Monterey Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Monitoring Wells Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025010435
Public Agency
Marina Coast Water District
Document Title
Monterey Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Monitoring Wells Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/15/2025
Document Description
The MCWD is installing three (3) monitoring wells in the City of Marina and one (1) monitoring well in unincorporated Monterey County. The monitoring wells would be used to fill identified data gaps in the Monterey Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP), support sustainable groundwater management and meet GSP objectives. The Monterey Subbasin GSP has Identified data gaps in the groundwater elevation and seawater intrusion within the 400-Foot Aquifer and the Deep Aquifer. To address these data gaps, the GSP proposed Project M4 - Drill and Construct Monitoring Wells and is included in the work plan of the MCWD's Proposition Round 2 Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Implementation Grant. The grant was awarded in 2023 and funds the planning, design, and construction of the monitoring wells with completion anticipated by 2026. The monitoring wells would be screened in the 400-foot and Deep Aquifer, ranging from 470 to 1,450 feet deep.
Contact Information
Name
Patrick Breen
Agency Name
Marina Coast Water District
Job Title
Water Resources Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Marina, Unincorporated Monterey County
Counties
Monterey
Regions
Citywide, Unincorporated
Zip
93933
Parcel #
031-251-066-000, 031-161-042-000
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15303(d), 15306, 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15303(d) categorically exempts limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures, specifically utilities. The proposed project would involve the installation of four new groundwater wells and two locations, with a total footprint of less than 50 square feet. Section 15306 categorically exempts data collection end resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The proposed monitoring wells would fill identified data gaps in the Monterey Subbasin GSP. Additionally, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) categorically exempts projects where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed project Involves collecting data pertaining to groundwater elevation and seawater intrusion within the 400-Foot Aquifer and the Deep Aquifer. The construction of the proposed project would require minimal ground disturbance of less than 1 acre total, which would not result ln any significant impacts to environmental resources {Attachment A). The operation of the proposed wells would involve collecting data and would not have any physical impact on the environment. The date would support groundwater management and meeting Monterey Subbasin GSP objectives. The project would improve the existing groundwater monitoring network by installing new infrastructure but would not involve the expansion of existing use or result in any significant effects to the environment. Lastly, none of the exceptions in Section 15300.2 would be triggered. Specifically, for Classes 3 and 6, project locations are not particularly sensitive and are located in disturbed areas. There are no unusual circumstances related to the proposed project. The proposed project is not located within a state scenic highway or a hazardous waste site, and the site does not contain any historical resources that would be impacted. No other similar projects are proposed in the same place that over time, would result in cumulative impacts. Therefore, the project is exempt under CEQA.
County Clerk
Monterey
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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