HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-10; City Council; ; Presentation from the San Diego Association of Governments regarding the Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project.~ CITY COUNCIL
~ Staff Report
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Staff Contact:
Sept. 10, 2019
Mayor and City Counci l
Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Hossein Ajideh, Engineering Manager
hossein.ajideh@carlsbadca.gov or 760-602-2756
CA Review lb--(...-
Subject: Presentation from the San Diego Association of Governments regarding
the Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project.
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation from the San Diego Association of Governments (SAN DAG) regarding
the Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project (Project).
Executive Summary
Over many decades, the health of the Buena Vista lagoon has declined due to natural and
anthropogenic impacts. Numerous federal, state and local agencies and organizations have
cooperated in the past ir, an effort to gain consensus on a solution. In 2012, SAN DAG agreed to
serve as the new lead agency for the environmental review process for the Project. The Project
includes completing engineering studies and preparing an environmental impact report (EIR) to
analyze possible approaches to the enhancement of the lagoon. A minimum of four alternatives
were proposed for evaluation: three enhancement alternatives -freshwater, saltwater and a
saltwater/freshwater hybrid regime; and a no project alternative. Through the EIR process,
SAN DAG engaged federal and state agencies, the cities of Carlsbad and Oceanside, and the
public in considering alternatives and potential solutions. SAN DAG will provide the city council
with an overview of the project and an update on the EIR process and selection of a preferred
alternative.
Discussion
Buena Vista Lagoon spans the boundary between the cities of Carlsbad and Oceanside. The
lagoon encompasses approximately 220 acres, extending to the coastline from east of
Interstate 5. The lagoon is ·downstream of the Buena Vista Creek, which drains approximately
20 square miles of the Buena Vista watershed into the Pacific Ocean. It is a freshwater lagoon,
protected from almost all tidal influence by a beach berm and a physical barrier, known as a
weir, located at the mouth of the lagoon.
Several individuals and agencies own portions of the lagoon, including the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), whose lands are designated as a state ecological
reserve. The lagoon is surrounded by urban development and traversed by multiple
transportation corridors, all of which have contributed to a continual degradation of the lagoon
over time. The Project would enhance the lagoon to improve both its ecological and
recreational values through implementation of one of a range of alternatives.
Sept. 11, 2019 Item #11 Page 1 of 4
In 2012, SAN DAG agreed to serve as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) for the environmental review of the Project. In 2017, SANDAG prepared an EIR that
equally analyzed saltwater, freshwater, saltwater/freshwater hybrid and no project
alternatives; along with preliminary design for each alternative. The final EIR finds that each of
the alternatives are superior to a no project alternative. While almost all stakeholders agree
that something needs to be done, the various adjacent property owners, stakeholders and
regulatory agencies have different views on the long-term vision for the lagoon. Some would
like to see an open freshwater system, others look at the lagoon as a great opportunity to
increase tidal flow and promote coastal saltmarsh habitat. The Project location and existing
habitat distribution map is presented in Exhibit 1.
SAN DAG staff has recommended the saltwater alternative as the preferred alternative because
it wo~ld provide the largest benefits to improve water quality, reduce mosquito habitat and
vector-borne mosquito diseases, reduce flooding, and support a healthier environment for
native species. The federal and state agencies have indicated that the saltwater alternative is
the only alternative that could serve as mitigation for future transportation projects. SAN DAG
has also received significant comments from certain stakeholders requesting that the
freshwater alternative be designated as the preferred alternative instead.
During the Nov. 16, 2018 SAN DAG Board of Directors meeting and at the request of the
Carlsbad City Council, a motion was approved to delay any action on the project for six months
to allow residents to reach a consensus on the enhancement efforts. On June 6, 2019, SAN DAG
staff met with the key property owners who presented a proposal for a modified saltwater
alternative with additional legal terms and conditions. SAN DAG staff is in the process of
analyzing the engineering, environmental and legal aspects of this proposal. SAN DAG staff
anticipates returning to the SAN DAG Board of Directors with the analysis and a
recommendation for their consideration in late fall/early winter 2019.
SAN DAG has committed $800,000 in TransNet funds for the Buena Vista Lagoon environmental
review process. Additionally, the cities of Oceanside and Carlsbad each contributed $100,000
toward the study. A budget amendment would be required to continue with project
implementation to advance engineering design and obtain regulatory permits. Funding for
implementation of a potential enhancement project will be explored after completion of the
EIR process and selection of a preferred alternative by SAN DAG. According to SANDAG,
advancement of the saltwater alternative to 65% design and obtaining all state and federal
regulatory permits is estimated to cost approximately $4 million and would take approximately
two to three years to complete, after funding is secured.
Fiscal Analysis
This item has no fiscal impact since it is an informational presentation.
Next Steps
SAN DAG Board of Directors will receive a presentation from their staff with an an
engineering, environmental and legal aspects of a modified saltwater alternative and staff
recommendation in late fall/early winter 2019.
Sept. 11, 2019 Item #11 Page 2 of 4
SAN DAG is expected to move forward with design of a preferred alternative for the Project, if
and when the SAN DAG Board of Directors certifies the final EIR and approves the alternative as
the project. This would include seeking necessary federal and state regulatory permits and
funding for project delivery.
Environmental Evaluation (CEQA)
Receiving a presentation does not qualify as a "project" per State CEQA Guidelines Section
15378, as it does not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment.
Public Notification
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code
Section 54950 et seq.), published and distributed at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date
and time.
Exhibit
1. Project Location and Existing Habitat Distribution Map.
Sept. 11, 2019 Item #11 Page 3 of 4
Source: SANOAG 2012; Sangis; Everest; AECOM 2014 9·~
Scale: 1 :7 .200: 1 Inch• 600 '8et
600 Feet
Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project Final EIR
Patl,: P:120JJ'l(j()]&'J9S4_81'LEP _EJR1-06GIS16.J_UlyoutlR~porl1\£1:t11CUtit:,:S,,,..,,ary!o/.oca1Jon_llabltl'll.1n.u/, Jl/2211014, 11.tlnb
15
Nonnative Riparian
Coastal Scrub
-Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub
-Eucalyptus Woodland
Nonnative Grassland
Disturbed Habitat
-Urban/Developed
...
Exhibit 1
Figure ES-1
Project Location and Existing Habitat Distribution Map Exhibit 1Sept. 11, 2019 Item #11 Page 4 of 4
Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement
Project: Status Report
1
City of Carlsbad
September 10, 2019
Buena Vista Lagoon Ownership
2
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