TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Brian Bordona - Director, Planning, Building & Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Jamison Crosby - Natural Resources Conservation Manager
SUBJECT: Approval of Right of Way Easement Deed with Saint Helena Public Cemetery Association
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services requests approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign a Certificate of Acceptance for a Right of Way Easement Deed from Saint Helena Public Cemetery Association in order for the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (NCGSA) to construct a dual-completion monitoring well.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (NCGSA) would like to install a dual-completion monitoring well on a County-owned parcel (APN 009-392-045) located adjacent to the Saint Helena Public Cemetery in the City of St. Helena. Access to the County-owned parcel for purposes of installing and maintaining the well is only possible by entering through the Cemetery, necessitating a Right of Way Easement Deed with the owner, the Saint Helena Public Cemetery Association.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The installation of additional monitoring wells will further understanding of the Napa Valley Subbasin. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
None |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The monitoring well cannot be installed |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Vibrant and Sustainable Environment |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The NCGSA regularly monitors a network of public, private and County-owned wells that currently number 114 current, active wells, of which eight (8) are new, dedicated monitoring wells installed between January and May 2023 using Prop 68 grant funds from the Department of Water Resources. The eight (8) new wells were installed at four (4) sites throughout the Napa Valley Subbasin and are designed to further understanding of the groundwater and surface water interactions at in those locations which are adjacent to Ritchey Creek, Soda Creek and the Napa River.
Following the installation of the eight (8) new wells in spring 2023, there remain some unspent Prop 68 funds which the NCGSA intends to use to install additional dedicated monitoring wells. The NCGSA has identified four (4) suitable locations:
1. Conn Creek at Oakville Cross Road (in County Right of Way)
2. Napa River at Deer Park Road (in County Right of Way)
3. Redwood Road near the intersection of Dry Creek Road (in City of Napa Right of Way)
4. County-owned parcel located along Sulphur Creek adjacent to the Saint Helena Public Cemetery
The first two locations require encroachment permits issued by Napa County Roads Department. The third location requires an encroachment permit and license agreement with City of Napa which will be the subject of a future NCGSA item.
The fourth location requires the Right of Way Easement Deed which is the subject of this Board item. Access to the County-owned parcel for purposes of installing and maintaining the well is only possible by entering through the Cemetery, necessitating a Right of Way Easement Deed with the owner, the Saint Helena Public Cemetery Association. City of St. Helena has agreed to share in the cost of well installation at this location the details of which are described in a Memorandum of Understanding and Cost Share Agreement which is the subject of a separate item presented to the NCGSA.
If this item is approved, the NCGSA expects to install a dual-completion monitoring well on the County-owned parcel identified herein no later than October 30, 2023.