GUALALA SHOULDERS AND RUMBLE PROJECT MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 1 – MEN – 001 (Post Miles 6.4 to 6.8 and 9.2 to 9.5) 01-0F710 / 0116000047 INITIAL STUDY with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Prepared by the State of California Department of Transportation August 2021 General Information about this Document What’s in this document? The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has prepared this Initial Study with proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) which examines the potential environmental effects of a proposed project on State Route 1 near Gualala, California. Caltrans is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This document tells you why the project is being proposed, how the existing environment could be affected by the project, the potential impacts of the project, and proposed avoidance, minimization, and/or mitigation measures. What should you do? Please read this document. Additional copies of this document and related technical studies are available for review at Caltrans District 1 Office, 1656 Union Street, Eureka CA 95501. This document may be downloaded at the following website:https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans- near-me/district-3/d3-programs/d3-environmental/d3-environmental-docs/d3-mendocino- county We’d like to hear what you think. If you have any comments about the proposed project, please send comments via U.S. mail to: California Department of Transportation Attention: Rachelle Estrada North Region Environmental–District 1 1656 Union Street Eureka, CA 95501 Send comments via e-mail to: [email protected] Be sure to send comments by the deadline: September 13, 2021 What happens after this? After comments are received from the public and reviewing agencies, Caltrans may (1) give environmental approval to the proposed project, (2) do additional environmental studies, or (3) abandon the project. If the project is given environmental approval and funding is obtained, Caltrans could complete design and construct all or part of the project. For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document is available in Braille, in large print, on audiocassette, or on computer disk. To obtain a copy in one of these alternate formats, please write to or call Caltrans, Attention: Rachelle Estrada, North Region Environmental-District 1, 1656 Union Street, Eureka, CA 95501; (707) 492-4576 Voice, or use the California Relay Service TTY number, 711 or 1-800-735-2929. GUALALA SHOULDERS AND RUMBLE PROJECT Widen the shoulder and build rumble strips on State Route 1 in Mendocino County, from post miles 6.4 to 6.8 and from post miles 9.2 to 9.5 north of Gualala. INITIAL STUDY WITH PROPOSED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION INITIAL STUDY with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Submitted Pursuant to: Division 13, California Public Resources Code THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Department of Transportation ________________________08/04/21 Date of Approval Brandon Larsen, Office Chief North Region Environmental-District 1 California Department of Transportation CEQA Lead Agency The following person(s) may be contacted for more information about this document: Rachelle Estrada, North Region Environmental-District 1 1656 Union Street, Eureka, CA 95501 (707) 492-4576 or use the California Relay Service TTY number, 711 or 1-800-735-2929. Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Pursuant to: Division 13, California Public Resources Code SCH Number: Pending Project Description The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) proposes to widen the shoulders and build rumble strips on State Route 1 in Mendocino County, from post miles 6.4 to 6.8 and from post miles 9.2 to 9.5 north of Gualala. Determination This proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is included to give notice to interested agencies and the public that it is Caltrans’ intent to adopt an MND for this project. This does not mean that Caltrans’ decision regarding the project is final. This MND is subject to change based on comments received by interested agencies and the public. Caltrans has prepared an Initial Study for this project and, pending public review, expects to determine from this study that the proposed project would not have a significant impact on the environment for the following reasons: The project would have No Effect on agriculture and forest resources, air quality, cultural resources, energy, hazards and hazardous materials, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/traffic, tribal cultural resources, and wildfire. The project would have Less than Significant Impacts on: Aesthetic Resources Geology and Soils Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hydrology and Water Quality Utilities and Service Systems With the following mitigation measures incorporated, the project would have Less than Significant Impacts to Biological Resources and Land Use & Planning: On-site revegetation and enhancement within palustrine emergent (PEM) wetland, riverine habitats, Bishop pine forest, and Pacific reedgrass meadow in the project area. Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration i Gualala Shoulders and Rumble Project Off-site riparian enhancement, daylighting waters, and wetland creation and improvements within Big-Navarro-Garcia Watershed, undertaken in cooperation with local land steward organizations or mitigation banks. Off-site preservation or planting and restoration or enhancement for both Bishop pine forest and Pacific reedgrass of appropriate habitat within a conservation easement, on public lands, at future mitigation banks, or other suitable locations. Plant salvage and onsite restoration of coast lily population in adjacent suitable habitat through propagation and planting would be used to help offset construction impacts. Additional funding may be contributed towards enhancement of coast lily habitat or propagation and restoration efforts on nearby public lands. ____________________________________ _____________________ Brandon Larsen, Office Chief Date North Region Environmental–District 1 California Department of Transportation Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration ii Gualala Shoulders and Rumble Project Table of Contents Page Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... iii List of Appendices...................................................................................................................... v List of Tables and Figures ........................................................................................................ vi List of Abbreviated Terms ....................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1. Proposed Project................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Project History ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Project Description .............................................................................................................. 1 1.3. Project Maps ....................................................................................................................... 8 1.4. Permits and Approvals Needed ........................................................................................ 13 1.5. Standard Measures and Best Management Practices (BMPs) Included in All Alternatives .................................................................................................................. 14 1.6. Discussion of the NEPA Categorical Exclusion ................................................................ 23 Chapter 2. CEQA Environmental Checklist ....................................................................... 24 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected ................................................................................... 24 Project Impact Analysis Under CEQA for Initial Study ................................................................... 25 2.1. Aesthetics .......................................................................................................................... 28 2.2. Agriculture and Forest Resources .................................................................................... 32 2.3. Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 34 2.4. Biological Resources ........................................................................................................ 35 2.5. Cultural Resources............................................................................................................ 96 2.6. Energy............................................................................................................................... 97 2.7. Geology and Soils ............................................................................................................. 98 2.8. Greenhouse Gas Emissions ........................................................................................... 100 2.9. Hazards and Hazardous Materials .................................................................................. 119 2.10. Hydrology and Water Quality .......................................................................................... 121 2.11. Land Use and Planning ..................................................................................................