DANGERMOND PRESERVE WATER WELLS

Attachment 1: Project Description The proposed project is a request of Patsy Price, agent for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the applicant, for a Coastal Development Permit with Hearing (CDH) to legalize 41 existing water wells drilled on the Dangermond Preserve (Preserve) between 1985 and 2021 to support the existing cattle operation on the property and to further the overall conservation and science goals of the Preserve. Nineteen (19) of the wells are proposed to operate as production wells and twenty-two (22) are proposed to be monitoring wells. Specifically, the proposed project includes the following: • Install infrastructure to connect five existing wells (Oaks 1-5) to a new water distribution system to gravity feed cattle water troughs in the southern portion of the preserve (Oaks Water System). Infrastructure would include solar powered well pumps for each well, water storage tanks, water troughs, and distribution lines. • Install infrastructure to connect the Tinta Water System (Tinta 1, Tinta 2, and Escondido 4 wells) to an existing permitted well (Upper Espada) and to a new water distribution system in the northern portion of the preserve. Infrastructure would include solar powered well pumps for each well, water storage tanks, water troughs, and distribution lines. • Install infrastructure to connect the Quarry 1 well to a new water distribution system in the western portion of the preserve (Quarry Water System). Infrastructure would include a solar powered well pump, water storage tanks, a water trough, and distribution lines. • Install infrastructure to connect the Gaspar 1 well to a new water distribution system north of the Jalama Ranch Headquarters (Gaspar Water System). Infrastructure would include a solar powered well pump, water storage tanks, and distribution lines. • Install infrastructure to connect the Venadito 1 well to a new water distribution system in the northern portion of the preserve (Venadito Water System). Infrastructure would include a solar powered well pump, water storage tanks, water troughs, and distribution lines. • Add two additional 5,000-gallon water tanks to the two (2) existing water storage tanks at the Cojo Ranch headquarters to increase storage for wildfire suppression and facilities protection during a fire. • The project is estimated to include 1,872 cubic yards of cut, and 1,866 cubic yards of fill, and estimated ground disturbance is 5.15-acres. Water Use • Operate the Oaks, Tinta, Quarry, Gaspar, and Venadito Water Systems, including wells, and both the new and existing water distribution infrastructure, to gravity feed cattle water troughs in the preserve’s pastures to meet conservation objectives. • Operate three (3) wells (Buckhorn 2, Diamond Corral, Gaucho 2) as production wells to feed to existing cattle water troughs through an existing water distribution system and one proposed new cattle water trough immediately adjacent to the Buckhorn 2 well site. • Operate five wells (Alegria, Buckhorn 1, Ramajal South, Ramajal East, Vaqueros) as production wells with associated existing electrical service to feed existing cattle water troughs through their associated existing water distribution systems. • Use water from one or more of the nineteen (19) production wells for temporary irrigation of restoration sites identified in the Coastal Commission Consent Order Nos. CCC-17CD-03 and CCC-17-RO-01 and riparian revegetation sites along Jalama Creek included in this project. • Implement a monitoring and research program in the network of wells located across the preserve to provide additional data about the consolidated rock aquifer groundwater system underlying the preserve that will be used to inform successful groundwater basin management and provide valuable research opportunities. Riparian Habitat Enhancement • Install approximately 63,360 feet (about 12 miles) of wildlife friendly cattle exclusionary fencing to prevent cattle access to approximately 6.5 miles of creek and riparian areas (approximately 271 acres). • Strategically revegetate four (4) plots totaling eight (8) acres within the fenced riparian area to increase riparian diversity and canopy width in areas where cattle have historically had negative impacts on riparian resources. Water System Infrastructure Details Oaks Water System The Oaks Water System is proposed to consist of five (5) production wells connected to a water distribution system. Each well would be pumped using a submersible pump powered by a solar array into a total of six (6) new 5,000-gallon water tanks that would then feed four (4) new water troughs. The water tanks will be located in higher elevation locations so that water can be gravity fed to cattle water troughs through water pipelines. New pipelines, tanks, and troughs will be placed within the footprint of existing roads to the extent feasible, to minimize disturbance of natural areas. Approximately 12,915 linear feet of water pipelines would be installed to connect the wells to the water tanks and then to water troughs. The 1.25-inch diameter black HDPE pipelines would be installed approximately 18 inches below ground except in one location within the Oaks Water System where approximately 3,770 feet of the pipeline is proposed to be installed above-ground to avoid impacts to potential archaeological resources in the area. Minor grading within the footprint of the water tanks may be necessary to create level pads prior to placement of the solar arrays. Tinta Water System The Tinta Water System is proposed to consist of four (4) production wells (Tinta 1, Tinta 2, Escondido 4, and Upper Espada ) connected via new pipelines to new and existing water tanks and troughs. Each well would be pumped using a submersible pump powered by a solar array, connected to twelve (12) new and two (2) existing water tanks, and seven (7) new and two (2) existing water troughs via approximately 23,038 linear feet of below-ground water pipelines and sixty-two (62) linear feet of above-ground pipeline. Quarry