CAL SP X AND CAL SP XI GRANT ROAD SOLAR PROJECTS

CAL SP X AND CAL SP XI GRANT ROAD SOLAR PROJECTS

INITIAL STUDY

P R E P A R E D F O R :

CountyofMerced,PlanningandCommunityDevelopmentDepartment2222MStreetMerced,CA95340Contact:JamesHolland209/385‐7654

P R E P A R E D B Y :

ICFInternational630KStreet,Suite400Sacramento,CAContact:ShahiraAshkar916.737.3000

February2012

ICFInternational.2012.CalSPXandCalSPXIGrantRoadSolarProjectsInitialStudy.February.(ICF00618.11.)Sacramento,CA.PreparedforCountyofMerced,PlanningandCommunityDevelopmentDepartment,Merced,CA.

Cal SP X and Cal SP XI Grant Road Solar Projects Initial Study

i February 2012

ICF 00618.11

Contents

List of Tables ..................................................................................................................................... iii

List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... iv

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ....................................................................................................... v

Chapter 1 Project Description ................................................................................................... 1‐1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1‐1

Photovoltaic Panels and Collection Lines ..................................................................................... 1‐1

Infrastructure and Security ........................................................................................................... 1‐2

Employees ............................................................................................................................ 1‐3

El Nido PG&E Substation Improvements ...................................................................................... 1‐3

Construction ............................................................................................................................ 1‐3

Operation and Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 1‐4

Decommissioning .......................................................................................................................... 1‐5

Chapter 2 Environmental Checklist ........................................................................................... 2‐1

Environmental Factors Potentially Affected ....................................................................................... 2‐1

Determination ................................................................................................................................... 2‐2

Evaluation of Environmental Impacts ................................................................................................. 2‐2

I. Aesthetics ................................................................................................................................... 2‐4

II. Agricultural Resources ..................................................................................................................... 2‐7

III. Air Quality ................................................................................................................................. 2‐10

IV. Biological Resources ..................................................................................................................... 2‐26

V. Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................................... 2‐38

VI. Geology and Soils ......................................................................................................................... 2‐40

VII. Greenhouse Gas Emissions ......................................................................................................... 2‐44

VIII. Hazards and Hazardous Materials .............................................................................................. 2‐49

IX. Hydrology and Water Quality ....................................................................................................... 2‐53

X. Land Use and Planning .................................................................................................................. 2‐57

XI. Mineral Resources ........................................................................................................................ 2‐59

XII. Noise ................................................................................................................................. 2‐60

XIII. Population and Housing ............................................................................................................. 2‐71

XIV. Public Services ............................................................................................................................ 2‐72

XV. Recreation ................................................................................................................................. 2‐74

XVI. Transportation/Traffic ................................................................................................................ 2‐75

XVII. Utilities and Service Systems ..................................................................................................... 2‐78

County of Merced Contents


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XVIII. Mandatory Findings of Significance ......................................................................................... 2‐81

Appendix A. Air Quality Calculations



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Tables

Page

1 Required Construction Equipment .................................................................................. 1‐4

2 Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards ......................................................... 2‐11

3 Annual Ambient Air Quality Data at ARB Monitoring Stations in Merced .................... 2‐15

4 Construction Equipment Use by Activity ....................................................................... 2‐18

5 Summary of Yearly Construction Emissions—Unmitigated Tons per Year.................... 2‐19

6 Operational Emissions in 2014 ...................................................................................... 2‐21

7 Special‐Status Plants Identified During Prefield Investigation as Occurring in

the Project Vicinity ......................................................................................................... 2‐30

8 Special‐Status Wildlife Species with Potential to Occur in Study Area .......................... 2‐33

9 Lifetimes and Global Warming Potentials ..................................................................... 2‐47

10 Definition of Sound Measurements ............................................................................... 2‐61

11 Typical A‐Weighted Sound Levels .................................................................................. 2‐62

12 Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment .................................................... 2‐63

13 Guideline Vibration Annoyance Potential Criteria ......................................................... 2‐64

14 Guideline Vibration Damage Potential Criteria ............................................................. 2‐64

15 Maximum Permissible Noise Levels of Merced County Code ....................................... 2‐65

16 Population Density and Associated Ambient Noise Levels ............................................ 2‐66

17 Typical Construction Noise Emission Levels .................................................................. 2‐67

18 Summary of Predicted Property Line Motor Sound Levels............................................ 2‐68

19 Vibration from Construction Equipment ....................................................................... 2‐69

20 Intersection Level of Service Thresholds ....................................................................... 2‐76



iv February 2012

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Figures

Follows Page

1 Project Vicinity ................................................................................................................. 1‐2

2 Project Location ............................................................................................................... 1‐2

3 Cal SP X Plan ..................................................................................................................... 1‐2

4 Cal SP XI Plan .................................................................................................................... 1‐2



v February 2012

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Acronyms and Abbreviations

AB32 AssemblyBill32

Alquist‐PrioloAct Alquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningAct

ARB CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard

BAU business‐as‐usual

BMPs bestmanagementpractices

BPS BestPerformanceStandards

CAAA 1990CleanAirActamendments

Cal/OSHA CaliforniaOSHA

CCR CaliforniaCodeofRegulations

CDFFP CaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection

CEQ CouncilonEnvironmentalQuality

CEQA CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct

CESA CaliforniaEndangeredSpeciesAct

CH4 methane

CNDDB CaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase

CNEL communitynoiseequivalentlevel

CNPPA CaliforniaNativePlantProtectionAct

CNPS CaliforniaNativePlantSociety

CO carbonmonoxide

CO2 carbondioxide

CO2e CO2equivalents

CUP ConditionalUsePermits

CUPA CertifiedUnifiedProgramAgency

CWA federalCleanWaterAct

dB decibel

DFG CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame

DHS DepartmentofHealthServices

DOC DepartmentofConservation

DWR CaliforniaDepartmentofWaterResources

EarthquakeFaultZones corridorsalongactivefaults

EIR EnvironmentalImpactReport

EO ExecutiveOrder

EPA U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

ESA EndangeredSpeciesAct



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Farmland ConvertPrimeFarmland,UniqueFarmland,orFarmlandofStatewideImportance

FHWA FederalHighwayAdministration

FMMP FarmlandMappingandMonitoringProgram

GAMAQI GuideforAssessingandMitigatingAirQualityImpacts

HFCs Hydroflourocarbons

IEC InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission

IPCC IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange

Ldn day‐nightsoundlevel

Leq equivalentsoundlevel

LIM LandInventoryandMonitoring

LminandLmax minimumandmaximumsoundlevels

LOS levelofservice

LRA LocalResponseArea

MBTA MigratoryBirdTreatyAct

MOU memorandumofunderstanding

MPOs metropolitanplanningorganizations

N2O nitrousoxide

NAAQS nationalambientairqualitystandards

NMFS NationalMarineFisheriesService

NO2 nitrogendioxide

NOX nitrogenoxides

NPDES NationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem

NPL NationalPrioritiesList

NRCS NaturalResourcesConservationService

NWPs Nationwidepermits

O3 ozone

OSHA OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration

Pb lead

PFCs Perfluorocarbons

PM particulatematter

PM10 PM10micronsindiameterorless

PM2.5 PM2.5micronsindiameterorless

ppm partspermillion

ppt partspertrillion

PPV peakparticlevelocity

PV Photovoltaic



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RCRA ResourceConservationandRecoveryAct

ROG reactiveorganicgasses

ROWD ReportofWasteDischarge

RWQCB RegionalWaterQualityControlBoard

SACOG SacramentoAreaCouncilofGovernments

SB SenateBill

SF6 sulfurhexafluoride

SJVAB SanJoaquinValleyAirBasin

SJVAPCD SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict

SO2 sulfurdioxide

SUDP SpecificUrbanDevelopmentPlanArea

SWPPP StormwaterPollutionPreventionPlan

SWRCB StateWaterResourcesControlBoard

TAC toxicaircontaminant

USACE U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers

USFWS U.S.FishandWildlifeService

WDRs wastedischargerequirements


1‐1 February 2012

ICF 00618.11

Chapter 1 Project Description

Introduction Theapplicant,Solarpack,proposestoconstructtwosolargenerationfacilities(CalSPXandCalSPXI)(theprojects)onadjacentparcels(withdifferentowners)onGrantRoadbetweenOrchardRoadandArborWayintheElNidoareaofMercedCounty(Figures1and2).TheapplicanthassubmittedConditionalUsePermitapplicationsforbothproperties.

ThedurationoftheproposedConditionalUsePermits(CUPs)is30years.AttheendofthetermoftheCUPs,theCUPswouldexpireandthesiteswouldbereclaimedtopre‐projectconditions.WithapplicationtotheCounty,eitheroftheCUPscouldberenewed.RenewalofaCUPwouldrequireactionbytheBoardofSupervisors,andenvironmentalreviewunderCEQA.CalSPXwouldbea5MWfacilityon58acresoflandatthesoutheastcornerofGrantandOrchardRoads.CalSPXIwouldbea10MWfacilityonanadjacent117‐acrepropertyatthesouthwestcornerofGrantRoadandArborWay.Bothfacilitieswouldoperateon30‐yearleases,atwhichtimetheparcelswouldbereclaimedforagriculturaluseoranewConditionalUsePermitacquiredtorenewthesolargenerationprojects.

TheCalSPXparceliscurrentlyfarmedforrowcrops.TheCalSPXIsitecurrentlyincludesasinglefamilyresidence,adairyfarm,andadetentionpondusedforthedisposalofwastewatergeneratedatthedairy.ThedairywillceaseoperationbyJuly1,2012.Aspartoftheprojects,theapplicantisproposingapropertylineadjustmenttocreatea20‐acreparcelthatwouldcontainthecurrentpropertyowner’shomeanddairybuildingsseparatefromthelandproposedforthesolarfacility.Thesurroundinglandusesconsistofagriculturalproductionandseveralsinglefamilyresidences.

CalSPXandCalSPXIwillbetwoseparatefacilities.Eachfacilitywillconsistofphotovoltaicpanels,inverterbuildings,anofficebuilding,gravelroads,andasmallparkingarea,andbeenclosedwithinchainlinkfences(Figures3and4).Thedevelopmentplansandcomponentsforbothprojectsareverysimilar.

Photovoltaic Panels and Collection Lines

Photovoltaic(PV)panelswouldbemountedabovethegroundonsingleaxistrackersandbefree‐standing.Thetrackingsystemwouldconsistofgalvanizedsteelrailsfixedongalvanizedsteelpostsdrivendirectlyintothegroundwithvibratoryhammers.Thepanelswouldbeorientednorth/southandtiltinthedirectionofthesun’sorientation.

CalSPXwouldconsistof20,160panels,andCalSPXIof40,320panels.Eachpanelwouldbeapproximately3by5feet.Mounted5feetabovetheground,panelswouldextendamaximumof10feetabovetheground.

Gravelroadswouldseparatefieldsofpanelsandprovideaccessforcleaningandmaintenance.Lowgrowingvegetationwillbeplantedwithinthepanelfields.

County of Merced Project Description


1‐2 February 2012

ICF 00618.11

Undergroundelectricalconduitwouldcarrypowerfromthepanelstoinvertersandtransformershousedinsingle‐story,shed‐roofedbuildingsattheedgesofthepanelfields.Inverterbuildingswouldberoughly14by37feet(approximately520squarefeet).TheplansfortheproposedCalSPXfacilityincludefiveinverterbuildings;plansfortheproposedCalSPXIfacilityinclude10inverterbuildings.

Cableswilltransmitthephotovoltaicenergytotheinverterstations,wheretheelectricitywillbeconvertedfromdirecttoalternatingcurrent.PowerfrombothsolarfarmswillbetransmittedtotheexistingElNidosubstationatthecornerofOrchardRoadandEastGrantRoadbyanaboveground12kVgeneratortielinealongGrantRoad.PowerfromCalSPXwillbetransmittedbyashort12KVgeneratortielinefromthenorthwestcornerofthefacilityacrossGrantRoadtothesubstation.PowerfromCalSPXIwillhaveanabovegroundgeneratortielinerunningfromthenorthwestcorneroftheprojectareaalongGrantRoad,crossingtheroadtotieintothesubstationonthenorthsideofGrantRoad.

Infrastructure and Security

Eachsolarfarmwouldincludeanoffice/storagebuilding,parking,andgravelroads.AccesstothefacilitywouldbethroughseparategatesonGrantRoad.

Theofficebuildingswouldbesinglestorystructurescontainingacontrolroom,akitchen,anoffice,alockerroom,arestroomwithshower,andastorageroom.Oneconcreteparkingspacewouldbeprovidedadjacenttoeachofficebuilding.

Septic and Water

Asepticsystemisproposedforeachfacility.Becausetherewillbefewemployeesonsite,nosolidwasteisexpectedandwastewatergeneratedisexpectedtobelessthan100gallonsperday.TheexistingirrigationwellontheCalSPXsitewouldbemaintainedandoccasionallyoperatedtopreventsilting.Watertowashthepanelswouldbetruckedtothesites.Limitedquantitiesofgroundwaterfromtheproposedprojectsiteswillbeusedinoperatingthefacilities.Wateruseisanticipatedtobelessthan300gallonsperdayateachfacilityforallactivities(atotalof600gallonsperdayorless).

Fencing and Security

Achainlinkfence,nomorethan8feettall,willsurroundtheperimeterofeachproperty.Motionsensorsandsecuritycamerasalongtheperimeterswouldmonitorthepropertiesduringnighthoursandwhenthefacilityisunattended.Inwardfacing,motionactivatedlightingisproposedalongthefenceline.Alllightswouldbeshieldedtofacedownwardandontotheinterioroftheprojectareas,andwouldbeactivatedbymotioninsidethefenceline,suchasanintruderonthefacility.

EntrytoeachsitewouldbeongraveldrivewaysthroughlockedgatesinthefencesalongGrantRoad.Withinthefencedprojectareas,14‐footwidegravelroadswouldprovideaccesstovariousinvertersandequipmentandthestorage/officebuildingfortheonsiteemployees.

Signage

Onsitesignagewillconsistof“DoNotEnter”signsandinformationalsignageprovidingemergencycontactinformation.

K I N G SC O U N T Y

T U L A R E C O U N T Y

F R E S N O C O U N T Y

99

46

65

180

43

33

41

5

Project VicinityFresno

Porterville

Woodlake

VisaliaHanford

Avenal

Delano

Earlimart

Wasco

Coalinga

Tulare

Madera

Kerman

Mendota

Oakland

Monterey

San José

Sacramento

Stockton

Merced

Reedley

E2

J22

Figure 1Project Vicinity

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Figure 2Project Location

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Cal SP X site

El Nido Substation

Orc

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Roa

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East Grant Road

Communityof El Nido

DoubleDiamondDiary

Arb

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Cal SP XI site

Figure 3Cal SP X Plan

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Figure 4Cal SP XI Plan

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1‐3 February 2012

ICF 00618.11

Landscaping

Theprojectsareinaruralagriculturalarea.Low‐growingvegetationwillbeplantedtocontroldustandsoilerosion.Sheepmaybebroughtintocontrolvegetation.

Employees

Eachfacilityisexpectedtohavenomorethantwofull‐timeemployeesonsitetoperformmaintenanceandmonitoringactivitiesoncethefacilityisoperational.

El Nido PG&E Substation Improvements

TheprojectswouldincludeupgradingequipmentattheexistingElNidosubstation(atthenortheastcornerofGrantRoadandOrchardRoad)toincreasethereliabilityofthewholegrid.Theupgradewouldconsistofreplacingswitchesandcircuitbreakerswithtelemetryswitching.AllimprovementswilltakeplacewithinthefencedareaoftheexistingsubstationandbeperformedbyPG&Epersonnel.

Construction

Constructionofeachsolarfacilitywouldtakeplaceinasinglephaseexpectedtolastapproximately6monthsforCALSPXand8monthsforCALSPXI.ConstructionofCalSPXIcanonlybeginafterthedairyfacilitythatcurrentlyoccupiesthesiteceasesoperation,whichisscheduledtobeJuly1,2012.Constructionwouldbeginimmediatelyupontheacquisitionofpermitsandfinancing;constructionofCalSPXisexpectedtoprecedethatofCalSPXI.Constructionworkhourswouldbebetween7a.m.and6p.m.,MondaythroughSaturday.

Solarpackplanstouselocalconstructioncontractorsforbothfacilitieswheneverpossible.Apeakconstructionlaborforceofapproximately40personnelandvehiclesdailyisexpected.Sixdeliveryvehiclesareexpectedonanygivenday,threeinthemorningandthreeintheafternoon.Parkingforconstructionandpersonalvehicleswouldbeontheprojectsites.

Site Preparation and Grading Activities

TopreparetheCalSPXIsiteforconstructionitwillbenecessarytodraintheexistingwastewaterpondassociatedwiththedairy,fillitwithcleansoilandcompactit.Solarpackwilldrainthepondanddisposeofthewastewaterinaccordancewiththedairy’sapprovednutrientmanagementplan.

Allstandpipesandpowerpolescurrentlyonbothparcelswouldberemoved.VegetationwouldbeclearedfromareaswheresiteinfrastructureandPVpanelsaretobeinstalled.Becausethesiteisrelativelyflat,nomajorgradingisanticipated.Whereminorgradingisnecessary,dustwillbeminimizedbywatering.

Gravelroadswouldbeinstalledaroundtheperimetersandwithinthesitesasshownonthesiteplans(Figures3and4).TheCalSPXsiteisexpectedtorequireatotalof3,000cubicyardsofgravelforroads;CalSPXIisexpectedtoneed4,650cubicyards.Thesurfaceoftheroadswouldgenerallybeatorslightlyaboveexistinggrade,butnotsoastoaffectdrainagepatterns.Trenchesrequiredforinstallationofelectricalconduitswouldbebackfilledandcompactedtoanaturalgrade.



1‐4 February 2012

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Equipment Installation

Constructionactivitieswouldbeginwithlayingoutthesiteinfrastructure,includingaccessroads,perimeterfences,undergroundcables,septicsystems,andconcreteslabsforstructures.SurveyorswouldthenlayoutindividualpostsforeachPVpanel.Postswouldbedrivendirectlyintothegroundusingvibratoryhammersandcuttoheight.Bearingswouldbemountedtothetopsofpostsandconnectedtotorquetubesthatattachtorailsandtothepanels,allowingthepanelstobetilted.Trencheswouldbeexcavatedforconduit,followedbyconstructinginverterbuildingsandinstallingwiring,panelsandcontrolsystems.Finalroadinstallation,planttestingandcertificationwillbecompletedbeforethesolarfarmisoperational.

Construction Equipment

TheestimatedstartdateforconstructionisDecember30,2012.TheequipmentrequiredforconstructionisshowninTable1.

Table 1. Required Construction Equipment

ConstructionEquipment Quantity DurationBackhoew/24"bucket 2 2monthsTrackloader 1 2months(rarelyused)Compactor 1 2monthsDumptruck 1 2monthsSkidsteerloader 2 6months35‐toncrane 1 2WeeksForklift10,000–15,000pounds 3 5monthsBushhog 1 5months(everyotherweek)Farmtractor 1 5months(everyotherweek)Trencher 1 2monthsPiledriver 2 2monthsDieselweldingmachinePileDriver

6–73 3months2months

Operation and Maintenance

Facility Maintenance

PVfacilitiescontainveryfewmovingpartsandhavelimitedongoingmaintenancerequirements.Thehigh‐densitypolyethylenetorquetubebearingsattachedtothepostshavedemonstratedonlynegligiblewearinfieldoperations.Thedriveunitisarobustindustrialdevicebasedonahardwaredesignwithnearly40yearsoffieldoperationalexperience.Generally,theonlymaintenancerequiredisanannualtoppingofwormgearlubricant.Maintenanceactivitieswillconsistofcheckingelectricalperformanceparametersbyremotemonitoring,performingperiodicinspectionsandmaintenanceoftransformersandinverters,respondingtoanyproblemsdetectedbyremotemonitoring,conductingweedabatementanddustcontrolactivities,cleaningPVpanels,andmaintainingaccessroads.WaterwillbeusedforcleaningPVpanelsandcontrollingdust,butnowaterwillbeusedbythefacilitytoproduceelectricity.Nomajorequipmentisanticipatedtoberequiredformaintenanceofthefacilitiesexceptforperiodicregradingofaccessroadswhenneeded.



1‐5 February 2012

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Road Maintenance

Roadswouldbemaintainedforthelifeoftheprojectsasnecessarythroughroutinegradingandplacementofoverlaymaterial.

Panel Washing

Panelwashingisanecessaryelementofsolarfarmoperationsandmaintenance.Twowashingcampaignsperyearareexpectedateachfacility.ExpectedannualwateruseforallpanelcleaningactivitiesontheCALSPXprojectis26,000gallons,and50,000gallonsfortheCALSPXIproject.Itisanticipatedthatfive5,000gallontruckswouldbeusedtodeliverdeionizedwaterfromanoutsidelocation.

Decommissioning

ThesolarfarmswouldpredominantlycomprisePVmodules,steeltrackingstructures,electricalcomponents,andcopperwire.Thepanelshaveafunctionallifeof40yearsandareexpectedtobesoldafterplantdecommissioning.Thematerialcompositionofthefacilityotherthantheelectricalequipmentisdirectlyreusableorrecyclablewithminimalprocessingrequiredatdecommissioning.Themainfacilitycomponentstoberemovedfromthesiteandsoldorrecycledincludesteeltrackercomponents,PVmodules,electricalwire,andmajorelectricalequipment(e.g.,inverters,transformers,switchgear).Itisanticipatedthatthebuildingstructuresonsitewouldbedemolishedandsenttoalandfill.


2‐1 February 2012

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Chapter 2 Environmental Checklist

1. ProjectTitle: CalSPXandCalSPXIGrantRoadSolarProject

2. LeadAgencyNameandAddress: CountyofMerced,PlanningandCommunityDevelopmentDepartment,2222“M”Street,Merced,CA95340

3. ContactPersonandPhoneNumber: JamesHolland,SeniorPlanner,209‐385‐7654

4. ProjectLocation: SouthwestcornerofGrantRoadandArborWayneartheunincorporatedcommunityofElNidoinsoutheasternMercedCounty,California.

APN:075‐072‐013and075‐072‐014,Township9S,Range14E,Section29

5. ProjectSponsor’sNameandAddress: SolarpackDevelopment,Inc.RobertWorthington,3730Mt.DiabloBoulevard,Lafayette,CA94549

6. GeneralPlanDesignation: Agricultural

7. Zoning: A‐1GeneralAgriculture

8. DescriptionofProject:Seeabove.

9. SurroundingLandUsesandSetting:

Thesurroundingareaisprimarilyrural,consistingofagriculturaluses,includinganotherdairy.Residentialdevelopmentincludesasmallnumberofruralresidences.

10. OtherPublicAgenciesWhoseApprovalisRequired:

RegionalWaterQualityControlBoard

Environmental Factors Potentially Affected Theenvironmentalfactorscheckedbelowwouldpotentiallybeaffectedtheseprojects(i.e.,theprojectswouldinvolveatleastoneimpactthatisa“PotentiallySignificantImpact”),asindicatedbythechecklistonthefollowingpages.

Aesthetics AgriculturalandForestry AirQuality

BiologicalResources CulturalResources Geology/Soils

GreenhouseGasEmissions HazardsandHazardousMaterials

Hydrology/WaterQuality

LandUse/Planning MineralResources Noise

Population/Housing PublicServices Recreation

Transportation/Traffic Utilities/ServiceSystems MandatoryFindingsofSignificance

County of Merced Environmental Checklist


2‐3 February 2012

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SignificantImpact”entrieswhenthedeterminationismade,anEnvironmentalImpactReport(EIR)isrequired.

4. “NegativeDeclaration:LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated”applieswhentheincorporationofmitigationmeasureshasreducedaneffectfroma“PotentiallySignificantImpact”toa“Less‐than‐SignificantImpact”.Theleadagencymustdescribethemitigationmeasuresandbrieflyexplainhowtheyreducetheeffecttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.(MitigationmeasuresfromSectionXVII,“EarlierAnalyses”,maybecross‐referenced.)

5. Earlieranalysesmaybeusedif,pursuanttotiering,programEIR,orotherCEQAprocess,aneffecthasbeenadequatelyanalyzedinanearlierEIRornegativedeclaration[Section15063(c)(3)(D)].Inthiscase,abriefdiscussionshouldidentifythefollowing:

a. EarlierAnalysisUsed.Identifyandstatewhereearlieranalysesareavailableforreview.

b. ImpactsAdequatelyAddressed.Identifywhicheffectsfromtheabovechecklistwerewithinthescopeofandadequatelyanalyzedinanearlierdocumentpursuanttoapplicablelegalstandardsandstatewhethersucheffectswereaddressedbymitigationmeasuresbasedontheearlieranalysis.

c. MitigationMeasures.Foreffectsthatare“LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated,”describethemitigationmeasuresthatwereincorporatedorrefinedfromtheearlierdocumentandtheextenttowhichtheyaddresssite‐specificconditionsfortheproject.

6. Leadagenciesareencouragedtoincorporateintothechecklistreferencestoinformationsourcesforpotentialimpacts(e.g.,generalplans,zoningordinances).Referencetoapreviouslypreparedoroutsidedocumentshould,whenappropriate,includeareferencetothepageorpageswherethestatementissubstantiated.

7. SupportingInformationSources:Asourcelistshouldbeattached,andothersourcesusedorindividualscontactedshouldbecitedinthediscussion.

8. Thisisonlyasuggestedform,andleadagenciesarefreetousedifferentformats;however,leadagenciesshouldnormallyaddressthequestionsfromthischecklistthatarerelevanttoaproject’senvironmentaleffectsinwhateverformatisselected.

