Section 2.4 Hazards and Hazardous Materials...Agriculture Promotion Project 2.4‐2 February 2017 ICF 0054.15 The primary concerns associated with the release of a hazardous material

Draft Final Environmental Impact Report

Agriculture Promotion Project 2.4‐1

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Section 2.4 Hazards and Hazardous Materials

Thissectiondescribesexistinghazardsandhazardousmaterialsconditionsandtheapplicableregulatoryframework,andassessespotentialimpactsfromhazardsandhazardousmaterialsthatmayresultfromimplementingtheproposedproject.Finally,cumulativeimpactsandmitigationmeasuresthatwouldreducepotentiallysignificanceimpactsareidentified.

2.4.1 Existing Conditions

Thissectionisdividedintodiscussionsofpotentialhazardstopublicsafetyandtheenvironmentrelatedtohazardousmaterials,emergencyresponse,evacuationplans,andwildlandfire.Thissectionalsopresentsinformationonpotentialeffectsfromvectorsourcesastheyrelatetopublichealthandsafety.Thediscussiononhazardsandhazardousmaterialsdescribessiteswithknownhazardousmaterialsissues,siteswithpotentialhazardousmaterialsissues,hazardousmaterialstransportation,hazardousmaterialsdisposal,andhazardousmaterialsreleasethreats.ThediscussiononemergencyresponseandevacuationplansidentifiesoperationsandplansthatexisttoprotectlivesandpropertyintheeventofadisasterwithintheCounty.Thewildlandfiresdiscussionexaminesfirethreathazards,wildlandurbaninterface(WUI)areas,andthehistoryofwildlandfiresintheCounty.

Existingpotentialhazardsandhazardousmaterialswithintheprojectareaaredescribedbelow.

2.4.1.1 Hazardous Materials

TheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,Section25501,definesahazardousmaterialas:

Anymaterialthat,becauseofitsquantity,concentration,orphysicalorchemicalcharacteristics,posesasignificantpresentorpotentialhazardtohumanhealthandsafetyortotheenvironmentifreleasedintotheworkplaceortheenvironment.“Hazardousmaterials”include,butarenotlimitedto,hazardoussubstances,hazardouswaste,andanymaterialthatahandlerortheadministeringagencyhasareasonablebasisforbelievingthatitwouldbeinjurioustothehealthandsafetyofpersonsorharmfultotheenvironmentifreleasedintotheworkplaceortheenvironment.

Hazardousmaterialsarecommoninalmostallaspectsoflife.Theyareuseddailyinhomesandmostbusinesses,butofteninquantitiesthatarenotofconcerntothegeneralpublic.Theyareroutinelyencounteredduringconstructionactivitiesandareusedingreaterquantitiesthatmaybeofpublicconcernatcertainagricultural,commercial,manufacturing,andindustrialactivities.Hazardousmaterialstypicallyrequirespecialhandling,reuse,anddisposalbecauseoftheirpotentialtoharmhumanhealthandtheenvironment.

TheStateofCaliforniadefineshazardousmaterialsorwasteasanytoxic,ignitable,flammable,reactive,and/orcorrosivesubstance(CaliforniaCodeofRegulations[CCR],Title22,Section66261and40CFR261.3).Hazardouswastesaremostcommonlyassociatedwithcertainmanufacturingandindustrialactivitiesandcommercialoperations,includinggasstations,hospitals,chemicalandpaintsuppliers,andretailbusinesses(i.e.,drycleaners).Hazardouswastesalsocanbeaby‐productofdailyoperations,andincludesuchitemsasaerosols,asbestos,batteries,fluorescentlightbulbs,mercury,motoroil,orlead‐basedpaints.

County of San Diego Section 2.4. Hazards and Hazardous Materials



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Theprimaryconcernsassociatedwiththereleaseofahazardousmaterialaretheshort‐andlong‐termeffectsthatexposuremayhaveonthepublic.Specifichealthconcernsdifferbasedonthematerialbutmayincludeasthma,poisoning,skinrashes,andallergicreactions,andalsotheeffectsfromsuchhazardsasfiresandexplosions.Tominimizepotentialimpacts,hazardousmaterialsaregovernedbyregulationsthatrequireproperstorageandhandling,employeeandpublicnoticing,spillcontingencyplanning,business/environmentalmanagementplans,andotheremergencypreventativeandresponsemeasuresnecessarytoensurepublicsafetyandminimizetheriskofaccidentalreleasesandassociatedenvironmentalimpacts.TheseregulationsarediscussedindetailunderSection2.4.2,RegulatorySetting.

2.4.1.2 Hazardous Materials Sites Databases

Thereareanumberofgovernmentdatasourcesavailablethatidentifysitesthatcouldhaveexperiencedareleaseorsupportedtheuseofhazardoussubstancesthatcouldhaveresultedinahazardousconditiononsite.Listedbelowarekeysourcesofdatathatareusedtoidentifyspecificpropertieswithpotentialenvironmentalconditionsand/orhistoricusesofhazardousmaterials.

1. HazardousWasteandSubstancesSitesfromtheCaliforniaEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(CalEPA)DepartmentofToxicSubstancesControl(DTSC)EnviroStorDatabase.

2. LeakingUndergroundStorageTankSitesbycountyandfiscalyearfromtheStateWaterResourcesControlBoard(SWRCB)GeoTrackerDatabase.

3. SolidwastedisposalsitesidentifiedbySWRCBwithwasteconstituentsabovehazardouswastelevelsoutsidethewastemanagementunit.

4. ActiveCeaseandDesistOrdersandCleanupandAbatementOrdersfromtheSWRCB.

5. HazardouswastefacilitiessubjecttocorrectiveactionpursuanttoSection25187.5oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,identifiedbyDTSC.

6. Activeandclosedsolidwastesites(SolidWasteInventorySystem[SWIS]database)maintainedbytheCaliforniaIntegratedWasteManagementBoard(CIWMB).

7. HazardousMaterialsEstablishmentListingmaintainedbytheCounty.

8. SiteAssessmentandMitigation(SAM)CaseListingofcontaminatedsitesthathavepreviouslyorarecurrentlyundergoingenvironmentalinvestigationsand/orremedialactions(maintainedbytheCounty).

9. TheResourceConservationandRecoveryInformationSystem,whichisadatabaseofResourceConservationandRecoveryAct(RCRA)facilitiesthatismaintainedbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).

10. TheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers’listofFormerlyUsedDefenseSites(FUDS).

11. AlistofschoolpropertieswithenvironmentalassessmentsandthefindingsmaintainedbytheDTSCSchoolPropertyEvaluationandCleanupDivision,whichisresponsibleforassessing,investigating,andcleaningupproposedschoolsites.

DatabaseswithsiteslocatedintheunincorporatedCountyarediscussedbelow.SiteslistedintheResourceConservationandRecoveryInformationSystemandtheHazardousMaterialsEstablishmentdatabaseswerenotincludedinthisdiscussionbecauseinformationcontainedinthesedatabasesisrepetitiveofotherdatabases.




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EnviroStor

ThefollowingsitetypesareincludedintheDTSCEnviroStorDatabase:FederalSuperfundSites(NationalPrioritiesList);StateResponse,includingMilitaryFacilitiesandStateSuperfund;VoluntaryCleanup;andSchoolSites.Informationincludessitename,sitetype,status,address,anyrestricteduse(recordeddeedrestrictions),pastuse(s)thatcontaincontaminantsofconcern,potentialenvironmentalmediaaffected,sitehistory,andplannedandcompletedactivities(CountyofSanDiego2007a).IntheCountyofSanDiego,thereareapproximately25siteslistedontheEnviroStorDatabase.

GeoTracker

TheGeoTrackerdatabaseisageographicinformationsystem(GIS)thatprovidesonlineaccesstoenvironmentaldataincludingundergroundfueltanks,fuelpipelines,andpublicdrinkingwatersupplies.GeoTrackercontainsinformationaboutleakingundergroundfueltanks(LUFT)andcanidentifyanddisplayLUFTsiteswithinvariousdistancesofwells.Thisprovidesuserswiththeabilitytoassesspotentialthreatstotheirdrinkingwatersources.GeoTrackeralsohasinformationanddataonnon‐LUFTcleanupprograms,includingSpills‐Leaks‐Investigations‐Cleanupssites,DepartmentofDefense(DOD)sites,andLandDisposalprograms(CountyofSanDiego2007a).Therearemorethan6,800CountysiteslistedintheGeoTrackerdatabase.Ofthesesites,575arelistedasOpen(SWRCB2015).SitesmaybeclosedbytheSWRCBonceitisdeterminedthattheydonotposeathreattohumanhealthandsafety,ortheenvironment.

Active Cease and Desist Orders and Cleanup and Abatement List

ThelistofactiveCeaseandDesistOrdersandCleanupandAbatementOrdersfromtheSWRCBisacompilationof“allceaseanddesistordersissuedafterJanuary1,1986,pursuanttoSection13301oftheWaterCode,andallcleanuporabatementordersissuedafterJanuary1,1986,pursuanttoSection13004oftheWaterCode,thatconcernthedischargeofwastesthatarehazardousmaterials.”Theordersthatareactive,meaningthenecessaryactionshavenotyetbeencompleted,areonthislist.TheSWRCBupdatesthislistbydeletingsiteswhenthereisnolongeranydischargeofwastesand/orwherethenecessarycleanuporabatementactionsweretaken.AtthetimeofpreparingtheEIRtherewereapproximatelysevensiteslocatedwithintheincorporatedCounty,mostofthembeingclosedlandfills(SWRCB2016).

Solid Waste Inventory System Database

TheSWISdatabasecontainsinformationonsolidwastefacilities,operations,anddisposalsitesthroughoutthestate.Thetypesoffacilitiesfoundinthisdatabaseincludelandfills;closeddisposalsites;transferstations;materialsrecoveryfacilities;compostingsites;transformationfacilities;wastetiresites;andconstruction,demolition,andinertdebrisfacilitiesandoperations(CountyofSanDiego2007a).Thereare152facility/sitelistingswithinboththeincorporatedandunincorporatedareasoftheCountythatareunderthejurisdictionoftheCounty’sLocalEnforcementAgency(CalRecycle2015).

County of San Diego Site Assessment and Mitigation Program Case Listing

TheCountySAMProgramiswithintheLandandWaterQualityDivisionoftheCountyofSanDiegoDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth(DEH)andisapplicabletotheentireCounty.ThegoaloftheSAMProgramistoprotecthumanhealth,waterresources,andtheenvironmentwithintheCounty




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byprovidingoversightofassessmentsandcleanupsinaccordancewiththeCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCodeandtheCCR.TheSAM’sVoluntaryAssistanceProgramalsoprovidesregulatoryoversightforenvironmentalreportevaluationandconcurrence(whenappropriate)onprojectspertainingtopropertiescontaminatedwithhazardoussubstances.ForfutureprojectsundertheproposedprojectthatrequirediscretionaryreviewandarelocatedonasitethatisontheSAMlist,theproject’sstatuswouldbeidentifiedandremediationrequirementscoordinatedwiththeDEHSAMprojectmanager.

Formerly Used Defense Sites Listing

FUDSarerealpropertiesthatareunderthejurisdictionoftheSecretaryofDefenseandownedby,leasedby,orotherwisepossessedbytheUnitedStates.FUDSarelocatedthroughouttheUnitedStates,andinmanycases,theownershipofthesepropertieshasbeentransferredtoprivateindividuals,corporations,stateandlocalgovernments,federalagencies,andtribalgovernments.FUDSinclude,butarenotlimitedto,hazardous,toxic,andradioactivewaste;militarymunitions,includingmunitionsconstituents;containerizedhazardous,toxic,andradioactivewaste;buildingdemolitionanddebrisremoval;andpotentiallyresponsiblepartysites(governmentsharesburdenwithprivateentity)(CountyofSanDiego2007a).

Thereareapproximately146FUDSintheCounty,includingFUDSwithinincorporatedcities.ManyFUDShavepotentialhazardouswastecontaminationproblems,suchasdisposalareasandLUFTs.SomeoftheFUDSareassociatedwithmilitaryusessuchasmilitarycampsthatincludedtrooptrainingandbombingranges,disposalareas,LUFT,livemunitionsandexplosives,practicerounds,andunexplodedordnance.Theseunexplodedordnancesposethegreatestsafetyhazardtothepublic.RemediationofFUDSsitesincludeRCRAEmergencyPermitandRemovalActionWorkplan/RemedialActionPlan(RAW/RAP)remediationandexemptionsundertheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,Division20(CountyofSanDiego2007a).

2.4.1.3 Sites with Potential Hazardous Materials Issues

Sitesthathaveexperiencedhistoricaluseofhazardousmaterialscouldcreateapotentialhazardtohumansandtheenvironmentwhenanewlanduseisproposed.Usesproposedundertheprojectwouldbeaccessorytoexistingagriculturaluses.Historiclandusesthathavethepotentialtoresultincurrentsitecontaminationincludeagriculture,burnsites,landfills,formerlyuseddefensesites,andpetroleumstorage.

Historic Agriculture

Agriculturalactivitiesincludetheapplicationoffertilizers,herbicides,andpesticides.Soilscontaminatedbypastagriculturalactivitiesareagrowingconcern,generallybecauseoflandusechangesinvolvingproposedhousingdevelopmentsonformeragriculturallands.Investigationofsuspectedpesticidecontaminationonpropertiesproposedfordevelopmenttypicallyincludessoilsamplinginareaswherematerialswerestored,handled,andmixedinadditiontoidentifyingthehistoricalcropsgrown,pesticidesapplied,andthemethodsofapplication.Theinvestigationandanyremedialactionsrelatedtopesticidecontaminationfocusesontheeliminationofhumanorenvironmentalexposure.Acomplicatedissuerelativetopesticide‐contaminatedsitesishowtheyaretreatedunderexistinghazardoussubstancesregulations.EventhoughtheconcentrationsinsoilmayexceedtheTitle22levelsforahazardouswaste,legallyappliedpesticides(andtheresultingresiduesinsoil)arenotregulatedthesamewayastheothercontaminatedsitesdiscussedbelow.As




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aresult,existingpesticide‐contaminatedsitesarenotrequiredtobeinventoriedandtracked.However,regulationsareinplacetoaddresscontaminatedsiteswhentheyareproposedfordevelopment,toprotectworkersfromhealthrisks,andtoaddressrisksfromtransportingcontaminatedsoiloffsite.Constituentsofconcernatformeragriculturalsitesthatmayposeahumanhealthriskincludeorganochloridepesticidesandmetals(CountyofSanDiego2007a).

Burn Dump Sites

Burnashreferstothedebris,refuse,ash,andash‐contaminatedsoilthatisproducedfromtheopenburningofmunicipalsolidwaste.InSanDiegoCounty,numerousburnashsitesexistfromthetimewhenopenburningwastheprimarymethodusedtodisposeofsolidwaste.Thiswascommonfromthe1900stotheearly1970s.Ashfromtheopenburningofmunicipalsolidwasteisthemostcommon,butnottheonlysourceofburnash.Historically,someopenburningandlowtemperatureincinerationdidoccurwithspecificcommercialwastesstreams,oftendisposedofonsite.Ashfromthesesitescouldhaveverydifferentcharacteristicsfromthoseofmunicipalsolidwaste.Burnashcanbecommingledwithothersolidwastes,includingincompletelyburnedrefuse.

Therearemanyenvironmentalissuesandconcernsregardingthemanagementofburnashsites.Burnashcommonlycontainselevatedconcentrationsofleadandotherheavymetals,oftenatconcentrationsthatrequireittobedisposedofashazardouswaste.Withoutappropriatecare,burnashandburnashcontaminatedsoilhaveapotentialforcausingpublichealthandenvironmentalimpacts.Duringdevelopmentactivitiessoilcontainingburnashmustbeproperlymanagedon‐andoffsite,iftransportedfromthesite.Theprimarypathwaysforpotentialpublichealthandenvironmentalimpactsincludedustmigration,surfaceerosion,andsurfacewatercontamination(CountyofSanDiego2007a).

