New-Eel Russian Facility 60% Design (geotechnical investigation) (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-MEN-64640-R1C)
Summary
SCH Number
2026040731
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Northern and Eureka Region 1
(CDFW)
Document Title
New-Eel Russian Facility 60% Design (geotechnical investigation) (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-MEN-64640-R1C)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/15/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has executed Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement EPIMS Notification No. EPIMS-MEN-64640-R1C, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code to the Sonoma County Water Agency.
The project is limited to subsurface exploration to advance the New Eel-Russian Facility (NERF) to a 60% Design. The project includes drilling 10 geotechnical boreholes, digging three test pits, and conducting three pebble counts in the Van Arsdale Reservoir.
Contact Information
Name
Davis Ferguson
Agency Name
CDFW
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist, Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Grant Davis
Agency Name
Sonoma County Water Agency
Job Title
General Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Unincorporated area - Van Arsdale Reservoir
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Northern California
Waterways
Van Arsdale Reservoir - Eel River
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 6; California Code of Regulations, title 14, Section 15306
Reasons for Exemption
On February 10, 2026, the Sonoma County Water Agency, the Lead Agency,
determined that the Project is categorically exempt pursuant to California Code of
Regulations, Title 14, section 15306. The Lead Agency determined that the Project meets certain qualifying criteria for the exemption. Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.1(a), the Lead Agency is responsible for determining whether the Project is exempt from CEQA and that determination shall be final and conclusive on all persons, including Responsible Agencies. As a result, CDFW, acting as a Responsible Agency, is bound by the Lead Agency’s determination that the Project is exempt from CEQA.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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