Stewart Canyon Debris Basin Cleanout

The Stewart Canyon Debris Basin Cleanout project involves the removal of approximately 45,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment and debris from the existing 10-acre basin located in Ojai, California, to restore its full capacity and functionality. Work is scheduled to take place between September 29 and December 5, 2025, deliberately timed after the bird nesting season to minimize environmental disruption, though biological surveys will be conducted before and during operations to ensure protection of sensitive resources. Access to the work area is via North Signal Street and County-owned right-of-way, and no mature trees will be removed. The project includes resurfacing 14,400 square feet of Crushed Miscellaneous Base access road and implementing erosion and sediment control measures in full alignment with Best Management Practices outlined in the 2008 Final Program Environmental Impact Report, which serves as the primary regulatory framework. All excavated material must be transported to a disposal site approved by the Ventura County Integrated Waste Management Division. The project is exempt under CEQA Category 1, Section 15301, as it constitutes routine maintenance of an existing facility, and all applicable state and local environmental permits will be adhered to. Funding is supported by various fees, including an EIR fee and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife CRP fee, with no formal contract value or pricing structure provided in the documentation. The Ventura County Watershed Protection District is the lead agency responsible for oversight, with Jeff Palmer, P.E. serving as Director and primary point of administrative authority, and Emily Medler as the Environmental Planner designated as the technical contact. While the procurement is posted as a forecast and lacks standard federal contract clauses or formal evaluation factors, it is governed by state environmental compliance standards and local regulatory requirements rather than federal acquisition rules. No contract type, payment office details, or invoicing methodology are specified, and no commercial offeror representations or socioeconomic certifications are applicable, as the entity is a public agency. No FOB terms, security clearances, option periods, or organizational conflict of interest provisions are included, and the work is executed under direct public administration rather than competitive bidding. All project activities are documented through environmental notices, digital submissions, and compliance with state-mandated processes, reflecting a locally administered public works initiative focused on flood control infrastructure maintenance.