Landfills

Open,abandoned,andclosedlandfillspresentpotentialissuesrelatedtotheexposureofhumanstohazardswhenaprojectisproposedonornearalandfillsite.Projectsthatproposetheconstructionofbuildingsonlandfillpropertywithin1,000feetofburiedwastearesubjecttospecificrequirementspursuanttothe27CCR21190.Thissectionidentifiesspecificrequirementsfordesignandconstructionsuchthatgasmigrationintobuildingswillnotoccur.Whilethisregulationisonlyapplicabletoprojectslocatedonlandfillproperty(butnotfornon‐landfillproperty),itprovidesusefulguidanceforarangeofconstructiondesignconsiderationsthatmaybeusedtominimizepotentialimpactsfromlandfillgasmigrationwhenprojectsarelocatedwithin1,000feetofburiedwaste.Majorundergroundutilitieswithin1,000feetofalandfillcanalsoactasaconduitforlandfillgas,andshouldbeevaluatedforthisrisk(CountyofSanDiego2007a).

TheCIWMBmaintainsaSWISdatabasethatcontainsinformationonsolidwastefacilities,operations,anddisposalsitesthroughoutthestate.Thetypesoffacilitiesfoundinthisdatabaseincludelandfills,transferstations,materialrecoveryfacilities,compostingsites,transformationfacilities,wastetiresites,andcloseddisposalsites.Itisestimatedthatapproximately50–60ofthesefacilitiesarelocatedintheunincorporatedCounty.

Active Landfills

TherearesevenactivelandfillsintheSanDiegoregionthatservetheresidents,businesses,andmilitaryoperationsofbothincorporatedandunincorporatedareas.TheSycamore,Otay,Ramona,andBorregolandfillsareownedandoperatedbytheprivatewasteservicecompany,AlliedWaste




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Industries.LasPulgasandSanOnofrelandfillsareownedandoperatedbytheU.S.MarineCorps,andtheMiramarLandfillisownedandoperatedbytheCityofSanDiego.TheMarineCorps‐operatedlandfillsarenotavailableforpublicdisposal.

Transfer Stations

SolidwastenotplaceddirectlyinthelandfillsisdepositedtemporarilyinseveralprivatelyoperatedtransferstationsorruralbinsiteslocatedthroughouttheCounty.Theregion’stransferstationsandbinsitesplayavitalroleinaccommodatingthroughputtolandfills,servingascollectionandseparationpointsofsolidwasteandrecyclables.

Inactive Landfills

TheLandfillManagementUnitoftheCountyPublicWorksDepartmentmanagesandmaintains11closedlandfillsthroughouttheCountyandSanDiegoMetropolitanArea,anditmaintainsthegascollectionsystemattheBellJr.HighLandfilllocatedintheCityofSanDiego.Atleastfiveotherclosedlandfillsaremaintainedbyotherparties.Althoughclosedlandfillsitesnolongeracceptsolidwaste,thereisagreatdealofmaintenancerequiredtokeepthemenvironmentallysafe.

Atinactivelandfills,theCountyandothersmonitorlandfillgasandmaintainactivelandfillgascontrolsystems,maintainthesoilcoversystem,monitorgroundwaterqualityandsurfacewater,andemploystormwaterbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)toensurethatclosedlandfillsdonotpollutesurfaceorgroundwaterorposeanexplosionorhealthhazard.

Petroleum Storage Sites

Petroleumhydrocarbonsarethemostcommonlyusedgroupofchemicalsinsocietytoday.Petroleumhydrocarbonsencompassawiderangeofcompounds,includingbutnotlimitedtofuels,oils,paints,drycleaningsolvents,andnon‐chlorinatedsolvents.Thesecompoundsareusedinallfacetsofmodernlifeandcancausesoilandgroundwatercontaminationifnotproperlyhandled.Undergroundstoragetanks(USTs)andabovegroundstoragetanks(ASTs)thatstorepetroleumarecommonsourcesofcontaminationintosoilsandgroundwaterintheCounty.PropertyownerswithUSTsandASTsontheirlandoftenincluderetailerswhosellgasolinetothepublic,suchasservicestationsandconveniencestores,orotherswhousetankssolelyfortheirownneeds,suchasfleetserviceoperatorsoragriculturalusers.

USTsaredefinedbylawas“anyoneorcombinationoftanks,includingpipesconnectedthereto,thatisusedforthestorageofhazardoussubstancesandthatissubstantiallyortotallybeneaththesurfaceoftheground”(exceptionsapply).USTsarecommonsourcesofpetroleumcontaminationintosoilsandgroundwaterandthepresenceofsuchcontaminationistypicallyidentifiedduringremovalofUSTs.LeakingUSTscanresultinvaporintrusionfromvolatileorganiccompoundsandbenzeneintohomeswhenchemicalsseepdownintothesoilandgroundwaterandtravelthroughsoilasvapor.Thesevaporsmaythenmoveupthroughthesoilintonearbybuildingsthroughcracksinthefoundation,contaminatingindoorair.Whilevaporintrusionisuncommon,itshouldbeconsideredwhenthereisaknownsourceofsoilorgroundwatercontaminationnearby.DEHoverseestheinspection,monitoring,andplanreviewofallUSTfacilities.TwodivisionswithinDEHareresponsibleforthesefunctions.TheHazardousMaterialsDivision(HMD)performsannualinspectionsofallregulatedUSTs,planreviewfornewinstallation,repair,upgrade,andclosureofUSTs.TheDEHLandandWaterQualityDivisionisresponsiblefortheinspectionsofallUSTclosures,thereviewofposttankremovalworkplans,allsamplingandanalyses,anddetermination




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ofwhetherareleasehadoccurredandwhetherfurthersiteassessmentisrequired.SanDiegoCountyCode,Title6,Division8,Chapter10,UndergroundStorageofHazardousSubstances,givesDEHtheauthoritytoinspectallregulatedUSTsinSanDiegoCounty.AdditionalinformationaboutDEH’sUSTprogramisavailableinSection2ofDEH’sSiteAssessmentandMitigationManual(CountyofSanDiego2007a).

2.4.1.4 Hazardous Waste Transportation

InCalifornia,unlessspecificallyexempted,itisunlawfulforanypersontotransporthazardouswastesunlessthepersonholdsavalidregistrationissuedbytheDTSC.TheDTSCmaintainsalistofactiveregisteredhazardouswastetransportersthroughoutthestate.TherearefiveregisteredhazardouswastetransporterswithintheunincorporatedareasoftheCounty.Theprocessoftransportinghazardouswasteofteninvolvestransferfacilities.Atransferfacilityisanyfacilitythatisnotanonsitefacilitythatisrelatedtothetransportationofwaste.Thesefacilitiesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,loadingdocks,parkingareas,storageareas,andothersimilarareas.Althoughnotalltransferfacilitiesholdhazardouswaste,anyoperatorofafacilitythatacceptshazardouswasteforstorage,repackaging,orbulkingmustobtainformalauthorizationforthoseactivitiesthroughthehazardouswastepermitprocess.Hazardouswastetransportersareexemptfromstoragefacilitypermitrequirementssolongastheyobservethelimitsonstoragetimeandhandling.

Hazardouswastetransferfacilitiesfallintothreemaincategories.

1. Anexempttransferfacilityoperatedbyaregisteredtransporter.

2. AtransferfacilityoperatingundertheauthorityofanRCRApermit.

3. AtransferfacilityoperatingundertheauthorityofaStandardizedPermit.

Atransferfacilitymaybeeitherpermittedorexempt.Thepermitauthorizestheactivitiesandestablishestheconditionsthatmustbefollowedbytheoperatorofapermittedtransferfacility.

Exemptfacilitiesareownedandoperatedbythetransporterofthewaste.

2.4.1.5 Hazardous Materials Disposal

ThroughtheRCRA,CongressdirectedEPAtocreateregulationsthatmanagehazardouswastefrom“thecradletothegrave.”Underthismandate,EPAhasdevelopedstrictrequirementsforallaspectsofhazardouswastemanagement,includingtherecycling,treatment,storage,anddisposalofhazardouswaste.Facilitiesthatproviderecycling,treatment,storage,anddisposalofhazardouswastearereferredtoastreatment,storage,anddisposalfacilities(TSDFs).RegulationspertainingtoTSDFsaredesignedtopreventthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentandaremorestringentthanthosethatapplytogeneratorsortransporters.WithintheunincorporatedCounty,multipleTSDFsitesexist,suchasthoseownedandoperatedbytheU.S.militaryandSanDiegoGasandElectricCompany.

2.4.1.6 Hazardous Materials Emergency Response

TheCountyofSanDiegoDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth,HazardousIncidentResponseTeam(DEH‐HIRT)consistsof10CaliforniaStateCertifiedHazardousMaterialsSpecialists.Theteamwasfoundedin1981bytheUnifiedDisasterCouncilandisfundedbyaJointPowersAgreement.ThisteamservicesallunincorporatedSanDiegoCountyareas,18municipalities,2militarybases,and5Indianreservations.Thereareover400responsesayearintheDEH‐HIRToperationalarea.DEH‐




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HIRTrespondsjointlywiththeSanDiegoFire‐RescueDepartmentHazardousIncidentResponseTeamtoinvestigateandmitigatehazardousmaterials‐relatedemergenciesorcomplaints.Emergencyresponseactivitiesincludemitigation,containment,controlactions,hazardidentification,andthreatevaluationtothelocalpopulationandtheenvironment.DEH‐HIRTisalsoresponsibleforhandlingallafter‐normal‐business‐hourscomplaintsfortheDEH.RecentDEH‐HIRTincidentsincluderesponsestothe2007firestorm,responsestofiresatfactoriesthatstoreandusehazardousmaterials,andresponsestoaccidentsinvolvingvehiclestransportingfuel,liquidoxygen,pesticides,andotherhazardousmaterials.

2.4.1.7 Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans

Emergencyresponseplansincludeelementstomaintaincontinuityofgovernment,emergencyfunctionsofgovernmentalagencies,mobilizationandapplicationofresources,mutualaid,andpublicinformation.Emergencyresponseplansaremaintainedatthefederal,state,andlocallevelsforalltypesofdisasters,includinghuman‐madeandnatural.Itistheresponsibilityofgovernmentstoundertakeanongoingcomprehensiveapproachtoemergencymanagementinordertoavoidorminimizetheeffectsofhazardousevents.Localgovernmentshavetheprimaryresponsibilityforpreparednessandresponseactivities.

Toaddressdisastersandemergencysituationsatthelocallevel,theUnifiedDisasterCouncil(UDC)isthegoverningbodyoftheUnifiedSanDiegoCountyEmergencyServicesOrganization.TheUDCischairedbyamemberoftheCountyBoardofSupervisorsandiscomposedofrepresentativesfromthe18incorporatedcities.TheCountyOfficeofEmergencyServices(OES)servesasstafftotheUDC.

PotentialhazardsoreventsthatmaytriggeranemergencyresponseactionintheCountyincludeearthquakes,tsunamis,floods,wildlandfires,landslides,droughts,hurricanes,tropicalstorms,andfreezes.Emergencyresponseactionscouldalsobetriggeredbyahazardousmaterialincident;waterorairpollution;amajortransportationaccident;damfailure,water,gas,orenergyshortage;anepidemic;anuclearaccident;oractofdomesticorinternationalterrorism.

Operational Area Emergency Plan

IntheCounty,thereisacomprehensiveemergencyplanknownastheOperationalAreaEmergencyPlan.Stand‐aloneemergencyplansfortheOperationalAreaincludethefollowing.

SanDiegoCountyNuclearPowerPlantEmergencyResponsePlan

SanDiegoCountyOperationalAreaOilSpillContingencyElementoftheAreaHazardousMaterialsPlan

SanDiegoCountyOperationalAreaEmergencyWaterContingenciesPlan

UnifiedSanDiegoCountyEmergencyServicesOrganizationOperationalAreaEnergyShortageResponsePlan

UnifiedSanDiegoCountyEmergencyServicesOrganizationRecoveryPlan

SanDiegoCountyMulti‐JurisdictionalHazardMitigationPlan

SanDiegoUrbanAreaTacticalInteroperableCommunicationsPlan

SanDiegoCountyDraftTerroristIncidentEmergencyResponseProtocol




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Inadditiontotheaboveplans,theOESmaintainsDamEvacuationPlansfortheOperationalArea.Emergencyplansfordamevacuationarenecessarytoplanforthelossoflife,damagetoproperty,displacementofpeople,andotherensuinghazardsthatcanoccurfromdamfailure.Intheeventofdamfailure,damagecontrolanddisasterreliefwouldberequired,andmassevacuationoftheinundationareaswouldbeessentialtosavelives.Damevacuationplanscontaininformationconcerningthephysicalsituation,affectedjurisdictions,evacuationroutes,uniqueinstitutions,andeventresponses.Inaddition,theplansincludeinundationmapsshowingdirectionofflow;inundationareaboundaries;hospitals,schools,andmultipurposestagingareas;commandposts/sites;andmasscareandshelterfacilities/sites.Uniqueinstitutions,asdefinedbytheOES,includethefollowingtypesoffacilities:hospitals,schools,skillednursingfacilities,retirementhomes,mentalhealthcarefacilities,carefacilitieswithpatientsthathavedisabilities,adultandchildcarefacilities,jails/detentionfacilities,stadiums,arenas,andamphitheaters.

San Diego Multi‐Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

TheMulti‐JurisdictionalHazardMitigationPlan(HMP)wasdevelopedwiththeparticipationofalljurisdictionsintheCounty,includingeveryincorporatedcityandtheunincorporatedCounty.Theplanincludesanoverviewoftheriskassessmentprocess,identificationofhazardspresentinthejurisdiction,hazardprofiles,andvulnerabilityassessments.Theplanalsoidentifiesgoals,objectives,andactionsforeachjurisdictionintheCounty.

Hazardsprofiledintheplanincludewildfire,structurefire,floods,coastalstorms,erosion,tsunamis,earthquakes,liquefaction,rain‐inducedlandslides,damfailure,hazardousmaterialsincidents,nuclearmaterialsrelease,andterrorism.Theplansetsforthavarietyofobjectivesandactionsbasedonasetofbroadgoalsincluding:(1)promotingdisaster‐resistantfuturedevelopment;(2)increasingpublicunderstandingandsupportforeffectivehazardmitigation;(3)buildingsupportoflocalcapacityandcommitmenttobecomelessvulnerabletohazards;(4)enhancementofhazardmitigationcoordinationandcommunicationwithfederal,state,local,andtribalgovernments;and(5)reducingthepossibilityofdamageandlossestoexistingassets,particularlypeople,criticalfacilitiesorinfrastructure,andCounty‐ownedfacilitiesduetodamfailure,earthquake,coastalstorm,erosion,tsunami,landslide,flood,structuralfire/wildfire,andman‐madehazard.

Emergency Air Support

Helicoptersandsmallplanesareusedinavarietyofemergencyresponseactions,suchassearchandrescueoperationsandwaterretrievaltoextinguishwildfires.Duringanemergencyresponse,aircrafttendtoflylowtotheground,thusincreasingthepotentialhazardstoaircraftfromtowersandotherobjectswithinairspace.TheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection(CALFIRE)andtheCountySheriff’sDepartmentAerialSupportDetail,AirSupporttoRegionalEnforcementAgencies(ASTREAbasecarryoutemergencyresponseactions.CALFIREisthelargestfiredepartmentinCaliforniaandthethirdlargestfiredepartmentintheUnitedStates.FirefightersworkingforCALFIREareresponsibleforfulfillingtheirmissiontoprovidecomprehensivefireprotectionandotherrelatedemergencyservices,includingprotectionoflifeandproperty.TheCountySheriff’sASTREAoperatesaircraftthroughouttheCountyonadailybasis.Theseaircraftareinvolvedinlawenforcement,searchandrescue,andfire‐relatedmissions.




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2.4.1.8 Wildland Fire Hazards

AvastamountoftheCounty’sundevelopedlandssupportnaturalhabitats,suchasgrasslands,sagescrub,chaparral,andsomeconiferousforest.Inthecontextoffireecology,theseareasareknownaswildlands.FireecologyresearchhasshownthatthenaturalfireregimefortheshrublandsandforestsintheCountywasoneoffrequentsmallfiresandoccasionallargefires.Modernsocietyhasinterruptedandfracturedthenaturalfireprocessbyinitiatingfiresuppressionpolicies,introducinginvasiveplantspeciesthatburnreadily,suchaseucalyptustrees,andbuildinghouseswithinoradjacenttowildlandareas(knownasWUIareas)suchastheCounty’sbackcountry.AlthoughfirescanoccuranywhereintheCounty,firesthatbegininwildlandareasposeaseriousthreattopersonalsafetyandstructuresduetorapidspreadandtheextremeheatthatthesefiresoftengenerate.Pastwildfireshavetakenlives,destroyedhomes,anddevastatedhundredsofthousandsofacresoftheCounty’snaturalresources.

