Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Modification Project - United States Army Corps of Engineers Added Work Memorandum of Agreement
Summary
SCH Number
2024060782
Public Agency
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
(DPW)
Document Title
Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Modification Project - United States Army Corps of Engineers Added Work Memorandum of Agreement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/18/2024
Document Description
In 2019, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) completed the Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Modification Study and initiated the design phase of the Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Modification Project (USACE Project). The USACE Project will impact facilities under the jurisdiction of the County and the District, including Rosemead Boulevard owned and operated by Public Works and a 78-inch storm drain
(referred to as Poplink) owned and operated by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District). The existing Poplink storm drain was determined to be unable to support the loading added by the proposed Lincoln Avenue embankment. In addition, the weight of the proposed embankment is anticipated to cause the soil below the Poplink storm drain to compress and settle. There are existing 48-inch corrugated metal pipe storm drains that run parallel to the Poplink storm drain that were used prior to the current Poplink line and are assumed to have been abandoned during construction of the current Poplink line. The portion of the abandoned storm drainpipes that interfere with the proposed construction pit is proposed to be removed
while filling the rest with flowable fill. This is expected to reduce anticipated differential settlement and/or breakage of the abandoned pipes when the new embankment is constructed.
The Added Work Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the District and USACE will allow for the District to provide USACE funding for costs associated with the work necessary to strengthen Poplink drain. Strengthening of the Poplink drain is necessary regardless of the USACE Project due to the exceedance
of the drain’s loading capacity under the existing Lincoln Avenue.
On February 27, 2024, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (Board) delegated authority to the Chief Engineer of the District or his designee to enter and amend the MOA between the USACE and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District to provide for the payment of funds by the District to USACE for the strengthening of the Poplink storm drain as part of the Poplink Project.
Contact Information
Name
Matt Frary
Agency Name
Los Angeles County Public Works
Job Title
Assistant Deputy Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Montebello
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Zip
90640
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sections 15301(b) & 15302(c) State CEQA; Classes 1(e), 1(l), 2(b), 2(e) County’s Env Reporting Procedures Appendix G
Reasons for Exemption
The execution of the Poplink Added Work MOA to strengthen the Poplink drain is categorically exempt from the provisions of the CEQA pursuant to Sections 15301(b) and 15302(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines, and Classes 1(e) and 1(l) and 2(b) and 2(e) of the County’s Environmental Reporting Procedures Guidelines, Appendix G, as follows:
• Section 15301(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines and Class 1(e) and 1(l) of the County’s Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G: Strengthening Poplink Drain consist of the minor alteration of existing public structures, facilities, and topographical features.
• Section 15302(c) and Class 2(b) and 2(e) of the County’s Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G: The work involves reconstruction of an existing District storm drain to support the loading added by the proposed Lincoln Avenue embankment with negligible or no expansion of use, and reconstructed features will have the same purpose and capacity.
The work necessary to strengthen Poplink drain is not located in a sensitive environment and there are no cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances, damage to scenic highways, listing on hazardous waste sites pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, or indications that the project may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemption inapplicable based on the record of the proposed activities.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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