GEO Geysers LF 51
Summary
SCH Number
2020010431
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
GEO Geysers LF 51
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/28/2020
Present Land Use
Geysers geothermal field
Document Description
The project consists of drilling a grassroots injection well (LF-51) approximately
9,850 feet deep on the existing Angeli drill pad.
Contact Information
Name
Meri A. Meraz
Agency Name
CalGEM
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
Geysers Power Company, LLC
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
PRC Sec. 21169, 14 CCR Sec.15261(b)
Reasons for Exemption
15261(b) - Ongoing Project: The project is statutorily exempt from CEQA under the Ongoing Project exemption.
(PRC 21169; 14 CCR 15261(b)) Sonoma County recognized the Geysers geothermal field in a Use Permit for Union Oil Company of California in Resolution #2180 on October 19, 1967, which was approved prior to April 5, 1973 (pre- CEQA). The Division has continued to permit approvals for geothermal activities within this field before April 5, 1973 and those permit approvals occurring after that date, and therefore do not involve a greater degree of responsibility or control over the project as a whole than did the prior approvals.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR 15301; 1684.1
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 – Existing Facility: The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” (14 CCR §15301) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines and per CalGEM’s regulations (14 CCR §1684.1) because the well will be installed within an existing geothermal field and involves no expansion of use of the geothermal field.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR 15304; 1684.2
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 – Minor Alterations to Land: The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 4” (14 CCR 15304) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the project involves the minor alteration of the condition of land and/or vegetation on an existing pad in and existing geothermal field and does not require the removal of
healthy, mature scenic trees.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
PRC Sec 21084; 14 CCR 15300.2(c)
Reasons for Exemption
Exceptions to Exemptions: The Division further finds that there are no exceptions to the otherwise-applicable categorical exemptions (PRC §21084; 14 CCR 15300.2(c)). There is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and that there is no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, this project is not subject to CEQA.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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