SCH Number 2015089024

Project Info

Title

Amending the Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the San Francisco Bay Region to establish a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for fine sediment in the

Description

The Basin Plan amendment incorporates a sediment TMDL to restore properly functioning streambed substrate conditions and also a related plan to enhance stream-riparian habitat complexity and connectivity in the Lagunitas Creek watershed. Control actions are focused on sediment discharges from unpaved and paved roads and actions to control channel incision via construction of engineered log jams and reconnection of the channel to its floodplain (in channel reaches bordered by State and federal parklands). Lagunitas Creek provides essential habitat for federally-listed endangered coho salmon, steelhead trout, and California freshwater shrimp, and notably the largest population of coho salmon south of Mendocino County. Besides loss of habitat due to dams, the most significant cause for coho salmon and steelhead population declines is channel incision. Channel incision reduces the frequency of gravel bars and pools, side channels, and alcoves, and results in disconnection of the channel from its floodplain. Channel incision also is the largest source of sediment to the watershed.

1 documents in project