Notice of Availability - Draft Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation
Public Open House
A virtual public Open House will be held via Zoom on:
Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Place: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88101330170
Public Comment Period
A Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Last Chance Grade Permanent Restoration Project is now available for public review and comment as of December 15, 2023.
Comment Deadline: February 13, 2024
What is being planned?
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) proposes to permanently restore a section of highway, known as Last Chance Grade, located on U.S. Highway 101 in Del Norte County (post miles [PMs] 12.7 to 16.5). Last Chance Grade is a 3.5-mile-long section of highway approximately 10 miles south of Crescent City. The project would permanently restore the highway in response to landslide activities that have created roadway damage and frequent highway closures for decades.
Why this public notice?
Caltrans has studied the effect this project may have on the environment and prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation that identifies the project’s potential impacts and potential avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures. The build alternatives would result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to late successional forest and marbled murrelet and its designated critical habitat. Potentially significant impacts related to special status bat species and greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced to less-than-significant levels after implementation of mitigation measures. The project site is not located on any list of hazardous materials waste sites compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
This notice is to let you know of the availability of the draft environmental document for you to read and review, and the opportunity to provide comments. A virtual public Open House as described above will be held to give you the opportunity to learn more about the project and to talk with Caltrans staff before the final design is selected.
What's available
The Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement is available for review at the project website www.lastchancegrade.com, or at the Caltrans District 1 Office, 1656 Union Street, Eureka, CA weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and at the Del Norte County Library, 190 Price Mall, Crescent City, CA.
Where you come in
Do you believe the project’s potential impacts have been adequately addressed by the draft environmental document? Do you have additional information that should be included? Would you care to make any other comments on the project? Please submit your comments in writing no later than February 13, 2024, to Steve Croteau, North Region Environmental, Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 3700, Eureka, CA 95502-3700, or DEDcomments@lastchancegrade.com.
After considering and replying to comments on the draft environmental document, Caltrans will make a decision on the project and proceed with the project’s design.
Contact
For more information about this project or about the Open House, please contact Jaime Matteoli, Caltrans Project Manager, at (707) 498-0961 or jaime.matteoli@dot.ca.gov. For other state highway matters in the area, please contact the Caltrans District 1 Public Information Office at 707-445-6600 or by email district.1.pio@dot.ca.gov.
Special Accommodations
Individuals who require special accommodation (e.g., American Sign Language interpreter, documentation in alternate forms, etc.) are requested to write or call Myles Cochrane, Public Information Officer, Caltrans District 1, P.O. Box 3700, Eureka, CA 95502-3700, 707-498-4272. Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD) users may contact the California Relay Service TDD line at 711.
