DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT MINTO-BROWN ISLAND PARK FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION

DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
MINTO-BROWN ISLAND PARK
FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION
Prepared by:
819 SE Morrison Street Suite 310
Portland, Oregon 97214
Prepared for:
United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Salem, OR
December 2009
Table of Contents
1
2
3
4
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................1
1.1 Purpose and Need for Action............................................................................................1
1.2 Project Area Description...................................................................................................3
ALTERNATIVES ...........................................................................................................6
2.1 No Action Alternative.......................................................................................................6
2.2 Proposed Action................................................................................................................6
2.3 Other Alternatives Considered..........................................................................................8
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .....................................................................................9
3.1 Physical Characteristics ....................................................................................................9
3.1.1
Geology and Soils.......................................................................................................9
3.1.2
Hydrology...................................................................................................................9
3.1.3
Floodplains...............................................................................................................11
3.1.4
Air Quality/Noise/Light ...............................................................................................12
3.2 Vegetation .......................................................................................................................13
3.3 Fish and Wildlife.............................................................................................................14
3.4 Threatened and Endangered Species ..............................................................................15
3.4.1
Species under NMFS Jurisdiction ...............................................................................15
3.4.2
Species under USFWS Jurisdiction ............................................................................16
3.5 Cultural and Historic Resources .....................................................................................20
3.6 Socio-economic Resources .............................................................................................21
3.7 Land Use and Recreation ................................................................................................23
3.8 Scenic Resources ............................................................................................................23
3.9 Prime and Unique Farmland ...........................................................................................24
3.10 Environmental Justice.....................................................................................................24
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ..................................................................27
4.1 Physical Characteristics ..................................................................................................27
4.1.1
Geology and Soils.....................................................................................................27
4.1.2
Hydrology and Hydraulics ..........................................................................................27
4.1.3
Floodplains...............................................................................................................28
4.1.4
Air Quality/Noise/Light ...............................................................................................29
4.2 Vegetation .......................................................................................................................29
4.2.1
Proposed Action .......................................................................................................29
4.2.2
No Action Alternative.................................................................................................32
4.3 Fish and Wildlife.............................................................................................................32
4.3.1
Proposed Action Alternative .......................................................................................32
4.3.2
No Action Alternative.................................................................................................34
4.4 Threatened and Endangered Species ..............................................................................34
Species under NMFS Jurisdiction ...............................................................................34
4.4.1
4.4.2
Species under USFWS Jurisdiction ............................................................................35
4.5 Cultural and Historic Resources .....................................................................................35
4.5.1
Proposed Action .......................................................................................................35
4.5.2
No Action Alternative.................................................................................................36
4.6 Socio-economic Resources .............................................................................................36
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
5
6
7
4.6.1
Proposed Action Alternative .......................................................................................36
4.6.2
No Action Alternative.................................................................................................36
4.7 Land Use and Recreation ................................................................................................36
4.7.1
Proposed Action .......................................................................................................36
4.7.2
No Action Alternative.................................................................................................37
4.8 Scenic Resources ............................................................................................................37
4.8.1
Proposed Action .......................................................................................................37
4.8.2
No Action Alternative.................................................................................................37
4.9 Prime and Unique Farmland ...........................................................................................37
4.9.1
Proposed Action Alternative .......................................................................................37
4.9.2
No Action Alternative.................................................................................................38
4.10 Environmental Justice.....................................................................................................38
4.10.1
Proposed Action Alternative .......................................................................................38
4.10.2
No Action Alternative.................................................................................................39
4.11 Cumulative Effects..........................................................................................................39
4.11.1
Past Actions .............................................................................................................39
4.11.2
Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions .....................................................................40
4.11.3
Proposed Alternative and the Relation to Past and Future Actions.................................40
4.12 Comparison of Alternatives ............................................................................................40
COORDINATION ........................................................................................................43
FIGURES.......................................................................................................................44
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................45
List of Tables
Table 1. Proposed Plant Communities and Primary Components
Table 2. Stage and Discharge of the Willamette River, Gage Station 1419100 and Project Site
Table 3. ESA Status for Fish Species Near Minto-Brown Island Park
Table 4. ESA Status for Species with Potential to Occur in Marion County, Oregon
Table 5. Population Data for Salem and Marion County, Oregon
Table 6. Unemployment Rates in Salem, Marion County, and Oregon in 2008 and 2009
Table 7. Farm Classifications by Soil Map Unit in Minto-Brown Island Park’s Proposed
Restoration Areas
Table 8. Minority Populations in the Vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park
Table 9. Low-Income Populations in the Vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park
Table 10. American Indian and Alaska Native Populations in the Vicinity of Minto-Brown
Island Park
Table 11. Proposed Plant Species by Plant Community
Table 12. Farmland Classes for Marion County, Oregon Lands
Table 13. Comparison of Alternatives
Page ii
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
List of Figures
Figure 1. Site Context
Figure 2. Site Map
Figure 3. Landforms Map
Figure 4. No Action Alternative
Figure 5. Proposed Action Alternative
Figure 6. Concept A
Figure 7. Concept B
Figure 8. Concept C
Figure 9. Flood of 1996
Figure 10. FEMA 100-Year Floodplain
Figure 11. Historic Vegetation
Figure 12. HEC-RAS Sections
Figure 13. NWR’s near Minto-Brown Park
Page iii
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Dave Dishman, P.E., Project Manager
Portland Office Staff
Salem Office Staff
Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District Staff
City of Salem
Nitin Joshi, Project Manager
Public Works Department
Urban Development Department
City Manager’s Office
Vigil-Agrimis, Inc.
Paul Agrimis, R.L.A., P.E., P.W.S., Project Manager
Stakeholder Groups
Citizens
Page iv
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
1
INTRODUCTION
This draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the environmental effects of a
floodplain restoration project at Minto-Brown Island Park on the Willamette River in
Salem, Oregon. Figure 1 is a Site Context map of the proposed project. The areas
outlined in red and labeled “floodplain easement” on Figure 1 are the two areas being
evaluated in this EA as potential floodplain restoration areas. These areas were
purchased by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as part of the
Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program for floodplain restoration purposes.
The 898-acre park is owned by the City of Salem and currently includes 286 acres of
cropland managed by a tenant farmer. The park also includes excavated gravel pits,
historic river channel features including a large oxbow channel, wooded areas, dense
areas of blackberry and brush, and grassy meadows.
The park serves as both natural habitat for birds and wildlife and as a valuable recreation
site in close proximity to downtown Salem. NRCS has entered into an easement
agreement with the City of Salem to remove approximately 196.6 acres of the park’s
cropland from agricultural use to restore the floodplain easement area to a condition more
consistent with the pre-agricultural plant communities of the site. The project is part of
the American Recovery and Re-investment Act authorizing $145 million for the EWP
Program, announced in March 2009. The purpose of this funding is to acquire floodplain
easements on eligible lands to restore their floodplain functions and values to natural
conditions to the greatest extent practical.
1.1
Purpose and Need for Action
Loss of all floodplain habitat types has been common in the Willamette Valley over the
past 150 years. Floodplain encroachment and modification of hydrologic regimes has
eliminated most of the natural floodplain habitat that once existed in the Willamette
Valley. There is a need to improve floodplain functionality in the Willamette River
system.
Floodplain systems/habitats serve a variety of important functions. Healthy floodplain
systems/habitats can reduce flooding effects downstream. Floodplains serve this function
by providing natural surfaces to spread flood flows to decrease floodwater surface
elevations, and by providing natural surfaces with appropriate roughness to dissipate
floodwater energy during high flow events that can otherwise cause flood damage.
Floodplains also serve as important habitat for many terrestrial and aquatic species. They
also contribute to overall water quality and contribute greatly to the overall biodiversity
of a region. Although river systems optimally benefit from the full complement of intact
floodplain systems along its course, opportunities to enhance individual segments provide
great benefit as well.
There are currently a number of efforts in the Willamette Valley to enhance floodplain
functions along various segments of the river. The cumulative impact of these individual
actions will enhance overall floodplain function in Willamette Basin, which can assist in
reducing flood hazards as well as provide valuable habitat that is becoming increasingly
Page 1
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
rare.
Rich soils and proximity to irrigation sources has led to the conversion of many
floodplain habitats to agricultural cropland. Periodic flooding of the Minto-Brown Island
area has generally protected this area from urban development, but agricultural use is
compatible with the seasonal flooding that occurs.
The availability of the Minto-Brown Island site presents a unique opportunity to restore
native floodplain habitat in the Willamette Valley. The opportunity is even more unique
due to its close proximity to the urban center of Salem, allowing the site to be used as an
educational asset for various clubs and school organizations.
The purpose of the proposed floodplain restoration action is to revegetate a 196.6-acre
portion of Minto-Brown Island Park to a vegetative condition more consistent with a presettlement state and which will improve floodplain function and provide benefits to water
quality, wildlife habitat, and botanical diversity. This proposed action will meet the need
expressed above for improved floodplain function, improved water quality function, and
improved habitat for wildlife and plants. The proposed improvements are consistent with
the Minto-Brown Island Park Master Plan.
Benefits to Floodplain Function
The proposed revegetation project will provide a stable floodplain surface to spread
flows and dissipate flood energy. The addition of rooted woody material will tend to
slow flood velocities over the floodplain and reduce the risk of erosion. The proposed
floodplain revegetation will also provide long-term recruitment of large wood from the
floodplain to the Willamette River via receding flood flows. The additional wood and
leaf litter, insect drop, and other plant associated material will serve as a nutrient source
to many aquatic species and will enhance the biological complexity of the floodplain.
Water Quality Benefits
Converting the existing cropland to native plant communities will improve water
quality in the area. An increase in canopy cover will reduce runoff potential by
increasing rainfall interception and evapotranspiration. A stable long-term native plant
community will result in less erosion than agricultural land use, reducing sediment
input into waterways and conserving topsoil on the land surface. Healthy vegetative
buffers will provide natural filtration of runoff from adjacent agricultural lands,
reducing the loading of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides entering the
Willamette River and Oxbow Slough.
Benefits to Wildlife
The proposed restoration project will provide long-term benefits for terrestrial and
aquatic wildlife in several ways. Converting a portion of the cropland to native plant
communities will increase the area available to wildlife for cover, forage, and breeding;
provide long-term recruitment of snags; increase nesting and perching sites; and
increase natural food sources. The proposed revegetation will also enhance
connectivity of existing high quality habitat areas along the Willamette River and
Page 2
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Oxbow Slough.
Botanical Diversity Benefits
The proposed restoration project represents an opportunity to establish and support a
large number and variety of native plant species on the site, many of which have
become increasingly rare in the Willamette Valley. Much of the proposed planting area
is capable of supporting Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) savannah, a community
that was once common in the Willamette Valley but which now exists on less than one
percent of its former range, often in a degraded condition. The proposed restoration
also presents opportunities for restoring a number of other important native Willamette
Valley plant communities that have been significantly reduced in extent due to land
development and agriculture: wet prairies and upland prairies, mixed woodland, ash
woodland, and willow sloughs. Prairies are of particular importance to the Western
meadowlark, the Oregon state bird, whose population is in decline in the Willamette
Valley.
1.2
Project Area Description
Minto-Brown Island Park is located approximately 1.5 miles southwest of downtown
Salem. The park is comprised of two historic islands along the Willamette River between
River Mile 85 and 86.5. The site is bounded by the Willamette River on the northwest,
Salem Golf Course on the south, River Road on the southeast, and Boise Cascade
aeration ponds to the northeast. Elevations within the study area range from 118’ to 144’
(National Geodetic Vertical Datum 1929 [NGVD29]). The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) documented 100-year floodplain elevation within the
project area is 141.62’ (Converted to NGVD29). Most of the site is inundated under 100year flood conditions, with the exception of a few rises.
Historical Land Use and Geomorphology
In 1857, Isaac Brown, making his way up the Willamette River system from Astoria,
Oregon, established his home on the island now know as Brown Island (City of Salem,
2009a). Brown converted the land for agricultural production of livestock, farm produce
and tobacco. In 1867, John Minto purchased the adjoining downstream 247-acre island
which would eventually bear his name. Minto cleared the dense brush and flood debris
that occupied the island, converting the land into productive cropland. Prior to this land
conversion, the study area was occupied by mixed riparian forest, with adjacent prairies
(Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, 2008).
At the time when Isaac Brown first settled in the area, the main channel of the Willamette
River flowed between Brown Island and Minto Island, occupying what is now Oxbow
Slough. Brown Island was on the west bank of the river, and Minto Island was on the
east bank. In 1861, the greatest flood ever recorded on the Willamette River completely
inundated the Minto-Brown Island area and altered the course of the river, moving the
main channel to its current day location. Several major floods have been recorded since
the Willamette Valley was settled, altering the course of the Willamette River.
