BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Adopt Plans and Specifications and Authorize Advertisement for Bids for the Bolsa Road Fish Passage Improvement Project, Project No. 26044002, Contract No. C0652, (Gilroy) (District 1).
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Adopt Plans and Specifications and authorize advertisement for bids for construction of the Bolsa Road Fish Passage Improvement Project, per the Notice to Bidders; and
B. Authorize the Designated Engineer to issue addenda, as necessary, during the bidding process.
Body
SUMMARY:
The purpose of the Bolsa Road Fish Passage Improvement Project (Project) is to restore fish passage at the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) crossing of Uvas Creek to allow steelhead and other aquatic organisms to move freely between the lower and upper reaches of the creek. This is being accomplished through development of a geomorphically designed project, restoring the creek invert to historic elevation and thereby providing fish passage. Since the Project meets both fish passage and geomorphic restoration goals, it will be funded by both Safe Clean Water Project D4 - Fish Habitat and Passage Improvement Project as well as D6 - Creek Restoration and Stabilization Project.
Specific outcomes of the Project are:
1. Restore upstream steelhead passage at the UPRR crossing, providing access to spawning grounds in the upper reaches of the watershed.
2. Restore stability and stream function and prevent incision for 1,700 feet of Uvas Creek.
The Project consists of a series of roughened riffles with pools and glides in between. Its overall length is 1,500 feet at an overall slope of 0.5 percent to overcome 7½ vertical feet. The riffles are 40 feet long and drop 1 foot at approximately 4 percent slope. Downstream of each riffle is a pool and glide that has a length of 52 to 54 feet. The pool bottoms are 2 feet below the next downstream riffle crest. In total, there are eleven riffles and nine pools. Two riffles downstream of the ninth pool are intended to provide additional stability of the channel bed. The modified channel would extend approximately 1,700 linear feet downstream of the UPRR Bridge.
Staff has submitted applications to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife for construction permits. Staff will not recommend the Board award a construction contract until all regulatory permits are received.
Background:
Uvas Creek is a designated steelhead stream which originates on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains west of the city of Morgan Hill and is part of the larger Pajaro Watershed. Steelhead in the Pajaro system comprise the South-Central Coast Distinct Population Segment (DPS), formally Ecologically Significant Unit (ESU), and were listed as threatened in 1997 under the Endangered Species Act by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
The UPRR crossing of Uvas Creek at Bolsa Road has long been considered the most critical fish passage barrier in the Uvas Creek watershed. The site currently has a Denil-style fishway which was originally installed by the Federation of Fly Fishers in 1982. The current ladder configuration does not meet fish passage criteria and channel conditions have changed since installation of the ladder. Denil fish ladders are typically not used as permanent fish passage facilities in the Pacific Northwest due to the limited operating range and vulnerability to debris blockages.
The design phase included an evaluation of a number of variables in order to select an appropriate fishway design. These variables include; species and age class to be passed; hydraulic analysis of channel; degree of flow control available; and dependability and cost of operations and maintenance.
The design phase included consultation with resource agencies with a vested interest in the Project. Fish passage professionals from National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as well as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were solicited for input into design specifications and fish passage criteria. The design process also included consultation with the UPRR to ensure that modifications of the channel would not adversely affect the current operation of the railroad facility.
Outreach to Bidders
As part of the Valley Water’s customary small and local business outreach, the following routine steps will be taken: The Notice to Bidders (Attachment 1) will be sent to 20 minority business Chambers of Commerce and small business groups. In addition, the Notice will be sent to certified small business contractors and local and regional firms that have the appropriate license for this type of work. The Notice will also be provided to the Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, which maintains contacts with approximately 100 Business Agents and Organizers. The Business Agents and Organizers send out to their Contractors and Building Construction and Trades Council.
Public Outreach
During construction, outreach will be targeted to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Next Steps
If the Board approves the recommendations, staff will proceed to advertise for bids for construction of the Project. Provided the district has received all required permits for construction, the next Board action would be award of the contract, tentatively scheduled for June 25, 2019.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The estimated construction contract cost for the Bolsa Road Fish Passage Improvement Project is between $1.5 million and $2 million. Adequate funding for this contract has been included in the Board-adopted Fiscal Year 2018-19 Project budget. Funding for construction will be accounted for in SCW Priority D6 Creek Restoration and Stabilization.
CEQA:
This project is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15333 which exempts projects not exceeding five acres in size that are proposed for maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Notice to Bidders
Attachment 2: Project Delivery Process Chart
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Ngoc Nguyen, 408-630-2632