Public Notice: Mitigated Negative Declaration for Bolsa Chica Lower Mesa Restoration Project at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, California
The California Department of Fish and Game (Department) is providing a Public Notice of the completion of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the proposed restoration project Lower Mesa Restoration Project at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.
Project Description
The Lower Mesa Restoration Project for the Bolsa Chica Mesa is a cooperative project between the California Department of Fish and Game and the Bolsa Chica Land Trust. The goal of this project is to create a diversity of habitats that support a variety of species and to enhance to overall habitat function of the Lower Mesa. Restoration activities will result in enhanced habitat for the sensitive plant and wildlife species present at the Lower Mesa and surrounding areas, including southern tarplant, sensitive raptor species, silvery legless lizard, and potentially coastal California gnatcatcher.
Public Review and Response to Comments
The Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Bolsa Chica Lower Mesa Restoration Project, Huntington Beach, California was circulated for public review between January 15 – March 17, 2011. Letters received from you and other private individuals, organizations, and state agencies during the public review period for the Draft MND are included in the Response to Comments. A summary of major issues received from commenters was prepared and the Department’s responses to these issues are also included in the Response to Comments.
Adoption of Mitigated Negative Declaration
A lead agency is required to evaluate comments to determine whether any portions of the MND require clarification. Only if the document is "substantially revised," is it required to be re-circulated (CEQA §15073.5(a)). The Department determined that portions of the MND required clarification, but not substantial revisions, nor were unmitigated, significant impacts identified. Therefore, the Department has adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Lower Mesa Restoration Project at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach, California.
Project Location
The Lower Bench of the Bolsa Chica Mesa, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Orange County, California. The project site is east of the Pacific Coast Highway and is bordered by Bolsa Bay to the west, Warner Avenue to the north, the Hearthside Homes housing development on the upper bench to the east, and restored lowlands to the south.
Documents Available for Review
The Mitigated Negative Declaration, Response to Comments, and Restoration Plan can be downloaded from this webpage. If you cannot download the documents or cannot visit the locations listed below, please contact Carla Navarro to obtain a CD with electronic versions of the documents. The documents are also available for review in person at:
- CDFG Back Bay Science Center, 600 Shellmaker Rd., Newport Beach, CA 92660
- Huntington Beach Main Library, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
- The Bolsa Chica Land Trust Office, 5200 Warner Ave., #108, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
- The Bolsa Chica Conservancy Interpretive Center, 3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Additional questions can be directed to:
Carla Navarro Woods, Environmental Scientist
California Dept. Fish & Game
600C Shellmaker Road
Newport Beach, CA
Carla.Navarro@wildlife.ca.gov
(949) 640-9961