Seismic Monitoring Station
Summary
SCH Number
2017088025
Public Agency
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
(CDCR)
Document Title
Seismic Monitoring Station
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/2/2017
Document Description
Under a five-year increase with CDCR, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) is going to install and operate an outdoor seismic monitoring station at the southeast corner of the CVSP property outside the secure perimeter. One-day installation will take place in a 20 sq. feet area, and will consist of four small structures. One 6'H x 3'D x 3'L structure, mounted on a 6" concrete pad, will house the solar array, backup power, satellite tracing receiver/antenna and a radio for real-time data transfer; the second and third structures consist of two earthquake sensors and a 10' antenna mast; and the fourth structure is a short-braced global positioning system (GPS) monument. The four structures will be connected by an underground 1-1/2" conduit buried to 18". The underground sensor will be buried 3' to 6' below grade ad covered by a 1'-2' sq. feet concrete cap. The design of the station enables components to be swapped or introduced without further disturbing the surrounding area. All infrastructure will be installed using hand tools and a generator; a mini-excavator may be used to auger the 6' deep hole for the sensor. Concrete will be hand mixed.
The solar-powered station will cause minimal ground disturbance and will be installed in an area that is already disturbed from prison construction and operation.
This station will contribute to Shake Alert, an earthquake early warning system under development in California and eventually the entire West coast. This network could save thousands of lives during a large earthquake. The station will contribute to better and faster recording of earthquakes in the region. The station will help provide records of ground motion close to a slipping fault. Such records are rare and would be of immense scientific and engineering value.
Contact Information
Name
Roxanne Henriquez
Agency Name
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation,
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Blythe
Counties
Riverside
Other Information
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class (1,3); S: (15301, 15303)
Reasons for Exemption
The project consists of leasing a small portion of property to install and operate a small number of small structures and equipment at an existing public facility and involves no expansion of use. This project complies with classes of projects that the Secretary for Resources has found do not have significant effect on the environment, and therefore is declared to be categorically exempt from the requirement for preparing an environmental document. None of the exceptions to a notice of exemption apply.
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.