Arroyo Grande Creek Stream Gauge Improvement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2023120384
Public Agency
City of Arroyo Grande
Document Title
Arroyo Grande Creek Stream Gauge Improvement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/14/2023
Document Description
Notice of Exemption for the Arroyo Grande Stream Gauge Improvement Project. On December 12, 2023, the City Council for the Project: City of Arroyo Grande ("City") approved the Arroyo Grande Creek Stream Gauge (Site #739) Modifications Project ("Project"). The Project involves the reconstruction of the stream gauge located at Site #739 for the purpose of allowing better passage of steelhead trout common to the area. Specifically, the Project proposes to modify the existing broad-crested concrete weir, which spans the width of the main stem of the Arroyo Grande Creek. The Project will lower the weir to restore reliable access to 3 .3 miles of critical steelhead habitat upstream of the barrier. The barrier modification will provide passage for both adult and juvenile steelhead trout at both low and high flows by notching the weir to lower the jump height and reduce velocity.
Contact Information
Name
Patrick Holub
Agency Name
City of Arroyo Grande
Job Title
Associate Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Arroyo Grande
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Southern California
Zip
93420
Parcel #
007-572-029
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301, 15302, 15304
Reasons for Exemption
This Project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). This exemption consists of the operation, repair, maintenance or minor alterations to existing public or private structures involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. This includes maintenance of artificial wildlife waterway devices to protect fish and wildlife resources. Here, the Project involves the operation, repair, and minor alteration to the existing stream gauge that involves little to no expansion of the existing use. Further, the stream gauge will continue to be used for its original purpose of improving the critical steelhead trout habitat.
Alternatively, the Project is also exempt from review under CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction). This exemption consists of the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. The Project will involve the reconstruction of the stream gauge, located on the same site as the existing stream gauge, and will have the same purpose of improving the steelhead trout habitat with the same capacity as the existing structure. ]
Lastly, the Project is exempt from review under CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land). This exemption consists of minor alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees. This includes minor alterations in land and water to fish production facilities which result in improvement of habitat for fish and wildlife resources or greater fish production. Here, the Project involves reconstruction of the stream gauge that will lead to the improvement of habitat for the steelhead trout.
None of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions set forth in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 have any applicability here.
County Clerk
San Luis Obispo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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