DATE: May 26, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Jacalitos Creek Bridge Replacement Project on Lost Hills Road, (Initial Study Application No. 7530, SCH No. 2020039064), Federal Project Number BRLO-5942(234)
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program prepared for the Jacalitos Creek Bridge Replacement Project on Lost Hills Road, (Initial Study Application No. 7530, SCH No. 2020039064), Federal Project Number BRLO-5942(234).
REPORT
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Department of Public Works and Planning prepared an Initial Study (IS), which determined that mitigation measures are required to reduce project impacts on the environment to a less than significant level. (See Exhibit A.) A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) have been prepared for the Jacalitos Creek Bridge Replacement Project (Project), see Exhibit B and C. This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to adopt the MND and MMRP if substantial evidence in the record shows that a significant environmental impact may result from the project. In that case, your Board should direct the Department to modify the MMRP or prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The project is eligible for 100% reimbursement of costs, under the Federal Highway Bridge Program administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Roads Org 4510 FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15063(c), the purpose of an IS is for the Lead Agency to determine if a project may have a significant effect on the environment, and whether a Negative Declaration, a MND, or an EIR should be prepared. If an IS identifies substantial evidence of any significant impacts, the Lead Agency may modify the project to eliminate or reduce the impacts to a less than significant level. If mitigation measures are required to reduce environmental impacts to a less than significant level, a MND and an accompanying MMRP are prepared. The EIR is required if the IS determines the project may have a significant impact on the environment that cannot be reduced to a less than significant level.
IS No. 7530 indicates there is no evidence that the Project will have a significant impact on the environment with the implementation of mitigation measures. For this reason, the proposed MND and accompanying MMRP are required for the project. The MMRP includes mitigation measures to address potential impacts to Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Energy, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, and Hydrology and Water Quality.
The existing bridge on Lost Hills Road over Jacalitos Creek is located just west of Jacalitos Creek Road, approximately 3 miles southeast of the City of Coalinga. The existing 28-feet wide, 91-feet long, two-lane bridge was originally built in 1940 and partially replaced in 1962 due to a washout. The existing bridge currently requires load posting due to advanced timber rotting and does not meet current standards for width and shoulders. The bridge will be replaced with a 32-feet wide, 140-feet long, two-lane bridge that meets current standards. Additional improvements will be made to address streambed undermining caused by seasonal high flows and to repair and/or stabilize the creek banks upstream and downstream of the bridge.
The County posted and circulated the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration, see Exhibit D, on March 23, 2020 in the Fresno Business Journal as required by section 15072 of the CEQA Guidelines. The County did not receive comments that were not fully addressed in the IS from reviewing agencies or members of the public. Comments received are included as Exhibit E.
Based on the IS, Department staff has concluded that preparation of an EIR is not required for the Project. The Department recommends adoption of the MND and MMRP based on the findings of IS No. 7530.
With your Board’s approval, the MND and MMRP will be adopted for the Project. It is anticipated that the Department will return to your Board requesting approval to award the construction contract in 2022.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Development of the Project was coordinated with Caltrans, who provides oversight on local projects where Federal funds are allocated.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
Exhibit A-E
CAO ANALYST:
Debbie Paolinelli