SMUD Winters lntertie Pipe and Road Improvement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020100260
Public Agency
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Document Title
SMUD Winters lntertie Pipe and Road Improvement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/14/2020
Document Description
SM UD is proposing to modify two pipe supports within the Winters lntertie valve station. The current pipe supports encase the pipes in concrete up to the centerline of the pipes and prevent the bottom surface of the pipe from being inspected during required periodic inspections. Federal regulations require that the entire pipe is able to be regularly inspected, which requires the pipe to be free of any material that may hide defects. Evidence of corrosion has been discovered which requires the removal of these pipe supports, and they will be replaced with structures that allow unencumbered future inspection and maintenance. The project involves demolition of the existing concrete pipe support structures, and installation of modified pipe supports after inspection. In addition, two new stairs with landings will be installed, and the existing perimeter access road, which is in poor condition with potholes and uneven surfaces will be reconstructed to facilitate easier and safer access for ongoing operations and maintenance of the site. The road repair involves repairing the existing road surface and installing aggregate on an approximately ten to twenty-foot-wide and 260-foot-long road surface. The new aggregate material will be installed and compacted to meet compliance with Yolo County standards. Installation will include one new driveway and culvert. Surface areas will be restored to previous conditions and all existing materials will be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Construction is scheduled to begin October 2020 and be completed December 2020.
Contact Information
Name
Rob Ferrera
Agency Name
Sacramento Municipal Utility
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
Winters
Counties
Yolo
Other Location Info
The proposed location is unincorporated Yolo County on Road 29, Winters, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
§ 15301 (b); § 15302 (c); §15303 (d)
Reasons for Exemption
Under CEQA Guidelines§ 15062, a lead agency must identify the rationale for making the determination that a project is exempt under CEQA. SMUD has determined that the Winters lntertie Pipe Support and Road Improvement Project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines §15301 (b), Existing Facilities, which allows for projects involving the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing utility facilities to be exempt under CEQA where negligible or no expansion of use occurs. The proposed project meets the criteria as the addition of the access stairs and alteration of the existing pipe supports is a "minor alteration" as no expansion of the facility would occur during improvement of the existing road in its current location,. CEQA Guidelines §15302 (c) , Replacement or Reconstruction, allows for an exemption where replacement/reconstruction of a utility system occurs, and in this case applies to the replacement of the pipe support structure and replacement of an existing road. Finally, CEQA Guidelines §15303 (d) , New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, exempts from CEQA the construction of small utility infrastructure, such as the pipe supports and new stairs for the proposed project. Therefore, the project is considered exempt in accordance with the aforementioned CEQA Guidelines§ 15301, §15302, and §15303.