Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board take the following actions related to the Henningsen/Lotus Road Class I Multi-Use Trail Project, Capital Improvement Program number 36109015:
1) Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration;
2) Approve the project as described in the California Environmental Quality Act Document; and
3) Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Measures (Attachment B, Section 4).
(District 4)
FUNDING: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (13%) and To Be Determined (87% - see “Financial Impact” section of the staff report). (Federal Funds)
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Department of Transportation’s (Transportation) Henningsen/ Lotus Road Class I Multi-Use Trail Project (Project) proposes to construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities along Lotus Road between Henningsen Lotus Park and State Route (SR) 49 in the community of Lotus.
As the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Transportation prepared an initial Study/ Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) to assess potential Project impacts in accordance with CEQA Guidelines (14 CA Administrative Code, §15000 et seq.). Certification of this IS/MND by the Board would complete the CEQA portion of the environmental phase of this Project. Since the Project is funded with federal funds and administered through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Caltrans serves as the lead agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Project Need: The Project is consistent with the Coloma Lotus Mobility Plan, is included in El Dorado County’s Active Transportation Plan, and would complete the region’s vision to provide multi-modal access to commercial and recreational facilities as shown in these plans. The Project is included in the 2024 Capital Improvement Program adopted by the Board on June 18, 2024 (Legistar file 24-0838).
A Notice of Intent to Adopt the IS/MND was advertised in the Mountain Democrat and the document was posted on Transportation’s website at <https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Land-Use/Transportation/CEQA>. Hard copies were available at the Transportation offices at 2850 Fairlane Court, Building C, Placerville, CA. The public comment period included the submittal of the Notice of Completion (NOC) and Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt the IS/MND to the State Clearinghouse. The public review period began on February 28, 2025, and ended on April 2, 2025.
Project Description: The Project would involve the installation of a Class I bike and pedestrian trail, boardwalk structures, sidewalks, and additional improvements to enhance connectivity and safety. The Project includes approximately 2,300 linear feet of new Class I trail, improvements to two existing vehicle pullouts along Lotus Road, and the installation of approximately 1,800 linear feet of guardrail.
Right-of-Way: All work would be conducted within County right-of-way (ROW). There will be no permanent ROW impacts or utility easements.
Construction: Construction would be scheduled once a funding commitment has been made, all approvals and permits have been obtained, and improvement plans completed.
Mitigation Measures: Mitigation measures are added to the Project to reduce potential impacts to a less than significant level. Avoidance, minimization, and/or mitigation measures are established in Section 4, Summary of Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures of the IS/MND.
Comments: A public meeting was held on March 13, 2025 at the Henningsen Lotus Park Pavilion to provide a presentation regarding the Project and accept written comments on the IS/MND. Many of the comments were received during this public meeting provided support for the Project and questions regarding the anticipated construction date. During the 33-day public comment period, 18 comments were received including a comment letter from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. Comment letters were also received from the El Dorado County Historical Society and the South Fork Arts and Recreation. Transportation responded to each comment which is included as Appendix F in the IS/MND. Based upon these comments, no changes were necessary to the IS/MND.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could choose not to adopt the IS/MND and approve the Project. Transportation would make adjustments as directed by the Board and bring this item back to the Board at a later date. This could increase the Project's cost and cause delay.
2) The Board could cancel the Project. Transportation would be required to return all federal funds spent thus far.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On November 8, 2022 (Legistar file 22-1882), the Board accepted the CMAQ grant funds for the Project.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the IS/MND and Response to Comments.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The current CMAQ grant funds will fund this contract for the preliminary environmental, design, and right of way phases of the Project. The “Funding” section of the staff report indicates that 87% of the overall Project funding is “To Be Determined.” This is because the Project is currently seeking construction grant funds. There is no change to net County cost resulting from this agenda item. Funding for the Project is included in Transportation’s 2024 Capital Improvement Program, which was approved by the Board on June 18, 2024 (Legistar file 24-0838).
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
TRANSPORTATION FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Transportation will file a Notice of Determination with the County Recorder/Clerk’s office and State Clearinghouse.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Priority: N/A
Action Item: N/A
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation