Draft Environmental Impact Report

Transcription

D R A F T E N V I R O N M E N TA L I M PA C T
REPORT
Amendment of the Sphere of Influence
for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District
(SMUD) and Annexation by SMUD of the Cities
of West Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland and
Portions of Unincorporated Areas of Yolo County
SCH #2005092009
Prepared by
URS Corporation
2870 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95833
916.679.2000
JANUARY 2006
Prepared for
Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission
1112 “I” Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.874.6458
Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo)
D R A F T E N V I R O N M E N T A L
R E P O R T
I M P A C T
Amendment of the Sphere of Influence for the
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
and Annexation by SMUD of the Cities of West
Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland and
Portions of Unincorporated Areas of Yolo
County
Prepared by
URS Corporation
2870 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150
Sacramento, California 95833
(916) 679-2000
January 2006
Prepared for
1112 “I” Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, California 95814
(916) 874-6458
Table of Contents
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Executive Summary
Chapter I
Summary
A. Proposed Actions
B. Areas of Controversy Known to the Lead Agency
C. Summary of Environmental Impacts/Issues to Be Resolved
Chapter II
Program Description
A. Program Location
B. Background
C. LAFCo Review and Policy
D. Program Goals and Objectives
E. Energy Supply and Delivery Considerations
F. Program Components
G. Intended Uses of This EIR
Chapter III
Environmental Setting
A. Regional Setting
B. Local Setting
Chapter IV
Discussion of Environmental Impacts
A. Aesthetics
B. Agriculture Resources
C. Air Quality
D. Biological Resources
E. Cultural Resources
F. Hazards and Hazardous Materials
G. Hydrology/Water Quality
H. Land Use/Planning
I. Noise
J. Population/Housing
K. Public Services
L. Recreation
M. Transportation/Traffic
N. Utilities/Service Systems/Energy Conservation
O. Mineral Resources
P. Geology and Soils
Chapter V
Cumulative Impacts
A. Reasonably Foreseeable Future Projects
B. Cumulative Effects of Reasonably Foreseeable Projects and the Program
Chapter VI
Growth-Inducing Impacts
DRAFT
i
Table of Contents
Chapter VII Irreversible Changes: Impacts That Cannot Be Fully Mitigated or Avoided
Chapter VIII Alternatives to the Proposed Project
A. No Program Alternative
B. Alternative Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Evaluation
C. Alternatives Considered for Detailed Evaluation
D. Comparison of Alternatives
Chapter IX
Preparers of this Report
Chapter X
References Cited
Appendices
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
DRAFT
Energy Supply
SMUD & CAISO Control Areas & SMUD’s Capacity to Serve
Not Used
Siting of Transmission Electric Facilities
Program Mitigation Monitoring Plan
CPUC Advisory Resolution
Air Quality Background Data
Notice of Preparation and Public Comments on Notice of Preparation (Provided on
CD only)
SMUD Safety Plan (Provided on CD only)
SMUD Annexation Feasibility Study, Final Report, R.W. Beck, 2005 (Provided on
CD only)
Yolo Annexation Feasibility Study Staff’s Assessment and Recommendations, Final
Report, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, 2005 (Provided on CD only)
Policies, Standards and Procedures for LAFCO, Sacramento LAFCo, 1990 (amended
1993) (Provided on CD only)
ii
Tables and Figures
Tables
I-1:
I-2:
Summary of Direct and Indirect Potential Environmental Impacts and Applicable
BMPs and Mitigation Measures
Summary of Potential Cumulative Environmental Impacts
II-1:
II-2:
II-3:
PG&E and SMUD (2003) Outage Duration and Frequency, Including Major Events
Results of Commercial Survey of Customer Satisfaction
Permits and Other Approvals That May Be Required
IV.C-1:
IVC.-2:
IVC.-3:
IVC.-4:
Air Quality Standards Attainment Status Chart for SMAQMD and Yolo-Solano AQMD
Summary of Basinwide Air Emissions
Summary of Daily Construction Emissions
SMUD Daily Vehicle Emissions
IV.D-1: Habitat Types and Subtypes in the Project Areas
IV.D-2: Potential Special-Status Species Within the Program Study Area
IV.E-1: Geologic Units Considered in Study
IV.F-1: Known Locations of Hazardous Waste Within Analysis Area
IV.I-1:
IV.I-2:
IV.I-3:
Summary of California Noise Laws and Regulations
Typical Transmission Line Noise Levels
Noise Levels from Construction Equipment
IV.M-1: Signalized Intersection LOS Criteria, Highway Capacity Manual, Operational Analysis
Method
IV.M-2: Estimated Daily and Weekly Trips for Construction, by Program Component
IV.M-3: Maximum Daily Construction Traffic
IV.M-4: Existing Traffic Volume at SR 50 and 59th Street
IV.M-5: Daily and Weekly Trips for Operation and Maintenance
IV.M-6: Per Capita Spending, SMUD and IOUs
VII-1:
Significant and Unavoidable Impacts
VIII-1: Comparison of Environmental Impacts of the Program and All Alternatives
VIII-2: Comparison of Achievement of Program Goals/Objectives Under Program and All
Alternatives
DRAFT
iii
Tables and Figures
Figures
I-1:
I-2:
I-3:
Regional Location Map
Annexation Territory
Location of Program Components 4–7
II-1
II-2:
System Average Rate Comparison, SMUD and PG&E
Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction Study Area
(Program Component 4)
North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5)
Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6)
Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component 7)
II-3:
II-4:
II-5:
IV.B-1 Land Enrolled in Williamson Act and Farmland Security Zone Contracts
DRAFT
iv
AADT
AAQS
AB
AG-ICE
ALUC
APCD
APLIC
AQMD
ATC
annual average daily traffic
ambient air quality standard
Assembly Bill
Agricultural Internal Combustion Conversion
Airport Land Use Commission
air pollution control district
Avian Power Line Interaction Committee
Air Quality Management District
Authority to Construct
BACT
BLM
BMP
BNSF
BSA
best available control technologies
Bureau of Land Management
best management practice
Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Biological Sensitivity Area
CAA
CAAQS
CAISO
Cal/OSHA
CARB
CCAA
CCR
CD
CDFG
CEC
CEQA
CERES
CFPC
CFR
CKH Act
CNDDB
CNEL
CNPS
CNS
CO
CPP
CPUC
CRHR
CRMMP
CVP
CVRWQCB
CWA
Clean Air Act
California Ambient Air Quality Standards
California Independent System Operator
California Occupational Safety and Health Administration
California Air Resources Board
California Clean Air Act
California Code of Regulations
compact disc
California Department of Fish and Game
California Energy Commission
California Environmental Quality Act/Agency
California Environmental Resources Evaluation System
California Farmland Conservancy Program
Code of Federal Regulations
Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000
California Natural Diversity Database
community noise equivalent level
California Native Plant Society
central nervous system
carbon monoxide
Consumnes Power Plant
California Public Utilities Commission
California Register of Historic Resources
Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
Central Valley Project
Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
Clean Water Act
dBA
DBH
decibel A-scale
diameter at breast height
DRAFT
v
DERA
DHS
DMUD
DTSC
DWR
Department of Environmental Review and Assessment
Department of Health Services
Davis Municipal Utility District
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
Department of Water Resources
EIR
EMF
EMFAC
EPA
ESA
Environmental Impact Report
electromagnetic frequency
mobile source emissions inventory
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Endangered Species Act
FAA
FAR
FEMA
FERC
FHWA
FIP
FIRM
FMMP
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Regulation
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Implementation Plan
flood insurance rate map
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program
HABS
HAER
HCP
HUD
Historic American Buildings Survey
Historic American Engineering Record
Habitat Conservation Plan
Department of Housing and Urban Development
IC
ICU
IOU
internal combustion
Intersection Capacity Utilization
investor-owned utility
JPA
Joint Powers Authority
kV
kilovolt
LAFCo
lb/day
Ldn
Leq
Lmax
LOS
Local Agency Formation Commission
pounds per day
day-night average noise level
hourly equivalent sound level
maximum noise level
level of service
MBTA
MOU
mph
MRP
MRZ
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
memorandum of understanding
miles per hour
Monitoring and Reporting Plan
Mineral Resource Zone
DRAFT
vi
MTP
MUD
MVA
MW
Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Municipal Utility District
megavolt amperes
megawatts
NAAQS
NAHC
NBHCP
NCCP
NCIC
NCPA
NERC
NMFS
NO2
NOP
NOx
NPDES
NRHP
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
Native American Heritage Commission
Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan
Natural Communities Conservation Plan
North Central Information Center
Northern California Power Agency
North American Electric Reliability Council
National Marine Fisheries Service
nitrogen dioxide
Notice of Preparation
oxides of nitrogen
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
National Register of Historic Places
O&M
OSHA
operations and maintenance
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Pb
PCB
PG&E
PM10
PM2.5
ppm
PRC
PTO
lead
polychlorinated biphenyl
Pacific Gas & Electric
particulate matter less than 10 microns in size
particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size
parts per million
Public Resources Code
Permit to Operate
RCRA
RFP
ROG
RPS
RWQCB
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
request for proposal
reactive organic gas
renewable procurement standard
Regional Water Quality Control Board
SACOG
SAIDI
SAIFI
SB
SCR
SDWA
SERA
SFNA
SIP
Sacramento Area Council of Governments
system average interruption duration index
system average interruption frequency index
Senate Bill
selective catalytic reduction
Safe Drinking Water Act
Sierra Energy of Risk Assessment, Inc.
Sacramento Federal Ozone Nonattainment Area
State Implementation Plan
DRAFT
vii
SMAQMD
SMUD
SNR
SO2
SOI
SPCC
SPRR
SR
SRCSD
SVP
SWPPP
SWRCB
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Sierra Nevada Region
sulfur dioxide
sphere of influence
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure
Southern Pacific Railroad
State Route
Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District
Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
State Water Resources Control Board
TDS
TNBC
total dissolved solids
The Natomas Basin Conservancy
UARP
UPRR
URBEMIS
USACE
USC
USFWS
Upper American River Project
Union Pacific Railroad
Urban Emissions Model
United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Code
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
V/C
VELB
VOC
volume to capacity ratio
valley elderberry longhorn beetle
volatile organic compound
WAPA
WECC
Western Area Power Administration
Western Electricity Coordinating Council
°F
degrees Fahrenheit
DRAFT
viii
E XECUTIVE S UMMARY
Executive Summary
INTRODUCTION
In 2003, the Cities of West Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland (the Cities) and the County of
Yolo formally requested that the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) consider
annexing the Cities and unincorporated portions of Yolo County (collectively, the Annexation
Territory) into SMUD’s electric service territory (thereby replacing their existing provider,
Pacific Gas & Electric Company [PG&E]), citing the potential for lower rates, the ability to
participate in decision-making on energy-related issues at the local level, and the potential for
improved reliability and customer service.
After reviewing an independent study of the annexation concept, completing its own internal
review, and receiving additional public input, SMUD’s Board of Directors voted to seek
annexation in May 2005. In August 2005, SMUD submitted its application to the Sacramento
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo). If SMUD’s application is approved by LAFCo
and the voters, SMUD will replace PG&E as the provider of electric service in that area. PG&E
will continue to provide natural gas service.
