San Luis Obispo County Parks, Environmental Determination ED26-0116
Summary
SCH Number
2026070954
Public Agency
San Luis Obispo County
Document Title
San Luis Obispo County Parks, Environmental Determination ED26-0116
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/24/2026
Document Description
A request by the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Parks and Recreation to continue implementation of the Lopez Lake Quagga Mussel Prevention Public Outreach Plan at Lopez Lake Recreation Area. The project includes continued operation of a Resource Protection Team, consisting of a WIT 1-certified Resource
Protection Inspector and K9 Team, to conduct primary and secondary watercraft inspections for quagga mussels and veligers (larvae); continued plankton tow sampling and substrate monitoring in coordination with the County Department of Public Works for early detection of quagga mussels; and continued public
education and outreach at the California Mid-State Fair through an interactive booth staffed by a Park Ranger and K9 Team, including educational activities, boater surveys, and quizzes to assess public awareness and program effectiveness. Project activities are limited to watercraft inspections, environmental monitoring, and
public outreach and education. The project involves no ground disturbance, grading, grubbing, vegetation removal, or other physical modifications to the environment. The project is within the Recreation land use category and is located at Lopez Lake Recreation Area, 6800 Lopez Drive, approximately 10 miles east of the community of Arroyo Grande, in the Huasna-Lopez Sub Area of the South County Planning Area.
Contact Information
Name
Blake Maule
Agency Name
County of San Luis Obispo
Job Title
Planner III
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Elizabeth Kavanaugh
Agency Name
County of San Luis Obispo
Job Title
Parks & Recreation
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Arroyo Grande
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Zip
93420
Total Acres
366
Parcel #
048-071-016
Other Location Info
6800 Lopez Drive Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 15307; Class 7
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for a Class 7 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15307 of the State CEQA Guidelines (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for
Protection of Natural Resources). Class 7 consists of actions undertaken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state law or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of natural resources through a regulatory process that includes procedures for environmental protection. The proposed project consists solely of continued quagga mussel prevention, monitoring, and public education activities at Lopez Lake Recreation Area and more recently during the California Mid-State Fair. Project activities include operation of a Resource Protection Team, consisting of a WIT 1-certified Resource Protection Inspector and K9 Team, to conduct primary and secondary watercraft inspections; plankton tow sampling and substrate monitoring in coordination with the County Department of Public Works for early detection of quagga mussels; and public outreach and education regarding quagga mussel prevention. The project involves no construction, ground disturbance, grading, grubbing, vegetation removal, or other physical alteration of the environment. Accordingly, the project is consistent with the intent and applicability of the Class 7 exemption because it is undertaken to protect natural resources and prevent the introduction and spread of an invasive aquatic species
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is also exempt under the Common Sense Exemption pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines. This exemption applies where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. Because the proposed activities are limited to inspections, environmental monitoring, and public education, and involve no physical changes to the environment, there is no potential for the project to result in a significant environmental impact.
Therefore, the proposed project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15307 (Class 7, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources) and 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
County Clerk
San Luis Obispo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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