Butte Water District Irrigation System Improvements
Summary
SCH Number
2024071045
Public Agency
Butte Water District
Document Title
Butte Water District Irrigation System Improvements
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/26/2024
Document Description
The Butte Water District Irrigation System Improvements consist of two projects that will involve the construction of new dual source irrigation turnouts as well as the installation of lateral heading flow measurement devices and turnout flow meters. The first project, the Dual Source Irrigation Systems Pilot Program, will provide in lieu and direct groundwater recharge by providing the means and incentive for the use of surface water in lieu of groundwater, thereby offsetting pumped groundwater. Additionally, the second project, the Lateral Heading and Turnout Measurement Modernization, will consist of a combination of infrastructure modernization improvements and the implementation of a canal operations decision support system to improve operations, reduce spillage, and optimize surface water diversions.
Contact Information
Name
Donnie Stinnett
Agency Name
Butte Water District
Job Title
General Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Sutter
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
39.2754, -121 .6464; 39.2754, -121.6403
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1: Cal. Code Regs., title 14, section 15301; Class 6: Cal Code Regs., title 14, section 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The first project consists of the construction of at least 12 new dual source irrigation turnouts that will connect to existing surface water supply turnouts or canals and groundwater-supplied pressurized irrigation systems. Cal. Code Regs., Tit. 14, Art. 18, Section 15301 provides that projects which consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. As the average area of work associated with this project is approximately 250 sq.ft. per turnout at 3’ max depth for the 12 dual source turnouts, and there will be negligible or no expansion of use for the connected irrigation systems and surface water canal systems, the system improvements are considered minor and therefore this project is categorically exempt.
The second project consists of lining portions of two existing Butte Water District canals with concrete to create controlled measurement sections in which flow meters will be installed as well as installing flow meters at existing discharge pipelines of 22 turnouts and improving an additional 24 turnouts for flow metering by installing new 4’x4’ precast concrete weir boxes on the end of existing turnout pipes. Cal. Code Regs., Tit. 14, Art. 18, Section 15306 provides that projects which consist of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities, and which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. As this project is for modifications to allow for data collection (flows at existing discharge locations), this project is categorically exempt.
County Clerk
Sutter
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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