Brookside East Heli-Hydrant Facility
Summary
SCH Number
2026020284
Public Agency
San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
Document Title
Brookside East Heli-Hydrant Facility
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/9/2026
Document Description
The proposed project involves the installation of a heli-hydrant system to support aerial wildfire suppression operations and provide the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) with additional water resources during wildfire events. The system will include a cylindrical, above-ground water storage tank measuring 15 feet in diameter and 8.5 feet in height, with a total capacity of approximately 8,500 gallons of potable water. The tank will be enclosed by a 6-foot-high chain-link fence for security and will feature a 25-foot-wide access gate to accommodate emergency response vehicles and maintenance equipment.
The heli-hydrant is engineered to maintain a consistent water level, allowing rotary-wing aircraft equipped with snorkel systems (stingers) to extract water while hovering.
The total area of ground disturbance is approximately 48,860 square feet, to accommodate construction of a site access road, implementation of dust mitigation, and to ensure safe helicopter operations by avoiding overhead power lines and other aerial obstructions. (Refer to Figure 2 - Site Plan)
The tank system will improve CAL FIRE pilots' response time to eradicate fire and reduce the risk of loss of life and property to the surrounding communities within Riverside County.
Beneficiaries of the project are San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency customers, which include residential and commercial uses and CAL FIRE.
Contact Information
Name
Emmett Campbell
Agency Name
San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
Job Title
Director of Water Resources
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Beaumont
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Township
2
Range
1 W
Section
34
Other Location Info
The project is located on Brookside Ave across from Beaumont High School and to the right of the Mountain View Channel.
The project is located within Section 34, Township 2 South, Range 1 West, and San Bernardino Base and Meridian.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 Cal. Code Regs. (State CEQA Guidelines) section 15303
Reasons for Exemption
The Class 3 Categorical Exemption is applicable to the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures including water facilities. The proposed project is the construction of a small reservoir, referred to as a Heli-hydrant adjacent to the Mountain View Channel. The Heli-hydrant is considered a small water facility, and as such qualifies for a Categorical Exemption per CEQA Guidelines §15303(d).
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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