Birds

General Construction Monitoring:

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and/or the regulatory permits for the project require monitoring for five species of birds that could potentially be adversely affected during construction:

These species are monitored during pile-driving, dredging, and other construction activities that are in or adjacent to the Bay or that may affect their nesting success. The frequency and duration of each monitoring visit will vary depending on the bird species, the time of year, and the construction activity taking place (see the Bird Monitoring and Management Plan (pdf - 476 KB) for more details).

Peregrine Falcon Nest Monitoring:

The peregrine falcon nest(s) on the existing East Span are monitored during the nesting season to assess the potential effects on this species from construction activities. The nest monitoring is carried out from an observation point(s) that provides a good view of the nest site(s). The frequency and duration of the monitoring visits will vary depending on the time of year, the construction activities taking place, and the likelihood of disturbing the nesting activities of the peregrine falcons. The bird monitors assess whether construction activities are disturbing the nesting activities to the point that the pair may abandon the nest. If so, the eggs will be collected and/or any chicks will be captured and released to an appropriate off-site location by biologists who have the appropriate expertise and authorizations.

Nest Surveys on Yerba Buena Island:

Bird monitors  conduct nest searches, prior to vegetation removal for all bird species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).

Nest searches are conducted prior to each construction activity that  require vegetation removal during the breeding season of any of MBTA species. The breeding seasons vary, but one or more of these species may be nesting between January and September. The surveys  take place no earlier than two weeks before the start of vegetation removal. This  helps to ensure that no nesting activity begins in the intervening period between a survey and the actual work. To confirm the presence or absence of breeding, the observer surveys the site once. To determine nest locations if breeding may be present, up to two more surveys may be conducted on different days.

Monitoring During Dismantling of the Existing Bridge:

Prior to beginning dismantling of the existing East Span, Caltrans will explore the possibility of timing the dismantling activities to minimize disturbance of nesting by peregrine falcons, double-crested cormorants, and western gulls (e.g., by scheduling dismantling activities in the vicinity of known nest-sites outside of the breeding season).

During the dismantling work, cormorants and gulls are to be prevented from nesting on portions of the existing bridge by regularly washing partially constructed nests off the bridge with water when the nests are actively occupied. If the nests are completed and the birds have laid eggs, the nests are not be disturbed.

Bird monitors are to assess whether construction activities are disturbing the nesting activities of peregrine falcons to the point that the pair may abandon the nest. If so, the eggs are to be collected and/or any chicks are to be captured and released to an off-site location by biologists who have the appropriate expertise and authorization.

Shorebird Roosting Mitigation

Caltrans is mitigating for potential impacts on shorebird roosting habitat at the Oakland Touchdown by creating a permanent shorebird roosting site north of the Oakland Touchdown. The roosting site is to be about 500 square feet. Following construction of the roosting site, bird monitors are to conduct surveys to determine the extent to which shorebirds use the site. Surveys are to be carried out monthly from September through April for three years.

Reporting:

Bird monitoring memos will be posted weekly in the report section of the website. Nest survey results will be posted after completion of each one- to three-day survey. Shorebird roost monitoring memos will be posted after completion of each survey (view Bird reports).

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Fish

A fisheries monitoring program was developed to assess impacts on fisheries and to in evaluate the performance of a bubble curtain (see schematic for details) in minimizing the level of incidental take of special-status fish species (see the Fisheries and Hydroacoustic Monitoring Program Workplan (pdf - 4.34 MB) for more details). Fisheries monitoring was conducted during construction of the eastbound structure (Piers E6 through E3). The location of pile-driving for the westbound structure was essentially the same and impacts to fish were similar to those documented for the eastbound structure; therefore, monitoring during construction of the westbound structure was limited.

The monitoring program included:

In addition, construction activities that occur during the peak herring spawning season, generally January to March, are monitored by a qualified biologist to determine the presence of spawning herring. If spawning is observed in the construction area, in-water construction activities, such as pile-driving and dredging are suspended within 660 feet of the observed spawn. In-water construction activities is not resume at that location for a period of up to 14 days, allowing herring eggs to hatch and larvae to disperse.

Reporting:

During periods of herring monitoring, monitoring memos will be posted annually in the report section of the website. All reports summarizing the results the fisheries monitoring program have been posted (view Fish reports).

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Eelgrass

	view larger Eelgrass bed locations

Eelgrass beds occur in some of the shallow intertidal areas near the Oakland Touchdown and in Clipper Cove and Coast Guard Cove at Yerba Buena Island. Eelgrass provides important nursery habitat and protection for many fish. In addition, avian species are often observed foraging in the beds.