Fire Hazard Potential in the County

CALFIREhasmappedareasofsignificantfirehazardsintheCountythroughtheirFireandResourceAssessmentProgram.ThesemapsplaceareasoftheCountyintodifferentFireHazardSeverityZones(FHSZs)baseduponfuels,terrain,weather,andotherrelevantfactors.ThemajorityoftheunincorporatedareaoftheCountyisStateResponsibilityAreaslands.

TheFHSZsaredividedintothreelevelsoffirehazardseverity:Moderate,High,andVeryHigh.ThemajorityoftheCountyisintheHighandVeryHighFHSZs,exceptfortheDesertandeasternMountainEmpireSub‐regions,whichareintheModerateFHSZ.TherearealsoareasofModerateFHSZsandun‐zonedareasinthemoredenselypopulatedcommunitiesaroundtheCounty.

Wildland Urban Interface

WUIisanareawheredevelopmentislocatedinproximitytoopenspaceorlandswithnativevegetationandhabitatthatarepronetobrushfires.TheWUIcreatesanenvironmentinwhichfirecanmovereadilybetweenstructuralandvegetationfuels.Oncestructuresarebuiltwithinoradjacenttonaturalhabitatsettings,itincreasesthecomplexityoffightingwildlandfires,becausethegoalofextinguishingwildlandfiresisoftensupersededbyprotectinghumanlifeandprivateproperty.Defensiblespaceisaseparationzonebetweenwildlandsandstructuresthatreducesfirespeed,intensity,andflamelengths,andlimitsthespreadofwildfire.Thelossoflivesandpropertyincreasesinareaswherepeopleandstructuresareplacedwithinthewildlandsthatarenaturallysubjecttohighintensityfires

TheWUIiscomposedofcommunitiesthatborderwildlandsorareintermixedwithwildlandsandwheretheminimumdensityexceedsonestructureper40acres.WUIcommunitiesarecreatedwhenthefollowingconditionsoccur:(1)structuresarebuiltatdensitiesgreaterthanoneunitper40acres,(2)thepercentageofnativevegetationislessthan50%,(3)theareaismorethan75%vegetated,and(4)theareaiswithin1.5milesofanareagreaterthanacensusblock(1,325acres).

The1.5‐milebufferdistancewasadoptedaccordingtothe2001CaliforniaFireAlliancedefinitionofvicinity,whichisroughlythedistancethatpiecesofburningwoodcanbecarriedfromawildlandfiretotheroofofastructure(UW2008,ascitedinCountyofSanDiego2011a).




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Wildland Fire History in the County

TheCountyhasalonghistoryofwildlandfires.AsidentifiedinanannualreportproducedbyCALFIRE,WildfireActivityStatistics,theCountyisconsistentlylistedamongthetopfivecountiesinthestateforbothnumberofacresburnedanddollarvalueoffiredamage.IntheCounty,fireseasonistypicallydefinedasoccurringfromMaythroughNovember,dependingonvariationsinweatherconditions.However,thethreatofawildlandfireisalwayspresentandisinfluencedbyweatherconditionsthroughouttheyear.

The2007SanDiegoCountyfirestormswerethesecondlargestinCountyhistory,supersededonlybythedevastatingfirestormsofOctober2003.ThefirestormsstartedonOctober21,2007,neartheUnitedStates–MexicointernationalborderandburnedthroughouttheCountyuntilthelastfirewasfullycontainedonNovember9,2007.Attheheightofthefirestorms,thereweresevenseparatefiresburningintheCounty.Thefiresresultedinsevenciviliandeaths,23civilianinjuries,and89firefighterinjuries.Morethan6,200firepersonnelfoughttocontrolthewildlandfires,butthefiresconsumedapproximately369,000acres,about13%oftheCounty’stotallandmass.InMay2014,theCountyagainexperiencedfirestorms,althoughnotasintenseasthe2007fires,whichconsumed26,000acres,including65structuresinCarlsbad,SanMarcos,andtheunincorporatedareasoftheCounty.

CALFIREmappedareasofsignificantfirehazardswithintheCounty.AreasareplacedintodifferentFHSZsbaseduponfuels,terrain,weather,andotherrelevantfactors.TheCountyGeneralPlanidentifiesFederalResponsibilityAreas,whichareareaswheretheU.S.ForestServiceisresponsibleforwildfireprotection;StateResponsibilityAreas,whichareareaswhereCALFIREisresponsibleforwildfireprotection;andLocalResponsibilityAreas,wherelocalfireprotectionagenciesareresponsibleforwildfireprotection.ThemajorityoftheunincorporatedareaoftheCountyisStateResponsibilityArealands(seeFigure2.4‐1).

2.4.1.9 Vectors

Avectorisanyinsect,arthropod,rodent,orotheranimalofpublichealthsignificancethatcancausehumandiscomfortorinjuryoriscapableofharboringortransmittingthecausativeagentsofhumandisease.Typicaladverseeffectsrelatedtovectorsaretwofold.First,vectorscancausesignificantpublichealthrisksduetothetransmissionofdiseasetohumanandanimalpopulations.Second,vectorscancreateanuisancefortheresidentsoftheCounty.IntheCounty,themostsignificantvectorpopulationsincludemosquitos,rodents,flies,andfleas.VectorsourcesaroundtheCountyincludestandingwater,wetlands,andmanure(CountyofSanDiego2009b).

Standing Water

Anysourceofstandingwater,including,butnotlimitedto,ponds,reservoirs,naturalandconstructedwetlands,irrigationponds,detentionbasins,percolationandinfiltrationbasins,andotherstormwaterconveyanceandtreatmentsystemsthatholdstandingwater,canbebreedinggroundsformosquitosandothervectorsresultinginadversepublichealtheffectsrelatedtodiseasetransmission.Ponds,stormwaterBMPs,wetlands,andreservoirsareothermajorsourceofvectors.Theconditionofthewaterbodydictatesitspotentialtogeneratevectors.Forexample,flowingandaeratedwaterdoesnotsupportmosquitobreeding,whilestagnantwaterdoessupportmosquitobreeding.




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Composting and Manure Management

Thepresenceoflargequantitiesofmanurecansignificantlyincreaseproblemsrelatedtovectors,particularlyfromthebreedingofflies.Animalraisingoperations,kennels,andanimalagriculturaluses,suchaspoultryranchesorotheranimalbreedingoperations,canincreasevectorpopulations,ifnotproperlymanaged.

Vector Populations and Diseases

Mosquitos

Almostallmosquitoesneedstandingwatertocompletetheirlifecycle.Forthisreason,mosquitoesarefoundinareasofstandingwaterincludingwetlands,irrigationponds,detentionbasins,percolationandinfiltrationbasins,andotherstormwaterconveyancesystems.Somemosquitospeciesarevectorsofdiseases.Thereareapproximately24differentspeciesofmosquitoesthatarefoundintheCounty,andofthese,thereareatleastseventhatareknowntocarrydiseasesthatcanbepassedtohumans.

Virusesofconcernfrommosquitoesincludearboviruses(arthropod‐borneviruses),alargegroupofvirusesthatarespreadmainlybybloodsuckinginsects.IntheUnitedStates,arbovirusesaremostcommonlyspreadbymosquitoes.ArbovirusesthathavebeenfoundormayoccurintheCountyincludeWesternequineencephalitis,SaintLouisencephalitis,andmostrecently,WestNilevirus.Birdsareoftenthesourceofinfectionformosquitoes,whichcanthenspreadtheinfectiontohorses,otheranimals,andpeople.Mostpeopleinfectedwitharboviruseshavefewornosymptoms,butarbovirusescancauseseriousandpotentiallyfatalinflammationofthebrain(encephalitis),aswellasothercomplications.TherecentspreadofWestNilevirushasincreasedthehealthriskofmosquitocontactandincreasedtheimportanceofpreventingmosquitobreeding.

Rodents

Rodents,suchasmice,rats,orsquirrels,areverydestructivepeststhatcanspreaddisease,contaminatefoodsandfoodpreparationareas,andcausecostlystructuraldamage.Diseasesspreadbyrodentsthatcanharmhumansincludeplagueandhantavirus.

Plagueisabacterialdiseasecarriedbyrodentsthatisspreadthroughthebiteofaninfectedflea.Rodents,usuallygroundsquirrels,cancarryplague.Humansandtheirpetscanalsobeinfectedwithplagueifbittenbyinfectedfleasatcampgroundsorruralareas,typicallyatthehigherelevations.TheCountyconductsplaguesurveillance,mostlyathigherelevationlocalities.Surveillanceandtestingoftenyieldsoneormorepositivebloodtestsingroundsquirrelseachyear.Inresponse,plague‐warningsignsarepostedatcampgroundstoinformvisitorsoftheappropriateprecautions.Hantavirusisapotentiallyfatalrodent‐bornedisease.Bothhemorrhagicandrespiratorystrainsofhantavirusoccurinwildrodents(deermiceandharvestmice)intheCounty.Humanstypicallybecomeinfectedwithhantavirusbybreathingair‐borneparticlesofwildrodentdroppingsandurinecontaminatedwiththevirus.Symptomsofthevirusincludefever,headache,nausea,vomiting,andrespiratoryfailure.

Flies

Fliesarevectorsofdisease.Whenfliesforageonfecesandspoiledfood,theycomeintocontactwithpathogensandcanspreadthemtootheranimalsandhumans.In2weeks,onefemaleflymaylaymorethan1,000eggsinsourcesincluding,butnotlimitedto,animalwastes,householdgarbage,

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SpringSpringValleyValley

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FallbrookFallbrookPendletonPendleton- De Luz- De Luz

Figure 2.4-1County's State Responsibility Area Lands

County of San Diego Agriculture Promotion Program

Source: SRA - SanGIS (2015); Background Files - SanGIS (2014), BLM (2015).

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Community/Subregional Planning AreasIncorporated Cities (Not a Part of Project)Tribal, Military, and State Parks (Not a Part of Project)Lakes/ReservoirsRiversFreewaysHighways




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andpiledlawnclippings.Themostcommonflydiseasesaredysentery,salmonella,E.coliinfection,andcholera.

Fleas

Fleasareusuallybroughtintothehomebydogs,cats,orotherfurrypets.Inordertoliveandreproduce,theyfeedoffthebloodofhumansandanimals,suchasdogsandcats.Diseasesspreadbyfleasincludeplague,tapeworm,andtyphus.

2.4.2 Regulatory Setting

Severalfederal,state,regional,andlocallawshavebeenestablishedtoregulateactivitiesconcerninghazardsandhazardousmaterials.Thissectionliststheregulationsthatapplytotheseissues.Theimpactanalysisconsiderstheseregulationsastheypertaintotheproposedproject.

2.4.2.1 Federal Regulations

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976

ThegoaloftheRCRA,afederalstatutepassedin1976,istheprotectionofhumanhealthandtheenvironment,thereductionofwaste,theconservationofenergyandnaturalresources,andtheeliminationofthegenerationofhazardouswasteasexpeditiouslyaspossible.TheHazardousandSolidWasteAmendmentsof1984significantlyexpandedthescopeoftheRCRAbyaddingnewcorrectiveactionrequirements,landdisposalrestrictions,andtechnicalrequirements.Thecorrespondingregulationsin40CFR260–299providethegeneralframeworkformanaginghazardouswaste,includingrequirementsforentitiesthatgenerate,store,transport,treat,anddisposeofhazardouswaste.Otherapplicablefederallawsandregulationsincludethefollowing.

49CFR172and173:Theseregulationsestablishstandardsforthetransportofhazardousmaterialsandhazardouswastes.Thestandardsincluderequirementsforlabeling,packaging,andshippinghazardousmaterialsandhazardouswastes,aswellastrainingrequirementsforpersonnelcompletingshippingpapersandmanifests.

40CFRSubchapterI—SolidWastes:TheseregulationsimplementtheprovisionsoftheSolidWasteActandRCRA.Theseregulationsalsoestablishthecriteriafortheclassificationofsolidwastedisposalfacilities(landfills),hazardouswastecharacteristiccriteriaandregulatorythresholds,hazardouswastegeneratorrequirements,andrequirementsformanagementofusedoilanduniversalwastes.

40CFR355AppendixA—TheListofExtremelyHazardousSubstancesandTheirThresholdPlanningQuantities:ThislistispartofaregulationthatestablishesrequirementsforafacilitytoprovideinformationnecessaryfordevelopingandimplementingStateandlocalchemicalemergencyresponseplans,andrequirementsforemergencynotificationofchemicalreleases,includingreleasesofExtremelyHazardousSubstancesasdefinedbytheComprehensiveEnvironmentalResponse,Compensation,andLiabilityAct.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986

CongressenactedtheComprehensiveEnvironmentalResponse,Compensation,andLiabilityAct(CERCLA),commonlyknownasSuperfund,onDecember11,1980.CERCLAestablishedprohibitions




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andrequirementsconcerningclosedandabandonedhazardouswastesites;providedforliabilityofpersonsresponsibleforreleasesofhazardouswasteatthesesites;andestablishedatrustfundtoprovideforcleanupwhennoresponsiblepartycouldbeidentified.TheSuperfundAmendmentsandReauthorizationActamendedCERCLAonOctober17,1986.TheSuperfundAmendmentsandReauthorizationActstressedtheimportanceofpermanentremediesandinnovativetreatmenttechnologiesincleaninguphazardouswastesites;requiredSuperfundactionstoconsiderthestandardsandrequirementsfoundinotherfederalandstateenvironmentallawsandregulations;providednewenforcementauthoritiesandsettlementtools;increasedstateinvolvementineveryphaseoftheSuperfundprogram;increasedthefocusonhumanhealthproblemsposedbyhazardouswastesites;encouragedgreatercitizenparticipationinmakingdecisionsonhowsitesshouldbecleanedup;andincreasedthesizeofthetrustfundto$8.5billion.

Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions, 40 CFR 68

TheChemicalAccidentPreventionProvisionswereadoptedtoaddresschemicalaccidentpreventionatfacilitiesusingextremelyhazardoussubstances.TheprovisionsrequireallfacilitiesthatuseorhandlecertainflammableandtoxicmaterialstoprepareaRiskManagementPlan(RMP)thatdescribesthematerialsusedovertheprevious5years,aworst‐caseaccidentscenarioandalternatives,apreventionprogram,andanemergencyresponseprogram.NewRMPsarerequiredevery5years.

Emergency Planning Community Right‐to‐Know Act

AlsoknownasTitleIIIoftheSuperfundAmendmentsandReauthorizationAct,theEmergencyPlanningCommunityRight‐to‐KnowAct(EPCRA)wasenactedbyCongressasthenationallegislationoncommunitysafety.Thislawwasdesignatedtohelplocalcommunitiesprotectpublichealth,safety,andtheenvironmentfromchemicalhazards.ToimplementtheEPCRA,CongressrequiredeachstatetoappointaStateEmergencyResponseCommission.ThecommissionswererequiredtodividetheirstatesintoEmergencyPlanningDistrictsandtonameaLocalEmergencyPlanningCommitteeforeachdistrict.TheEPCRAprovidesrequirementsforemergencyreleasenotification,chemicalinventoryreporting,andtoxicreleaseinventoriesforfacilitiesthathandlechemicals.

Hazardous Materials Transportation Act

TheHazardousMaterialsTransportationActwaspassedin1975toprovideadequateprotectionagainsttheriskstolifeandpropertyassociatedwiththetransportationofhazardousmaterialbycreatingaregulatoryframeworktoaddresspotentialthreatstohealth,welfare,andsafety.Ahazardousmaterial,asdefinedbytheSecretaryofTransportation,isany“particularquantityorform”ofamaterialthat“mayposeanunreasonablerisktohealthandsafetyorproperty”(OHSAn.d.).

