REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 7, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works
SUBJECT
Title
Final Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment for the National Trails Highway at 10 Bridges Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Certify that the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (SCH No. 2021040231) for the National Trails Highway at 10 Bridges Project has been completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines that it 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 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations relating to the National Trails Highway at 10 Bridges Project Final Environmental Impact Report in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines.
3. Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the National Trails Highway at 10 Bridges Project.
4. 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 Project is financed by Federal Highway Bridge Planning funds (88.53%) and Discretionary General Funds (11.47%) allocated to the Department of Public Works (Department) in the 2014-15 through 2016-17 and 2018-19 recommended budgets. The requested administrative actions have minimal financial impact. Sufficient revenue and appropriation are included in the Department’s 2023-24 Road Operations budget (6650002000 H14788).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The National Trails Highway at 10 Bridges Project (Project) involves the replacement of 10 bridges (Bristol Ditch, Cerro Ditch, Gordo Ditch, Cerulia Ditch, Leith Ditch, Terra Ditch, Sombra Ditch, Beacon Ditch, Larissa Ditch and Adena Ditch) located between Amboy Road and Kelbaker on the National Trails Highway (NTH). This Project represents 10 of the 133 bridges on NTH that were constructed in 1929-1930 and need replacement. The new bridges will be designed to accommodate legal load weight limits and a 100-year storm event. The Project will replace the 10 timber trestle bridges with concrete bridges on the NTH, also known as Route 66. This two-lane road holds significant historical and local circulation importance. Most of this segment of the NTH in the County has been determined to qualify as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places, although not all bridges are eligible as contributing features.
Through the years, the bridges have been modified by various maintenance and repair work with the intent of maintaining public safety and prolonging the service life of the bridges. The proposed replacements will resolve any bridge issues due to their age and worn conditions.
On July 14, 2020 (Item No. 41), the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a contract with Dokken Engineering (Dokken) for engineering services as well as the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment for the Project. Dokken prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (DEIR/EA) and a Notice of Availability (NOA) for the proposed DEIR/EA was circulated for a period of 45 days beginning on November 3, 2023 through the Office of Planning and Research, State Clearinghouse. A Notice of Availability was also circulated to responsible and trustee agencies, interested parties and surrounding property owners with the completed DEIR/EA for a period of 45 days beginning on November 3, 2023.
Responses to comments received are included in the Final Environmental Impact Report/EA (FEIR/EA) for the proposed Project. After mitigation, there were remaining potential significant impacts from the proposed Project, which have necessitated preparation of Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15093. The Statement of Overriding Considerations provides the lead agency’s views on whether the benefits of a project outweigh its unavoidable adverse environmental impacts. A summary of the mitigation measures can be found in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program in Appendix C of the FEIR/EA.
The Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/EA is a joint document that satisfies both state and federal environmental laws. More specifically, the EIR and Statement of Overriding Considerations were prepared under the state CEQA requirements, and the Environmental Assessment was prepared in accordance with federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. CEQA requires that the appropriate environmental review be completed prior to initiation of a project. The County is the lead agency on the Project for purposes of CEQA review. As a result, the Board is the appropriate authority to act on the adoption of the state environmental document. Since this Project receives federal funding, the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the federal lead agency for purposes of NEPA review.
The FHWA has adopted and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Therefore, the NEPA compliance on the Project is complete.
The Project will meet the County and Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of ensuring
the development of a well-planned, balanced, and sustainable County and providing for the safety, health and social service needs of County residents by replacing structurally deficient bridges.
PROCUREMENT
Not Applicable
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 12, 2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on April 18, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 22, 2024.