Recirculated DRAFT EIR - Coast Seafoods Humboldt Bay Shellfish Aquaculture Permit Renewal ...

361 Pages·2016·12.59 MB·English

RECIRCULATED DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

Coast Seafoods Company
Humboldt Bay Shellfish Aquaculture
Permit Renewal and Expansion Project
Humboldt County, California

SCH #2015082051

July 2016

Lead Agency:

Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District
601 Startare Drive
Eureka, CA 95501
Table of Contents
Section 1.0 Executive Summary for Recirculated DEIR
1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Roadmap to Project Revisions ........................................................................................... 1-2
1.3 Environmental Procedures ................................................................................................. 1-6
1.4 Project Location ................................................................................................................... 1-8
1.5 Summary of New Preferred Alternative ........................................................................... 1-8
1.6 Summary of Project Alternatives ....................................................................................... 1-8
1.6.1 Alternative 1: 10-ft Spacing Alternative ........................................................... 1-9
1.6.2 Alternative 2: Reduced Footprint Alternative ................................................. 1-9
1.6.3 Alternative 3: Existing Footprint Alternative ................................................. 1-9
1.6.4 Alternative 4: No Project Alternative ............................................................... 1-9
1.6.5 Environmentally Superior Alternative ............................................................. 1-9
1.7 Issues to be Resolved .......................................................................................................... 1-9
1.8 Areas of Controversy ....................................................................................................... 1-10
1.9 Summary of Environmental Impacts, Mitigation Measures and Levels of Significance
After Mitigation ................................................................................................................ 1-10

Section 2.0 Introduction to Recirculated DEIR
2.1 Purpose of the Environmental Impact Report ............................................................... 2-1
2.2 October 2015 Draft EIR & Subsequent Revisions ........................................................ 2-1
2.3 Notice of Preparation and Initial Study ............................................................................ 2-2
2.4 Scope of this R-DEIR ...................................................................................................... 2-22
2.4.1 Impacts Considered Less Than Significant .................................................. 2-22
2.4.2 Potentially Significant Adverse Impacts ....................................................... 2-22
2.4.3 Unavoidable Significant Adverse Impacts .................................................... 2-23
2.5 Impact Terminology ......................................................................................................... 2-23
2.6 Final EIR Certification ..................................................................................................... 2-23
2.7 Intended Uses of this EIR ............................................................................................... 2-23
2.8 Mitigation Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 2-24

Section 3.0 Environmental Setting
3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Regional Environmental Setting ........................................................................................ 3-1
3.3 Local Environmental Setting .............................................................................................. 3-1
3.4 Environmental Resources ................................................................................................... 3-3
3.4.1 Cultural and Archeological Resources ............................................................. 3-3
3.4.2 Biological Resources ........................................................................................... 3-4
3.4.3 Aesthetic and Visual Resources ........................................................................ 3-4
3.4.4 Climate and Air Quality...................................................................................... 3-4
3.4.5 Hydrology and Water Quality ........................................................................... 3-4
3.4.6 Hazards and Hazardous Materials .................................................................... 3-5
3.4.7 Recreation ............................................................................................................. 3-5
3.4.8 Noise ..................................................................................................................... 3-5
3.4.9 Transportation/Traffic ....................................................................................... 3-5
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Section 4.0 Project Description
4.1 Project Location ................................................................................................................... 4-1
4.2 Surrounding Land Use Setting ........................................................................................... 4-1
4.3 Project Background and Existing Operations ................................................................. 4-3
4.3.1 Intertidal Nurseries ............................................................................................. 4-8
4.3.2 Intertidal Cultch-on-Longline Culture ............................................................. 4-9
4.3.3 Intertidal Basket-on-Longline Culture .......................................................... 4-11
4.3.4 Subtidal Floating Upwelling System .............................................................. 4-13
4.3.5 Subtidal Clam Rafts.......................................................................................... 4-13
4.3.6 Subtidal Wet Storage Floats ............................................................................ 4-14
4.3.7 Maintenance and Operation of Existing Culture Areas ............................. 4-15
4.4 Project Overview ............................................................................................................. 4-17
4.5 Project Characteristics ...................................................................................................... 4-20
4.5.1 Project Objectives ............................................................................................ 4-20
4.5.2 Project Scope and Scale ................................................................................... 4-20
4.5.3 Species Cultivated ............................................................................................ 4-21
4.5.4 Project Implementation – Phase I ................................................................. 4-21
4.5.5 Project Implementation – Phase II ............................................................... 4-30
4.5.6 Project Operation and Maintenance ............................................................. 4-31
4.6 Project Approvals ............................................................................................................. 4-32