Construction of the East Span Project will have some temporary and permanent impacts to eelgrass beds. As originally envisioned, the East Span Project impacts were estimated to be approximately 5.0 acres to sand flats and 3.6 acres to eelgrass. The actual impacts to date have been significantly reduced by carefully utilizing alternative construction methods and are expected to total approximately 3.8 acres to sand flats and 1.5 acres to eelgrass.

Some onsite mitigation has been conducted for impacts to aquatic resources. However, the bulk of the mitigation is part of an extensive Off-site Mitigation restoration program.

Caltrans harvested and transplanted approximately 0.55 acres of the eelgrass found in the footprint of the barge access channel into an area of the Emeryville Flats and Brickyard Cove. The purpose of this transplant effort was to conduct a rigorous investigation of factors supporting transplanted eelgrass growth and survival in San Francisco Bay.

Reporting:

There will be a variety of eelgrass related reports produced that will be posted as they become available (view Eelgrass reports).

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Marine Mammal

Marine mammals (California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and gray whales) were monitored when pile-driving occurred without cofferdams. This type of pile-driving had the potential to harass these species swimming, foraging, or resting in the project vicinity.

Prior to commencement of driving of any in-water, permanent pile without a cofferdam, a preliminary 1,640-foot radius safety zone for harbor seals and California sea lions was established around the pile-driving site. Observers began monitoring at least 30 minutes prior to startup of the pile-driving. Observers conducted the monitoring from small boats, existing bridge piers,  construction barges and the shoreline. Pile-driving was delayed when marine mammals were observed in the safety zone prior to the start of pile-driving. Once driving a pile segment began, operations continued uninterrupted until the segment reached its predetermined depth. Monitoring continued through the pile-driving period and ended approximately 30 minutes after pile-driving had been completed.

Data collection consisted of a count of all marine mammals by species, behavior, sex and age class if possible, location, direction of movement, type of construction occurring, time that pile driving began and ended, any acoustic or visual disturbance and time of the observation. (see the Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan (pdf -1.71MB) for more details)

Reporting:

During periods of monitoring, marine mammal monitoring memos were posted weekly in the report section of the website. At the end of each major phase of construction in which pile-driving occurred, a summary report was also be posted (view Marine Mammal reports).

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Water Quality

Under the Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for the East Span Project, Caltrans is required to conduct turbidity monitoring and reporting activities according to a Self-Monitoring Program (SMP) during dredging and fill activities (see California Regional Water Quality Control Board Order R2-2002-0011 (pdf -806KB) for more details). Caltrans is required to prevent increases of turbidity and chemicals of concern in amounts greater than those specified in the WDRs to protect eelgrass beds located adjacent to the project area that have been designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA).

Sampling is conducted every two hours during active construction that may cause turbidity. If an exceedance is observed, another sample is taken 15 minutes later to confirm the exceedance. If the exceedance is still present, hourly monitoring will continue for 4 hours. If the exceedance still exists after 4 hours, the following procedures will be followed.

If turbidity standards are exceeded and it is determined that the exceedance posed a potential threat to the ESA for any of the following:

Caltrans will then suspend all dredging, excavation or fill work causing or contributing to the exceedance, until turbidity levels have fallen below exceedance levels and remained there for a minimum of four consecutive hours. Additionally, Caltrans will implement control measures necessary to prevent a recurrence of the exceedance when work is resumed and will immediately notify the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) of the exceedance and how it will be corrected.

If turbidity standards are exceeded and it is determined that the exceedance posed a potential threat to the ESA for either of the following:

Caltrans will then halt the dredging, excavation, or fill causing the exceedance, until the cause of the violation is found and sampling has demonstrated that the exceedance has been corrected or when Caltrans had provided the RWQCB with a corrective action plan that provides alternative methods of compliance. Caltrans will immediately notify the RWQCB of the exceedance and how it will be corrected.

Reporting:

Water quality reports will be posted monthly in the report section of the website (view Water Quality reports).

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Off-Site Mitigation

	view larger Off-Site Mitigation locations

Impacts to special aquatic sites resulting from construction of the new East Span will be mitigated by creating and enhancing habitat off-site. Mitigation programs include the North Bay Mitigation Program at Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) - Skaggs Island, the Central Bay Eelgrass and Sandflat Restoration Program, the San Francisco Baywide Eelgrass Research Program, and the San Francisco Bay Salmonid Habitat Restoration Program.

