Drilling and Construction of Monitoring Wells – Cuyama Peak, Wegis Trust Site

2021040151

California Department of Water Resources (DWR)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

4/6/2021

4/6/2021

Albert Lu

Department of Water Resources

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project

770 Fairmont Ave. Suite 200
Glendale, CA 91203

(818) 549-2330

albert.lu@water.ca.gov

34°51'55.7"N 119°29'45"W

<1

1

166 & 33

9N

24W

18

Categorical Exemption

Minor Alteration of Land, Class 4, 15304, Title 14 CCR

The proposed Project is categorically exempt under Class 4, Section 15304, because the construction activities consist of nonsignificant impacts to the condition of the land. A preconstruction survey was conducted which revealed no sensitive resources on the proposed Project site. A California Natural Diversity Database search indicates known populations of Eremalche parryl ssp. Kernensis, Monolopia congdonii, Caulanthus californicus, Gambelia sila, Vulpes macrotis mutica, Ammospermophilus nelson, Dipodomys stephensi, Dipodomys ingens, Agelaius tricolor, Bombus crotchii, and Euproserpinus euterpe to exist within the USGS 7.5 quad. The proposed Project site was scouted for potential activity of these listed species and found none on the site. The proposed project site is heavily disturbed and unsuitable habitat. Vehicles would not travel on unpaved roads at speeds exceeding 20 miles per hour for dust control mitigation. Vehicles would operate in conformance with California Vehicle Code. Drip pans would be placed under parked equipment and under the porta-potty. Water, fluids, and hazardous materials would not be expected to contact the ground. Overall, no significant impacts would be anticipated for biological resources, air quality, visual impact, water quality, land surface, or historic and archaeological resources. Operation of the drill rig would create noise; the completed monitoring wells would be silent.

Categorical Exemption

Minor Alteration of Land, Class 4, 15304, Title 14 CCR; Information Collection, Class 6, 15306, Title 14 CCR

The proposed Project is also categorically exempt under Class 6, Section 15306 because it consists of basic data collection and resource evaluation activities that do not result in a significant impact to an environmental resource. A preconstruction survey was conducted which revealed no sensitive resources on the proposed Project site. A California Natural Diversity Database search indicates known populations of Eremalche parryl ssp. Kernensis, Monolopia congdonii, Caulanthus californicus, Gambelia sila, Vulpes macrotis mutica, Ammospermophilus nelson, Dipodomys stephensi, Dipodomys ingens, Agelaius tricolor, Bombus crotchii, and Euproserpinus euterpe to exist within the USGS 7.5 quad. The proposed Project site was scouted for potential activity of these listed species and found none on the site. The proposed project site is heavily disturbed and unsuitable habitat. Vehicles would not travel on unpaved roads at speeds exceeding 20 miles per hour for dust control mitigation. Vehicles would operate in conformance with California Vehicle Code. Drip pans would be placed under parked equipment and under the porta-potty. Water, fluids, and hazardous materials would not be expected to contact the ground. Overall, no significant impacts would be anticipated for biological resources, air quality, visual impact, water quality, land surface, or historic and archaeological resources. Operation of the drill rig would create noise; the completed monitoring wells would be silent.