El Centro Switching Station (ECSS) - S Line 230kV Ring Bus Upgrade to 3000 Amps Project (200224)

2021090386

Imperial Irrigation District

NOE - Notice of Exemption

9/21/2021

9/21/2021

Donald Vargas

Imperial Irrigation District

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project

P.O. Box 937
Imperial, CA 92243

(760) 482-3609

dvargas@iid.com

South side of Villa Rd., west of Dogwood Rd. in El Centro, CA, 92243

Categorical Exemption

15302; 15303; 15304; 15311 and 15061(b)(3)

The project is exempt under the General Rule or “Common Sense” exemption [State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)] for the reason that the improvements to the El Centro Switching Station will not have a foreseeable significant effect on the environment. (1) The improvements will be undertaken within existing substation footprint with minimal land disturbance; (2) The switching station site is located away from residential, school or other public (populated) areas; (3) The operation will result in (a) no net increases in air emissions per air quality requirements as ordered by applicable state, federal and local air quality laws; (b) no noticeable increase in noise to nearest sensitive receptors pursuant to city and/or county Noise Elements or Ordinances of their respective General Plans; (c) no substantial degradation of the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings; and (d) will not create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. Furthermore, various site preparation and installation activities are specifically exempt under section 15302 “Replacement or Reconstruction” (Class 2 exemption) that entail the 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 as the structure replaced; section 15303 “New Construction or Conversion Of Small Structures” (Class 3 exemption) that covers the 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; section 15304 “Minor Alterations to Land” (Class 4 exemption) that consists of minor alterations in the condition of land such as grading on land with a slope of less than 10 percent, filling of earth into previously excavated land with material compatible with the natural features of the site, minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment and minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored; and 15311 “Accessory Structures” (Class 11 exemption) that include the placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities.