Permit No. 19982- Iron Canyon Fish Passage Improvements in Big Chico Creek
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024050797
Public Agency
Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Document Title
Permit No. 19982- Iron Canyon Fish Passage Improvements in Big Chico Creek
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/2/2026
Document Description
This project is designed to modify Big Chico Creek by altering the current existing instream configuration of boulders, incorporate minor grading of the stream channel for increased fish passage, and remove 17 dilapidated concrete and rebar fish ladder weirs (constructed in 1956) from the stream channel. Approximately 2,300 cubic yards of rock will be removed from the creek and disposed of offsite. A temporary access road with a looped turnaround and up to three crane pads measuring 30 feet by 30 feet will be constructed. A temporary dewatering system with coffer dams will be installed to bypass stream flows around the site during construction, and the site will be revegetated with native plants before completion.
Contact Information
Name
Jordan Robbins
Agency Name
Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Holly Swan
Agency Name
California Trout (CalTrout)
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Name
Tracy Bettencourt
Agency Name
City of Chico Department of Public Works, Engineering
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Chico
Counties
Butte
Regions
Northern California
Waterways
Big Chico Creek
Other Location Info
This project is located approximately 0.3 miles east of the intersection of Golf Course Road and Upper Park Road in Upper Bidwell Park along Big Chico Creek in the City of Chico, extending east 2.35 miles to Horseshoe Lake, California in Butte County.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
PRC Section 21080.56
Reasons for Exemption
The Iron Canyon Fish Passage Project is statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 21080.56 of the PRC, which exempts a project to restore or provide habitat for California native fish and wildlife meeting certain requirements. On January 5, 2024, the CDFW Director concurred with the City of Chico’s determination that the Project meets the qualifying criteria set forth in PRC Section 21080.56, subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive. Specifically, the CDFW Director concurred with the City of Chico that the Project meets all of the following conditions: (1) the Project is exclusively to conserve, restore, protect, or enhance, and assist in the recovery of California native fish and wildlife, and the habitat upon which they depend; or is exclusively to restore or provide habitat for California native fish and wildlife; (2) the Project may have public benefits incidental to the Project’s fundamental purpose; (3) the Project will result in long-term net benefits to climate resiliency, biodiversity, and sensitive species recovery; and includes procedures and ongoing management for the protection of the environment; and (4) Project construction activities are solely related to habitat restoration. Pursuant to PRC Section 21080.56, subdivision (g), CDFW has posted the Concurrence on CDFW’s CEQA Notices and Documents webpage: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Notices/CEQA.
County Clerk
Butte
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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