california environmental quality act initial study ...€¦ · smaller wbf processor operations...

CALIFORNIAENVIRONMENTALQUALITYACTINITIALSTUDY/CHECKLIST

AndMITIGATEDNEGATIVEDECLARATION

A. PROJECTTITLE:

AdoptionofConditionalWaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsandaMonitoringandReportingProgramforDischargesofWine,BeverageandFoodProcessingWastetoLandintheNorthCoastRegion.

B. LEADAGENCY:

CaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,NorthCoastRegion5550SkylaneBlvd.,SuiteA,SantaRosa,CA95403

C. CONTACTPERSON:

RachelPratEnvironmentalScientist5550SkylaneBlvd.,SuiteA,SantaRosa,[email protected]

D. PROJECTLOCATION:

ThisprojectislocatedintheNorthCoastregion,whichcomprisesallbasinsfromtheCalifornia‐OregonstatelineincludingLowerKlamathLakeandLostRiverBasinsdrainingintothePacificOceantothesoutherlyboundaryofthewatershedofEsterodeSanAntonioandStempleCreekinMarinandSonomaCounties.

E. PROJECTSUMMARY:

Theprojectistheadoptionofageneralconditionalwaiverofwastedischargerequirements(WDRs)foreligiblewine,beverageandfood(WBF)processingfacilitiesthatdischargeprocesswastewaterorprocesssolidstoland.EligibleWBFprocessingfacilitiesmayapplyforenrollmentunderthegeneralconditionalwaiverratherthanobtaininganindividualconditionalwaiverofWDRs,enrollingunderthegeneralWBFPWDROrder,orobtainingindividualWDRs.

EligibletypesofWBFprocessingfacilitiesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:wineries,breweries,ciderhouses,non‐alcoholicbeverageproducers,distilleries,post‐slaughtercutandwrapmeatprocessingfacilities,fruitandvegetableprocessorsanddairyproductmanufacturers.ThoseeligibletypesofWBFprocessingfacilitiesthatproduce1,500gallonsperday(gpd)orlessofprocesswastewater,asmeasuredduringthepeakproductionperiodofthefacility,anddischargethatprocesswastewatertolandmayapplyforcoverage.Additionally,wineriesthat:produce3,000gpdorlessofprocesswastewaterasmeasuredduringthepeakproductionperiod;dischargethatprocesswastewatertoland;andproducenomorethanfivegallonsofwastewater

CEQA: Initial Study and Environmental Checklist

foreachgallonofwineproducedannually(5:1wastewatertowineratio),mayapplyforcoverage.EligibleWBFprocessingfacilitiesmustcomplywiththerequirementsoftheconditionalwaiverofWDRsincludinglandapplicationofprocesswastewaterandprocesssolidsatagronomicrates,meetinggroundwaterlimitations,andimplementingamonitoringandreportingprogram(MRP).

F. PROJECTDESCRIPTION:

TheprojectentailstheadoptionofOrderNo.R1‐2016‐0003,ConditionalWaiverofWasteDischargeRequirementsforDischargesofWine,BeverageandFoodProcessorWastetoLandintheNorthCoastRegion(WBFPWaiverOrder),1whichconditionallywaivesWDRsforsmalldischargesofWBFprocessingsolidwastes,andwastewaterstolandlocatedwiththeNorthCoast.

CaliforniaWaterCodesection13260subdivision(a)requiresthatanypersondischargingwasteorproposingtodischargewaste,otherthantoacommunitysewersystem,thatcouldaffectthequalityofthewatersoftheState,tofileaReportofWasteDischarge(ROWD)withtheRegionalWaterBoardtoobtaincoverageunderWDRsorawaiverofWDRs.“Waste”isdefinedinCaliforniaWaterCodesection13050subdivision(d).

DischargestolandofprocesswastewaterandprocesssolidsoriginatingfromaWBFprocessingfacilityhavethepotentialtoaffectthequalityofwatersoftheState.Suchdischargeshavecertaincommoncharacteristics,suchassimilarconstituents,concentrationsofconstituents,disposaltechniques,flowrangesandtheyrequirethesameorsimilartreatmentstandards.

PursuanttoCaliforniaWaterCodesection13269,waiversofWDRsmaybeissuedastoaspecificdischargeortypeofdischarge.Waiversshallnotexceedfive(5)yearsinduration.EnrollmentinthisOrder:(a)isconditional;(b)maybeterminatedatanytime;(c)doesnotpermitanillegalactivity;(d)doesnotprecludetheneedforpermitswhichmayberequiredbyotherlocalorgovernmentalagencies;and(e)doesnotprecludetheRegionalWaterBoardfromadministeringenforcementremedies(includingcivilpenalties)pursuanttotheCaliforniaWaterCodeandotherapplicablelaw.

DeterminationsofwhetheraWBFprocessingfacilityshouldbecoveredbythisWBFPWaiverOrderorisappropriateforcoverageunderthegeneralWBFWDROrder,facilityspecificWDRs,orsomeotherWDRsorconditionalWaiverwillbemadeonacase‐by‐casebasisbyRegionalWaterBoardstaff,basedontheinformationprovidedintheROWD.Ingeneral,dischargesfromsmallerWBFprocessoroperationswheretheaveragemonthlyproductionofprocesswastewateris1,500gpdorless,asmeasuredduringthepeakproductionmonth,orfromawinerywheretheaveragemonthlyproductionofprocesswastewateris3,000gpdorlessandawastewatertowineratioof5:1ismeet,willbeeligibleforcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrder.

WBFprocessorwasteauthorizedfordischargebytheWBFPWaiverOrderincludesfruitandvegetablematter,pomace,lees,soil,rinsewater,washwater,coolingwater,andwatersoftenerwaste.Thewasteproducedbyagriculturaloperationsassociatedwiththegrowingofthefruits

1 The tentative Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharge of Wine, Beverage and Food Processor

Waste to Land in the North Coast Region will be made available at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/wine_beverage_food/, on October 23, 2015.


orvegetablesisnotcoveredbytheWBFPWaiverOrder.

WBFprocessingwastecanhaveelevatedlevelsoforganicmatter,solids,nutrients,andsaltswithswingsinpHrequiringphysical,biological,and/orchemicaltreatment.WhetheranindividualdischargeofWBFprocessingwastemayaffectthequalityofwatersoftheStatedependsonthequantityofwaste,thequalityofwaste,extentoftreatment,soilcharacteristics,distancetosurfacewaters,depthtogroundwater,andotherfactors.

AnowneroroperatorofaWBFprocessingfacilityseekingauthorizationtodischargeunderthisOrdershallsubmitacompleteForm200andTechnicalInformationForm(TIF),whichwillincludetheappropriatedocumentationofCEQAcompliance.TheinformationrequiredwiththeForm200andTIFisequivalenttoaROWD.OnlysmallervolumeWBFprocessingdischargesareeligibleforcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrder.

TheWBFPWaiverOrderisexpectedtoimprovewaterqualityintheareaswheredischargesofsmallvolumesofWBFprocessingwastearecurrentlytakingplacebyidentifyingsuchdischarges,gatheringinformationontheexistingtreatmentanddisposalmethods,requiringcompliancewithconditionsoftheWBFPWaiverOrder,andrequiringannulmonitoringandreporting.Additionally,theWBFPWaiverOrderwillallowforamorestream‐linedpermittingprocessforthesesmallerdischargesofWBFprocessingwastetoland.

Historically,dischargesofprocessingwastetolandbysmallWBFprocessingfacilitieslocatedinthenorthcoastregionhavenotbeenregulatedbytheRegionalWaterBoard.Since2002,overfiftysmallwinerieshaveappliedforcoverageunderOrderNo.R1‐2002‐0012,GeneralWasteDischargeRequirementsforDischargesofWineryWastetoLand(WineryWDROrder)andweredeferredenrollmentbyRegionalWaterBoardstaff.Deferralofenrollmentwasbasedonthewinerybeingasmallwinery,producinglessthan1,500gallonsperdayofprocesswastewater,andthedischargeposingaminimalrisktogroundwaterquality.ThesesmallerwinerieswereadvisedofthedeferralofcoverageundertheWineryWDROrderandtoldofthefuturedevelopmentofageneralconditionalWaiverofWDRswhichwouldauthorizedischargesfromtheirfacility.TheWBFPWaiverOrder,onceadoptedbytheRegionalWaterBoard,maybeutilizedastheconditionalWaiverofWDRsforthesesmallerWBFprocessingfacilities.

G. SURROUNDINGLANDUSESANDSETTING:

TheprojectislocatedwithintheNorthCoastRegion,whichcomprisesallbasinsfromtheCalifornia‐OregonstatelineincludingLowerKlamathLakeandLostRiverBasinsdrainingintothePacificOceantothesoutherlyboundaryofthewatershedoftheEsterodeSanAntonioandStempleCreekinMarinandSonomaCounties.TheNorthCoastRegionencompassesatotalareaofapproximately19,390squaremiles,including340milesofsceniccoastlineandremotewildernessareas,aswellasurbanizedandagriculturalareas,andincludesallofDelNorte,Humboldt,Trinity,andMendocinocounties,majorportionsofSiskiyouandSonomacounties,andsmallportionsofGlenn,Lake,Modoc,andMarincounties.

