Ventura River Levee (VR-1) Improvement Project

Project Specifications

Client: Ventura County

Location: Ventura County

Services: Environmental Review & Permitting, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Public Participation & Community Involvement, Geospatial Sciences & Data Analysis, Client Support

The VCPWA-WP contracted Aspen to prepare the required CEQA/NEPA documents and permits for the Ventura River (VR-1) Levee Rehabilitation Project. The project extends approximately 2.65 miles from the Pacific Ocean to Cañada Se San Joaquin and includes adding grouted riprap toe protection to the scour limit, raising the levee, adding a flood wall, and constructing an access road at the bottom of the levee. Aspen has been working with the engineering team to develop alternatives taking environmental concerns into consideration to ultimately determine the proposed project. Aspen supported the VCPWA-WP D with AB 52 tribal consultation, performed cultural and historic surveys, and prepared a Cultural Resources Records Search and Pedestrian Survey Report to support Section 106. Aspen also completed biological surveys and a jurisdictional waters/wetlands delineation. Aspen supported the VCPWA-WP in obtaining a 408 Permit from the Corps to allow geotechnical testing along the levee alignment. Aspen completed a Cultural Resources Monitoring Plan approved by the State Historic Preservation Officer and performed the cultural monitoring during geotechnical testing.

Aspen participated in a pre-scoping meeting in September 2018. Aspen prepared a draft Initial Study, but ultimately due to project changes and to save time, knowing an EIR would be prepared, a NOP was issued without the full Initial Study. Aspen is preparing a focused EIR and will also prepare an EA for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Aspen will also support the VCPWA-WP with permitting, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 1602 Permit (Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement), Corps Section 404 Permit (Clean Water Act), and Section 401 Water Quality Certification (Clean Water Act) from the Los Angeles Regional Water Board.