Demolition of Reservoir (Tower Tank) No. 6858
Summary
SCH Number
2021120178
Public Agency
Coachella Valley Water District
(CVWD)
Document Title
Demolition of Reservoir (Tower Tank) No. 6858
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/9/2021
Document Description
CVWD proposes to dismantle, remove, and dispose of a 50,000-gallon elevated welded steel water storage tank (Tower Tank No. 6858) because it is no longer needed. The water tank is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) on a small plot of ground leased from CVWD at their office compound. On April 20, 2011 CVWD received authorization from the BOR to demolish the water tank.
The water tank and tower were erected in 1949. The tank is approximately 100 feet high and consists of a 3-story X brace design. The X braces are solid steel rods attached to riveted square steel struts that are 79 feet high. Prior to 2007 the water tank served as a water storage facility for CVWD’s municipal drinking water system. After CVWD modified their water system, the tank was no longer needed. A seismic, structural, safety, and corrosion evaluation of the tank was performed in November 2020. Inspections revealed that the water tank did not conform to current seismic safety standards, had serious deterioration (combination of health and safety concerns), and has become cost prohibitive to refurbish.
The Project site is located in a paved parking area. All work would occur in previously disturbed areas. Existing access roads would be used to enter and exit the work area. Disposal of the tank would be conducted in accordance with federal and state laws, and the tank would not be replaced. The Project is anticipated to begin in December 2021 for a duration of 90 days.
A Class I survey was conducted in 2010 which involved the examination of lease documents between CVWD and BOR, historical research about the manufacturer of the water tank and a review of the California Office of Historic Preservation historic context. Additionally, a field survey was conducted on August 3, 2010 in order to gather information needed for the preparation of a State of California Primary Record and a Building, Structure and Object Record and for an evaluation of the water tank’s eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The California Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO) reviewed the evaluation and concurred that the water tank is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. BOR and the SHPO reached a consensus determination of No Historic Properties Affected for the undertaking in a letter dated January 7, 2011.
BOR has made a determination of “no effect” under the Endangered Species Act. No native vegetation or U.S. waterways would be impacted as a result of the Project. No take of protected species is anticipated; no suitable habitat for protected species would be impacted through implementation of the Project. A Section 404 permit of the Clean Water Act would not be required for this Project. A 401 Water Quality Certification will not be required for this Project.
Contact Information
Name
William Patterson
Agency Name
Coachella Valley Water District
Job Title
Environmental Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Coachella
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Tyler Street
Other Location Info
The water tank is located at the Coachella Valley District (CVWD) office at 51501 Tyler Street in the City of Coachella, Riverside County, California. The Project is depicted on Section 5, Township 6 South, Range 8 East of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Indio, CA 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, San Bernardino Baseline and Meridian.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
State CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) (Review for Exemption) states an activity is covered by the common sense exemption where CEQA applies only to a project and where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. Furthermore, State CEQA Guidelines §15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) allows for minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. As described above, the proposed water tank demolition would not pose the possibility of a significant effect on the environment. The water tank does not conform to current seismic safety standards, has serious deterioration, and has become cost prohibitive to refurbish. The water tank is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The California Office of Historic Preservation reviewed the evaluation and concurred that the water tank is not eligible for the NRHP. No native vegetation or U.S. waterways would be impacted as a result of the Project. No take of protected species is anticipated; no suitable habitat for protected species would be impacted through implementation of the Project. There are no mature or scenic trees on the Project site. The water tank is located in a paved parking area and all demolition would occur in previously disturbed areas.
There is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed Project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and there are no significant “cumulative impacts” that would result from successive projects of the same type in the same place. The water tank would be demolished and would not be replaced.
As an exempt project, no further environmental review is required and a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the County Clerk and/or State Clearinghouse.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)E3)
Reasons for Exemption
State CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) (Review for Exemption) states an activity is covered by the common sense exemption where CEQA applies only to a project and where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. Furthermore, State CEQA Guidelines §15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) allows for minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. As described above, the proposed water tank demolition would not pose the possibility of a significant effect on the environment. The water tank does not conform to current seismic safety standards, has serious deterioration, and has become cost prohibitive to refurbish. The water tank is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The California Office of Historic Preservation reviewed the evaluation and concurred that the water tank is not eligible for the NRHP. No native vegetation or U.S. waterways would be impacted as a result of the Project. No take of protected species is anticipated; no suitable habitat for protected species would be impacted through implementation of the Project. There are no mature or scenic trees on the Project site. The water tank is located in a paved parking area and all demolition would occur in previously disturbed areas.
There is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed Project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and there are no significant “cumulative impacts” that would result from successive projects of the same type in the same place. The water tank would be demolished and would not be replaced.
As an exempt project, no further environmental review is required and a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the County Clerk and/or State Clearinghouse.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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