Minutes of ISD Special Workshop Meeting March 12, 2013

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

IRONHOUSE SANITARY DISTRICT

March 12, 2013

The Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) Board of Directors met in Special Session to hold a Proposed Marsh Creek Enhancement project Workshop on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

The place of the meeting was the Ironhouse Sanitary District Office at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.  The meeting was called to order by President Lauritzen at 3:54 p.m.

 1.      Call to Order  

Roll Call:

Members present:               David Contreras, David Huerta, Chris Lauritzen, Michael Painter, and Doug Scheer

Members absent:                none

Staff/Consultants present:     Tom Williams, General Manager

Jenny Skrel, District Engineer

Susan Walde, District Secretary

Roni Gehlke, Consultant

Fred Etzel, District Counsel

Joe Mueller, Environmental Compliance Officer

Marc Haefke, Operations Superintendent

Dave Dal Porto, Reclamation, Levee and Ranch Superintendent  

                                                

Interested parties present:     Randall Mager, DWR

                                      Patty Finfrock, DWR

                                      Diane Burgis, Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed

                                      Susan Morgan, Oakley, CA

                                      Roni Gehlke, Delta Science Center

 2.      Public Comment – There were no comments from the public in attendance.

 3.      PROPOSED MARSH CREEK ENHANCEMENT PROJECT WORKSHOP

Mr. Williams opened the workshop by describing the Marsh Creek Enhancement Project.  He introduced the DWR staff; Patty Finfrock and Randy Mager, both project management for the Dutch Slough Restoration Project. 

Ms. Finfrock introduced her Dutch Slough Restoration Project and gave the Board an overview of the complete project with includes the Emerson parcel, the Gilbert parcel and the Burroughs parcel; totaling approximately 1,200 acres.  She stated that the fill dirt, up to 600,000 cubic yards (cyds), from the ISD property is crucial for the completion of the project. 

Director Contreras asked about concerns of mosquitos for the District and outlying area.  Ms. Finfrock stated that she has had continued communication with Vector Control and the project is designed to minimize possible mosquito breeding and, in fact, the project is believed to have an overall positive effect on mosquitos in the area. 

Ms. Finfrock described the process and timing of the project that Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) needs to encase their canal before the fill material portion of the RD 830 project can begin.  The plan is for phase 1 of the Dutch Slough Restoration Project to start in 2013, and phase 2 in 2014. 

Director Contreras asked Ms. Finfrock about mercury monitoring.  She stated the design of the marshes is planned with the concern of mercury levels in mind and will be continually monitoring.  Much science has been done on the methylation of mercury and how to design tidal marshes to minimize its production.  In addition, the downstream end of Marsh Creek has been shown to have some of the lowest levels of mercury in the Delta.

Mr. Williams gave an overview of the Marsh Creek Enhancement project to the Board. He included a presentation of the planned tidal marsh area and the seasonal wetlands area of the project.  The RD 830 project would fulfill the Dutch Slough Project‘s need for fill dirt on the deeply subsided portion of the former Gilbert property; creating up to 200 acres of additional habitat.  The RD 830 project would create up to 300 acres of habitat between the two project locations.  The original $5 million grant that RD 830 applied for grew to just under $9 million as it became clear that other sources of anticipated funding (to cost share on the project) did not materialize.

 

In addition to RD 830 purchasing the fill material from ISD at a price of $4.15 per cubic yard of material, for a total of up to $2,490,000, the price per cubic yard also includes ISD providing Conservation Easement over the 100 acre enhancement area, as well as providing other temporary rights of way for access and construction.  The RD830 Project is dependent on an agreement to secure material from ISD for fill, and then going out to bid to move the material to the Dutch Slough Restoration Project. 

Director Contreras asked if 600,000 cyds of material was not obtained from ISD, how it would impact the Dutch Slough Project.  Ms. Finfrock answered that the project could proceed; simply less habitat would be created 

Mr. Williams stated that the project was designed as a win, win, win, win.  The environment wins by the creation of the additional habitat at the mouth of Marsh Creek; the community wins because of the possible educational, recreational and open space set-aside opportunities provided, ISD wins by the additional revenue generated from the sale of the fill material, which can be used to offset future rate increases for up to 4 years, RD 830 wins because, through its proposed project, the State’s Delta Levee Subventions and Special Projects Programs (the State programs that bring millions of dollars of grants for improvements to the Delta Levee Programs) can meet their mandated requirements of “no net loss” of habitat, and habitat enhancement, as part of the levee maintenance and improvement projects.  It was asked what the timing would be for the moving of the dirt and Ms. Finfrock stated it could be moved within one year. 

Director Contreras asked if DWR had any caveats or notable concerns for the Board.  Ms. Finfrock stated there were none that she is aware of. She stated it is a good project for the community, especially considering the possible parks and recreational opportunities created. 

Mr. Williams stated the timing of the funding of the dirt is the big caveat of the Project for RD 830.  RD 830 needs to secure the fill material early on to insure it has a project because, without the fill material, there is no project for RD 830.  He stated that he is continuing to work with DWR regarding a clear understanding of how, and when, RD 830 can offer ISD something in return for securing the fill material in advance of moving the material in 2016. 

President Lauritzen asked when the project will be in need of the soil from ISD.  Ms. Finfrock stated that it would be 2015 or 2016 before they could move the dirt to the Gilbert property.

Director Contreras asked Ms. Skrel of her concerns regarding the project.  She stated that she believes the only concern is the timing of Contra Costa Water District project dewatering the canal.  Her other concern is the Maintenance of the Marsh Creek Enhancement Project after completion.

4.       Adjournment

President Lauritzen adjourned the Workshop meeting at 6:20 p.m. to Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. for the next regular meeting in the Ironhouse Sanitary District offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.