Elk Creek Area Bridge Replacement Moves Through Environmental Approval on County Road 305

ELK CREEK, Glenn County — October 29, 2026. A bridge on a rural road west of the Grindstone Indian Rancheria is the subject of a replacement project approved through Glenn County’s environmental review process. The county’s July 17, 2026 Notice of Determination describes plans to replace Bridge 11C-0091, which carries County Road 305 across Watson Creek, with a new structure on a new alignment.

Where is the proposed work?

The official project record locates the bridge around the junction of County Road 305 and County Road 306, in unincorporated Glenn County near Elk Creek. The state record places the site west of the Grindstone Indian Rancheria and identifies Watson Creek as the waterway involved. The described project area totals approximately 6.28 acres; that figure is not the finished bridge’s deck area.

What has been approved?

The filing names Glenn County Public Works Agency as lead and approving agency, with an approval date of May 26, 2026. It says the county prepared a mitigated negative declaration, adopted mitigation measures and a monitoring or reporting plan, and did not prepare an Environmental Impact Report for this specific action.

In California’s environmental-review system, a Notice of Determination documents an agency decision and related findings. It does not, by itself, establish that construction contracts are in place, that work has begun or that vehicles can already use the replacement bridge.

Why it matters for rural travel

Bridge projects on rural roads can affect residents, agricultural operations and emergency access even when the surrounding population is small. Replacing a crossing can change alignment and construction access. However, the environmental record does not specify the precise detour plan or current bridge restrictions. Travelers should check directly with Glenn County Public Works for today’s conditions.

What neighbors should ask

Useful questions include the anticipated construction start, whether any temporary bridge or closure is planned, arrangements for emergency vehicles, creek-related environmental protections and the budget and funding schedule. None of those should be inferred from the CEQA determination alone.

For project information, the notice lists Public Works Director Talia Richardson, Glenn County Public Works Agency, (530) 934-6530, engineer@countyofglenn.net.

Primary source: California State Clearinghouse, County Road 305 over Watson Creek Bridge Replacement, Notice of Determination received July 17, 2026, SCH 2023090118. The state record is an environmental approval, not a certification of a completed bridge.

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