Statewide Monitoring Network Modernization Project: Horse Meadow and Lower Relief Stations

The California Department of Water Resources is initiating the Statewide Monitoring Network Modernization Project to replace existing structures at the Horse Meadow and Lower Relief Valley hydrometeorological stations located in the Stanislaus National Forest, Tuolumne County. The scope of work involves the installation of new structure bases and soil sensor probes, requiring the excavation of 10ft x 10ft x 18in pits and the creation of temporary shallow conduit trenches. The primary objective is to modernize environmental monitoring infrastructure to support agency decision-making, with all gathered data to be made publicly available via the California Data Exchange Center website. This project is currently categorized as a forecast with a posted date of July 31, 2025. It is governed by state environmental standards rather than federal acquisition regulations, qualifying for categorical exemptions under CEQA Sections 15301, 15304, and 15306 due to the minor nature of the land alterations and the focus on data collection. Brian Humphrey, Senior Environmental Scientist, serves as the primary point of contact and lead agency representative. No specific contract value, formal evaluation factors, or delivery schedules have been established, as the project is in the preliminary planning phase.