The 1 – year Environmental Impact Report has received approval from the County Board of Supervisors, which means the San Ysidro Creek project can move forward.
7 - Step Timeline for Completion:
- The most important hurdle for this project is approval from the National Marine Fisheries (NMF). They are sometimes referred to as “Fish and Game.” They have just indicated that they are not going to block the proposed debris basin along the San Ysidro Creek at Randall Rd. The project was designed with the needs and desires of the NMF in mind and will not actually disturb the creek.
- The next step is for County Flood Control to acquire a permit from the lead federal agency for the project, the Army Corps of Engineers. This is expected to happen in September. The County will then begin working with FEMA to finalize acquisition of 7 more properties along Randall Road before then end of the year. This is in addition to the property already purchased in 2019.
- In the next several months, County Flood Control expects to receive a funding commitment letter from FEMA for 75% of the cost of the project, with the County providing 25%.
- County expects Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) approval under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by October.
- Bids should go out for constructing the debris basin next April 2021, and the bids will go to the County Board of Supervisors for approval in June 2021.
- Ground – breaking for the construction of the debris basin is expected to begin July 2021.
- Completion is expected in September/October 2021 – a year from now.
Montecito Market Report
This type of project usually takes 10 – 20 years to get built. The new debris basin will move from conception to completion in less than 4 years, involving the Local, State and Federal governments and costing approx. $22M. The man behind this project is Montecito resident Curtis Skene. He approached SB County Flood Control in early 2018 with the idea for the debris basin and convinced them to buy the first house.
He also spearheaded the effort to acquire the funding from FEMA. Along the way he created the non – profit Partners in Community Renewal (RenewSB) to work on flood mitigation opportunities in other watersheds and on other creeks in Montecito. All this while recovering from losing his house and almost his life on 1-9-18. While the County may not characterize this as a private – government partnership, that is the best explanation of how this was carried off.
The Randall Road debris basin is going to significantly improve flood safety along San Ysidro Creek. On 1-9-18, four lives were lost and 95 structures were destroyed south of the pro – posed basin site. Montecito Creek had even greater destruction of both properties and lives.
The next project RenewSB is setting its sights on is doing something substantial along Montecito Creek, and eventually in all five watershed systems in Montecito. They have raised and spent $500,000 toward this goal. Their work will make living in Montecito safer while reducing insurance costs. If you are interested in participating or supporting this organization, please contact – Curtis@RenewSB.org
Client Talk…
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