TheNorthCoastRegionischaracterizedbydistincttemperaturezones.Alongthecoast,theclimateismoderateandfoggyandthetemperaturevariationisnotgreat.Forexample,atEureka,theseasonalvariationintemperaturehasnotexceeded63°Ffortheperiodofrecord.Inland,however,seasonaltemperaturerangesinexcessof100°Fhavebeenrecorded.PrecipitationovertheNorthCoastRegionisgreaterthanforanyotherpartofCalifornia,and


damagingfloodsareafairlyfrequenthazard.ParticularlydevastatingfloodsoccurredintheNorthCoastareainDecemberof1955,inDecemberof1964,andinFebruaryof1986.

AmpleprecipitationincombinationwiththemildclimatefoundovermostoftheNorthCoastRegionhasprovidedawealthoffish,wildlife,andscenicresources.ThemountainousnatureoftheRegion,withitsdenseconiferousforestsinterspersedwithgrassyorchaparralcoveredslopes,providesshelterandfoodfordeer,elk,bear,mountainlion,furbearersandmanyuplandbirdandmammalspecies.ThenumerousstreamsandriversoftheRegioncontainanadromousfish,andthereservoirs,althoughfewinnumber,supportbothcoldwaterandwarmwaterfish.Tidelands,andmarshestoo,areextremelyimportanttomanyspeciesofwaterfowlandshorebirds,bothforfeedingandnesting.Cultivatedlandandpasturelandsalsoprovidesupplementalfoodformanybirds,includingsmallpheasantpopulations.Tidelandareasalongthenorthcoastprovideimportanthabitatformarineinvertebratesandnurseryareasforforagefish,gamefish,andcrustaceans.Offshorecoastalrocksareusedbymanyspeciesofseabirdsasnestingareas.

Majorcomponentsoftheeconomyaretourismandrecreation,loggingandtimbermilling,aggregatemining,commercialandsportfisheries,sheep,beefanddairyproduction,vineyardsandwineries.

H. BASELINECONDITIONS:

ThisenvironmentalanalysisconsideredpotentialenvironmentalimpactsofadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrder.Specifically,itconsidersactionsthatmaybetakentocomplywiththeWBFPWaiverOrder,beyondthoseactionscurrentlybeingimplementedthroughvolunteeractionsorunderexistingregulations.

Thebaselineconditionsforpurposesofthisenvironmentalanalysisinclude:

DischargesfromWBFprocessingfacilitiesthatcurrentlydischargeprocesswastewaterorprocesssolidstoland.

ExistingphysicalconditionsatWBFprocessingfacilitiesthatcurrentlydischargeprocesswastewaterorsolidstoland.

I. ENVIRONMENTALFACTORSPOTENTIALLYAFFECTED:

TheNorthCoastRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardhaspreparedthisInitialStudytoevaluatereasonablyforeseeableenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwithadoptingtheproposedWBFPWaiverOrder.TheWBFPWaiverOrdercouldbeusedtoregulatesmallerWBFprocessingfacilitiesthroughouttheNorthCoastRegion,andthustheevaluationoftheenvironmentalfactorsdoesnotaddressaspecificsite.

DischargesofwastewaterfromWBFprocessorsposesarisktowaterquality;theconditionsoftheproposedWBFPWaiverOrderaredesignedtoensurethatthesedischargeswillbemitigatedtolessthansignificantlevels.However,environmentalreviewmayneedtobeperformedbylocalagenciesthatissuelanduseapprovalsforneworexpandingWBFprocessingfacilities.Impactsassociatedwiththoselandusedeterminationsfalloutsidethepurviewofthisanalysis.Dischargesthatdonotqualifyforcoverage,suchasdischargesfromWBFprocessingfacilitiesproducinggreaterthan1,500gpdofwastewaterorwineriesproducinggreaterthan3,000gpdof


wastewaterandmeetingawastewatertowineratioof5:1areprohibitedfromenrollmentundertheproposedWBFPWaiverOrderandsimilarlyfalloutsidethepurviewofthisanalysis.IfaparticularproposeddischargedoesnotmeetthecriteriaoftheproposedWBFPWaiverOrder,theNorthCoastRegionalWaterBoardmayprepareanindividualwaiverorWDRs,asappropriate,andthiswouldbeaccompaniedbyseparateCEQAfindings.

Theenvironmentalfactorscheckedbelowwouldbepotentiallyaffectedbythisproject.Pleaseseethefollowingchecklistforadditionalinformation.

AestheticsAgricultureandForestryResourcesAirQualityBiologicalResourcesCulturalResourcesGeology/SoilsGreenhouseGasEmissionsHazards&HazardousMaterialsHydrology/WaterQuality

LandUse/PlanningMineralResourcesNoisePopulation/HousingPublicServicesRecreationTransportation/TrafficUtilities/ServiceSystemsMandatoryFindingsofSignificance

J. DETERMINATION:

Onthebasisofthisinitialevaluation;

IfindthattheproposedprojectCOULDNOThaveasignificanteffectontheenvironment,andaNEGATIVEDECLARATIONwillbeprepared.

IfindthatalthoughtheproposedprojectCOULDhaveasignificanteffectontheenvironment,therewillnotbeasignificanteffectinthiscasebecauserevisionsintheprojecthavebeenmadebyoragreedtobytheprojectproponent.AMITIGATEDNEGATIVEDECLARATIONwillbeprepared.

IfindthattheproposedprojectMAYhaveasignificanteffectontheenvironment,andanENVIRONMENTALIMPACTREPORTisrequired.

IfindthattheproposedprojectMAYhavea“potentiallysignificantimpact”or“potentiallysignificantunlessmitigated”impactontheenvironment,butatleastoneeffect1)hasbeenadequatelyanalyzedinanearlierdocumentpursuanttoapplicablelegalstandards,and2)hasbeenaddressedbymitigationmeasuresbasedontheearlieranalysisasdescribedonattachedsheets.AnENVIRONMENTALIMPACTREPORTisrequired,butitmustanalyzeonlytheeffectsthatremaintobeaddressed.

Ifindthatalthoughtheproposedprojectcouldhaveasignificanteffectontheenvironment,becauseallpotentiallysignificanteffects(a)havebeenanalyzedadequatelyinanearlierEIRorNEGATIVEDECLARATIONpursuanttoapplicablestandards,and(b)havebeenavoidedormitigatedpursuanttothatearlierEIRorNEGATIVEDECLARATION,includingrevisionsormitigationmeasuresthatareimposedupontheproposedproject,nothingfurtherisrequired.

PreparedBy:

__________________________________________

Mrs.RachelPrat,EnvironmentalScientist Date:_October20,2015CaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,NorthCoastRegionLandDisposalandGroundwaterPermittingUnit

CALIFORNIAENVIRONMENTALQUALITYACTENVIRONMENTALCHECKLIST

SECTION1. AESTHETICS.Wouldtheproject:

Issues(andSupportingInformationSources):

PotentiallySignificantImpact

LessThanSignificantWith

MitigationIncorporated

LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista?

b)Substantiallydamagescenicresources,including,butnotlimitedto,trees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingswithinaStatescenichighway?

c)Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings?

d) Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdayornighttimeviewsinthearea?

Aestheticsa):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotchangeexistingzoningorlandusepolicypertainingtoscenicvistasandthelimitingofpotentialimpactsduetodevelopmentorlanduse.Anexisting,neworexpandingWBFprocessorfacilitythatisenrolledundertheWBFPWaiverOrdermaybelocatedorconstructedinavarietyofsettingsintheNorthCoastRegion.TypicallyWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbelocatedinareasofexistingagricultureorindustrialdevelopment.Theseprivatelyownedandoperatedprocesswastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemswillbelocatedincloseproximitytotheprocessingfacilityitisserving.Dependingonthetypeofwastewatersystem,thecomponentsofthatsystem,thefootprint,andconstructionactivities,thepotentialforvisualimpactwillvarygreatly.

Subsurfacewastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystems,includingsumptanks,septictanks,anddisposalfields,arelocatedunderground.Anyassociatedabovegroundcomponentssuchasboxesenclosingpumpcontrols,orvalvestypicallyhavealowprofile.Thesubsurfacedisposalfieldsreceivingthewastewaterarecoveredwithshallowrootedvegetationthatwouldnotobstruct


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views.Subsurfacetreatmentanddisposalsystemsareunlikelytoimpactascenicvista.

Abovegroundtreatmentanddisposalsystemsmayincludeaerobicoranaerobictreatmentunits,activatedsludgepackagesystems,wetlands,overlandflow,spreadingbasinsandpondsystems.Treatmentunitsandpackageplantsareconstructedincloseproximitytotheprocessingfacility,andtheirrelativelysmallsizeallowsthemtobeconcealedwithinbuildings,orbehindfencingorvegetationandareunlikelytoimpactascenicvista.

Wetlands,overlandflow,spreadingbasinsandpondsystemsrequirethelargestfootprintofabovegroundsystemsandaregenerallyconstructedinagriculturalzonedareasatorslightlyabovegroundlevel.Vegetationassociatedwiththesesystemsismaintainedsoastoallowthesystemtofunctionproperly,whichmayincludemowing,andthinningexcessivevegetationandremovalofdeadordiseasedvegetation.Suchsystemswilllikelyblendinwiththeotheragriculturalinfrastructure,suchasirrigationpondsandareunlikelytoimpactascenicvista,andarethereforelessthansignificant.

ExistingwastewatertreatmentsystemsservingWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.AprojectspecificCEQAevaluationwillberequiredfornewconstructionandexpansionofaWBFprocessingfacilityandtheprocesswastewatertreatmentsystemservingthatfacility.Theissueofscenicvistaswillbeevaluatedonasite‐specificbasis.Sitingcriteriaofthelocalauthoritywillcontinuetoestablishappropriatelocationsfornewstructuresormodificationstoexistingstructuresonasite‐specificbasis.Manylocalagencieshaveordinancesinplaceestablishingstandardsforconstructionwithinscenicareas.TheWBFPWaiverOrderwillnotaffectthoserequirements.Assite‐specificissuesareidentified,site‐specificmitigationwouldbedevelopedifneeded.

Aestheticsb):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:SeeresponsetosectionAestheticsa)above.AlthoughasmallWBFprocessingfacilityandtheassociatedwastewatertreatmentsystemcoveredbytheWBFPWaiverOrdercouldbelocatedorconstructedwithintheviewshedofscenichighways,abovegroundportionsofthesewastewatertreatmentsystemswouldberelativelylow‐profileandimpactstoscenichighwayswouldbelessthansignificant.Thenatureofthesewastewatersystemswouldalsoprecludeconstructioninoronhistoricbuildingsandrockoutcroppings.

Aestheticsc):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:SeeresponsetosectionAestheticsa)above.

Aestheticsd):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:PermanentsourcesofexternallightingmaybeassociatedwithwastewatersystemsservingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesenrolledundertheWBFPWaiverOrder.Lightingassociatedwithexistingwastewatertreatmentsystemswouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.AdoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwillnotdirectlyrequirenewsourcesoflightorglare.However,itispossiblethatWBFprocessingfacilitiesmayaddexternallightingtobettermanagethewastewatersystem.ThepossibleincreaseinlightingresultingfromadoptionofthisWBFPWaiverOrderwouldlikelybelimitedtospecificareasofthefacilityandthat


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increasefrombaselineconditionswouldnothaveasignificantimpactondayornighttimeviews,consideringthatmostWBFprocessingfacilitiesalreadyhavesomeexternallightingassociatedwiththeiroperation.Theadditionalexternallightingthatmaybeaddedtobettermanageanexistingwastewatertreatmentsystemshouldnotresultinasubstantialnewsourceoflightorglare,andarethereforelessthansignificant.Additionally,theconstructionandinstallationofanewlightingsystemwouldlikelyrequiretheissuanceofanelectricaland/orbuildingpermitissuedbythelocallanduseauthorityatwhichtimepossiblevisualimpactsnotcomplyingwithlocallanduselightpollutionordinancesand/orregulationswouldbeevaluated.

ThelocalauthoritywillcontinuetoestablishdesignstandardsandlightingrequirementsfornewconstructionandexpansionofWBFprocessingfacilities.Thisissuewouldbeaddressedduringthesite‐specificevaluationofindividualprojectsbythelocalauthority.

SECTION2. AGRICULTURALANDFORESTRESOURCES.

Indeterminingwhetherimpactstoagriculturalresourcesaresignificantenvironmentalimpacts,leadagenciesmayrefertotheCaliforniaAgriculturalLandEvaluationandSiteAssessmentModelpreparedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofConservationasanoptionalmodeltouseinassessingimpactsonagricultureandfarmland.Indeterminingwhetherimpactstoforestresources,includingtimberland,aresignificantenvironmentaleffects,leadagenciesmayrefertoinformationcompiledbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtectionregardingtheState’sinventoryofforestland,includingtheForestandRangeAssessmentProjectandtheForestLegacyAssessmentproject;andforestcarbonmeasurementmethodologyprovidedinForestProtocolsadoptedbytheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard.Wouldtheproject:





LessThanSignificantIm

pact

NoImpact

a)ConvertPrimeFarmland,UniqueFarmland,orFarmlandofStatewideImportance(Farmland),asshownonthemapspreparedpursuanttotheFarmlandMapping&MonitoringProgramoftheCaliforniaResourcesAgency,tonon‐agriculturaluses?

b)Conflictwithexistingzoningforagriculturaluse,oraWilliamsonActcontract?


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c)Conflictwithexistingzoningfor,orcauserezoningof,forestland[asdefinedinPRCsection12220(g)]ortimberland(asdefinedbyPRCsection4526)?

d)Resultinthelossofforestlandorconversionofforestlandtonon‐forestuse?

e)Involveotherchangesintheexistingenvironmentwhich,duetotheirlocationornature,couldresultinconversionofFarmland,tonon‐agriculturaluseorconversionofforestlandtonon‐forestuse?

AgriculturalandForestResourcesb)andc):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotchangezoningorlandusedesignations.TheWBFPWaiverOrderdoesnotconflictwithexistingzoningfor,orcauserezoningof,forestland,timberland,ortimberlandzonedfortimberproduction.

AgriculturalandForestResourcesa),d)ande):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlyresultintheconversionofagriculturallandsorforestlands.TheRegionalWaterBoarddoesnothaveanyevidencetoconcludethatanyofthewastetreatmentanddisposalpracticesregulatedundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldrequiretheconversionoffarmlandorforestlandtootheruses,orthatdifferententitlementswouldberequiredbylocallanduseauthorities.Thereforetheprojectislikelytohavealessthansignificantimpactonagriculturalandforestresources.AnyexistingwastewatertreatmentsystemservingaWBFprocessingfacilityseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditionsbeingevaluated.Theissueoffarmlandandforestlandconversionforexistingfacilitieswouldhavebeenevaluatedonasite‐specificbasisbythelocallanduseauthoritywhentheseWBFprocessingfacilitieswereoriginallyproposed.TheissueoffarmlandandforestlandconversionfortheconstructionofneworexpandingWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbeevaluatedonasite‐specificbasisbythelocallanduseauthorityastheseprojectsareidentified.TheWBFPWDROrderdoesnotchangezoningorlandusedesignation,andwillnotaltertheeconomicsoffarmlandorforestlandconversiontootheruses.Priortoconversionoffarmlandorforestlandstootheruses,entitlementswouldberequiredbylocallanduseauthorities,andaprojectspecificCEQAevaluationwouldbeperformed.


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SECTION3. AIRQUALITY.Whereavailable,thesignificancecriteriaestablishedbytheapplicableairqualitymanagementorairpollutioncontroldistrictmaybereliedupontomakethefollowingdeterminations.Wouldtheproject:






pact

NoImpact

a)Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan?

b)Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation?

c)Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisnon‐attainmentunderanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)?

d)Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations?

e)Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople?

AirQualitya),b)c)andd):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlyresultinaconflictwithanapplicableairplan;violateanairqualitystandard;resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofacriteriapollutantorexposeasensitivereceptortoasubstantialpollutantconcentration.ThepotentialforaprocesswastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemcoveredbytheWBFPWaiverOrdertoconflictorbeinviolationofanairqualityplanislow.ThemajorityofequipmentataWBFprocessingfacilitythatisusedforwastewatertreatmentanddisposalispoweredbyelectricity.Anemergencyinternalcombustionenginegeneratormaybeusedasabackuppower


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sourceforthecontinuedoperationofaWBFprocessorwastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemduringtimesofpoweroutages.Emergencygeneratorspoweredbystationaryinternalcombustionenginesthatexceedahorsepowerrating(typically50HP)mustbepermittedbylocalairqualitymanagementdistricts.Theuseofemergencyequipmentisgenerallylimitedtoshort‐termperiods,andisthereforelikelytohavealessthansignificantimpactonairquality.AnyexistingimpactfromacurrentlyoperatingwastewatertreatmentsystemservingaWBFprocessingfacilityseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditionsbeingevaluated.AnychangestoanexistingWBFprocessorwastewatersystemresultingfromtheOrder,suchaspossiblerepairsorimprovements,shouldnotcauseasignificantincreaseinpowerusagefromexistingbaselineconditions.Anyadditionalairqualityimpactscausedbyarepairedorupgradedsystemswouldbenegligible.Additionally,therepairandupgradeactivitieswouldlikelyrequiretheissuanceofanelectricaland/orbuildingpermitissuedbythelocallanduseauthorityatwhichtimepossibleairqualityimpactsnotcomplyingwithairqualityplansorlocallanduseordinancesandregulationswouldbeevaluated.Fornewandexpandingfacilities,theoverallairqualityimpactscausedbytheusesforwhichthesystemswouldservewouldbeanalyzedbythelocallanduseauthoritypermittingagencyinaprojectspecificanalysis.Asspecificsystemsareidentified,site‐specificenvironmentalreviewwillbeconductedwhichwillconsideranyadditionalairqualityimpactsnotaddressedinthisdocument.Emissionsgeneratingequipment,suchasheavyequipmentpoweredbyfossilfuelscouldbeemployedbyaWBFprocessingregulatedundertheWBFPWaiverOrder,forthepurposeofoperatingorrepairingthewastewatertreatmentsystemorlandapplyingprocesswaste.Wheresuchequipmentcouldcreateimpactstoairquality,permitswouldberequiredoroperatingrequirementswouldbeimposedbyoneoftheregulatoryprogramssummarizedbelow.Theairqualityregulatoryframeworkiscomplexandvariesatthefederal,state,andlocallevels.MultiplefederalandstatelawsprovidetheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoardandlocalairdistrictswithauthoritytoprotectpublichealthbyregulatingaircontaminantswithpotentialtocauseadversehealtheffects:

•CaliforniaCleanAirActRequirements‐TheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode(H&SC)section39607(e)requirestheCaliforniaAirResourcesControlBoard(CARB)toestablishandperiodicallyreviewanddesignateareasofCaliforniaasattainment,nonattainment,orunclassifiedforStatestandards.TheCARBmakesareadesignationsfortenpollutants:ozone,suspendedparticulatematter(PM10andPM2.5),carbonmonoxide,nitrogendioxide,sulfurdioxide,sulfates,lead,hydrogensulfide,andvisibilityreducingparticles.

