FISH CREEK FISH PASSAGE PROJECT INITIAL STUDY with Proposed Negative Declaration and Proposed Section 4(f) Evaluation HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 1 – HUM – 254 (Post Mile 4.18) 01-0E790 / 0115000021 Prepared by the State of California Department of Transportation February 2021 General Information About This Document What is in this document? The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has prepared this Initial Study with proposed Negative Declaration (IS/ND) which examines the potential environmental effects of a proposed project on State Route 254 in Humboldt County, 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 are available for review at the 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-humboldt-county • We’d like to hear what you think. If you have any comments about the proposed project, please attend the virtual public meeting and/or send your written comments to Caltrans by the deadline. • Please send comments via U.S. mail to: California Department of Transportation Attention: Laurel Osborn 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: April 1, 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 the 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: Laurel Osborn, North Region Environmental-District 1, 1656 Union Street, Eureka, CA 95501; (707) 492-4064, Voice, or use the California Relay Service TTY number, 711 or 1-800-735-2929. FISH CREEK FISH PASSAGE PROJECT Replace the existing culvert with a bridge at Fish Creek on State Route 254 in Humboldt County, at post mile 4.18 north of Phillipsville, CA INITIAL STUDY With Negative Declaration and Proposed Section 4(f) de minimis Determination Submitted Pursuant to: Division 13, California Public Resources Code THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Department of Transportation _____ 02/02/2021_____________________________ _________________________________________________ Date of Approval Brandon Larsen, Office Chief North Region Environmental-District 1 California Department of Transportation CEQA Lead Agency The following person may be contacted for more information about this document: Laurel Osborn, North Region Environmental-District 1 1656 Union Street, Eureka, CA 95501 (707) 492-4064 or use the California Relay Service TTY number, 711 or 1-800-735-292. PROPOSED NEGATIVE DECLARATION Pursuant to: Division 13, California Public Resources Code SCH Number: PENDING Project Description The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) proposes to remove the existing undersized reinforced concrete box culvert at Fish Creek and replace it with a 32-foot-wide by 42-foot-long bridge to remediate the fish passage barrier. Determination This proposed Negative Declaration (ND) is included to give notice to interested agencies and the public that it is Caltrans’ intent to adopt an ND for this project. This does not mean that Caltrans’ decision regarding the project is final. This ND 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 Forestry, Air Quality, Energy, Geology and Soils, Land Use and Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population and Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Transportation and Traffic, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities and Service Systems, Wildfire, Mandatory Findings of Significance • The project would have Less than Significant Impacts to Aesthetics, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality ______________________________________ _____________________ Brandon Larsen, Office Chief Date North Region Environmental–District 1 California Department of Transportation Fish Creek Fish Passage Project Initial Study / Proposed Negative Declaration Fish Creek Fish Passage Project Initial Study / Proposed Negative Declaration Table of Contents PROPOSED NEGATIVE DECLARATION ........................................................................... i Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... i List of Appendices .................................................................................................................. iii List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... v List of Tables .......................................................................................................................... vii List of Abbreviated Terms ...................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1. Proposed Project .............................................................................................. 1 1.1. Project History ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Project Description .............................................................................................................. 2 1.3. Project Objective ................................................................................................................. 2 1.4. Proposed Project ................................................................................................................. 4 1.5. No-Build Alternative ............................................................................................................. 6 1.6. Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Consideration .................................. 6 1.7. General Plan Description, Zoning, and Surrounding Land Uses ........................................ 7 1.8. Permits and Approvals Needed ........................................................................................... 7 1.9. Standard Measures and Best Management Practices Included in All Alternatives ............ 8 1.10. Discussion of the NEPA Categorical Exclusion................................................................. 17 Chapter 2. CEQA Environmental Checklist ..................................................................... 19 2.1. Aesthetics .......................................................................................................................... 23 2.2. Agriculture and Forest Resources ..................................................................................... 30 2.3. Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 32 2.4. Biological Resources ......................................................................................................... 34 2.5. Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................ 88 2.6. Energy ............................................................................................................................... 92 2.7. Geology and Soils ............................................................................................................. 93 2.8. Greenhouse Gas Emissions .............................................................................................. 96 2.9. Hazards and Hazardous Materials .................................................................................. 119 2.10. Hydrology and Water Quality .......................................................................................... 123 Fish Creek Fish Passage Project i Initial Study / Proposed Negative Declaration 2.11. Land Use and Planning ................................................................................................... 130 2.12. Mineral Resources ........................................................................................................... 131 2.13. Noise ................................................................................................................................ 132 2.14. Population and Housing .................................................................................................. 134 2.15. Public Services ...............................................................................................................