Lindsay council adopts mitigated negative declaration for Well 11 treatment project, approves staff to pursue state grant funding

The Lindsay City Council voted unanimously to adopt a mitigated negative declaration for a proposed treatment facility at Well 11, a groundwater source that staff said is contaminated with nitrates and chlorates. The adoption authorizes staff to incorporate public comments and move forward with grant applications for construction and design.

City staff and consultant Provost & Pritchard presented the initial study and supplemental responses to state comments, describing mitigation measures and minimizing expected environmental impacts. Staff said the State Water Resources Board’s grant commitment for the project was increased from an initially described 30 percent to 90 percent; the council also noted the city has committed a $6,500,000 settlement toward operating the future treatment facility.

The council opened the required public hearing, received no public testimony, closed the hearing and adopted Resolution 25-01 to accept the draft initial study and mitigated negative declaration. The motion to adopt was made by Council member Soria and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Flores; a roll-call voice vote recorded 'Aye' and the motion carried 5–0.

Council members discussed the funding approach and confirmed that grant funding would be used for construction and that the settlement funds would be applied to future operations. Staff said a separate grant-authorization item would be brought forward to formalize applications for State Water Resources Board funding and that contract and procurement steps will follow the environmental clearance.

What’s next: Council adoption clears the way for staff to proceed with grant application and project design. Details of grant application, contract awards and operations funding will return to council for separate approvals.