Willits Bypass - Status and Schedule
Current Project Schedule
Begin Right of Way Acquisition Process - Summer 2007
Complete Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan - September 2008
Obtain Resource Agency Permits - June 2009
Right-of-Way Clearance - October 2009
Ready to List - November 2009
Begin Construction - May 2010
Complete Construction - January 2014
August 2007 Update
About 120 people attended the informational open house held August 22, 2007. Public support is high for the phased construction, which will bypass Willits with a 2-lane bypass during the first phase, and allow for completing the full 4-lane bypass during the second phase as soon as funds are available.
March 2006 Update
Administrative Draft of the Final EIS/EIR is being completed which incorporates the conclusions of the Alternatives Analysis and the concurrence from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) that the Modified Alternative J1T is the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA). This document will incorporate the Conceptual Mitigation Plan, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biological Opinion and the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion.
March 2005 Update
A major milestone has been reached with ACOE approval of the wetlands mapping that Caltrans prepared for Modified Alternative J1T. In the meantime, Caltrans is busy with a number of other tasks. Some of these include studying the entire valley for feasible mitigation locations, conducting geotechnical drilling that's needed for design information on the Modified Alternative J1T, doing additional Northern spotted owl studies that USFWS requested, working on ways to minimize impacts of the project, and responding to information requests from resources agencies. Now that Caltrans has received approval from ACOE on the wetlands mapping, Caltrans and FHWA will submit a request to ACOE and USEPA for concurrence that Modified Alternative J1T is the LEDPA.
June 2004 Update:
Caltrans has completed its studies and wetland delineation for the Modified Alternative J1T. Verification of wetland delineation is required in order for the ACOE and the USEPA to issue LEDPA concurrence. Currently, the wetland verification process is underway. When verification is complete, Caltrans and FHWA will submit a request to ACOE and USEPA for concurrence that Modified Alternative J1T is the LEDPA.
July 2003 Update:
Caltrans, FHWA, and local government and resource agencies worked together to reduce wetland impacts and avoid community resources in order to provide an alternative that will meet LEDPA criteria - Modified J1T. The following agencies support Caltrans/FHWA's study of the Modified Alternative J1T:
- Brooktrails Township Community Services District
- Mendocino County Department of Planning and Building Services
- Mendocino Council of Governments
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- US Environmental Protection Agency
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- National Marine Fisheries Service
Caltrans and FHWA also received support from the City of Willits to continue moving forward on the LEDPA selection process.
In 2004, Caltrans and FHWA will submit a request for concurrence to the ACOE and to USEPA that Modified Alternative J1T is the LEDPA. With ACOE/USEPA concurrence, a Section 404 permit can be issued for the project to construct Modified Alternative J1T. With LEDPA concurrence, the biological assessment and final EIS/EIR will be completed.
April 2003 Update:
The Preferred Alternative must meet criteria for LEDPA. Caltrans and FHWA, with informal agreement from responsible federal agencies, have determined that Alternatives E3, C1T, and L/C do not meet LEDPA criteria according to Clean Water Act Section 404(b)(1).
The remaining alternatives were J1T and LT. Alternative J1T appeared to be the LEDPA because it affects 20 fewer acres than Alternative LT. However, Alternative J1T would impact important community and regional resources, such as the San Hedrin Industrial Park and the park-recreation complex on Commercial Street. Because of Clean Water Act requirements, the ACOE would not be able to issue a permit to construct Alternative LT when an alternative exists that is feasible and has much fewer wetland impacts, such as Alternative J1T.
