Section 6953 Of Chapter 9. Coho Salmon Habitat Enhancement Leading To Preservation From California Fish And Game Code >> Division 6. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 9.
6953
. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the director
shall approve a coho salmon habitat enhancement project if the
project will maintain existing levels of human health and safety
protection, including, but not limited to, flood protection, and
meets all of the following requirements:
(1) The project is consistent with fish passage guidelines and
coho salmon recovery plans.
(2) The primary project purpose is for voluntary restoration.
(3) The project is no larger than five acres or 500 linear feet in
size, measured by calculating the direct area of impact.
(4) Completion of all phases of the coho salmon habitat
enhancement project will not exceed five years.
(5) The project will not result in cumulative negative
environmental impacts that are significant when viewed in connection
with the effects of past, current, or probable future projects.
(b) The director's approval of a coho salmon habitat enhancement
project pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be in lieu of any other
permit, license, or other approval issued by the department,
including, but not limited to, those issued pursuant to Chapter 1.5
(commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3, Chapter 10 (commencing
with Section 1900) of Division 2, and Chapter 6 (commencing with
Section 1600) of Division 2.
(c) The director's approval of a coho salmon habitat enhancement
project pursuant to subdivision (a) shall constitute an action taken
by a regulatory agency, as authorized by state law, to ensure the
maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource where
the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the
environment.
(d) Within 60 days after the director receives a written request
to approve a coho salmon habitat enhancement project containing the
information required pursuant to subdivision (e), the director shall
determine whether substantial evidence exists that the coho salmon
habitat enhancement project is consistent with subdivision (a).
(e) A written request to approve a coho salmon habitat enhancement
project shall contain all of the following:
(1) The name, address, title, organization, telephone number, and
electronic mail address of the natural person or persons who will be
the main point of contact for the project proponent.
(2) A full description of the coho salmon habitat enhancement
project that includes the design criteria used for the project,
restoration or enhancement methods, an estimate of temporary
restoration or enhancement-related disturbance, project schedule, and
how the project will result in a net benefit to coho salmon and
other affected species.
(3) A map clearly identifying the project location and photographs
of the project site.
(4) An assessment of the project area that provides a description
of existing flora and fauna and the potential presence of sensitive
species or habitat.
(5) A description of environmental protection measures
incorporated into the project design, including, but not limited to,
measures to avoid and minimize impacts to water quality and
potentially present species protected by state law, so that no
potentially significant negative environmental impacts will result
from the project.
(6) Substantial evidence to support a conclusion that the project
meets the criteria set forth in this section. Substantial evidence
shall cite relevant design criteria and environmental protection
measures that are set forth in the fish passage guidelines and coho
salmon recovery plans.
(f) (1) If the director determines at any time that the project is
no longer consistent with subdivision (a), due to a material change
between the project as submitted and the project being implemented or
a change in environmental circumstances in the area of
implementation, the director shall notify the project proponent in
writing and project implementation shall be suspended or approval
pursuant to this chapter revoked. Written notice from the director
shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the project
proponent and shall specify the reasons why ministerial approval of
the project was suspended or revoked. The approval for a project
shall not be revoked pursuant to this subdivision unless it has first
been suspended pursuant to this subdivision.
(2) Within 30 days of receipt of a notice of suspension, the
project proponent may file an objection with the director. Any
objection shall be in writing and state the reasons why the project
proponent objects to the suspension.
(3) The director shall revoke approval or lift the suspension of
project implementation within 30 days after the end of the objection
period in paragraph (2).