632341v1 Rev. 10.24
CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. WC00005-J5868
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: Anthony Aquino
Engineer II
City of Fresno Capital Projects Department
747 R Street, 2nd Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: South Sunnyside Avenue between East Church Avenue and E.
Jensen Ave
(City of Fresno Council District 5)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Fresno, Capital Projects Department is proposing to perform the replacement of approximately 35 Linear Feet (LF) of substandard 14-inch DR-25 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) water main and 2,700-LF of substandard 14- inch DR-25 PVC water main that has outlived its life expectancy, as well as fire hydrants and water service transfers , in South Sunnyside Avenue between East Church Avenue and East Jensen Avenue to
improve water service and fire protection.
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. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of 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 , unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood.
632341v1 Rev. 10.24
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 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 water facilities. The improvements do not expand any existing facilities. Existing water mains will be replaced, and water service connections re - established between existing water servic e lead lines, meter boxes and replacement water mains. Due to confined spacing within alley ways, existing water mains will be replaced with new water mains installed in adjacent existing road rights of way to meet State Water Resources Control Board separation requirements from sanitary sewer mains. The current water main has reached the end of its service life and shows signs of deterioration, which poses a risk to the reliability of water delivery and fire protection in the area. Additionally, the aging infrastructure necessitates more extensive replacement to prevent future service failures. The project entails removing and replacing approximately 35 LF of substandard 14- inch DR-25 PVC water main with 12-inch Class 350 Ductile Iron (DI) water main and approximately 2,700 LF of substandard 14‑inch DR‑25 PVC water main with new 16-inch Class 250 DI water main of the same size and function, along with the replacement of fire hydrants and transfer of water services. These facilities will be located within the same roadway corridor as the structures being replaced, will have substantially the same purp ose and capacity as the facilities 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 and Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction Categorical Exemptions, 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 deteriorated 632341v1 Rev. 10.24
water mains to maintain reliable service and fire protection. These types of replacements are routine maintenance activities for municipal water systems are common and is not considered significant in the greater scope, and there are no projects planned for the same site in the future.
(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 due to unusual circumstances.
Exception (c) does not apply. The project site involves the replacement of an existing water main within a public street corridor. The entire project is less than 1 mile and is located within the public right-of-way in 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.
632341v1 Rev. 10.24
Date: February 18, 2026
Prepared By: Anthony Aquino
Engineer II
Submitted by:
Anthony Aquino
Engineer II
City of Fresno
Capital Projects Department
(559) 621-8863