PJ7711 Shepard Reservoir Emergency Repair Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025110081
Public Agency
California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Document Title
PJ7711 Shepard Reservoir Emergency Repair Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/4/2025
Document Description
This project involves the design and construction of corrective measures to address persistent seepage and embankment instability at Shepard Reservoir, located on a 2.46-acre site on the Cal Poly Campus in San Luis Obispo County. The project is necessary following a severe storm in January 2023, which resulted in an uncontrolled breach and significant downstream damage. Emergency improvements will consist of constructing an in-situ Soil-Bentonite (SB) protective concrete collar with Vinyl Sheet Pile Composite cutoff wall, and implementing robust erosion and sediment control practices to stabilize the embankment, including fully biodegradable burlap-wrapped fiber rolls, silt fencing, and hydroseeding on sloped surfaces and prevent future flooding. Construction activities will be staged in existing developed areas, using specialized equipment over an estimated six-week period. The project will benefit the Cal Poly Campus community and surrounding areas by ensuring reliable water management, protecting public safety, and reducing the risk of future infrastructure damage
Contact Information
Name
Scott Bloom
Agency Name
Cal Poly State University
Job Title
Campus Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Via Carta Road & Sports Complex Road
Zip
93407
Total Acres
2.46
Parcel #
073-341-026,019
State Highways
CA State Hwy 1
Railways
UPRR
Schools
Bishop Peak Elementary, Pacheco Elementary, Teach Elementary
Waterways
Brizzolara Creek, Stenner Creek
Township
30S
Range
12E
Section
15
Other Location Info
Mount Diablo Principal Meridian
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)
Reasons for Exemption
The project qualifies for Statutory Exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15269(b) and 15269(c), which allow emergency repairs and specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency at publicly owned service facilities essential to public health, safety, and welfare. An environmental assessment by staff confirms that the project meets these requirements, as Shepard Reservoir plays a vital role in downstream flood protection and supplies water for agricultural and domestic irrigation on the Cal Poly campus. The planned emergency repairs, recommended by Cal Poly’s geotechnical consultant to be completed before the winter of 2025–2026, are urgently needed to stabilize the embankment and prevent uncontrolled flooding and further damage following the January 2023 storm event. These measures involve careful planning and engineering to address an imminent safety hazard. Therefore, the project is exempt from further environmental review under CEQA.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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