Paulsell Lateral Expansion Siphon Replacement Project (Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-STA-51605-R4)
Summary
SCH Number
2025041372
Public Agency
Oakdale Irrigation District
Document Title
Paulsell Lateral Expansion Siphon Replacement Project (Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-STA-51605-R4)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/29/2025
Document Description
Pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-STA-51605-R4 (Agreement) to the Applicant, Oakdale Irrigation District.
The Project includes activities related to the replacement of three siphons of the existing Paulsell Lateral within Fahey Creek and two unnamed tributaries to Fahey Creek. The Project is part of infrastructure improvements for the Paulsell Lateral to increase its capacity, in support of the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s groundwater sustainability efforts. Construction will be completed using open trench methods to remove existing features and install the replacement siphons. At each site, a pre-cast Rubber Gasketed Reinforced Concrete Pipe will be constructed by cutting a trench through the creek, placing pipe bedding, placing the pipeline in the trench, and backfilling and compacting the trench.
Contact Information
Name
Clint Stevens
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Region 4
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Eric Thorbun
Agency Name
Oakdale Irrigation district
Job Title
Water Operations manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Paulsell
Counties
Stanislaus
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Warnerville Road
Parcel #
011-005-064, 011-005-073
Waterways
Fahey Creek
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Executive Order N-7-22
Reasons for Exemption
CDFW’s issuance of an Agreement is generally subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA; Pub. Res. Code, § 21000 et seq.) and its implementing regulations; however, the Agreement is currently suspended from CEQA per Executive Order N-7-22 (EO). Paragraph 13 of the EO states that CEQA and its implementing regulations are suspended for the following, to the extent necessary to address the impacts of drought: (1) specified actions taken by state agencies and specified actions taken by a local agency where the Department of Water Resources concurs that local action is required; and (2) any permits necessary to carry out actions under (1). Actions under (1) are recharge projects under either Flood-Managed Aquifer Recharge or the Department of Water Resources Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program occurring on open and working lands to replenish and store water in groundwater basins that will help mitigate groundwater conditions impacted by drought. infrastructure improvements intended to reduce groundwater pumping to help mitigate groundwater conditions impacted by drought, CEQA and its implementing regulations do not require environmental review for this Agreement at this point in time. Consequently, CDFW has not reviewed a certified environmental impact report or adopted mitigated negative declaration evaluating this project, nor has CDFW adopted related findings pursuant to CEQA. Similarly, in applying for this permit, Permittee relied on the CEQA suspension provided
by Paragraph 13 of the EO. Permittee provided CDFW with documentation of Project consistency with the EO, in the form of Department of Water Resources concurrence with Permittee’s self-certification.
County Clerk
Stanislaus
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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