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Home My WebLink AboutRe_ EXTERNAL_ RE_ Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Project follow-upSounds good ________________________________ From: Greg Gubman <GGubman@DiamondBarCA.Gov> Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2022 5:33:53 PM To: Ryan Wright <RWright@DiamondBarCA.Gov> Subject: FW: EXTERNAL: RE: Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Project follow-up I’d like to attend if my schedule allows <http://www.diamondbarca.gov/> Greg Gubman | Community Development Director City of Diamond Bar 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765 t 909.839.7031 | 909.839.7000 main | f 909.861.3117 ggubman@diamondbarca.gov <mailto:yourname@diamondbarca.gov> | www.DiamondBarCA.gov <http://www.diamondbarca.gov/> Connect with Us... Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/cityofdiamondbarca> | Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/diamondbarcity> | YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/diamondbarca> | Instagram <http://www.instagram.com/cityofdiamondbar> <https://www.diamondbarca.gov/1019/Make-An-Appointment> From: Winkleman, Ryan <Ryan.Winkleman@mbakerintl.com> Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2022 5:05 PM To: Rieman, Frederic@Wildlife <Frederic.Rieman@Wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: Ryan Wright <RWright@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Greg Gubman <GGubman@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Ashimine, Alan <aashimine@mbakerintl.com>; Tang, Victoria@Wildlife <Victoria.Tang@wildlife.ca.gov> Subject: RE: EXTERNAL: RE: Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Project follow-up CAUTION: This message originated outside of our City of Diamond Bar network. **Please exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.** Hi Fritz, None of the diversions or gabion walls have been installed yet. So construction started on October 24 but has had several rain days due to recent weather the last couple weeks and is still in the ground disturbance/vegetation clearing phase. We requested that all new ground disturbance and vegetation removal be conducted at the outset of the project so that as the project goes on the contractor is working in areas that have already been disturbed. We have full-time biological monitors on-site daily during this initial removal/ground disturbance phase, and they are only using two small pieces of equipment, a Bobcat skid-steer loader and a mini excavator. To date the work has primarily been removing vegetation along the trail in order to get to the 5-foot width where necessary (some areas are already wide enough), removing vegetation at improvement areas (e.g. pads for new benches), grading and improving the condition of the trail, and creating new stairs. Following the rains earlier this week the contractor was primarily performing repair and compaction activities along the trail this week while the trail is still wet and is now going back into stair creation. I’m attaching some photos that show general work that has been performed so far. As I’ve mentioned previously, it’s primarily a small trail widening project. We look forward to the opportunity to meet on-site with you so that you can see in person how the project is going. I’m out of town on Monday but could be available the rest of the week if it works with your schedule. I am not available the week of November 21, and Ryan Wright (the City’s project manager) is out of town the week of November 28. Are you available next week after Monday? It is a small site. If not then we may need to wait until December, as I think it would be beneficial to have Ryan and I both out there with you. Thanks very much! Ryan Winkleman | Project Manager/Senior Biologist/Certified Senior Ecologist 5 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 500 | Santa Ana, CA 92707 | [O] 949-330-4115 | [M] (949) 533-0918 ryan.winkleman@mbakerintl.com <mailto:ryan.winkleman@mbakerintl.com> | www.mbakerintl.com <https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.mbakerintl.com%2f&c=E,1,2ugASKFjk3fZCNi4GZkZl6TOv-t _hvafijTPJRqqM9n7W902ug9z1C4yIUcL1ReyNZKClKXNE8--0xd_QvWatS-8GpSfaDvBnKE6GJKUoMDzQj6xv5bxV8Up&typo=1> <https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fmbakerintl.com%2fmedia%2f5024%2fs21_f_06 1907_icons.jpg&c=E,1,G3RBiUc9qWB0WTjk0M3OJyejrPOTKd9OfEGOnaGMGY1s2ga0UAVulvZkUNc7TOowA_p2xp_h3mNkG2_xwYU4CkzARyiYtZrNLxpzxXGb&typo=1> From: Rieman, Frederic@Wildlife <Frederic.Rieman@Wildlife.ca.gov <mailto:Frederic.Rieman@Wildlife.ca.gov> > Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2022 2:12 PM To: Winkleman, Ryan <Ryan.Winkleman@mbakerintl.com <mailto:Ryan.Winkleman@mbakerintl.com> > Cc: Ryan Wright <RWright@DiamondBarCA.Gov <mailto:RWright@DiamondBarCA.Gov> >; Greg Gubman <GGubman@DiamondBarCA.Gov <mailto:GGubman@DiamondBarCA.Gov> >; Ashimine, Alan <aashimine@mbakerintl.com <mailto:aashimine@mbakerintl.com> >; Tang, Victoria@Wildlife <Victoria.Tang@wildlife.ca.gov <mailto:Victoria.Tang@wildlife.ca.gov> > Subject: EXTERNAL: RE: Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Project follow-up Good afternoon Ryan, Thank you for providing this material and elaborating on the description of the drainage crossings. Would you happen to have any photos of the crossings that have been installed? Or photos from the ground of where they are intended to be installed and where the gabions are intended to be installed? Water quality and erosion (as well as impacts to all plants and wildlife that may be present) are a concern. We want to make sure that this is being addressed. I’m sure that the City wants to protect the environment too and the site for the public and wildlife to enjoy. If you have any status reports on how the work is going or can show me additional photos of how the work has been progressing, that would be greatly appreciated. I think it may be beneficial to do a site visit and walk the trail with you and the City when we all have an opportunity. I have some other site visits scheduled this week and next, but hopefully we can set up something soon. Please provide this additional material and we can continue to coordinate on this project. Thank you for your time and assistance on this matter. Warmly, Fritz Rieman Environmental Scientist CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife South Coast Region 5 4665 Lampson Avenue <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2F%3Fq%3D5%2B%250D%250A4665%2BLampson%2BAvenue%2B%250D%250ALos%2BAlamitos%2C%2BCA%2B90720%2B%250 D%250AOffice%3A%2B(562%26entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&data=05%7C01%7CRyan.Winkleman%40mbakerintl.com%7C7d0483a54f7840b43a6508dac29f7594%7C4e1ee3db4df64142b7b9bec15f171ca4%7C0%7C0%7C638036287397017997%7 CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=A%2F4FeBKrVRUAIJJAVkZ1rW%2F0Rct63SVcxBQwPLmwDhU%3D&reserved=0> Los Alamitos, CA 90720 <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2F%3Fq%3D5%2B%250D%250A4665%2BLampson%2BAvenue%2B%250D%250ALos%2BAlamitos%2C%2BCA%2B90720%2B% 250D%250AOffice%3A%2B(562%26entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&data=05%7C01%7CRyan.Winkleman%40mbakerintl.com%7C7d0483a54f7840b43a6508dac29f7594%7C4e1ee3db4df64142b7b9bec15f171ca4%7C0%7C0%7C63803628739717424 9%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ktOs4UIGdgWB1FhCBmSzjxBM9DVhjEu43jjE5gr3JcM%3D&reserved=0> Cell Phone: (562) 619-0605 If you need assistance navigating the EPIMS database, please contact CDFW via phone at: 833-30EPIMS (833-303-7467) or via Email at: EPIMSHELP@wildlife.ca.gov <mailto:EPIMSHELP@wildlife.ca.gov> From: Winkleman, Ryan <Ryan.Winkleman@mbakerintl.com <mailto:Ryan.Winkleman@mbakerintl.com> > Sent: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 2:00 PM To: Rieman, Frederic@Wildlife <Frederic.Rieman@Wildlife.ca.gov <mailto:Frederic.Rieman@Wildlife.ca.gov> > Cc: Ryan Wright <RWright@DiamondBarCA.Gov <mailto:RWright@DiamondBarCA.Gov> >; Greg Gubman <GGubman@DiamondBarCA.Gov <mailto:GGubman@DiamondBarCA.Gov> >; Ashimine, Alan <aashimine@mbakerintl.com <mailto:aashimine@mbakerintl.com> > Subject: Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Project follow-up You don't often get email from ryan.winkleman@mbakerintl.com <mailto:ryan.winkleman@mbakerintl.com> . Learn why this is important <https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2faka.ms%2fLearnA boutSenderIdentification&c=E,1,iBsbvb3a2YHmzdPiQ-ZupfJbOjkX24gbaIl3UiUWl3kGgr2d5PqCwwQkC2evp9xD82lFxRn__7ptw7gomcsgcsdrBLluTzH8R0Bgi_wZOXDOjFF_VQ,,&typo=1> WARNING: This message is from an external source. Verify the sender and exercise caution when clicking links or opening attachments. Hello Fritz, Thanks for your call earlier and I apologize for the misunderstanding with the project description on the website. I have included some selected photos of the southern loop of the trail where nearly all of the work will be conducted, as well as a kmz showing the trail loop and the east and west ends of the widening/improvement along the southern loop. The northern loop will be largely untouched other than one new bench area where there is already existing disturbance; the northern loop is an SCE access road for some transmission towers alongside it so the road is already quite wide on the north. On the southern loop there is trail widening along most of the length that I’ve highlighted as well as some isolated occurrences of gabion wall installations, stair installations, and new benches. The “drainage crossings” referred to on the City website refer simply to diversions to take rainfall off of the trail during rain events. As you can see from the kmz and if you manipulate your viewpoint in Google Earth, the southern loop is at the top of the slope. There is nothing above it and no waterways crossing through it; it is completely dry with no possibility of water unless it rains due to its position at the apex of the slope. The only waterway in the project area is the one down at the bottom of the canyon between the north and south loop trails, which will not be touched and will not have any construction anywhere near it. Please let me know if you have any further questions or if you’d still like to meet on-site to verify in person next week; the City has also expressed interest in attending if so. Thank you! Ryan Winkleman | Project Manager/Senior Biologist/Certified Senior Ecologist 5 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 500 | Santa Ana, CA 92707 | [O] 949-330-4115 | [M] (949) 533-0918 ryan.winkleman@mbakerintl.com <mailto:ryan.winkleman@mbakerintl.com> | www.mbakerintl.com <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbakerintl.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7CRyan .Winkleman%40mbakerintl.com%7C7d0483a54f7840b43a6508dac29f7594%7C4e1ee3db4df64142b7b9bec15f171ca4%7C0%7C0%7C638036287397174249%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1h aWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0Kt88Gffu65izB9omnrA0ARcuAWpJDVIHbVI4PCGQm8%3D&reserved=0> t. Concrete swales are being constructed in (7) locations, as follows: * (2) locations for shade shelter pads * (3) locations where adjacent to new timber steps * (1) location adjacent to/behind Gabion Wall No. 1 * (1) location adjacent to widened trail at T-intersection with existing Summit Ridge Trail. At this location, the completed concrete swale will be filled up with rock cobble, so as to avoid pedestrians’ mis-stepping off the trail and into the concrete swale. * Reduction of Erosion and Surface Soil Displacement * Throughout the trail length, (exclusive of the steep segments now receiving timber steps) where the grade of the trail, longitudinally, is great enough where potential erosion down the trail surface is likely (historically been occurring in significant rain events), strategically-placed Trail Water Diverters are being constructed to quickly remove more significant flows of rain water, directing such flows off the trail and down the lower side of the trail topography while still in small quantities. All “run-off” water is being directed into natural vegetation areas, where it will be absorbed into the natural terrain in small volumes. There are (19) Trail