The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) and its consultant team recently completed a review of the 35% design plans for the Santa Rosa Creek Streambank Stabilization Project. The project is intended to restore the creek bank that experienced significant erosion during the winter storms of 2023 and protect critical wastewater infrastructure located adjacent to the creek.

Project Design Progress

The current design extends the successful vegetated rock slope protection (VRSP) system constructed upstream in 2005 into the recently eroded area. Using 2018 FEMA LiDAR data and historical cross sections, the proposed design restores the bank to its pre-2023 condition while incorporating natural habitat features.

Key design elements include:

• Vegetated rock slope protection extending from the existing upstream bank stabilization.
• Restoration of the creek bank to its pre-2023 configuration.
• Slopes ranging from approximately 1.75:1 to 2:1.
• A buried rock toe and groin structure covered with native creek material to maintain a natural appearance.
• Installation of root wads and boulder clusters to improve fish habitat and meet environmental objectives.
• Temporary diversion piping and sandbag cofferdams during construction.

Permitting and Floodplain Coordination

Because the project is located within the FEMA-designated floodway, a “no-rise” certification is currently anticipated for the County grading permit. However, the hydraulic model required for this analysis is no longer available.

The County possesses only the original 1980s HEC-2 paper model information, and reconstructing the hydraulic model would require significant time and effort.

County staff are coordinating with Floodplain Administrator to obtain a determination before July 1.

Emergency Preparedness

In parallel with project design efforts, the District is developing an emergency response plan in case additional storm damage occurs before construction begins.

The emergency plan generally mirrors the permanent restoration design and includes the option to pre-stage rock materials to enable rapid stabilization if future storms threaten the creek bank or nearby wastewater infrastructure.

Next Steps

Over the coming weeks, the project team will:

• Continue coordination with County floodplain staff regarding permitting requirements.
• Determine whether the project qualifies as maintenance of existing use.
• Evaluate hydraulic modeling requirements if necessary.
• Advance the design and permitting strategy based on County and regulatory agency feedback.
• Continue development of emergency response measures to address potential future storm events.

CCSD remains committed to protecting critical infrastructure while restoring the natural function and habitat of Santa Rosa Creek.