Canyon Creek Outdoor Education Center Site Improvements and Repairs
Summary
SCH Number
2025120013
Public Agency
Los Angeles Unified School District
Document Title
Canyon Creek Outdoor Education Center Site Improvements and Repairs
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/1/2025
Document Description
The Project will provide necessary improvements and repairs to an existing outdoor education center facility that was acquired by the District. As part of the Project, existing structures will be renovated, including repair and replacement of deteriorated roofs, walls, electrical systems, and plumbing systems. Kitchen and dining hall equipment will be repaired and replaced. Outdoor learning amenities, including the pool and athletic fields will be repaired and a new ropes course will be constructed. Site-wide improvements include repairs and upgrades to the irrigation systems and asphalt. Code compliance upgrades required by the Fire Department and Health Department will be made, including repair and replacement of the site-wide fire suppression system and dredging of the pond to increase water capacity. The Board of Education approved of the Project's budget of $39.6 million on May 7, 2024.
The Project will be implemented per all applicable State, federal, and local regulations, such as those provided in the updated Standard Conditions of Approval for District Construction, Upgrade, and lmprovements Projects (SCs) as adopted by the Board of Education in December 2023. 1 LAUSD's SCs, design guidelines, and best management practices are designed to be incorporated into the Project design in order to avoid or limit potential adverse impacts associated with the District's projects.
The beneficiaries of this Project are users of the Canyon Creek OEC, including students, faculty, staff, families, school supporters, and the community at large who may request access to the facilities and grounds of the OEC pursuant to the Civic Center Act (CA Ed. Code Sections 38130 - 38139).
Contact Information
Name
Edward Paek
Agency Name
Los Angeles Unified School District
Job Title
Senior CEQA Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Lake Hughes, Unincorporated Community of Los Angeles County
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Canyon Creek Outdoor Education Center Outdoor Site Improvements & Repairs Project (Project) will be located on the 81-acre Canyon Creek Outdoor Education Center (OEC), which is located at 46100 Lake Hughes Road in the unincorporated community of Lake Hughes in the County of Los Angeles. The OEC is surrounded by undeveloped Angeles National Forest land and located in a rural area primarily consisting of open space.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15303, 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15301 Existing Facilities
Class 1 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 use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination.
The Project will provide necessary improvements and repairs to au existing outdoor education center facility. As part of the Project, existing structures will be renovated, including repair and replacement of deteriorated roofs, walls, electrical systems, and plumbing systems. Kitchen and dining hall equipment will be repaired and replaced. Outdoor learning amenities, including the pool and athletic fields will be repaired and a new ropes course will be constructed. Site-wide improvements include repairs and upgrades to the irrigation systems and asphalt. Code compliance upgrades required by the Fire Department and Health Department will be made, including repair and replacement of the site-wide fire suppression system and dredging of the pond to increase water capacity. No expansion of use beyond what exists will be included as part of the Project. Therefore, the Project constitutes minor alterations to an existing outdoor education center that result in no expansion of use and meets the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
Section 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures
Class 3 consists of 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 to the structure.
The Project will provide necessary improvements and repairs to an existing outdoor education center facility. As part of the Project, existing structures will be renovated, including repair and replacement of deteriorated roofs, walls, electrical systems, and plumbing systems. Kitchen and dining hall equipment will be repaired and replaced. Outdoor learning amenities, including the pool and athletic fields will be repaired and a new ropes course will be constructed. Site-wide improvements include repairs and upgrades to the irrigation systems and asphalt. Code compliance upgrades required by the Fire Department and Health Department will be made, including repair and replacement of the site-wide fire suppression system and dredging of the pond to increase water capacity. The Project would constitute operation, repair, maintenance and minor alteration of an existing facility involving no expansion in enrollment or of the facilities' use. Therefore, the Project satisfies the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15303.
Section 15304 - Minor Alterations to Land
Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes.
The Project includes dredging of the existing pond to increase water capacity for its role in storing water for fire suppression as required by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The dredged material will be relocated onsite. The Project will not remove healthy, mature, or scenic trees. Therefore, the Project fulfills the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15304.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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