EPA Region 9, Preliminary Remediation Goals

PreliminaryRemediationGoals(PRGs)aretoolsforevaluatingandcleaningupcontaminatedsites.PRGsfortheSuperfund/RCRAprogramsarerisk‐basedconcentrationsderivedfromstandardizedequationscombiningexposureinformationassumptionswithEPAtoxicitydata.Theyareconsideredtobeprotectiveforhumans(includingsensitivegroups)overalifetime.However,PRGsarenotalwaysapplicabletoaparticularsiteanddonotaddressnon‐humanhealthissues,suchas




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ecologicalimpacts.Region9’sPRGsareviewedasagencyguidelines,notlegallyenforceablestandards.

Occupational Safety and Health Act

TheOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA)administerstheOccupationalSafetyandHealthAct,whichrequiresspecialtrainingforhandlersofhazardousmaterials,notificationtoemployeeswhoworkinthevicinityofhazardousmaterials,andacquisitionofmaterialsafetydatasheetsfromthemanufacturer.Amaterialsafetydatasheetdescribestheproperuseofhazardousmaterials.Theactalsorequirestrainingofemployeestoremediateanyhazardousmaterialaccidentalreleases.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

TheFederalInsecticide,Fungicide,andRodenticideActprovidesforfederalregulationofpesticidedistribution,sale,anduse.AllpesticidesdistributedorsoldintheUnitedStatesmustberegistered(licensed)byEPA.BeforeEPAmayregisterapesticideundertheact,theapplicantmustshow,amongotherthings,thatusingthepesticideaccordingtospecifications“willnotgenerallycauseunreasonableadverseeffectsontheenvironment.”

International Fire Code

TheInternationalFireCode(IFC),createdbytheInternationalCodeCouncil,istheprimarymeansforauthorizingandenforcingproceduresandmechanismstoensurethesafehandlingandstorageofanysubstancethatmayposeathreattopublichealthandsafety.TheIFCregulatestheuse,handling,andstoragerequirementsforhazardousmaterialsatfixedfacilities.TheIFCandtheInternationalBuildingCodeuseahazardclassificationsystemtodeterminewhatprotectivemeasuresarerequiredtoprotectlifesafetyinrelationtofire.Thesemeasuresmayincludeconstructionstandards,separationsfrompropertylines,andspecializedequipment.Toensurethatthesesafetymeasuresaremet,theIFCemploysapermitsystembasedonhazardclassification.TheIFCisupdatedevery3years.

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act

TheRobertT.StaffordDisasterReliefandEmergencyAssistanceAct(PublicLaw92‐288;U.S.Code,Title42,Sections5121–5206)authorizesthePresidenttodeclareamajordisasterintheUnitedStates,whichauthorizestheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)toadministerfederalaidtostatesaffectedbymajordisasters.FEMAisallowedtoauthorizeanddevotefederalresourcestowardtemporaryhousing,grantsforimmediateneedsoffamiliesandindividuals,andtherepairofpublicinfrastructure,emergencycommunicationssystems,andotherformsofassistance.

Federal Response Plan

TheFederalResponsePlanof1999isasignedagreementamong27federaldepartmentsandagencies,includingtheAmericanRedCross,that:(1)providesthemechanismforcoordinatingdeliveryoffederalassistanceandresourcestoaugmenteffortsofstateandlocalgovernmentsoverwhelmedbyamajordisasteroremergency;(2)supportsimplementationoftheRobertT.StaffordDisasterReliefandEmergencyAct,aswellasindividualagencystatutoryauthorities;and(3)supplementsotherfederalemergencyoperationsplansdevelopedtoaddressspecifichazards.TheFederalResponsePlanisimplementedinanticipationofasignificanteventlikelytoresultina




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needforfederalassistanceorinresponsetoanactualeventrequiringfederalassistanceunderapresidentialdeclarationofamajordisasteroremergency.

Division of Vector Borne Infectious Diseases

TheDivisionofVector‐BorneInfectiousDiseasesservesasanationalandinternationalreferencecenterforvector‐bornediseases.Asoneofthefewremainingcentersresponsiblefortheseagents,itisincumbentonthedivisiontomaintainleadershipandscientificcompetenceinallmajordisciplinesrelatingtothefieldofvector‐borneinfectiousdiseases.Themissionofthedivisionisto(1)developandmaintaineffectivesurveillanceforvector‐borneviralandbacterialagentsandtheirarthropodvectors;(2)conductfieldandlaboratoryresearchandepidemicaidinvestigations;(3)definediseaseetiology,ecology,andpathogenesisinordertodevelopimprovedmethodsandstrategiesfordiseasediagnosis,surveillance,preventionandcontrol;(4)providediagnosticreferenceandepidemiologicconsultation,onrequest,tostateandlocalhealthdepartments,othercomponentsoftheCentersforDiseaseControl,otherfederalagencies,andnationalandinternationalhealthorganizations;and(5)provideintramuralandextramuraltechnicalexpertiseandassistanceinprofessionaltrainingactivities.Emphasisisgiventolaboratoryandepidemiologicalresearchtoimprovediagnosis,surveillance,prevention,andcontrolofdiseasesofmajorpublichealthimportancesuchasLymedisease,dengue/denguehemorrhagicfever,WestNilevirus,yellowfever,arboviralencephalitis,plague,andtularemia.Inaddition,expertiseismaintainedforothervector‐borneinfectiousdiseasesthatoccuronlysporadicallyorinperiodicepidemics.

2.4.2.2 State Regulations

Cortese List

TheCorteseList(GovernmentCodeSection65962.5(a))iscompiledfromtheDTSC,theStateDepartmentofHealthServices,theCaliforniaSWRCB,andtheCIWMB,whoarerequiredtocompileandannuallyupdatelistsofhazardouswastesitesandlanddesignatedashazardouswastepropertythroughoutthestate.TheSecretaryforEnvironmentalProtectionconsolidatedtheinformation(alsoknownastheCorteseList)submittedbytheseagencies.

Hazardous Materials Plans

TwoprogramsfoundinChapter6.95oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCodearedirectlyapplicabletotheCEQAissueofriskduetohazardoussubstancerelease.IntheCounty,thesetwoprogramsarereferredtoastheHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlan(HMBP)programandtheCaliforniaAccidentalReleasePrevention(CalARP)program.TheCountyDEH‐HMDisresponsiblefortheimplementationoftheHMBPandCalARPprograms.Theprogramsprovidethresholdquantitiesforregulatedhazardoussubstances.Whentheindicatedquantitiesareexceeded,anHMBPorRMPisrequiredpursuanttothisregulation.

HMBPsintendtominimizehazardstohumanhealthandtheenvironmentfromfires,explosions,oranunplannedreleaseofhazardoussubstancesintoair,soil,orsurfacewater.TheHMBPmustbecarriedoutimmediatelywheneverafire,explosion,orunplannedchemicalreleaseoccurs.AnHMBPincludesthreesections:(1)aninventoryofhazardousmaterials,includingasitemap,whichdetailstheirlocation;(2)anemergencyresponseplan;and(3)anemployee‐trainingprogram.HMBPsserveasanaidtoemployersandemployeesinmanagingemergenciesatagivenfacility.




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CalARPincorporatesfederalandstaterequirementsforthepreventionofaccidentalreleasesoflistedsubstancesintotheatmosphere.ItrequiresthatanRMPincludeahazardassessmentprogram,anaccidentalreleasepreventionprogram,andanemergencyresponseplan.TheRMPmustberevisedevery5yearsorasnecessary.ThemajorityoffacilitiesorbusinessesintheCountythathavepreparedRMPsareammoniarefrigerationfacilitiesandwatertreatment/wastewatertreatmentplantsthathandlechlorinegas.CongressrequirestheEPARegion9tomakeRMPinformationavailabletothepublicthroughEPA’sEnvirofactsDataWarehouse,whichisconsideredthesinglepointofaccesstoselectEPAenvironmentaldata.

Department of Toxic Substances Control

DTSC’smissionistorestore,protect,andenhancetheenvironmentandtoensurepublichealth,environmentalquality,andeconomicvitalitybyregulatinghazardouswaste,conductingandoverseeingcleanups,anddevelopingandpromotingpollutionprevention.DTSCregulateshazardouswasteinCaliforniaprimarilyundertheauthorityofthefederalRCRAof1976,theCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,andotherlawsthataffecthazardouswastespecifictohandling,storage,transportation,disposal,treatment,reduction,cleanup,andemergencyplanning.

PursuanttoChapter6.5withinTitle22oftheCCR,DTSCregulatesthegeneration,transportation,treatment,storage,anddisposalofhazardouswasteunderRCRAandtheCaliforniaHazardousWasteControlLaw.Bothlawsimpose“cradletograve”regulatorysystemsforhandlinghazardouswasteinamannerthatprotectshumanhealthandtheenvironment.CalEPAhasdelegatedsomeofitsauthorityundertheHazardousWasteControlLawtocountyhealthdepartmentsandotherCertifiedUnifiedProgramAgencies(CUPAs),includingtheSanDiegoCountyDEH.

Underground Storage Tank Act

CCRTitle23Section2620statesthatthepurposeoftheregulationis“intendedtoprotectwatersofthestatefromdischargesofhazardoussubstancesfromundergroundstoragetanks.Theseregulationsestablishconstructionrequirementsfornewundergroundstoragetanks;establishseparatemonitoringrequirementsfornewandexistingundergroundstoragetanks;establishuniformrequirementsforunauthorizedreleasereporting,andforrepair,upgrade,andclosureofundergroundstoragetanks;andspecifyvariancerequestprocedures.”

Above Ground Petroleum Storage Act

TheAbovegroundPetroleumStorageAct(CaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,Section25270etseq.)requiresregistrationandspillpreventionprogramsforASTsthatstorepetroleum.Insomecases,ASTsforpetroleummaybesubjecttogroundwatermonitoringprogramsthatareimplementedbytheRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardsandtheSWRCB.TheCountyDEHisthelocaladministeringagencyforthisprogram.

California Human Health Screening Levels

TheCaliforniaHumanHealthScreeningLevels(CHHSLs)areconcentrationsof54hazardouschemicalsinsoilorsoilgasthatCalEPAconsiderstobebelowthresholdsofconcernforriskstohumanhealth.TheCHHSLsweredevelopedbytheOfficeofEnvironmentalHealthHazardAssessmentonbehalfofCalEPAusingstandardexposureassumptionsandchemicaltoxicityvaluespublishedbyEPAandCalEPA.ThereareseparateCHHSLsforresidentialandcommercial/industrialsites.TheCHHSLscanbeusedtoscreensitesforpotentialhumanhealthconcernswherereleasesof




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hazardouschemicalstosoilshaveoccurred.Undermostcircumstances,thepresenceofachemicalinsoil,soilgas,orindoorairatconcentrationsbelowthecorrespondingCHHSLcanbeassumedtonotposeasignificanthealthrisktopeoplewhomayliveorworkatthesite.TheCHHSLs,whichincludepesticides,areusedbyleadagencies(suchastheCounty)andresponsibleagencies(suchasDTSC)whenreviewingproposeddevelopmentprojectstodetermineifpotentialimpactsfromcontaminationmayoccur.Thisisparticularlyimportantforpesticide‐contaminatedsitesastheyarenotrequiredtobeinventoried,asdiscussedaboveunderSection2.4.1.3.

Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act

Proposition65,theSafeDrinkingWaterandToxicEnforcementActof1986,wasenactedasaballotinitiativeinNovember1986.ThepropositionwasintendedbyitsauthorstoprotectCaliforniacitizensandthestate'sdrinkingwatersourcesfromchemicalsknowntocausecancer,birthdefects,orotherreproductiveharm,andtoinformcitizensaboutexposurestosuchchemicals.Proposition65requiresthegovernortopublish,atleastannually,alistofchemicalsknownbythestatetocausecancerorreproductivetoxicity.Proposition65requiresthatawarningbepostedinbusinesseswithtenormoreemployeesexcept“city,county,ordistrictoranydepartmentoragencythereoforthestateoranydepartmentoragencythereoforthefederalgovernmentoranydepartmentoragencythereof;oranyentityinitsoperationofapublicwatersystem”wherelistedchemicalsareusedorpresent.

Hazardous Waste Control Law

TheHazardousWasteControlLaw(CaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,Division20,Chapter6.5)isthebasichazardouswastelawforCalifornia.Itestablishesstatecriteriafordefininghazardouswasteanditssafehandling,storage,treatment,anddisposal.Thelawisdesignedtoprovide“cradle‐to‐grave”managementofhazardouswastes,aswellastoreducetheoccurrenceandseverityofhazardousmaterialreleases.TheSanDiegoCountyDEHadministerstheprogram.

Petroleum Storage Tank Regulations

UnderChapter6.67oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,statelawregulatesconstruction,installation,operation,andmonitoringofabovegroundpetroleumstoragetanks.Thislawisdesignedtopreventreleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentbyeitherleakagefromtanksandassociatedpipelinesorfromoverfillingandspillage.Assuch,theprogramworkstoreducetheoccurrenceofhazardousmaterialreleases.

Pursuantto40CFR112(federallaw),secondarycontainmentisrequiredforASTsthatarelargerthan1,320gallons,andforASTsand/orvesselslargerthan55gallonsforfacilitiesthatstore1,320gallonsormoreofpetroleum.Spillprevention,control,andcountermeasuresaretobedocumentedinSpillPrevention,Control,andCountermeasureplans.Compliancewith40CFR112ismanagedbyEPA,whichtypicallydelegatesoversighttotheCUPA.

California Department of Pesticide Regulation

ThroughacooperativeagreementwithEPA,theCaliforniaDepartmentofPesticideRegulationisauthorizedtoenforcetheFederalInsecticide,Fungicide,andRodenticideActthroughCalEPA.Thedepartment’sresponsibilitiesincludeevaluatingandregisteringpesticideproducts,permittingofpesticideapplication,conductingenforcementactivities,andmonitoringresiduesonagriculturalproductsandinenvironmentalmedia.ThedepartmentworkswiththeCountyAgriculture




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Commissionerstoreviewsite‐specificapplicationpermits,investigatepesticide‐relatedillnessesandinjuries,andimplementpesticideuseeducationprograms.

California Occupational Safety and Health Act

InCalifornia,undertheCaliforniaOccupationalSafetyandHealthAct(Title8oftheCaliforniaCodeofRegulations)theCaliforniaOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(Cal/OSHA)assumesprimaryresponsibilityfordevelopingandenforcingstandardsforsafeworkplacesandworkpractices.InorderforthefederalOSHAprogramtobedelegatedtothestate,Cal/OSHAstandardsmustbeatleastasstringentasfederalOSHAstandards,andtheyaregenerallymorestringent.Cal/OSHAhazardousmaterialsregulationsincluderequirementsforsafetytraining,availabilityofsafetyequipment,hazardoussubstanceexposurewarnings,andemergencyactionandfirepreventionplanpreparation.Cal/OSHAenforceshazardcommunicationprogramregulations,whichincludeidentifyingandlabelinghazardoussubstances,providingemployeeswithmaterialsafetydatasheets,anddescribingemployee‐trainingprograms.Cal/OSHAalsohasregulationspertainingtootherrisksintheworkplacesuchasfirehazards,pressurizedvessels,electrical,andtrip/fallhazards.

State Fire Regulations

StatefireregulationsaresetforthinSections13000etseq.oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,whichincluderegulationsconcerningbuildingstandards(asalsosetforthintheCaliforniaBuildingCode);fireprotectionandnotificationsystems;fireprotectiondevices,suchasextinguishersandsmokealarms;high‐risebuildingandchildcarefacilitystandards;andfiresuppressiontraining.Thestatefiremarshalenforcestheseregulationsandbuildingstandardsinallstate‐ownedbuildings,state‐occupiedbuildings,andstateinstitutionsthroughoutCalifornia.

California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code

TheCaliforniaBuildingCode,revisedin2010,isbasedlargelyonthe2009InternationalBuildingCode.TheCaliforniaBuildingCodeincludesrigorousseismicprovisionsforhospitals,schools,andessentialfacilities,aswellastheadditionofmorestringentrequirementsformaterialsandconstructionmethodsforexteriorwildfireexposure.Forexample,newbuildingsproposedinaWildland‐UrbanInterfaceFireAreamustconformtotherequirementscontainedinChapter7AoftheCaliforniaBuildingCode.

