Restoration Projects Statewide Order Draft Program Environmental Impact Report

The Merced Irrigation District, in collaboration with state agencies including the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and the California Department of Water Resources, is executing a habitat restoration project under Permit No. 20083 authorized by California Code of Regulations Title 23 Article 3 Section 6. The project involves excavating approximately 75,000 cubic yards of dredged mine tailings from the Merced River channel, with 45,000 cubic yards being screened and strategically placed within the active river channel to construct a functional sequence of pools and riffles designed to enhance salmonid rearing and passage. The work connects a hydraulically linked pond to the main river stem, installs large woody structures within the floodway to increase habitat complexity, and relocates excess material to a pre-existing 1.4-acre pond located outside the floodway on the project’s north side. The overarching goal is ecological restoration within the lower San Joaquin River watershed, specifically improving habitat connectivity and spawning conditions for native fish species. The project is funded by a $2,480,872 grant from the California Department of Water Resources, with the environmental review process completed under the California Environmental Quality Act, resulting in a prepared Environmental Impact Report and associated regulatory approvals. The place of performance is located approximately 1.4 miles upstream of Snelling in Merced County, California, centered around the Merced River channel and extending to the adjacent off-channel pond. While no formal federal contract structure, line-item pricing, or FAR-based clauses are present, the project operates under state regulatory authority with oversight from the Central Valley Flood Protection Board as the responsible agency for inspection and acceptance. Payment and administrative coordination are managed through the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife using check, cash, or credit as payment methods, with no electronic invoicing systems such as WAWF or IPP in use. There is no defined period of performance, delivery schedule, or FOB terms documented, and no specific technical inspection criteria, quality standards, or packaging requirements beyond environmental compliance have been specified. The applicant, Merced Irrigation District, is recognized as a state agency with no formal small business or socioeconomic certifications, and while key contacts including Michael Morris and Jordan Robbins serve as primary points of communication, no formal COR, COTR, or PCO roles are designated in the records. Approval is contingent upon adherence to the approved EIR, implementation of mitigation measures, and compliance with all state permitting requirements, with