Section 5.0 Project Alternatives
5.1 Purpose and Scope .............................................................................................................. 5-1
5.1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................. 5-1
5.1.2 Scope of Alternatives Analysis .......................................................................... 5-1
5.2 Alternatives Considered and Rejected During Project Planning .................................. 5-2
5.2.1 Eelgrass Avoidance ............................................................................................. 5-2
5.2.2 Avoidance of East Bay Management Area ...................................................... 5-9
5.2.3 Alternative Culture Configurations Rejected from Further Consideration 5-9
5.3 Alternatives Selected for Further Analysis .................................................................... 5-10
5.3.1 Alternative 1: 10-Foot Spacing Alternative ................................................. 5-11
5.3.2 Alternative 2: Reduced Footprint Alternative .............................................. 5-12
5.3.3 Alternative 3: Existing-Footprint Alternative .............................................. 5-14
5.3.4 Alternative 4: No Project Alternative ............................................................ 5-16
5.4 Environmentally Superior Alternative ........................................................................... 5-16

Section 6.0 Environmental Analysis and Effects of Alternatives
6.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 6-1
6.2 Impacts Found Not to Be Significant ............................................................................... 6-2
6.3 Growth Inducing Impacts .................................................................................................. 6-3
6.4 Cultural, Archeological, and Tribal Cultural Resources ............................................. 6.4-1
6.4.1 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 6.4-1
6.4.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations .................................................................... 6.4-1
6.4.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions .................................. 6.4-3
6.4.4 Effects Analyses of the Proposed Project ................................................... 6.4-4
6.4.5 Conservation Measures .................................................................................. 6.4-5
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6.4.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation ....................................................... 6.4-6
6.4.7 Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................ 6.4-6
6.4.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ......................................................... 6.4-9
6.4.9 Effects Analyses of Alternatives ................................................................... 6.4-9
6.5 Biological Resources ........................................................................................................ 6.5-1
6.5.1 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 6.5-1
6.5.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations .................................................................. 6.5-39
6.5.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions ................................ 6.5-41
6.5.4 Impact Analyses of the Proposed Project ................................................. 6.5-42
6.5.5 Conservation Measures .............................................................................. 6.5-110
6.5.6 Level of Significance After Conservation ............................................... 6.5-111
6.5.7 Mitigation Measures .................................................................................... 6.5-111
6.5.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ..................................................... 6.5-119
6.5.9 Effects Analyses of the Alternatives- Marine Habitat, Benthic Communities,
and Aquatic Marine species ........................................................................ 6.5-119
6.5.10 Effects Analysis of the Alternatives-Avian Resources ........................ 6.5-129
6.6 Aesthetic and Visual Resources ..................................................................................... 6.6-1
6.6.1 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 6.6-1
6.6.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations .................................................................... 6.6-2
6.6.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions .................................. 6.6-2
6.6.4 Effects Analyses of the Proposed Project ................................................... 6.6-3
6.6.5 Conservation Measures .................................................................................. 6.6-9
6.6.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation ..................................................... 6.6-10
6.6.7 Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 6.6-10
6.6.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ....................................................... 6.6-10
6.6.9 Effects Analysis of Alternatives .................................................................. 6.6-10
6.7 Air Quality ....................................................................................................................... 6.7-1
6.7.1 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 6.7-1
6.7.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations .................................................................... 6.7-1
6.7.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions .................................. 6.7-1
6.7.4 Effects Analyses of the Proposed Project ................................................... 6.7-2
6.7.5 Conservation Measures .................................................................................. 6.7-2
6.7.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation ....................................................... 6.7-2
6.7.7 Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................ 6.7-2
6.7.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ......................................................... 6.7-3
6.7.9 Effects Analysis of Alternatives .................................................................... 6.7-3
6.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ........................................................................................... 6.8-1
6.8.1 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 6.8-1
6.8.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations .................................................................... 6.8-1
6.8.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions .................................. 6.8-1
6.8.4 Effects Analyses of the Proposed Project ................................................... 6.8-2
6.8.5 Conservation Measures .................................................................................. 6.8-2
6.8.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation ....................................................... 6.8-3
6.8.7 Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................ 6.8-3
6.8.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ......................................................... 6.8-3
