Gibraltar Dam Spillway Concrete Investigation Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024030434
Public Agency
City of Santa Barbara
Document Title
Gibraltar Dam Spillway Concrete Investigation Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/13/2024
Document Description
The Project will investigate the condition of Gibraltar Dam’s 1922 spillway concrete via minor modifications to the spillway concrete structure, required by the Division of Dam Safety (DSOD). The investigation plans and documentation demonstrating compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) are required to be reviewed and approved prior to permit approval. Modifications to the spillway concrete include up to eleven concrete geotechnical core holes across spillways 1-4. Cores are anticipated to be 3-4 inches in diameter to a depth of up to 24 inches, typical of concrete coring investigations. Upon completion, core holes will be restored with DSOD-approved materials.
DSOD preliminary reviewed the plans in February 2024 with minor comments to be incorporated into the City’s formal DSOD application, which will be accompanied by the City’s CEQA determination.
Contact Information
Name
Kaitlin Mamulski
Agency Name
City of Santa Barbara
Job Title
Project Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Santa Barbara
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California
Parcel #
153-030-014
Other Location Info
Gibraltar Dam, County of Santa Barbara
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301 (m) Existing Facilities and 15306 Information Collection
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (m) Existing Facilities. This Project meets Section 15301 Existing Facilities Class 1 (c) categorical exemption, because the repairs to the existing dam structure under the supervision of the Department of Water Resources do not involve an expansion in use.
CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 Information Collection. This Project meets Section 15306 Information Collection Class 6 categorical exemption, because the information collection and resource evaluation activities will not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource.
High Fire Hazard Area. The Project site is located within the High Fire Hazard Area. Work in High Fire Hazard Areas will not be permitted on “Red Flag Alert” days, as required by the Santa Barbara City and County Fire Departments. All work within High Fire Hazard Areas is subject to regulation and BMPs as outlined by the Project Specifications and Contract documents. Following BMPs the effect on fire hazard is considered less than significant.
Historic Structures. Although the Gibraltar Dam is older than 50 years, maintenance and repairs are required by the DSOD to ensure safety of the dam’s structure. The Dam and spillway’s historic integrity will not be changed. Staff has consulted with the City’s Architectural Historian and determined that the repair work will not have an effect on the historic nature of the Dam.
In conclusion, the Project investigates the condition of Gibraltar Dam’s spillway concrete, required by the City’s DSOD regulatory agency. Project is not anticipated to result in any significant impacts towards the environmental resources, therefore, the Public Works Department recommends that the Case Planner consider this Project as exempt, as defined in the CEQA review process classified under the 15301 (m) Existing Facilities and 15306 Information Collection categorical exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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