Castle and Round Valley Meadows Restoration Project (Restoration Management Permit No. RMP-2026-0026-R2)
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026080212
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, North Central Region 2
(CDFW)
Document Title
Castle and Round Valley Meadows Restoration Project (Restoration Management Permit No. RMP-2026-0026-R2)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/10/2026
Document Description
On August 7, 2026, The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issued this Restoration Management Permit (RMP) pursuant to section 1670 of the Fish and Game Code to the South Yuba River Citizens League as Represented by Parker Eversoll. This Project will use process based restoration tools to remove sediment buildup, increase groundwater recharge, increase habitat heterogeneity, improve meadow biodiversity and climate resilience, and directly promote habitat improvements for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) through stream velocity reduction, increased ponding areas, and improved hydrologic thermal consistency. The Project is designed to result in a self-sustaining meadow ecosystem that requires little human intervention over a 25 to 50 year time frame. The Project includes an adaptive management strategy to meet Project restoration objectives. CDFW has determined that the Project is a Qualifying Restoration Project pursuant to section 1671(d)(1) of the Fish and Game Code, and the Project is expected to result in a substantial, cumulative benefit to native wildlife, plants, and their habitat.
Contact Information
Name
Briana Seapy
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Parker Eversoll
Agency Name
South Yuba River Citizens League
Job Title
Headwaters Science Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Soda Springs
Counties
Nevada
Regions
Northern California
Parcel #
015-200-006, 015-200-005, 017-010-001, 015-200-002, 015-170-005
Other Location Info
The Project lies north of Interstate 80 Exit 176, near Donner Summit, and northeast of Soda Springs near the headwaters of the South Yuba River.
The Castle Valley project area at Latitude 39.3488191 and Longitude -120.3551359.
The Round Valley project area at Latitude 39.3703388 and Longitude -120.3650558.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Public Resources Code section 21080.56
Reasons for Exemption
The Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.56. Under Public Resources Code section 21080.1, subdivision (a), the lead agency is responsible for determining whether a project is exempt from CEQA, and that determination is final and conclusive on all persons, including responsible agencies. Notwithstanding Section 21080.1, subdivision (a), a lead agency’s determination that a project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.56 is only valid if the exemption
determination is made after the Director of CDFW has concurred with the lead agency’s preliminary determination that the project meets certain qualifying criteria set forth in Public Resources Code section 21080.56, subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive.
On April 30, 2026, the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board 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 June 9, 2026, the Director of CDFW concurred with the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board’s preliminary determination. On August 7, 2026, the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board 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 Central Valley Regional Water Control Board determined that the Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.56. CDFW, now acting as a CEQA responsible agency for the issuance of the RMP on August 7, 2026, is bound by the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board determination on August 7, 2026, that the Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.56.
County Clerk
Nevada
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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