Page 3
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The Willamette River channel has historically migrated across its floodplain (Hulse et al,
2002). The channel has seen substantial human alteration since settlement began around
1850:
•
The channel has lost about 25 percent of its length do to various navigational
improvements and placement of revetments
•
Side channel connections have been reduced by approximately 58 percent
•
Floodplain forest has contracted by 70 percent.
Current Land Use and Characteristics
Minto-Brown Island Park includes a total of 898 acres, 286 acres of which are currently
agricultural cropland tended by a tenant farmer. The proposed restoration areas are
currently used for agricultural crop production. The western restoration area was most
recently occupied by a pumpkin crop. The eastern part of the project consists of three
parcels. The two outer parcels have been managed for the production of various crops.
The interior parcel is occupied by an unmaintained cherry orchard that has become
heavily overgrown with invasive Armenian blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). Under the
wild food crop planting program coordinated by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife
Department (ODFW), a portion of the farm crops remain unharvested, intended for
waterfowl and wildlife consumption.
The remainder of the park consists of excavated gravel pits, historic river channel
features including the oxbow slough channel, wooded areas, dense areas of blackberry
and brush, and grassy meadows which serve as natural habitat for birds and wildlife (City
of Salem, 2009a). In recent years, with the help of over 750 volunteers, the USDA’s
Farm Service Agency Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) has planted
over 5,000 native plants to help create a 200-foot riparian buffer along sloughs and
riverbanks within the park.
Recreation features in the park include approximately five miles of paved bike paths,
unpaved trails, two parking lots, observation platforms along the sloughs, a paddle boat
area, several fishing spots and an off-leash dog park. Generally, the park is a resource
based recreation site rather than a facility based recreation site. Users value the park as a
quiet, passive place most commonly used for biking, jogging, and other low-impact
recreation activities. Figure 2 is a Site Map that shows the park and its major features.
Potential for Restoration
The park is situated in the floodplain of the Willamette River and has the potential to
support a variety of native habitat types. Key existing landform features within the
project area include wetter “slough” areas, slightly concave “swale” features, relatively
flat plain areas, and gentle upland rises. Each of these features has the potential to
support different native plant communities and habitat types based on the soils and
hydrology within these areas.
These various landform features are shown in Figure 3. The majority of the two areas
being evaluated for restoration are identified as plains. The second most common
Page 4
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
landform is swales. Each of the two areas for which restoration is proposed has an
extensive swale system. The western restoration area swale system connects to Oxbow
Slough. The swale in the eastern restoration area connects to the Willamette River at the
northeastern corner of the park. A rise extends along the western edge of parcels 2 and 3
in the eastern restoration area. This rise escaped inundation during the 1996 flood, which
was an approximately 80-year flood event.
Some of the native plant communities proposed for the site have become increasingly
rare in the Willamette Valley. These plant communities are described below.
•
Oak Savannah: Once widespread in the Willamette Valley, oak savannah has
been reduced to less than one percent of its original range (US Fish & Wildlife
Service [USFWS], 2009a). Restored oak savannah sites have the potential to
foster many important species, including the Western bluebird, Western
meadowlark, and Western gray squirrel.
•
Wet Prairie: Most of the historic wet prairie habitat within the Willamette Valley
has been converted to other uses. Remnant and restored wet prairie sites may
support a number of sensitive animal and plan species, including the Northern
red-legged frog, Willamette daisy, and Bradshaw’s lomatium.
•
Upland Prairie: Upland prairie habitat has been converted to other uses in many
areas. The current extent of upland prairies in the Willamette Valley is less than
one percent of the historical extent (Wilson, 1998). These prairies are found on
sites with well-drained soils that do not experience prolonged inundation. Upland
prairies also may support sensitive species, including Fender’s blue butterfly.
•
Mixed Woodland: Found on floodplains and terraces, mixed woodland habitat is
common on the Valley floor, but is much reduced from historical levels. This
habitat has been cleared for agricultural use in many areas, reducing its extent to
approximately 30 percent of what it once was. The tree components of this
habitat commonly include big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), red alder (Alnus
rubra), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga
menzesii). Western hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), snowberry (Symphoricarpos
albus), and Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis) are common shrubs found in this
plant community.
•
Ash Woodland: Ash woodland is another common Valley floor plant community,
but found in swales and low lying areas prone to regular winter inundation.
Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia) is the primary tree component. Shrubs include
red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) and
salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis). Slough sedge (Carex obnupta) is typically
found in the lowest lying patches of this community.
•
Willow Sloughs: Willow sloughs are found throughout the Willamette Valley,
typically in swales and sloughs. The dominant trees/shrubs include several
willow species (Salix spp.), and often Douglas spiraea (Spiraea douglasii) along
edges. Slough sedge and soft rush (Juncus effuses) are common herbaceous
species found in this plant community.
Page 5
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
2
ALTERNATIVES
Section 382 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public
Law 104-127, amended the EWP Program to provide for the purchase of floodplain
easements as an emergency measure. Since 1996, the NRCS has purchased floodplain
easements on lands that qualify for EWP Program assistance. For the Minto-Brown
Island Park Floodplain easement the NRCS is interested in restoring, protecting,
maintaining, and enhancing the functions of the floodplain; conserving natural values
including fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, flood water retention and ground water
recharge; and reducing long-term federal disaster assistance in a manner that is consistent
with the Minto-Brown Island Park Master Plan. Floodplain easement restoration
alternatives were carefully evaluated to ensure compliance with EWP rules and program
intent, and the selected alternative was selected in order to best suit the needs of the
community as identified by the scoping process.
Alternatives evaluated in this EA include the No Action and the Proposed Action, which
are described in Section 2.1 and 2.2 below, respectively. Additional alternatives were
explored at a conceptual level during the planning process, but were not carried forward
for further evaluation due to the reasons explained in Section 2.3 below.
2.1
No Action Alternative
The No Action Alternative would stimulate no change to the existing conditions and land
uses of Minto-Brown Island Park. Farming would continue in the short-term and likely
in the long-term on the 196.6 acres identified for restoration in the Proposed Action, with
the exception of the 30-acre cherry orchard, which would likely continue to become even
more overrun by non-native vegetation. Open space would be maintained, although
accessibility to the interior of the agricultural areas of the park would remain limited due
to the farm use in these areas. Seasonal wildlife habitat would continue to be provided
under the No Action Alternative, including that for wintering Canada geese, which use
the agricultural fields planted as part of a wildlife food crop planting program. Figure 4
shows the No Action Alternative.
Exposed soils after crop harvesting would continue to be a minor source of soil erosion
from the site. Herbicide and pesticide use would continue with minor risk of
contamination of adjacent habitats.
The No Action Alternative is consistent with the Minto-Brown Island Park Master Plan
(City of Salem, 1995), which states that “the farming is an asset and contributes
substantially to recreational enjoyment of the park.” This alternative does not meet the
need for improved floodplain function, improved water quality function, and improved
habitat for wildlife and plants, as described in Section 1.1 of this EA.
2.2
Proposed Action
The Proposed Action Alternative would involve vegetative restoration of approximately
196.6 acres of Willamette River floodplain. The plant communities proposed for this
alternative are based on the plant communities indicated by historic U.S. General Land
Page 6
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Office (GLO) mapping (ORNHIC, 2008) to have historically occupied the site and
adjacent areas. Figure 5 shows the Proposed Action Alternative, and Table 1 below lists
the primary components of each of the proposed plant communities. This proposed
alternative was developed from a concept that was identified as the most preferred by the
public through a voting process (refer to Section 2.3 below).
Table 1
Proposed Plant Communities and Primary Components
Habitat Types
Mixed Woodland
Acres
40
Percent of Total
20.4
6
3.1
20
10.2
4
2.0
59
30.1
67
34.2
196
100.0
ponderosa pine, white alder, bigleaf maple, serviceberry, Nutka
rose, snowberry
Ash Woodland
Oregon ash, red-osier dogwood,
salmonberry, slough sedge
Oak Savannah
Oregon white oak, ponderosa
pine, snowberry, Roemer’s fescue
Willow Slough
Pacific willow, Sitka willow,
Hooker’s willow, Columbia
sedge
Wet Prairie
tufted hairgrass, meadow barley,
common camas, Western
buttercup
Upland Prairie
Roemer’s fescue, native red
fescue, blue wildrye
Total
Proposed prairies would occupy 126 acres of the restored site, or nearly 65 percent of the
revegetation. Mixed woodland would occupy 40 acres, or about 20 percent of the site.
Oak Savannah would occupy about 20 acres, or 10 percent of the site.
The Proposed Action Alternative would remove the 196.6-acre restoration area from
potential agricultural production, although approximately 213 acres at Minto-Brown
Island Park would remain available for agricultural use. Open space would be
maintained with this alternative. Wildlife habitat would be modified in a manner that
supports resident species.
This Proposed Action Alternative is also consistent with the Minto-Brown Island Park
Master Plan (City of Salem, 1995), which identifies the park as “a preserve for various
wildlife” and which states that “maximum care must be taken to protect and enhance their
natural habitat.” This alternative meets the need for improved floodplain function,
improved water quality function, and improved habitat for wildlife and plants, as
described in Section 1.1 of this EA.
Page 7
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
2.3
Other Alternatives Considered
NRCS and the City of Salem explored an initial alternative during the evaluation of an
appropriate floodplain easement area that involved placing 592 acres of Minto-Brown
Island Park land into the floodplain easement. This option would have met the need for
improved floodplain function, water quality function, and improved plant and wildlife
habitat, but was rejected by Salem City Council based on a number of concerns,
including the following:
•
Use of federal funds to place the 592 acres into a floodplain easement would have
limited the City of Salem’s ability to manage the trail system for a significant
portion of Minto-Brown Island Park, due to restrictions associated with the
easement designation.
•
This option would have placed considerable area along the park’s perimeter into
floodplain easement, thereby limiting potential future park uses of these areas.
The Minto-Brown Island Park Master Plan (revised 1995) encourages the location
of any improvements (e.g., roads) along the perimeter areas of the park while
preserving the park’s interior areas as open space.
•
This option would have removed nearly 280 acres of active and inactive cropland
from potential agricultural use.
After the current general easement area was agreed upon, three conceptual alternatives
were developed and presented to the public. These alternatives were described as
Concepts A, B, and C in a community Open House held in November 2009 as part of the
public outreach effort for this project. The public was encouraged to vote on the concepts
presented at this open house, and the voting preferences were considered in the selection
of an alternative for further development.
Concept A, identified as “Most Closed”, provided a mix of plant communities dominated
by Mixed Forest, Ash Forest, Oak Savannah, and Wet Prairie. Figure 6 shows Concept
A. This concept was the least preferred by the voting public and was therefore eliminated
from further development.
Concept B, identified as “Most Diverse”, provided a mix of plant communities dominated
by Wet and Upland Prairies, Mixed Forest, and Oak Savannah. Figure 7 shows Concept
B. This concept was the preferred alternative by those voting during the public outreach
conducted for the project and is the one that was developed into the Proposed Action
Alternative presented in this EA.
Concept C, identified as “Most Complex”, provided a mix of plant communities
dominated by Oak Savannah, Mixed Forest, Wet Prairie, and Ash Forest. Figure 8
shows Concept C. This concept was preferred by a portion of those voting during the
public outreach conducted for the project, but was less preferred than Concept B and was
therefore not carried forward for further development.
Page 8
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
3
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
3.1
Physical Characteristics
3.1.1 Geology and Soils
The Minto-Brown Island Park site is located in the floodplain of the Willamette River at
the confluence with Croisan Creek. According to the digital map of major bedrock
lithologic units for the Pacific Northwest (Johnson et al., 1995), the floodplain area where
the project area is situated is categorized as Alluvium – unconsolidated sediment (clay,
silt, sand, gravel) including glacial outwash deposits. Terraces to the north and south of
the project area, comprising West Salem and Southwest Salem, are characterized as
Mafic volcanic flows – basaltic, with areas of landslide deposits adjacent to the river
valley wall.
The soils in the project area are typical of a Willamette River floodplain environment
transected by meandering overflow channels and sloughs. The Willamette River in this
location has changed course many times, scouring and depositing material across the
floodplain.
The majority of the project area consists of Newberg fine sandy loam, Newberg silt loam,
and Cloquato silt loam. The Newberg series soils consist of somewhat excessively
drained soils that have formed in mixed alluvium over sandy or gravelly material.
Cloquato silt loam consists of well drained soils formed in alluvium. In non-cultivated
areas, these soils are typically vegetated with Douglas fir, Oregon ash, Oregon white oak
and big leaf maple, with an understory of vine maple, blackberry, annual grasses and
weeds. These soils groups are categorized as non-hydric in the NRCS Soil Survey of
Marion County Area, Oregon, 1972.
Relatively small, low lying areas of the project area consist of Wapato silty clay loam and
McBee silty clay loam. Wapato silty clay loam occurs in backwater areas of floodplains
and is listed as a hydric soil. McBee silty clay loam is categorized as non-hydric with
hydric inclusions of Wapato series soils. Vegetation in such low lying areas typically
consists of willow, ash, sedges, and grasses.
