Big Canyon Habitat Restoration - Phase 3
Summary
SCH Number
2023020237
Public Agency
City of Newport Beach
Document Title
Big Canyon Habitat Restoration - Phase 3
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/9/2023
Document Description
The Big Canyon Habitat Restoration - Phase 3 ("Project") area measures approximately 14.3 acres of the larger 60-acre Big Canyon Nature Park. The Project's scope is the last phase in this ongoing restoration effort of Big Canyon Nature Park. The Project involves removing the existing selenium impacted salt-water lake, eliminating invasive plants, and re-grading the site. The proposed grading will extend saltwater influence from the Back Bay into the Phase 3 site; the area will then be replanted with native plants to restore riparian and upland habitats. The Project restores historical salt marsh and establishes transitional wetlands that will allow for upslope migration and resiliency to long-term sea level rise (SLR).
The Project will further reduce selenium bioavailability found naturally within marine deposits in the watershed, maintain positive drainage during low flows, and address mosquito breeding habitat. The City will also incorporate fuel modification on the surrounding sloping parcels the City owns as part of the project scope to reduce fire risks to nearby homes.
Contact Information
Name
Makana Nova
Agency Name
City of Newport Beach
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Alys Arenas, MS
Agency Name
Newport Bay Conservancy
Job Title
Restoration Manager
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Name
Amanda Swanson, PhD
Agency Name
California Department of Fish & Wildlife
Job Title
Orange County Reserve Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Newport Beach
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
between Back Bay Drive and Jamboree Road
Zip
92660
Total Acres
14.3
Parcel #
440-132-27, 440-092-75, 440-132-35, 440-132-53, 440-092-76, 440-092-77, 440-092-78, & 440-092-79
State Highways
73, 405, and 55
Airports
JWA
Schools
Newport Harbor High School
Waterways
Upper Newport Bay
Township
6S
Range
10W
Section
24
Other Location Info
1950 Back Bay Drive
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 21080.56
Reasons for Exemption
The Project will both (1) conserve, restore, protect, or enhance, and assist in the recovery of California native fish and wildlife, and the habitat upon which they depend and (2) restore or provide habitat for California native fish and wildlife.
The project proposes to replace existing degraded habitat by restoring historic salt marsh and freshwater/riparian habitat. Salt marsh was filled in the 1950-60s as a result of dredged material placement in Big Canyon. By restoring salt marsh habitat, this will provide habitat for a variety of California wildlife that utilize this habitat. Upland Coastal Sage Scrub habitat enhancement will benefit the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), California towhee (Melozone crissalis) and the wrentit (Chamaea fasciata), to name a few.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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