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.
CONTACT: Joshua Merten, Engineer Il
City of Fresno – Department of Public Utilities
747 R Street, 2nd Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-621-1625
Email: [email protected]
PROJECT TITLE: Primary Clarifier Rehabilitation Project at the Fresno- Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility
(RWRF)
PROJECT LOCATIONS: Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) 5607 W Jensen Ave, Fresno, CA 93706
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Project entails rehabilitating Primary Clarifiers 5 -10 at the existing Fresno‑Clovis Regional Wastewater
Reclamation Facility. Work includes inspection and
repair of structural, mechanical, electrical, and sludge pump components.
The Project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Section 15301 applies to projects involving the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, where the work results in negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The subsections applicable to this Project are:
(b) Existing facilities of publicly ‑owned utilities used to provide sewerage or other public utility services.
(d) Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, provided the damage did not result from a major environmental hazard.
This Project consists of rehabilitation work on existing Primary Clarifiers 5– 10 at the existing Fresno‑Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility. The work includes inspection, design, and thereafter , rehabilitation of primary clarifier structural components, mechanical and electrical systems, sludge‑ handling equipment, and associated conductor cables, as well as visual evaluation of coating conditions. These activities restore deteriorated infrastructure necessary for continued wastewater treatment operations and public health protection, consistent with subsections (b) and (d).
All work will occur entirely within the existing RWRF footprint and involves the repair or replacement of existing equipment with no expansion of footprint, capacity, or change in use. The project is limited to improving the condition and reliability of existing facilities and does not result in any changes that would increase environmental impacts. As such, the Project qualifies for a Class 1 exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(b) and (d).
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 within the
RWRF.
(b) Cumulative Impact The Project will not have a cumulative negative impact over time that is significant. The Project
merely entails replace the air supply system.
(c) Significant Effect The Project will not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. All work
will be limited to the RWRF.
(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 roadway where the emergency repair is
occurring is not considered historical resources.
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: May 12, 2026
Prepared by: Joshua Merten
Date: May 12, 2026
Prepared by:
_____________________
Joshua Merten
Engineer II
City of Fresno
Department of Public Utilities
(559) 621-1625
Date: May 12, 2026
Submitted by:
_____________________
Debbie Khounsavath
Project Manager
City of Fresno
Department of Public Utilities
(559) 621-1624