Notice of Preparation of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project

Notice of Preparation of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project

In October 2000, VCPWA – WP, then the Ventura County Flood Control District, initiated the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Study as a joint effort between Watershed Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a project resulting in the removal of Matilija Dam. The primary Project objectives included: aquatic and terrestrial habitat improvement, facilitating the return of a viable and abundant run of steelhead trout; and restoration of natural sediment transport processes along Matilija Creek and the Ventura River. The secondary objective was enhancement of recreational opportunities along these two waterways. The joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) certified in 2004 evaluated alternatives combining dam removal, sediment relocation, flood protection (levees), two bridge replacements, new recreation features, giant reed removal, and water supply improvements. Technical studies to refine project features continued between 2008 and 2016, resulting in a new dam removal method and reevaluation of other project components. In June 2017, VCPWA – WP received funding to implement the Matilija Dam Removal 65% Design Planning Project, comprising additional technical studies, construction design, and CEQA analyses. The VCPWA – WP has determined that preparation of a Subsequent EIR is warranted to provide a complete and objective analysis of the revised Project components developed to date.

Ojai, Ventura

Ventura

Countywide, Unincorporated

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Natural Resources Agency, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region 4 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Department of Toxic Substances Control, Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Department of Transportation, District 7 (DOT), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Conservation (DOC)

California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Department of Transportation, District 7 (DOT), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Conservation (DOC)

Other (Dam removal, flood control, ecosystem restoration)

Use Permit

Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Coastal Zone, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Drainage/Absorption, Economics/Jobs, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Growth Inducement, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Schools/Universities, Septic System, Sewer Capacity, Social, Solid Waste, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Vegetation, Wetland/Riparian, Wildfire, Wildlife, Energy