Bayfront Canal Routine Maintenance (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-SMO-55177-R3

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has authorized routine maintenance activities on a 3,200 linear-foot portion of the Bayfront Canal in Redwood City through a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement under Fish and Game Code Section 1602, with the City of Redwood City’s Public Works Services Department serving as the responsible party. The work involves removing overgrown cattail vegetation, trash, and debris using a crane and clam bucket operated from the adjacent access road and levee, without any heavy equipment entering the canal or any sediment dredging. Hand crews will handle areas inaccessible to mechanical equipment, and all removed material will be bagged, dried on-site, and hauled away as green waste for off-site disposal. This project is classified as a categorical exemption under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 15301, as it constitutes routine maintenance that preserves the existing function of the canal without altering its structure or impacting fish or wildlife habitat. The activity is limited to the section extending from behind Douglas Court to behind 3585 Haven Avenue and is intended to ensure continued water transport capacity for flood control and public safety. The notification is administratively approved and does not involve a competitive procurement, funding appropriation, or contractual pricing details, as it is a regulatory compliance action under CEQA rather than a federal or formal procurement contract. Key contacts include Shannon Husband of CDFW for environmental oversight and Terence Kyaw of the City of Redwood City as the project representative, with inspections and acceptance occurring on-site by the approving agency to verify compliance with the exemption conditions, including the prohibition of equipment in the water, no dredging, and proper disposal of all materials.