Lakeville Creek Restoration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2022040033
Public Agency
Sonoma County
Document Title
Lakeville Creek Restoration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/1/2022
Document Description
The proposed project will restore a 4,240-foot long reach of Lakeville Creek that flows through Sonoma Land Trust’s 1,142-acre Sears Point Ranch Preserve and the adjacent Sonoma Raceway property in summer/fall 2023.
The project reach is deeply incised, resulting in reduced connectivity with its floodplain for the majority of the channel length. The channel and overall site conditions make the area suitable for restoration of a multi-threaded channel with extensive floodplain inundation. The design will bring the current channel back to its original grade and provide the contours for natural establishment of an anastomosing network of channels. A complex mosaic of channels, wetlands and uplands is expected to provide more diverse plant and wildlife habitat, allow for greater infiltration and storage of water, and result in a greater likelihood of sustaining wetlands into the future. The process will reconnect the channel to the surrounding floodplain and increase the duration of the seasonal water table in the adjacent floodplains and seasonal wet meadows.
The proposed project will restore the habitat located at Lakeville Creek by:
1. Grading throughout the project reach to replace the incised channel with a broad “Stage Zero” wetland complex with no defined channel; grading will consist primarily of excavation in the upper project reach and fill in the lower reach.
2. Revegetating with native perennial seed and plugs throughout the restored “Stage Zero” valley wetland complex, willow cuttings in clusters along the reach, and limited upland woody plantings.
3. Adding fencing to exclude livestock while vegetation is establishing and to facilitate limited grazing access after establishment.
Contact Information
Name
Rich Stabler
Agency Name
Permit Sonoma
Job Title
Senior Environmental Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Lakeville
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Cougar Mountain Road
Zip
94954
Total Acres
60
Parcel #
068-150-010
State Highways
SR 37
Waterways
Lakeville Creek
Township
06W
Range
35
Section
04N
Other Information
Present Land Use/Zoning/General Plan Designation:
LEA B6 60, F2 RC50/25 SR VOH
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 23. Section 21080.56 Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects
Reasons for Exemption
As lead agency, Sonoma County has determined that the sole purpose of the Project is to enhance habitat for native species including California red-legged frog, protect callippe silverspot butterfly habitat, expand valuable native bunchgrass grasslands and has no incidental public benefits nor does it include any construction activities, except for those solely related to habitat restoration. The Project will results in long-term net benefits to climate resiliency, biodiversity, and sensitive species recovery; and includes procedures and ongoing management for the protection of the environment.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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