Eisele Vineyard Reservoir Maintenance Project, (Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-NAP-30845-R3)
Summary
SCH Number
2025080916
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bay Delta Region 3
(CDFW)
Document Title
Eisele Vineyard Reservoir Maintenance Project, (Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-NAP-30845-R3)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/21/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has executed Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement EPIMS Notification No. EPIMS-NAP-30845-R3, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code, to Kerwin Estates as represented by Helene Mingot.
The Project is limited to Araujo Reservoir No. 1, a reservoir receiving inputs from three upstream ephemeral streams; and dam embankment and infrastructure repairs
consisting of excavation and removal of the downstream portion of the existing dam
embankment; excavation and establishment of a seepage barrier (cutoff trench) within
the embankment; installation of internal drainage features to collect and convey
seepage through and away from the dam; and reconstruction of the dam embankment with additional height to provide adequate freeboard. Estimated quantities of Project components include approximately 30,000 cubic yards (cy) of excavation, installation of about 800 cy of internal drainage materials (imported sand and gravel), and placement of approximately 41,000 cy of compacted soil embankment. Approximately 8,000 cy of earth embankment material will be hauled in from an offsite source and staged in an inactive vineyard field approximately 0.25 miles northwest of the dam. Transport of soil from the staging area to the Project Area will occur over existing vineyard access roads, with soil material intermittently stockpiled in the emptied reservoir basin.
The existing embankment drain and outfall, and the existing outlet conduit will be
removed and replaced. A new concrete drop outfall structure will be installed, entailing
the removal of approximately 16 cy of concrete covering 430 square feet (sq. ft.). A 60-foot-long, 4-foot-wide, 3-foot-deep temporary trench will be excavated to construct a 30-inch diameter cast in place outfall pipe. Approximately 50 cy covering 500 sq. ft. of castin-place concrete will be used to construct the new outfall. At the northeast corner of the reservoir, the spillway discharge conduit outlet pipe will also be replaced, which discharges flow from the reservoir into an unnamed intermittent stream. This spillway discharge will tie into existing drainage infrastructure and will not impact the intermittent stream or riparian habitat. Existing rip rap will be removed and replaced to facilitate the spillway work outside of stream and riparian habitat. No rip rap or hardscape rock armoring will be placed in the reservoir or intermittent stream or riparian.
To facilitate dewatering during construction, water will be transferred from Araujo
Reservoir No. 1 to Araujo Reservoir No. 2, which is another operational irrigation
storage facility on the property approximately 950 feet northwest of Araujo Reservoir 1. Water drained from Reservoir 1 will be conveyed to Reservoir 2 through the existing irrigation system.
Project activities will result in approximately 301 square feet of permanent impacts to
the reservoir from the construction of a new concrete conduit casing structure, and
45,816 square feet (1.05 acres) of temporary impacts to the reservoir from dewatering, equipment access, and earthen embankment material staging. The Project will also result in permanent impacts to 4,285 square feet (0.1 acres) of a seasonal wetland located near the base of the dam embankment; and permanent impacts to 14 square feet and 8 linear feet, and temporary impacts to 15 square feet, of an unnamed ephemeral stream immediately below the dam embankment due to drainage outfall and conduit improvements and access. No riparian trees will be removed by Project activities.
Contact Information
Name
Nicholas Magnuson
Agency Name
CA Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Helene Mingot
Agency Name
Kerwin Estates
Job Title
Winemaker and Vineyard Manager
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Calistoga
Counties
Napa
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Other Location Info
The Project is located on a water reservoir, named Araujo Reservoir No.1, and one ephemeral stream which receives outflows from the reservoir before joining a series of roadside drainages leading to the Napa River; at 2155 Pickett Road, Calistoga, 94515; in the County of Napa, State of California; approximate Latitude 38.58537°N and Longitude -122.5471°W; Assessor’s Parcel Number 020-340-030-000.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301; and Class 2; California Code of Regulations, title 14,
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
The Project consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
County Clerk
Napa
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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