Letter of Non-Objection to Conduct Magnetotelluric Surveys

Magnetotelluric surveys are being conducted at nine designated locations on State-owned School lands in Lake County, California, to map subsurface geological and geophysical features by capturing naturally occurring electromagnetic fields. The work involves the temporary burial of electrodes six inches deep and a one-meter-long coil buried vertically to a depth of 2.5 feet, causing minimal ground disturbance with no permanent alterations expected. The project, led by Koloma Exploration, LLC and overseen by the California State Lands Commission, aims to generate high-resolution geophysical data to support land management decisions based on detailed characterization of subsurface rock formations. Environmental compliance is assured through a categorical exemption under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 15306, which categorizes the activity as information collection with no significant environmental impact, eliminating the need for a full environmental review under CEQA. The effort is structured as a non-competitive administrative approval rather than a formal procurement, evidenced by the issuance of a Letter of Non-Objection instead of a contract award. There is no established contract value, pricing structure, or line-item specifications, and no standard federal acquisition regulation clauses, evaluation factors, or contract administration details are present. The activity does not involve shipping, delivery terms, invoicing systems, or funding codes such as TAS or ACRN. Key stakeholders include Koloma Exploration, LLC as the project applicant and the California State Lands Commission as the approving authority, with Christopher Hall listed as the primary point of contact. No special requirements for security clearances, key personnel, options, or organizational conflict provisions are defined, and no formal representations, certifications, or socioeconomic status disclosures are required. The surveys will occur on specific parcel identifiers across Townships 12N, R8W and R9W, with inspections and acceptance handled on-site by the Commission, relying solely on adherence to the environmental exemption criteria.