California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, California Fire Code

TheCaliforniaFireCode(CFC),whichwasrevisedin2010,isbasedlargelyonthe2009IFC.TheCFCincludesstringentrequirementsforhazardousandtoxicmaterialsandfire‐resistance‐ratedconstruction,aswellasrigorousprovisionsforWildland‐UrbanInterfaceFireAreas.Requirementsincludeminimumstandardsforthestorage,use,andhandlingofhazardousandtoxicmaterials,ratingsforbuildingmaterials,andfuelmodificationofhazardous(i.e.,flammable)vegetation.Also,newbuildingsproposedinaWildland‐UrbanInterfaceFireAreamustconformtotherequirementscontainedinChapter47oftheCFC.

California Government Code Section 51179

CaliforniaGovernmentCodeSection51179requiresthatlocalagenciesdesignate,byordinance,VeryHighFireHazardSeverityZones(VHFHSZs)withintheirjurisdictions.Localagenciesmayalso




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designate,attheirdiscretion,highfirehazardareasiftheagencydeterminesthateffectivefireprotectionisnecessaryinthoseareas.

Assembly Bill 337 (Bates Bill)

AssemblyBill(AB)337,alsoknownastheBatesBill,waspassedin1992shortlyaftertheEastBayHillsFireof1991destroyedlivesandpropertyinawildfire.AB337requiresCALFIRE,incooperationwithlocalfireauthorities,toidentifyVHFHSZsintheLocalResponsibilityAreasofCalifornia.

Public Resources Code Section 4291

CaliforniaPublicResourcesCodeSection4291requirespropertyownerstoestablishandmaintain,throughfuelmodification,a100‐footdefensiblespacezonearoundanybuildingorhabitablestructurethatis“in,uponoradjoiningamountainousarea,forest‐coveredlands,brush‐coveredlands,grass‐coveredlands,orlandthatiscoveredwithflammablematerial”toprotectitfromwildfires.

CAL FIRE Responsibility Areas

CCRTitle14Division1.5establishestheregulationsforCALFIREandisapplicableinallStateResponsibilityAreas—areaswhereCALFIREisresponsibleforwildfireprotection.

MostoftheunincorporatedareaoftheCountyisaStateResponsibilityAreaandanydevelopmentintheseareasmustcomplywiththeseregulations.Amongotherthings,Title14establishesminimumstandardsforemergencyaccess,fuelmodification,setbacktopropertyline,signage,andwatersupply.

California Emergency Services Act

Thisactwasadoptedtoestablishthestate’srolesandresponsibilitiesduringhuman‐madeornaturalemergenciesthatresultinconditionsofdisasterand/orextremeperiltolife,property,ortheresourcesofthestate.Theactisintendedtoprotecthealthandsafetybypreservingthelivesandpropertyofthepeopleofthestate.

California Natural Disaster Assistance Act

TheCaliforniaNaturalDisasterAssistanceActprovidesfinancialaidtolocalagenciestoassistinthepermanentrestorationofpublicrealproperty,otherthanfacilitiesusedsolelyforrecreationalpurposes,whensuchrealpropertyhasbeendamagedordestroyedbyanaturaldisaster.Theactisactivatedafterthefollowingoccurs:(1)alocaldeclarationofemergency,(2)CalEmergencyManagementAgencygivesconcurrencewiththelocaldeclaration,or(3)thegovernorissuesaProclamationofaStateEmergency.Oncetheactisactivated,localgovernmentiseligibleforcertaintypesofassistance,dependinguponthespecificdeclarationorproclamationissued.

California Health and Safety Code, Vector Control

Sections116110through116112oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCodeestablishmosquitoabatementandvectorcontroldistricts,whicharechargedtoprotectCaliforniansandtheircommunitiesagainstthethreatsofvector‐bornediseases.Thesedistrictsareresponsiblefordevelopingandconductingprogramsforthepreventionandcontrolofvectors;monitoringvectors




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andvector‐bornediseases;coordinatingandconductingemergencyvectorcontrol,asrequired;trainingandcertifyinggovernmentagencyvectorcontroltechnicians;anddisseminatinginformationtothepublicregardingprotectionfromvectorsandvector‐bornedisease.

2.4.2.3 Local Regulations

San Diego Air Pollution Control District

TheSanDiegoAirPollutionControlDistrict(SDAPCD)isalocalgovernmentagencythatworkstoprotectthepeopleandtheenvironmentofSanDiegoCountyfromtheharmfuleffectsofairpollution.SDAPCDjurisdictioncoverstheentireCounty.

Inadditiontootherairpollutants,SDAPCDRules361.140to361.156havebeenenactedtocontrolemissionsofasbestosintotheatmosphere.Theserulesaredesignedtolimitasbestosemissionsfrombuildingdemolition/renovationactivities.Therulesrequirebuildingstobesurveyedforasbestos‐containingmaterial(ACM)beforebuildingdemolition.TheyalsomandateACMremovalprocedurestolimitemissions.Certainoperationsareprohibited,suchasthepavingofroadswithasbestostailings,theuseofmoldedinsulationmaterialscontainingasbestosthatarefriable(easilycrushed),andthesprayingofanymaterialthatcontainsanyasbestos.

Multi‐Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

TheHMPisaCountywideplanthatidentifiesrisksposedbynaturalandhuman‐madedisastersandwaystominimizedamagefromthosedisasters.TheHMPwaspreparedtomeetFEMAandStateofCaliforniaOfficeofEmergencyServicesandSecurityrequirementsasauthorizedbytheFederalDisasterMitigationActof2000.ThestatedpurposesoftheHMParetoenhancepublicawarenessandunderstanding,createadecisiontoolformanagement,promotecompliancewithstateandfederalprogramrequirements,enhancelocalpoliciesforhazardmitigationcapability,provideinter‐jurisdictionalcoordinationofmitigation‐relatedprogramming,andachieveregulatorycompliance.AccordingtotheHMP,thetopfivehazardsareasfollows.

Wildfire:asignificantamountofthecommunityisexposedtothepotentialforlosssecondarytoextremefireconditionsinundevelopedcoreandinterfaceareas.

Earthquake:thepotentialexistsforalargelossoflifeandpropertyaswellasprolongeddisruptionofgovernmentalandcommercialcontinuity.

Flooding:theCountycontainsseveralsignificantfloodplainsandissubjecttowide‐spreadflooding.

Hazardousmaterialsrelease:inadditiontoamajorfreeway,theCountyishometoalargeindustrialparkwithfixedfacilities.

Terrorismorotherhuman‐madeevents:governmentinfrastructurefacilities,includingaRegionalCourtandJailDetentionFacility,presentpotentialtargetsforactsofterrorism.

San Diego, Site Assessment and Mitigation Program

TheCountyofSanDiegoDEHmaintainstheSAMlistofcontaminatedsitesthathavepreviouslyorarecurrentlyundergoingenvironmentalinvestigationsand/orremedialactions.TheprimarypurposeoftheSAMistoprotecthumanhealth,waterresources,andtheenvironmentwithinSanDiegoCountybyprovidingoversightofassessmentsandcleanupsinaccordancewiththeCalifornia




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HealthandSafetyCodeandtheCCR.TheSAM’sVoluntaryAssistanceProgramalsoprovidesstaffconsultation,projectoversight,andtechnicalorenvironmentalreportevaluationandconcurrence(whenappropriate)onprojectspertainingtopropertiescontaminatedwithhazardoussubstances(CountyofSanDiego2007a).

Board Policy I‐132, Valley Center Mitigation Policy

ThispolicywasdevelopedtoensurethatthemitigationoutlinedintheEIRfortheValleyCenterSepticMoratorium/BoardofSupervisorsPolicyI‐78Amendmentisenforced.OneaspectofthisBoardPolicyincludesarequirementtoinvestigatefortheexistenceofcontaminatedsoilsorhazardousoperationsintheareacoveredbytheEIR.Specifically,thepolicystates:

Ahazardousmaterialsassessmentshallbeconductedbyacertifiedentityforanyparcelproposedfordevelopmentwiththepotentialfortheexistenceofcontaminatedsoilsorhazardousmaterialssuchasparcelshistoricallyutilizedforagriculturaloperations.Thepurposeofthehazardousmaterialsassessmentwouldbetoidentifythepresence/absenceofhazardousmaterialsandidentifyremediationmeasuresthatshallbeimplementedpriortodevelopmentoftheprojectsite.

Combustible Vegetation and Other Flammable Materials Ordinance

Thisordinance(CountyCodeofRegulatoryOrdinancesSections68.401–68.406)addressestheaccumulationofweeds,rubbish,andothermaterialsonaprivatepropertyfoundtocreateafirehazardandbeinjurioustothehealth,safety,andgeneralwelfareofthepublic.Theordinanceconstitutesthepresenceofsuchweeds,rubbish,andothermaterialsasapublicnuisance,whichmustbeabatedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthissection.ThisordinanceisenforcedinallCountyServiceAreasandintheunincorporatedareasoftheCountyoutsideoffireprotectiondistricts.Allfireprotectiondistrictshaveacombustiblevegetationabatementprogram,andmanyfireprotectiondistrictshaveadoptedandenforcetheCounty’sordinance.

County of San Diego Consolidated Fire Code

TheCountyofSanDiego,incollaborationwiththelocalfireprotectiondistricts,createdthefirstConsolidatedFireCodein2001(CountyCodeofRegulatoryOrdinancesSections96.1.001–96.1.006).TheConsolidatedFireCodecontainstheCountyandfireprotectiondistrictsamendmentstotheCFC.ThepurposeofconsolidationoftheCountyandlocalfiredistrictsadoptiveordinancesistopromoteconsistencyintheinterpretationandenforcementoftheCFCfortheprotectionofthepublichealthandsafety,whichincludespermitrequirementsfortheinstallation,alteration,orrepairofnewandexistingfireprotectionsystems,andpenaltiesforviolationsofthecode.TheConsolidatedFireCodeprovidestheminimumrequirementsforaccess,watersupplyanddistribution,constructiontype,fireprotectionsystems,andvegetationmanagement.Additionally,thefirecoderegulateshazardousmaterialsandassociatedmeasurestoensurethatpublichealthandsafetyareprotectedfromincidentsrelatingtohazardoussubstancereleases(CountyofSanDiego2007a).

TheSanDiegoCountyFireAuthority,inpartnershipwithCALFIRE,theBureauofLandManagement,andtheU.S.ForestService,isresponsiblefortheenforcementofdefensiblespaceinspections.InspectorsfromCALFIREareresponsiblefortheinitialinspectionofpropertiestoensureanadequatedefensiblespacehasbeencreatedaroundstructures.Ifviolationsoftheprogramrequirementsarenoted,inspectorsprovidealistofrequiredcorrectivemeasuresand




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provideareasonabletimeframetocompletethetask.Iftheviolationsstillexistuponre‐inspection,thelocalfireinspectorwillforwardacomplainttotheCountyforfurtherenforcementaction.

Fire Prevention in Project Design Standards

FollowingtheOctober2003Wildfires,theCounty’sDepartmentofPlanningandLandUse(nowPlanningandDevelopmentServices)incorporatedanumberoffirepreventionstrategiesintothediscretionaryprojectreviewprocessforCEQAprojects.Oneofthemoresignificantchangesistherequirementthatthemajorityofdiscretionarypermits(e.g.,subdivisionandusepermits)inWUIareasprepareaFireProtectionPlanforreviewandapproval.AFireProtectionPlanisatechnicalreportthatconsidersthetopography,geology,combustiblevegetation(fueltypes),climaticconditions,andfirehistoryoftheproposedprojectlocation.Theplanaddressesthefollowingintermsofcompliancewithapplicablecodesandregulations,including,butnotlimitedto,watersupply,primaryandsecondaryaccess,traveltimetothenearestfirestation,structuresetbackfrompropertylines,ignition‐resistantbuildingfeatures,fireprotectionsystemsandequipment,impactstoexistingemergencyservices,defensiblespaceandvegetationmanagement.

Vector Control Program

TheCountyDEH’sVectorControlProgrammissionis“toprotectthepublichealthandsafety,andpromotethewelfareofSanDiegoresidentsbypreventingvector‐bornediseasesandminimizingdiscomfortandinjurycausedbyvectors.”Theprimaryobjectiveofcontrollingvectorsistopreserveorcreateanenvironmentfavorabletohumansandanimalsbylesseningtheeffectthatvectorsand/ornuisanceshaveuponthequalityoflife.Underthepowersofavectorcontroldistrict,asadoptedbytheCountyBoardofSupervisors,theVectorControlProgramprovidesCountywidevectorpreventionandcontrolservicesfundedthroughavoter‐approvedbenefitassessmentdistrict.Mosquito,domesticrat,fly,andothervectorpreventionandcontrolprogramsareprovidedtoreducetheriskofdiseasesthesevectorscantransmitandtominimizenuisancestheycause.

2.4.3 Analysis of Project Effects and Determination of Significance

TheproposedprojectconsistsofanamendmenttotheZoningOrdinancerelatedtoaccessoryagriculturalusesinunincorporatedportionsoftheCountyoverwhichtheCountyhaslandusejurisdiction(seeSection1.4,ProjectDescription,forfurtherdetails).Specifically,theproposedprojectappliestopropertieswhereactiveagricultureexistswithintheCountyorpropertieswhereagriculturalusesareallowed.Duringthescopingprocessforthisproject,whichconsideredpotentiallysignificantenvironmentalimpactsandinvolveda30‐daypubliccommentperiod,itwasdeterminedthatthereisaless‐than‐significantimpactpotentialfortheproposedprojecttobelocatedonasitethatisincludedonalistofhazardousmaterialssites,andrelatedtobeinglocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanareaorbeingwithin2milesofapublicairport.However,theseissuesarediscussedfurtherbelowtosupplementtheInitialStudy.Onecommentletterthatisrelevanttohazardousmaterialswasreceivedduringthe30‐daypubliccommentperiod.TheClevelandNationalForestindicatedthathazardousmaterialsareofparticularconcernfortheagencyandrequestedthattheEIRconsidereffectsofintensifiedlandusesontheforest.

Asignificantimpactrelatedtohazardsandhazardousmaterialswouldoccuriftheproposedprojectcreatedorhadthepotentialtocausehazardoussubstancehandling,resultinaccidentalreleaseofhazardousmaterials,causehazardstoschools,exposeexistinghazardousmaterialssites,interfere




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withemergencyresponseplans,orincreasetheriskofwildlandfires.Withrespecttohazardsandhazardousmaterials,activitiesthatwouldinvolveconstruction,grounddisturbance,ortheintroductionofincreasedusesofhazardousmaterialsortheirvectorscouldpotentiallyresultinimpacts.Potentialimpactsarediscussedbelowforallproject‐relatedchangesataqualitativelevel,astherearenospecificdevelopmentproposalsinvolvedwiththeproposedproject.AlthoughadoptionoftheproposedZoningOrdinanceschangeswouldnotdirectlyresultinimpactsthatwouldcreateasignificanthazard,adoptionoftheproposedprojectwouldpromotetheseuses,and,assuch,theirpotentialtoresultinenvironmentalimpactsaredisclosedintheanalysisbelow.

2.4.3.1 Hazardous Substance Handling

Guidelines for the Determination of Significance

ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould:

Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials.

TheCounty’sGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforHazardousMaterialsandExistingContaminationfurtherclarifiesthataprojectwillgenerallybeconsideredtohaveasignificanteffectif:

a. Theprojectisabusiness,operation,orfacilitythatproposestohandlehazardoussubstancesinexcessofthethresholdquantitieslistedinChapter6.95oftheHealthandSafetyCode,generatehazardouswasteregulatedunderChapter6.5oftheHealthandSafetyCode,and/orstorehazardoussubstancesinundergroundstoragetanksregulatedunderChapter6.7oftheHealthandSafetyCodeandtheprojectwillnotbeabletocomplywithapplicablehazardoussubstanceregulations.

b. Theprojectisabusiness,operation,orfacilitythatwouldhandleregulatedsubstancessubjecttoCalARPRMPrequirementsthatintheeventofareleasecouldadverselyaffectchildren’shealthduetothepresenceofaschoolordaycarewithin0.25mileofthefacility.

