Solid Waste Facility Permit Modification at the Blythe Landfill

2022030811

Riverside County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

3/30/2022

3/30/2022

Ryan Ross

Riverside County

Planning Division Manager

Lead/Public Agency

14310 Frederick St
Moreno Valley, CA 92553

(951) 486-3200

rmross@rivco.org

Midland Road and Landfill Road

92225

Blythe Landfill

Categorical Exemption

15061(b)(3); 15301; 15304; 15311

This project is exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) because: The Blythe landfill is comprised of 365 total acres, of which 335 are permitted for landfill activities. The Project proposes to increase the existing permitted disturbance area by 1.0 acre from 335 acres to 336 acres to accommodate space for the relocation of the metal recycling yard. The Blythe landfill already contains a metal recycling yard within the permitted disturbance landfill area. The relocation of the metal recycling yard would allow for the gate fee attendant to monitor the use of the metal yard to ensure proper use and orderly unloading of metal recycling materials by customers. The 1-acre proposed to be included to the total permitted disturbance area is within a 30-acre area of land recently purchased by RCDWR. The land was formerly utilized by the previous owner and shows signs of land disturbance, including soil stockpiles and does not contain any natural drainages or other biological features. Furthermore, the Project site is surrounded by the landfill to the north and east and by farmland to the southwest with no sensitive receptors in any direction. The use of the 1-acre area for ancillary uses would not have a direct, indirect, or cumulatively significant effect on the environment. The Project would not have an effect on environmental resources, as such the Project meets the scope and intent of Section 15061(b)(3), General Rule Exemption. Based upon the entire record, the Project would not result in the potential for any significant effect on the environment. 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. Section 15301, Existing Facilities 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 use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. This project is exempt under Section 15306 because: The Project proposes to increase the existing permitted disturbance area by 1.0 acre from 335 acres to 336 acres to accommodate the relocation of the metal recycling yard. The space allocated for the metal recycling yard within the 1-acre area would be negligible. The negligible use of the 1-acre for operations already occurring (metal and mattress recycling) at the existing facility would not have a direct, indirect, or cumulatively significant effect on the environment. As such, the Project is found not to affect any environmental resources; therefore, the Project meets the scope and intent of Section 15301, Categorical Exemption. Section 15304, Minor Alterations of Land Class 4 consists of minor public and private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. This project is exempt under Section 15304 because: The Project proposes to increase the existing permitted disturbance area by 1.0 acre from 335 acres to 336 acres for a concrete pad to accommodate the relocation of the metal recycling yard. The concrete pad for the metal recycling yard within the 1.0 acre area would involve minor alterations of land, namely grubbing and minor grading for pad preparation. The area planned to be disturbed does not contain any healthy, mature, or scenic tree for forestry or agricultural purposes. As such, the Project is found not to affect any environmental resources; therefore, the Project meets the scope and intent of Section 15304, Categorical Exemption. Section 15311, Accessory Structures Class 11 consists of construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities. This project is exempt under Section 15311 because: The Project proposes to increase the existing permitted disturbance area by 1.0 acre from 335 acres to 336 acres to accommodate space for a concrete pad for the relocation of the metal recycling yard. The concrete pad for the metal recycling yard would serve as an accessory structure for an existing permitted landfill and does not propose changes to its current operations as a result construction of the concrete pad. As such, the Project is found not to affect any environmental resources; therefore, the Project meets the scope and intent of Section 15311, Categorical Exemption.