Airport Boulevard Landscaping Project
Summary
SCH Number
2016048359
Public Agency
Sonoma County
Document Title
Airport Boulevard Landscaping Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/26/2016
Document Description
The Sonoma County Department of Transportation and Public Works is proposing to install visual landscape plantings and irrigation as a follow up project to the recently-constructed US-101/Airport Boulevard Interchange. Approximately 158 trees will be planted. Ramp areas will be planted with redwoods and drought tolerant tree species such as oaks and crape myrtles. Olive trees and Italian cypress will be planted along Airport Blvd. due to state-wide drought restrictions; recycled water is proposed to be used for irrigation. If state-wide drought restrictions are lifted, use of potable water service connection may be incorporated into the project. A temporary irrigation system using recycled water will be installed for a three to five year period of time to facilitate tree establishment. Trees are expected to rely on natural rainfall following removal of the temporary irrigation system, and will require little long-term maintenance. Landscape ground cover and shrubs will not be planted due to high water use and long-term maintenance requirements. A notice of determination for the interchange construction project was filed by the lead agency, Caltrans #4, on 10/29/2007 (SCH #2003062101) and was revalidated on 3/27/2012 (NOD filed 5/8/2012). This Notice of Exemption is for the follow-up landscaping project only. The tree planting addresses Caltrans' environmental visual commitments established in the EIR/EIS for the interchange construction project. This landscaping project is being funded by local sales tax (Measure M Phase 4a). The project is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2016, with plant installation likely occurring in 2017/18.
Contact Information
Name
Crystal Acker
Agency Name
Sonoma County
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Sonoma
State Highways
101
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S:15301,15304,15061
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt from CEQA review based on several different exemptions, including State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) (minor alteration of an existing highway facility involving no expansion of use); Section 15304(b) (minor alteration to land consisting of installation of new landscaping which does not involve removal of existing trees); and 15061(b)(3) ("Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA").
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.