The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District published a draft feasibility report and environmental assessment today, marking a major milestone in the Yuba River Ecosystem Restoration feasibility study.
The draft report outlines a proposed plan to reconnect the Yuba River to its floodplain, create rearing habitat for juvenile fish, create riparian habitat, and facilitate improved conditions for the natural recruitment of riparian habitat.
Improvements to approximately 178 acres of existing aquatic and riparian habitat along the lower Yuba River, between Englebright Dam and the confluence of the Yuba and Feather rivers in Yuba County, are being proposed. Measures such as side channels, backwaters, floodplain lowering, riparian planting, and installation of hydraulic roughness and structural complexity features that replicate nature could be implemented throughout the project area.
The release of the draft feasibility report and environmental assessment kicks off a 45-day public review period. The Corps will host public meetings in Marysville and Sacramento to discuss the proposed project, answer questions and accept comments.
The public meetings will be held:
Marysville – Tuesday, January 16, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Yuba County Government Center Marysville and Wheatland Conference Room (915 8th Street, Marysville, CA 95901)
Sacramento – Friday, February 2, 2018 from 1 to 3 p.m. at John E. Moss Federal Building Stanford Room (650 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814) *
Interested individuals can review the draft FR/EA on the study’s web page:
http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental-Projects/Yuba-River-Eco-Study/.
Additionally, the draft documents are available at the following locations:
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Sacramento Public Library Central Branch – 828 I Street, Sacramento, Ca 95814
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Nevada County Public Library – 980 Helling Way, Nevada City, CA 95959
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Yuba County Library – 303 Second Street, Marysville, CA 95901
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Downieville Branch Library – 318 Commercial Street, Downieville, CA 95936
Comments on the draft FR/EA will be accepted until February 23, 2018. Written comments on the draft FR/EA may be submitted to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, Attn: Planning Division, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, California 95814, or by email to
Yuba-River-Eco-Study@usace.army.mil. Emailed comments should include “Yuba River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study” in the subject line and the commenter’s mailing address.
The Sacramento District initiated the Yuba River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study in 2015 at the request of its non-federal sponsor, the Yuba County Water Agency.
* Note this date is a change from the originally scheduled public meeting in Sacramento, rescheduled due to a government shutdown.