Minor Alteration No. WA2025097 – Sycamore Mutual Water Company Pipe Replacement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025100225
Public Agency
Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Document Title
Minor Alteration No. WA2025097 – Sycamore Mutual Water Company Pipe Replacement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/7/2025
Document Description
The project proposes to remove and replace in-kind an 18-inch diameter steel drainage discharge pipe from the pump beyond the landside toe, through the levee, and down to the outlet on the waterside, above mean high water (MHW). The project proposes to include a positive closure device on the landside shoulder and a siphon breaker on the waterside of the levee. Excavation through the levee will occur just above the Design Water Surface Elevation (DWSE), however excavation on both landside and waterside will be within 10 feet of the levee toe and will penetrate the projected levee slope. The excavation through the crown will be backfilled using Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM), the excavation on the levee slopes will be backfilled with native material and compacted, and the levee crown roadway will be restored with compacted Class II aggregate base. The drainage discharge pipe is authorized under Permit 9390.
Contact Information
Name
Bonnie Irving
Agency Name
Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Thomas Engler
Agency Name
MBK for Sycamore Mutual Water Company
Job Title
Principal Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Unincorporated
Counties
Colusa
Regions
Northern California
Waterways
Colusa Drain
Other Location Info
The project is located at Maintenance Area 12 (MA012), Unit 1 – Colusa Drain, Left Bank, Levee Mile (LM) 6.1 in Colusa County, at the following coordinates: 39.114951°N 122.017958°W.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15282(k)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is statutorily exempt under the provisions of CEQA. The Board’s approval involves approving a minor alteration request for pipe replacement, which is exempt under CEQA California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15282(k) because the activity involves the installation of new pipeline or maintenance, repair, restoration, removal, or demolition of an existing pipeline as set forth in Section 21080.21 of the Public Resources Code, as long as the project does not exceed one mile in length.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sections 15301
Reasons for Exemption
The project is exempt from CEQA under the Class 1, Existing Facilities categorical exemption (CEQA California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15301), because the activity consists of the 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 use. No expansion of existing or former use will occur.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15302
Reasons for Exemption
In addition, the project is exempt from CEQA under the Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction categorical exemption (CEQA California Code of Regulations, Title 14, 15302), because the activity consists of replacement and reconstruction of an existing structure in the same site and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the replaced structure.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Finally, the project is exempt from CEQA under the Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land categorical exemption (CEQA California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15304), because the activity consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. Further, none of the exceptions to the exemption in CEQA California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15300.2 apply.
County Clerk
Colusa
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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