3.1.2 Hydrology
The Minto-Brown Island Park project site is located in the floodplain of the Willamette
River between River Miles 85 and 86.5. The Willamette River has the 13th highest
streamflow in the lower 48 states, with an average discharge of over 37,000 cubic feet per
second. The main stem of the Willamette River is 187 miles long with a watershed area
of over 11,400 square miles. In the 1940’s through the 1960’s, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) constructed 11 major water storage reservoirs on tributaries of the
Willamette River. Including small, privately operated dams, there are over 370 dams in
the Willamette River watershed. These dams/reservoirs provide irrigation water and
hydroelectric power and also minimize flooding damage along the Willamette River and
its tributaries (Hulse et al, 2002).
Page 9
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Management of the dams has drastically altered the hydrologic regime of the Willamette
River, increasing flows during the dry summer months and lowering peak flows during
the winter and spring months when flooding is a concern. It is estimated that the
magnitude of flooding on the Willamette River has been dampened by 30-50 percent
(Hulse et al, 2002). Figure 9 shows Minto-Brown Island Park during the February 1996
flood.
The most representative gauging station on the Willamette River is located just
downstream of Minto-Brown Island Park near the Center Street Bridge in Salem. Table
2 below includes observed discharge and stage at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Station
14191000 for various return intervals and recorded events. Using relationships observed
in the Corps’ Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System (HEC-RAS)
hydraulic model, water surface elevations at the project site location have been estimated
for each flood event.
Table 2
Stage and Discharge of the Willamette River, Gage Station 1419100 and Project Site
Stage
(ft)
Discharge
(cfs)
Elevation (ft) NGVD29
at Gage Station
at Project Site
Recurrence Interval
Bankfull (2-year event)
5-year event
10-year event
20-year event
50-year event
100-year event
500-year event
21.20
27.96
31.26
31.46
34.66
36.06
38.56
91,000
154,000
193,000
195,000
239,000
261,000
303,000
127.34
134.10
137.40
137.60
140.80
142.20
144.70
129.04
135.90
139.30
139.60
143.00
144.60
147.50
Flood Events
Feb 1996 flood event
1964 flood event
Jan 1923-Max Recorded
Dec 1861 flood event
35.16
37.76
38.30
46.96
247,000
289,000
348,000
500,000
141.30
143.90
144.44
153.10
143.60
146.50
147.14
156.40
Typical Reference Flows
January - Average Flow
March - Average Flow
August - Average Flow
December - Average Flow
14.26
10.19
5.42
13.17
46,800
31,500
5,850
42,900
120.40
116.33
111.56
119.31
121.90
117.53
112.46
120.81
* All elevations are referenced to NGVD29.
NGVD 29 = National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929.
Minto and Brown islands are divided by an oxbow slough feature, a historic channel of
the Willamette River. There is no longer a connection to the river at the upstream end of
the oxbow slough. At the downstream end of the slough, there is a culvert connecting the
slough to the Willamette River. As the river level rises, the slough is inundated by
backwater via the downstream culvert. Only during extreme high flow events would
Page 10
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
water from the Willamette River pass through the slough in a downstream direction.
Laurel Creek and Pettijohn Creek join and drain into Oxbow Slough.
Croisan Creek flows north toward the project area from the south and flows into the
Willamette River through a series of pool/slough features. Just downstream of River
Road South, Croisan Creek turns to the northeast and flows between River Road South
and the Burlington Northern Railroad line until it enters a culvert beneath the railroad and
into Willamette Slough.
3.1.3 Floodplains
Floodplains are areas that periodically become inundated by adjacent rivers, creeks, or
other surface water features. Construction within the 100-year floodplain is regulated by
local and federal agencies for various reasons including risk and safety concerns for
property and human life. Development within the floodplain can also affect the amount
of flood storage a floodplain can provide. There are several federal and local regulations
pertaining to floodplains. The goals and intentions of these regulations are generally
similar. As stated in Executive Order 11988, federal agencies are directed to “take action
to reduce the risk of flood loss, minimize the impact of floods on human safety, health,
and welfare, and restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values served by
floodplains.”
The following orders, regulations, and ordinances regulate the proposed activities with
regards to floodplain impact and mitigation at Minto-Brown Island Park:
•
•
•
Executive Order 11988 – Floodplain Management, May 24, 1977
7 CFR 650.25 – Flood-plain management, Revised January 1, 2006
Salem Revised Code, Chapter 140 – Floodplain Overlay Zones
Section 382 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public
Law 104-127, amended the Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) to provide for the
purchase of floodplain easements as an emergency measure. Since 1996, NRCS has
purchased floodplain easements on lands that qualify for EWP assistance for the purpose
of restoring, protecting, maintaining, and enhancing functions of floodplains; conserving
natural values including fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, flood water retention,
groundwater recharge, and open space; reducing long-term federal disaster assistance;
and safeguarding lives and property from floods, drought, and the products of erosion.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), often assisted by the Corps,
determines the boundaries of floodplains based on hydrologic and hydraulic modeling.
The results of this modeling are published as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
Areas within the 100-year floodplain (Zone AE – base flood elevations determined), have
a one percent chance of flooding each year and are not eligible for flood insurance. Zone
AE is subject to restrictions, and any development within Zone AE requires mitigation to
compensate for any decrease in flood storage due to the proposed activity. This typically
relates to placement of fill material or structures within the 100-year floodplain.
Page 11
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Floodplains in the project area are associated primarily with the Willamette River. The
Croisan Creek floodplain is also in the vicinity of the project area. The proposed
restoration area is within the FEMA designated 100-year Floodplain of the Willamette
River, in Zone AE. The proposed planting locations are also within the Willamette River
Floodway. Figure 10 shows the FEMA floodplain and floodway in the vicinity of
Minto-Brown Island Park. The 100-year floodplain elevation at the project site is
between 145’ at the downstream end of the project and 146’ just upstream of the project
site (all elevations are referenced to the NVGD29 Datum).
3.1.4 Air Quality/Noise/Light
Air Quality
The Clean Air Act, last amended in 1990, requires the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for
pollutants considered harmful to the environment and to public health. The EPA has
established NAAQS for six criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide,
particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur dioxide (EPA, 2009).
A geographic area that has not consistently met the clean air levels set by the EPA in the
NAAQS, is designated a Nonattainment Area. The Salem-Keizer area is currently
designated as a Nonattainment area for Carbon Monoxide and Ozone. In June 2007, the
Environmental Quality Commission re-designated the Salem-Keizer area to Attainment
of the NAAQS for Carbon Monoxide. However, this action will not be finalized until it
is approved by EPA under the federal Clean Air Act as a revision of the State
Implementation Plan (Oregon DEQ, 2009).
Noise
In 1991, the Oregon State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Noise Control
Program was terminated, leaving local jurisdictions to regulate noise issues. The Marion
County Noise Ordinance (Ordinance No. 1273, signed November 12, 2008) states “It is
the policy of the Board to prevent and regulate excessive noise that is deemed harmful to
the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of the citizens of the county.”
Sensitivity to ambient noise levels differs among land use types. The Marion County
Noise Ordinance divides receivers into three categories based on noise sensitivity: Noise
Sensitive (uses such as church, school, and residential areas), Commercial, and Industrial.
The majority of land uses in the Willamette River floodplain are commercial and
industrial, which have a lower sensitivity to ambient noise levels.
Noise would also be a concern from a wildlife perspective. Many species of wildlife are
affected by noise to varying degrees. Due to the level of human activity in the park,
including operation of farm machinery, many of the animals within the project area have
become adapted to some level of noise. A railroad line at the southeastern edge of the
park also contributes noise to the project area.
Page 12
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Light
Minto-Brown Island Park contains few sources of artificial light, and the proposed
restoration areas contain none. The open areas of the park, including the agricultural
fields of the proposed restoration area, receive more natural light than the park’s forested
areas along the Willamette River and Oxbow Slough.
3.2
Vegetation
Historic GLO mapping shows mixed-riparian forest, shrubland, and prairie within the
project area prior to settlement (ORNHIC 2008). Oak savannah was also mapped in the
project vicinity. Figure 11 shows the historically mapped plant communities of the area.
Much of this area was cleared and converted for agricultural production as early as the
1860’s when Isaac Brown and John Minto settled the land.
Today, vegetation within the project area consists of both native plant communities and
heavily disturbed areas that have been managed for agricultural production. Portions of
the riparian corridor along the Willamette River are in relatively good condition, with a
tree canopy consisting of large black cottonwood, Oregon ash, big-leaf maple, and red
alder. Douglas fir, grand fir (Abies grandis) and Oregon white oak are also present in this
natural riparian forest community.
The native understory in these areas is comprised of Western hazelnut, Indian plum,
common snowberry, red-osier dogwood, salmonberry, red elderberry (Sambucus
racemosa), Pacific ninebark, vine maple (Acer circinatum), and trailing blackberry
(Rubus ursinus). Herbaceous vegetation includes Pacific waterleaf (Hydrophyllum
tenuipes), Dewey’s sedge (Carex deweyana), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), lady fern
(Athyrium filix-femina), and sword fern (Polystichum munitum).
Wetter, low-lying areas within the park consist of more typical wetland, slough plant
communities including willow species, Douglas spiraea, red-osier dogwood and slough
sedge.
In addition to the intact riparian plant communities, restoration efforts under the
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) have helped to create a 200-foot
buffer along the Willamette River and sloughs within the park. These restored planting
areas include the previously mentioned tree species along with Ponderosa pine (Pinus
ponderosa). This planting effort occurred in 2001, with some of the planted cottonwood
and alder trees currently reaching heights in excess of 30 feet. While the tree plantings
are doing very well, much of the understory in these areas is overgrown with nonnative/invasive Armenian blackberry.
The agriculturally managed areas have been utilized for production of various crops
including pumpkins, rye grass, barley, and green beans. The proposed restoration area
also includes an old cherry orchard which has become heavily overgrown with Armenian
blackberry and Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). Salem staff reports that some of the
cherry trees still produce fruit, however this area has become very difficult to access due
to a dense blackberry thicket surrounding the orchard.
Page 13
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Invasive plant species present within the project area consist of Armenian blackberry,
Scotch broom, English ivy (Hedera helix), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea),
Jimson weed (Datura stramonium), common teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris), pigweed
(Amaranthus spp.), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), and bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare).
Areas most affected by invasive vegetation are on the perimeters of the agricultural
fields, in the cherry orchard, and in the replanted riparian buffers.
3.3
Fish and Wildlife
FISH
The Willamette River Basin contains 31 native and 29 non-native species of fish (Hulse
et al, 2002). Species richness in the basin generally increases from smaller, cold water
streams at higher elevations to larger, warmer water, low-gradient sections of the
mainstem Willamette River. Some sections of the mainstem Willamette River host
upwards of 35 species of fish, which include both migratory and resident species.
Native anadromous fish species present in the Willamette River in the Salem area include
spring-run Chinook salmon, coho salmon, winter steelhead, cutthroat trout, and pacific
lamprey. The StreamNet database (2009) indicates that the Willamette River in the
vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park provides suitable rearing and migration habitat for
Spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead; spawning and rearing habitat for Fall
Chinook salmon; and a migration corridor for coho salmon and summer steelhead.
To the east of Minto-Brown Island Park, the lower portion of the Willamette Slough
(from the Willamette River to its confluence with Pringle Creek) is identified as
providing suitable rearing and migration habitat for Spring Chinook salmon and
spawning and rearing habitat for Fall Chinook salmon and winter steelhead. The Park’s
Oxbow Slough, which separates Minto and Brown Islands, is not identified as providing
suitable habitat for native migratory fish species.
Native resident fish common to the Willamette River mainstem, including the area in the
vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park, include various sculpin, sucker, dace, shiner, and
rainbow trout, among others. Non-native fish species in the Willamette River system in
the Salem area include bullhead catfishes, herrings, minnows, perches, sunfishes,
topminnows, and introduced fall-run Chinook salmon and summer steelhead (Hemesath
and Nunez, 2002).
WILDLIFE
Minto-Brown Island Park’s wooded areas, dense brush, open fields, and water within and
adjacent to the site provide habitat for a variety of birds and mammals. Birds using the
park include bald eagles, osprey, red-tail and Cooper’s hawks, harriers, and owls, as well
as various waterfowl and songbirds. Canada geese, including dusky Canada geese,
overwinter at the site and feed on forage planted in the agricultural fields. Mammals such
as deer, coyote, opossum, raccoon, and squirrels can be found in the park, and small
mammal species such as mice, bats, moles, and voles are also likely present in the area.
Page 14
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The proposed restoration areas for this project consist of cropland and an unmaintained
cherry orchard. The agricultural fields provide likely habitat for small rodents (e.g.,
mice, moles, and voles), as well as foraging opportunities for raptors (e.g., hawks,
harriers, and owls) that prey on these species. The trees of the cherry orchard provide
some cover for small mammals (e.g., squirrels) and nesting, perching and feeding
opportunities for birds. The crop fields included in the proposed restoration areas are
among those areas used by the park’s overwintering Canada geese population.
