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DRAFT

CLASS II SURFACE IMPOUNDMENTS 6R AND 7R PG&E HINKLEY COMPRESSOR STATION, HINKLEY, CA INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION

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

LahontanRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard14440CivicDrive,Suite200Victorville,CA92392

P R E P A R E D B Y :

ICFInternational620FolsomStreet,Suite200SanFrancisco,CA94107Contact:AlexaLaPlante415.677.7100CardnoENTRIX2300ClaytonRoad,Suite200Concord,CA94520

November2012

ICFInternational.2012.ClassIISurfaceImpoundments6Rand7RPG&EHinkleyCompressorStationHinkley,CaliforniaInitialStudy/MitigatedNegativeDeclaration.Draft.November.(ICF00569.12)SanFrancisco,CA.PreparedforLahontanRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,Victorville,CA.

Class II Surface Impoundments 6R and 7R PG&E Hinkley Compressor Station Hinkley, California Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

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Contents

List of Tables and Figures ...................................................................................................................... iii

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ...................................................................................................... iv

Page

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

1.1 Project Location and Background .................................................................................... 1‐1

1.2 CEQA Requirements ......................................................................................................... 1‐2

Chapter 2 Project Description ................................................................................................... 2‐1

2.1 Proposed Project .............................................................................................................. 2‐1

2.2 Monitoring and Reporting Program ................................................................................ 2‐3

Chapter 3 Environmental Checklist and Discussion ................................................................... 3‐1

3.1 Aesthetics ......................................................................................................................... 3‐3

3.2 Agricultural and Forestry Resources ................................................................................ 3‐5

3.3 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................ 3‐8

3.4 Biological Resources ...................................................................................................... 3‐18

3.5 Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................... 3‐28

3.6 Geology and Soils ........................................................................................................... 3‐31

3.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ............................................................................................ 3‐36

3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ................................................................................. 3‐41

3.9 Hydrology and Water Quality ........................................................................................ 3‐44

3.10 Land Use and Planning ................................................................................................... 3‐54

3.11 Mineral Resources ......................................................................................................... 3‐55

3.12 Noise .............................................................................................................................. 3‐56

3.13 Population and Housing ................................................................................................. 3‐59

3.14 Public Services ................................................................................................................ 3‐60

3.15 Recreation ...................................................................................................................... 3‐61

3.16 Transportation/Traffic ................................................................................................... 3‐62

3.17 Utilities and Service Systems ......................................................................................... 3‐65

3.18 Mandatory Findings of Significance ............................................................................... 3‐67

Chapter 4 References ............................................................................................................... 4‐1

4.1 Printed References ........................................................................................................... 4‐1

4.2 Personal Communications ............................................................................................... 4‐6

Chapter 5 Report Preparation ................................................................................................... 5‐1

5.1 Cardno ENTRIX ................................................................................................................. 5‐1

5.2 ICF International .............................................................................................................. 5‐1


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Appendix A Air Quality Emissions Calculations

Appendix B Protocol Trapping Surveys for Mohave Ground Squirrel—Hinkley

Compressor Station, Hinkley, California


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Tables and Figures

Table Page

2‐1 Approximate Construction Schedule ............................................................................... 2‐2

3‐1 Ambient Air Quality Standards ........................................................................................ 3‐9

3‐2 Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District Significance Thresholds for

Construction and Operations ......................................................................................... 3‐12

3‐3 Planned Construction Equipment for Project ................................................................ 3‐14

3‐4 Estimated Construction Criteria Emissions—CEQA Thresholds .................................... 3‐15

3‐5 Screening Health Risk Assessment for Construction Period—Onsite ............................ 3‐16

3‐6 Special Status Species Documented in the Project Vicinity ........................................... 3‐20

3‐7 Estimated Construction Greenhouse Gas Emissions ..................................................... 3‐39

3‐8 Typical Construction Noise Levels ................................................................................. 3‐57

3‐9 Annual Average Daily Traffic on SR 58 in the Project Vicinity ....................................... 3‐63

3‐10 Average Daily Traffic on Local Access Roads ................................................................. 3‐63

Figure

All figures are at the end of the document except as noted below.

2‐1 Project Vicinity

2‐2 Project Area

3‐1 Geographic Features in the Hinkley Valley

3‐2 Topography and Land Use in the Hinkley Valley

3‐3 Photograph of Current Biological Habitat in Pond 6/7 Area ........................... on page 3‐19

3‐4 Regional Geologic Setting

3‐5 Generalized Conceptual Diagram of Local Geology and Groundwater in the

Hinkley Valley

3‐6 Geologic Faults in the Hinkley Valley

3‐7 Water Supply Wells within 1 Mile Radius

3‐8 Groundwater Elevations in the Project Area from 1994‐2012 ........................ on page 3‐50


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Acronyms and Abbreviations

µg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter AADT average annual daily traffic AB 32 Assembly Bill 32 ADT average daily traffic AQMPs air quality management plans Basin Plans Water Quality Control Plans bgs below ground surface BLM U.S. Bureau of Land Management BMPs best management practices CAA Clean Air Act CAAQS California Ambient Air Quality Standards CARB California Air Resources Board CCAA California Clean Air Act CCAs community choice aggregators CCR California Code of Regulations CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CGP Construction General Permit CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database CNG compressed natural gas CNPS California Native Plant Society CO carbon monoxide COCs Constituents of Concern Cr[VI] hexavalent chromium dB decibel DPM Diesel particulate matter ECSZ Eastern California Shear Zone EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ESPs energy service providers FMMP Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program GCL geosynthetic clay liner GHGs greenhouse gases gpd gallons per day GPS global positioning system HCP habitat conservation plan


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HDPE high density polyethylene HDPE high-density polyethylene HMBP Hazardous Materials Business Plan HRA Health Risk Assessment I-15 Interstate 15 IOUs investor-owned utilities Lahontan Water Board California Regional Water Quality Control Board—Lahontan Region LCFS Low Carbon Fuel Standard LCRS leachate collection and removal system LOS level of service MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act MCE maximum credible earthquake MCL maximum contaminant level MDAQMD Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District mg/L milligram per liter mpg miles per gallon MRP Monitoring and Reporting Program MRZs Mineral Resource Zones MTCO2e metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent MWA Mojave Water Agency NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards NO2 nitrogen dioxide NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NRCS National Resource Conservation Service O3 ozone Pb lead PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company PGA peak ground acceleration PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter ppm parts per million ppmv parts per million by volume Regional Water Boards Regional Water Quality Control Boards RWD Report of Waste Discharge SCAQMD, South Coast Air Quality Management District SMCLs secondary maximum contaminant levels SO2 sulfur dioxide SPT standard penetration test State Water Board State Water Resources Control Board


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SWPPP Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan TACs toxic air contaminants TDS Total Dissolved Solids UCMP University of California Museum of Paleontology WDRs Waste Discharge Requirements WQPS Water Quality Protection Standard


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Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Project Location and Background ThePacificGasandElectricCompany(PG&E)HinkleyCompressorStationislocatedinSanBernardinoCounty,California,approximately9mileswestofBarstowand3milessoutheastofthecommunityofHinkley,California(Figure2‐1).AspartofitsnaturalgascompressionoperationattheCompressorStation,PG&Ecurrentlymaintainsandoperatesthreedouble‐linedsurfaceimpoundmentsfortheevaporationofwastewatergeneratedfromfacilityoperationandmaintenanceactivities(Ponds4,5and8onFigure2‐2).

Theexistingsurfaceimpoundments(Ponds4,5,and8)donotprovidesufficientevaporativecapacityforproperoperationoftheCompressorStation.TheaveragedesignwastewaterflowrateforoptimalCompressorStationoperationis30,000gallonsperday(gpd).Iftheimpoundmentsarenearcapacity,thestationmustreducecoolingtowerboilerblowdown1ratestoapproximately15,000gpdtoensurethefreeboardrequirements(2feet)aremet.Toreduceblowdownrates,coolingwatermustbeusedlonger,creatinghigherlevelsofbrine.Thisreductionhasresultedindamageandreducedlifeofequipment,andcouldcausefutureimpactstothecontinuedtransmissionofgasalongLine300.

Toallowforoptimumblowdownratesandreturntothedesignflowrateof30,000gpd,twonewsurfaceimpoundments,Ponds6Rand7R,areproposed(Project).ThesesurfaceimpoundmentswouldbeconstructedinthefootprintsoftheformerPonds6and7,whichwereclean‐closedin1996byremovingallcontentsandliners(CardnoENTRIX2012a;LahontanWaterBoard1996).TheformerfootprintsofPonds6and7werenotbackfilled.

Additionally,theexistingfacilitiesdonotprovidesufficientcapacitytoremoveasurfaceimpoundmentfromserviceformaintenanceorintheeventofaleak.WiththeadditionofPonds6Rand7R,theexistingimpoundmentsmaybemaintained;and,intheunlikelyeventofaleak,thewatermaybetransferredtotheothersurfaceimpoundmentswhilerepairsareperformed.

PG&EhassubmittedaReportofWasteDischarge(RWD),datedMarch15,2012,andanAddendumtotheRWD,datedJune27,2012,inaccordancewiththerequirementsofCCRTitle27oftheCaliforniaCodeofRegulations(CCR),EnvironmentalProtection‐‐Division2,SolidWaste,totheCaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard—LahontanRegion(LahontanWaterBoard).TheRWDwassubmittedtorequestRevisedWasteDischargeRequirements(WDRs)thatincludeconstructionandoperationoftwoadditionalClassIIsurfaceimpoundmentsforevaporationofwastewatergeneratedatthePG&EHinkleyCompressorStationinHinkley,California.RevisedWDRsarestillbeingdevelopedand,thus,pastWDRs(BoardOrder6‐97‐82)arestillinplacebytheLahontanWaterBoardfortheoperationofthreeexistingsurfaceimpoundments.TheProjectincludestheadditionoftwosurfaceimpoundmentsinthefootprintofformersurface

1Blowdownisatermusedtodescribethewaterreleasedfromcoolingtowers.Thecompressionofnaturalgasincreasesitstemperature,andthusthecoolingtowersusewatertoreducethetemperaturebeforetransmission.Whenthecoolingsupplywaterbecomesbriny,thetowersare“blowndown”andthecoolingwaterisreplacedwithafreshsupply.

Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board Chapter 3 Environmental Checklist and Discussion


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impoundments.TheproposedProjectisdesignedtoallowformaintenanceoftheexistingsurfaceimpoundmentsandtoimproveoperationoftheCompressorStation.

1.2 CEQA Requirements TheCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA)appliestoalldiscretionaryactivitiesproposedtobeimplementedorapprovedbyaCaliforniapublicagency,inthiscase,theLahontanWaterBoardisLeadAgencywhowouldapproveandissuetheWDRfortheproposedtwoadditionalimpoundmentsattheCompressorStation.CEQArequiresanagencytoreviewtheeffectsofitsactionsonnumerousenvironmentalresources.TheStateCEQAGuidelinesaretheprimaryrulesandsourceofinterpretationofCEQA(Pub.Res.Codesec.21083).

Aninitialstudyisusedtodeterminewhethertheactionmayhaveasignificantenvironmentaleffect.ItisapreliminaryanalysispreparedbytheLeadAgency.TheInitialStudymayuseachecklistformatbutfact‐basedexplanationsmustbeusedtosupportthechecklist.Iftheinitialstudyconcludesthattheprojectmayhaveasignificanteffectontheenvironment,anEIRshouldbeprepared;otherwise,theLeadAgencymayprepareaNegativeDeclarationorMitigatedNegativeDeclaration(Guidelinessec.15063).

CEQArequiresInitialStudiestoincludetheproject,environmentalsetting,potentialenvironmentalimpacts,andmitigationmeasuresforanysignificanteffects.WhendescribingpotentialenvironmentaleffectsinanInitialStudy,theLeadAgencymayuseachecklist,matrixorotherformaslongastheentriesarebrieflyexplainedtosupporttheentries.Thechecklistincludesfourpossiblelevelsofenvironmentaleffects:potentiallysignificant,lessthansignificantwithmitigationincorporated,lessthansignificant,andnoimpact.(Guidelinessec.15063[d][3],[f]).


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Chapter 2 Project Description

2.1 Proposed Project Theproposedproject(Project)consistsoftheconstructionoftwoadditionalClassIIsurfaceimpoundments,Ponds6Rand7R.TheProjectarea(Figures2‐1and2‐2)istheCompressorStationfacility,whichisapproximately55acresandconsistsoftheCompressorStation,parkingarea,fivesurfaceimpoundments(threeexistingpondsandtwoproposedponds),officearea,andassociatedrelatedpipingandappurtenances.Thetwonewsurfaceimpoundmentswouldincreasetheexistingsurfaceimpoundmentarea(4.53acres)byanadditional2.48acres(1.22acresforPond6Rand1.26acresforPond7R)foratotalsurfaceimpoundmentareaofapproximately7.00acres.WiththecompletionoftheProject,thefivesurfaceimpoundmentswouldbeabletomanagedesignrateblowdownwaterfromtheCompressorStationwithoutpossibleexceedanceoffreeboardrequirements,andtherewouldbesufficientcapacitytoperformsurfaceimpoundmentmaintenanceinthefuture.

NewPonds6Rand7RwouldbedesignedtomeetallrequirementsforClassIIsurfaceimpoundmentswithanengineeredalternativelinersystemtotheprescriptivestandardsthatareappropriateintheariddesertenvironmentoftheHinkleyValley.Thenewsurfaceimpoundmentswouldemployanengineeredalternativelinersystemthatwouldincludetwolayersof60‐milhighdensitypolyethylene(HDPE)geomembranewithanintegraldrainagelayeroverlyingalowpermeabilitygeosyntheticclayliner(GCL)toprovideprotectionagainstleakage.Adrainagelayerandleakdetectionsystemisproposedbetweenthetwolinerswithaleachatecollectionandremovalsystem(LCRS).AsrequiredbyCCRTitle27,Division2,Subdivision1,Article1requirementsforClassIISurfaceImpoundments,thenewimpoundmentsaredesignedtocontaintheadditionalvolumeofwaterfromthe1,000‐year,24‐hourstormeventwhilemaintaining2feetoffreeboard;towithstandtheseismicshakingfromthemaximumcredibleearthquake;andtobeinstalled,tested,andinspectedinaccordancewithanapprovedConstructionQualityAssuranceplan.

Project Construction

Constructionactivitieswouldincludeexcavationforsumps,panlysimeters,andtrenchestoconnectpipelinesandelectricallinesfromtheexistingfacilitiestonewPonds6Rand7R.Asumpisanundergrounddrainorpanthatcollectsanyleakedliquidssuchaswaterorchemicals.TheLCRSsumpwillbeequippedwithperforatedpipeandapumpconnectedtoasolidrisertoextractaccumulatedfluid(CardnoENTRIX2012a).Apanlysimeter(porewatersampler)isadevicefortakingsamplesinconditionsofpartialsoilsaturationandsubsequentdrainageconditions.ThepanlysimeterwouldmonitorforthepresenceoffluidthatmayhaveleakedfromtheLCRSsump(CardnoENTRIX2012a).Theformersurfaceimpoundments(Ponds6and7)werenotbackfilled;therefore,onlyminorearthworkwouldberequired.Constructionisexpectedtoremoveapproximately3,000cubicyardsofsoilwhichwouldbespreadacrossthefacility.Theexcavatedsoilwouldbespreadoverapproximatelytwoacres(lessthanonefootdeep)intheareaeastoftheexistingsurfaceimpoundmentsnearformerPonds1,2,and3(Figure2‐2)(Schoemannpers.



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comm.).Allsoildisturbanceactivities,includingpreparationofsubgrade,wouldbeperformedinaccordancewithgeotechnicalspecificationsandlocalgradingcodes,andthesoilwouldbecompactedandgradedtofacilitatesitedrainageandpreventsoilerosion.Allclearedvegetationwouldbehauledoffsiteanddisposedatanappropriatepermittedlandfillfacility.

ConstructionactivitieswouldbeconductedinaccordancewiththeStateWaterResourcesControlBoardGeneralPermitforDischargesofStormWaterAssociatedwithConstructionActivities(CGPOrder2009‐0009‐DWQ),whichrequiresdevelopmentandimplementationofaStormWaterPollutionPreventionPlan(SWPPP),andinaccordancewiththeMojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict’srequirementsfordustcontrol.TheSWPPPandconstructionspecificationswouldinclude,butnotbelimitedto,thefollowingbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)tominimizedustandprotectstormwaterrunoff.

Duringexcavationandgradingactivities,spraywatershallbeusedtocontrolfugitivedust.

Non‐essentialearthmovingoperationsshallbereducedorsuspendedwhenwindspeedis25milesperhourorgreater.

DustcontrolmeasuresshallbedocumentedasrequiredunderCGPOrder2009‐0009‐DWQ.

Achemicalmonitoringprogramforany"non‐visible"pollutantsshallbeimplementedifthereisafailureofBMPs.

ConstructionofnewPonds6Rand7Rwouldoccurinthefallorspringduetotemperaturerequirementsforconstructingtheliner.Theconstructionwouldbeconductedoverasixtoeightweekperiod.Approximatelysixtotenadditionalsiteworkerswouldbepresentduringtheconstructionperiod.Workerswouldbefromthelocalcommunity,withtheexceptionofthespecializedgeomembraneinstallationcrew(approximately4people)fromoutsidethearea.SeeTable2‐1fortheschedulebreakdown.Equipmentstagingwouldoccurwithinthe55‐acreProjectarea(seeFigure2‐2).

Table 2‐1. Approximate Construction Schedule

Phase Equipment Duration DailyWorkingHours

MaterialsandMobilization Tractortrailer(s) 5days 8

Excavation Backhoe,MotorGrader,SmoothDrumRoller

10days 8

Installation EndDump,Backhoe,portablegenerators

5days 8

Integration Backhoe 10days 8

Vegetation Backhoe 3days 8

TheCompressorStationfencingcurrentlyhasgapsthatwouldberepaired,aspartoftheProject,priortothecompletionofProjectconstruction.

Project Operation and Maintenance

Onceconstructedandinoperation,noadditionalfacilitystaffwouldberequiredforoperationandmaintenance.OperationofthefacilityinvolvespumpingwaterfromonsitePG&Esupplywellstothe



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coolingtowerstocoolhotcompressednaturalgasandcompressorenginelubeoil,andaninduceddraftcoolingtowertocoolthecombustionaironthecompressorturbochargeraftercoolers.Smallquantitiesofacid,biocidesandcorrosioninhibitorsareaddedtothewatertopreventbiologicalgrowth,scalebuild‐up,andcorrosionoftheheatexchangersinthecoolingwatersystems.Theblowdownfromcoolingtowersisthenpumpedtoawastewaterholdingtank,whereitiscombinedwithotherwastewatersourceswithinthefacilitythatareprocessedthroughanoil‐waterseparator,tankbeforebeingdischargedtothesurfaceimpoundments.Intermittentwastestreamsincludewastewaterfromdegreasing,descaling,andclosedcoolingsystemoperations.Thecollectedwasteoilthatcomesfromtheoilsumpskimmerandoil‐waterseparatoriscollectedfordisposalorrecyclingatanoffsitefacility.Thegeneratedwastewaterissubjectedtoevaporationwithinthesurfaceimpoundments,resultinginanaccumulationofsludge.Thechemicalconstituentsinwastewaterandpondsludgeandanyleaksthroughthelinersystemsaremonitoredaspartoftheoperationandmaintenanceprocedures.AnOperation,Maintenance,andContingencyPlanfordaytodayoperationoftheCompressorStationisincludedintheRWD(CardnoENTRIX2012a).

2.2 Monitoring and Reporting Program AMonitoringandReportingProgram(MRP)isinplaceunderBoardOrder6‐97‐82forthesurfaceimpoundmentscurrentlyinoperation(Ponds4,5and8).ReportsoftheMRParesubmittedsemi‐annuallytotheLahontanWaterBoard.

ArevisedMRPisproposedtoincludethetwonewsurfaceimpoundments.TherevisedMRP(proposedasMRPNo.R6V‐2012‐TENT)isdesignedtodocumentthechemicalconstituentsinwastewaterandpondsludgeandtoprovideearlywarningofanyleaksthroughthelinersystems.AWaterQualityProtectionStandard(WQPS)ispresentedintheTentativeWDRsandincludesMonitoringParameters,ConstituentsofConcern(COCs),concentrationlimits,MonitoringPointsandthePointofCompliance,definedasrequiredbyCCRTitle27,Section20405,toensuretheearliestpossibledetectionofareleasefromthesurfaceimpoundmentstotheunderlyingsoil,groundwater,and/orsurfacewater.

ThemonitoringsystemfortheuppermostsheetofthelineristheLCRS,adrainagelayerbetweenthehigh‐densitypolyethylene(HDPE)linersthatisslopedtoacollectionsump.Eachsumpwillbeinspectedweeklytomonitorforleaks.Belowthesurfaceimpoundments,unsaturated(vadose)zonemonitoringsystemswouldcontinuetobemonitoredatPonds4,5,and8;andtheunsaturatedzonepanlysimetersproposedatPonds6Rand7Rwouldbeaddedtotheprogram.Lastly,15existingwellsareproposedtobemonitoredquarterlyfordepthtogroundwater,and12ofthesewellsalsowouldbesampledquarterlyforgroundwaterquality.Semi‐annualmonitoringreportswouldcontinuetobepreparedandincludeallinspections,maintenancelogs,fieldandlaboratorydata,aswellascalculationsofgroundwaterflowrateanddirectionandgraphicalandstatisticalanalysisofdatatodeterminecompliancewiththeWQPS.DatapackageswouldbepostedquarterlyonGeoTracker.

Ifaleakissuspected,theDischarger(PG&E)wouldimplementanEvaluationMonitoringProgramand,ifnecessary,aCorrectiveActionProgramtoceaseandcorrectanypotentialleaksinthepondliners.ACorrectiveActionPlanispresentedintheRWD(CardnoENTRIX2012a,2012b).


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Chapter 3 Environmental Checklist and Discussion

1. Project Title: Class II Surface Impoundments 6R and 7R, PG&E Hinkley Compressor Station

2. Lead Agency Name and Address: Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board

14440 Civic Drive, Suite 200

Victorville, CA 92392

3. Contact Person and Phone Number: Lisa Dernbach

(530) 542-5424

4. Project Location: 35863 Fairview Road

Hinkley, CA 92347

5. Project Sponsor’s Name and Address: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)

3401 Crow Canyon Road

San Ramon, CA 94583

6. General Plan Designation: Public Facilities

7. Zoning: Industrial

8. Description of Project:

The Project consists of adding two new Class II surface impoundments (Ponds 6R and 7R) at the PG&E natural gas Compressor Station next to the three existing surface impoundments (Ponds 4, 5, and 8) because the existing impoundments do not provide sufficient evaporative capacity for proper operation of the Compressor Station. The additional surface impoundments would enable better management of design rate blowdown water from the Compressor Station without possible exceedance of freeboard requirements and provide sufficient capacity to perform surface impoundment maintenance in the future. Refer to Chapter 2, Project Description.

9. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting:

The predominant surrounding land uses are undeveloped open space and rural residential. Refer to Section 3.10 Land Use/Planning.

10. Other Public Agencies Whose Approval is Required:

Agency Permit Activity Requiring Permit

Regional Water Quality Control Board – Lahontan Region

Waste Discharge Requirements Construction, operation and maintenance of surface impoundments

San Bernardino County Planning Department

Temporary Use Permit Temporary trailers, if any, placed onsite during construction or for periods less than 2 years

State Water Resources Control Board

Coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activities

Construction disturbance of 1 acre or more



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EnvironmentalFactorsPotentiallyAffected

TheenvironmentalfactorscheckedbelowwouldpotentiallybeaffectedbythisProject(i.e.,theProjectwouldinvolveatleastoneimpactthatisa“PotentiallySignificantImpact”),asindicatedbythechecklistonthefollowingpages.

Aesthetics Agricultural and Forestry Air Quality

Biological Resources Cultural Resources Geology/Soils

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards and Hazardous Materials

Hydrology/Water Quality

Land Use/Planning Mineral Resources Noise

Population/Housing Public Services Recreation

Transportation/Traffic Utilities/Service Systems Mandatory Findings of Significance

Determination

Onthebasisofthisinitialevaluation:

I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions to the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.

I find that the proposed project MAY have an impact on the environment that is “potentially significant” or “potentially significant unless mitigated” but at least one effect (1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis, as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.

I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the project, nothing further is required.

Signature Date

Printed Name For



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I.Aesthetics

PotentiallySignificantImpact

Less‐than‐SignificantwithMitigationIncorporated

Less‐than‐SignificantImpact

NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista?

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

c. Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings?

d. Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdaytimeornighttimeviewsinthearea?

3.1 Aesthetics TheProjectareaisanexistingindustrialfacility,HinkleyCompressorStation,locatednorthoftheMojaveRiverandsouthwestofMountGeneraloffofHighway58(Figure3‐1).Thesurroundingparcelsare5to20acreswithsinglefamilydwellingsonagriculturalland.TherearenoscenicvistasordesignatedscenicresourcesorscenichighwaysinoradjacenttotheProjectarea,andtheProjectareaisnotwithintheviewofanysuchscenicresources(SanBernardinoCounty2007).Theonlypublicviewswouldbefromthesurroundingroadways,CommunityBoulevardandFairwayRoad.

ThenewProjectfeaturesincludetwoadditionalsurfaceimpoundmentswithintheCompressorStationandwouldnotbevisibletothepublic.Highway58isapproximately1milenorthoftheCompressorStationandapproximately20feetinelevationbelowthefacility.CommunityBoulevardandFairwayRoad(whichextendnorthandwestoftheProjectarea,respectively)providetheclosestviewoftheexistingfacility.DuetothegentleslopeandtheTitle27freeboardrequirement(2‐footminimum),thewatersurfacesoftheexistingimpoundments(Ponds4,5and8onFigure2‐2)arenotvisiblefromnearbyroadways.Similarly,theproposedsurfaceimpoundments(Ponds6Rand7R)wouldbebelowgradewithatleast2‐footfreeboardand,therefore,wouldnotbevisiblefromsurroundingpublicroadways.

a. NoImpact.TheProjectisnotlocatedwithin,orinthevicinityofascenicvistaoranydesignatedscenicresources(SanBernardinoCounty2007).Thetwoadditionalsurfaceimpoundmentswouldnotbevisiblefromanyscenicvistas.

b. NoImpact.TheHighway58corridornorthofthefacilityisnotadesignatedscenichighway.TheProjectisnotlocatedwithinorinthevicinityofascenichighwayoranydesignatedscenicresourcesasdescribedintheSanBernardinoCountyGeneralPlan(SanBernardinoCounty2007).



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c. NoImpact.TheProjectislocatedwithinanindustrialfacility,andtheproposedsurfaceimpoundmentswouldbelocatedwithinthefootprintoftwoformersurfaceimpoundments.Changestotheexistingfacilitywouldvisuallyblendinandwouldnotbenoticeable.TheProjectwouldnotaltertheexistingcharacterorqualityofthesiteoritssurroundings.

d. LessthanSignificantImpact.Constructionofthenewsurfaceimpoundmentswouldresultinapproximately2.2additionalacresofwatersurfacethatcouldbeapotentialsourceforglare.However,thesurfaceimpoundmentswouldbebelowgradeandhaveatleasta2‐footfreeboard,wouldnotbevisiblefrommotoristsonsurroundingroadways(whicharenotconsideredsensitiveviewers).Therefore,potentialglarefromtheadditionalwatersurfaceisconsideredlessthansignificant.



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II.AgriculturalandForestryResources




NoImpact

Indeterminingwhetherimpactsonagriculturalresourcesaresignificantenvironmentaleffects,leadagenciesmayrefertotheCaliforniaAgriculturalLandEvaluationandSiteAssessmentModel(1997)preparedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofConservationasanoptionalmodeltouseinassessingimpactsonagricultureandfarmland.Indeterminingwhetherimpactsonforestresources,includingtimberland,aresignificantenvironmentaleffects,leadagenciesmayrefertoinformationcompiledbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtectionregardingthestate’sinventoryofforestland,includingtheForestandRangeAssessmentProjectandtheForestLegacyAssessmentProject,andforestcarbonmeasurementmethodologyprovidedintheForestProtocolsadoptedbytheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard.Wouldtheproject:

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

b. ConflictwithexistingzoningforagriculturaluseorconflictwithaWilliamsonActcontract?

c. Conflictwithexistingzoningfor,orcauserezoningofforestland(asdefinedinPublicResourcesCodeSection12220(g)),timberland(asdefinedbyPublicResourcesCodeSection4526),ortimberlandzonedTimberlandProduction(asdefinedbyGovernmentCodeSection51104(g))?

d. Resultinthelossofforestlandorconversionofforestlandtonon‐forestuse?

e. Involveotherchangesintheexistingenvironmentthat,duetotheirlocationornature,couldresultinconversionofFarmlandtonon‐agriculturaluseorconversionofforestlandtonon‐forestuse?



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3.2 Agricultural and Forestry Resources TheProjectareaisanexistingindustrialfacilitywithaCountyzoningdesignationofPublicFacilities(Figures2‐2and3‐2).TheProjectareadoesnotincludeanyagriculturalland,landunderWilliamsonActcontract,orforestland(SanBernardinoCounty2007).SurroundinglandusesareruralwiththefollowingCountyzoningdesignations:RL(RuralLiving),RL‐5(RuralLiving5‐acreminimum),andRL‐10‐AP(RuralLiving10‐acreminimum,AgriculturalPreserve)(SanBernardinoCounty2007).Thesurroundingareahashistoricallybeenlimitedtosinglefamilyhouseson5to10acrelotswithonemercantilegasstationnorthofthefacility(Figure3‐2).

