Sycamore Island Pond Isolation
OVERVIEW In 1988, the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust was formed due to concern over the loss of San Joaquin Valley wetlands and river resources. Awareness of the need for comprehensive planning for resource management led to state legislative action. The State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 3121 in 1990, authorizing funds for the San Joaquin River Parkway Taskforce. Subsequent legislation established the San Joaquin River Conservancy (Conservancy) a regionally-governed State agency with the mission of acquiring land and developing, operating, and managing those lands for public access and recreation; and protecting, enhancing, and restoring riparian and floodplain habitat. Several reclaimed gravel pits created by historic mining operations along the San Joaquin River are located in the Conservancyâ₏™s planning area. Many of these gravel pits are separated from each other and from the river by earthen berms. These earthen berms are not levees constructed to Federal or state flood control standards, and tend to fail during high flow events. In 2005, high flows breached the earthen berm that previously separated the gravel pit 46e pond and river channel and provided vehicle access road between two Conservancy-owned properties: the Proctor Broadwell Cobb property and Sycamore Island property. The Conservancyâ₏™s Board of Directors approved a plan for Department of Water Resources (DWR) to perform all planning, design, environmental compliance and construction work associated with restoring access to the properties with an equalization saddle/gravel road for emergency and management access, emergency egress, and a public trail, as well as strengthening the existing berm to withstand erosion and flooding in more frequent flow events and creating floodplain habitat. Funding for a portion of the work was provided by the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). In 2012, DWR designated Pit 46e as one of the highest priority gravel pits in Reach 1 to be filled and/or isolated as required Settlement Paragraph 11(b) (3). The saddle/gravel road will serve as a permeable isolation barrier for fish between the gravel pit and river channel and provide flows to support habitat restoration. The project would be constructed near River Mile (RM) 253.5 on the right bank of the San Joaquin River approximately 1.6 miles downstream of the State Route (SR) 41 Bridge in Madera County and on the left bank of the river in Fresno County. The project and all features are located within state property. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT California Department of Water Resources agrees to: â₏¢ Isolate a priority gravel pit from the river channel at flows below 8,000 cfs, which would benefit water quality (temperature) and salmon migration by minimizing potential for fish impingement and stranding â₏¢ Minimize berm failure potential â₏¢ Provide additional floodplain habitat and space for riparian vegetation â₏¢ Provide salmon rearing habitat on the new floodplain area â₏¢ Eliminate predator habitat by filling in-stream gravel pit area RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT No substantial involvement on the part of Reclamation is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. It is anticipated that Reclamationâ₏™s involvement will consist of standard federal stewardship responsibilities such as monitoring project performance, technical assistance at the request of the recipient, etc. Reclamation did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria: (4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS Single Source Justification Description: The Conservancy lacks the personnel and expertise to complete this project and funded a contract with DWR to perform design, environmental analysis and permitting, and construction to repair the breeched berm at Pit 46e. To date, DWR has completed preliminary design analyses of possible alternatives and has initiated California Environmental Quality Act review. DWR is uniquely qualified to perform the work described above based on past experience, technical expertise on water- and flood-related facilities design and construction, and property control. DWR has completed hydrology modeling and geotechnical analysis of Reach 1, making them experts in critical engineering aspects unique to the site, including geology, hydrology, channel morphology. No other entity could achieve a similar level of familiarity and expertise without first engaging in the lengthy process of studying and analyzing the data collected to date. Property access is controlled by the Conservancy/DWR. No other entity has access to the properties, which may create challenges in collecting information and meeting the project schedule. STATUTORY AUTHORITY Public Law 111-11, San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement, Title X, Part I, Section 10002, Section 10004 (b)(1); Stipulation of Settlement CIV NO. S-88-1658-LKK/GGH (San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement) - Paragraph 11(b)(3): SEC. 10002. PURPOSE The purpose of this part is to authorize implementation of the Settlement. SEC. 10004. IMPLEMENTATION OF SETTLEMENT. (b) AGREEMENTSâ₏” (1) AGREEMENTS WITH THE STATE.â₏”In order to facilitate or expedite implementation of the Settlement, the Secretary and is authorized and directed to enter into appropriate agreements, including cost-sharing agreements, with the State of California. STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT CIV NO. S-88-1658 â₏“ LKK/GGHâ₏”PARAGRAPH 11(B)(3) Paragraph 11(b) (3) Filling and/or isolating the highest priority gravel pits in Reach 1 (such â₏œhighest priority gravel pitsâ₏ shall be determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Restoration Administrator, based on the relative potential for reducing juvenile salmon mortality)
Office: Bureau of Reclamation
Grants Management Specialist