3.4
Threatened and Endangered Species
3.4.1 Species under NMFS Jurisdiction
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages marine and anadromous fish
and maintains lists of species federally protected as Threatened or Endangered under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). A list of ESA-protected fish species under NMFS’
jurisdiction was obtained from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/ on November 19,
2009. This list was reviewed in concurrence with other records (e.g., StreamNet
database, Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center [ORNHIC] database) to determine
the potential presence of ESA-listed species in the project vicinity.
Available records indicate that the ESA-listed fish species identified below occur in the
section of the Willamette River adjacent to Minto-Brown Island Park. Table 3 shows
ESA status for fish species found near Minto-Brown Island Park.
Table 3
ESA Status for Fish Species near Minto-Brown Island Park
Species Common Name
(Scientific Name)
and ESU or DPS
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha),
(Upper Willamette River (UWR) Evolutionarily
Significant Unit (ESU).
Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), UWR
Distinct Population Segment (DPS).
Federal Endangered Species Act Status
(i.e., Endangered, Threatened, Proposed or
Candidate) and Listing History
Listed as Threatened on March 24, 1999;
Threatened status reaffirmed on June 28,
2005. Final Critical Habitat designation
published on September 2, 2005, with an
effective date of January 2, 2006.
Listed as Threatened on March 25, 1999;
Threatened status reaffirmed on January 5,
2006. Final Critical Habitat designation
published on September 2, 2005, with an
effective date of January 2, 2006.
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Upper Willamette River (UWR)
Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU)
The UWR Chinook salmon ESU includes all naturally spawned populations of
spring-run Chinook salmon in the Clackamas River and in the Willamette River and
its tributaries, above Willamette Falls, as well as seven artificial propagation
programs. Fall-run Chinook salmon above Willamette Falls were introduced and are
not considered part of this ESU.
Page 15
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Critical habitat for the UWR Chinook salmon has been designated and includes all
reaches accessible to the species in the Clackamas River and the Willamette River
and its tributaries above Willamette Falls. This includes the section of the Willamette
River adjacent to Minto-Brown Island Park. The Willamette River is also considered
“Essential Fish Habitat” for Chinook salmon, which is a Pacific Salmon also
protected under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSFCMA).
Adult spring-run Chinook salmon enter the Columbia River in March and April and
ascend Willamette Falls in May or June (Myers et al, 1998). Spawning generally
occurs from late August through early October. Juveniles will rear seasonally or
year-round in streams, including the Willamette River. Juvenile outmigration occurs
predominantly in the spring and, to a lesser extent, in the fall.
The Willamette River in the vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park is identified as
“rearing and migration” habitat for spring-run Chinook salmon (StreamNet 2009).
Adults may be present in the Willamette River in the vicinity of Minto-Brown Island
Park between approximately May and October. Juveniles may be present in the area
year-round.
Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), UWR Distinct Population Segment (DPS)
The UWR steelhead trout DPS includes all naturally spawned anadromous steelhead
populations below natural and manmade impassable barriers in the Willamette River
and its tributaries upstream from Willamette Falls to the Calapooia River (inclusive).
Critical habitat for this species has been designated and includes the section of the
Willamette River adjacent to Minto-Brown Island Park.
The native steelhead of this DPS are late-migrating, ocean-maturing winter steelhead,
entering freshwater primarily in March and April. Juveniles rear 1-3 years in
freshwater before migrating to sea, where they spend 1 to 3 years before returning to
spawn in their natal streams. Steelhead may spawn more than once, although
spawning more than twice is rare (Busby et al, 1996).
The Willamette River in the vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park is identified as
“rearing and migration” habitat for winter steelhead (StreamNet 2009). Adults may
be present in the vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park from late February through
April, and juveniles could be in the area year-round.
3.4.2 Species under USFWS Jurisdiction
A list of Federally Listed, Proposed, Candidate Species and Species of Concern Under
the Jurisdiction of the Fish and Wildlife Service Which May Occur Within Marion
County, Oregon was obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on
November 19, 2009. The list was last updated November 14, 2009.
The USFWS identifies the following ESA Listed, Proposed, and Candidate species as
potentially occurring in Marion County as shown in Table 4.
Page 16
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Table 4
ESA Status for Species with Potential to Occur in Marion County, Oregon
Species Common Name
(Scientific Name)
ESU or DPS
BIRDS
Northern Spotted Owl
(Strix occidentalis
caurina)
Streaked horned lark
(Eremophila alpestris
strigata)
FISH (Inland)
Oregon chub
(Oregonichthys
crameri)
PLANTS
Golden paintbrush
(Castilleja levisecta)
Willamette daisy (Erigeron
decumbens var.
decumbens)
Water howellia (Howellia
aquatilis)
Bradshaw’s desert parsley
(Lomatium bradshawii)
Kincaid’s lupine (Lupinus
sulphureus ssp. kincaidii)
Nelson’s checker-mallow
(Sidalcea nelsoniana)
Federal Endangered
Species Act Status
(i.e., Endangered,
Threatened, Proposed,
or Candidate) and
Listing History
Known to be
Present at
Minto-Brown
Island Park?
Suitable Habitat
Currently
Provided at
Minto-Brown
Island Park?
Listed as Threatened in
1990. Critical Habitat
areas designated in
1992.
Added to the Candidate
list in 2001.
No
No
No
Yes, with
limitations
Listed as Endangered in
1993. There is currently
a proposal to reclassify
as Threatened. Critical
Habitat has not been
designated.
No
No
Listed as Threatened on
June 11, 1997. Critical
Habitat has not been
designated.
Listed as Endangered in
2000. Critical Habitat as
designated in 2006.
Listed as Threatened in
1994. Critical Habitat
has not been
designated.
Listed as Endangered in
1988. Critical Habitat
has not been
designated.
Listed as Threatened in
2000. Critical Habitat
was designated in 2006.
Listed as Threatened in
1993. Critical Habitat
has not been
designated.
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Birds
Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina)
Northern spotted owls are believed to have historically inhabited most forests in
southwestern British Columbia, western Washington and Oregon, and northwestern
California. Habitat loss and modification, due largely to timber harvesting and land
conversion, has significantly reduced their populations in much of their historic range.
Page 17
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Northern spotted owls live in forests characterized by dense canopy closure of mature
and old-growth trees, abundant logs, standing snags, and live trees with broken tops.
Although they are known to nest, roost, and feed in a wide variety of habitat types,
these owls prefer older forest stands with variety: multi-layered canopies of several tree
species of varying size and age; both standing and fallen dead trees; and open space
among the lower branches to allow flight under the canopy. Forests do not typically
attain these characteristics until they are at least 150 to 200 years old (USFWS, 2009b).
Northern spotted owl sightings in the vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park have not
been documented (ORNHIC, 2009). The proposed restoration is not located within
designated Critical Habitat for the northern spotted owl, and the site does not provide
forest habitat suitable for this species.
Streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata)
This species is a small, slender bird with long wings and feather tufts that give the
appearance of black “horns”. Streaked horned larks’ are generally found in bare
ground or sparsely vegetated habitats, often nesting in grass seed fields, pastures, fallow
fields, and wetland mudflats. In Oregon, this species was once abundant in Benton,
Lane, Linn, Polk, and Yamhill counties in the Willamette Valley, and in Jackson
County in the Rogue River valley. Habitat loss has reduced the population, however,
and today the bird is most abundant in the central Willamette Valley (USFWS, 2009c).
There are no documented occurrences of the streaked horned lark in the Minto-Brown
Island Park vicinity (ORNHIC, 2009). Portions of the park provide habitat potentially
suitable for this species, as described above, although disturbance from farm practices
and recreational uses of the park would likely limit the areas that this species could use.
Fish (Inland)
Oregon chub (Oregonichthys crameri)
The Oregon chub is a small minnow that is native to the Willamette River Valley of
western Oregon. Historical records indicate that Oregon chub were found as far
downstream as Oregon City and as far upstream as Oakridge (USFWS, 2009c). At the
time the Oregon chub was listed under the ESA (1993), there were only 8 documented
populations of Oregon chub remaining. Recovery efforts have increased their numbers,
however. According to an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) 2008
Oregon Chub Investigations report (Bangs et al, 2008), 38 populations are now known
to exist within the Willamette Basin.
Oregon chub habitat consists of slack, off-channel areas such as beaver ponds, oxbows,
side channels, backwater sloughs, flooded marshes, and low-gradient tributaries. These
areas generally have little or no water flow, silty and organic substrate, and aquatic
vegetation to provide cover for hiding from predators and for spawning (USFWS,
2009d).
Oregon chub are not identified as occurring in or around Minto-Brown Island Park
(USFWS, 2008; Bangs et al, 2008; ORNHIC, 2009). Minto-Brown Island Park’s
Oxbow Slough, which separates the eastern and western portions of the proposed
Page 18
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
restoration project, likely meets some of the habitat requirements for Oregon chub,
although its connection with the mainstem Willamette River and presence of invasive
fish in this reach would likely be limiting factors for chub survival in this area. Sites
with high connectivity to adjacent flowing water frequently contain nonnative
predatory fishes and rarely contain Oregon chub (Scheerer, 2007).
Plants
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta)
Golden paintbrush is a perennial herb in the figwort or snapdragon family that occurs
on grasslands and upland prairies. The historic range of Golden paintbrush extends as
far north as British Columbia and as far south as the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The
species has been extirpated from Oregon, however, due to habitat modifications caused
by urbanization and agriculture. The last known sighting of golden paintbrush in
Oregon was in 1938 in Linn County (USFWS, 2009e). The last documented sighting
of this species in the Salem area was in 1916 (ORNHIC, 2009).
Willamette Daisy (Erigeron decumbens var. decumbens)
Willamette daisy is a perennial herb in the composite family that occurs on alluvial
soils in the Wapato, Bashaw, and Mcalpin Series. The Willamette daisy was once
likely widespread throughout the Willamette Valley, although it is currently know to
exist on only 18 sites, most of which are bottomland, but one of which is an upland
prairie remnant (USFWS, 2009f).
Willamette daisy occurrences at Minto-Brown Island Park have not been documented.
Wapato soils are present on the site, although agricultural use of the land would limit
opportunities for Willamette Daisy. Historic occurrences of the species in the Salem
area have been noted, although the last observation in this area was in 1924 (ORNHIC,
2009).
Water howellia (Howellia aquatilis)
Water howellia is an annual aquatic species in the bellflower family that, in Oregon,
historically occupied ponded areas in woods. There are no known occurrences of the
species in the state currently. Sites from which water howellia was historically
collected in Oregon were all located within the Columbia River floodplain or in the
Willamette River valley (USFWS, 2009g).
Water howellia occurrences in the Minto-Brown Island Park vicinity have not been
documented. The last known observation of the species in the Salem area was in a
pond in shaded woods approximately one mile north of Salem in 1935 (ORNHIC,
2009).
Bradshaw’s desert parsley (Lomatium bradshawii)
Bradshaw’s desert parsley is a perennial herb in the parsley family that occurs on
alluvial soils. Most populations occur on seasonally saturated or flooded prairies
adjacent to creeks and small rivers in the southern Willamette Valley. Bradshaw’s
desert parsley was once widespread in wet, open areas of the Willamette Valley, but is
Page 19
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
now limited to a few sites in Lane, Marion, and Benton Counties (USFWS, 2009h).
Bradshaw’s desert parsley has not been documented on the Minto-Brown Island Park
site (ORNHIC, 2009), and current agricultural practices would limit its ability to
establish there.
Kincaid’s lupine (Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii)
Kincaid’s lupine is a perennial species in the pea or legume family. It is found mainly
in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, in native grassland habitats, typically in native
upland prairie with dominant species being red fescue and/or Idaho fescue (USFWS,
2009i).
Kincaid’s lupine occurrences on the Minto-Brown Island Park site have not been
documented, and the park does not currently provide the type of native grassland
habitat suitable for this species. The species has been documented in the Salem vicinity,
however, with the last reported observation in 1916 (ORNHIC, 2009).
Nelson’s checker-mallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana)
Nelson’s checker-mallow is a perennial herb in the mallow family. The plant generally
occurs in Oregon ash swales and meadows with wet depressions, or along streams, but
also grows in wetlands within remnant prairie grasslands. This species occurs primarily
in open areas with little or no shade and is intolerant of encroachment by woody species
(USFWS, 2009j). Nelson’s checker-mallow has not been documented as occurring on
the Minto-Brown Island Park site (ORNHIC, 2009), and agricultural use of the land
would inhibit its ability to establish on most of the open areas of the site.
3.5
Cultural and Historic Resources
The Kalapuya Native Americans were seasonal residents of the Salem area for over 5,000
years, using the area for winter encampments. Once estimated at 80,000, the Kalapuya
population declined drastically in the 1800’s due to the introduction of diseases such as
smallpox and malaria. When the remaining native people were moved to the Grand
Ronde Reservation in the 1850’s, there were less than 1,000 Kalapuya remaining (Salem
Public Library, 2009a).