9. Theexplanationofeachissueshouldidentify:

a. thesignificancecriteriaorthreshold,ifany,usedtoevaluateeachquestion;and

b. themitigationmeasureidentified,ifany,toreducetheimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.



2‐4 February 2012

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I.Aesthetics

PotentiallySignificantImpact

Less‐than‐SignificantwithMitigationIncorporated

Less‐than‐SignificantImpact

NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista?

b. Substantiallydamagescenicresources,including,butnotlimitedto,trees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingsalongascenichighway?

c. Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings?

d. Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdaytimeornighttimeviewsinthearea?

Regulatory Setting

TheCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA)establishesthatitisthepolicyofthestatetotakeallactionnecessarytoprovidethepeopleofthestate“with…enjoymentofaesthetic,natural,scenicandhistoricenvironmentalqualities.”(CAPublicResourcesCodeSection21001[b]).

Californiadesignatesstatescenichighwayswhereroadwayspassthroughparticularlysceniclandscapes.

Merced County General Plan

TheOpenSpaceandConservationchapterofMercedCounty’s2000GeneralPlancontainsthefollowingpertinentgoalandpoliciesthatpertaintoaestheticresourcesinthestudyarea:

Goal3:Openspaceforrecreation,aestheticsandprotectionfromhazards.

Policy10:Powertransmissionanddistributionfacilitiesshouldbeundergroundwheneverpossible.

Existing Conditions

Theexistingvisualenvironmentintheareaisruralandconsistsofrelativelyuniform,flatlandscapesthataremostlyindairy,orchard,corn,cotton,rowcrop,andgrassandfoddercrop(e.g.,alfalfaandhay)production.Thevegetativecoverthroughoutthislandscapeisarectangulartapestrycreatedbyavarietyofagriculturalcrops.Bothprojectsitesaresurroundedpredominantlybyorchardsorcornfields.Themixtureofagriculturalusescreatesseasonalcolorsrangingfromtanorbrowntolightgreenandforestgreen,dependingonwhetherfieldsareplowedorgrowingcrops,andwhetherorchardsareinleafornot.

Culturalmodificationsintheprojectareasincludescatteredruralresidentialdevelopment,large‐andsmall‐scaledairies,wooden‐poledtransmissionlineandsubstationtothenorthofEastGrant



2‐5 February 2012

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Road,irrigationcanalsystems,andlocalroadways.Therearenoscenicroadwaysorhighwaysinthestudyarea(Caltrans2011).

Agriculturalinfrastructureincludesstoragetanksandagriculturalaccessorybuildings,manyofwhicharelarge,linearorrectangular‐shapedfeatures,usuallypaintedwhiteoralightcolor.Theprojectareasarepastoralinnature,butthisisconsistentwiththelargersurroundingareaandregion.

Thereareasmallnumberofruralresidencesintheprojectareasthatincluderanch‐stylehomes,smallerbungalows,andmobilehomes.FourarelocatedonthenorthwestcorneroftheEastGrantRoadintersectionwithSouthOrchardWay;fivearenorthofEastGrantRoadandtheCalSPXsite;oneissouthofEastGrantRoadandinbetweentheCalSPXandCalSPXIsites;twoareassociatedwiththedairyfacilityontheCalSPXIsite;andfiveareassociatedwiththeFrankCoelho&SonsdairyfacilitylocatedsouthofEastWashingtonRoadandtheCalSPXIsite.OneoftheruralresidencesnorthofEastGrantRoadisassociatedwithT&LGoatDairy,aproductionsiteforLauraChenel’sChèvre(anartisancheese).Mostoftheresidenceshavesomeornamentallandscapingintheformoflawn,treeandshrubplantingsthatsurroundthestructure.

Orchardsandtallcornlimitmostviewsintheprojectareastotheforeground.Eveniflower‐growingcropswereplantedorthefieldswerefallow,thesurroundingorchardspreventviewsbeyondthemfrommostvantages.ViewsofthemiddlegroundandbackgroundtothenorthofCalSPXandtothesouthofCalSPXI,alongEastWashingtonRoad,couldbeaffordediflowergrowingcropswereplantedorifthefieldswerefallow.Therearelimitedbackgroundviewsdownroadwaycorridors,suchasofthedistantDiabloRangelookingwestdownEastGrantRoadandSierraNevadaMountainslookingeastdownEastWashingtonRoad.However,theseviewsaresubstantiallylimitedbyinterveninginfrastructure,vegetation,andatmospherichazethatobscuresviewsoftheserangesonmostdays.Assuch,theseviewsdonotprovideuniqueaestheticfeaturessuchasscenicvistas.

Existinglightingintheprojectareasisminimalandiscentralizedatresidencesandtheonsiteandadjacentdairies.Whilenotveryintense,itdoesprovideasmallsourceofambientlightglowinthestudyarea.Therearenoroadwaylights.Daytimeglareconditionsarelessprevalentandfar‐reachingthannighttimelightingconditionsintheareasurroundingtheprojectsites,butsourcesincludetheirrigationcanals;agriculturalaccessorystructures;movingvehicles;andholdingponds.Sunlightreflectingoffirrigationcanalsandholdingpondsiseasilydetectablewhenaviewerisclosetothesewaterbodies.Fromadistance,however,theintensityofglarediminishessignificantly.Carsandtruckstravelingonroadwayscontributebidirectionalmovingdaytimeglare.

Bothprojectsiteswouldsharethesameviewergroupprofilesthatincluderuralresidents,agriculturalworkers,androadwayusers.Theruralresidentsviewergroupincludesallpermanentresidentsandseasonalresidents(i.e.,farmworkers)intheprojectareas.Ruralresidentswouldbehighlysensitivetochangesinviewswithintheprojectareasbecausetheyexperienceextendedviewingtimesandwouldhaveastrongsenseofownershipofviews.Agriculturalworkersareengagedinactivitiessuchaspreparingandtendingtothefieldsintheprojectareas;theirfocusisgenerallyonthetaskathand.However,theywouldhavemoderatesensitivitytochangesintheprojectareasbecausetheymaketheirlivelihoodfromthelandandarelikelytovalueexistingviews.Roadwayusersinthevicinityoftheprojectsareprimarilydriversofcars,trucks,motorcycles,andagriculturalvehicles.Roadwayuserswouldhavemoderatelylowsensitivitytochangesintheprojectareasbecausethepassinglandscapebecomesfamiliarandtheirattentionistypicallyfocusedtheroadwayandtraffic;mostroadwayusersintheareaarewouldbelocalresidents.



2‐6 February 2012

ICF 00618.11

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Asdescribedabove,therearenoscenicvistasinthestudyarea.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:b

Asdescribedabove,therearenoscenicresourcesinthestudyarea.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:c

ThecombinedsolarpowergenerationfacilitiesonCalSPXandCalSPXIsiteswouldintroducesolarfields(makingupmuchofthefacilities’footprints),collectionlines,anoffice/storagebuilding,gravelaccessroads,andperimeterfencingthatwouldfor30yearsbeimmediatelyvisiblefromtheforegroundsofresidencesalongthesurroundingroadways,toagriculturalworkersinnearbyfields,andtoroadwaytravelersusingsurroundingroadways.Operationofaconcentratedsolarpowergenerationfacilityofthissizewouldintroduceaconsiderablesourceofinfrastructureandanthropogenicfeatures;altertheexistingvisualcharacterofthelandscape;beseenbyviewersofhigh,moderate,andmoderatelylowsensitivity;andreducetheexistingscenicqualitywiththeintrusionofhuman‐madeelementsonlandthatiscurrentlyfarmedandislargelyundeveloped.Improvementstotheexistingsubstationareminimalandwouldnotcreatenoticeablechanges.Significantchangestothevisualqualityoftheprojectsitescouldoccur,andimpactswillbefurtherevaluatedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:d

Sincetheprojectsitesarecurrentlyagriculturalland,nopermanentlightingexistsonthesites.Theproposedprojectswouldincludeinwardfacing,motionactivatedsecuritylightingalongtheperimeterfencelinethatwouldbedirecteddownwardontothesites,andwouldbeshieldedtolightonlyintendedareas.Thiswouldreducetheamountoflighttrespassfallingoutsidetheboundariesoftheprojectareas.Whiletheremaystillbesmallamountsofspilloverlightingthatmaycauseminorannoyancetonearbyresidenceswhenthelightscomeon,itisnotexpectedtobesignificantbecausethelightsareexpectedtoactivateonlyinfrequently.

Therearecurrentlyonlyveryminorsourcesofdaytimeglareoneachsite.Asolarpowergenerationfacilityofthissizewouldintroduceaconsiderablesourceofglarefromthereflectivesurfacesofthesolarcollectors.Asolarpanelhasamicroscopicallyirregularsurfacedesignedtotraptheincidentraysofsunlightbutanyincidentradiationnotabsorbedandtransmittedwillbereflected.Atypicaluntreatedsiliconsolarcellabsorbstwo‐thirdsofthesunlightreachingthepanel’ssurfaceandreflectsone‐third.Significantchangestotheglarefromtheprojectsitescouldoccur,andimpactswillbefurtherevaluatedintheEIR.



2‐7 February 2012

ICF 00618.11

II.AgriculturalResources


LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated


NoImpact

Indeterminingwhetherimpactsonagriculturalresourcesaresignificantenvironmentaleffects,leadagenciesmayrefertotheCaliforniaAgriculturalLandEvaluationandSiteAssessmentModel(1997)preparedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofConservation.Wouldtheproject:

a. ConvertPrimeFarmland,UniqueFarmland,orFarmlandofStatewideImportance(Farmland),asshownonthemapspreparedpursuanttotheFarmlandMappingandMonitoringProgramoftheCaliforniaResourcesAgency,tonon‐agriculturaluse?

b. ConflictwithexistingzoningforagriculturaluseorconflictwithaWilliamsonActcontract?

c. Involveotherchangesintheexistingenvironmentthat,duetotheirlocationornature,couldresultinconversionofFarmlandtonon‐agriculturaluse?

Regulatory Setting

The California Land Conservation Act of 1965

TheCaliforniaLandConservationActof1965,commonlyreferredtoastheWilliamsonAct,isthestate’sprimaryprogramfortheconservationofprivatelandinagriculturalandopenspaceuse(GovernmentCodeSection51200etseq.).Itisavoluntary,locallyadministeredprogramthatoffersreducedpropertytaxesonlandsthathaveenforceablerestrictionsontheirusethroughcontractsbetweenindividuallandownersandlocalgovernments.

Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program Classification

TheDepartmentofConservation(DOC)FarmlandMappingandMonitoringProgram(FMMP)preparesImportantFarmlandmapsperiodicallyformostofthestate’sagriculturalareasbasedoninformationfromNaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS)soilsurveymaps,LandInventoryandMonitoring(LIM)criteriadevelopedbyNRCS,andlanduseinformationmappedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofWaterResources(DWR).Thesecriteriagenerallyareexpressedasdefinitionsthatcharacterizetheland’ssuitabilityforagriculturalproduction,physicalandchemicalcharacteristicsofthesoil,andactuallanduse.ImportantFarmlandmapsgenerallyareupdatedevery2years.

TheImportantFarmlandmappingsystemincorporateseightmappingcategories,fivecategoriesrelatingtofarmlandsandthreecategoriesassociatedwithlandsusedfornon‐agriculturalpurposes.Thefivefarmlandmappingcategoriesaresummarizedbelow.



2‐8 February 2012

ICF 00618.11

PrimeFarmland:Landswiththecombinationofphysicalandchemicalfeaturesbestabletosustainlong‐termproductionofagriculturalcrops.Thelandmustbesupportedbyadevelopedirrigationwatersupplythatisdependableandofadequatequalityduringthegrowingseason.Italsomusthavebeenusedfortheproductionofirrigatedcropsatsometimeduringthe4yearsbeforemappingdatawerecollected.

FarmlandofStatewideImportance:Landswithagriculturallandusecharacteristics,irrigationwatersupplies,andphysicalcharacteristicssimilartothoseofPrimeFarmlandbutwithminorshortcomings,suchassteeperslopesorlessabilitytoretainmoisture.

UniqueFarmland:LandswithlesserqualitysoilsusedfortheproductionofCalifornia’sleadingagriculturalcashcrops.Theselandsusuallyareirrigatedbutmayincludenon‐irrigatedorchardsorvineyards,asfoundinsomeofthestate’sclimaticzones.

FarmlandofLocalImportance:Landsofimportancetothelocalagriculturaleconomy,asdeterminedbyeachcounty’sboardofsupervisorsandalocaladvisorycommittee.

GrazingLand:Landsinwhichtheexistingvegetationissuitedtothegrazingoflivestock.


TheMercedCountyGeneralPlanAgricultureElementincludesthefollowinggoalsandpoliciesthatpertaintoagricultureandagriculturallands.

Goal1:Thefinancialviabilityoftheagriculturalsectorisimproved.

Policy2:SeekprogramsandmeasurestoencouragenewagriculturalindustriesinMercedCounty.

Goal2:Productiveagriculturallandsareconserved.

Policy1:Conversionofagriculturallandintourbanusesshallbeallowedonlywhereaclearandimmediateneedcanbedemonstrated,basedonpopulationprojectionsandlackoflandavailabilityfornonagriculturaluses.

Goal3:Landuseswhicharepotentiallydisruptivetotheagriculturaleconomyareproperlylocatedandoperated.

Policy1:Providelandusetransitionsandbuffersbetweenurbanandagriculturalareaswhichreduceinterferenceandprotectagriculturallandfromconversiontononagriculturaluses.

Existing Conditions

Theprojectareascontainsfieldsplantedincornandalfalfa,adairy,andtworuralresidencesandassociatedoutbuildings.Thesurroundingareaconsistsoforchards,corn,ruralresidences,andanotherdairy.AccordingtotheFarmlandMappingandMonitoringProgram,theprojectsitesaredesignatedasbothPrimeFarmlandandUniqueFarmland(CaliforniaDepartmentofConservation2010).ThelandisdesignatedbytheMercedCountyGeneralPlanforAgriculturalUsesandtheproposedprojectswouldrequirewithdrawaloflandfromtheMercedCountyAgriculturalPreserveincludingsubsequentremovaloflandfromagriculturalproductionforthelifeoftheprojects.

ThelandisnotunderWilliamsonActcontract.



2‐9 February 2012

ICF 00618.11

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

TheproposedprojectswouldconvertdesignatedPrimeFarmlandandUniqueFarmlandtonon‐agriculturaluses,whichcouldresultinthelossofapproximately175‐acresoffarmland.ItwillberequiredthattheprojectsiteswouldbereturnedtoagriculturaluseaftertheexpirationoftheCUPs.ThetermoftheCUPswillbe30years,although,itispossiblethatthattermcouldbeextendedthroughCUPrenewal.Evenwithoutrenewal,30yearsisaconsiderableperiodoftime(representingthelifespansofseveralGeneralPlans,forinstance),duringwhichplanningandregulatoryconditionsmaychange.ThisimpactwouldbeconsideredsignificantandwillbefurtheranalyzedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:b

TheproposedprojectswouldnotconflictwithaWilliamsonActcontract.Therefore,itwouldhavenoimpact.

Checklistitem:c

Asdescribedabove,theprojectswouldconvertfarmlandtonon‐agriculturalusesforatleast30years.ThisisconsideredasignificantimpactandwillbefurtheranalyzedintheEIR.



2‐10 February 2012

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III.AirQuality




NoImpact

Whenavailable,thesignificancecriteriaestablishedbytheapplicableairqualitymanagementorairpollutioncontroldistrictmaybereliedupontomakethefollowingdeterminations.Wouldtheproject:

a. Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan?

b. Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation?

c. Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisanonattainmentareaforanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)?

d. Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations?

e. Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople?

Regulatory Setting

TheFederalCAA,promulgatedin1963andamendedseveraltimessince,includingthe1990CleanAirActamendments(CAAA),establishestheframeworkformodernairpollutioncontrol.TheactdirectstheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)toestablishnationalambientairqualitystandards(NAAQS)forthesixcriteriapollutants:ozone(O3),carbonmonoxide(CO),lead(Pb),nitrogendioxide(NO2),sulfurdioxide(SO2),andparticulatematter(PM),whichconsistsofPM10micronsindiameterorless(PM10)andPM2.5micronsindiameterorless(PM2.5).TheNAAQS,whichdescribeacceptableconditions,werefirstauthorizedbythefederalCleanAirActof1970.Airqualityisconsideredin“attainment”ifpollutantlevelsarecontinuouslybeloworequaltotheNAAQSandexceedthemnomorethanonceeachyear.TheCAAQS,whichdescribeadverseconditions,wereauthorizedbythestatelegislaturein1967.PollutionlevelsmustbebelowtheCAAQSbeforeabasincanattainthestandard.Californiastandardsaregenerallymorestringentthanthenationalstandards.ThepollutantsofgreatestconcernintheproposedprojectareasareCO;ground‐levelozone;andPM10andPM2.5,whichareinhalable.FederalandstateambientairqualitystandardsarepresentedinTable2.




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Table 2. Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutant SymbolAverageTime

Standard(partspermillion)

Standard(micrograms

percubicmeter) ViolationCriteria

California National California National California National

Ozonea O3 1hour 0.09 NA 180 NA Ifexceeded NA

8hours 0.070 0.075 137 147 Ifexceeded Iffourthhighest8‐hourconcentrationinayear,averagedover3years,isexceededateachmonitorwithinanarea

Carbonmonoxide

CO 8hours 9.0 9 10,000 10,000 Ifexceeded Ifexceededonmorethan1dayperyear

1hour 20 35 23,000 40,000 Ifexceeded Ifexceededonmorethan1dayperyear

(LakeTahoeonly)

8hours 6 NA 7,000 NA Ifequaledorexceeded

NA

Nitrogendioxide

NO2 Annualarithmeticmean

0.030 0.053 57 100 Ifexceeded Ifexceededonmorethan1dayperyear

1hour 0.18 0.100 339 188 Ifexceeded NA

Sulfurdioxide

SO2 24hours 0.04 NA 105 NA Ifexceeded Ifexceededonmorethan1dayperyear

3Hour NA 0.50a NA 1,300a NA Ifexceededonmorethan1dayperyear

1hour 0.25 0.075 655 196 Ifexceeded NA

Hydrogensulfide

H2S 1hour 0.03 NA 42 NA Ifequaledorexceeded

NA

Vinylchloride C2H3Cl 24hours 0.01 NA 26 NA Ifequaledorexceeded

NA

Inhalableparticulatematter

PM10 Annualarithmeticmean

NA NA 20 NA NA NA

24hours NA NA 50 150 Ifexceeded Ifexceededonmorethan1dayperyear

PM2.5 Annualarithmeticmean

NA NA 12 15.0 NA If3‐yearaveragefromsingleormultiplecommunity‐orientedmonitorsisexceeded

24hours NA NA NA 35 NA If3‐yearaverageof98thpercentileateachpopulation‐orientedmonitorwithinanareaisexceeded

Sulfateparticles

SO4 24hours NA NA 25 NA Ifequaledorexceeded

NA

Leadparticles Pb Calendarquarter

NA NA NA 1.5 NA Ifexceedednomorethan1dayperyear

30‐dayaverage

NA NA 1.5 NA Ifequaledorexceeded

NA

Rolling3‐monthaverage

NA NA NA 0.15 Ifequaledorexceeded

Averagedoverarolling3‐monthperiod

Source:CaliforniaAirResourceBoard2010.a Secondarystandard.




ICF 00618.11

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Thresholds

Construction Thresholds

SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict(SJVAPCD)doesnotrequireconstructionemissionstobequantified.Rather,itrequiresimplementationofeffectiveandcomprehensivefeasiblecontrolmeasurestoreducePM10emissions(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002b).SJVAPCDconsidersPM10emissionstobethegreatestpollutantofconcernwhenassessingconstruction‐relatedairqualityimpacts.IthasdeterminedthatcompliancewithitsRegulationVIII,includingimplementationofallfeasiblecontrolmeasuresspecifiedinitsGuideforAssessingandMitigatingAirQualityImpacts(GAMAQI)(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002b:22–26),constitutessufficientmitigationtoreduceconstruction‐relatedPM10emissionstoless‐than‐significantlevelsandminimizeadverseairqualityeffects.AllconstructionprojectsmustabidebyRegulationVIII.

Sincepublishingtheguidancemanual,theSJVAPCDhasrevisedsomeoftherulescomprisingRegulationVIII.GuidancefromSJVAPCDstaffindicatesthatimplementationofaDustControlPlanwouldsatisfyalloftherequirementsofSJVAPCDRegulationVIII(Siongpers.comm.).FurtherconsultationwithSJVAPCDstaffindicatesthat,thoughexplicitthresholdsforconstruction‐relatedemissionsofozoneprecursorsarenotenumeratedintheGAMAQI,theSJVAPCDconsidersasignificantimpacttooccurwhenconstructionemissionsofreactiveorganicgasses(ROG)ornitrogenoxides(NOX)exceed10tonsperyearorifPM10orPM2.5emissionsexceed15tonsperyear(Siongpers.comm.).

OnDecember15,2005,SJVAPCDadoptedRule9510,IndirectSourceReview.Thisrulefulfillsthedistrict’semissionreductioncommitmentsinthePM10andAttainmentPlansthroughemissionreductionsfromtheconstructionanduseofdevelopmentprojectsthroughdesignfeaturesandonsitemeasures.

Rule9510requiresemissionreductionsfromconstructionandoperationalemissions.Forconstructionemissions,Rule9510requiresa20%reductionoftotalNOXemissionsanda45%reductionofthetotalPM10exhaustemissions.Foroperationalemissions,Rule9510requires33.3%oftheproject’soperationalbaselineNOXand50%oftheproject’soperationalbaselinePM10emissionsbereducedoveraperiodof10years.Iftherequiredemissionsreductionsarenotachievedthroughtraditionalmeans,projectsmaypurchaseoffsetsonapertonbasisfromtheSJVAPCDthroughRule9510’soffsiteemissionreductionfeeprogramtocomplywiththerequirementsofRule9510.Rule9510appliestoanyapplicantthatseekstogainafinaldiscretionaryapprovalforadevelopmentprojects1,oranyportionthereof,whichuponfullbuildoutwillincludeanyoneofthefollowing.

50residentialunits.

2,000squarefeetofcommercialspace.

25,000squarefeetoflightindustrialspace.

100,000squarefeetofheavyindustrialspace.

1AccordingtoRule9510,adevelopmentprojectisdefinedasanyproject,orportionthereof,thatissubjecttoadiscretionaryapprovalbyapublicagency,andwillultimatelyresultinconstructionofanewbuilding,facility,orstructure,orreconstructionofabuilding,facility,orstructureforthepurposeofincreasingcapacityoractivity.




ICF 00618.11

20,000squarefeetofmedicalofficespace.

39,000squarefeetofgeneralofficespace.

9,000squarefeetofeducationalspace.

10,000squarefeetofgovernmentspace.

20,000squarefeetofrecreationalspace.

9,000squarefeetofspacenotidentifiedabove.

BecausetheprojectsdonotfallundertheidentifiedcategoriesunderRule9510andthetotalsquarefootageisgreaterthan9,000,theprojectsaresubjecttothemitigationproposedunderRule9510.

Operational Thresholds

TheSJVAPCD’sthresholdsofsignificance,aspresentedintheirGuideforAssessingandMitigatingAirQualityImpacts(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002b)andthroughconsultationwithSJVAPCDstaff,aresummarizedhere.

Projectimplementationwouldproduceemissionsincreasesgreaterthan10tons/yearROG.

Projectimplementationwouldproduceemissionsincreasesgreaterthan10tons/yearNOx.

Projectimplementationwouldproduceemissionsincreasesgreaterthan15tons/yearPM10.

Projectimplementationwouldproduceemissionsincreasesgreaterthan15tons/yearPM2.5.

Project‐relatedemissionsofCOwouldexceedNationalorCaliforniaAmbientAirQualityStandards.

Environmental Setting

Airqualityiscommonlydescribedintermsofambientconcentrationsofcriteriapollutants:ozone,CO,NO2,SO2,lead,andparticulatematter(whichiscomprisedofparticulatematterwithanaerodynamicdiameteroftenmicrometersorless[PM10]andfineparticulatematterwithanaerodynamicdiameterof2.5micrometersorless[PM2.5]).Ambientairqualityisaffectedbyclimatologicalconditions,topography,andthetypesandamountsofpollutantsemitted.ThefollowingdiscussiondescribesrelevantcharacteristicsoftheSanJoaquinValleyAirBasin(SJVAB)andoffersanoverviewofconditionsaffectingambientairpollutantconcentrations.

Climate and Topography

Thearea’sclimateisconsidered“inlandMediterranean”andischaracterizedbywarm,drysummersandcoolwinters.Summerhightemperaturesoftenexceed100°F,averaginginthelow90sinthenorthernvalleyandhigh90sinthesouth.

AlthoughmarineairgenerallyflowsintothebasinfromtheSacramento–SanJoaquinRiverDelta,thesurroundingmountainrangesrestrictairmovementthroughandoutofthevalley.Windspeedanddirectioninfluencethedispersionandtransportationofozoneprecursors,PM10,PM2.5,andCO;themorewindflow,thelessaccumulationofthesepollutants.

TheverticaldispersionofairpollutantsintheSJVABislimitedbythepresenceofpersistenttemperatureinversions(warmairovercoolair).Becauseofdifferencesinairdensity,theairabove




ICF 00618.11

andbelowtheinversiondoesnotmix.OzoneanditsprecursorswillmixandreacttoproducehigherconcentrationsunderaninversionandwilltrapdirectlyemittedpollutantssuchasCO.

Precipitationandfogtendtoreduceorlimitpollutantconcentrations.Ozoneneedssunlightforitsformation,andcloudsandfogblocktherequiredradiation.COisslightlywatersoluble,soprecipitationandfogtendtoreduceCOconcentrationsintheatmosphere.PM10ispartially“washed”fromtheatmospherewithprecipitation.Annualprecipitationinthevalleydecreasesfromnorthtosouth,withabout20inchesinthenorth,10inchesinthemiddle,andlessthan6inchesinthesouthernpartofthevalley.

Existing Conditions

Attainment Status

Areasareclassifiedaseitherinattainmentornonattainmentwithrespecttostateandfederalambientairqualitystandards.Classificationdependsontheactualmonitoredairpollutantconcentrationsascomparedtostateandfederalstandards.Ifapollutantconcentrationislowerthanthestateorfederalstandard,theareaisclassifiedasbeinginattainmentofthestandardforthatpollutant.Ifapollutantviolatesthestandard,theareaisconsideredanonattainmentarea.Somepollutants,suchasozone,canvaryindegreeofnonattainmentbasedonitslevelofconcentrationintheairintheregion.Ifdataareinsufficienttodeterminewhetherapollutantlevelviolatesthestandard,theareaisdesignatedunclassified.Anunclassifieddesignationoccursmostfrequentlyinnonurbanizedareaswherelevelsofthepollutantarenotaconcern.Areasthatwerepreviouslyidentifiedasnonattainmentareasbuthavesubsequentlymetambientairqualitystandardsareclassifiedasmaintenanceareas.

ExistingairqualityconditionsintheprojectareascanbecharacterizedintermsoftheambientairqualitystandardsthatthefederalgovernmentandCaliforniahaveestablishedforseveraldifferentpollutants.Forsomepollutants,separatestandardshavebeensetfordifferentmeasurementperiods.Moststandardshavebeensettoprotectpublichealthandwelfarewithanadequatemarginofsafety.Forsomepollutants,standardshavebeenbasedonothervalues(suchasprotectionofcrops,protectionofmaterials,oravoidanceofnuisanceconditions).PollutionlevelsmustbebelowCAAQSbeforeabasincanattainthestandard.Californiastandardsaregenerallymorestringentthannationalstandards.FederalandstateAmbientAirQualityStandardsarepresentedinTable3.

TheEPAhasclassifiedMercedCountyasanextremenonattainmentareaforthefederal8‐hourozonestandardandanonattainmentareaforthefederalPM2.5standard.2ForthefederalCOstandard,theEPAhasnotclassifiedthecountyeitheramaintenanceornon‐maintenancearea.AlthoughMercedCountyisalsonotclassifiedinthefederalPM10standard,theSanJoaquinValleyAirBasinisclassifiedasaseriousmaintenancearea(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2011).

TheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(ARB)hasclassifiedMercedCountyasaseverenonattainmentareaforthestate1‐hourozonestandardandanonattainmentareaforthestate8‐hourozone,PM10,andPM2.5standards.ARBhasdesignatedMercedCountyasanunclassifiedareaforthestateCOstandard(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2011b).

2Under2006standards.




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Table 3. Annual Ambient Air Quality Data at ARB Monitoring Stations in Merced

PollutantStandards 2008 2009 2010Ozone(SouthCoffeeAvenueStation)Maximum1‐hourconcentration(ppm) 0.131 0.094 0.117Maximum8‐hourconcentration(ppm)(StateStandard) 0.120 0.083 0.096

Numberofdaysstandardexceededa CAAQS1‐hour(>0.09ppm) 14 0 7CAAQS8‐hour(>0.09ppm) 54 35 31NAAQS8‐hour(>0.08ppm) 33 15 14

ParticulateMatter(PM10)b(2334MStreetStation)Nationalcmaximum24‐hourconcentration(g/m3) 75.4 64.0 93.4Statedmaximum24‐hourconcentration(g/m3) 76.8 65.1 91.4Nationalannualaverageconcentration(g/m3) 33.7 26.2 25.1Stateannualaverageconcentration(g/m3)e 34.5 26.9 25.5

Numberofdaysstandardexceededa NAAQS24‐hour(>150g/m3)f 0 0 0CAAQS24‐hour(>50g/m3)f 87.2 32.5 18.4

ParticulateMatter(PM2.5)b(2334MStreetStation)Nationalcmaximum24‐hourconcentration(g/m3) 54.0 53.3 46.9Statedmaximum24‐hourconcentration(g/m3) 54.0 53.3 46.9Nationalannualaverageconcentration(g/m3) – 13.5 11.2Stateannualaverageconcentration(g/m3)e – 13.6 11.2

Numberofdaysstandardexceededa NAAQS24‐hour(>15g/m3)f 9 8 3CAAQS24‐hour(>12g/m3)f – – –

CarbonMonoxide(CO)g Nationalcmaximum8‐hourconcentration(ppm) 2.34 2.41 2.03Statedmaximum8‐hourconcentration(ppm) 2.34 2.41 2.03

Numberofdaysstandardexceededa CAAQSandNAAQS8‐hour(>9.0and9ppm)f 0 0 0

Sources:CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2010,2011a.Notes: CAAQS = Californiaambientairqualitystandards. NAAQS = Nationalambientairqualitystandards. – = insufficientdataavailabletodeterminethevalue. ppm = partspermillion. g/m3 = microgramspercubicmeter.a Anexceedanceisnotnecessarilyaviolation.b Measurementsusuallyarecollectedevery6days.c Nationalstatisticsarebasedonstandardconditionsdata.Inaddition,nationalstatisticsarebasedonsamplersusingfederalreferenceorequivalentmethods.

d Statestatisticsarebasedonlocalconditionsdata,exceptintheSouthCoastAirBasin,forwhichstatisticsarebasedonstandardconditionsdata.Inaddition,statestatisticsarebasedonCaliforniaapprovedsamplers.

e Statecriteriaforensuringthatdataaresufficientlycompleteforcalculatingvalidannualaveragesaremorestringentthanthenationalcriteria.

f Mathematicalestimateofhowmanydaysconcentrationswouldhavebeenmeasuredashigherthanthelevelofthestandardhadeachdaybeenmonitored.

g SanJoaquinValleyAirBasinCarbonMonoxidemeasurementswereusedinplaceofabsentdatafromMercedCounty.




ICF 00618.11

SJVAPCD,astheagencyresponsibleforensuringthatairqualitystandardsarenotviolatedineightSanJoaquinValleycounties,developsandenforcesairqualityregulationsfornon‐vehicularsources,issuespermits,participatesinairqualityplanning,andoperatesaregionalairqualitymonitoringnetwork.Inadditiontothesegeneralresponsibilities,theSJVAPCDestablishesthresholdsofsignificancetodefinepollutantconcentrationlevelsthatmustnotbeexceededoveracertaintimeframe.

Sensitive Receptors

TheSJVAPCDidentifiesasensitivereceptorasalocationwherechildren,seniorcitizens,orsickpersonsarepresent,andwherethereisareasonableexpectationofcontinuoushumanexposuretopollutants,accordingtotheaveragingperiodforambientairqualitystandards,suchas24‐hour,8‐hour,or1‐hourperiods.Examplesofsensitivereceptorsincluderesidences,hospitals,andschools.Industrialandcommercialusesarenotconsideredsensitivereceptors.

Thestudyareaislocatedinamostlyagriculturalsettingwithfewsensitivereceptorswithincloseproximity.Afewsinglefamilyhomesarescatteredina1‐mileradiusaroundtheprojectsites.Theclosestresidenceislocated70feetnorthoftheprojectareaonGrantRoadonthenorthwesternquadrantoftheCalSPXprojectarea.Othersensitivereceptors,consistingofoneelementaryschoolandtwoplacesofworship,arelocated1to2milesfromtheprojectsiteboundaries.ElNidoElementarySchoolandMissionaryBaptistChurcharelocated1.19and1.84milesnorthwestoftheprojectsites,respectively.TheAlamoAssemblyofGodChurchislocated2.06milessoutheastoftheprojectsite.

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Aprojectisdeemedinconsistentwithairqualityplansifitwouldresultineitherpopulationoremploymentgrowththatexceedsgrowthestimatesincludedintheapplicableairqualityplan.Suchgrowthwouldgenerateemissionsnotaccountedforintheapplicableairqualityplanemissionsbudget.Therefore,proposedprojectsneedtobeevaluatedtodeterminewhethertheywouldgeneratepopulationandemploymentgrowthand,ifso,whetherthatgrowthwouldexceedthegrowthratesincludedintherelevantairplans.

ConsistencywithairqualityplanscanbedeterminedbyassessingwhethertheproposedprojectisconsistentwiththeMercedCountyYear2000GeneralPlan.BecausetheGeneralPlanisusedtohelpforecasttheemissionsbudgetwithintheSJVAPCD’s20078‐hourOzonePlanand2007PM10MaintenancePlan,consistencywiththeCityGeneralPlanwouldmeanthattheproposedprojectdoesnotconflictwiththe2007OzonePM10plans.

Thecurrentprojectareausesdonothaveanyemployees.TheproposedMercedElNidoSolarFacilityplanstohavetwofull‐timeemployeesattheCalSPXprojectareaandtwoatCalSPXI,withsixmaintenanceemployeesvisitingthesitetwiceayear.The2000GeneralPlanprojecteda19%employmentgrowthinthe“TotalNonfarm”category(MercedCounty2000).TheemploymentprojectedundertheproposedprojectsisconsistentwiththeemploymentprojectedintheGeneralPlan.Consequently,operationalemissionsassociatedwithimplementationoftheproposedprojectsarenotanticipatedtoconflictwiththeSJVAPCD’s2007OzoneandPM10Plansandthisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.




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Checklistitem:b

Short‐termconstructionactivitieswouldtemporarilyincreasetheconcentrationofcriteriapollutantsintheprojectareasandalongthetruckroutesusedtotransportmaterialstoandfromtheprojectsites.Long‐termoperationalactivitiesconsistofoccasionalmaintenancevisitsandirrigation,resultinginanegligiblecontributiontomodeledemissions.

Short‐Term Construction Impacts

Constructionactivitiesassociatedwiththeproposedprojectswouldgenerateshort‐termemissionsofROG,NOx,CO,PM10,andPM2.5.Emissionswouldoriginatefrommobileandstationaryconstructionequipmentexhaust,heavy‐dutytrucktripexhaustandroaddust,employeevehicleexhaust,anddustfromsiteclearing.Construction‐relatedemissionswouldvarysubstantiallydependingonthelevelofactivity,specificconstructionoperations,andwindandprecipitationconditions.

Constructionemissionsfromon‐andoffroadconstructionequipmentandworkertripswereestimatedusingtheURBEMIS2007(version9.2.4)model.Pertheprojectdescription,thismodelassumedthatconstructionforbothCalSPXandSPXIprojectsiteswouldbeginonDecember30,2012andcontinuefor6monthsforCalSPXand8monthsforCalSPXI,resultinginanexpectedcompletiondateofJuly30,2013.ThemodelappliedURBEMISdefaultsforequipmentloadfactorandhorsepowerandSolarPackassumptionsforhoursofuseperdayfortheonsiteequipment.3TheairqualityimpactanalysisusestheSolarPackassumptionsthatupto5acresofeachofthetwoprojectsitescouldbedisturbedonasingledayasareasonableworst‐casescenario.Additionally,URBEMISdefaultsfortruckcapacity(20cubicyards)andround‐triptriplength(20miles)wereused.

EMFAC2007wasusedtoestimatetheemissionsassociatedwithdeliveryofthesolarpanelstotheprojectsites.Theapplicantspecifiedthattherewouldbesixsolarpaneldeliveriesperday.Itwasassumedthatthedeliverieswouldonlytakeplaceduringthetimescheduledforinstallationofsolarpanelsforeachofthetwoprojectsites.Installationofthesolarpanelswouldlast95daysforCalSPXand125daysforCalSPXI.Thevehiclestransportingthepanelswereassumedtobeheavydutytruckstravellingatanaveragespeedof35mphfor200milesperroundtrip.SeeAppendixAforcalculationdetails.

Table4summarizesconstructionequipmentinformationusedasinputsintheURBEMIS2007modeltoestimateconstructionequipmentuseinformationandemissions.CalculatedconstructionemissionsalongwithtrucktripassumptionsfromtheURBEMISmodelarebasedonthisequipmentusedata.

3Bulldozers,loaders,excavators,backhoes,trenchers,seedsprayers,skidders,andpumps.

County of Merced

Environmental Checklist



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Table 4. Construction Equipment Use by Activity

Backhoew/

24"bucket

Trackloader

Compactor

Dum

ptruck

Skidsteer

loader

35‐toncrane

Forklift

Bushhog

Trencher

Piledrivera

Dieselw

elding

machine

WaterTruck

Horsepowerb 108 108 8 16 44 399 93 50 63 291 45 189

CALSPX

qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d qty hr/d

Removalofstandpipesandpowerpoles

1 8 1 8 1 8 1 8

Clearvegetationfromarea* 2 8 1 8 1 8 1 8

Drainageandminorgrading*c 1 8 2 8 1 8 1 8 4 8

InstallationofGravelRoads* 1 8 1 8 1 8

InstallationofSolarPanels 1 8 1 8 1 8 2 8 2 8 3 8

Trenchingforelectricalconduits* 2 8 2 8 1 8 2 8 1 8

BuildingConstruction 1 8 1 8

CALSPXI

DrainandFillDairyPondd 1 8 1 8 3 8 1 8 1 8

Removalofstandpipesandpowerpoles

1 8 1 8

Clearvegetationfromarea* 2 8 2 8 1 8 1 8 1 8

Drainageandminorgrading*c 1 8 1 8 1 8 1 8 4 8

InstallationofGravelRoads* 1 8 1 8 1 8

InstallationofSolarPanels 1 8 1 8 2 8 2 8 3 8

Trenchingforelectricalconduits* 2 8 2 8 1 8 3 8 1 8

BuildingConstruction 1 8 1 8

* Siteisbalancedformaterialonsite(noexport)onlyimportofpondfillorroadbaseandsurfacematerial.a Assumedtobe“Bore/DrillRig”inURBEMISb ThesehorsepowersareURBEMISdefaults,exceptforbushhog,whichisassumedtobe50hp.c Includeswateringfordustcontrold Includesdisposalofwastewater




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Table5summarizesmodeledyearlyconstructionemissionsthatwouldoccurwithdevelopmentoftheproposedprojectsandincludesemissionsassociatedwithsolarpaneldeliveryandconstructionworkerscommute,inadditiontotheconstructionemissionsfromonsiteequipmentuse.Theseresultsareshownwithoutimplementationofanymitigationmeasures.AsindicatedinTable5,allcriteriapollutantemissionswouldremainbelowSJVAPCDsignificancethresholdsforallyearsanalyzed.Therefore,theimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

Table 5. Summary of Yearly Construction Emissions—Unmitigated Tons per Year

Year ROG NOx CO PM10 PM2.5

CalSPX

2012a

On‐SiteConstructionEquipment 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00WorkerCommute 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2013 On‐SiteConstructionEquipment 0.15 1.06 0.75 1.72 0.41SolarPanelDelivery 0.09 1.26 0.51 0.04 0.04WorkerCommuteb 0.03 0.05 0.96 0.01 0.00

CalSPXI

2012 On‐SiteConstructionEquipment 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.01WorkerCommute 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00

2013 Construction 0.24 1.68 1.17 3.06 0.72SolarPanelDelivery 0.12 1.66 0.67 0.06 0.05WorkerCommute 0.05 0.10 1.84 0.02 0.01

Combined

2012 On‐SiteConstructionEquipment 0 0.02 0.01 0.05 0.01WorkerCommute 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.002012Total 0 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.01ExceedSJVAPCDThresholds? No No NA No No

2013

On‐SiteConstructionEquipment 0.39 2.72 1.91 4.79 1.13

SolarPanelDelivery 0.21 2.93 1.17 0.10 0.09

WorkerCommute 0.08 0.15 2.80 0.03 0.01

2013Total 0.68 5.80 5.88 4.92 1.23

SJVAPCDThresholds 10 10 NA 15 15

Note: SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict,AppendixA,URBEMIS2007modelingbyICF.aProjectapplicantprovidedaconstructionstartdateofDecember30,2012,whichresultsinonly1workingdayintheyear2012becauseDecember30,2012isaSundayandtheprojectapplicant’sproposedworkweekisfromMondaytoSaturday.Althoughemissionsfrom2012arenegligible,theyareincludedforcompleteness.

bWorkersareassumedtotravelinsingleoccupancylightdutytrucks.




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TheSJVAPCDrequiresthatallconstructionactivitiescomplywithfugitivedustcontrolrequirementsunderRegulationVIII,andguidancefromSJVAPCDstaffindicatesthatimplementationofadustcontrolplanwouldsatisfyalloftherequirementsofSJVAPCDRegulationVIII(Siongpers.comm.).PursuanttoRegulationVIII,theproject‐specificdustcontrolplanwillbepreparedandsubmittedtoSJVAPCDatleast30dayspriortothestartofconstruction,asindicatedinMitigationMeasureAQ‐1.WiththeimplementationofMitigationMeasureAQ‐1thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

Rule9510appliestotheproposedprojectsandmayresultinsignificantimpacts.ThisissuewillbeaddressedintheEIR.

Long‐Term Operational Impacts

Table6summarizesmodeledemissionsthatwouldoccurwithoperationoftheproposedprojects.Asmentionedina.),theproposedCalSPXandCalSPXIsolarfacilityoperationsconsistofyearroundemployeevisitsandscheduledannualmaintenancevisits.Theapplicantplanstoemployatotaloffourfulltimeemployeesandexpectssixmaintenanceemployeestovisitthesitetwiceayear.Thedailycommuteforthefulltimeemployeesisassumedtobe20milesperroundtrip.

Regularsolarpanelwashingisincludedintheoperationalemissions.Theprojectapplicantexpectsatotaloffivewatertruckspersiteperdayfor7daysand14daysperyearatCalSPXandCalSPXIsites,respectively.Eachtruckisassumedtotravel20milesperroundtriptothesite.

Usingtheseassumptions,URBEMIS2007wasusedtocalculateemissionsfromworkercommutetripsaswellaswatertrucktripsandoperations.SeeresultsinAppendixA.

AsindicatedinTable6,project‐relatedNOXemissionsduringoperationswouldremainbelowSJVAPCDsignificancethresholdsintheassumedfullbuildoutyear(2014).Totalproject‐relatedNOXemissionsduringoperationsareestimatedtobe0.14tonsperyear,whichisunderSJVAPCDthresholdsbyapproximately9.86tonsperyear,andareconsideredlessthansignificant.

PerSJVAPCD’spreliminaryscreeningguidelines,theprojectsarenotexpectedtocreateaviolationoftheCOstandard(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002b:49).Althoughnotrafficstudywasperformedfortheseprojects,duetotheruralnatureoftheprojectareas,itisnotlikelythatchangesintrafficonroadsadjacenttotheprojectareaswouldreduceintersectionlevelofservice(LOS)toEorF,norwoulditsubstantiallyworsenanalreadyexistingintersectionoperatingatLOSF.Theestimatedadditional105annualtrucktripswillhaveaninsignificantimpactontheLOSonroadsinthevicinityoftheprojectareas.




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Table 6. Operational Emissions in 2014

ROG NOX CO PM10 PM2.5

CALSPX MaintenanceandEmployeeCommute 0.06 0.06 0.68 0.06 0.01SolarPanelWashinga 0.01 0.06 0.02 0.00 0.00CALSPXI MaintenanceandEmployeeCommute 0.06 0.06 0.68 0.06 0.01SolarPanelWashinga 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.00 0.00Combined MaintenanceandEmployeeCommuteb 0.12 0.11 1.36 0.11 0.02SolarPanelWashinga 0.02 0.17 0.07 0.01 0.00TOTAL 0.14 0.28 1.43 0.12 0.02SJVAPCDThresholds 10 10 NAc 15 15Note: SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict,AppendixA,URBEMIS2007modelingbyICF.aWatertruckoperationandtrucktraveltoandfromsiteb BecauseemployeecommuteinputsareequalforCalSPXandSPXI,the“MaintenanceandEmployeeCommute”emissionsforeachsiteareassumedtobehalfofthecombinedemissions.CombinedoperationalcommuteemissionsweretakenfromURBEMISruns.

c ThresholdswouldbeexceededifCOlevelsexceedNAAQSorCAAQS.

Checklistitem:c

TheSJVAPCD’sCEQAGuidelinesindicatethataviolationoftheSJVAPCD’sconstructionoroperationalthresholdsofsignificancewouldresultinaproject‐levelandcumulativeimpact.Inaddition,theSJVAPCDhasdeterminedthatcompliancewiththedustcontrolrequirementsofSVAPCDRegulationVIIIissufficienttomitigatecumulativefugitivedustimpactstoaless‐thansignificantlevel(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2002a).AsindicatedinTable5andTable6,constructionandoperationalemissionswouldnotexceedSJVAPCD’ssignificancethresholdsof10tonsperyearROGorNOXand15tonsperyearPM10orPM2.5.Additionally,adustcontrolplanwillbepreparedandimplementedinaccordancewithSJVACPDRegulationVIII(MitigationMeasureAQ‐1),furtherreducingemissions.Therefore,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificantwithmitigation.

Checklistitem:d

Diesel Exhaust from Construction Activities

Constructionactivitiesareanticipatedtoinvolvetheoperationofdiesel‐poweredequipment.In1998,theARBidentifieddieselexhaustasatoxicaircontaminant(TAC).TheSJVAPCDdoesnotconsiderconstruction‐equipment‐diesel‐relatedcancerriskstobeanissueforconstructionprojectslastinglessthanoneyearbecauseoftheshort‐termnatureofconstructionactivities(Siongpers.comm.).Cancerhealthrisksassociatedwithexposurestodieselexhausttypicallyareassociatedwithchronicexposure,inwhicha70‐yearexposureperiodoftenisassumed.Althoughelevatedcancerratescanresultfromexposureperiodsoflessthan70years,acuteexposure(i.e.,exposureperiodsof2to3years)todieselexhausttypicallyarenotanticipatedtoresultinanincreasedhealthriskbecauseacuteexposuretypicallydoesnotinvolvetheexposureconcentrationsnecessarytoresultinahealthrisk.Healthimpactsassociatedwithexposuretodieselexhaustfromprojects’




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constructionarenotanticipatedtobesignificantbecauseconstructionactivitiesareexpectedtotakeplaceoveran8monthperiod,wellbelowthe70‐yearexposureperiodusedinhealthriskassessments,whilethenearestsensitivereceptorsarelocatedapproximately70feetfromtheprojectsites.

Health Risks from Water Hauling

PotentialhealthrisksassociatedwithhaulingofwatertoandfromtheCalSPXandCalSPXIsolarfarmswereestimatedusingtheSJVAPCD’sdiesel‐truck‐travelhealthriskassessmentscreeningtool.Theestimateassumed105trucktripswithina1‐yearperiod(10trucksperdayx2tripspertruckx21daysperyear).PertheinputsoftheSJVAPCD’sscreeningtool,itwasassumedthattheroadwaytravelroutewouldbeorientedeast‐west,withone50‐meter(164foot)roadwaysegment.BasedonaPM10emissionfactorof0.246forheavy‐dutydieseltrucks,calculatedfromEMFAC2007,thescreeningtoolalsoassumedaminimumdistanceof25meters(82feet)tothenearestreceptor;aworst‐casescenariowiththereceptorlocatedinthenortheastquadrantoftheroadway;andoperatinginaruralarea.Finally,thescreeninganalysisassumeda100%engineload.BasedontheSJVAPCD’sscreeningtool,potentialhealthrisksassociatedwithwaterhaulingwereestimatedtoresultin1.48casesofcancerinonehundredmillion,wellbelowtheacceptedthresholdof10casesofcancerpermillion.Consequently,theprojectswouldnotresultinasignificanteffect.

Therefore,constructionoftheprojectsisnotanticipatedtoresultinanelevatedcancerrisktoexposedpersons.Table5indicatesthatPM10emissionsfromconstruction‐relateddieselexhaustarerelativelylow.EmissioncalculationsheetsareprovidedinAppendixAofthisInitialStudy.

Diesel Exhaust from Additional Truck Trips during Operations

Table6estimated0.12tonsofPM10and0.02tonsofPM2.5peryearwouldbeproducedbyregularemployeeandmaintenancecommutingandroutineannualpanelwashing.Theassumptionwasfor105trucktripswithina1‐yearperiod(projectapplicantassumed5watertrucksperdaypersitefor7daysatCalSPXand14daysatCalSPXI).Becausetheannualdieseltripsduringoperationarefew,theclosestsensitivereceptorsareatleast1milefromtheprojectsites,andtherewillbefewregularfulltimeemployees,healthriskduetodieselexhaustexposureduringoperationsisexpectedtobeminimal.

Valley Fever

Althoughnotadirectairpollutant,valleyfever(coccidioidomycosis)isrecognizedtobeendemicintheSanJoaquinValleyduetothedry,alkalinesoilconditions.Fungalsporeinfectionsdevelopthroughinhalationofairbornefungalsporescontainedinwindblowndust.Theprojectareasaresurroundedbycommercialagriculturalfieldsthatarefrequentlytilled,sobaselinewindblowndustconcentrationsareprobablyelevated.Topreventexacerbatingtheexistingwindblowndustissuesintheprojectareas,allconstructionactivityfortheprojectswillbeconductedunderarigorousdustcontrolplanpreparedinaccordancewithSJVAPCDRegulationVIII(MitigationMeasureAQ‐1).Adherencetothedustcontrolplanwouldpreventtheprojectsfromsubstantiallyincreasingwindblowndustconcentrationscomparedtobackgroundlevels.Therefore,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.




