Golden Valley Pistachio Waste Water Discharge
Summary
SCH Number
2025051012
Public Agency
Merced County
Document Title
Golden Valley Pistachio Waste Water Discharge
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/22/2025
Document Description
The facility is a nut processing facility that currently operates under Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) issued by the Central Valley Water Board related to the discharge of treated wastewater. The operator intends to use additional parcels totaling 2,014.13-acres. These parcels are listed in Exhibit A.
The facility utilizes highly efficient dry peelers during the hulling process, significantly reducing water usage by eliminating the need for water in the initial hull removal stage. Following hulling, residual hulls adhering to the pistachios are removed using Loose Hull Remover (LHR) machines that employ water to rinse and separate remaining materials. The pistachios are then conveyed through a float tank for separation of blank nuts and receive a final rinse prior to drying.
The rinse water generated during these operations is routed through a pressure screen filtration system followed by a vertical mesh sieve, which removes organic debris and suspended solids. The filtered process water is collected in a storage tank and transported by truck for off-site application. The facility intends to irrigate 14.58 acres of almonds with the process water. Water will be applied using a mounted spray system. The process water does not contain hazardous or industrial chemicals. It originates solely from food-grade rinsing operations and contains beneficial nutrients such as potassium, which support almond tree health and productivity. This practice promotes sustainable agriculture by conserving freshwater resources, recycling rinse water, and enhancing soil fertility. The quality of the discharge water is periodically
monitored through a certified laboratory to verify its suitability for agricultural irrigation and to ensure environmentally responsible reuse. Any future expansions of the facility in regard to building square footage or land used for production purposes may require an additional land use permit.
Contact Information
Name
Ana Hernandez
Agency Name
County of Merced
Job Title
Planner I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Masood Khezri
Agency Name
Golden Valley Pistachio CO. LLC.
Job Title
Owner
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Merced
Regions
Countywide
Zip
93635
Total Acres
2014.13
Parcel #
Multiple
State Highways
Interstate 5 (I-5)
Railways
Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Airports
Los Banos Municipal Airport
Schools
Los Banos Unified School District
Township
11S
Range
10E
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301, Class 1, Section 15304, Class 4, Section 15306, Class 6
Reasons for Exemption
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15301. Class 1 (Existing Facilities) 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 existing or former use.
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15304. Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land) applies to minor public or private alterations of the condition of land, water, or vegetation that do not include the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and
agricultural purposes. The exemption includes grading on land with a slope of less than 10% or new gardening or landscaping.
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15306. Class 6 consists of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be strictly for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061 (b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines section 15061 (b)(3). Section 15061 (b)(3) states that "CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA." There is no possibility that this project may have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, the project is not subject to CEQA.
County Clerk
Merced
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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