Agriculture has been a large part of the culture of the Willamette Valley since the 1840s.
Settlers came to this area for the large amount of fertile land available. The cool, yet
mild climate and plentiful rainfall is favorable to many crops including hazelnuts,
cherries, marionberries, hops, and grass seed. Canneries and mills developed to process
the crops and timber harvested in the area. Floodplain locations, like Minto-Brown
Island Park, were often not suitable to other kinds of development due to their tendency
to flood, but were useful for agricultural production. Agriculture continues to be a major
part of the economy and culture of the Willamette Valley today.
In 1857, Isaac Brown established his home on the island now know as Brown Island.
Brown converted the land for agricultural production of livestock, farm produce and
tobacco. In 1867, John Minto purchased the adjoining downstream 247-acre island
which would eventually bear his name. Minto cleared the dense brush and flood debris
Page 20
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
that occupied the island, converting the land into productive cropland. Prior to this land
conversion, the study area was occupied by mixed riparian forest, with adjacent prairies
(ORNHIC 2008).
Several historic homes are located southeast of the project area in the Saginaw
Neighborhood, listed as a “Potential Historic District”. These include the John Minto
House, built in 1869 by the famous Oregon Trail pioneer shortly after purchasing the land
now known as Minto Island, and the Douglas Minto houses built in the 1920’s for his
son. The nearby historical houses are located on the terrace above the floodplain of the
project area.
Cherries were once a primary crop and cannery product of the Salem area. Cherries
grown in the region and exhibited at the once annual Cherry Fair earned Salem the
nickname “The Cherry City” in 1907 (Salem Public Library, 2009b). In 1928, there were
2,500 acres of cherry orchards and twelve canneries in the Salem area. Canned cherry
production remained high through the 1960’s, but due to changing consumer preferences
started declining in the 1970’s through today. Many orchards were removed and much of
the former orchard land has been converted for residential use.
An unmaintained cherry orchard occupies approximately 30 acres within the proposed
restoration area. According to City of Salem staff (email comm. from Keith Keever,
December 8, 2009), historical records indicate that the cherry orchard within the
restoration area includes portions planted at different times: the most easterly 2.5 acres
was planted in 1935; the middle 16.5 acres was planted in 1950; and the western 11 acres
was planted in 1958. The orchard has become heavily overgrown with Armenian
blackberry. Some of the trees reportedly still bear fruit, but the orchard area is very
difficult to access due to the dense thicket of blackberry.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires that federal
agencies take into account the effects of their activities and programs on historic
properties. A cultural resources survey in compliance with the NHPA was completed by
NRCS archeology staff for the Minto-Brown Island Park floodplain easement area in July
2009. Cultural resources eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) were not identified during this survey.
3.6
Socio-economic Resources
Minto-Brown Island Park and the proposed project are located within the City of Salem’s
city limits in Marion County, Oregon. U.S. Census Bureau population data for Salem
and Marion County are provided in Table 5 below. The data used in this table was
obtained on November 23, 2009 from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Factfinder
web site at http://factfinder.census.gov.
Page 21
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Table 5
Population Data for Salem and Marion County, Oregon
2008 Estimate
2000 Census
1990 Census
Growth 1990 to 2008
Population
City of Salem
153,435
136,924
107,786
42.35%
Population
Marion County
314,606
284,834
228,483
37.69%
According to a 2006-2008 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
(http://factfinder.census.gov, reviewed on November 20, 2009), the average household
size in the City of Salem during this period was 2.5 people, with families comprising 61
percent of all households. Thirteen percent of people living in Salem in 2006-2008 were
foreign born. Twenty percent of Salem residents spoke a language other than English
during this period. Of those, 72 percent spoke Spanish and 28 percent spoke another
language. The median age of Salem residents from 2006-2008 was 34.6 years, with 25%
of the population under 18 years of age and 13 percent over 65 years of age.
Salem is Oregon’s capital and the County Seat of Marion County. Twenty-one percent of
the city’s workforce is employed by local, state, and federal government. Other major
industries in the Salem and Marion County area include agriculture, with vegetable and
fruit production, nursery and greenhouse crops, grass seed, and dairy products comprising
a major portion of this segment of the economy. Other leading employment sectors in the
area include educational services, health care, social assistance, and retail trade (20062008 American Community Survey).
According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, the median income for City
of Salem households from 2006-2008 was $43,095. Sixteen percent of Salem residents
were living below the poverty level during this period. Oregon Employment Department
(OED) data indicate that unemployment rates increased significantly in the Salem area
(and in Oregon, in general) from September 2008 to September 2009, as indicated in
Table 6 below. The data used in this table was obtained on November 20, 2009 from the
OED’s Oregon Labor Market Information System (OLMIS) at
http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/AllRates.
Table 6
Unemployment Rates in Salem, Marion County, and Oregon in 2008 and 2009
City of Salem
Marion County
Oregon
Unemployment Rate
September 2008
11.6%
11.8%
11.3%
Unemployment Rate
September 2009
6.6%
6.8%
7.2%
Minto-Brown Island Park is a public park that is owned and managed by the City of
Salem. As such, the park contributes to the employment of City staff and contractors
involved in the management and maintenance of the park’s land and facilities.
Additionally, the portions of the park in which the proposed restoration plantings will
occur are currently used for agricultural crop production by a tenant farmer.
Page 22
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
As a public park, Minto-Brown Island Park represents a social resource to area residents
in the form of recreational opportunities, which include pedestrian and bike paths, an offleash dog area, and picnic facilities. Many clubs and organizations, including the
Audubon Society and various bicycle groups, use the park. Additionally, the close
proximity to downtown Salem and Willamette University make the park a valuable
educational resource for school groups.
3.7
Land Use and Recreation
The proposed restoration area is completely within Minto-Brown Island Park in Salem,
Oregon within a “Public Amusement” zone, according to City of Salem Community
Development Department zoning maps. The entire project area is within the Floodplain
overlay zone, and portions of the project area adjacent to the Willamette River are within
the Floodway overlay zone. Much of the site is also within the Willamette River
Greenway Overlay zone. Park uses and improvements are guided by the goals outlined
in the City of Salem’s Minto-Brown Island Park Master Plan, which was first adopted by
Salem City Council in 1985 and last updated in 1995 (Minto-Brown Island Park Revised
Master Plan, 1995).
The proposed restoration area is currently used for agricultural crop production. The
western parcel was most recently occupied by a pumpkin crop. The eastern part of the
project area consists of three parcels. The two outer parcels have been managed for the
production of various crops. The interior parcel is occupied by an old cherry orchard that
has become heavily overgrown by invasive Armenian blackberry. An agreement
between the ODFW and the tenant farmer requires a fraction of the crops to be left
unharvested, intended for wildlife food.
All of the proposed planting areas are currently open to the public. The park is valued as
a peaceful, quiet place in close proximity to downtown Salem. The park has maintained
a natural, rural farm setting lending itself to a resource based recreation site, rather than a
facility based recreation site. A network of trails and paved paths allow park users to
enjoy a variety of low-impact recreation activities including biking, jogging, and walking
with dogs. There are no developed sports fields in the park. Many groups, including the
Audubon Society and bicycle clubs, use the park for recreation and education.
Within the floodplain, land use adjacent to the park consists of the Salem Golf Course to
the south, a Boise-Cascade aeration pond to the east, a decommissioned land fill to the
west, and the Willamette River to the north. The terrace to the southeast of the project
area consists mainly of residential land use.
3.8
Scenic Resources
Minto-Brown Island Park provides scenic resources to park users and properties with
views of the park. The landscape pattern of the park is open space with a naturalistic
floodplain with park and agricultural features. The Minto-Brown Island Park Master
Plan describes the major recreational value as a natural area with pastoral and rural
qualities.
Page 23
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The park features are passive recreation oriented and pastoral in nature. The most
developed facilities include parking areas, the dog park, and picnic facilities. The park
vegetation includes mixed native floodplain forest with deciduous and coniferous trees
that provide multiple shades of green, a variety of leaf/needle textures, shade from the
sun, fall color, and interesting forms.
The agricultural features are the open fields. These fields provide views within the park
and to West Salem. There is seasonal variety with crop production and harvest, and
wildlife food crop planting.
3.9
Prime and Unique Farmland
NRCS has classified and mapped farmlands through its soil survey efforts. NRCS’s farm
classifications identify soil map units as prime farmland, farmland of statewide
importance, farmland of local importance, or unique farmland. Farm classifications for
soil map units in Marion County, Oregon were reviewed on November 23, 2009 through
NRCS’s Web Soil Survey tool (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov).
As discussed in Section 3.1.1 above, the soils in the proposed restoration areas of MintoBrown Island Park (which are currently used for agricultural purposes) consist mainly of
Newberg fine sandy loam (Nu), Newberg silt loam (Nw), and Cloquato silt loam (Cm),
with limited areas of McBee silty clay loam (Mb) also present. The farm classifications
for these soil map units are listed in Table 7 below.
Table 7
Farm Classifications by Soil Map Unit in
Minto-Brown Island Park’s Proposed Restoration Areas
Soil Map Unit
Farm Classification
Newberg fine sandy loam (Nu)
Newberg silt loam (Nw)
Cloquato silt loam (Cm)
McBee silty clay loam (Mb)
Prime farmland if irrigated (site is irrigated)
Prime farmland if irrigated (site is irrigated)
All areas are Prime Farmland
All areas are Prime Farmland
The proposed restoration areas within Minto-Brown Island Park are located entirely on
land zoned for “Public Amusement” by the City of Salem Community Development
Department’s Planning Division. There are no “Exclusive Farm Use (EFU)” zoned lands
within Minto-Brown Island Park.
3.10 Environmental Justice
Executive Order 12893, “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income Populations”, requires that federal agencies make
environmental justice part their missions. This executive order specifically requires
federal agencies to identify and address, as appropriate, disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental effects of their activities, programs, or policies on
minority and low-income populations. The provisions of this Executive Order apply also
to Native Americans. The federal Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) provides a
Page 24
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
framework for evaluating environmental justice concerns in its Environmental Justice
Guidance under the National Environmental Policy Act (1997).
U.S. Census Bureau data from the 2000 Census was used to identify minority and lowincome populations at the Census Tract level in the vicinity of the proposed project. The
eastern portion of Minto-Brown Island Park is located in Census Tract 13 (410470013),
and the western portion of the park is in Census Tract 24 (410470024). Table 8 below
shows the minority composition of the Census Tracts and Marion County as a whole (the
reference community). The 2000 Census data indicates that census tracts 13 and 24 have
minority populations one-third to one-half of the minority composition of Marion County
as a whole (18.4 percent).
Table 8
Minority Populations in the Vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park
Census Tract 13
Census Tract 24
Marion County
Total Population
(2000)
3,829
2,883
284,834
Number of
Minority
350
172
52,365
Percent Minority
9.1
6.0
18.4
Table 9 provides 2000 Census poverty data for 1999 incomes. The percentage of
residents with sub-poverty level income in 1999 in Tract 13 (7.5 percent) and Tract 24
(2.6 percent) was also well below the percentage of Marion County residents living on
incomes below the poverty level (13.5 percent).
Table 9
Low-Income Populations in the Vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park
Census Tract 13
Census Tract 24
Marion County
Total Population
(1999)
3,812
2,855
274,908
Number below
Poverty Level
285
75
37,104
Percent below
Poverty Level
7.5
2.6
13.5
Minto-Brown Island Park and the proposed project are not located in the vicinity of
Indian Reservations or other tribal lands. Table 10 below includes 2000 Census data
indicating the numbers of individuals identifying themselves as some part “American
Indian and Alaska Native” (a single Census race category). Note that the numbers of
American Indian and Alaska Native shown here include individuals identifying
themselves as belonging to more than one race. The percentage of residents of American
Indian and Alaska Native descent in 1999 in Tract 13 (0.9 percent) and Tract 24 (1.3
percent) was also well below the percentage for Marion County (2.6 percent).
Page 25
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Table 10
American Indian and Alaska Native Populations
in the Vicinity of Minto-Brown Island Park
Total Population
(2000)
Census Tract 13
Census Tract 24
Marion County
3,829
2,883
284,834
Number of American
Indian and Alaska
Native
13
17
7501
Percent
American Indian and
Alaska Native
0.9
1.3
2.6
Page 26
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
4
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
4.1
Physical Characteristics
4.1.1 Geology and Soils
4.1.1.1 Proposed Action
The Proposed Action does not include any grading or excavation. Minor surface
disturbance will be necessary for the partial removal of the cherry orchard, planting and
soil preparation. Soil preparation and planting will be done by hand and with equipment
similar to that used currently for agricultural purposes (e.g., tractors pulling trailers). Soil
disturbance will be heaviest in areas of tree removal in the cherry orchard. Bare surfaces
will be seeded and planted, and erosion and sediment control measures will be used to
prevent sediment from entering adjacent water features. Minor soil disturbance will be
required long-term for continued vegetation maintenance (refer to Section 4.2 below);
however, long-term soil disturbance on the site will be less than the site experiences
currently under agricultural use, since the Proposed Action allows vegetation to reestablish and will not involve annual crop planting, harvesting, plowing, etc.