TheProjectareaislocatedinHinkleyValley,whichwasdominatedbyagriculturalusesfromthe1930stotheearly1990s.Theagriculturaltypeshavevaried,butconsistedprimarilyofdairyfarmingandfoddercropssuchasalfalfaandbarley.Someparcelshaveincludedorchardcrops,suchasapistachioorchardlocationlessthanonemilewestoftheProjectarea(CardnoENTRIX2012a).Thenumberofparcelsunderactivecropcultivationhasdeclinedoverthelasttwodecades.AsshowninFigures3‐1and3‐2,landusesadjacenttotheProjectareaarenolongerusedagriculturallyandcanbeclassifiedasundeveloped(CardnoENTRIX2012a).AgriculturecontinuestoplayamajorroleinlandusemanagementfortheHinkleyareaandisanimportanteconomicelementforitsresidents.TheCaliforniaDepartmentofConservation’sFarmlandMappingandMonitoringProgram(FMMP)hasdesignatedprimefarmlandsandfarmlandsofstatewideimportancetoagriculturallandslocatednorthofSR58andeastoftheCompressorStation.WilliamsonActlandsareassociatedwithagriculturalareasdirectlynorthofSR58,locatednorthoftheProjectArea.

a. NoImpact.Nofarmlandwouldbeconvertedasaresultofprojectimplementation.TheProjectareaiswithintheexistingindustrialfacilityanddoesnotincludeanylandsdesignatedasPrimeFarmland,UniqueFarmland,orFarmlandofStatewideImportance.

b. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotconflictwithexistingzoningforagriculturalusebecausetheProjectareaiszonedPublicFacilities.TheProjectwouldnotaffectWilliamsonActcontractsbecausetherearenoWilliamsonActfarmlandsintheProjectarea.

c. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotconflictwithexistingzoningorcauserezoningofforestlandortimberlandbecausethereisnoforestland,timberland,ortimberland‐zonedlandswithinoradjacenttotheProjectarea.

d. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotresultinthelossofforestlandorconversionofforestlandtonon‐forestusebecausethereisnoforestlandwithinoradjacenttotheProjectarea.

e. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectwouldnotresultinchangestotheexistingenvironmentthatcouldresultintheconversionofforestlandtonon‐forestusebecausethereisnoforestlandinthevicinitythatcouldbeaffectedbytheProject.PotentialeffectsofvegetationremovalareaddressedinSection3.4,BiologicalResources.

TheProjectwouldnotresultinchangestotheexistingenvironmentthatwoulddirectlyresultinthefutureconversionoffarmlandtonon‐agriculturaluse.Theproposedsurfaceimpoundmentsaredesignedtomanagenon‐hazardous(designated)wastewaterandwouldbebuiltwithstate‐of‐the‐artmultiply‐redundantcontainmentsystemsthatminimizetheriskofreleasestogroundwatersupplies.NotonlyarethesurfaceimpoundmentsengineeredwithdoublelinersandaLCRS,butalso,aspartoftheProject,arevisedMonitoringandReportingProgramwouldbeestablishedtodocumentthechemicalconstituentsinwastewaterandpondsludgeandwouldprovideearly



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warningofanyleaksthroughthelinersystems.Withearlydetection,anyleaksfromthenewsurfaceimpoundmentswouldresultinimmediateremedialactions.Withinaone‐mileradiusoftheProjectarea,groundwaterisusedforagriculturalpurposes.Ifgroundwaterdrawdownweretoaffectagriculturalwells,itcouldsubstantiallydisruptexistingagriculturalactivities.SincetheProjectwouldnotincreasepumpingfromthegroundwateraquiferoverhistoricpumpingrates,groundwaterdrawdownisnotexpectedtooccur,andthereforeadditionalpumpingwouldnotaffectagriculturaluses.Therefore,thepotentialforconversionoffarmlandtonon‐agriculturaluseisconsideredtobealessthansignificantimpact.



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III.AirQuality




NoImpact

Whenavailable,thesignificancecriteriaestablishedbytheapplicableairqualitymanagementorairpollutioncontroldistrictmaybereliedupontomakethefollowingdeterminations.Wouldtheproject:

a. Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan?

b. Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation?

c. Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisanonattainmentareaforanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)?

d. Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations?

e. Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople?

3.3 Air Quality

Regulatory Setting

TheCleanAirAct(CAA),enactedin1963andamendedseveraltimesthereafter(includingthe1990amendments),establishestheframeworkformodernairpollutioncontrol.TheCAAdirectstheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)toestablishambientairstandardsforsixpollutants:carbonmonoxide(CO),sulfurdioxide(SO2),nitrogendioxide(NO2),particulatematter(PM10andPM2.5),ozone(O3),andlead(Pb).TheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(CARB)administerstheCAA,administerstheCaliforniaCleanAirAct(CCAA),andestablishestheCaliforniaAmbientAirQualityStandards(CAAQS),whichinmostcasesarestricterthantheNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards(NAAQS).

TheProjectareaislocatedinSanBernardinoCountyandiswithinthejurisdictionoftheMojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict(MDAQMD).Assuch,accordingtothestateandfederalCAA’s,theMDAQMD,inconcertwiththecounty,isrequiredtodevelopplansandrulesforattainingNAAQSandCAAQS,showninTable3‐1(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2012;U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2011a).Further,theMDAQMDisresponsiblefordevelopingandimplementingrulesandregulationstoattaintheNAAQSandCAAQS,aswellaspermittingnewormodifiedstationarysourcesanddevelopingofairqualitymanagementplans.



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Table 3‐1. Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutant AveragingTime

CaliforniaStandardsNationalStandards

ppmv µg/m3 ppmv µg/m3

Ozone(O3)1‐hour 0.09 177 ― ―

8‐hour 0.07 137 0.075 147

NitrogenDioxide(NO2)1‐hour 0.18 338 0.100 188

Annual 0.03 56 0.053 100

SulfurDioxide(SO2)

1‐hour 0.25 655 0.075 196

3‐hour(secondary) ― ― 0.50 1,309

24‐hour 0.04 105 ― ―

Annual ― ― 0.03 79

CarbonMonoxide(CO)

1‐hour 20 22,898 35 40,071

8‐hour 9 10,304 9 10,304

LakeTahoe(8‐hr) 6 6,869 ― ―

Particulates(asPM10)24‐hour ― 50 ― 150

Annual ― 20 ― ―

Particulates(asPM2.5)24‐hour ― ― ― 35

Annual ― 12 ― 15

Lead(Pb)30‐day ― 1.5 ― ―

3‐month(rolling)* ― ― ― 0.15

Sulfates(asSO4) 24‐hour ― 25 ― ―

HydrogenSulfide(H2S) 1‐hour 0.03 42 ― ―

VinylChloride(C2H3Cl) 24‐hour 0.01 26 ― ―

VisibilityReducingParticles 8‐hour Extinctioncoefficientof0.23perkm;visibilityof10milesormore(0.07to30milesormoreforLakeTahoe)duetoparticleswhenrelativehumidityislessthan70%.

― ―

Sources:CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2012;U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2011aStandardTemperature: 25°CStandardMolarVolume: 24.465liter/g‐moleNotes:ppmv=partspermillionbyvolumeµg/m3=microgramspercubicmeter*The1.5µg/m3federalquarterlyleadstandardapplieduntil2008;0.15µg/m3rolling3‐monthaveragethereafterForgases,µg/m3calculatedfromppmvbasedonmolecularweightandstandardconditions

Localmonitoringdataisusedtodesignateareasasnonattainment,maintenance,attainment,orunclassifiedfortheNAAQSandCAAQS.TheSanBernardinoCountyportionoftheMojaveDesertisaState“moderate”nonattainmentareaforO3andaStatenonattainmentareaforPM10andPM2.5.For



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allotherCAAQS,SanBernardinoCountyisinattainmentorunclassified.SanBernardinoCountyisaFederal“moderate”nonattainmentareaforozone,aFederal“moderate”nonattainmentareaforPM10,andafederal“maintenance”areaforCO.ForallotherNAAQS,SanBernardinoCountyisunclassified.TheMDAQMDreceivesdatafromambientairmonitoringstationsatBarstow(O3,NO2,CO),Hesperia(O3),Lancaster(O3,NO2,CO,PM10),Phelan(O3),Trona(O3,NO2,SO2,PM10),Twenty‐ninePalms(O3,NO2,SO2,CO,PM10),andVictorville(O3,NO2,SO2,CO,PM10).(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2011;U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2012a;MojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict2011,2012b).

Theconservation/airqualityelementoftheSanBernardinoCountyGeneralPlan(SanBernardinoCounty2007)containscontrolmeasuresaimedatavoidingandreducingemissionsofaircontaminantsintothelocalenvironment.AttheDistrictlevel,airqualityplandevelopmentrequirementsvarydependentuponthetypeofplanandtheunderlyingFederalorStateplanningguidelines.TheMDAQMDhasdevelopedthefollowingstate‐andfederally‐approvedairqualitymanagementplans(AQMPs)whichaddresstheairqualityissuesofozoneandparticulatematter:1995MojaveDesertPlanningAreaFederalPM10AttainmentPlan;2004MDAQMDOzoneAttainmentPlan;2005ListandImplementationScheduleforDistrictMeasurestoReducePM;and2008MDAQMDFederal8‐HourOzoneAttainmentPlan.DistrictruledevelopmentisgenerallygovernedbyChapter6.5ofPart3ofDivision26oftheCaliforniaHealth&SafetyCode,Sections40725‐40731.AllRulesandRegulationsadoptedbytheMDAQMDarerequiredtoundergoapublicnoticeofnolessthan30days(§40725),apublichearing(§40726),andrequirecertainfindingstobemadepriortoadoption(§40727).Specialanalysisarerequiredincertainsituations(§40727.2–40728.5)(MojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict2012a).TheprojectmaybesubjecttovariousMDAQMDrules,includingbutnotlimitedto,thefollowing.

MDAQMDRule402—Nuisance:Forbidsthedischargeofsuchquantitiesofaircontaminantsorothermaterialthatcauseinjury,detriment,nuisanceorannoyancetoanyconsiderablenumberofpersonsortothepublic;orthatendangerthecomfort,repose,healthorsafetyofanysuchpersonsorthepublic;orthatcause,orhaveanaturaltendencytocause,injuryordamagetobusinessorproperty.

MDAQMDRule403.2—FugitiveDustControlfortheMojaveDesertPlanningArea:Restrictsfugitivedustfromconstruction/demolitionandotheractivitiesintheMojaveDesertPlanningArea(whichincludestheProjectarea).Specifiesnumerousrestrictionstooperatorsofconstruction/demolitionforallprojectsgreaterthanahalf‐acreinsize(e.g.,periodicwatering,coveringloadedhaulvehicles,stabilizegradedsurfaces,cleanupprojectdust/debrisonpavedsurfaces,reducenon‐essentialearthmoving),andspecifiesadditionalrulesforprojectsdisturbingmorethan100acresperday(e.g.,dustcontrolplan,stabilizedaccessroutes).Theprojectareawouldnotdisturbmorethan100acresperday,butwouldbenonethelessrequiredtoimplementfugitivedustcontrol.

MDAQMDRule404—ParticulateMatterConcentration:Apersonshallnotdischargeintotheatmospherefromanysourceparticulatematter,exceptliquidsulfurcompounds,inexcessoftheconcentrationatstandardconditions.

TheMDAQMDalsoregulatesalargevarietyofstationarysourcesofairpollutionthroughthepermittingprocess.TheProjectwouldnotrequireapermitfromtheMDAQMDbecauseitdoesnotinvolveconstructionorinstallationofequipment.TheHinkleyfacilityisaFederalOperatingPermit(TitleVoftheFederalCleanAirAct42U.S.C.§§7661‐7661f)sourcesubjecttoMDAQMDRegulation




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XII,includingRule1201—Definitions,Rule1211—GreenhouseGasProvisions,andRule1205—Modifications.

TheProjectwouldoccuratthefacilitywhichRule1201definesasanypermitunit,groupofpermitunits,non‐permittedequipment,oranycombinationthereofwhichemitsormayemitanairpollutant[includinggreenhousegasesasdefinedinRule1211];andbelongstoasinglemajorindustrialgroupintheStandardIndustrialClassificationManual;andislocatedonasingleparceloflandoroncontiguouspropertywithintheDistrict;andwhichisownedoroperatedbythesamepersonorbypersonsundercommoncontrol.However,theProjectwouldnotinvolvechangestoanyequipmentwhichisrequiredtohaveapermittooperateunderDistrictRule203.Therefore,noTitleVpermitmodificationwouldberequiredpursuanttoRule1205fortheProjecttoproceed.

PursuanttoDistrictRule1104,anyrepair‐relatedsolventcleaningofconstructionequipmentbycontractorswouldentailtheuseofexemptconsumerproductssuchasaerosolcansorsmallcontainers(1quartorsmaller)unlessthetotalaccumulativeuseisgreaterthan160ounces(5quarts)ofsolventperday.

Sensitive Receptors

Certainpopulationgroupsareconsideredmoresensitivetoairpollutionandodorsthanothers.Inparticular,thesepopulationgroupsincludechildrenandelderly,acutelyillandchronicallyillpersons,especiallythosewithcardiorespiratorydiseasessuchasasthmaandbronchitis.Sensitivereceptors(landuses)indicatelocationswheresuchindividualsaretypicallyfound,andthusincludeschools,daycarecenters,hospitals,convalescenthomes,residencesofsensitivepersons,andparkswithactiverecreationaluses,suchasyouthsports.

Aprojectwiththepotentialtoexposesensitivereceptors(includingresidentialareas)orthegeneralpublictosubstantiallevelsoftoxicaircontaminants,asdesignatedbyCARBunder17CCRSubchapter7,Sections93000and93001,wouldbedeemedtohaveasignificantimpact.TheMDAQMDindicatesthatthefollowingprojecttypesandspecifieddistancesmustbeevaluatedtoidentifypollutantconcentrationsfornearbyreceptors:

Anyindustrialprojectwithin1000feet.

Adistributioncenter(40ormoretrucksperday)within1000feet.

Amajortransportationproject(50,000ormorevehiclesperday)within1000feet.

Adrycleanerusingperchloroethylenewithin500feet.

Agasolinedispensingfacilitywithin300feet.

ReceptorsneartheProjectareaincludesporadicresidentialreceptorswestoftheProjectarea,withtheclosestresidenceapproximately1,000feetaway.Inaddition,aseniorcenterwithachildren’splaygroundislocatedlessthanonemiletothewest.

Significance Criteria

AppendixGintheCEQAGuidelinesstatesthatthesignificancecriteriaestablishedbytheapplicableairqualitymanagementorairpollutioncontroldistrictmaybereliedupontodeterminetheProject’slevelofimpact.




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TheMDAQMDrecommendsthatitsquantitativeairpollutionthresholdsbeusedtodeterminethesignificanceofprojectemissions,asshowninTable3‐2.TheMDAQMDconsidersdirectimpactstobethosethatresultdirectlyfromaproposedproject.Inthiscase,thedirectimpactswouldbeconstructionemissionsfrombothon‐andoff‐roadvehicleandequipmentsourcesduringconstructionactivities.Indirectimpactswouldbeimpactsthatresultfromchangesthatwouldoccurasaresultoftheproject.Anexamplewouldbenewroadwayinfrastructuretosupportanewsubdivision.Cumulativeimpactsarethecombinationofdirectandindirectimpacts.Therefore,thesamethresholdsareusedtodetermineaproject‐levelimpactanda“cumulativelyconsiderable”netincreaseincriteriapollutants(MojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict2011).PursuanttoMDAQMDguidelines,theproject’sconstructionandoperationalcriteriapollutantemissionsaresummeddailyandcomparedtothedailythresholdsinTable3‐2.Additionally,forpurposesofdisclosure,totalemissionsaresummedandcomparedtotheannualthresholdsinTable3‐2.

Table 3‐2. Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District Significance Thresholds for Construction and Operations

Threshold ROG NOX CO SOX PM10 PM2.5 CO2e*

DailyThreshold(pounds) 137 137 548 137 82 82 548,000

AnnualThreshold(tons) 25 25 100 25 15 15 100,000

Source:MojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict2011.Notes:TheMDAQMDalsoincludesthresholdsforH2Sandlead,butthosearenotincludedinthisanalysis,asnoneoftheprojectalternativeswouldresultinH2Sorleademissions.CO2e=CarbondioxideequivalentMTCO2e=Metrictonsofcarbondioxideequivalent*AlthoughMDAQMDhasadoptedthisCO2ethreshold,theanalysishereinusesSanBernardinoCounty’s3,000MTCO2ethreshold.SeeSection3.7foradiscussionofGHGemissions.

Withrespectstopollutantconcentrationsatnearbysensitivereceptors,theMDAQMDrecommendsusingthefollowingthresholds:totalcancerriskof10inamillionandanoncanceroushazardindexgreaterthanorequalto1.Dieselparticulatematter(DPM)isconsideredatoxic(carcinogenic)aircontaminantinCalifornia(Section93000).Ascreening‐levelHealthRiskAssessment(HRA)forDPMwasperformedusingconservativemethodologyformaximumandaverageactivitylevelsandtimeframes.

a. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectwouldnotconflictwithorobstructimplementationofapplicableairqualityplansasdescribedunderRegulatorySetting.TheMDAQMDattainmentandmaintenanceplanswerecraftedtobringtheMDABintoattainmentstatusforallcriteriapollutants.PursuanttoMDAQMDguidelines,aprojectisconsideredtobeconsistentwithapplicableairqualityplansifitcomplieswithallapplicablerulesandregulations,complieswithproposedcontrolmeasuresoftheplantobeadopted,andisconsistentwithgrowthforecastsintheapplicableairqualityplanorplanthatwasusedasthebasisofgrowthforecasts(i.e.,relevantlanduseplansorgeneralplans).TheProjectwouldnotresultinpopulationoremploymentgrowththatexceedstheprojectionsinthemostrecentozoneorPM10plansdescribedabove.Assuch,Project‐relatedemissionsareaccountedforintheapplicableair




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qualityplansasgeneralconstructionemissions.TheProjectwouldnotcreateapermanentstationarysourceofemissionsandwouldcomplywithMDAQMDrulesandregulations.Further,temporaryconstruction‐relatedemissionsofcriteriapollutantswouldnotexceedMDAQMDsignificancethresholds,asdiscussedfor“b”belowandasshowninTable3‐3.

b. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectwouldnotviolateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation.Operationandmaintenanceactivitiesassociatedwiththetwoadditionalsurfaceimpoundmentswouldnotresultinstationarysourceemissionsorlong‐termsourceemissions,asnoadditionalfacilitystaffwouldberequired.However,constructionactivitieswouldresultinshort‐termemissions.

Constructionactivitieswouldresultinfugitivedustfromsitedisturbance,emissionsfromoff‐roadequipment,anddustandexhaustemissionsfromon‐roadandoff‐roadvehicletravel(heavydutyhaultrucks,materialdeliverytrucks,andconstructionemployeecommutes).Table3‐3summarizestheequipmentthatwouldbeusedduringProjectconstruction.EmissionswereestimatedconsistentwiththemethodologydescribedinAppendixA.AsshowninTable3‐4,Project‐relatedconstructionemissionswouldnotexceeddailyorannualMDAQMDthresholds.Incrementalimpactswouldbesmall,temporary,andwouldpermanentlyceaseuponProjectcompletion.




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Table 3‐3. Planned Construction Equipment for Project

Phase—Activity EquipmentNeeded CategoryPlannedQuantity

Phase1—Earthwork&Contouring

Backhoe/Loader(CAT450) Off‐road 1

MotorGrader(CAT140) Off‐road 1

Roller(CATCB34) Off‐road 1

PickupTruck/SUV On‐roadLD 4

SemiTruckw/FlatbedTrailer(equipment) On‐roadHHD 3

WaterTruck On‐roadHHD 1

Phase2—Liner&MembraneInstallation


Generator(10kW) Off‐road 2


DumpTruck(rock) On‐roadHHD 1

SemiTruckw/FlatbedTrailer(GCL) On‐roadHHD 5

SemiTruckw/FlatbedTrailer(HDPE) On‐roadHHD 4



Phase3—MiscellaneousPiping&ElectricalInstallation



HaulTruck(wastematerials) On‐roadHHD 1

SemiTruckw/BoxTrailer(piping) On‐roadHHD 1



Source:Applicant(PG&E)Notes:LD=lightduty,MD=mediumduty,HHD=heavyheavyduty




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Table 3‐4. Estimated Construction Criteria Emissions—CEQA Thresholds

CriteriaEmissionsMaximumlbs/day

Thresholdlbs/day

DailySignificance

TotalProjecttons

Thresholdtons/yr

AnnualSignificance

VolatileOrganicCompounds(VOC)

8.5 137 Less 0.030 25 Less

CarbonMonoxide(CO) 41.6 548 Less 0.163 100 Less

OxidesofNitrogen(NOX) 134.4 137 Less 0.316 25 Less

SulfurDioxide(SO2) 0.2 137 Less 0.000 25 Less

RespirableParticulates(PM10)

19.6 82 Less 0.111 15 Less

CombustionParticulates(C‐PM10)

7.9 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.020 ‐‐ ‐‐

FugitiveDust(F‐PM10) 11.7 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.091 ‐‐ ‐‐

FineParticulates(PM2.5) 8.3 82 Less 0.030 15 LessCombustionParticulates(C‐PM2.5)

6.6 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.017 ‐‐ ‐‐

FugitiveDust(F‐PM2.5) 1.7 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.013 ‐‐ ‐‐

Sources:U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2011b;NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration2008;MohaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict2011;EMFAC2011web‐tool.Note:ThecalculationsareshowninAppendixA(asrevisedbyICF).

TheProjectisrequiredtocomplywithdustcontrolrequirementsofMDAQMDRule403.2,butadustcontrolplanisnotrequiredbecausetheProjectareaislessthan100acres.AsstatedunderProjectConstructioninSection2.1ProposedProject,constructionactivitieswouldbeconductedinaccordancewithCGPOrder2009‐0009‐DWQ,whichrequiresdevelopmentandimplementationofaSWPPP,andwithMDAQMDrequirementsfordustcontrol.TheSWPPPandconstructionspecificationswouldinclude,butnotbelimitedto,thefollowingBMPstominimizedust.

Duringexcavationandgradingactivities,spraywatershallbeusedtocontrolfugitivedust.

Non‐essentialearthmovingoperationsshallbereducedorsuspendedwhenwindspeedis25milesperhourorgreater.

DustcontrolmeasuresshallbedocumentedasrequiredunderCGPOrder2009‐0009‐DWQ.

Achemicalmonitoringprogramforany"non‐visible"pollutantsshallbeimplementedifthereisafailureofBMPs.

c. LessthanSignificant.TheMDABiscurrentlyinnonattainmentforozoneunderNAAQSaswellasozone,PM10,andPM2.5underCAAQS,whichisaresultofpastandpresentprojectsandwillbefurtherimpededbyreasonablyforeseeablefutureprojects.Inaddressingcumulativeeffectsforairquality,theMDAQMD’sattainmentandmaintenanceplanssetforthcomprehensiveprogramstobringtheMDABintocompliancewithstateandfederalairqualitystandardsforozone,PM10,andPM2.5andusescontrolmeasuresandrelatedemissionreductionestimatesbasedonemissionsprojectionsforafuturedevelopmentscenarioderivedfromlanduse,population,andemploymentcharacteristicsdefinedinconsultationwithlocalgovernments.As




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discussedabove,theProjectisinconformancewiththeAQMPs,Project‐relatedconstructionemissionswouldbebelowMDAQMDthresholdsandoperationswouldbeminimalandnotresultinlong‐termsourcesofemissions.Therefore,theProject’sincrementalcontributiontocriteriapollutantemissionsisnotcumulativelyconsiderable,andthisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

d. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectwouldnotexposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrationduringconstructionoroperation.

Operationandmaintenanceactivitiesassociatedwiththethreeexistingimpoundments(i.e.,holdingpondsfortheevaporationofwastewatergeneratedfromthefacility)donotcreateairpollutantconcentrations,exceptaminoramountassociatedwithemployeevehicleemissionscommutingtothefacility.Thetwoadditionalimpoundmentswouldnotrequireadditionalfacilitystaffsotherewouldbenoincreaseintheseairpollutants.Further,asdescribedabove,thenearestsensitivereceptorstotheProjectareaincludesporadicresidentialreceptorsandaseniorcenterwithachildren’splaygroundwestoftheProjectarea.

Constructionactivitieswouldresultinshort‐termemissionsfromtheuseofdiesel‐poweredequipmentandvehicles.Dieselexhaust,particularlyDPM,isconsideredatoxicaircontaminantbyCARB;andexposureofsensitivereceptors(e.g.,residences,schools)totoxicaircontaminantsshouldbelimited.PotentialhealthriskassociatedwithdieselexhaustwasestimatedusingEPA’sAERSCREENmodel.AsshowninTable3‐5,emissionsofDPMduringconstructionwouldnotbesufficienttoposeasignificantrisktothenearestsensitivereceptorsfromconstructionequipmentoperations(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency1992;U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2011c;NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration2008;CaliforniaEnvironmentalProtectionAgency2009;WorldClimate2012).

Table 3‐5. Screening Health Risk Assessment for Construction Period—Onsite

DPMScreenParameter Units Maximum Average

OnsiteTotalPM10Exhaust pounds 1.2 17

OnsiteEmissionRate g/sec 6.24E‐03 3.57E‐03

ReceptorDistance meters 425 425

AnnualConcentration µg/m3 0.4651 0.2661

UnitRiskValue(70‐yearMEI) (µg/m3)‐1 3.00E‐04 3.00E‐04

ActivityDuration days 5 25

AnnualMEICorrection fraction 0.0002 0.0010

CancerRisk probability 2.7E‐08 7.8E‐08

permillion 0.03 0.08

CEQAThreshold permillion 10 10

significance Less Less

Sources:NOAA2008,EPA1992,EPA2011c,OEHHA2009,WC2012,MDAQMD2011Notes:DPM=dieselparticulatematter(PM10)Maximumisformostintensiveactivity(Phase1);Averageisforentireproject70‐yearMaximallyExposedIndividual=25,550days=613,200hours(CardnoENTRIXscreening‐levelanalysis)




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e. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectcouldcreateasmallamountofodorfromvehicleexhaustanddustduringconstruction,butitwouldnotbenoticeabletothenearestresidentswithimplementationofmitigationmeasures,noraffectasubstantialnumberofpeopleduetothesparselypopulatedareaanddistanceoftheworksitefromsensitivereceptors.Further,duringconstruction,alldiesel‐poweredequipmentwoulduseCaliforniaultra‐lowsulfurdieselfuelwithamaximumsulfurcontentof15partspermillion(ppm)byweight,minimizingemissionsofsulfurousgases(sulfurdioxide,hydrogensulfide,carbondisulfide,andcarbonylsulfide).




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IV.BiologicalResources




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

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

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

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

d. Interferesubstantiallywiththemovementofanynativeresidentormigratoryfishorwildlifespeciesorwithestablishednativeresidentormigratorywildlifecorridors,orimpedetheuseofnativewildlifenurserysites?

e. Conflictwithanylocalpoliciesorordinancesprotectingbiologicalresources,suchasatreepreservationpolicyorordinance?

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

3.4 Biological Resources SeveralbiologicalsurveyshavebeenconductedattheCompressorStation(McClenahan&HopkinsAssociates1990;PacificGasandElectric1990;KivaBiologicalConsulting1992;TransconEnvironmental2011;PhoenixBiologicalConsulting2012).Followingtheclosureoftheformersurfaceimpoundments(Ponds6and7)inthemid‐1990s,vegetationre‐established,asshownonFigure3‐3.Theslopedsidesoftheformersurfaceimpoundmentsaresparselycoveredwithnon‐nativeRussianthistle(Salsolatragus).Saltbushshrubspecies(Atriplex)andnon‐nativegrasses




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dominatethebottomoftheformersurfaceimpoundments,andsmallmammalburrowsarepresent(TransconEnvironmental2011;PhoenixBiologicalConsulting2012).

Figure 3‐3. Photograph of Current Biological Habitat in Pond 6/7 Area

AlthoughtheProjectareaisfenced,gapsatthebaseofthechainlinkfencinghaveallowedwildlifetomovewithinandacrosstheProjectarea(TransconEnvironmental2011).TheProjectareaissurroundedbyamosaicofhabitattypes.Amixoflowdensitydevelopmentandnativehabitatislocatednorth/northwest,andagriculturallandispresenteastoftheProjectarea.SaltbushscrubhabitatoccursimmediatelyoutsideoftheCompressorStation,andisconnectedwithadditionalnativeshrubhabitatextendingnorthofthefacilityandsouthtotheMojaveRiver.

AsearchoftheCaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase(CNDDB)andtheCaliforniaNativePlantSociety(CNPS)InventoryofRareandEndangeredPlants,conductedbyCardnoENTRIXin2012,indicatesthateightlistedorsensitivespecieshavebeenrecordedwithin5milesoftheProjectarea(Table3‐6).Additionally,thedesertkitfoxisknowntooccurinthedesertarea.MostoftheseplantandwildlifespeciesarenotexpectedtooccurintheProjectareagiventhelackofhighqualityhabitatattheCompressorStation.However,suitablehabitatispresentforthefollowingfivewildlifespecies:

Deserttortoise(federallylistedThreatened,state‐listedThreatened),

Mohavegroundsquirrel(state‐listedThreatened),

Burrowingowl(CaliforniaSpeciesofSpecialConcern),

AmericanBadger(CaliforniaSpeciesofSpecialConcern),and

DesertKitFox(protectedbyMammalHuntingRegulations2011–2012).




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Table 3‐6. Special Status Species Documented in the Project Vicinity

Species HabitatRequirements

Plantsa

BeaverDambreadroot,Pediomelumcastoreum JoshuaTreeWoodland,MojaveanDesertScrub

Mojavemonkeyflower,Mimulusmohavensis JoshuaTreeWoodland,MojaveanDesertScrub

Chaparralsand‐verbena,Abroniavillosavar.aurita Chaparral,CoastalScrub

Wildlife

Deserttortoiseb,c,Gopherusagassizii Mostcommonindesertscrub,desertwash,andJoshuatreehabitats;occursinalmosteverydeserthabitat.

Mojavefringe‐toedlizardd,Umascoparia Fine,loose,wind‐blownsandinsanddunes,drylakebeds,riverbanks,desertwashes,sparsealkaliscrubanddesertscrub.

Burrowingowld,Athenecunicularia Open,dryannualorperennialgrasslandsdesertsandscrublandscharacterizedbylow‐growingvegetation.

Mohavegroundsquirrelc,Xerospermophilusmohavensis

Opendesertscrub,alkaliscrubandJoshuatreewoodland.Alsofeedsinannualgrasslands.RestrictedtotheMojaveDesert.

Americanbadgerd,Taxideataxus Drieropenstagesofmostshrubandherbaceoushabitats,withfriablesoils

Desertkitfoxe,Vulpesmacrotisarsipus Desertareaswithannualgrasslandsorgrassyopenstagesofvegetationdominatedbyscatteredbrush,shrubs,andscrub

a. CDFGRarePlantRankSpecies(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2012b)b. FederallylistedasThreatenedc. State‐listedasThreatenedd. CaliforniaSpeciesofSpecialConcern(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2008)e. TheMammalHuntingRegulations2011–2012,Subdivision2.GameandFurbearers,Chapter5.

FurbearingMammals,§460statesthatfisher,marten,riverotter,desertkitfoxandredfoxmaynotbetakenatanytime.

Source:CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2012a;CaliforniaNativePlantSociety2012

DesertTortoise.TheProjectareaisnotdesignatedascriticalhabitatforthedeserttortoise,anddeserttortoisehavenotbeenrecordedintheProjectareaduringpreviousbiologicalsurveys.However,deserttortoiseisknowntooccurinthevicinityoftheprojectsite.Criticalhabitatforthestateandfederally‐listeddeserttortoiseislocatedwithin2.5milesnortheastand5.5mileswestoftheProjectarea,andbothlocationsarecontainedwithintheSuperior‐CroneseDesertWildlifeManagementArea(U.S.FishandWildlifeService2011).Ninerecordsofdeserttortoisesign(e.g.,scat,burrows)havebeendocumentedwithinfivemilesnorthandwestoftheCompressorStation(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2012a).Specificlocationsoflivedeserttortoisearesuppressedduetosensitivity,butareaswithinonemilenorthandonemilesouthoftheProjectareaarepotentiallyoccupiedhabitat(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2012a).DeserttortoiseisknowntotransitareasoutsideoftheCompressorStationboundary(W.Rhodehamel,PG&Ebiologist,personalcommunication,May16,2012).HoweverasurveyperformedinOctober2011byTransconEnvironmental,Inc.reportednosignofdeserttortoiseordeserttortoiseburrows(TransconEnvironmental2011).PhoenixBiologicalConsulting(2012)reportsthatduringsixdays




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oftrappingforMohavegroundsquirrelwithintheProjectarea,therewere12plantspeciesand24animalsidentified,anddeserttortoisewasnotreported.AlthoughtherearetheknownlocationsfordeserttortoiseinthevicinityoftheProject,itisconsideredtohavealowpotentialtooccurwithintheProjectareafootprintduetolowqualityhabitatconditions.

MohaveGroundSquirrel.TheProjectareaiswithintherangeofMohavegroundsquirrel.Twopossiblerecordedobservationsarelocatedwithin3.5milesoftheCompressorStationtotheeastandsoutheast(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2012a).PhoenixBiologicalConsultingconductedprotocolpresence/absencetrappingsurveysforMohavegroundsquirrelattheProjectareabetweenAprilandJune2012inaccordancewiththesurveyguidelinerequirementsoftheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2003;PhoenixBiologicalConsulting2012).AsummaryofthesurveyresultsispresentedinAppendixB.Basedonthesurveys,MohavegroundsquirrelisconsideredtobeabsentfromtheCompressorStation(Youngpers.comm.).AdditionalprotocolsurveysareongoingthroughouttheHinkleyarea,betweenNorthMountainGeneralRoadtotheNorthandtheMojaveRivertotheSouth;theresultsofthe2012trappingsessionsinthisareawerealsonegativeforMohavegroundsquirrel(Rhodehamelpers.comm.).

BurrowingOwl.NumerousrecordsofburrowingowlhavebeendocumentedintheProjectvicinity(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2012a),andsuitableforaginghabitatandsmallmammalburrowsarepresent(PhoenixBiologicalConsulting2012)ontheProjectarea.However,burrowingowlhasnotbeenpreviouslybeenrecordedattheProjectarea(TransconEnvironmental2011;PhoenixBiologicalConsulting2012).Therefore,thisspeciesisconsideredtohavealowpotentialforoccurrenceontheProjectareaandsurroundings.

AmericanBadgerandDesertKitFox.TheliteraturesearchprovidedtwoobservationrecordsforAmericanbadgerintheProjectvicinity(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2012a);howeverintheareaoftheproposedimpoundments,lowqualityforaginghabitatispresent.Duetothelackofanynotedlargesuitableburrowswithinthetwonewsurfaceimpoundments(TransconEnvironmental2011;PhoenixBiologicalConsulting2012),thespeciesisconsideredtohavealowpotentialforoccurrence.

KitfoxareknowntoinhabitdesertscrubandtheProjectareasupportslowqualityforaginghabitat.Duetothelackofanylargesuitableburrowcomplexeswithinthetwonewsurfaceimpoundments(TransconEnvironmental2011;PhoenixBiologicalConsulting2012),thespeciesisconsideredtohavealowpotentialforoccurrence.

OtherSpecies.InadditiontothespeciesdocumentedbyCNDDB,theProjectareasupportslimitedforaginghabitatforthreeotherCaliforniaspeciesofspecialconcernknownfromtheregion:ferruginoushawk(Buteoregalis)(onlypresentastransientmigrantorwinterresident),loggerheadshrike(Laniusludovicianus),andprairiefalcon(Falcomexicanus).ExistingtreesassociatedwithdevelopmentsintheProjectvicinityprovidesuitableroostinghabitatforthesespecial‐statusspecies.Nosuitablenestinghabitat(almostexclusivelyrockledges)occursontheProjectareaforprairiefalcon.SuitablenestinghabitatmaybepresentintheProjectareaandvicinityforloggerheadshrike.InCalifornia,loggerheadshriketypicallynestsinlargeshrubsortrees(Humple2008)butcanalsouseweedyplantspecies(e.g.,Russianthistle)andman‐madestructures.

OtherbirdspeciescouldalsonestwithintheProjectarea,withinthevegetationintheformerPond6and7footprints,orevenonbareground.Allbirdnestsareprotectedduringthebreedingseason




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underthefederalMigratoryBirdTreatyAct(MBTA)andCDFGCodeSections3503,3503.5,3511,3513.

a. LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated.Theprojectcouldadverselyaffectspeciesidentifiedasacandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspeciesinlocalandregionalplansandbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGameandU.S.FishandWildlifeService.

DesertTortoise.AsstatedinSection2.1above,thetwonewimpoundmentswouldcomprise2.48acres.Therefore,theProjectwouldresultintheremovalofapproximately2.48acresoflowqualityhabitatfordeserttortoise,whichcouldresultindirectimpacttothespeciesifitispresentorutilizesthe2.48‐acreimpoundmentarea.Inaddition,deserttortoisemaybesubjecttoindirectimpactsfromgroundvibrationthatisexpectedtooccurfora2weekperiodduringconstruction.Therecouldbeincreasedriskofdeserttortoisemortalityduetocollisionwithconstruction‐relatedvehicles.TheCompressorStationfencingcurrentlyhasgapsthatallowwildlifetoaccesstheProjectarea,includingthesurfaceimpoundmentarea.AsstatedunderProjectConstructioninSection2.1ProposedProject,thefencingwouldberepaired,whichwouldminimizelong‐termindirectimpactstodeserttortoiseduetocollisionandentrapment.Theexistingpondshaveestablishedabaselineofavailablesurfacewatertodeserttortoisepredatorssuchascommonraven,whichwouldonlyminimallyincreasewiththeimplementationofthisproject.ImplementingMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1,BIO‐5andBIO‐6wouldreducepotentialdirectandindirectimpactstoalessthansignificantlevelbecauseitrequiresseveralprotectionmeasuresbeimplementedthatwouldavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsduringconstructionandoncetheprojectisoperating.

MohaveGroundSquirrel.Asdescribedabove,protocolpresence/absencetrappingsurveysforMohavegroundsquirrelwereconstructedintheProjectareabetweenAprilandJune2012,andtheMohavegroundsquirrelhasbeendeterminedasabsentfromtheProjectarea(AppendixB,PhoenixBiologicalConsulting2012).Therefore,noimpactswouldoccurtoMohavegroundsquirrelasaresultoftheProject.

BurrowingOwl.TheProjectwouldresultintheremovalofapproximately2.48acresoflowqualityforagingandpotentialnestinghabitatforburrowingowl,whichcouldresultindirectimpacttothespeciesifitispresentorutilizestheProjectarea.Inaddition,burrowingowlmaybesubjecttoindirectimpactsduringconstructionoftheProjectfromincreasednoiselevels(upto66dBat500feet‐seeTable3‐8)andincreasedgroundvibrationthatisexpectedtooccurfora2weekperiodduringconstruction.IncreasednoiseandvibrationcouldresultinareductionofburrowingowlnestingsuccessinthevicinityoftheProject.ImplementingMitigationMeasuresBIO‐2,BIO‐5andBIO‐6wouldreduceimpactstoalessthansignificantlevelbecauseitincludesavoidance,impactminimizationandprotectionmeasuresbeimplementedduringconstruction.

AmericanBadgerandDesertKitFox.TheProjectwouldresultintheremovalofapproximately2.48acresofpotentiallyforaginghabitatforAmericanbadgeranddesertkitfox,whichcouldresultindirectimpacttothespeciesifitispresentorutilizesthetwonewsurfaceimpoundments.Nosuitabledensorburrowcomplexeswerereportedduringrecentbiologicalsurveys(TransconEnvironmental2011;PhoenixBiologicalConsulting2012).

Inaddition,Americanbadgeranddesertkitfoxmaybesubjecttoindirectimpactsduringconstruction,suchaselevatedlevelsofhumanactivitythatwouldlikelycauseanimalstoavoidtheprojectsite.Thismayalsoincludeincreasedgroundvibrationthatisexpectedtooccurfora




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2weekperiodduringconstruction.IncreasedvibrationcouldresultinanabandonmentofanatalAmericanbadgerand/ordesertkitfoxden.MitigationMeasuresBIO‐3,BIO‐4andBIO‐6wouldreduceimpactstosignificancelessthansignificantlevelbecauseitincludesprotectionmeasuresifthespeciesareidentifiedduringpreconstructionsurveys.

LoggerheadShrikeandOtherNestingBirdSpecies.TheProjectareadoesnotincludesuitablenestinghabitatforloggerheadshrike,butitdoesincludesuitablenestinghabitatforotherspeciesaffordedprotectionbytheMigratoryBirdTreatyActandCaliforniaFishandGameCode.Ifconstruction‐relatedclearing,grubbing,orsoildisturbanceoccursontheProjectareabetweenFebruary1andAugust31,theProjectcouldresultinthedirectimpactofdisturbingnestingbirdspeciesandtheirnests,whichisaviolationoftheMigratoryBirdTreatyActandFishandGameCode.Inaddition,nestingbirdspeciesmaybesubjecttoindirectimpactsfromincreasednoiselevels(upto66dBat500feet‐seeTable3‐8)andincreasedgroundvibrationthatisexpectedtooccurfora2weekperiodduringconstruction.Increasednoiseandvibrationcouldresultinnestabandonment.MitigationMeasuresBIO‐4,BIO‐5andBIO‐6wouldreduceimpactstoalessthansignificantlevelbecauseitincludesavoidance,impactminimizationandprotectionmeasuresbeimplementedduringconstruction.

ThefollowingmitigationmeasureswillbeincorporatedintotheProjecttoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactstolistedspecies,andotherspeciesconsideredtohavespecialstatus.

MitigationMeasureBIO‐1:Implementdeserttortoiseprotectionmeasuresduringconstruction.Theprojectapplicantwillensurethefollowingmeasuresareimplementedandincludedinconstructionspecifications.

Priortosurfacedisturbanceandconstructionactivities,aqualifiedbiologistwillconductapreconstructionclearancesurveyfordeserttortoisewithintheProjectareatoensurethatalltortoiseareabsent,orthatanytortoisesthatpresentmovepassivelyoffsiteandoutofharm’sway.Theprotocol(U.S.FishandWildlifeService2009)statesthattwoconsecutivesurveyswillbeconductedimmediatelypriortosurfacedisturbancewithintheProjectarea.

Followingthepre‐constructionsurveyandpriortosurfacedisturbance,theconstructioncontractorincoordinationwithaqualifiedbiologistwillplacedeserttortoiseexclusionfencingalongtheperimeteroftheproposedworkareastopreventencounterswithdeserttortoiseduringconstructionactivities.ThespecificationsofthedeserttortoiseexclusionfencingwillfollowUSFWS(DesertTortoiseFieldManual:Chapter8.DesertTortoiseExclusionFence)(U.S.FishandWildlifeService2009).

Aqualifiedbiologistwillremainatthesiteduringworkhoursandconductdailypre‐constructionclearancesurveysinareastobedisturbeduntiltemporarytortoise‐prooffencinghasbeeninstalledtoexcludedeserttortoisesfromenteringtheworkarea.Thequalifiedbiologistwillalsoinspecttheconditionoftortoise‐prooffencing.Ifdeserttortoisesarefoundwithintheconstructionareas,aqualifiedbiologistwillensureitmovesawaypassively.

Untiltortoise‐prooffencingisinplacearoundtheProjectarea,noopentrenches,excavationsorotherpotentialtraphazardswillbeleftunfencedoruncoveredovernight.ThesehazardswillberemovedeachdaypriortotheworkcrewandbiologistleavingtheProjectareaaslongasitisnotfullyenclosedbytortoise‐prooffencing.




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Untiltortoise‐prooffencingisinplacearoundtheProjectarea,parkedvehiclesandequipmentwithintheProjectareawillbeinspectedbyworkers(asinstructedthroughtheprojectenvironmentalawarenesstraining)priortobeingmovedeachday.Ifatortoiseisfoundbeneathvehiclesorequipment,itwillbemonitoreduntilitmovesoutofthearea.Undernocircumstancesshouldthetortoisebemovedortouched.

Allconstructionactivities,vehicleparking,equipmentandmaterialstorageareaswillbecontainedwithintheareasurroundedbytortoise‐prooffencing.

Priortoandduringconstruction,alldeserttortoisessightedwithintheProjectareawillbeimmediatelyreportedtothequalifiedbiologistandprojectforeman,andanyconstructionactivitythatcouldpotentiallyjeopardizethetortoisewillbehaltedimmediatelyuntilthedeserttortoisemovespassively(onitsown)fromharm’sway.DeserttortoisesobservedintheProjectareawillbemonitoredandallowedtomoveoutoftheprojectareapassively.

Ifadeserttortoiseisinjuredorkilled,theauthorizedbiologistwillbenotified,theinjuryordeathdocumented,andtheanimaltakentoaqualifiedveterinarianorthecarcassremovedbythebiologist.IfaninjureddeserttortoiseisidentifiedthatmayhavebeenaffectedbyProject‐relatedactivities,aqualifiedbiologistwillimmediatelytransporttheanimaltoaveterinaryclinicapprovedbyCDFG.PG&Ewillberesponsibleforpaymentofanyveterinarianbillsforinjuredtortoises.CDFGandUSFWSwillbenotifiedinwritingwithinfivecalendardays,withphotographsandawrittendescriptionofanyinjury/mortality,circumstances,probablecauseandrecommendationsforavoidanceoffutureincidents.Theagencieswillassessthefinalconditionoftheanimalifitrecovers.

Tominimizeattractivenesstodeserttortoisepredators(e.g.,commonravensandferaldogs),trashandfooditemswillbecontainedinclosedcontainersandwillberemovedfromtheProjectsiteattheendofeachworkday.NopetsorfirearmswillbepermittedintheProjectarea.

FollowingcompletionoftheconstructionphaseoftheProject,theapplicantwillimprovetheexistingchainlinkfencearoundtheCompressorStationfacility,whichincludesthesurfaceimpoundments,toeliminatelargegapsbetweenthefenceandthegroundsurfacetopreventdeserttortoisefromenteringtheProjectarea.Theapplicantwillmaintainthefencetoensuretherearenogaps,whichwillreducethelikelihoodthatdeserttortoiseorotherwildlifemoveintotheProjectarea,thusminimizingentrapmentornegativeinteractionswithtortoisesduringProjectoperation.

MitigationMeasureBIO‐2:Implementburrowingowlprotectionmeasuresduringconstruction.Theprojectapplicantwillensurethefollowingmeasuresareimplementedandincludedinconstructionspecifications.

Priortoconstruction,aqualifiedbiologistwillconductapreconstructionsurveyforburrowingowlsnogreaterthan30dayspriortocommencinggrounddisturbingorconstructionactivities,withasecondpreconstructionsurveywithin24hourspriortocommencinggrounddisturbingorconstructionactivities.Thelimitsofthispreconstructionsurveywillincludethedisturbanceareaanda400‐footbuffer.

IfburrowingowlstakeoccupancyintheProjectareabeforeorduringconstruction,theconstructioncontractorwillensurethatwork‐exclusionbuffersaremaintained.Workwillnotoccurwithin160feetofoccupiedburrowsduringthenon‐breedingseason(September




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1throughJanuary31)orwithin250feetduringthebreedingseason(February1throughAugust31),unlessotherwiseapprovedbythemonitoringbiologistandCDFG.AqualifiedbiologistandCDFGwilldetermineifburrowingowlsandtheirhabitatcanbeprotectedinplaceonoradjacenttoaProjectareawiththeuseofbufferzones,visualscreens(suchashaybales)orotherfeasiblemeasureswhileProjectactivitiesareoccurringtominimizedisturbanceimpacts.

Ifowlsareidentifiedduringconstruction,on‐sitepassiverelocationwillbeavoidedtothegreatestextentpracticable,andonlyimplementedifavoidancecannotbemet.Passiverelocationisdefinedasencouragingowlstomovefromoccupiedburrowstoalternatenaturalorartificialburrows.AnypassiverelocationplanwillneedtobeapprovedbytheCDFG.

CDFGconsultationwillberequiredtodetermineifcompensatorymitigationwillbeneededtofullymitigateProjectimpactsonburrowingowliftheyaredeterminedtobenestingwithinthenewsurfaceimpoundmentarea.

MitigationMeasureBIO‐3:ImplementAmericanbadgeranddesertkitfoxprotectionmeasurepriortoandduringconstruction.TheprojectapplicantwillensurethefollowingmeasuresareimplementedandincludedinconstructionspecificationstoavoidandminimizeimpactstotheAmericanbadgeranddesertkitfox.

Ifthereisevidencethataburrowmaybeoccupiedbyabadgerorakitfoxduringpreconstructionsurveys(seeBIO‐1)andifconstructionwilloccurduringthenatalseason,allconstructionactivitieswillceasewithina100‐footbufferoftheburrowduringthenatalseason(February–July)unlessotherwiseauthorizedbyCDFG.RemovalofanoccupiedAmericanbadgerordesertkitfoxburrowatanytimeoftheyearwillrequirecoordinationwithCDFG.

MitigationMeasureBIO‐4:Implementloggerheadshrikeandotherbreedingbirdprotectionmeasuresduringconstruction.Theprojectapplicantwillensurethefollowingmeasuresareimplementedandincludedinconstructionspecificationstoavoidandminimizeimpactstonestingbirds.

Theconstructioncontractorwillscheduleground‐disturbingactivities,aswellasanyotherworkthatgenerateselevatedhumanactivity,noiseandvibrationabovebackgroundoperationlevels,betweenFebruary1andAugust31toavoidthebreedingseasonbetweenSeptember1andJanuary31,tothegreatestextentfeasible.

Ifanyground‐disturbingactivities,oranyotherworkthatgenerateselevatedhumanactivity,noiseandvibrationabovebackgroundoperationlevels,willtakeplaceduringthebirdnestingseasonbetweenFebruary1andAugust31,aqualifiedbiologistwillconductpre‐constructionsurveysfornestingbirds(includingraptors)7daysbeforetheseactivitiesareinitiated.IfanyactivenestsareidentifiedintheProjectareaorwithin300feetoftheProjectarea,thefollowingbuffer(s)a300‐feetoftheProjectarea,thefollowingbuffer(s)willbeestablishedinthefieldwithstakingandflagging:

o 100feetforloggerheadshrike,

o 250feetforburrowingowl,

o 300feetforraptors,and




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o 50feetforothernestingbirds.

Thespecifiedbuffersizemaybereducedonacase‐by‐casebasiswithCDFGapprovalif,basedoncompellingbiologicalorecologicalreasoning(e.g.thebiologyofthebirdspecies,concealmentofthenestsitebytopography,landusetype,vegetation,andlevelofprojectactivity)andasdeterminedbyqualifiedwildlifebiologist,thatimplementationofaspecifiedsmallerbufferdistancewillstillavoidProject‐related"take"(asdefinedbyFishandGameCodeSection86)ofadults,juveniles,chicks,oreggsassociatedwithaparticularnest.

MitigationMeasureBIO‐5:Prepareandconductasensitivespeciesworkerawarenessprogram.Priortotheinitiationofconstructionactivities,thequalifiedbiologistand/orEnvironmentalMonitorwillprepareaworkerawarenessprogramtoeducateworkersaboutthesensitivespeciesthatcouldbepresentintheProjectarea(includingdeserttortoise,Mohavegroundsquirrel,burrowingowl,andnestingbirds)andthemitigationmeasurestoprotectthem(MitigationMeasuresBIO‐1,BIO‐2,andBIO‐3).Ataminimum,theawarenessprogramwillemphasizethefollowinginformationrelativetothesespecies:(a)distributiononthejobsite;(b)generalbehaviorandecology;(c)sensitivitytohumanactivities;(d)legalprotection;(e)penaltiesforviolatingStateorfederallaws;(f)reportingrequirements;and(g)projectprotectivemitigationmeasures.PG&Eandtheconstructioncontractorwillensureallworkershavereceivedtheawarenessprogramandunderstandthevariouscomponents.Interpretationwillbeprovidedfornon‐Englishspeakingconstructionworkers.

MitigationMeasureBIO‐6:Maintainalogforbiologicalresourcesmitigationmeasures.ThequalifiedBiologistwillmaintainadailylogofallbiologicalmitigationmeasuresimplementedbefore,during,andafterconstructiontoprotectbiologicalresources(includingMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1,BIO‐2,BIO‐3andBIO‐4).

b. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnothaveasubstantialadverseeffectonanyriparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunityidentifiedinlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulations,orbytheCDFGorUSFWSbecausetheProjectareadoesnotsupportanyriparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunities.TheProjectarea,wheresurfacedisturbancewouldoccur,consistsofruderalhabitatmostlylackingvegetation,withtheexceptionofdisturbedpatchesofsaltbushscrub,whichwouldberemovedfromthefootprintsofformerPonds6and7.

c. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnothaveasubstantialadverseeffectonfederallyprotectedwetlands,asdefinedbySection404oftheCleanWaterAct,becausetheProjectareadoesnotsupportanywetlandsincluding,butnotlimitedto,marshes,vernalpools,coastalwetlands,etc.

d. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotinterferesubstantiallywiththemovementofanynativeresidentormigratoryfishorwildlifespeciesbecausetheProjectareadoesnotcontainanyperennialstreams,lakes,orotherpotentialcorridorsformigrationofaquaticspecies,nordoesitsupportsuitablenurserysites.TheProjectwouldnotinterferewithmovementofanynativeormigratoryfish.NosuitablecorridorsformovementofterrestrialwildlifespecieshavebeenidentifiedintheProjectarea.TheMojaveRiver,whichisdryforthemajorityoftheyear,islocatedapproximatelytwomilessouthoftheProjectarea.BecausetheProjectwouldoccurwithinthedisturbedareaoftheexistingCompressorStationfacilities,itisnotexpectedtohavenegativeeffectsonmigrationofterrestrialwildlifespeciesinthevicinity.Asdescribedabove,thesensitivespecieswithpotentialtooccurintheProjectarea(deserttortoise,Mohavegroundsquirrel,burrowingowl)havenotbeenidentifiedwithinandhavelowpotentialtooccurwithintheProjectareafootprintduetothedisturbednatureoftheareaandlowqualityhabitatconditions.




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e. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotconflictwithlocalpoliciesorordinancesprotectingsensitivebiologicalresources.Chapter88.01(PlantProtectionandManagement)oftheSanBernardinoCountyPlantProtectionandManagementchapterregulatestheremovalorharvestingofspecifieddesertnativeplantsandtheremovalofvegetationwithin200feetofthebankofastream.NoneofdesertnativeplantscoveredunderinthisordinancehavebeenreportedfromtheProject.Inaddition,nostreamsoccurontheProject.Therefore,theProjectwillnotconflictwithrequirementsoftheordinance.

f. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotconflictwiththeprovisionsofanadoptedhabitatconservationplan(HCP),naturalcommunityconservationplan,orotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplan.TheWestMojavePlanandFinalEnvironmentalImpactReportandStatementfortheWestMojavePlanwereadoptedasafederallandmanagementplanthatappliesonlytofederallandsunderthejurisdictionoftheU.S.BureauofLandManagement(BLM)(2005).TheProjectareafallsoutsidethedesignatedhabitatconservationareasandfederallands,andtherearenoproposedimpactstohabitatscoveredbytheplan.




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V.CulturalResources




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. CauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofahistoricalresourceasdefinedinSection15064.5?

b. CauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresourcepursuanttoSection15064.5?

c. Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature?

d. Disturbanyhumanremains,includingthoseinterredoutsideofformalcemeteries?

3.5 Cultural Resources ArchaeologicalandhistoricalinvestigationsfortheProjectincludedarecordssearchattheArchaeologicalInformationCenter,SanBernardinoCountyMuseumRedlands,UniversityofCaliforniaMuseumofPaleontology(UCMP)databaseforSanBernardinoCounty,andareviewofplansfortheProject.TheinvestigationsdidnotidentifyanyhistoricalorpaleontologicalresourceswithinorneartheareathatpotentiallycouldbeimpactedbytheProject.TherecordssearchdididentifysiteP‐36‐006767/CA‐SBR‐6767H,whichisasparsescatterofhistorictrash,nearthesouthwestcorneroftheProjectarea.ThissiteisoutsidetheboundariesoftheProjectareaandisnotnearthelocationoftheproposedtwonewsurfaceimpoundments,whichwouldbenearthethreeexistingimpoundmentsadjacenttootherCompressorStationfacilities.TrenchingtoconnectthepipingandelectricaltoPonds6Rand7Ralsowouldbewithinthefootprintoftheexistingfacilities.

a. LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated.ImplementationoftheProjectlikelywouldnotcauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofahistoricalresource,asdefinedinSection15064.5,becausenohistoricalresourceswereidentifiedwithinorneartheProjectarea,basedonthehistoricalinvestigationsconducted.AlthoughnohistoricresourceswereidentifiedeitherthroughthebackgroundinvestigationsorduringtheProjectsitesurvey,thepotentialalwaysexistsforpreviouslyundiscoveredprehistoricorhistoricresourcesundergroundwhichcouldbeencounteredduringexcavationforthepondsandpipelines.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureCUL‐1wouldreducethisimpactbecauseitrequiresastopworkorderandinvestigationifhistoricalresourcesareinadvertentlydiscoveredduringconstruction.

MitigationMeasureCUL‐1:Stopworkifculturalresourcesareencounteredduringground‐disturbingactivities.Theapplicantwillensuretheconstructionspecificationsincludeastopworkorderifculturalresourcesorartifactsarediscoveredduringconstruction.Prehistoricmaterialsmightincludeobsidianandchertflaked‐stonetools(e.g.,projectilepoints,




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knives,scrapers)ortoolmakingdebris;culturallydarkenedsoil(“midden”)containingheat‐affectedrocksandartifacts;stonemillingequipment(e.g.,mortars,pestles,handstones,ormillingslabs);andbattered‐stonetools,suchashammerstonesandpittedstones.Historic‐periodmaterialsmightincludestone,concrete,oradobefootingsandwalls;filledwellsorprivies;anddepositsofmetal,glass,and/orceramicrefuse.Paleontologicalresources(i.e.,fossils)andhumanremainsmightincludebones.