Water System The Quarry Water System is proposed to consist of one production well (Quarry 1) connected to three (3) water tanks, two (2) new tanks and one (1) existing tank, via 4,150 linear feet of below-ground water pipeline that feeds one (1) new water trough on the western portion of the preserve. Gaspar Water System The Gaspar Water System is proposed to consist of one (1) production well (Gaspar 1) connected to three (3) water tanks (2 new and 1 existing) via 2,750 linear feet of below-ground water pipelines to one (1) existing water trough. Vendadito Water System The Vendadito Water System is proposed to consist of one (1) production well (Vendadito 1) connected to two (2) new water tanks and three new water troughs, via 18,004 linear feet of below-ground water pipelines. Water Distribution System Installation for All Systems Each proposed water system, solar array, and water pump use the same installation procedures which are described as follows: Proposed solar ray installation areas would be approximately 1,600 square feet (40 feet by 30 feet). Arrays would range from 25 to 100 square feet in size, depending on the size of the pump they are powering, and would be affixed to galvanized poles set in concrete footings approximately 2 feet wide by 2 feet long by 3.5 feet deep. Wiring from the arrays to the pumps would be placed in plastic conduits buried in 2-inch-wide trenches approximately 2 feet deep. A 10-foot radius vegetation clearance area would be provided around each solar array in compliance with California Fire Code requirements. The arrays, power conduits, and vegetation clearance areas would all be located within the solar array installation areas identified on the well site exhibits. Access for installation of new water system infrastructure and equipment for the Water System would be via existing ranch roads. Staging and materials storage would be on or adjacent to ranch roads, outside of tree driplines, sensitive habitat areas, and sensitive archaeological areas. Well pumps would be installed using a boom truck parked adjacent to the well sites, within the identified disturbance areas. The proposed 0.75-2.00 horsepower pumps would be connected to floats in the water tanks and water troughs so that pumps will only be running when water is needed to fill the tanks. This will reduce the amount of water lost to overflow of tanks and troughs. A low-water sensor would protect each pump from running dry should water supply drop below anticipated levels. Once the well cluster is operational, water levels would be monitored, and pumping schedules would be adjusted to maximize recovery rates for each well. After the water tanks are initially filled, subsequent pumping would be to maintain the tanks at full levels. Additional Infrastructure The proposed project also includes new infrastructure associated with the project outside of the well clusters described above. This includes a new cattle trough to be located immediately adjacent to the Buckhorn 2 well and connected to the well via below-ground HDPE pipe and two (2) new 5,000-gallon water tanks at the Cojo Ranch headquarters to increase water storage for fire protection. Monitoring equipment is proposed to be installed in each of the wells. Monitoring equipment would include instruments mounted on top of or inside the existing well housings to monitor groundwater levels. These small devices can be transported to well sites by small truck, all-terrain vehicle, or on foot and installed with hand tools. Once the instrumentation is installed, data would be manually downloaded from the devices approximately monthly. In the future, data could be collected through the preserve’s wifi network, reducing the need to travel to each well site to collect data. In addition, researchers will visit each of the well sites up to several times per year to obtain groundwater samples for laboratory analysis. The life of the equipment would be approximately ten (10) years after which time it would be replaced with similarly sized and functioning equipment for ongoing groundwater monitoring. The useful life of water wells can vary greatly from 25 to 100 years or more. Monitoring wells, given their extremely low intensity of use, could be expected to have an even longer life span. Resource Protection Measures The proposed water system improvements have been designed and located to avoid significant impacts to cultural resources as identified and discussed in the Phase 1 Archaeological Study prepared by Padre Associates, Inc. (April 2024) and Addendum (June 2025). In addition, per the study recommendations, TNC will implement the following measures: • A worker cultural resources sensitivity program will be implemented for the project. Prior to any ground-disturbing activity, TNC will provide an initial sensitivity training session to all project employees, contractors, subcontractors, and other workers, with subsequent training sessions to accommodate new personnel becoming involved in the project. • Cultural resources monitoring will be conducted under the supervision of a County-approved archaeologist and a Native American representative. In the event that cultural materials are encountered during ground disturbance outside of sites identified in the Phase 1 Archaeological Study, TNC will stop all activity within a 50-foot radius of the find and contact a County-qualified archaeologist. • To ensure that all unevaluated cultural resources are avoided during project-related ground disturbance to the extent feasible, prior to ground disturbance within 100 feet of a known cultural resource, a fenced exclusion zone will be installed where construction equipment and personnel are not permitted. The proposed water system improvements have also been designed to avoid significant impacts to biological resources. Per the Biological Resources Assessment Report prepared by Padre Associates, Inc., updated April 2024 and Addendum dated October 2024, the project will incorporate all of the recommended avoidance and minimization measures included