LOWER PAJARO RIVER ENHANCEMENT PLAN
Watsonville, California

Fall Creek Engineering, Inc. led a multi-disciplinary team, including John Gilchrist & Associates and others to develop a comprehensive enhancement plan for five tributary streams in the Pajaro Valley. The project was a two and half year effort completed for the Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District, the California Coastal Conservancy and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The project was a two-phase study, the first phase included a detailed assessment of upland and stream drainage, erosion and sedimentation conditions and the second part involved the development of an enhancement plan. The field assessment included an extensive public outreach effort that was required to gain access upland areas and stream corridors on or surrounded by private lands. Field evaluations were conducted on over 8,000 acres of forest, range and croplands and 25 miles of stream channels in the study area.

Recognizing the complex nature of the land use, land ownership, technical resources and permit conditions in the study area, the enhancement plan presented both structural and programmatic planning projects.

FCE prepared guidelines for best management practices to address drainage, erosion and sedimentation problems on croplands and stream channels, which were identified as the major sources of erosion and sedimentation problems in the watershed areas. The study developed site-specific demonstration projects that included conceptual plans, a project analysis outlining design and permitting requirements required to implement the projects and preliminary cost estimates for project implementation.

The plan identified management planning and implementation issues and strategies to overcome constraints for adoption of best management practices by private landowners and local public agencies. An implementation plan was prepared that outlined the steps and costs required to implement both demonstration and programmatic projects identified in the Plan.

The consulting team conducted ongoing meetings and presentations with a Technical Advisory Committee, including local, state and federal agencies, and a separate Landowner/Stakeholder Steering Committee throughout the duration of the project.

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SOUTHERN WATERFRONT
San Francisco, California

Fall Creek Engineering, Inc. led a team of consultants, including Dr. Robert Gearheart, of Hydro International, Inc., Treadwell & Rollo, and Bill Wilson, of Environmental Planning and Design to prepare a Storm Water Management Plan for the Southern Waterfront in the City of San Francisco. The Plan was prepared for the Port of San Francisco.

The Southern Waterfront is a seven square mile area that is currently undergoing extensive redevelopment in response to the redevelopment of Mission Bay. At the request of environmental and community groups concerned with environmental issues related to the relocation of these industries in close proximity to the Bay View Community, the Port of SF retained the consulting team to prepare a Storm Water Management Plan. The study effort provided a unique opportunity to establish a long-term development planning strategy incorporating site specific and area wide storm water facilities that allow for integration of industrial and community development in the Southern Waterfront.

The study evaluated existing water quality data and historical and future land use conditions. A hydrologic and water quality model was developed to assess non-point source pollutant loads under existing and future land use conditions and incorporating storm water control measures. The Plan reviewed storm water management and treatment options for source control, inline control measures and downstream measures, including a series of case studies for several recommended storm water control measures. The study provided a long-term conceptual land use plans integrating pedestrian ways, landscape features convey runoff and to buffer industrial facilities from community and public access areas, storm water wetland features designed to improve storm water quality and provide community enhancement opportunities, passive recreation, wildlife habitat, and bay access for the surrounding residential communities. The plan reviewed current and future regulatory requirements, including the Phase II NPDES storm water regulations. The plan also provided performance standards for site design and storm water treatment BMPs. Preliminary cost estimates were provide for implementing both structural and programmatic projects.

Prior to the completion of the final document, several industrial facilities began to implement innovative storm water control measures into their projects, as recommended in the Plan.

FCE conducted several meetings with Port staff, industrial, community and environmental groups and local and state agencies. FCE also provided formal presentations of the draft and final plan to the Southern Waterfront Advisory Committee.

ZONE 3 MASTER PLAN STUDY EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE FLOOD CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS ON THE SALINAS RIVER
Monterey County, California

Fall Creek Engineering, Inc. in collaboration with John Gilchrist & Associates and Grice Engineering and Geology, Inc. prepared the Zone 3 Master Plan (Plan) for the Monterey County Water Resources Agency. FCE prepared the plan to address flood conditions along the lower twenty six (26) mile reach of the Salinas River and to develop adaptive management strategies to improve flood control and address erosion and sedimentation problems along the river corridor.

The objectives of the plan include:

• Identifying technically, economically and environmentally feasible flood improvement projects designed to maximize the flood capacity of the river flood channel and floodway.
• Present recommended flood carried out in a planned and coordinated manner in order to lessen potential flood encroachment problems on adjacent lands.
• Provide guidelines for consistent and environmentally acceptable bank stabilization methods.
• Present maintenance criteria for proposed flood control improvements.
• Develop a long-term monitoring program to evaluate the success of the projects and to observed and track geomorphic changes in the river system.

The Plan provides a review of historical and present flood conditions. The hydrologic and geomorphic processes in the river were described by developing and using hydraulic model of the 26 mile reach of the river to evaluate flood flow conditions under present and alternative channel and floodway configurations. A GIS database system was developed to map land use, biotic resources and flood limits for difference recurrence events. The Plan identified and screened alternative flood control projects based several criteria: technical feasibility, costs, and environmental and regulatory constraints. A presentation of preferred alternatives were presented including an implementation, maintenance criteria, preliminary cost estimates and time lines for implementation. Post project maintenance and monitoring programs were prepared to provide for routine inspection of projects that would be required to satisfy permit conditions from state and federal agencies.

