Sierra Foothill REC Mediterranean Drought Study
Summary
SCH Number
2020060436
Public Agency
University of California, Davis
Document Title
Sierra Foothill REC Mediterranean Drought Study
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/22/2020
Present Land Use
Research and agriculture
Document Description
NOE for the Sierra Foothill REC Mediterranean Drought Study.
Project Description:
The Sierra Foothill REC Mediterranean Drought Study project is an experimental research study of drought in California. For this project, thirty-two research plots are will be established at one location on the 6,000-acre property. All thirty-two research plots will have a sensor network installed consisting of meteorological and hydrological sensors, a solar panel for power supply, and an antennae. Sixteen of the thirty-two research plots will have a temporary shelter structure built to control precipitation (rain) on these plots. The sixteen shelter structures will be 800 square foot (16 feet by 50 feet) each and used to simulate drought conditions. The sensor network and shelter structures will be powered by a 15 panel photovoltaic array, also to be built at the site, and the project will also require 320 square foot (16 feet by 20 feet) equipment building. The location of the research study and structures will be a previously disturbed field used for grazing and agriculture.
Contact Information
Name
Matt Dulcich
Agency Name
University of California, Davis
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Agency Name
University of California
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
Browns Valley
Counties
Yuba
Zip
95918
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15303 and 15306
Reasons for Exemption
This research project is categorically exempt under Class 3 (New Construction or Small Structures) and on a separate and independent basis under Class 6 (Information Gathering) of the Guidelines for the Implementation to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Class 3 exemption applies to the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities. The Class 6 exemption applies to data gathering, research, experimental management and resource evaluation activities. This project will build small structures and install small equipment as part of a climate research and data collection study. In addition, none of the exceptions for application of a categorical exemption apply to this project.