Denner Ranches
Summary
SCH Number
2023070220
Public Agency
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Document Title
Denner Ranches
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/12/2023
Document Description
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District is proposing to purchase a conservation easement over the 489-acre Denner Ranches property. The conservation easement will protect its agricultural, scenic, and natural resource values while allowing extensive habitat restoration and flood prevention activities in the Laguna de Santa Rosa. The conservation easement identifies riparian habitat and buffer areas for heightened protection and identifies two areas on the Property (Ballard Lake, and an area to the southwest corner of the Property along the Laguna) where habitat restoration would be expressly allowed subject to a plan to be developed by the restoring entity in compliance with all applicable permits, laws and regulations, and also approved by the District in advance of restoration.
Contact Information
Name
Stephanie Tavares-Buhler
Agency Name
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Job Title
Senior Acquisition Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Unincorporated
Zip
95401
Total Acres
488.95
Parcel #
057-080-015; 057-080-026; 078-030-006
Other Location Info
4415 Denner Ranch Rd
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section(s) 15378 & 15317, title 14, of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Reasons for Exemption
Pursuant to California Code of Regulations section 15317, the District's acceptance of the easement is exempt because it will maintain the open space character of the area. Alternatively, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.28, the District's acceptance of the conservation easement is exempt from CEQA because the purpose of the transaction is to preserve the natural condition of the property including plant and animal habitats; restoration of natural conditions including plant and animal habitats; for continuing agricultural use of the land; prevention of encroachment of development into flood plains; and preservation of open space.
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 21080.28 of the Public Resources Code.
Reasons for Exemption
Pursuant to California Code of Regulations section 15317, the District's acceptance of the easement is exempt because it will maintain the open space character of the area. Alternatively, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.28, the District's acceptance of the conservation easement is exempt from CEQA because the purpose of the transaction is to preserve the natural condition of the property including plant and animal habitats; restoration of natural conditions including plant and animal habitats; for continuing agricultural use of the land; prevention of encroachment of development into flood plains; and preservation of open space.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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