Sespe Creek Bridge Emergency Repair
Summary
SCH Number
2024050253
Public Agency
Ventura County Transportation Commission
Document Title
Sespe Creek Bridge Emergency Repair
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/6/2024
Document Description
The Ventura County Transportation Commission's (VCTC) Santa Paula Branch Line (SPBL) Rail Bridge (Mile Post 423.44) over Sespe Creek Overflow was damaged by catastrophic storms during the winter of 2022-2023. The bridge is located in unincorporated Ventura County west of the City of Fillmore, Ventura County. The bridge was constructed in 1969 with 15 spans spaced 29.83-feet apart for a total bridge length of 450-feet.On January 10, 2023, following a series of large storms that produced extreme sediment and debris ladened flows, three span bents were washed out on the western end of the bridge. The rail and attached rail ties were left suspended between the abutment and the fourth bent, leaving this line out
of service. The railroad track structure and bridge abutment sustained additional damage and erosion during severe atmospheric river storms in early February 2024. The Governor of the State of California declared a State of Emergency on January 4, 2023 related to the severe winter storms and subsequent flooding and damage (CDAA 23-001). On January 14, 2023, the President of the United States issued a disaster declaration for the California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4683-CA). The Governor of the State of California also declared a State of Emergency on February 4, 2024 related to severe winter storms, flooding and damage (CDAA 24-001). On April 13, 2024, the President of the United States issued a disaster declaration the California Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides from January 31 - February 9, 2024 (DR-4769-CA). VCTC has requested Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to compensate for the structure repair. All work to be performed in compliance with Metrolink engineering standards, as applicable.
Contact Information
Name
Amanda Fagan
Agency Name
Ventura County Transportation Commission
Job Title
Director of Planning and Sustainability
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Fillmore, unincorporated Ventura County area, west of the City of Fillmore
Counties
Ventura
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Santa Paula Branch Line Rail bridge northeast of Old Telegraph Road
Railways
Santa Paula Branch Line
Other Information
Santa Paula Branch Line Rail bridge northeast of Old Telegraph Road: Lat/Lon: 34.406052 / -118.931301. Santa Paula Branch Line (SPBL) Rail Bridge (Mile Post 423.44) over Sespe Creek.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15269 (a). Authority Cited: Sections 21083 and 21110, PRC .Reference: Sections 21108, 21152, and 21152.1 PRC.
Reasons for Exemption
The State identified a list of projects that are exempt from CEQA by law (Article 18 of the State CEQA Guidelines). Statutory Exemption 15269 (a) states: CEQA does not apply to the following emergency projects: (a) Projects to maintain, repair. restore, demolish. or replace property or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in a disaster-stricken area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act, commencing with Section 8550 of the Government Code. This includes projects that will remove, destroy, or significantly alter an historical resource when that resource represents an imminent threat. The Governor of the State of California declared States of Emergency on January 4, 2023 related to the severe winter storms and subsequent flooding and damage (CDAA 23-001) and on February 4, 2024 related to severe winter storms, flooding and damage (CDAA 24-001 ). The President of the United States issued disaster declarations for the California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4683-CA) on January 14. 2023, and for the California Severe Winter Storms. Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides. and Mudslides from January 31 - February 9, 2024 (DR-4769-CA) on April 13, 2024. The bridge and railroad track repairs described herein are statutorily exempt from CEQA under 15269(a) and are statutorily excluded (STATEX) from NEPA and the preparation of environmental impact statements and environmental assessments by section 316 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 5159. Actions falling within the bounds of these statutory exclusions are exempt from NEPA, including all NEPA review and documentation. These actions must, however, still comply with all applicable environmental laws and Executive Orders.
County Clerk
Ventura
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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