Cieneguitas Channel Emergency Repair Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024090981
Public Agency
Santa Barbara County Flood Control District
Document Title
Cieneguitas Channel Emergency Repair Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/25/2024
Document Description
Severe storms and rain events in early February 2024 resulted in flooding, sedimentation, and debris impacts throughout Santa Barbara County. The State of California proclaimed a state of emergency for eight counties, including Santa Barbara County, on February 4, 2024 for severe weather impacts. On February 4, 2024, Santa Barbara County proclaimed a local emergency.
During the storms, a concrete-lined portion of Cieneguitas Channel upstream of Modoc Road was substantially damaged during the storms, resulting in collapse of portions of the concrete panels, erosion of the banks and adjacent properties, and constriction of drainage at Modoc Road Bridge due to debris accumulation in the channel.
The Santa Barbara County Flood Control District performed an emergency repair in February 2024, comprised of debris removal and placement of large rock on the eroded banks. This interim repair was installed during the February 2024 emergency response in order to protect the bank from further damage during the continuing rainy season. A more complete, durable emergency repair was not possible until later in the year when water flows have receded. In late summer/early fall 2024, the Flood Control District will update the channel with a more permanent, durable emergency repair to return the channel to the pre-damage conditions.
The channel repair will consist of removing the rock and re-building the damaged area, approximately 300 linear feet, to match the dimensions and configuration of the channel prior to the 2024 flood damage. The failed and degraded concrete panels will be replaced with new concrete. There are no anticipated environmental impacts associated with the project because it involves in-kind replacement of the failed concrete and banks within the same project footprint. Flood Control District environmental compliance monitors and a cultural / Native American resources monitor will oversee installation of the repairs.
Contact Information
Name
Andrew Raaf
Agency Name
Santa Barbara County Flood Control District
Job Title
Environmental Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Modoc Road and Encore Drive
Total Acres
0.3
Parcel #
061-231-001, 061-231-002, 061-231-003, 061-231-004, 061-231-005
Waterways
Cieneguitas Creek
Other Location Info
061-092-014
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
15269(c)
Reasons for Exemption
Specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency that does not have a low probability of occurrence. The State of California proclaimed a state of emergency for eight counties, including Santa Barbara County, on February 4, 2024. On February 4, 2024, Santa Barbara County proclaimed a local emergency due to powerful storms beginning January 31, 2024. There is not an insignificant chance of additional storms as winter rainy season approaches, and immediate action is required to repair the damaged infrastructure.
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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