Public Hearing to Adopt Mitigation Negative Declaration for the Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Robertson Habitat Nature Center
Project Vicinity
City of Rialto
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Robertson Habitat Nature Center Proposed Lake
Unlined Rialto Channel
Lined Rialto Channel
Santa Ana River
Rialto Wastewater
Treatment Plant (WWTP) & Outfall
Project Summary
The project will divert a portion of the tertiary treated effluent and create a community amenity with potential regional habitat benefits before being discharged to the Rialto Channel.
Conceptual Design
Community Benefits
Water Feature
Walking Trails
Education
Bird Watching (Pacific Flyway)
Habitat Benefits
Creation of Wetlands Habitat
Control of flows to Rialto Channel
Removal of Invasive Fish Species
Potential to reduce temperatures in the Rialto Channel
Proposed Community Center
CEQA Process
Notice of Intent to adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) issued on February 8, 2024.
Draft Initial Study/MND (IS/MND) prepared and circulated for public review on February 15, 2024.
Public comment period closed on March 18, 2024; one comment letter received from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).
April–June 2024: City consulted with DFW and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
Draft IS/MND revised based on feedback from DFW and FWS.
Next Steps
Should Council authorize approval of the MND for submittal to EPA.
EPA reviews the MND for CEQA-Plus compliance.
A Final Environmental Determination may be issued by EPA.
Grant funds and construction cannot proceed until Final Environmental Determination by EPA.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority conduct a Public Hearing to consider adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Robertson Habitat Nature Center by adopting Resolutions approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the project, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).