Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Trail-Sharing Pilot Program

2024090455

Marin Municipal Water District

NOE - Notice of Exemption

9/12/2024

9/12/2024

Shaun Horne

Marin Municipal Water District

Director of Watershed Resources

Lead/Public Agency

220 Nellen Ave.
Corte Madera , CA 94925

(415) 945-1190

shorne@marinwater.org

49 Sky Oaks Rd. Fairfax, CA 94930

Mt. Tamalpais Watershed

Categorical Exemption

Section 15301, Section 15302, Section 15304, Section 15306

The District has reviewed the proposed project and determined it to be exempt from the California Enviornmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements under Article 19, Categorical Exemptions, of the State CEQA Guidelines in the California Administrative Code: CEQA Exemption status: The District has reviewed the proposed project and determined that following exemptions apply to the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Trail-Sharing Pilot Program. Section 15301-Existing Facilities-Class 1 Categorical Exemption for repair and minor alteration of existing public or private structures or facilities or topographical features. The Project involves the continued operation and minor alteration of existing trails within the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed, which has historically supported similar recreational activities. The Project does not involve any expansion of these facilities but continues their existing use under controlled conditions, consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301. In addition, to the stewardship, maintenance and repair of the existing trails, the Project would also include the maintenance of existing landscapes and natural habitats. As part of the Project, trail stewardship activities will be carried out to help improve trail conditions, protect biodiversity and improve visitor experiences. Section 15302-Replacement or Reconstruction-Class 2 Categorical Exemption for replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities. The Project includes minor trail maintenance or repair that involves the replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities on the same site, with no increase in capacity. These activities are necessary to maintain trail usability and safety, consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15302. As part of the Project, trail stewardship activities will be carried out to help improve trail conditions protect biodiversity and improve visitor experiences. Section 15304-Minor Alterations to Land-The proposed project meets the requirements of a Class 4 Categorical Exemption-Minor Alterations to Land which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. Section 15304 specifically allows the creation of bicycle lanes on existing rights of way. The Project includes minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation, including the creation of multi-use trails on existing watershed trails. These activities do not involve the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees and are consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15304. The Project also includes trail stewardship, maintenance and repair of existing trails, which may involve minor alterations in the condition of land and vegetation within the Pilot Program area. Section 15306-Information Collection-the Proposed project meets the requirements of a Class 6 Categorical Exemption-Information Collection. The Project involves data collection, research, and resource evaluation activities that will not result in a serious or major disturbance to environmental resources. These activities are designed to inform future management decisions without requiring extensive physical alterations to the land, consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15306. By allowing temporary use of multi-use trails the District can gather information relating to visitor experience, trail conditions, and stewardship activities designed to protect the Watershed. No exceptions to the use of a Categorical Exemption apply to the Project. The District has thoroughly evaluated the project under CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 and determined that none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions apply. Specifically: *Location in Sensitive Environments-The project does not impact any environmentally sensitive areas as defined under CEQA. The selected trails are outside areas of critical concern, ensuring compliance with CEQA Guidelines 15300.2(a). *Cumulative Impact-The Project is temporary, adaptive, and closely monitored, ensuring that no significant cumulative impacts occur in conjunction with other ongoing or foreseeable activities within the watershed, consistent with CEQA Guidelines 15300.2(b). *Unusual Circumstances-The project does not present any unusual circumstances that could result in significant environmental effects. The use of trails for multiple recreational activities is consistent with past uses and does not introduce new or unique factors that would invoke this exception consistent with CEQA Guidelines 15300.2(c). *Scenic Highways-The project does not involve the removal or alteration of any significant visual resources along a scenic highway, consistent with CEQA Guidelines 15300.2(d). *Historical Resources-The project does not impact any historical resources, as the trails involved are not designated as historic, consistent with CEQA Guidelines 15300.2(f).