200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
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Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5160
Fax: (714) 765-4454
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: DECEMBER 9, 2025
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: CERTIFY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 357,
ADOPT THE FINDINGS OF FACT, ADOPT THE MITIGATION
MONITORING PLAN NO. 398 AND APPROVE A MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE ORANGE COUNTY WATER
DISTRICT FOR THE OC RIVER WALK PROJECT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 17
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution:
1. Certify the Final Environmental Impact Report No. 357 (FEIR No. 357), adopt Findings of Fact, and adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Program No. 398 (MMP No. 398), and determine that FEIR No. 357 and MMP No. 398 have been processed and completed in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the CEQA Guidelines and the City's CEQA procedures, are the appropriate environmental documentation for the OC River Walk Project, and that no further environmental analysis is required.
That the City Council, by Motion:
1. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Anaheim (City) and Orange County Water District (OCWD) for the OC River Walk Project; and authorize the Director of the Community Services Department to execute the MOU on behalf of the City and to take any and all actions as are necessary to implement and administer the MOU.
DISCUSSION:
The OC River Walk (Project) is an iconic project that will transform approximately two miles of the Santa Ana River Corridor from Orangewood Avenue to Anaheim Coves.
The Project improvements aim to enhance and accentuate existing recreational areas, facilitate pedestrian and bicycle access, promote the use of river corridor open space areas for community benefit, improve the river’s groundwater recharge potential, maintain flood protection, and enhance connectivity. To accomplish this, the main components of the Project involve creating water impoundments in the river, modifying the east and west riverbanks, constructing two pedestrian/bicycle bridges, creating new Certify the Environmental Impact Report No. 357, adopt the Findings of Fact, adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Plan No. 398, and approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Orange County Water District for the OC River Walk Project December 9, 2025
trails, improving existing trails, providing enhanced community recreation amenities (e.g., terraced seating, nature play areas, parklets, plazas, water access, etc.), and other improvements identified in the Final Environmental Impact Report No. 357 (FEIR No. 357). The FEIR No. 357 and related documents can be accessed online via:
https://www.anaheim.net/876/Environmental-Documents. FEIR No. 357 analyzes potential environmental impacts of the Project to be able to implement the OC River Walk Master Plan.
After publishing and circulating the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and accompanying Initial Study for a 30-day public review in March 2023, the City held a dual in-person and virtual scoping meeting on March 29, 2023, to solicit input on the environmental topics to be studied within the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).
Subsequently, the DEIR was developed and, on July 24, 2025, was circulated for a 45- day public comment period. In total, the City received public comment letters during this period. Responses to these comments were prepared and released for public review on November 4, 2025.
On November 17, 2025, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council certify the FEIR No. 357, adopt the Findings of Fact, and adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Plan (MMP) No. 398. A copy of the Planning Commission staff report, which includes additional project details, is included as an attachment to this report.
One of the listed mitigation measures within MMP No. 398, as it relates to Hydrology and Water Quality, is to enter into Maintenance and Operations Agreements with participating Stakeholders issuing permits, as applicable. The Agreements would specify roles, responsibilities, performance standards, and communication protocols for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the Project elements. Since the Project is located in multiple jurisdictions, City staff have been collaborating with multiple partner agencies, including the Orange County Water District (OCWD), to design and plan the vision for the OC River Walk.
As such, the OCWD and the City wish to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding that describes the general roles of the City and OCWD with a more detailed agreement to be negotiated in the future. The City of Anaheim will continue to take the lead in all aspects of this project, including design, permitting, environmental compliance, and implementation. As noted in the MOU, OCWD would assume ownership and operation of the water impoundment facilities upon completion of construction, with the City agreeing to reimburse OCWD for annual operation and maintenance costs. The MOU also includes provisions for coordination on access, maintenance, signage, and operational requirements.
Certify the Environmental Impact Report No. 357, adopt the Findings of Fact, adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Plan No. 398, and approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Orange County Water District for the OC River Walk Project December 9, 2025
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Funding for the project’s planning and design phase is included in the Community Services Department’s FY 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program Budget supported by grant funds. Staff will continue to seek additional funding for subsequent phases. Funding for future years is subject to City Council’s approval of budget appropriations.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR No. 357) with Appendices
3. Response to Comments with Mitigation Monitoring Plan (MMP No. 398)
4. Findings of Fact
5. OC River Walk Master Plan
6. Memorandum of Understanding
7. November 17, 2025, Planning Commission Staff Report (without attachments)