Eastern Sierra and Inland Deserts Region Master Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (Master Agreement)

Caltrans is pursuing a 30-year Master Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to streamline environmental compliance for maintenance, repair, and new construction projects within CDFW Region 6, which encompasses the Eastern Sierra and Inland Deserts. The agreement aims to establish a standardized approval process that ensures consistent protection of fish and wildlife resources while reducing regulatory delays through coordinated interagency procedures. It will provide a framework for implementing reasonable and effective mitigation strategies across Caltrans-managed infrastructure activities in the region. The Master Agreement is designed to improve efficiency by consolidating environmental reviews under a single, long-term authorization rather than requiring individual permits for each project. This approach enhances administrative consistency and strengthens collaboration between Caltrans and CDFW, ensuring that all activities adhere to protective standards under Section 1600 et seq. of the California Fish and Game Code. The initiative is forecasted with a posted date of August 6, 2026, and will be managed by Caltrans District 8, with Hannah Beard, Senior Environmental Scientist, serving as the primary point of contact for inquiries and coordination.