California Aqueduct Milepost 142.59R Westlands Water District Turn-in Removal
Summary
SCH Number
2025120508
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
California Aqueduct Milepost 142.59R Westlands Water District Turn-in Removal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/11/2025
Document Description
A damaged and leaking Westlands Water District (WWD) turn-in needs to be removed. WWD capped the pipeline, and requests encroachment permission from Department of Water Resources (DWR) to remove the portion of pipeline located in the DWR right of way, under the asphalt Aqueduct road and on the Aqueduct liner. WWD will also repair erosions that occurred when the pipe leaked. An up to 40 feet long by 15 feet wide section of the asphalt road will be sawcut; the asphalt will be removed and disposed of. After the asphalt is removed, soil will be excavated to an approximately 5-foot depth to expose the damaged 12-inch diameter cast iron pipe. The underground pipe, and the turn-in pipes on the Aqueduct liner, will be cut, removed, and disposed of. Once the pipes are removed, a backhoe will be used to retrieve the eroded material and will backfill and compact it into the eroded areas. Existing soil, and additional clean soil will be placed into the area that was excavated to remove the pipe and will be brought to 95% compaction. The road will be repaired by placing and compacting 4-inches of hot mix asphalt.
Contact Information
Name
Cody Nelson
Agency Name
California Department of Water Resources
Job Title
Planner Scheduler/UC Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Alejandro Garcia
Agency Name
Westlands Water District
Job Title
Maintenance Scheduler
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
0.53 miles northwest of the intersection of State Route 145 and the California Aqueduct
State Highways
SR 145
Airports
Harris Agro West Airport
Schools
Westside Elementary School
Waterways
California Aqueduct
Other Location Info
The project is on the right side (R) of Reach 4 of the California Aqueduct (Aqueduct) in the Department of Water Resources right of way at Aqueduct milepost 142.59R. The work area is 0.53 miles northwest of the intersection of State Route 145 and the Aqueduct (coordinates 36.327583, -120.240616).
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15305(b) Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations – Issuance of Minor Encroachment Permits
Reasons for Exemption
Westlands Water District requests permission to remove its existing, damaged turn-in, and to repair erosions in the Department of Water Resources right of way. Work will occur in an area with an average slope of less than 20 percent, work will not result in any changes to land use or density. Department of Water Resources, as a Responsible Agency, will issue an Encroachment Permit for this work. Categorical Exemption 15305(b) (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations – Issuance of minor encroachment permits) applies.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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