Scoping Meeting
Yuba Goldfields
200-Year Flood Protection Project
Environmental Impact Report
June 23, 2014
Meeting Agenda
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Welcome and Introductions
Meeting Objective
Project Background
Proposed Project Alternatives
Scoping and CEQA Process
Environmental Issues
Public Comments and Input
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Introductions
Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority
Paul Brunner, Executive Director
Downey Brand
Andrea Clark, Legal Counsel
MBK Engineers
Larry Dacus, P.E., Project Engineer
AECOM
Andrea Shephard, Ph.D., Environmental Project Manager
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Meeting Objective
Seek public and agency input
on the scope and content of the EIR, including
alternatives
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Proposed Background
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Project Location
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Project Need
• Yuba River actively eroding south bank tailings
mound.
• Landform changes in Goldfields have affected
flow paths and made it easier for floodwaters to
flow through the Goldfields.
• Areas that were thought to have 200-year flood
protection are still at risk.
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Project Purpose
Reduce flood risk to
properties in RD 784 and
TRLIA assessment districts
by providing sustainable
200-year flood protection.
Source: Data compiled by AECOM in 2014
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Project Objectives
• Prevent 200-yr flood waters from flowing through
Goldfields and flanking State Plan of Flood Control
levee system.
• Implement long term sustainable solution by 2025.
• Minimize impacts on aggregate mining operations.
• Minimize impacts on gold dredging operations.
• Minimize impacts on environmental resources.
• Provide environmental benefits, if feasible.
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Proposed Project Alternatives
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Project Alternatives
• Four (4) Action Alternatives plus the No-Project
Alternative to be evaluated at equal level of detail in EIR.
• Alternatives 1, 2, and 3 – Construct embankment within
the Goldfields using existing dredge tailings.
• Alternative 4 – Construct engineered levee south of the
Goldfields using material imported from nearby.
• All alternatives would meet USACE and DWR urban
levee design criteria for 200-year flood protection.
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Project Alternatives
Alternative 1: 100-Year Project Enlargement
9.0 mile embankment
331 acres in Goldfields
Alternative 2: West-Side Goldfields Boundary Alignment
8.8 mile embankment
317 acres in Goldfields
Alternative 3: South Bank Yuba River Alignment
9.1 mile embankment
291 acres in Goldfields
Alternative 4: Levee South of the Goldfields
3.5 mile embankment
199 acres in Goldfields
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Project Alternatives
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Alternatives 1, 2, and 3
200-Year Embankment in Goldfields
Source: TRLIA 2013, adapted by AECOM in 2014
• Regular O&M: inspections, weed abatement, surface patrol road
maintenance.
• During High Flow Periods: Surface road patrols every 4 hours to
identify/address potential flooding issues
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Alternative 3
Relocation of Waterway 13
Fish barrier at New Outlet
Scour Protection
Source: TRLIA 2013, adapted by AECOM in 2014
Source: TRLIA 2013, adapted by AECOM in 2014
• Will require periodic repair and replacement.
• Expected design life of 50 years.
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Alternative 4
200-Year Levee South of Goldfields
Source: TRLIA 2013, adapted by AECOM in 2014
• Regular O&M: Same as other alternatives plus management of
vegetative cover on levee side slopes, operation and annual
maintenance of pipe and gates at YCWA canal crossing.
• During High Flow Periods: Surface road patrols every 4 hours to
identify/address potential flooding issues
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No-Project Alternative
• 200-year flood protection solution not built.
• 100-year flood protection solution built.
• Decreased flood inundation benefits of TRLIA
200-Year Flood Protection Program.
• Portions of RD 784 and TRLIA assessment
districts may be mapped into FEMA floodplains.
• Residents have to purchase flood insurance.
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CEQA Review Process
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Purpose of Scoping
• Inform public and agencies
• Receive public/agency input
• Help define project
• Help identify range of
alternatives
• Help identify
environmental effects to
be evaluated
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Environmental Review Schedule
Notice of Preparation of an EIR
June 13, 2014
Scoping Meeting
June 23, 2014
Scoping Period Ends
July 14, 2014
Notice of Availability/Draft EIR
August 2014
Public Review
45 days
Response to Comments/Final EIR
November 2014
Commenting Agency Review
10 days
EIR Certification
Project Decision
Findings
Overriding Considerations
Mitigation Monitoring Plan
Notice of Determination
Permitting
November/December 2014
2015
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Opportunities for Input
Scoping Meeting
Today
NOP 30-Day Comment Period
June 13 – July 14
Draft EIR 45-Day Public
Review Period
August/September
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Issue Areas to be Addressed
• Aesthetics
• Agricultural and Forestry
Resources
• Air Quality
• Biological Resources
• Cultural Resources
• Geology/Soils/Minerals/
Paleo Resources
• Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
• Hazards and Hazardous
Materials
• Hydrology/Water Quality
• Land Use/Population and
Housing
• Noise
• Recreational Resources
• Transportation/Traffic
• Utilities and Public
Services
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Project Alternatives
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How do you participate?
• Present your views today.
Please focus on the scope of the project (i.e. project elements and
alternatives & environmental effects and mitigation).
• Provide written comments on the NOP today
or to TRLIA by 5 pm, July 14, 2014.
Paul Brunner, TRLIA
1114 Yuba Street, Suite 218, Marysville, CA 95901
Fax: (530) 749-6990 Email: Pbrunner@co.yuba.ca.us
• Review and comment on the Draft EIR.
• Contact TRLIA throughout the process.
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