San Luis Obispo County Parks, Environmental Determination ED26-0105
Summary
SCH Number
2026070958
Public Agency
San Luis Obispo County
Document Title
San Luis Obispo County Parks, Environmental Determination ED26-0105
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/24/2026
Document Description
A request by San Luis Obispo County Parks, Central Coast State Parks Association and Xerces to repair existing irrigation at Monarch Grove including replacing the irrigation controller, fix or replace drip lines, T-pipes and sprinklers. All work will be completed with hand tools. This project will disturb less than 100 square feet and
there will be no grading, grubbing, or tree limbing. This effort is based on the recommendations from the Monarch Lane Habitat Assessment to enhance Monarch butterfly habitat. This repair will be completed before the arrival of the Monarch butterflies. The project is within the Open Space land use category and is located
at Monarch Lane, Los Osos, CA 93402 in the Estero Planning Area of the Coastal Zone.
Contact Information
Name
Elizabeth Kavanuagh
Agency Name
County of San Luis Obispo
Job Title
Parks & Recreation
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Blake Maule
Agency Name
County of San Luis Obispo
Job Title
Planner III
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Unincorporated Los Osos
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Zip
93402
Total Acres
13.60
Parcel #
074-026-003
Other Location Info
Monarch Lane, Los Osos, CA 93402
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sec:15301 & 15333; Class 1 & Class 33
Reasons for Exemption
The project qualifies for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). The proposed project includes the repair and maintenance of an existing irrigation system to support the restoration and long-term management of the site. Class 1 applies to the 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 the existing or former use. Because the proposed work consists of repairing and maintaining an existing irrigation system without expanding its existing use or capacity, the project qualifies for this exemption.
The project also qualifies for a Class 33 Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15333 (Small Habitat Restoration Projects). Class 33 applies to projects not exceeding five acres that are undertaken to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife, provided that the project would not result in significant adverse impacts to endangered, rare, or threatened species or their habitat pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15065; would not disturb or remove hazardous materials located at or around the project site; and would not result in cumulatively significant impacts when considered in conjunction with the effects of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
This project is also covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this project may have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
[Reference: State CEQA Guidelines sec. 15061(b)(3), General Rule Exemption].
The project site is located outside of designated San Joaquin Kit Fox habitat and therefore does not require species-specific mitigation measures. No heritage oak trees or other native tree species will be removed as part of the proposed development. Additionally, there are no known occurrences of special-status plant species within the project area.
The project is not located near a stream or in an area with known archaeological resources; therefore, impacts to cultural resources are not anticipated. In the unlikely event resources are uncovered during grading activities, implementation of County Code Section 22.10.040 (Archaeological Resources) would be required, which states:
A. Construction activities shall cease, and the Department shall be notified so that the extent and location of discovered materials may be recorded by a qualified archaeologist, and disposition of artifacts may be accomplished in accordance with state and federal law.
B. In the event archeological resources are found to include human remains, or in any other case when human remains are discovered during construction, the County Coroner shall be notified in addition to the Department so proper disposition may be accomplished. The project will conform to the applicable General Plan and Area Plan standards, and no measures beyond those required by County Code are necessary to address the environmental impacts associated with the proposed project.
Therefore, the proposed activity qualifies for Categorical Exemptions pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities) and 15333 (Class 33, Small Habitat Restoration Projects). The project is also consistent with the Commonsense Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), which provides that CEQA applies only to projects with the potential to result in a significant effect on the environment. Based on the whole of the record, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed activity would not result in a significant effect on the environment; therefore, the project is exempt from CEQA.
County Clerk
San Luis Obispo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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