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Southern California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy NMFS, USFWS, and CDFG (1991) Effective compensation for impacts (90% success) Basis for consistent recommendations Streamlined environmental review Allows for flexibility and modifications Improved monitoring and understanding
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III. Purpose and Need – Why statewide policy? Resource value: biological, physical and economic Vulnerable to human development Consistent statewide strategy and standards Internal and external coordination Streamlining Regulatory certainty
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IV. Draft Policy – General Description No net loss of habitat Consistency with case-by-case considerations Following successful model of Southern CA policy Recognizes regional differences Internal guidance and appendices
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V. Draft Policy – Specific Elements A.Avoiding and minimizing impacts B.Surveying C.Assessing impacts D.Mitigating for impacts E.Modifying provisions of the policy
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A. Impact Avoidance and Minimization Case-by-case basis Shading Stepwise key Turbidity Flowchart Light monitoring Circulation Patterns
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B. Eelgrass Surveys Survey Metrics Spatial distribution Area extent Percent bottom cover Shoot density Frequency of occurrence
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Contiguous boundary around plants and outward a distance of 10 m, excluding gaps within the bed >20 m between plants Eelgrass Bed Definition Example Eelgrass Bed eelgrass 10 m boundary
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B. Eelgrass Surveys (cont.) Techniques Diver transects Boundary mapping Acoustic surveys Aerial surveys Methods Pre- and post-construction During active growing season Valid for 60 days or beginning of next growing season
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C. Assessing Impacts Type of effect: direct vs indirect Pre- and post- surveys of project and reference sites
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D. Mitigating for Impacts Site Selection Mitigation ratio Techniques Monitoring Delay Success
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Mitigation Ratios The Five-Step Wetland Mitigation Calculator (King and Price 2004) Objective, standardized ratios Standard metrics Likelihood of success based on history of transplanting within regions Compensation ratio 1.2:1 for all regions Initial target mitigation ratio Southern California 1.38:1 Central California 1.2:1 San Francisco 3.01:1 Northern California 4.82:1
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Mitigation Monitoring Mitigation site and reference site 0 months: document transplants, establish baseline at reference site 6 months: confirm survival and/or recruitment 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 months: evaluate mitigation site and compare to reference site
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Success Criteria Area and density criteria 6 month: 50% survival or 1 seedling/4m 2 12 month: 40% area and 20% density 24 months: 85% area and 70% density 36, 48, 60 months: 100% area and 85% density Supplemental Mitigation Area
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Mitigation Delay To offset loss of eelgrass habitat value that accumulates over time Mitigation calculator used to determine increases in mitigation planting
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E. Modifying Provisions Comprehensive management strategies Localized, temporary impacts Less than 10 m 2 Eelgrass fully restored within 1 year Region-specific modifications Mitigation banking
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VI. Next Steps Public comment swr.cemp@noaa.gov Closes 7/7 Public meetings Eureka (6/15) Oakland (6/27) Long Beach (6/26) Revise and finalize
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