To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: APPROVE the Wildcat Creek Fish Passage and Community Engagement Project and take related actions under CEQA, North Richmond area.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE the Wildcat Creek Fish Passage and Community Engagement Project and AUTHORIZE the Chief Engineer, or designee, to advertise the Project, North Richmond area. [Project No. 7505-6F8101] DCD-CP# 22-17 (District I), and
FIND, on the basis of the whole record, including the proposed Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and any comments received and staff responses thereto, that there is no substantial evidence the Project may have significant effect on the environment, and that the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the lead agency, Contra Costa County (County).
ADOPT the MND and Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Program for the Project.
SPECIFY that the Contra Costa County Public Works Director is the custodian of the documents and other material that constitute the record of proceedings upon which the Board’s decision is based, and that the record of proceedings is located at 255 Glacier Drive, Martinez, CA.
DIRECT the Director of Conservation and Development (DCD), or designee, to file a Notice of Determination (NOD) with the County Clerk, and,
AUTHORIZE the Chief Engineer, or designee, to arrange for payment of $2,916.75 for California Department of Fish and Wildlife fees, a $50 fee to the County Clerk for filing the NOD, and a $25 fee to DCD for processing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated Project cost: $5,900,000.00. 31% U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant, 42% Department of Water Resources Grant, and 27% other state and local grants.
BACKGROUND:
The Flood Control District (District)-sponsored project will improve habitat connectivity for aquatic species and stormwater conveyance through the lower Wildcat Creek flood control channel and provide community amenities. Project activities include retrofitting an existing fish ladder to create a more natural fish passage corridor. Downstream of the fish ladder, the existing sediment basin will be desilted and expanded to increase sediment storage capacity. Engineered berms and maintenance access ramps will be constructed within the sediment basin to stabilize the low flow channel of Wildcat Creek to enhance fish passage and improve access for maintenance activities. Upstream of the fish ladder, the channel will be modified by removing riprap to improve flow conditions. In the District-owned parcel adjacent to the fish ladder and sediment basin, community amenities will include trail improvements, overlook areas, interpretive features, and potential recreational and educational areas. All channel and basin improvements are planned to be implemented by the District while the community amenities are planned to be implemented by others.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Delay in approving the project may result in a delay of design, construction, and may jeopardize funding.
ATTACHMENTS:
CEQA documents
Contact: Laura Cremin, (925) 313-2015
LEC:cp
\\PW-DATA\grpdata\engsvc\ENVIRO\Staff Reports\2024\9-10-24\Wildcat Creek Fish Passage and Community Engagement (WO8101)\CP#22-17 SR Wildcat Creek Fish Passage DRAFT 8-5-24.doc