Calero Dam Utility Potholing
Summary
SCH Number
2024120526
Public Agency
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Document Title
Calero Dam Utility Potholing
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/12/2024
Document Description
The proposed project involves excavating approximately 11 potholes adjacent to the
valve yard at Calero Reservoir. The work would be conducted to confirm the alignment and elevation of existing underground water and electrical utility lines. This information would be utilized to inform the design of the future Calero Dam Seismic Retrofit Project. The potholes would each be approximately 10 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. Existing ruderal vegetation would be removed to excavate the potholes. The potholes would be backfilled with the same native, excavated material and compacted. The potholing activities would take approximately 2 days to complete.
Contact Information
Name
Abby Annicchiarico
Agency Name
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Job Title
Associate Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
San Jose
Counties
Santa Clara
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Waterways
Calero Reservoir
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 15304, Class 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines §15304 and §15306:
“Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes.”
“Class 6 consists of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be strictly for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded.”
The Class 4 exemption applies because the proposed project consists of minor alterations to land to complete potholing activities and would not involve the removal of any healthy, mature, scenic trees. The Class 6 exemption applies because the proposed project consists of basic data collection activities for information-gathering purposes which, as demonstrated by the below project description, would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. Furthermore, none of the exceptions to the use of a Categorical Exemption noted under CEQA Guidelines §15300.2 would apply.
County Clerk
Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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