River and Stream Maintenance Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025030880
Lead Agency
Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District
Document Title
River and Stream Maintenance Project
Document Type
MND - Mitigated Negative Declaration
Received
Present Land Use
Portions of the Designated Floodway
Document Description
The Project consists of routine channel maintenance within the Kaweah River system in Tulare and Kings Counties for the purpose of flood control. Living and dead vegetation, accumulations of sand and sediment, and debris will be removed from within the channel and along each bank. Over-hanging limbs, invasive vegetation, hazardous or dead trees, and other debris will be removed. Heavy equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, skidsteers, dump trucks, and loaders will be utilized. Chainsaws and other hand-held equipment will be used to trim and remove vegetation. Vegetation is then removed from the site or left to decompose naturally after being placed a safe distance from water features.
Herbicide will be applied via commercial-grade spray equipment to control weedy vegetation along the channel banks. Repairs and maintenance will be conducted to existing flow control, erosion control, and measurement structures. The Project does not propose de-watering of channels as most work will be completed during low-flow or while the streambed is dry.
The District is currently performing routine maintenance activities within the Kaweah River under provisions of an existing LSA Agreement with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The term of the existing Agreement ends in June 2025. At this time, the District is seeking a new long-term LSA Agreement with CDFW in order to continue maintenance activities. No substantial changes or alterations in the provisions of the agreement are proposed.
The proposed project involves river/stream channel maintenance for flood control along the Kaweah River system including tributaries and distributaries of the Kaweah River in Tulare and Kings Counties, California. Activities include removal of living and dead vegetation, sediment, and debris from inside the channel and along the interior banks. Additionally, herbicide will be applied to control vegetation inside and along the channel banks. Repairs and maintenance will be conducted to existing flow, erosion control, and measurement structures.
Contact Information
Name
Luis Verdugo
Agency Name
Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District
Job Title
Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Ryan McKelvey
Agency Name
Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group
Job Title
Associate Planner
Contact Types
Consulting Firm
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Farmersville, Tulare, Visalia
Counties
Kings, Tulare
Regions
Countywide
State Highways
198, 245, 216
Airports
Visalia, Tulare
Waterways
Kaweah River System below Terminus Dam
Other Location Info
The District’s jurisdiction spans the Kaweah River system and all tributaries and distributaries throughout western Tulare County and eastern Kings County. The District’s northeastern boundary is further defined as commencing downstream of Lake Kaweah, just west of McKay Point in Tulare County. The specific Project location will include areas found within the channels of the Kaweah River system and within the District’s boundaries. Most of the land within the District is utilized for agricultural production; the remainder is urbanized, including the cities of Visalia, Tulare, Woodlake, Hanford, Exeter, and Farmersville and unincorporated communities such as Goshen and Ivanhoe.
Notice of Completion
State Review Period Start
State Review Period End
State Reviewing Agencies
California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), California Department of State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 6 (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Planning (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Fresno Region 5 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, Central Valley Flood Protection Board
State Reviewing Agency Comments
Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Development Types
Other (River and Stream Maintenance)
Local Actions
River and Stream Maintenance
Project Issues
Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Agricultural Land, Archeological/Historical, Traffic/Circulation, Land Use
Public Review Period Start
Public Review Period End
Attachments
Draft Environmental Document [Draft IS, NOI_NOA_Public notices, OPR Summary Form, Appx,]
Notice of Completion [NOC] Transmittal form
State Comment Letters [Comments from State Reviewing Agency(ies)]
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