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Naturally‐Occurring Asbestos

Ultramafic,serpentinizedrockisbedrockthatcontainsnaturally‐occurringasbestos.Constant,regularexposuretohighlevelsofasbestosmaycausecancerinhumans,includinglungcancerandmesothelioma,ararecancerthatattackstheliningofthelungs,stomachandheart.SurveysconductedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofConservationindicatetheclosestknownbedrockformationscontainingultramaficrockareinthemountainousareasofeasternTulareCounty,soitisunlikelythesurfacesoilsintheprojectareascontainnaturally‐occurringasbestos(CaliforniaDepartmentofConservation2000).Therefore,theprojectswouldnotbesubjecttotheARB’s“AsbestosAirborneToxicControlMeasureforConstruction,Grading,Quarrying,andSurfaceMiningOperations”developedbytheARB(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2008).Regardless,allconstructionactivityfortheprojectswillbeconductedunderarigorousdustcontrolplanpreparedinaccordancewithSJVAPCDRegulationVIII(MitigationMeasureAQ‐1).AdherencetoMitigationMeasureAQ‐1wouldpreventtheprojectsfrominadvertentlycausingelevatedconcentrationsofambientasbestosatsensitivereceptors.Therefore,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:e

Constructionandminoroperationalactivitieswouldnotbeassociatedwithanymajorodor‐generatingactivities.Dieselfuelcombustedonsiteoralonghaulingroutescouldcreateminorodors.However,anyodorsemittedduringconstructionwouldbetemporaryandlocalized,andtheseodorswouldceaseonceconstructionactivitiesarecompleted.Implementationoftheproposedprojectswouldnotresultintheadditionofanyfacilitiesknowntoproduceodors,suchaslandfills,wastewatertreatmentplants,manufacturingplants,andcertainagriculturalactivities.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

Mitigation Measures

AQ‐1:PrepareandImplementaDustControlPlantoComplywithSJVAPCDRegulationVIIIRequirementstoControlConstructionEmissionsofPM10

Tocontrolthegenerationofconstruction‐relatedPM10emissions,constructioncontractorswillprepareandsubmitforapprovaladustcontrolplantotheSJVAPCDatleast30dayspriortoanyearthmovingorconstructionactivities.Measuresthatmightbeincludedinthedustcontrolplancouldinclude,butarenotlimitedtothefollowing.

Pre‐activity.

Pre‐watertheworksiteandphaseworktoreducetheamountofdisturbedsurfaceareaatanyonetime.

Activeoperations

Applywatertodryareasduringleveling,grading,trenching,andearthmovingactivities.

Constructandmaintainwindbarriersandapplywaterordustsuppressantstothedisturbedsurfaceareas.

Inactiveoperations,includingafterworkhours,weekends,andholidays

Applywaterordustsuppressantsondisturbedsurfaceareastoformavisiblecrust,andrestrictvehicleaccesstomaintainthevisiblecrust.




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Temporarystabilizationofareasunusedforsevenormoredays

Restrictvehicularaccessandapplyandmaintainwaterordustsuppressantsonallun‐vegetatedareas.

Establishvegetationonallpreviouslydisturbedareas.

Applyandmaintaingravelatallpreviouslydisturbedareas.

Pavepreviouslydisturbedareas.

Unpavedaccessandhaulroads,trafficandequipmentstorageareas

Applywaterordustsuppressantstounpavedhaulandaccessroads.

Postaspeedlimitofnotmorethan15milesperhour,usingsignsateachentranceandagainevery500feet.

Waterordustsuppressantswillbeappliedtovehicletrafficandequipmentstorageareas.

Windevents

Water‐applicationequipmentwillapplywatertocontrolfugitivedustduringwindevents,unlessunsafetodoso.

Outdoorconstructionactivitiesthatdisturbthesoilwillceasewhenevervisibledustemissionscannotbeeffectivelycontrolled.

Outdoorhandlingofbulkmaterials

Waterordustsuppressantswillbeappliedwhenhandlingbulkmaterials.

Windbarrierswithlessthan50%porositywillbeinstalledandmaintained,andwaterordustsuppressantswillbeapplied.

Outdoorstorageofbulkmaterials

Waterordustsuppressantswillbeappliedtostoragepiles.

Storagepileswillbecoveredwithtarps,plastic,orothersuitablematerialandanchoredinamannerthatpreventsthecoverfrombeingremovedbywind.

Windbarrierswithlessthan50%porositywillbeinstalledandmaintainedaroundthestoragepiles,andwaterordustsuppressantswillbeapplied.

Athree‐sidedstructurewithlessthan50%porositythatisatleastashighasthestoragepileswillbeused.

On‐sitetransportingofbulkmaterials

Vehiclespeedwillbelimitedontheworksite.

Allhaultruckswillbeloadedsuchthatthefreeboardisnotlessthansixincheswhentransportedacrossanypavedpublicaccessroad.

Asufficientamountofwaterwillbeappliedtothetopoftheloadtolimitvisibledustemissions.

Haultruckswillbecoveredwithatarporothersuitablecover.




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Off‐sitetransportingofbulkmaterials

Thefollowingpracticeswillbeutilized.

Theinteriorofemptiedtruckcargocompartmentswillbecleanedorcoveredbeforeleavingthesite.

Spillageorlossofbulkmaterialsfromholesorotheropeningsinthecargocompartment’sfloor,sides,andtailgateswillbeprevented.

Outdoortransportusingachuteorconveyor.

Noopenchutesorconveyorswillbeused.

Chutesorconveyorswillbefullyenclosed.

Watersprayequipmentwillbeusedtosufficientlywetthematerials.

Transportedmaterialswillbewashedorscreenedtoremovefines(PM10orsmaller).

MitigationMeasureAQ‐1wouldminimizeconstruction‐relatedfugitivedustemissionsandsatisfytherequirementsofSJVAPCDRegulationVIII.




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IV.BiologicalResources




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Haveasubstantialadverseeffect,eitherdirectlyorthroughhabitatmodifications,onanyspeciesidentifiedasacandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspeciesinlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulations,orbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGameorU.S.FishandWildlifeService?

b. Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonanyriparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunityidentifiedinlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulations,orbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGameorU.S.FishandWildlifeService?

c. HaveasubstantialadverseeffectonfederallyprotectedwetlandsasdefinedbySection404oftheCleanWaterAct(including,butnotlimitedto,marshes,vernalpools,coastalwetlands,etc.)throughdirectremoval,filling,hydrologicalinterruption,orothermeans?

d. Interferesubstantiallywiththemovementofanynativeresidentormigratoryfishorwildlifespeciesorwithestablishednativeresidentormigratorywildlifecorridors,orimpedetheuseofnativewildlifenurserysites?

e. Conflictwithanylocalpoliciesorordinancesprotectingbiologicalresources,suchasatreepreservationpolicyorordinance?

f. Conflictwiththeprovisionsofanadoptedhabitatconservationplan,naturalcommunityconservationplan,orotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplan?

Regulatory Setting

Federal

Endangered Species Act

TheEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)protectsfishandwildlifespeciesandtheirhabitatsthathavebeenlistedbyU.S.FishandWildlifeService(USFWS)ortheNationalMarineFisheriesService(NMFS)asthreatenedorendangered.

Ingeneral,NMFSisresponsibleforprotectionoffederallylistedmarinespeciesandanadromousfishes,whileotherlistedspeciesareunderUSFWSjurisdiction.ProvisionsofESASection9,which




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prohibitstakeofendangeredspecies,andSection10,whichrequirespermitsfortakeofspecies,mayberelevanttotheprojects.

Federal Clean Water Act

ThefederalCleanWaterAct(CWA)wasenactedasanamendmenttothefederalWaterPollutionControlActof1972andservesastheprimaryfederallawprotectingthequalityofthenation’ssurfacewaters,includinglakes,rivers,andcoastalwetlands.

TheFederalCWAisadministeredbyEPAandtheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers(USACE).USACEisresponsibleforregulatingthedischargeoffillmaterialintowatersoftheUnitedStates(includinglakes,rivers,streams,andtheirtributaries)andwetlands.

ThedischargeofdredgedorfillmaterialintowatersoftheUnitedStatesissubjecttopermittingunderCWASection404.CertificationfromtheapplicableRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard(RWQCB)isalsorequiredwhenaproposedactivitymayresultindischargeintonavigablewaters,pursuanttoCWASection401andEPA’sSection404(b)(1)guidelines.

ApplicantsmustobtainapermitfromUSACEforalldischargesofdredgedorfillmaterialintowatersoftheUnitedStates,includingadjacentwetlands,beforeproceedingwithaproposedactivity.USACEmayissueeitheranindividualpermitevaluatedonacase‐by‐casebasisorageneralpermitevaluatedataprogramlevelforaseriesofrelatedactivities.Generalpermitsarepreauthorizedandareissuedtocovermultipleinstancesofsimilaractivitiesexpectedtocauseonlyminimaladverseenvironmentaleffects.Nationwidepermits(NWPs)areatypeofgeneralpermitissuedtocoverparticularfillactivities.EachNWPspecifiesparticularconditionsthatmustbemetfortheNWPtoapplytoaparticularproject.

Presidential Executive Order 13186: Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act

TheMigratoryBirdTreatyAct(MBTA)(16U.S.GovernmentCode703–711)prohibitsthetakeofanymigratorybirdoranypart,nest,oreggsofanysuchbird.Undertheact,takeisdefinedastheactionoforattemptto“pursue,hunt,shoot,capture,collect,orkill.”ThisactappliestoallpersonsandagenciesintheUnitedStates,includingfederalagencies.

ExecutiveOrder(EO)13186forconservationofmigratorybirds(January11,2001)requiresthatanyprojectwithfederalinvolvementaddressimpactsoffederalactionsonmigratorybirds.TheorderisdesignedtoassistfederalagenciesintheireffortstocomplywiththeMBTAanddoesnotconstituteanylegalauthorizationtotakemigratorybirds.Theorderalsorequiresfederalagenciestodevelopamemorandumofunderstanding(MOU)withUSFWSto“preventorabatethepollutionordetrimentalalterationoftheenvironmentforthebenefitofmigratorybirds,aspracticable”(Section3[e][3]).

State Regulations

California Environmental Quality Act

CEQAistheregulatoryframeworkbywhichCaliforniapublicagenciesidentifyandmitigatesignificantenvironmentalimpacts.Aprojectgenerallyisconsideredtoresultinasignificantenvironmentalimpactonbiologicalresourcesifitsubstantiallyaffectsarareorendangeredspeciesorthehabitatofthatspecies;substantiallyinterfereswiththemovementofresidentormigratoryfishorwildlife;orsubstantiallydiminisheshabitatforfish,wildlife,orplants.




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TheStateCEQAGuidelinesdefinerare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesasthoselistedundertheCaliforniaEndangeredSpeciesAct(CESA)andESA,aswellasanyotherspeciesthatmeetthecriteriaoftheresourceagenciesorlocalagencies(e.g.,CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame[DFG]‐designatedspeciesofspecialconcern;CaliforniaNativePlantSociety[CNPS]‐listedspecies).TheStateCEQAGuidelinesstipulatethattheleadagencypreparinganenvironmentalimpactreportmustconsultwithandreceivewrittenfindingsfromDFGconcerningprojectimpactsonspeciesthatarelistedasendangeredorthreatened.TheeffectsofaproposedprojectontheseresourcesareimportantindeterminingwhethertheprojecthassignificantenvironmentalimpactsunderCEQA.

California Endangered Species Act

ThestateimplementedCESAin1984.Theactprohibitsthetakeofendangeredandthreatenedspecies;however,habitatdestructionisnotincludedinthestate’sdefinitionoftake.UnderCESA,takeisdefinedasanactivitythatwoulddirectlyorindirectlykillanindividualofaspecies,butthedefinitiondoesnotincludeharmorharass.Section2090requiresstateagenciestocomplywithendangeredspeciesprotectionandrecoveryandtopromoteconservationofthesespecies.DFGadministerstheactandmayauthorizetakethroughSection2081agreements(exceptforspeciesdesignatedasfullyprotected).Regardingrareplantspecies,CESAdeferstotheCaliforniaNativePlantProtectionAct(CNPPA)of1977,whichprohibitsimporting,taking,andsellingrareandendangeredplants.State‐listedplantsareprotectedmainlyincaseswherestateagenciesareinvolvedinprojectsunderCEQA.Inthesecases,plantslistedasrareundertheCNPPAarenotprotectedunderCESAbutcanbeprotectedunderCEQA.

California Fish and Game Code

Fully Protected Species

TheCaliforniaFishandGameCodeprovidesprotectionfromtakeforavarietyofspecies,referredtoasfullyprotectedspecies.Section5050listsfullyprotectedamphibiansandreptiles.Section3515prohibitstakeoffullyprotectedfishspecies.FullyprotectedbirdsarelistedinSection3511,andfullyprotectedmammalsarelistedinSection4700.TheCaliforniaFishandGameCodedefinestakeas“hunt,pursue,catch,capture,orkill,orattempttohunt,pursue,catch,capture,orkill.”Exceptfortakerelatedtoscientificresearch,alltakeoffullyprotectedspeciesisprohibited.

Sections 3503 and 3503.5

Section3503oftheCaliforniaFishandGameCodeprohibitsthedestructionofbirdnestsoreggs.Section3503.5prohibitsthekillingofraptorspeciesandthedestructionofraptornestsoreggs.

Porter‐Cologne Water Quality Control Act

Section13260oftheCaliforniaWaterCoderequires“anypersondischargingwaste,orproposingtodischargewaste,inanyregionthatcouldaffectthewatersofthestatetofileareportofdischarge(anapplicationforwastedischargerequirements[WDRs]).”

Local Regulations


TheOpenSpaceandConservationElementofMercedCounty’s2000GeneralPlancontainsthefollowinggoalsandpoliciesthatpertaintobiologicalresourcesinthestudyarea:




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Goal1:Habitatswhichsupportrare,endangeredorthreatenedspeciesarenotsubstantiallydegraded.

Policy1:RecognizeassignificantwetlandhabitatsthoseareaswhichmeetthedefinitionofhavingahighwetlandhabitatvaluebasedontheAdamusmethodologyandbasedontheArmyCorpsofEngineersdelineationmethod.

Policy2:Continuetoregulatethelocation,densityanddesignofdevelopmenttominimizeadverseimpactsandencourageenhancementofrareandendangeredspecieshabitats.

Policy3:TheredesignationoflandfromaruraltoanurbandesignationshouldoccurincarefulconsiderationofthepotentialimpactonsignificanthabitatsandconformancewiththeOpenSpaceActionPlan.

Policy7:Inwetlandareas,allpublicutilitiesandfacilities,suchasroads,sewagedisposalpondsandgas,electricalandwatersystems,shouldbelocatedandconstructedtominimizeoravoidsignificantlossofwetlandresources.

Policy8:Developmentapprovaladjacenttorareandendangeredspecieshabitatsorwithinidentifiedsignificantwetlandshouldincludemechanismstoensureadequateongoingprotectionandmonitoringoccurs.

Policy9:Significantaquaticandwaterfowlhabitatsshouldbeprotectedagainstexcessivewaterwithdrawalswhichwouldendangerorinterruptnormalmigratorypatterns.

Existing Conditions

TheproposedprojectsarelocatedinMercedCounty,withintheBlissRanch7.5‐minuteU.S.GeologicalSurveyquadrangle.TheprojectareasarelocatedintheSanJoaquinValleysubdivisionoftheCaliforniaFloristicProvince(Hickman1993:45).

Theprojectareashavethepotentialtocontainhabitatforspecial‐statusplantandwildlifespecies.SearchesoftheCaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase(CNDDB),U.S.FishandWildlifeServicewebsite,andtheCaliforniaNativePlantSociety’s(CNPS’s)onlineinventoryofrareandendangeredplantsidentified15special‐statusplantspeciesand21special‐statuswildlifespeciesasoccurringintheprojectvicinity(U.S.FishandWildlifeService2011;CaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase2011;CaliforniaNativePlantSociety2011)(Tables7and8).Theprojectareashavebeendisturbedbyagriculturalactivitiesandthereforedonotcontainanynaturalvegetationcommunitiesthatcouldprovidehabitatforthe15special‐statusplantspeciesidentifiedasoccurringinthevicinity.Mostofthespecial‐statuswildlifespeciesidentifiedintheCNDDBrecordsandUSFWSspecieslistwouldnotoccurwithinorneartheprojectareasbecauseoftheabsenceofsuitablehabitat(Table8).Ofthe21special‐statuswildlifespecies,Swainson’shawks,white‐tailedkites,andloggerheadshrikehavethepotentialtonestintreesthatsurroundtheprojectareas.Thereare13recordedSwainson’shawknestswithin10milesoftheprojectareas(CaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase2011).Othernon‐special‐statusbirdspeciescouldalsonestinthesurroundingtreesandorchards.

Theprojectareasdonotcontainhabitatforanyspecial‐statusfishspecies.




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Table 7. Special‐Status Plants Identified During Prefield Investigation as Occurring in the Project Vicinity

CommonNameScientificName

LegalStatusaFederal/State/RarePlantRank

GeographicDistribution/FloristicProvince HabitatRequirements

ReportedBloomingPeriod

PotentialforOccurrenceinStudyArea

HeartscaleAtriplexcordulata

–/–/1B.2 WesternCentralValleyandvalleysofadjacentfoothills

Salineoralkalinesoilsinsaltbushscrub,meadowsandseeps,sandyareasinvalleyandfoothillgrassland;below560meters

Apr–Oct None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

BrittlescaleAtriplexdepressa

–/–/1B.2 WesternandeasternCentralValleyandadjacentfoothillsonwestsideofCentralValley

Alkalineclaysoilsinsaltbushscrub,playas,valleyandfoothillgrasslands;below320meters

Apr–Oct None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

LessersaltscaleAtriplexminuscula

–/–/1B.1 SacramentoandSanJoaquinValley,ButteCountyandfromMercedCountytoKernCounty

Sandyalkalinesoilsinsaltbushscrub,playas,valleyandfoothillgrassland;15–200meters

May–Oct None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

VernalpoolsmallscaleAtriplexpersistens

–/–/1B.2 CentralValleyfromGlennCountytoTulareCounty

Drybedsofvernalpoolsinalkalinesoils;10–115meters

Jun–Oct None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

SubtleoracheAtriplexsubtilis

–/–/1B.2 CentralValley,especiallySanJoaquinValleywithoccurrencesinButte,Fresno,Kings,Kern,Madera,Merced,andTulareCounties

Alkaliscaldsandalkaligrasslands,oftennearvernalpools;40–100meters

Jun–Aug(uncommonlyOct)

None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

Succulentowl’s‐cloverCastillejacampestrisssp.succulenta

T/E/1B.2 EasternedgeofSanJoaquinValleyandadjacentfoothills,fromStanislausCountytoFresnoCounty

Vernalpools,oftenonacidicsoils;50–750meters

Apr–May None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

Palmate‐bractedbird’s‐beakChloropyronpalmatum(formerlyCordylanthuspalmatus)

E/E/1B.1 LivermoreValleyandscatteredlocationsintheCentralValleyfromColusaCountytoFresnoCounty

Alkalinesoilsinvalleyandfoothillgrasslands,saltbushscrub;5–155meters

May–Oct None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.




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Hoover’scryptanthaCryptanthahooveri

–/–/1A HistoricallyknownfromnorthernandcentralSanJoaquinValley:ContraCosta*,Kern,Madera,Merced,SanJoaquin,andStanislaus*Counties

Sandysoilsinvalleyandfoothillgrassland,inlanddunes;9–150meters

Apr–May None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

RecurvedlarkspurDelphiniumrecurvatum

–/–/1B.2 CentralValleyfromColusa*CountytoKernCounty

Alkalinesoilsinvalleyandfoothillgrassland,saltbushscrub,cismontanewoodland;3–750meters

Mar–Jun None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

Deltabutton‐celeryEryngiumracemosum

–/E/1B.1 SanJoaquinRiverdelta,floodplains,andadjacentSierraNevadaFoothills:Calaveras,ContraCosta,Merced,SanJoaquin*,andStanislausCounties

Vernallymesicclaydepressionsinriparianscrub;3–30meters

Jun–Oct None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

ColusagrassNeostapfiacolusana

T/E/1B.1 CentralValleyinColusa*,Glenn,Merced,Solano,Stanislaus,andYoloCounties

Largevernalpoolsinadobeclaysoils;5–200meters

May–Aug None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

SanJoaquinValleyOrcuttgrassOrcuttiainaequalis

T/E/1B.1 ScatteredlocationsalongeastedgeoftheSanJoaquinValleyandadjacentfoothills,fromStanislausCountytoTulareCounty

Vernalpools;10–755meters Apr–Sep None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

HairyOrcuttgrassOrcuttiapilosa

E/E/1B.1 ScatteredlocationsalongeastedgeoftheCentralValleyandadjacentfoothillsfromTehamaCountytoMercedCounty

Vernalpools;46–200meters May–Sep None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

MercedphaceliaPhaceliaciliatavar.opaca

–/–/1B.2 KnownfromfewerthantenoccurrencesinMercedCounty

Valleyandfoothillgrassland;60–150meters

Feb–May None:Species’elevationrangeissubstantiallyhigherthanstudyareaelevation.




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Greene’stuctoriaTuctoriagreenei

E/R/1B.1 ScattereddistributionalongeasternCentralValleyandfoothillsfromShastaCountytoTulareCounty

Dryvernalpools;30–1,070meters May–Jul(uncommonlySep)

None:Nopotentialhabitatpresent.

a Statusexplanations:FederalE = listedasendangeredunderthefederalEndangeredSpeciesAct.T = listedasthreatenedunderthefederalEndangeredSpeciesAct.– = nolisting.StateE = listedasendangeredundertheCaliforniaEndangeredSpeciesAct.R = listedasrareundertheCaliforniaNativePlantProtectionAct(thiscategoryisnolongerusedfornewlylistedplants,butsomeplants

previouslylistedasrareretainthisdesignation).– = nolisting.CaliforniaRarePlantRank41A = List1Aspecies:presumedextinctinCaliforniaandelsewhere.1B = List1Bspecies:rare,threatened,orendangeredinCaliforniaandelsewhere.0.1 = seriouslyendangeredinCalifornia.0.2 = fairlyendangeredinCalifornia.* = presumedextirpatedfromthatCounty.

4InMarch,2010,DFGchangedthenameof“CNPSList”or“CNPSRanks”to“CaliforniaRarePlantRank”(orCRPR).ThiswasdonetoreduceconfusionoverthefactthatCNPSandDFGjointlymanagetheRarePlantStatusReviewgroups(300+botanicalexpertsfromgovernment,academia,NGOsandtheprivatesector)andthattherankassignmentsaretheproductofacollaborativeeffortandnotsolelyaCNPSassignment.

County of Merced




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Table 8. Special‐Status Wildlife Species with Potential to Occur in Study Area

SpeciesStatus

Federal/Statea GeographicDistribution HabitatRequirementsPotentialforOccurrenceinStudyArea

Invertebrates

ConservancyfairyshrimpBranchinectaconservatio

E/– DisjunctoccurrencesinSolano,Merced,Tehama,Ventura,Butte,andGlennCounties

Large,deepvernalpoolsinannualgrasslands

None:Nosuitablehabitatpresentinstudyarea

VernalpoolfairyshrimpBranchinectalynchi

T/– CentralValley,centralandsouthCoastRangesfromTehamaCountytoSantaBarbaraCounty.IsolatedpopulationsalsoinRiversideCounty

Commoninvernalpools.Alsofoundinsandstonerockoutcroppools,andseasonalwetlands


ValleyelderberrylonghornbeetleDesmoceruscalifornicusdimorphus

T/– Streamsidehabitatsbelow3,000feetthroughouttheCentralValley

Riparianandoaksavannahabitatswithelderberryshrubs;requireselderberryshrubwhicharethehostplant


VernalpooltadpoleshrimpLepiduruspackardi

E/– ShastaCountysouthtoMercedCounty

Vernalpools,seasonalwetlands,andephemeralstockponds


Amphibians

CaliforniatigersalamanderAmbystomacaliforniense

T/T CentralValley,includingSierraNevadafoothills,uptoapproximately1,000feet,andcoastalregionfromButteCountysouthtonortheasternSanLuisObispoCounty

Smallponds,lakes,orvernalpoolsingrasslandsandoakwoodlandsforlarvae.Rodentburrows,rockcrevices,orfallenlogsforcoverforadultsandsummerdormancy

None:Nosuitablehabitatpresentinstudyareaandnosuitableaquatichabitatwithin1.24milesofstudyarea.

Californiared‐leggedfrogRanadraytonii

T/SSC CentralValley,includingSierraNevadafoothills,uptoapproximately1,000feet,andcoastalregionfromButteCountysouthtonortheasternSanLuisObispoCounty

Smallponds,lakes,orvernalpoolsingrasslandsandoakwoodlandsforlarvae;rodentburrows,rockcrevices,orfallenlogsforcoverforadultsandforsummerdormancy

None:Nosuitablehabitatpresentinstudyareaandnosuitableaquatichabitatwithin1.24milesofstudyarea.