Ifpotentialculturalresourcesasdescribedabovearefound,allworkwithin50feetofthefindwillbestoppeduntilqualifiedculturalresourcesstaffisnotifiedanddeterminesandnotifiesappropriatequalifiedprofessional(e.g.,archaeologist,architecturalhistorian,paleontologist)andNativeAmericanrepresentativetoassessthesignificanceofthefind.Ifthefindisdeterminedtobepotentiallysignificant,thequalifiedprofessional(s),inconsultationwiththeNativeAmericanrepresentative,willdevelopatreatmentplanthatcouldincludesiteavoidance,preservationinplace,capping,excavation,documentation,andcuration.AnyrecommendationswillbereviewedbyPG&Eandappropriateagencies.

IfanyhumanremainsarediscoveredtheCountyCoronerwillbenotifiedimmediatelyaccordingtoSection5097.98oftheStatePublicResourcesCodeandSection7050.5ofCalifornia’sHealthandSafetyCode.IftheremainsaredeterminedtobeNativeAmerican,thecoronerwillnotifytheNativeAmericanHeritageCommission,andtheproceduresoutlinedinCEQASection15064.5(d)and(e)willbefollowed.

b. LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated.Projectconstructioncoulddisruptunknownorundiscoveredarchaeologicalresources,whichpotentiallycouldcauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceoftheresource.AlthoughnoarchaeologicalresourceswereidentifiedeitherthroughthebackgroundinvestigationorduringtheProjectsurvey,thepotentialalwaysexistsforpreviouslyundiscoveredarchaeologicalresourcesundergroundwhichcouldbeencounteredduringexcavationforthepondsandpipelines.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureCUL‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoalessthansignificantlevelbecauseitrequiresastopworkorderandinvestigationifarchaeologicalresourcesareinadvertentlydiscoveredduringconstruction.

c. LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated.ImplementationoftheProjectwouldnotlikelydirectlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeaturebecausenonewereidentifiedduringtheinvestigationsconductedfortheProject.TheProjectlocationiswithinthepreviouslyexcavatedfootprintsoftheformerPonds6and7withinanexistinggascompressionstation.ItdoesnotappearthattheProjectareaissensitiveforthepresenceofpaleontologicalresources.However,apotentialexiststoinadvertentlydiscoverpaleontologicalresourcesduringexcavationactivitiesassociatedwiththeProject.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureCUL‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoalessthansignificantlevelbecauseitrequiresastopworkorderandinvestigationifpaleontologicalresourcesareinadvertentlydiscoveredduringconstruction.

d. LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated.ImplementationoftheProjectwouldnotlikelydisturbanyhumanremains,includingthoseinterredoutsideofformalcemeteries,becauseinvestigationsconductedfortheProjectdidnotidentifyanyhumanremainsorcemeteriesassociatedwithNativeAmericanand/orEuroamericanoccupationwithinorneartheProjectarea.AlthoughitisnotanticipatedthatProjectrelatedgrounddisturbingactivitieswouldinadvertentlyuncoverhumanremainsbecausethesiteoftheProjectiswithinpreviouslydisturbedsoil,potentialexiststoinadvertentlydiscoverhumanremainsduringexcavation




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activitiesassociatedwiththeProject.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureCUL‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoalessthansignificantlevelbecauseitrequiresastopworkorderandinvestigationifhumanremainsareinadvertentlydiscoveredduringconstruction




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VI.GeologyandSoils




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolving:

1.Ruptureofaknownearthquakefault,asdelineatedonthemostrecentAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningMapissuedbytheStateGeologistfortheareaorbasedonothersubstantialevidenceofaknownfault?RefertoDivisionofMinesandGeologySpecialPublication42.

2.Strongseismicgroundshaking?

3.Seismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includingliquefaction?

4.Landslides?

b. Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil?

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

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

e. Havesoilsincapableofadequatelysupportingtheuseofseptictanksoralternativewastewaterdisposalsystemsinareaswheresewersarenotavailableforthedisposalofwastewater?

3.6 Geology, Soils and Seismicity

Geology and Soils

TheHinkleyValleyiscomprisedpredominantlyofalluvialfilldepositsincludingclay,silt,sand,andgraveltransportedbytheMojaveRiver,lacustrinedeposits,Aeolianfinesands,andalluvialfandepositsderivedfromthesurroundinghillsandmountains.FluvialdepositsderivedfromtheMojaveRiverdominatethebasin‐fillsediment(Figure3‐4).AconceptualmodeloftheunitsbeneaththeProjectareaisshownonFigure3‐5.




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Regionally,thelithologyishighlyvariable.Itconsistsofinterbeddedsandsandsiltysands,varyingfromcoursetofineovershortdistancesbothlaterallyandvertically.Thecoarse‐grainedsedimentscontainvaryingdegreesoffinesand,silt,andclay,withminoramountsofgravelinsomelocations.Thefine‐grainedsedimentscontainvaryingamountsoffinesandandclay,whichresultsinheterogeneousandlocallycomplexhydrogeologicconditions.Sedimentsnearthesurfaceandwithintheupperaquiferconsistprimarilyofsandandsiltmixedwithgravelandclay.

BeneaththeProjectarea,soilsarecomprisedofinterbeddedsands,gravels,silts,andclays.Thesoilsencounteredintheboringsconsistofclayeysandsextendingtoadepthofapproximately8feetbelowgroundsurface(bgs)overlyingpoorlygradedsandsandsiltysandsthatextendtothebottomoftheboreholesatadepthofapproximately19.5feetbgs(CardnoENTRIX2012b).

TheNationalResourceConservationService(NRCS)websoilsurveyidentifiessoilsintheProjectareaasCajonSerieswithminorcomponentsofNoroborHalloranSeriessoils.Thesesoilsaretypicallydescribedasexcessivelydrainedtowell‐drainedsandyloams(NationalResourceConservationService2012)andarenotidentifiedastypicalexpansivesoils,whicharecomposedofahighclaycontent.

Seismicity

Faults.TheAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningActof1972wasdraftedtoavoidorreducedamagetostructuresfromearthquakes.Itprohibitsdevelopmentwithin50feetofanactivefaultzone.TheProjectareaisnotlocatedwithinanAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoneandnomappedactivefaulttracesareknowntotraversethesite(Figure3‐6).Thenearestfaults(shownonFigure3‐4and3‐6)aretheLenwood‐LockhartFault,locatedlessthan2,000feetsouthwestoftheProject,andtheMountGeneralFault,locatedmorethanthreemilesnortheastoftheProjectarea(U.S.GeologicalSurvey1968).Thesefaultsareprimarilyright‐lateralstrike‐slipfaultsoftheEasternCaliforniaShearZone(ECSZ).TheECSZislocatedeastoftheSanAndreasfaultandcomprisenorthwest‐southeasttrendingfaultsthatcrosstheMojaveBlock.TheLockhartfaultisfromtheHolocene‐LateQuaternaryera,whichsuggestsdisplacementwithinthelast0.7millionyearsorsooner.Thefaulthastwosections:LenwoodandLockhart.However,becausethereisinsufficientdatatodifferentiatethesegments,theLockhartandLenwoodfaultsaretermedtheLenwood‐LockhartFaultZone(Bryant2000).ThezoneisanextensionofthegreaterLenwood‐Lockhart‐OldWomanSpringsFaultZone.AnAlquist‐PrioloActmapfortheProjectareahasnotyetbeencompletedbyCaliforniaGeologicSurvey;however,referencedmaterialdescribesthesoutheasternportionoftheLenwood‐LockhartFaultZoneasbeingactive(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2010;SouthernCaliforniaEarthquakeDataCenter2012).Inaddition,portionsoftheLenwoodFault(outsidetheprojectarea)aremappedasanAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZone.

Section21750ofTitle27requiresthatstabilityanalysesforClassIIsurfaceimpoundmentsbeconductedusingpeakgroundaccelerationexpectedatthesitebasedonthemaximumcredibleearthquake(MCE).TheMCErepresentsthelargestmedianthepeakgroundacceleration(PGA)expectedatthesitebasedontheknowngeologicframeworkoftheregion.TheMCEPGAisthereforeidentifiedasthelargestPGAfromconsiderationoftheexpectedmaximummagnitudeanddistancetoseismicsourceswithin100km(62mi)ofthesite.TheLenwood‐LockhartFaultisthecontrollingfaultforthesitewithanMCEofmagnitude7.5ontheRichterscalewithaPGAof0.51g(CardnoENTRIX2012a,2012b;CaliforniaDepartmentofWaterResources2012).TheMountGeneralfaultisHoloceneinthemiddle,butotherwiseQuaternary;littleelseisknownaboutthefaultbecauseitis




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notlistedbyCaliforniaGeologicSurveyasbeinganactivefault(SouthernCaliforniaEarthquakeDataCenter2012).

Liquefaction.Liquefactionisaseismicphenomenoninwhichloose,saturated,fine‐grainedgranularsoilsbehavesimilartoafluidwhensubjectedtohigh‐intensitygroundshaking.Anincreaseinporepressureoccursasthesoilattemptstocompactinresponsetotheshaking,resultinginlessgrain‐to‐grainsoilcontact,andtherefore,lossofstrength.Liquefactionoccurswhenthreegeneralconditionsexist:shallowgroundwater(50feetbelowgroundsurfaceorless);lowdensity,fine‐grainedsandysoils;andhigh‐intensitygroundmotion.TheProjectareahasreportedgroundwaterdepthsof75feetandgreaterandgenerallydensesubsurfacegranularsoils,asdefinedbystandardpenetrationtest(SPT)blowcounts.

Subsidence.SubsidencecausedbygroundwaterwithdrawalhasoccurredinthealluvialvalleyareainsouthwesternSanBernardinoCounty.HistoricalagriculturalpumpingintheHinkleyValleycausedgroundwaterelevationstodeclinebyasmuchas90feetormorefeetbgsfrombetween1930andthelate1980s(Stamosetal.2001).Thus,thevicinityoftheProjectareaexperiencedsubstantialgroundwaterdrawdownpriortotheearly1990swhentheMojaveRivergroundwateradjudicationtookforceandstartedtoallowgroundwaterlevelstorecoverbyreducingagriculturalpumping(seetheHydrologyandWaterQualitySectionformoreinformationonMojaveRivergroundwateradjudication).Itwouldbeexpectedthatlandsettlingfromsubsidencewouldhavehadtheopportunitytooccurduringthishistoricalperiod.Basedonliteraturereviews,noevidenceofhistoricalsignificantlandsubsidencewasidentifiedintheHinkleyValley.Itispossiblethatlocalizedlandsubsidencemayhaveoccurredduetoprioragriculturalpumping,butithasnotbeennotedinliteratureongroundwateruse(suchasStamosetal.2001).Thislackofreportingmaybeduetotheruralsettingandopennessofthearea,settlingnotbeingobservedinagriculturalareas,andthelocalpopulationeitherbeingunawareofsettlingthatdidoccurorindifferencetoit.DespitethelackofevidenceforwidespreadsubsidenceintheMojaveDesert,withincreasedgroundwaterpumpingintheHinkleyValley,subsidenceisrecognizedasapotentialprobleminpartsoftheMojaveDesert(Sneedetal.2003).

a. LessthanSignificant.

1. TheLenwoodLockhartFaultislocatedlessthan2,000feetfromthesite,whiletheMountGeneralislocatedmorethanthreemilesdistantfromthesite.TheLenwood‐Lockhartfaultzonehasalowsliprateandalongintervalbetweenmajorruptures(i.e.,3,000to5,000years).TheMountGeneralfaultisnotconsideredtobeanactivefault.Thus,thereisnoknownriskofexposureofpeopleorstructuresfromdirectfaultruptureasthereisnoevidenceofafaultzonedirectlywithintheprojectsite.

2. ThesurfaceimpoundmentswouldbedesignedtobeabletowithstandtheseismicshakingfromtheMCEofmagnitude7.5ontheRichterscalewithaPGAof0.51g(CardnoENTRIX2012a).ThesurfaceimpoundmentswouldalsobedesignedtoconformtoapplicablerequirementsoftheCaliforniaBuildingCodeandSanBernardinoCountyGeneralPlanSafetyElementgoalsandpolicies,whichspecifydesignparameterstoreduceseismicandotherpotentialhazardstoacceptablelevels.Therefore,potentialexposureofpeopleandstructurestostrongseismicgroundshakingwouldbelessthansignificantwithcompliancewithrequiredapplicabledesignstandardsandbuildingcodes.

3. Liquefactionrequiressaturatedsandysoilslessthan40ftbelowgroundsurfaceatthetimeofaseismicevent.Whilesoilsonsitearesandyloams,saturatedsoilsaregreaterthan70




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feetbelowgroundsurface.Sincethegroundwaterlevelsaregenerallydeep(75feetandgreater)andthesubsurfacesoilsarerelativelydense,thepotentialforliquefactiondoesnotexist.Inaddition,theProjectareawasnotidentifiedasbeingsusceptibletoliquefactionontheGeologicHazardOverlapsmapofHinkley(SanBernardinoCounty2012a).Therefore,therewouldbenoimpactsfromseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includingliquefaction.

4. TheProjectareaislocatedwithintheHinkleyValleyfloor,severalmilesfromanyslopes.NonewslopeswouldbecreatedbytheProject;therefore,noimpactsrelatedtoseismicallyinducedlandslideswouldoccur.

a. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectwouldresultinthelossoftopsoilfromexcavationandgradingtocreatethetwonewimpoundmentsthatcouldresultinsoilerosion.Tominimizetheamountofearthworkduringconstruction,theexistingbasins(formerPonds6and7)wouldbeutilizedforthenewsurfaceimpoundments(newPonds6Rand7R).Blanketdrainrockwouldberemovedfromthebasins,sideslopeswouldbecuttoaninclinationof3:1(horizontaltovertical),andthesoilsatthebottomsofthebasinswouldbegraded.Thesoilsatthebottomofthebasinswouldbeexcavatedtoadepthof8inches(CardnoENTRIX2012a).Selectfillcouldbeusedtobackfillexcavations,raisethesitegrades,orflattentheexistingslopes.Constructionwouldremoveapproximately3,000cubicyardsofsoilwhichwouldbespreadacrossthefacilitywithintheProjectarea.Oncethesoilfoundationforthelinersystemhasbeengradedandcompacted,thelinersystemcomponentswouldbeinstalled.

Overall,therewouldbeminimalgradingbecausethebottomsoftheexistingbasinswouldberecontouredtoslopetowardaLCRSsump,andthesideslopeswouldbecutto3:1inareaswheretheyarecurrentlyflatter(CardnoENTRIX2012b).Allsoildisturbanceactivities,includingpreparationofsubgrade,wouldbeperformedinaccordancewithgeotechnicalspecificationsandlocalgradingcodes(CardnoENTRIX2012b).Thesoilwouldbecompactedandgradedtofacilitatesitedrainageandpreventsoilerosion(CardnoENTRIX2012a).Wheresoilsaredisturbed,BMPswouldbeimplementedtoreduceerosionaspartoftherequiredProjectSWPPP(asdescribedinSection2.2,ProjectConstruction).

b. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotbelocatedonageologicunitorsoilthatisunstableorthatwouldbecomeunstableasaresultoftheProjectandpotentiallyresultinanonsiteoroffsitelandslide,lateralspreading,liquefaction,orcollapse.

WiththeProject,PG&Ewouldbeabletomaintainwastewaterflowratesattheaveragedesignrateof30,000gpdonayear‐roundbasisratherthanreducingratesto15,000gpdduringthewinter.Withanincreasefrom15,000gpdto30,000gpdinthewintermonths,amaximumof17.1additionalacre‐feetofwaterwillbepumpedfromtheaquiferperyear.Theadditional17.1acre‐feetcitedaboveiswellwithinthePG&EallowancefromtheMohaveGroundwaterBasin,andislessthan1%oftheAnnualProductionAllowance,andlessthan0.5%oftheTotal2010‐2011ProductionAllowance.AsdiscussedintheHydrologyandWaterQualitysection,compliancewiththefreeproductionallowanceprovidesforwatertablestabilityinthewaterbasinoverallandthustheminorincreaseinwaterwithdrawalisnotexpectedtoresultingroundwaterdrawdownandthusnopotentialforsubsidencewouldoccurasaresultofthisproject.

ThefacilityislocatedonPleistocenenon‐marine,alluvialdepositswithintheHinkleyValleyfloor.Thesoilspresentatthesitearedescribedasexcessivelydrainedtowell‐drainedsandyloamsonatlessthan2percentslope(NationalResourceConservationService2012).The




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relativelyflattopographyandtypeofsoilfoundonsiteisnotpronetolandslidesorothertypesofgroundfailure.

c. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotbelocatedonexpansivesoil,asdefinedinTable18‐1‐BoftheUniformBuildingCode(1994),becausetheCajonSeriesisnottypifiedasanexpansivesoilandposesnoriskorthreattolifeorproperty(NaturalResourcesConservationService2012).

d. NoImpact.TheProjectareadoesnothavesoilsincapableofadequatelysupportingtheuseofseptictanksoralternativewastewaterdisposalsystems.TheProjectareasupportsseveralseptictanksinoperation.TheproposedPonds6Rand7Rwouldnotrequireadditionalsepticsystems,norwouldtheyimpacttheexistingseptictanksusedbythefacility.




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VII.GreenhouseGasEmissions




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Generategreenhousegasemissions,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,thatmayhaveasignificantimpactontheenvironment?

b. Conflictwithanapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegases?

3.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Regulatory Setting

Althoughthereiscurrentlynofederaloverarchinglawspecificallyrelatedtoclimatechangeorthereductionofgreenhousegases(GHGs),EPAispresentlyregulatingGHGemissionsfromlargestationarysourcesunderthefederalCleanAirAct.AlthoughperiodicallydebatedinCongress,nocomprehensivefederallegislationconcerninggreenhousegaslimitationsislikelyuntilatleast2013,ifthen.

AvarietyoflegislationhasbeenenactedinCaliforniarelatingtoclimatechange,muchofwhichsetsaggressivegoalsforGHGreductionsinthestate.

ThefollowingisasummaryofkeystateregulationsconcerningGHGemissions:

AssemblyBill32(AB32),theGlobalWarmingSolutionsActof2006requiresthestatetoreduceGHGemissionsto1990levelsby2020.

TheAB32ScopingPlan(2008)containsthemainstrategiesCaliforniawillusetoimplementAB32.Aspartofthescopingplan,CARBhasbeenadoptingregulationsincludingforthelowcarbonfuelstandardandforthecapandtradesystem,amongothers,forreducingGHGemissionstoachievetheemissionscapby2020.

SenateBill1078/107obligatedinvestor‐ownedutilities(IOUs),energyserviceproviders(ESPs)andcommunitychoiceaggregators(CCAs)toobtain20%oftheirelectricityfromqualifiedrenewablesourcesby2010.SB2X1setsforthalongerrangetargetofprocuring33%ofretailsalesfromqualifiedrenewablesourcesby2020.

AB1493(2002and2009amendments,“Pavley”Rules)andAdvancedCleanCars(2011)togetherareexpectedtoincreaseaveragefueleconomytoroughly43milespergallon(mpg)by2020andreduceGHGemissionsfromthetransportationsectorinCaliforniabyapproximately14%.EPAandCARBadoptedstandardsfor2017to2025in2012.

EOS‐01‐07mandatesthatastatewidegoalbeestablishedtoreducethecarbonintensityofCalifornia’stransportationfuelsbyatleast10%by2020,whichisreferredtoastheLowCarbonFuelStandard(LCFS).




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TheStateCEQAGuidelines,asamendedin2010,requireleadagenciestoanalyzeaproject’sGHGemissions.TheadoptedguidelinesrecommendquantificationofGHGemissions,assessmentoftheirsignificance,andadoptionoffeasiblemitigationofGHGemissionswhensignificantimpactsareidentified.ThestatehasnotadoptedanyuniformstatewidenumericalsignificancethresholdsforuseinCEQAtodate.

CARB’sAB32ScopingPlan(ScopingPlan)statesthatlocalgovernmentsare“essentialpartners”intheefforttoreduceGHGemissions.TheScopingPlanalsoacknowledgesthatlocalgovernmentshave“broadinfluenceand,insomecases,exclusivejurisdiction”overactivitiesthatcontributetosignificantdirectandindirectGHGemissionsthroughtheirplanningandpermittingprocesses,localordinances,outreachandeducationefforts,andmunicipaloperations.TheScopingPlanencourageslocalgovernmentstoreduceGHGemissionsbyapproximately15%fromcurrentlevelsby2020.

SanBernardinoCountyadoptedaGHGReductionPlaninDecember2011toaccomplishthefollowingspecificobjectivesto:

ReduceemissionsfromactivitiesoverwhichtheCountyhasjurisdictionalandoperationalcontrolconsistentwiththetargetreductionsoftheAB32ScopingPlan;

ProvideestimatedGHGreductionsassociatedwiththeCounty’sexistingsustainabilityeffortsandintegratetheCounty’ssustainabilityeffortsintothediscreteactionsofthisPlan;

ProvidealistofdiscreteactionsthatwillreduceGHGemissions;and

ApproveaGHGPlanthatsatisfiestherequirementsofSection15183.5oftheCEQAGuidelines,sothatcompliancewiththeGHGPlancanbeusedinappropriatesituationstodeterminethesignificanceofaproject’seffectsrelatingtoGHGemissions,thusprovidingstreamlinedCEQAanalysisoffutureprojectsthatareconsistentwiththeapprovedGHGPlan.

TheCountyGHGReductionPlan,alongwithstatereductionmeasures,wouldreduceGHGemissionsby15%comparedto2007levelsintheCounty.ThePlanrequiresdiscretionaryland‐useprojectsintheCountytocomplywithcertainrequirements.Ifadiscretionaryprojecthasmorethan3,000metrictonsofcarbondioxideequivalent(MTCO2e)emissionsperyear,thenitisrequiredtoreduceitsemissionsby31%andmayuseascreeningtableprovidedinthePlantohelpidentifyitsreductionmeasures.Ifadiscretionaryprojecthaslessthan3,000MTCO2eemissions,theprojectisrequiredtomeetmandatoryGHGreducingperformancestandardstoimprovetheenergyefficiency,waterconservation,vehicletripreductionpotential,andotherareas.Theperformancestandardsalsoapplytoministerialandcategoricallyexemptprojects.SincetheCounty’sGHGplanmeetsalltherequirementsofSection15183.5oftheCEQAGuidelines,aprojectthatisconsistentwiththeCounty’sPlancanbedeterminedtohavelessthansignificantGHGemissionsbecauseitispartofaplanoverallthatwillreduceemissionsconsistentwithAB32(SanBernardinoCountyLandUseServicesDivision2011).

TheProjectislocatedinthejurisdictionoftheMDAQMD.MDAQMDRule1211(GreenhouseGasProvisionsofFederalOperatingPermits)setsforthemissionreportingrequirementsforstationarysourcefacilitiessubjecttoTitleVoftheCleanAirActAmendmentsof1990whichemitorhavethepotentialtoemit100,000shorttonsofCO2eduringany12‐monthperiod.MDAQMD’sCEQAguidancerecommendsuseofasignificancethresholdforGHGemissionsof100,000shorttonsCO2e/year(90,718MTCO2e)and548,000pounds/day(249MTCO2e).TheProjectislocatedataTitleVfacility,asdiscussedinSection3.3,andisthereforesubjecttoDistrictRule1211.However,sincetheProjectdoesnotinvolveapermitunitrequiringaPermittoConstruct(seeSection3.3),the




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FederalOperatingPermitdoesnotneedtobemodified.Therefore,thisprojectisincompliancewithRule1211.

Significance Criteria

BasedontheCEQAGuidelinesAppendixG,animpactpertainingtoGHGsandclimatechangeisconsideredsignificantifitwould:

generateasignificantamountofGHGemissions,eitherdirectlyorindirectly;or

conflictwithanyapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingGHGs

Asdescribedabove,SanBernardinoCountyhasadoptedtheSanBernardinoCountyGreenhouseGasEmissionsReductionPlan(December2011),whichmeetsCEQAGuidelinesSection15183.5foraqualifiedplanwhichallowsprojectsthatareconsistentwiththePlantobedeterminedtohavealessthansignificantimpactiftheycomplywithallofthePlanrequirements.AspartofthePlan,theCountyestablishedscreeningcriteriafornewresidentialandcommercialprojects.Forprojectsthatwouldemitbelowa3,000MTCO2ethresholdperyear,includingthoseprojectsexemptfromCEQA,theCountydevelopedasetofperformancestandardsthatallprojectsmustimplementasConditionsofApproval.Forprojectsthatexceedthe3,000MTCO2ethresholdperyear,theCountyestablishedscreeningtablesandapoint‐basedGHGreductionmeasuresystemareusedtomitigateimpacts.ProjectsthatimplementenoughGHGreductionusingthescreeningtablesareconsideredtohaveprovidedtheir“fairshare”contributionofreductionsandareconsideredconsistentwiththeGHGPlan.

AlthoughtheMDAQMDhasasignificancethresholdof100,000shorttonsofCO2e,theanalysishereinutilizesconsistencywiththeSanBernardinoGHGReductionPlanasthemeasureofsignificanceinsteadasamoreconservativeapproachtoevaluationofGHGemissionsandclimatechangefortheProject.

a. LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated.Project‐relatedGHGemissionscouldmakeanincrementalcontributiontoglobalclimatechangeandtheadverseglobalenvironmentaleffectsthereof,aswouldmostdevelopmentprojectsoccurringworldwide.ConstructionandoperationoftheProjectwouldgenerateGHGemissionsthroughtheuseofequipmentshowninTable3‐3.Construction‐relatedGHGemissionswereestimatedusingOFFROAD2007emissionfactorsobtainedthroughtheSouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict(SCAQMD),EMFAC2011emissionratesforon‐roadworkerandheavydutytrucktravel,andactivitydataobtainedfromtheProjectapplicant.Allemissionratesassumeconstructionwouldtakeplacewithincalendaryear2013.

AsshowninTable3‐7,estimatedconstruction‐relatedGHGemissionswouldbeapproximately19,160poundsofCO2eonthemaximumdayand42MTCO2eintotaloverthe25dayconstructionperiod.ConstructionoftheProjectwouldhaveone‐timeemissionsthatarefarbelowMDAQMD’sdailyandannualGHGthresholdandtheCounty’s3,000MTCO2escreeningcriteria.The3,000MTCO2etriggerformandatingspecificreductionamountsisforannualemissionsovertime.

Whenaveragingtheconstructionemissionsoveranassumed30yearlifetimeoftheProject,constructionemissionswouldbeapproximately1.4MTCO2eperyear,wellbelowtheCounty’sthresholdformandatingspecificannualemissionreductions.Regardless,theProjectmustcomplywiththeSanBernardinoCountyGreenhouseGasEmissionsReductionPlan(December2011)minimumrequirementsforallnewprojectswhichrequireimplementationofGHGperformance




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standardstoensuretheindividualandcumulativeimpactsforGHGemissionsarelessthansignificant.Assuch,theProjectrequiresimplementationofMitigationMeasureGHG‐1(GHGconstructionstandardsfromtheCountyGHGEmissionsReductionPlan)toreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevelforconstruction.

Table 3‐7. Estimated Construction Greenhouse Gas Emissions

GreenhouseGasEmissionsMaximumlbs/day

Thresholdlbs/day

TotalProject Thresholdtonnes/yr

Significancetons tonnes

CarbonDioxide‐CO2 18,995 ― 45.7 41.5 ― ―

Methane‐CH4 0.7 ― 0.003 0.002 ― ―

NitrousOxide‐N2O 0.6 ― 0.002 0.002 ― ―

CO2equivalents 19,160

548,000(MDAQMD) 46.4 42.1

90,719(MDAQMD)3,000(County

LessLess

Sources:SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict2008;U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency2012b;CaliforniaClimateActionRegistry2009;MojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict2011.Notes:Maximumdailyandtotalprojectemissionsareonsite+offsite(includestruckingofmaterials)MDAQMDannualGHGthreshold=100,000tons/yr=90,719tonnes/yr.SanBernardinoCountyScreeningCriteriais3,000MTCO2e1shortton=2,000lbs1metrictonne=1,000kgor2,204.6lbs(ICFrevisions)

MitigationMeasureGHG‐1:ImplementSanBernardinoCountyGHGconstructionstandardsduringconstruction.PG&Eoritscontractorwillincludeasaconditionofallconstructioncontracts/subcontractsrequirementstoreduceGHGemissionsandsubmittingdocumentationofcomplianceintheprojectcompletionreporttotheLeadAgency.PG&Eoritscontractorwilldothefollowing,incompliancewiththeSanBernardinoCountyGreenhouseGasEmissionsReductionPlan(December2011).

SelectconstructionequipmentbasedonlowGHGemissionsfactorsandhigh‐energyefficiency.Wherefeasible,diesel‐/gasoline‐poweredconstructionequipmentwillbereplaced,withequivalentelectricorcompressednaturalgas(CNG)equipment.

BecauseitmaynotbefeasibletouseelectricorCNGequipmentpertheCountyperformancestandard,theProjectwillusebiodieselfuelifthefollowingapplies:

Biodieselfuelbecomesavailablewithin20milesoftheProjectarea.

TheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoardhascertifiedthatthelocallyavailablebiodieselresultsinreductionofGHGemissions.

Biodieselfuelisapprovedbythemanufacturerforuseindieseltrucksorequipmentusedforremedialactivities,includingfarmequipmentandconstructionequipment.

Thecostofbiodieselisnotmorethan125%abovethepriceofregulardieselfuel,then




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Asbiodieselcomesinblendedamounts(B5=5%biodiesel;B20=20%biodiesel;B100=100%biodiesel),PG&Ewillusethehighestbiodieselblendthatisapprovedforuseinsitetrucksorequipment,available,andwithinthepricelimitationnotedabove.

Gradingcontractorwillimplementthefollowingwhenpossible:

Trainingoperatorstouseequipmentmoreefficiently.

IdentifyingthepropersizeequipmentforataskcanalsoprovidefuelsavingsandassociatedreductionsinGHGemissions.

Replacingolder,lessfuel‐efficientequipmentwithnewermodels.

Usingglobalpositioningsystem(GPS)forgradingtomaximizeefficiency.

Gradingplanswillincludethefollowingstatements:

“Allconstructionequipmentengineswillbeproperlytunedandmaintainedinaccordancewiththemanufacturersspecificationspriortoarrivingonsiteandthroughoutconstructionduration.”

“Allconstructionequipment(includingelectricgenerators)willbeshutoffbyworkcrewswhennotinuseandwillnotidleformorethan5minutes.”

Recycleandreuseconstructionanddemolitionwaste(e.g.,soil,vegetation,concrete,lumber,metal,andcardboard)perCountySolidWasteprocedures.

Educateallconstructionworkersabouttherequiredwastereductionandtheavailabilityofrecyclingservices.

TheprojectmanagerwillensurethatthecontractspecificationsrelatedtoGHGarefollowedbythecontractorandwillincludeintheprojectcompletionreporttotheWaterBoardasummaryofmitigationmeasuresimplementedbefore,during,andafterconstructionactivities.

b. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectwouldnotconflictwithanapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegases.BecausetheProjectwouldnotresultinadditionalfacilitystaffforoperationandmaintenancenorconstructanewpermanentstationarysourceofgreenhousegasemissions,itwouldnotresultinalong‐termsourceofemissionsandwouldbeincompliancewithAB32andCounty’sGreenhouseGasEmissionsReductionPlan.Further,vehicleswouldnotidlemorethanfiveminutesincompliancewiththeMDAQMDrequirements.

Notwithstandingapplicabilityasdescribedunder“a”above,theCountyhasdeterminedthat3,000MTCO2escreeningcriteriawouldhelptheCountyachievetheemissionreductionsnecessaryby2020tomeetthegoalsofAB32.Asdiscussedinunder“a”above,theProjectwouldbeconsistentwiththeCounty’sGHGReductionPlanbyresultinginemissionsbelowtheCounty’s3,000MTCO2escreeninglevelandimplementingGHGconstructionstandardsduringconstruction.SincetheCounty’sGHGReductionPlanmeetsalltherequirementsconsistentwiththereductiongoalsofAB32,aprojectthatisconsistentwiththeCounty’sGHGReductionPlancanalsobedeterminedtobeconsistentwithAB32.GiventheProject’scompliancewiththeCounty’sPlan,theProjectisalsoconsideredtobeincompliancethestatewidereductiongoalsofAB32.




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VIII.HazardsandHazardousMaterials




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials?

b. Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment?

c. Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithinone‐quartermileofanexistingorproposedschool?

d. BelocatedonasitethatisincludedonalistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5and,asaresult,woulditcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment?

e. Belocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,bewithintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,andresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?

f. Belocatedwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstripandresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea?

g. Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan?

h. Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands?

3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ThewastewatergeneratedattheHinkleyCompressorStationisnonhazardousunderTitle23oftheCaliforniaCodeofRegulationsandisclassifiedasadesignatedwaste.Thewastewaterandaccumulatedpondsludgeisnotclassifiedashazardouswaste.Designatedwastemeanseitherofthefollowing:




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(a) HazardouswastethathasbeengrantedavariancefromhazardouswastemanagementrequirementspursuanttoSection25143oftheHealthandSafetyCode.

(b) Nonhazardouswastethatconsistsof,orcontains,pollutantsthat,underambientenvironmentalconditionsatawastemanagementunit,couldbereleasedinconcentrationsexceedingapplicablewaterqualityobjectivesorthatcouldreasonablybeexpectedtoaffectbeneficialusesofthewatersofthestateascontainedintheappropriatestatewaterqualitycontrolplan(CaliforniaWaterCode13173).

Designatedwastesdonotcontainhazardousmaterialsbuthavethepotentialtoaffectthedesignateduseofawaterresource(seeSection3.9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,formoreinformation).Blowdownwateriscombinedwithotherwastewatersourceswithinthefacilityandprocessedthroughanoil‐waterseparatorbeforedischargetotheholdingtank,andissubsequentlytransportedtoanoffsitehazardouswastefacilityforproperdisposal.Inthecaseofthisfacilitythewastewaterisadesignatedwastebecausethedesignateduseofthegroundwaterbeneaththefacilityisdrinkingwaterwhichpotentiallycouldbeimpactedbythesaltscontainedintheblowdownwater(CardnoENTRIX2012a).AwastewatersamplewascollectedinDecember2011andtested;thelaboratoryresultsconfirmedthatnoconstituentswerepresentabovethehazardouswastelimitsestablishedbyfederalorCaliforniaregulations(CardnoENTRIX2012a).

FormerPonds6and7werepermittedtooperatebetween1982and1993,andclosedin1995.Duringclosureallresidualwasteswereremoved.TheRegionalBoardandPG&Ecollectedsplitsamplesofthesoilunderlyingtheremovedwastestoverifythatallwasteswereremoved.Laboratoryanalysiswasperformedonthesplitsamplesandtheresultswerecomparable.TheWaterBoardapprovedthecleanclosurebyletterdatedJune28,1996(LahontanWaterBoard1996).

Thenaturalorbackgroundsoilchemistryinthevicinityofthesurfaceimpoundmentswasevaluatedaspartofthe1995closurework,andtheresultsaresummarizedintheclosuredocumentationreport(Trident1996)andtheAddendumtotheRWD(CardnoENTRIX2012b).

a. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentbecausethefacilitywouldnotgenerate,transport,useordisposehazardouswasteasdefinedabove(thefacilityisclassifiedasdesignatedwastewhichisnothazardous).

b. LessthanSignificant.Duringoperation,noforeseeableupsetandaccidentalconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsareexpected.Thewastewaterandaccumulatedsolidsintheunitsarenon‐hazardous(designated)wasteasdefinedbyCaliforniaregulations.Thisdesignationwasconfirmedthroughsamplingandtestingofthewastewaterandisreportedinsemi‐annualreportsonGeoTracker.

BecauseofthepasthistoryofchromiumcontaminationinsoilsintheProjectarea,therecouldbeaconcernthathazardousmaterialsexistinsubsurfacesoilsbelowthenewimpoundments(Ponds6Rand7R)couldmigratetogroundwaterintheeventofaleakfromtheimpoundments.However,thesoilsbeneaththeProjectareareflectnatural“clean”conditions,andsoilspotentiallyimpactedbypastreleasesofhazardousmaterials(e.g.,hexavalentchromium)arenotbeneathproposedPonds6Rand7R(CardnoENTRIX2012b).Thereforeiftheproposedsurfaceimpoundmentsweretofail(meaninganactionleakagerateofgreaterthan25gallonsperday),nomobilizationofadditionalhazardousmaterialswouldoccur.

TheProjectdesignconsidersthepotentialfornon‐hazardouswastewaterleaksand/orovertoppingofthesurfaceimpoundments.Potentialnon‐hazardouswastewaterleakswouldbe




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identifiedbytheMonitoringandReportingProgram(CardnoENTRIX2012b)andmitigated,ifnecessary,throughimplementationoftheCorrectiveActionPlan(CardnoENTRIX2012a;AppendixI).Toensureovertoppingwouldnotoccur,theimpoundmentdesignwasinpartbasedonawaterbalancemodelthatdemonstratestheunitsareofsufficientcapacitytohandletheadditionalvolumeofwaterfromthe1,000‐year,24‐hourstormevent,handleseasonalfluctuationsinwaterlevel,andthelossofstoragevolumeduetotheaccumulationofsludgeoverthelifeofasurfaceimpoundment(approximately20‐years)whilemaintaining2feetoffreeboard.

Hazardousmaterialsusedduringconstruction(fuels,lubeoils,etc.)haveapotentialforspillorleak.However,therequiredProjectSWPPPwouldincludespillpreventionandemergencyresponsemeasuresandspillnotificationrequirements(refertoSection2.2ProjectConstruction).Anyspillorleakwillbedocumentedinalogbytheprojectmanager.Therefore,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

c. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotemithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithinone‐quartermileofanexistingorproposedschoolbecausethereisnoexistingorproposedschoolwithina1quarter‐mileradiusoftheProjectarea.TheHinkleySchoolisoverthreemilesawaytothenorth.

d. NoImpact.TheProjectareaisnotpresentlylistedonthestate’slistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentcodesection65962.5.

e. NoImpact.TheProjectareaisnotbelocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanareaandisnotwithin2milesofanexistingorproposedpublicairstrip.TheclosestairportorairfieldisBarstowDaggettAirport,locatedapproximately20milessoutheastoftheProjectarea..

f. NoImpact.TheProjectareaisnotlocatedinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip(SanBernardinoCounty2007).Theclosestprivateairstripislocated6milestothewest.

g. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotimpairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.ThetwonewimpoundmentswouldbelocatedwithintheexistingCompressorStationfacility,andtherewouldbenonewemployees.Alimitednumberofvehicleswouldbeutilizingtheroadsbyworkers,equipment,andmaterialsdeliveryduringthe6to8weekconstructionperiod(SeeSection2.16Transportation/Trafficsectionformoreinformation).Thesevehicleswouldrepresentanegligibleincreasetocurrentusageandwouldnotimpedeemergencyvehicletrafficinanyway.

h. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotexposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires.TheFireHazardSeverityZoneMapfornorthwesternSanBernardinoCountyhastheProjectvicinitylistedasmoderate.However,neitherfirenorweldingwouldbeneededduringProjectconstruction.HDPEmembraneseamweldingwouldbeperformedbyeitherhotwedgefusionweldingorextrusionwelding.TheseprocessesuseelectricalgeneratorstoheatHDPEtotemperaturessufficienttothermallybondsheetsofthematerialtogether.Noopenflameswouldbeusedorpermittedintheworkarea.Therefore,theProjectwouldnotintroducepeopleorresidencestoanincreasedriskofexposuretowildlandfires.




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IX.HydrologyandWaterQuality




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Violateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirements?

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

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

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

e. Createorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff?

f. Otherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterquality?

g. Placehousingwithina100‐yearfloodhazardarea,asmappedonafederalFloodHazardBoundaryorFloodInsuranceRateMaporotherfloodhazarddelineationmap?

h. Placewithina100‐yearfloodhazardareastructuresthatwouldimpedeorredirectfloodflows?

i. Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingflooding,includingfloodingasaresultofthefailureofaleveeordam?

j. Contributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow?




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3.9 Hydrology and Water Quality

Regulatory Setting

Clean Water Act

TheCleanWaterActestablishesthebasicstructureforregulatingdischargesofpollutantsintothewatersoftheUnitedStatesandregulatingqualitystandardsforsurfacewaters.ThebasisoftheCleanWaterActwasenactedin1948butwassignificantlyamendedin1972.

UndertheCWA,EPAhasimplementedpollutioncontrolprogramssuchassettingwastewaterstandardsforandwaterqualitystandardsformanypotentialcontaminantsindrinkingwatersupplies.

EPAhasalsoimplementedpollutioncontrolprogramssuchassettingwastewaterstandardsforindustryandwaterqualitystandardsforpotentialcontaminantsindrinkingwater.

TheCleanWaterActauthorizestheNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)permitprogramwhichcontrolswaterpollutionbyregulatingpointsourcesthatdischargepollutantsintowatersoftheUnitedStates.PointsourcesincludeconstructionsitescoveredundertheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardConstructionGeneralPermit(CGP)asdescribedinOrderNo.2009‐009‐DWQ.TheCGPisadministeredbytheRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard.

TheCleanWaterActrequireseachstatetoidentifywatersforwhichexistingrequiredpollutioncontrolsareinsufficienttoachievethatstate’swaterqualitystandardsandestablishtotalmaximumdailyloadsinaccordancewithapriorityranking.

Porter‐Cologne Act

In1967,California’sPorter‐CologneWaterQualityControlActestablishedtheStateWaterResourcesControlBoard(StateWaterBoard)andnineRegionalWaterQualityControlBoards(RegionalWaterBoards)astheprimarystateagencieswithregulatoryauthorityoverwaterquality.ThePorter‐CologneActprovidesauthoritytoestablishWaterQualityControlPlans(BasinPlans)whichdesignatebeneficialusesforspecificsurfacewaterandgroundwaterresources,andestablishwaterqualityobjectivesandimplementationprogramstomeetthestatedobjectivesandtoprotectthebeneficialusesofwater.

TheRegionalWaterBoardsissueWDRsincompliancewiththeapplicablebasinplansforpoint‐sourcedischargers,suchasmunicipalwastewatertreatmentplantsandindustrialfacilities.TheHinkleyCompressorStationislocatedwithinthejurisdictionoftheLahontanWaterBoardandoperatestheCompressorStationunderWDRsinBoardOrder6‐97‐82.

Construction General Permit

TheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardGeneralPermitforDischargesofStormWaterAssociatedwithConstructionActivities(CGPOrder2009‐0009‐DWQ)requiresthedevelopmentandimplementationofaSWPPPforconstructionprojectsdisturbingmorethan1acreofland.TheSWPPPwouldcontainasitemap(s)whichshowstheconstructionsiteperimeter,existingandproposedbuildings,lots,roadways,stormwatercollectionanddischargepoints,generaltopographybothbeforeandafterconstruction,anddrainagepatternsacrosstheProject.TheSWPPPmust




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includeBMPsthedischargerwillusetoprotectstormwaterrunoffandtheplacementofthoseBMPs.Additionally,theSWPPPmustcontainavisualmonitoringprogram;achemicalmonitoringprogramfor"non‐visible"pollutantstobeimplementedifthereisafailureofBMPs;andasedimentmonitoringplanifthesitedischargesdirectlytoawaterbodylistedonthe303(d)listforsediment.

Mojave River Basin Adjudication

TheMojaveRiverBasinAdjudicationisbasedonthestipulatedjudgmentinCityofBarstow,etalvs.CityofAdelanto,etalandrelatedcomplaints(CaseNo.2008568).Thestipulatedjudgment,issuedin1996,addresseswatershortagesintheMojaveBasinAreathroughadesignationoffivesubareas,allofwhichwerefoundtobeinoverdraft,andeachhavinganamountofgroundwaterthatcanbeextractedbyallpartiesbasedonacourt‐determinedProductionSafeYieldtomaintainproperwaterbalanceswithineachsubarea.TheMojaveWaterAgency(MWA)isthedesignatedwatermaster,andisresponsibleforadministeringthejudgment,whichinvolvesmeasuringandtrackingaquiferconditionsandwateruseinformationintheMojaveRiverBasin.PartiestotheJudgmentareassignedavariableFreeProductionAllowance,whichistheamountofwaterthatmaybeproduced(pumpedordiverted)fromasubarea.

TheProjectareaislocatedwithintheCentrosubareaofMojaveBasinAreaadjudicatedboundary.PG&Eisadesignatedwateruser,ownswaterrightstotalingapproximately2,429afyand,basedonthe2010–2011WatermasterAnnualReport,hasacurrentbaseannualallowanceof1,944afy(MojaveWaterAgency2012).

Existing Conditions

Climate and Hydrology

AverageprecipitationintheProjectvicinityvariesfrom4to11incheswiththeaveragenear6inchesperyear(CaliforniaDepartmentofWaterResources2003).

TheMojaveRiverislocated1milesouthoftheCompressorStation,butthisstretchoftheriverflowsonlyduringmajorstorms.ExistingdrainagepatternsintheProjectareaflowtotheeast,basedontopographyofthevicinityofformerPonds6and7wassurveyedin2011(Schoemannpers.comm.).

Groundwater Basin

TheProjectvicinityislocatedinSouthLahontanHydrologicRegionwithintheCentroSubareaoftheMiddleMojaveRiverGroundwaterBasin.TheimmediateProjectareaislocatedwithintheHinkleyValleyaquiferwestofBarstowandnorthoftheMojaveRiver.WaterlevelsintheCentroSubareahavebeenrelativelystablewithseasonalfluctuationsanddeclinesduringdryyearsfollowedbyrecoveryduringwetperiods.

GroundwatermovementthroughtheHinkleyValleyalluvialchanneliscontrolledbytheaquifergeology,hydraulicconductivityandgroundwaterelevation.BecausetheMojaveRiverislocatedalongthesouthernendoftheHinkleyValley,amajorityofthisrechargewaterflowstothenorthandincreasesgroundwaterelevationsthroughouttheHinkleyValley.Groundwaterintheupperandloweraquifersgenerallyflowsinanorth‐northwesterlydirection,fromtheCompressorStationtothenorthernendoftheHinkleyValley(PacificGasandElectric2012b).However,intheimmediatevicinityoftheCompressorStation,groundwaterflowisgenerallymoretothenorthornortheast




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withagradientof0.01ft/ft(CardnoENTRIX2012a).Themostrecentmonitoringreportreportsthatthegroundwaterflowvelocityinthevicinityofthefacilitywascalculatedtorangefrom2to27feetperday(CardnoENTRIX2012a),basedonhistoricevaluationofaquiferparameters.Thelowerendoftherangeisrepresentativeofambientflowconditions.

ThisLenwood‐Lockhartfaultzoneisbelievedtoactasasmallstep,causinggroundwatertodropatasteepergradientthannormalwhenflowingtowardsthenortheastdirection.

Regionally,thelithologyishighlyvariable.Itconsistsofinterbeddedsandsandsiltysands,varyingfromcoursetofineovershortdistancesbothlaterallyandvertically.Sedimentsnearthesurfaceandupperaquiferconsistprimarilyofsandandsiltmixedwithgravelandclaywiththe“brownclay”layerseparatingtheupperandlowerzonesoftheupperaquifer.Sedimentsunderlyingthe“blueclay”layer(oraquitard)intheloweraquiferconsistprimarilyofsandandgravel.Betweentheblueclaylayerandconsolidatedbedrockatthebottomoftheaquiferarepermeablestratumcomposedofcalcareoussedimentaryrockandhighlyweathered,decomposed,andfracturedbedrock.ThebedrockunitoutcropsintheareaoftheDesertViewDairy.

Thethicknesstheshallowzoneoftheupperaquiferiscontrolledbythegroundwaterelevationandthetopofthebrownclaylayer,andisabout20feetinthevicinityoftheCompressorStation,andincreasestoabout40feettowardthenorth.Thebrownclayseparatingtheshallowanddeepportionoftheupperaquiferisshowntohaveathicknessofabout20feetatthestation.Thelowerzoneoftheupperaquiferisshowntohavethesamethicknesscontoursasthebrownclaylayer.Theblueclaylayerisshowntobecontinuous,fullyseparatingtheupperandloweraquifersintheHinkleyValleynorthoftheriver.Theblueclaylayerisabout30feetthickundertheCompressorStation,butisreducedto10feetinthevicinityofHinkleyandtothenorthand40feetinthevicinityoftheMojaveRiverinthesouth.Theloweraquiferisshowntohaveathicknessof100feetattheCompressorStation.Itisshowntoincreasetoover250feetbelowtheMojaveRiverchannelandtoreducetoabout20feetbelowHinkley.BelowtheLowerAquiferisagraniticbedrockunitthatisencounteredatamaximumdepthof300feetbelowtheCompressorStation(LahontanWaterBoard2008a).SupplywellsprovidingwatertotheCompressorStationarescreenedacrossboththeupperandloweraquifers.

Groundwater Quality

ThegeochemistryoftheHinkleyValleyaquiferhasnotbeenfullycharacterized.PotentialconstituentsintheHinkleyaquiferincludearsenic,iron,manganese,nitrate,TotalDissolvedSolids(TDS),andchromium.Maximumcontaminantlevels(MCLs)areenforceablelimitsforcontaminantsindrinkingwaterandSecondaryMaximumContaminantLevels(SMCLs)areestablishedtoprotectthepublicwelfare(i.e.,adverselyaffectitsodor,tasteorappearance).FederalMCLsareestablishedundertheFederalSafeDrinkingWaterActandStateMCLsareestablishedbyCaliforniaDepartmentofPublicHealthandmustbeatleastasstringentasthefederalMCL,ifoneexists.PotentialconstituentsintheHinkleyaquiferarecomparedtoFederalandStateMCLstocharacterizeitswaterquality.

WaterqualitysamplingforpH,arsenic,iron,manganese,nitrate,salinity(i.e.,TDS),andchromiumhadbeenconductedduringpreviousmonitoringefforts,includingPG&E’s2006samplingconductedforthe2007BackgroundStudyReport(PacificGasandElectric2007).

Higharsenicconcentrationsarebelievedtobenaturallyoccurring.BasedonresultsfromaUSGSstudyonwellsintheMojaveWaterAgencymanagementareafrom1991to1997,




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naturally‐occurringarsenicconcentrationsinwaterfromwellsinthewesternMojaveDesertcommonlyexceed10ppbandafewexceed100ppb(Christensen2001).

PG&E’s2007Backgroundstudyfoundarsenicinwells(upto200feetindepth)rangingfromlessthan1ppbto12ppbwithmostconcentrationsunder10ppbalongtheMojaveRiverupgradientoftheCompressorStation.TheMCLforarsenicis10ppb.PG&E’s2007BackgroundStudyReport(PacificGasandElectric2007)presenteddissolvedironlevelsinforty‐sevenwellsatlessthan500ppb(themethoddetectionlevelwas500ppb).TheSMCLforIronis300ppb.

The2007BackgroundStudyReportalsodescribeddissolvedmanganeselevelsinbackgroundareastorangefromlessthan1ppb(methoddetectionlevelof1ppb)upto48ppb.Fiveoutofforty‐sevenwellssampledhadoneormoredetectionsofmanganesegreaterthan10ppb.TheSMCLformanganeseis50ppb.

ThenitrateconcentrationsingroundwaterintheHinkleyValleyaregenerallylessthanafewpartspermillion(PacificGasandElectric2007).The2007BackgroundStudyReportfoundnitratelevelsinbackgroundareastorangefromlessthan0.5ppm(equaltothemethoddetectionlevel)upto21ppm.ThefederalMCLis45ppm(asNO3)andtheStateMCLis10ppm(asN).

ConcentrationsofTDSgenerallyincreasetothenorthwithdistancefromtheMojaveRiver(LahontanWaterBoard2008b).Thesourceofsaltsanddissolvedsolidsmayoriginatenaturallyfromalluvialsedimentsandfromhumanactivities,suchasagriculture.The2007BackgroundStudyReportfoundTDSlevelsintheareassampledrangefrom90ppmneartheMojaveRiverupto2,390ppmnearaformerdairyorconfined‐animalpropertybutaregenerallylessthan1,000ppminmostareas(PacificGasandElectric2007).TheMCLforTDSis500ppm.

Chromiumlevelshavebeenheavilyaffectedbyhistoricaldischargesofchromium‐contaminatedwaterfromthePG&Efacilityinthe1950sand1960swhichhasresultedinalargeareaofcontaminatedgroundwaterintheHinkleyValley.TheCompressorStationisthesourceareaforhexavalentchromium(Cr[VI])contaminationingroundwatercausedbypercolationofuntreatedcoolingwaterfromunlinedsurfaceimpoundmentsoperatingfrom1952‐1965.Chromium‐contaminatedsoilsincehasbeenexcavatedfromshallowdepthsintheareaoftheformerunlinedsurfaceimpoundments,pipelines,andbeneathtanks(LahontanWaterBoard2008b).ThehighestconcentrationsofCr[VI]ingroundwaterarestillalmostdirectlybelowtheformerunlinedsurfaceimpoundmentsattheCompressorStation,withconcentrationsreportedupto4,200µg/Linsecondquarter2012.However,justsouthoftheCompressorStation(i.e.,up‐gradientofthechromiumplume)groundwaterisconsideredoutsideoftheCr[VI]plumeandisusedforfreshwatersupplyforCompressorStationoperationsandremedialactivities(fromPGE‐14,FW‐01,andFW‐02).

GroundwaterqualityresultsinJulyandAugust,2011frommonitoringwells(MW‐01andPMW‐01)inthevicinityofPonds6Rand7RshowhighlevelsofTDS(540and520milligramperliter[mg/L],respectively)andCr[VI](25.8µg/Land104µg/L,respectively),alongwithotherconstituents(LahontanWaterBoard2012).WaterqualityresultsfromoneoftheproductionwellsusedforindustrialprocessesattheCompressorStation(PGE‐15)onDecember30,2011shownodetectionofCr[VI]and153mg/LofTDS(LahontanWaterBoard2012).Other2011dataresultsshowthatVOCsandpesticideswerenotdetectedandmetalsweredetectedatlevelslessthantheMCLinthe




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supplywells.ArsenicwastheonlychemicalexceedingtheMCLof0.01mg/Lat0.017mg/LinApril2011(CardnoENTRIX2012a).

Local Water Usage

AlloftheexistingwatersuppliesintheHinkleyValleyandnearbyBarstowarepumpedgroundwater.Thereareanestimated500domesticwellsintheHinkleyValley,butthevolumeofwaterusedforresidentialpropertiesisgenerallysmallincomparisontoagriculturaluse.Aftergroundwaterwasreportedtobecontaminatedwithhexavalentchromiumin1987,anumberofdrinkingwaterwellswereabandonedfollowingpropertypurchasebyPG&E.Thestandardpracticehasbeentosealthesedomesticwells,althoughafewwerelefttoserveasmonitoringwells.AspartofthePG&EHinkleyGroundwaterRemediationProject,PG&Eiscurrentlyworkingtoexpandtheirexistingremediationactivitiestoexpeditethegroundwaterclean‐up.

Wellswithina1‐mileradiusoftheProjectareapumpgroundwaterforagriculture(includingstockwatering),domestic,andindustrialuses(Figure3‐7).Agriculturalwellsareprimarilyforfeedcultivation(alfalfa)andstockwateringfortheadjacentdairyandhorseranches.Approximately60watersupplywellsarewithina1‐mileradiusandcomprisethedomesticusage.ThisestimationisbasedonalocalwellrecordsearchandaerialimagesonGoogleEarthandmaynotindicateactualoccupancyofresidencesoruseofthesewells.TheclosestdomesticwellshownonFigure3‐7islocatedapproximately700feetdueeastofPond4(Well01‐02).Withrespecttogroundwater,thiswelliscrossgradienttothesurfaceimpoundments.Theclosestactivedomesticwelltothewest(Well02‐25)islocatedatadistanceofapproximately1,350feet,andtothesouth(Well02‐05),approximately800feetfromtheProjectarea.ThesewellsareprimarilyusedfordomesticpurposesastheycontainfreshwaterandarelocatedoutsideoftheexistingCr[VI]plumeboundary.Therearenodomesticsupplywellsinusedirectlydowngradient(northornortheast)ofthesurfaceimpoundments.

PGE’sprimarygroundwatersupplyconsumptionwithintheProjectareaisfordomestic(i.e.,sinks,toilets)andindustrialsupply(i.e.,operationofcoolingtowers)fortheCompressorStation.Thepumpflowmetersdonotdistinguishbetweenwaterusedasdomesticwatersupplyandwaterusedintheindustrialprocess.On‐siteproductionwellsownedbyPG&EprovidethewaterusedattheCompressorStation.ProductionwellsusedforindustrialoperationsincludePGE‐6,PGE‐12,PGE‐13,andPGE‐15,(LahontanWaterBoard2012).Thepermittedannualaverageflowratetothesurfaceimpoundmentsof30,000gpd.Thecurrentannualaveragepumpingrateislessthan50percentofhistoricrates.IntheWDRBoardOrder6‐90‐42dischargeratesarereportedasapproximately50,000gpd,withacapacityoversevensurfaceimpoundmentsfor60,000gpd(LahontanWaterBoard1990).Operationalchangesandfacilityimprovementsreducedtheaveragerateofpumpingandfacilitatedtheclean‐closureoffoursurfaceimpoundmentsin1996.

ThewatersupplyforthecommunitycenteristhesameasfortheCompressorStation.Allwellsareoperatedintermittentlytosupplythestationandthecommunitycenter.WellPGE‐14,locatedtothesouthoftheCompressorStation,isexclusivelyusedtosupplythegroundwaterremediationsystems.

Overthelast20years,groundwaterlevelshaverisenover15to20feetintheshallowaquiferbelowtheCompressorStationduetoregionaleffortstoreducedraftingoftheaquiferbytheMWA,andinpart,duetoPG&Ecutbacksinsupplywellpumpingforindustrialuse(CardnoENTRIX2012a).




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ShownonFigure3‐8isachartofmeasuredgroundwaterlevelfrommonitoringwellslocatedupgradientanddowngradientofthecurrentsurfaceimpoundmentsthatillustratesthegeneralriseofthewatertable(PacificGasandElectric2012a).

