Morrissey Conservation Easement Development Project (SNC #1613-LC)
Summary
SCH Number
2023060190
Public Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Document Title
Morrissey Conservation Easement Development Project (SNC #1613-LC)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/6/2023
Document Description
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy would provide funding for the Sierra Foothill Conservancy to complete due-diligence activities to determine the feasibility and structure of the potential future acquisition of a conservation easement over 2,086 acres near the community of Hornitos. Activities to be completed include acquiring an appraisal and title report; completing a boundary survey and a Phase 1 Environmental Site assessment; developing a draft conservation easement and baseline conditions report. The potential future conservation easement could protect the land for agriculture, open space, habitat, and cultural values. There will be no ground or resource disturbance, and the easement will not be acquired as part of this project.
Contact Information
Name
Mary Akens
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
Legal Counsel
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Hornitos
Counties
Mariposa
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Intersection of Exchequer Rd, Exchequer Dam Rd, and Bear Valley Rd on the north side of the town of Hornitos. Parcels 007-120-009, 011-040-002, 011-040-005, 011-040-013, 011-040-011.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Public Resources Code, 21150; CEQA Guidelines, Section 15262; Feasibility and Planning Studies
Reasons for Exemption
The project is Statutorily Exempt under Pub. Resources Code Section 21150 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 Feasibility and Planning Studies, as the project only involves planning studies for possible future actions, which the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board has not approved, adopted, or funded; there is no legally binding effect on later activities. The project is also categorically exempt under Section 15306 Information Collection because it consists of basic data collection and resource evaluation activities, which do not result in a disturbance to environmental resources. The proposed activities are for information gathering purposes and are part of a study leading to an action, which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded. This project would carry out due-diligence work to determine the feasibility and structure of a potential future conservation easement acquisition; there will be no ground or resource disturbance, and the easement will not be acquired as part of this project. This project does not fall within any exceptions to the categorical exemption.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines, Section 15306 Information Collection
Reasons for Exemption
The project is Statutorily Exempt under Pub. Resources Code Section 21150 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 Feasibility and Planning Studies, as the project only involves planning studies for possible future actions, which the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board has not approved, adopted, or funded; there is no legally binding effect on later activities. The project is also categorically exempt under Section 15306 Information Collection because it consists of basic data collection and resource evaluation activities, which do not result in a disturbance to environmental resources. The proposed activities are for information gathering purposes and are part of a study leading to an action, which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded. This project would carry out due-diligence work to determine the feasibility and structure of a potential future conservation easement acquisition; there will be no ground or resource disturbance, and the easement will not be acquired as part of this project. This project does not fall within any exceptions to the categorical exemption.
County Clerk
Mariposa
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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