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: Samuel Nadores, Licensed Professional Engineer City of Fresno – Capital Projects Department
1626 E Street
Fresno, CA 93706
Phone: 559-621-1602
Email: Samuel.Nadores
@Fresno.gov
PROJECT TITLE: Concrete Liner Installation at the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility (NESWTF) Sludge Drying
Beds 1 and 2
PROJECT LOCATIONS: Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility (NESWTF) 10120 N. Chestnut Ave.
Fresno, CA 93730
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project includes strippi ng and removal of the top 2 inches of surface soil, and other loose sediments from
the existing sludge drying beds 1 and 2, placement of
aggregate base rock surfacing, including, but not limited to, subgrade preparation, compaction, and the
installation of 6 inches thick concrete line
r.
The Project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Under Section 15301/Class 1, projects are exem pt from CEQA requirements when they consist of operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leas ing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilit ies, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
Under Section 15302/Class 2, projects are exem pt from CEQA requirements when they consist of the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
The Project described herein represents the recommended upgrade to existing sludge drying beds 1 and 2 at the Northeast Surfac e Water Treatment Facility (NESWTF). The specific work tasks are as follows:
Stripping and removal of the top 2 in ches of surface soil and other loose sediments, placement of aggregate base rock surfacing, including, but not limited to subgrade preparation and compaction.
Installation of 6 inches thick concrete liner.
As such, the stripping and removal, and insta llation work are exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 and Section 15302/Class 2.
The Project will not expand the use of the existing facility, nor will it relocate any existing facilities or structures. The Project me rely represents recommended sludge drying bed improvements by installing concrete liners to reduce maintenance issues related to solids removal, eliminate the necessity for groundw ater pumping during facility maintenance periods.
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. The work is entirely located at the
NESWTF.
(b) Cumulative Impact The Project will not have a cumulative negative impact over time that is significant. The Project
merely entails stripping and removal of loose surface
soil and/or concrete linin
g an existing facility.
(c) Significant Effect The Project will not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. All work
will be limited to an existin
g facility at the NESWTF.
(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 official ly designated as a state
scenic highway. The Project is not located near
scenic hi
ghways.
(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 chan
ge in the si gnificance of a historical resource.
The existing facilities at the NESWTF are not
considered historical resources.
Furthermore, the proposed projec t is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, a categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
Date: September 22, 2023
Prepared by: Samuel Nadores, PE