County of Merced




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SpeciesStatus


WesternspadefootScaphiopushammondii

–/SSC SierraNevadafoothills,CentralValley,CoastRanges,coastalcountiesinsouthernCalifornia

Shallowstreamswithrifflesandseasonalwetlandssuchasvernalpoolsinannualgrasslandsandoakwoodlands


Reptiles

WesternpondturtleActinemysmarmorata

–/SSC OccursfromtheOregonborderofDelNorteandSiskiyouCountiessouthalongcoasttoSanFranciscoBay,inlandthroughSacramentoValley,andonwesternslopeofSierraNevada

Occupiesponds,marshes,rivers,streams,andirrigationcanalswithmuddyorrockybottomsandwithwatercress,cattails,waterlilies,orotheraquaticvegetationinwoodlands,grasslands,andopenforests


Blunt‐nosedleopardlizardGambeliasila

E/E,FP SanJoaquinValleyfromStanislausCountythroughKernCountyandalongtheeasternedgesofSanLuisObispoandSanBenitoCounties

Openhabitatswithscatteredlowbushesonalkaliflats,andlowfoothills,canyonfloors,plains,washes,andarroyos;substratesmayrangefromsandyorgravellysoilstohardpan


CaliforniahornedlizardPhrynosomacoronatumfrontale

–/SSC SacramentoValley,includingfoothills,southtosouthernCalifornia.CoastRangessouthofSonomaCounty.Below4,000feetinnorthernCalifornia

Grasslands,brushlands,woodlands,andopenconiferousforestwithsandyorloosesoil.Requiresabundantantcoloniesforforaging


GiantgartersnakeThamnophiscouchigigas

T/T CentralValleyfromvicinityofBurrelinFresnoCountynorthtonearChicoinButteCounty.HasbeenextirpatedfromareassouthofFresno

Sloughs,canals,low‐gradientstreams,andfreshwatermarshhabitatswherethereisapreybaseofsmallfishandamphibians.Alsofoundinirrigationditchesandricefields.Requiresgrassybanksandemergentvegetationforbaskingandareasofhighgroundprotectedfromfloodingduringwinter


County of Merced




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SpeciesStatus


Birds

TricoloredblackbirdAgelaiustricolor

–/SSC PermanentresidentintheCentralValleyfromButteCountytoKernCounty.BreedsatscatteredcoastallocationsfromMarinCountysouthtoSanDiegoCountyandatscatteredlocationsinLake,Sonoma,andSolanoCounties.RarenesterinSiskiyou,Modoc,andLassenCounties

Nestsindensecoloniesinemergentmarshvegetation,suchastulesandcattails,oruplandsiteswithblackberries,nettles,thistles,andgrainfields.Habitatmustbelargeenoughtosupport50pairs.Probablyrequireswateratornearthenestingcolony

None:Nosuitablenestinghabitatpresentinstudyarea

WesternburrowingowlAthenecunicularia

–/SSC LowlandsthroughoutCalifornia,includingCentralValley,northeasternplateau,southeasterndeserts,andcoastalareas.RarealongSouthCoast

Level,open,dry,heavilygrazedorlow‐staturegrasslandordesertvegetationwithavailableburrows


Swainson’shawkButeoswainsoni

–/T LowerSacramentoandSanJoaquinValleys,KlamathBasin,andButteValley.HighestnestingdensitiesoccurnearDavisandWoodlandinYoloCounty

Nestsinoaksorcottonwoodsinornearriparianhabitats.Foragesingrasslands,irrigatedpastures,andgrainfields

Largetreesthatcouldbeusedfornestingsurroundingthestudyarea.Studyareaprovidessuitableforaginghabitat.

MountainploverCharadriusmontanus

PT/SSC DoesnotbreedinCalifornia;inwinter,foundintheCentralValleysouthofYubaCounty,alongthecoastinpartsofSanLuisObispo,SantaBarbara,Ventura,andSanDiegoCounties;partsofImperial,Riverside,Kern,andLosAngelesCounties

Occupiesopenplainsorrollinghillswithshortgrassesorverysparsevegetation;nearbybodiesofwaterarenotneeded;mayusenewlyplowedorsproutinggrainfields


White‐tailedkiteElanusleucurus

–/FP LowlandareaswestofSierraNevadafromheadofSacramentoValleysouth,includingcoastalvalleysandfoothillstowesternSanDiegoCountyatMexicoborder

Lowfoothillsorvalleyareaswithvalleyorliveoaks,riparianareas,andmarshesnearopengrasslandsforforaging

Largetreesthatcouldbeusedfornestingsurroundingthestudyarea.Studyareaprovidessuitableforaginghabitat.

County of Merced




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SpeciesStatus


LoggerheadshrikeLaniusludovicianus

–/SSC ResidentandwintervisitorinlowlandsandfoothillsthroughoutCalifornia.RareoncoastalslopenorthofMendocinoCounty,occurringonlyinwinter

Prefersopenhabitatswithscatteredshrubs,trees,posts,fences,utilitylines,orotherperches

Haspotentialtonestintreesandshrubslocatedinthesurroundingareasofthestudyarea

Yellow‐headedblackbirdXanthocephalusxanthocephalus

–/SSC MainlysummerresidentandmigrantinCaliforniarange,smallnumbersoverwinterinCalifornia

Breedsinloosecoloniesinfreshwaterwetlands(e.g.,marshes)withtalldenseemergentvegetationadjacenttodeepwater,andalongbordersoflakesorponds.


Mammals

FresnokangarooratDipodomysnitratoidesexilis

E/E HistoricallyfoundfromMercedCountysouthtocentralFresnoCounty

Occupiesgrasslandanddesertshrubassociationsonfriablesoilsandopenalkalineflats


AmericanbadgerTaxideataxius

–/SSC ThroughoutCalifornia,exceptforthehumidcoastalforestsofnorthwesternCaliforniainDelNorteandthenorthwesternHumboldtCounties

OccursinmosthabitatsinCaliforniaexceptalpineandmontanehabitats;digsburrowsinfriablesoilsforcover;frequentlyusesoldburrows


SanJoaquinkitfoxVulpesmacrotismutica

E/T PrincipallyoccursintheSanJoaquinValleyandadjacentopenfoothillstothewest;recentrecordsfrom17countiesextendingfromKernCountynorthtoContraCostaCounty

Saltbushscrubandgrasslandhabitats


a Statusexplanations:– = nolisting.FederalE = listedasendangeredunderfederalEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA).T = listedasthreatenedunderESA.PT = proposedforfederallistingasthreatenedunderESA.StateE = listedasendangeredunderCaliforniaEndangeredSpeciesAct(CESA).T = listedasthreatenedunderCESA.FP = fullyprotectedunderCaliforniaFishandGameCode.SSC = speciesofspecialconcerninCalifornia.




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Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Theprojectscouldresultindisturbancetonestingspecial‐statusandnon‐special‐statusbirdspecies,whichcouldresultinlossofactivenests.TheprojectareasalsoprovidessuitableforaginghabitatforSwainson’shawkandwhite‐tailedkite,dependingonwhichcropsareplanted.Constructionoftheprojectswouldresultinthelossofthesecrops.Therefore,theprojectscouldresultinthelossofpotentialforaginghabitatforSwainson’shawk,white‐tailedkite,andothernon‐special‐statusraptors.ThesearepotentiallysignificantimpactsandwillbeaddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:b

Theprojectareasdonotcontainanyriparianhabitat;however,thereisthepotentialforothersensitivenaturalcommunities(e.g.,wetlands)tobepresentintheprojectareas.Althoughitisalowpotential,theproposedprojectscouldresultinasubstantialadverseeffectonasensitivenaturalcommunity.ThisimpactispotentiallysignificantandwillbeaddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:c

Theprojectareashavethepotentialtocontainfederallyprotectedwetlands.Althoughitisalowpotential,theproposedprojectscouldresultinasubstantialadverseeffectonfederallyprotectedwetlands.ThisimpactispotentiallysignificantandwillbeaddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:d

Swainson’shawks,white‐tailedkites,andloggerheadshrikehavethepotentialtonestintreesthatsurroundtheprojectareas.Othernon‐special‐statusbirdspeciescouldalsonestinthesurroundingtrees.Theprojectscouldresultindisturbancetonestingspecial‐statusbirdspecieswhichcouldresultinlossofactivenests.ThisisapotentiallysignificantimpactandwillbeaddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:e

MercedCountydoesnothaveaformalordinanceinplacetoprotecttrees,buttheOpenSpace/ConservationElementoftheMercedCountyYear2000GeneralPlancontainspoliciesthatapplytobiologicalresourcesinMercedCounty.Theproposedprojectshavethepotentialtoconflictwiththesepolicies.Therefore,thisimpactispotentiallysignificantandwillbeaddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:f

Theproposedprojectareasarenotcoveredbyanadoptedhabitatconservationplan,naturalcommunityconservationplan,orotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplan.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.




ICF 00618.11

V.CulturalResources




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. CauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofahistoricalresourceasdefinedinSection15064.5?

b. CauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresourcepursuanttoSection15064.5?

c. Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature?

d. Disturbanyhumanremains,includingthoseinterredoutsideofformalcemeteries?

Regulatory Setting

California Environmental Quality Act

CEQArequiresthatpublicagencies(inthiscase,theCounty)thatfinanceorapprovepublicorprivateprojectsmustassesstheeffectsoftheprojectonculturalresources.Culturalresourcesaredefinedasbuildings,sites,structures,orobjects,eachofwhichmayhavehistorical,architectural,archaeological,cultural,orscientificimportance.CEQArequiresthatifaprojectwouldresultinsignificanteffectsonimportantculturalresources,alternativeplansormitigationmeasuresmustbeconsidered;onlysignificantculturalresources,however,needtobeaddressed.Therefore,priortothedevelopmentofmitigationmeasures,theimportanceofculturalresourcesmustbedetermined.


TheConservationElementoftheMercedCountyGeneralPlanaddressesculturalresourceswiththefollowinggoalandpolicies.

Goal2:Soil,water,mineral,energy,historicalandairresourcesareproperlymanaged.

Policy21:Projectswhichaffectarchaeologicalsitesandartifactsshouldbecarefullymanagedtoavoiddamage.

Policy22:Theoriginalarchitecturalcharacterofsignificanthistoricstructuresshouldbemaintainedwheneverpossible.

Policy23:Todiscouragelootingandvandalism,significanthistoricalandarchaeologicalresourcesshouldbesubjecttolimitedorcontrolledpublicaccess.




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Existing Conditions

Arecordssearchoftheprojectareasanda0.5‐mileradiusaroundtheprojectareaswereconductedattheCentralCaliforniaInformationCenteroftheCaliforniaHistoricalResourcesInformationSystem.Therecordssearchindicatesthatnopreviousstudieshavebeenconductedandnoculturalresourceshavebeenrecordedwithintheprojectareasorwithina0.5‐mileradiusofthestudyarea.

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Thoughnohistoricresourceshavebeenrecordedwithinoradjacenttotheprojectareas,thiscouldbeattributedtothelackofsurveysintheareas.Itispossiblethathistoricresources,particularlythoseassociatedwithagriculture,arelocatedwithintheprojectareas.ShouldtheseresourcesbesignificantasdefinedinSection15064.5,effectsonthemwouldbeasignificantimpact.Therefore,thereisapotentiallysignificantimpacttohistoricalresources,whichwillbefurtheraddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:b

Thoughnoarchaeologicalresourceshavebeenrecordedwithinoradjacenttotheprojectareas,thiscouldbeattributedtothelackofsurveysinthearea.Itispossiblethatarchaeologicalresourcesarelocatedwithintheprojectareas.ShouldtheseresourcesbesignificantasdefinedinSection15064.5,effectsonthemwouldbeasignificantimpact.Therefore,thereisapotentiallysignificantimpacttohistoricalresources,whichwillbefurtheraddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:c

Noknownuniquepaleontologicalresourceoruniquegeologicfeatureislocatedwithintheprojectsites.Theprojectsitesarelocatedinalluvialdepositsthataregenerallynotparticularlysensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,andexcavationproposedfortheprojectsisrelativelyshallow.Therefore,thepotentialtouncoverpaleontologicalresourcesisconsideredminimalandthisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:d

Noknownburialsarelocatedwithintheprojectareas.However,thereisalwaysthepossibilitythatpreviouslyundiscoveredburialsmaybelocatedduringconstruction.ThiswouldbeapotentiallysignificantimpactandwillbefurtheraddressedintheEIR.




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VI.GeologyandSoils




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolving:

1. Ruptureofaknownearthquakefault,asdelineatedonthemostrecentAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningMapissuedbytheStateGeologistfortheareaorbasedonothersubstantialevidenceofaknownfault?RefertoDivisionofMinesandGeologySpecialPublication42.

2. Strongseismicgroundshaking?

3. Seismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includingliquefaction?

4. Landslides?

b. Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil?

c. Belocatedonageologicunitorsoilthatisunstableorthatwouldbecomeunstableasaresultoftheprojectandpotentiallyresultinanonsiteoroffsitelandslide,lateralspreading,subsidence,liquefaction,orcollapse?

d. Belocatedonexpansivesoil,asdefinedinTable18‐1‐BoftheUniformBuildingCode(1994),creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty?

e. Havesoilsincapableofadequatelysupportingtheuseofseptictanksoralternativewastewaterdisposalsystemsinareaswheresewersarenotavailableforthedisposalofwastewater?

Regulatory Setting

Alquist‐Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act

California’sAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningAct(Alquist‐PrioloAct)(PRC2621etseq.),enactedin1972,prohibitsthelocationofmosttypesofstructuresintendedforhumanoccupancyacrossthetracesofactivefaultsandstrictlyregulatesconstructioninthecorridorsalongactivefaults(EarthquakeFaultZones).Italsodefinescriteriaforidentifyingactivefaults,givinglegalweighttotermssuchasactive,andestablishesaprocessforreviewingbuildingproposalsinandadjacenttoEarthquakeFaultZones.




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Seismic Hazard Mapping Act

LiketheAlquist‐PrioloAct,theSeismicHazardsMappingActof1990(PRCSection2690–2699.6)isintendedtoreducedamageresultingfromearthquakes.WhereastheAlquist‐PrioloActaddressessurfacefaultrupture,theSeismicHazardsMappingActaddressesotherearthquake‐relatedhazards,includingstronggroundshaking,liquefaction,andseismicallyinducedlandslides.ItsprovisionsaresimilarinconcepttothoseoftheAlquist‐PrioloAct:thestateischargedwithidentifyingandmappingareasatriskofstronggroundshaking,liquefaction,landslides,andothercorollaryhazards,andcitiesandcountiesarerequiredtoregulatedevelopmentwithinmappedSeismicHazardZones.

UndertheSeismicHazardsMappingAct,citiesandcountiesareprohibitedfromissuingdevelopmentpermitsforsiteswithinSeismicHazardZonesuntilappropriatesite‐specificgeologicorgeotechnicalinvestigationshavebeencarriedout,andmeasurestoreducepotentialdamagehavebeenincorporatedintothedevelopmentplans.


TheOpenSpaceandConservationElementandtheSafetyElementoftheMercedCountyGeneralPlanincludeanumberofgoalsandpoliciesrelatedtogeology,seismicity,andsoils.


Goal1:MercedCountyresidentsprotectedfromknownseismicandgeologichazards.

Policy1:AllhabitablestructuresshallbelocatedanddesignedincompliancewiththeAlquist/PrioloSpecialStudiesZoneActof1972.

Goal2:MercedCountyresidentsfreefromunacceptablerisksresultingfromdamfailure.

Goal3:MercedCountyresidentsfreefrompersonalinjuryandpropertydamageresultingfromunstablesoils.

Policy1:Habitablestructuresshallnotbelocatedinareassubjecttolandslidesunlessdesignedandconstructedtominimizehazardstooccupants.

Policy2:Chapter70,VolumeIoftheUniformBuildingCode,1970Edition,knownasthe"ModelGradingCode",shallbeusedasaguideforprojectssubjecttohazardsfromslopeinstability.

Policy3:Allproposedstructures,utilities,orpublicfacilitieswithinrecognizednear‐surfacesubsidenceorliquefactionareasshouldbelocatedandconstructedinamannertominimizeoreliminatedamage.

Existing Conditions

TheprojectareasarelocatedintheSanJoaquinValley,abroadalluvialplainbetweentheSierraNevadaandCoastalmountainranges.Theprojectareasaregenerallyflatandrangesinelevationfromapproximately145to150feetabovesealevel.AccordingtotheGeneralPlan,theprojectareasarenotlocatedonageologicalunitorsoiltypethatisunstableandisnotinanareawithexpansivesoils.Itisinanareaofsubsidence.

Fromdeepesttomostshallow,thegeologicalformationsfoundwithintheregionaretypicallycomposedoftheBasementComplex,theIoneFormation,theValleySpringsFormation,theTulareFormation,andtheMehrtenFormation.Quaternaryriverandfloodplaindeposits,consistingofclays,silts,sands,andgravels,overlaytheformationsassoildeposits.




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AccordingtotheSafetyElementoftheMercedCounty2000GeneralPlan,andtheDraftMercedCounty2030GeneralPlan,theonlyknownfaultinthecountyistheOrtigalitaFault.AlsoknownastheTelsa‐OrtigalitaFault,itislocatedinthewesternportionofthecountyandbisectstheCoastRange.Thenearestportionofthisfaultislocatedmorethan35milesfromtheprojectsitesandhasnotbeenactiveinrecenthistory.Themostrecentearthquakeactivityonthissectionofthefaultisestimatedtohaveoccurredbetween5,000and15,000yearsago.TheaverageintervalbetweenearthquakesontheOrtigalitaFaultisestimatedtobe2,000to5,000years.MercedCountydidexperienceanearthquakeoriginatingelsewherein1989.

Impacts

Checklistitems:a.1–a.3

MercedCountyisaffectedbyseismicactivitythatoccursoutsideitsboundaries,andtheprojectareasarelikelytoexperiencestronggroundshakingorgroundfailuregeneratedbyanynumberoffaultsintheregion.Theproposedprojectsinvolveconstructingoneoffice/storagebuildingoneachsite,structuresthatwouldbeoccupiedbypeople.AllbuildingsconstructedontheprojectsiteswouldberequiredtoconformtotheseismicrequirementsoftheUniformBuildingCodeandCountybuildingstandards.Therefore,theproposedprojectswouldnotresultinthesubstantialexposureofpeopletoriskofloss,injury,ordeathasaresultofearthquakesorrelatedeventsandtheseimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:a.4

Theprojectareasarerelativelyflat,withlessthana5‐footelevationdifference.Therefore,thereisnoriskoflandslidesandnoimpact.

Checklistitem:b

Therearenosteepslopesintheprojectareasandthereislessthana5‐footelevationchangeacrossbothprojectsites.Constructionoftheprojectswouldincludegradingactivities.Standardconstructionpracticesincludingusingwatertocontroldustwillensurethatsoillossisminimalduringconstruction.Lowvegetationplantedbetweenrowsofsolarpanelsandgraveledroadswillminimizesoillossduringoperations.Substantialsoilerosionorlossoftopsoilisnotanticipatedandthereforethisimpactislessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:c

Theprojectareasarenotlocatedonanunstablegeologicalunitoronsoilthatisunstable.Noristhereanyindicationthatthegeologicunitorsoilswouldbecomeunstableasaresultoftheconstructionoftheprojectsandresultinon‐oroffsitelandslide,lateralspreading,liquefactionorcollapse.

However,theprojectareasarelocatedintheChowchillaSubbasinoftheSanJoaquinValleyGroundwaterBasin(SubbasinNumber5‐22.05),anareaofsubsidence.Subsidenceisthesettlingorsinkingofpartsoftheearth’scrust.TheprincipalcauseofsubsidenceonthewestsideoftheSanJoaquinValleyisgroundwaterwithdrawal.Theproposedsolarfarmsareexpectedtouselessthan300gallonsofwaterperdayeachfromanonsitewell(atotalof600gallonsperdayorless).Theexpectedgroundwaterwithdrawalfortheproposedprojectsisnotexpectedtohaveasubstantialimpactonsubsidenceinthisarea,thereforethisimpactislessthansignificant.




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Checklistitem:d

Theprojectareasarenotlocatedonexpansivesoils,asdefinedinTable18‐1‐BoftheUniformBuildingCode,andwouldnotcreatesubstantialriskstolifeorproperty.Therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:e

Soilsonthesiteappeartobewell‐drained,stablesoilsthatwouldbeabletosupportasepticsystem.AnexistingwastewaterpondontheCalSPXIsiteincludesaclaylinerthatmayreducethesuitabilityofthisareaforuseasasepticsystemleachfield.TheonsitesepticsystemswillconformtotheMercedCountyDivisionofEnvironmentalHealth’sminimumdesignstandardsandaplotplanwillbesubmittedwiththebuildingpermitapplication.Withpermittingandappropriatedesignthatmeetsexistingregulatoryrequirements,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.




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VII.GreenhouseGasEmissions




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Generategreenhousegasemissions,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,thatmayhaveasignificantimpactontheenvironment?

b. Conflictwithanapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegases?

Regulatory Setting

AppendixGintheCEQAGuidelinesstatethatthesignificancecriteriaestablishedbytheapplicableairqualitymanagementorairpollutioncontroldistrictmaybereliedupontodetermineaproject’slevelofimpactintermsofGHGemissions.SJVAPCDupdatedtheirCEQAguidelinestoincludeguidanceforevaluatingGHGsignificanceinDecember2009.

Climatechangehasonlyrecentlybeenwidelyrecognizedasanimminentthreattotheglobalclimate,economy,andpopulation.Thus,theclimatechangeregulatorysetting—nationally,statewide,andlocally—iscomplexandevolving.Thefollowingsectionidentifieskeylegislation,executiveorders,andseminalcourtcasesrelevanttotheenvironmentalassessmentofprojectGHGemissions.

Federal

Endangerment Finding

OnDecember7,2009,theEPAadministratorfoundthatcurrentandprojectedconcentrationsofCO2,methane,nitrousoxide,hydroflourocarbons(HFCs),perfluorocarbons(PFCs),andsulfurhexafluoride(SF6)threatenthepublichealthandwelfareofcurrentandfuturegenerations.Additionally,theadministratorfoundthatcombinedemissionsofCO2,methane,nitrousoxide,andHFCsfrommotorvehiclescontributetotheatmosphericconcentrationsandthustothethreatofclimatechange.Althoughtheendangermentfindinginitselfdoesnotplacerequirementsonindustry,itwasanimportantstepintheEPA’sprocesstoregulateGHGs.

President’s Council on Environmental Quality Draft Guidance

OnFebruary18,2010,NancySutley,chairofthePresident’sCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality(CEQ),issuedamemorandum(DraftGuidance)providingguidanceonconsiderationoftheeffectsofclimatechangeandGHGemissionsunderNEPA(Sutley2010).TheDraftGuidancesuggeststhattheeffectsofprojectsdirectlyemittingGHGsinexcessof25,000tonsannuallybeconsideredinaqualitativeandquantitativemanner.TheCEQdoesnotproposethisreferenceasathresholdfordeterminingsignificancebutas“aminimumstandardforreportingemissionsundertheCAA.”TheDraftGuidancealsorecommendsthatthecumulativeeffectsofclimatechangeontheproposedprojectbeevaluated.TheDraftGuidanceisstillundergoingpubliccommentsandisnoteffectiveuntilissuedinfinalform(Sutley2010).




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National Tailpipe Standards

OnApril1,2010,theEPAandtheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationannouncedthefirstnationaltailpipestandardsfornewcarsandtruckssoldintheUnitedStates.Theprogramappliestopassengercars,light‐dutytrucks,andmedium‐dutypassengervehicles,coveringmodelyears2012through2016,andrequiresthesevehiclestomeetcombinedaveragefueleconomyof35.5milespergallon.ItisestimatedthatthesestandardswillcutGHGemissionsby960millionmetrictonsoverthelifetimeofthevehicles(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2010a).

State

AvarietyoflegislationhasbeenenactedinCaliforniarelatingtoclimatechange,muchofwhichsetsaggressivegoalsforGHGreductionswithinthestate.ThemoststringentoftheseareExecutiveOrderS‐3‐05andAssemblyBill32(AB32).

Executive Order S‐3‐05

UnderExecutiveOrderS‐3‐05,stateagenciesareorderedtoreduceCalifornia’sGHGemissionsto:(1)2000levelsby2010,(2)1990levelsby2020,and(3)80%belowthe1990levelsby2050.

Assembly Bill 32: Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006

AB32setsthesameoverallyear2020GHGemissionsreductiongoalsasExecutiveOrderS‐3‐05,whilefurthermandatingthattheARBcreateaplanthatincludesmarketmechanismsandimplementrulestoachieve“real,quantifiable,cost‐effectivereductions”ofGHGs.AB32furtherdirectsstateagenciesandthenewlycreatedstateClimateActionTeamtoidentifydiscreteearly‐actionGHGreductionmeasures.Theseactionswereadoptedinearly2010andrelatetotruckefficiency,portelectrification,tireinflation,andreductionofPFCs,propellants,andsulfurhexafluoride.

Climate Change Scoping Plan

TheARB’sClimateChangeScopingPlan,preparedpursuanttoAB32,containsthemainstrategiesCaliforniawillusetoreduceGHGfrombusiness‐as‐usualemissionsprojectedfor2020backto1990levels(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2008).Aspartofthescopingplan,theARBandotheragenciesareundertakingregulatoryrulemaking,culminatinginruleadoptionbyJanuary1,2011,forreducingGHGemissionstoachievetheemissionscapby2020.However,officialadoptionhasnotyetoccurredatthetimeofthiswriting(February2012).

Executive Order S‐01‐07: Low Carbon Fuel Standard

ExecutiveOrderS‐01‐07requiresa10%orgreaterreductionintheaveragefuelcarbonintensityfortransportationfuelsinCaliforniaregulatedbytheARB.

Assembly Bill 1493 (Pavely): Greenhouse Gases, Chapter 200, Statutes of 2002

AB1493requirestheARBtoadoptregulationstoreduceGHGemissionsfromnoncommercialpassengervehiclesandlight‐dutytrucksofmodelyears2009andlater.TheregulationswereadoptedSeptember24,2009.




