2026 Dana Point Water Service Replacements Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026031217
Public Agency
South Coast Water District
Document Title
2026 Dana Point Water Service Replacements Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/27/2026
Document Description
The South Coast Water District (SCWD) proposes to replace existing water service lines, valves, fire hydrants, and meter boxes within the City of Dana Point. All work would be performed in the public right-of-way along existing paved streets, including La Serena Drive, San Mareno Place, Amber Lantern, and Orilla Road (Figure 1a-1d, Water Service Replacements Plan).
Project construction would consist of minor alternations and replacement of existing water infrastructure, including localized trenching, potholing to identify and expose existing utilities, installation of new water facilities within the same alignment, backfilling, and surface restoration. Temporary disturbance would be limited to paved areas (e.g., asphalt roadways and concrete sidewalks) and all excavation and ground disturbance would take place within previously disturbed right-of-way associated with existing street and utility infrastructure.
Construction is anticipated to occur in 2026 and would be implemented in short-duration segments. Temporary traffic control measures, such as lane closures and parking restrictions, would be implemented as needed and approved by the City. All roadway excavations would be filled by the end of each working day to maintain safe vehicular access. The project would not involve the removal or disturbance of landscaping, vegetation, or trees, and no work would occur outside of paved areas. All disturbed surfaces would be restored to pre-project conditions in accordance with City of Dana Point and SCWD standards.
For additional information, see 'Attachment to Notice of Exemption: 2026 Dana Point Water Service Replacements Project'.
Contact Information
Name
Dylan LaFrance, PE, JD
Agency Name
South Coast Water District
Job Title
Senior Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Dana Point
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
La Serena Drive, San Mareno Place, Amber Lantern, and Orilla Road
Zip
92629
State Highways
State Route 1, Interstate (I) 5
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301, Existing Facilities- Class 1 (b)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt under the “Class 1” categorical exemption (CE), Existing Facilities, as outlined in Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. “Class 1” exemptions consist 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 key consideration is whether the project involves an expansion of use. One of the examples included under Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines is as follows: “Existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services.” The proposed project involves the replacement and reconstruction of publicly owned water utility infrastructure operated by SCWD, including water service lines, valves, fire hydrants, involving no expansion of use.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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