•FederalCleanAirActRequirements‐LiketheCARB,USEPAdesignatesareasforeachpollutantforwhichthereisanationalambientairqualitystandard:Ozone8‐HourStandard,PM10,PM2.5,CarbonMonoxide,NitrogenDioxide,andSulfurDioxide.

•LocalAirQualityManagement/AirPollutionControl‐TheStateofCaliforniaisdividedintoAirPollutionControlDistricts(APCD)andAirQualityManagementDistricts(AQMD);referredto


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hereinasairdistricts.Airdistrictsarecountyorregionalgoverningauthoritiesthathaveprimaryresponsibilityforcontrollingairpollutionfromstationarysources.

WBFprocessingfacilitiesenrolledundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwillcontinuetoberegulatedbytheabovecitedregulatoryauthorities.

AirQualitye):LessthanSignificantImpactwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlycreateobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople.Howeverthemanagementofprocesswastewaterand/orresidualsolidsfromsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesthatareenrolledandregulatedundertheWBFPWaiverOrdercouldcreateobjectionableodors.WBFprocessingwastesaretypicallyhighinbiodegradableorganicmatterandenoughwateristypicallypresenttofosteraerobicdecay(whensufficientoxygenispresent)andanaerobicdecay(whenatmosphericoxygencannotdiffuseintothewaste).Thoughbothaerobicandanaerobicdecaycreateodors,mostpeoplefindtheodorassociatedwithanaerobicdecaytobemoreoffensive.

TheuseofcommonbestmanagementpracticesdevelopedandimplementedbytheWBFprocessingindustryhavebeenshowntoeffectivelypreventthecreationofnuisanceodorsinthemajorityofcases.Theunderlyingprinciplesaretopreventanaerobicconditions,preventstandingwaterinthelandapplicationareas,anddistributinglandappliedwasteoveralargeareatomaximizecontactwithatmosphericoxygen.TheWBFPWaiverOrderincludesthefollowingprohibitionsanddischargespecificationstomitigatethepotentialfornuisanceodorconditionstooccurtoaless‐than‐significantlevel: TheWBFPWaiverOrderrequiresa1.0mg/ldissolvedoxygenconcentrationinpondsystemsatanytime.

TheWBFPWaiverOrderprohibitsthelandapplicationofprocesswastewaterorprocessingsolidsduringtimesofsoilsaturation.

TheWBFPWaiveOrderprohibitsthecreationofpollution,contamination,ornuisanceasdefinedbysection13050oftheCaliforniaWaterCode(CWC).

AnyexistingodorimpactfromacurrentlyoperatingwastewatertreatmentsystemservingaWBFprocessingfacilityseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditionsbeingevaluated.ThenewconstructionandexpansionofWBFprocessingfacilitiesissubjecttolocalagencyapprovals,permits,andpossiblyaproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseimpactsmustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplementedforbothconstructionandoperations‐relatedairqualityimpacts.WBFprocessingfacilitypollutantsourceswillberegulatedbythelocalairdistricttoensurecompliancewithairqualitystandards.


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SECTION4. BIOLOGICALRESOURCES.Wouldtheproject:






pact

NoImpact

a)Haveasubstantialadverseeffect,eitherdirectlyorthroughhabitatmodifications,onanyspeciesidentifiedasacandidate,sensitive,orspecialstatusspeciesinlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulations,orbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife(DFW)orUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService(USFWS)?

b)Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonanyriparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunityidentifiedinlocalorregionalplans,policies,regulationsorbytheDFWorUSFWS?

c)Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonfederally‐protectedwetlandsasdefinedbySection404ofthefederalCleanWaterAct(including,butnotlimitedto,marsh,vernalpool,coastal,etc.)throughdirectremoval,filling,hydrologicalinterruptionorothermeans?

d)Interferesubstantiallywiththemovementofanynativeresidentormigratoryfishorwildlifespeciesorwithestablishednativeresidentormigratorycorridors,orimpedetheuseofnativewildlifenurserysites?

e)Conflictwithanylocalpoliciesorordinancesprotectingbiologicalresources,suchasatreepreservationpolicyorordinance?

f)ConflictwiththeprovisionsofanadoptedHabitatConservationPlan,NaturalCommunityConservationPlan,orotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplan?


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BiologicalResourcesa),b),c),d),e)andf):LessthanSignificantImpact.Discussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlyresultinpotentialimpactstobiologicalresources.TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderallowsaneligibleWBFprocessingfacilitydischargingprocesswastetolandtoapplyforcoverageunderthegeneralWBFPWaiverOrderratherthanobtaininganindividualfacilityspecificWaiverofWDRs.AWBFprocessingfacilityseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrdermaybelocatedinavarietyofsettings,includingsensitivehabitatareas.DependingonthenatureoftheWBFprocessingfacility,footprint,andoperationalactivities,thepotentialforbiologicalresourceimpactswillvary.AnyexistingimpactstobiologicalresourcesfromcurrentlyoperatingwastewatertreatmentsystemservingaWBFprocessingfacilityseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditionsbeingevaluated.ChangestoanexistingWBFprocessorwastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemresultingfromenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrder,suchasrepairsorupgradestothewastewatersystemshouldnotcauseasignificantincreaseinimpactstobiologicalresourcesfromexistingbaselineconditions.WBFprocessorwastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemswillbelocatedonlandscurrentlyusedforindustrialoragriculturalpurposesandthereforearenotinthesensitivenaturalhabitatorhabitatofwildlifespecies.Anyimpactwouldthereforebelessthansignificant.

SmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesregulatedbytheWBFPWDROrderarelimitedtodischargingprocesswastewatertolandanddischargingprocesssolidstoagriculturallandsasasoilamendment.DischargesofWBFprocessingwastetosurfacewatersareprohibitedbytheWBFPWaiverOrder.FederallyprotectedwetlandsandstreamsareconsideredsurfacewatersandassuchareprohibitedfrombeingdischargedtobytheWBFPWaiverOrder.

TheconstructionofneworexpandingWBFprocessingfacilitiesregulatedbytheWBFPWaiverOrdercouldresultinpotentialimpactstobiologicalresources.TheapprovalandconstructionofneworexpandingWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbeevaluatedbythelocallanduseauthorityandwillincludeaprojectspecificCEQAanalysis.Theanalysiswillidentifyanysite‐specificbiologicalresourcesthatmaybeimpactedbytheproposedconstructionproject.ConstructionandexpansionofnewWBFprocessingfacilitiesregulatedbytheWBFPWaiverOrderaresubjecttolocalagencyapprovalsandpermits.TheWBFPWaiverOrderdoesnotaddress,preempt,orsupersedetheauthorityoflocalpoliciesorordinancesinprotectingbiologicalresources.Therefore,conflictswithsuchplans,policiesorordinancesareunlikelytooccur.


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SECTION5. CULTURALRESOURCES.Wouldtheproject:






pact

NoImpact

a)CauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofahistoricalresourceasdefinedinCalif.CodeRegs.title14section15064.5?

b)CauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresourceasdefinedinCalif.CodeRegs.title14section15064.5?

c)Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature?

d)Disturbanyhumanremains,includingthoseinterredoutsideofformalcemeteries?

e)CauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofatribalculturalresourceasdefinedinPublicResourcesCodesection21074?

CulturalResourcesa),b),c)andd):LessthansignificantImpactDiscussion:WBFprocessingfacilitiesmaybelocatedinavarietyofsettings,includingsitesthathavehistoricalresources,archeologicalresources,ortribalculturalresources.DependingonthenatureoftheWBFprocessingfacility,footprint,andoperationalactivities,thepotentialforimpactswillvary.ItisunlikelythatthemajorityofmanagementmeasuresandactivitiesatexistingWBFprocessingfacilitiesthatpertaintothedisposalofprocesswastewaterorprocesssolidsonlandwouldresultinchangestobaselineconditionsthatwouldcauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofahistoricalorarchaeologicalresourcepursuanttosection15064.5,directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature,disturbanyhumanremains,includingthoseinterredoutsideofformalcemeteries,orcauseasubstantialadversechangeintribalculturalresources.However,whererepairsormaintenanceofonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemcomponentsortheapplicationofprocesssolidstocroppedagriculturallandsisnecessarytoattainormaintaincompliancewiththeWBFPWaiverOrder,soilexcavationordisturbancemay,attimes,takeplace.Ifpossible,thelocationoftheexcavationorsoildisturbanceshallbechosenastoavoidthedisturbanceof