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Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg): Statutes of 2008

SenateBill(SB)375requiresregionaltransportationplans,developedbymetropolitanplanningorganizations(MPOs),toincorporatea“sustainablecommunitiesstrategy”intheirregionaltransportationplansthatwillachieveGHGemissionreductiontargetssetbytheARB.ThetargetsestablishedfortheSacramentoAreaCouncilofGovernments(SACOG)regionarea7%reductionby2020anda16%reductionby2035.

State CEQA Guidelines, as Amended in 2010

StateCEQAGuidelinesrequireleadagenciestodescribe,calculate,orestimatetheamountofGHGemissionsresultingfromaproject.Moreover,theguidelinesemphasizethenecessitytodeterminepotentialclimatechangeeffectsoftheprojectandproposemitigationasnecessary.Theguidelinesconfirmthediscretionofleadagenciestodetermineappropriatesignificancethresholds,butrequirethepreparationofanEIRif“thereissubstantialevidencethatthepossibleeffectsofaparticularprojectarestillcumulativelyconsiderablenotwithstandingcompliancewithadoptedregulationsorrequirements"(Section15064.4).

Local

TheSJVAPCDhasnotadoptedsignificancethresholdsforoperationalGHGemissionsfromdevelopmentandstationarysourceprojects,buttheDistrictdoesencouragetheimplementationofBestPerformanceStandardstodetermineaproject’ssignificance.TheDistrictcurrentlydoesnotrecommendaconstructionGHGemissionthreshold,butencouragesreducingaproject’simpactbyimplementingDistrict‐approvedGHGmitigationmeasures,complyingwithanapprovedGHGplan,orreducingGHGemissionsbyatleast29%(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrictn.d.).

Existing Conditions

Global Climate Change

Globalclimatechangeiscausedinlargepartbyanthropogenic(man‐made)emissionsofGHGsreleasedintotheatmospherethroughthecombustionoffossilfuelsandbyotheractivitiessuchasdeforestationandland‐usechange.Unlikecriteriaairpollutants,whicharediscussedinthe“AirQuality”section,GHGstendtopersistintheatmospherewheretheycantrapinfraredradiationemittedfromtheearth’ssurface.Thisphenomenon,knownasthe“greenhouseeffect,”isnecessarytokeeptheearth’stemperaturewarmenoughforsuccessfulhabitationbyhumans.EmissionsofGHGsinexcessofnaturalambientconcentrations,however,areresponsiblefortheenhancementofthegreenhouseeffect.Thistrendofwarmingoftheearth’snaturalclimateistermed“globalwarming.”

Greenhouse Gases

TheprincipleGHGscontributingtoglobalwarmingarecarbondioxide(CO2),methane(CH4),nitrousoxide(N2O),andfluoridatedcompounds.Becauseconstructionequipmentandheavy‐dutytrucksprimarilygenerateGHGemissionsconsistingofCO2,CH4,andN2O,thefollowingdiscussionfocusesonthesepollutants.

CO2isthemostimportantanthropogenicGHG,followedbyCH4andN2O.ItisestimatedthatCO2accountsformorethan75%ofallanthropogenicGHGemissions.ThreequartersofanthropogenicCO2emissionsaretheresultoffossilfuelburning(andtoaverysmallextent,cementproduction),




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andapproximatelyonequarterofemissionsaretheresultofland‐usechange(IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange2007).

CH4isthesecondlargestcontributorofanthropogenicGHGemissionsandistheresultofgrowingrice,raisingcattle,fuelcombustion,andminingcoal(NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration2005).

N2O,whilenotasabundantasCO2orCH4,isapowerfulGHG.SourcesofN2Oincludeagriculturalprocesses,nylonproduction,fuel‐firedpowerplants,nitricacidproduction,andfuelcombustion.

Inordertosimplifyreportingandanalysis,methodshavebeenestablishedtodescribeemissionsofGHGsintermsofasinglegas.ThemostcommonlyacceptedmethodtocompareGHGemissionsisthe“globalwarmingpotential”(GWP)methodologydefinedintheIPCCreferencedocuments(IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange1996and2001).TheIPCCdefinestheGWPofvariousGHGemissionsonanormalizedscalethatrecastsallGHGemissionsintermsofCO2equivalents(CO2e),whichcomparesthegasinquestiontothatofthesamemassofCO2(CO2hasaGWPof1bydefinition).Table9liststheglobalwarmingpotentialofCO2,CH4,andN2O;theirlifetimes;andabundancesintheatmosphereinpartspermillion(ppm)andpartspertrillion(ppt).

Table 9. Lifetimes and Global Warming Potentials

GHGGlobalWarmingPotential(100years) Lifetime(years)

2005AtmosphericAbundance

CarbonDioxide 1 50–200 379ppm

Methane 21 9–15 1.7ppt

Nitrousoxide 310 120 0.32ppt

Sources:IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange1996,2001,2007.

Significance Criteria

BasedonCEQAGuidelinesAppendixG,animpactpertainingtoclimatechangeisconsideredsignificantifitwould:

generateasignificantamountofGHGemissions,eitherdirectlyorindirectly;or

conflictwithanyapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingGHGs

InDecember2009,SJVAPCDformallyadoptedtheregion’sfirstGHGthresholdsfordeterminingsignificantclimatechangeimpactsintheDistrict.TheguidanceisintendedtostreamlineCEQAreviewbyquantifyingemissionsreductionsthatwouldbeachievedthroughtheimplementationofBestPerformanceStandards(BPS).TheBPSaredevelopedbySJVAPCDandarebasedoncurrenttechnologies,operatingprinciples,andenergyefficiencytactics.AccordingtotheDecember2009report,stationarysourceprojectsfailingtoimplementBPSordemonstratea29%reductioninGHGemissionsrelativetobusiness‐as‐usual(BAU)conditionsareconsideredtohaveasignificantimpactonclimatechange.TheGHGthresholdsonlyapplytostationary‐sourceprojectsthatwouldresultinincreasedGHGemissions,andforwhichSJVAPCDistheleadagency(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2009a).WhilethethresholdsadoptedbytheSJVAPCDweredevelopedforinternaluseforprojectsinwhichSJVAPCDistheleadagency,theyserveasthebasisforguidanceissuedbySJVAPCDforotheragenciesestablishingtheirownprocessesfordeterminingsignificancerelatedtoclimatechange(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2009b).




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Impacts

Implementationoftheproposedprojectswouldresultinshort‐termconstructionemissionsofCO2,CH4,andN2Ofromtheuseofconstructionequipmentonsite,aswellfromon‐roadfuelcombustionandoperationalemissionsassociatedwithemployeecommutetrips.

Checklistitem:a

CalSPXwouldbea5MWfacilityon58acresoflandatthesoutheastcornerofGrantandOrchardRoads.CalSPXIwouldbea10MWfacilityonanadjacent117‐acrepropertylocatedatthesouthwestcornerofGrantRoadandArborWay.Theenergyproducedatthefacilitieswillreplaceenergyderivedfromfossil‐fuelcombustion,sotheprojectswillresultinanetbenefitinreducedgreenhousegasemissions(includingconstructionemissions),asemissionsassociatedwiththeproductionof5and10MWelectricityataconventionalfossil‐fueledpowerfacilitywillbereplacedbyelectricitygeneratedbytheproposedprojects.Consequently,implementationoftheproposedprojectswouldresultinless‐than‐significantimpactrelatedtoclimatechange.

Checklistitem:b

ThestatehasadoptedseveralpoliciesandregulationsforthepurposeofreducingGHGemissions(discussedabove).ThemoststringentoftheseisAB32,whichisdesignatedtoreducestatewideGHGemissionsto1990levelsby2020.Asdiscussedabove,implementationoftheprojectswouldresultinaless‐than‐significantlevelofGHGemissions.Therefore,project‐generatedGHGemissionswouldnotconflictwiththeStategoalslistedinAB32orinanyprecedingstatepoliciesadoptedtoreduceGHGemissions.Thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.




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VIII.HazardsandHazardousMaterials




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials?

b. Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment?

c. Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithinone‐quartermileofanexistingorproposedschool?

d. BelocatedonasitethatisincludedonalistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5and,asaresult,woulditcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment?

e. Belocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,bewithintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,andresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?

f. Belocatedwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstripandresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?

g. Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan?

h. Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands?

Regulatory Setting

Stateagenciesacceptdelegationoffederalresponsibilityfortheadministrationofhazardousmaterialsandhazardouswastemanagement.ThePorter‐CologneWaterQualityControlActallowstheStateWaterResourcesControlBoard(SWRCB)andtheRWQCBtoacceptimplementationandresponsibilityfortheCWA.TheHazardousWasteControlActof1977,andrecentamendmentstoitsimplementingregulations,hasgiventheDepartmentofHealthServices(DHS)theleadroleinadministeringtheResourceConservationandRecoveryAct(RCRA)program.




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State and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regulations

PursuanttotheOccupationalSafetyandHealthActof1970,thefederalOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA)hasadoptednumerousregulationspertainingtoworkersafety,containedintheCodeofFederalRegulationsTitle29(29CFR).Theseregulationssetthestandardsforsafeworkpracticesandworkplaces,includingstandardsrelatingtothehandlingofhazardousmaterials.

CaliforniaOSHA(Cal/OSHA)regulationsaregenerallymorestringentthanfederalOSHAregulationsandaredetailedinTitle8oftheCaliforniaCodeofRegulations(CCR).

Merced County Certified Unified Program Agency

TheMercedCountyCertifiedUnifiedProgramAgency(CUPA)isresponsibleforhazardousspillsofsubstancessuchasheavymetals,pesticides,andherbicides.TheCUPAisalsoresponsibleforregulatoryoversightofinvestigationsandcleanupsatsitesimpactedbysubstancesotherthanpetroleumproductsfromundergroundstoragetanks.


TheMercedCountyGeneralPlanSafetyElementandOpenSpaceandConservationElementprovideguidingandimplementinggoalsandpoliciesregardinghazardsandhazardousmaterials.

Goal5:Theriskofinjuryandpropertydamageresultingfromwildlandandurbanfiresisminimized.


Policy16:SitesidentifiedbytheStateDepartmentofHealthServicesandthelocalHealthDepartmentasspillsitesorhazardouswastesitesshallnotbeconsideredfordevelopmentapprovals,unlesscleanupoccurspriortoorispartofsaiddevelopment.

Existing Conditions

AsearchforhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5wasconductedusingthedatabasescontainedattheCal/EPACorteselistdataresourceswebsite(CaliforniaEnvironmentalProtectionAgency2011).Theresultsofthedatabasesearchindicatethatonehazardousmaterialssite,theWashingtonDairyProperty,islocatedapproximately0.25milesouthoftheproposedprojects.Soilcontaminationfromgasolinewasreportedatthisfacility,whichiscurrentlylistedontheLUSTcleanupdatabaseas“cleanupcompletedandcaseclosed”asofJune5,1995(StateWaterResourcesControlBoard2011).

Nootherknownregulatedorunregulatedhazardouswastegenerators,leakingtankspills,toxicspills,orothersitesaffectingtheenvironmentareintheproposedprojectareas.TheprojectsitesarenotlistedasSuperfundorotherNationalPrioritiesList(NPL)sites.

ThenearestschooltotheprojectsistheElNidoElementarySchool(375CulbertsonDrive),approximately1.5milesnorthwestfromtheproposedprojectsites.

ThenearestairporttotheprojectareasisChowchillaMunicipalAirport,locatedapproximately6mileswestoftheprojectsites,andthenearestprivateairstripisEmmettFieldlocatedapproximately2.5milessouthwestoftheprojectsites.




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AccordingtotheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection(CDFFP)MercedCountyNaturalHazardDisclosure(Fire)map,theproposedprojectsitesarenotlocatedinafirehazardregion(CaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection2000).

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Constructionoftheproposedprojectswouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.However,becausestandardconstructionbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)wouldbeimplementedtoreducetheemissionsofpollutantsduringconstructionoftheproposedprojects,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.Anypotentiallycontaminatedareasencounteredduringconstructionwouldbeevaluatedbyaqualifiedhazardousmaterialspecialist.

Onceconstructioniscomplete,therewouldbenofurtheruseofhazardousmaterialsorpotentialexposureassociatedwiththeprojects.Dielectricfluidtobeusedintransformersisbiodegradable,containsnoPCBsandisnotconsideredahazardousmaterial.Therewouldbenoimpactduringprojectoperation.

Checklistitem:b

Theprojectscouldcreateahazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentduringconstruction.Smallquantitiesofpotentiallytoxicsubstances(suchaspetroleumandotherchemicalsusedtooperateandmaintainconstructionequipment)wouldbeusedintheprojectareasandtransportedtoandfromtheareaduringconstruction.Thehandlingandtransportofallhazardousmaterialsonsitewouldbeperformedinaccordancewithapplicablelawsandregulations.Theuseofthesesubstancesisnotexpectedtocreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetoraccident.Impactswouldbelessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:c

ThenearestschoolistheElNidoElementarySchool,approximately1.5milesnorthwestoftheproposedprojectsites.Therefore,theproposedprojectswillnotemithazardousemissionsorhandlehazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschoolandthereisnoimpact.

Checklistitem:d

TheprojectsitesarenotlocatedonsitesthatareincludedinalistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5.Therefore,theprojectswouldnotresultinasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughexposuretosuchsites.Therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:e

Theproposedprojectsitesarelocatedmorethan6mileswestoftheChowchillaMunicipalAirportandoutsideanyairportland‐useplanorsafetyzone.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.




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Checklistitem:f

Thenearestprivateairstrip,EmmettField,islocatedapproximately2.5milessouthwestoftheproposedprojectsites.Theprojectsarenotwithinanyairportland‐useplanorsafetyzone.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:g

Noemergencyresponseplanshavebeenidentifiedthatincludetheprojectsitesorwhichcouldbeaffectedbytheproposedprojects.Duringpeakconstructiontime,itisestimatedthattherewillbeapproximately40workersandvehiclesonsiteaswellasuptosixdeliveryvehiclesperday.Thisamountofpersonnelandadditionaltrafficisnotanticipatedtoaffectlocalroadswithemergencyaccesstoandinthevicinityoftheprojectsites.Noroadclosuresordetourswillberequired.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpacttoanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.

Checklistitem:h

AccordingtotheMercedCountyGeneralPlanSafetyElement,theproposedprojectsitesarelocatedinaLocalResponseArea(LRA)whichisdefinedasan“areaservicedbytheMercedCountyFireDepartment,”andinwhichfirehazardsarereducedbecauseoffirepreventionmeasures.Inaddition,theCDFFPMercedCountyNaturalHazardDisclosure(Fire)map(CaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection2000),showstheproposedprojectsitesarenotlocatedinafirehazardregion.Therewouldbenoimpactassociatedwithwildlandfires.




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IX.HydrologyandWaterQuality




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Violateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirements?

b. Substantiallydepletegroundwatersuppliesorinterferesubstantiallywithgroundwaterrecharge,resultinginanetdeficitinaquifervolumeoraloweringofthelocalgroundwatertablelevel(e.g.,theproductionrateofpre‐existingnearbywellswoulddroptoalevelthatwouldnotsupportexistinglandusesorplannedusesforwhichpermitshavebeengranted)?

c. Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamannerthatwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationonsiteoroffsite?

d. Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,orsubstantiallyincreasetherateoramountofsurfacerunoffinamannerthatwouldresultinfloodingonsiteoroffsite?

e. Createorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff?

f. Otherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterquality?

g. Placehousingwithina100‐yearfloodhazardarea,asmappedonafederalFloodHazardBoundaryorFloodInsuranceRateMaporotherfloodhazarddelineationmap?

h. Placewithina100‐yearfloodhazardareastructuresthatwouldimpedeorredirectfloodflows?

i. Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingflooding,includingfloodingasaresultofthefailureofaleveeordam?

j. Contributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow?




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Regulatory Setting

Federal

Clean Water Act

ImportantapplicablesectionsofthefederalCWA(33USC1251–1376)include:

Sections303and304providewaterqualitystandards,criteria,andguidelines.

Section401requiresanapplicantforanyfederalpermitthatproposesanactivitythatmayresultinadischargetowatersoftheUnitedStatestoobtaincertificationfromthestatethatthedischargewillcomplywithotherprovisionsofCWA.CertificationisprovidedbytheRWQCB.

Section402establishestheNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES),apermittingsystemforthedischargeofanypollutant(exceptfordredgedorfillmaterial)intowatersoftheUnitedStates.ThispermitprogramisadministeredbytheCentralValleyRWQCB.Theproposedprojectswouldhaveafootprintgreaterthan1acre.Asaresult,itwillbenecessarytoobtainanNPDESGeneralConstructionPermitpriortoanyconstructionactivities.OnerequirementforanNPDESpermitisthedevelopmentandimplementationofaStormwaterPollutionPreventionPlan(SWPPP)thatprovidesBMPstopreventthedischargeofpollutantsandsedimentsintoreceivingwaters.

Section404establishespermitprogramsforthedischargeofdredgedorfillmaterialintowatersoftheUnitedStates.ThispermitprogramisadministeredbytheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers.

State

Porter‐Cologne Water Quality Act

TheStateofCalifornia’sPorter‐CologneWaterQualityControlAct(CaliforniaWaterCode,Section13000etseq.)providesthebasisforwaterqualityregulationinCalifornia.TheactrequiresaReportofWasteDischarge(ROWD)foranydischargeofwaste(liquid,solid,orotherwise)tolandorsurfacewatersthatmayimpairabeneficialuseofsurfaceorgroundwaterofthestate.Basedonthereport,theRWQCBsissuewastedischargerequirementstominimizetheeffectofthedischarge.

Report of Waste Discharge

TheROWDispursuanttoCaliforniaWaterCodeSection13260.Section13260statesthatpersonsdischargingorproposingtodischargewastethatcouldaffectthequalityofthewatersofthestate,otherthanintoacommunitysewersystem,mustfileanROWDcontaininginformationthatmayberequiredbytheappropriateRWQCB.

Local


TheOpenSpaceandConservationElementoftheMercedCountyGeneralPlanaddresseswaterqualityissuesandflooding.


Policy2:Watershedswhicharenecessaryforthereplenishmentofreservoirsandaquifersshouldbeprotectedandpreserved.




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Policy5:Ensurethatlandusesanddevelopmentonornearwaterresourceswillnotimpairthequalityorproductivecapacityoftheseresources.

Policy6:Methodstopreventthedepletionofgroundwaterresourcesandpromotetheconservationandreuseofwatershouldbeencouraged.

Goal4:MercedCountyresidentsandstructuresprotectedfromharmfuleffectsofflooding.

Policy1:InformationprovidedbytheFederalEmergencyManagementAgencyshallbeusedtoidentifyareassubjectto100‐yearfrequencyfloods.

Existing Conditions

TherearefourgroundwatersubbasinsinMercedCounty:Turlock,Merced,Chowchilla,andDelta‐Mendota.TheprojectsitesarelocatedwithintheMercedSubbasin,whichliesbetweentheMercedRivertothenorthandtheChowchillaRivertothesouth.ThebasinisboundedbycrystallinerocksoftheSierraNevadaMountainstotheeastandtheSanJoaquinRivertothewest.

ThethreesubbasinsinMercedCountyeastoftheSanJoaquinRiver(Turlock,Merced,andChowchilla)containfreshwaterbodies.Eachofthesesubbasinsissplitintothreedifferentwaterbodies:anunconfinedaquifer,asemi‐confinedaquifer,andaconfinedaquifer.Differentiationbetweentheunconfined,semi‐confined,andconfinedaquifersisaresultoftheCorcoranClaywithintheTulareFormation.

GroundwaterflowintheMercedSubbasinistothewest/southwest,towardstheSanJoaquinRiver.Ingeneral,groundwaterdepthsareshallowestneartheSanJoaquinRiverandincreasetotheeast,assurfaceelevationincreases.

GroundwaterelevationsfortheareawereestimatedbasedonDWRdatafromwellsinthevicinity,andrangesfrom60to120feetbelowgroundsurface(MercedCounty2005).Theareaexperiencesoverdraftconditions(MercedCounty2000).

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Noengineeredstormwatermanagementsystemisproposedforeithersite.Whiletheoveralltopographyisfairlyflat,thelackofastormwatersystemcreatesthepotentialforuncontrolledstormwaterflowstoleavethesiteandcarrysedimentandotherpollutantsoffsiteandintosurfaceorgroundwatersources.However,becausetheprojectswillresultinmorethan1acreofdisturbance,itmustobtaincoverageundertheNPDESGeneralConstructionPermitfromtheRWQCB,whichwillincludethepreparationofaSWPPP.ThiswillentailimplementingpollutionpreventionmeasuresandBMPsandwouldmakethisimpactlessthansignificant.

Panelwashingwilltakeplacetwiceayear.Waterfrompanelwashingisexpectedtobeabsorbedintothegroundandwillnotcontainanyhazardoussubstances.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:b

AccordingtotheMercedCountyGeneralPlan,theprojectsitesareinanareathatexperiencesproblemswithoverdraftofgroundwater.Theproposedprojects,twosolarfarms,wouldwithdrawamaximumof600gallonsofgroundwaterperday.Anyandalldischargesofwastewaterwillbeto




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anonsitesepticsystem.Theproposeduseofthepropertiesassolarfarmsisexpectedtodemandlesswaterthanthecurrentagriculturaluse,resultinginlessoverdraft.Noimpactisexpected.

Checklistitems:candd

Theoveralltopographyofbothprojectsitesisfairlyflat,androadsidedrainageditchesarepresentatvariouslocationsadjacenttotheproperties.PermanentdrainageandfillingofthewastewaterpondontheCalSPXIsiteasplannedisnotexpectedtoresultinanychangestodrainagepatterns.Therefore,whilegradingisproposed,itisnotexpectedtosubstantiallyalterthedrainagepatternsofeithersite.Therearenostreamsorriverswithinoradjacenttotheprojectsites.Noimpactisanticipated.

Checklistitem:e

Thoughnoengineeredstormwatermanagementsystemisproposedforeithersite,normaloperationoftheprojectsisnotexpectedtoresultinexcessiverunoff.Panelwashing,whichwilltakeplacetwiceayear,wouldresultinwaterabsorbedintotheground.Additionally,thiswaterwillcontainonlydustfromwashingthepanels.ASWPPPwillbepreparedtoensurethatcontaminantsarecontainedduringconstruction.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:f

Operationofthesolarfarmsisnotexpectedtoresultinthepotentialtodegradewaterqualitybecausetherewouldbelimiteduseofwater.AnypotentialimpactsduringconstructionwouldbeavoidedbytheimplementationoftheSWPPP.Therefore,thisimpactislessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:g

TheprojectsitesarelocatedwithinanareathatisdesignatedbyFEMAasFloodZoneX,outsideofthe100‐yearfloodzone.Additionally,nohousingisproposedaspartoftheprojects.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:h

Theprojectsitesarenotlocatedinthe100‐yearfloodzoneandthereforenostructureswouldbeconstructedinthefloodzonetoimpedeorredirectfloodflows.Therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:i

Theprojectsitesarenotlocatedwithinaninundationzonethatwouldexposepeopleorstructurestosignificantrisksinvolvingfloodingasaresultoffailureofadamorlevee.Therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:j

Theprojectsitesarenotlocatednearabodyofwaterwhichcouldgenerateseicheortsunamieffects.Thesiteislevelandthereforeisnotsubjecttomudflows.Therewouldbenoimpact.




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X.LandUseandPlanning




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Physicallydivideanestablishedcommunity?

b. Conflictwithanyapplicablelanduseplan,policy,orregulationofanagencywithjurisdictionovertheproject(including,butnotlimitedto,ageneralplan,specificplan,localcoastalprogram,orzoningordinance)adoptedforthepurposeofavoidingormitigatinganenvironmentaleffect?

c. Conflictwithanyapplicablehabitatconservationplanornaturalcommunityconservationplan?

Regulatory Setting


TheMercedCountyGeneralPlandesignationfortheprojectsitesisagricultural.TheMercedCountyGeneralPlanLandUseElementliststhefollowingapplicableguidingpolicy.

Goal1:Alandusepatternwhichenhancestheintegrityofbothurbanandruralareas.

Existing Conditions

Theprojectsareinaruralagriculturalareacurrentlyzonedforagriculture.Therearescatteredresidencesinthevicinityoftheprojectsapproximately1.5milessoutheastoftheruralcommunityofElNido.

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Thesolarfarmssitesarelocatedinanagriculturalareawithscatteredresidences,whichdoesnotconstituteacommunity,perse.Additionally,theprojectswouldnotcreateanyphysical,transportation,orlandusebarriersorotherwisedivideordisruptthephysicalarrangementofanexistingcommunity.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:b

Theproposedprojectswouldremoveagriculturallandfromuseandwouldresultinpropertylineadjustments.Whiletheproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwithplanpoliciesthatencouragetheuseofrenewableenergy,itisinconsistentwithpoliciesthatseektopreservevaluableagriculturalland.Itispossible,therefore,thatthiscouldconstituteasignificantimpactandthisissuewillbefurtheraddressedintheEIR.ThepropertylineadjustmentwouldresultinthecreationofanA‐1




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zoneminimumsizedparcelof20acres,containingtwohousesandmiscellaneousfarmbuildings.ThismayaffectfuturelandusepatternsintheareaandwillbestudiedfurtherintheEIR.

Checklistitem:c

Therearenoadoptedhabitatconservationplansornaturalcommunityconservationplanswithinorinthevicinityoftheprojectareas.TheproposedprojectswouldnotconflictwiththeOpenSpace/ConservationElementofthe2000MercedCountyGeneralPlan.Therewouldbenoimpact.




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XI.MineralResources




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Resultinthelossofavailabilityofaknownmineralresourcethatwouldbeofvaluetotheregionandtheresidentsofthestate?

b. Resultinthelossofavailabilityofalocallyimportantmineralresourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplan,orotherlanduseplan?

Regulatory Setting


TheMercedCountyGeneralPlanOpenSpaceandConservationElementliststhefollowingapplicablegoal.


Existing Conditions

MuchofMercedCounty'smineralwealthislocatedinthefoothillareas.Sandandgravelextractionconstitutethemajorportionofthecounty'smineralextractionactivity,intermsofbothquantityofmaterialproducedandthevalueofextractedresource.Themajorityofthecounty,however,consistsofagriculturallands,producedprimarilyfromunconsolidatedsedimentaryrocksandalluvialsedimentsdepositedbyseveralrivertributariesdrainingintotheSanJoaquinRiver.Asaresult,mineralogicaloccurrencesinthecountyarefewerthaninotherareasofthestate.

Theprojectsitesarenotcurrentlyusedforanyminingorothermineralextractionactivities.Theprojectsitesarelocatedinanareaoflowpotentialandrecordedmineralresources(MercedCounty2000).

Impacts

Checklistitems:aandb

Theprojectsitesarenotcurrentlyusedforanyminingorothermineralextractionactivitiesandarelocatedinanareaoflowpotentialandrecordedmineralresources.Thereisnoimpacttomineralresources.




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XII.Noise




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Exposepersonstoorgeneratenoiselevelsinexcessofstandardsestablishedinalocalgeneralplanornoiseordinanceorapplicablestandardsofotheragencies?

b. Exposepersonstoorgenerateexcessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels?

c. Resultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?

d. Resultinasubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?

e. Belocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanarea,or,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairportandexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?

f. Belocatedinthevicinityofaprivateairstripandexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?

Noise Fundamentals

Noiseiscommonlydefinedasunwantedsoundthatannoysordisturbspeopleandpotentiallycausesanadversepsychologicalorphysiologicaleffectonhumanhealth.Becausenoiseisanenvironmentalpollutantthatcaninterferewithhumanactivities,evaluationofnoiseisnecessarywhenconsideringtheenvironmentalimpactsofaproposedproject.

Soundismechanicalenergy(vibration)transmittedbypressurewavesoveramediumsuchasairorwater.Soundischaracterizedbyvariousparametersthatincludetherateofoscillationofsoundwaves(frequency),thespeedofpropagation,andthepressurelevelorenergycontent(amplitude).Inparticular,thesoundpressurelevelisthemostcommondescriptorusedtocharacterizetheloudnessofanambient(existing)sound.Althoughthedecibel(dB)scale,alogarithmicscale,isusedtoquantifysoundintensity,itdoesnotaccuratelydescribehowsoundintensityisperceivedbyhumanhearing.Thehumanearisnotequallysensitivetoallfrequenciesinthesoundspectrum,sonoisemeasurementsareweightedmoreheavilyforfrequenciestowhichhumansaresensitive.Theprocessiscalled“A‐weighting,”writtenas“dBA,”andreferredtoas“A‐weighteddecibels”.Table10providesdefinitionsofsoundmeasurementsandotherterminologyusedinthischapter,andTable11summarizestypicalA‐weightedsoundlevelsfordifferentnoisesources.




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Table 10. Definition of Sound Measurements

SoundMeasurements Definition

Decibel(dB) Aunitlessmeasureofsoundonalogarithmicscale,whichindicatesthesquaredratioofsoundpressureamplitudetoareferencesoundpressureamplitude.Thereferencepressureis20micro‐pascals.

A‐WeightedDecibel(dBA) Anoverallfrequency‐weightedsoundlevelindecibelsthatapproximatesthefrequencyresponseofthehumanear.

MaximumSoundLevel(Lmax) Themaximumsoundlevelmeasuredduringthemeasurementperiod.

MinimumSoundLevel(Lmin) Theminimumsoundlevelmeasuredduringthemeasurementperiod.

EquivalentSoundLevel(Leq) Theequivalentsteadystatesoundlevelthatinastatedperiodoftimewouldcontainthesameacousticalenergy.

Percentile‐ExceededSoundLevel(Lxx) Thesoundlevelexceeded“x”percentofaspecifictimeperiod.L10isthesoundlevelexceeded10percentofthetime.

Day‐NightLevel(Ldn) TheenergyaverageoftheA‐weightedsoundlevelsoccurringduringa24‐hourperiod,with10dBaddedtotheA‐weightedsoundlevelsoccurringduringtheperiodfrom10:00p.m.to7:00a.m.

CommunityNoiseEquivalentLevel(CNEL)

TheenergyaverageoftheA‐weightedsoundlevelsoccurringduringa24‐hourperiodwith5dBaddedtotheA‐weightedsoundlevelsoccurringduringtheperiodfrom7:00p.m.to10:00p.m.and10dBaddedtotheA‐weightedsoundlevelsoccurringduringtheperiodfrom10:00p.m.to7:00a.m.

PeakParticleVelocity(PeakVelocityorPPV)

Ameasurementofgroundvibrationdefinedasthemaximumspeed(measuredininchespersecond)atwhichaparticleinthegroundismovingrelativetoitsinactivestate.PPVisusuallyexpressedininches/sec.

Frequency:Hertz(Hz) Thenumberofcompletepressurefluctuationspersecondaboveandbelowatmosphericpressure.




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Table 11. Typical A‐Weighted Sound Levels

CommonOutdoorActivities NoiseLevel(dBA) CommonIndoorActivities

110 Rockband

Jetflyoverat1,000feet

100

Gaslawnmowerat3feet

90

Dieseltruckat50feetat50mph Foodblenderat3feet

80 Garbagedisposalat3feet

Noisyurbanarea,daytime

Gaslawnmower,100feet 70 Vacuumcleanerat10feet

Commercialarea Normalspeechat3feet

Heavytrafficat300feet 60

Largebusinessoffice

Quieturbandaytime 50 Dishwasherinnextroom

Quieturbannighttime 40 Theater,largeconferenceroom(background)

Quietsuburbannighttime

30 Library

Quietruralnighttime Bedroomatnight,concerthall(background)

20

Broadcast/recordingstudio

10

0

Source:Caltrans2009.

Ingeneral,humansoundperceptionissuchthatachangeinsoundlevelof1dBcannottypicallybeperceivedbythehumanear,achangeof3dBisjustnoticeable,achangeof5dBisclearlynoticeable,andachangeof10dBisperceivedasdoublingorhalvingthesoundlevel.

Differenttypesofmeasurementsareusedtocharacterizethetime‐varyingnatureofsound.Thesemeasurementsincludetheequivalentsoundlevel(Leq),theminimumandmaximumsoundlevels(LminandLmax),percentile‐exceededsoundlevels(suchasL10,L20),theday‐nightsoundlevel(Ldn),andthecommunitynoiseequivalentlevel(CNEL).LdnandCNELvaluesdifferbylessthan1dB.Asamatterofpractice,LdnandCNELvaluesareconsideredtobeequivalentandaretreatedassuchinthisassessment.

Forapointsourcesuchasastationarycompressororconstructionequipment,soundattenuatesbasedongeometryatarateof6dBperdoublingofdistance.Foralinesourcesuchasfreeflowingtrafficonafreeway,soundattenuatesatarateof3dBperdoublingofdistance(Caltrans2009).Atmosphericconditionsincludingwind,temperaturegradients,andhumiditycanchangehowsoundpropagatesoverdistanceandcanaffectthelevelofsoundreceivedatagivenlocation.Thedegreetowhichthegroundsurfaceabsorbsacousticalenergyalsoaffectssoundpropagation.Soundthattravelsoveranacousticallyabsorptivesurfacesuchasgrassattenuatesatagreaterratethan




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soundthattravelsoverahardsurfacesuchaspavement.Theincreasedattenuationistypicallyintherangeof1to2dBperdoublingofdistance.Barrierssuchasbuildingsandtopographythatblockthelineofsightbetweenasourceandreceiveralsoincreasetheattenuationofsoundoverdistance.

Vibration

Operationofheavyconstructionequipment,particularlypiledrivingandotherimpactdevicessuchaspavementbreakers,createsseismicwavesthatradiatealongthesurfaceoftheearthanddownwardintotheearth.Thesesurfacewavescanbefeltasgroundvibration.Vibrationfromoperationofsuchequipmentcanresultineffectsrangingfromannoyanceofpeopletodamagetostructures.Varyinggeologyanddistancewillresultindifferentvibrationlevelscontainingdifferentfrequenciesanddisplacements.Inallcases,vibrationamplitudeswilldecreasewithincreasingdistance.

Perceptiblegroundbornevibrationisgenerallylimitedtoareaswithinafewhundredfeetofconstructionactivities.Asseismicwavestraveloutwardfromavibrationsource,theyexcitetheparticlesofrockandsoilthroughwhichtheypassandcausethemtooscillate.Theactualdistancethattheseparticlesmoveisusuallyonlyafewten‐thousandthstoafewthousandthsofaninch.Therateorvelocity(ininchespersecond)atwhichtheseparticlesmoveisthecommonlyaccepteddescriptorofthevibrationamplitude,referredtoasthepeakparticlevelocity(PPV).

Table12summarizestypicalvibrationlevelsgeneratedbyconstructionequipment(FederalTransitAdministration2006).

Table 12. Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment

Equipment PPVat25feet

Piledriver(impact) 0.644to1.518

Piledrive(sonic/vibratory) 0.170to0.734

Vibratoryroller 0.210

Hoeram 0.089

Largebulldozer 0.089

Caissondrilling 0.089

Loadedtrucks 0.076

Jackhammer 0.035

Smallbulldozer 0.003

Source:FederalTransitAdministration2006.

Vibrationamplitudeattenuatesoverdistanceandisacomplexfunctionofhowenergyisimpartedintothegroundandthesoilconditionsthroughwhichthevibrationistraveling.Thefollowingequationcanbeusedtoestimatethevibrationlevelatagivendistancefortypicalsoilconditions(FederalTransitAdministration2006).PPVrefisthereferencePPVfromTable12.

PPV=PPVrefx(25/Distance)1.5

Table13summarizesguidelinevibrationannoyancepotentialcriteriasuggestedbyCaltrans(CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation2004).




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Table 13. Guideline Vibration Annoyance Potential Criteria

HumanResponse

MaximumPPV(in/sec)

TransientSourcesContinuous/FrequentIntermittentSources

Barelyperceptible 0.04 0.01

Distinctlyperceptible 0.25 0.04

Stronglyperceptible 0.9 0.10

Severe 2.0 0.4

Source:CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation2004.Note:Transientsourcescreateasingleisolatedvibrationevent,suchasblastingordropballs.

Continuous/frequentintermittentsourcesincludeimpactpiledrivers,pogo‐stickcompactors,crack‐and‐seatequipment,vibratorypiledrivers,andvibratorycompactionequipment.

Table14summarizesguidelinevibrationdamagepotentialcriteriasuggestedbyCaltrans(CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation2004).

Table 14. Guideline Vibration Damage Potential Criteria

StructureandCondition

MaximumPPV(in/sec)

TransientSourcesContinuous/FrequentIntermittentSources

Extremelyfragilehistoricbuildings,ruins,ancientmonuments

0.12 0.08

Fragilebuildings 0.2 0.1

Historicandsomeoldbuildings 0.5 0.25

Olderresidentialstructures 0.5 0.3

Newresidentialstructures 1.0 0.5

Modernindustrial/commercialbuildings 2.0 0.5

Source:CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation2004.Note:Transientsourcescreateasingleisolatedvibrationevent,suchasblastingordropballs.

Continuous/frequentintermittentsourcesincludeimpactpiledrivers,pogo‐stickcompactors,crack‐and‐seatequipment,vibratorypiledrivers,andvibratorycompactionequipment.

Merced County Noise Standards

TheMercedCountyGeneralPlanNoiseElementidentifieslandusecompatibilitystandardsforresidentialuseexposedtonoise.Therearestandardsfortransportationsources(trafficonpublicroadways,railroadlineoperationsandaircraftinflight)and“other”sources.Thestandardsforothersourcesareasfollows:

Daytime(7:00a.m.to10:00p.m.)

HourlyLeqof55dBAandamaximumlevelof75dBA

Nighttime(10:00p.m.to7:00a.m.)

HourlyLeqof45dBAandamaximumlevelof65dBA




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Merced County Code

ThenoisestandardsoftheMercedCountyCode(Code18.41.070)applytounincorporatedareasofMercedCounty.Noisegeneratedbymechanicalequipment,buzzers,bells,loudspeakersorothernoisegeneratingdevicesshallcomplywiththenoisestandardsbelowatanyboundarylineoftheparcel,exceptfireprotectiondevices,burglaralarmsandchurchbells.Thefollowinggeneralplanstandardsforunacceptablenoiselevelsshallapply.

A. Iftheproposeduseisadjacenttopropertythatiszonedforresidentialuse,themaximumnoiselevelshallnotexceed65dBALdnor75dBALmaxatthepropertyline.

B. Iftheproposeduseisadjacenttoaparcelthatisnotzonedforresidentiallanduse,themaximumnoiselevelatthepropertylineshallnotexceed70dBALdnor80dBALmaxatthepropertyline.

C. Themaximumnoiselevelforusesreceivingnoiseshallbe65dBALdnforusesinResidentialZonesand70dBALdnforInstitutional,Commercial,Industrial,andAgriculturalZones.

Elevated Noise Level during Construction

Duringconstruction,thenoiselevelmaybetemporarilyelevated.Tominimizetheimpact,allconstructioninoradjacenttourbanareasshallimplementthefollowingproceduresfornoisecontrol.

Constructionhoursshallbelimitedtothedaytimehoursbetween7a.m.and6p.m.

Allconstructionequipmentshallbeproperlymuffledandmaintained.

CodeSection10.60.030–Soundlevellimitations–providesfurther:

Nopersonshallcause,suffer,allow,orpermittheoperationofanysoundsourceonpropertyoranypublicspaceorpublicright‐of‐wayinsuchamannerastocreateasoundlevelthatexceedsthebackgroundsoundlevelbyatleast10dBAduringdaytimehours(7a.m.to10p.m.)andbyatleast5dBAduringnighttimehours(10p.m.to7a.m.)whenmeasuredatorwithintherealpropertylineofthereceivingproperty,whichshallconstituteanoisedisturbance,provided,however,thatifthebackgroundsoundlevelcannotbedetermined,theabsolutesoundlevellimitssetforthinTable15,MaximumPermissibleNoiseLevels,providedthatifthesoundsourceinquestionisapuretone,thelimitsofTable15shallbereducedby5dBA.

Table 15. Maximum Permissible Noise Levels of Merced County Code

ResidentialProperty(dBA) NonresidentialProperty(dBA)

65Ldnor75Lmax 70Ldnor80Lmax

B. ThefollowingareexemptfromthesoundlevellimitsofSection10.60.030(A):

1. Noisefromemergencysignalingdevices.

2. Noisefromanexteriorburglaralarmofanybuildingprovidedsuchburglaralarmshallterminateitsoperationwithinfiveminutesofitsactivation.

3. Noisefromdomesticpowertools,lawnmowers,andagriculturalequipmentwhenoperatedbetween7a.m.and8p.m.onweekdaysandbetween8a.m.and8p.m.onweekendsandlegalholidays,providedtheygeneratelessthan85dBAatorwithinanyrealpropertylineofaresidentialproperty.




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4. Soundfromchurchbellsandchimeswhenapartofareligiousobservanceorservice.

5. Noisefromconstructionactivity,providedthatallconstructioninoradjacenttourbanareasshallbelimitedtothedaytimehoursbetween7a.m.and6p.m.,andallconstructionequipmentshallbeproperlymuffledandmaintained.

Sensitive Land Uses

Noise‐sensitivelandusesarelanduseswherepeopleresideorlocationswherethepresenceofunwantednoisecouldadverselyaffecttheuseoftheland.Noise‐sensitivelandusestypicallyincluderesidences,hospitals,andschools.Thereareseveralruralresidenceslocatedneartheperimeterofprojectareas.

Existing Ambient Noise Environment

Theexistingnoiseenvironmentintheprojectareascanbecharacterizedbythearea’sgenerallevelofdevelopment.Thelevelofdevelopmentandambientnoiselevelstendtobecloselycorrelated.Areaswhicharenoturbanizedarerelativelyquiet,whileareaswhicharemoreurbanizedarenoisierasaresultofroadwaytraffic,industrialactivities,andotherhumanactivities.Table16summarizestypicalambientnoiselevelsbasedonlevelofdevelopment.Giventheruralnatureoftheprojectareas,ambientnoiselevelsareexpectedtobeintherangeof40to50Ldn.

Table 16. Population Density and Associated Ambient Noise Levels

dBA,LdnRural 40–50

SmallTownorquietsuburbanresidential 50

Normalsuburbanresidential 55

Urbanresidential 60

Noisyurbanresidential 65

Verynoisyurbanresidential 70

Downtown,majormetropolis 75–80

Areaadjoiningfreewayornearmajorairport 80–90

Source:HooverandKeith2000.

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Construction

Constructionforeachsolarfacilitywouldtakeplaceinasinglephasethatisexpectedtolastapproximately6monthsforCALSPXand8monthsforCALSPXI.Asstatedintheprojectdescription,constructionworkhourswillbeMondaythroughSaturdaybetween7a.m.and6p.m.Constructionoftheprojectswillgenerallyincludethefollowingsteps.

Removalofexistingstandpipesandpowerpoles.

Vegetationclearing.

Minorgrading.




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Installationofgravelroads.

Trenchingforinstallationofelectricalconduits.

Backfillandcompactionoftrenches.

Installationofperimeterfence,undergroundcables,thesepticsystem,andconcreteslabsforstructures.

DrivingofPVpanelsupportspostswithvibratorypiledriver.

Constructionoftransformerandcontrolbuildings.

Table17listsequipmentthatisexpectedtobeusedalongwithtypicalnoiselevelsreportedintheFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA)RoadwayConstructionNoiseModel(FederalHighwayAdministration2006).Lmaxsoundlevelsat50feetareshownalongwiththetypicalacousticusefactor.Theacousticusefactoristhepercentageoftimeeachpieceofconstructionequipmentisassumedtobeoperatingatfullpower(i.e.,itsloudestcondition)duringconstructionoperationandisusedtoestimateLeqvaluesfromLmaxvalues.ForexampletheLeqvalueforapieceofequipmentthatoperatesatfullpower50%ofthetime(acousticalusefactorof50)is3dBlessthantheLmaxvalue.

Table 17. Typical Construction Noise Emission Levels

EquipmentReferenceEquipmentfromFHWA2006

TypicalNoiseLevel(Lmax)a

AcousticalUseFactor

TypicalNoiseLevel(Leq)

Backhoe Backhoe 78 40 74

Trackloader Frontendloader 79 40 75

Compactor Compactor 83 20 76

Dumptruck Dumptruck 76 40 72

Skidsteerloader Frontendloader 79 40 75

35‐toncrane Crane 81 16 73

Forklift10,000–15,000pounds Pickuptruck 75 40 71

Bushhog Tractor 84 40 80

Farmtractor Tractor 84 40 80

Trencher Excavator 81 40 77

Piledriver(vibratory) Vibratorypiledriver 101 20 94

Dieselweldingmachine Welder 74 40 70

Source:FederalHighwayAuthority2006.a dBA,A‐weighteddecibellevel,measuredat50feet.

Areasonableworstcasenoiseconditionforgeneralconstructionactivity(excludingpiledriving)isthatacompactor,tractor,andtrencherwouldalloperateatthesametime.Thiswouldresultinacombinednoiselevelof82dBA‐Leqat50feet.Thenearestresidencesarelocatedwithinabout100feetofwheregeneralconstructionactivitywilloccur.Basedonpointsourceattenuationof6dBperdoublingofdistancethismeansthatresidencescouldbeexposedtogeneralconstructionnoiseofabout76dBA‐Leq.Drivingofsupportpostscouldoccurwithinabout175feetofthenearestresidences.Piledrivingnoisecouldthereforebeabout83dBA‐Leqatthenearestresidences.Because




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constructionactivitywillbelimitedtobetween7a.m.and6p.m.whenconstructionnoiseisexemptfromcountynoisestandards,constructionactivitywillnotexceedcountynoisestandards.

Operation

Photovoltaicsolarplantsingeneraldonotcreatemuchnoise.Sourcesofnoiseincludeoperationofthetrackingmotorsthatareusedtorotatethepanelstofollowthesun,andoperationoftheinverterbuildings.Anynoiseproducedbythemotorsortheinverter/transformerswouldbelimitedtodaytimehourswhenthesolararraysaregeneratingelectricity.

Thesoundlevelthatwouldbeproducedbythespecifictrackermotorstobeusedontheseprojectsisnotknown.However,InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC)regulationIEC60034‐9limitstheA‐weightedsoundpowerlevelofsolartrackermotorstotherangeof85–90dBA.Asoundpowerlevelof90dBAcorrespondstoasoundpressurelevelof58dBAat50feet.OntheCalSPXsite,nomorethantwomotorswouldoperateatanygiventime.OntheCalSPXIsite,nomorethanfourmotorswouldoperateatthesametime(Worthingtonpers.comm.).Assumingthisandasourcelevelof58dBAat50feet,propertylinenoiselevelshavebeencalculatedbasedontheshortestdistancestothepropertyline.Table18summarizestheanalysis.

Table 18. Summary of Predicted Property Line Motor Sound Levels

ProjectSite LocationNearestDistancetoMotors(feet)

SoundLevelatPropertyLine(dBA)

TotalSoundLevel(dBA)

CalSPX North,west,southside 250 44.1 47.1 250 44.1 CalSPX Eastside 300 42.5 45.5 300 42.5 CalSPXI Northside 175 47.2 51.5 300 42.5 175 47.2 300 42.5 CalSPXI Westside 190 46.5 51.2

275 43.2 190 46.5 275 43.2 CalSPXI Southside 200 46.0 49.2 325 41.8 325 41.8 350 41.2 CalSPXI Eastside 225 45.0 49.9 300 42.5 225 45.0 300 42.5 Notes: CalSPXsiteonly2motorsoperateconcurrently. CalSPIXsite4motorsoperateconcurrently.




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TheresultsinTable18indicatethatthemotorswillnotresultinnoisethatexceedstheCounty’sdaytimenoisestandardof55dBA.

Inverterbuildingstypicallyemitasoundlevelofabout65dBAat10feet(BureauofLandManagement2010).Basedontheproposedprojectslayouts,theclosestinverterbuildingcouldbeabout200feetfromthenearestpropertyline.Atthisdistancethenoiselevelwoulddroptolessthan40dBA,wellbelowtheCountydaytimenoisestandardof55dBA.

Twiceayearthesolarpanelswillneedtobecleaned.Five5,000gallonwatertruckswillbeusedtobringinwater.Waterwilllikelybepumpedthroughhosestowashthepanels.Thesoundlevelpotentiallyproducedbythisoperationisnotknown.However,usingsounddatafromacarwashasaproxymeasurementindicatesthatthewashingoperationcouldproduceasoundlevelofabout68dBAat50feet.Withthenearestresidencesabout100feetfromwherewashingcouldoccur,thisnoiselevelwouldreduceto62dBA.Washingwouldbeatemporaryoperation.Conservativelyassumingthatexposureatthislevelwouldbeabout10minutes,thehourlyLeqwouldbe54dBAwhichislessthantheCountystandardof55dBA.

TheforegoinganalysisindicatesthatoperationofthefacilitywillnotresultinnoisethatexceedsCountynoisestandards.Theimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:b

Table19summarizesageneralestimateofgroundvibrationfromtypicalconstructionequipmentatseveraldistancesbasedonmethodsspecifiedinFederalTransitAdministration2006.

Table 19. Vibration from Construction Equipment

EquipmentPPVat25feet

PPVat50feet

PPVat75feet

PPVat100feet

PPVat175feet

Piledriver(sonic/vibratory) 0.734 0.2595 0.1413 0.0918 0.0396

Largebulldozer 0.089 0.0315 0.0171 0.0111 0.0048

Loadedtrucks 0.076 0.0269 0.0146 0.0095 0.0041

Jackhammer 0.035 0.0124 0.0067 0.0044 0.0019

Smallbulldozer 0.003 0.0011 0.0006 0.0004 0.0002

Source:FederalTransitAdministration2006.

Theneareststructurescouldbeabout100feetfromthenearestgeneralconstructionactivityandabout175feetfromvibratorypiledrivinglocations.TheresultsinTable19indicatethatvibrationfromgeneralconstructionwouldbelessthanabout0.01inch/secandvibrationfrompiledrivingwouldbelessthanabout0.04inches/sec,whichwouldbebarelyperceptiblebasedonguidanceinTable13andwouldnotposeadamageriskbasedonguidanceinTable14.Theprojectsthereforearenotconsideredtoresultinexposureofpeopleorstructurestoexcessivegroundvibration.Theimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:c

Withpropertylinenoiselevelspredictedtobelessthan55dBAduringdaytimehours(seeItema.)analysis),permanentoperationalnoiseisnotexpectedtoincreaseambientnoiselevelsbymorethan10dB.Theimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.




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Checklistitem:d

Withpredictedpropertylinenoiselevelsfromconstructionintherangeof76to83dBA‐Leqconstructionnoisecouldincreasethebackgroundnoiselevelby10dBAduringdaytimehours.However,becauseconstructionactivitywillbelimitedtobetween7a.m.and6p.m.whenconstructionnoiseisexemptfromCountynoisestandards,constructionisnotconsideredtoresultinasubstantialincreaseinnoise.Theimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:e

Theproposedprojectsitesarenotlocatedwithin2milesofanairportoraprivateairstripandwouldnotexposepeopletoexcessiveairportnoise.Noimpactwouldoccur.