SMUD’s annexation and concurrent sphere of influence (SOI) amendment proposal is subject to
the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (CKH Act). Under
the CKH Act, LAFCo must determine whether to order the annexation and approve the SOI
amendment. In making this determination, LAFCo requires a comparison of the costeffectiveness and service delivery capability of both SMUD and PG&E.
The Program consists of the proposal by SMUD to annex the cities of West Sacramento,
Woodland, and Davis and unincorporated portions of Yolo County and to provide electric
service to these areas. Sacramento LAFCo, the Lead Agency for this Environmental Impact
Report (EIR), will use this EIR in its consideration of SMUD’s proposal for annexation and
concurrent SOI amendment.
This Program EIR was prepared to provide Sacramento LAFCo and the public with information
on potential impacts on environmental resources from SMUD’s proposed annexation and
subsequent provision of electric service to the Annexation Territory.
Program Goals and Objectives
•
Improve the reliability of electric service in the Annexation Territory.
•
Improve customer satisfaction in the Annexation Territory.
•
Provide electric service to the Annexation Territory at rates that are lower than those
currently paid by customers in the Annexation Territory.
•
Ensure local control by Annexation Territory ratepayers over their electric utility.
•
Provide service to the Annexation Territory at no financial cost and no reduction in service
quality/reliability to existing SMUD customers.
DRAFT
ES-1
Executive Summary
•
Provide service to the Annexation Territory at no material financial cost and no reduction in
service quality/reliability for existing PG&E ratepayers outside the Annexation Territory.
Program Components
The Program consists of the following program components.
Administrative Components
(1) Expansion of SOI/Annexation
(2) SMUD Acquisition of PG&E Equipment/Infrastructure
(3) Execution of Memoranda of Understanding or Other Operating Agreements with Yolo
County Interests
Construction and Operation and Maintenance Components
(4) Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction Study Area
(5) North City Interconnection Study Area
(6) Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area
(7) Willow Slough Substation Study Area
(8) Other Distribution System Upgrades
(9) Operation and Maintenance of the Annexation Territory’s Electric System
Some program components will necessarily be implemented if LAFCo and the voters approve
the proposed annexation and SMUD is to provide electric service to the Annexation Territory.
These Program Components (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9) are analyzed at the project level in this EIR.
Other Program Components (6, 7, and 8), most notably a new transmission line, a new
substation, and distribution system upgrades, could be constructed in various locations or in
various ways. It is premature for this EIR to develop specific locations for Program Component 6
and 7. The basic policy question confronting LAFCo at the present time is whether the ratepayers
in the Annexation Territory will be better served by SMUD or by PG&E. This question of
governmental efficiency is a matter solely within the expertise of LAFCo. If LAFCo were to
determine that it would be in the public interest for SMUD to serve the Annexation Territory,
then SMUD would be the agency with expertise in siting electric transmission and distribution
facilities. SMUD would then have to conduct that analysis in a way that was consistent with
requirements that LAFCo determined were needed to protect the public interest, which LAFCo
could accomplish though the inclusion of terms and conditions in any order approving the
annexation. Then SMUD also would have to prepare one or more additional environmental
document(s) to analyze the impacts of these program components on the environment at a project
level. In this way, tiered review of the potential environmental effects of the proposed Program
would allow the expert agency on governmental reorganization (LAFCo) to focus its decision on
DRAFT
ES-2
Executive Summary
governmental efficiency questions and allow the agency with expertise on electrical service
(SMUD) to focus its subsequent environmental analysis on those areas (the best way to provide
electrical service to an area).
Best Management Practices and Mitigation Measures
This EIR incorporates best management practices (BMPs) into each construction-related
program component to minimize the potential for significant impacts on the environment.
SMUD has agreed to include in the Program, as described in the application for annexation,
several BMPs that will avoid and/or minimize the potential effects of the Program on the
environment. These BMPs incorporate within the Program “state-of-the-practice” standards
(largely, but not entirely, relating to construction) that avoid and/or minimize the effects of the
Program on the environment. In many cases, implementation of these BMPs will avoid or reduce
a potentially significant effect of the Program to a less than significant effect. In cases where
there are no BMPs, or where the BMPs may not reduce the potential effects of the Program to a
less than significant level, this Draft EIR proposes feasible mitigation measures, if such are
available. Inclusion of BMPs in the Program description is consistent with SMUD’s core value
of environmental protection.
Thus, the Draft EIR relies on both BMPs and traditional mitigation measures to avoid and/or
minimize the effects of the Program on the environment. Because both BMPs and mitigation
measures are used to lessen or avoid the effects of the Program on the environment, SMUD will
be required to include both BMPs and mitigation measures in the mitigation monitoring and
reporting program required by this EIR. Furthermore, to ensure the enforceability of both BMPs
and mitigation measures, LAFCo has determined that each of the BMPs and mitigation measures
determined to be feasible in either the Draft or Final EIR will be included as a term and condition
in any resolution(s) approving the change in SMUD’s SOI or approving the proposed
annexation.
SMUD will be responsible for the implementation of the mitigation measures and BMPs.
SMUD will designate to LAFCo, prior to beginning work, SMUD personnel or contractors who
are independent from those performing the work, who will complete a field checklist and
perform periodic site inspections to document compliance with the monitoring and reporting plan
(MRP). SMUD or its contractor will have final oversight authority over mitigation monitoring,
and will maintain an administrative record of all mitigation and implementation tasks performed.
At the monitoring milestones, SMUD must obtain signatures from the responsible parties to
verify that the mitigation measures have been adequately implemented before that milestone
occurs. SMUD will submit an MRP progress report to LAFCo every six months until all
mitigation measures have been completed.
Potentially Significant Impacts on the Environment
The Program will have significant, unavoidable impacts in aesthetics, air quality, and noise (refer
to Table ES-1). It is likely that the Woodland-Elverta transmission line (Program Component 6)
will encroach on the viewshed of County Roads 16 and 117 in Yolo County. These two roads
DRAFT
ES-3
Executive Summary
Table ES-1: Summary of Significant Effects
Significant Direct and Indirect Effects
Aesthetics
Air Quality
Noise
Growth Inducement
Significant Cumulative Effects
Aesthetics
Agricultural Resources
Air Quality
Biological Resources
Cultural Resources
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Hydrology/Water Quality
Land Use/Planning
Noise
Population/Housing
Public Services
Recreation
Transportation/Traffic
Utilities/Service Systems/Energy Conservation
are designated as Scenic County Roads. Construction of program components will result in a
short-term increase in the emissions of diesel particulate, a toxic air contaminant. Because
SMUD will service the Annexation Territory from Sacramento while PG&E indicates that it
services the Annexation Territory from local centers, the Program will result in a small long-term
increase in diesel particulate emissions. During construction, noise will exceed the noise
significance threshold of 50 dBA hourly equivalent sound level (Leq) adopted for this EIR;
however, construction noise will be limited to daylight hours in accordance with current
community standards in Sacramento and Yolo Counties.
Cumulative Effects
This draft EIR anticipates cumulative effects from the combination of the Program and past,
present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects in all resource areas except geology/soils and
mineral resources. The reason for this conclusion is that the Sacramento metropolitan region is
experiencing long-term sustained growth. LAFCo has decided that, in analyzing the cumulative
effects of the Program, it will treat any direct or indirect effect as a significant cumulative effect.
Of course, if the Program does not have any direct or indirect effect on the environment in a
given resource area, it will not have a cumulative effect in that resource area. This EIR treats
each and every environmental effect of the Program as cumulatively significant, even if the
direct and indirect effects of the Program in a specific resource area are less than significant after
implementation of the BMPs and any appropriate mitigation measures. This is the most
conservative (i.e., protective of the environment) standard possible for the evaluation of the
potential environmental impacts of the Program. LAFCo is adopting this conservative standard
to ensure that this EIR fully discloses to the residents of the Sacramento metropolitan area the
cumulative effects of the proposed Program.
The Program will have significant cumulative impacts in the areas of aesthetics, agricultural
resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, hazards and hazardous materials,
hydrology and water quality, land use, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation,
DRAFT
ES-4
Executive Summary
transportation and traffic, and utilities/service systems/energy conservation (refer to Table ES-1).
While the Program will typically have a less than significant direct impact in these resource
areas, foreseeable future growth is projected to be so large in the Sacramento metropolitan region
that any additional impact will contribute to a significant cumulative impact.
Growth Inducement
The Program does not actually extend public service infrastructure into areas lacking services;
however, it will remove an obstacle to growth by improving electric system reliability and
lowering rates for electric service.
An unreliable electrical service provider can serve as an obstacle to growth for businesses
considering relocation to the Annexation Territory. High rates also can present an obstacle to
growth. Reducing these rates by over 25% would give a business located in the Annexation
Territory a long-term competitive advantage over a business located in PG&E’s service territory.
In this way, lower rates, like improved reliability, could remove an obstacle to growth, resulting
in increased economic activity, more jobs, more need for workers, and thus more housing, with
all the attendant consequences on the environment (e.g., traffic, noise, energy consumption, etc.).
In summary, the Program is expected to remove obstacles to growth created by low electric
system reliability and high electric rates and to support economic growth by attracting new
industrial and commercial customers. Any growth induced by the Program would, of course, be
consistent with applicable general plans and other land-use policies and regulations.
Alternatives
The alternatives examined in this EIR were selected because they represent potential solutions to
the fundamental policy question facing LAFCo in connection with the Program: which type of
governmental (or quasi-governmental) agency will best serve the public interest in providing
electric service to the Annexation Territory? This chapter analyzes several different, alternative
forms of governmental organization and several different providers (including SMUD and
PG&E). The alternatives chosen were analyzed and deemed feasible in the Annexation
Feasibility Study performed by R.W. Beck et al (2005).
The Program’s environmental impacts are limited to short-term significant and unavoidable
impacts on aesthetics and air quality resources and short-term significant and unavoidable shortterm impacts on noise impacts due to construction activities and unavoidable significant adverse
cumulative and growth-inducement impacts. Nevertheless, to fully comply with CEQA, alternatives that reduced any effects, whether significant or not, were considered for purposes of this
EIR.
This EIR presents and analyzes the following five alternatives to the Program.
1.
City/County Provision of Service
Under this alternative, SMUD will annex one or two but not all three of the cities. This,
in turn, will affect whether (and which) portions of unincorporated Yolo County will be
DRAFT
ES-5
Executive Summary
annexed to SMUD. Under this alternative, the city or cities and portions of Yolo County
not annexed by SMUD will continue to receive electric service from PG&E. This
alternative will not reduce the cost of electric service or provide local control to the areas
not included in the reduced Annexation Territory. In addition, electric system reliability
and customer service will remain the same in areas where PG&E continues to provide
service. Although existing SMUD customers will have the same protections under the
Program, PG&E will be required to continue to serve the Annexation Territory load and
to complete costly upgrades. Under these conditions, LAFCo has determined that
Alternative 1 will not satisfy most of the goals and objectives of the Program, and it has
eliminated Alternative 1 from further consideration.
2.
