Mule Creek State Prison - Bridge Crossing Mule Creek
Summary
SCH Number
2010018148
Public Agency
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
(CDCR)
Document Title
Mule Creek State Prison - Bridge Crossing Mule Creek
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/13/2010
Document Description
The proposed project will entail construction of a steel/concrete bridge over Mule Creek, which runs southwest through Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) between the main institution and approximately 180 acres of effluent spray fields for the prison's Wastewater Treatment Plant. The bridge structure will span Mule Creek and allow for appropriate access to the spray fields throughout the year in order to provide required monitoring and maintenance without disturbing the natural creek bed. The Wastewater Treatment Plant treats wastewater generated by MCSP, the Preston Youth Facility, and the California Department of Forestry Fire Academy. Monitoring and maintenance of the spray fields is required by the California Regional Water Quality Control District to comply with wastewater discharge requirements for MCSP. Monitoring and maintenance activities include maintaining sprinkler pipes and heads, ripping and discing soils in the spray fields with heavy tractors, and clearing brush. The proposed bridge will be capable of handling heavy equipment (i.e. fire engines, loaders, bulldozers, etc.) with an estimated weight of approximately 20 tons. Bridge width will be a minimum of 14 feet in order to allow enough swing space for heavy equipment. The length of the bridge will be approximately 82.5 feet and will completely span the waterway, creek bed and banks to avoid and minimize environmental disturbance.
Contact Information
Name
Jane Hershberger
Agency Name
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Ione
Counties
Amador
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15303, 15304
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed bridge crossing project at Mule Creek involves construction of a small structure and would result in negligible or no permanent effect on the environment. The project would not involve disturbance, excavation, fill, or "armoring" of the waterway, natural creek bed or banks. The project would not result in the removal of mature trees or riparian vegetation. A qualified professional archaeologist conducted a site reconnaissance of the proposed Mule Creek bridge crossing site and did not find any cultural resources; the site assessment further concluded that there is a low probability of uncovering historic or prehistoric cultural resources during project construction. Construction contract specifications will be required to establish protocols in the event of any unanticipated cultural resources or human remains are encountered during the excavation of auger cast piles for the bridge. This is one of a class of project the Secretary of Resources has found does not have a significant effect on the environment, and therefore is declared to be categorically exempt from the requirement for preparing an environmental document.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.