South Bay Salt Ponds Initial Stewardship Management Plan, Permits and CEQA/NEPA Documents
Between San Mateo Bridge and Alameda Creek Flood Control Channel, Hayward, California

Client
California Department of Fish and Game

Dates of Service
November 2002—April 2004

Approximate Cost of Project
$4,500,000
Value of LS! Contract: $425,000

Budget and Project Notes
This complex project was completed on time and within budget.
 

Project Description
Prepare the Initial Stewardship Plan (ISP), permit applications, and CEQA/NEPA documents for the South Bay Salt Ponds. The US Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game acquired 16,500 acres of land from Cargill Salt.

The management plan included analysis of existing conditions including biological surveys, toxics, hydrology, and water quality.

The management plan development included:

Modeling of pond and receiving water salinity, endangered species habitat protection, public access, and cultural resources.

ISP permit applications included:

A large and complex Report of Waste Discharge to the Regional Water Quality Control Board, a Nationwide 27 US Army Corps of Engineers and associated Section 7 Consultations with USFWS and NOAA, Bay Area Conservation and Development Commission Permit and Consistency Determination.

Due to severity of potential environmental impacts, implementation of the ISP required the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement. Life Science! worked closely with the lead agencies and prepared all CEQA/NEPA documents.

Deliverables

• The Initial Stewardship Plan
• The Notice of Preparation & Notice of Completion
• Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement
• Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement
• US Army Corps of Engineers, Nationwide 27 Permit Application
• Coordination with US FWS and NOAA-Fisheries for the informal Section 7 Consultations
• Regional Water Quality Control Board, Report of Waste Discharge
• Regional Water Quality Control Board, Water Quality Certification
• Bay Area Conservation and Development Commission, Permit and Consistency Determination

Key Project Staff
Lisa Stallings, Project Director

Primary Subcontractors
Far West Restoration, Roger Leventhal
 

South Bay Salt Ponds

Life Science! Inc.
2444 Harrington Avenue
Oakland, CA 94601
phone: (510) 261-5667