Avenida Columbo Storm Drain Extension
The City of San Clemente (City) proposed to extend a storm drain at the end of the Avenida Columbo cul-de-sac approximately 175 feet to the bottom of a local canyon to mitigate potential erosion and to disperse storm water flow through a dissipater before entering the natural drainage. Technical Studies were completed by UltraSystems to address air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise impacts during construction. A biological assessment (BA) and jurisdictional delineation (JD) were completed by UltraSystems because storm drain construction would potentially impact waters of the United States (WOUS), waters of the State (WOS), and special status species within the County of Orange Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). Subsequently, UltraSystems prepared an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) to satisfy California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, and proposed mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts to biological and cultural resources to less than significant levels. These measures were adopted in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) by the City. UltraSystems then prepared applications for a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 Certification, CWA Section 404 permit, and a California Fish and Game Code Section 1600 et. seq. Streambed Alteration Agreement (SAA) under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement Program. The project was competed on time and within budget.
