Anzar Road Culvert Emergency Repair Project (Incidental Take Permit, 2081-2025-035-R4)
Summary
SCH Number
2025090599
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4
(CDFW)
Document Title
Anzar Road Culvert Emergency Repair Project (Incidental Take Permit, 2081-2025-035-R4)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/12/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) No. 2081-2025-035-04 authorizing Caltrans to incidentally take California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) which is designated as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act (Fish & G. Code § 2050 et seq.; Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14 § 670.5, subd. (b)(3)(G)).
The Project involves the emergency repair of a 7-foot diameter, approximately 1,000-foot-long corrugated metal pipe culvert that has experienced advance degradation including erosion and loss of the invert (bottom of the culvert), and a sinkhole has formed in the embankment above the culvert inlet. The Project also includes the installation of rock slope protection, replacement of flared end sections, utility relocation, equipment access and staging, vegetation trimming and removal, as well as temporary stream diversion and dewatering.
The Project is expected to cause the temporary loss of approximately 1.49 acres of upland habitat for California tiger salamander due to vegetation removal and temporary ground disturbance associated with constructing features, access, and staging. Approximately half of the impact involves removal of oak and riparian woodland habitats that are expected to take five or more years to restore species habitat to pre-construction conditions.
Contact Information
Name
Mindy Trask
Agency Name
CDFW
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist, Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Counties
San Benito
Regions
Northern California
State Highways
US Route 101
Other Location Info
United States (US) Route 101, postmile 4.2 to 4.5 near Anzar Road in San Benito County.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 15260 et seq.; Public Resources Code, section 21080, subdivision (b).
Reasons for Exemption
The purpose of the Project is the repair of a 1,000-foot-long culvert located under United States (US) Route 101 postmile 4.2 to 4.5 and Anzar Road in San Benito County. This culvert has experienced advance degradation including erosion and loss of the invert (bottom of the culvert), and a sinkhole has formed in the embankment above the culvert inlet. The culvert is scheduled to be replaced in 2030. However, the Caltrans District 5 Hydraulic Engineer determined that in the current state, the culvert would suffer a catastrophic failure prior to that date if not repaired immediately. Caltrans District 5 issued a Director’s Order Request to repair the culvert this year (2025) under an Emergency Force Account, citing the reason as Public Contract Code 10122(a) “Failure or Threat of Failure of Transportation Facility, this project is needed to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of life, health, property, and essential public services, avoid damage up to and including loss of roadway resulting in closure.”
The Project is expected to result in temporary loss of approximately 1.49 acres of
upland habitat for California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), a species
listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act, due to vegetation
removal and temporary ground disturbance associated with constructing features,
access, and staging. Approximately half of the impact involves removal of oak and
riparian woodland habitats that are expected to take five or more years to restore
species habitat to pre-construction conditions.
CDFW has determined that the impacts to California tiger salamander will be minimized and fully mitigated through the implementation of measures required by Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2025-035 04. Measures include: (1) permanent habitat protection; (2) establishment of avoidance zones; (3) worker education; and (4) Monthly Compliance Reports.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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