SFD Blvd Improvements in Point Reyes National Seashore

Overview

The project is being lead by the Federal Highway Administration Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD), in cooperation with Marin County and the National Park Service (NPS).

The Subsequent Environmental Assessment with a finding of no significant impact and the Supplemental Initial Study with mitigated negative declaration are available here. The SEA/SIS meets CFLHD's obligations for this project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Marin County's obligations under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Funding

Marin County was awarded $17.7 million in federal funds through the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) for improvements to approximately 12 miles of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Point Reyes National Seashore (the Seashore) in Marin County. As part of the FLAP requirements, the County of Marin is also contributing approximately $2 million in additional local funds. The FLAP is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Background

The purpose of the proposed improvements is to restore the structural integrity of the road and enhance safety for all users while reducing ongoing maintenance requirements. Pavement along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in the Seashore is deteriorating and badly oxidized, heavily patched, lacks shoulder support, and some sections have significant cracking and edge damage. Seasonal flooding of the creek near Schooner Bay can close the road to traffic for several days. Raising and realigning this short segment of the road has been proposed to help prevent annual flooding and minimize wetland impacts in the area where the adjacent tributary channel has aggraded and is now nearly at the same elevation as the road. The proposed improvements would address these issues through new asphalt pavement, new striping and signs, replacement of two cattle under-crossings, replacement of cross culverts, and implementation of other safety features to meet current design standards.

FHWA, in cooperation with Marin County and the National Park Service (NPS), conducted an environmental review process in conformance with both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As a result of the NEPA and CEQA process, a joint EA/IS was prepared that analyzed these improvements to the road and was distributed for public review in July 2015. A Finding of No Significant Impact/Mitigated Negative Declaration (FONSI/MND) was issued in August 2015, Download EA/IS.

Since issuance of the 2015 FONSI/MND, improvements have been proposed and evaluated under this SEA/SIS include replacing the existing culverts under SFDB and Schooner Creek with a single-span bridge, and restoring and stabilizing approximately 710 feet of SFDB that has severely eroded. To compensate for permanent wetland impacts as a result of roadway improvements, part of the parking lot at the Drakes Beach would be restored to a wetland, and two ponds would be constructed within Home Ranch to provide California red-legged frog aquatic breeding habitat. Actions at Drakes Beach and Home Ranch extend beyond the original study area analyzed in 2015. The joint SEA/SIS has been developed to meet FHWA’s obligations as the lead agency under NEPA and Marin County’s obligations as the lead agency under CEQA.

Timeline

Summer 2018

Environmental Subsequent Study
Finalize Mitigation Plans & Permits

Fall 2018

PG&E pole relocation construction

Winter 2018/2019

Advertise project

Spring 2019

Begin construction

Summer 2021

Complete construction