in Section 6.0 of the report. Water System Operation and Access Access to well sites for collection of data from monitoring equipment and repair and maintenance of wells or equipment would generally be from existing preserve roads. Pursuant to Coastal Commission Consent Order Nos. CCC-17-CD-03 and CCC-17-RO-01 (Orders), road segments near five existing wells, Escondido 2 and Tinta 6, 9, 11, and 11B, have been abandoned. Other existing access roads near the Escondido, Tinta 9, and Tinta 11 well sites would continue to provide vehicular access to these wells. Walking access from the remaining roads nearest Tinta 6 and Tinta 11B would allow access to these wells. All of these wells are proposed to be monitoring wells which would require low-impact access for data collection and repair and maintenance of monitoring equipment, on an approximately monthly basis. Riparian Habitat Enhancement Details The project includes proposed riparian habitat enhancements along Jalama Creek beginning about 1.4 miles upstream from the Pacific Ocean and concluding at the confluence of Escondido Creek as well as along the lower portions of three tributaries of Jalama Creek, Espada Creek, Gasper Creek, and Escondido Creek. The project will install approximately 63,260 linear feet (approximately 12 miles) of wildlife friendly cattle exclusionary fencing to prevent cattle access to approximately 6.5 miles of creek and riparian areas. Fencing will be designed using specifications produced by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and recommended by California Department of Fish and Wildlife to promote wildlife friendly passage for a wide range of wildlife at various life stages. The total length of riparian habitat to be fenced is approximately 6.5 miles and includes 271 acres of riparian habitat. Fence Locations Exact fence placement will be determined in the field working with landscape opportunities and constraints (i.e. slope, soils, desired resource protection). At minimum, fencing will be placed and extended at least 100-200 feet from the top of stream bank and will use natural topographical features to manipulate cattle movement away from sensitive resources. Additional considerations include fencing to exclude cattle from riparian areas along creek reaches that have the best potential for providing steelhead habitat or for providing passage to upstream reaches. The locations and mileage of fencing are as follows: • Lower Jalama Mainstem: 5.3 miles • Espada Creek: 1.6 miles • Lower Gasper Creek: 0.25 miles • Lower Escondido Creek: 3.15 miles • Upper Jalama Mainstem: 1.65 miles Fence Type The wildlife friendly fencing will reduce wildlife entanglement via usage of smooth top and bottom wires with appropriate spacing between wires. The fence will be outfitted with 30 single gates and two double gates to facilitate cattle movement between pastures. During rotational grazing schedules when cattle are not using adjacent pastures, gates will remain open to wildlife for passage through migration corridors. Active Riparian Revegetation & Passive Regeneration Protection The proposed project also includes active revegetation and protection of naturally regenerated plants (i.e., passive regeneration) to address the negative impacts cattle have historically imposed on riparian resources in the Jalama Creek watershed. Upon installation of the exclusionary cattle fencing, target areas will be revegetated to increase riparian diversity and canopy width. Revegetation will occur in four distinct plots totaling eight (8) acres. The proposed restoration plantings will include, at minimum, the following elements: 1. Establish a diversity of native woody and herbaceous species on disturbed soil on the stream banks, from seed, nursery stock and cuttings. a. Prepare ground by raking to roughen up the soil surface. b. Hand-broadcast seed and rake into soil. c. Plant native shrubs and trees from small nursery stock and cuttings. d. All planting and seeding shall be done in the rainy season, or supplemental irrigation will be used to establish plantings. e. Mulching and/or seeding shall be done on all exposed soil which may deliver sediment to the creek. 2. Natural regeneration protection a. During monthly inspections, foliage protectors (i.e., herbivore exclosures) will be installed on naturally regenerated tree saplings to deter herbivory from wildlife. 3. Site maintenance (weeding) a. Invasive non-native plants shall be hand-pulled from the restoration areas during the growing season (December-June) according to the following schedule: Year 1 – monthly basis; Years 2&3 – quarterly basis. b. During the first-year irrigation, revegetation plots will be checked monthly during the dry season to ensure native plants are getting adequate water. c. Replacement plantings of cuttings, nursery stock or acorns shall be installed as needed to ensure the performance criteria are met or exceeded. d. Invasive weeds targeted for control include California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) ranked “high” and “moderate” species, exclusive of naturalized non-native European grasses. Project Monitoring Cultural resource monitoring will be conducted by local native American monitors and will occur during fence installation and native vegetation planting. Following installation, the project also will employ two types of monitoring over the five years following the initial planting: (1) cattle fencing effectiveness monitoring and (2) biological effectiveness monitoring. Monitoring will occur monthly and an annual report will be submitted to planning staff. The property is a 14,811-acre property on parcel’s zoned AG-II-100 and AG-II-320 shown as Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 083-550-032, 083-540-016, 083-530-050, 083-260-017, 083-360-023, 083-510-041, 083-510-026, 083-370-025, 083-450-042, 083-260-002, 083-610-035, 083-440-023, 083-370-026, 083-370-027: 558, 083-260-016, 083-440-022. The project is located on the Dangermond Preserve in the Gaviota Coast Plan area, 3rd Supervisorial District.