Resolution 13875CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 13 8 7 5
ADOPTING THE FINDINGS FOR THE NON - NATIVE SPARTINA ERADICATION
PROGRAM CONTAINED IN THE FINAL PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT /ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT PREPARED BY
CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY, ADOPT A MITIGATION
MONITORING REPORTING PROGRAM AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING
CONSIDERATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT FOR
FUNDING FROM THE STATE CALIFORNIA COASTAL CONSERVANCY TO
IMPLEMENT SPARTINA ERADICATION AND MITIGATION MEASURES
WHEREAS, the "Final Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement/Environmental Impact Report, San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project:
Spartina Control Program" (FEIS/R) prepared for the Invasive Spartina Project (ISP) Control
Project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was certified by the
California State Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) through its September 25, 2003 resolution
certifying the MR; and
WHEREAS, this EIS/EIR identifies mitigation measures that will be applied to
reduce or eliminate impacts at treatment locations; and
WHEREAS, the ISP Control Program methodology is expected to be modified by
the addition of a new herbicide, imazapyr, for use in invasive Spartina treatment, as soon as that
herbicide is approved by California regulatory agencies for use in an aquatic environment. This
approval is anticipated for August 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Conservancy has independently reviewed and considered the
Addendum to the FEIS/R, dated May 2005, and has found that the change proposed in the ISP
Control Project incorporating the use of the herbicide imazapyr and associated surfactants and
colorants for invasive Spartina treatment may be appropriately addressed in an addendum under
the CEQA because there is no substantial evidence that the proposed change to the Control
Program will give rise to: new significant environmental effects not considered under the FEIS/R
or a substantial increase in the severity of the significant effects previously identified in the
FEIS/R; and
WHEREAS, specific environmental and other benefits of the Control Project
described in the FEIS/R include long -term environmental benefits of preserving and restoring
native habitat for endangered species and for other plant and animal species that otherwise would
be threatened by the continued spread of invasive cordgrass in the Estuary and the avoidance of
severe adverse impacts associated with failing to control the continued spread of the non - native
cordgrass; and
WHEREAS, alternatives to the Spartina Control Program analyzed in the FEIS/R
are infeasible in that they do not achieve the project objectives of control and eradication of non-
native cordgrass, will result in the same or greater environmental impact and will not produce the
same environmental benefit as the Control Program; and
WHEREAS, the Acting City Manager has reviewed the FEIS/R, the Addendum,
the site - specific treatment plan and project impact evaluation and believes that the environmental
impacts related to the area designated Alameda/San Leandro Bay Complex are adequately
addressed and no further environmental documentation is required to satisfy the requirements of
CEQA; and
WHEREAS, potentially significant, unavoidable short-term impacts to the
endangered California clapper rail continue to exist, even with a phased program, are outweighed
by the long -term environmental benefits and therefore, necessitate the adoption of a Statement of
Overriding Considerations; and
WHEREAS, the Invasive Spartina Project and implementation of the Spartina
Control Program remain consistent with Public Resources Code Sections 31160 - 31164;. and
WHEREAS, On June 28, 2005, a public meeting was held to inform the public
about the proposed spartina control efforts. Attendees were supportive of the proposed project
but did express concerns about herbicide usage and the residual habitat effects though overall
attendees were in favor of the proposed action plans. Staff believes there are control plans and
mitigation measures that will be taken to minimize impacts of herbicide usage; and
WHEREAS, the Conservancy authorized the disbursement of an amount not to
exceed thirty-eight thousand ninety -three dollars ($38,093) to the City of Alameda (grantee) for
implementation of invasive Spartina treatment and eradication projects under the Invasive
Spartina Project (ISP) Spartina Control Program; and
WHEREAS, the funds shall be used by the grantee to undertake Spartina
treatment and eradication activities ($31,103) and public outreach related to these activities
($6,990) along the shoreline of Alameda Island within the Alameda/San Leandro Bay Complex
for 2005 -2006; and
WHEREAS, the grantee shall carry out the project in accordance with the
agreement, site - specific plans and a work program to be approved by the Executive Officer of
the Conservancy pursuant to the agreement; and
WHEREAS, the grantee shall provide any funds beyond those granted under the
agreement which are needed to complete the project; and
WHEREAS, the Conditions Precedent to Commencement of Project and
Disbursement and Additional Grant Conditions shall be met before the grantee shall commence
the project and the Conservancy shall not be obligated to disburse any funds under the
agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Alameda shall adopt a
statement of overriding considerations for the non - native Spartina Eradication Program
contained in the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact
Report prepared by California State Coastal Conservancy that:
The overall environmental benefits of the Control Program as detailed in the
FEIS/R, warrant the Conservancy's decision to approve the project even though
not all of the environmental effects of the project are fully mitigated. First,
unavoidable significant impacts to the four identified biological species (salt
harvest mouse, tidal shrew, and rails) are limited and short-term, arising during
and only as a result of treatment. Second, with implementation of the Control
Program it is anticipated that over the long -term, as the non - native cordgrass is
removed, the native cordgrass and other native vegetation will return to the areas
from which they have been displaced, thereby creating additional species habitat.
In addition, existing native habitat, that would otherwise be overrun, will be
preserved. Third, after successful completion of the Control Program, restoration
projects planned for the Estuary that will add further native habitat may then
move forward without the risk of providing fertile ground for more extensive
invasion of non -native Spartina and its hybrids. Fourth, in the absence of the
coordinated and comprehensive Control Program, the FEIS/R concludes, based on
best available science, that the spread of non - native cordgrass will expand,
eventually creating an altered Estuary environment that will be less suitable for
these four species and lead to more severe long -term impacts on them and on
other species dependent on marsh and tidal areas. Finally, other severe long -term
impacts that are associated with failing to control the spread of non -native
cordgrass will be avoided, including increased accretion of the Bay, the potential
for increased flooding, and the further change from mudflats, marsh and open
water to areas vegetated with non -native plants.
The unavoidable, significant impact on visual resources is likewise a short-term
one. The change in vistas occurs only with and during treatment and the change
is one -time. When balanced against the environmental benefits of the removal of
an aggressive non -native plant that displaces native plants and impacts biological
resources, there is little question that environmental concerns are best served by
implementing the Control Program; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Alameda
shall adopt the mitigation monitoring reporting program; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Alameda approves an
agreement for funding from the State California Coastal Conservancy to implement Spartina
Eradication and Mitigation Measures.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly
adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in the regular meeting of the City
Council on the 19th day of July, 2005, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Daysog, dellaan, Gilmore, Matarrese
and Mayor Johnson — 5.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said City
this 20th day of July, 2005.
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Lara Weisiger, City Cl
City of Alameda