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Department of Transportation recommending the Board take the following actions pertaining to the Rubicon Trail at Ellis Creek Bridge Replacement Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 77117:
1) Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act Mitigated Negative Declaration titled "Rubicon Trail at Ellis Creek Bridge Low Water Crossing Conversion Project;"
2) Approve the Project as described in the California Environmental Quality Act document; and
3) Authorize Department staff to proceed with any right-of-way acquisitions necessary to construct the Project.
FUNDING: Highway Bridge Program, Regional Surface Transportation Program, Off-Highway Vehicle Grant, and Road Fund.
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: Adoption of this Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of this Project will not result in any fiscal impact nor change to Net County Cost.
Recommended Findings:
A. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document, on file with the Clerk of the Board and on the Department of Transportation's (DOT) webpage http:/www.edcgov.us/Government/DOT/CEQA.aspx, was prepared pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq., and the CEQA Guidelines.
B. There is no substantial evidence that the Project, as mitigated, will have a significant effect on the environment.
C. The Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Rubicon Trail at Ellis Creek Bridge Replacement Project reflects the lead agency's independent judgment and analysis.
Background:
The proposed Project lies along the Rubicon Trail, an unpaved motor vehicle route. Motor vehicles have historically crossed Ellis Creek by fording the creek at a low-water crossing. This Project is eligible for Highway Bridge Program (HBP) funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) administers the HBP for FHWA and is responsible to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations. The Project is included in the County Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The County of El Dorado, as lead agency, prepared the Initial Study (IS) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines.
Project Location: The proposed Project is located on the Rubicon Trail at Ellis Creek approximately 2.2 miles east of Loon Lake.
Project Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of the Project is to provide a motor vehicle crossing over Ellis Creek and eliminate the existing low-water crossing by constructing a bridge over Ellis Creek and eliminating vehicular access to the existing low-water crossing.
The County of El Dorado received a grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation, to plan a new crossing for the Rubicon Trail over Ellis Creek that would reduce pollution of sediment and petroleum products in Ellis Creek. In April 2009, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, adopted Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO) No. R5-2009-0030 requiring the County and the El Dorado National Forest to cease discharge of sediment due to motorized use of the Rubicon Trail. One of the actions specifically required by the CAO is the construction of a bridge at Ellis Creek.
Project Description: The Project includes installation of a new 16 foot wide prefabricated steel-truss bridge approximately 60 feet downstream of the existing low-water crossing through Ellis Creek. The total Project area is 1.42 acres.
A detailed Project description can be found in the MND document available on DOT's webpage at www.<<http://www.edcgov.us/Government/DOT/CEQA.aspx,>> or a hard copy can be obtained at the DOT office at 2850 Fairlane Court in Placerville.
Construction Schedule: The Project is scheduled to begin in 2012 and is expected to take three months to complete.
Mitigation Measures: Mitigation measures have been added to the Project to reduce potential impacts to a level of insignificance. The Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan can be found in the MND document as Appendix A.
Reason for Recommendation:
Agency and Public Notification: The Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration was advertised in the Mountain Democrat on November 29, 2010; the entire document was posted on the DOT webpage beginning November 24, 2010 and hard copies were available at the DOT office. Individual notices were also sent to those directly affected in the Project area and to relevant agencies. The review period ran from November 29, 2010 to January 3, 2011.
Comments Received: One comment was received from the El Dorado County Historical Society asking that the site be examined by a qualified archaeologist and that research be conducted at the County's Historical Museum. This has already been accomplished and is discussed in the environmental document.
Contact:
James W. Ware, P.E.
Director of Transportation
Concurrences: County Counsel