0H240 HUM 254 Culvert Rehab Project Initial Study Negative Declaration

The California Department of Transportation, District 1, is executing a project to rehabilitate drainage systems and improve fish passage along State Route 254 in Humboldt County, specifically from Redcrest to Phillipsville between Post Miles 0.0 and 43.0 within the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This effort involves the replacement of culverts at 43 locations, with 32 of those sites situated within riparian habitats or protected waters. A primary objective of the work is the remediation of a fish passage barrier located at Post Mile 8.13 to benefit tributaries of the South Fork Eel River, including Chadd and Mowry Creeks. The project is authorized under Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements EPIMS-HUM-62193-R1C and EPIMS-HUM-62196-R1C, pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1602. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, acting as a Responsible Agency, issued Notices of Determination on June 5, 2026, concluding that the project would not have a significant environmental effect within its jurisdiction based on a Negative Declaration. While specific mitigation measures have been imposed to protect the environment, no formal Mitigation Reporting or Monitoring Plan or Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted.