CEQA Notices and Documents

CDFW has completed a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the 2024 Fisheries Restoration Grant Program’s Mitigated Negative Declaration Project (PDF) (SCH No. 2024100483), located in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Marin, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. The project uses grant funds approved by the California Legislature to initiate activities that are designed to restore, enhance, and protect salmon and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus spp.) habitat in coastal and central valley streams and watersheds.

• Comments must be received by November 25, 2024, by 5:00 p.m.
• Please send any comments to Timothy.Chorey@wildlife.ca.gov

CDFW has completed an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (PDF), Notice of Completion (PDF), and Notice of Intent (PDF) (SCH No. 2024070895) for the Kern River Hatchery Siphon Replacement Project. The Kern River siphon, which supplied water necessary for operations of the Kern River Hatchery, located in Kernville, northeastern Kern County, California, has failed and no longer provides water to the hatchery. The purpose of the Proposed Project is to restore functionality of the siphon so that hatchery operations can be resumed; and a water conveyance facility that is resistant to vandalism, as well as trespass and associated environmental damage, and minimizes maintenance needs. The Proposed Project would consist of construction and operation of a siphon and inlet structure, pump vault and pipeline assembly, pipeline and anchors, and diversion and outlet structure.

• Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on September 6, 2024.
• Comments may be submitted via email to Environmental@dgs.ca.gov, or via U.S. mail to Jennifer Parson, Senior Environmental Planner, State of California Department of General Services 707 Third Street, 4th Floor, MS 509 West Sacramento, CA 95605.

CDFW has completed an Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Mission Canyon Stream Habitat Restoration Project (associated appendices available here)(SCH No. 2024020190), located along portions of Mission Creek within Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara County, California (Latitude: 34.465018, Longitude: 119.712531). The Project is to restore areas impacted by unpermitted 2019 discharge of sidecast material into Mission Creek and adjacent upland areas by Southern California Edison. The Project includes removal of all recoverable sidecast material, restoration of stream flows, stabilization of the creek bank, repair of habitat features such as pools within the stream bed, remediation of impacts to trees and sensitive plants, berm stabilization, and restoration of impacted woodland/forest and chaparral habitats. CDFW’s discretionary action includes the issuance of Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement #1600-2020-0149-R5

CDFW has completed a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the California Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program Regulatory Amendments (PDF) (Appendix A (PDF) & Appendix B (PDF)) (SCH No. 2022090320). CDFW proposes to amend Title 14 Section 132.8 of the California Code of Regulations codifying the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (RAMP). The RAMP regulatory amendments are part of CDFW’s comprehensive strategy to avoid, minimize, mitigate, and monitor entanglements of Actionable Species: blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Central America and Mexico Distinct Population Segments of humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae), and Pacific leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) in commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear off the coast of California. The proposed amendments would modify and add new RAMP components including surface gear restrictions, active tending requirements, and new buoy and line marking requirements. The regulatory amendments also provide CDFW regulatory authority to implement Conservation Plan measures to support the National Marine Fisheries Service’s approval and issuance of an Incidental Take Permit for the potential take of specified Actionable Species under Section 10 of the federal Endangered Species Act for the California commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

• Notice of Availability (PDF)
• Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m., June 10, 2024.
• Send comments to: R7CEQA@wildlife.ca.gov (subject line: “CA Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery RAMP Regulatory Amendments”).
• For more information, visit CDFW's Whale Safe Fisheries page.

CDFW has completed an Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Ash Hill Communications Site Project(PDF) (associated appendices) (SCH No. 2024020746), located in the City of Ash Hill within San Bernardino County (Central San Bernardino County, approximately 8 miles east of Ludlow). The project involves, among other things, the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of a communications tower and associated facilities and infrastructure to provide communication capabilities to the area. CDFW’s discretionary actions include the proposed issuance of CESA Incidental Take Permit and the prospect of issuance of a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement.