PUBLICATION DATE: September 23, 2026

Loleta Community Services District

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT INITIAL STUDY/PROPOSED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
This notice is to inform the public and interested agencies that in accordance with Section 15072 of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Loleta Community Services District is circulating a Draft Initial
Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (Draft-IS/MND) for the following project:
Project Name: LCSD Wastewater Treatment Facility and Effluent Disposal Improvement Project
Project Location: The project is located in the unincorporated community of Loleta, California. The project is
located on Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 309-191-012, 309-211-002, 309-211-006, 309-211-007, and 309-
251-002, portions of which are currently developed with LCSD wastewater system infrastructure. The project is
located within the United States Geological Survey Fields Landing 7.5-minute quadrangle, Township 3 North,
Range 1 and 2 West, Sections 18 and 19, Humboldt Meridian.
Description of Project: Loleta Community Services District (LCSD) maintains and operates a wastewater
treatment system that serves the community of Loleta. LCSD is planning to modify its wastewater treatment
facility (WWTF) and effluent discharge system to meet the terms of its current National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit, including waste discharge requirements for recycled water (beneficial reuse
for irrigation of agricultural land becomes the discharge point instead of surface water). Current and future
effluent limitations for pollutants cannot be met by the existing wastewater treatment and disposal process. The
proposed project includes a land acquisition and new wastewater treatment facility component (including
geotechnical borings), rehabilitation of the existing waste discharge pipe component, and land application of
treated effluent component. LCSD proposes to expand the existing 0.48-acre WWTF parcel (APN 309-211-006)
into an approximately 0.77-acre portion of an adjacent 55.47-acre parcel (APN 309-191-012) using a lot line
adjustment, which requires an amendment to the local coastal plan (Eel River Area Plan) and a zone
reclassification. A new WWTF will be constructed, and the old WWTF will be demolished. The new WWTF will
include a new headworks with pre-screening in the form of a mechanical screen. The proposed secondary
treatment system is an extended aeration system. Whereas the existing WWTF uses chlorine gas for
disinfection, this project proposes installing an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system. Currently, LCSD contracts to
have waste sludge hauled to another facility for dewatering and disposal. Because of the high cost of paying a
third party to haul and dewater sludge, LCSD plans to install a dewatering press at the new WWTF to reduce the
cost of hauling and disposal. A concrete retaining wall will be constructed along the western edge of the new
WWTF, and all new WWTF structures will be elevated (or flood-proofed) to at least 1 foot above the 100-year
base flood elevation.
Presence of Hazardous Waste Facilities, Properties, and Disposal Sites on the Project Site: The project site is
not included on any lists enumerated under Section 65962.5 of the California Government Code.
Document Availability: The Draft-IS/MND and related reference documents will be available for review during
normal business hours at LCSD’s office at 358 Main Street, Loleta, CA 95551. The Draft-IS/MND will also be
available on LCSD’s website at https://www.loletacommunityservicesdistrict.gov/ and on the State
Clearinghouse website at https://ceqanet.lci.ca.gov/2026091008.
Public Review Period: The public comment period begins on September 23, 2026 and will end on October 24,
2026 at 5:00 PM. Written comments can be emailed (generalmanagerlcsd@gmail.com) or mailed to the
attention of Dennie Her, General Manager, Loleta Community Services District, P.O. Box 236, Loleta, California
95551.