Big Creek to Carmel Drainage Restoration

The Big Creek to Carmel Drainage Restoration project, identified by Agreement Number EPIMS-MON-61596-R4, is a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement executed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the California Department of Transportation District 5. Located on State Route 1 in Monterey County at highway post miles 30.10, 30.86, and 33.87, the project focuses on improving drainage infrastructure. The scope of work includes replacing degraded culverts, headwalls, and drainage inlets, installing rock slope protection, removing vegetation for construction access, and implementing temporary stream diversions and erosion control treatments. The project is governed by Fish and Game Code section 1602 and requires adherence to a specific Mitigation Reporting or Monitoring Plan adopted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Initial approval was granted on January 26, 2026, with a subsequent Amendment No. 1 approved on July 14, 2026, which introduced provisions for night work and modified geotextile fabric inspection periods. The project has been determined to have no significant environmental effect within the jurisdiction of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, provided that the adopted mitigation measures are followed. Key administrative contacts include Lara Bertaina for the lead agency and Mindy Trask for the responsible agency.