6.8.9 Effects Analysis of Alternatives .................................................................... 6.8-3
6.9 Hydrology and Water Quality ........................................................................................ 6.9-1
6.9.1 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 6.9-1
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6.9.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations .................................................................... 6.9-1
6.9.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions .................................. 6.9-2
6.9.4 Effects Analyses of the Proposed Project ................................................... 6.9-3
6.9.5 Conservation Measures .................................................................................. 6.9-3
6.9.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation ....................................................... 6.9-4
6.9.7 Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................ 6.9-4
6.9.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ......................................................... 6.9-4
6.9.9 Effects Analyses of Alternatives ................................................................... 6.9-4
6.10 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ............................................................................. 6.10-1
6.10.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................... 6.10-1
6.10.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations ................................................................ 6.10-1
6.10.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions .............................. 6.10-2
6.10.4 Effects Analyses of the Proposed Project ............................................... 6.10-2
6.10.5 Conservation Measures .............................................................................. 6.10-5
6.10.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation .................................................. 6.10-5
6.10.7 Mitigation Measures .................................................................................... 6.10-5
6.10.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ..................................................... 6.10-6
6.10.9 Effects Analyses of Alternatives ............................................................... 6.10-6
6.11Recreation ...................................................................................................................... 6.11-1
6.11.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................... 6.11-1
6.11.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations ................................................................ 6.11-1
6.11.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions .............................. 6.11-1
6.11.4 Effects Analyses of the Proposed Project ............................................... 6.11-2
6.11.5 Conservation Measures .............................................................................. 6.11-4
6.11.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation .................................................. 6.11-6
6.11.7 Mitigation Measures .................................................................................... 6.11-6
6.11.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ..................................................... 6.11-6
6.11.9 Effects Analyses of Alternatives ............................................................... 6.11-6
6.12 Noise .............................................................................................................................. 6.12-1
6.12.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................... 6.12-1
6.12.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations ................................................................ 6.12-2
6.12.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions .............................. 6.12-3
6.12.4 Effects Analyses of the Proposed Project ............................................... 6.12-4
6.12.5 Conservation Measures .............................................................................. 6.12-7
6.12.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation .................................................. 6.12-7
6.12.7 Mitigation Measures .................................................................................... 6.12-7
6.12.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ..................................................... 6.12-7
6.12.9 Effects Analyses of Alternatives ............................................................... 6.12-7
6.13 Transportation/Traffic ............................................................................................... 6.13-1
6.13.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................... 6.13-1
6.13.2 Pertinent Laws and Regulations ................................................................ 6.13-1
6.13.3 Definition of Significance and Baseline Conditions .............................. 6.13-1
6.13.4 Effects Analyses of the Proposed Project ............................................... 6.13-1
6.13.5 Conservation Measures .............................................................................. 6.13-2
6.13.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation .................................................. 6.13-3
6.13.7 Mitigation Measures .................................................................................... 6.13-3
6.13.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation ..................................................... 6.13-3
6.13.9 Effects Analyses of Alternatives ............................................................... 6.13-3
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Section 7.0 Cumulative Impact Analysis
7.1 Cumulative Impacts: Cultural, Archeological, and Tribal Cultural Resources ............ 7-2
7.2 Cumulative Impacts: Biological Resources ...................................................................... 7-3
7.2.1 Shellfish Aquaculture and Aquatic Habitats in Humboldt Bay .................... 7-3
7.2.2 Shellfish Aquaculture and Benthic Communities ........................................... 7-8
7.2.3 Shellfish Aquaculture and Marine Fish and Wildlife Species ....................... 7-9
7.3 Cumulative Impacts: Aesthetics and Visual Resources ............................................... 7-17
7.4 Cumulative Impacts: Air Quality .................................................................................... 7-17
7.5 Cumulative Impacts: Greenhouse Gas Emissions ....................................................... 7-17
7.6 Cumulative Impacts: Hydrology and water quality ...................................................... 7-18
7.7 Cumulative Impacts: Hazards and Hazardous Materials ............................................ 7-18
7.8 Cumulative Impacts: Recreation ..................................................................................... 7-18
7.9 Cumulative Impacts: Noise ............................................................................................. 7-18
7.10 Cumulative Impacts: Transportation/Traffic ............................................................. 7-19