Joint Powers Authority (JPA)
Under this alternative, a JPA consisting of the cities will purchase electricity for sale and
distribution in the Annexation Territory. The JPA will acquire and operate PG&E’s
distribution facilities within the Annexation Territory. The CAISO will continue as the
transmission and control area provider. PG&E will continue to own the transmission lines
(115 kV) serving the Annexation Territory. JPAs are commonly used by local agencies to
offer services more efficiently. Under Government Code Sections 6500 et seq., public
agencies may, by agreement, jointly exercise any power common to them. Each of the
cities has the constitutional right to establish a municipal electric utility and to acquire
PG&E’s facilities by exercising the power of eminent domain. Over time, this alternative
will provide improvements in reliability and customer service that are similar to those
provided by the Program. The JPA will afford an opportunity for local control, though
not to the same extent as the Program. It will not impact existing SMUD or remaining
PG&E customers. The JPA alternative will not achieve the Program goal of reducing the
cost of electric service for Annexation Territory customers.
3.
PG&E Upgraded/Improved Service
Under this alternative, PG&E will continue to provide service to residents in the
Annexation Territory, but it will make significant changes to its infrastructure and
services to bring its level of customer service and reliability up to the level proposed by
SMUD under the Program.
PG&E will be required to make the following changes in the Annexation Territory under
this alternative:
(1) Complete the transmission upgrade projects recommended by PG&E;
(2) Shorten the length and increase the capacity of existing distribution lines;
(3) Increase substation capacity;
(4) Increase the number of looped distribution lines;
(5) Reduce the number of multi-terminal transmission lines; and
DRAFT
ES-6
Executive Summary
(6) Provide the infrastructure and programs to improve customer satisfaction.
This alternative will result in reliability and customer service levels similar to those
offered by SMUD under the Program. Growth inducement under this alternative will be
less than growth inducement under the Program because PG&E’s rates still will be much
higher than SMUD’s under the Program. It is likely that the costs of improved reliability
and customer service in the Annexation Territory will be borne by all of PG&E’s existing
customers (i.e., customers within and outside of the Annexation Territory). In addition,
though PG&E customers outside of the Annexation Territory will not experience
reductions in reliability and customer service levels, they will not benefit from
improvements comparable to those that will occur in the Annexation Territory.
This alternative will fulfill some, but not all, of the Program’s objectives. In the
Annexation Territory, it will provide customer service and system reliability near the
levels expected from the Program. However, it will not meet the following goals of the
Program:
4.
•
Lower rates;
•
Local control by Annexation Territory ratepayers over their electrical utility; and
•
Provision of service to the Annexation Territory at no financial cost and no reduction
in service quality/reliability to existing PG&E ratepayers outside of the Annexation
Territory.
Community Choice Aggregation
Under this alternative, one or more of the cities and/or Yolo County will act as a
community choice aggregator to group retail electric customers and to solicit bids and
broker and contract for energy services for those customers, pursuant to Public Utilities
Code Sections 366 through 366.5 and applicable CPUC decisions. Any public agency
that serves as a community choice aggregator must offer the opportunity to purchase
electricity to all residential customers within its jurisdiction. If two or more of the Yolo
Communities participate as a group in a community choice aggregation project, they
must form a JPA. Customers in any jurisdiction that does not act as a community choice
aggregator and customers who opt out of a community choice aggregation program will
continue to be supplied with energy by PG&E. Regardless of who furnishes the power to
the customers in the Annexation Territory, PG&E will continue to transmit and distribute
the power to all of the Yolo Communities under this alternative.
This alternative will not improve reliability or customer service because PG&E will
continue to transmit and distribute electricity in the Annexation Territory. The only
change will be who supplies the electric commodity. This alternative will not guarantee
lower rates because aggregation covers only the riskiest element of power supply, which
will be subject to market price fluctuations, non-bypassable charges, and CAISO fees.
DRAFT
ES-7
Executive Summary
Under this alternative, most of the benefits of the Program will not be realized. The
alternative will not meet the following Program goals:
5.
•
Improved reliability of electric service and customer service in the Annexation
Territory;
•
Lower rates; and
•
Local control over utility decision making.
SMUD Annexation With CAISO Service
Under this alternative, SMUD will annex the proposed Annexation Territory without
electrically interconnecting PG&E’s existing 115-kV electric transmission system into
SMUD’s control area. CAISO will continue as the transmission and control area
provider, and PG&E will continue to own the transmission lines (115 kV) serving the
Annexation Territory. SMUD will acquire the electric distribution facilities in the
Annexation Territory and provide electric distribution and energy services, replacing
PG&E as the electric service provider. SMUD will procure the electric energy needs of
the Annexation Territory and arrange for energy delivery through the CAISO grid to
SMUD-owned distribution facilities within the Annexation This alternative would
provide most of the Program goals except for lower rates.
This alternative is significantly more complex than the proposed Program because the
Annexation Territory will not be integrated with the existing SMUD service area. The
Annexation Territory customer will continue to be subject to CAISO tariffs, rules, and
regulations at significantly higher cost relative to the Program. This alternative
significantly increases the amount of coordination with CAISO and the operational
complexity of the SMUD control area. In addition, this alternative does not meet the
following Program objectives:
•
Improved transmission system reliability;
•
Lower rates; and
•
Local control.
All of the alternatives examined meet at least some of the Program’s goals and have been
determined to be potentially feasible. However, only the Program meets all of the goals
enumerated by LAFCo. In particular, only the Program provides lower rates, improved reliability
and customer service, and local control.
Alternatives 1, 2, 3, and 5 will result in similar types of ground-disturbing impacts as the
Program because they will require construction of electrical transmission and/or distribution
facilities. Alternative 2 also will create a new utility and corresponding workforce that will result
in environmental impacts such as increased air emissions, increased traffic congestion, and
increased demand on public services and utilities. Alternative 4 will have the least environmental
DRAFT
ES-8
Executive Summary
impacts as compared to the Program because it does not require the construction of electrical
transmission or distribution facilities.
See Table ES-2 for a summary comparison of each alternative to the Program’s goals and
objectives.
Public Involvement and Next Steps
The purpose of this Draft EIR is to provide to Sacramento LAFCo and the public information
regarding potentially significant effects of this Program on environmental resources. The public
comment meetings to be held by Sacramento LAFCo on this Draft EIR are designed to solicit
public input on the proposed annexation. The public comment period for this document begins
on January 6, 2006, and closes on February 21, 2006. All comments must be received by
February 21, 2006. Hardcopy comments may be mailed to Peter Brundage, Sacramento LAFCo,
1112 I Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814. Electronic comments may be emailed to Peter
Brundage at [email protected]. Sacramento LAFCo will hold a series of public
meetings in several locations throughout Yolo County and one location in Sacramento County to
answer questions and receive input from interested members of the public and agencies. The
schedule for these hearings is as follows:
City
Date
Time
Location
Davis
January 18, 2005
5:30 pm
Community Chambers at
City Hall
23 Russell Boulevard (Corner
of Russell & B Street)
Davis, CA
Woodland
January 25, 2006
5:30 pm
County Board Chambers
Yolo County Administration
Building
625 Court Street, Room 204
Woodland, CA
West Sacramento
January 26, 2006
5:30 pm
West Sacramento Civic
Center
1st Floor Galleria Conference
Room
1110 West Capitol Avenue
West Sacramento, CA
Sacramento/LAFCo
February 1, 2006
5:30 pm
County Board Chambers
700 H Street
Sacramento, CA
DRAFT
ES-9
____________
Executive Summary
Table ES-2: Comparison of Achievement of Program Goals/Objectives Under Program and All Alternatives
Goal/Objective
Lower Rates
Improved Customer
Service
Improved Reliability
Local Control
No Impact on PG&E
Customers Outside of
No Impact on Existing
SMUD Customers
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Alternative 1 –
City/County
Individual
Provision of
Service
No
Short-Term No
Long-Term Yes
Yes (Distribution)
No (Transmission)
Yes
Maybe
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Program Program
No
Yes
No
Yes
Alternative 3 – PG&E
Alternative 2 – Joint Upgraded/Improved
Powers Authority
Service
No
No
Short-Term No
Yes
Long-Term Yes
Yes (Distribution)
Yes
No (Transmission)
Partial
No
Maybe
No
Yes
Yes:
Alternative meets Program goal and objective
No:
Alternative does not meet Program goal and objective
Partial: Alternative provides a portion of the Program goal and objective
DRAFT
ES-10
Yes
Alternative 4 –
Community
Choice
Aggregation
No
No
Alternative 5 –
SMUD
Annexation with
CAISO Service
No
Yes
No
Partial
Yes
Yes (Distribution)
No (Transmission)
Yes
Maybe
Yes
Yes
Executive Summary
This page intentionally left blank
DRAFT
ES-11
C HAPTER I
S UMM ARY
Chapter I
A.
Summary
PROPOSED ACTIONS
This Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared to provide the Sacramento
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) and the public with information on potential
impacts on environmental resources of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD’s)
proposed annexation and subsequent provision of electric service to the Annexation Territory.
The Program consists of the proposal by SMUD to amend its sphere of influence (SOI) and to
annex the territory that includes the cities of West Sacramento, Woodland, and Davis and certain
unincorporated areas of Yolo County, and to provide electric service to these areas. Sacramento
LAFCo, the lead agency for this EIR, will use this EIR in its consideration of SMUD’s proposal
for annexation and concurrent SOI amendment.
SMUD’s annexation and concurrent SOI amendment proposal is subject to the Cortese-KnoxHertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (CKH Act). Under the CKH Act,
LAFCo must determine whether to order the annexation and approve the SOI amendment. In
making this determination, LAFCo requires a comparison of the cost-effectiveness and service
delivery capability of SMUD and PG&E.
The SMUD annexation is a Program—a series of interrelated administrative and construction
actions initiated to achieve and implement the proposed annexation. These discretionary actions,
termed “program components,” are systematically analyzed in this EIR. Each program
component is categorized as either “administrative” or “construction and operation and
maintenance (O&M),” as described hereafter.
The Program considers annexing approximately 212 square miles of Yolo County into the
SMUD service area, thereby replacing Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) as the provider of electric
service. PG&E will continue to provide natural gas service in the proposed annexation territory.
To achieve this result, SMUD’s adopted SOI will have to be amended to include this area, which
is hereinafter referred to as the “Annexation Territory.” The Annexation Territory (see Figure
I-1, Regional Location Map, provided at the end of this chapter) includes the cities of West
Sacramento, Davis (with the exception of the campus of the University of California at Davis),
and Woodland, along with unincorporated portions of Yolo County between and surrounding
those cities.
This Program EIR was prepared to provide Sacramento LAFCo and the public with information
on potential impacts on environmental resources from SMUD’s proposed annexation and
subsequent provision of electric service to the Annexation Territory.
1.
DRAFT
Administrative Decisions
•
Program Component 1: Expansion of Sphere of Influence/Annexation
•
Program Component 2: SMUD Acquisition of PG&E Equipment/Infrastructure
•
Program Component 3: Execution of Memoranda of Understanding or Other
Operating Agreements with Yolo County Interests
I-1
Chapter I
Summary
Because all three of these program components support the Annexation administratively,
their generic locations are depicted by the Annexation Territory boundary presented on
Figure I-2 (provided at the end of this chapter).
2.
Infrastructure Construction and Operation and Maintenance Decisions
•
Program Component 4: Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line
Reconstruction Study Area
•
Program Component 5: North City Interconnection Study Area
•
Program Component 6: Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area
•
Program Component 7: Willow Slough Substation Study Area
•
Program Component 8: Other Distribution System Upgrades
•
Program Component 9: Operation and Maintenance of the Annexation Territory’s
Electric System
The relative locations of the program components involving infrastructure construction
decisions are presented on Figure I-3 (provided at the end of this chapter).