The plan was prepared under the direction of a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that included staff from the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA), the City of Salinas, landowners and environmental group representatives. Bimonthly TAC meetings were conducted over the eighteen (18) month project. A final formal presentation was given to the Board of Directors for the MCWRA.

The Plan was widely accepted by landowners, state and federal agencies, and is guiding ongoing flood control efforts in the area.

ESALEN INSTITUTE - LONG RANGE MASTER PLAN

Esalen Institute maintains a 30-acre conference center and retreat on the Big Sur Coast in Monterey County, California. The Institute experienced substantial damage to key infrastructure on the property during the severe El Nino storms in 1998. In response to those events, the Institute has undertaken long-term redevelopment plans to rebuild and develop the site based on sustainable principles. The master plans for all of the improvements have been developed in order to meet the LEED design standards. FCE is the principal civil and environmental engineering firm and has completed plans for wastewater, water, and storm water improvements related to the redevelopment of the site. All wastewater plans will include installation of advanced stage treatment systems that will meet tertiary level treatment so wastewater can be reused on the property for landscape irrigation.

POST RANCH INN EXPANSION PLAN

Post Ranch Inn owns and operates a five star resort on the historic 95-acre ranch property on the Big Sur Coast in Monterey County, California. The Inn is in the process of expanding the hotel by installing ten new guest units, a new central services facility, twenty four staff apartments, and upgrading infrastructure at the property. FCE is the principal civil and environmental engineer responsible for all site design work including water and wastewater systems and storm water management systems, grading, and permitting. All wastewater systems on the site are being upgraded to advance treatment systems, so wastewater can be reused for landscape irrigation to conserve groundwater on the property.

MISSION SPRINGS CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER

Mission Springs Camp and Conference Center owns and operates a year round conference center and seasonal summer camp program in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz County, California. The Camp operates several onsite wastewater treatment systems to manage wastewater on the property. Over the next several years many of the systems will need to be upgraded to meet State and County requirements. FCE prepared a wastewater system master plan for the property that evaluated alternative treatment schemes and recommended improvements to upgrade the wastewater systems on the property based on regulatory requirements, costs, and technical feasibility. The master plan presented conceptual plans and cost estimates and an implementation plan for recommended improvements.

SAN ANDREAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT

The Mid Peninsula Housing Coalition (MPHC) owns a multi-residential affordable income development in Watsonville, California. The property houses approximately 60 low income families in south Santa Cruz County. The property was formerly a farm worker labor camp and was purchased by MPHC in the late 1990's. It was redeveloped to provide affordable and high quality housing primarily to migrant farm workers in the area. When the site was redeveloped a centralized onsite wastewater treatment system was installed to treat and reuse wastewater for landscape irrigation. Once placed in operation, the system experienced a range of operational problems. FCE was retained as a new consultant to evaluate the system and prepare a corrective action plan to remedy problems with the system. FCE has prepared a technical study that recommends several system improvements related to lift systems, wastewater treatment system modifications, and improvements to the disposal system. MPHC is in the process of implementing many of these improvements. FCE continues to work with MPHC to improve the wastewater system on the property.

IRONSTONE VINEYARDS

Ironstone Vineyards operates a premier winery in the Sierra Nevada foothills in the town of Murphys, California. The winery is located on the historic 1,100-acre Six Mile Creek Ranch and includes a state-of-the-art winery and bottling facility including tasting rooms, conference center, event amphitheater, vineyards, and fruit tree orchards. The winery operation produces between 30,000 to 50,000 gallons of wastewater per day during the peak production season and 10,000 to 20,000 gallons per day during the winter period. Process wastewater is pretreated to adjust pH and remove solids prior to disposal over a 4.5 acre land treatment area. Based on recent changes in regulations by the State of California, the Winery is required to modify and upgrade the wastewater system on the property. In 2002, FCE was retained as the principal wastewater engineer for the facility. Since that time FCE has undertaken and implemented engineering studies to evaluate and upgrade the wastewater treatment system. FCE has conducted studies to evaluate complex soil and groundwater conditions at the site and identify wastewater treatment and disposal system improvements.

HOTEL HANA MAUI WASTEWATER REUSE EVALUATION

At the end of the Hana Highway is the legendary and newly restored Hotel Hana-Maui, located on the secluded coast of Maui, Hawaii. For over 50 years, the resort has provided luxury accommodations in a rich cultural and environmental setting. Hana has been known since ancient times as a place of wellness and healing. FCE has been retained by the Hotel Hana-Maui to evaluate the feasibility and cost to install tertiary level wastewater treatment and reuse systems at the hotel with the goal of wastewater for landscape irrigation to protect the sensitive coastal environment surrounding the hotel.

LODGE AT SEA RANCH-WASTEWATER SYSYTEM EVALUATION

The Lodge at Sea Ranch is located on the North Coast of California, in Mendocino County. The lodge utilizes a conventional septic system to treat and dispose of approximately 15,000 gallons of wastewater a day. The system has experienced many problems over several years and needs to be upgraded. FCE performed a technical study to evaluate alternative wastewater improvements to upgrade the onsite wastewater facility at the Lodge at Sea Ranch. FCE prepared conceptual plans for a new onsite wastewater treatment and reuse system, including preliminary costs for further technical studies, engineering design, permitting and construction of a new alternative treatment and wastewater reuse system for the lodge.