salton sea species conservation habitat workshop june 10, 2010
TRANSCRIPT
Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat
Workshop • June 10, 2010
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Provide Stakeholders the opportunity to guide the direction of the SCH Project
Meeting Purpose
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Agenda
Introductions
Goals and objectives
Critical screening criteria
Construction challenges
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Introduction of Presentation Team
Rick Davis – Davis Group
Arturo Delgado – California Department of Fish and Game
Ramona Swenson – ENTRIX, Inc.
Rob Thomson – ENTRIX, Inc.
Vince Thompson – Ducks Unlimited
Species Conservation Habitat Project Goals and Objectives
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Need for SCH Project
Declining surface water elevation will lead to loss of Salton Sea habitat
Increasing salinity will lead to fishery collapse
Fishery collapse will result in loss of forage base for fish-eating birds
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SCH Project Purpose
SCH will provide conservation measures while the Legislature determines long-term action
Provides replacement for some near-term habitat losses as sea levels decline
Target: piscivorous bird species present in 2010 and dependent on the Sea for:
Foraging – fishery resourcesEssential habitat components – foraging, nesting, roosting, loafingViability of a significant portion of their population
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Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Develop a range of aquatic habitats that will support fish and wildlife species dependent on the Salton Sea
ObjectivesProvide adequate foraging habitat for piscivorous (fish-eating) bird speciesDevelop habitats required to support piscivorous bird speciesSupport a sustainable, productive aquatic communityProvide suitable water quality for fishMinimize adverse effects to desert pupfishMinimize risk of seleniumMinimize risk of disease/toxicity impacts
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Goals and Objectives
Goal 2: Develop and refine information needed to successfully manage the SCH Project through an adaptive management process
ObjectivesIdentify uncertainties in achieving the objectivesDesign science-based means to test alternatives and reduce uncertaintyDevelop and implement a monitoring planDevelop a decision-making frameworkProvide proof-of-concept for future restoration efforts
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Questions and Feedback
Goal 1:Develop a range of aquatic habitats that will support fish and wildlife species dependent on the Salton Sea
Goal 2:Develop and refine information needed to successfully manage the SCH Project through an adaptive management process
Do you agree with these goals and objectives?
Are we missing any others?
Species Conservation Habitat ProjectCritical Screening Criteria
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Screening Criteria
Two types of screening criteriaExclusionary criteria
Factors essential to the successful completion of the SCH Project
Evaluative criteriaFactors considered in comparing Project components and alternativesNot necessarily cause for elimination
Construction and operational costs
Environmental considerations
Other
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Critical Screening Criteria
Exclusionary criteria used to begin refining the range of potential sitesExclusionary criteria are
Adequate water supply (quantity, quality, and seasonal availability) Available water rightsAvailable land
Three general locations being considered
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Three Generalized Alternative Locations
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Available Land – Whitewater River
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Available Land – New River
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Available Land – Alamo River
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Questions and Feedback
Are these the right criteria?
Are there others we should consider?
Species Conservation Habitat Project
Construction Challenges
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Construction of SCH Ponds
Construction may occur in areas between -228 and -234 msl
Exposed playa with high groundwaterShallow flooded areasWater a few feet deep
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Potential Site Conditions
Examples of conditions that may be encountered during berm construction
Exposed moist but relatively firm soilsShallow flooded relatively firm soilsShallow flooded soft mucky soilsWater a few feet deep with soft or firm soils
Examples of water control structure installationLocalized dewatering Structure support in soft soils
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Receding Sea Water Surface
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Example – Moist, relatively firm soilsEquipment
Low ground pressure tractors with carry-all scrapers
MethodExcavate, haul and place with the same piece of equipment
Haul distanceShort to Medium
Relative costLow
Building Berms on Exposed Playa
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Low Ground Pressure Tractors
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Example – Shallow water, relatively firm soilsEquipment
Excavators, low ground pressure dump trucks, bulldozers
MethodExcavate and load, haul with dump trucks, spread with dozers
Haul distanceShort to long
Relative CostHigh
Building Berms in Shallow Water
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Excavator, Load, and Haul
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Dump and Spread
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Building Berms in Shallow Water
Example –Shallow water, soft mucky soilsEquipment
Amphibious excavators
MethodExcavate and drop
Haul distanceAdjacent
Relative CostHigh
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Amphibious Excavators
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Building Berms in Deeper Water
Example – 2 feet of water, soft or firm soilsEquipment
Derrick barge with clamshell bucket
MethodExcavate and drop
Haul distanceAdjacent
Relative CostMedium
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Derrick Barge Clamshell Bucket
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Layer Height Depends on Strength
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Hydraulic Dredge
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Site Dewatering
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Water Control Structure
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Structure Site Dewatering
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Structure Support in Soft Soils
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Functional Wetland Management
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Next Step – Design Considerations
Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation
Sample and test soils at potential project sitesPrevious investigations have not sampled locations around the river deltas
Assess construction feasibility at potential sites
Preliminary Berm Stabilization Alternatives
Examples of design solutions to be consideredSource of embankment materialDewateringBase stabilization with geogridsBerm stabilization with geotubes
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Questions and Feedback
Are there other issues we should address?
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Contact Information
DFG Contact:Kim Nicol, Environmental Program Manager
California Department of Fish and Game78078 Country Club Drive, Suite 109Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203(760) 200-9178 [email protected]
USACE Contact:Lanika Cervantes, Project Manager
San Diego Section, Regulatory DivisionU.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Los Angeles District6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 105Carlsbad, CA 92011(760) [email protected]
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SCH Project Website
www.water.ca.gov/saltonsea
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USGS Ponds
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USGS Pond Construction