Lower San Fernando Dam Low-Level Outlet Maintenance

Summary

SCH Number
2021070363
Public Agency
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Document Title
Lower San Fernando Dam Low-Level Outlet Maintenance
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/19/2021
Document Description
The Lower San Fernando Dam is located at the southern end of LADWP’s Van Norman Complex. The dam has a low-level outlet that discharges into what LADWP refers to as the San Fernando Creek. The creek receives flow from the Lower San Fernando Detention Basin and discharges into the Bull Creek Extension Channel. The total length of San Fernando Creek is approximately 1,265 feet. The State of California, Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), regulates dams, including out-of-service reservoirs, to prevent failure, safeguard life, and protect property. DSOD regularly inspects the Lower San Fernando Dam and has requested a number of actions be taken in their October 2018 and May 2020 inspection reports, including the activity subject to this Notification. Per DSOD, vegetation is obstructing the low-level outlet and, thus, needs to be removed by November 1, 2021. The vegetation obstructing the outlet is dominated by southern cattail with a few arroyo willow. LADWP proposes to trim the vegetation approximately 20 feet back from the outlet and 20 feet across the width of the creek, impacting approximately 0.006 of southern cattail and 0.004 acres of arroyo willow. The cattail would be cut down to base using hand tools only. Water is present in the creek; however, maintenance activities will avoid the wetted portion of the creek. The cut vegetation would be transported offsite for disposal. Work will take approximately 2-4 days to complete.

Contact Information

Name
Christopher Lopez
Agency Name
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide
Zip
91344
Waterways
Bull Creek
Other Location Info
15751 Rinaldi Street, Los Angeles, CA 91344

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301, Class 1
Reasons for Exemption
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the maintenance of the outlet of the Lower San Fernando Dam is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1. Exemptions under Section 15301, Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The proposed vegetation maintenance activities at the Lower San Fernando Dam low-level outlet meet the requirements of the exemption; therefore, no further CEQA review is required.
County Clerk
Los Angeles

Attachments

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