Russian River Redwoods Fee Title Purchase and Conservation Easement
Summary
SCH Number
2024080775
Public Agency
Russian River County Sanitation District
Document Title
Russian River Redwoods Fee Title Purchase and Conservation Easement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/20/2024
Document Description
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Open Space District) is funding the Russian River County Sanitation District’s (Sanitation District) purchase of fee interest of the 394.23-acre Russian River Redwoods property. The Sanitation District is acquiring the property for the continued operation of an existing spray field irrigation field used for disposal of treated wastewater that is essential for the Sanitation District’s operations. The Sanitation District will execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the landowner Save the Redwoods League. As a condition of the Open Space District’s funding, the Sanitation District will convey a conservation easement and recreation conservation covenant, along with an associated Offer to Dedicate the fee interest, to the Open Space District at closing. The conservation easement will protect the natural, scenic, recreational, and education resources values of the property. The Sanitation District’s enabling legislation does not allow for it to provide or fund recreation, so cooperation from other interested partners is required to realize beneficial use by the public. The recreation conservation covenant will ensure the property is open to the public within 10 years of, and in perpetuity as a park and open space preserve after, future compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Contact Information
Name
Connie Barton
Agency Name
Sonoma County Water Agency
Job Title
Senior Environmental Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
unincorporated area
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Northern California, Unincorporated
Other Location Info
12400 Mays Canyon Road, located south of Guerneville on the southeast side of the Russian River, between Neely Road and Mays Canyon Road.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301, 15316, 15317, 15325, PRC 21080.28(a)(1) and section 15004(b)(2)(A)
Reasons for Exemption
The project consists of acquisition of property adjacent to existing Sanitation District facilities. The project and conservation easement would allow for continued operation and maintenance of the Sanitation District’s existing irrigation spray field on the property (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301), which will involve negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The purchase and sale agreement and execution of the conservation easement and recreation covenant, along with an associated Offer to Dedicate the fee interest to the Open Space District is exempt because the purpose is to preserve the natural conditions of the property, including plant and animal habitats; the restoration of natural conditions, including plant and animal habitats, and the preservation of open space or lands for park purposes. CEQA Guidelines Section 15004(b)(2)(A) states that agencies “may enter into land acquisition agreements when the agency has conditioned the agency’s future use of the site on CEQA compliance.” Further development of the property for recreational purposes or expansion of treated wastewater disposal would be subject to future environmental review pursuant to CEQA.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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