Sweetwater Restoration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026050215
Public Agency
East Merced Resource Conservation District
Document Title
Sweetwater Restoration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/6/2026
Document Description
River Partners, as Project Proponent, proposes to conserve, restore, protect or enhance and assist in the recovery of California native fish and wildlife, and the habitat upon which they depend. The project includes approximately 500 acres of habitat restoration within the 560-acre parcel
Contact Information
Name
Zachary Wells
Agency Name
East Merced Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Executive Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Laurel Sebastian
Agency Name
River Partners
Job Title
Restoration Science Ecologist & Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Address
Phone
Location
Cities
Los Banos, Merced
Counties
Merced
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Turner Island Rd & Sand Slough Rd.
Zip
93620
Total Acres
500
Jobs
3
Parcel #
049240006
Waterways
Bear Creek, San Joaquin River
Other Location Info
The project is located 10 miles northeast of the City of Los Banos
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California P.R.C 21080.56, a-d, inclusive concurrence
Reasons for Exemption
CDFW Director concurs with lead agency. Concurrence as the CDFW Director is based on CDFW’s independent review of the East Merced Resource Conservation District request for concurrence, which CDFW received on January 29, 2026. In my opinion, informed by the best available science and described in the separate CDFW concurrence, the Sweetwater Restoration Project meets all the qualifying criteria in Public Resources Code section: 21080.56, subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive.
County Clerk
Merced
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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