CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETEMINED TO BE CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES.
CONTACT: Peter Maraccini, PE, PhD
City of Fresno – Department of Public Utilities
2101 G Street, Building A
Fresno, CA 93706
Phone: 559-621-1603
Email: [email protected]
PROJECT TITLE: Rehabilitation of Reclamation Wells at the Fresno- Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility
PROJECT LOCATIONS: Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility 5607 W Jensen Ave.
Fresno, CA 93706
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Project entails the p hysical and chemical rehabilitation of reclamation wells at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility , including
removing debris from the well, brushing the screened
sections of the well, injecting and mixing chemicals into the well for chemical rehabilitation, utilizing high energy to remove ob structions from screened sections of the
well, disinfecting the well, developing the well, and
performing pump testing.
The American Water Works Association recommends
rehabilitating a well every 10 years to optimize the life of the steel casings, to kee p the water bearing formations in the aquifer clear of blockages, and to remove buildup of mineral deposits on the casing perforations.
The Project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Under Section 15301/Class 1, projects are exempt from CEQA requirements when the y consist of operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
The Project described herein represents the regular, recommended maintenance activity of existing reclamation wells at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility. Maintenance activities will include removing debris from the well, brushing the screened sections of the well, injecting and mixing chemicals to dissolve mineral buildup, utilizing high energy to remove obstructions from screened sect ions of the well, and disinfecting the wel l. The maintenance activities are recommended by the American Water Works Association to optimize the operable life of a well.
The Project will not expand the use of these existing well facilities.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2, apply:
(a) Location The Project is not located in a sensitive environment or an environmental resource of hazardous or critical
concern as designated by federal, state , or local
agencies.
(b) Cumulative Impact The Project will not have a cumulative negative impact over time that is significant. A well is
rehabilitated once every 10 or more years and the
impacts are beneficial to the operation of the well and surrounding aquifer.
(c) Significant Effect The Project will not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. The well
rehabilitations are routine maintenance following
industry standards.
(d) Scenic Highways The Project will not result in damage to scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings, or similar resources,
within a highway officially designated as a state
scenic highway. The Project is not located near
scenic highways.
(e) Hazardous Waste Sites The Project is not located on a hazardous waste site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to
Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
(f) Historical Resources The Project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource.
The Project is limited to rehabilitation of reclamation wells, which are not historical resources.
As such, a Categorical Exemption has been prepared for the Project.
Date: February 10, 2022
Prepared by: Peter Maraccini, PE, PhD