Figure 3‐8. Groundwater Elevations in the Project Area from 1994–2012

AwaterbalanceanalysiswasperformedaspartoftheRWDtoensuresufficientcapacityofthesurfaceimpoundments,takingintoaccounttheseasonalfluctuationinblowdownflowrates,theaccumulationofsolidsintheimpoundments,andtheprecipitationandevaporationratesfortheHinkleyRegion(CardnoENTRIX2012a,2012b).Inputstothefacilityweredeterminedbasedonadailydesignflowfromthecompressorcoolingoperationsof30,000gallonsperdayplustheaveragemonthlyprecipitationininches.Outputwasrepresentedastheaveragemonthlyevaporationininchespermonthoverthesurfaceareaofthesurfaceimpoundmentsandconvertedtoequivalentgallonsofwater.Althoughthewaterbalanceanalysisassumes30,000gpdannually,flowratesmustpresentlybereducedto15,000gpdduringthewintertomeetfreeboardrequirements.

a. LessthanSignificant.Theblowdownfromthecoolingtowersatthecompressorstationaccountsforapproximately90%ofthedischargetothesurfaceimpoundments(LahontanWaterBoard2012).Theremaining10%ofthedischargetothesurfaceimpoundmentsiscomprisedofintermittentwastestreamsfromcleaningandmaintenanceoperations(LahontanWaterBoard2012).Wastewaterinthesurfaceimpoundmentswouldcontainconstituentsincludingarsenic,fluoride,hexavalentchromium,magnesium,nitrateandTDS.ProtectionofwaterqualitystandardsandcompliancewithWDRswouldbeaccomplishedthroughthemultiply‐redundantcontainmentandmonitoringsystemsincorporatedintothesurfaceimpoundmentdesign.Thenewsurfaceimpoundmentswouldbeinstalledinthefootprintofformersurfaceimpoundmentswhichhavebeenidentifiedasbeingclean‐closedandareoutsideoftheoriginalchromiumdischargeandsourceareasfortheCr[VI]contaminationfromthe




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Facility(LahontanWaterBoard2012).Inaddition,thesurfaceimpoundmentswouldbelinedwithHDPE,andwouldhavenolessthan1x10‐6cm/secpermeabilitytopreventwastewaterfromleachingintotheunderlyinggroundwateraquifer.Therefore,itisnotexpectedthatthisProjectwouldcontributetodegradationofgroundwaterqualityduetoCr[VI]orotherconstituentsinthewastewater.

ToensurethatgroundwaterwouldnotbeaffectedbytheProject,PG&EwouldfollowanapprovedOperation,Maintenance,andContingencyPlan,performaMonitoringandReportingProgram(CardnoENTRIX2012a,2012b),andmeetallrequirementswithintherevisedWDRsissuedbytheRegionalBoard.

b. LessthanSignificant.Thetwonewsurfaceimpoundmentswouldallowthestationgreaterflexibilityinwetyearstooperateduringthewintermonthsatanannualaveragerateof30,000gpd.Whentheexistingsurfaceimpoundmentsareclosetocapacity,theCompressorstationcurrentlyhastoreduceblowdowninthecoolingtowersanddischargetotheimpoundments.Theproposedincreaseinflowratetotheimpoundmentsduringthewinterwouldresultinanincreaseinannualgroundwaterpumping.WiththeProject,PG&Ewouldbeabletomaintainwastewaterflowratesattheaveragedesignrateof30,000gpdonayear‐roundbasisratherthanreducingratesto15,000gpdduringthewinter.Withanincreasefrom15,000gpdto30,000gpdinthewintermonths,amaximumof17.1additionalacre‐feetofwaterwouldbepumpedfromtheaquiferperyear.Theadditional17.1acre‐feetcitedaboveiswellwithinthePG&EallowancefromtheMohaveGroundwaterBasin,andislessthan1%oftheAnnualProductionAllowance,andlessthan0.5%oftheTotal2010‐2011ProductionAllowance.Theadjudicatedproductionallowancesprovideformaintenanceofthewatertableandavoidanceofregionaldrawdown.GiventhatthewatertablehasactuallybeenrisingasaresultintheadjudicationandtheadditionalwateruseiswithinPG&E’sallowance,theadditionalwateruseisnotexpectedtoresultinaquiferdrawdownthatwouldsubstantiallyaffectotherwaterusersoruses.

Acalculationofspecificwelldrawdownwasestimatedusingthisequationandthefollowingassumptions:storagecoefficient(S)of0.20;transmissivityof3,750ft2/day(basedonassumedaquiferthicknessof75feetandhydraulicconductivityof50feet/day);timeof100years(assumingadditionalpumping6monthseachyear);andadditionalpumpingof15,000gpd.2Theresultantdrawdownforawell1,000feetfromthesourcewellwouldbe1.5feetover100yearsifnoaquiferrechargeoccursfromannualprecipitation.Thisisnotexpectedtosubstantiallyaffectotherwellusesorusers.

c. LessthanSignificant.ConstructionofPonds6Rand7Rwouldnotalterlocaldrainagepatternsorresultinsubstantialon‐oroff‐siteerosionintheProjectarea.TheProjectareahasnosurfacedrainagefeaturesotherthansmalldrainagechannelsbuiltaspartofthefacility.Inaddition,theProjectislocatedinageographicallyflatareawheremostofthedrainagewouldlikelyaccumulateaslocalizedpoolsandultimatelyevaporateorinfiltrateintosurfacesoils,ratherthanbeingtransportedassheetflow.Stormwaterthatfallsinsecondarycontainmentareas

2Sourceforassumptions:Storagecoefficientforunconfinedaquifersisapproximatelythesameasspecificyield.SpecificyieldidentifiedintheGroundwaterRemediationEIR(LahontanRWQCB2012)forsandandsiltis20to25%.Transmissivitycalculatedbasedonassumedhydraulicconductivityof50feet/dayandassumedsaturatedthicknessof75feet(fromAppendixAofGroundwaterRemediationEIR,ICF2012).Timeassumedtobenetof50years(100yearswithadditionalpumping6months/year).Additionalpumpingassumedtobe15,000gpd.Thisequationsolvedbyusingcalculatorathttp://www.icalcul8.com/theis.php.




ICF 00569.12

aroundsumps,valves,andotheroutdoorequipmentisroutedtotheoil‐waterseparator,andthentothesurfaceimpoundments;byaddingPonds6Rand7Rthefacilitycapacityforstormwatermanagementisincreased.Oncetheimpoundmentsareconstructed,thesoilwouldbecompactedandgradedtofacilitatesitedrainageandpreventsoilerosion(CardnoENTRIX2012a).Thepresenceofadditionalsurfaceimpoundmentswouldnotincreaseonoroffsiteerosion.

SoildisturbanceduringconstructioncouldhavethepotentialimpactofincreasingerosionintheProjectarea.However,asdescribedinSection2.2ProjectConstruction,theProjectwouldbeconstructedincompliancewithCoverageundertheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardConstructionGeneralPermit(OrderNo.2009‐009‐DWQ)SWPPPwhichidentifiesBMPsthatwouldbeimplementedduringconstruction.

d. LessthanSignificant.ConstructionofPonds6Rand7Rwouldnotalterregionaldrainagepatternsandwouldnotresultinon‐oroff‐siteflooding.Someonsitestormwaterisroutedtothesurfaceimpoundments;byaddingPonds6Rand7Rthefacilitycapacityforfloodmanagementisincreasedandwouldbebeneficialinfurtherpreventingfloodingonoroffsite.

e. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotcreateorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff.Ponds6Rand7Rwouldbeconstructedbelowgradewithatwo‐footfreeboard.Duetothesurfaceimpoundmentdesign,operationalcontrols,andcomprehensivemonitoringsystems,theimpoundmentswouldnotbeanticipatedtooverflow.Ifneeded,wastewaterflowratesareadjustedtoensureoverflowdoesnotoccuratthesurfaceimpoundments.Inaddition,nonewimperviousareawouldbecreatedandthereforenosubstantivechangebetweenpre‐andpost‐constructionrunoffconditionsorflowratesisanticipatedbecausetheexistingleveeswouldnotbemodifiedandthesurfaceimpoundmentswouldbeingbuiltwithinthefootprintofformerPonds6and7.Therefore,theProjectwouldhavenoimpactoncontributingrunoffwaterwhichwouldprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff.

f. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectwouldnotsubstantiallydegradewaterquality.TheDischarger(PG&E)hasproposedengineeredalternativestotheCCR,title27prescriptivestandardsfortheconstructionoftheClassIISurfaceImpoundments.LahontanWaterBoardstaffhasevaluatedtheseproposedalternativesandhasdeterminedthatthesealternatives(1)meettheCCR,title27requirements;(2)areconsistentwiththeperformancegoaloftheprescriptivestandards,and(3)affordequivalentprotectionagainstwaterqualityimpairment.Intheunlikelyeventthatareleasedoesoccurfromthealternativeliner,theMonitoringandReportingProgramrequiresPG&Etosubmitatechnicalreportdescribingactionstakentoabatethereleaseandanyproposedfutureactionstoabatetheadverseimpactstotheenvironment.Inaddition,theexistingfacilityhasbothaHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlan(HMBP)andSPCCPlanwhichwouldbeupdatedinthefuturewithanychangestothefacility.ThefacilityCorrectiveActionPlanaddressestheactionsrequiredintheeventofareasonablyforeseeablereleasefromthefacility,includingpotentialleaksfromthesurfaceimpoundmentsandassociatedpipingandappurtenances.IntheeventofdiscoveryofwaterqualityimpactsPG&EhasincreasedfinancialassurancesasoutlinedintheRWDandAddendum(CardnoENTRIX2012a,b).Therefore,thepotentialfortheProjecttootherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterqualityislessthansignificant.




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g. NoImpact.TheProjectdoesnotincludehousingand,therefore,wouldnotplacehousingwithina100‐yearfloodhazardareaasmappedonaFederalFloodHazardBoundaryorFloodInsuranceRateMap,orotherfloodhazarddelineationmap.Inaddition,thesurfaceimpoundmentswouldcontainthevolumeofrainwhichfallsontothesurfaceimpoundmentareasina1,000‐year,24‐hourstormevent,whilemaintainingtwofeetoffreeboard.

h. NoImpact.AccordingtotheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency,theProjectareaisinZoneD,whichisdefinedas“Areaswithpossiblebutundeterminedfloodhazards.Nofloodhazardanalysishasbeenconducted.”

i. NoImpact.TheFloodControlDistrictofSanBernardinoCountyhadhistoricallypreparedtheirownmaps(PacificGasandElectric1989)basedonthemostseverefloodoftheMojaveRiverintheareawhichoccurredin1969.TheProjectareawasnotwithinthisfloodareaandwashistoricallyclassifiedoutsidetheMojaveRiver100‐yearfloodplain.

Inaddition,theproposedsurfaceimpoundments,whencompleted,wouldbebelowgradetocomplywiththeTitle27freeboardrequirement(2feet),andtheywouldnotimpedeorredirectfloodflows.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpactoftheProjectonfloodflows.

j. NoImpact.NoleveesordamsarepresentwithinthevicinityoftheProjectarea.NorareanyproposedduringProjectimplementation;therefore,implementationwouldnotexposepeopleorstructurestofloodingasaresultofaleveeordamfailure.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.

k. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotcontributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunamiormudflow.Tsunamisarewavesinoceansorseasusuallygeneratedbyseismiceventsthatdisplacealargevolumeofwater.TheProjectareaisnotlocatednearoceanorseawaters.Seichesarewavesgeneratedinclosedwaterbodies(lakes)generallyinresponsetooscillationscausedbythepropagationofseismicwaves.EventhoughtheProjectislocatedwithinaseismicallyactiveregion,therearenowaterbodiesinthevicinityoftheProjectcapableofgeneratingseichesortsunamisthatcouldresultininundationattheProjectarea.Mudflowsrequiresuper‐saturatedslopeconditions.ThetopographyatandadjacenttotheProjectareaisrelativelylevel.SlopescapableofgeneratingmudflowsarenotpresentandwouldnotbecreatedbyProjectimplementation.Therefore,therewouldbenoimpact.




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X.LandUseandPlanning

PotentiallySignificantImpaact



NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Physicallydivideanestablishedcommunity?

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

c. Conflictwithanyapplicablehabitatconservationplanornaturalcommunityconservationplan?

3.10 Land Use and Planning a. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotphysicallydivideanestablishedcommunity.Thesurrounding

andnearbycommunityofHinkleyhashistoricallybeenlimitedtosinglefamilyhousesonlargeagriculturalacreagelots,aswellassinglefamilyhomesonsmallerlots(SanBernardinoCounty2007).TheProjectwouldbecontainedwithintheexistingCompressorStationboundariesandwouldnotextendintotheestablishedcommunity.Therefore,thereisnopotentialtophysicallydividethecommunity.

b. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotconflictwithanyapplicablelanduseplan,policyorregulationofanagencywithjurisdictionovertheproject.TheProjectisentirelywithintheexistingCompressorStationfacility,whichhasalandusedesignationofPublicFacilities.Therefore,theProjectwouldnotconflictwithanyfuturelandusedevelopedincompliancewiththeCountyGeneralPlanandzoningordinances.SanBernardinoCountyGeneralPlan(SanBernardinoCounty2007)identifiesthelandusedesignationsforthesurroundingareasasRL(RuralLiving),RL‐5(RuralLiving5‐acreminimum),andRL‐10‐AP(RuralLiving10‐acreminimum,AgriculturalPreserve).

c. NoImpact.TheProjectareaiswithinaHCP,asshownonMap45oftheWestMojavePlan(March2006).However,theProjectareafallsoutsidethedesignatedhabitatconservationareas,andtherearenoproposedimpactstohabitatscoveredbytheplan.AlsorefertoSection3.4BiologicalResources.




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XI.MineralResources




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Resultinthelossofavailabilityofaknownmineralresourcethatwouldbeofvaluetotheregionandtheresidentsofthestate?

b. Resultinthelossofavailabilityofalocallyimportantmineralresourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplan,orotherlanduseplan?

3.11 Mineral Resources a. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotresultinthelossofavailabilityofaknownmineralresource

thatwouldbeofvaluetotheregionandtheresidentsofthestate.TheProjectareaisnotlocatedinoneoftheCaliforniaGeologicalSurvey’sMineralResourceZones,whereaccesstoimportantmineralresourcesmaybethreatened,accordingtoprovisionsoftheCaliforniaSurfaceMiningandReclamationActof1975.TheProjectareaisnotwithinadesignatedMRZ.

c. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotresultinthelossofavailabilityofalocallyimportantmineralresourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplan,orotherlanduseplanorofaknownlocallyimportantmineralresourcerecoversite.TheProjectareaisnotlocatedwithinamineralresourcezoneidentifiedintheSanBernardinoCountyMineralResourceOverlay.Therefore,nolossoforinterferencewithmineralresourceoperationswouldresultfromimplementationoftheProject.




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XII.Noise




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Exposepersonstoorgeneratenoiselevelsinexcessofstandardsestablishedinalocalgeneralplanornoiseordinanceorapplicablestandardsofotheragencies?

b. Exposepersonstoorgenerateexcessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels?

c. Resultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?

d. Resultinasubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject?

e. Belocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanarea,or,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairportandexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?

f. Belocatedinthevicinityofaprivateairstripandexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels?

3.12 Noise Noiseisgenerallydefinedasunwantedorunpleasantsoundandassuchresponsetonoiseissubjectiveandcanvarygreatlyfrompersontoperson.Factorsthatcaninfluenceindividualresponseinclude:intensity,frequency,andtimepatternofthenoise;theamountofbackgroundnoisepresentpriortotheintrudingnoise;andthenatureofworkorhumanactivitythatisexposedtothenoise.Theadverseeffectsofnoiseincludeinterferencewithconcentration,communication,stress,andsleep.Atthehighestlevels,noisecaninducehearingdamage.

Theunitofmeasurementofenvironmentalnoiseisthedecibel(dB).Tobetterapproximatetherangeofsensitivityofthehumaneartosoundsofdifferentfrequencies,theA‐weighteddecibelscalewasdevised.Becausethehumanearislesssensitivetolow‐frequencysounds,theA‐scalede‐emphasizesthesefrequenciesbyincorporatingfrequencyweightingofthesoundsignal.WhentheA‐scaleisused,thedecibellevelsareshownasdBA.




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AccordingtoSanBernardinoCountyOrdinance83.01.080,noiselevelsinresidentialareasarenottoexceed55‐dBALeq3from7:00a.m.to10:00p.m.or45‐dBALeqfrom10:00p.m.to7:00a.m.However,Section83.01.080(g)(3)exemptsthefollowingsourcesofnoisefromtheregulation:1)Motorvehiclesnotunderthecontrolofthecommercialorindustrialuse;2)Emergencyequipment,vehicles,anddevices;and3)temporaryconstruction,maintenance,repair,ordemolitionactivitiesbetween7:00a.m.and7:00p.m.,fromMondaythroughSaturday(thereisnoexemptionforSundaysandfederalholidays).

Constructionoftheproposedsurfaceimpoundmentswouldrequireseveralpiecesoflargeequipment.TypicalnoiselevelsassociatedwiththeequipmentfortheProjectattheequipmentsiteand500feetawayarelistedinTable3‐8below.Theclosestresidentsarelocatedapproximately1,000feeteastofPond4intheProjectarea(refertowelllabeled01‐02onFigure3‐7,aswellasFigure2‐2forpondlocations).

Table 3‐8. Typical Construction Noise Levels

EquipmentNoiseat50feetLmax(dBA)

Noiseat500feetLmax(dBA)

Noiseat1,000feetLmax(dBA)

TractorTrailer 84 65 59

Backhoe 80 61 55

Roller 85 66 60

Grader 85 66 60

EndDump 84 65 59

Generator 82 63 57

Compressor 80 61 55

Pneumatictools 85 66 60

TheclosestairportorairfieldisBarstowDaggettAirport,locatedapproximately20milessoutheastoftheProjectarea,andtheclosestprivateairstripislocatedapproximatelysixmilestothewest.

a. LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated.TheprojectcouldexposepersonstoorgeneratenoiselevelsinexcessofstandardsestablishedintheSanBernardinoCountynoiseordinanceduringprojectconstruction.Noiselevelsoftractortrailers,heavyequipment,and/orpneumatictoolscouldslightlyexceed55dBAatthenearestresidence(Table3‐8).MitigationMeasureNOI‐1wouldreducethisimpacttolessthansignificantbyrestrictingconstructiontodaytimehoursandlimitingtimeequipmentisallowedtoidle.

MitigationMeasureNOI‐1.Restrictconstructionactivitiestodaytimehoursandweekdays.Theconstructioncontractororprojectmanagerwillensurethatconstructionactivitiesinvolvingtheuseoftractortrailers,heavyequipment,and/orpneumatictoolswillbeperformedbetween7:00a.m.and7:00p.m.onMondaythroughSaturday,andnoworkatnoiselevelsabove45dbatthenearestoccupiedresidencewillbeperformedonSundaysorfederalholidays.Additionally,thisequipmentwillnotbeallowedtoidlelongerthan5minutes.

b. LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated.TheProjectcouldexposepersonstoorgenerateexcessivegroundbornevibrationduringexcavationandgradingfortheproposed

3 Leqistheequivalentsteady‐statesoundlevelwhich,inastatedperiod,wouldcontainthesameacousticenergyastheactualtime‐varyingsoundlevelduringthesameperiod.




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surfaceimpoundmentsforalimitedtime(approximately2weeks)duringconstruction.WorkerexposurewouldbelimitedwithimplementationofhearingprotectionundertheProjectHealthandSafetyPlan.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureNOI‐1wouldreducethisimpacttolessthansignificantbyrestrictingconstructiontodaytimehours.Excessivevibrations,wheneverpresent,willbedocumentedinalogbytheconstructioncontractororprojectmanager.

c. LessthanSignificant.Operationandmaintenanceoftheproposedsurfaceimpoundmentswouldgeneratelittleornonoiseandwouldbesimilartotheexistingsurfaceimpoundmentssincesurfaceimpoundmentsareoperatedindividually.Anynoiseincreasewouldbenegligibleandnotlikelynoticeabletonearbyresidents.Therefore,theProjectwouldnotresultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject.

d. LessthanSignificantwithMitigationIncorporated.Projectconstructionactivities(excavation,grading,andtrenching)wouldtemporarilyincreasenoiselevelsattheProjectarea,asdescribedinthediscussionunder“a”.MitigationMeasureNOI‐1wouldreducethisimpacttolessthansignificantbyrestrictingconstructiontodaytimehoursandlimitingtimeequipmentisallowedtoidle.

e. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotbelocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanarea,or,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,withintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairportandexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectareatoexcessivenoiselevels.TheclosestairportorairfieldisBarstowDaggettAirport,locatedapproximately20milessoutheastoftheProjectareaapproximatelysixmilestothewest

f. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotbelocatedinthevicinityofaprivateairstripandexposepeopleresidingorworkingintheProjectareatoexcessivenoiselevels.Theclosestprivateairstripislocatedapproximatelysixmilestothewest(LahontanWaterBoard2008a).




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XIII.PopulationandHousing




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

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

b. Displaceasubstantialnumberofexistinghousingunits,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?

c. Displaceasubstantialnumberofpeople,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere?

3.13 Population and Housing a. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotinducesubstantialpopulationgrowthinanarea,either

directly(e.g.,byproposingnewhomesandbusinesses)orindirectly(e.g.,throughextensionofroadsorotherinfrastructure).

Duringconstruction,theProjectwouldemploysixtotenconstructionworkers.Theseconstructionworkerswouldbehiredfromthelocallaborforce,exceptforskilledlaborforgeomembraneinstallationthatwouldstayinhotels,likelynearBarstow.Duetothesmallnumberofconstructionworkersandtheshortdurationoftheconstructiontimeframe(6‐8weeks),noimpactonpopulationandhousingwouldoccur.

Projectimplementationwouldresultincontinuingoperationofanexistingindustrialfacility.ItdoesnotinvolvetheconstructionofnewresidentialorcommercialdevelopmentorinfrastructurethatcouldresultinadditionalpopulationgrowthintheProjectarea.Projectimplementationwouldnotdisplaceexistinghousingorresidentsasallnewconstructioniscontainedwithintheexistingfacility.

d. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotdisplaceasubstantialnumberofexistinghousingunits,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhereforthereasonsdescribedabove.

e. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotdisplaceasubstantialnumberofpeople,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhereforthereasonsdescribedabove.




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XIV.PublicServices




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

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

Fireprotection?

Policeprotection?

Schools?

Parks?

Otherpublicfacilities?

3.14 Public Services a. NoImpact.Projectconstructionandoperationactivitieshavethepotentialforaccidents

involvingpersonalinjury,fire,andspills/releasesofmaterialsstoredonsite.Intheeventofsuchanemergency,localemergencyserviceproviders(fireandpoliceprotection)wouldberequiredtorespond.Duetotheshortdurationofconstruction,theProjectwouldnotresultintheneedforadditionalfire,police,oremergencyservicesproviders.(ThepotentialforconstructionvehiclesblockingroadwaysduringconstructionisaddressedinSection3.16,Transportation/Traffic).Duringandafterconstruction,theoperationatthefacilitywouldnotdeviatefromitsexistingoperations.Thetwoadditionalimpoundmentswouldnotrequireadditionalemployeesand,therefore,wouldnotresultinanincreasedneedforservicesofpublicfacilities.Therefore,implementationoftheProjectwouldnotrequireexpansionoftheexistinglocalemergencyservicesandwouldnotimpactresponsetimesastheyarealreadypreparedtorespondtotheexistingfacility.




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XV.Recreation




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. Increasetheuseofexistingneighborhoodandregionalparksorotherrecreationalfacilitiessuchthatsubstantialphysicaldeteriorationofthefacilitywouldoccurorbeaccelerated?

b. Includerecreationalfacilitiesorrequiretheconstructionorexpansionofrecreationalfacilitiesthatmighthaveanadversephysicaleffectontheenvironment?

3.15 Recreation a. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotincreasetheuseofexistingneighborhoodandregionalparks

orotherrecreationalfacilities.Nopopulationgrowth,eitherdirectorindirect,isassociatedwithimplementationoftheProject.TheProjectwouldnotincreasedemandforrecreationalamenities,norwoulditinterferewithexistingrecreationaluses.

b. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotincluderecreationalfacilitiesorrequiretheconstructionorexpansionofrecreationalfacilities.ImplementationoftheProjectincludesimprovementstoanexistingindustrialfacilityanddoesnotincludetheconstruction,expansionorremovalofarecreationalfacility.




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XVI.Transportation/Traffic




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

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

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

c. Resultinachangeinairtrafficpatterns,includingeitheranincreaseintrafficlevelsorachangeinlocationthatresultsinsubstantialsafetyrisks?

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

e. Resultininadequateemergencyaccess?

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

3.16 Transportation/Traffic

Local Setting

TheProjectvicinityiswithinanunincorporatedruralareaofSanBernardinoCounty.LocalroadwaystothefacilityincludeFairviewRoadandCommunityBoulevard.Highway58istheclosestmajorroadway.

SR58(alsocalledtheMojave‐BarstowHighwayandtheBarstow/BakersfieldHighway)istheprimaryregionalroadwayintheprojectarea.ItoriginateseastoftheprojectareainBarstowatInterstate15(I‐15)andextendswesttoMojaveandBakersfield.Regionally,SR58providesaconnectionbetweenBarstow,MojaveandBakersfield.Locally,SR58isthemainaccessroutetothecommunityofHinkley




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fromboththeeastandwest.Inthevicinityoftheprojectarea,SR58isatwo‐lanehighwaywith11‐to12‐footlanesand6‐to8‐foot‐wideshoulders.Italsohasseveraldrivewaysandintersectingcrossstreets.Thespeedlimitfortheportionofthehighwaythatrunsthroughtheprojectareais60milesperhour(SanBernardinoCounty2007).Withintheprojectarea,theonlySR58intersectionthatissignalizedisatLenwoodRoad;otherlocationsarestop‐signcontrolled.Table3‐9showsaverageannualdailytraffic(AADT)onSR58inthevicinityoftheprojectarea.

Table 3‐9. Annual Average Daily Traffic on SR 58 in the Project Vicinity

Highway CrossStreet BackAADT AheadAADT

SR58 HarperLakeRoad 9,700 10,000

SR58 LenwoodRoad 10,000 11,300

Source:Caltrans2011.AADT=annualaveragedailytraffic(totaltrafficvolumefortheyeardividedby365days).BackAADT=trafficsouthorwestofthecountlocation.AheadAADT=trafficnorthoreastofthecountlocation.

In2009,CPUC(CaliforniaPublicUtilitiesCommission2010)estimatedthatthelevelofservice(LOS)attheintersectionsofSR58/HarperLakeRoadwasLOSofB/C(~12,100AADT)andatSR58/LenwoodRoadwasLOSA(12,100AADT).Trafficlevelsin2011werelowerthanthosestudiedbyCPUCin2009.TheselevelsofservicearebetterthantheCountyandCaltransstandardofLOSD.

AsshowninTable3‐10,theexistingroadwaysarenothighlycongestedbecauseoftheruralnatureoftheprojectarea.

Table 3‐10. Average Daily Traffic on Local Access Roads

Road CountSite ADT

HinkleyRoad SouthofSR58 282

CommunityBoulevard EastofHinkleyRoad 321

EastofLenwoodRoad 976

Source:SanBernardinoCounty2012b.ADT=averagedailytraffic.

a. LessthanSignificantwithIncorporatedMitigation.Thetwoadditionalimpoundmentsdonotrequireadditionalworkers,sotherewouldbenopermanentincreasesintrafficfromProjectoperation.Therewouldbeshort‐termconstructionrelatedtrafficincludinglargevehiclesonlocalroadstoandfromtheProjectarea,anduptotenconstructionworkerswouldcommutetoandfromthesite.DuetotheruralnatureoftheProjectarea,thesmallnumberofvehicletripsassociatedwiththeProject,andtheshortdurationofconstructionactivities,constructionrelatedtrafficwouldnotresultinasignificantincreaseintraffic.However,thetemporaryincreaseinlargevehiclesonsmalllocalroadwayscouldresultinoccasionaldelaysorblockedroadwaysastrucksawaitaccesstothesite.

ThiscouldbeconsideredaconflictwithCountypoliciesrelatedtoprovidingasafeandeffectivetransportationsystemthatprovidesadequatetrafficmovement(GoalD/CI1oftheDesertRegionalgoalsandpoliciesoftheCounty’scirculationandInfrastructureElement).Mitigation




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MeasureTRA‐1wouldensurethisimpactislessthansignificantbyrequiringatrafficcontrolplanduringconstruction.

MitigationMeasureTRA‐1:Implementtrafficcontrolmeasuresduringconstruction.Tominimizeimpactsonlocalsurfacestreetsintheprojectarea,PG&Ewillensurethatconstructioncontractorsimplementthefollowingtrafficcontrolmeasuresduringprojectconstruction:

Ondayswithlargetrucktraffic,usepersonnelasnecessarytodirecttrafficandpreventvehiclesfromlininguponcountyroadsandhighwaysduringconstruction.

Vehicleswillnotbeallowedtoblocktheroadway,resultinginaninadvertenttemporarylaneclosure,whilewaitingtoentertheProjectareaforlongerthanfiveminutes.

Emergencyvehicleaccesswillbemaintainedatalltimes,andtherewillbenoroadclosures.

