REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 9, 2025
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Havasu Lake Road Improvement Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Certify that the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse No. 2025070904) for the Havasu Lake Road Improvement Project, in the Needles area, has been completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, has been reviewed and considered prior to approving the project, and that the report reflects the independent judgement of the Board of Supervisors.
2. Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Havasu Lake Road Improvement Project.
3. Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Havasu Lake Road Improvement Project as provided in Section 1.5 of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration.
4. Approve the project as defined in the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Havasu Lake Road Improvement Project.
5. Direct the Department of Public Works to file the Notice of Determination in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Havasu Lake Road Improvement Project (Project) will be funded with Third District's Board Discretionary Infrastructure Funds (3rd District's Infrastructure Funding). The requested administrative actions have minimal financial impact on the San Bernardino County (County) Department of Public Works (Department). The Department will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to allocate these funds concurrently with the award of the construction contract.
The County, in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), proposes to improve the intersection of US-95 and Havasu Lake Road, located in unincorporated Needles, San Bernardino County, California.
The existing intersection is an at-grade T-intersection with no dedicated turn lanes, which poses safety challenges for vehicles turning from Havasu Lake Road onto northbound or southbound US-95. Sight distance and operational concerns have been identified, and the lack of turning lanes contributes to increased risk of rear-end collisions and delays during peak travel periods.
The Project proposes to enhance roadway safety, traffic operations, and turning movements through the construction of a new dedicated left-turn pocket on northbound US-95, regrading and realigning roadway shoulders, installation of drainage improvements, and restriping.
The County serves as the lead agency for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance. Under CEQA, environmental review must be completed prior to construction. The County's environmental consultant, Chambers Group, Inc., prepared a draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and a Notice of Intent/Notice of Availability for the proposed IS/MND, which was circulated for review by state agencies for a period of 30 days beginning on July 23, 2025, through the Office of Planning and Research, State Clearinghouse. A Notice of Intent was also distributed to responsible and trustee agencies, interested stakeholders, and nearby property owners.
All potential environmental impacts were assessed and, where necessary, mitigation measures were identified to reduce impacts to less than significant. These measures are summarized in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) contained in Section 1.5 of the IS/MND, titled "Summary of Mitigation Measures."
The Project supports the County and Chief Executive Officer's goals to promote safe and sustainable infrastructure, enhance public safety, and improve mobility for residents in unincorporated areas.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 13, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on August 23, 2025.