Approval of the Plans and Specifications and Authorization to Advertise for Bids for the Installation of Primary Apron Mast Lighting and Control Access Gate Pha
Summary
SCH Number
2026071109
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Approval of the Plans and Specifications and Authorization to Advertise for Bids for the Installation of Primary Apron Mast Lighting and Control Access Gate Pha
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/28/2026
Document Description
[PROJECT TITLE CONTINUED]: se II Construction Project at Blythe Airport (BLH); District 4
On February 25, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved the five-year design and engineering services agreement with Mead and Hunt for airport engineering, architectural, planning and environmental services which includes the design, construction administration, construction inspection of projects, planning and environmental services for the County’s five airports. The design services for the Blythe Airport’s Installation of Primary Apron Mast Lighting and Control Access Gate Project are now complete, and staff request approval to solicit bids for construction of the project.
The Blythe Airport has Runway 8-26 and 17-35, with partial parallel taxiways serving each runway. On the southeast corner of the Runway intersection is the Airport’s only apron, so all transient or parked Aircraft must come to this location. There is no Airport perimeter road with public street access, so vehicles entering or using the Airport must pass through the apron as well. Currently, to access the airport is through two pad-locked swinging gates along the southwest and southeast edges of the apron.
The purpose of this project is to enhance safety by replacing both gates with a digital keypad, add low-mast lighting at select locations along the perimeter of the apron, and at the fueling facility to approve visibility issues during transient nighttime operations.
The proposed Project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) according to the State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 Existing Facilities Exemption: Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction; and Section 15061 (b)(3) “Common Sense” Exemption, and categorically excluded from NEPA US Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Order 1050.1E, Categorical Exclusion 5-6.4e Facility Siting, Construction, and Maintenance. The Project will not have any impact on an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern, nor will the Project include unusual circumstances which would have a potentially significant effect on the environment.
Contact Information
Name
Jose Ruiz
Agency Name
County of Riverside Transportation Department - Aviation Division
Job Title
Real Estate Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Blythe
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Blythe Airport, 17240 Hobsonway, Bythe CA
Zip
92225
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA specifically by the State CEQA Guidelines as identified below. The project will not result in any specific or general exceptions to the use of the categorical exemption as detailed under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2. The project will not cause an impact to an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern nor would the project involve unusual circumstances that could potentially have a significant effect on the environment. The project would not result in impacts to scenic highways, hazardous waste sites, historic resources, or other sensitive natural environments, or have a cumulative effect to the environment. No significant environmental impacts are anticipated to occur as a result of this project.
This categorical exemption includes the operation, repair, maintenance, leasing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures or facilities, provided the exemption only involves negligible or no expansion of the previous site's use. The project, as proposed, is limited to lighting improvements and the installation of an access control system at the entry gates to the Blythe Airport. The project will not require physical modifications to the existing sites which would increase or expand the use of the sites, and is limited to the continued use of the sites in a similar capacity; therefore, the project is exempt as the project meets the scope and intent of the Class 1 Exemption identified in Section 15301, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15302
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA specifically by the State CEQA Guidelines as identified below. The project will not result in any specific or general exceptions to the use of the categorical exemption as detailed under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2. The project will not cause an impact to an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern nor would the project involve unusual circumstances that could potentially have a significant effect on the environment. The project would not result in impacts to scenic highways, hazardous waste sites, historic resources, or other sensitive natural environments, or have a cumulative effect to the environment. No significant environmental impacts are anticipated to occur as a result of this project.
This Class 2 categorical exemption consists of the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. Under (c), replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity. The project, as proposed, is the replacement and rehabilitation of existing lighting at the airport. The access control system will be installed at existing access gates. Therefore, the project is exempt as it meets the scope and intent of the Categorical Exemption identified in Section 15302, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA specifically by the State CEQA Guidelines as identified below. The project will not result in any specific or general exceptions to the use of the categorical exemption as detailed under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2. The project will not cause an impact to an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern nor would the project involve unusual circumstances that could potentially have a significant effect on the environment. The project would not result in impacts to scenic highways, hazardous waste sites, historic resources, or other sensitive natural environments, or have a cumulative effect to the environment. No significant environmental impacts are anticipated to occur as a result of this project.
In accordance with CEQA, the use of the Common Sense Exemption is based on the "general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment." State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b) (3). The use of this exemption is appropriate if "it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment." Ibid. This determination is an issue of fact and if sufficient evidence exists in the record that the activity cannot have a significant effect on the environment, then the exemption applies and no further evaluation under CEQA is required. See No Oil, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles (1974) 13 Cal. 3d 68. The ruling in this case stated that if a project falls within a category exempt by administrative regulation or 'it can be seen with certainty that the activity in question will not have a significant effect on the environment', no further agency evaluation is required. With certainty, there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed project will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts. The use and operation of the airports will be substantially similar to the existing use and will not create any new environmental impacts to the surrounding area. No impacts beyond the ongoing, existing use of the sites would occur. Therefore, in no way, would the project as proposed have the potential to cause a significant environmental impact and the project is exempt from further CEQA analysis.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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