Monterey Bay Living Shorelines Program
Summary
SCH Number
2023090348
Public Agency
California State Coastal Conservancy
(SCC)
Document Title
Monterey Bay Living Shorelines Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/15/2023
Document Description
The Monterey Bay Living Shorelines Program consists of developing a living shoreline project prioritization framework, preparing three priority conceptual level plans, completing three ongoing living shoreline projects, developing a tool to monitor and assess effectiveness of living shoreline projects, conducting robust community engagement, and coordinating with State Parks to produce effective pathways for State Parks to integrate living shorelines into its resource management approaches in the Monterey Bay region.
Contact Information
Name
Jessica Madden
Agency Name
Coastal Conservancy
Job Title
Fellow
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Capitola, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Sand City, Santa Cruz
Counties
Monterey, Santa Cruz
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
The project area includes coastal State Parks lands along Monterey Bay from Año Nuevo Point to Garrapata Creek.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
section 15262
Reasons for Exemption
The planning elements of the proposed project include preparing feasibility and technical studies, preliminary designs, and environmental review documents. Thus, the proposed project involves only data gathering, resource evaluation, planning, and feasibility analyses for possible future actions that have not yet been approved or funded. These activities are statutorily exempt from review under CEQA pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15262, which exempts planning and feasibility studies for possible future actions that have not yet been approved, adopted, or funded.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
section 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt under Section 15306, which exempts data collection and resource evaluation activities that that do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. Consistent with Section 15306, the data collection and resource evaluation components of the project will not cause major or serious disturbance to the environment.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
section 15302
Reasons for Exemption
The restoration activities at Natural Bridges State Park, Seabright Beach, and Salinas River State Beach are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Title 14 California Code of Regulations Sections 15302 as it exempts the replacement of existing structures where the new structure will be located on the same site and will have the same purpose as the structure replaced. The proposed project will replace existing fencing and signs in the same areas of the project site.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
section 15303(e)
Reasons for Exemption
The restoration activities at Natural Bridges State Park, Seabright Beach, and Salinas River State Beach are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Title 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15303(e) as it exempts the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures, like fences and signs. The proposed project will erect a limited amount of additional, new fencing and signage on the project site.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
The restoration activities at Natural Bridges State Park, Seabright Beach, and Salinas River State Beach are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Title 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15304 exempts minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees. The project’s minor alterations to vegetation involve eradication of invasive iceplant primarily through hand spraying of herbicides to minimize the possible impact of herbicides on nearby plants. The iceplant will be pulled by hand in some areas to ensure no special status species are impacted. The project’s minor alterations to vegetation also include reseeding and replanting with native dune plants.