2nd Street Erosion Repair and Water Quality Protection Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026090052
Public Agency
San Mateo County Resource Conservation District
(SMCRCD)
Document Title
2nd Street Erosion Repair and Water Quality Protection Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/1/2026
Document Description
The proposed project consists of emergency stabilization of an eroding drainage ditch bank adjacent to 2nd Street in the community of Montara, San Mateo County. The existing bank has become severely undercut due to erosion and is at significant risk of failure during a moderate to large storm event. To stabilize the affected area and prevent further erosion, approximately 22 tons of rock slope protection (RSP) will be placed along an approximately 80-foot section of the ditch bank. Minor grading and site preparation may be conducted as necessary to facilitate placement of the rock and ensure long-term bank stability.
The purpose of the project is to protect existing public infrastructure and prevent potential environmental and public health impacts associated with bank failure. An existing gravity-fed sanitary sewer line is located only a few feet from the roadway edge and could be undermined if the ditch bank and adjacent roadway were to fail. Damage to the sewer line could result in the release of untreated sewage into the drainage channel, which discharges to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve approximately 0.25 miles downstream. The project will reduce the risk of sewer infrastructure failure, protect water quality and sensitive marine resources, and maintain public health and safety by stabilizing the bank and preserving the integrity of the roadway and sewer system.
The project consists of placing approximately 22 tons of rock slope protection along an approximately 50-foot section of severely undercut drainage ditch bank adjacent to 2nd Street in Montara. The purpose of the project is to stabilize the bank, protect the existing roadway and adjacent gravity-fed sanitary sewer line, and prevent a potential release of untreated sewage to downstream waters and the Pacific Ocean Marine Reserve. Project beneficiaries include local residents, roadway users, public utility customers, and sensitive environmental resources through the preservation of infrastructure, protection of water quality, and enhancement of public health and safety.
Contact Information
Name
Colleen McNally-Murphy
Agency Name
San Mateo Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Conservation Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Montara
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Cross Streets
2nd St between Farallone Ave and East Ave
Zip
94037
Total Acres
0.02
Jobs
3
Parcel #
036011030
State Highways
Highway 1
Railways
n/a
Airports
Half Moon Bay Airport
Schools
Farallone View Elementary, Coastside Art Academy
Waterways
Pacific Ocean, Dean Creek, Montara Creek, San Vicente Creek, Denniston Creek, Martini Creek
Township
T05S
Range
R06W
Base
MDBM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1 (§15301) and Class 30 (§15330)
Reasons for Exemption
The project consists of stabilizing an existing eroded drainage ditch bank adjacent to 2nd Street in Montara through the placement of approximately 22 tons of rock slope protection along an approximately 50-foot section of bank. The project constitutes repair and maintenance of existing public facilities and involves no expansion of existing use (Class 1, §15301). In addition, the project is necessary to prevent failure of an adjacent gravity-fed sanitary sewer line that could result in the discharge of untreated sewage to a drainage channel flowing to the Pacific Ocean Marine Reserve, thereby preventing a threatened release of hazardous substances and protecting public health and environmental resources (Class 30, §15330).
Class 1 (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301) Existing Facilities
Class 1 consists of 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 existing or former use. The types of "existing facilities" itemized 4 below are not intended to be all-inclusive of the types of projects which might fall within Class 1. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use.
Examples include but are not limited to:
(c) Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety).
The project consists of stabilizing an existing eroded drainage ditch bank adjacent to 2nd Street in Montara through the placement of approximately 22 tons of rock slope protection along an approximately 50-foot section of bank. The project constitutes repair and maintenance of existing public facilities and involves no expansion of existing use (Class 1, §15301).
Class 30 (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15330) Minor Actions to Prevent, Minimize, Stabilize, Mitigate, or Eliminate the Release or Threat of Release of Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Substances
Class 30 consists of any minor cleanup actions taken to prevent, minimize, stabilize, mitigate, or eliminate the release or threat of release of a hazardous waste or substance which are small or medium removal actions costing $1 million or less. No cleanup action shall be subject to this Class 30 exemption if the action requires the on site use of a hazardous waste incinerator or thermal treatment unit, with the exception of low temperature thermal desorption, or the relocation of residences or businesses, or the action involves the potential release into the air of volatile organic compounds as defined in Health and Safety Code section 25123.6, except for small scale in situ soil vapor extraction and treatment systems which have been permitted by the local Air Pollution Control District or Air Quality Management District. All actions must be consistent with applicable state and local environmental permitting requirements including, but not limited to, air quality rules such as those governing volatile organic compounds and water quality standards, and approved by the regulatory body with jurisdiction over the site.
Examples include but are not limited to:
(b) Maintenance or stabilization of berms, dikes, or surface impoundments. The project is necessary to prevent failure of an adjacent gravity-fed sanitary sewer line that could result in the discharge of untreated sewage to a drainage channel flowing through National Park Service Land into the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, thereby preventing a threatened release of hazardous substances and protecting public health and environmental resources (Class 30, §15330).
The project would be exempt under the above-cited classifications as it is a repair to an existing roadway and protects against a hazardous sewage spill, thereby protecting human health and environmental resources.
CEQA State Guidelines Section 15300.2 states that a categorical exemption shall not be used for an activity where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. As described above, there are no usual circumstances surrounding the proposed project that would suggest a reasonable possibility for a significant environmental effect.
County Clerk
San Mateo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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