Interstate 405 Multi-Asset Project - Draft Negative Declaration (DND) - SCH #2021060363 - CDFW Draft Response Letter

Oct 6, 2026

Uploaded by Finn

Letter from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to Caltrans addressing a Notice of Availability for a Draft Negative Declaration under CEQA and CEQA Guidelines for the Interstate 405 Multi-Asset Project (I-5 to Harbor Blvd). The correspondence outlines CDFW’s role as Trustee Agency and Responsible Agency, describes expected regulatory authorities, and summarizes the project’s objectives, primary activities, location, timeframe, and biological setting. It emphasizes potential impacts to fish and wildlife resources and the need for comments and recommendations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

CDFW Role

Trustee Agency and Regulatory Authority

Project Description Summary

Proponent, Objective, and Activities

Timeframe and Location

Biological Setting and Survey Area

DocuSign Envelope ID: 960AC2A4-8C69-45F8-B590-8DB0E83A7630 State of California – Natural Resources Agency GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE CHARLTON H. BONHAM, Director South Coast Region 3883 Ruffin Road San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 467-4201 [www.wi](www.wi)[ldlife.ca.gov](ldlife.ca.gov) July 21 , 2021 Ms. Iffat Qamar Associate Environmental Planner Caltrans District 12, Division of Environmental Analysis 1750 East 4th Street, Suite 100 Santa Ana, California 92705 [Iffat.Qamar@dot.ca.gov](Iffat.Qamar@dot.ca.gov) Subject: Interstate 405 Multi-Asset Project from Interstate 5 to Harbor Blvd; Draft Negative Declaration (DND); SCH \#2021060363 Dear Ms. Qamar: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) received a Notice of Availability of a Draft Negative Declaration (DND) from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines.1 Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments and recommendations regarding those activities involved in the Project that may affect California fish and wildlife. Likewise, we appreciate the opportunity to provide comments regarding those aspects of the Project that CDFW, by law, may be required to carry out or approve through the exercise of its own regulatory authority under the Fish and Game Code. CDFW ROLE CDFW is California’s Trustee Agency for fish and wildlife resources, and holds those resources in trust by statute for all the people of the State (Fish & G. Code, §§ 711.7, subd. (a) & 1802; Pub. Resources Code, § 21070; CEQA Guidelines, § 15386, subd. (a)) . CDFW, in its trustee capacity, has jurisdiction over the conservation, protection, and management of fish, wildlife, native plants, and habitat necessary for biologically sustainable populations of those species (Id. , § 1802) . Similarly for purposes of CEQA, CDFW is charged by law to provide, as available, biological expertise during public agency environmental review efforts, focusing specifically on projects and related activities that have the potential to adversely affect fish and wildlife resources. CDFW is also submitting comments as a Responsible Agency under CEQA (Pub. Resources Code, § 21069; CEQA Guidelines, § 15381) . CDFW expects that it may need to exercise regulatory authority as provided by the Fish and Game Code. As proposed, for example, the Project may be subject to CDFW’s lake and streambed alteration regulatory authority. (Fish & G. Code, § 1600 et seq. ) Likewise, to the extent implementation of the Project as proposed may 1 CEQA is codified in the California Public Resources Code in section 21000 et seq. The “CEQA Guidelines” are found in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, commencing with section 15000. DocuSign Envelope ID: 960AC2A4-8C69-45F8-B590-8DB0E83A7630 Iffat Qamar Caltrans District 12 July 21, 2021 Page 2 of 8 result in “take”, as defined by state law, of any species protected under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) (Fish & Game Code, § 2050 et seq.), the Project proponent may seek related take authorization as provided by the Fish and Game Code. PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY Proponent: Caltrans Objective: The objective of the Project is to extend the life expectancy of pavement; improve safety and efficiency for all modes of travelers as well as maintenance crews; enhance traffic operation; manage traffic congestion; and provide the ability to collect, analyze, and utilize data for systems performance along the Interstate 405 (I-405) corridor within the Project limits. Primary Project activities include: 1. Improve, remove, and replace pavement. 2. Remove and replace loop detectors. 3. Upgrade curb ramps to current Americans with Disabilities Act standards. 4. Improve bridge health by removing and replacing approach and departure slabs at multiple bridges and upgrading existing bridge railing a

FAQs

What is the document’s purpose regarding the Interstate 405 Multi-Asset Project?

CDFW informs Caltrans that it received a Notice of Availability for a Draft Negative Declaration and provides opportunity for comments and recommendations related to activities that may affect California fish and wildlife.

How does CDFW define its responsibilities under CEQA for this project?

CDFW acts as California’s Trustee Agency for fish and wildlife resources and also submits comments as a Responsible Agency under CEQA, with expectations of exercising regulatory authority where applicable.

What are the project’s key objectives and main activities described in the summary?

The project aims to extend pavement life, improve safety and efficiency, enhance traffic operations, manage congestion, and enable data collection and analysis. Activities include pavement rehabilitation, loop detector replacement, curb ramp upgrades, bridge health improvements, roadside plant/irrigation upgrades, maintenance facility relocation, lighting upgrades, and transportation management system installation.

Oct 6, 2026

Uploaded by Finn