Planning commission adopts mitigated negative declaration for Burnt Ranch Estates water system upgrades

The Trinity County Planning Commission on Feb. 20 adopted a mitigated negative declaration (MND) and mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP) for the Burnt Ranch Estates Community Water System Improvement Project (CLA-23-01).

Patrick Flynn, an environmental compliance specialist with Trinity County Natural Resources, presented the project and staff recommendation. Flynn said the project would replace two existing storage tanks — an upper tank to be replaced with an approximately 80,000-gallon bolted-steel tank on a concrete foundation after expanding and grading the upper tank flat (about 11,000 square feet of grading) — and a lower tank to be replaced in place with a new 40,000-gallon tank. The project also includes full replacement of the main distribution lines with HDPE piping (trenched and directionally bored), replacement of hydrants and meters, and potential future phases to retrofit filtration and chlorine systems. Flynn said the system was originally installed in 1975–1978 and county review determined upgrades were needed for fire protection and reliable service.

Flynn told the commission that although replacement of like-for-like infrastructure is often CEQA-exempt, the expansion of the upper tank flat and trenching warranted an MND. The county’s analysis identified six mitigation measures: dust control, preconstruction nesting-bird surveys, two cultural-resource measures, a paleontological protection measure, and noise controls during construction. Staff recommended adoption of the MND, the MMRP required by CEQA Guidelines section 15074(d), and Resolution PC 2025-01.

Bill Wilkinson, president of the Burnt Ranch Estates Mutual Water Company, spoke in public comment and said the project is funded in part by a Department of Water Resources drought-resilience grant that must be spent by the end of the calendar year; he said construction cannot start until a lot-line adjustment clears and noted the grant funds had technological limits on eligible components. Wilkinson said the project is about two-and-a-half years into a three-year schedule and emphasized the need to move quickly to meet funding deadlines.

Commissioner questions focused on the resolution date and on confirming the document with the most recent revisions; staff clarified the resolution to vote on was the Feb. 20, 2025 version. The commission moved, seconded and approved adoption of the MND, the MMRP and Resolution PC 2025-01. A roll call recorded the vote as unanimous in favor.

The approval establishes the county’s environmental finding and monitoring requirements for the immediate tank and main replacements and for the potential future filtration phase if pursued; the county also expects a grading permit and State Water Board construction general permit to be obtained before construction begins.