To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Transportation and Public Works
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2231
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fifth
Title:
Title
Mitigated Negative Declaration for Freestone Flat Road Bridge Replacement over Salmon Creek Project (C11004)
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and approving the Freestone Flat Road Bridge Replacement Project over Salmon Creek (C11004). (Fifth District)
end
Executive Summary:
The Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) is requesting adoption of a Resolution to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and approve a project that will replace the Freestone Flat Road Bridge over Salmon Creek.
Discussion:
The Freestone Flat Road Bridge over Salmon Creek Project (“Project”) will replace the existing structurally deficient one-lane Freestone Flat Road Bridge with a new two-lane bridge designed to meet current seismic, drainage and design standards, including improvements to roadway approaches and appurtenant facilities. The Project will improve vehicular safety by providing two traffic lanes with shoulders. Due to the low traffic volume on Freestone Flat Road, vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles will share the travel lanes and shoulders. The Project is 100% federally-funded for eligible work items and must satisfy all requirements under the Federal Highway Bridge Program criteria, including approval by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
The Project has been analyzed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). An Initial Study was prepared for the Project, which determined that Project impacts could be mitigated to a less than significant level. Therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared for the Project.
The Mitigated Negative Declaration identifies mitigation measures and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project. Mitigation measures were included to address.
1. Construction mitigation measures including emissions, dust, noise, and traffic control.
2. Protection of biological resources including:
a. Worker training conducted by a biologist approved by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
b. Presence of a CDFW-qualified biologist during ground disturbance activities;
c. Various measures to protect the California red-legged frog;
d. Various measures to protect the Western Pond Turtle;
e. Various measures to protect birds such as the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and their nesting sites;
f. Preparation of a riparian mitigation and monitoring plan;
g. Protection of badger denning habitat and roosting bats;
h. Pre-construction survey and mitigation measures to protect native trees and plants.
3. Cultural resources training by a certified archeologist.
4. Geologic and soils mitigation measures including soils testing and paleontological training.
5. Hazard mitigation measures including fire prevention and identification/disposal of contaminated soils.
The draft Mitigated Negative Declaration was presented to the Environmental Review Committee (ERC). The ERC reviewed the draft and concurred that Project impacts could be mitigated to a less than significant level through the mitigation measures set forth in the Mitigated Negative Declaration. The ERC made comments related to drainage and pile driving which were addressed to the ERC’s satisfaction. Additionally, the Project was presented to the Landmarks Commission on September 7, 2021, and the Commission’s comments have been addressed.
Notice of a 32-day public review of the Mitigated Negative Declaration including the proposed mitigation measures was provided in accordance with CEQA. Following circulation for public and agency review, comments were received from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and three members of the public. CDFW comments focused on potential impacts to the Western yellow-billed Cuckoo, California freshwater shrimp, and the riparian mitigation and monitoring plan. Public comments covered a range of topics including right-of-way issues, tree and vegetation removal, the impact of construction activity on property, and realignment of Freestone Flat Road. The Mitigated Negative Declaration has been updated to document and address their concerns.
Recirculation of the Mitigated Negative Declaration was not necessary. The changes were not substantial revisions under CEQA Guidelines Section 15073.5(b) because the changes provide information to clarify and amplify the mitigation measures identified in the circulated draft and do not identify any new mitigation measures or environmental impacts.
TPW recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution approving the Project and adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. The attached resolution also directs TPW to file a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk’s Office.
If the Project is approved by the Board, TPW will complete final design, right of way acquisition and request construction funding from Caltrans. The Project has received National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) clearance.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Resilient Infrastructure
Goal: Goal 3: Continue to invest in critical road, bridge, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Objective: Objective 4: Identify and retrofit bridges in County that are at high risk for damage during earthquakes.
Prior Board Actions:
2/8/2022- The Board approved the Third Amendment to the professional services agreement with Quincy Engineering for supplemental design and environmental services not to exceed $757,378 and extended the term of the agreement to December 31, 2025.
7/23/2019 - The Board approved the Second Amendment to the professional services agreement with Quincy Engineering for supplemental design and environmental services not to exceed $553,273 and extended the term through December 31, 2022.
11/10/2015 - The Board approved the First Amendment to extend the professional services agreement with Quincy Engineering at no-cost and extended the term through December 31, 2020.
9/24/2013 - The Board authorized the Chair to sign an engineering design contract with Quincy Engineering for the Freestone Flat Road Bridge Replacement Project in an amount not to exceed $429,980 with a term ending December 31, 2015
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this Board Action. Expenses associated with environmental studies and reports were approved by the Board in previous professional services agreements. Environmental mitigation and monitoring costs associated with the construction phase of the project will be included in contracts to be brought to the Board at a future date.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Resolution
Response to Landmarks Commission
Mitigated Negative Declaration
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Third, Second and First Amendments, Original Agreement with Quincy Engineering.