Schuster Subsurface Recharge Project (Project)
Summary
SCH Number
2025090501
Public Agency
Semitropic Water Storage District
Document Title
Schuster Subsurface Recharge Project (Project)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/11/2025
Document Description
The Schuster Subsurface Recharge Project consists of construction of a 100-acre subsurface recharge site consisting of a network of buried pipeline infiltration gallery spanning the entire parcel, equipped with a filtration system to filter the water prior to introduction to the infiltration gallery, metered connections to record deliveries to the site, and a dedicated monitoring system to monitor water levels. The pipeline infiltration gallery includes approximately 2,755 linear feet of mainline subsurface pipeline ranging in diameter from 8- to 15-inches, and approximately 42,775 linear feet of lateral subsurface pipeline ranging in diameter from 4- to 6-inches. The filtration system includes three gravity screen filter stations with electrical tie-in. The metered connections include the construction of three new turnouts ranging in diameter from 10- to 12-inches equipped with flowmeters, discharge pipeline and pipeline appurtenances. The monitoring network includes monitoring wells, equipped with dataloggers to record water levels. The subsurface recharge facilities would be installed in a fallow agricultural field owned by the District that is currently used for surface recharge. Project construction will involve minor trenching and backfilling such that the surface is restored to substantially the same condition as before the Project, and will not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees. The recharge facility will be used to recharge available surface water supplies in the underlying aquifer and assist in achieving sustainable groundwater management within the boundaries of the District and its groundwater sustainability agency (GSA). Landowners and water users within the District and the GSA will benefit from the Project and it will have substantially the same capacity and purpose as the surface recharge facility that the Project is replacing.
Contact Information
Name
Jason Gianquinto
Agency Name
Semitropic Water Storage District
Job Title
General Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide, Unincorporated
Other Location Info
The Schuster Subsurface Recharge Project is located within the boundaries of the Semitropic Water Storage District (“District”) located within an unincorporated area of Kern County, California, near the intersection of Highway 43 and Schuster Avenue.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15302, 15303, and 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Semitropic Water Storage District (District) has found and determined that the Project is categorically exemption pursuant to CEQA for the following reasons:
The Project is categorically exempt from CEQA review as a replacement of an existing recharge facility pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15302 (Class 2), which includes, but is not limited to, “[r]eplacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.” The Project is also categorically exempt from CEQA review as consisting of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities and/or structures pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15303 (Class 3), which includes, but is not limited to, “water main, … and other utility extensions….” The Project is also categorically exempt from CEQA review as consisting of minor alterations in the condition of land which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, or scenic trees except for agricultural purposes pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15304 (Class 4), which includes, but is not limited to “minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored.” Finally, the District has also found and determined, based on substantial evidence, that none of the exceptions to the Class 2, 3, or 4 categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply.
County Clerk
Kern
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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