Inactive Eagle Nest and Tree Removal
Summary
SCH Number
2026080556
Public Agency
Santa Margarita Water District
Document Title
Inactive Eagle Nest and Tree Removal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/18/2026
Document Description
Pursuant U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. PER29847282, Scouting America, Orange County Council will remove a hazardous tree containing an inactive eagle’s nest ("Activity") located on premises leased from the Santa Margarita Water District (Lease Agreement No. 04/972/01).
Contact Information
Name
Robert Grantham
Agency Name
Santa Margarita Water District
Job Title
General Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Marie Becvar
Agency Name
Scouting America, Orange County Council
Job Title
Director of Outdoor Programs
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Rancho Santa Margarita
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide, Southern California
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Ministerial
Type, Section or Code
Pub. Resources Code § 21080(b)(1)
Reasons for Exemption
The Activity is exempt from CEQA pursuant to section 15268 because it constitutes a ministerial action. Under State CEQA Guidelines section 15369, a “ministerial” project is a governmental decision involving little or no personal judgment by the public officials to the wisdom or manner of carrying out the project. The public official uses no special discretion or judgment in reaching a decision. A ministerial decision involves only the use of fixed standards or objective measurements, and the public official cannot use personal, subjective judgment in deciding whether or how the project should be carried out. Ministerial projects are exempt from the requirements of CEQA. (State CEQA Guidelines section 15268.)
The proposed activity is being conducted pursuant to the existing lease terms and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Permit No. PER29847282, and does not require any discretionary approval by Santa Margarita Water District. Accordingly, Santa Margarita Water District’s role in the decision to remove the tree or inactive eagle nest involves no exercise of discretion or judgment, nor does it have any discretion regarding how the activity will be carried out. Therefore, the project is ministerial and exempt from CEQA.
Exempt Status
Ministerial
Type, Section or Code
14 Cal. Code Regs. (State CEQA Guidelines), section 15268
Reasons for Exemption
The Activity is exempt from CEQA pursuant to section 15268 because it constitutes a ministerial action. Under State CEQA Guidelines section 15369, a “ministerial” project is a governmental decision involving little or no personal judgment by the public officials to the wisdom or manner of carrying out the project. The public official uses no special discretion or judgment in reaching a decision. A ministerial decision involves only the use of fixed standards or objective measurements, and the public official cannot use personal, subjective judgment in deciding whether or how the project should be carried out. Ministerial projects are exempt from the requirements of CEQA. (State CEQA Guidelines section 15268.)
The proposed activity is being conducted pursuant to the existing lease terms and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Permit No. PER29847282, and does not require any discretionary approval by Santa Margarita Water District. Accordingly, Santa Margarita Water District’s role in the decision to remove the tree or inactive eagle nest involves no exercise of discretion or judgment, nor does it have any discretion regarding how the activity will be carried out. Therefore, the project is ministerial and exempt from CEQA.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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