First Street Water and Sewer Main Replacement (Emergency Project)
Summary
SCH Number
2024051306
Public Agency
City of Petaluma
Document Title
First Street Water and Sewer Main Replacement (Emergency Project)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/30/2024
Document Description
The purpose of this project is to relocate and replace sanitary sewer gravity mains and install a new water main. The gravity mains in the area are aged and the material is prone to cracking. Additionally, the gravity main between F Street and G Street has been experiencing reverse flow. The manhole can fill up quickly and needs to be cleaned out twice a week. The week of May 6, 2024, it was discovered that there was a break in the sewer main and Operations crews did a temporary spot repair which cannot tolerate line cleanings. Repair of the sewer main is now urgent and essential for the continued function and operation of the City's municipal services. The emergency repair work will include relocating and replacing 1100 linear feet of new 8-inch SDR-26 gravity mains at different slopes to redirect the flow and provide longevity. Relocating the lines is necessary to preserve the historic rails that the existing sewer mains are under. The work involves replacement of two (2) sanitary sewer mains and relocation and replacement of three (3) sanitary sewer gravity mains along 1st Street between F Street, and H Street and along G Street between 1st and 2nd Street, plug and abandonment of five (5) existing sanitary sewer mains, extension or shortening and reconnection of 23 sewer laterals, removal and replacement of sewer manholes, backfill and abandonment of three (3) sewer manholes, removal and replacement of a sewer clean out, and sewer manhole lining. The work will also involve the installation of 230 linear feet of new 8-inch C900 water main on First Street between G Street and H Street, with the addition of three (3) new water services and a gate valve. All improvements will occur within the existing right-of-way.
Contact Information
Name
Olivia Ervin
Agency Name
City of Petaluma Planning Division
Job Title
Principal Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Dan Herrera
Agency Name
City of Petaluma Public Works
Job Title
Senior Civil Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Petaluma
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
First Street and G Street
Zip
94952
State Highways
101, SR 116
Railways
SMART Railway
Schools
Petaluma City School District Schools
Waterways
Petaluma River
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c); Sec. 21084: 15301(b), 15302(c), 15303(d)
Reasons for Exemption
The week of May 6, 2024, the sewer main on First Street experience a break in the line and was spot repaired, which provides for a temporary fix. However, the sewer main is a critical infrastructure and requires an immediate and permanent fix in order to maintain municipal sewer service and protect public health, safety, and welfare, as well as protection of the environment including the Petaluma River.
The permanent repair, relocation in the same general vicinity, and replacement of the sewer main will restore its full function and service and correct the imminent risk of further failure. As the failure of a sewer main in downtown Petaluma and proximate to the Petaluma River presents a clear and imminent danger, that poses a risk to public health, safety and welfare, the subject undertaking is statutorily exempt pursuant to Section 15269(b), Emergency Project (and Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(2)).
Additionally, the project is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301, Existing Facilities, 15302, Replacement or Reconstruction, and 15303 New Construction or Conversation of Small Structure because the project involves relocation and replacement of existing sanitary sewer gravity mains, and the installation of a new water main to provide service to three (3) users and for fire flows. The replacement and reconstruction of existing utility infrastructure and the new water main extension will support existing development in the area and there is negligible or no expansion of use beyond what currently exists. There are no cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances or other factors that would make the exemption inapplicable. Therefore, this project is categorically exempt under CEQA sections 15301(b), Existing Facilities, and 15302(c), Replacement or Reconstruction, and 15303 New Construction (d).
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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