Slope stability is not a concern because the site is generally flat. No planting will occur
on the bank of the Willamette River or the sloughs. In the long-term, the proposed
permanent vegetation will decrease erosion on the site and conserve topsoil.
4.1.1.2 No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, the proposed planting would not occur, and the
proposed planting areas would remain in use for agricultural production. There would be
no immediate consequences of the No Action alternative with respect to geology and
soils; however, erosion and soil depletion associated with agricultural land uses would
continue over the long-term.
4.1.2 Hydrology and Hydraulics
4.1.2.1 Proposed Action
The hydrology of the project site has been greatly altered over the last 150 years due to
both on-site and basin-wide influences. Possible effects to site hydrology and hydraulics
from the Proposed Action would be associated with establishing a permanent cover of
vegetation in the currently farmed fields. These effects would include increased
interception and evapotranspiration of rainfall, reducing the amount of runoff generated
on site, and slowed velocities of floodwater flowing through the site, reducing erosion
and encouraging infiltration. Further discussion of these effects is included in Section
4.1.3 Floodplains. No planting will occur on or directly adjacent to the Willamette River
or slough features. No change to typical flows of the Willamette River would occur as a
result of the proposed action.
Page 27
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
4.1.2.2 No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, the proposed planting would not occur. The proposed
planting areas would remain in use for agricultural production. There would be no
change from the current state, in terms of the hydrology and hydraulics of the area.
During periods when the crop fields are bare, runoff rates (and associated soil erosion
potential) are high.
4.1.3 Floodplains
4.1.3.1 Proposed Action
The Proposed Action does not involve grading, excavation, or the placement of fill
material within the 100-year floodplain boundaries. However, the proposed revegetation
areas are located entirely within the FEMA mapped 100-year floodplain and floodway.
A hydraulic analysis was performed to determine the potential effects on flooding
upstream and downstream of the Proposed Action areas due to the revegetation.
The hydraulic analysis performed was a sensitivity analysis utilizing the existing
hydraulic model of the Willamette River that was created by the Corps of Engineers for
mapping the 100-year floodplain. The sensitivity analysis involved adjusting model
inputs to determine if any change in water surface elevations would be expected due to
the proposed revegetation. The sensitivity analysis was performed using HEC-RAS, the
hydraulic modeling software used by the Corps for the development of FEMA Flood
Insurance Studies (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS).
Twelve iterations of the sensitivity analysis were performed. For each iteration, the
Manning’s roughness coefficient (a measure of the resistance of channel bed, channel
banks, and floodplains to the flow of water past it) was adjusted in the affected portion of
the hydraulic model cross sections corresponding to the proposed revegetation.
Figure 12 shows the locations of the existing cross sections in the 100-year floodplain.
New Manning’s roughness coefficient values were evaluated for the proposed conditions,
and the model was run to determine what effect these changes would have on water
surface elevations. For the entire project site, with the exception of the existing orchard,
the Manning’s value was increased to reflect the proposed revegetation. For the existing
orchard (where trees will be removed), the Manning’s value was decreased. Manning’s
coefficients were selected using standard values identified by Oregon Department of
Transportation (ODOT) in the ODOT Hydraulics Manual.
The analysis considered the proposed planting alternative as well as denser, more
forested scenarios (i.e., beyond worst-case scenarios in terms of water surface elevation
changes). For all scenarios evaluated, the modeling indicated no measurable effect on the
Willamette River floodplain due to changes to the Manning’s roughness coefficient.
4.1.3.2 No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, the proposed planting would not occur, and the existing
floodplain would remain in agricultural use. No changes in floodplain roughness would
Page 28
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
occur, with the exception of general crop rotation and harvest cycles, which are a normal
part of existing site uses.
4.1.4 Air Quality/Noise/Light
4.1.4.1 Proposed Action
Under the Proposed Action Alternative, there would be a short-term, localized reduction
in air quality due to emissions from vehicles and equipment associated with soil
preparation, tree removal, planting. There also would be short-term, localized increases
in noise levels from the vehicles and equipment required for the restoration activities.
The soil preparation and planting will be done by hand and with equipment similar to that
currently used for farming. Future maintenance of the restoration areas would also
involve minor air quality/noise impacts due to equipment required for mowing. These air
quality and noise impacts are negligible when considered against the current agricultural
use of the site, existing vehicle traffic from park users, and the adjacent railroad line to
the south.
The Proposed Action Alternative does not present any additional sources of light to the
area. The woodland portions of the proposed restoration area will see increased shading
and decreased visibility due to increased tree cover. Concerns about public safety
associated with reduced light penetration and visibility were raised during the public
participation process for this project. The Proposed Action Alternative was preferred by
the public for a number of reasons, including the fact that under this alternative the
majority of the proposed restoration area will remain largely open with the prairie and
oak savannah plant communities.
4.1.4.2 No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, there would be no change with regards to Air Quality,
Noise, or Light. Existing air pollution and noise sources, including farm equipment and
the adjacent railroad line, will continue to be present.
4.2
Vegetation
4.2.1 Proposed Action
The Proposed Action Alternative will greatly increase the botanical diversity of the site
by restoring native plant communities that were once abundant in the Willamette Valley.
The Proposed Action involves establishing a variety of native plant communities,
including mixed riparian woodland, oak savannah, upland prairie and wet prairie, ash
woodland, and willow slough. Table 11 below displays the species proposed for planting
in each of the major plant communities proposed.
Page 29
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Species
Trees
Big-leaf maple
(Acer macrophyllum)
Black cottonwood
(Populus trichocarpa)
Douglas fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Oregon ash
(Fraxinus latifolia)
Oregon white oak
(Quercus garryana)
Ponderosa pine
(Pinus ponderosa)
Red alder
(Alnus rubra)
Shrubs
Baldhip rose
(Rosa gymnocarpa)
Common snowberry
(Symphoricarpus albus)
Douglas spiraea
(Spiraea douglasii)
Nootka rose
(Rosa nutkana)
Oceanspray
(Holodiscus discolor)
Pacific ninebark
(Physocarpus capitatus)
Pacific willow (Salix
lucida var. lasiandra)
Red elderberry
(Sambucus racemosa)
Red-osier dogwood
(Cornus sericea)
Salmonberry
(Rubus spectabilis)
Saskatoon serviceberry
(Amelanchier alnifolia)
Scouler’s willow
(Salix scouleriana)
Western hazelnut
(Corylus cornuta var.
californica)
Table 11
Proposed Plant Species by Plant Community
Plant Community
Mixed
Ash
Willow
Wet
Woodland Woodland
Slough
Prairie
Upland
Prairie
Oak
Savannah
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 30
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Species
Herbaceous
Bigleaf lupine
(Lupinus polyphyllus)
Blue wildrye
(Elymus glaucus)
California brome
(Bromus carinatus)
Cluster tarweed
(Madia glomerata)
Common camas
(Camassia quamash)
Common wooly
sunflower
(Eriophyllum lanatum)
Fragrant popcornflower
(Plagiobothrys
figuratus)
Hall’s aster (Aster hallii)
Meadow barley
(Hordeum
brachyantherum)
Prairie junegrass
(Koeleria macrantha)
Red fescue
(Festuca rubra)
Roemer’s fescue
(Festuca roemeri)
Sedges (Carex spp.)
Slender hairgrass
(Deschampsia elongata)
Spike bentgrass
(Agrostis exarata)
Straight-beaked
buttercup (Ranunculus
orthorhynchus)
Tufted hairgrass
(Deschampsia
caespitosa)
Western buttercup
(Ranunculus
occidentalis)
White topped aster
(Aster curtus)
Mixed
Woodland
Ash
Woodland
Plant Community
Willow
Wet
Slough
Prairie
Upland
Prairie
Oak
Savannah
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Approximately 40 acres of the proposed planting area would be restored to a Mixed
Woodland community. Forested floodplains play a role in attenuating flood flows,
Page 31
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
provide recruitment of large woody debris, improve water quality by increasing shading
and filtering runoff, and provide habitat for many species of wildlife and plants.
Approximately six acres of the proposed planting area would be restored to Ash
Woodland, which would occupy slightly wetter areas than Mixed Woodland. The wettest
areas of the site (approximately four acres) will be planted as Willow Slough
communities.
The proposed planting includes approximately 20 acres of restored Oak Savannah.
Oregon white oak savannahs and woodlands, once common in the Willamette Valley,
now exist on only a fraction their former range and often in a degraded condition.
Restored oak savannah sites have the potential to foster many important species of
wildlife, including the Western bluebird, Western meadowlark, and Western gray squirrel
Approximately 67 acres of the project area would be restored to an Upland Prairie plant
community. Approximately 59 acres of the project area would be restored to a Wet
Prairie plant community.
The Proposed Action Alternative will require future maintenance of the native plant
communities to prevent the establishment of non-native/invasive species that would
threaten the health of the desired native vegetation. Vegetation management techniques
may include hand removal of unwanted vegetation (e.g., weeding), mowing, prescribed
burns in the savannah and prairies, and use of herbicides targeted at undesirable invasive
species.
4.2.2 No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, there would be no change in vegetation. Agricultural
production and vegetation management would continue in these areas. Agricultural
vegetation management includes activities such as soil preparation, planting,
maintenance, harvesting, and control of unwanted vegetation and insects through
mechanical and chemical (pesticide) means.
4.3
Fish and Wildlife
4.3.1 Proposed Action Alternative
The proposed restoration project will involve the conversion of existing agricultural
cropland to land occupied by native plant communities. This will involve some
disturbance to existing cropland wildlife habitat through soil preparation, planting, and
the removal of existing crops, brush and orchard trees. The proposed project does not
involve any structures, hard surfaces, grading, or soil-disturbing activities in excess of
that performed routinely for the current agricultural use (e.g., plowing), and the
restoration does not result in any permanent loss of habitat available to wildlife overall.
Winter crops on the agricultural land at Minto-Brown Island Park are currently left
unharvested for use as food for wildlife, including migrating waterfowl. The reduction in
cropland associated with this project will therefore reduce a food source available to
Page 32
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
birds such as Canada geese (including dusky Canada geese), which are known to use
Minto-Brown Island Park in Fall and Winter. The conversion of the cropland associated
with the Proposed Action does not, however, represent a complete food source loss in the
proposed restoration area. The proposed restoration plantings include prairie grasses that
may be used by geese for feeding. It is possible, however, that the reduction in available
food supply may promote foraging geese to relocate to other fields, both inside and
outside of Minto-Brown Island Park.
Approximately 117 acres of active cropland (and 60 acres of former cropland) will
remain available for agricultural use (and wildlife feeding) at Minto-Brown Island Park
following the proposed restoration. These areas may help compensate for a reduction in
food supply for geese due to the Proposed Action. Additionally, there are three USFWS
National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) located in the Willamette Valley within 40 miles of
Minto-Brown Island Park for which the primary management goal is to provide high
quality habitat for wintering dusky Canada geese. These include the Ankeny NWR
(2,796 acres; 9 miles from the park), Basket Slough NWR (2,492 acres; 9.5 miles from
the park), and Finley NWR (5,325 acres; 37 miles from the park). Figure 13 shows the
location of these sites with respect to Minto-Brown Island Park.
The proposed restoration project will provide long-term benefits for terrestrial wildlife in
several ways. Converting the existing cropland to native plant communities will increase
the area available to wildlife for cover, forage, and breeding; provide long-term
recruitment of snags; increase nesting and perching sites; and increase natural food
sources. The proposed revegetation will also improve the connectivity of high quality
habitat areas within the site, including riparian corridors along the Willamette River and
Oxbow Slough, which transects the park.
The native plant communities and habitat types proposed for this project have the
potential to support many important wildlife species that are likely not currently using the
park. Restored oak savannah sites, for example, may foster species including the
Western bluebird, Western meadowlark, and Western gray squirrel. Remnant and
restored wet prairie sites may also harbor a number of sensitive animal species, including
the Northern red-legged frog.
Direct effects on fish are not anticipated from this project. The proposed project does not
involve in-water work or work in the riparian zone adjacent to any waterways (the
Willamette River or the oxbow slough that transects the park). Sediment and erosion
control measures will be implemented during the restoration activities to minimize
erosion and prevent the off-site movement of sediment.
An increase in native vegetation resulting from the proposed restoration may provide
indirect benefits to fish through improved water quality by (1) stabilizing soils, reducing
erosion, and reducing sediment inputs to waterways through runoff and flood events, and
(2) providing additional chemical and nutrient filtration for runoff from adjacent
agricultural lands. The proposed revegetation will also provide long-term recruitment of
large wood from the floodplain to the Willamette River via receding flood flows. The
Page 33
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
additional wood and leaf litter, insect drop, and other plant associated material will serve
as a nutrient source to many aquatic species and will enhance the biological complexity
of the floodplain.
