Drilling and Construction of Monitoring Well G10 – Indio Subbasin
Summary
SCH Number
2024040252
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
Drilling and Construction of Monitoring Well G10 – Indio Subbasin
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/4/2024
Document Description
The Department of Water Resources Technical Support Services Program proposes to drill and install one single-completion monitoring well in the Indio Subbasin to fill data gaps within the groundwater monitoring network and provide hydrogeologic data. The proposed project site is located on private property owned by the Coachella Valley Water District within the unincorporated Riverside County neighborhood of Thermal. The drilling will occur in a graded dirt lot adjacent to a small neighborhood with homes and a school nearby at the location with coordinates: 33.640647 degrees North, -116.143119 degrees West (WGS 1984). The proposed activities will occur on parcels APN 757-024-012 and APN 757-024-013 located at Section 22 of Township 6 South, Range 8 East of the “Indio” USGS 7.5’ quadrangle. Construction of the well is anticipated to last 3 weeks.
Drilling will consist of initially setting a 16-inch by 50-foot permanent conductor casing to advance a 10-inch-diameter boring. The monitoring well will be drilled up to 200 feet below ground surface (bgs) in the shallow aquifer zone. Geophysical logging will be performed within the boring including: gamma ray; spontaneous potential; short-normal, long-normal and point electrical resistivity logs; vertical deviation; and a caliper survey. After the geophysical logs have been completed and formation samples evaluated, DWR will construct a target well screen of 85-160 feet bgs and seal for the location.
All drill cuttings will be stockpiled on-site with the potential for re-use. Fluid and drill cuttings are expected to be nonhazardous and will be sampled and analyzed for constituents for concern prior to disposal. Should soil testing within the drill cutting reveal contaminants of concern above threshold levels, cuttings are to be disposed of at a designated waste facility. All drilling fluids and borehole water will be containerized in plastic lined roll-off bins and disposed of at a designated waste facility unless otherwise specified by DWR or Coachella Valley Water District.
Contact Information
Name
Vanessa Velasco
Agency Name
California Department of Water Resources
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Countywide, Unincorporated
Zip
92274
Parcel #
757-024-012 and 757-024-013
State Highways
SR-111 and CA-86
Railways
Union Pacific Railroad
Airports
Jacqueline Cochran Airport
Schools
John Kelley Elementary School
Waterways
Whitewater River
Township
6S
Range
8E
Section
22
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Information Collection, Class 6, 15306, Title 14 CCR
Reasons for Exemption
A preconstruction survey was conducted which revealed no sensitive resources on the proposed project site. The California Natural Diversity Database and USFW’s IPaC resource list indicated the known state-listed threatened and endangered species with the potential to occur in the region according to the Indio USGS 7.5’ quad: Yuma Ridgways rail, Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, desert tortoise, Peninsular bighorn sheep, and Least Bell’s vireo. The proposed project site was scouted for potential activity of these listed species or their habitat and none was found on the site. The possibility exists that Peninsular bighorn sheep species may be present in the nearby mountains and hills, but the construction activities would be a transitory disturbance and the animal would be able to avoid the construction area. The area is also a human-dominated location which would deter the species from entering.
Should the proposed activities occur during bird nesting season between February 15 – September 15, DWR construction monitor will conduct a daily survey for nesting birds. If evidence of nesting birds is found, construction will halt until the birds conclude nesting behavior or measures are implemented to avoid any impacts to the nesting birds. Proposed well drilling activities are not anticipated to affect nesting migratory birds, occupied nests, or eggs if they occur.
The Cortese List was reviewed, and the proposed project is not within or impacting any landfills, contaminated, or hazardous waste site. Visqueen or a similar type of plastic sheeting will be placed under all equipment to reasonably prevent minor equipment oil or fluids to drip onto the ground. Water, fluids, and hazardous materials would not be expected to contact the ground. All construction activities will occur on the parcels and not require traffic control measures on adjacent streets.
The project will adhere to the noise ordinance set by the county and implement noise barriers if needed to avoid impacts to the community. Overall, no significant impacts would be anticipated for biological, air quality, noise, visual, water quality, land surface, or historic and archaeological resources.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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