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knownarcheological,historical,ortribalculturalresourceswhilestillcomplyingwiththerequirementsoforder.Mostoftheworkisanticipatedtooccurinareasalreadydisruptedandthelikelihoodofencounteringhistorical,archaeological,humanremains,tribalculturalresourcesandpaleontologicalresourcesislow.Intheeventthatexcavationactivitiestakeplaceinpreviouslyundisturbedareas,aculturalresourcesinvestigationshallberequiredpriortoanysubstantialdisturbance.Theculturalresourcesinvestigationwillinclude,ataminimum,arecordssearchforpreviouslyidentifiedculturalresourcesandpreviouslyconductedculturalresourcesinvestigationsoftheprojectparcelandvicinity.Thisrecordsearchshouldinclude,ataminimum,contactingtheappropriateinformationcenter,suchastheinformationcentersoftheCaliforniaHistoricalResourcesInformationSystem.Incoordinationwiththeinformationcenteroraqualifiedarchaeologist,orincoordinationwithtribesculturallyaffiliatedwiththegeographicareaofthesite,adeterminationregardingwhetherpreviouslyidentifiedculturalresourceswillbeaffectedbytheproposedactivitymustbemadeandifpreviouslyconductedinvestigationswereperformed.Thepurposeofthisinvestigationwouldbetoidentifyresourcesbeforetheyareaffectedandavoidormitigateanysignificantimpact.Upondiscoveryofhumanremains,CalifornialawprotectsNativeAmericanburials,skeletalremains,andassociatedgravegoodsregardlessoftheantiquityandprovidesforthesensitivetreatmentanddispositionofthoseremains(Health&SafetyCode,section7050.5;PublicResourceCode,section5097.9etseq).Inaddition,theexpansionofexistingWBFprocessingfacilitiesandconstructionofnewWBFprocessingfacilitiesthatareregulatedundertheproposedWBFPWaiverOrdercouldresultinsitedisturbancethatmight,insomecircumstances,disturborcausechangestoculturalresources.NeworexpandingWBFprocessingfacilitiesaresubjecttolocalagencyapprovals,permits,andpossiblyaproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseimpactsmustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplementedinaccordancewithlocal,state,andfederalrequirementsasfollows: Aculturalresourcesinvestigationshouldbeconductedbeforeanysubstantialdisturbance.Theculturalresourcesinvestigationwillinclude,ataminimum,arecordssearchforpreviouslyidentifiedculturalresources,includingsites,features,places,culturallandscapes,sacredplaces,andobjectswithculturalvaluepursuanttotheCaliforniaRegisterofHistoricalResourcesorincludedinalocalregisterofhistoricalresources.

TheleadagencywillconsidertheimpactoftheprojectontribalculturalresourcesandfollowconsultationrequirementspursuanttoPublicResourcesCodesections21080.3.1,21080.3.2,and21082.3.

UpondiscoveryofhumanremainsduringconstructionofexpandedornewWBFprocessingfacilitiesthatwouldberegulatedundertheOrder,CalifornialawprotectsNativeAmericanburials,skeletalremains,andassociatedgravegoodsregardlessoftheantiquityandprovidesforthesensitivetreatmentanddispositionofthoseremains.(Health&SafetyCode,Section7050.5;PublicResourceCode,Section5097.9etseq).


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SECTION6. GEOLOGYandSOILS.Wouldtheproject:


PotentiallySignificant

Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolving:

i)Ruptureofaknownearthquakefault,asdelineatedinthemostrecentAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningMapissuedbytheStateGeologistfortheareaorbasedonothersubstantialevidenceofaknownfault?RefertoDivisionofMines&GeologySpecialPublicationNo.42.

ii)Strongseismicgroundshaking?

iii)Seismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includingliquefaction?

iv)Landslides?

b)Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil?

c)Belocatedonageologicunitorsoilthatisunstable,orthatwouldbecomeunstableasaresultoftheproject,andpotentiallyresultinon‐oroff‐sitelandslide,lateralspreading,subsidence,liquefactionorcollapse?

d)Belocatedonexpansivesoils,asdefinedinTable18‐1‐BoftheUniformBuildingCode(1994),creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty?

e)Havesoilsincapableofadequatelysupportingtheuseofseptictanksoralternatewastewaterdisposalsystemswheresewersarenotavailableforthedisposalofwastewater?


Page 14

GeologyandSoilsa),i),ii),iii)andiv):LessthansignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlyresultinexposureofpeopleorstructurestopotentialadverseeffectsinvolving:ruptureofaknownfault;landslides;orstrongseismicgroundshakingorgroundfailure.Thereiswidevariationinthenorthcoastregionforriskrelatedtofaulting,groundshaking,seismicallyrelatedgroundfailure,andliquefaction.ExistingwastewatertreatmentsystemsservingWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.ExpansionornewconstructionofWBFprocessingfacilitiesandtheirassociatedprocesswastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemwillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadversegeologicrelatedimpactsmustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.Ataminimumtheseprojectswouldbesubjecttolocalbuildingcodesdevelopedtoreducetheriskofloss,injury,ordeathtoalessthansignificantlevel.

GeologyandSoilsb):LessthansignificantImpactwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:Thedischargeoftreatedwastewaterabovegroundtolandhasthepotentialtoresultinsoilerosionandlossoftopsoil.AbovegrounddischargesfromexistingwastewatertreatmentsystemsservingWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.Additionally,theWBFPWaiverOrderincorporatesthefollowingconditionsofdischargethatwillpreventerosionandlossoftopsoilwithinareasusedforthelandapplicationofwaste:

TreatedWBFprocesswastewaterorprocessingsolidsshallnotbeappliedtothelandapplicationareaduringtimesofsoilsaturation.

TheDischargershallvisuallyobserve(inspect)thelandapplicationareatoconfirmthenon‐saturationstatusofsoils.

TreatedWBFprocessingwastewaterorprocessingsolidsshallnotbeappliedwithin25feetofsurfacewaterorasurfacewaterdrainagecourseunlessthelandapplicationareaisgradedorbermedtopreventrunoffintothesurfacewaterordrainagecourse.

Dischargeofwastestosurfacewatersorsurfacewaterdrainagecoursesisprohibited.

TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesmayinvolveexcavation,grading,and/orsurfacesoildisturbance.Localgovernmentstypicallyhaveestablishedprotocolsforconstructionprojectstominimizesoilerosionandsedimentation,andminimizestormwaterrunoff.Suchprojectsaresubjecttolocalagencyapprovals,permits,andpossiblyaproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseimpactsmustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

GeologyandSoilsc)andd):LessthansignificantImpactDiscussion:AdoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlycauseimpactsassociatedwithsoilinstability,orexpansivesoils.ExistingwastewatertreatmentsystemsservingWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialimpactsofsoilinstabilityorpresenceofexpansivesoilswillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.


Page 15

GeologyandSoilse):LessthansignificantImpactwithMitigationIncorporatedDiscussion:AdoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwillnotdirectlycauseadischargeofwastewatertosoilsincapableofadequatelysupportingtheuseofseptictanksoralternatewastewaterdisposalsystems,howeverthereisthepotentialforasmallWBFprocessingfacilityseekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrder,toutilizesaseptictankoralternatewastewaterdisposalsystemandtodischargetoinadequatesoils.

ExistingwastewatertreatmentsystemsservingWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.Additionally,anyWBFprocessingfacilityseekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWDROrderisrequiredtosubmitaForm200andTechnicalInformationForm(TIF)totheRegionalWaterBoardforreviewandevaluationofeligibilityforenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrder.TheTIFrequiresinformationonthedesign,locationandoperationandmaintenanceofthedisposalsystem.ThosesmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesutilizingseptictanksubsurfacedisposalfieldsorspreadingbasinsarerequiredtomeetaminimumseparationtogroundwaterandbedesignedfortheuniquecharacteristicsoftheprocesswastewater.Designincludesevaluationofproposeddisposalareasoilsforadequatetreatmentanddisposalcapacity.Confirmationofthesoil’sabilitytoadequatelysupportthedisposalsystemwillbeincludedwiththewastewatersystemsdesignandsiteevaluationplans,whichwillbeincludewiththeTIF.SmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesthatapplyforenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrderanddocumentthroughthesubmittaloftheTIFtheexistenceofasoiltypethatRegionalWaterBoardstaffhasfoundtobeinadequatefortypeorvolumeofwastebeingdisposed,willnotbeeligibleforenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrder.

TheconstructionofexpandingornewWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialtodirectlycauseadischargeofwastewatertosoilsincapableofadequatelysupportingtheuseofseptictanksoralternatewastewaterdisposalsystemswillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

SECTION7. GREENHOUSEGASEMISSIONS.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Generategreenhousegasemissions,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,thatmayhaveasignificantimpactontheenvironment?


Page 16

b)Conflictwithanyapplicableplan,policyorregulationofanagencyadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegases?

GreenhouseGasEmissiona):LessThanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderitselfwouldresultinlessthansignificantgenerationofgreenhousegasemissions,orineffectsassociatedwithadaptationtoglobalclimatechange.Globalclimatechangeisachangeintheaverageweatheroftheearth,whichcanbemeasuredbywindpatterns,storms,precipitation,andtemperature.Itisexacerbatedbygreenhousegases,whichtrapheatintheatmosphere(thusthe“greenhouse”effect).Greenhousegasesincludecarbondioxide,methane,andnitrousoxide,andareemittedbynaturalprocessesandhumanactivities.GreenhousegasaccumulatesintheatmosphereandregulatesEarth’stemperature,andisnaturalanddesirableaswithoutitEarth’ssurfacewouldbesignificantlycooler,andgenerallyuninhabitablebycurrentstandards.TheeffectsofGlobalClimatechangeatlevelsexceedingnaturalanddesirablelevelsincludesincreaseddroughtandassociatedincreaseinwildfires,increasedfloodingevents,andincreasedvector‐bornedisease.

