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City backs CalTrout application for Trabuco Creek fish‑passage and trail improvements
Summary
The council authorized submission of a California Public Utilities Commission application supporting CalTrout’s Trabuco Creek Fish Passage project, a multi‑site restoration to remove two fish passage barriers, build an elevated equestrian/trail bridge, and restore habitat; staff and CalTrout said construction could begin in 2026 with an estimated $45 million total cost.
City staff and California Trout (CalTrout) presented the Trabuco Creek Fish Passage project, which targets two barriers — a Metrolink bridge foundation and the I‑5 flood conveyance structure — that now block southern steelhead migration upstream from Doheny Beach. CalTrout project manager Nate Yancheff described engineering designs for a nature‑like fishway, channel grading, invasive species removal, revegetation, and a 15‑foot‑wide elevated bridge for trail and equestrian users. CalTrout said the design was reviewed by city engineers and that the project includes restoration of about a half‑mile of intervening stream reach.
CalTrout reported $24 million secured for the Metrolink portion and said the total construction cost is approximately $45 million; the team expects to begin work at the Metrolink site in 2026 and complete major construction across sites by late 2028. CalTrout and staff discussed maintenance responsibilities: CalTrout said High Point (a development partner) has committed funding for long‑term operations and that Orange County would be consulted to perform inspections and post‑storm maintenance; the city will later negotiate the maintenance agreement for trail structures and gate operations.
Equestrian stakeholders and residents spoke in support and urged ongoing stakeholder input on trail design and safety; council members asked about structural durability, flood‑event repairs, permitting, and whether any relocation or stocking of steelhead would be planned (CalTrout said relocation is not currently planned but eDNA shows steelhead genetic material present below the Metrolink barrier).
The council unanimously authorized the city manager to submit an application to the California Public Utilities Commission to permit CalTrout to construct a multi‑use trail bridge beneath the railroad bridge as part of the fish‑passage project. Staff noted some CEQA and permitting roles will be led by state agencies (San Diego Water Board as lead for environmental review) and that remaining cost/responsibility details will be negotiated before construction.
