Buck Gulch Falls Creek Restoration and Trail Improvement Project

Buck Gulch Falls Creek Restoration and Trail Improvement Project

Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. The proposed project would restore Arroyo de San Jose Creek and associated ephemeral streams and to provide safe and sustainable year-round all-abilities access along Spyglass Trail and Buck Gulch Falls Trail leading to Buck Gulch waterfall at Ignacio Valley Open Space Preserve. The proposed project would install two bridges to remove visitor access from the creek; install one puncheon and one boardwalk over unnamed ephemeral streams along the trail; improve conditions along nearly 2,240 feet of existing trail; realign nearly 850 feet of trail segments away from eroding streambanks; change use of the Buck Gulch Falls Trail from hiker/equestrian only to hiker only use; install four fill slope walls to retain the trail alignment near the waterfall viewing area; install new fencing and signage at the waterfall viewing area; decommission and restore nearly 850 feet of trail; and restore nearly 19,500 square feet of eroding streambank and riparian area along Arroyo de San Jose Creek. These actions would meet the project purpose and objectives by reducing the environmental impacts of current visitor access, improving the user experience, safety, and accessibility for all trail users, and enhancing the sustainability of the trail consistent with the RTMP policies, applicable BMPs, and MCOSD's trail design standards and MCOSD's Inclusive Access Plan where feasible. Implementation of the proposed project would substantially reduce the potential for accelerated erosion and sedimentation into the Arroyo de San Jose Creek that could adversely impact water quality and listed aquatic species and their habitats. The proposed project would incorporate erosion control techniques, including placement of straw wattles at the base of realigned trail segments, surfacing the approaches to the proposed bridges with aggregate base rock, and placing of seed and mulch on disturbed ground.

Novato

Marin

Countywide

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Conservation (DOC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bay Delta Region 3 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 4 (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Fish and Game Commission (CDFGC), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region 2 (RWQCB), California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, State Water Resources Control Board, Divison of Financial Assistance

Recreational (Public Access Trail improvements, habiat protection), Other (Creek Restoration)

Project Approval

Biological Resources