ThedischargeoforganicwastebyaWBFprocessingfacilityenrolledandregulatedundertheWBFPWaiverOrdermayresultingenerationofsomegreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsasorganicmatterdegradesinthesoilofthelandapplicationarea.Theprimarygassesofconcernproducedarecarbondioxide(CO2)andmethane(CH4).Theamountofthesegasesproducedwillvarydependingonlandapplicationoperationandmaintenancepracticesrelatedtothedischargeofwastewaterandresidualsolids.However,thisamountisexpectedtobelessthansignificantfromcurrentbaselineconditionsandapplications.Furthermore,basedontheWBFPWaiverOrdersrestrictionsonthevolumeofdischargesofprocesssolidwastestolandatagronomicrates,thedischargeswillcontributeasmallamountofGHGswhenconsideredbothindividuallyandcumulatively,andtheimpactisgenerallylessthansignificant.Additionally,emissionsfromexistingWBFprocessingfacilitiesassociatedwiththetreatment,disposalorlandapplicationofprocesswastewaterandprocesssolidswouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.

ConstructionactivitiesassociatedwithoperatingorimprovinganexistingWBFprocessorwastewatersystemisnotexpectedtoobstructanapplicableairqualityplan,orresultinasignificantincreaseingreenhousegasses.Constructionofthistypegenerallyrequiresveryfewconstructionvehiclesandwouldbetemporary,likelyshortinduration,andthusresultinginalessthansignificantincreaseingreenhousegasemissions.

TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialtodirectlyresultinthegenerationofgreenhousegasemissions,orineffectsassociatedwithadaptationtoglobalclimatechangedirectlywillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

GreenhouseGasEmissionb):LessThanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderitselfwouldnotdirectlyresultinaconflictwithanyapplicableplan,policyorregulationofanagencyadoptedforthepurposeofreducing


Page 17

theemissionsofgreenhousegases.ThedischargeoforganicwastebyasmallWBFprocessingfacilityenrolledandregulatedundertheWBFPWaiverOrdermayresultingenerationofsomesmallamountofgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsasorganicmatterdegradesinthesoilofthelandapplicationarea.Theprimarygassesofconcernproducedarecarbondioxide(CO2)andmethane(CH4).Theamountofthesegasesproducedwillvarydependingonlandapplicationoperationandmaintenancepracticesrelatedtothedischargeofwastewaterandresidualsolids.However,itisexpectedthatthiswillhavealessthansignificantimpact.Othersourcesofairemissions,suchastransportation,industrialactivities,andpowergeneration,arethemajorcontributorstosignificantcumulativeairqualityimpacts.Theslightincreaseingreenhousegasemissionsarenotinconflictwithplans,policies,orregulationsadoptedforthepurposeofreducingemissionofgreenhousegases,suchasAB32andExecutiveOrderNo.S‐3‐05,andwouldhavealessthansignificantimpact.TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialtodirectlyconflictwithanyapplicableplan,policyorregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegaseswillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

SECTION8. HAZARDSandHAZARDOUSMATERIALS.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials?

b)Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment?

c)Emithazardousemissionsorhandlehazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin¼mileofanexistingorproposedschool?


Page 18

d)Foraprojectlocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorapublicuseairport,wouldtheprojectresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?

e)Foraprojectlocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorapublicuseairport,wouldtheprojectresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?

e) Foraprojectwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,wouldtheprojectresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?

HazardsandHazardousMaterialsa),b),c),d),e),f),g),andh):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlyresultinpotentialimpactsassociatedwithhazardsandhazardousmaterials.AlthoughsomeofthesmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesenrolledandregulatedundertheWBFPWaiverOrdermaystoreandusesomehazardousmaterials,theWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotregulatethestorageoruseofthesematerials,norwoulditauthorizeon‐sitedisposalofthem.SmallWBFprocessorsenrolledundertheWBFPWaiverOrderareauthorizedtodischargenon‐hazardousprocesswastewaterandprocessingsolidwastetoland.DischargesofhazardouswastearenotauthorizedbytheWBFPWaiverOrderandarespecificallyprohibitedfrombeingdischargedtothewastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystem.TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialdirecthazardandhazardousmaterialimpactoftheprojectwillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.


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SECTION9. HYDROLOGYandWATERQUALITY.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Violateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirements?

b)Substantiallydepletegroundwatersuppliesorinterferesubstantiallywithgroundwaterrechargesuchthattherewouldbeanetdeficitinaquifervolumeoraloweringofthelocalgroundwatertablelevel(e.g.,theproductionrateofpre‐existingnearbywellswoulddroptoalevelwhichwouldnotsupportexistinglandusesorplannedusesforwhichpermitshavebeengranted)?

c) Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamannerwhichwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationon‐oroff‐site?

d) Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,orsubstantiallyincreasetherateoramountofsurfacerunoffinamannerwhichwouldresultinfloodingon‐oroff‐site?

e) Createorcontributerunoffwaterwhichwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff?

f) Otherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterquality?

g) Placehousingwithina100‐yearfloodhazardareaasmappedonafederalFloodHazardBoundaryorFloodInsuranceRateMaporotherfloodhazarddelineationmap?


Page 20

h) Placehousingwithina100‐yearfloodhazardareastructureswhichwouldimpedeorredirectflows?

i) Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingflooding,includingfloodingasaresultofthefailureofaleveeordam?

j) Inundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow?

HydrologyandWaterQualitya)andf):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:AdoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwillnotviolateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirements.TheWBFPWaiverOrderwillbeimplementedbytheNorthCoastRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardandincompliancewiththeWaterQualityControlPlanfortheNorthCoastRegion(BasinPlan).TheWBFPWaiverOrderwascraftedtoimplementtheBasinPlanandinsodoingtookintoconsiderationthebeneficialusestobeprotected,thewaterqualityobjectivesreasonablyrequiredforthatpurpose,other(includingprevious)wastedischarges,theneedtopreventnuisance,andtheprovisionsofWaterCodesection13241.SmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrderarerequiredtodesignanappropriatemethodofwastewatertreatmentbasedonsite‐specificconditions.AllWBFprocessingfacilitiesenrolledundertheWBFPWaiverOrderarerequiredtomeetgroundwaterlimitations,whicharebasedontheBasinPlan’swaterqualityobjectiveforgroundwater.TheWBFPWaiverOrderincludesaMonitoringandReportingProgram(MRP)whichshouldidentifyanyviolationoftheWBFPWaiverOrder,oraccidentaldischargesthatmayoccurifthetreatmentsystemsdidnotfunctionproperly.

OwnersoroperatorsofsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesenrolledundertheWBFPWaiverOrderthatfailtomeetwaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirementswillbesubjecttoenforcementbytheRegionalWaterBoard.AdditionallytheRegionalWaterBoardmayrevokeanyenrollmentdeemedinappropriateandissueasite‐specific,individualWaiverorWDRsOrder.

HydrologyandWaterQualityb):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:AdoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwillnothaveadirectdepletingimpactongroundwatersuppliesorinterferewithrecharge.SmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesenrolledundertheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldbedischargingprocesswastewatertoland,whichmayresultinanincreaseratherthanadepletionofgroundwatersupplies.Additionally,thereuseofprocesswastewaterasirrigationwaterforlandscapedareasorcropsorfrostprotectionwillreplacewaterthatwasotherwiseusedforthatpurpose,includinggroundwater.

IncaseswherethesourcewaterforasmallWBFprocessingfacilitywillbegroundwater;thepumpingofgroundwaterhasthepotentialtoaffectthegroundwatersupply.However,theWBFPWaiverOrderdoesnotchangelocalzoningorlandusedesignation,andwouldnotaltertheeconomicsofconvertinglandtoWBFprocessinguses.ExistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesthatexpandornewfacilitiesthatareconstructedafteradoptionoftheproposedWBFPWaiverOrder,andseekenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrder,aresubjecttolocalagencyapprovals,


Page 21

permits,andpossiblyaproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseimpactsmustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

HydrologyandWaterQualityc),d)ande):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:AdoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwillnothaveadirectimpactonthealterationofexistingdrainagepatternsorcreateorcontributerunoffwaterexceedingadrainagesystemscapacity.SmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesenrolledundertheWBFPWaiverOrderareprohibitedfromdischargingprocesswastestosurfacewatersordrainagecourses.TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialdirectimpactoftheWBFprocessingfacilityprojectonthealterationofexistingdrainagepatternsorthecreationorcontributionofrunoffwaterexceedingaspecificdrainagesystemscapacitywillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

HydrologyandWaterQualityg):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderdoesnotentailconstructionofnewhousing.TheWBFPWaiverOrderdoesnotaddressormodifylocalzoning,whichdeterminesacceptablehousinglocations;therefore,theWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotresultinhousingorotherstructuresbeingplacedwithina100‐yearfloodhazardareaasmappedonafederalFloodHazardBoundaryMap,FloodInsuranceRateMap,orotherfloodhazarddelineationmap.TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialdirectimpactoftheWBFprocessingfacilityprojectandtheplacementofhousingwithina100‐yearfloodhazardareawillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

HydrologyandWaterQualityh):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheWBFPWaiverOrderauthorizesdischargesofWBFprocessingwastetolandbyeligibleWBFfacilities,itdoesnotaddresstheconstructionofnewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesorothermajorstructures.TheWBFPWaiverOrderdoesnotaddressormodifylocalzoning,whichdeterminesacceptablelocationsfornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilities;therefore,theWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotresultinWBFprocessingfacilitiesorotherstructuresbeingplacedwithina100‐yearfloodhazardareaasmappedonafederalFloodHazardBoundaryMap,FloodInsuranceRateMap,orotherfloodhazarddelineationmap.

