BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Adopt a Resolution Certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report, Adopting the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, Findings of Fact, and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Almaden Lake Improvement Project; Approve the Project as Project D4 to be constructed under the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, Project No. 26044001 (San Jose, District 4).
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Consider the Potential Environmental Effects of the Almaden Lake Improvement Project as discussed in the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR);
B. Adopt a RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, ADOPTING THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM, FINDINGS OF FACT, AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ALMADEN LAKE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT; and
C. Approve the Almaden Lake Improvement Project as Project D4 (Fish Habitat and Passage Improvement) to be constructed under the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.
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SUMMARY:
Almaden Lake Park (Park) is a 65-acre, public access park located in the City of San Jos?. The 32-acre Almaden Lake (Lake), located entirely with the Park, was created by in- and off-stream gravel quarry operations from late 1940s to 1960. The off-stream gravel quarry operation was located along the east side of Alamitos Creek and was comprised of two large pits. After the gravel quarry operations ceased, heavy storm events eroded the levee that used to separate the creek from the quarry, resulting in creek waters flowing into the former quarry area, creating the Lake. After formation of the Lake, mercury-laden sediment originating from historical upstream mining activities continue to be transported downstream in Alamitos Creek and deposited in the Lake. When the Lake sediment and the water at the bottom of the Lake experience low oxygen level, certain microbes transform elemental mercury into methylmercury, a strong ne...
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