BEACH RANCH ACQUISITION FOR PAJARO RIVER ESTUARY CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Summary
SCH Number
2024020633
Public Agency
California State Coastal Conservancy
(SCC)
Document Title
BEACH RANCH ACQUISITION FOR PAJARO RIVER ESTUARY CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/16/2024
Document Description
Acquisition of 247-acre Beach Ranch property at the Pajaro River Estuary in Santa Cruz County for nature-based sea level rise adaptation, natural resource protection and restoration, compatible agricultural use, California Native American tribal access, and public access.
Contact Information
Name
Hilary Hill
Agency Name
Coastal Conservancy
Job Title
Deputy Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Santa Cruz
Regions
Northern California
Total Acres
247
Parcel #
Assessor Parcel Numbers 052-171-13, 052-171-12, 052-171-11, 052-231-03, 052-231-29, and 052-231-
Waterways
Pajaro River Estuary
Other Location Info
The 247-acre Beach Ranch is an agricultural property located 2.5 miles southwest of Watsonville in the southernmost coastal corner of Santa Cruz County where Watsonville Slough and the Pajaro River meet the Pacific Ocean.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15325
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed acquisition of the property is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 15325 regarding acquisitions of lands to preserve open space and habitat. Section 15325 provides examples of exempt acquisition purposes, including those for the purposes of preserving existing natural conditions, allowing continued agricultural uses, and allowing restoration of natural conditions. Consistent with these examples, the proposed project will preserve natural wildlife habitat, allow continued agricultural use, and enable future restoration of natural conditions.
County Clerk
Santa Cruz