Lower San Fernando Dam Low-Level Outlet Maintenance (2)
Summary
SCH Number
2023030789
Public Agency
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Document Title
Lower San Fernando Dam Low-Level Outlet Maintenance (2)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/30/2023
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 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 channel width ranges 9-18 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 two actions be taken in their August 31st, 2022 inspection report, 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, 2022. This work is past due and needs to be completed as soon as possible to avoid safety issues.
The vegetation obstructing the outlet is dominated by southern cattail and a few arroyo willow trees with potential intruding roots adjacent to the outlet pipe. LADWP proposes to trim the vegetation approximately 25 feet back from the outlet and 25 feet across the width of the creek, temporarily impacting approximately 0.006 acres 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 2-3 days to complete.
Contact Information
Name
Matthew Kerby
Agency Name
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Job Title
Environmental Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Rinaldi St. and Stranwood Ave.
Zip
91344
Total Acres
0.05
Parcel #
2605-001-910
State Highways
5, 118, 210, 405
Railways
Metrolink Antelope Valley Line
Airports
N/A
Schools
Granada Hills Montessori, Knollwood Preparatory, John F. Kennedy
Waterways
Bull Creek
Township
T02N
Range
R15W
Section
5
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301. Class 1
Reasons for Exemption
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the maintenance at the outlet of the Lower San Fernando Dam is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1. Exemptions under Section 15301, Class one 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
Notice of Exemption
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