The basic methodology for baseline vegetation survey and subsequent mitigation monitoring will be generally accepted quantitative vegetation sampling methods to permit statistical comparison of vegetation composition over time, as well as mapping the meadow vegetation in the Poopenaut Valley. The SFPUC will retain the services of a qualified biologist to assist in shaping the releases from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in consideration of baseline and future meadow vegetation data. If a significant decline in the extent or diversity of native meadow vegetation occurs, releases will be modified as needed to achieve the mitigating effect of sustaining the existing meadow communities.
[See page 5-80 for the original comment] See Master Response 29 for discussion of water supply alternatives. The only identified significant impact that would result from the proposed water supply agreement was associated with the 2.0-mgd flow reduction on the stretch of the Tuolumne River between Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Don Pedro Reservoir. Implementation of Mitigation Measure 4.O-1 would reduce that impact to a less-than-significant level, as discussed in Response SFPUC-10. In addition, as discussed in Master Response 1, the Brisbane Baylands EIR is a program EIR. The specificity of the analysis contained in the Draft EIR is consistent degree of specificity of the underlying activity being approved through the EIR, including the term sheet setting forth basic principles for the ultimate water supply agreement, as required by CEQA. It is not anticipated that Brisbane, MID, or the SFPUC would rely on the current program EIR for the ultimate transfer of water from OID through MID and the SFPUC to Brisbane since operational details of the physical transfer of water have yet to be determined, and the water transfer agreement itself has yet to be negotiated. At such time as operational details are known and the proposed water transfer agreement has been negotiated, alternatives to conveyance would be explored in project-specific CEQA documentation.
[See page 5-80 for the original comment] No new facilities are needed for OID transfer water supply to Brisbane, although new facilities are needed within the Baylands to provide water delivery and distribution, as described on Draft EIR pages 3-63 through 3-64 and addressed on Draft EIR pages 4.O-47 through 4.O-52.
As part of developing detailed water transfer operations and assessing conveyance opportunities and constraints through the MID and SFPUC systems, the potential need and opportunities for storage of the transfer water in either the MID or SFPUC systems will be identified. If storage in either the MID or SFPUC system or another location is required and possible, this will be incorporated into the transfer agreement and addressed as part of the overall compensation for wheeling. The transfer agreements will be subject to project-level environmental review.