East Branch East Weaver Creek Migration Barrier Removal

The East Branch East Weaver Creek Migration Barrier Removal project, managed by the Trinity County Department of Transportation, involves the removal of an existing 8 by 60 foot elliptical CMP culvert on East Weaver Creek Road and its replacement with a 15 foot 9 inch by 8 foot by 66 foot aluminum box culvert. This project is the 15th migration barrier removal initiative undertaken by the DOT to restore salmonid passage, specifically to increase habitat for listed Coho salmon, and to improve flow capacity and public safety. The new structure will feature wing and head walls, a natural stream bottom configuration, and boulder clusters in the channel designed to convey Q100 flows of East Branch Creek. The project has received a Notice of Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) based on categorical exemptions for existing facilities and replacements that do not expand roadway capacity. Construction activities and all ground-disturbing work are strictly limited to a Limited Operating Period occurring between June 15th and October 15th of the construction year. During the work, a detour is expected to last between one and three weeks with hourly openings. The contractor must adhere to rigorous environmental and fire safety Best Management Practices (BMPs), including daily equipment leak inspections, visual inspections for bird nests, and compliance with North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and California Department of Fish and Wildlife requirements. Fire safety protocols require USFS-approved spark arrestors on all internal combustion equipment, the maintenance of an on-site water truck and fire suppression cache, and a fire watch following mechanical operations. Additionally, mechanical operations must cease by 1 pm on days with extreme fire danger ratings.