Hwy 395 Beaver Dam Flood Control

Beaver dam activity at Post Mile 121.90 on Highway 395 in Bishop, California, has caused repeated obstruction of a culvert inlet, resulting in rising water levels that flood the roadway and pose a safety risk. To address this emergency condition, a small trapezoidal fence-like structure is being constructed at the culvert inlet to block beaver access and reduce the rate of sediment and debris buildup, thereby restoring proper drainage and preventing further flooding. The project is being executed under Caltrans District 9 as an emergency repair authorized by CEQA Section 15269(b), which provides a statutory exemption from environmental review due to the immediate threat to public safety. The work is being performed at the project site with no formal contract value, pricing details, or line-item costs disclosed. The California Department of Transportation is both the project applicant and the implementing agency, with no contracted third-party vendor identified. Key personnel include Heather Elder, Senior Environmental Scientist, as the primary point of contact, and Stephen Pfeiler, Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor, serving as the lead agency representative. No federal acquisition regulations, contract clauses, payment details, inspection standards, or socioeconomic requirements apply, as this is a state-led emergency response utilizing streamlined procedures. The Notice of Exemption was signed on December 4, 2025, and the forecast notice was posted on December 5, 2025, indicating urgent and immediate action is required without standard procurement delays.