AgdaPkt 2010-01-25 clsd and regular

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6.2A Page 55 . Caltrans has closed the Ravenswood Pier because of vandalism and other law enforcement issues. After receiving formal agency approvals, Caltrans plans to demolish and remove the Ravenswood Pier. . The Dumbarton Pier provides fishing access, Therefore, devoting the pier to a Bay crossing by the pipeline would result in the permanent loss of this recreational resource. . The Dumbarton Pier is located within the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. A Visitors Center and the refuge headquarters are located at 1 Marshlands Road, approximately three miles from the end of the pier, Using the pier would result in a disturbance of the wildlife refuge from construction traffic and activities. . . During the shorebird nesting season, the road approaching the Dumbarton Pier provides habitat for sensitive wildlife species, including nesting western snowy plover. To protect these birds, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service closes the road from April 1 to August 31. Thus, construction could not occur during these months, which would result in delay and significant cost. . Because the piers were built prior to 1963, they could be considered historical resources. However, because removal of the center span has compromised the historic integrity of the piers, they would likely be determined ineligible for listing on the NRHP or the CRHR. Alternative 4: Southern Alignment Alternative The Southern Alignment Alternative would extend around the southern end of the Bay following the alignment ofBDPL Nos. 3 and 4 and would involve a new, fifth pipeline constructed within the existing right of way ofBDPL Nos. 3 and 4. This alternative would rely on the continued use of BDPL Nos. 1 and 2 across San Francisco Bay. The alternative would not include the Bay Tunnel segment of the proposed Project. Construction of the Southern Alignment Alternative would be very similar in technique to that of the proposed Project, including excavating a relatively shallow (10 foot) trench, stringing and lowering the pipeline, backfilling excavations, and restoring the construction site. The Southern Alignment Alternative would be twice as long as the land-based portions of the northern alignment and would require the construction of approximately four additional valve vaults. Construction along this alignment would result in traffic and other community impacts in more neighborhoods, schools, and parks than would be affected by the proposed Project. Although site-specific investigations have not been completed, construction along the southern alignment could possibly affect more cultural resources because of the greater pipeline length and the increased potential for disturbing previously undiscovered resources. In addition, a southern alignment alternative involving construction outside the existing right of way would require the acquisition of additional land. Such an acquisition could result in land use impacts from zoning or land use changes, as well as construction in streets or adjacent to highways. As with the Project, many of these impacts would be mitigable to less-than-significant levels. . dOh therithef.harid~~theSoiitheriiAlignmentAlterilativeiriightivoid.somed.otihe::sp:ecHlc:impaCis:...... . . .. associated with the preferred northern alignment of the proposed BDPL No.5. For example, a southern alignment may avoid the California tiger salamander habitat identified in Fremont. Because this alternative would not require shafts or a tunnel under San Francisco Bay, it would avoid the noise and vibration impacts associated with hauling excavated material from the Ravenswood Valve Lot. However, this alignment would cross more waterways and wetlands and could affect the California tiger salamander habitat identified near the Stanford Golf Course. It would also cross or run adjacent to, eight schools, 17 parks, four golf courses, and a large cemetery. In addition, substantial stretches of the right of way along this alignment have been converted to a landscaped greenbelt. This alternative would require excavating a trench through this greenbelt area. As with the proposed Project, many of these impacts could be mitigated to 45