4.3.2
No Action Alternative
There will be no immediate consequences for fish and wildlife under the No Action
Alternative. Continued agricultural use of the land will continue to provide some suitable
wildlife habitat, although habitat diversity and potential for re-establishment of many
native plant and wildlife species will remain low.
4.4
Threatened and Endangered Species
4.4.1
Species under NMFS Jurisdiction
4.4.1.1 Proposed Action Alternative
The proposed action is expected to have no effect on spring Chinook salmon or winter
steelhead, their associated designated Critical Habitat, or Pacific Salmon Essential Fish
Habitat. The proposed project does not involve in-water work or work in the riparian
zone adjacent to any waterways (the Willamette River or the Oxbow Slough that
transects the park). Sediment and erosion control measures will be implemented during
the restoration activities to minimize erosion and prevent the off-site movement of
sediment and its potential for entry into nearby waters.
On December 1, 2009, the NRCS State Fisheries Biologist, Deborah Virgovic, spoke
with Ben Meyer, the NMFS Fisheries Biologist for the Willamette Valley regarding the
Proposed Action. She described the proposed project as riparian plantings (native trees
and shrubs) within an approximately 190-acre floodplain easement of the Willamette
River. Mr. Meyer responded that he thought the project was a No Effect determination
under the Endangered Species Act. Mr. Meyer told Ms. Virgovic to document the No
Effect determination and keep the document in the casefile. Les Bachelor, NRCS District
Conservationist, and Ms. Virgovic have written a No Effect Biological Evaluation for this
project, and it is in the NRCS casefile.
An increase in native vegetation resulting from the proposed restoration may provide
minor, indirect, long-term benefits to listed salmon and steelhead through improved water
quality by 1) stabilizing soils, reducing erosion, and reducing sediment inputs to
waterways via runoff, and 2) providing additional chemical and nutrient filtration for
runoff from adjacent agricultural lands. The proposed revegetation will also provide
long- term recruitment of large wood from the floodplain to the Willamette River via
receding flood flows. The addition of large wood to the Willamette River may provide
benefits to listed salmon and steelhead through the addition of this important aquatic
habitat element.
4.4.1.2 No Action Alternative
There will be no immediate adverse or beneficial consequences for Threatened,
Endangered, Proposed, or Candidate species under NMFS jurisdiction under the No
Page 34
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Action Alternative. However, the continued use of the site for agricultural purposes will
likely have some long-term adverse effects to water quality through continued soil
erosion and sediment inputs to the adjacent waterways, factors which degrade in-stream
conditions for listed salmon and steelhead.
4.4.2
Species under USFWS Jurisdiction
4.4.2.1 Proposed Action Alternative
The proposed action alternative is not expected to adversely affect species under USFWS
jurisdiction. There are not currently any Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, or Candidate
species under USFWS jurisdiction inhabiting the project site, nor are the proposed
restoration areas located within designated Critical Habitat for listed species.
The proposed restoration activities may provide potential habitat for ESA listed species
under USFWS jurisdiction that are not currently located on the site. Restored oak
savannah and upland prairie sites, for example, may foster species including Fender’s
blue butterfly.
4.4.2.2 No Action Alternative
There will be no immediate consequences for Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, or
Candidate species under USFWS jurisdiction under the No Action Alternative.
Continued agricultural use of the land will, however, mean that habitat diversity and
potential for re-establishment of ESA listed plant and wildlife species will remain low.
4.5
Cultural and Historic Resources
4.5.1
Proposed Action
A cultural resources survey was completed by NRCS for the proposed restoration area in
July 2009. Cultural resources were not identified in the proposed restoration area during
this survey, and no known historic structures or other features are known to exist in this
area.
There are historic homes previously owned by the Minto family in the nearby Saginaw
neighborhood, but none of these structures will be affected by the proposed planting
project. The hazelnut orchard in the southwestern corner of the park was reportedly
planted by Isaac Brown, who first settled the property in 1857. However, this orchard is
not within the proposed planting area and will not be impacted by the proposed
alternative.
The proposed alternative does not include any grading or excavation. Minor soil
disturbance will be necessary for soil preparation for planting, tree removal in the cherry
orchard area, and the planting of trees. This surface disturbance would be comparable to
the surface disturbance associated with the current agricultural use of the land, although
long-term surface disturbance would be less under the Proposed Action alternative.
Page 35
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
4.5.2
No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, no impacts to cultural or historical resources will occur.
4.6
Socio-economic Resources
4.6.1
Proposed Action Alternative
The proposed restoration project will not displace or attract residents or otherwise cause
changes in the population or demographics of the area. The park will remain a social
resource to residents of the area and will continue to provide recreational and educational
opportunities. The proposed project will provide additional recreational opportunities at
Minto-Brown Island Park due to existing cropland areas becoming more accessible to
pedestrian users of the park, and opportunities for wildlife viewing will increase due to
the improvement in wildlife habitat resulting from the Proposed Action. The proposed
restoration will also provide additional educational opportunities at Minto-Brown Island
Park for groups to learn about native plant communities of Willamette Valley
floodplains.
Approximately 165.3 acres of active cropland and 33.2 acres of inactive cropland will be
taken out of agricultural use for the proposed restoration. This will result in a small-scale
economic consequence associated with the conversion of active cropland to nonagricultural use. This reduction of agricultural output, however, is a voluntary action by
the property owner, the City of Salem. Additional information regarding the farmland
reduction resulting from the Proposed Action Alternative is provided in Section 4.9.1
below.
According to City of Salem public documents (City of Salem, 2009b), restoration of the
floodplain easement area to a native state will put approximately $500,000 into the local
economy through private jobs and purchased plantings.
4.6.2
No Action Alternative
There will be no consequences for socio-economic resources under the No Action
Alternative.
4.7
Land Use and Recreation
4.7.1
Proposed Action
Under the proposed alternative, 196.6 acres of agricultural cropland would be converted
to native plant communities. While this would be a change in land use, the proposed
alternative is consistent with the Minto-Brown Island Park Master Plan. The land will
remain as open space, and proposed planting areas will remain open to the public. For
park users that value the rural, farm setting, they will still be able to enjoy this setting on
the remaining cropland within the park. No trails or other recreational features will be
impacted by the proposed planting project. The dog park area will not be impacted by
the proposed planting project.
Page 36
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The park will continue to be a valuable educational resource to school groups in the
Salem area. With the restoration of native plant communities, there will be increased
opportunities for teaching students about the native habitats of the Willamette Valley.
Other clubs and groups will continue to use the park for various activities including
biking, hiking, and bird watching. Increased habitat will provide park users with more
opportunities for viewing wildlife.
4.7.2
No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, no change in land use would occur, and none of the
current recreational resources would be impacted.
4.8
Scenic Resources
4.8.1
Proposed Action
Under the proposed alternative, 196.6 acres of agricultural cropland would be revegetated
with native plant communities. This would change some of the landscape pattern, but
leave most of the openness that currently exists. The proposed prairies and Oak
Savannah would be very consistent with the existing open landscape pattern. The
proposed three forested plant communities exist in and around the park and would be
consistent with the larger landscape pattern.
Views would change slightly. The addition of the forested areas would reduce the
openness, but only slightly. Most of the site will have very similar views.
4.8.2
No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, no change in scenic resources would occur.
4.9
Prime and Unique Farmland
4.9.1
Proposed Action Alternative
As discussed in Section 3.9 of this EA, the proposed restoration areas consist of soils
classified by NRCS as Prime Farmland. Specifically, these include the following soil
map units:
•
Newberg fine sandy loam (Prime Farmland if Irrigated);
•
Newberg silt loam (Prime Farmland if Irrigated);
•
Cloquato silt loam (All Areas are Prime Farmland); and
•
McBee silty clay loam (All Areas are Prime Farmland).
The proposed restoration project will remove approximately 196.6 acres of Prime
Farmland (including Prime Farmland if Irrigated land) from potential agricultural use.
Of this area, approximately 163.4 acres were actively farmed in 2009, while the
remaining 33.2 acres consists of an unmaintained cherry orchard and former cropland
that is largely overgrown with blackberry.
Page 37
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Early planning efforts associated with the designation of the floodplain easement at
Minto-Brown Island Park involved efforts to minimize the amount of farmland lost (refer
to Section 2.3). The proposed alternative will leave approximately 213 acres of cropland
at Minto-Brown Island Park available for agricultural uses.
Most of Marion County consists of land identified as some form of prime, unique, or
important farmland, based on NRCS farm classifications. Acreages for the various farm
classes in Marion County are shown in Table 12 below.
Table 12
Farmland Classes for Marion County, Oregon Lands
Farmland Class
Acres
All areas are prime farmland
167,644
Farmland of unique importance
Prime farmland if drained
Prime farmland if drained and either protected
from flooding or not frequently flooded during
the growing season
Prime farmland if irrigated
2,430
63,245
Total Prime or Unique Farmland
Farmland of statewide importance
Not prime farmland
11,462
10,767
255,548
143,808
148,633
The reduction in Prime Farmland available for agricultural use as a result of the proposed
project (196.6 acres) represents approximately 0.077 percent of Marion County’s total
designated Prime or Unique farmland.
The proposed reduction in Prime Farmland available for agricultural use is a voluntary
action undertake by the City of Salem, the property owner. Minto-Brown Island Park is
not designated as “Exclusive Farm Use” land by the City of Salem, and the proposed
restoration action is consistent with the zoning of the site for “Public Amusement”.
4.9.2
No Action Alternative
There will be no consequences for prime or unique farmland under the No Action
Alternative.
4.10 Environmental Justice
4.10.1
Proposed Action Alternative
As discussed in Section 3.10 of this EA, minority and low-income populations are not
disproportionately represented in the Minto-Brown Island Park vicinity, and Native
American reservations or other designated tribal lands or resources will not be disturbed
by the proposed restoration. Therefore, the Proposed Action Alternative is not expected
to affect low-income and minority populations or Native American people, lands, or
resources.
Page 38
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
4.10.2
No Action Alternative
There will be no consequences for environmental justice under the No Action
Alternative.
4.11 Cumulative Effects
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) defines cumulative effects as “the impact
on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added
to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what
agency (federal or non-federal) or person undertakes such other actions” (40 CFR
1508.7). A cumulative effects analysis must take into consideration both direct and
indirect effects of the proposed action, as well as the action’s spatial and temporal effects
when considered with other past, present, or future actions.
4.11.1
Past Actions
The Salem area of the Willamette Valley was historically occupied seasonally by
Kalapuya Native Americans prior to European settlement in the 1840s and the
concentration of the Kalapuya on the Grand Ronde Reservation in the 1850s. The MintoBrown Island Park area was first settled in 1857 by Isaac Brown, who established his
home on what is now known as Brown Island. John Minto purchased the 247-acre island
now known as Minto Island in 1867. Brown and Minto converted the land from the
existing mixed riparian forests and adjacent prairies to land used for agricultural crop
production and livestock grazing.
At the time when Isaac Brown first settled in the area, the main channel of the Willamette
River flowed between Brown Island and Minto Island, occupying what is now Oxbow
Slough. Brown Island was on the west bank of the river, and Minto Island was on the
east bank. In 1861, the greatest flood ever recorded on the Willamette River completely
inundated the Minto-Brown Island area and altered the course of the river, moving the
main channel to its current day location. Several major floods have occurred over the
years, altering the course of the Willamette River.
The Willamette River channel historically migrated across its floodplain (Hulse et al,
2002), although the channel has seen substantial human alteration in recent history.
Dramatic changes have occurred along the Willamette since European settlement began:
•
The channel has lost about 25 percent of its length do to various navigational
improvements and placement of revetments
•
Side channel connections have been reduced by approximately 58 percent
•
Floodplain forest has contracted by 70 percent.
In 1970, the City of Salem acquired the 308-acre Minto Island site, and a year later,
Marion County acquired the adjacent 525 acres to bring the total park area up to 833
acres. Development of Minto-Brown Island Park has been kept low to preserve the
natural qualities of the area. The proposed restoration areas of the park have remained
agricultural since the area was settled.
Page 39
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
4.11.2
Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions
The range of reasonably foreseeable future actions at Minto-Brown Island Park is limited
by the fact that the site is a public park with a City Council adopted master plan that
prescribes goals for park uses (City of Salem, 1995). These goals include maintaining
and enhancing the pastoral and natural qualities of the park, and maintaining the integrity
of the environment and increasing the diversity and area of wildlife habitat. Land uses or
actions out of character with these goals are not planned for Minto-Brown Island Park.
