Turlock and James Irrigation District Alternate Technical Support Services Well Installation
Summary
SCH Number
2024120508
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
Turlock and James Irrigation District Alternate Technical Support Services Well Installation
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/12/2024
Document Description
In 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was signed into law requiring local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to manage groundwater in their service area which necessitates the development of a network of spaced groundwater monitoring wells. With secured funding, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has established the Technical Support Services (TSS) program to help GSAs meet their SGMA requirements by providing services to install groundwater monitoring wells, conduct downhole video logging, and training on methods to accurately monitor groundwater levels.
This well installation project consists of installing two nested groundwater monitoring wells. A truck mounted drill rig will be used to drill a pilot hole while using a mud cleaner to filter out solids and return drilling mud to the drill bit. The pilot hole will be drilled to a depth up to 600 feet below the ground surface. Based on logging results, the borehole will be expanded to the selected depth with a diameter up to 14
inches. Within the borehole PVC casings, sand, and a bentonite seal will be constructed. For a final sanitary seal, neat cement will be pumped from the support truck to fill the annular space between the casings and the borehole wall to a depth required by the local well permitting process. A raised steel well protective cover and concrete pad, approximately four feet by four feet in area and four inches tall
with four 4-foot high metal crash posts, will be installed at ground level to protect the well.
Well development will occur a minimum of 72 hours after completion of the sanitary seal. Well development is done to remove any fine-grained materials from the well. After completion of each monitoring well, battery powered pressure transducers and data loggers will be installed to measure continuous groundwater levels.
DWR anticipates that well installation will take approximately 2 months at each location from March 2025 to November 2025. Construction equipment would include pickup trucks, forklift, drill rig, mud cleaner, and a generator.
DWR or GSA staff may visit the wells quarterly to collect data. Operation and maintenance will be minimal and may consist of periodic servicing of equipment and replacing batteries as needed. Access to the well locations will be by existing paved and dirt roads.
Once installed, these facilities will become part of the GSA's monitoring program.
Contact Information
Name
Steven Springhorn
Agency Name
Department of Water Resources
Job Title
Senior Engineering Geologist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Fresno, Merced
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
Two installation sites are proposed: ETGSA-03 (Magneson Property) is approximately 1,500 feet south of El Capitan Way, west of Alves Road. This well is located on private property.
JIDGSA-01 (James ID) is approximately 1 mile south of Manning Avenue and 1 mile east of Calaveras Avenue. This well is located on private property.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15306. Information Collection
Reasons for Exemption
Work activities will consist of the installation of two groundwater monitoring well. Project activities are covered under Categorical Exemption Class 6 Section 15306 (Data Collection) of the California Environmental Quality Act. No sensitive biological or cultural resources have been identified in the area.
County Clerks
Fresno, Merced
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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