|
<br />ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REQUIREMENTS FOR ENCROACHMENT PERMITS
<br />
<br />Any Party, outside of Caltrans, that does work on a State Highway or Interstate Highway in California needs to apply for an
<br />encroachment permit. To acquire any encroachment permit, environmental concerns must be addressed. Environmental
<br />review of encroachment permit applications may take 3 weeks if the application is complete or longer if the application is
<br />incomplete. For soil disturbing activities (e.g. geotechnical borings, grading, usage of unpaved roads from which dirt and other
<br />materials may be tracked onto the State/Interstate highways, etc.), compliance with Water Quality and Cultural Resources
<br />Provisions are emphasized. Surveys may/ may not be soil-disturbing activities, depending on the site and survey method.
<br />
<br />A complete application for environmental review includes the following:
<br />
<br />1. If an environmental document (CE, EIRlEIS, ND, etc.) has been completed for the project, copy of the final, approved
<br />document must be submitted with the application.
<br />
<br />2. Water Qualitv Provision: All work within the State Right of Way must conform to Caltrans Standard Plans and Standard
<br />Specifications for Water Pollution Control including production of a Water Pollution Control Program or Storm Water
<br />Pollution Prevention Plan as required. The applicant must provide Encroachments with a copy of the Storm Water Pollution
<br />Prevention Plan (SWPPP) including Best Management Practices (BMPs) to be implemented for construction activities
<br />impacting Caltrans Right of Way, prepared for this as required by the NPDES Statewide Storm Water Permit for General
<br />Construction Activities. If no SWPPP has been prepared for this project, then the applicant must follow the requirements
<br />described in the attached Water Pollution Control Provisions (please see attachment).
<br />
<br />3. Cultural Resources Provisions: If not included in the environmental document, before permit approval and project
<br />construction, the encroachment permit applicant must complete a Cultural Resource Assessment pursuant to Caltrans
<br />Environmental Handbook, Volume 2, Appendix B-1, and Exhibit 1, as amended. The Cultural Resources Assessment
<br />ascertains the presence or absence of cultural resources within a one-mile radius of the project area and evaluates the
<br />impact to any historical/cultural resource. Cultural Resources include "those resources significant in American history,
<br />architecture, archaeology, and culture, including Native American Resources" (Caltrans Environmental Handbook, Volume
<br />2, Chapter1, as amended)]. The Cultural Resource Assessment must include:
<br />a) a clear project description and map indicating project work, staging areas, site access, etc.;
<br />b) a Record Search conducted at the South Central Coastal Information Center (SCCIC) located at
<br />California State University, Fullerton. For information call (714) 278-5395;
<br />c) proof of Native American consultation. Consultation involves contacting the Native American Heritage
<br />Commission (NAHC), requesting a search of their Sacred Lands File, and following the recommendations
<br />provided by the NAHC. For information call (916) 653-4082;
<br />d) documentation of any historic properties (e.g. prehistoric and historic sites, buildings, structures, objects, or
<br />districts listed on, eligible for, or potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places)
<br />within a one mile radius of the project area;
<br />e) and a survey by qualified archaeologist for all areas that have not been previously researched.
<br />
<br />The SCCIC and NAHC have an approximate turn around time of 2 weeks.
<br />
<br />4. Bioloaical Resources Provisions: Work conducted within Caltrans Right of Way should have the appropriate plant and
<br />wildlife surveys completed by a qualified biologist. If the information is not included in the environmental document,
<br />Environmental Planning requests that the applicant submit a copy of the biological study, survey, or technical report by a
<br />qualified biologist that provides details on the existing vegetation and wildlife at the project site and any vegetation that is to
<br />be removed during project activities. Official lists and databases should also be consulted for sensitive species such as the
<br />California Natural Diversity Database and lists provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department
<br />of Fish and Game. Any impacts that affect waterways and drainages and/or open space during construction, or that occur
<br />indirectly as a result of the project must be coordinated with the appropriate resource agencies. As guidance, we ask that
<br />the applicant include:
<br />a) clear description of project activities and the project site
<br />b) completed environmental significance checklist (not just yes and no answers, but a description should be given as to
<br />the reason for the response),
<br />c) staging/storage areas noted on project plans,
<br />d) proposed time of year for work and duration of activities (with information available),
<br />e) any proposed mitigation (if applicable to the project),
<br />f) and a record of any prior resource agency correspondence (if applicable to the project).
<br />
<br />75A-168
<br />
|