Briones Trails Pilot Project
Summary
SCH Number
2023030582
Public Agency
East Bay Regional Parks District
Document Title
Briones Trails Pilot Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/22/2023
Document Description
The East Bay Regional Park District (District) proposes to implement the Briones Trails Pilot Project (Project) to test new approaches to safely share trails and improve the trail experience for all users while protecting habitat, wildlife, and watersheds. A key component of the Project is the closure and restoration of illegally built “bootleg” trails. The Project is a pilot program and will take place for a limited duration, a maximum of twenty (20) months, at which time the Park District will evaluate the effectiveness of the Project and whether to adopt any permanent regulations. Additionally, during the term of the Project, trail use within the Pilot Project Zone and two trail segments adjacent to the Pilot Project Zone will be limited to specific uses on specific trails, such as hiking only, biking only, or biking/hiking only and direction of travel, based on the specific trail characteristics. Also, during the weekends, trail use within the Pilot Project Zone will be restricted so that bicycle and equestrian use will alternate days in which they are allowed to be within the Pilot Project Zone.
Contact Information
Name
Devan Reiff
Agency Name
East Bay Regional Park District
Job Title
Principal Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Contra Costa
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Other Location Info
The Briones Trails Pilot Project (Project) is located within Briones Regional Park, within unincorporated Contra Costa County. Specifically, the Project is limited to a 1,600-acre portion in the Northeast corner of Briones Regional Park and includes the Old Briones Road staging area and the Reliez Valley staging area (the Pilot Project Zone).
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Class 2, Class 4, Class 7, Class 8
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1: The Project includes trail operation, maintenance and repair of existing trails within the Pilot Project Zone. In addition to the maintenance and repair of the existing trails, the Project would also include the maintenance of existing landscapes and natural habitats. Implementing the Project and evaluating whether existing trails should be incorporated into the official Park District trail system and conducting routine maintenance on those existing trails would be a negligible or no expansion of existing uses.
Class 2: The Project includes trail operation, maintenance and repair of existing trails within the Pilot Project Zone. As part of the Project, some trails may be repaired and will have substantially the same purpose, with no increase in capacity or use. Implementing the Project and evaluating whether existing trails should be incorporated into the official Park District trail system and conducting routine maintenance on those existing trails would be a negligible or no expansion of existing uses.
Class 4: Section 15304 specifically allows the creation of bicycle lanes on existing rights of way. This project will include the temporary use of bicycles on existing trails. The Project also includes operation, maintenance and repair of existing trails which may involve minor alterations in the condition of land and vegetation within the Pilot Project Zone.
Class 7: As part of this Project, the Park District would not be removing any existing environmental protections. The project is intended to prevent damage of natural resources from continued construction of unauthorized trails by the public. Additionally, the project includes restoring unauthorized trails constructed by the public within sensitive habitats, therefore resulting in habitat restoration and a net benefit to natural resources over the existing condition. Implementing the Project and temporarily adopting the existing trails into the official trail system and restricting trail use by activity and day is an action to assure the maintenance and enhancement of trails within the Park District. By allowing temporary use of these trails within the Pilot Project Zone, the trails can also be designed, engineered and maintained in a manner that will be according to best trail building standards with regards to erosion, safety, and maintenance.
County Clerk
Contra Costa
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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