551325v1 Rev. 10.24
CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES.
APPLICANT: Patricia Diep, Project Manager
City of Fresno Capital Projects Department
747 R Street, 2nd Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: Intersection of Butler Avenue and Eighth Street (City of Fresno Council District 5)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Fresno, Capital Projects Department is proposing to remove and replac e 211 linear feet of 36- inch reinforced concrete pipe with 36- inch fiberglass reinforced polymer, remove and replace 20 linear feet of 12- inch vitrified clay pipe with polyvinyl chloride, removing four access structures and installing six new access structures to restore the sewer system efficiency and safeguard against further degradation.
This project is exempt under Section(s) 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2 of the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA) Guidelines. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
EXPLANATION:
Class 1 exemptions, for projects pertaining to Existing Facilities, consist of the 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. Examples include but are not limited to: Existing facilities of publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services; existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety); restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety; and, the Addition of safety or health protection devices for use during construction of or in conjunction with existing structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment, or topographical features including navigational devices.
Class 2 exemptions, for projects involving Replacement or Reconstruction, consist of 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. Examples include but are not limited to: Replacement or 551325v1 Rev. 10.24
reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity
The proposed project is consistent with the Class 1 and Class 2 exemptions because it will make improvements to existing underground sewer facilities. The improvements do not expand any existing facilities. Existing sewer mains and access structures will be replaced. A significant void was discovered in the upper portion of the pipeline, which poses a risk to the structural integrity of the sewer main. Additionally, the surrounding pipeline along the Project site show s signs of advanced deterioration, necessitating more extensive repairs to prevent further structural failures. Due to the void in the pipe and two radii, the existing sewer mains will be replaced with new sewer mains and new access structures will be constructed just upstream and downstream of the portion to be removed and replaced. The Project entails removing and replacing 211 linear feet of 36- inch reinforced concrete pipe with 36- inch fiberglass reinforced polymer pipe, removing and replacing 20 linear feet of 12- inch vitrified clay pipe with polyvinyl chloride pipe, removing four access structures and installing six new access structures. These facilities will be located on the same site as the structures being replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced and will involve negligible expansion of existing use
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2, Exceptions, identifies the following exceptions to using a categorical exemption. Based on an examination of the project and supporting information, the project would not result in any impacts to the environment that would cause an exception to applying the Class 1, Existing Facilities, Categorical Exemption, to the project, as described below.
(a) Location. Classes 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11 are qualified by consideration of where the project is to be located – a project that is ordinarily insignificant in its impact on the environment may in a particularly sensitive environment be significant.
Exception (a) does not apply because the project falls within the Class 1, Existing Facilities, and Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction Exemptions.
(b) Cumulative Impact. All exemptions for these classes are inapplicable when the cumulative impact of successive projects of the same type in the same place, over time is significant.
Exception (b) does not apply. This project involves the removal and replacement of a pipeline to avoid further degradation within the sewer system. This is an unforeseen project that would not contribute to a cumulative impact. These types of repairs to wastewater systems are common, involving repair and replacement of pipes which have degraded over time, and is not considered significant in the greater scope.
(c) Significant Effects. A categorical exemption shall not be used for any activity where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment 551325v1 Rev. 10.24
due to unusual circumstances.
Exception (c) does not apply. The project site involves the removal and replacement of an old pipeline. The entire project is less than 1 mile and is located with the public right -of-way on an existing road. The work would involve methods that are routinely used within the city, and the project site is not in an unusual location that would result in significant effect on the environment.
(d) Scenic Highways. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project which may 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.
Exception (d) does not apply. The project is located at a street intersection within the City of Fresno and is not located on or near any scenic highways.
(e) Hazardous Waste Sites. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project located on a site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
Exception (e) does not apply. There are no known hazardous waste sites located at the project location.
(f) Historical Resources. A categorical exemption shall not be used for a project which may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource.
Exception (f) does not apply. There are no known historical resources located at this project location.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project . Furthermore, the proposed project 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 25, 2025
Prepared By: Patricia Diep, PM
Project Manager
Submitted by:
Patricia Diep
Project Manager
City of Fresno
Capital Projects Department
(559) 621-8836