Thelatter(proximitytoschoolsordaycare)isaddressfurtherunderSection2.4.3.3.

Analysis

Oneoftheprimaryobjectivesoftheproposedprojectistostreamlineandclarifytheapproval/permittingprocessforaccessoryagriculturaloperationswithintheCounty,whileensuringcompliancewithlocal,state,andfederalregulationswhereappropriateandutilizingsoundmanagementpractices.Theintentionofthisobjectiveistoprovideincreasedopportunitiesforagriculturalventuresandtourismthatareaccessorytoexistingagriculturaloperations.Thus,theproposedprojectwouldpromoteandencourageadditionallanduseactivitiesonactiveagriculturallandthroughouttheCountyformicrobreweries,cheese‐makinganddairyoperations,onsitefoodproduction,mobilebutchering,packingandprocessing,onsiteretailhorticulturesales,animalraising,roadsidesalesofagriculturalproducts,agriculturaltourism,andagriculturalhomestays.AlthoughtheactionofamendingtheZoningOrdinanceaspartoftheprojectwouldnotdirectlyresultintheuseofhazardousmaterials,theusesthatitencourageswould.Thetransportoruseofhazardousmaterialstypicallyoccurduringtheconstructionand/oroperationofaproject.Thesepotentialimpactsarefirstdiscussedgenerallybelow;followingthat,theanticipatedimpactsof




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hazardousmaterialusesspecifictotheaccessoryagriculturaloperationspromotedbytheproposedprojectareaddressed.

General Construction Related Impacts

Duringconstruction,hazardousmaterialscanbeassociatedwiththesiteitself(suchaspastcontamination)andwiththematerialsusedforconstructionandconstructionequipment.Currentregulationsatthelocal,state,andfederallevelgenerallyrequireminimumpracticestoeitheravoidorinvestigatethepotentialforhazardousmaterialstobepresentpriortoearthmovingorconstruction‐relatedactivities.Theseregulationsalsocovertreatmentanddisposal.Forexample,futureprojectsthatarepromotedbytheproposedprojectmayinvolvethedemolitionofstructuresconstructedpriorto1980.Suchstructureswouldlikelycontainlead‐basedpaintandasbestos‐containingmaterials,andasbestosandleadsurveyswouldberequiredtodeterminewhethereitherofthesesubstancesispresentpriortoissuanceofabuildingpermitandcommencementofdemolitionorrenovation.Shouldsuchhazardousmaterialsbepresent,thecontractorwouldberequiredbylawtotakeprecautionstoprotectitsworkersandthepublic,andtoappropriatelycollectanddisposeofthosematerials.

Projectsinvolvingtemporaryconstructionactivitiescouldinvolvetheuseandstorageofcommonlyusedhazardousmaterials,suchasgasoline,dieselfuel,lubricatingoil,grease,andothervehicleandequipmentmaintenancefluids,shouldaprojectrequiregrading/excavation.Temporaryconstructionactivitiescouldalsoinvolvethetransportationofwastesfromthedemolition/renovationofstructures.UnderRCRA,CERCLA,theHazardousMaterialsTransportationAct,IFC,Title22,CCRTitle27,andtheCountyConsolidatedFireCode,hazardousmaterialsassociatedwithtemporaryconstructionactivitieswouldberequiredtobetransportedandhandledinaccordancewithallfederal,state,andlocallawsthatregulatethetransportationanddisposalofhazardousmaterials.ItisveryrareforconstructionoperationstonecessitatehazardoussubstancesorgeneratehazardouswastesthatareregulatedbyChapters6.95and6.5oftheHealthandSafetyCode,respectively,andisnotexpectedtooccurforthelower‐scaleand‐intensityactivitiesthatwouldneededtosupporttheaccessoryagricultureuses.Therefore,withcompliancewithallapplicableregulationsandprograms,constructionimpactsrelatedtotheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterialsareconsideredtobelessthansignificant.

General Operational Impacts

Fromanoperationalperspective,transportation,use,anddisposalofhazardousmaterialswouldbeanticipatedwithallactivitiespromotedbytheproposedprojectbecausetheyarecommonineverydayhouseholdandbusinessuse.However,forthemostpart,thequantitiesusedwouldnotpresentahazardtothegeneralpublic.Largerquantitiesofhazardousmaterialsaretypicallyassociatedwithmediumimpactorhighimpactindustrialdevelopmentandcommercialagriculturaluses.However,asthepromotionofaccessoryagriculturalusesbytheproposedprojectisprimarilytosupportexistingagriculturaloperations,itcouldresultinsomeexpansionofagriculturaloperations.

Inthiscase,therecouldbesomecorrespondingincreaseintheuseofpesticides,fertilizers,andotherhazardousmaterialsassociatedwithagriculture.However,anyuseoffertilizersorpesticidesaspartofagriculturaloperationsarerequiredtocomplywithCalEPA’senforcementofpesticidelawsandregulationsinCalifornia.EPAenactslawscoveringminimumpesticiderequirementsthatareenforcedatthestatelevelthroughcooperativeagreements.Overtheyears,theCaliforniaLegislaturehaspassedmorestringentlawscoveringpesticideregistration,licensing,thesaleand




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useofpesticides,andworkerprotection.TheCalEPADepartmentofPesticideRegulationisresponsibleforregulatingpesticideuseandhasprimaryauthorityforcompliancemonitoringandenforcingagainstillegalpesticideuseinCalifornia.Therefore,compliancewithexistingfederalandstateregulationswouldensurethatpotentialprojectimpactsrelatedtofertilizerandpesticideusewouldbelessthansignificant.

Oftheaccessoryagriculturalusespromotedbytheproposedproject,microbreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleriesaretheusesthatwouldmostlikelyinvolvetheregularusageofhazardousmaterials.Thisisduetothepotentialfortheiroperationstobelargerinscaleandtheelevatedriskoffireandexplosionwiththeiroperations(discussedfurtherbelow).UsesundertheproposedprojectthatwouldinvolveasubstantialamountofhazardousmaterialsaresubjecttostateandfederalgovernmentrequirementsofanHMBP.PreparationofanHMBPisrequiredforabusinessthathandlesorstoreshazardousmaterial/wastethatexceeds55gallonsofliquid,200cubicfeetofgas,or500poundsofsolids.Therefore,itispossiblethatsomemorecommonhazardousmaterialssuchascleanserscouldexceedthesethresholds.Anexemptionisprovidedforcarbondioxideforbeveragesthatincreasesthethresholdlimitupto6,000cubicfeet.TheDEH‐HMDoverseesthepreparationandimplementationofHMBPs,chemicalinventories,hazardouswaste,tieredpermitting,undergroundstoragetanks,andriskmanagementplans.Theseregulationsareapplicabletoanyoperation,regardlessofneedingapermitfromtheCounty,whetherministerialordiscretionary.Furthermore,whenbuildingpermitsareissued,afinalcertificateofoccupancywouldnotbeissuedwithoutconformancetoHealthandSafetyCode,Division20,Chapter6.95,Article2,Sections25500through25520,whichisthesectionthatrequirespreparationofHMBPsandcoordinationwiththefirechief.Therefore,withcompliancewithallapplicableregulationsandprograms,operationalimpactsrelatedtotheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterialsareconsideredtobelessthansignificant.

Accessory Agricultural Use Impacts

Thissectionisintendedtoprovideaconnectionbetweenthegeneralhazardousmaterialsimpactsthataredescribedaboveandthespecificactivitiesthatmightbeanticipatedtooccurwiththeaccessoryagriculturalusescoveredbytheproposedproject.

Agricultural Homestay

Agriculturalhomestays,whichconsistoftemporarylodgingonanexistingagriculturalpropertywiththeanticipationthatguestswouldbeactiveparticipantsinagriculturalactivities,couldinvolvesomeincreaseintheuseofgeneralhouseholdchemicalsforcleaningandgeneraleverydayactivities.Additionally,ifagriculturalactivitiesareincreased,additionaluseofpesticidesorotheragriculturalchemicalswouldbeexpected.Intheseinstances,itislikelythatanyhazardouschemicalsorpesticidesarealreadycurrentlyinuse.ExistingregulationsexplainedaboveandunderSection2.4.2,RegulatorySetting,haveregulatedandwouldcontinuetoregulatepotentiallytoxicorotherwiseharmfulchemicalsandtheanticipatedincreaseintheuseofchemicalswouldbeaslightincreaseoverexistingconditions.

Agricultural Stores and Processing

Agriculturalstandsandagriculturalretail,allofwhichinvolvethesellingofproductsproduced,grown,ormanufacturedonthesubjectproperty,wouldnotlikelyinvolveanyroutineuseortransportofsubstantialquantitiesofhazardousmaterials.Becauseproductswouldnotbedeliveredtothesite,few,ifany,deliverytruckswouldbeinvolvedtosustainagriculturalstandsor




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agriculturalretail.Theoneexceptionwouldbeforlargerstores,whichmayincludesomeretailitemsnotproducedonthesitethatwouldbedelivered.Inthesecases,therewouldbesomedeliverytruckactivity,whichwouldresultinthesomeincreasedactivitiesinvolvingtypicalchemicalssuchasgasolineandoilneededtopowervehicles.Similarly,mostpackingandprocessingoperationsdonotinvolvesubstantialquantitiesofhazardousmaterials.

Agricultural Tourism

Similartothediscussionaboveforagriculturalhomestays,agriculturaltourismwouldpromoteadditionalagriculturalactivitiesthatcouldinvolvetheuseofsomehazardousmaterials,suchashouseholdchemicals,pesticides,and/orfertilizers.Becausethesechemicalsarelikelyusedunderexistingconditionsonactiveagriculturalproperties,theseuseswouldsomewhatincreasewithadoptionoftheproject;however,theincreaseisnotanticipatedtobeavolumeormagnitudethatwouldresultinasignificantenvironmentalimpact.

Animal Raising

TheproposedprojectwouldallowanimalraisingoperationstoexceedtheallowednumberofanimalsperdesignatorwithanAdministrativePermitinsteadofaMajorUsePermit.ChangestotheAnimalSchedulecouldcauseanincreaseofanimalsonagriculturallands.Theincreaseofanimalswouldsubsequentlyincreaseanimalwaste.Anincreaseinanimalwastecouldincreasevectors,suchasflies,andcouldbeconsideredahazarditselfifnothandledanddisposedofcorrectly.However,standardhousekeepingpracticesandBMPsareadequateforaddressingthehazardsofanimalwaste.

Aquaponics

AquaponicsarenotcurrentlydefinedorregulatedintheZoningOrdinance.Aquaponicswouldallowforfishfarminginasymbioticfishtank‐likeenvironment.Aquaponicscouldinvolveconstructiontohousethecomponentsofanaquaponicssystem,whichcouldtemporarilyinvolvetransport,use,ordisposalofstandardconstruction–relatedhazardousmaterials.Duringoperations,however,aquaponicsarenotlikelytoinvolvetheuse,transport,ordisposalofanysubstantialamountsofhazardousmaterialsbecausetheaquaponicssystemissymbiotic.Inanaquacultureenvironment,theby‐productsgenerallycreatedinthesystemarebrokendownandutilizedasnutrients,andthewateriscontinuallybeingrecirculatedbackintothesystem.

Creameries/Dairies

Acreamery/dairyoperationiscurrentlynotregulatedintheZoningOrdinance.Theproposedprojectwouldallowacreameryasanaccessoryusebyrighttoadairy,withamaximumof2,000squarefeetfloorareaonalotthatis1grossacreorless;3,000squarefeetwherethelotis1–2acres;4,000squarefeetonalotthatis2–4acres;andanadditionalsquare‐footfloorareaonlotsover4acres.Acreamery/dairyoperationcouldcauseanincreaseofanimalsonsiteandcouldsubsequentlyincreaseanimalwaste,whichcanbemanagedthroughstandardhousekeepingpracticesandBMPs.Theprocessingareasforcreameries/dairiescanresemblealargekitchenandcouldinvolveassociatedcommonhazardousmaterialssuchascleaningmaterials.Processingequipmentanddeliveryvehicleswouldalsorequiretheuseofgas,oil,andgrease.Noactivitiesthatwouldinvolveasubstantialquantityofhazardousmaterialswouldbeanticipated.




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Fishermen’s Markets

Fishermen’smarketswouldallowthesaleoftheaquaponicallyraisedfishbyrightonpublicproperty,schoolpropertywithaschooluse,orwithinC31,C32,C34,C35,C36,C37,C40,C42orS88zones.Noconstructionwouldbeinvolvedwiththefishermen’smarketsandnootheractivitythatwouldinvolveasubstantialquantityofhazardousmaterialswouldbeassociatedwithfishermen’smarkets.

Microbreweries, Cideries, and Micro‐distilleries

Microbreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleriesarenotcurrentlyregulatedintheZoningOrdinance.Theproposedprojectwouldaddthemasallowedusesonagriculturalpropertiessubjecttopermits(ZoningVerificationPermitorAdministrativePermit)andotherrestrictions.Asaresult,theproposedprojectwouldpromotetheconstructionoffacilitiestosupportsuchoperations.

Theoperationofmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleriesisknowntopresentfireandexplosionhazards.Dustfromprocessinggrainandcombustionfromwoodfloors,casks,andrackscancausefiresorexplosions.Firecanoccurwhenvaporsfromflammableorganiccompoundssuchasethanolarereleasedfromleaksintanks,casks,andequipmentsuchastransferpumps,pipes,andflexiblehoses(thisisofgreaterconcernwithdistilleries,whichinvolvehigherconcentrationsofethanol).Avaporexplosioncanoccurifenoughvaporsarereleasedinanenclosedspacewithignitionsourcespresent.TheserisksareaddressedbyCal/OSHAandfirecoderequirements.Theseregulationsincludedesignrequirementsthatareenforcedduringthebuildingpermitprocess,aswellassignageandtrainingforemployees.Cal/OSHArequirements(mainlysignageandtraining)alsocoverotherlocalizedhazardsinmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleriessuchascarbondioxideproductionandpressurizedequipment.

Apartfromthesehazards,microbreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distillerieswouldbeanticipatedtoinvolvecleanersandchemicalsforpHadjustmentbutnotinquantitiesofconcerntothegeneralpublic.Ifstoredinlargerquantities,theywouldtriggertheHMBPrequirements.

Mobile Butchering

MobilebutcheringisnotcurrentlyregulatedintheZoningOrdinance.TheproposedprojectwouldaddmobilecommercialbutcheringandmobilecustombutcheringasnewusesbyrightwherePackingandProcessing:LimitedGeneraliscurrentlyallowed.CommercialbutcheringwouldalsoincludeaFoodandBeverageRetailSalesusetype.Mobilebutcheringwouldincreasethetransportanddisposalofhazardouswastematerialssuchasanimalcarcasses,offal,animalblood,andwastewater.Ifnotproperlydisposedof,thewasteproductsofthebutcheredanimalcouldspillduringoperationand/ortransportandcouldcausecontaminationifthespillweretooccurbyastream,drainagelocation,oronsoilthatleadstogroundwater,posingarisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.ChangestotheproposedZoningOrdinancewouldrequireallslaughteredanimalremains,includingcarcassesandblood,tobedisposedofoffsiteandincompliancewithstateandlocallawsfordisposal.

Wineries

BoutiqueWineryandWholesaleLimitedWineryusesarecurrentlyallowedbyright(withlimitations),andaSmallWineryisallowedwithanAdministrativePermitinA70andA72zones.TheproposedprojectwouldextendtheseusesandrestrictionstoS92zones.Therefore,the




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proposedprojectwouldpromotetheconstructionofadditionalwineries.Onceoperational,awineryisnotanticipatedtoinvolvesignificantquantitiesofhazardousmaterials.

Summary

Insummary,theproposedprojectpromotesanumberofaccessoryagriculturalusesthatmayresultintheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterialsduetoconstructionactivitiesorgeneraloperations.Mostanticipatedhazardousmaterialswouldbecommontoruralresidentialandagriculturalpropertiesandnotofaquantitytoposeasubstantialrisktothepublic.Allhazardousmaterialsareheavilyregulatedandwhenanylargequantitiesareinvolved,additionalregulationsaretriggeredthatrequireplans,permits,andmonitoring.Therefore,itisconcludedthattheimpactsfromtheprojectrelatedtothetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterialswouldbelessthansignificant.RefertoSection2.5.3.1formorediscussiononpotentialimpactsonsurfacewaterqualityfromactivitiesonsite.Somehazardousandevennon‐hazardousmaterialscanposepotentialimpactsontheenvironmentifnotused,stored,ordisposedofproperly,andwhenthatresultsinthembeingcarriedoffaspollutantsinstormwaterrunofffromthesite.

