Permit No. 20096 – Powerhouse Riffles Restoration Project
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026030679
Public Agency
Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Document Title
Permit No. 20096 – Powerhouse Riffles Restoration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/2/2026
Document Description
To construct and restore a 2,500-foot reach of the mainstem Tuolumne River designated floodway, the project involves the placement of 25,452 cubic yards of clean spawning gravel, sourced from within the floodway, to construct 4.8 acres of low-gradient riffle complexes and gravel bars. The project also includes the installation of 80 habitat boulders, 49 large wood logs with attached rootwads that will be securely embedded into the banks. All in-channel earthwork and encroachment installations will be conducted during the low-flow season (June 15 – October 31) using temporary gravel access routes specifically configured to avoid sensitive areas.
Contact Information
Name
Jordan Robbins
Agency Name
Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Michael Cook
Agency Name
Turlock Irrigation District
Job Title
Director of Water Resources and Regulatory Affairs
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Turlock
Counties
Stanislaus
Regions
Northern California
Waterways
Tuolumne River
Other Location Info
The project is located approximately 24 miles northeast of the City of Turlock, in the community of La Grange, within the Tuolumne River floodway, at 37.665724°N 120.443556°W, Tuolumne River, Stanislaus County.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
PRC Section 21080.56
Reasons for Exemption
The Powerhouse Riffles Restoration Project is excluded from CEQA pursuant to Section 21080.56 of the Public Resources Code (PRC), which exempts a project to restore or provide habitat for California native fish and wildlife meeting certain requirements. On March 16, 2026, the CDFW Director concurred with the Turlock Irrigation District 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 Turlock Irrigation District 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 this Concurrence on CDFW’s CEQA Notices and Documents webpage: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Notices/CEQA.
County Clerk
Stanislaus
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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