Big Canyon Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resiliency Project
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2023070151
Public Agency
California State Coastal Conservancy
(SCC)
Document Title
Big Canyon Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resiliency Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/1/2023
Document Description
Notice of exemption for Coastal Conservancy approval of grant funding. This Project will restore approximately 14.3 acres of salt marsh, transitional wetland habitats and associated uplands in Upper Newport Bay within the 60-acre Big Canyon Nature Park in the City of Newport Beach, Orange County. The project will focus on the creek channel and tidal connection to upper Newport Bay and will enhance tidal influence by removing excess sediment that was deposited in the tidal channel, remove an artificial berm, and regrade the area to support low, mid-, and high saltmarsh vegetation. The project will address the poor water quality associated with the constructed freshwater pond and remove invasive species including Brazilian pepper trees and cattails that currently dominate the area.
Contact Information
Name
Katie Nichols
Agency Name
California State Coastal Conservancy
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Newport Beach
Counties
Orange
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
1950 Back Bay Dr.
Zip
92660
Total Acres
14.3
State Highways
Pacific Coast Highway
Waterways
Upper Newport Bay
Other Location Info
The project is located within the Big Canyon Nature Park
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 21080.56
Reasons for Exemption
The lead agency for the proposed project, the City of Newport Beach, determined that the project is statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.56, (referred to as the Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP), which exempts restoration projects that meet certain criteria provided that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife concurs that the project meets the criteria). CDFW has concurred with the City that the proposed project qualifies for the SERP. Accordingly, the project is exempt pursuant to the SERP.