Soil Sampling, Repairs, and Drainage Improvements at the Closed Valle Vista Landfill

2021010322

Riverside County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

1/27/2021

1/27/2021

closed landfill/open space

Ryan Ross

Riverside County Department of Waste Resources

Lead/Public Agency

14310 Frederick St
Moreno Valley, CA 92553

(951) 486-3200

rmross@rivco.org

Riverside County Department of Waste Resources

Project Applicant

APNs: 549-030-074, 549-030-035, and 549-030-073

Statutory Exemption

Section 15269, Emergency Projects

The repairs proposed are necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare from exposed refuse and soil contamination by removing refuse and the potentially contaminated soil and consolidating it within the existing landfill footprint. Once consolidated, adequate cover material will be added to the landfill surface, and drainage systems will be improved to prevent further erosion at the site, which if left unchecked may continue to unearth additional contents of the landfill. The exposed material is located within the drainage flow path which flows towards the San Jacinto River. Exposed landfill material could migrate off-site and potentially impact public health and safety. Therefore, the Project as proposed meets the scope and intent of the statutory exemption stated in section 15269 of the State CEQA Guidelines.

Categorical Exemption

Sections 15301, 15302, 15304, and 15306

The Project proposes sampling of soil, removal of refuse material from its current location and consolidating it within the landfill footprint, and landfill cover repairs at an existing facility. This involves negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time the facility was approved for operation. Therefore, the Project as proposed meets the scope and intent of the Class 1 Categorical Exemption. The proposed Project will repair/restore the existing landfill by removing landfill material from erosion areas and consolidating it within the landfill footprint, restoring and improving site drainage systems, and reinforcing the landfill cover. The reconstruction work will allow all material to remain onsite and allow the landfill to keep the same purpose and capacity. Therefore, the Project as proposed meets the scope and intent of the Class 2 Categorical Exemption. The proposed landfill material consolidation and repair activities will consist of minor excavations and fill containing material compatible with the natural features of the site. Due to the previous disturbance and current use of the site, no healthy, mature, scenic trees are present in the project area. All waste containing areas subject to excavation will be restored once excavation activities are complete. Therefore, the Project as proposed meets the scope and intent of the Class 4 Categorical Exemption. The proposed Project includes soil sampling to research the presence of landfill contamination. Once sampling occurs and a determination of the presence of contamination is understood. Any contamination and waste containing areas subject to sampling and excavation will be restored with clean soil. This work will not involve serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. Therefore, the Project as proposed meets the scope and intent of the Class 6 Categorical Exemption.

Other

Section 15061(b)(3), Common Sense Exemption

The Project proposes sampling of soil, removal of refuse material, and the subsequent consolidation of refuse within the landfill footprint, as well as landfill cover repairs. The Project will not result in a significant environmental impact and does not bring about any new or significant changes to the physical condition of the property. RCDWR will comply with the standard regulatory requirements for construction projects ( SWPPP, etc.), as well as perform required pre-construction surveys in accordance with the western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Management Plan (MSHCP). Therefore, this determination is an issue of fact and sufficient evidence exists in the record that the activity will not have a significant effect on the environment. As such, the exemption applies and no further evaluation under CEQA is required. See Muzzy Ranch Co. v Solano County Airport Land Use Comm’n (2007) 41 Cal.4th 372.