4.11.3
Proposed Alternative and the Relation to Past and Future Actions
The proposed revegetation project is intended to reverse past actions, which eliminated
native plant communities to develop the area for agricultural uses. The proposed
revegetation efforts are consistent with long-term park goals and management strategies
of the area. Environmental consequences of the proposed action, as addressed
individually in Sections 4.1 through 4.10, are not exacerbated when viewed in light of
past and reasonably foreseeable future actions. The proposed project is therefore not
expected to contribute to significant adverse cumulative effects.
The NRCS is currently involved in several restoration efforts in the Willamette Valley
with intended consequences similar to the Proposed Action Alternative described in this
EA. These include projects in Marion and Polk counties, both along the mainstem
Willamette River and elsewhere in the basin.
According to the NRCS State Conservationist, Les Bachelor (email comm., December
15, 2009), NRCS has approximately 5,565 acres of Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
easements in the Lower Willamette Basin. The purpose of these easements is to restore,
protect, manage, maintain, and enhance functional values of the riparian corridor,
floodplains, associated uplands, native plant communities, and wetlands for the
conservation of natural resources and the restoration of ecological functions. Target
ecological functions include fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, floodwater retention,
and groundwater recharge. The WRP easements are also intended to preserve and
enhance open space characteristics and aesthetic values, and promote environmental
education opportunities.
The Proposed Action and such other similar restoration projects in the Willamette Basin
would be expected to contribute to basin-wide beneficial cumulative effects including
improved floodplain function, improved water quality function, and improved habitat for
wildlife and plants.
4.12 Comparison of Alternatives
Table 13 below provides a summary comparison of the Proposed Action Alternative and
the No Action Alternative with respect to the environmental consequences discussed in
Section 4 of this EA.
Page 40
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Table 13. Comparison of Alternatives
Environmental Element
Physical Characteristics
Geology and Soils
Hydrology and Hydraulics
Floodplains
Air Quality/Noise/Light
Vegetation
Fish and Wildlife
Threatened and Endangered
Species
Cultural and Historic Resources
Environmental Consequences
Proposed Action
No Action
Minor, short-term soil
disturbance associated with soil
preparation and planting.
Permanent vegetative cover
would reduce soil erosion longterm.
Increased vegetation will
increase rainfall interception and
uptake, reducing surface runoff.
Vegetation will also slow
floodwater velocities through the
site, encouraging infiltration.
Revegetation would have no
measurable effect on flood water
surface elevations.
Minor, short-term air quality and
noise impacts due to vehicles
and equipment used for planting
activities.
Restores many native plant
communities and increases the
botanical diversity of the site.
Restoration provides long-term
benefits to wildlife by increasing
habitat complexity and
increasing cover, forage, and
breeding areas; increasing
nesting and perching sites; and
increasing natural food sources.
Proposed Action may displace
some wintering geese due to a
reduction planted crop food
supply. Mitigating factors are
discussed in Section 4.3.1.
No short-term effects on listed
fish, wildlife, or plant species.
Perhaps some long-term benefit
to certain listed plant and
wildlife species due to the reestablishment of native plant
communities. Potential indirect
effects on aquatic habitat (e.g.,
increased opportunity for
recruitment of large wood) may
benefit listed salmon and
steelhead.
No impacts to cultural or historic
resources.
Regular soil disturbance and
erosion associated with
agricultural use of the land
would continue.
Current hydrologic/hydraulic
regime maintained. Surface
runoff will remain high during
periods when crop fields are
bare.
No change to floodplains.
Continued minor air quality and
noise impacts from agricultural
activities.
Vegetation remains limited to
planted crops.
Site will continue to support
resident wildlife species using
the site. Habitat complexity of
the agricultural areas will remain
low. Winter crops planted for
wildlife use will continue to
support winter geese
populations.
No short-term effects on listed
fish, wildlife, or plant species.
Continued agricultural use of the
site will keep biodiversity low
and limit opportunities for reestablishment of listed species
on the site.
No impacts to cultural or historic
resources.
Page 41
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Socio-economic Resources
Land Use and Recreation
Scenic Resources
Prime and Unique Farmland
Environmental Justice
No adverse social impacts.
Small-scale economic impact
from conversion of cropland and
reduction of agricultural output.
Restoration of the floodplain
easement will provide some
local economic benefit through
private jobs and purchased
plantings.
Proposed action removes 196.6
acres of land from potential
agricultural use. Open space
characteristics will be
maintained. Recreation
opportunities will improve due
to increased opportunities for
wildlife viewing (e.g., bird
watching).
Some changes to views of and
from the park, but changes are
consistent with overall landscape
pattern.
Proposed action will remove
196.6 acres of Prime Farmland
from potential agricultural use.
No effect on low-income or
minority populations, or on
Native American peoples, land,
or resources.
No impacts to socio-economic
resources.
No changes to existing land use
and recreational characteristics.
No changes to scenic resources.
No changes to Prime or Unique
Farmland.
No effect on low-income or
minority populations, or on
Native American peoples, land,
or resources.
Page 42
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
5
COORDINATION
The NRCS consulted the following Federal, State, and local agencies, tribes and nonNRCS persons during the development of this environmental assessment:
•
U.S Army Corps of Engineers
•
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
•
National Marine Fisheries Service
•
Marion Soil and Water Conservation District
•
City of Salem
•
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
Page 43
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
6
FIGURES
Page 44
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
7
REFERENCES
Bangs, B., P.D. Scheerer, S.E. Tippery, M.A. Weeber, and S.E. Jacobs. 2008. Oregon
Chub Investigations. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish Research Projects E2-49, E-2-51, and 101817M402. Annual Progress Report. Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife, Corvallis, Oregon. 22 pp plus appendix.
Baus, D. (author). 2008. Oregon chub 5-Year Review Summary and Evaluation. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, Portland, Oregon. 34pp.
City of Salem. 1995. Minto-Brown Island Park Revised Master Plan. Retrieved from
http://www.cityofsalem.net/Residents/Parks/Documents/mbi_park_revised_master_plan_1995.pdf on December 3, 2009.
City of Salem. 2009a. History of Minto-Brown Island Park. Retrieved from
http://www.cityofsalem.net/Residents/Parks/ParkTour/Documents/History%20of%20Min
to.pdf on October 30, 2009.
City of Salem. 2009b. Minto-Brown Island Park Project Q&A. Retrieved from
http://www.cityofsalem.net/Residents/Parks/Documents/MintoQA%20102909.pdf on
November 20, 2009.
City of Salem. 2009c. Community Development Department, Planning Division Zoning
Maps. Accessed at
http://www.cityofsalem.net/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/Planning/Zoning/Zoni
ngMaps/ on November 13, 2009.
Council on Environmental Quality. 1997. Environmental Justice Guidance under the
National Environmental Policy Act. 34pp.
Good, T.P., R.S. Waples, and P. Adams (editors). 2005. Updated status of federally listed
ESUs of West Coast salmon and steelhead. U.S. Dept. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo.
NMFS-NWFSC-66, 598 p.
Hemesath, L. and T. Nunez (preparers). 2002. Pringle, Glenn-Gibson, Claggett, and Mill
Creeks Watershed Assessment. Report submitted to the Greater Salem-Keizer Area
Watershed Councils. 368 pp plus appendix.
Hulse D., S. Gregory, J. Baker. (EDS). 2002. Willamette River Basin Planning Atlas:
Trajectories of environmental and ecological change. (2nd edition), Oregon State
University Press, Corvallis, Oregon 97333. 180 p.
Johnson, Bruce R., and Raines, Gary L., 1995, Digital map of major bedrock lithologic
units for the Pacific Northwest: a contribution to the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem
Management Project: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-680.
Page 45
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Mason, Bruce, and Girard, Inc. 2003. Historic Salmon Distribution Study in Marion
County, Oregon. Volume 1 – Technical Report. 50pp. Report prepared for the City of
Salem, Marion County, and the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments.
Myers, J.M., R.G. Kope, G.J. Bryant, D. Teel, L.J. Lierheimer, T.C. Wainwright, WS.
Grant, F.W. Waknitz, K.’ Neely, S.T. Lindley, and R.S. Waples. 1998. Status review of
chinook salmon from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California. US. Dept. Commer.,
NOAA Tech, Memo. NMFS-NWFSC-35,443 p.
National Marine Fisheries Service. 2009. Endangered and Threatened Species Under
NMFS’ Jurisdiction. List updated on November 13, 2009. Retrieved from
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/ on November 19, 2009.
Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Web
Soil Survey. Available online at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/. Accessed November
23, 2009.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. 2009. Air Quality Maintenance and
NonAttainment Areas web page. Accessed at
http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/planning/nonattainment.htm on November 18, 2009.
Oregon Employment Department, Oregon Labor Market Information System. 2009.
Unemployment Rates. Accessed at http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/AllRates
on November 20, 2009.
Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Oregon State University. 2008. Historical
Vegetation of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, 1851-1910. ArcMap shapefile, Version
2008_02.
Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Oregon State University. 2009. Data
system search for rare, threatened, and endangered plants and animals in T 08S R03W
Sec 5; T 07S R 03W Sec 28, 29, 31, 32, and 33, WM. Minto-Brown Park Project.
November 24, 2009.
Salem Public Library. 2009a. Salem Online History. Brief History. Accessed at
http://www.salemhistory.net/brief_history/brief_history.htm on November 18, 2009.
Salem Public Library. 2009b. Salem Online History. The Cherry City. Accessed at
http://salemhistory.net/commerce/cherries.htm on November 19, 2009.
Salem Public Library. 2009c. Salem Online History. Reminiscences of Earliest Salem
History by John Minto. Accessed at
http://www.salemhistory.net/brief_history/john_minto.htm on November 18, 2009.
Scheerer, P.D. 1999. Oregon Chub Research in the Willamette Valley 1991-99. Fish
Research Project Annual Progress Report EF-91 VII-1. Portland.
Page 46
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Scheerer, P.D. 2007. Improved Status of the Endangered Oregon Chub in the Willamette
River, Oregon. American Fisheries Society Symposium 53:91-102.
StreamNet. 2009. Interactive Mapper utility. Reviewed for fish distribution information.
Accessed at http://map.streamnet.org/website/bluesnetmapper/viewer.htm on November
19, 2009.
U.S. Census Bureau. Census 2000 Summary Files. 100-Percent Data. Census Tracts 13
and 24, Marion County, Oregon. Accessed at http://factfinder.census.gov on November
24, 2009.
U.S. Census Bureau. 2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates. Data
Profile Highlights. Obtained for City of Salem and Marion County, Oregon. Accessed at
http://factfinder.census.gov on November 20, 2009.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2009. National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) web page. Accessed at http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html on November 19,
2009. Page last updated on July 14, 2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2009. Restoration and Maintenance of Native Habitats of
the Willamette Valley. Accessed at
http://www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/ccp/native_habitat_issue.html on December 9,
2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2009a. Federally Listed, Proposed, Candidate Species,
and Species of Concern Under the Jurisdiction of the Fish and Wildlife Service Which
May Occur Within Marion County, Oregon. List updated November 14, 2009. U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, Portland, Oregon.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. 2009b. Species Fact
Sheet. Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). Last updated October 22, 2009.
Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/NorthernSpottedOwl on
November 25, 2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. 2009c. Species Fact
Sheet. Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata). Last updated October 6,
2009. Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/StreakedHornedLark
on November 25, 2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. 2009d. Species Fact
Sheet. Oregon Chub (Oregonichthys crameri). Last updated November 12, 2009.
Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/OregonChub on November
25, 2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. 2009e. Species Fact
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta). Last updated September 22, 2008. Retrieved
Page 47
Minto-Brown Island Park
Floodplain Restoration – DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
from http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/GoldenPaintbrush on November 25,
2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. 2009f. Species Fact
Sheet. Willamette Daisy (Erigeron decumbens var. decumbens). Last updated September
22, 2008. Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/WillametteDaisy
on November 25, 2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. 2009g. Species Fact
Sheet. Water Howellia (Howellia aquatilis). Last updated November 2, 2009. Retrieved
from http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/WaterHowellia on November 25,
2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. 2009h. Species Fact
Sheet. Bradshaw’s Desert Parsley (Lomatium bradshawii). Last updated September 22,
2008. Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/BradshawsLomatium
on November 25, 2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. 2009i. Species Fact
Sheet. Kincaid’s Lupine (Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidi). Last updated September 22,
2008. Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/KincaidsLupine on
November 25, 2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. 2009j. Species Fact
Sheet. Nelson’s Checker-Mallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana). Last updated September 22,
2008. Retrieved from
http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/NelsonsCheckerMallow on November 25,
2009.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. September 2009. Brochure. Willamette Valley National
Wildlife Refuge Complex: Ankeny/Basket Slough/William L. Finley.
Williams, Lynn H., Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department
of Agriculture, 1972. Soil survey of the Marion County Area, Oregon. Available URL:
http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/pnw_soil/or_data.html. [Accessed November 19 and 23,
2009]
Wilson, Mark V. 1998. Upland Prairie. Part I of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Willamette Basin Recovery Plan. Submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon
State Office. 23pp.
Page 48