Cuesta Tunnel North Portal Vegetation Abatement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026060018
Public Agency
Central Coast Water Authority
(CCWA)
Document Title
Cuesta Tunnel North Portal Vegetation Abatement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/1/2026
Document Description
The Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA) is a joint powers agency formed to construct, own, and operate certain facilities needed to treat, convey, and deliver State Water Project (SWP) water to its project participants retail water providers and end users located within the County.
CCWA maintains the drainage system at the Cuesta Tunnel North Portal site. A recent survey has shown vegetative growth that may impact the existing drainage system if left unabated, making it more susceptible to erosion and potential of flooding during rainstorms. CCWA intends to retain a contractor to abate vegetation in accordance with CCWA's Habitat Conservation Plan procedures.
Contact Information
Name
Peter Thompson
Agency Name
Central Coast Water Authority
Job Title
Executive Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Atascadero, San Luis Obispo
Counties
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California
State Highways
U.S. Highway 101
Other Location Info
U.S. Highway 101 in northern San Luis Obispo County, between San Luis
Obispo and Atascadero.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301 (Existing Public Facilities); Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction); and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 - Existing Public Facilities Categorical Exemption: The Project consists of operation, repair, and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Therefore the Existing Public Facilities Categorical Exemption applies. (CEQA Guidelines § 15301.)
Class 2 - Replacement or Reconstruction Categorical Exemption: The Project consists of vegetation abatement in accordance with CCWA's Habitat Conservation Plan procedures, where the Cuesta Tunnel North Portal site will be located on the same site and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity. Therefore, the Replacement or Reconstruction Categorical
Exemption applies. (CEQA Guidelines§ 15302.)
Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land Categorical Exemption: The Project consists of minor alterations in the condition of land and vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. Therefore, the Minor Alteration to Land Categorical Exemption applies. (CEQA Guidelines§ 15304.)
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061 (b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption);
Reasons for Exemption
None of the exceptions to the Categorical Exemptions apply, as the Project will not: impact a designated, mapped, and officially adopted environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern; result in a significant cumulative impact of successive projects of the same type in the same place over time; have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances; damage a scenic highway or scenic resources within a state scenic highway; be located on a site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code; nor cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. (CEQA Guidelines § 15300.2.) Common Sense Exemption: This Project is also determined to be exempt based upon the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have a potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines § 15061 (b )(3).) A public agency may determine an activity to be exempt where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Here, there will be no expansion of existing uses, and the Cuesta Tunnel North Portal site will operate in the same manner and at the same capacity as the existing Cuesta Tunnel North Portal site. As such, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, and therefore, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
County Clerks
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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