Beyond SMUD’s acquisition and operation of the existing PG&E electrical facilities that
serve customers within the Annexation Territory, the proposed annexation requires the
installation of a new transmission line, reconstruction and reconfiguration of existing
transmission lines, a new substation, and distribution system upgrades. Some program
components will necessarily be implemented if LAFCo and the voters approve the
proposed annexation and SMUD is to provide electric service to the Annexation
Territory. These Program Components (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9) are analyzed at the project
level in this EIR. Other Program Components (6, 7, and 8), most notably a new
transmission line, a new substation, and distribution system upgrades, could be
constructed in various locations or in various ways. Where the exact location of a new
electrical facility is unknown, the EIR identifies a study area and analyzes potential
constraints and impacts within the study area for that facility. Each of these components
will be subject to further environmental review and approval when its location and design
are known with more certainty.
B.
AREAS OF CONTROVERSY KNOWN TO THE LEAD AGENCY
Through the Notice of Preparation (NOP) process and general community discussions, LAFCo is
aware of public concerns regarding the following:
1.
Cumulative loss of prime agricultural soil;
2.
Potential land-use conflicts with Natomas Joint Vision (City of Sacramento, 2002), the
Sacramento Region Blueprint Transportation/Land Use, Preferred Blueprint Alternative
DRAFT
I-2
Chapter I
Summary
(Sacramento Area Council of Governments [SACOG], 2005a), Yolo County Habitat
Conservation Plan: A Plan to Mitigate Biological Impacts from Urban Development in
Yolo County (EIP Associates et al., 2001), the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan
(Natomas Basin Conservancy, 2002), Sacramento International Airport Master Plan
(Sacramento County Airport System, 2004), and general plans of the City of Woodland
(Woodland, City of, 1996) and the counties of Yolo (Yolo County, 1983), Sacramento
(Sacramento County, 1993) and Sutter (Sutter County, 1996);
3.
Potential air quality impacts as the result of construction, operation and maintenance, and
power plant emissions;
4.
Energy conservation impacts; and
5.
Final location/alignment of the transmission line between Elverta and Woodland and the
Willow Slough substation.
C.
SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS/ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED
Tables I-1 and I-2 summarize the potential environmental impacts or effects of the Program.
•
Table I-1 is a complete summary of the direct and indirect potential environmental impacts,
best management practices (BMPs), and mitigation measures related to the Program.
•
Table I-2 is a complete summary of the potential cumulative environmental impacts related
to the Program.
DRAFT
I-3
Chapter I
Summary
DRAFT
I-4
Chapter I
Summary
Table I-1: Summary of Direct and Indirect Potential Environmental Impacts and Applicable BMPs and Mitigation Measures
Potential Impacts
Aesthetics (Chapter IV, Section A)
Impact AES-1
Visual impact to scenic corridors designated in Yolo County
General Plan
Impact AES-2
Conflict with scenic policies of the Yolo County and
Sacramento County General Plans
Best Management
Practices (BMPs)a
Significance Call Before
Mitigation
Mitigation
Mitigation
Monitoring
Planb
9
Significance Call
After Mitigation
N/A
Potentially significant
None
Significant and unavoidable
N/A
Less than significant
None
N/A
BMP-1: Siting of
Transmission Electric
Facilities
N/A
No effect
None
None
N/A
Mitigation Measure AG-1: SMUD will enter into a conservation mitigation
banking agreement established to preserve land currently in agricultural
production at a ratio equal to the estimation of loss of prime farmland, unique
farmland, or farmland of statewide importance (i.e., 1:1).
None
N/A
No effect
None
No effect
N/A
N/A
BMP-6: Fugitive
Dust Emissions
Less than significant for ozone
precursors; significant and
unavoidable for diesel
particulate
N/A
None
None
Mitigation Measure AQ-1: Before construction of the Willow Slough
substation, SMUD will prepare a detailed construction schedule and updated
emissions inventory to determine whether the emissions from this
construction, when added to any other infrastructure construction anticipated
at the same time, will result in the emission of ozone precursors in excess of
85 lb/day. In the event that the limit may be exceeded, SMUD will
incorporate construction emission mitigation measures as recommended by
SMAQMD (2004, pages 3-19 and 3-20).
None
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
None
9
None
9
None
9
None
9
None
9
None
9
None
9
Agricultural Resources (Chapter IV, Section B)
Impact AG-1
Impact AG-2
Fragmentation of an agricultural preserve
Acquisition or easement across adopted agricultural preserve or
Williamson Act contract land
Impact AG-3
Conversion of prime farmland, unique farmland, or farmland of
statewide importance to non-agricultural uses
Impact AG-4
Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a
Williamson Act contract
Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, given
their location or nature, could result in the conversion of
farmland to non-agricultural use
Impact AG-5
Air Quality (Chapter IV, Section C)
Impact AQ-1
Change existing power plant operations
Impact AQ-2
Conflict with or obstruct applicable air quality plans
Impact AQ-3
Construction emissions
Impact AQ-4
Operation and maintenance emissions
Biological Resources (Chapter IV, Section D)
Impact BIO-1a
Temporary impacts to special-status species that use vernal
pools and swales
Impact BIO-1b
Temporary impacts to special-status species that inhabit
grasslands and agricultural lands
Impact BIO-1c
Temporary impacts to special-status species that inhabit marsh,
riparian areas, and woodland
Impact BIO-1d
Permanent loss of habitat used by special-status species
Impact BIO-1e
Impact BIO-2
Loss of special-status bird species from collisions with
transmission lines
Impacts to sensitive natural communities
Impact BIO-3
Impacts to wetlands
DRAFT
I-5
9
No effect
9
9
Chapter I
Summary
Table I-1: (Continued)
Impact BIO-4
Potential Impacts
Interference with fish or wildlife movement
Impact BIO-5
Conflict with local policies or ordinances
Impact BIO-6
Conflict with habitat conservation plans
Cultural Resources (Chapter IV, Section E)
Impact CR-1a
Cultural resource impacts from reconstruction of the Power Inn
Road to Hedge substation transmission line
Impact CR-1b
Cultural resources impacts from construction of the North City
interconnection
Impact CR-1c
Cultural resources impacts from construction of the Woodland
to Elverta transmission line
Impact CR-1d
Cultural resources impacts from construction of the Willow
Slough substation
Impact CR-1e
Cultural resources impacts from reconductoring in the
Impact CR-2
Impacts to paleontological resources from construction of
program components
Hazards and Hazardous Materials (Chapter IV, Section F)
Impact HAZ-1
Expose people or property to hazardous materials or hazardous
conditions
Impact HAZ-2
Conflict with airport comprehensive plans
Impact HAZ-3
Conflict with implementation of emergency response plans
Impact HAZ-4
Cause wildfires
Best Management
Practicesa
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
BMP-2: Biological
Resource Avoidance
Mitigation
None
Mitigation
Monitoring
Planb
9
None
9
None
9
BMP-3: Cultural
Resource Avoidance
BMP-3: Cultural
Resource Avoidance
BMP-3: Cultural
Resource Avoidance
BMP-3: Cultural
Resource Avoidance
BMP-3: Cultural
Resource Avoidance
BMP-3: Cultural
Resource Avoidance
None
9
None
9
None
9
None
9
None
9
None
9
N/A
None
N/A
N/A
N/A
No effect
None
None
None
No effect
BMP-2: Revegetation
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
None
None
None
None
None
None
N/A
BMP-1: Siting of
Facilities
BMP-1: Siting of
Facilities
No effect
No effect
None
None
9
No effect
No effect
None
9
Mitigation
Significance Call
After Mitigation
Hydrology/Water Quality (Chapter IV, Section G)
Impact H-1
Impact H-2
Impact H-3
Impact H-4
Impact H-5
Impact H-6
Impacts on storm water quality
Impacts to groundwater hydrology
Conflict with city or county drainage design standards
Increased risk from flooding
Place sensitive equipment in a 100-year floodplain
Conflict with drainage plans and grading ordinances
9
No effect
No effect
No effect
No effect
Land Use/Planning (Chapter IV, Section H)
Impact LU-1
Impact LU-2
Physical division of an established community
Conflict with policies of Sacramento County General Plan
Impact LU-3
Conflict with Measure M, the Natomas Joint Vision Plan, and
the Sacramento International Airport Master Plan
DRAFT
I-6
Chapter I
Summary
Potential Impacts
Best Management
Practicesa
Mitigation
Mitigation
Mitigation
Monitoring
Planb
Significance Call
After Mitigation
Noise (Chapter IV, Section I)
Mitigation Measure NOI-1: SMUD will incorporate the following measures
in its plans, contracts, and specifications for work on each of the
infrastructure components of this Program:
(1) Stationary construction equipment, such as generators, that generate noise
exceeding 50 dBA at the project boundaries will be located as far as
possible from existing residences in the vicinity of any infrastructure
component.
(2) Access routes for all construction traffic and equipment involved will be
located along existing public or private roads to minimize construction
traffic volumes passing existing residences in the vicinity of any
infrastructure component.
(3) All vehicles and equipment not in use will be turned off and not allowed
to idle for more than 10 minutes at a time.
None
Same mitigation used for Impact NOI-1a.
9
Short-term significant impact
9
Same Mitigation used for Impact NOI-1a.
9
Same Mitigation used for Impact NOI-1a.
9
9
No effect
Impact NOI-1a
Noise from reconstruction of the Power Inn Road to Hedge
substation transmission line
BMP-4: Noise
Short-term potentially
significant impact
Impact NOI-1b
Impact NOI-1c
N/A
BMP-4: Noise
Impact NOI-1d
Noise from construction of the North City interconnection
Noise from construction of the Woodland to Elverta
transmission line
Noise from construction of the Willow Slough substation
Impact NOI-1e
Noise from reconductoring in the Annexation Territory
BMP-4: Noise
Impact NOI-2a
Impact NOI-2b
Impact NOI-2c
Noise from operations and maintenance
Noise from new transmission lines
Noise from Willow Slough substation
N/A
N/A
N/A
significant impact
significant impact
significant impact
No effect
Population/Housing (Chapter IV, Section J)
Impact PH-1
Increase population growth
Impact PH-2
Increase housing demand
Impact PH-3
Preempt housing on land planned for housing development
N/A
N/A
N/A
None
None
None
BMP-4: Noise
None
None
Mitigation Measure NOI-2: In determining the final location and
developing the final designs for the Willow Slough substation, SMUD will
ensure that transformer noise does not exceed 40 dBA Leq at the property line.
