Wheeler Gorge Campground Aquatic Organism Passage and Stream Restoration Project (Request No. 1653-2025-163-001-R5)
Summary
SCH Number
2025061061
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5
(CDFW)
Document Title
Wheeler Gorge Campground Aquatic Organism Passage and Stream Restoration Project (Request No. 1653-2025-163-001-R5)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/23/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has executed 1653-2025-163-001-R5
pursuant to Section 1653 of the Fish and Game Code to Kristie Klose, Los Padres National Forest.
The Project will enhance and restore habitat within North Fork Matilija Creek and Bear Creek to provide a net conservation benefit for southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss; steelhead). The Project will remove four low water crossings that are fish passage barriers for steelhead and allow for upstream migration to spawning habitat. Two of the removed crossings will be replaced by full span bridges. The Project area will be revegetated with native plants after implementation. There are also likely benefits to habitat connectivity and riparian cover for Federally- and State-listed least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), Federally-listed California Red-legged frog (Rana draytonii), and proposed to be Federally-listed southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida). Project design was funded through a Fisheries Restoration
Grant Program agreement and designed to adhere to the California Salmonid Stream Restoration Manual and National Marine Fisheries Service fish passage guidelines. The Project is limited to 1.33 acres and 481 linear feet of streambed.
Contact Information
Name
Christian Romberger
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Kristie Klose
Agency Name
Los Padres National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
Job Title
Fisheries Biologist
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Ventura
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Wheeler Gorge Campground, along Highway 33, approximately 4 miles northwest of the city of Ojai, in Ventura County
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Type – Class (33); California Code of Regulations, title 14, section (15333)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 33 consists of small projects not to exceed 5 acres in size to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife.
County Clerk
Ventura
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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