San Diego LOSSAN Rail Realignment (SDLRR) Project – Plan for Geotechnical and Geological Investigation
Summary
SCH Number
2025080026
Public Agency
San Diego Association of Governments
Document Title
San Diego LOSSAN Rail Realignment (SDLRR) Project – Plan for Geotechnical and Geological Investigation
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/1/2025
Document Description
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is working to improve the resiliency and reliability of the San Diego Subdivision segment of the Los Angeles–San Diego–San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor within the cities of Del Mar and San Diego where the rail line runs along a terrace on the eroding coastal bluffs. SANDAG has approved a plan for geotechnical and geological investigation to inform preliminary project engineering for purposes of the development of technical studies to inform SANDAG’s preparation of Environmental Impact Report for the SDLRR Project. SANDAG proposes to undertake geotechnical borings in approximately 34 locations and 5 geophysical survey lines within the existing rail right-of-way (ROW), in the public ROW in the cities of Del Mar and San Diego, in Caltrans ROW, and in SoCal Edison ROW (Figure 1). The initial geotechnical and geological investigations are the subject of this notice of exemption. The geotechnical investigation would be conducted to obtain soil and rock properties along the potential rail alignment alternatives where data have not been previously collected. Monitoring wells would be established at up to 15 of the borehole locations. Geotechnical boring soils samples will be stored in 55-gallon drums and rock core samples will be stored in Conex boxes at a temporary storage facility. The temporary storage facility is located in Caltrans ROW on Carmel Valley Road near the Interstate-5 and State Route 56 interchange. The facility is currently used for construction staging and SANDAG would utilize an area approximately 100 by 40 feet. The facility would be used from approximately August 2025 to February 2026. The work also includes a geological investigation to further characterize the potential of fault rupture hazard where a series of northeast trending faults transect the potential rail alignment alternatives. Fieldwork is anticipated to take approximately six months and is planned to be performed between August 2025 and February 2026.
Contact Information
Name
Keith Greer
Agency Name
SANDAG
Job Title
Deputy Director, Environmental Compliance and Climate
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Del Mar, San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Countywide
Zip
92014
State Highways
Hwy 101, SR 56, I-5, I-805
Railways
LOSSAN corridor (San Diego)
Schools
Winston School, Del Mar Heights School, Del Mar Hills Academy
Waterways
Pacific Ocean, San Dieguito Lagoon, Los Penasquitos Lagoon
Other Location Info
Testing locations are located within the following areas: existing railroad right of way (ROW) between the San Dieguito Lagoon and Sorrento Valley Station, in the public ROW in the cities of Del Mar and San Diego, in State of California ROW, and in SoCal Edison ROW.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Public Resources Code, section 21102; California Code of Regulations, title 14 (CEQA Guidelines), section 15262
Reasons for Exemption
The activities involve feasibility studies that will not have a significant effect on the environment that are exempt from CEQA review and that are being undertaken for purposes of the development of an Environmental Impact Report that would inform a future action by the SANDAG Board of Directors with respect to the SDLRR Project.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines, sections, 15304 (c), (f)
Reasons for Exemption
The activities qualify for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption from CEQA because the proposed project involves minor alterations in land where the surface would be restored and filled with material compatible with the natural features of the site and no exceptions to the use of a Class 4 exemption apply.
The activities involve geotechnical and geological investigations, which consist of mud rotary and diamond core borings. The proposed project qualifies for this exemption because all borings would be backfilled in accordance with the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health guidelines using a cement-bentonite slurry and the surface would be capped to match the existing ground surface.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines, Section 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The activities qualify for a Class 6 Categorial Exemption from CEQA because project activities include rotary drilling and rock coring, on-site field testing, and geotechnical laboratory testing which would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource and no exceptions to the use of a Class 6 exemption apply.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines, 15303
Reasons for Exemption
To inform subsurface hydrogeology, piezometers, which are wells that measure water table surface, would be installed flush with the ground surface. The top well box would be 12 inches in diameter with a borehole diameter of 4 to 8 inches. The depth of the piezometers would be determined during drilling. This equipment qualifies for a Class 3 exemption because it would involve minor modifications to surface and subsurface conditions. and no exceptions to the use of a Class 3 exemption apply.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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