Maintainlogentrieswhenevertheabovemitigationmeasureisimplemented.

b. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectwouldnotconflictwiththeCounty’scongestionmanagementprogrambecausetheProjectwouldnotresultinapermanenttrafficincreasebecausenoadditionalworkersorothertrafficwouldberequiredtooperatetheadditionalimpoundments.Congestionassociatedwithconstruction‐relatedtrafficisaddressedunder“a”.

c. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotresultinachangeinairtrafficpatternsbecauseitwouldhavenoimpactonanyairportsorairstripsorflightpathsofoverheadaircraft.

d. NoImpact.TheProjectwouldnotincreasehazardsbecauseofadesignfeatureorincompatibleusesbecausethetwoadditionalimpoundmentswouldbelocatedentirelywithintheexistingCompressorStationfacilityandareconsideredacompatibleuse.Potentialhazardsassociatedwithconstructionvehiclesblockingaccessonlocalroadwaysisaddressedunder“a”.

e. LessthanSignificantwithIncorporatedMitigation.ThetwoadditionalimpoundmentswouldbewithintheexistingCompressorStationfacilityandwouldnotinterferewithanyemergencyaccess.However,asdescribedunder“a”,ProjectconstructionwouldresultinasmallincreaseinlargevehiclesontheroadwayforashortperiodoftimeandthusaslightpotentialforblockedroadwayswhilewaitingtoentertheProjectarea.Thiscouldpotentiallyblockanemergencyvehicleusingtheroadway.MitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducethisimpacttolessthansignificantbyensuringemergencyvehicleaccessismaintainedandnoroadwaysareclosed.

f. NoImpact.TheprojectwouldnotconflictwithCountyplansandpoliciesregardingpublictransit,bicycleorpedestrianfacilitiesbecausetherewouldbenodirectorindirecteffectonsuchfacilities.TheProjectareaisinaruralareaandwouldnotgenerateadditionalworkers.




ICF 00569.12

XVII.UtilitiesandServiceSystems




NoImpact

Wouldtheproject:

a. ExceedwastewatertreatmentrequirementsoftheapplicableRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard?

b. Requireorresultintheconstructionofnewwaterorwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesorexpansionofexistingfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentaleffects?

c. Requireorresultintheconstructionofnewstormwaterdrainagefacilitiesorexpansionofexistingfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentaleffects?

d. Havesufficientwatersuppliesavailabletoservetheprojectfromexistingentitlementsandresources,orwouldneworexpandedentitlementsbeneeded?

e. Resultinadeterminationbythewastewatertreatmentproviderwhichservesormayservetheprojectthatithasadequatecapacitytoservetheproject’sprojecteddemandinadditiontotheprovider’sexistingcommitments?

f. Beservedbyalandfillwithsufficientpermittedcapacitytoaccommodatetheproject’ssolidwastedisposalneeds?

g. Complywithfederal,state,andlocalstatutesandregulationsrelatedtosolidwaste?

3.17 Utilities and Service System a. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectwouldnotexceedRWQCBwastewatertreatment

requirements.AsdiscussedinChapters1and2andinSection3.9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,theProjectconsistsoftheconstructionoftwoadditionalClassIIsurfaceimpoundmentsformanagementoffacilityderivedwastewaterandtheiroperationandmaintenance.TheRevisedRWDandAddendum(CardnoENTRIX2012a,2012b)wouldbethesourceofrevisedfacilityWDRsissuedbytheRegionalBoard.ThefacilitywouldcomplywithWDRsissuedbytheRegionalBoard.ImplementationoftheOperationandMaintenancePlanandtheMonitoringandReportingProgramwouldpreventexceedancesoftheRegionalBoardwastewatertreatmentrequirements.

b. LessthanSignificant.TheProjectincludesconstructionoftwoadditionalClassIIsurfaceimpoundmentsformanagementoffacilityderivedwastewater.ThisMNDcoverstheeffects




ICF 00569.12

associatedwithconstruction,operation,andmaintenanceoftheimpoundments,andhaspresentedmitigationmeasuresthatwouldbeimplementedtoreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Therefore,theProjectwouldnotresultintheconstructionofnewwaterorwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesorexpansionofexistingfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentaleffects.

c. NoImpact.Projectimplementationwouldnotrequireadditionalstormwaterfacilities.Thefacilitiesbeingconstructedwouldallowforadditionalstorageareaforfacilitywastewaterandstormwater.

d. NoImpact.TheexistingPG&EfacilitywaterwellsthatservetheexistingCompressorStationfacilitiesintheProjectareawouldbesufficienttomeetfacilitydemandwithconstructionofthetwoadditionalimpoundments,whichwouldholdwastewaterandwouldnotgeneratedemandforadditionalwatersupply.Duringconstructionactivities,watersupplytoworkerswillbeprovidedbyPG&E.NoadditionalwatersupplywellswouldneedtobeconstructedwithimplementationoftheProject.

e. NoImpact.Allwastewatergeneratedattheexistingfacilityismanagedonsite.Potablewaterandwaterusedintoiletsandsinksisdisposedofinonsitesepticsystems.Althoughtemporaryconstructionworkerswoulduseon‐sitesepticsystem,therewouldbenoadditionalpermanentworkersandthus\noadditionaldemandwouldbeplacedonalocalwastewatertreatmentprovider.Theon‐sitesepticsystemislocatedwithintheCompressorStationfacility(Projectarea)onthenorthofthecompressorstation(CardnoENTRIX2012).

f. LessthanSignificant.ProjectconstructionwouldgeneratesolidwastefromremovingvegetationinPonds6Rand7RandfromscrappiecesremainingafterinstallationoftheengineeredHDPEliner.Allsolidwastegeneratedduringconstructionoftheproposedsurfaceimpoundmentswouldbetransportedoffsitetotheappropriatedisposalfacilitydependentonwasteclassification.TheBarstowSanitaryLandfill,locatedinBarstowistheclosestlandfilltotheprojectareaandhasan80,354,500‐cubic‐yardcapacity.TheBarstowSanitaryLandfillacceptsagricultural,construction/demolition,industrial,mixedmunicipal,biosolids(sludge),andotherdesignatedwaste.TheBarstowSanitaryLandfillisexpectedtoreachcapacityby2071(CaliforniaDepartmentofResourcesRecyclingandRecovery2010)..Onceoperating,anysolidwastegeneratedbythetwoadditionalimpoundmentswouldbenegligible,andtherewouldbenoadditionalemployeesgeneratingsolidwaste.

g. NoImpact.TheproposedProjectinvolvestheconstructionoftwoadditionalClassIIsurfaceimpoundmentsformanagementoffacilityderivedwastewater.TheRevisedROWDandAddendum(CardnoENTRIX2012a,2012b)proposetocleanclosePonds4,5,6R,and7RandclosePond8asaClassIIlandfilltomanageallresidualwaste.Closureofthesefacilitieswouldcomplywithallfederal,state,andlocalstatutesandregulationsrelatedtosolidwaste(CardnoENTRIX2012a,2102b)Theprojectwouldgenerateminimalsolidwasteduringoperationsandthuswouldcomplywithrequirementsforsolidwaste.




ICF 00569.12

XVIII.MandatoryFindingsofSignificance




NoImpact

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

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

c. Doestheprojecthaveenvironmentaleffectsthatwillcausesubstantialadverseeffectsonhumanbeings,eitherdirectlyorindirectly?

3.18 Mandatory Findings of Significance a. LessthanSignificantImpactwithMitigationIncorporated.TheProjectisnotexpectedto

threatenorreducefish,orplantpopulations,butcouldadverselyaffectwildlifespeciesidentifiedascandidate,sensitiveorspecialstatusspecies(refertoSection3.4).Mitigationmeasures,suchaspre‐constructionsurveys,workerenvironmentalawarenesstraining,andconstructionmonitoring,time‐of‐yearrestrictions,areincludedtoprotectbiologicalresourcesincludingMohavegroundsquirrel,deserttortoise,burrowingowl,andotherendangeredorprotectedspecies(refertoMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1throughBIO‐6inSection3.4)wouldreduceimpactstoalessthansignificantlevel.

TheprojectisnotexpectedtoeliminateimportantexamplesofthemajorperiodsofCaliforniahistoryorprehistorybecausenonewereidentifiedintheProjectarea;however,excavationactivitiesduringconstructioncouldresultinthediscoveryofpreviouslyunknownburiedculturalorhistoricalresources(refertoSection3.5).Mitigationmeasurestostopworkifresourcesarediscoveredanddeterminethepotentialneedforprotectionareincludedtoprotectunknownculturalresources(refertoMitigationMeasureCUL‐1inSection3.5).

Therefore,withthemitigationmeasuresincorporatedintotheProject,thepotentialfortheProjecttodegradethequalityoftheenvironment,substantiallyreducethehabitatofafishorwildlifespecies,causeafishorwildlifepopulationtodropbelowself‐sustaininglevels,threatentoeliminateaplantoranimalcommunity,substantiallyreducethenumberorrestricttherange




ICF 00569.12

ofarareorendangeredplantoranimal,oreliminateimportantexamplesofthemajorperiodsofCaliforniahistoryorprehistorywouldbelessthansignificant.

b. LessthanSignificantImpactwithMitigationIncorporated.TheProjecthasthepotentialtoresultinincrementaleffectsthat,whenviewedinconnectionwiththeeffectsofotherprojects,couldbecumulativelyconsiderable.OtherprojectsincludepreviouslyapprovedcontainmentandremediationactivitiesandthecurrentlyproposedHinkleyGroundwaterRemediationProject(whichexpandsthecontainmentandremediationactivities),conductedbyPG&EtoremediategroundwatercontaminatedwithCr[VI]thathistoricallyoriginatedfromtheCompressorStation.

Potentialcumulativeeffectsincludeconstruction‐relateddust,GHGemissions,noiseandtraffic.ImplementingMitigationMeasuresAIR‐1,GHG‐1,NOI‐1andTRA‐1(describedinSections3.3,3.7,3.12and3.16above)wouldensureprojectimpactsarelessthansignificantanddonotresultinasubstantialcontributiontocumulativeeffects.

Additionally,thereispotentialforcumulativeeffectsrelatedtogroundwaterandwaterquality.LargevolumesofgroundwaterwouldbeextractedaspartoftheHinkleyGroundwaterRemediationProject,asdescribedintheenvironmentalimpactreportpreparedfortheproject(ICF2012).FollowingissuanceoftheexistingWDRs(BoardOrder6‐97‐82)adoptedin1997,pumpingwasclosetotheannualaverageof30,000gpd.However,overtheyears,pumpinghasbeensignificantlyreducedtoaccountforlessevaporationintheexistingsurfaceimpoundmentsduetoweatherconditionsanduseofbettercoolingtowercorrosionchemicals.Therefore,inrecentyears,pumpinghasbeenlessthan30,000onanannualaveragebasis.TheProjectwouldallowPG&Etoreturntothepermittedpumpingrateof30,000gpmonayear‐roundbasis,whichwouldresultinaminorincreaseinpumpingratescomparedtoexistinglevels.However,theadditionaltotalannualvolumeofwaterrequiredtooperatetheCompressorStationwiththetwonewsurfaceimpoundmentswouldresultinaminimalimpactongroundwatersupplies,evenwiththesimultaneousoperationoftheHinkleyGroundwaterRemediationProject.Thus,theProjectwouldnotresultinasubstantialcontributiontocumulativedepletionofgroundwatersupplies.Further,theprojectincludesacomprehensiveMonitoringandReportingprogramtoprotectgroundwaterresourcesandeffectivelydeterminewhetherwaterdegradationisoccurring(refertoSection2.2above).

Therefore,noadversecumulativeimpacttotheenvironmentisanticipated.

c. LessthanSignificantImpactwithMitigationIncorporated.ThisIS/MNDevaluatespotentialenvironmentaleffectsfor17issueareasorresourcetopicstodetermineiftherewouldbesubstantialadverseeffectsonhumanbeings.Mitigationmeasureshavebeenidentifiedforpotentialimpacts(describedinSections3.3,3.7,3.12and3.16above).ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAIR‐1,GHG‐1,NOI‐1andTRA‐1wouldberequiredduringconstruction,operationandmaintenanceoftheProjectand,thus,wouldensureprojectimpactsarelessthansignificantanddonotresultinenvironmentaleffectsthatcausesubstantialadverseeffectsonhumanbeings,eitherdirectlyorindirectly.


4‐1 November 2012

ICF 00569.12

Chapter 4 References

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CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(CARB).2011.AreaDesignationsMaps/StateandNational.Website(http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/adm.htm)

CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard.2012.CaliforniaAmbientAirQualityStandards(CAAQS).Website(http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/aaqs/aaqs2.pdf).

CaliforniaClimateActionRegistry(CCAR).2009.GeneralReportingProtocol,Version3.1.Website(http://www.climateregistry.org/tools/protocols/general‐reporting‐protocol.html).

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CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame(CDFG).2003.Mohavegroundsquirrelsurveyguidelines.Availablefromhttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/MGS/docs/MGSSurveyGuidelines2010.pdf

CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame.2008.CaliforniaBirdSpeciesofSpecialConcern.Availablefromhttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/MGS/docs/MGSSurveyGuidelines2010.pdf

CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame.2012a.BiogeographicDataBranch,CaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase.(CNDDB)..Rarefind3.1.0.UpdatedMay2012.

CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame.2012b.SpecialVascularPlants,Bryophytes,andLichensList.Availablefromhttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/SPPlants.pdf

CaliforniaDepartmentofResourcesRecyclingandRecovery(CalRecycle).2010.Facility/SiteSummaryDetails:BarstowSanitaryLandfill(36‐AA‐0046).Available:<http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/SWFacilities/Directory/36‐AA‐0046/Detail/>.Accessed:December29,2010.

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CaliforniaDepartmentofWaterResources(DWR).2003.California’sGroundwaterBulletin118–SouthLahontanHydrologicRegion‐MiddleMojaveRiverValleyGroundwaterBasin.LastupdatedOctober1,2003.

CaliforniaDepartmentofWaterResources(DWR).2012.HinkleyCompressorStation—EvaporationPonds6Rand7R.LettertoBriannaBerger,RWQCB.May24.



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CaliforniaEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(CalEPA),OfficeofEnvironmentalHealthHazardAssessment(OEHHA),AirToxicologyandEpidemiologyBranch.2009.TechnicalSupportDocumentforCancerPotencyFactors:Methodologiesforderivation,listingofavailablevalues,andadjustmentstoallowforearlylifestageexposures.AppendixA:HotSpotsUnitRiskandCancerPotencyValues.Website(http://www.oehha.ca.gov/air/hot_spots/tsd052909.html).

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CaliforniaNativePlantSociety(CNPS).2012.OnlineInventoryofRareandEndangeredPlants,8thEdition.Availablefromhttp://www.rareplants.cnps.org/

CaliforniaPublicUtilitiesCommission(CPUC).2010.StaffAssessment.AbengoaMojaveSolarApplicationforCertification(09‐AFC‐5).SanBernardinoCounty.March.

CardnoENTRIX.2012a.RevisedReportofWasteDischarge,ClassIISurfaceImpoundments,HinkleyCompressorStation,Hinkley,California.PreparedforCaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,LahontanRegion,onbehalfofPacificGas&ElectricCompany.March15.

CardnoENTRIX.2012b.AddendumtoRevisedReportofWasteDischarge,ClassIISurfaceImpoundments,HinkleyCompressorStation,Hinkley,California.PreparedforCaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,LahontanRegion,onbehalfofPacificGas&ElectricCompany.June.

Christensen,A.H.2001.ConcentrationsforTotalDissolvedSolids,Arsenic,Boron,Fluoride,andNitrite‐NitrateforWellsSampledintheMojaveWaterAgencyManagementArea,California,1991–97.U.S.GeologicalSurvey.Open‐FileReport01‐084.

Humple,D.2008.Loggerheadshrike.InShuford,W.D.,andGardali,T.,editors.CaliforniaBirdSpeciesofSpecialConcern:Arankedassessmentofspecies,subspecies,anddistinctpopulationsofbirdsofimmediateconservationconcerninCalifornia.StudiesofWesternBirds1.WesternFieldOrnithologists,Camarillo,California,andCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame,Sacramento.

ICFInternational.2012.ComprehensiveGroundwaterCleanupStrategyforHistoricalChromiumDischargesfromPG&E'sHinkleyCompressorStation,SanBernardinoCounty.PublicDraft.August.(ICF00122.11.)SanFrancisco,CA.PreparedforCaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,LahontanRegion,SouthLakeTahoe,CA.Availableat:http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb6/water_issues/projects/pge/deir.shtml

KivaBiologicalConsulting.1992.PreconstructionSurveyatPG&E’sHinkleyCompressorStation.

LahontanWaterBoard(CaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,LahontanRegion).1990.RevisedWasteDischargeRequirementsforPacificGasandElectricCompanyHinkleyCompressorStation,SanBernardinoCounty.BoardOrderNo.6‐90‐42.June14.

LahontanWaterBoard(CaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,LahontanRegion).1996.ApprovalofCleanClosureCertificationReport,ClosureofClassIISurfaceImpoundments,PacificGasandElectricCompany–HinkleyCompressorStation,Hinkley,SanBernardinoCounty.LetterfromMr.KenCartertoMr.MelvinWong,PacificGasandElectricCompany.June28.



4‐3 November 2012

ICF 00569.12

LahontanWaterBoard(CaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,LahontanRegion).2008a.TransmittalofDraftIntegratedNegativeDeclarationforGeneralState‐wideGroundwaterRemediationProject.PG&ECompressorStation,Hinkley,SanBernardinoCounty,2008.

LahontanWaterBoard(CaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,LahontanRegion).2008b.BackgroundChromiumStudy,PacificGasandElectricCompany,CompressorStation,35863FairviewRoad,Hinkley.StaffReport.August.

LahontanWaterBoard(CaliforniaRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,LahontanRegion).2012.DraftTentativeWasteDischargeRequirementsforPacificGasAndElectricCompany,HinkleyCompressorStation,SanBernardinoCounty.WDIDNo.6B362031001.August27.

McClenahan&HopkinsAssociates.1990.BiologicalReport:HinkleyCompressorStation.

MojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict(MDAQMD).2011.CEQAandFederalConformityGuidelines.Website(http://www.mdaqmd.ca.gov/index.aspx?page=318).

MojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict(MDAQMD).2012a.Rules&Plans.Website(http://www.mdaqmd.ca.gov/index.aspx?page=13).

MojaveDesertAirQualityManagementDistrict(MDAQMD).2012b.AirMonitoringStations.Website(http://www.mdaqmd.ca.gov/index.aspx?page=224).

MojaveWaterAgency(MWA).2012.DraftEighteenthAnnualReportoftheMojaveBasinAreaWatermaster.WaterYear2010–11.CityofBarstow,etal.,CityofAdelanto,etal.,CaseNo.208568—RiversideCountySuperiorCourt.May1.

NationalAgricultureImageryProgram(NAIP).2011.USDS‐FSA_APFONAIPSanBernadinoCounty,CA.CountyMosaic.UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture‐FarmServiceAgency‐AerialPhotographyFieldOffice‐NationalAgricultureImageryProgram.2011.

NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA).2008.AverageWindSpeedforU.S.Locations.Website(http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/avgwind.html).

NaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS),UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture.2012.WebSoilSurvey.Availableonlineathttp://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov.AccessedMay14,2012.

PacificGasandElectricCompany.1989,asrevisedAugust15,2002.OperatingInstructionsforWastewaterManagementSystemandEvaporationPonds,HinkleyCompressorStation,SouthernGasOperations.PreparedbyGasEngineeringandEnvironmentalServices.IssuedforUseMay7.PacificGasandElectricCompanyTechnicalandEcologicalServices.1990.HinkleyEvaporationPondExpansion:BiologicalAssessment.

PacificGasandElectricCompany.1990.HinkleyEvaporationPondExpansion–BioloogicalAssessment.Report.TechnicalandEcologicalServices.June13.

PacificGasandElectric.2007.GroundwaterBackgroundStudyReport,HinkleyCompressorStation.PreparedbyCH2MHill.February28.

PacificGasandElectricCompany.2012a.SecondSemi‐AnnualReport2011(July1throughDecember31,2011)andAnnualCompliancemonitoringSummary2011.HinkleyCompressorStationClassIISurfaceImpoundmentsEnvironmentalComplianceMonitoring.January.



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PacificGasandElectricCompany(PG&E).2012b.ProposedWorkPlanforEvaluationofBackgroundChromiumintheUpperAquiferoftheHinkleyValley,PacificGasandElectricCompany’sHinkleyCompressorStation,Hinkley,California.February22.PhoenixBiologicalConsulting.2012.MohaveGroundSquirrelSurveysfortheHinkleyCompressorStation;PG&EPonds6R&7R.

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U.S.BureauofLandManagement.2005.FinalEnvironmentalImpactReportandStatementfortheWestMojavePlan.ReportpreparedbyBLMCaliforniaDesertDistrict,22835CalleSanJuanDeLosLagos,MorenoValley,CA.January.Available:<http://www.blm.gov/ca/pdfs/cdd_pdfs/wemo_pdfs/plan/wemo/Vol‐1‐Chapter1_Bookmarks.pdf>.Accessed:February11,2011.

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4.2 Personal Communications Rhodehamel,Westley.Biologist.PacificGas&ElectricCompany.SanRamon,California.June13,

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Young,Ryan.Principal.PhoenixBiologicalConsulting.PinonHills,California.June20,2012‐TelephoneConversationwithDanicaSchaffer‐Smith,CardnoENTRIX.


5‐1 November 2012

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Chapter 5 Report Preparation

ThisinitialstudywasoriginallypreparedbyCardnoENTRIXinJune2012andwasreviewedandrevisedbyICFInternational(formerlyJones&Stokes)underLahontanWaterBoarddirection.

5.1 Cardno ENTRIX Project Manager Sarah Schoemann, P.E.

CEQA Senior Reviewer/Author Brenda Peters

Aesthetics Erin DeVine, P.G.

Air Quality Bradford Boyes

Biological Resources Richard Williams / Robert Knutson

Cultural Resources John Nadolski

Hazards and Hazardous Materials Sarah F. Schoemann, P.E.

Hydrology/Water Quality Sarah F. Schoemann, P.E.

Land Use Erin DeVine, P.G.

Noise Erin DeVine, P.G.

Recreation Erin DeVine, P.G.

Traffic Erin DeVine, P.G.

Utilities Erin DeVine, P.G.

5.2 ICF International Project Manager Alexa La Plante

Project Director/Senior Reviewer Kate Giberson

CEQA Advisor/Reviewer Rich Walter

Aesthetics Alexa La Plante

Agricultural and Forest Resources Alexa La Plante

Air Quality Matthew McFalls

Biological Resources Mikael Romich



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Cultural Resources Joanne Grant

Geology and Soils Alexa La Plante

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Matthew McFalls

Hazards and Hazardous Materials Alexa La Plante

Hydrology and Water Quality Alexa La Plante

Noise Alexa La Plante

Population and Housing Alexa La Plante

Public Services Alexa La Plante

Transportation/Traffic Alexa La Plante

Utilities and Service Systems Alexa La Plante

Mandatory Findings of Significance Kate Giberson

Graphics Tim Messick

Figures

Pacific Gas & Electric

FIGURE 2-1Project Vicinity

Hinkley Compressor StationHinkley, CA

Map Extent

0 7,500 15,0003,750

Scale in Feet

Sources: USGS 1982, Cardno ENTRIX.

Project Area

PondPond7R7R

PondPond6R6R

PondPond88

PondPond55

PondPond44


FIGURE 2-2Project Area


0 330 660165

Scale in Feet

Oil-Water Separator

Community Boulevard

Hinkley Compressor Station

Fai

rvie

w R

oad

FormerDitch

Former EvaporationPonds

Sources: NAIP 2011, Cardno ENTRIX.

IronMountain

MountGeneral

Moj

ave

Riv

er


FIGURE 3-1Geographic Features in the Hinkley Valley


0 7,500 15,0003,750

Scale in Feet

Source: Cardno ENTRIX.

Project Area

RL-40

RL-5

RL-5RL-5

RL-5

RL-5

RL-5

FW

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HINKLEYCOMPRESSORSTATION

!

RANCH LANDTREATMENT UNIT

!

DESERT VIEWDAIRY

.

LEGEND

!( Domestic / Active

!B Domestic / Inactive

!( Agricultural / Active

!B Agricultural / Inactive

!( Monitoring / Active

! Abandoned Well

" Supply Well / Active

S Extraction / Inactive

"S Extraction / Active

#* Secured Well / Active

PG&E Land

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land

Zoning Boundary

Agriculture

Agricultural Preserve

General Commercial

Neighborhood Commercial

Floodway

Regional Industrial

Resource Conservation

Rural Living

Rural Living, 5-acres zoning



Single Residential

Single Residential SpecialDevelopment Residential

AG

AP

CG

CN

FW

IR

RC

RL

RL-5

RL-10

RL-40

SD

SD-RES

Floodplain Aquifer

Regional Aquifer


FIGURE 3-2Topography and Land Use

in the Hinkley ValleyHinkley Compressor Station

Hinkley, CA

Sources: San Bernardino County 2007, Cardno ENTRIX.

0 1,500 3,000

Feet

Project Area


FIGURE 3-4Regional Geologic SettingHinkley Compressor Station

Hinkley, CA

Lockhart Fault

Fault Trace

0 10,000 20,0005,000

Scale in Feet

Project Area

Sources: USGS 1968, Cardno ENTRIX.

Not to scale

Bedrock

Water Table

Altered Unit

Lower Aquifer

Upper Aquifer

Floodplain Aquifer

Regional AquiferBlue Clay

Mojave River Floodway

PrimaryGroundwaterrecharge area

Floodplain Aquifer

Regional Aquifer

Harper Lake Playa(groundwater

discharge area)

Iron Mountain and Mount General

(Secondary groundwater recharge areas)


FIGURE 3-5

Generalized Conceptual Diagram of Local Geologyand Groundwater in the Hinkley Valley


N

Source: PG&E 2007, Cardno ENTRIX.

Project Area

LENWOOD

HINKLEY

HODGE

Mount General Fault

Helendale Fault

Gravel Hills-Harper Lake FaultBlackwater Fault

Lenwood - Lockhart Fault Zone

Project Area

BARSTOW

Pacific Gas & ElectricFIGURE 3-6

Geologic Faults in the Hinkley ValleyHinkley Compressor Station

Hinkley, CA

Sources: Base map: Cardno ENTRIX. Faults: California Department of Conservation 2010.

Legend

Fault (concealed)

Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone Map Coverage

Fault (approximate)

Fault (well located)

0 2 41

Scale in Miles

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!? !?FW-01FW-01 FW-02FW-02

34-1034-10

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36-1136-1136-1036-10

02-2102-2102-2302-2302-0602-06

02-0102-0103-0203-0202-1902-19

03-0303-03

02-2602-26 02-0702-07

01-1601-16

02-2202-22 01-1701-1702-2402-24 01-0201-0202-0802-08

02-1502-1503-1403-14

03-1903-1901-0301-0303-2103-21

02-2502-25

01-0401-0403-2003-20

02-0502-0503-1203-12 02-2702-27

03-2503-25 02-1302-13

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02-2802-28

03-2303-2303-0803-08

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34-11A34-11A PGE-07PGE-07PGE-08PGE-08

01-01A01-01A01-01B01-01B

02-02A02-02A

03-01B03-01B PGE-03PGE-03BGS-14BGS-1403-01A03-01A

PGE-02PGE-02

PGE-09PGE-09 PGE-01PGE-01

PGE-10PGE-10

PGE-06PGE-06PGE-04PGE-04PGE-14PGE-14

PGE-13PGE-13PGE-05PGE-05

PGE-12PGE-12

PGE-11PGE-11

PGE-15PGE-15


FIGURE 3-7Water Supply Wells within 1 Mile Radius


0 1,500 3,000750

Scale in Feet

Legend

!? PG&E Water Supply Well

!? Other Water Supply Well

Project Area

1 Mile Radius

Source: Cardno ENTRIX.

