532237_CRPC_UIC

2024090564

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

9/16/2024

9/16/2024

Mikayla Vaba

Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division

Environmental Planner

Lead/Public Agency

715 P Street, MS 1900
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 445-9686

CEQA@conservation.ca.gov

35°33'49.3"N 118°57'37.1"W

27S

28E

21

MD

Kern County, Mount Poso Oil Field

Categorical Exemption

Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)

The project is exempt under the Class 1, Existing Facilities exemption because the project involves the maintenance of an existing well that would not expand the existing use of the well. Class 1 consists of the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration” of existing facilities “involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously,” including “the alteration of well casing, such as perforating and casing repair” (§ 1684.1). The proposed project would run an inner casing string into an existing water disposal well and cement the casing. This work is done to maintain the integrity of the well and would not change the existing use. The well is and would remain a water disposal well with substantially the same capacity. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 48815017 and would be a continuation of operations within the UIC project.

Categorical Exemption

Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)

The project is exempt under the Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction exemption because the project involves reconstructing the casing of an existing well. Class 2 consists of “replacement or reconstruction” of existing facilities “where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced” (14 CCR § 15302). The project involves the reconstruction of the casing of an existing water disposal well by running an inner casing string into an existing water disposal well and cementing the casing. The project would be located on an existing well, which is on a previously disturbed well pad. The proposed work is maintenance meant to improve the condition of the well and would not change the existing use. The well is and would remain a water disposal well with substantially the same capacity. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 48815017 and would be a continuation of operations within the UIC project.

Categorical Exemption

Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)

The project is exempt under the Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land exemption because the project would have a negligible effect on the surrounding environment. Class 4 consists of operations that “result only in minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation” (1684.2). The proposed project does not include any surface disturbance related activities that would result in more than negligible effects to the land, water, air, or vegetation. The project would be located on an existing well pad which is large enough accommodate the necessary equipment and can be accessed by existing roads. The project would not require the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. Exceptions to Exemptions: CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the application of the categorical exemptions (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2 (c)) referenced above. There is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and that there are no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, reliance on the exemption(s) is appropriate. Consistent with the purposes of PRC § 3250 et seq. and the documentation available for the preliminary review, the proposed project will benefit the environment. In addition, the work under the contracts and any resulting impacts will be temporary in duration. Therefore, the project can be considered exempt from the need for full CEQA review.