Ratliff (1985). 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.
The SFPUC will manage reservoir releases for this purpose by releasing the expected available volume of water in the reservoir in a pattern that provides flows of a magnitude that inundate the meadows and streamside alluvial deposits for as long as possible. For example, rather than making releases at a constant rate each day (e.g., releasing 1,000 cubic feet per second for seven days), the SFPUC could release the same volume of water but with varying cubic feet per second rates, creating flow pulses to meet the objective. As part of this measure the SFPUC will gather baseline data regarding the extent, species composition and condition of the existing meadow vegetation within the Poopenaut Valley. Some of these environmental baseline data may be available as a result of current study efforts in the Poopenaut Valley. As needed, the SFPUC will augment this information by carrying out vegetation composition surveys in the meadow before implementing the WSIP and at 5 year intervals after WSIP implementation to assess the efficacy of mitigation releases in maintaining or improving the percentage cover of meadow species as described by Ratliff (1985).
Page 4.O-49 BCC-745 [See page 5-289 for the original comment] REVISED the second paragraph as follows:
Air quality impacts of the onsite recycled water plant are included in the air quality impacts evaluated in Section 4.B, Air Quality. While the recycled water plant would be required to meet Bay Area Air Quality District (BAAQMD) emissions standards and therefore be considered to have less- than-significant air quality impacts, the plant would contribute to the significant unavoidable air quality impacts identified in that section. To address odor impacts, Mitigation Measure 4.B-8 requires implementation of an odor management plan at the proposed recycled water plant with sufficient control measures to meet BAAQMD odor detection thresholds. At a minimum, the following requirements would be included in the design of the recycled water plant: