Gaviota Creek Improvement Project
Project Description
The Gaviota Creek Improvement Project is divided into two components, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 constitutes a program-level analysis for the remediation of fish passage impediments along Gaviota Creek in Santa Barbara County. Segment A is the first Tier 2 project that has been programmed for development. Segments B, C, and D have not been programmed at this time but will be programmed and developed as funding becomes available.
Several grade control structures are located within Segment A along Gaviota Creek on the west side of U.S. 101 from post miles 46.9 to 47.3, near the northbound Gaviota Rest Area and the entrance to the Gaviota Tunnel. The California Fish Passage Advisory Committee has identified the grade control structures located within Segment A as priority locations within Caltrans District 5 for improvement to accommodate fish passage. Six grade control structures will be removed and replaced with a proposed pool and weir fishway, comprised of a series of concrete weirs to create pools with moderate hydraulic drops along the creek to facilitate fish passage. Weirs would be added along approximately 800 linear feet of Gaviota Creek to restore a channel that will be based on California Department of Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Service fish passage design guidance. A portion of this segment will provide mitigation for the Gaviota Creek Emergency Scour Repair Project. For more detail, please see the Gaviota Creek Emergency Restoration project: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5/district-5-current-projects/05-1r590
The project will also include the removal of 4,200 square feet of sacked concrete revetment wall that will be replaced with a retaining wall to support the highway embankment. The removal of the sacked concrete revetment wall will increase the width of the creek channel and allow for additional vegetation restoration opportunities. Restoration of a riparian canopy with an understory of native plants will further shade the creek and provide additional cover and refugia for aquatic and terrestrial species, as well as foraging and potential nesting habitat for avian species. The current sacked concrete revetment wall provides limited ecological values as relatively few plant species have been able to take hold in the structure with a majority of those being non-native.
Caltrans is currently pursuing concurrence from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the CEQA Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP) for Segment A of the Gaviota Creek Improvement Project. This statutory exemption is part of CDFW’s Cutting the Green Tape program. For more information, please refer to: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Cutting-Green-Tape/SERP. A draft application was submitted in December 2025 and a final application was submitted in February 2026. Caltrans has determined, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.56 (a), that the project will exclusively conserve, restore, protect, or enhance, and assist in the recovery of California native fish and wildlife, and the habitat upon which they depend, and restore or provide habitat for California native fish and wildlife.
Upon completion of the environmental determinations, Caltrans will move into the design phase (Plans, Specifications, and Estimates phase) to complete the design of the proposed pool and weir fishway in coordination with required agencies.
Project Benefits
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve and restore hydraulic conditions in Gaviota Creek to improve upstream passage of the endangered Southern California steelhead and stabilize the structures supporting the US 101 highway shoulder and embankment.Need
This project is needed because scour has undermined several existing structures in Gaviota Creek. These conditions create impediments for the endangered southern California steelhead population and threatens the stability of US 101 if left unaddressed.Documents
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Comments were collected during the scoping period for the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Report from October 18, 2022 to December 16, 2022. The public scoping comment period has now closed.
Virtual Public Meeting
A virtual public scoping meeting was held on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. To view the presentation, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAz2O2xRzrA
Project Contact
Hallie Holden, Project Manager
Phone: (916) 995-1421
Email: hallie.holden@dot.ca.gov
Dianna Beck, Senior Environmental Planner
Phone: (805) 459-9406
Email:dianna.beck@dot.ca.gov
Public Information Office, Caltrans District 5
Phone: (805) 549-3318
Email: info-d5@dot.ca.gov
Title VI Information
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and Federal Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).
Caltrans will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether they are federally funded or not, and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. In addition, Caltrans will facilitate meaningful participation in the transportation planning process in a nondiscriminatory manner.
- Title VI Brochure (English, PDF)
- Title VI Brochure (Spanish, PDF)
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Caltrans Information)