Washoe Meadows State Park Quarry Site Wetland Enhancement
Summary
SCH Number
2026060832
Public Agency
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Document Title
Washoe Meadows State Park Quarry Site Wetland Enhancement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/18/2026
Document Description
Convert approx. 56,000 sq. ft. or 1.28 acres of a former gravel quarry site within Washoe Meadows State Park to wetland habitat to restore the physical and biological functions of this degraded former wetland to its natural state. Work will:
• Use heavy equipment to remove approx. 200 Jeffrey and lodgepole pine trees (6-8-in. DBH) that are growing on imported fill material;
• Remove approx. 8,000 cu. yds. of imported fill with varied excavation depths of no more than 7-ft deep to leave low areas for standing water and high areas to provide islands for wildlife habitat;
• Construct an additional two (2) intermittent islands for wildlife habitat and preserve islands with existing Jeffrey pines and sagebrush;
• Construct three (3) to four (4) Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs);
• Improve the existing low water crossing over the adjacent service road that runs south and east of the site; and
• Hand spread/apply a native seed mix to all graded/excavated areas as directed by the DPR-approved specialist to facilitate re-vegetation of wetland vegetation on the graded areas.
Project work will use 10-yard dump trucks, bulldozer, excavator, skid steer, and loader to excavate, grade, and off-haul the excavated fill material. Equipment staging will occur on approx. 9,600 sq. ft. of existing area routinely used for such purposes. Access to the site will be from the Chilocothe St. gate using existing service roads. All excavated materials will be hauled off and delivered to a specified offsite location for Washoe Tribal use. All project activities will occur during fall when the adjacent wetland and fen are dry. No jurisdictional waters will be impacted as all excavation and grading will occur to the limits of the existing delineated wetland and not within the wetland area; and no equipment access or project activities will occur in the existing wetland.
Contact Information
Name
Lindsay Cline
Agency Name
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Meyers
Counties
El Dorado
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Chilcothe St., California State Park Service Rd
State Highways
SR 89
Airports
Lake Tahoe Airport
Schools
Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School
Waterways
Upper Truckee River, Angora Creek
Other Location Info
Washoe Meadows State Park
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class: 1, 3 & 4 Section: 15301, 15303 & 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Project consists of the operation, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond current levels; construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; and minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees.
County Clerk
El Dorado
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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