Details
As Prime Consultant, Dean Ryan was responsible for services performed for biological surveys, cultural resource surveys, hazardous waste investigations, and wetland delineation. Dean Ryan prepared reports of the environmental assessment in findings for the Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation. The work on this project was performed on the California Forest Highway (FH) 129, Arroyo Seco Road Project. This FH 129 project consists of replacing two bridges and their approaches.
The project is located in Monterey County on Arroyo Seco Road (FH 129). FH 129 follows along the general direction of the Arroyo Seco River in Monterey County and is also designated as County Road G17. It begins at the intersection with Carmel Valley Road (County Road G16) and ends 0.5 km (0.3 mile) west of the Arroyo Seco crossing in the Arroyo Seco Recreation Complex. The Arroyo Seco site is within the boundary of the Los Padres National Forest.
Biological Assessment/Biological Evaluation Dean Ryan completed the biological assessment as part of the required biological studies for the demolition and reconstruction of the two Forest Highway bridges along Arroyo Seco Road. This six-month investigation identified 22 wildlife and one plant species that were of concern to the U.S. Forest Service or either threatened, endangered, sensitive or special emphases species.
Field surveys were conducted to assess habitat conditions and community composition of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate fauna at two separate locations. Fish were qualitatively sampled by electrical shocking and then released back into the stream.
The biological assessment determined that the proposed action would not effect designated critical habitat for any sensitive taxa. However, it was determined that the proposed actions could affect the habitat of certain native species. Mitigation measures were developed and presented to FHWA that would reduce the effects on the identified species to insignificant levels.
Historic and Archeological Study
A Cultural Resources Study was carried out by Dean Ryan in conjuction with the planned demolition and replacement of two bridges (April ³ June 1997). Dean Ryan coordinated with the Los Padres National Forest Archaeologist to determine what surveys have been performed at the Arroyo Seco Bridge site, and then performed additional studies as required. The scope of work required an Historical Eligibility study for both bridges and a Cultural Resource survey near areas of potential construction impact. Results of the study indicate that neither bridge could be considered historically significant in terms of age, design, history or their association with an important historical event. Monitoring during initial construction, along with off-site equipment storage was recommended for one of the bridges.
Hazardous Waste Investigations, Initial Site Assessment (ISA)
Dean Ryan will conduct a hazardous waste ISA (also known as a Transaction Screen) in accordance with the current ASTM Standard E1528-93, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Transaction Screen Process. The ISA involves identifying areas of hazardous and potentially hazardous waste related problems within and adjacent to the investigation area. In addition to the ASTM Standard's requirements, Dean Ryan will describe the sites identified as having a potential for hazardous waste involvement with the proposed highway construction.
Wetlands
Dean Ryan also conducted a field investigation to characterize watercourses at two bridge sites. The purpose of the investigation was to make a preliminary determination of Army Corps of Engineers' jurisdiction concerning the presence and extent of ¦Waters of the United States², including wetlands as defined within Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Plant communities of both bridge sites were evaluated by Dean Ryan, during field surveys within the construction impact imprint and subsequently were delineated on maps. The preliminary determination at the two bridges will be used to support the proposed demolition and re-construction under Army Corps of Engineers' Nationwide Permit Program.