North Bay Mitigation Program at Skaggs Island:

To fulfill a portion of their mitigation requirements, Caltrans transferred $8 million plus approximately $900,000 in accrued interest to the United States Navy on June 29, 2009 to help remove hazardous materials and infrastructure at Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA)-Skaggs Island in the North Bay. This will facilitate the transfer of approximately 3,300 acres of diked historic baylands at NSGA-Skaggs Island from the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be included as a part of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge system.  USFWS will be responsible for the future management of the lands for wildlife conservation, wildlife oriented recreational opportunities, and open space.

view larger Central Bay Mitigation flow chart

Central Bay Eelgrass and Sandflat Restoration Program:

Caltrans has also dedicated $2.5 million to provide off-site mitigation for projected impacts according to prescribed mitigation ratios of 3:1 for impacts to eelgrass and 1:1 for impacts to sand flats. 
The initial plan included providing this restoration at an appropriate site in Central San Francisco Bay. Approximately $1 million of the funding was spent on site scoping and project planning; implementation of a pilot project at the North Basin site in Berkeley to build sand flats and transplant eelgrass onto them; and monitoring and analysis of the success of the pilot project.  The pilot project at North Basin resulted in stable constructed sand flats; however, the transplanted eelgrass did not persist at the site. 

To increase the potential for future successful eelgrass restoration, the remaining funds and implementation responsibilities for this mitigation will be transferred from Caltrans to NOAA Fisheries.  NOAA-Fisheries will use the funds for diversified eelgrass restoration throughout San Francisco Bay, utilizing the knowledge gained through the $1 million Baywide research program projects described above. This approach is recommended and supported by agency project partners.

San Francisco Baywide Eelgrass Research Program:

In an effort to help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) enhance their knowledge of eelgrass resources in San Francisco Bay, Caltrans provided $1 million to NOAA-Fisheries to perform much-needed eelgrass research.  The Caltrans-NOAA Fisheries partnership has accomplished a significant amount of work with these funds including:

• comprehensive Baywide eelgrass surveys in 2003 and 2009
• development of a predictive model for eelgrass distribution within the Bay
• genetics studies to better understand sub-populations of eelgrass in the Bay
• analysis of eelgrass distribution and population fluctuations within San Francisco Bay to characterize eelgrass distribution, density and possible limiting factors
• a monitoring program protocol to be used with future monitoring efforts

This information will assist resource and regulatory agencies in protecting and managing eelgrass in San Francisco Bay.

San Francisco Bay Salmon Habitat Restoration Program:

Caltrans  provided $3.5 million for the restoration of federal- and state-listed salmon habitat tributary to the Central and South Bay. These funds were used to develop a grants program that supported fishery projects that improve the ability of steelhead and salmon to migrate upstream to spawn.

Caltrans completed their obligation for habitat restoration in August 2004 by transferring the funds to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, who administered the program. Spending of the funds was has been at the discretion of NOAA Fisheries and CDFG, in consultation with Caltrans and FHWA.

Reporting:

Reports and workplans will be posted in the report section of the website as they become available (view Off-Site Mitigation reports).

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Dredged Material Disposal and Reuse

Dredging in-Bay is required to provide barge access during construction of the new bridge and dismantling of the existing bridge as well as for pier construction. Dredged material will be transported from the construction site for disposal or beneficial reuse.

It is Caltrans' goal to beneficially reuse dredged materials at upland wetland restoration sites or other beneficial reuses such as levee protection, if such sites are available and are cost-effective. However, some dredged materials will be disposed of at approved in-Bay or deep ocean disposal sites. Caltrans may also opt to beneficially reuse dredged materials at landfill sites as daily cover.

Dredging for the barge access channel occurred July to October 2002. The majority of this dredged material was disposed of at the Deep Ocean Disposal Site (DODS), west of the Farallon Islands. A small amount (approximately one percent) of the dredged material was determined to be unsuitable for aquatic disposal and was beneficially used for levee protection as part of the Winter Island Levee Restoration Project.

Small amounts of material were generated during pier construction. This material was disposed of at the Alcatraz in-Bay site due to the logistics of transporting and disposing of small monthly loads.

Disposal of material at the DODS required monitoring of shorebirds and marine mammals. Observers were present on at least one disposal trip during each calendar month that disposal occurred, and on average at least once every 25 vessel trips to the DODS.

Reporting:

DODS Seabird and Marine Mammal Monitoring Reports are posted in the report section of the website (view Dredged Material reports).

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