2.4.3.2 Accidental Release of Hazardous Materials



Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment.

Analysis

Thereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentispossibleiftherearehazardousmaterialsstoredunderground,typicallyinUSTswhichareregulatedbythestateandtypicallymaintainedindatabasesthatregulate,monitor,andtrackcleanupandclosureactivitiesforUSTsandotherknownspillsorreleasesofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment.AlthoughthepossibilityexistsforhazardousmaterialstoexistbelowthegroundsurfacenearlyanywherewithintheCounty,thepotentialforUSTsandotherhazardousmaterialstobelocatedbelowanactiveagriculturaloperationisunlikely,asthesetypesofhazardsaremorecommonlyfoundinurbanareas,towncenters,andindustrialsites.Manyactiveagriculturalareasusechemicalssuchasfertilizersandothersubstancestomaintainagriculturalvehicles(e.g.,tractors);however,theuseofthesematerialsisregulatedbystateandlocalregulations(seeSection2.4.2,RegulatorySetting),whichservetoensurethatasignificanthazardtothepublicorenvironmentwouldnotoccurrelatedtothereleaseofanyhazardousmaterials.

Numerousfederal,state,andlocalregulationsexistthatreducethepotentialforhumansortheenvironmenttobeaffectedbyanaccidentalreleaseofhazardousmaterials.Theseinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:(1)ChemicalAccidentPreventionProvision;(2)RCRA;(3)RobertT.StaffordDisasterReliefandEmergencyAssistanceAct;(4)CaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,whichprovidesthresholdquantitiesforregulatedhazardoussubstancesandtheestablishmentofHazardousMaterialsReleaseResponsePlans;(5)CCRTitle23,whichensuresthatfacilitiesmeetregulatoryrequirementsforundergroundstoragetanks;(6)AbovegroundPetroleumStorageAct;




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(7)CalARP;(8)EmergencyResponsetoHazardousMaterialsIncidents;(9)CaliforniaEmergencyServicesAct;and(10)CountyConsolidatedFireCode.TheDEH‐HMDisalsorequiredtoconductongoingroutineinspectionstoensurecompliancewithexistinglawsandregulations,toidentifysafetyhazardsthatcouldcauseorcontributetoanaccidentalspillorrelease,andtosuggestpreventativemeasurestominimizetheriskofaspillorreleaseofhazardoussubstances.

Theproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywithapplicablefederal,state,andlocalregulationsrelatedtothetransportation,use,storage,anddisposalofhazardousmaterials.Compliancewithsuchregulationswouldminimizethepotentialforareleasetooccurandprovideplanningmechanismsforpromptandeffectivecleanupifanaccidentalreleaseoccurred.Therefore,impactsrelatedtoaccidentalreleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentwouldbelessthansignificant.

2.4.3.3 Hazards to Schools



Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool.

Analysis

SchoolsarelocatedthroughouttheCountylimits.Althoughhazardousmaterialscanbefoundinalllanduses,thosethataremorelikelytoregularlyusehighquantitiesofhazardousmaterialsincludelimited‐impactindustrial,medium‐impactindustrial,high‐impactindustrial,generalcommercial,andruralcommercial.Asdiscussedinthepriorsections,mosthazardousmaterialsexpectedtobeusedwithaccessoryagricultureusesarefairlycommon,typicallyusedandstoredinlimitedquantities,andcontrolledbyfederal,state,andlocalregulations.Theuse,transport,anddisposalofhazardousmaterialsisandwouldbemanagedbyexistingfederal,state,andlocallawsandregulationsthatrequirethesubmittalandapprovalofanHMBP,subjecttoapprovalbytheDEH‐HMD.TheCounty’sDEH‐HMDisrequiredtoregulatehazardousmaterialsbusinessplansandchemicalinventory,hazardouswaste,tieredpermitting,undergroundstoragetanks,andriskmanagementplans.TheuseofhazardousmaterialsandpesticideswouldalsobesubjecttotherequirementsofCalEPAandtheCaliforniaDepartmentofPesticideRegulation.Additionally,manyuseswouldbesubjecttoreviewbytheCounty.

Also,pursuanttoStateCEQAGuidelinesSection15186(b),futureprojectssubjecttoCEQAwithin0.25mileofaschoolwouldberequiredtocoordinatewiththeapplicableschooldistrictduringtheenvironmentalanalysisanduponitscertification.Furthermore,newschoolsitesarerequiredtoconsidertheexistenceofhazardousmaterials,wastes,orsubstanceswithin0.25mile,andtodeterminethepotentialforexposuretosensitivereceptors,perCaliforniaEducationCodeSection17210.Moreover,afinalcertificateofoccupancywouldnotbeissuedwithoutconformancetoHealthandSafetyCode,Division20,Chapter6.95,Article2,Sections25500through25520.Therefore,impactsassociatedwithhandlinghazardousmaterialswithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschoolwouldbelessthansignificant.




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2.4.3.4 Existing Onsite Contamination



BelocatedonasitewhichisincludedonalistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5and,asaresult,woulditcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment.

TheCounty’sGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforHazardousMaterialsandExistingContaminationfurtherclarifiesthataprojectwillgenerallybeconsideredtohaveasignificanteffectif:

a. Theprojectislocatedonorwithinone‐quartermilefromasiteidentifiedinoneoftheregulatorydatabasescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5orisotherwiseknowntohavebeenthesubjectofareleaseofhazardoussubstances,andasaresulttheprojectmayresultinasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment.

b. Theprojectproposesstructure(s)forhumanoccupancyand/orsignificantlinearexcavationwithin1,000feetofanopen,abandoned,orclosedlandfill(excludingburnsites)andasaresult,theprojectwouldcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment.

c. Theprojectisproposedonorwithin250feetoftheboundaryofaparcelidentifiedascontainingburnash(fromthehistoricburningoftrash);andasaresult,theprojectwouldcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment.

d. Theprojectisproposedonorwithin1,000feetofaFUDSandithasbeendeterminedthatitisprobablethatmunitionsorotherhazardsarelocatedonsitethatcouldrepresentasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment.

e. TheprojectcouldresultinhumanorenvironmentalexposuretosoilsorgroundwaterthatexceedEPARegion9PRGs,CalEPACHHSLs,orPrimaryStateorFederalMaximumContaminantLevels(MCLs)forapplicablecontaminantsandtheexposurewouldrepresentahazardtothepublicortheenvironment.

f. Theprojectwillinvolvethedemolitionofcommercial,industrialorresidentialstructuresthatmaycontainACM,lead‐basedpaint(LBP)and/orotherhazardousmaterialsandasaresult,theprojectwouldrepresentasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment.

Analysis

AsdiscussedinSections2.4.1.2and2.4.1.3,numerousknowncontaminatedsitesoccurthroughouttheCountyandtherearelikelymanymorethathavenotyetbeenrecorded.Asaresult,thereisapotentialforfutureaccessoryagriculturalusestobelocatedonoradjacenttoacontaminatedsite.Additionally,ifanaccessoryagriculturaluseinvolvesastructurethatwasbuildpriortothe1980s,itcouldcontainACMand/orLBP.However,asfurtherdiscussedinSections2.4.2and2.4.3.1,contaminatedsitesandthepotentialforexposureofworkersandthepublictocontaminationishighlyregulatedbyfederal,state,andlocalregulations.ProjectsthatrequirediscretionaryapprovalswillbereviewedagainstknownsitesandmayalsoberequiredtoprepareaPhaseISiteAssessmenttoreviewthesiteingreaterdetailandidentifyrecommendationstoaddresspotential




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contamination.Projectsthatdonotrequirediscretionaryapprovalswillstillberegulatedbyapplicablelawsthatplaceresponsibilityonconstructioncontractorsandpropertyownerstoaddresssuspectedcontamination.Therefore,impactsrelatedtoexistingonsitecontaminationwouldbelessthansignificant.




Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.

Analysis

Emergencyresponseplansaremaintainedatthefederal,state,andlocallevelforalltypesofdisasters,includinghuman‐madeandnatural.Toaddressdisastersandemergencysituationsatthelocallevel,theUDCisthegoverningbodyoftheUnifiedSanDiegoCountyEmergencyServicesOrganization,andtheCountyOESservesasstafftotheUDC.Emergencyresponseplansareinplacetoensureplanningfordisasterpreparednessandacoordinatedresponseinthecaseofemergencysituations.Interferencewithanadoptedemergencyresponseorevacuationplanwouldresultinanadversephysicalimpactonpeopleortheenvironmentbypotentiallyincreasingthelossoflifeandpropertyintheeventofadisaster.Developmentthatproposeslargeconcentrationsofpeopleorspecialneedsindividuals,suchasstadiumsorhospitals,inanareawithincreasedhazards,suchasadaminundationarea,couldcauseadverseeffectsrelatedtotheimplementationofemergencyresponseandevacuationplans,suchastheMulti‐JurisdictionalHazardMitigationPlanortheDamEvacuationPlan.Similarly,theevacuationofalargenumberoflivestockfromaparticularareacouldalsocauseadverseeffectsrelatedtotheimplementationofemergencyresponseandevacuationplans.Certaintallstructurescanphysicallyinterferewiththeimplementationofanemergencyresponseiftheheightofthestructureortowerinterfereswiththeabilityofemergencyairsupportservicestocarryoutmissionsassociatedwithanemergencyresponse.

Manyoftheusesincludedintheproposedproject,includingagriculturalhomestays,agriculturaltourism,agriculturalmicro‐breweriescideries,andmicro‐distilleries,wineries,agriculturalandhorticulturalretail,agriculturalstores,andcreamery/dairyuses,couldincreasedevelopmentonagriculturallandsandcouldgenerallyincreaseactivitiesonagriculturalpropertieswithassociatedincreasesforemployeesandvisitors.However,theseincreaseswouldnotbeexpectedtobeonascalethatwouldinterferewithoroverwhelmemergencyresponseteams.

Thegeneralgrowthofagriculturalactivitiescouldinduceincreasesintraffic(refertoSection2.87,TransportationandTraffic).Farmemployeehousing,animalraising,aquaponics/fishmarket,roadsidesales,andmobilebutcheringarenotasignificantfactorfortrafficandwouldnotaddnewdailytrips.Intotal,theproposedprojectwouldgenerateapproximately379,899newdailytripsspanningacrossall23CommunityPlanningAreas(CPAs)intheunincorporatedportionoftheCounty.Thetotalnewaveragedailytrips(ADT)wouldbearesultoftrafficgeneratedbythebuildoutofallproposedaccessoryagriculturalusescausingcongestionandpotentiallyinhibitingtheabilityforemergencyresponse.However,asstatedinSection2.87,individualaccessoryagriculturaluseprojectsallowedundertheproposedprojectarenotanticipatedtoconflictwiththe




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applicablecongestionmanagementplans.Furthermore,asthetripsarespreadoutthroughouttheCounty,withthehighesttrafficgeneratingusesbeingmicrobreweries(smallandlarge)andwineries(small,boutique,andwholesale),themaximumADTgeneratedbyeachoftheseuseswouldbe800dailytrips,whichissignificantlybelowthe2,400orgreaterADTthresholdforcongestionmanagementplanimpacts.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotcausecongestionorphysicallyinterferewithemergencyresponse.

Newfacilitiesassociatedwiththeproposedprojectwouldnotresultintheobstructionofmultipleevacuationoraccessroadsbecausetheaccessoryusesandfacilitieswouldbeaccessorystructureslocatedwithineachagriculturalsite,andanyanimalswouldbeevacuatedinasimilarmanneraspeople.Futureusesundertheproposedprojectwouldbeagriculture‐relatedandwouldnotincludelargedevelopmentssuchasstadiumsordamsthattypicallydrawlargecrowdsorcouldcauseevacuationinterference.Noneoftheagriculturalusesproposedbytheprojectareexpectedtoinvolvetallstructures,andthereforearenotexpectedtoaffectnavigableairspaceandthuswouldnotinterferewithemergencyairsupportservices.Futuredevelopmentandlandusedecisionswouldcontinuetobesubjecttothestateandlocalbuildingandfirecodes,andindividualprojectswouldbereviewedforconsistencywithapplicableemergencyplans.

TheCounty’sreviewofdiscretionarydevelopmentproposalsincludesbutisnotlimitedtothefollowingplans/regulations:(1)theStatewideStandardizedEmergencyManagementSystem;(2)theSanDiegoCountyNuclearPowerStationEmergencyResponsePlan;(3)theOilSpillContingencyElement;(4)theEmergencyWaterContingenciesAnnexandEnergyShortageResponsePlan;and(5)theDamEvacuationPlan.Theproposedprojectwouldnotimpairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.Therefore,impactsrelatedtoemergencyresponseorevacuationplanswouldbelessthansignificant.

2.4.3.6 Wildland Fires



Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands.

Analysis

ThevastmajorityoftheunincorporatedCountyisrankedthroughtheFireandResourceAssessmentProgramashavingHighorVeryHighfirehazardseverity.Additionally,approximately575,434acresoftheunincorporatedCountyareconsideredtobewithinWUIareas,whichareathigherriskofadverseeffectsfromwildfireevents.

Futureprojectsundertheproposedprojectcouldincludeadditionalagriculturalusesanddevelopmentinbothruralandurbanizedareas,onirrigatedlands,andwheretherearenoadjacentwildlandareasintheCounty.Forprojectssurroundedbyurbanorirrigatedlands,theproposedprojectwouldnotexposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvinghazardouswildlandfiresbecauseurbanareasandagriculturalfieldswithirrigationcontainless




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vegetationthatcanactasfuelduringawildfire.Agriculturalaccessoryuseslocatedinanurbanareaarenotanticipatedtoexposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildfires.ThoseusesandnewstructureswithinmoreruralareasoftheCounty,adjacenttowildlandsand/orareaswithgreateramountsofnaturalvegetationsurroundingtheproperties,haveagreaterpotentialtosupportwildlandfires.

Theproposedprojectcouldresultinanincreaseofnewstructures,includinghomestays,animalenclosures,aquaponicstanks,andpastures,aswellasincreasetheamountofrelatedinfrastructure,includingparkinglots,driveways,fences,andbuildings.Theanimalholdingpenscouldcontainhighlyflammablehay,bedding,andfeed,whichcanposefirerisks.Theyalsooftencontainlargequantitiesoffuelsourcesthatcanbeimpervioustowater(e.g.,hay,petroleumfuels,andfertilizers).Also,asdiscussedunderSection2.4.3.1,HazardousSubstanceHandling,microbreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distillerieshavethepotentialforincreasedoperationalfireandexplosionrisks.Althoughtheseriskscanbereducedthroughadherencewithapplicablelaws,rareincidentshavebeenknowntooccurandinawildlandsetting,suchincidentscouldquicklyescalatetoalargerpublicthreat.

Constructionandmaintenanceactivitiesthatmayresultinignitionsourceswouldincludevegetationclearingandpiling,grading,sitepreparation,soildisturbances,concretepouring,construction,andrefueling.Theseconstructionactivitiesmayincludethepresenceofvehicles,heavyequipment,heat‐generatingequipmentandactivities,andsparksfromvarioussources,amongothers,aswellasuseoffuelsandcombustiblematerialsduringconstruction.Thepotentialriskofwildfireignitionandspreadassociatedwithconstructionandmaintenanceoftheproposedprojectcanbemanagedandpre‐plannedsothatthepotentialforvegetationignitionisminimized.Inaddition,pre‐planningandpersonnelfireawarenessandsuppressiontrainingnotonlyresultsinlowerprobabilityofignition,butalsoinhigherprobabilityoffirecontrolandextinguishmentinitsincipientstages.

