Pacheco Pass Wildlife Connectivity Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025100438
Public Agency
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency
(SCVHA)
Document Title
Pacheco Pass Wildlife Connectivity Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/9/2025
Document Description
The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency (Lead Agency) proposes to construct up to three (3) wildlife crossing structures (WCS) along SR 152 between PM 27.5 to 34.6 (the Project). Two of the proposed WCS are girder bridge overcrossing designs, and one proposed WCS is a tunnel undercrossing design. To guide wildlife to the WCS, up to 10 miles of directional fencing will be erected within 10 feet of either side of SR 152. The project aims to conserve, restore, protect, or enhance, and assist in the recovery of California native fish and wildlife, and the habitat upon which they depend and restore or provide habitat for California native fish and wildlife. The Project is designed to benefit native species, including elk, mule deer, mountain lions, and other mesocarnivores, through removal of barriers to seasonal movement and species dispersal. Additionally, by creating up to three WCS and other restoration features, the Project will minimize wildlife mortality and wildlife-vehicle conflicts along a section of SR 152, where the restoration activities are being implemented.
Contact Information
Name
Edmund Sullivan
Agency Name
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency
Job Title
Executive Officer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Unincorporated area
Counties
Santa Clara
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area, Unincorporated
State Highways
SR 152
Other Location Info
PM 27.5 to PM 34.6
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
PRC § 21080.56, subdivisions (a) to (d)
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets all of the following conditions described in PRC § 21080.56, subdivisions (a) to (d): (a) 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; (b) the Project may have public benefits incidental to the Project’s fundamental purpose; (c) 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 (d) Project construction activities are solely related to habitat restoration. The CDFW concurred with this finding on September 24, 2025. See Attachments to Notice of Exemption for the Project's SERP Request form and for CDFW SERP Concurrence.
County Clerk
Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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