Public Services (Chapter IV, Section K)
9
Impact PS-1
Impacts on police and fire service response times
BMP-5: Public
Services
None
Impact PS-2
Impact PS-3
Desired classroom sizes for public schools
Provision of desired parkland
N/A
N/A
No effect
No effect
None
None
No effect
No effect
N/A
N/A
No effect
None
None
No effect
Construction traffic impacts
Operation and maintenance traffic impacts
N/A
N/A
None
None
Utilities/Service Systems/Energy Conservation (Chapter IV, Section N)
Impact UT-1
Impacts on solid waste disposal facilities
Impact UT-2
Compliance with statutes and regulations related to solid waste
N/A
N/A
No effect
None
None
No effect
Recreation (Chapter IV, Section L)
Impact REC-1
Direct impacts to public recreational facilities
Impact REC-2
Accelerated deterioration of recreational facilities
Transportation/Traffic (Chapter IV, Section M)
Impact TR-1
Impact TR-2
DRAFT
I-7
Chapter I
Summary
Impact UT-3
Impact UT-4
Impact UT-5
Potential Impacts
Increase overall per capita energy consumptions
Increased reliance on natural gas and oil
Decreased reliance on renewable energy sources
Mitigation
Monitoring
Planb
Best Management
Practicesa
N/A
N/A
N/A
Mitigation
No effect
No effect
No effect
None
None
None
Significance Call
After Mitigation
No effect
No effect
No effect
N/A
No effect
None
No effect
N/A
No effect
None
No effect
None
Mitigation
Mineral Resources (Chapter IV, Section O)
No impacts
Geology and Soils (Chapter IV, Section P)
No impacts
Growth Inducing Impacts (Chapter VI)
Impacts
a
b
Economic growth caused by lowering rates and improved
reliability
See Chapter II for specifics of each BMP.
See Appendix E for specifics of mitigation monitoring plan.
DRAFT
I-8
9
Chapter I
Summary
Table I-2: Summary of Potential Cumulative Environmental Impacts
Potential
Impacts
Description of Potential Impact
Cumulative Effects
Impact AES-1
Impact AES-2
Visual impact to scenic corridors designated in Yolo County
General Plan
Conflict with scenic policies of the Yolo County and
Impact AG-2
Impact AG-3
Impact AG-4
Acquisition or easement across adopted agricultural preserve or
Williamson Act contract land
Conversion of prime farmland, unique farmland, or farmland of
statewide importance to non-agricultural uses
Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a
Williamson Act contract
Impact AQ-1
Impact AQ-4
Impact BIO-1a
Impact BIO-1b
Impact BIO-1c
Impact BIO-1d
Impact BIO-1e
Impact BIO-2
Impact BIO-3
Impact BIO-4
Impact BIO-5
Impact BIO-6
Temporary impacts to special-status species that use vernal
pools and swales
transmission lines
Impacts to wetlands
Impact CR-1a
Road to Hedge substation transmission line
Impact CR-1b
interconnection
Impact CR-1c
Cultural resources impacts from construction of the WoodlandElverta transmission line
Impact CR-1d
Slough substation
Impact CR-1e
Impact CR-2
program components
DRAFT
I-9
Chapter I
Summary
Potential
Impacts
Description of Potential Impact
Cumulative Effects
Impact HAZ-1
Impact HAZ-2
Impact HAZ-4
Expose people or property to hazardous materials or conditions
Conflict with airport comprehensive plans
Cause wildfires
Impact H-1
Impact H-2
Impact LU-2
Impact LU-3
Conflict with Policies of Sacramento County General Plan
Impact NOI-1b
Noise from construction of the North City interconnection
Impact NOI-2b
Noise from new transmission lines
Impact NOI-2c
Noise from Willow Slough substation
Impact PH-1
Impact PH-2
Impact PH-3
Increase population growth
Increase housing demand
Impact PS-1
Desired fire and police response times
Impact REC-1
Impact TR-1
Impact TR-2
Impact UT-1
Impacts
reliability
DRAFT
I-10
Glenn
County
Butte
County
Sierra
County
Mendocino
County
Colusa
County
Sutter
County
Lake
County
Napa
County
Sonoma
County
Nevada
County
Yuba
County
Placer
County
Existing SMUD
Service Area
Yolo
County
El Dorado
County
Sacramento
County
Proposed
Annexation
Territory
Solano
County
Amador
County
Marin
County
Calaveras
County
Contra Costa
County
Alpine
County
San Joaquin
County
C NE
AL V
IF A D
O A
RN
IA
Mono
County
Tuolumne
County
San Francisco
County
Alameda
County
Stanislaus
County
San Mateo
County
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Santa Clara
County
Mariposa
County
Merced
County
Santa Cruz
County
Monterey
County
San Benito
County
FIGURE I-1: Regional Location Map
Fresno
County
Madera
County
¯
NOT TO SCALE
COUNTY
YOLO
COUNTY
COUNTY
COUNTY
COUNTY
Legend
County Boundary
Proposed Annexation Territory
COUNTY
Note: Sphere of Influence expansion
boundary is the same as the Annexation
Territory boundary.
FIGURE I-2: Annexation Territory
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Program Component 6:
Woodland-Elverta Transmission
Line Study Area
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
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Willow Slough Substation
Study Area
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North City Interconnection
Study Area
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FIGURE I-3
Location of Program Components 4-7
Power Inn to Hedge Substation
Transmission Line reconstruction
Study Area
¯
NOT TO SCALE
C H AP T E R II
P R O G R AM D E S C R I P T I O N
Chapter II
Program Description
For years, the cities of West Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland (the Cities) and the County of
Yolo (for unincorporated areas between and surrounding the Cities), hereafter referred to as the
Yolo Communities, have been evaluating options for more reliable, lower-cost electric service.
In 2003, they identified an opportunity to replace their existing electric service provider, PG&E,
with SMUD which, in addition to improved customer service, better reliability, and lower rates,
promised these communities local control and participation in energy-related decision making. In
that year, the Yolo Communities formally requested that SMUD consider annexing them into its
existing electric service territory, citing the potential for lower rates, the ability to participate in
decision-making on energy-related issues at the local level, and the potential for improved
reliability and customer service. After completing an independent technical and financial
evaluation of the annexation concept in 2004, and after receiving public input in numerous
public workshops and public meetings, the governing bodies of the Yolo Communities
unanimously requested that SMUD become their electric service provider through a joint
resolution approved in April 2005.
After reviewing the independent evaluation, completing its own internal review, and receiving
additional public input, SMUD’s Board of Directors voted to seek annexation. In August 2005,
SMUD submitted its application to the LAFCo. If SMUD’s application is approved by LAFCo
and the voters, SMUD will replace PG&E as the provider of electric service in that area (termed
the Annexation Territory). PG&E will continue to provide natural gas service.
To provide electric service to the Annexation Territory in Yolo County, the existing electric
transmission and distribution system in the Annexation Territory will have to be disconnected
from PG&E’s system and connected to SMUD’s existing electric system. The components of the
Program include: the adoption of SMUD’s requested modification to its SOI (Program
Component 1); SMUD’s acquisition of the existing PG&E electric facilities in the Annexation
Territory (Program Component 2); the implementation of the terms and conditions imposed by
LAFCo and other necessary agreements with the Yolo Communities (Program Component 3);
construction of physical facilities needed to connect the Annexation Territory to SMUD’s system
(Program Components 4 through 8); and SMUD’s operation and maintenance of the new
Annexation Territory electric system (Program Component 9). Physical facilities for this
Program include the Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction (in
Program Component 4); North City Interconnection (in Program Component 5); WoodlandElverta Transmission Line (in Program Component 6); and Willow Slough Substation (in
Program Component 7). In addition, SMUD will do other distribution system upgrades in the
Annexation Territory (in Program Component 8) to increase the reliability of the Territory’s
distribution system.
A.
PROGRAM LOCATION
The program components are located in Sacramento, Yolo, and Sutter Counties. The Annexation
Territory consists of approximately 212 square miles of land in Yolo County, including the cities
of West Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland (shown on Figure I-2, which is provided at the end of
Chapter I).
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The Power Inn Road to Hedge substation study area and North City interconnection study area
are in the Sacramento area. The Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area encompasses a
portion of Sacramento, Sutter, and Yolo Counties. The Willow Slough substation study area is a
square mile between Davis and Woodland in Yolo County (shown on Figure I-3, provided at the
end of Chapter I).
B.
BACKGROUND
1.
SMUD
Since 1915, municipal utility districts similar to SMUD have been authorized, pursuant to
the California Municipal Utility District (MUD) Act, to supply and distribute electricity
to the residents, businesses, and public agencies within district boundaries. SMUD was
formed by a vote of the electorate in 1923, and it began electric operations in 1947. In
1984, in response to a request from the City of Folsom, SMUD annexed that City into its
service area. SMUD currently generates, transmits, and distributes electric power
throughout a 900–square-mile service area that includes Sacramento County, a small
portion of Placer County, and a Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District
(SRCSD) parcel in Yolo County. SMUD is the nation’s sixth largest community-owned
electric utility, serving a population of approximately 1.2 million people. As of March
2005, SMUD had approximately 560,000 customers and approximately 2,400 employees.
Two unions—the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers and the Organization of
SMUD Employees—represent approximately two-thirds of the employees.
2.
Annexation History
a. City of Davis
Since 1997 (after Assembly Bill [AB] 1890 restructured California’s electric
industry), the City of Davis has actively explored a variety of public power options.
The City Council and citizens have pursued public power options for two primary
reasons: (1) to obtain local control of energy decision-making and (2) to obtain lower
rates.
In September 1997, the City of Davis joined the Northern California Power Agency
(NCPA) to explore the potential benefits of the newly deregulated market. Davis also
created a Citizens’ Electrical Industry Restructuring Task Force (Task Force) to
explore the potential benefits of electric industry restructuring; both PG&E and
SMUD attended the Task Force meetings.
In June 1999, the Task Force released its final report, recommending that Davis
“explore purchasing green energy from SMUD or issue a Request for Proposal (RFP)
for green power supplies.” The Task Force was split on recommending any form of
municipalization (i.e., Davis Municipal Utility District [DMUD], city utility
department, or annexation by SMUD), ultimately choosing to remain neutral on that
issue. As a result of the Task Force recommendations, SMUD established a solar
program with Davis to provide residents with access to low-cost solar systems. Davis
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also explored using SMUD’s Greenergy® Program, but the direct access to energy
suppliers authorized by AB1890 was suspended before any program was established.
In February 2000, the Coalition for Local Power launched a campaign that resulted in
the collection of enough signatures to request that an initiative be placed on the
November 2000 ballot for the formation of a DMUD. The Yolo County Local
Agency Formation Commission (Yolo LAFCo) held hearings in July 2000 to
consider placing the proposal to form a DMUD on the November 2000 ballot but
rejected the proposal because of uncertainty about which services an independent
district would provide, potential conflicts with existing agencies already providing
those services, and lack of a fiscal analysis for the proposed DMUD.
In May 2001, the Davis City Council established a second Task Force on Energy
Issues to “review municipal energy options available to the City of Davis” (Davis
City Council Resolution No. 01-74, Series 2001). In December 2001, Davis hired a
consultant, Navigant Consulting, Inc., to review public power options available to
Davis. The first phase of Navigant’s Municipal Electric Utility Options Analysis was
an evaluation of various public power structures (i.e., city municipal utility, joint
powers authority, annexation by SMUD) that would allow local control by Davis over
energy decision-making. The second phase (which was not completed because Davis
entered into collaboration with West Sacramento, Woodland, and Yolo County to
conduct a broader study) would have provided a detailed cost-benefit analysis and
operational feasibility study for various options.
Navigant released its final Municipal Electric Utility Options Analysis Phase I Report
in September 2002 (Navigant, 2002) (Navigant Study). It examined the pros and cons
of different public power structures, taking into consideration a full range of options:
(1) establishing a City municipal electric department and a range of relationship
opportunities with NCPA and SMUD to provide contract services; (2) formation of a
Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to provide electrical services; (3) annexation of Davis
into SMUD; and (4) annexation of Davis and other cities in Yolo County into
SMUD’s service territory.