Section 8.0 References ........................................................................................................................ 8-1

Section 9.0 Preparers of the Draft EIR and Persons Consulted ............................................ 9-1

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 Map showing changes in expansion area locations between previous project and new
Preferred Alternative .............................................................................................................. 1-3
Figure 3.1 Major landmarks in North Bay, Humboldt Bay, California ............................................... 3-2
Figure 4.1 Map of Humboldt Bay depicting South, Central and North Bays.................................... 4-2
Figure 4.2 Coast’s shellfish culture leases and ownership in Humboldt Bay, California ................. 4-3
Figure 4.3 Map of Coast’s historical and current culture footprint within North Bay and of the
boundaries of Coast’s current leased area ........................................................................... 4-5
Figure 4.4 Coast’s existing intertidal and subtidal shellfish culture footprint and methods in North
Bay ............................................................................................................................................ 4-6
Figure 4.5 Coast’s existing shellfish culture footprint in Central Bay ................................................. 4-7
Figure 4.6 Seed bags at a nursery .............................................................................................................. 4-8
Figure 4.7 Cultch-on-longline oyster culture .......................................................................................... 4-9
Figure 4.8 Configuration of cultch-on-longline oyster culture within Coast’s existing culture
area .......................................................................................................................................... 4-10
Figure 4.9 Cultch-on-longline culture at 2.5 foot spacing................................................................... 4-11
Figure 4.10 Basket-on-longline culture .................................................................................................. 4-12
Figure 4.11 Basket-on-longline culture configuration within Coast’s existing cultivated acreage. Line
length maximum: 100’ ......................................................................................................... 4-12
Figure 4.12 FLUPSY Configuration ...................................................................................................... 4-13
Figure 4.13 Configuration of clam rafts ................................................................................................ 4-14
Figure 4.14 Configuration of wet storage floats ................................................................................... 4-15
Figure 4.15 Map of Project, with existing culture in North Bay, proposed Phase I and Phase II
expansion, and 100-acre mitigation area within existing culture ................................... 4-19
Figure 4.16 Configuration of double hung cultch-on-longline ......................................................... 4-22
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Figure 4.17 Proposed configuration of 10-ft spaced, double-hung cultch-on-longline within 150
acres of Coast’s Phase I expansion area. ........................................................................... 4-23
Figure 4.18 Proposed configuration of 10-ft spaced, single-hung cultch-on-longline within 6 acres of
Coast’s Phase I expansion area ........................................................................................... 4-24
Figure 4.19 Proposed configuration of basket-on-longline within 50 acres of Coast’s Phase I
expansion area. ...................................................................................................................... 4-25
Figure 4.20 Rack-and-bag culture in Humboldt Bay. .......................................................................... 4-27
