Sun Lakes Boulevard Extension (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081(b)-2025-079-06 (ITP))

Sun Lakes Boulevard Extension (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081(b)-2025-079-06 (ITP))

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued an ITP (No. 2081(b)-2025-079-06), pursuant to Section 2081(b) of the Fish and Game Code to Public Works Department, City of Banning. The Project includes the construction of a new arterial roadway that will traverse a 28.54 acre (19.52-acre direct footprint and 9.02-acre temporary construction disturbance area) undeveloped area crossing three major waterways: Highland Wash, Smith Creek, and Pershing Creek. The 1.02-mile, 110-foot wide road will include two eastbound and two westbound lanes separated by a raised median, reinforced concrete box culverts at each creek crossing, storm water infrastructure with sediment filtration and conveyance improvements, abandonment in place of existing Westward Avenue culverts, and participation in regional sediment transport planning for the Smith Creek watershed. Project construction is anticipated to occur within two years and will require approximately 98,180 cubic yards of imported soil. Project activities include the use of excavators, rubber-tired dozers and loaders, scrapers, and other material-delivery vehicles during daylight hours, and other activities. The Project will result in impacts to 25.32 acres of Crotch’s bumble bee (Bombus crotchii) habitat including temporary impacts to 8.09 acres; the Project will permanently remove 17.23 acres of Crotch’s bumble bee habitat. The project is expected to result in incidental take of Crotch’s bumble bee, which is designated as a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The ITP referenced above as issued by CDFW authorizes incidental take of species listed under CESA that may occur as a result of Project implementation.

Banning

Riverside

Southern California

Riverside