Environmental Review – Live Oak Acres and Casitas Springs Levees

Environmental Review | Scoping  | CEQA Compliance

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The Ventura County Public Works Agency – Watershed Protection (VCPWA – WP) is soliciting input from the public and reviewing agencies regarding the scope and content of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the proposed Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project (MDERP) proposed Live Oak Acres Levee Upgrade and Casitas Springs Levee Upgrade Projects component. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), VCPWA – WP is seeking the views of residents, property owners, and the public regarding issues that should be addressed in the SEIR. The proposed Live Oak Acres Levee Upgrade and Casitas Springs Levee Upgrade Projects have the potential to impact the communities of Live Oak Acres and Casitas Springs and MDERP overall has the potential to impact the Matilija Creek and Ventura River floodplain and adjacent properties. VCPWA – WP also requests that the public and agencies review the Detailed Reissued Notice of Preparation including an Initial Study (provided via quick link to the left) and provide comments on environmental issues of concern and related to the statutory responsibilities of the agency. The SEIR will be used by VCPWA – WP when considering approvals for the proposed Live Oak Acres Levee Upgrade and Casitas Springs Levee Upgrade Projects and by other Responsible and Trustee Agencies to support their related discretionary actions.

In October 2000, the VCPWA – WP (then the Ventura County Flood Control District) initiated the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Study as a joint effort between VCPWA – WP and United States Army Corps of Engineers to develop a project resulting in the removal of Matilija Dam. The Project objectives included: aquatic and terrestrial habitat improvement along Matilija Creek and the Ventura River to restore a viable and abundant run of steelhead trout; restoration of natural sediment transport processes; and an increase in recreation opportunities. The joint National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/CEQA EIR was certified in 2004, with the Board of Supervisors of the Ventura County Flood Control District approving Alternative 4b as the approved Project. The upgrades of the Live Oak Acres Levee and Casitas Springs Levee were identified as part of the approved Project and addressed at a program level of detail. Since that time, intermediate Live Oak Acres Levee Upgrade design plans and preliminary Casitas Springs Levee Upgrade design plans have been prepared. The levee upgrades are necessary to protect communities from the sediment and flooding increases expected in the Ventura River due to the future removal of Matilija Dam. The VCPWA – WP has determined that preparation of an SEIR is warranted to evaluate the current upgrade plans. The SEIR will provide a complete and objective analysis of the proposed levee upgrades and will address all elements of MDERP cumulatively.

Environmental Review

Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15081, VCPWA – WP has determined that the proposed Live Oak Acres Levee Upgrade and Casitas Springs Levee Upgrade Projects component of MDERP may have a significant effect on the environment. VCPWA – WP will begin work immediately on the SEIR, as allowed under State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15082(a)(4).

Scoping Process and Scoping Period

The process of determining the focus and content of the SEIR is referred to as “scoping” under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15083. Scoping helps to identify the range of actions, alternatives, environmental effects, and mitigation measures to be analyzed in depth, and eliminates from detailed study those issues that are not pertinent to the final decision on a proposed project. Scoping is also an effective way to bring together and address the concerns of the public, affected agencies, and other interested parties. Significant issues may be identified through public and agency comments.

Scoping is not conducted to resolve differences concerning the merits of a project or to anticipate the ultimate decision on the proposal. Rather, the purpose of scoping is to help ensure that a comprehensive and focused SEIR will be prepared that provides a firm basis for the decision-making process. Members of the public; affected federal, State, and local agencies; interest groups stakeholders; and other interested parties may participate in the scoping process for the proposed project by providing written comments or recommendations concerning the issues to be analyzed in the SEIR.

All interested parties are invited to submit comments on the scope and content of this SEIR throughout the scoping period which starts April 11, 2024, and ends May 13, 2024. Scoping comments can be submitted in one of the following ways. Comments must be postmarked by May 13, 2024:

Submittal by Mail or Submittal by E-mail

Ventura County Public Works Agency – Watershed Protection
Attn: Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project
800 S. Victoria Ave. / #1600
Ventura, CA 93009
Contact: Donna Hebert
(805) 477-1976 MDERP@ventura.org.

Please identify Live Oak Acres Levee Upgrade and Casitas Springs Levee Upgrade in the subject line. Also, please remember to include your name and return address in the email message. Comments will be part of the public record, but email addresses will be redacted.

Scoping Meeting: A public scoping meeting will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the County of Ventura Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza Meeting Room, located at 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009. The Scoping Meeting is being held to provide an overview of the proposed project and provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions and submit comments relating to the scope of the SEIR. Comments and questions may also be emailed to MDERP@ventura.org. Scoping comments will be addressed in the SEIR.

Public Comments

VCPWA – WP is seeking the views of residents, property owners, and the public regarding issues that should be addressed in the SEIR. All interested parties are invited to submit comments on the scope and content of the SEIR. Responsible and Trustee Agencies are also invited to submit comments since they may need to use the SEIR when considering permits or other discretionary approvals your agency may issue for the proposed Live Oak Acres Levee Upgrade and Casitas Springs Levee Upgrade Projects component of MDERP.

Comments can be submitted using the button below or by emailing MDERP@ventura.org through your email provider. All scoping comments must be received by postmarked by May 13, 2024. Additional information is provided under the “Scoping Process and Scoping Period” tab.

Inquiries

For general questions, please contact the Project Environmental Planner, Donna Hebert. 
 
Ventura County Public Works Agency – Watershed Protection 
Attn: Donna Hebert 
800 S. Victoria Ave., #1600 
Ventura, CA 93009 
(805) 477-1976