New Installation of Strong Motion Instrumentation Station
Summary
SCH Number
2026100177
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
New Installation of Strong Motion Instrumentation Station
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/7/2026
Document Description
The state-of-the art strong motion recording and telemetry equipment proposed for installation at this station will contribute seismic data critical for understanding earthquakes and for emergency planning, potentially saving thousands of lives and millions of dollars in infrastructure damage during a large earthquake.
The current property owner, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, has worked with the California Geological Survey (CGS) to find a suitable location in an open area with full sun exposure, near the Lat/Lon location noted above. CGS plans to install a small seismic monitoring station by pouring a small concrete pad measuring 4 inches thick by 40 inches long by 40 inches wide that includes three 18-inch post hole pillars. The pillars allow the pad/instrument to move with the soil rather than slide across the ground surface during an earthquake. A seismic instrument (tri-axial accelerometer) with a 36-inch-tall fiberglass (t-hut) or 46-inch-tall stainless steel (Caltrans) protective enclosure will be secured to the concrete pad. Solar panels will be affixed to the top of the fiberglass enclosure. All excavation will be dug by hand or mini-excavator, depending on site accessibility. There are no hazardous substances involved during construction nor as components. If necessary, a small generator will be used to power a hand-loaded concrete mixer and any other tools needed for construction. Construction/installation takes about 3 days.
Contact Information
Name
Michael McKinney
Agency Name
Department of Conservation - CA Geological Survey
Job Title
Engineering Geologist
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Name
Jefferey Menacho
Agency Name
SFPUC Water Enterprise
Job Title
Environmental Compliance Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Casey Rando
Agency Name
SFPUC Water Enterprise
Job Title
Senior Environmental Compliance Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Elton Wu
Agency Name
SFPUC Water Enterprise
Job Title
Environmental Compliance and Land Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Woodside
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Cross Streets
Skyline Blvd
Zip
94062
Parcel #
093-090-050
State Highways
35, 92
Railways
0
Airports
0
Schools
0
Waterways
Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir, Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir
Township
05S
Range
04W
Section
31
Base
MDB
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sections 15303 (class 3), 15304 (class 4) & 15306 (class 6)
Reasons for Exemption
This project is exempt as described above as new construction of a small weatherproof enclosure (Class 3 - Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, § 15303) to house sensor equipment that collects seismic data (Class 6 - Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 15306). The project is a minor alteration in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation that does not remove healthy, mature, or scenic trees (Class 4 - 14 Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 15304). Further, the project will not result in a significant adverse impact to the environment, and none of the exceptions to the application of the exemptions apply (14 CCR § 15300.2).
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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