East Commercial Street Water Line Replacement Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-MEN-60918-R1C)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has authorized the City of Willits, represented by Scott Herman, to perform limited encroachment activities under Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement EPIMS-MEN-60918-R1C pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code. The project involves the removal and replacement of a 6-inch water line beneath the East Commercial Street bridge over Broaddus Creek in Willits, California, along with the annual extraction of up to forty cubic yards of gravel from the easternmost bay of the bridge to restore creek flow and reduce flood risk. All work is confined to the dry creek bed and adjacent embankments, using only hand tools and a small walk-behind skid steer for gravel removal, with a vacuum truck transporting the material to the City’s public works yard. No vegetation or healthy trees will be disturbed. Additional work includes excavation, backfilling, compaction, and the installation of new concrete sidewalks on both sides of the bridge. The project qualifies for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption under Title 14, Section 15304 of the California Code of Regulations, indicating minimal environmental impact. Inspection and acceptance occur at the project site and adjacent yard, with oversight by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, specifically Environmental Scientist Jennifer Garrison. The City of Willits is the sole performer, and no federal contract clauses, pricing data, solicitation numbers, or formal procurement elements are present, as this is a state-level environmental authorization rather than a federal acquisition contract.