Water Diverters (Construction Item No. 3 on the Title Sheet). * The bottom line goals for this project includes REDUCING natural erosion activities which this trail system has encountered over its many years of existence. * No run-off water, from this project’s trails improvement work, is anticipated to get within 650 feet of any established storm water conveyance systems. * Concerning the trail width: * All trail improvements are to be reconstructed to 5’-0” in width at the completion of the project (Construction Notes #1 on Title Sheet). * The note on the plans at various locations say: “Existing Trail/Protect in Place”. This note has been used in those locations where new grading and/or trail widening is not necessary. HOWEVER, (just as was anticipated), in order to widen those portions of the trail prior to/after these noted “protect-in-place areas”, there will be trail disturbance (within the existing 5’ trail width) due to hauling construction materials over them with mechanical equipment, and must be fine-graded and compacted again. The purpose of this Protect-in-Place note is to differentiate between trail distances needing widening to 5’-0” and those trail areas which already meet the 5’-0” width, as well as to pre-determine how much square footage of native vegetation areas will be impacted (and reported within the Environmental Documents for the project). * In all areas where the existing trail was less than the 5’-0” designated width (to be attained at the completion of the project), and residual grading must occur on either one side or both sides, the limited displacement of existing vegetation (some of which will be native vegetation, while substantial growth is actually invasive weed material) will be necessary. These designations are being called out by the project’s botanist team, which have been on-site during clearing and grubbing activities to help guide where the removal of plant material has the least impact on native vegetation. During project design, the design team made anticipated calculations of the amount of (SF) area projected for disturbance; and the actual areas are being calculated by the naturalists as the project progresses. * For discussions regarding clarifications on the BMP’s, please communicate with the City Engineering staff (Fabian?) Hopefully this information will be helpful. Best, Dick Fisher Richard Fisher Associates 4902 Kron Street, Irvine CA 92604 (714) 342-5467 rfisher@rfaland.com <mailto:rfisher@rfaland.com> From: Winkleman, Ryan <Ryan.Winkleman@mbakerintl.com <mailto:Ryan.Winkleman@mbakerintl.com> > Sent: Monday, November 28, 2022 2:03 PM To: Ryan Wright <RWright@DiamondBarCA.Gov <mailto:RWright@DiamondBarCA.Gov> >; Anthony Jordan <AJordan@DiamondBarCA.Gov <mailto:AJordan@DiamondBarCA.Gov> >; Richard Fisher <rfisher@rfaland.com <mailto:rfisher@rfaland.com> > Cc: Ashimine, Alan <aashimine@mbakerintl.com <mailto:aashimine@mbakerintl.com> > Subject: FW: EXTERNAL: Fw: [EXTERNAL] Photos of Canyon Loop Trail Work, Diamond Bar Importance: High Gentlemen, I received the email below from USFWS a little while ago. See below and attached. I know Ryan and I talked briefly about the Lee Paulson letter early last week but now that we’ve got a federal agency asking about it I think it may be better for me to get official text from the City and/or Dick regarding the project design and width. I do not want to misstate anything from my perspective and cause any additional questions. Can one of you send me something back, or at least confirm that the project is being implemented as designed in Dick’s plans and that there haven’t been any major changes? I can throw the latest permanent impact acreages into my response back to her. I am not sure about BMPs but the photos certainly don’t show any that I can see (such as silt fencing, etc.). In many cases this is not a big deal because there aren’t many appreciable slopes down the sides and it is generally very gradual and flat-ish but it is probably most relevant in the switchback area where the illegal trail is being cut off, as that is a steep grade