Pickel Meadow Restoration Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-MOO-52058-R6)
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025030260
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Inland Deserts Region 6
(CDFW)
Document Title
Pickel Meadow Restoration Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-MOO-52058-R6)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/24/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has executed Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement EPIMS Notification No. EPIMS-MOO-52058-R6, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code to American Rivers.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has executed the Lake and Streambed
Alteration Agreement (LSAA) EPIMS Notification No. EPIMS-MOO-52058-R6, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code to American Rivers.
The project is designed to restore alluvial fan and meadow function, promote aquatic
habitat conditions, and decrease erosion in the meadow improving the functional
integrity of 251 acres of meadow and aquatic habitat for native fish and wildlife. The
project will 1) remove approximately 35,000 yd3 of artificial fill to reconnect the historic
alluvial fan to the upper meadow to allow high flows to distribute across the meadow
surface. 2) regrade three historic alluvial fan channels to reestablish geomorphic and
biological processes at a range of flows. 3) build three apex log jams and install 35
boulder clusters and eight habitat log structures to create complexity within the West
Walker River channel throughout Pickel Meadow 4) install wildlife-friendly fencing to
exclude livestock from a small spring 5) improve recreational access by relocating the
existing parking lot and creating an access trail 6) upgrade the existing diversion located on the side channel of the West Walker River to ensure reliability and allow irrigation of a portion of the upper meadow.
Contact Information
Name
Dana Scott
Agency Name
Fish and Wildlife, Region 6
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Matthew Freitas
Agency Name
American Rivers
Job Title
Director, California Headwaters Conservation
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Mono
Regions
Southern California
Parcel #
006-050-011-000
Other Location Info
Located at West Walker River.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Code Section 21080.56
Reasons for Exemption
CDFW approved the LSAA relying on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP) (Cal. Pub. Res. Code, § 21080.56). Evidence in support of that determination is set forth in Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board’s December 11, 2024, CEQA SERP Lead Agency Determinations for the Project and the CDFW’s CEQA SERP Concurrence
Number 21080.56-2024-062-R6. The Project falls within the SERP because the Project meets all of the following conditions: (1) the Project 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 may have 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 incudes procedures and ongoing management for the protection of the environment, and (4) Project construction activities are solely related to habitat restoration.
County Clerk
Mono
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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