Figure 4.21 Rack-and-bag culture configuration. ................................................................................. 4-27
Figure 4.22 Proposed relocation of 820 longlines from area of disputed ownership to within Harbor
District lease .......................................................................................................................... 4-29
Figure 5.1 Map of Coast’s leased and owned area with tidal elevations ............................................ 5-5
Figure 5.2 Map of Coast’s leased and owned area with continuous and patchy eelgrass coverage 5-6
Figure 5.3 Map of Coast’s leased and owned area showing elevation and eelgrass coverage.......... 5-7
Figure 5.4 Map of acreage within Coast’s owned and leased footprint that are at suitable oyster
growing elevations and do not contain eelgrass .................................................................. 5-8
Figure 5.5 Areas proposed for continued and expanded shellfish culture under Alternative 1 (10-ft
spacing). ................................................................................................................................... 5-12
Figure 5.6 Areas proposed for continued and expanded shellfish culture under Alternative 2
(Reduced Footprint). ............................................................................................................ 5-13
Figure 5.7 Areas for continued cultivation under Alternative 3. ....................................................... 5-15
Figure 6.5.1 Habitats in North Bay classified under the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification
Standard .................................................................................................................................. 6.5-2
Figure 6.5.2 Conceptual Model Describing Factors Affecting Eelgrass Structure and Health .... 6.5-3
Figure 6.5.3 Temporal Variation of Turbidity in Humboldt Bay (2004 to 2013) ........................... 6.5-5
Figure 6.5.4 Temporal Variation of Water Temperature in Humboldt Bay (2004 to 2013)......... 6.5-6
Figure 6.5.5 Relative Wave Exposure Index in Humboldt Bay ........................................................ 6.5-8
Figure 6.5.6 Temporal Variation of Nitrate and Silicic Acid in Humboldt Bay (2007-2009) ..... 6.5-11
Figure 6.5.7 North Bay eelgrass cover from 1959 to 2009 .............................................................. 6.5-13
Figure 6.5.8 North Bay summer (June-August) eelgrass shoot density ......................................... 6.5-14
Figure 6.5.9 Historical Shellfish Aquaculture Operations in Humboldt Bay within Coast Seafoods
Owned and Leased Land .................................................................................................. 6.5-16
Figure 6.5.10 Example of Eelgrass Recovery within Humboldt Bay from Historical Suction Dredge
Operations, 2003 to 2011 ................................................................................................. 6.5-17
Figure 6.5.11 Major channels in North Humboldt Bay ................................................................... 6.5-19
Figure 6.5.12 Sediment types within the existing culture and proposed expansion areas ........... 6.5-30
Figure 6.5.13 Map of Humboldt Bay Depicting Potential Black Brant Grit Sites in South Bay and
North Bay ........................................................................................................................... 6.5-37
Figure 6.5.14 Location of the Re-Designed Phase I Proposed Expansion and Conversion of Existing
Aquaculture ....................................................................................................................... 6.5-43
Figure 6.5.15 Illustration of the Distance that Effects Extend from the Longline for Growth
Scenarios ............................................................................................................................ 6.5-50
Figure 6.5.16 Illustration of the Distance that Effects Extend from the Longline for Medium and
Maximum Footprint Scenarios ....................................................................................... 6.5-51
