Russian River Telemetry Study
Summary
SCH Number
2026071293
Public Agency
State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights
Document Title
Russian River Telemetry Study
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/31/2026
Document Description
The Russian River Telemetry Study is proposed to modernize the SWRCB Division of Water Rights' water measurement and reporting by evaluating the use of telemetry in reporting gage data. It will install up to 125 telemetered gage stations and telemetry gateways at sites throughout the Russian River watershed. Additional information is provided in the Study Description uploaded with the Notice of Exemption.
Contact Information
Name
Christian Fehrenbacher
Agency Name
SWRCB Division of Water Rights, Telemetry Research Unit
Job Title
Water Resource Control Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Multiple sites; see Study Description Figure 1 for map
Counties
Mendocino, Sonoma
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Various locations throughout the Russian River watershed, within Sonoma and Mendocino Counties
Total Acres
<1
Other Location Info
See Study Description Figure 1 for additional information on location of project installations.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 1, 2, 6, 33 (Guidelines 15301, 15302, 15306, 15333)
Reasons for Exemption
The Study would install gage/telemetry equipment for research purposes (Class 6 categorical exemption). Most installations would entail addition of telemetry equipment to existing gage stations on wells, diversions, ponds/reservoirs, or instream (Class 1 categorical exemption). Some stations would be new installations (Class 2 categorical exemption. The Study's mitigation component would involve clean-up and restoration of a small headwaters drainage in Mark West Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, which CDFW has confirmed is eligible for SERP and would also qualify for Class 33 categorical exemption. The Study incorporates extensive site screening and AMMs to ensure no exceptions per Guidelines 15300.2 are triggered. For additional discussion, see Study Description uploaded with NOE.
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
21080.56 (SERP)
Reasons for Exemption
The mitigation component of the Study involves clean-up and restoration of a headwaters stream in Mark West Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. SERP concurrence was received from CDFW on December 8, 2025.
County Clerks
Mendocino, Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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