Prairie Creek at Elk Meadow Cabins Habitat Enhancement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024051229
Public Agency
California State Coastal Conservancy
(SCC)
Document Title
Prairie Creek at Elk Meadow Cabins Habitat Enhancement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/29/2024
Document Description
Prairie Creek within the larger Redwood Creek watershed, contains ESA-listed Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon, California Coastal (CC) Chinook salmon and Northern California (NC) steelhead and their designated critical habitat. Salmon populations have been in decline up and down the West Coast of North America. Prairie Creek populations have been relatively stable, yet the habitat throughout much of the lower reaches is lacking complexity such as floodplains and quality riparian canopy and instream wood. The project is located in a ~3000-ft section of impacted stream habitat in need of large wood to create habitat structure and complexity. It will improve spawning and rearing habitat for coho salmon, Chinook salmon, steelhead, and lamprey through the installation of large wood harvested locally as part of a forest health initiative occurring on Redwood National Park land. The project includes the following activities:
-Pre-construction riparian habitat assessment following the California Rapid Assessment Methodology (CRAM) protocol to document current conditions.
-Delivery and staging of whole trees at the site beginning in June 2024. Whole trees, with root wads will be sourced from the Prairie Creek watershed under the current Redwoods Rising initiative by Redwood National Park, hauled to the site and staged at the project area until September when the in-stream work will occur.
-Addition of up to 41 geomorphic large wood (LW) features in the creek. Wood will be placed in the creek and positioned using an excavator. There will be no cable anchoring.
-Invasive vegetation removal using manual methods along the left side of the creek, including the levee.
-Erosion control and re-seeding which could include placing erosion control fabric and broadcast seeding, or hand seeding and mulching with certified weed free straw or wood chips post-construction where appropriate.
Contact Information
Name
Su Corbaley
Agency Name
California State Coastal Conservancy
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Unincorporated area
Counties
Humboldt
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Valley Green camp Rd and Hwy 101
Zip
95555
Total Acres
3.5
State Highways
US 101
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Pub. Resources Code, § 21080.56, subd. (e).
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets the requirements for a statutory exemption for restoration because (1) it is exclusively to conserve, restore, protect, or enhance, and assist in the recovery of California native fish and wildlife, and the habitat upon which they depend; or is exclusively to restore or provide habitat for California native fish and wildlife; (2) the Project has public benefits incidental to the Project’s fundamental purpose; (3) the Project will result 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; and (4) Project construction activities are solely related to habitat restoration. CDFW's concurrence letter is attached to this notice.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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