Environmental Impact Report to be prepared for Mount Tamalpais Watershed Road and Trail Management Plan Update

A group of people and a horse gathered on a trail next to a reservoir

Notice of Preparation: Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Mount Tamalpais Watershed Road and Trail Management Plan Update

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Marin Water is initiating environmental review for the proposed Mount Tamalpais Watershed Road and Trail Management Plan Update (RTMP Update). This process begins with an initial comment period for agencies and the public to provide input on the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). This scope is described in the following Notice of Preparation document:

COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE SCOPE OF THE EIR

The initial public comment period – which is for the scope and content of the EIR and Project alternatives to consider – will be open until noon on September 28, 2026. Comments must be submitted before the deadline and may be provided in one of the following ways:

  • By email to:
    rtmp@marinwater.org
    Subject line: “RE: Mount Tamalpais Road and Trail Management Plan Update Public Comment”

  • By U.S. postal mail to:
    Marin Municipal Water District, c/o Carly Blanchard, Environmental Planner
    220 Nellen Avenue
    Corte Madera, CA 94925
    Letter subject heading: “RE: Mount Tamalpais Road and Trail Management Plan Update Public Comment”

  • In person (at scoping meeting):
    As part of the environmental review process, Marin Water is holding a public scoping meeting. This meeting is an opportunity for interested parties to learn more about the proposed RTMP Update and provide comments on the scope and content of the EIR.

    September 10, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
    Sky Oaks Watershed Headquarters
    49 Sky Oaks Road
    Fairfax, CA 94930

    The meeting will be an open-house format, and attendees may drop in at any time to learn more about the proposed RTMP Update and provide comments on the scope of the EIR.

PROPOSED RTMP UPDATE

In support of Marin Water’s mission to manage “the lands, water, and facilities in our trust to provide reliable, high-quality water and adapt and sustain these precious resources for the future,” the RTMP Update’s overall restoration approach would be to improve water quality and protect environmental conditions through road-to trail conversion projects, decommissioning and restoring non-system routes that have not been adopted into the approved trail system, and decommissioning and restoring system roads and trails proposed for reroutes. The proposed actions emphasize restoring watershed resources and ecosystem health while making thoughtful changes to the road and trail network that improve long-term sustainability and recreation opportunities.

The RTMP Update Subsequent EIR will contain both program-level and project-level analyses. The program-level component will address broad management and design guideline topics, such as signage, stewardship, adaptive management for modifications to roads and trails, long-term road and trail access and restoration projects, and enforcement mechanisms. Project-level components of the RTMP Update would consist of priority restoration, road and trail access modifications, and improvements intended for near-term implementation.

More information on the Project can be found on Marin Water’s Road and Trail Management Plan Update webpage.