Mariposa Creek Parkway Phase 1 and Phase 2 Restoration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024080926
Public Agency
Mariposa County
Document Title
Mariposa Creek Parkway Phase 1 and Phase 2 Restoration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/23/2024
Document Description
The Mariposa Creek Parkway Riparian Restoration Project (Project) will be
implemented by Mariposa County in conjunction with the Southern Sierra Miwuk
Nation (SSMN) and the Sierra Foothill Conservancy (SFC). The Project proposes
the removal of invasive species within approximately 4.05-acres of riparian habitat,
planting native trees, planting native plants within areas where invasives are
removed, installing temporary irrigation and plant protection measures, and
installation of signage.
Mariposa Creek Parkway Master Plan (adopted in 2020) identifies several
opportunities for the Parkway to serve as a cornerstone of natural resilience and
cultural heritage for the community. One of the priority opportunities identified is
the implementation of a riparian restoration project that would enhance such an
invaluable resource for both wildlife and people. Implementation of the Project will
aid in achieving the goals of the Mariposa Creek Parkway Master Plan by
reconnecting the local Tribe and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) practices
to this landscape, removing invasive plant species, reestablishing intact native
habitat, and providing greater access opportunities for the public.
The Project site is currently dominated by invasive Himalayan blackberry (HBB)
(Rubus armeniacus) and Tree of Heaven (TOH) (Ailanthus altissima). The Project
is required to control 95% of Target Species Cover removal techniques will be
completed manually, mechanically, and chemically where applicable. The Project
will utilize shovels, spades, rakes, McLeods, pole saws, hedge trimmers, chain
saws, post hole diggers, and a masticator. The methods will involve mechanical
cutting, hand pulling, digging/grubbing, spot spray chemical treatments, broadcast
herbicide application, and prescribed burning. Prescribed fire is used to alter, maintain, or restore vegetative communities, achieve desired resource conditions, and protect life, property, and values that would be
degraded or destroyed by wildfire. The Project will implement an integrated
environmental restoration strategy, blending traditional ecological knowledge with
scientific expertise to apply prescribed burning techniques for the control and
removal of Target Species. Burning operations will be timed to occur in the fall
and/or winter, when high-moisture conditions are conductive to low-intensity
prescribed fire, and specific weather patterns (including wind speed/direction,
temperature, and humidity) will be closely monitored before determining a specific
day to conduct burning activities. Professional fire personnel, including the
Mariposa County and Tuolumne Rancheria Fire Departments, as well as CALFIRE,
will be on-site to coordinate both site preparation and prescribed burning activities,
and to respond rapidly to potentially hazardous fire conditions.
Planting the Project area with native vegetation will provide habitat for wildlife
species -and erosion control, while encouraging the re-infestation of invasive plant
species such as the HBB and TOH. Priority for revegetation will be given in areas
where HBB and TOH have been treated. Establishment of native plants in these
areas will be an important component of the Project's invasive species control
strategy, as the established native plants will reduce available sunlight and nutrients
to invasive plants. Revegetation of the Project area will be transformed from a
majority population of invasive non-native Target Species to a multilayered riparian
corridor consisting of native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species. The diversity
and percent cover (abundance) of native species within the Project area are expected
to more than double. Revegetation will occur in the winter of 2025/2026 which is
the optimum time for stock container plant acquisition, natural watering over the
wet season and root establishment prior to spring and summer reproductive stages.
Native seed mixes used for post-fire revegetation., erosion control, and the re-establishment of local species will be approved by California Department of Fish
and Wildlife (CDFW) prior to use. Cultivated native species will be selected from
the Project's developed plant palette in consultation with project partners. The Project has been designed to be compliant with the Mariposa Creek Parkway
Habitat Restoration and Management Plan including preconstruction surveys for
nesting birds, bats, and northwestern pond turtles. Additionally, the Project will
implement erosion control and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce the
potential for sediment or pollutants at the Project site. Measures will include the
following:
-Erosion control measures will be placed between Waters of the U.S., and
the outer edge of the staging areas, within an area identified with highly
visible markers (e.g., construction fencing, flagging, silt barriers) prior
to commencement of construction activities. Such identification and
erosion control measures will be properly maintained until construction is completed and the soils have been-stabilized
-Fiber rolls used for erosion control will be certified by the California
Department of Food and Agriculture as weed free.
-Seed mixtures applied for erosion control will not contain California
Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) designated invasive species (Cal-IPC
2024) and will be composed of native species appropriate for the site.
-Trash generated onsite will be promptly and properly removed from the
site.
- Any fueling in the upland portion of the Study Area will use appropriate
secondary containment techniques to prevent spills.
- A qualified biologist will conduct a mandatory Worker Environmental
Awareness Program for all contractors, work crews, and any onsite
personnel on the potential for special-status species to occur on the
Project site. The training will provide an overview of habitat and
characteristics of the species, the need to avoid certain areas, and the
possible penalties for noncompliance.
CDFW has jurisdiction over the bed and bank of natural drainages according to
Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code. Activities that may modify
such waters through the diversion or obstruction of their natural flow, change or use
any material from their bed or bank, or the deposition of debris require a
Notification of Streambed Alteration. Therefore, the Project is preparing a
Notification of Streambed Alteration
Contact Information
Name
Hannah Harrison
Agency Name
Mariposa County
Job Title
Community Design and Development Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Counties
Mariposa
Regions
Countywide
Parcel #
013-130-006; 013-184-009; 013-186-009; and 013-188-006
Waterways
Mariposa Creek
Other Location Info
The Project is located with.in the unincorporated community of Mariposa in
Mariposa County, California. The Project is located adjacent to Mariposa Creek.
The Phase I segment is located from the Parkway's downstream terminus at the
Mariposa Best Western to the pedestrian bridge near 6th Street. The Phase 2
segment is located from the pedestrian bridge to 8th Street. The APN Numbers for
the Project Site are 013-130-006; 013-184-009; 013-186-009; and 013-188-006. All
parcels are property of Mariposa County.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 33 Categorical Exemption (CEQA Guideline 15333) Small Habitat Restoration; Class I Categorical Exemption (CEQA Gu
Reasons for Exemption
The project includes the restoration Mariposa Creek Parkway by
removing invasive species and replanting native vegetation. There would be no expansion as part of the proposed Project. The Project does not exceed five acres in size. There would be no significant adverse impact to endangered, rare or threatened species or their habitat.
County Clerk
Mariposa
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
State Comment Letters [Comments from State Reviewing Agency(ies)]
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