The Navigant Study found that annexation could result in economic, reliability, and
local control benefits, calling annexation by SMUD an “excellent alternative to
PG&E’s service and the most plausible outcome to establish local representation and
an element of control over the terms and quality of electric service” (Navigant, 2002,
Executive Summary, page vii). The Navigant Study further recommended that if
Davis wanted to pursue annexation by SMUD, it should do so in cooperation with the
cities of West Sacramento and Woodland. Finally, the Navigant Study recommended
that Davis conduct an in-depth feasibility study, including a cost-benefit analysis and
an operational feasibility study for the preferred option.
After reviewing the Navigant Study and a PG&E-commissioned report by Sierra
Energy and Risk Assessment, Inc. (SERA) that questioned the benefits of the public
power options considered in the Navigant Study, the Task Force recommended that
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Davis request annexation by SMUD. The Davis City Council heard presentations
from both PG&E and Navigant on the City’s public power options and voted
unanimously to contact SMUD about annexation. The City Council also voted to
have the Mayor send letters, on behalf of the City of Davis, to West Sacramento,
Winters, Woodland, the University of California (UC) at Davis, and Yolo County
inviting them to consider annexation into SMUD and participation in funding a joint
feasibility study.
b. City of West Sacramento
The City of West Sacramento examined public power options after AB1890 was
passed in 1998. West Sacramento first considered finding an alternative energy
provider, but it rejected the idea because the market was new, and alternative energy
providers were not well known. West Sacramento also considered establishing a city
utility department to operate the local transmission and distribution system for
various new developments but decided against this course of action because its staff
lacked electric utility expertise. When Davis contacted West Sacramento regarding
annexation into SMUD’s electric service area, West Sacramento opted to participate
in the feasibility study to examine the costs and benefits of annexation.
c. City of Woodland
The City of Woodland became interested in public power options when Davis invited
Woodland to participate in a feasibility study to explore the costs and benefits of
annexation into SMUD’s service territory. Woodland was not interested in starting its
own municipal utility because it lacked technical expertise and experience.
d. Yolo County
By law, counties do not have the right to provide electrical service on their own
without special legislative permission, so Yolo County had not explored public power
options until the City of Davis contacted the county about participating in the
feasibility study to explore the feasibility of joining SMUD.
3.
Feasibility Analysis
Based on the analysis in the Navigant Study performed for Davis, the cities of West
Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland and Yolo County in February 2003 formally requested
that SMUD consider annexing the Yolo Communities into SMUD’s electric service
territory. As reasons for the request, the Yolo Communities cited: (1) the potential for
lower rates; (2) the ability to participate in decision-making on energy-related issues at
the local level; and (3) the potential for improved reliability and customer service
compared to PG&E.
In April 2003, SMUD’s Board of Directors adopted an annexation policy that set the
criteria that must be met for SMUD to consider annexing any area beyond its current
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boundary. SMUD will only consider annexing territory into its electric service area if all
of the following criteria are met:
•
The area proposed for annexation must be a relatively dense urban area;
•
The potential annexation territory must be a growing area;
•
The area must lie within an approximately 30-mile driving distance from SMUD
customer service facilities;
•
The local jurisdiction(s) seeking annexation must take the initiative by formally
requesting the SMUD Board to consider annexation; and
•
The local jurisdictions must agree to share in the costs of a study to assess the
feasibility of annexation.
In March 2004, the Yolo Communities and SMUD jointly commissioned and paid for an
independent analysis of the feasibility of annexation. An independent team made of up
R.W. Beck, Stone & Webster Management Consultants, and Lucy & Co. (collectively
R.W. Beck) conducted the in-depth annexation feasibility study. In January 2005, the
Annexation Feasibility Study Final Report (R.W. Beck, 2005) (R.W. Beck report)
concluded that annexation was technically and financially viable and promised economic
benefits to SMUD’s existing customers and to the Yolo annexation customers. The R.W.
Beck report was considered at more than 17 public meetings conducted by the Yolo
Communities. In March and April of 2005, the City Councils and the Yolo County Board
of Supervisors unanimously voted to formally seek annexation by SMUD. On April 5,
2005, the cities of West Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland and the County of Yolo
passed a joint resolution requesting annexation by SMUD.
SMUD staff evaluated and augmented the R.W. Beck report and, in May 2005, released
its own comprehensive analysis, which confirmed, with minor modifications, the conclusions in the R.W. Beck report (SMUD, 2005a) (SMUD Staff Analysis). SMUD held three
public workshops on annexation, made presentations to numerous community groups,
and established a Web site (www.smud.org/annexation/) to communicate detailed
information regarding the annexation.
SMUD retained Dr. Sanjay Varshney, the Dean of the College of Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento, to perform an independent review of the
methodology and assumptions used in both the R.W. Beck report and the SMUD Staff
Analysis (Varshney, 2005) (Varshney Findings). Dr. Varshney concluded that “Both the
Yolo and SMUD customers are likely to benefit from the annexation since the benefits
are achievable” (Varshney, 2005) (SMUD, 2005b).
On May 19, 2005, the SMUD Board of Directors voted five to two to submit an annexation application to LAFCo based on the R.W. Beck report, the SMUD Staff Analysis, the
Varshney Findings, public hearings, and other public input. SMUD Board Resolution No.
05-05-08, as amended by SMUD Board Resolution No. 05-07-01, adopted July 14, 2005,
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proposed certain terms and conditions for inclusion in any LAFCo approval of the
proposed annexation. SMUD submitted an Application for Annexation of the Cities of
West Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland, and Unincorporated Areas of Yolo County and
Related Sphere of Influence Amendment to LAFCo on August 1, 2005 (SMUD, 2005b).
C.
LAFCO REVIEW AND POLICY
SMUD’s annexation and concurrent SOI amendment proposal is subject to the Cortese-KnoxHertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (CKH Act). Under the CKH Act,
LAFCo must determine whether to order the annexation and approve the SOI amendment. In
making this determination, LAFCo has identified as fundamental a comparison of the costeffectiveness and service delivery capability of both SMUD and PG&E. LAFCo also enumerated
the following policies that apply to its consideration of this annexation proposal; a more
substantial list of all factors LAFCo must take into account for annexation proposals is provided
in Appendix L.
1.
2.
DRAFT
General Policies
•
The Commission is charged with encouraging orderly growth and development.
•
The Commission is responsible for encouraging the logical formation and determination of boundaries, etc.
•
The Commission must exercise its authority to ensure that affected populations
receive efficient services.
•
The Commission can impose terms and conditions to mitigate environmental impacts,
fiscal impacts, or other impacts.
•
The Commission may deny the project.
•
The Commission will favorably consider those applications that do not shift the cost
for services and infrastructure benefits/costs to other service areas.
•
Commission policy encourages the use of service providers that are governed by
officials elected by the citizens.
Boundaries
•
Boundaries must be definite and certain.
•
Boundaries cannot create islands, corridors, or peninsulas.
•
Boundaries cannot split neighborhoods or parcels.
•
Boundaries must not create areas that may be difficult to serve.
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3.
4.
Program Description
Revenue Neutrality
•
The Commission will approve a proposal for a change of organization only if it finds
the proposal is revenue neutral.
•
Where revenue neutrality is not possible because of the requirements of state law or
LAFCo standards, the Commission shall impose all feasible conditions available to
reduce any revenue imbalance, or it may deny the proposal.
Efficiency
•
An annexation proposal must provide the lowest cost and highest quality of urban
services for the affected population. The Commission will approve an annexation
only if it determines that the annexing agency possesses the capability to provide the
most efficient delivery of applicable urban services.
•
For the purpose of this standard, the most efficient services are those that are
provided at the optimal combination of service cost and service level. In the case of
providers with similar service costs, the provider with higher service levels will be
deemed more efficient. In the case of providers of similar service levels, the provider
with the lowest cost will be deemed more efficient.
•
In comparing the providers of adequate but low-cost services with providers of high
quality but high-cost services, the Commission will retain discretion to determine this
optimum efficiency based on compliance with other provisions of the standards.
•
Identification and measurement of service costs for the purpose of determining
revenue impacts, as well as for assessing financial feasibility, should be based on the
actual cost of service provided. If actual costs cannot be identified and measured
reasonably, costs should be allocated based on the measure that most accurately
reflects the level of service received. The Commission will rely on current service
providers to estimate service costs, as long as costs are estimated in compliance with
these standards.
The Yolo Communities, and not LAFCo, are responsible for land-use planning in the
Annexation Territory. LAFCo has no land use authority per government code Section
56375(a)(3).
D.
PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Program has the following goals and objectives.
1.
Improve the Reliability of Electric Service in the Annexation Territory
Two measures of electric system reliability commonly used by electric service providers
are (a) the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and (b) the System
Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI). The SAIDI and SAIFI indices, as
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Chapter II
Program Description
measured by each utility, represent the average duration (SAIDI) and frequency (SAIFI)
of a sustained outage that customers can expect to experience from their electric service
provider. Table II-1 includes both PG&E’s and SMUD’s SAIDI and SAIFI averages for
2003.
Table II-1: PG&E and SMUD (2003) Outage Duration and
Frequency, Including Major Events
System average duration index (SAIDI)
System average interruption frequency (SAIFI)
SMUD
97 minutes
1.3 per year
PG&E
280 minutes
1.7 per year
SMUD has committed to improving the electric system reliability currently experienced
by customers in the Annexation Territory. After a transition period of 5 years from the
time SMUD begins providing electric service to the Annexation Territory, SMUD has
committed to lowering the SAIDI to 140 minutes and the SAIFI to 1.4 per year in the
Annexation Territory. SMUD’s ultimate goal is to achieve, as quickly as possible, an
average outage duration and average outage frequency comparable to those in the
existing SMUD service area.
2.
Improve Customer Satisfaction in the Annexation Territory
J.D. Power and Associates conducts an electric utility residential and commercial
customer satisfaction survey annually for participating electric service providers. The
study is designed to measure multiple aspects of customer satisfaction, such as power
quality and reliability, customer service, company image, billing and payment, price, and
communication. The results of the commercial survey from March 2005 and the
residential survey from July 2005, which are included in Table II-2, indicate that SMUD
exceeds both PG&E and the western region averages in customer satisfaction for its
current customers.
Table II-2: Results of Commercial Survey of Customer Satisfaction
Customer Survey
Commercial Score
Residential Score
SMUD
102
108
PG&E
98
91
Western Region Average
100
97
SMUD has committed to improving the customer service satisfaction currently
experienced by customers in the Annexation Territory. After a transition period of 2 years
from the time SMUD begins providing electric service to the Annexation Territory,
SMUD has committed to improving customer satisfaction to match the western region
average, or higher, for both commercial and residential customers, as determined by the
J.D Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey. SMUD’s ultimate goal is to
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Program Description
achieve, as soon as possible, commercial and residential customer satisfaction ratings in
the Annexation Territory equal to the ratings in the rest of SMUD’s service territory.
3.
Provide Electric Service to the Annexation Territory at Rates that are Lower than
Those Currently Paid by Customers in the Annexation Territory
From 1990 to 2005, SMUD’s electric rates have, on average, been approximately 20%
below PG&E’s rates. It is expected that this differential will grow to approximately 28%
by early next year. Based on PG&E and SMUD rate projections, this rate differential is
expected to continue over the long run (see Figure II-1).