HydrologyandWaterQualityi):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:AdoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderisnotexpectedtoexposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskinvolvingflooding.SomesmallWBFprocessingwastewatersystemswillusewastewaterpondseitherastreatmentorstoragefacilities.Inmostcases,thepondswillbesmallandoutsidethejurisdictionalsizelimitsoftheCaliforniaDepartmentofWaterResources(DWR)DivisionofSafetyofDams.WastewaterpondsthataresubjecttoDWRDivisionofSafetyofDamsstatutesandregulationswillbeapprovedandinspectedbyDWRengineersandgeologist.


Page 22

AprojectspecificCEQAevaluationwillbeperformedforneworexpandingsmallWBFprocessorwastewatersystemsseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrder;theissueoffloodhazardwillbeevaluatedonasite‐specificbasisatthattime.AnyneworexpandingsmallWBFprocessingfacilityconstructedafteradoptionoftheproposedWBFPWaiverOrderissubjecttolocalagencyapprovals,permits,andpossiblyaproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseimpactssuchasexposureofpeopleorpropertytowaterrelatedhazardsincludingfloodingmustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

HydrologyandWaterQualityj):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheWBFPWaiverOrderdoesnotaddresslocalzoning,whichdeterminesacceptablefacilitylocations;therefore,theWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotresultinWBFprocessingfacilitiesbeingplacedwithinalocationsubjecttoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow.AprojectspecificCEQAevaluationwillbeperformedforneworexpandingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingcoverageundertheGeneralOrder;theissueofinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflowwillbeevaluatedonasite‐specificbasisatthattime.

SECTION10. LANDUSEANDPLANNING.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Physicallydivideanestablishedcommunity?

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

c)Conflictwithanyapplicablehabitatconservationplanornaturalcommunityconservationplan?

LandUseandPlanninga),b)andc):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderitselfwouldnotcausepotentiallanduseimpactsbydividingacommunity,orconflictingwithalanduseplan,landusepolicy,habitat


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conservationplanornaturalcommunityconservationplan.SmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswhosedischargesofwastewouldberegulatedundertheWBFPWaiverOrderneedtocomplywithapplicablelanduseplans,policies,andregulationsbylocalagencies,includinghabitatconservationareasornaturalcommunityconservationplanareas.TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialdirectimpactoftheWBFprocessingfacilityprojectonlandusewillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

SECTION11. MINERALRESOURCES.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)ResultinthelossofavailabilityofaknownmineralresourcethatwouldbeoffuturevaluetotheregionandtheresidentsoftheState?

b)Resultinthelossofavailabilityofalocally‐importantmineralresourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplan,orotherlanduseplan?

MineralResourcesa)andb):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheproposedWBFPWaiverOrderwouldhavenodirecteffectsonmineralresources.WBFprocessorwastedischargeactivitiesauthorizedbytheWBFPWaiverOrderwillnotresultinlossofavailabilityofaknownmineralresourcethatwouldbeoffuturevaluetotheregionandtheresidentsofthestate,orresultinthelossofavailabilityofalocally‐importantmineralresourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplan,orotherlanduseplan.Asignificantadverseeffectonmineralresourcesduetotheon‐sitedisposalofprocesswastewaterandprocesssolidsisunlikely.

TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialdirectimpactoftheWBFprocessingfacilityprojectonmineralresourceswillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.


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SECTION12. NOISE.Wouldtheprojectresultin:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Exposureofpersonsto,orgenerationof,noiselevelsinexcessofstandardsestablishedinthelocalgeneralplanornoiseordinance,orapplicablestandardsofotheragencies?

b)Exposureofpersonsto,orgenerationof,excessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels?

c)Asubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?

d)Asubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?

e)Foraprojectlocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,wouldtheprojectexposepeopleresidinginorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?

f)Foraprojectwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,wouldtheprojectexposepeopleresidinginorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?

Noisea)b),c),d)e)andf):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlycausepotentialnoiseimpacts.However,asmallWBFprocessingfacilityenrolledinandregulatedbytheWBFPWaiverOrdermaycausesomenoiseimpactfromoperationofthefacilitieswastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemorthelandapplicationofprocesssolids.Thesenoiselevelsarenotexpectedtohaveasubstantialchangefromexistingbaselineconditions.TheWBFPWaiverOrderdoesnot


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authorizeconstructionofasmallWBFprocessingfacilityinanareawithinanairportlanduseplanorinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip.Suchdecisionsarewithinthepurviewofthelocallanduseauthorityincludingtheplanningandbuildingdepartments.

ConstructionactivitiesassociatedwithimprovingorrepairinganexistingWBFprocessingfacilitywastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemwouldbetemporaryandofshortduration,resultinginalessthansignificantimpact.

TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialdirectimpactoftheWBFprocessingfacilityprojectonnoiselevelswillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

SECTION13. POPULATIONANDHOUSING.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Inducesubstantialpopulationgrowthinanareaeitherdirectly(e.g.,byproposingnewhomesandbusinesses)orindirectly(e.g.,throughextensionofroadsorotherinfrastructure)?

b)Displacesubstantialnumbersofexistinghousing,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?

c)Displacesubstantialnumbersofpeople,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?

PopulationandHousinga),b),c):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlyorindirectlyinducesubstantialpopulationgrowth.ExistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrdertodischargeprocesswastewaterandprocesswastesolidstolandasasoilamendmentareunlikelytocausesubstantialpopulationgrowthinanarea,ordisplacehousingorpeople.ExistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieshavealreadybeenconstructedandarecurrentlyoperatinginaspecificlocationwithestablishedroadwaysandinfrastructureinplacewhichwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.


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TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialdirectimpactoftheWBFprocessingfacilityprojectonpopulationandhousingwillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

SECTION14. PUBLICSERVICES.Wouldtheprojectresultinsubstantialadversephysicalimpactsassociatedwiththeprovisionofneworphysicallyalteredgovernmentalfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentalimpacts,inordertomaintainacceptableservicerations,responsetimesorotherperformanceobjectivesforanyofthepublicservices:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Fireprotection?

b)Policeprotection?

c)Schools?

d)Parks?

e)Otherpublicfacilities?

PublicServicesa),b),c),d)ande):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlyimpactpublicservices.ExistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrderforthepurposeofdischargingprocesswastewaterandprocesswastesolidstolandwouldnotresultinaneedforneworalteredfireprotectionservices,policeprotectionservices,schools,parks,orotherpublicfacilities.TheseexistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieshavealreadybeenconstructedandarecurrentlyoperatinginaspecificlocationwithestablishedpublicservicesandwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialdirect


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impactoftheWBFprocessingfacilityprojectonpublicserviceswillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

SECTION15. RECREATION.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Increasetheuseofexistingneighborhoodandregionalparksorotherrecreationalfacilitiessuchthatsubstantialphysicaldeteriorationofthefacilitywouldoccurorbeaccelerated?

b) Doestheprojectincluderecreationalfacilitiesorrequiretheconstructionorexpansionofrecreationalfacilitieswhichmighthaveanadversephysicaleffectontheenvironment?

Recreationa)andb):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlycauseanyimpactstorecreationfacilities.ExistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrderforthepurposeofdischargingprocesswastewaterandprocesswastesolidstolandwouldnotdirectlycausethedeteriorationorexpansionofanexistingrecreationfacilityorcausetheneedtoconstructanewrecreationalfacility.

TheconstructionofexpandingornewsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocallandusepermitsandanassociatedproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimethepotentialdirectimpactoftheWBFprocessingfacilityprojectonrecreationalfacilitieswillbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.


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SECTION16. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Exceedthecapacityoftheexistingcirculationsystem,basedonanapplicablemeasureofeffectiveness(asdesignatedinageneralplanpolicy,ordinance,etc.),takingintoaccountallrelevantcomponentsofthecirculationsystem,includingbutnotlimitedtointersections,streets,highwaysandfreeways,pedestrianandbicyclepaths,andmasstransit?

b)Conflictwithanapplicablecongestionmanagementprogram,including,butnotlimitedtolevelofservicestandardsandtraveldemandmeasures,orotherstandardsestablishedbythecountycongestionmanagementagencyfordesignatedroadsorhighways?

c)Resultinachangeinairtrafficpatterns,includingeitheranincreaseintrafficlevelsorachangeinlocationthatresultsinsubstantialsafetyrisks?

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

e)Resultininadequateemergencyaccess?

f) Conflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprogramssupportingalternativetransportation(e.g.,busturnouts,bicycleracks)?


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Transportation/Traffica),b),c),d)e)andf):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotdirectlycauseanyimpactstotransportationortraffic.ExistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrderforthepurposeofdischargingprocesswastewaterandprocesswastesolidstolandwouldnotdirectlycauseachangeinthecapacityofanexistingcirculationsystem,conflictwithacongestionmanagementprogram,resultinachangeinairtrafficpatterns,increasetraffichazards,orresultininadequateemergencyaccess.TheseexistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieshavealreadybeenconstructedandarecurrentlyoperatinginaspecificlocationwithestablishedtransportationstructures,andemergencyaccessandwouldbeconsideredpartoftheexistingbaselineconditions.

TheWBFPWaiverOrderdoesnotaddress,preempt,orsupersedetheauthorityoflocalpoliciesorordinancesinsupportingtransportationortraffic.Therefore,conflictswithsuchplans,policiesorordinancesareunlikelytooccur.ConstructionofneworexpandingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesissubjecttolocalagencyapprovals,generalplans,permits,andpossiblyaproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseimpactsmustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.Potentialimpactsmayincludetemporaryimpactsontrafficfromthemobilizationofearth‐movingequipmentandconstructionmaterialstoandfromthesitesandtheprojectedtotalnewtripsgeneratedtoaccesstheprocessingfacility.Thelong‐termoperationandmaintenanceofthewastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystemservingtheneworexpandedsmallWBFprocessingfacilityisunlikelytobeasignificanttripgeneratingactivity.

