Alvarez Stream Crossing and Pond Decommissioning Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-MEN-42771-R1C)
Summary
SCH Number
2026080948
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Northern and Eureka Region 1
(CDFW)
Document Title
Alvarez Stream Crossing and Pond Decommissioning Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-MEN-42771-R1C)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/26/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has executed Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement EPIMS Notification No. EPIMS-MEN-42771-R1C, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code to Jose Alvarez.
The Project is limited to two encroachments. The first encroachment is to perform maintenance on an existing low water crossing on Long Branch Creek. Maintenance at this crossing will consist of installing three rock rolling dips on the eastern approach to the crossing and rocking 100 feet of both road approaches with 4-inch minus rock. The rock rolling dips shall be located at 120 feet, 180 feet, and 220 feet up the eastern approach. The existing crossing approaches shall be maintained by the Permittee at the beginning of each dry season, as needed, to create a drivable slope to facilitate use of the crossing. Vehicles shall not be operated on the crossing when surface water is present.
The other proposed encroachment is to remediate and decommission an existing hydrologically connected pond. Excavated material that was side cast onto a slope above a stream to the north of the pond shall be pulled back away from the stream and back into the pond following the “Unstable fill removal and treatment” Best Management Practice (BMP) document provided with the Notification. The excavated material will then be compacted and revegetated. The berm of the pond has a shallow U-shape referred to as the “the chute” in the Notification. The chute will be reconstructed, with the lowest part of the U-shape being one foot lower than the sides. The chute and reconstructed slopes leading downslope into the stream shall be no steeper than a 2:1 slope. Jute netting and seed shall be applied for erosion control. Permittee shall use the seed mix specified in the project description in the Notification. Once the pond is filled, the decommissioned pond area shall be planted with appropriate species as described in the Notification. The rush species shall be planted in December or January following project implementation once the soil is saturated beyond the first several inches.
Contact Information
Name
John Herrera
Agency Name
CA Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Jose Alvarez
Agency Name
Permittee
Job Title
Please contact John Herrera of CDFW
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Redwood Valley
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
approximately 10.7 miles north of the town of Redwood Valley
Parcel #
108-213-03, 108-193-26
Waterways
Eel River watershed
Township
18N
Range
12W
Section
9, 16
Base
MtDiablo
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 1 and 4; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301 and 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Alvarez Stream Crossing and Pond Decommissioning Project meets the criteria for categorical exemption Class 1, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301 because the project involves minor alteration of an existing stream crossing. The project involves negligible or no expansion of the existing use. The Project meets the criteria for categorical exemption Class 4, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15304 because the project consists of minor private alterations in the condition of land and water which does not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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