Tulare County Stream Channel Routine Maintenance Agreement Project

Tulare County plans to establish a 12-year agreement with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct routine maintenance on jurisdictional stream channels, drainage facilities, and associated areas throughout the county. The agreement authorizes approximately 30 maintenance projects annually, covering a range of activities such as repairing or replacing drainage structures, clearing debris and sediment under dry conditions, managing vegetation through grazing or direct removal, performing minor erosion control work, repairing prior erosion measures, and conducting geotechnical sampling or cultural resource sensitivity tests. All specific methods, locations, and scope of work will require prior submission and approval via the CDFW’s Verification Request Form process to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The project is designed to support long-term water flow integrity, reduce flood risks, and maintain public infrastructure while adhering to state wildlife and habitat protections. The agreement will be administered by Tulare County’s Environmental Planning and Economic Development teams, with key personnel including the Chief Planner, Senior Environmental Planner/Biologist, and Associate RMA Director serving as primary contacts. The project is forecasted to be initiated in 2026 and will span the entirety of Tulare County’s jurisdictional waterways, ensuring consistent and regulated upkeep without requiring individual permits for each routine action. The long-term nature of the agreement streamlines compliance, reduces administrative burdens, and fosters consistent collaboration between the county and state wildlife agencies to balance infrastructure needs with ecological stewardship.