Atwood’s Merrill Creek Water Diversion Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-SIS-57465-R1
Summary
SCH Number
2025051182
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Northern and Eureka Region 1
(CDFW)
Document Title
Atwood’s Merrill Creek Water Diversion Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-SIS-57465-R1
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/27/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has executed Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement EPIMS Notification No. EPIMS-SIS-57465-R1, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code to David Atwood.
The project is limited to activities associated with 1) the diversion of water from Merrill Creek at a single point of diversion, and 2) maintenance of the on-stream seep well pumping facility that impacts pumping of water. The Permittee submits Statements of Water Diversion and Use annually to the SWRCB - Division of Water Rights and maintains a flow below the diversion. The Permittee is exercising a riparian water right for domestic, irrigation, and stockwater uses of approximately 10 gallons per minute (SWRCB# S015148).
The diversion facility is a seep well structure which includes a corrugated metal culvert partially submerged into the streambed and a screened foot valve inside of the sump which the Permittee maintains and operates. Maintenance of the diversion may include repair of the pumping facility (screen, pump, etc.) and/or removal of material in the vicinity of the diversion which may impact water being pumped. Repairs to the outside of the seep well structure shall be done at low flow stream conditions and prevent contact with the stream until cured. At no time will the diversion be actively pumping during repairs. All removed material will be placed in a location where it will not have access to waters of the state of California. No heavy equipment be operated in the active stream channel. Any work requiring manipulation of the bed, bank, or channel and/or use of heavy equipment will be done with a work plan approved, in writing, by CDFW prior to work commencing.
Permittee notified for another riparian water right on an unnamed stream, a tributary to Merrill Creek for domestic, irrigation and stockwater uses of approximately 12 gallons per minute year around (SWRCB# S023912). An agreement is not necessary at this time.
Contact Information
Name
Janae Scruggs
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Siskiyou
Regions
Unincorporated
Zip
95568
Parcel #
033-130-270-000
Waterways
Merrill Creek, Salmon River, Klamath River
Township
11N
Range
6E
Section
3
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
The project is limited to operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features with negligible or no expansion. The diversion facilities are currently in good working order.
County Clerk
Siskiyou
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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