Reservoir 4602-2 Construction Project
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2021090109
Public Agency
Coachella Valley Water District
(CVWD)
Document Title
Reservoir 4602-2 Construction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/7/2021
Document Description
The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) will construct a second 2.0 million gallon welded steel domestic water tank on a developed parcel, referred to as Reservoir 4602 site. This project will construct and operate a second water tank at an existing reservoir site in order to meet the water demands and provide improved domestic water storage for CVWD customers within the area known as the Valley Production Zone.
Construction at the site will include placement of an earthen berm to protect the tank from scour, a graded road along the berm perimeter, connectivity to the existing water pipeline, and a water retention basin. Various drainage pipe, vaults, domestic water pipe and electrical conduits will be installed. Additionally, the reservoir foundation pad will be over-excavated to five feet and under drains installed. The new tank will sit approximately 37 feet in height from the exiting grade with a diameter of approximately 130 feet. Once constructed the tank will be painted to blend in with the surrounding landscape in a neutral tone. Minor clearing and grubbing of the site is required, along with excavation up to eight-feet for the placement of new pipeline. All disturbed soil will remain on site and any excess soil will be spread on site. All staging will occur on site. Construction is anticipated for the duration of ten months.
This parcel is located within the Thousand Palms Conservation Area associated with the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). CVWD has confirmed with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments that although this parcel is located in a conservation area, the site is an existing, developed CVWD-infrastructure site, and that the construction of a second reservoir is considered a covered activity under the CVMSHCP and no mitigation or agency consultation is required. CVWD will provide a biological monitor for the project to secure the parcel perimeter with temporary fencing and to ensure land use adjacency guidelines are meet during construction. No Coachella Valley Conservation Commission local development fee is required for this project.
Contact Information
Name
Elizabeth Meyerhoff
Agency Name
Coachella Valley Water District
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Unincorporated
Other Location Info
The site is located on a developed CVWD-owned parcel located at 29527 Via Las Palmas, in the unincorporated community of Thousand Palms, within Riverside County.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15302, 15303
Reasons for Exemption
State CEQA Guidelines §15301 (Existing Facilities) allows for additions to existing structures. Per §15301, Class 1 consists 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.
CEQA Guideline §15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) defines a Class 2 exemption which allows for the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures or 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.
State CEQA Guidelines §15303 (New Construction and Conversion of Small Structures) defines a Class 3 exemption, which consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The numbers of structures described in this section are the maximum allowable on any legal parcel.
Exceptions under State CEQA Guidelines §15300.2 do not apply to the project. There are no designated state scenic highways within the project area. The project site is not known to be a hazardous waste site. According to the State Water Resources Control Board GeoTracker data management system, the project site is not included on a list compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5. No negative environmental consequences associated with hazardous materials are expected to result from project implementation.
This water tank project is exempt from further environmental review because it consists of limited construction and operation of one domestic water reservoir and accessory structures on a previously developed parcel.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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