Heli-Hydrants at Eastvale Community Park and Benedict Reservoirs
Summary
SCH Number
2026041011
Public Agency
Jurupa Community Services District
Document Title
Heli-Hydrants at Eastvale Community Park and Benedict Reservoirs
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/22/2026
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 first site at Eastvale Community Park consists of the installation of six pull boxes, electrical conduit, a water line, a 12-foot access road, a heli-hydrant tank, a fire hydrant, a 20-foot tall wind sock and a Wave Pico antenna. A 115-feet by 115-feet fenced area will enclose the heli-hydrant. The fence will be 6 feet tall and made of metal with 2-feet of barbed and razor wire. The heli-hydrant tank will be 15 feet in diameter and 8 feet in height, with a total capacity of approximately 8,500 gallons of recycled water. The heli-hydrant tank will be gravity fed from a proposed 6-inch Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe (purple), which will connect to an existing 8-inch recycled water line. The heli-hydrant tank will have an approximate filling rate of 900 to 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm).
The second site is located along Benedict Reservoir access road. Construction will consist of the installation of two pull boxes, electrical conduit, a water line, a 12-foot wide access road, a heli-hydrant tank, a 20-foot tall wind sock and a Wave PicoPico antenna. The Project will connect to existing electrical line located northeast from the existing access road. The proposed heli-hydrant be enclosed by a 6-foot tall metal fence with 2-foot barbed and razor wire. A 12-foot wide paved road will connect the heli-hydrant to the existing access road. The heli-hydrant tank will be 15 feet in diameter and 8 feet in height, with a total capacity of approximately 8,500 gallons of potable water. The heli-hydrant tank will be gravity fed from a proposed 6-inch CML/CMC pipe, which will connect to an existing 12-inch CML/CMC water line. The heli-hydrant tank will have an approximate filling rate of 900 to 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm).
The tank systems 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 Jurupa Community Service District customers, which include residential and commercial uses and CAL FIRE.
Contact Information
Name
Keith Backus
Agency Name
Jurupa Community Service District
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Eastvale, Jurupa Valley
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Hamner Avenue and Citrus Street
Zip
92880
Parcel #
152 050 040
State Highways
Interstate 15
Waterways
Santa Ana River
Township
2S
Range
7W
Section
36
Base
SBBM
Other Location Info
The second proposed site is the Benedict Reservoirs.
Cross streets: Sandra Drive and Mclaren Lane
Coordinates: 34 1 54.08 117 25 12.49
Zip code: 92509
Parcel Numbers: 174-040-018 and 174-040-020.
State Highways: State Route 60
Township: 2S
Range: 5W
Section: 5
Base: SBBM
Address: 2169 Sandra Drive, Jurupa Valley, California
Other Information
First proposed site (Eastvale Community Park) address: 12750 Citrus Street, Eastvale, California
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 3 Exemption -15303
Reasons for Exemption
The Project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the Class 3 exemption set forth in State CEQA Guidelines §15303, which exempts the "...construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures.” CEQA Guidelines §15303(d) identifies "water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements, of reasonable length to serve such construction” as a type of project that fits within the Class 3 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 two small reservoirs, referred to as heli-hydrants. Heli-hydrants are considered small water facilities, and as such qualify for a Categorical Exemption per CEQA Guidelines §15303(d). None of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions apply here. The Project will not have any cumulative impacts; there is no reasonable possibility that the Project will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances; the Project does not affect any scenic highways or historical resources; and it is not located on a hazardous waste site.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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