Hotelling Gulch Aquatic Restoration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020050173
Public Agency
California Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast Region 1
(RWQCB)
Document Title
Hotelling Gulch Aquatic Restoration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/6/2020
Document Description
The project will realign approximately 550 feet of stream bed into the western alignment of Hotelling Gulch and concurrently abandon approximately 600 feet of channel in the eastern alignment. Abandonment of the eastern channel will require installing a berm at the point of diversion to the western channel, and partial in-filling of the abandoned channel (up to 550 feet downstream of the point of diversion to the new channel). This is necessary to prevent reoccupation of the eastern channel during a large flood event. The eastern channel alignment will be filled using excess material produced from channel and floodplain reconstruction activities. Channel restoration will result in scour and substrate sorting, creating areas with gravel sized material suitable for spawning by adult salmonids. Woody debris will be obtained from trees removed as part of project construction and will be incorporated into the pools to provide cover for rearing salmonids.
Contact Information
Name
Jake Shannon
Agency Name
North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15333
Reasons for Exemption
The objective of the project is to improve natural stream function and increase access to low gradient stream habitat for anadromous fish in Hotelling Gulch. The project will reconnect the surface flows of Hotelling Gulch into one channel within the natural valley and upgrade an undersized culvert crossing, which is currently a fish barrier, to a bridge. Further, this project will restore habitat complexity to the lowest reach of Hotelling Gulch and open access to approximately 1.4 miles of habitat for salmonids.