Futureusesundertheproposedprojectmaybelocatedinareasthatareathighriskofadverseeffectsfromwildfireevents.Wherenewstructuresarebuilt,implementationoffiresafetystandardswouldoccurduringthebuildingpermitprocess.Therefore,compliancewiththeregulations,codes,andordinancesforbuildingandfiresafetywoulddecreaseriskstopeopleandstructuresforloss,injury,ordeathinvolvinghazardouswildlandfires.Theriskofwildfireignitionwouldalsobemanagedbyexistingfederal,state,andCountyregulations,includingbutnotlimitedto:theCountyVegetationandOtherFlammableMaterialsOrdinance,FireProtectionPlans,andtheCountyConsolidatedFireCode.

However,thereisultimatelynoguaranteeonaproject‐specificlevelthatexistingregulationswouldreduceimpactstoalevelbelowsignificantrelativetowildfires.Throughthepromotionofaccessoryagriculturaluses,theproposedprojectwouldbeincreasingthenumberofvisitorandemployeesintheunincorporatedlands.Asthenumberofpeopleandlevelofuseofanareaincreases,sodoesthegeneralthreatofwildfireignition.Additionally,theproposedprojectwouldbeincreasingthenumberofpeoplewithinareasthatarealreadyknowntohaveahighwildfirerisk.Whenawildfireoccurs,theseadditionalpeoplewillrequireadditionalattentionandresponseforemergencyresponders.

Therefore,althoughexistingpoliciesandregulationsservetoreduceimpactsassociatedwithwildlandfires,implementationoftheproposedprojectcouldresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsinvolvingwildlandfires(ImpactHZ‐1).




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2.4.3.7 Vectors


ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromtheCounty’sGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforVectorsappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould:

Substantiallyincreasehumanexposuretovectorscapableofspreadingdiseaseby:

a. Proposingavectorbreedingsource,includingbutnotlimitedto,sourcesofstandingwaterformorethan72hours(e.g.,ponds,stormwatermanagementfacilities,constructedwetlands);or

b. Proposingavectorbreedingsource,includingbutnotlimitedto,compostingormanuremanagementfacilities,confinedanimalfacilities,animalboarding/breeding/trainingoperations;or

c. Proposingasubstantialincreaseinthenumberofresidentslocatedwithinone‐quartermileofasignificantexistingoffsitevectorbreedingsource.

Analysis

Theaccessoryagriculturalusesthatarepromotedbytheproposedprojectwouldnotrequirewaterimpoundmentsorstoragethatwouldhavethepotentialtobeavectorbreedingsource.Theproposedchangestothecreameryandanimalregulationsareintendedtopromoteandsupportadditionalanimalraisingoperationsandactivities.Animalwasteassociatedwiththeseuseswouldbeasourceofvectors.However,becausetheproposedprojectfocusesonaccessoryuses,itwouldnotinvolveoperationsofascalethatwouldcauseasubstantialvectorconcern.Typicalgoodhousekeepingmeasureswouldbesufficientattheseoperationstoaddressvectorissues.Theproposedprojectdoesnotincludearesidentialcomponentandthereforewouldnotresultinasubstantialincreaseinthenumberofresidentsnearanexistingvectorsource.Impactsrelatedtovectorswouldbelessthansignificant.

2.4.3.8 Airport‐Related Hazards


PursuanttoarecentCaliforniaSupremeCourtrulingonCaliforniaBuildingIndustryAssociation(CBIA)v.BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict(BAAQMD)(CaseNo.S213478,December17,2015),CEQAdoesnotrequireanalysisofhowexistingenvironmentalconditionswillaffectaproject’sfutureusersorresidents.Therefore,significancethresholdsarenotestablishedforthistopic.However,PublicResourcesCodeSection21096(a)requiresthatanEIRdiscussairport‐relatedhazardsiftheprojectislocatedwithin2milesofapublicuseairport.Therefore,anassessmentofairport‐relatedhazardsisprovidedbelow.

Analysis

SixpublicairportsarelocatedintheunincorporatedCounty:AguaCalienteAirstrip(DesertSubregion),BorregoValleyAirport(DesertSubregion),FallbrookCommunityAirpark(FallbrookCPA),JacumbaAirport(MountainEmpireSubregion),OcotilloAirstrip(DesertSubregion),and




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RamonaAirport(RamonaCPA).Mostoftheseincludesomeagriculturaluseswithin2milesoftheairports;thus,theproposedprojectcouldresultinnewaccessoryagriculturalusesinproximitytoexistingairports.AirportLandUseCompatibilityPlans(ALUCPs)havebeenpreparedbytheSanDiegoRegionalAirportAuthorityforalloftheseairports.TheseALUCPsincludecompatibilitypoliciesforreviewingnewdevelopmentforsafetyissuesthatareassociatedwiththeairport.TheCountyofSanDiegohasestablishedazoningoverlaycongruentwitheachairport’sAirportInfluenceArea(AIA),whichestablishestheCounty’sALUCPAreaRegulations.Theseregulationsrequirethat“[n]ewdevelopment,redevelopment,expansions,conversionsandotherusesoflandlocatedwithintheAIAofanadoptedALUCPforwhichCountyapprovalorpermitarerequiredshallbereviewedagainsttheestablishedcriteriaandpoliciesoftheALUCP.”Furthermore,“[u]nlessthepropertyisalreadydevotedtotheproposedincompatibleuseortheALUCPisoverriddenbytheCountyinamannerwhichrenderstheusecompatiblewiththeALUCP,theproposal,mustcomplywiththeestablishedpoliciesandcriteriaoftheapplicableALUCP.”Asaresult,potentialsafetyissueswouldbeaddressedthroughtheCounty’sreviewandapplicationoftheALUCPcompatibilitypolicies.Impactswouldbelessthansignificant.

2.4.4 Cumulative Impacts Analysis

ThegeographicscopeforthecumulativeanalysisofhazardousmaterialsincludestheSanDiegoregion,whichencompassestheentireCounty,includingbothincorporatedandunincorporatedareasandtribalandpublicagencylands.Thisisbecauseoftheareathattheproposedprojectcovers(mostoftheunincorporatedCounty);whenconsideringthetransportofhazardousmaterials,theareaofpotentialeffectcanextendwellbeyondthepointoforiginofthematerials.

2.4.4.1 Hazardous Substance Handling

Cumulativeprojectswithintheregionarelikelytoresultinnewdevelopmentwhichwouldincludefacilitiesthatinvolvetheuse,storage,disposalortransportofhazardousmaterials,andpotentiallyincreasehazardstothepublicortheenvironment.Futurecumulativeprojectsintheregionwouldbesubjecttoapplicableregulationsforthetransport,use,anddisposalofhazardousmaterials,includingRCRA,CERCLA,theHazardousMaterialsTransportationAct,IFC,andCCRTitle22andTitle27.Also,theDEH‐HMDwouldberesponsibleforenforcingChapter6.95oftheHealthandSafetyCodeastheresponsibleCUPAagency,whichgivestheDEH‐HMDtheauthoritytoregulateHMBPsandchemicalinventory,hazardouswaste,tieredpermitting,USTs,andRMPs.Similartotheproposedproject,afinalcertificateofoccupancywouldnotbeissuedforanyotherprojectwithoutconformancetoHealthandSafetyCode,Division20,Chapter6.95,Article2,Sections25500through25520.ThisensuresthatprojectsthatinvolvesubstantialquantitiesofhazardousmaterialsprepareanHMBP,notifyappropriateagencies,andincorporatesafetymeasureswhereapplicable.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactfromthehandlingofhazardoussubstances.

2.4.4.2 Accidental Release of Hazardous Materials

Implementationofnewdevelopment,andcommercial,industrial,andagriculturalprojectsincreasesthelikelihoodofhazardstothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditions.Operationalactivitiesforotherprojects(mainlymanufacturingandspecializedcommercialuses)intheCountycouldresultinthestorage,use,anddisposalofhazardousmaterials,andtheseprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywithregulationsthatwouldminimizethepotential




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forareleaseandprovideplanningmechanismsforpromptandeffectivecleanupintheeventofanaccidentalrelease.Petroleumproductssuchasfuelsandoilswouldbeusedbymotorizedconstructionequipmentandvehiclesduringconstructionofcumulativeprojects,andonoccasionspillscouldoccur.However,suchspillswouldbeinfrequent,smallinquantity,andcleanedinaccordancewithgoverningregulations.Compliancewithregulationscouldinclude,butarenotlimitedto:ChemicalAccidentPreventionProvision,RCRA,theCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,CCRTitle23,theAbovegroundPetroleumStorageAct,CalARPprogram,EmergencyResponsetoHazardousMaterialsIncidents;theCaliforniaEmergencyServicesAct,andtheCountyConsolidatedFireCode.Cumulativeprojectswouldbesubjecttoapplicableregulationsregardingthehandlingofhazardousmaterials,andtherisksassociatedwithaccidentalreleasewouldbereduced.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactfromaccidentalreleaseofhazardousmaterials.

2.4.4.3 Hazards to Schools

Futureandexistingschoolfacilitiescouldpotentiallybelocatedinthevicinityofprojectsundertheproposedprojectandothercumulativeprojects,whichcouldinvolvehazardousemissionsorhandlingofhazardousmaterials.Althoughmostoftheregion’sschoolsarenotlocatednearruralareas,itispossibleforhazardousmaterialsandwastestobetransported,stored,orusedbyproposedorcumulativeprojectsatschoolsitesorwithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool.However,cumulativeprojectswouldbesubjecttoapplicableregulations,includingCaliforniaEducationCodeSection17210,whichwouldensureriskstoschoolswouldremainlessthansignificant.Similartotheproposedproject,afinalcertificateofoccupancywouldnotbeissuedwithoutconformancetoHealthandSafetyCode,Division20,Chapter6.95,Article2,Sections25500through25520.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactfromhazardsinschoolswithina0.25‐mileradius.

2.4.4.4 Existing Onsite Contamination

Cumulativeprojectsintheregionwouldhavethepotentialtobelocatedonoradjacenttoexistingcontaminatedsites.However,similartoprojectspromotedbytheproposedproject,discretionaryprojectswouldbereviewedforpotentialsitecontaminationandappropriatemeasurestoaddressriskstothepublicandenvironmentwouldberequired.Forprojectsthatdonotrequirediscretionaryreview,federal,state,andlocalregulationswouldrequirethatanycontaminationthatisencounteredisreportedtoappropriateagenciesandthatappropriateprecautionsaretakentoaddressriskstoworkersandthepublic.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactfromexistingcontaminatedsites.


Cumulativeprojectsintheregionwouldhavethepotentialtointerferewithexistingemergencyandevacuationplans.Cumulativepublicorprivateprojectscouldincreasepopulation,andcauseaninadequateemergencyresponseandpotentialrouteimpairment.Similartotheproposedproject,cumulativeprojectswouldberequiredtocomplywithapplicableemergencyresponseandevacuationpoliciesinregulationssuchastheFederalResponsePlan,theCaliforniaEmergencyServicesAct,andlocalfirecodes.Asdiscussedabove,theproposedprojectwouldnotimpairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactonemergencyresponseandevacuationplans.




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Asdiscussedabove,alargeportionoftheunincorporatedCountyisinaHighorVeryHighfirehazardzone,andassuch,cumulativeprojectsintheregioncouldalsobeimplementedwithinHighorVeryhighfirehazardseverityzonesdependingontheirlocation.Althoughcompliancewithregulationswouldreducetheriskofhazardsassociatedwithwildlandfiresandbuildingsafety,theproposedprojectmaycontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactrelatedtowildlandfires(ImpactHZ‐2).

2.4.4.7 Vectors

Projectsandusesthatinvolvepotentialvectorbreedingsourcessuchasstandingwateroranimalwastethatarelocatedincloseproximitytooneanotherhavethepotentialtocumulativelyincreasevectorsinalocalizedarea.However,theproposedprojectdoesnotpromoteusesthatwouldinvolvestandingwater,andanimalraisingpromotedbytheproposedprojectwouldbeaccessoryandnotofascalethatisexpectedtogeneratesubstantialvectors.Vectorscangenerallybecontrolledthroughstandardgoodhousekeepingmethodsand,therefore,whilelocalizedandtemporaryissueshaveoccurredinthepast,therearenoongoingcumulativevectorissuesassociatedwithanimalwaste.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactrelatedtovectors.


Cumulativeprojectsmayoccurwithinairportinfluenceareaandmaysubjectadditionalpeopletoairporthazards.However,aswithprojectsthatarepromotedbytheproposedproject,otherprojectwouldalsobesubjecttoindividualreviewforcompatibilitywiththeALUCP.Asaresultofthisreview,cumulativeimpactswouldbeaddressedandimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

2.4.5 Significance of Impacts Prior to Mitigation

Theproposedprojectwouldresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsrelatedtowildlandfires(ImpactsHZ‐1,direct/indirect,andHZ‐2,cumulative)asaresultofaccessoryagriculturaldevelopmentinruralareasorinareasofdensevegetation.Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsassociatedwiththehandlingandreleaseofhazardousmaterialsorwastesorinterferewithemergencyresponseandevacuationplans.

2.4.6 Mitigation Measures

2.4.6.1 Hazardous Materials and Wastes

Theprojectwouldnotresultinanysignificantimpactsorcreateasignificanthazardtothepublic,aschool,ortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterialsorthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentorwithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool.Nomitigationmeasuresarerequired.




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Theproposedprojectwouldnotimpairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.Therefore,impactsrelatedtoemergencyresponseorevacuationplanswouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.


Theproposedprojectwouldpromotethedevelopmentofaccessoryagriculturefacilitiesinhighthreatareaforwildfire.Mitigationmeasures(describedbelow)havebeenidentifiedthatwouldreduceimpactsrelatedtowildlandfires,butnotbelowasignificantlevel.

Mitigation Measures

M‐HZ‐1:TheCountyGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforWildlandFireandFireProtectionwillbeappliedduringtheenvironmentalreviewprocessforfutureprojectsundertheAgriculturePromotionProgramrequiringdiscretionarypermits.Feasibleandproject‐specificmitigationcontainedwithintheCountyGuidelineswillbeappliedasappropriate.Whenimpactsaredeterminedtobesignificant,feasible,andappropriate,project‐specificmitigationmeasureswillbeimplemented.ExamplesofstandardmitigationmeasureswithintheCountyGuidelinesincludeinstallationoffiresuppressionsystems;maintainingsufficientonsitewaterstorage;inclusionoffiremanagementzones;andimplementingfundedagreementswithfireprotectiondistricts.

Infeasible Mitigation Measures

ThefollowingmeasurewasconsideredinattemptingtoreducedirectandcumulativeimpactsassociatedwithwildlandfireswithintheCountytobelowalevelofsignificance.However,ithasbeendeterminedthatthismeasureisinfeasibleforreasonsdescribedbelow.Therefore,thismeasurewouldnotbeimplemented.

ProhibitaccessoryagricultureusesinHighandVeryHighfirehazardseverityzones.

Thismeasurewouldbeinfeasible,becausethevastmajorityofunincorporatedSanDiegoCountyisrankedashavingHighorVeryHighfirehazardseverity.

AsitcannotbeconcludedatthisstagethatimpactsrelatedtowildlandfiresfromallaccessoryagricultureusesallowedbytheproposedZoningOrdinanceamendmentwouldbeavoidedormitigated,impactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedprojectthatwouldresultinsomereducedimpactsassociatedwithwildlandfirehazards,ascomparedtotheproposedproject.

2.4.6.4 Vectors

Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinsubstantialnewvectorbreedingsources.Therefore,impactsrelatedtovectorswouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.




February 2017

ICF 0054.15


Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinsignificantimpactsrelatedtohazardsfromairports.Therefore,nomitigationmeasuresarerequired.

2.4.7 Conclusion

Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsassociatedwithhazardousmaterialsorwastesorinterferencewithemergencyresponseandevacuationplans.TheproposedprojectwouldresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsonwildfirehazardsintheCounty,bothataprojectlevelandcumulatively.Mitigationwouldreducethelikelihoodofwildlandfireimpactsthroughpropercompliancewithapplicableregulationsandprogram,and,therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinsignificantadverseimpactsrelatedtoexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires(ImpactsHZ‐1,direct/indirect,andHZ‐2,cumulative).

Documents

Section 2.4 Hazards and Hazardous Materials...Agriculture Promotion Project 2.4‐2 February 2017 ICF 0054.15 The primary concerns associated with the release of a hazardous material