RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 4-68 4.10.1. Discussion The project area is within Augustin Bernal Park in Alameda County, under the San Francisco Bay RWQCB and Hydrologic Region. Water features in or near the project area include Sinbad Creek, a tributary to Arroyo de la Laguna, and an unnamed, manmade pond located within the park boundary. Both features are part of the Alameda Creek Watershed, which is impaired for sediment, nutrients, and pathogens and subject to Total Maximum Daily Load regulations. The area receives about 17.8 inches of annual rainfall, mainly from November to April, with runoff and erosion during storms (Climate-Data.org n.d.). Elevations range from 600 to 1,200 feet, with steep slopes draining toward Sinbad Creek or the Arroyo del la Laguna. The site lies outside mapped groundwater basins and has limited recharge due to shallow soils and terrain. 4.10.1.1. Impact HYD-1 Project treatments may include prescribed burning in the form of low-intensity surface fires. Ash and debris from treatment areas could be washed by runoff into adjacent drainages and streams. The PEIR identified the potential for any prescribed burning treatment areas to impact water quality regulations or degrade water quality due to the creation of runoff which transports ash and debris as less than significant. This conclusion was based on the use of low-intensity burns, the use of SPRs (e.g., setbacks and erosion controls), and site-specific planning measures, such as Burn Plans. Together, these practices effectively minimize the risk of violating water quality standards or causing degradation. This impact falls within the scope of the PEIR because the use of pile burning and prescribed low-intensity surface fires and all associated impacts to water quality are consistent with what is analyzed in the PEIR. Applicable SPRs for this treatment include AD-3, AQ-3, HYD-1, HYD-4, HYD-6, and GEO-3 through GEO-7. SPR AD-3 requires that the treatment design align with local plans, policies, and ordinances, while SPR AQ-3 mandates preparation of a Burn Plan. SPRs GEO-3 through GEO-7 address soil stabilization, erosion monitoring, use of water breaks to manage stormwater, and limiting burn pile size. SPRs HYD-1, HYD-4, and HYD-6 ensure compliance with water quality regulations, require implementation of WLPZs ranging from 50 to 150 feet depending on watercourse classification, and prohibit burn piles within WLPZs. The inclusion of approximately 93 acres of land that is outside the CalVTP treatable landscape in the proposed treatment area constitutes a change to the geographic extent presented in the PEIR. As mentioned above, there are two waterbodies located within or adjacent to the project area, Sinbad Creek and an unnamed manmade pond. The unnamed manmade pond is located within the project area and is flooded year-round during years with average rainfall. This feature is located outside of the CalVTP treatable landscape. Sinbad Creek is located less than 0.25 miles southwest of the project area and is located within the CalVTP treatable landscape. The surface water conditions of the project area boundary are essentially the same within and outside the treatable landscape; therefore, the water quality impact from prescribed burning is also the same, as described above. This determination is consistent with the