Figure 6.5.17 Primary Nitrogen Pathways Associated with Oysters and Reef Organisms ......... 6.5-62
Figure 6.5.18 Percent Abundance of Benthic Invertebrates in Willapa Bay ................................. 6.5-67
Figure 6.5.19 Percent Biomass of Benthic Invertebrates in North Bay ....................................... 6.5-68
Figure 6.5.20 Green sturgeon tracking data from 2007 and 2008 .................................................. 6.5-75
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Figure 6.5.21 Sturgeon Foraging Pit Densities in Willapa Bay, Washington, Across Different
Eelgrass Densities, Burrowing Shrimp Densities, and Shellfish Aquaculture Methods.6.5-77
Figure 6.5.22 Coho salmon tracking data from 2007 and 2008 ...................................................... 6.5-80
Figure 6.5.23 Sampling Locations in the Stream-Estuary Ecotone of Freshwater, Wood, Ryan,
Salmon, and Jacoby Creeks Surveyed by CDFW in 2011 and 2012, Humboldt Bay,
California ............................................................................................................................ 6.5-81
Figure 6.5.24 Pacific herring spawning locations in North Bay, Humboldt Bay, California ...... 6.5-86
Figure 6.5.25 Scaled Parameter Estimates with 95% Confidence Intervals from Averaging Multiple
Linear Mixed-Effects Models .......................................................................................... 6.5-88
Figure 6.5.26 Herring spawning biomass and eelgrass areal extent in North Bay ....................... 6.5-90
Figure 6.5.27 Harbor seal haul-out locations in North Bay, Humboldt Bay, California ............. 6.5-96
Figure 6.5.28 Map of Humboldt Bay depicting potential black brant grit sites in South Bay and
North Bay ......................................................................................................................... 6.5-103
Figure 6.5.29 Range in Impact Compared to Mitigation Acreage based on Impact Scenarios.6.5-113
Figure 6.5.30 Proposed Adaptive Management Process for the Proposed Coast Expansion Project.
............................................................................................................................................ 6.5-116
Figure 6.6.1 Photograph of basket-on-longline oyster culture at Coast’s farm in Humboldt Bay,
California. ............................................................................................................................. 6.6-5
Figure 6.6.2 Photograph of cultch-on-longline oyster culture with mariculture workers. ............ 6.6-5
Figure 6.6.3 Photographs depicted in Figures 6.6.4-6.6.7 were taken from the public vantage points
marked above (Photograph locations 1, 2, 3 and 4). ...................................................... 6.6-6
Figure 6.6.4 View from Highway 255 on Indian Island (photograph location 1). ......................... 6.6-7
Figure 6.6.5 View from Highway 255 south of Manila (photograph location 2). .......................... 6.6-7
Figure 6.6.6 View from Highway 255 near Mad River Slough (photograph location 3) ............... 6.6-8
Figure 6.6.7 View from Arcata-Eureka Highway 101 corridor (photograph location 4).. ............ 6.6-8
Figure 6.11.1 Preferred Alternative: Map of recreation access locations and park/wildlife areas in
North Bay. .......................................................................................................................... 6.11-3
Figure 6.11.2 Area to be avoided on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during brant hunting
season (Hunting Avoidance Area), as described in Conservation Measure REC-1.6.11-5
Figure 6.11.3 Alternative 1: 10-ft Spacing: Map of recreation access locations and park/wildlife areas
in North Bay. ...................................................................................................................... 6.11-6
Figure 6.12.1 Locations of Noise Readings Taken of Coast’s Existing Culture Operations. ..... 6.12-4
Figure 7.1 Existing and Proposed Shellfish Aquaculture in Humboldt Bay. ..................................... 7-4

