Domestic Well for the Sertich Cabin (CEQ 26-021)
Summary
SCH Number
2026080584
Public Agency
Tulare County
Document Title
Domestic Well for the Sertich Cabin (CEQ 26-021)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/18/2026
Document Description
The proposed Project site is located in the mountain community of Hartland, is not within an Urban Development Boundary, and the property is zoned A-1 (Agricultural Zone). The property owner is requesting an administrative variance for construction of a new (replacement) well to supply the property with water for the domestic uses consistent with the existing zoning. The location of the new well is unable to comply with the minimum setback requirements from the leach lines. The contractor will install a 100-foot annular seal. to eliminate the risk of contamination on the new well site. The beneficiary of the Project is the property owner.
Contact Information
Name
Gary Mills
Agency Name
Tulare County Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Chief Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Michael Washam
Agency Name
Tulare County Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Associate Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Danielle Folk
Agency Name
Tulare County Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Planner III
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jacob Sertich
Agency Name
Property Owner
Job Title
Applicant
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Name
Jessica Willis
Agency Name
Tulare County Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Planner IV
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Hartland
Counties
Tulare
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Parcel #
APN 009-030-036
Township
15S
Range
28E
Section
5
Other Location Info
57739 B Eshom Valley Road
3.3 miles northeast of the community of Badger
Unincorporated community of Hartland
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Class 3 Section 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures
Reasons for Exemption
The Project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15303{d), Class 3, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, because it consists of installation of a domestic water well and related water utility improvements of reasonable length necessary to serve an existing cabin/residential use on property zoned A-1. The Project would provide domestic water service to the existing use and would not authorize a new residence, expansion of residential use, or other intensification of use.
The Project is also categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15302(c), Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction, because the proposed well would replace an existing domestic water source/utility facility and would serve substantially the same purpose and capacity with negligible or no expansion of capacity.
The well would be constructed in compliance with Tulare County Ordinance Code requirements governing well construction and applicable Environmental Health requirements. Because the proposed well location cannot meet the minimum setback from existing leach lines, the Project includes installation of a 100-foot annular seal to address potential water-quality protection requirements, subject to County review and approval.
The County has further determined that none of the exceptions to the use of categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines
§15300.2 apply.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Class 2 Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction
Reasons for Exemption
The Project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15303{d), Class 3, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, because it consists of installation of a domestic water well and related water utility improvements of reasonable length necessary to serve an existing cabin/residential use on property zoned A-1. The Project would provide domestic water service to the existing use and would not authorize a new residence, expansion of residential use, or other intensification of use.
The Project is also categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15302(c), Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction, because the proposed well would replace an existing domestic water source/utility facility and would serve substantially the same purpose and capacity with negligible or no expansion of capacity.
The well would be constructed in compliance with Tulare County Ordinance Code requirements governing well construction and applicable Environmental Health requirements. Because the proposed well location cannot meet the minimum setback from existing leach lines, the Project includes installation of a 100-foot annular seal to address potential water-quality protection requirements, subject to County review and approval.
The County has further determined that none of the exceptions to the use of categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines
§15300.2 apply.
County Clerk
Tulare
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.