Big Canyon Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resiliency Project: Phase 3 Project (Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-ORA-36265-R5)
Summary
SCH Number
2026040635
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5
(CDFW)
Document Title
Big Canyon Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resiliency Project: Phase 3 Project (Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-ORA-36265-R5)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/14/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has amended Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-ORA-36265-R5, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code to the Newport Bay Conservancy as represented by Heather Cieslak.
The Project is the final phase of this multi-phase habitat restoration project in the Big Canyon Nature Park. Project activities include the use of a bulldozer, backhoe, steel-tracked excavator mounted with a hydraulic concrete breaker and thumb attachments, front end loader, grader, and amphibious equipment for dredging. The Project was amended to alter Measure 2.8 Nesting Bird Protection.
Contact Information
Name
Heather Cieslak
Agency Name
Newport Bay Conservancy
Job Title
Operations Director
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Name
Frederic Rieman
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor)
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Newport Beach
Counties
Orange
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Project is located at Big Canyon Creek and the confluence to Upper Newport Bay, in the City of Newport Beach, Orange County, CA.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Pub. Resources Code, § 21080.56, subd. (e)
Reasons for Exemption
On March 24, 2022, the City of Newport Beach (City) made a preliminary determination that the Project meets certain qualifying criteria set forth in Public Resources Code section 21080.56, subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive. On May 4, 2022, the Director of CDFW concurred with the City’s preliminary determination. On May 14, 2025, the City as CEQA lead agency made a final determination that the Project meets certain qualifying criteria set forth in Public Resources Code section 21080.56, subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, and the City determined that the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.56. Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.1(a), the Lead Agency is responsible for determining whether the Project is exempt from CEQA and that determination shall be final and conclusive on all persons, including Responsible Agencies.
As a result, CDFW, now acting as a CEQA Responsible Agency, is bound by the Lead
Agency’s determination that the Project is exempt from CEQA.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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