List of Tables

Table 1.1 Summary of Environmental Impacts, Mitigation Measures and Levels of Significance after
Mitigation ............................................................................................................................ 1-11
Table 2.1 Summary of comments on Draft IS and Final IS & NOP ............................................... 2-3
Table 2.2 Agencies expected to use this DEIR in their decision making processes and the related
environmental laws, approvals, permits and/or consultations .................................... 2-24
Table 4.1 Summary of Coast’s activity on the Bay under existing conditions ............................. 4-16
Table 4.2 Frequency of worker activity by culture method ............................................................ 4-16
Table 4.3 Frequency of worker activity on rack-and-bag plots. ..................................................... 4-26
Table 4.4 Summary of Coast’s activity on the Bay under the Preferred Alternative. ................. 4-31
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Table 4.5 Required project approvals. ............................................................................................... 4-32
Table 5.1 Additional Culture Configurations Considered and Rejected ....................................... 5-10
Table 5.2 Summary of Coast’s activity on the Bay under Alternative 2, Reduced Footprint. ... 5-14
Table 5.3 Summary comparison of impacts by alternatives ........................................................... 5-16
Table 6.5.1 Mean and Standard Deviations for the Upper and Lower Limits Suitable to the Growth
of Eelgrass in Humboldt Bay .......................................................................................... 6.5-4
Table 6.5.2 Special status marine aquatic species potentially affected by the Project .............. 6.5-20
Table 6.5.3 Timing of special status marine aquatic species use in Humboldt Bay ........... ......6.5-21
Table 6.5.4 Prey Resources of Salmonids along the West Coast ................................................ 6.5-25
Table 6.5.5 Timing of commercially important marine aquatic species use in Humboldt
Bay ............................................................................................................................... ......6.5-27
Table 6.5.6 Special status bird species potentially affected by the project .......................... ......6.5-31
Table 6.5.7 Numbers of Black Brant Harvested from the Pacific Flyway by Hunters 2003-2014…
........................................................................................................................................... 6.5-33
Table 6.5.8 Numbers of Black Brant Harvested from the California North Zone 1990-2012. 6.5-33
Table 6.5.9 Black Brant Survey Dates, Observers and Tide Conditions ................................... 6.5-35
Table 6.5.10 Spatial overlap of the Project with habitats in North Bay .............................. ......6.5-42
Table 6.5.11 Calculated Eelgrass Density Reduction in the Phase I Expansion Area based on Impact
Scenarios by Culture Method ....................................................................................... 6.5-52
Table 6.5.12 Amount of Additional Exposure for Oyster Culture Based on Tidal Height and Gear
Height .............................................................................................................................. 6.5-69
Table 6.5.13 Groundfish Species Collected in Entrance Bay and North Bay .......................... 6.5-91
Table 6.5.14 Predicted Balance between Potential Impacts to Eelgrass Density Reduction and
Potential Lift from Eelgrass Density Increases in Mitigation Areas .................... 6.5-112
Table 6.5.15 Mitigation Ratios by Eelgrass Impact Scenario ................................................... 6.5-114
Table 6.5.16 General habitat categories by alternative ......................................................... ......6.5-121
Table 6.5.17 Summary of impacts to other habitat concerns by alternative ..................... ......6.5-124
Table 6.5.18 Summary of impacts to benthic communities by alternative ........................ ......6.5-127
Table 6.5.19 Summary of impacts to special status marine aquatic species by alternative......6.5-128
Table 6.5.20 Summary of impacts to commercially important marine aquatic species by alternative
................................................................................................................................... ......6.5-160
Table 6.5.21 Summary of impacts to special status bird species by alternative ................ ......6.5-131
Table 6.5.22 Summary of impacts to other birds by alternative ......................................... ......6.5-132
Table 6.12.1 Humboldt County General Plan Land Use/Noise Compatibility Standards. .... 6.12-2
Table 6.12.2 Noise level measurements taken of existing culture operations ........................... 6.12-5
Table 7.1 Existing and Proposed Culture Activities within Humboldt Bay ................................... 7-1
Table 7.2 Spatial Overlap of Existing and Proposed Expansion Projects with Habitats in
North Bay ............................................................................................................................... 7-3
Table 7.3 Overlap with Eelgrass Habitat for the Proposed Intertidal Projects .............................. 7-6

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Appendices

Appendix A: Final IS & Notice of Preparation
Appendix B: Initial Study Comments Received
Appendix C: 1.5-Foot-Elevation Oyster Culture Feasibility Study
Appendix D: Revised Eelgrass Technical Report
Appendix E: 2015 Black Brant Survey Memorandum
Appendix F: Brant Foraging Technical Memorandum
Appendix G: Aquaculture Carrying Capacity Analysis
Appendix H: 2016 Eelgrass Monitoring Framework
Appendix I: Harbor District Protocol for Inadvertent Archaeological Discoveries for Ground
Disturbing Project Permits, Leases and Franchises
Appendix J: Analysis of Project Economic Impacts

Coast Seafoods Company Humboldt Bay Harbor District
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Recirculated Draft EIR July 2016