Soults and Lone Oak Tracts Wastewater Improvements Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025031221
Public Agency
Tulare County
Document Title
Soults and Lone Oak Tracts Wastewater Improvements Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/27/2025
Document Description
The Soults and Lone Oak Tracts Wastewater Improvements Project (Project) is a sewer consolidation project involving the communities of Soults Tract and Lone Oak Tract consolidating with the City of Tulare via an extraterritorial services agreement. The proposed Project involves construction of wastewater pipelines within both communities that have been relying on aging septic systems. The wastewater pipelines for both tracts would then be consolidated with the City, which would provide treatment at the City’s domestic WWTP. To consolidate Soults Tract and Lone Oak Tract with the City, the Project would include construction of approximately 5,070 feet of eight-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sewer main, approximately 21 sewer manholes, and up to 79 four-inch sewer services and onsite connections to existing residences. The systems would connect to the City’s existing 30-inch sewer main in Enterprise Street at Alpine Avenue for Lone Oak Tract and at Enterprise Street at Soults Drive for Soults Tract. Existing septic systems in Soults Tract and Lone Oak Tract would require proper abandonment
once construction is complete. The Project would alleviate the two communities’ need for a sustainable, long-term wastewater collection plan as well as prevent the existing septic systems from negatively affecting the groundwater quality in the area. The expected benefits of the Project include the following:
• Eliminating the continuation of groundwater contamination due to septic system usage;
• Aid a severely disadvantaged community;
• End reliance on aging and failing individual septic systems;
• Eliminate individual exposure to major repair costs;
• Establish an affordable and stable wastewater disposal solution for the Communities; and,
• Reflect objectives of the State of California to consolidate and eliminate small sewer systems.
Contact Information
Name
Gary Mills
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Chief Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jessica Wills
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Amy Wilson
Agency Name
Tulare County Public Works
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
unincorporated area, Tulare
Counties
Tulare
Regions
Unincorporated
Other Location Info
Both Soults Tract and Lone Oak Tract, comprising 79 residential lots in total, are within the City of Tulare’s (City) sphere of influence and situated south of West Inyo Avenue (SR 137). Soults Tract is generally bounded by Haven Street to the east, West Soults Drive to the northwest, and Tulare Irrigation District’s Lemos Ditch to the south, which serves as a physical barrier separating Soults Tract from the Lone Oak Tract. The Lone Oak Tract is generally bounded by Road 84 to the west and ditches to the north, east, and south. The two communities abut single-family development within the City to the east. Areas to the north, west, and south of the communities are largely devoted to agriculture.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Class 2 Section 15302(c), Replacement or Reconstruction
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed Project is constructing new wastewater pipelines to serve the Soults and Lone Oak Tracts and to connect the new system to the City of Tulare. This system will replace the existing septic system that serve the communities of Soults and Lone Oak. Therefore, it would be consistent with Class 2 Section 15302(c), replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.
County Clerk
Tulare
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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