California Aqueduct Reaches 3 and 4 Vegetation and Burrow Removal
Summary
SCH Number
2025020231
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
California Aqueduct Reaches 3 and 4 Vegetation and Burrow Removal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/7/2025
Document Description
Description of Nature, Purpose, and Beneficiaries of Project: Trees, brush, shrubs, woody debris, and trash will be removed by hand by the California Conservation Corps (CCC) in the DWR right-of-way. The removed vegetation and woody debris will be chipped and scattered on the road shoulders. If the vegetation or woody debris cannot be chipped, it will be piled and burned following the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control Board requirements. Stumps left in the ground will be treated with herbicide to prevent future growth. Any removed trash will be disposed of at an appropriate offsite location. All observed burrows will be collapsed and compacted by using hand tools. Vegetation and burrow removal is necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the Aqueduct; woody debris and trash removal allows for unobstructed inspections and maintenance of the Aqueduct. The State Water Project will benefit.
Project Location City & County: Merced County and Fresno County
Project Location – Specific: Work will take place on the right side (R) of the California Aqueduct (Aqueduct) from mileposts (MPs) 82.50 to 83.00, 97.00 to 97.20, and 97.40 to 99.00 and on the left side (L) of the Aqueduct from MPs 76.78 to 79.53, 81.50 to 83.90, and 96.90 to 97.00. These MPs are in Reach 3 and Reach 4 of the Aqueduct. The northernmost portion of the work site (MP 76.78) is where the Aqueduct and Volta Road intersect, and the southernmost portion of the work site (MP 99.00) is about 1.55 miles northwest of the intersection of the Aqueduct and West Shields Avenue.
Contact Information
Name
Mark Mcdaniel
Agency Name
California Department of Water Resource - San Luis Field Division
Job Title
Planner/Scheduler/UC Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Firebaugh, Los Banos
Counties
Fresno, Merced
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Volta Road and California Aqueduct and Ashlan Avenue Bridge and California Aqueduct
State Highways
Interstate 5
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land)
Reasons for Exemption
Work consists of removing vegetation, burrows, and trash from the DWR right of way. No healthy, mature, scenic trees will be removed and there will be no expansion of existing or former use of the Aqueduct right-of-way. Categorical Exemptions 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) apply.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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