Agency or authority
What this CEQA compliance pathway covers
A faster, lower-cost alternative to a CEQA document (i.e. Initial Study/Negative Declaration)
Class 33 consists of projects not to exceed five acres in size to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife provided that:
(a) There would be no significant adverse impact on endangered, rare or threatened species or their habitat pursuant to section 15065,
(b) There are no hazardous materials at or around the project site that may be disturbed or removed, and
(c) The project will not result in impacts that are significant when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.
Per the January 2, 2021 memorandum by Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency, the presence of endangered, rare, or threatened species, or the use of mechanized equipment, respectively, does not preclude the use of CatEx 15333 per se.
Applicable locations
Statewide
Permit documents
How to apply
The CEQA lead agency must file a Notice of Exemption (e.g., state or local government, Resource Conservation District, etc.).
May be used with:
- Water Board Order for Small Habitat Restoration Projects
- CDFW Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Act (HREA)
- USACE Nationwide Permit 27 – Aquatic Habitat Restoration
- USFWS PBO for Projects that May Affect the California Red-legged Frog (Ventura FWO)
- South Coast NMFS Programmatic Biological Opinion (PBO)
- North Coast NMFS Programmatic Biological Opinion (PBO)
- Central Coast NMFS Programmatic Biological Opinion (PBO)
Example projects
Activities covered
Examples of small restoration projects may include, but are not limited to:
- revegetation of disturbed areas with native plant species;
- wetland restoration, the primary purpose of which is to improve conditions for waterfowl or other species that rely on wetland habitat;
- stream or river bank revegetation, the primary purpose of which is to improve habitat for amphibians or native fish;
- projects to restore or enhance habitat that are carried out principally with hand labor and not mechanized equipment.
- stream or river bank stabilization with native vegetation or other bioengineering techniques, the primary purpose of which is to reduce or eliminate erosion and sedimentation; and
- culvert replacement conducted in accordance with published guidelines of the Department of Fish and Game or NOAA Fisheries, the primary purpose of which is to improve habitat or reduce sedimentation.
Note: Authority cited: Section 21083, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 21084, Public Resources Code.