Background:

MCL reviewed and commented on the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Rehabilitation Project, which was released in mid-January, 2011. The FEIR addresses questions, concerns and comments raised by MCL as well as other organizations,agencies and members of the public to the Draft EIR (Sir Francis Drake Blvd (SFDB) Rehabilitation Project Draft Environmental Impact Report) and appendices, which was released last year and describes the project in detail.

MCL opposed the possible removal of eight mature redwood trees to widen the roadway and improve line-of-sight under "Option A."   MCL emphasizes that protecting water quality during construction and the overall, long-term health of the Lagunitas Creek habitat is paramount.

At its Tuesday, May 10, 2011 meeting, the County Board of Supervisors approved the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. improvement project. The eight mature redwood trees that had been marked for removal to "maximize safety" under "Option A" will not be cut down, a point on which both Marin Conservation League and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition concurred.

"The project is divided into 2 segments.  Segment 1 (Shafter Bridge to Station 100+00) will be rehabilitating using the crack and seat technique that reuses the existing concrete as a base for overlay of new asphalt concrete;  Segment 2 (Station 100+00 to Platform Bridge Road)  will be rehabilitated by milling the existing roadway surface and applying an overlay of rubberized concrete. The existing unstable slope at Station 270+00 will be repaired.  The slope repair will require the removal of 8 trees.  In addition, the proposed project includes improvements to alignment and width of SFDB.  Retaining walls, less than 3 feet in height, would be constructed to provide additional paved shoulder width.  The proposed project as designed would not require the removal of any other trees.   All existing culverts comprised of corrugated metallic or plastic, within the right-of way, will be removed and replaced.  Those portions of existing culverts outside of the right-of way will not be removed and replaced.  Regularly spaced pullouts will be provided along the roadway and paved with permeable asphalt.  The proposed is to sign and formalized pullouts as no-parking zones.  Other areas along the roadway currently used as informal pullouts will be landscaped to prohibit their use as vehicle pullouts.

• February 7, 2011 - MCL's comments on the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Rehabilitation Project Final EIR

• Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Rehabilitation Project FEIR (link)

2010 Documents and Correspondence

• June 25, 2010 - MCL's comments on the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Rehabilitation Project DEIR

1. Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Rehabilitation Project DEIR

• Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Rehabilitation Project Appendices