Citywide Creeks Maintenance Plan

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has executed Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (EPIMS-SON-60093-R3), pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1602, the project Applicant, City of Petaluma. The project is limited to vegetation and sediment removal at six different locations. Vegetation management will include selective pruning, trimming, clipping, mowing, and/or removal of overgrown vegetation and trees that would not reduce canopy cover by more than 5 percent. The focus of vegetation management would mainly be on understory vegetation removal such as nonnative blackberry, shrubs, fallen trees and branches, and selective removal of poor health and structure trees mainly within the instream channel and lower banks. Targeted grazing within the project area will be used to manage the vegetation understory. Up to 25 trees may require removal. Vegetation management also includes the removal or relocation of fallen trees, which include dead or dying trees. Where feasible, downed or felled logs will be relocated and placed onsite. Invasive and exotic species removed will be disposed of appropriately offsite. Sediment removal activities include targeted removal at bridge crossings, culvert outfalls, and where instream bars significantly reduce channel cross section area and conveyance capacity. The project also includes the in-kind replacement of three culverts at the Lynch Creek Reach 4, East Washington Creek Reach 1, and Thompson Creek Reach 1 locations. Culvert replacements will be the same dimensions as existing culverts and take place exclusively within the existing culvert footprints. The project will result in approximately 4,745 linear feet of temporary impacts to riparian habitat. The project will also result in the removal of up to 25 riparian trees. No new permanent impacts will occur as part of this project. Access and staging will occur via existing roads and developed multi-use trails.