SR 149 Freshwater Marsh

With the approval of the State Route 149 environmental document came the requirements to perform environmental mitigations as a result of the project's direct and indirect impacts.  One of the environmental commitments was to deliver a Freshwater Marsh. On behalf of Caltrans BCAG led the effort to solicit a consultant/contractor to develop a Freshwater Marsh Habitat Development Plan (HDP), get the project cleared through CEQA and NEPA and proceed to build the project prior to or concurrent with roadway construction. In March of 2005, BCAG circulated a Request for Proposals (RFP). In July of 2005, BCAG contracted with Restoration Resources of Rocklin, CA. In September of 2005, the project was cleared with a CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration and NEPA Categorical Exclusion In March of 2006, BCAG, Caltrans, FHWA and several other members of the public formally marked the completion of the Freshwater Marsh with an Open House

Day One Construction - August 2005 Day One Construction - August 2005

February 2006 February 2006 February 2006

38.37 Acres Valley Oak Woodland (4.95 acres):  Buckeye, Buckbrush, Foothill Pine, Valley Oak, Interior Live Oak, Skunk Bush, Blue Elderberry    Riparian Woodland (3.13 acres):  Coyote Brush, Oregon Ash, California Sycamore, Cottonwood, Valley Oak, California Blackberry, Black Willow, Arroyo Willow, Blue Elderberry, California Wild Grape   Riparian Wetland (1.64 acres): Mule Fat, Cottonwood, Sandbar Willow, Yellow Willow, Arroyo Willow, Vervain, Wild Grape.   Emergent Marsh (3.87 acres):  Baltic Rush, Soft Rush, Common Tule, California Tule, Broadleaf Cattail.   Seasonal Marsh (3.38 acres): White Root Sedge, Slender Sedge, Spike Rush, Baltic Rush, Toad Rush.   Seasonal Wetland – Created Channel (4.40 acres):  White Root Sedge, Spike Rush, Deer Grass.   Oak Woodland (4.45 acres):  Oniongrass, Nodding Needlegrass, Foothill Needlegrass, Purple Needlegrass, Pine Bluegrass, Three Weeks Fescue.   Riparian Woodland (3.13 acres):  Blue Wildrye, Big Squirrel Tail, Idaho Feacue, Meadow Barley, Creeping Wildrye.   Seasonal Marsh, Seasonal Wetland, Riparian Wetland, and Created Channel (9.42 acres):  Bentgrass, Slender Wheatgrass, Meadow Barley, Creeping Wildrye.

May 2008 May 2008 May 2008

This project will be managed in perpetuity by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF) of Rancho Cordova, with short term mitigation and monitoring efforts being accomplished by H.T. Harvey and Associates of San Jose, CA and Restoration Resources.   Access to the site will initially be limited to allow for the habitats to be closely monitored and managed.  As success criteria is met, and as approved by the federal and state resource agencies, the public will be allowed on the property with a WHF or other approved representative.