Figure II-1: System Average Rate Comparison, SMUD and PG&E
16
14
Cents/kWh
12
10
8
6
SMUD
4
PG&E
2
20
06
20
04
20
02
20
00
19
98
19
96
19
94
19
92
19
90
0
Year
If the proposed annexation is approved, SMUD will provide an immediate discount in
electric rates for the Annexation Territory customers that will be at least 2% below
PG&E’s average rates. The discount will increase over time, as the cost of the annexation
is paid off by Annexation Territory customers through an annexation surcharge. While
the annexation surcharge is in place, it is expected that rates in the Annexation Territory
will be approximately 20% to 23% higher than rates in SMUD’s existing service area
(but at least 2% lower than PG&E’s). This rate differential of approximately 20% to 23%
will result in annual revenues of approximately $40 million above the annual revenues
provided by SMUD rates. SMUD will use these additional revenues to pay for the
following Annexation Territory expenses.
DRAFT
•
The cost of the electrical facilities acquired from PG&E, the cost of new electrical
facilities installed by SMUD, and other costs necessary to complete the proposed
Program above those already collected in SMUD rates.
•
Any increases in power supply costs required for the Annexation Territory above
those already collected in SMUD rates.
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Program Description
•
Exit fees that are required by the CPUC of any load (i.e., customers) departing from
Investor Owned Utilities.
•
The costs of compliance with any terms and conditions imposed by LAFCo on the
annexation to defray the reasonably calculated costs and impacts of the annexation on
the Yolo Communities.
The additional revenues will pay off a large portion of the annexation expenses in
approximately 5 years. It is likely that SMUD will increase the discount (i.e., reduce
rates) for the Annexation Territory customers after that initial 5-year period. In addition,
a significant portion of the exit fees mandated by the CPUC will expire in 2012. This is
likely to result in an additional reduction in rates. If the additional revenue collected falls
below SMUD’s projections, the surcharge can be extended to ensure the Program’s
objectives.
After approval of the proposed annexation, SMUD will finalize a power supply strategy
for the Annexation Territory. Before taking over the electric service for the Annexation
Territory, SMUD should be able to secure a reliable economical power supply for the
Annexation Territory using its existing successful power supply and natural gas
procurement practices.
4.
Ensure Local Control by Annexation Territory Ratepayers over Their Electrical
Utility
An important motivation for the Yolo Communities’ request for SMUD service was the
potential ability of those communities to participate in decision-making on energy-related
issues at the local level. The SMUD governance structure allows citizens and businesses
to participate in the decision-making of the utility, which increases local control over the
energy policies that can significantly affect a community. Examples follow.
DRAFT
•
SMUD’s service area is divided into wards. Each ward of approximately 185,000
persons is represented on SMUD’s Board by a Director elected by the customers who
reside in that ward.
•
All SMUD Board of Director and Board Committee meetings are publicly announced
and open to the public.
•
SMUD is subject to the Public Records Act and must make almost all data and
records available to the public and news media for review.
•
SMUD’s rates are adopted only after public notice and public workshops and
hearings in which individual and business customers are encouraged to participate.
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5.
Program Description
Provide Service to the Annexation Territory at No Financial Cost and No Reduction
in Service Quality/Reliability to Existing SMUD Customers
In electing to move forward with the annexation, the SMUD Board of Directors
determined that the utility’s existing customers must not pay any of the costs of
annexation. The Annexation Territory customers will pay the costs of annexation through
their rates and a surcharge amount sufficient to recover the costs of annexation. SMUD
will reserve its low-cost energy resources, such as SMUD’s hydroelectric Upper
American River Project, for the exclusive benefit of its existing ratepayers. After
approval of the proposed annexation, SMUD plans to secure a reliable economical power
supply for the Annexation Territory through long- and short-term power contracts and
spot market purchases available from the existing energy marketplace, as well as possible
surpluses from SMUD’s new Cosumnes Power Plant (CPP) scheduled for completion in
early 2006. Therefore, the proposed annexation should have no impact on SMUD’s
existing hydroelectric, cogeneration, or wind energy resources.
SMUD will use the existing available electric system capacity to service the Annexation
Territory with no impact on existing SMUD customers. In addition, SMUD plans to add
additional employees to its workforce to provide electric service to the Annexation
Territory without impacting existing SMUD service levels.
In March 2004, the Cities, Yolo County, and SMUD jointly commissioned and paid for
an independent technical and financial evaluation of the Yolo annexation concept. In
addition to the expected financial benefits to be shared by SMUD’s existing customers
and the Annexation Territory customers, the study confirmed that the annexation would
have no negative impact on the level of service or reliability currently enjoyed by
SMUD’s existing customers. A copy of the study is included in the compact disc (CD)
accompanying this Draft EIR.
6.
Provide Service to the Annexation Territory at No Material Financial Cost and No
Reduction in Service Quality/Reliability for Existing PG&E Ratepayers Outside of
the Annexation Territory
Because Annexation Territory customers will bear the costs associated with the
annexation (while still paying rates lower than PG&E’s), there will be no reduction in
service quality or reliability for existing PG&E ratepayers outside of the Annexation
Territory.
In an advisory opinion, provided in Appendix F of this EIR, the CPUC concluded that
SMUD’s annexation proposal would “not substantially impair Pacific Gas and Electric
Company’s ability to provide adequate service at reasonable rates within the remainder of
its service territory”.
E.
ENERGY SUPPLY AND DELIVERY CONSIDERATIONS
Under the Program, SMUD will assume responsibility for all aspects of the provision of
electricity to customers in the Annexation Territory. This involves acquiring an adequate supply
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Program Description
of power and delivering it to individual customers. Thus, analysis of the Program requires
consideration of issues relating to (1) available energy supply, (2) control areas and capacity to
serve, and (3) impacts on PG&E and SMUD transmission system.
1.
Available Energy Supply
Electric service providers typically either generate their own power or purchase power
from the energy supply marketplace, or both. The marketplace includes power suppliers
and transmission service providers interconnected in an electric grid made up of power
plants, transmission lines, and substations. Here, the relevant electric grid is the Western
Electric Coordinating Council (WECC). The WECC service territory extends from
Canada to Mexico. It includes the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, the
northern portion of Baja California, Mexico, and all or portions of the 14 western states
in between. Power is available through short- and long-term contracts and spot market
purchases. Transmission service providers deliver purchased power to electric service
providers.
Both SMUD and PG&E generate electricity from power plants they own and purchase
power from the energy marketplace. SMUD has committed to reserve its low-cost energy
supply source (e.g., hydroelectric) for its existing customers. It has no plans to change
current operating practices for its existing hydroelectric, cogeneration, and other
facilities. In particular, SMUD’s recent application to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) for the relicensing of its Upper American River Project
Hydroelectric facilities proposes no changes in the operation of these facilities as a result
of the proposed Program.
The proposed Annexation Territory’s current estimated peak load is approximately 250
megawatts (MW). If the annexation is approved by LAFCo and the voters, SMUD will
replace PG&E as the entity responsible for supplying this energy, and PG&E will be able
to lower its energy supply requirements accordingly. Upon approval of the Program,
SMUD will complete an energy supply plan for the Annexation Territory. SMUD plans
to meet Annexation Territory energy requirements through a combination of new shortand long-term power purchase contracts, spot market purchases, customer-owned
generation, new renewable power supply, and possibly surpluses available from the new
Cosumnes Power Plant (scheduled for commercial operation in March 2006). Electricity
demand in the Annexation Territory represents approximately 0.2% of the amount of
power delivered in the WECC region. Given the relatively small size of demand in the
Annexation Territory and SMUD’s existing active participation in the WECC energy
marketplace, SMUD should have no problem establishing the necessary energy supply
for the Yolo Communities. Further, because PG&E will be able to reduce its purchases of
electricity after annexation, there will be no energy supply impacts to PG&E.
A detailed discussion of existing energy supply conditions, SMUD’s plans for ensuring
an adequate supply of energy for the Annexation Territory, and the potential impacts of
the change in energy supplier on SMUD, PG&E, and the energy marketplace in general is
included in Appendix A.
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Chapter II
2.
Program Description
Control Areas and Capacity to Serve
a. SMUD and CAISO Control Areas
Control areas are responsible for balancing resources and energy load with adequate
operating reserves and managing the control area transmission electric grid on a realtime basis. This is done in accordance with the WECC and the North American
Electric Reliability Council (NERC) standards and prudent utility practices. Control
areas exist throughout the nation’s interconnected electric utility industry, and they
work cooperatively with each other. SMUD’s control area is one of five in California.
SMUD’s control area includes SMUD’s service area, the Sierra Nevada Region
(SNR) of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), certain directly
connected generation sources and municipal loads served by WAPA, and the
Modesto Irrigation District. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
control area surrounds and is interconnected with the SMUD control area.
CAISO currently operates the existing transmission system within the Annexation
Territory.
If the annexation is approved, SMUD will disconnect the Annexation Territory
transmission system from the CAISO control area and connect it to the SMUD
control area, and assume control area responsibilities for the Annexation Territory.
Except for changes in existing operational drawings and maps, there will be no
significant impacts to the CAISO or SMUD control areas as a result of the Program.
Further, integration of the Annexation Territory transmission facilities into SMUD’s
control area will be transparent to existing SMUD and Annexation Territory
customers. Additional detailed information is provided in Appendix B.
b. SMUD’s Capacity to Serve
“Capacity to serve” represents the transmission system’s capabilities to deliver power
assuming contingency conditions. Contingency conditions generally assume the
possible failure of the largest single component of the system.
SMUD’s existing total capacity to serve (i.e., throughout its 230-kilovolt [kV] and
115-kV transmission systems) is approximately 3,100 MW. With the completion of
several planned system additions over the next approximately 2 years, SMUD’s
capacity to serve will increase to approximately 3,900 MW in 2008. SMUD has
incorporated these system additions into its plans regardless of whether the proposed
Program is approved. SMUD’s system peak load in 2005 was 2,959 MW. Estimated
peak load in the Annexation Territory is 250 MW. With these planned additions,
SMUD will be able to deliver power to the Annexation Territory as proposed. A
detailed discussion of SMUD’s capacity to serve the Annexation Territory is included
in Appendix B.
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3.
Program Description
Impacts on PG&E and SMUD’s Transmission System
PG&E currently serves the Annexation Territory with a transmission system consisting of
115,000 Volt (115-kV) transmission lines and substations. SMUD also owns and operates
a 115-kV transmission system in its adjacent service area. To disconnect the Annexation
Territory system from PG&E’s system and connect it to SMUD’s system, SMUD must
complete Program Components 4 through 8 (described in Section F of this chapter).
Currently, SMUD has excess transmission and substation capacity in its 115-kV system
that can be used to serve the Annexation Territory.
Utilities within the WECC, like SMUD and PG&E, voluntarily share information with
each other regarding the configuration of their transmission systems and load cases used
to perform analysis. This collaboration between utilities promotes efficient planning and
analysis to maintain a safe and reliable regional electric grid.
