Winter Habitat and Floodplain Enhancement Project (2016)

Environmental Assessment

In July 2016, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Park Service (NPS) reinitiated the public planning process for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Winter Habitat and Floodplain Enhancement Project on Lagunitas Creek. The project was proposed by the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD or the district) as part of the district's efforts to improve habitat for coho salmon and steelhead.

The project was originally divided into two staggered phases, based on funding initially being only available for Phase I. The NPS conducted a month-long scoping period for the Phase I project that ended on January 11, 2016. However, in the summer of 2016, the funding for implementation of Phase II was also secured by the district. Therefore, scoping was reinitiated and the EA addressed the combined Phase I and II project. MMWD acquired funding for improvements at ten sites, including eight sites on NPS lands, requiring NPS approval through a public NEPA planning process.

Public scoping is the first step to involve the public in the NEPA process. Its objective is to engage agencies, organizations, and the public early in the EA development process and to receive input on the proposed action, environmental issues that should be addressed in the EA, potential project alternatives, and sources of data that should be considered. The NPS encouraged comments on the project and requested that the public identify topics and concerns and alternatives to the proposal that should be considered in the EA. The public comment period was open until August 3, 2016. You can read additional project information and a summary of comments submitted on the Phase I project earlier in 2016 at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/lagunitas. More background information and supporting studies for the Winter Habitat and Floodplain Enhancement Project can be found on MMWD's Lagunitas Creek Watershed web page.