Childs Meadows Head Cut Stabilization and Repair Project
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
Childs Meadows Head Cut Stabilization and Repair Project
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
Prepared by
Resource Conservation District of Tehama County
November 2014
Funding provided by
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
11521 Blocker Drive, Suite 205
Auburn, CA 95603
Table of Contents
I. Mitigated Negative Declaration 1
Project Description and Environmental Setting 1
Project Location 1
Legal Description 1
General Plan Designation 1
Zoning 1
Introduction and Project History 2
Project Description 2
Project Monitoring 10
Surrounding Land Uses and Environmental Setting 10
Environmental Factors Potentially Affected 13
II. Maps, Figures and Graphics, Photographs
Map A- Aerial Photograph of Project Site and Surrounding Area Childs Meadows Head
Cut Stabilization and Repair Project 14
Map B- Topographic Map of Childs Meadows Head Cut Stabilization and Repair Project Site
And Surrounding Area 15
Map C- Detailed Topographic Map of Childs Meadows Head Cut Stabilization and Repair Project Site 16
Map D- Parcel Map of Project Site and Surrounding Area Childs Meadows Head Cut
Stabilization and Repair Project Site 17
Map E- Photomap of Childs Meadows Head Cut Stabilization and Repair Project Site 18
Map F- Aerial Photo Plan View of Existing Conditions Within the Childs Meadows Head Cut
Stabilization and Repair Project Site and Surrounding Area 19
Map G- Area of Expected Disturbance Childs Meadows Head Cut Stabilization and
Repair Project 20
Map H- Detailed Air Photo Map of Stream Alignments Other Hydrologic Features and Roads 21
Map I-Air Photo Analysis of Historic Channel Conditions Within Childs Meadows Between
1941 and 2012 22
Figure 1 – Overview Map of Major Erosion Control Infrastructure 23
Figure 2 – Project Site Topographic Survey and Location of Major Erosion Control
Infrastructure 24
Figure 3 – Longitudinal Profile of Project Site 25
Figure 4 – Vegetated Rip-Rap Schematic 26
Figure 5 – Sectional View of Vegetated Rock Armor Structure 27
Figure 6 – Schematic of Rootwad Revetment and Live Fascines 28
Figure 7 – Detailed Location Map of Rootwad Revetment and Live Fascines 29
Figure 8 – Detailed Schematic of Log Cored Willow Baffle Infrastructure 30
Figure 9 – Location of Proposed Log Cored Willow Baffle Infrastructures 31
Photo 1 – Overview Photograph of Childs Meadows Complex North of the Project Area. 32
Photo 2- View of Childs Meadows Complex Showing a Wet Area That Drains into Gurnsey
Creek Near the Head Cut Site 33
Photo 3- View of One Small Channel Feeding into Gurnsey Creek Near the Headcut site. 34
Photo 4- Overview of the Head Cut and Surrounding Impacted Area. 35
Photo 5- Close Up of Head Cut 36
Photo 6- Close up of Downstream Channel Immediately Adjacent to the Head Cut. 37
Photo 7- Stream Flood Plain Downstream of Head Cut Site. 38
Photo 8- Close Up of Stream Bank and Road Cut Shown in Photo 7 39
Photo 9- Close Up of Widened Channel Downstream From Head Cut Site. 40
Photo 10- Example of Side Cutting into Forested Area Immediately Downstream From Head Cut
Site. 41
Photo 11- Close-Up View of Side Cutting into Forested Area and Impacts to Adjacent
Vegetation. 42
Photo 12- Narrow Incised Channel Within Forested Area. .. 43
Photo 13- Reduced Amount of Side Cutting and Channel Incising Within a Portion of Forested
Area Having Moderate Slopes. 44
Conclusion of Mitigated Negative Declaration 45
Other Public Agencies Whose Approval Is Required 45
Mitigation Measures 45
Summary of Findings 54
III. Initial Study/Environmental Checklist 55
Environmental Factors Potentially Affected 56
Determination 57
Analysis of Potential Environmental Impacts 58
Aesthetics 58
Agriculture and Forest Resources 60
Air Quality 62
Biological Resources 65
Cultural Resources 76
Geology and Soils 80
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 85
Hazards and Hazardous Materials 86
Hydrology and Water Quality 89
Land Use and Planning 94
Mineral Resources 95
Noise 96
Population and Housing 99
Public Services 100
Recreation 101
Transportation/Traffic 102
Utilities and Service Systems 104
Mandatory Findings of Significance 106
IV. Appendices 108
Appendix A
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP) 109
Appendix B
Best Management Practices Developed and Selected for the Childs Meadows Head Cut
Stabilization and Repair Project 120
Appendix C
Results of Biological Resources Database Inquires and Species Review of Listed Species Found Within and Around the Childs Meadows Head Cut Stabilization and Repair Project Area 165
Appendix D
CNDDB Map Printouts Childs Meadows Head Cut Stabilization and Repair Project 172
Appendix E
Protocols for Surveying and Evaluating Impacts to Special Status Native Plant
Populations and Natural Communities 173
List of Preparers of this Document 174
List of Experts Consulted 174
References Cited 177