Flores Ranch Gravel Extraction and Vegetation Maintenance (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-TEH-60403-R1)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has executed Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement EPIMS Notification No. EPIMS-TEH-60403-R1, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code to Farmland Reserve, Inc. The project is limited to the annual extraction of up to 500 cumulative cubic yards of overburden gravel material from dry gravel bars above the low flow channel and annual treatment of 500 cumulative linear feet of vegetation within the bed, bank, and channel. Project-related activities will occur along Oat and Willow Creek where it bisects the subject parcels. Overburden gravel will be extracted by skimming off the top of gravel bars with heavy equipment such as a loader. Proposed activities would involve pruning and removal and/or relocation of vegetation, removal of up to 500 linear feet of vegetation and 500 cubic yards of overburden gravel each year, and pushing overburden gravel to reestablish the thalweg of the creek. An annual workplan will be submitted detailing points of ingress and egress to access the project locations, identification of specific areas where project activities will occur, types of activities to occur, and photos of the project areas. Should riparian vegetation need to be removed for ingress/egress purposes, the root mass will not be removed and will be left intact to help with bank stabilization. Tree trimming activities will include pruning limbs under 6 feet in height. When feasible, the vegetation that is removed in-channel may be transplanted and used along the banks to provide habitat and additional bank stability. Herbicides may be used when they are the best tool to manage vegetation. Overburden gravel and vegetation removed from the channel will be stockpiled inland from the edge of the banks and used/disposed of per local and state laws and ordinances. The project also includes the maintenance of an existing seasonal ford crossing on Willow Creek.