Carneros Creek K-Rail Installation Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024120586
Public Agency
City of Santa Barbara
Document Title
Carneros Creek K-Rail Installation Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/13/2024
Document Description
The Project consists of installing 3,000 linear feet of concrete k-rail barriers (Caltrans standard, 32” high and 24” wide and 20 feet long) along an existing unpaved vehicle service road. The k-rail barriers would be interlocked and sealed to provide a watertight barrier should Carneros Creek overtop its bank during a rain event. Existing vegetation along Carneros Creek would not be disturbed. The k-rail will be placed by a small excavator, loader, telehandler or similar lifting equipment. The k-rail would be delivered to project site on flatbed trailer, lifted off the trailer and set into place. Laborers would seal any openings in the k-rail to ensure a watertight barrier.
Contact Information
Name
Kaitlin Mamulski
Agency Name
City of Santa Barbara, Public Works Engineering
Job Title
Project Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Santa Barbara
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California
Parcel #
073-450-003
Other Location Info
601 Firestone Road
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 Minor Alterations to Land. The Project meets the 15304 Minor Alterations to Land categorical exemption, because this exemption includes minor alterations to land that do not involve permanent changes, it will be a temporary measure taken to address flood control, will be non-invasive, and will not result in permanent environmental effects.
Biology. The Project is within 200 feet of the Goleta Slough Ecological Reserve, but the Project will be installed on an existing unpaved vehicle service road, therefore the effect on biological resources is considered less than significant.
Creeks. The Project is within 100 feet of Carneros Creek and the confluence with Tecolotito Creek. The k-rail will be installed on an existing unpaved vehicle service road which will not affect the creek. Furthermore, the creeks’ existing vegetation will not be disturbed. Therefore, the effect on creeks is considered less than significant.
Coastal Zone. The Project is within the appealable jurisdiction of the Coastal Zone and will require a Coastal Exemption. Therefore, the effect on coastal zone resources is considered less than significant.
Floodway. The Project is a flood mitigation project that is located within the Carneros Creek floodway and it will have a beneficial impact on the surrounding area.
Visual. The Project will install 3,000 linear feet of 32” tall and 24” wide concrete k-rail that is gray or white in color. The k-rail will not be visible from the public right-of-way. Given that the k-rail is not visible and necessary for flood mitigation, the effect on visual resources is considered less than significant.
In conclusion, the Project involves installing non-permanent concrete barriers along Carneros Creek to mitigate flooding impacts to the Santa Barbara Airport. The Project is not anticipated to result in any significant impacts towards the environmental resources, therefore, the Public Works Department recommends that the Case Planner consider this Project as exempt, as defined in the CEQA review process classified under the Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land exemption as defined in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This Project meets the Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land) categorical exemption, because this exemption includes minor alterations to land that do not involve permanent changes, it will be a temporary measure taken to address flood control, and it will be non-invasive and will not result in permanent environmental effects.
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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