Grant Agreement for Funding Acquisition of Real Property (Sargent Ranch) with the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) for the Safe, Clean Water Project D7 Partner
Summary
SCH Number
2026020225
Public Agency
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Document Title
Grant Agreement for Funding Acquisition of Real Property (Sargent Ranch) with the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) for the Safe, Clean Water Project D7 Partner
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/6/2026
Document Description
Valley Water proposes to provide funds through the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program to POST to acquire a 2,184.41-acre portion of the Sargent Ranch property. Sargent Ranch is just south of the City of Gilroy, adjacent to and west of Highway 101 and Carnadero Preserve, north of State Route 129, and east of Star Creek and Pescadero ranches. The area is part of the Juristac Tribal Cultural Landscape, traditional territory of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. It is also home to numerous special-status species, offers critical wildlife landscape linkages between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the adjacent Diablo and Gabilan ranges, and supports Tar, Sargent, and Pescadero creeks, which feed into the Pajaro River and Monterey Bay.
Contact Information
Name
Lisa Holm
Agency Name
Valley Water
Job Title
Associate Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
unincorporated area
Counties
Santa Clara
Regions
Countywide
Total Acres
2,184.41
Parcel #
810-37-005, 810-37-007, 810-38-002, 810-38-017, 810-83-014, and 810-83-015
State Highways
US 101, SR 129
Waterways
Pescadero Creek
Other Location Info
Portion of the Sargent Ranch property south of the City of Gilroy, adjacent to and west of Highway 101 and Carnadero Preserve, north of State Route 129, and east of Star Creek and Pescadero ranches.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
§15325, Transfers of Ownership of Interest in Land to Preserve Existing Natural Conditions and Historical Resources
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed Agreement would fund the acquisition of a portion of Sargent Ranch, a high-priority conservation area, to preserve existing natural conditions, including plant or animal habitats; allow restoration of natural conditions; and preserve historical resources. The project meets the parameters described in CEQA Guidelines §15325 for transfers of ownership of interests in land to preserve open space, habitat, or historical resources. The Agreement meets the requirements of CEQA Guidelines §15325 and is eligible for the Exemption. The Agreement does not include or allow any factors that would preempt the Project’s eligibility per CEQA Guidelines §15300.2.
County Clerk
Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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