IEUA Chino Creek Wetlands Facilities Upgrades Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025090802
Public Agency
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Document Title
IEUA Chino Creek Wetlands Facilities Upgrades Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/18/2025
Document Description
IEUA plans to upgrade the facilities at the existing Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park. The project would focus on revitalizing park infrastructure and expanding recreational usability while preserving the site's educational and ecological value. Key recreation features supported through the LWCF grant and matching funds include:
• New shaded areas for public use: Two permanent shade structures will be installed—one over the existing picnic area and another over the amphitheater—enhancing year-round usability and visitor comfort during educational programs and community events.
• Improved lighting and access: New light towers will be installed throughout the park and along existing 1.7 miles of walking trails, increasing safety and extending usable park hours.
• Upgraded amphitheater experience: Infrastructure upgrades will include a new power source to support the shaded amphitheater, allowing for improved educational programming and public gatherings.
Major support amenities include:
• Restroom facilities: A new unisex restroom facility will include four stalls, an outdoor sink, and a janitor’s closet, significantly improving public access to sanitation.
• Security enhancements: A new wrought iron perimeter fence will be constructed, and new entry gates with timer-based operator control will be installed to better manage park access and enhance security during operational and non-operational times.
• Habitat restoration: The project will convert an unused subsurface wetland into a native Coast Live Oak woodland area, supporting habitat restoration goals and reinforcing the park’s role as a model of environmental stewardship.
Contact Information
Name
Pietro Cambiaso
Agency Name
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Job Title
Manager of Compliance and Sustainability
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Chino
Counties
San Bernardino
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
prado road
Zip
91708
Township
2S
Range
8W
Section
25
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15303 and 15333
Reasons for Exemption
The State CEQA Guidelines provide a series of categorical exemptions for projects that have been deemed to have minimal impacts on the environment. The purpose of project is to revitalize Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park infrastructure and expand recreational usability while preserving the site's educational and ecological value. The proposed project consists of installation of several accessory structures and features, including two new permanent shade structures, improved lighting and access throughout the park and along existing 1.7 miles of walking trails, a new power source to support the shaded amphitheater, restroom facilities, new wrought iron perimeter fence. These features would be categorized as appurtenant or accessory to the existing site use as the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park. The proposed project improvements would not exceed 5 acres of disturbance, further the proposed project would facilitate habitat restoration of an unused subsurface wetland into a native Coast Live Oak woodland area, wherein no endangered, rare, or threatened species or their habitat exists that would be significantly impacted by the project particularly due to design measures intended to protect potential nesting birds, and the proposed project would not result in individually or cumulatively significant impacts. Based on the above, the proposed project meets the criteria for a Class 3 and Class 33 Categorical Exemption. Class 3 Exemptions consists of “New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures,” outlined under Section 15301 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Class 3 Exemptions include “construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The numbers of structures described in this section are the maximum allowable on any legal parcel...(e) Accessory (appurtenant) structures including garages, carports, patios, swimming pools, and fences.” Class 33 consists of “Small Habitat Restoration Projects,” outlined under Section 15333 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Class 33 Exemptions include “projects not to exceed five acres in size to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife provided that: (a) There would be no significant adverse impact on endangered, rare or threatened species or their habitat pursuant to section 15065, (b) There are no hazardous materials at or around the project site that may be disturbed or removed, and (c) The project will not result in impacts that are significant when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.” The proposed project has been determined not to have a potential to cause significant adverse environmental effects if it is implemented. Therefore, this proposed action is not forecast to cause any potential for significant adverse environmental impacts and qualifies with the requirements for Class 3 and 33 (15303 and 15333) Exemption
County Clerk
San Bernardino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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