Santa Clara River Levee Improvements Downstream of Union Pacific Railroad (SCR-3) Project

Project Specifications

Client: Ventura County

Location: Ventura County

Services: Environmental Review & Permitting, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Air Quality, Public Participation & Involvement

The Ventura County Watershed Protection District (VCWPD) contracted Aspen to prepare the required CEQA/NEPA documents and permits for the Santa Clara River Levee Improvements Downstream of Union Pacific Railroad (SCR-3) Project. The project includes raising portions of the existing earthen levee between Victoria Avenue and N. Ventura Road, including filling in the drainage swale within the City of Oxnard River Ridge Golf Course (Option 1B; Reaches 1-3). Between the golf course and the UPRR bridge (Reach 4), a floodwall would be constructed along N. Ventura Road for approximately 968 feet with a visible height of 6 feet. The floodwall would cross N. Ventura Road at the high point in the road. A 6-foot-high flood gate would be installed in the roadway. The floodwall would continue along the top of the existing slope on the south side (land side) of N. Ventura Road for approximately 888 feet, then transition to a 40-foot-long earthen embankment abutting and perpendicular to the south UPRR embankment. A similar 40-foot-long earthen embankment would be constructed on UPRR land northeast of the railroad embankment to tie in with flood protection to be constructed by the Village Development.

Aspen worked with VCWPD and the engineering contractor to develop a design which ultimately did not trigger a NEPA document. Aspen participated in pre-scoping with the VCWPD, and based on input provided through the pre-scoping process prepared an Initial Study and Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in February 2015. Aspen worked with the VCWPD to hold a public scoping meeting in March 2015. The Draft EIR was released in December 2015. In support of the EIR, the Aspen Team completed cultural (archaeological and historic) surveys, biological surveys and a jurisdictional waters/wetlands delineation. The Final EIR was released in June 2016. Aspen also supported the VCWPD with permitting, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 1602 Permit (Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement), USACE Section 404 Permit (Clean Water Act), and Section 401 Water Quality Certification (Clean Water Act) from the Los Angeles Regional Water Board. This project was grant-funded and work was completed within the specified timeframe.