and there are clearly piles of sediment coming down the sides. I looked in the IS/MND and saw that the project is required to have a SWPPP with applicable BMPs. Do we have the SWPPP and do we know if the contractor has implemented any BMPs from it, at least when rain is forecast? This is especially important this week because there is rain forecast in a few days. I’m currently seeing about 1.25 inches forecast between Thursday and Sunday, with the bulk on Thursday. Did they put any BMPs in place for the prior rain days? I think these were days when the biologists weren’t around anyway. Obviously the sooner I can respond the better, because right now USFWS is clearly on our side by the fact that she’s reaching out just to me personally and in such an informal manner. I don’t want to leave her waiting too long before I get back to her. Btw note that the drone photos include multiple shots of that v-ditch, which will probably trigger a response from CDFW. Thanks very much! Ryan Winkleman | Project Manager/Senior Biologist/Certified Senior Ecologist 5 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 500 | Santa Ana, CA 92707 | [O] 949-330-4115 | [M] (949) 533-0918 ryan.winkleman@mbakerintl.com <mailto:ryan.winkleman@mbakerintl.com> | www.mbakerintl.com <https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.mbakerintl.com%2f&c=E,1,2374glovgs-K6xYxt7N4koSZPjY 8vYWkUDI8CN6pcdUx0yc-_nuIvKTkeaRh9k89IK14UBMRXoEN9uzlPTho5TMWVLSg64TLzJR2Sgf5u5J_dYqYxALVn3AZ&typo=1> <https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fmbakerintl.com%2fmedia%2f5024%2fs21_f_06 1907_icons.jpg&c=E,1,6pXHWnBbp00FAM5EFkEcfzTUmlebupidiMY_cm_Hyop9AHY1y7aN0Bw2BdJQyQKyy274u7GB-ni2XfB0jU2UN7okTDH4IE6QCOvAMDOuX_9HJ9jUk9LUpUVpUw,,&typo=1> From: Kershek, Lauren <lauren_kershek@fws.gov <mailto:lauren_kershek@fws.gov> > Sent: Monday, November 28, 2022 1:10 PM To: Winkleman, Ryan <Ryan.Winkleman@mbakerintl.com <mailto:Ryan.Winkleman@mbakerintl.com> > Subject: EXTERNAL: Fw: [EXTERNAL] Photos of Canyon Loop Trail Work, Diamond Bar Hi Ryan, I wanted to give you a heads up that we've gotten a complaint from a concerned citizen about the impacts associated with the Canyon Loop Project. We just wanted to check in and make sure everything is being implemented as laid out in the MND. The specific concerns appear to be regarding the erosion control BMPs and width of the trail. If you could confirm that the project is being built as planned and that all BMPs are appropriately placed, we would greatly appreciate it and we will be happy to prepare a response regarding the ITP question. Lauren Kershek (she, her, hers) Fish and Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2177 Salk Ave, Ste 250 Carlsbad, CA 92008 (760)431-9440 x208* *I am working mostly from home and infrequently checking my office voicemail. Email is the best way to reach me if you'd like to schedule a call or meeting. ________________________________ ________________________________ From: Robert Hamilton <robb@hamiltonbiological.com <mailto:robb@hamiltonbiological.com> > Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2022 7:31 PM To: Snyder, Jonathan <Jonathan_d_Snyder@fws.gov <mailto:Jonathan_d_Snyder@fws.gov> > Cc: Lee Paulson <lee@silverlightpress.com <mailto:lee@silverlightpress.com> >; Cynthia Robin Smith <diamondbarbeautiful@gmail.com <mailto:diamondbarbeautiful@gmail.com> >; Dan Silver <dsilverla@me.com <mailto:dsilverla@me.com> >; Medak, Christine <Christine_Medak@fws.gov <mailto:Christine_Medak@fws.gov> >; Fritz Reiman, CDFW <Frederic.Rieman@wildlife.ca.gov <mailto:Frederic.Riem an@wildlife.ca.gov> >; Erinn Wilson <Erinn.Wilson-Olgin@wildlife.ca.gov <mailto:Erinn.Wilson-Olgin@wildlife.ca.gov> > Subject: [EXTERNAL] Photos of Canyon Loop Trail Work, Diamond Bar This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding. 羺辻ᾫ쩉龿겻龯澯롟넿늏뎟熯䕠 ﵮ硗峀뛏럟룯䇿엧폋찮ⴴ汏쀗俄볿붏᪟텽툿셏䦏횻ｯ翗鿆濆�迈鿉꿊罒匿咏鲟坏⷏畩㡢敪⹣娿႟學葅员瀚䅎嵌퀲桄ꥯ獠漠倂䕃챹䱱潯ჾ幔硲첱༠鼐䒱㸠߰ࢯタ鸺㉫무ᇐ䀛㗳䋫�鸯ﺶ��푱�ྲྀ絛ﱯ﯏㘳ᇐ据倏끢쀎챍ㅠ牰뗽池鼏鿿响怗냱�峰愧а뽏忸濹輇迻輀㟣퀰︑︯�ཟၿᆏኟᎯ﾿꿽꼃༗Ἐ⼙㼚伛⼁ɫ̿⁂ვ楹䆀狢�ⵑ꧐浠ㄺ㋠〮瑰缃뼞鿣᾿⛿❿⢏⦟֯ｿ輆툹 쁱îᇄ䇯ꀽî胭斀背遢땣楀ﰰ牦傎ხ}肍=ዮ䐀䥏ⴠ唠�恜Ž燌肀㒀‬正ひ찐Ⲁﰡ獫邵怲ȶ耽쀪捼蹨焐㚠袲拀炑㘑⸁켇�＊༌⳿๿Ἧᐿᕟᙯ䁿䆿ￏ�ｄཆ὇⽈㽉佊䭿䱟䵯乿侏傟冯㖿㣢勫摯㩹啮㦟꺲㌽敘孽°