To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Approve the Geyserville River Road Bank Stabilization Project (C21900)
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program and approving the Geyserville River Road Bank Stabilization Project.
end
Executive Summary:
The Geyserville River Road Bank Stabilization Project (“Project”) will protect County owned River Road near the community of Geyserville by stabilizing and restoring approximately 1,800 linear feet of the Russian River embankment from ongoing erosion.
The Project was initiated in 2018 and has been analyzed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the County Code. Pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 23A of the County Code, the draft Initial Study was presented to the County Environmental Review Committee (ERC) on August 6, 2024. After reviewing the Initial Study, the ERC concurred that a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is the appropriate CEQA document and directed Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) to circulate the Initial Study and MND. In accordance with CEQA guidelines, the Initial Study and proposed MND were circulated for public and agency review for a period of 30 days from August 16, 2024 until September 16, 2024.
No comments were received during the circulation period, and SPI is now requesting the Board adopt a Resolution adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring Program (MMP) for the Project.
Discussion:
The Geyserville River Road Bank Stabilization Project will repair, restore, and protect the east bank of the Russian River near the community of Geyserville from ongoing erosion and streambank retreat while directing river flows away from County infrastructure and into the main channel. By reducing the risk of future bank erosion, the Project will help protect County owned River Road, improve riparian habitat, and enhance ecological value along the Russian River bank near Geyserville.
The Project is located approximately 1,000-feet northwest of the intersection of Fay Ranch Road and River Road, and near where River Road turns northward away from the Russian River. The proposed Project design includes grading/laying back the existing riverbank, construction and recontouring of an engineered bank (vegetated rock revetment) and installation of bendway weirs (rock vanes), bioengineered soils, biotechnical stabilization elements and slope and riverbank revegetation with native plant species. The Project will restore 3 acres of riparian habitat and 1.2 acres of aquatic habitat and aligns with County goals to maintain road segments and increase efforts on vegetation removal and drainage features.
Project planning, design, engineering, and permitting is being completed under a Professional Services Agreement with MGE Engineering, Inc. (awarded by the Board on November 1, 2022 <https://share.sonoma-county.org/link/TfmKZ9Fn7yQ/>), and is being funded through a $968,550 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant. The US Army Corps of Engineers is the lead agency for NEPA under the Clean Water Act Section 404, which has been applied for the project. SPI staff is currently researching grants and other funding sources for construction (and associated easements) of the Project with an anticipated goal of commencing construction in calendar year 2025.
In order to move the Project forward and increase grant/funding opportunities by having a “shovel ready” project, SPI is recommending the Board adopt a Resolution adopting the proposed MND and MMP, approving the Project, and directing the Permit and Resource Management Department (Permit Sonoma) to file a Notice of Determination with the State Clearinghouse and Sonoma County Clerk. SPI will obtain all appropriate permits including Clean Water Act Section 404 from the US army Corps of Engineers, California Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Clean Water Act Section 402 (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit from the State Water Resources Control Board, and California Fish and Game Code Section 1602 Streambed Alternation Agreement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before constructing the Project.
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 5: Support, fund, and expand flood protection.
Objective: Objective 2: Implement land use planning and assessments to address flood protection, including river setbacks and riparian corridors, and make resources available for residents.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
11/1/22 Professional Services Agreement with MGE Engineering, Inc., Inc. for the Russian River Bank Stabilization Project (C21900)
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Since the adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring Program (MMP) will not trigger additional tasks or scope to the existing project there is no direct fiscal impact associated with this Board Action
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution
Mitigated Negative Declaration
Mitigation Monitoring Program
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Original Design Agreement