Appendix A Air Quality Emissions Calculations

ICF REVISIONS TO ONROAD CALCULATIONS, DAILYDailyVMT ROG CO NOX SOX PM10 PM2.5 CO2 CH4 N2O CO2e

Pickup Truck/SUV 160 0.0457917 1.254165 0.160689 0.0015287 0.0009582 0.0008622 151.01891 0.016 0.016 156.31491Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (equipment) 120 0.1457267 0.6919051 3.0882906 0.0041536 0.1786514 0.1499515 435.36798 0.012 0.012 439.33998Water Truck 10 0.0121439 0.0576588 0.2573575 0.0003461 0.0148876 0.012496 36.280665 0.001 0.001 36.611665

Pickup Truck/SUV 320 0.0915833 2.5083301 0.321378 0.0030574 0.0019165 0.0017245 302.03782 0.032 0.032 312.62982Dump Truck (rock) 80 0.0971511 0.4612701 2.0588604 0.0027691 0.1191009 0.0999677 290.24532 0.008 0.008 292.89332Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (GCL) 2600 3.1574123 14.991278 66.912963 0.089995 3.8707797 3.2489487 9432.973 0.26 0.26 9519.033Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (HDPE) 1600 1.9430229 9.2254018 41.177208 0.0553815 2.3820183 1.999353 5804.9065 0.16 0.16 5857.8665Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (equipment) 200 0.2428779 1.1531752 5.147151 0.0069227 0.2977523 0.2499191 725.61331 0.02 0.02 732.23331Water Truck 10 0.0121439 0.0576588 0.2573575 0.0003461 0.0148876 0.012496 36.280665 0.001 0.001 36.611665

Pickup Truck/SUV 160 0.0457917 1.254165 0.160689 0.0015287 0.0009582 0.0008622 151.01891 0.016 0.016 156.31491Haul Truck (waste materials) 40 0.0485756 0.230635 1.0294302 0.0013845 0.0595505 0.0499838 145.12266 0.004 0.004 146.44666Semi Truck w/Box Trailer (piping) 240 0.2914534 1.3838103 6.1765812 0.0083072 0.3573027 0.299903 870.73597 0.024 0.024 878.67997Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (equipment) 40 0.0485756 0.230635 1.0294302 0.0013845 0.0595505 0.0499838 145.12266 0.004 0.004 146.44666Water Truck 10 0.0121439 0.0576588 0.2573575 0.0003461 0.0148876 0.012496 36.280665 0.001 0.001 36.611665

Maximum Daily Emissions, pounds (Phase 1, onsite) ‐ from ENTRIX'S CALCULATIONS 2.96 13.21 18.51 0.03 1.19 1.01 2363 0.25 0.13 2409Maximum Daily Emissions, pounds (Phase 2, onsite) ‐ from ENTRIX'S CALCULATIONS 1.46 8.05 9.41 0.02 0.65 0.55 1468 0.12 0.08 1496Maximum Daily Emissions, pounds (Phase 3, onsite) ‐ from ENTRIX'S CALCULATIONS 0.88 4.8 6.23 0.01 0.44 0.37 969 0.07 0.05 986

Maximum Daily Emissions, pounds (Phase 1, offsite) 0.2036623 2.0037289 3.5063372 0.0060284 0.1944972 0.1633097 622.66756 0.029 0.029 632.26656Maximum Daily Emissions, pounds (Phase 2, offsite) 5.5441914 28.397114 115.87492 0.1584718 6.6864554 5.6124089 16592.057 0.481 0.481 16751.268Maximum Daily Emissions, pounds (Phase 3, offsite) 0.4465401 3.1569042 8.6534881 0.0129511 0.4922495 0.4132288 1348.2809 0.049 0.049 1364.4999

Maximum Daily Emissions, pounds (All Phases, onsite) 2.96 13.21 18.51 0.03 1.19 1.01 2363 0.25 0.13 2409Maximum Daily Emissions, pounds (All Phases, offsite) 5.5441914 28.397114 115.87492 0.1584718 6.6864554 5.6124089 16592.057 0.481 0.481 16751.268

TOTAL 8.50 41.61 134.38 0.19 7.88 6.62 18955.06 0.73 0.61 19160.27MDAQMD Thresholds 137 548 137 137 82 82 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 548,000

Pounds per Day

ICF REVISIONS TO ONROAD CALCULATIONS, TOTALTotalVMT ROG CO NOX SOX PM10 PM2.5 CO2 CH4 N2O CO2e

Pickup Truck/SUV 1600 0.0002 0.0063 0.0008 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.7551 0.0001 0.0001 0.7816Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (equipment) 240 0.0001 0.0007 0.0031 0.0000 0.0002 0.0001 0.4354 0.0000 0.0000 0.4393Water Truck 100 0.0001 0.0003 0.0013 0.0000 0.0001 0.0001 0.1814 0.0000 0.0000 0.1831

Pickup Truck/SUV 1600 0.0002 0.0063 0.0008 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.7551 0.0001 0.0001 0.7816Dump Truck (rock) 160 0.0001 0.0005 0.0021 0.0000 0.0001 0.0001 0.2902 0.0000 0.0000 0.2929Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (GCL) 10400 0.0063 0.0300 0.1338 0.0002 0.0077 0.0065 18.8659 0.0005 0.0005 19.0381Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (HDPE) 3200 0.0019 0.0092 0.0412 0.0001 0.0024 0.0020 5.8049 0.0002 0.0002 5.8579Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (equipment) 400 0.0002 0.0012 0.0051 0.0000 0.0003 0.0002 0.7256 0.0000 0.0000 0.7322Water Truck 50 0.0000 0.0001 0.0006 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0907 0.0000 0.0000 0.0915

Pickup Truck/SUV 1600 0.0002 0.0063 0.0008 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.7551 0.0001 0.0001 0.7816Haul Truck (waste materials) 40 0.0000 0.0001 0.0005 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0726 0.0000 0.0000 0.0732Semi Truck w/Box Trailer (piping) 240 0.0001 0.0007 0.0031 0.0000 0.0002 0.0001 0.4354 0.0000 0.0000 0.4393Semi Truck w/Flatbed Trailer (equipment) 40 0.0000 0.0001 0.0005 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0726 0.0000 0.0000 0.0732Water Truck 100 0.0001 0.0003 0.0013 0.0000 0.0001 0.0001 0.1814 0.0000 0.0000 0.1831

Total Project Emissions, pounds (Phase 1, onsite) ‐ from ENTRIX'S CALCULATIONS 0.01373 0.061595 0.079395 0.00011 0.0053 0.00449 9.791 0.00122 0.00061 10.0065Total Project Emissions, pounds (Phase 2, onsite) ‐ from ENTRIX'S CALCULATIONS 0.003375 0.019005 0.02023 0.000035 0.001475 0.00124 3.164 0.000295 0.000195 3.231Total Project Emissions, pounds (Phase 3, onsite) ‐ from ENTRIX'S CALCULATIONS 0.00358 0.020625 0.021295 0.000035 0.001725 0.00145 3.329 0.000315 0.000205 3.399

Total Project Emissions, pounds (Phase 1, offsite) 0.0004 0.0073 0.0052 0.0000 0.0003 0.0002 1.3719 0.0001 0.0001 1.4040Total Project Emissions, pounds (Phase 2, offsite) 0.0089 0.0472 0.1837 0.0003 0.0106 0.0089 26.5325 0.0008 0.0008 26.7942Total Project Emissions, pounds (Phase 3, offsite) 0.0005 0.0075 0.0062 0.0000 0.0003 0.0003 1.5170 0.0001 0.0001 1.5504

Total Project Emissions, tons (All Phases, onsite) 0.0207 0.1012 0.1209 0.0002 0.0085 0.0072 16.2840 0.0018 0.0010 16.6365Total Project Emissions, tons (All Phases, offsite) 0.0098 0.0620 0.1950 0.0003 0.0112 0.0094 29.4214 0.0010 0.0010 29.7486

TOTAL TONS 0.030 0.163 0.316 0.000 0.020 0.017 46 0.003 0.002 46MDAQMD Thresholds 25 100 25 25 15 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 100,000

TOTAL METRIC TONS ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 41 0.003 0.002 42Amortized over 30 years ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.4

County of San Bernardino Threshold ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 3,000

Total Emissions

ICF REVISIONS TO THE CONSTRUCTION EMISSIONS ANALYSIS

EMFAC 2011 OUTPUT

Obtained from: http://www.arb.ca.gov/jpub/webapp//EMFAC2011WebApp/rateSelectionPage_1.jsp

EMFAC 2011 worker trips

2013 Estimated Annual Emission Rates all other trips (HHDT in EMFAC 2007)

EMFAC 2011 Vehicle Categories

San Bernardino COUNTY

Mojave Desert AIR BASIN

Mojave Desert AQMD

Area CalYr Season Veh Fuel MdlYr Speed Pop VMT Trips ROG_RUNEX CO_RUNEX NOX_RUNEX CO2_RUNEX CO2_RUNEX(PavPM10_RUNEX PM10_PMTW PM10_PMBW PM2_5_RUNEX PM2_5_PMTW PM2_5_PMBW SOX_RUNEX

(Miles/hr) (Vehicles) (Miles/day) (Trips/day) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile) (gms/mile)

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LDA GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 147858.1898 1.21E+07 930616.9532 0.9968 0.078594711 2.272148892 0.225139203 339.1816371 310.7756249 0.00190715 0.007999959 0.036749814 0.001712688 0.00199999 0.015749919 0.003424217

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LDA DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 518.0067803 39085.04439 3004.555263 0.0032 0.049143332 0.250828826 0.760404218 395.1250836 351.5346814 0.036241724 0.007999959 0.036749815 0.033342387 0.00199999 0.01574992 0.003772109

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LDT1 GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 24174.51219 1916003.057 146844.5035 0.9988 0.234088079 5.551362071 0.620580168 390.9298338 358.2053625 0.004606806 0.007999959 0.036749816 0.004116784 0.00199999 0.015749919 0.003997459

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LDT1 DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 32.38828241 2279.055686 172.3456144 0.0012 0.074545917 0.358115157 0.940749492 394.3096094 350.14718 0.061607615 0.007999959 0.036749815 0.056679008 0.00199999 0.01574992 0.003764324

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LDT2 GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 57884.70032 4879055.057 363208.9125 0.9996 0.104398122 3.12581218 0.44429511 462.5649732 432.0553771 0.002225944 0.007999959 0.036749815 0.002005784 0.00199999 0.01574992 0.004670165

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LDT2 DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 26.8213501 2129.16447 152.144498 0.0004 0.058291393 0.298449709 0.952875496 390.9185276 353.1106967 0.046469161 0.007999958 0.036749815 0.04275163 0.00199999 0.01574992 0.003731951San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LHD1 GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 11871.55643 709520.5099 176868.4955 0.102593548 3.161566752 0.918218102 692.8735779 685.9448421 0.001155292 0.007999958 0.036749814 0.00106473 0.00199999 0.015749919 0.006969354

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LHD1 DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 8390.420003 511023.9191 105540.923 0.142165336 0.910961461 7.061800909 523.4420372 518.2076168 0.030380091 0.011999938 0.0764396 0.027949685 0.002999985 0.032759828 0.004997102

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LHD2 GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 890.7590981 52442.46943 13270.98237 0.080792782 2.99738789 0.74414857 692.8736341 685.9448978 0.00101892 0.007999958 0.036749814 9.10E‐04 0.00199999 0.015749919 0.006966008

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual LHD2 DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 2627.562892 157841.703 33051.43232 0.135096309 0.88653545 6.913991686 521.8959053 516.6769462 0.028760342 0.011999938 0.08917953 0.026459514 0.002999984 0.038219793 0.004982342

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual MCY GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 11903.01418 271343.3487 23803.64622 3.649265511 46.20012908 1.397074176 157.9598286 156.3802303 0.001086933 0.007999518 0.036747065 8.65E‐04 0.00199988 0.015748741 0.002419293

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual MDV GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 56927.33426 4330166.78 357445.6919 0.8871 0.115499274 3.704620914 0.596721891 585.4817829 556.6317071 0.00214566 0.007999959 0.036749814 0.001958035 0.00199999 0.015749919 0.005906731

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual MDV DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 48.80408629 3733.126831 285.9122275 0.0008 0.040928139 0.217306511 0.628349262 401.4737906 375.244327 0.033010713 0.007999959 0.036749816 0.030369857 0.00199999 0.015749919 0.003832718

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual MH GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 4602.188044 80643.29651 460.4029282 0.1809648 10.57085211 1.564847723 689.6966911 682.7997242 0.001960609 0.007999958 0.036749813 0.001748315 0.00199999 0.015749919 0.00705669

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual MH DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 821.1792587 14495.8215 82.11793338 0.180329958 0.64579157 7.659797064 1069.3508 1058.657292 0.288794581 0.011999938 0.130339314 0.265691022 0.002999985 0.055859694 0.010208686

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual Motor Coach DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 27.80253164 4017.103751 0 0.267439995 1.64486046 10.39421904 1647.995487 1631.515532 0.391737295 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.360398312 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.015722647

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual OBUS GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 175.7659073 16712.88629 8026.92335 0.218885451 8.144745391 3.233222568 689.6966205 682.7996543 5.76E‐04 0.007999958 0.036749815 5.31E‐04 0.00199999 0.015749919 0.007019938

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual PTO DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 0 4362.511027 0 0.737651665 3.478027216 13.9549913 2142.780523 2121.352718 0.408985507 0 0 0.376266667 0 0 0.020443128

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual SBUS GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 35.04804816 2833.369135 140.1922008 3.976381355 55.56129058 3.627873704 742.1199385 734.6987391 0.01585284 0.007999959 0.036749815 0.013034924 0.00199999 0.01574992 0.008406355

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual SBUS DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 356.244338 13397.9275 0 0.404602247 1.219086372 10.73759136 1286.165049 1273.303398 0.235710308 0.011999937 0.744796108 0.216853484 0.002999984 0.319198332 0.012270616

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 Ag DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 34.84925784 1172.860622 0 0.441814498 1.323907803 8.462439437 1073.620695 1062.884488 0.437211518 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.402234596 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010242843

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 CAIRP heavy DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 21.34741052 1330.671883 0 0.156807461 0.697095037 5.346429052 1063.670158 1053.033457 0.194608616 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.179039927 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010147911

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 CAIRP small DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 62.92291967 4388.283628 0 0.140929173 0.740191418 3.748418463 1060.446784 1049.842316 0.203001135 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.186761044 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010117158

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 instate constructi DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 148.7958595 7664.933442 0 0.343398355 1.055590175 8.700628515 1066.451444 1055.78693 0.337595089 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.310587482 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010174445

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 instate constructi DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 305.2968682 19193.85541 0 0.243960511 0.980639172 5.844206509 1061.888087 1051.269206 0.311721177 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.286783483 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010130909

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 instate heavy DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 422.570803 22106.9723 0 0.331925454 1.028734506 8.375923574 1065.646555 1054.990089 0.326379416 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.300269063 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010166766

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 instate small DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 888.2879909 56706.58643 0 0.231524383 0.941056365 5.519464423 1060.963302 1050.353669 0.295026474 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.271424356 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010122086

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 OOS heavy DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 12.23891555 762.9019348 0 0.156807461 0.697095037 5.346429053 1063.670158 1053.033457 0.194608616 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.179039927 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010147911

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 OOS small DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 36.07502179 2515.8945 0 0.140929173 0.740191418 3.748418464 1060.446784 1049.842316 0.203001135 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.186761044 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010117158

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 Public DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 118.7255888 2102.777274 0 0.05081007 0.209840086 8.117032961 1085.195364 1074.34341 0.054741457 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.05036214 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010353271

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6 utility DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 35.14963177 692.0462894 0 0.117505139 0.507657903 5.595668991 1061.855049 1051.236498 0.194457481 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.178900883 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010130594

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T6TS GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 492.9380201 43949.77533 9862.70475 0.267779589 9.37428108 2.534113572 689.6966254 682.7996591 0.001091737 0.007999958 0.036749812 9.68E‐04 0.00199999 0.015749919 0.007040641

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 Ag DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 44.81387558 3100.231863 0 0.610704878 2.575667157 14.58187935 1660.863428 1644.254794 0.601321133 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.553215443 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015845414

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 CAIRP DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 2774.92647 634887.2491 0 0.331988349 2.327787965 8.105015996 1644.212769 1627.770642 0.478353914 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.440085601 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015686558

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 CAIRP constructioDSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 23.58477547 5357.60922 0 0.337628589 2.363806276 8.290574002 1644.927988 1628.478708 0.48881403 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.449708908 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015693382

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 NNOOS DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 2683.380617 714224.4236 0 0.193208738 1.53901779 4.458785213 1633.170591 1616.838885 0.25763526 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.237024439 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015581211

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 NOOS DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 1010.557707 231209.8031 0 0.300415149 2.189194749 8.105015996 1645.589054 1629.133163 0.44150271 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.406182493 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015699689

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 other port DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 POAK DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 POLA DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 353.2729075 53558.98551 0 0.218458644 1.773897662 7.802487815 1670.254818 1653.552269 0.147316779 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.135531437 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015935012

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 Public DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 57.55972906 1434.565555 0 0.084859713 0.3648115 16.38891981 1693.852028 1676.913508 0.090355826 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.08312736 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.01616014

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 Single DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 250.2782027 18165.29434 0 0.457434248 1.689562512 13.21587942 1636.827638 1620.459362 0.401809505 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.369664745 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015616101

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 single constructioDSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 192.456806 13859.43013 0 0.46501172 1.708348776 13.48300989 1637.234336 1620.861992 0.408753733 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.376053435 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015619981

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 SWCV DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 88.9253939 4456.2453 0 0.094415378 0.49110063 12.46286544 1664.471533 1647.826818 0.085727653 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.078869441 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015879837

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 tractor DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 1092.877098 172590.044 0 1.000 0.550837737 2.615357419 11.67354208 1645.6633 1629.206667 0.577551341 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.531347234 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015700397

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 tractor constructi DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 135.3428554 10333.22951 0 0.605119315 2.732260936 12.22667737 1645.155662 1628.704105 0.603689211 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.555394074 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015695554

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7 utility DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 17.30526752 431.1145072 0 0.232398089 1.054738621 10.8969974 1640.817209 1624.409037 0.31340293 0.035999812 0.061739677 0.288330695 0.008999953 0.026459862 0.015654163

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual T7IS GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 46.03397863 9505.187147 921.0478798 1.344041908 68.62071375 11.02415591 689.6966905 682.7997236 9.81E‐04 0.007999958 0.036749813 8.46E‐04 0.00199999 0.01574992 0.008005459

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual UBUS GAS AllMYr AllSpeeds 63.8209368 15310.94186 255.283765 2.716441351 24.72669563 7.299360318 744.1871063 736.7452353 0.002235904 0.007999959 0.036749815 0.00207455 0.00199999 0.01574992 0.007902814

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual UBUS DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 62.7915625 15063.98779 251.1662571 0.507423289 1.835983584 10.16164861 2450.10535 2425.604296 0.167977452 0.007999959 0.841815692 0.154539261 0.00199999 0.360778105 0.023390224

San Bernardino (MD) 2013 Annual All Other Buses DSL AllMYr AllSpeeds 72.02041888 3979.119605 0 0.287527946 1.002066337 8.216558851 1073.730675 1062.993368 0.319620461 0.011999937 0.130339319 0.294050824 0.002999984 0.055859708 0.010243893

grams per mile calculation, based on weighted average of Gas and Diesel fleet for each "Veh" type

‐‐‐> CH4 AND N2O SAME AS ENTRIX/EMFAC2007 EMISSION FACTORS

ROG NOX CO SOX pm10 pm2.5 CO2 w/o CO2 w/

LDA 0.078 0.227 2.266 0.003 0.002 0.002 339.362 310.907

LDT1 0.234 0.621 5.545 0.004 0.005 0.004 390.934 358.196

LDT2 0.104 0.445 3.125 0.005 0.002 0.002 462.534 432.021 453.59237 grams per lb

MDV 0.102 0.530 3.287 0.005 0.002 0.002 519.696 494.083

lda/ldt/mdv average 0.130 0.456 3.555 0.004 0.003 0.002 428.131 398.802

T7 0.551 11.674 2.615 0.016 0.675 0.567 1645.663 1629.207

pounds per mile summary, for calcualtions CH4 N2O

Onroad LD 0.0003 0.0010 0.0078 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.9439 0.8792 0.0001 0.0001 (Onroad LD = LDA/LDT/MDV average converted into pounds)

Onroad HHD 0.0012 0.0257 0.0058 0.0000 0.0015 0.0012 3.6281 3.5918 0.0001 0.0001 (Onroad HHD = T7 converted into pounds)

VMT% by

type

Appendix B Protocol Trapping Surveys for Mohave Ground

Squirrel—Hinkley Compressor Station, Hinkley, California

Mohave Ground Squirrel

(Xerospermophilus mohavensis) Trapping Results for “Hinkley Compressor Station - Ponds 6R & 7R”

County of San Bernardino, Town of Hinkley, State of California

Prepared for

Cardno ENTRIX

2300 Clayton Road, Suite 200 Concord, CA 94520

Prepared by

Phoenix Biological Consulting Po Box 720949

Pinon Hills, CA 92372-0949 (760) 249 5463 Fax (949) 887 0859 Cell

June 27, 2012

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PhoenixBiologicalConsulting June27,[email protected] (949)8870859

Table of Contents

Page Introduction 3 Location 3 Site Characterization and Current Land Use 3-4 Mohave Ground Squirrel Natural History 4 Methodologies 4-5 Results 5 Certification 6 List of Tables Table 1: Trapping schedule 3 Table 2: Grid locations 5 Table 3: Vertebrate species trapped 7 Table 4: Vascular plants detected on site 8

Table 5: Vertebrate species detected on site 9 List of Figures Figure 1: Corner Photos Pond 6 10 Figure 2: Corner Photos Pond 7 11 Figure 3: Vicinity Map 12 Appendix A: Mohave Ground Squirrel Survey and Trapping Form 13 Appendix B: Weather Summary Forms 14-16

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Introduction: At the request of Cardno ENTRIX, Phoenix Biological Consulting conducted a Mohave ground squirrel (MGS; Xerospermophilus mohavensis) trapping survey within a project site located near the city limits of Hinkley, San Bernardino County, State of California. The project proponent, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), proposes to construct and operate two Class II surface impoundments (Ponds 6R and 7R) for evaporation of wastewater generated at the Hinkley Compressor Station. Protocol trapping, using the January 2003 Survey Guidelines, was performed to determine presence/absence of MGS at the proposed sites for Ponds 6R and 7R. The principal investigator, Ryan Young, supervised the field work which was performed by an independent field investigator, Cathy Halley, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and Phoenix Biological Consulting. The visual survey was conducted on April 15th by Ryan Young. The trapping survey schedule consisted of three trapping sessions: 1) April 23rd to 27th; 2) May 19th to 23rd; and 3) June 15th to 19th (Table 1). The results of the visual survey and trapping sessions were negative for MGS. Location:

The site is located at the southeast corner of Fairview Road and Community Blvd and north of the Mojave River. The site is situated within the NW ¼, NE 1/4, Section 2, Township 10 North, Range 3 West, San Bernardino Meridian, Hinkley Quadrangle 7.5 Minute Series (Topographic) Map, County of San Bernardino, State of California (Table 2; Figure 3). Table 1: Trapping Schedule Trap Session First Second Third 04/23/2012 to

04/27/2012 05/19/2012 to 05/23/2012

06/15/2012 to 06/19/2012

Trap Hours 57.50 hrs 36.50 hrs 35.50 hrs Site Characterization and Current Land Use:

The current land use within the site consists of a compressor station and evaporation ponds. The vegetation within the ponds, that are not being used, is characterized as highly disturbed saltbush scrub vegetation within both ponds 6R & 7R (Figures 1 & 2). The adjacent land use consists of saltbush scrub. PG&E operates a compressor station and evaporation ponds within the survey area. The topography consists of level terrain except within the ponds. The soils consist of silty-clay with a moderate alkaline component. The elevation of site is approximately 2,199 feet.

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The predominant perennial plant species within the ponds is Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia). The predominant annual plant species encountered were Devil’s lettuce (Amsinkia tessellata) and Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) (Table 4).

No off-highway-vehicle (OHV) use was detected during the trapping events. No feral dogs were sighted on or near the sight. Several ravens were detected each trapping day.

Mohave Ground Squirrel Natural History The Mohave ground squirrel is small, grayish, diurnal squirrel that is currently listed under the California Endangered Species Act as a threatened species. The CDFG is the responsible agency that provides oversight through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for project related activities.

MGS occur in the western half of the Mojave Desert. Its historical range encompasses Antelope Valley to Lucerne Valley, in the south. MGS occurrences in the southern range are very rare. The northern limits of the range are near Owens Dry Lake bed and through China Lake Naval Weapons Station and portions of Death Valley National Park. The eastern limits extend to Barstow and south along the Mojave River. MGS are dormant in the fall and winter months. They emerge from hibernation in February and begin pair bonding and mating during March. If rainfall is adequate, MGS will reproduce. If rainfall levels do not provide sufficient rainfall to support significant annual plant growth then MGS will merely forage on herbaceous perennials and shrubs in order to gain enough body mass to survive another prolonged period of dormancy. They can enter dormancy as early as late May to early July. Juveniles will remain above-ground until August in order to gain sufficient fat reserves prior to entering dormancy.

Several other squirrels occur within their range; white tailed antelope ground squirrel (AGS; Ammospermophilus leucurus), round-tailed ground squirrel (RTGS; Xeropermophilus tereticaudus) and the California ground squirrel (CGS; Xeropermophilus beecheyi). RTGS and CGS are commonly mistaken as MGS. AGS occur throughout the range of the MGS but are easily distinguished by a lateral white stripe on each side. RTGS occur only along the Barstow area of the MGS range and throughout the eastern Mojave Desert. CGS are typically found near human habitation with scattered populations throughout the MGS range but primarily in the southern portion of the range or in irrigated areas.

Methodologies:

The visual survey was conducted on April 22nd, 2012, during mid-afternoon. All potential MGS habitat was surveyed during this visit. A list of the plant species detected during the initial visit was compiled (Table 4). The trapping procedures followed the 2003 Survey Guidelines set forth by the CDFG. Due to the limited acreage in the study area, only 80 traps were deployed at 35 meter spacing within suitable habitat. The grid consisted of two 4X10 grid arrays within each pond. Standard, small-mammal, aluminum, foldable, ventilated 12” Sherman traps was used. Cardboard boxes were used as shade covers for each trap. Traps and shade covers were placed on the north side of the nearest bush on a north-south axis to provide the greatest shade cover possible. Temperature readings were

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taken and recorded every hour at a height of 1 foot and at ground level in the shade of a bush. Traps were checked every two to four hours depending on temperature and other influential factors such as potential pregnant or lactating females in traps, dogs on grids, cold weather, expected juveniles etc. Traps were open within one hour after sunrise and closed within one hour before sunset. Traps were closed when air temperature reached 90 °F, when temperature fell below 50 °F or during periods of rainy weather. The bait used consisted of crushed four-way grains with molasses and mixed with peanut butter and water. Table 2 Grid Location: (UTM, WGS Datum) Grid Name

NE Corner

NW Corner

SW Corner

SE Corner

Pond 6R 485451 3862499 485408 3862497 485408 3862437 485453 3862439 Pond 7R 485451 3862590 485405 3862593 485408 3862543 485451 3862543 Results:

MGS were not seen nor heard during the visual survey and during the three trapping sessions at this site during the field season of 2012. AGS were captured and visually detected during the field surveys.

A total of 32 small mammal captures occurred during the three trapping sessions (Table 3). No juvenile squirrels were captured during the 2012 survey period. The lack of juveniles indicates 2012 was not a reproductive year and the potential of dispersal during the second and third session was not likely. Total open-trap hours were 129.50 for the entire grid. There were no injuries to small mammals during the trapping activities. One western whiptail (Cnemidophorus tigris) was caught. No other incidental captures occurred. A list of all vertebrate species detected is listed on Table 5.

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Certification: I hereby certify that the statements furnished above and in the attached exhibits present the data and information presented are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Field work conducted for this report was performed by me or under my direct supervision. I certify that I have not signed a non‐disclosure or consultant confidentiality agreement with the project applicant or applicant’s representative and that I have no financial interest in the project. Date: ____June 27, 2012________ Signed: ______________________________ Report Author Field Work Performed By: _________________________ Cordially, Ryan Young Phoenix Ecological Consulting PO Box 720949 Pinon Hills, CA 92372‐0949

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Table 3: List of vertebrate species trapped

Mammals Number of

Trapping events

White-tailed Antelope Ground Squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) 32 Reptiles Number of

trapping events

Western Whiptails (Cnemidophorus tigris) 1 Total animals trapped 33

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Table 4: List of Vascular plants encountered on site FAMILY

Species Common Name

Habit

GYMNOSPERMS (CONIFERS) DICOT ANGIOSPERMS (FLOWERING PLANTS)

BORAGINACEAE BORAGE FAMILY

Amsinckia tessellata Fiddleneck Annual Cryptantha sp. Annual

BRASSICACEAE MUSTARD FAMILY

Brassica tournefortii N/A Annual Hirschfeldia incana Moroccan mustard Annual or perennial

CHENOPODIACEAE GOOSEFOOT FAMILY

Atriplex confertifolia Saltbush Shrub Salsola tragus Russian thistle annual

EUPHORBIACEAE SPURGE FAMILY Chamaesyce albomarginata Rattlesnake weed herbaceous

perennial

FABACEAE PEA FAMILY

Astragalus lentiginosus Freckled milkvetch Annual

GERANIACEAE Eriodium cicutarium Red-stemmed filaree Annual

MONOCOT ANGIOSPERMS (FLOWERING PLANTS)

POACEAE GRASS FAMILY Achnatherum speciosum Desert needle grass Perennial Distichilis spiatica Salt grass Perennial Vulpia bromoides Fescue annual

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Table 5: List of vertebrate species visual/aurally detected on site Mammals black tailed jack rabbit (Lepus californicus) coyote (Canis latrans) desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) white-tailed antelope ground squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) Birds American kestrel (Falco sparverius) anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) common raven (Corvus corax) cooper’s hawk (Accipter cooperii) European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli) say’s phoebe (Sayornis saya) turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) white crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) Reptiles side blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana) western whiptail (Cnemidophorus tigris)

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Figure 1: Corner photos Pond 6

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Figure 2: Corner photos Pond 7

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Figure 3: Vicinity Map

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Appendix A: Mohave Ground Squirrel Survey Form

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Appendix B: Weather Data

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icf pge compressorstation is-mnd 11-09-12 · pdf file3‐7 water supply wells within 1 mile...

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