Willow Road Extension/U.S. 101 Interchange

LSA prepared separate CEQA and NEPA environmental documents as well as technical reports for the proposed extension of Willow Road to Thompson Avenue and a new interchange at U.S. 101. The project area is the community of Nipomo in south San Luis Obispo County. LSA prepared an SEIR for the entire project (road extension and interchange) and an Environmental Assessment (EA) under NEPA for the new interchange and extension of Willow Road to Thompson Avenue east of U.S. 101. The County of San Luis Obispo was the lead agency for the CEQA document, and Caltrans District 5 oversaw the preparation of the EA. Key environmental issues related to the proposed project included impacts to oak woodland and maritime chaparral habitat, archaeological sites, aesthetic changes, noise during the construction period and in the long term from new traffic along the extended roadway, land in agricultural preserves, wetland and streambed alteration, and potential growth inducement.
 
In addition to the Supplemental EIR and EA, LSA prepared multiple technical studies for a wide variety of environmental issues, including biological resources (Natural Environment Study, Floodplain Evaluation Study, California red-legged frog Habitat Site Assessment, Wetlands Delineation Study, Biological Assessment for Section 7 consultation process, and a Biological Resources Assessment); cultural resources (Archaeological Survey Report, Historical Resources Evaluation Report, Extended Phase I and Phase II prehistoric and historical archaeological site testing program, and archaeological site testing); air quality; noise; water quality; and floodplain evaluation. LSA also prepared permit applications and obtained for the County a Nationwide Permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, a Water Quality Certification from the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement from the California Department of Fish and Game. During construction, LSA provided construction monitoring services for paleontological resources.

Client: County of San Luis Obispo

Location: Nipomo, California