SECTION17. UTILITIESANDSERVICESYSTEMS.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)ExceedwastewatertreatmentrequirementsoftheapplicableRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard?

b)Requireorresultintheconstructionofnewwaterorwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesorexpansionofexistingfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentalimpacts?


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c)Requireorresultintheconstructionofnewstormwaterdrainagefacilitiesorexpansionofexistingfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentalimpacts?

d)Havesufficientwatersuppliesavailabletoservetheprojectfromexistingentitlementsandresources,orareneworexpandedentitlementsneeded?

e)Resultinadeterminationbythewastewatertreatmentproviderthatservesormayservetheprojectthatithasadequatecapacitytoservetheproject’sprojecteddemandinadditiontotheprovider’sexistingcommitments?

f)Beservedbyalandfillwithsufficientpermittedcapacitytoaccommodatetheproject’ssolidwastedisposalneeds?

g)Complywithfederal,state,andlocalstatutesandregulationsrelatedtosolidwaste?

UtilitiesandServiceSystemsa)b),c),dande):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderbytheRegionalWaterBoardwillnotcauseadirectimpactonthecapacityofpublicwaterorwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesorstormdrainage.ExistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrderforthepurposeofdischargingprocesswastewaterandprocesswastesolidstolandwouldnotdirectlycauseachangeinthecapacityofanexistingpublicwaterorwastewatertreatmentfacilityorstormdrainage.TheseexistingWBFprocessingfacilitieshavealreadybeenconstructedandarecurrentlyoperatinginaspecificlocationwithanestablishedwatersupplier,wastewatertreatmentserviceandstormdrainagesystems.ConstructionofneworexpandingWBFprocessingfacilitiesissubjecttolocalagencyapprovals,generalplans,permits,andpossiblyaproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseimpactsmustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

UtilitiesandServiceSystemsf)andg):NoImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderbytheRegionalWaterBoardwillnotcauseadirectimpactonsolidwasteservicesorlandfillservices.ExistingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrderforthepurposeofdischargingprocesswastewaterandprocesswastesolidstolandwouldnotdirectlycauseachangeonsolidwasteorlandfillservices.TheseexistingWBFprocessingfacilitieshavealreadybeenconstructedandarecurrentlyoperatinginaspecificlocationwithestablishedsolidwasteandlandfillservices.


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ConstructionofneworexpandingWBFprocessingfacilitiesissubjecttolocalagencyapprovals,generalplans,permits,andpossiblyaproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseimpactsmustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

SECTION18. MANDATORYFINDINGSOFSIGNIFICANCE.Wouldtheproject:



Impact



LessThanSignificant

Impact

NoImpact

a)Doestheprojecthavethepotentialtodegradethequalityoftheenvironment,substantiallyreducethehabitatofafishorwildlifespecies,causeafishorwildlifepopulationtodropbelowself‐sustaininglevels,threatentoeliminateaplantoranimalcommunity,reducethenumberorrestricttherangeofarareorendangeredplantoranimaloreliminateimportantexamplesofthemajorperiodsofCaliforniahistoryorprehistory?

b)Doestheprojecthaveimpactsthatareindividuallylimited,butcumulativelyconsiderable?("Cumulativelyconsiderable"meansthattheincrementaleffectsofaprojectareconsiderablewhenviewedinconnectionwiththeeffectsofpastprojects,theeffectsofothercurrentprojects,andtheeffectsofprobablefutureprojects)

c)Doestheprojecthaveenvironmentaleffectsthatwillcausesubstantialadverseeffectsonhumanbeings,eitherdirectlyorindirectly?

MandatoryFindingsofSignificancea):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheWBFPWaiverOrderonlyaddressesandauthorizessmalldischargesofprocesswastewaterandprocesssolidstoland.DirectorindirectdischargestosurfacewaterareprohibitedundertheWBFPWaiverOrder.Furthermore,thedischargeofWBFprocessingwastewaterandprocessingsolidsshallnotaffectbeneficialusesofgroundwaterandsurfacewater,orcauseanexceedanceofanyapplicableBasinPlanwaterqualityobjectivefor


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groundwaterandsurfacewater.Asaresult,surfacewaterquality,groundwaterqualityandaquaticspeciesareunlikelytobeaffected.TheWBFPWaiverOrderisexpectedtoimprovewaterqualityintheareaswheredischargesofsmallvolumesofWBFprocessingwastearecurrentlytakingplacebyidentifyingsuchdischarges,gatheringinformationontheexistingtreatmentanddisposalmethods,requiringcompliancewithconditionsoftheWBFPWaiverOrder,andrequiringannulmonitoringandreporting.Additionally,theWBFPWaiverOrderwillallowforamorestream‐linedpermittingprocessforthesesmallerdischargesofWBFprocessingwastetolandandwillexpandcoveragetootherfoodandbeverageprocessingfacilitiesinadditiontowineprocessingfacilities.Anyimpactstobiologicalresourcesandculturalresourcesareexpectedtobelessthansignificant.Basedupontheseanalyses,theadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwillnot:degradethequalityoftheenvironment;substantiallyreducethehabitatoffishorwildlifespecies;causeafishorwildlifepopulationtodropbelowself‐sustaininglevels;threatentoeliminateaplantoranimalcommunity;reducethenumberorrestricttherangeofarareorendangeredplantoranimal;oreliminateimportantexamplesofmajorperiodsofCalifornia’shistoryorprehistory.

AprojectspecificCEQAevaluationwillbeperformedfornewconstructionorexpansionofWBFprocessingfacilitiesseekingcoverageundertheWBFPWaiverOrder;thepotentialforthefactorstobedegradedwillbeevaluatedonasite‐specificbasisatthattime.ExpandingornewWBFprocessingfacilitieswhosedischargeswouldberegulatedundertheWBFPWaiverOrderaresubjecttolocalplanningpoliciesandbuildingpermitsandmayberequiredtoundergoproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseimpactsandappropriatemitigationmeasureswillbeevaluatedandimplementedinaccordancewithlocal,state,andfederalrequirements.

MandatoryFindingsofSignificanceb):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotresultincumulativelyconsiderableimpacts.TheWBFPWaiverOrderisaregulatorymechanismthatwillapplytoeligibleWBFprocessingfacilities,seekingenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrder.

ConstructionofanyneworexpandingsmallWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocalplanningpoliciesandbuildingpermitsandmayberequiredtoundergoproject‐levelCEQAreview.

AsdescribedinSectionIofthisInitialStudy,EnvironmentalFactorsPotentiallyAffected,theproposedWBFPWaiverOrdercouldbeusedtoregulatesmallWBFprocessingfacilitiesthroughouttheNorthCoastRegion,andthustheevaluationoftheenvironmentalfactorsdoesnotaddressaspecificsiteorWBFprocessingfacility.AnyforeseeablechangestotheprocessesandoperationsofanexistingWBFprocessingwastewatersystemduetoenrollmentundertheWBFPWaiverOrder,suchasrepairinganexistingwastewatertreatmentanddisposalsystem,installinglightingtobetterobserveoperationofthewastewatersystemareexpectedtoresultinlessthansignificantimpacts.Individuallytheseactionsareexpectedtohavealessthansignificantimpactandcumulativelytheyareexpectedtohavealessthansignificantimpact.

Additionally,enrollmentofaWBFprocessingfacilityundertheWBFPWDROrderisunlikelytochangethelanddevelopmenteconomics.ThereforeitwillnotchangethenumberofWBFprocessorfacilitiesinthenorthcoastregionorthenumberofwastewatertreatmentsystemsconstructedtoproperlytreatanddisposeofthosefacilities’processwastewater.


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ConstructionofaneworexpandingWBFprocessingfacilitieswillbesubjecttolocalplanningpoliciesandbuildingpermitsandmayberequiredtoundergoproject‐levelCEQAreview.ItisatthediscretionofeachlocallanduseauthoritywhethertoallowtheconstructionofneworexpandedWBFprocessingfacilitiesinagivenarea.Locallanduseauthoritiesalsohavediscretionovermorespecificsitinganddesignrequirements.Therefore,itisspeculativetoanalyzethecumulativeimpactsassociatedwithconstructingnewWBFprocessingfacilitiesinagivenarea.

MandatoryFindingsofSignificancec):LessthanSignificantImpactDiscussion:TheadoptionoftheWBFPWaiverOrderwouldnotresultinanenvironmentaleffectthatwillcausesubstantialadverseeffectsonhumanbeings.ExistingWBFprocessingfacilityregulatedbytheWBFPWaiverOrderthataredischargingprocesswastewaterandprocesssolidstolandincompliancewiththeWBFPWaiverOrderarenotexpectedtocauseasubstantialadverseeffectsonhumanbeings.Theimplementationofthemonitoringandreportingprogram,andspecificandgeneralconditionsrequiredbytheWBFPWaiverOrdermayimprovecertainenvironmentalconditions,suchasgroundwaterandsurfacewaterquality,thusbenefittinghumanbeings,eitherdirectlyorindirectly.

ConstructionofneworexpandingWBFprocessingfacilitiesissubjecttolocalagencyapprovals,generalplans,permits,andpossiblyaproject‐levelCEQAreview,atwhichtimepotentialadverseeffectsonhumanbeings,eitherdirectlyorindirectlymustbeevaluatedandappropriatemitigationmeasuresimplemented.

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