Checklistitem:f

Theproposedprojectsitesarenotlocatedwithin2milesofanairportoraprivateairstripandwouldnotexposepeopletoexcessiveairportnoise.Noimpactwouldoccur.




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XIII.PopulationandHousing




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Inducesubstantialpopulationgrowthinanarea,eitherdirectly(e.g.,byproposingnewhomesandbusinesses)orindirectly(e.g.,throughextensionofroadsorotherinfrastructure)?

b. Displaceasubstantialnumberofexistinghousingunits,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?

c. Displaceasubstantialnumberofpeople,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?

Regulatory Setting


TheMercedGeneralPlanHousingElementaddresseshousingissues;however,therearenogoalsorpoliciesthatpertaintotheproposedprojects.

Existing Conditions

Theprojectsitesarelocatedapproximately1.5milessoutheastofthecommunityofElNido.ElNidoisdesignatedasaSpecificUrbanDevelopmentPlanArea(SUDP)inthegeneralplan(MercedCounty2000:I‐7).Accordingtothe2000Census,from1990to2000thepopulationofMercedCountyincreasedfrom178,403to210,554withthesixcitiesgrowingby22%,andtheunincorporatedareapopulationincreasingby11%(MercedCounty2000:VI‐27).

Theprojectsarenotlikelytoresultinanydirectpopulationgrowthbecausetheiroperationswillemploynomorethanfourfull‐timeemployees.TheCalSPXIsitecurrentlyincludesasingle‐familyresidencewhichwillremainandbeoccupiedafterapropertylotlineadjustmentcreatesanew20‐acreparcelthatwillcontaintheexistingresidenceanddairybuildings.

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Theproposedprojectswillrequirenomorethanfouremployeesandwillnotcontributetoasubstantialpopulationincrease.Thereisnoimpact.

Checklistitems:bandc

Thereisnodisplacementorrelocationofresidencesassociatedwiththeprojects.Onesingle‐familyresidencecurrentlylocatedontheCalSPXIsitewillremainandbeoccupied.Thereisnoimpact.




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XIV.PublicServices




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Resultinsubstantialadversephysicalimpactsassociatedwiththeprovisionofneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentalfacilitiesoraneedforneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentalfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentalimpacts,inordertomaintainacceptableserviceratios,responsetimes,orotherperformanceobjectivesforanyofthefollowingpublicservices:

Fireprotection?

Policeprotection?

Schools?

Parks?

Otherpublicfacilities?

Regulatory Setting


TheMercedCountyGeneralPlanSafetyElementaddressespublicservices;however,therearenogoalsorpoliciesthatpertaintotheprojects.

Existing Conditions

Theproposedprojectsaretwosolargenerationfacilitiesemployingapproximatelyfourpeopletotal,andarenotexpectedtoresultinasubstantialincreaseinpopulation.Assuch,demandsonpublicservicesasaresultofprojectoperationsareexpectedtobeminimal.

FireprotectionservicesfortheprojectsitesareprovidedbytheMercedCountyFireDepartment.Theneareststation(Station83)isinthecommunityofElNido,approximately1.5milesnorthwestoftheprojectsites.Theprojectsarelocatedinanareaconsideredlowhazardforwildlandfires(CaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection2000).

PoliceprotectionservicesareprovidedtotheprojectareasbytheMercedCountySheriff’sDepartment.ThemainstationisinthecityofMerced,approximately17milesnortheastoftheprojectsites(MercedSheriff’sDepartmentnd.).

ThenearestschoolistheElNidoElementarySchoolandispartoftheElNidoSchoolDistrict.Itislocatedapproximately1.5milesnorthwestoftheproposedprojectsites.

TheMercedCountyParksandRecreationDepartmentmanagesparkfacilitiesintheCounty.Therearenoparkswithin2milesoftheprojectsites.




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Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Fire Protection

Theprojectsaresolargenerationfacilitieswithnomorethanfouremployeesonsite.Eachfacility’sinfrastructureincludes,inpart,photovoltaicpanels,anofficebuilding,andinverterbuildings.Maintenanceofbothfacilitieswillincludeweedabatement.Duetothenatureofthefacilitiesaspreviouslydescribed,itisexpectedthattheprojectswillnecessitateonlyamarginalincreaseinfireprotectionservices.Therefore,impactstofireprotectionservicesarelessthansignificant.

Police Protection

Thenatureofthefacilityandthelownumberofemployeesonsitewillnotrequireasubstantialincreaseinpoliceprotectionservices.Securityfencingandlightingwillbeinstalledalongtheperimeteroftheproperties.Therefore,impactstopoliceprotectionservicesarelessthansignificant.

Schools

Theprojectsaresolargenerationfacilitiesemployingnomorethanfourpeopleanddonotincludethedevelopmentofanynewhousingthatcouldresultinanincreaseinpopulation.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpactonschools.

Parks

Theprojectsdonotincludethedevelopmentofanynewhousingthatcouldresultinanincreaseinpopulationrequiringadditionalparks.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpactonparks.

Other Public Facilities

Thedemandforotherpublicservicessuchaslibrariesandhealthcarefacilitieswillnotincreaseasaresultoftheseprojects.Maintenanceoftheproposedprojectswouldbetheresponsibilityoftheprojectproponent.Therefore,theproposedprojectswouldhavealess‐than‐significantimpactonpublicfacilities.




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XV.Recreation




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Increasetheuseofexistingneighborhoodandregionalparksorotherrecreationalfacilitiessuchthatsubstantialphysicaldeteriorationofthefacilitywouldoccurorbeaccelerated?

b. Includerecreationalfacilitiesorrequiretheconstructionorexpansionofrecreationalfacilitiesthatmighthaveanadversephysicaleffectontheenvironment?

Regulatory Setting


RecreationisaddressedinthefollowinggoalfromtheMercedCountyGeneralPlanOpenSpaceandConservationElement.


Existing Conditions

TheMercedCountyParksandRecreationDepartmentmanagesrecreationalactivitiesandparkfacilitiesinthecounty.Therearenoneighborhoodorregionalparksorrecreationalfacilitieswithin2milesoftheprojectareas.

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Theproposedprojectsarenotanticipatedtocreateademandforparksorrecreationalfacilities.Theconstructionoftheprojectswilluselocallaborandwillnotresultinadditionalusers.Theoperationoftheprojectsisexpectedtoinvolvefourfulltimeemployees,whowilllikelyalreadybearearesidents.Therefore,noincreaseduseofparksisanticipatedandthereisnoimpact.

Checklistitem:b

Theproposedprojectsdonotincluderecreationalfacilities,noraretheyanticipatedtoresultinanincreaseddemandforsuchfacilities.Therefore,thereisnoimpact.




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XVI.Transportation/Traffic




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Conflictwithanapplicableplan,ordinance,orpolicyestablishingmeasuresofeffectivenessfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystem,takingintoaccountallmodesoftransportation,includingmasstransitandnon‐motorizedtravelandrelevantcomponentsofthecirculationsystem,including,butnotlimitedto,intersections,streets,highwaysandfreeways,pedestrianandbicyclepaths,andmasstransit?

b. Conflictwithanapplicablecongestionmanagementprogram,including,butnotlimitedto,level‐of‐servicestandardsandtraveldemandmeasuresorotherstandardsestablishedbythecountycongestionmanagementagencyfordesignatedroadsorhighways?

c. Resultinachangeinairtrafficpatterns,includingeitheranincreaseintrafficlevelsorachangeinlocationthatresultsinsubstantialsafetyrisks?

d. Substantiallyincreasehazardsbecauseofadesignfeature(e.g.,sharpcurvesordangerousintersections)orincompatibleuses(e.g.,farmequipment)?

e. Resultininadequateemergencyaccess?

f. Conflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprogramsregardingpublictransit,bicycleorpedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuchfacilities?

Regulatory Setting

LevelofService(LOS)isameasureoftrafficoperatingconditionsthatrangesfromLOSA(free‐flowconditions)toLOSF(over‐capacityconditions).CriteriaforLOSforintersectionsareshowninTable20below.




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Table 20. Intersection Level of Service Thresholds

LevelofService

SignalizedIntersectionControlDelay(sec/veh)a

UnsignalizedIntersectionControlDelay(sec/veh)a GeneralDescription

A 0–10.0 0–10.0 Littletonocongestionordelays

B 10.1–20.0 10.1–15.0 Limitedcongestion;shortdelays

C 20.1–35.0 15.1–25.0 Somecongestionwithaveragedelays

D 35.1–55.0 25.1–35.0 Significantcongestionanddelays

E 55.1–80.0 35.1–50.0 Severecongestionanddelays

F >80.0 >50.0 Totalbreakdownwithextremedelays

Source:HighwayCapacityManual,Chapter16(SignalizedIntersections)andChapter17(UnsignalizedIntersections),TransportationResearchBoard2000.

a Controldelayincludesinitialdecelerationdelay,queuemove‐uptime,stoppeddelay,andaccelerationdelay

Existing Conditions

Theprojectareasarelocatedinarural,agriculturalarea.Roadsinthevicinityoftheprojectareasaregenerallypavedtwolaneroadsthatarenotheavilytravelledandareclassifiedas“local”(MercedCounty2000).Theareaisnotservedbypublictransportationandnosidewalksorbikelanesarepresent.A“principalarterial,”Highway59,islocatedapproximately1.5mileseastoftheprojectsites.Tworoadsclassifiedas“majorcollectors”neartheprojectsitescompriseEastSandyMushRoadlocatedapproximately4milesnorthandAvenue23,locatedapproximately2milessouthoftheprojectsites.LOS"C"hasbeenidentifiedinMercedCountyastheacceptablepeakperiodlevel‐of‐serviceforroadwayslocatedwithinruralareasofthecounty.

EastGrantRoad,OrchardRoad,andArborWayarelocalroadsthatprovidedirectaccesstotheprojectlocations.EastGrantRoadisatwolaneroadthatrunseast‐westalongthenorthernboundariesoftheprojectsites.OrchardRoadisatwo‐lanenorth‐southroadthatborderstheCalSPXsitetothewest.ArborWayisatwo‐lane,north‐southroadthatborderstheCalSPXIsitetotheeast.

Constructionoftheproposedprojectsisexpectedtolastapproximately8monthsandwouldtakeplaceinasinglephase.Thedailypeakconstructionlaborforcewouldbeapproximately40personnelandvehicles.Sixdeliveryvehiclesareexpectedonanygivenday.Parkingforconstructionandemployeevehicleswillbeprovidedontheprojectsites.

Operationoftheproposedprojectswillrequirenomorethanfouremployees.

Impacts

Checklistitem:aandb

Theprojectsitesareinaruralarea,surroundedprimarilybyrurallanduses.Sincetheprojectswillrequirenomorethanfouremployees,theiroperationwouldnotresultinanymeasurableadditionalvehiclemilestraveled.Twiceayear,watertruckswouldaccessthesitetoprovidewaterforwashingpanels.Panelwashingatbothfacilitiesisexpectedtoresultinfewerthan10tripsfor5,000‐gallonwatertruckstwiceayear.Duringconstruction,theprojects’contributiontoincreasedtrafficwouldbetemporaryandminor.Thenumberofvehicletripsgeneratedperdayduringconstructionis




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relativelylow,andwouldinclude6trucktripsperdayforeachsolarfarm.Constructiontrafficisnotexpectedtoaffecttheexistingtrafficcapacityoftheroadwaysystem.Therefore,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:c

ThenearestpublicairporttotheprojectareasisChowchillaMunicipalAirport,locatedapproximately6mileswestoftheprojectsites,andthenearestprivateairstripisEmmettFieldlocatedapproximately2.5milessouthwestoftheprojectsites.Theprojectsarenotwithinanyairportland‐useplanorsafetyzoneandwillnotaffectanyairtrafficpatterns.Therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:d

Theproposedprojectswouldnotchangeexistingandplannedroadways,andtherearenoexistinghazardsaffectingtheprojects.Theprojectswouldnotincreasehazardsorbeincompatiblewithcurrentuses.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.

Checklistitem:e

TheproposedprojectswouldcomplywithapplicableregulationsestablishedbytheMercedCountyFireDepartment.TheFireDepartment’sparticipationintheconditionalusepermitapprovalprocessaswellastheprojectproponent’scompliancewithapplicableregulationswillensurethatadequateemergencyaccesswillbeavailable.Therefore,theprojectswillnotresultininadequateemergencyaccess.Thereisnoimpact.

Checklistitem:f

Theprojectswouldnotaffectanypolicies,plans,orprogramssupportingpublictransit,bicycleorpedestrianfacilities.Therewouldbenoimpact.




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XVII.UtilitiesandServiceSystems




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. ExceedwastewatertreatmentrequirementsoftheapplicableRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard?

b. Requireorresultintheconstructionofnewwaterorwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesorexpansionofexistingfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentaleffects?

c. Requireorresultintheconstructionofnewstormwaterdrainagefacilitiesorexpansionofexistingfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentaleffects?

d. Havesufficientwatersuppliesavailabletoservetheprojectfromexistingentitlementsandresources,orwouldneworexpandedentitlementsbeneeded?

e. Resultinadeterminationbythewastewatertreatmentproviderthatservesormayservetheprojectthatithasadequatecapacitytoservetheproject’sprojecteddemandinadditiontotheprovider’sexistingcommitments?

f. Beservedbyalandfillwithsufficientpermittedcapacitytoaccommodatetheproject’ssolidwastedisposalneeds?

g. Complywithfederal,state,andlocalstatutesandregulationsrelatedtosolidwaste?

Regulatory Setting


TheMercedCountyGeneralPlanCirculationElementaddressesutilitiesandservicesystems.Itincludesthefollowingpertinentgoalsandpolicy.

Goal3:Anadequatesystemforthetransmissionanddistributionofenergy,water,andinformation.

Policy1:Electrical,gas,crudeoilandcommunicationtransmissionanddistributionlinesshouldparallelmajorroadsorrailssystems.

Policy2:Newtransmissionanddistributionlinesshallbeencouragedwithinexistingutilityeasementsandrights‐of‐ways.




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Existing Conditions

Theproposedprojectswillbeservicedbyanonsitesepticsystemateachfacility.Becauseofthelimitednumberofpersonnel,nosolidwasteisexpectedandwastewatergeneratedisexpectedtobelessthan100gallonsperday.

TheprojectsincludeupgradingequipmentatthePG&EElNidosubstationinordertoincreasethereliabilityofthegridoverall.Thiswouldconsistofreplacingswitchesandcircuitbreakerswithtelemetryswitching.AllimprovementswilltakeplacewithinthefencedareaofthesubstationbyPG&Epersonnel.

Totalwaterconsumptionincludingpanelwashingprogramsforthetwosolarfarmswillbeapproximatelythesameasfortwo3‐personresidentialhomes.Deionizedwaterneededtowashthesolarpanelswouldbebroughtinfromanoutsidelocationtwiceperyear.Totalfacilitywateruseisexpectedtobelessthan300gallonsperdayateachsolarfarm.Limitedquantitiesofgroundwaterfromtheproposedprojectsiteswillbeusedintheoperationofthefacilities.

TheprojectareasareservedbyGiltonSolidWasteManagement,whichoffersbothresidentialandcommercialservicesintheprojectareas.AnysolidwastegeneratedbytheprojectswouldbetakentotheGiltonTransferStationinModesto.Themajorityofsolidwastegeneratedbytheprojectswilloccurduringconstruction.

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Theproposedprojectswillbeservicedbyanonsitesepticsystemateachfacility.Theprojectswillthereforenotexceedwastewatertreatmentrequirements.Thereisnoimpact.

Checklistitem:b

Theproposedprojectswillbeservicedbyonsitesepticsystemswithadequatecapacitiesandwouldnotcreateanyneedforneworexpandedfacilitiestotreatwaterorwastewater.Therefore,thereisnoimpact.

Checklistitem:c

Increasedstormwaterrunoffresultingfromtheproposedprojectswillbecapturedbyexistingstormwatersystems(i.e.,drainageditches)thataresufficienttocaptureincreasedstormwaterfromtheproposedprojects.Thisimpactislessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:d

Asdescribedabove,theestimatedamountofwaterforoperationoftheproposedprojectsisnotconsideredsubstantialandwouldnotrequireneworexpandedresources.Thiswouldbealess‐than‐significantimpact.

Checklistitem:e

Wastewatergeneratedbytheprojectswillbedischargedtothesepticsystemthatwillbeinstalledatprojectconstruction.Nooffsitewastewatertreatmentproviderwillbenecessary.Thereisnoimpact.




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Checklistitem:f

Solidwastegeneratedbyconstructionoftheprojectswouldconsistmostlyofconstructionwaste.GiltonSolidWasteManagementwouldhandlesolidwastedisposalusingpermittedlandfills.Thiswouldbeatemporary,one‐timeimpact.Operationoftheprojectswouldnotresultinanysubstantialsolidwastedisposalneeds.Therefore,theimpactwouldbeconsideredlessthansignificant.

Checklistitem:g

Theproposedprojectswouldcomplywithallfederal,stateandlocallawsandregulationsrelatedtothedisposalofsolidwaste.Therewouldbenoimpact.




ICF 00618.11

XVIII.MandatoryFindingsofSignificance




NoImpact

a. Doestheprojecthavethepotentialtodegradethequalityoftheenvironment,substantiallyreducethehabitatofafishorwildlifespecies,causeafishorwildlifepopulationtodropbelowself‐sustaininglevels,threatentoeliminateaplantoranimalcommunity,substantiallyreducethenumberorrestricttherangeofarareorendangeredplantoranimal,oreliminateimportantexamplesofthemajorperiodsofCaliforniahistoryorprehistory?

b. Doestheprojecthavethepotentialtoachieveshort‐termenvironmentalgoalstothedisadvantageoflong‐termenvironmentalgoals?

c. Doestheprojecthaveimpactsthatareindividuallylimitedbutcumulativelyconsiderable?(“Cumulativelyconsiderable”meansthattheincrementaleffectsofaprojectareconsiderablewhenviewedinconnectionwiththeeffectsofpastprojects,theeffectsofothercurrentprojects,andtheeffectsofprobablefutureprojects.)

d. Doestheprojecthaveenvironmentaleffectsthatwillcausesubstantialadverseeffectsonhumanbeings,eitherdirectlyorindirectly?

Impacts

Checklistitem:a

Theprojectsmayresultinimpactsonwildlifespeciesortheirhabitat.ThiswillbeaddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:b

Basedontheanalysispresentedinthisdocument,theprojectswouldachieveshort‐termgoals(productionofsolarenergy),whilepotentiallyconflictingwithlong‐termenvironmentalgoals(preservationofproductiveagriculturalland).Giventhepotentialforthisimpacttooccur,itwillbeaddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:c

Theprojectswillnotcontributetocumulativelyconsiderableimpactsongeologyandsoils,greenhousegasemissions,hazardsandhazardousmaterials,hydrologyandwaterquality,noise,populationandhousing,publicservices,recreation,transportationandtraffic,orutilitiesandservicesystems.However,becausetherearepotentialimpactsonaesthetics,agriculturalresources,




ICF 00618.11

biologicalresources,culturalresources,andlanduseandplanning,theseimpactswillbeaddressedintheEIR.

Checklistitem:d

Theanalysistodateindicatesthattheprojectswouldnothaveenvironmentaleffectsthatwouldcausesubstantialadverseeffectsonhumanbeing,directlyorindirectly.However,theremaybeimpactsonaesthetics,agriculturalresources,biologicalresources,culturalresources,andlanduseandplanning,whichwillbeaddressedintheEIR.




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Personal Communications

Siong,Patia.AirQualityPlanner.SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict,Modesto,CA.September13,2011—E‐mailwithShannonHatcherofICFInternationalregardingDustControlPlantosatisfyRegulationVIII,useofRule9510asCEQAmitigation,andVoluntaryEmissionReductionAgreementasCEQAmitigation.

Worthington,Robert.DirectDirectorofDevelopment.SolarpackDevelopment,Inc.November4,2011—E‐mailmessagetoShahiraAshkar,ICFInternational.

Appendix A Air Quality Calculations

Appendix A: Air Quality Calculations Construction Activity Assumptions

blue: information from project description red: assumption B

ackhoe w/ 24" bucket

Track loader

Compactor

Dump truck

Skid steer loader

35‐ton crane

Forklift

Bush hog

Tren

cher

Pile driver

Diesel w

elding machine

Water Truck

Construction Activities ‐ CAL SP XI

Duration (Days) Start Date End Date

Soil Import (CY)

Soil Export (CY)

Employees per day

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hrs/day

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hrs/day

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Drain and Fill Dairy Pond (Disposal of wastewater) 18 12/30/2012 1/17/2013 10000 0 28 1 8 1 8 3 8 1 8 1 8

Removal of stand pipes and power poles 7 1/5/2013 1/12/2013 0 0 3 1 8 1 8

Clear vegetation from area* 14 1/10/2013 1/24/2013 1000 0 24 2 8 2 8 1 8 1 8 1 8

Drainage and minor grading* (with watering for dust control) 14 1/20/2013 2/3/2013 500 0 3 1 8 1 8 1 8 1 8 4 8

Installation of Gravel Roads* 21 2/1/2013 2/22/2013 10600 0 7 1 8 1 8 1 8

Installation of Solar Panels 125 2/20/2013 6/25/2013 0 0 40 1 8 1 8 2 8 2 8 3 8

Trenching for electrical conduits* 60 5/25/2013 7/24/2013 0 0 20 2 8 2 8 1 8 3 8 1 8

Building Construction 10 7/20/2013 7/30/2013 0 0 20 1 8 1 8

For ALL Construction Activities 269 22100 0 8 4 5 8 2 1 3 1 3 2 3 7

Assume: Construction activity occurs 6 days a week (Mon‐Sat) from 7am to 6pm.

*SITE IS BALANCED FOR MATERIAL ON SITE (NO EXPORT) ONLY IMPORT OF POND FILL OR ROAD BASE AND SURFACE MATERIAL

Construction Activities ‐ CAL SP X

Duration (Days) Start Date End Date

Soil Import (CY)

Soil Export (CY)

Employees per day

qty

hrs/day

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hrs/day

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hrs/day

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hrs/day

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hrs/day

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hrs/day

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hrs/day

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hrs/day

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hrs/day

Removal of stand pipes and power poles 7 12/30/2012 1/6/2013 0 0 7 1 8 1 8 1 8 1 8

Clear vegetation from area* 14 1/4/2013 1/18/2013 500 0 14 2 8 1 8 1 8 1 8

Drainage and minor grading* (with watering for dust control) 7 1/18/2013 1/25/2013 300 0 14 1 8 2 8 1 8 1 8 4 8

Installation of Gravel Roads* 14 1/25/2013 2/8/2013 7233 0 21 1 8 1 8 1 8

Installation of Solar Panels 95 2/5/2013 5/11/2013 0 0 40 1 8 1 8 1 8 2 8 2 8 3 8

Trenching for electrical conduits* 40 5/11/2013 6/20/2013 0 0 20 2 8 2 8 1 8 2 8 1 8

Building Construction 10 6/20/2013 6/30/2013 0 0 20 1 8 1 8

For ALL Construction Activities 187 8033 0 8 4 4 5 2 1 3 1 2 2 3 6

Assume: Construction activity occurs 6 days a week (Mon‐Sat) from 7am to 6pm.

*SITE IS BALANCED FOR MATERIAL ON SITE (NO EXPORT) ONLY IMPORT OF ROAD BASE AND SURFACE MATERIAL

General Construction Activity Assumptions CAL SP X CAL SP X1 Source

Will there be construction of irrigation systems for low vegetation?

No No Assumption

Total number of acres disturbed. (acres) 58 117 Project Description

Maximum # of acres disturbed/phased per day (acres)

5 5 Assumption

Miles per truck roundtrip (mi) 20 20 URBEMIS assumption

Solar Panel Delivery Emissions (Construction Phase)

CAL SPX CAL SPXI Source

Days of deliveries (assumption) 95 125 Assumption

Number of Deliveries per day (roundtrips) 6 6 Solar Pack

Miles per round trip 200 200 Solar Pack

Total Project VMT 114000 150000 Calculation

Estimated Vehicle Type Heavy Duty Truck

Heavy Duty Truck

EMFAC2007

EMFAC Outputs ROG NOx CO PM10 PM2.5

Grams/mi 0.71 10.05 4.03 0.34 0.32

CAL SPX panel delivery emissions (grams) 80370 1145928 459192 39102 36024

CAL SPX panel delivery emissions (tons) 0.09 1.26 0.51 0.04 0.04

CAL SPXI panel delivery emissions (grams) 105750 1507800 604200 51450 47400

CAL SPXI panel delivery emissions (tons) 0.12 1.66 0.67 0.06 0.05

TOTAL Project panel delivery emissions (tons)

0.21 2.93 1.17 0.10 0.09

Operational Emissions Assumptions

Operation (life span: 40 years) Water truck

Facility maintenance (requiring major equipment) Days/year qty hrs/day

cleaning PV panels (CAL SP X) 7 5 7

cleaning PV panels (CAL SP X1) 14 5 7

Delivery distance of water use (mi/water truck) (roundtrip) (Both sites) 20

Operation Activity Assumptions

Fulltime employee visits per year 1 on‐site employee working 7 days/week = 365 trips a year.

Maintenance employee visits per year 6 maintenance employees visiting

2 times a year

Documents

CAL SP X AND CAL SP XI GRANT ROAD SOLAR PROJECTS