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Gaviota Creek Emergency Restoration

Project Description

  • Emergency Restoration / Scoping Phase
  • Permanent restoration work will complete the mitigation for the retaining wall construction in the Gaviota Creek under the Emergency Opening project. The expedited Scoping Phase kicked off on October 9, 2023 and preliminary studies are underway.
  • The objective of the restoration work is to improve fish passage and habitat conditions within Gaviota Creek. Mitigation will involve two components: fish passage remediation and habitat improvements.

Fish passage remediation

  • Three grade control structures exist along Gaviota Creek on the west side of US 101, adjacent to the new retaining wall being constructed. These structures affect migrating Steelhead trout as identified by the California Fish Passage Advisory Committee. These are priority locations to make improvements.
  • Caltrans proposes to remove the three existing grade control structures that are affecting fish passage and construct the channel to support migration of all life stages of Steelhead trout through the creek reach.
  • The design of the new fish passage system will be based on California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) fish passage design guidance.

Habitat improvements

  • When completed, stream channel and bank riparian vegetation will be reestablished, and additional creek areas (as a result of removing sacked concrete) will be restored and replanted as appropriate.
  • After the appropriate geomorphology and floodplain studies are completed in December 2024, the channel design will restore the stream where temporary impacts have occurred.

The restoration project will undergo all required environmental clearance and Caltrans will be submitting design plans for the project to resource agencies for review. Expedited permitting and design processes will be pursued to deliver the Gaviota Creek Emergency Restoration Project.

Proposed Project Schedule

This project is being delivered on an accelerated timetable with a construction target of late 2027. Under a standard schedule the approximate construction season would be in 2030. Caltrans is looking for every opportunity to accelerate the delivery of this project. Studies already underway for the Gaviota Creek SHOPP Improvement Project (05-1M440) may accelerate the Emergency Restoration Project.

Project Contact

Hallie Holden, Project Manager
 Phone: (916) 995-1421
Email: hallie.holden@dot.ca.gov

Public Information Office, Caltrans District 5
Phone: (805) 549-3318
Email: info-d5@dot.ca.gov

Documents

Accessibility Assistance: Caltrans makes every attempt to ensure our documents are accessible. Due to variances between assistive technologies, there may be portions of this document which are not accessible. Where documents cannot be made accessible, we are committed to providing alternative access to the content. Should you need additional assistance, please contact us at (916) 654-2852 or visit https://dot.ca.gov/request-ada-compliant-documents.

Gaviota Creek Fact Sheet - (PDF 304 KB)

 

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 Brochures

Title VI brochures in various languages