Bolsa Chica Pipeline Removal Project, Permitting, Monitoring, and Interagency Compliance - California State Lands Commission

Rincon Consultants conducted biological surveys, jurisdictional drainage and wetland permit compliance, agency negotiations, and CEQA compliance for the relocation of natural gas pipeline 1228 in the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Specific tasks included surveys for special-status species (Belding's Savannah sparrow, snowy plover, rare plants); preparation of USACE Section 404 permit, RWQCB Section 401 Certification, CDFG Section 1600 et seq Streambed Alteration Agreement, and California Coastal Commission (CCC) Coastal Development Permit application; preparation of an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration under CEQA, preconstruction surveys, construction monitoring, and mitigation monitoring. Due to the high visibility of this project, close coordination with multiple agencies over the duration of the project was required. Agencies involved in this project included: California State Lands Commission, CCC, USACE, CDFG, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Ana District RWQCB, Orange County, and other private clients. Rincon successfully negotiated with agency representatives in a controversial and sensitive resources area to finalize mitigation strategies, which includes alternative methods to avoid impacts to biological and water resources via BMP's, monitoring, and habitat restoration. Following acquisition of all of the required permits, Rincon completed the environmental construction monitoring and reporting requirements throughout the construction period.