a failed culvert,recontouring old road fill, mulching and Anytime abandoning the old road from Completed section Moderate 2013-2015 2013 Steam Donkey Trail Upgrade trail drainage by Rescheduled install reverse grade dips High 2013 to 2014 Install 32' bridge crossing "Methuselah trail the creek,install 12' Anytime puncheon, upgrade trail to from Scheduled connect to new bridge Moderate 2013-2015 for 2014 Install reverse grade dips, El Corte de Madera rock 3 ford crossings,and Creek Trail convert road to trail, reroute trail and install ditch relief culvert High 2014 2014 Resolution Trail install reverse grade dips High 2014 2014 South leaf trail Abandon an recontour road, install waterbars High 2015 2015 Convert 2,000 feet of road "Blue Blossom Trail to trail, install 2 puncheons Anytime (East) (small trail bridges)and from Scheduled improve trail drainage. Moderate 2013-2015 for 2015 Moderate priority sites are scheduled for completion in conjunction with higher priority sites based on proximity and availability of equipment working In the area. Creek Re],,.00d, Ys �s S�n C�k ROK1 ...- ,� lid Teague Hill 35 Y = w � _ �0, M - ti � 1 1 a -� 1 • 1 1 h \, % rail ♦'� `` c � ,�aU l 1 1 � - 1 + / —♦ 1 1+ +�• ej+ r -% gIon ' awrense Ppa 1 a _ 2014 and 2015 Work sites by Priority Trail Use Midpeninsoia megwnai Open Space District - High Patrol M+ROSOi Moderate ---- Trail _ 30 El Corte de Madera Creek, Watershed Protection Program Completed Work Sites 2013 .1 ,y N }� 40 r r�qrkl� e m : �.' "mac ,,,,� •"�'+ s ! ... �; r� Blue Blossom West Trail, Photo#1 Restoration of 1,000 linear feet of old abandoned road through re-contouring and mulching a AL 1 41 .' V ..r I • •'��f yy . r' n. •ice'. `f•. Blue Blossom West Trail,Photo#2 Removal of failed culvert and road crossing through restoration of the natural channel y>• ' e A• 1• Springboard Trail #1 Upgrading trail drainage by installing reverse grade dips w. rin SP g board Trail#2 Upgrading trail drainage by installing reverse grade dips Springboard Trail #3 Upgrading trail drainage by installing reverse grade dips c get Open Space Midpeninsula DistRerict M e m o ra n d u m DATE: October 23, 2013 MEMO TO: MROSD Board of Directors THROUGH: Stephen E. Abbors, General Manager FROM: Lisa Bankosh, Planner III SUBJECT: Bald Mountain Staging Area Progress Update Plans and specifications for a new paved staging area on Mt. Umunhum Road are anticipated to be complete in December, and construction could commence as early as June 2014. A plan view of the staging area is provided as Attachment A. This project was approved in October 2012 as part of the Mount Umunhum Environmental Restoration and Public Access Project. The new staging area will provide parking for the future Mount Umunhum Trail (expected to be open to the public in 2017) as well as the existing Bald Mountain Trail. Due to projected high use of the new staging area, the design process focused on maximizing parking capacity,which is constrained by the site's steep,ridgeline location. Stormwater drainage design was also a critical consideration, resulting in several concept iterations in response to soil and geotechnical data. Although the site constraints were challenging, staff and consultants were able to fmd room for 28 parking spaces (24 within the new lot,plus four parallel spaces along the road). With the oversight of a third-party engineering firm, staff considered several design options to achieve these goals. The final design maximizes the number of vehicle spaces available at the site without requiring excessive grading or large retaining walls, thereby keeping the aesthetics of the staging area more rustic and less"built"in appearance. The final design also addresses Santa Clara County stormwater runoff requirements for new construction. Projects in Santa Clara County must be designed such that the stormwater runoff generated from the I 0-year design storm is conveyed in the storm drainage system(pipes or channels), and the stormwater runoff generated from the 100-year design storm is safely conveyed away from the project site without creating and/or contributing to downstream flooding conditions. In addition,the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program aims for an 85% capture rate of polluted runoff from all low-intensity storms. The final design provides for adequate drainage basins to accommodate and treat runoff while maximizing parking for this new paved staging area on Mt. Umunhum Road. The current estimate for construction of the staging area is approximately$436,000. Construction will be entirely funded by the State Coastal Conservancy Grant for Mount Umunhum. Attachment A. Bald Mountain Staging Area Site Plan i;I CONTI 97 LEFT (N).PARALI.EL - rnK...wKl�r• PAMUNG �pi�iu r�r SPACES CONNECTION B.A.zUHDI f To TING (N)DIRT P CONSULTING PATHWAY A BALD "' ENGINEERS U Gy _ r (N)SEAtWALL 'MONTA N CLEANED(F) CULVERT AND I (N)GUARDRAIL IMPROVED 7,1j" +, UGS � ....!0 &GRO IVE SHRERS6 GROUNOCOVER9jRAIt1A(iE �' I 4!' 1 - • m swaE ill �� I • GATE j 1 MT.UMUNHUM INK VEHICLE IN)INFIITRATION :N' ':. >: � TURNAROUND STAGING AREA BASINS (NJ SEATWALL at Bald Mountain r I f: �/ '• .�,J' j `�_ _ SIERRA AZUI ,+ I OPEN SPACE PRESERVE (NI TRALL�SA,4EROCf( - , Mdpeniruula Regional I } I Open Spate uK.tno. Sams Clan County, � !!/ `�- ♦ (NJ NATIVE TREES.TYP CallftuTua M' (N)ENTRY GATES-__.. I I - .�! .�. ,% 0A7 (N)PRE SERVE SIGN RELOCATED DATE ,... f' • / , , j V. / m PLAN r VVJ/w• RELOCATED SIGNS S'" � -M)?.4BPACE OP PARKING LOT gO % ! (N)REHTROOraS INCLUOWO ONE ACCESSOLS /IItTy- LROSSWALX SPACE (N)REPAVED runt <� ROAD �. ,. k SITE __ t PLAN 8 SECTION LIMIT OF WORKfi ( ` VARIES, SEE ORAW�N,.� !Ecn Ad'