SMUD has completed an analysis of the expected impacts to the regional electric grid
that will result from the Program. SMUD’s analysis determined that the Program should
not have any adverse impact on SMUD’s or PG&E’s remaining transmission systems. In
fact, the Program changes will result in a better use of existing SMUD transmission
system capacity and improvements in reliability for the remaining PG&E transmission
system. PG&E also will have transmission capacity that can be used to provide service
for future growth in the region. In its response to LAFCo’s NOP, PG&E stated that the
Program-related transmission system changes may have an impact on the 500-kV and
230-kV PG&E systems that are interconnected with its 115-kV system through the
regional electric grid. However, PG&E has not provided the analysis and data necessary
to analyze or confirm this asserted impact.
F.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
The Program involves the provision of electric service to homes and businesses in the
Annexation Territory. Providing electric service involves several actions, all of which are needed
to provide such service in a reliable and cost-effective manner. The Program consists of several
different program components that will be implemented upon approval of the annexation.
Program components 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9 will necessarily be implemented if LAFCo and the
voters approve the proposed annexation and SMUD is to provide electric service to the
Annexation Territory. These program components are analyzed at the project level in this EIR,
and no environmental analysis (other than the analysis provided in this EIR) will be needed for
SMUD to proceed with these program components.
Program Components 6, 7, and 8, most notably a new transmission line, a new substation, and
distribution system upgrades could be constructed in various locations or in various ways.
SMUD will determine the exact locations and configurations of such facilities only after the
preparation of site-specific environmental analyses, which will be contained in one or more
subsequent environmental documents. Accordingly, the transmission line and the substation are
analyzed in this EIR only at the program level, which reflects the information currently available
on these facilities.
DRAFT
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1.
Program Description
Administrative Decisions
a. Expansion of Sphere of Influence/Annexation (Program Component 1)
This Program Component consists of the following:
•
A discretionary decision by LAFCo whether or not to approve SMUD’s
application to expand its SOI and a second discretionary decision by LAFCo
whether or not to annex the Annexation Territory and include that territory in the
SMUD electric service area (including terms and conditions deemed by LAFCo to
be in the public interest, such as requiring increased reliability, enhanced
customer service, and reduced rates);
•
Preparation and evaluation of an appropriate municipal services review by
LAFCo; and
•
The subsequent consideration and approval by voters of the annexation and
electric service proposal.
This Program Component is analyzed in this EIR at a project level.
b. SMUD Acquisition of PG&E Equipment/Infrastructure (Program Component 2)
After the recordation of the annexation, SMUD will acquire from PG&E all electric
facilities needed to serve the Annexation Territory, as described in SMUD’s
application for annexation. This program component is analyzed in this EIR at a
project level.
c. Execution of Memoranda of Understanding or Other Operating Agreements
with Yolo County Interests (Program Component 3)
To implement any terms and conditions placed by LAFCo on the proposed
annexation, SMUD may enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or other
legally binding agreements with Yolo County and/or the cities of West Sacramento,
Davis, and Woodland. In the course of implementing the annexation, SMUD also
may enter into other operating agreements with public agencies and private organizations that may be necessary to provide electric service to the Annexation Territory.
This program component is analyzed in this EIR at a project level.
At present, it is expected that LAFCo will include, in any approval it may grant
regarding the proposed annexation, a term and condition requiring that SMUD
implement a mechanism to defray the reasonably calculated costs and financial
impacts to the Yolo Communities associated with the provision of electric service by
SMUD. SMUD proposed such a term and condition in its LAFCo application. It is
likely that such a term and condition will be implemented through MOUs or other
agreements with the Yolo Communities.
DRAFT
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Chapter II
2.
Program Description
Infrastructure Construction
Even though SMUD’s construction of facilities for the production of electric energy is
exempt from county and city building code requirements by Government Code
§ 53091(d), SMUD’s standard policy is to fully comply voluntarily with such requirements. In addition, SMUD is adopting the “no net loss” standard suggested by the
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) for the mitigation of potentially
significant impacts on biological resources. SMUD and/or its contractors will obtain
grading permits for Program construction. SMUD and its contractors also will comply
with the Statewide Construction Storm Water General National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
a. Infrastructure Required for All Program Configurations
(1) Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction
Study Area (Program Component 4)
This program component (see Figure II-2, provided at the end of this chapter)
involves the reconstruction of an existing SMUD 115-kV transmission line that
runs 2.5 miles from Power Inn Road east to SMUD’s Hedge substation. The
reconstruction consists of the replacement of existing lattice towers with new steel
poles and the addition of a new 115-kV circuit. Three overhead wires will be
added to the existing six wires, bringing the total number of wires to nine, in
addition to one overhead fiber optic cable. The existing right of way includes a
SMUD 230-kV transmission line and various distribution lines.
The existing lattice towers and their foundations will be replaced with new
foundations and steel poles approximately 100 to 110 feet high. The reconstructed
line will require approximately 30 new foundations, with a construction area of
approximately 3,200 square feet per foundation. Thus, the total area of potential
disturbance by construction will be approximately 2.2 acres. After the installation
is complete, the area permanently disturbed by the new transmission line supports
will be approximately 0.28 acre. Existing maintenance access roads will be used
for construction access. The existing property owners use a large portion of the
rights of way for material laydown and parking. Foundations for the new
transmission line will be constructed as close to the existing foundations as
possible. This program component is analyzed at the project level.
(2) North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5)
involves the interconnection of SMUD lines and existing PG&E 115-kV
transmission lines near the SMUD North City substation. The actual
interconnection will be on the northern side of the American River, in an area
where both PG&E and SMUD 115-kV lines are located within the American
River Parkway. The proposed interconnection will occur within existing rights of
way and will require approximately one or two new foundations and one or two
DRAFT
II-16
Chapter II
Program Description
steel poles. Existing access roads will be used for construction and maintenance.
The total area occupied by new foundations and structures will amount to
approximately 800 square feet, all within existing easements. This program
component is analyzed in this EIR at the project level.
b. Infrastructure to Be Sited in the Future
(1) Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6)
involves the placement of a new 15- to 18-mile 115-kV transmission line to
connect PG&E’s existing Rio Oso/Woodland 115-kV transmission line north of
the City of Woodland with SMUD’s existing Elverta substation on Elverta Road,
approximately 3.5 miles east of Highway 99. Because the precise location of the
transmission line route has not yet been determined, this EIR sets forth all known
information about the transmission line study area and potential environmental
impacts and analyzes this program component at a program level. Upon
determination of a precise transmission route, a follow-on project-level
environmental analysis will be prepared.
The study area for the transmission line includes portions of Sacramento, Sutter,
and Yolo Counties. The final route for the transmission line will be influenced by
the proximity of Sacramento International Airport to the south of the study area,
other airstrips in the area, the Sacramento River, and other constraints within the
study area. To the extent possible, SMUD proposes to locate the transmission line
in public rights of way and utility easements. The proposed transmission line
length is approximately 15 to 18 miles, depending on final route selection. SMUD
will construct the transmission line to be operated at up to 230-kV, even though it
is not required at this time, to avoid reconstruction if a 230-kV transmission line
becomes necessary in the future. Initially, SMUD will operate the line at 115-kV.
A typical easement width for a 115-kV to 230-kV transmission line is 60 to 100
feet, depending on the span between structures. It is likely that the transmission
line will consist of 6 conductors (wires) and one overhead ground wire supported
on steel poles from 90 to 110 feet high. The poles will be spaced between 500 and
1,200 feet apart. The final transmission line route will cross the Sacramento River
and probably will require a pole on each side of the river at a height of
approximately 200 feet. Depending on the width of the easement, and on the final
length of the transmission line through the corridor, the total land area within the
easement is estimated at between 130 and 200 acres. The actual transmission line,
however, will occupy only a small part of that easement.
Construction of each concrete foundation and steel pole will require up to 3,200
square feet of space. After construction is completed, the remaining foundation
will have a footprint of up to 400 square feet. The total number of foundations for
the proposed transmission line is estimated at 160. Thus, during construction, the
total area to be disturbed along the route of this new line will be up to 12 acres.
DRAFT
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Chapter II
Program Description
After the installation is complete, the area permanently disturbed by the new
transmission line supports will be up to 1.5 acres.
Whenever possible, transmission lines will be constructed near existing paved
roads or near existing farm access roads. In some cases, a temporary access road
may be necessary. The transmission line will be located and designed so that the
structures and lines will not create a hazardous obstruction for any flight pattern
associated with Sacramento International Airport or other airstrips in the area.
Any transmission lines constructed will conform to standards set forth in the
Avian Protection Plan Guidelines prepared jointly by the Edison Electric
Institute’s Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (APLIC and USFWS, 2005).
This program component is analyzed at the program level.
(2) Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component 7)
involves the construction of a new substation, the Willow Slough substation, in
the vicinity of the intersection of Road 102 and Road 27, near an existing PG&E
115-kV line that runs between Davis and Woodland. The exact location of the
substation has not been determined at this time; this EIR presents known
information about the substation study area and analyzes this program component
at a program level. Once the location is determined, a follow-on project-level
environmental analysis will be prepared.
The study area encompasses 1 square mile centered on the intersection of Road
102 and Road 27. Because this substation has not been designed or sited at this
time, the resultant disturbance to existing property cannot be estimated accurately.
Based on existing, similar SMUD substation sites, the estimated area necessary
for the Willow Slough substation is 1 to 3 acres. As with other substations of this
type, SMUD expects that the substation entrance will be paved with asphaltic
concrete, and the remainder of the site will be surfaced with crushed rock. All
electrical equipment will be located within the substation. Nighttime security
lighting will consist of downward-facing fixtures around the equipment areas.
Routine maintenance activity at such a substation typically consists of two visits
per week by a technician.
(3) Other Distribution System Upgrades (Program Component 8)
This program component involves the possible “reconductoring” (i.e., replacement of existing overhead wires with new, slightly larger diameter, overhead
wires) to increase the electrical load-carrying capacity of sections of acquired
PG&E lines. The application for annexation identified several facilities that may
require reconductoring. Currently, the proposed reconductoring consists of one
existing 115-kV transmission line and several existing 12-kV distribution lines.
DRAFT
II-18
Chapter II
Program Description
The 115-kV project consists of reconductoring the existing West Sacramento
substation to Davis substation transmission line. PG&E already has identified the
need for this project and has current plans to complete this project in 2005-2006,
regardless of the proposed annexation. Therefore, this work may be completed
prior to the proposed annexation. The selection of specific sections of existing
12-kV lines that may require reconductoring will depend on the analysis of PG&E
operational data not yet provided. After the approval of the annexation, and when
the data are available, a complete 12-kV reconductoring list will be developed,
and SMUD will perform any necessary environmental assessments at that time.
c. Best Management Practices/Mitigation Measures Incorporated into the Program
(Applies to Program Components 4 through 8)
CEQA requires that a public agency mitigate the effects of a proposed project on the
environment to the greatest degree feasible and consistent with achieving the goals
and objectives of the project. LAFCo, after consultation with SMUD during the
preparation of the Draft EIR, has determined that the Program as a whole, as well as
its individual components, may have several potential effects on the physical
environment.
To carry out the mandate of CEQA to avoid impacts on the environment where
possible, LAFCo and SMUD have agreed to include in the Program, as described in
the application for annexation, several Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will
avoid and/or minimize the potential effects of the Program on the environment. These
BMPs incorporate within the Program “state-of-the-practice” standards (largely, but
not entirely, relating to construction) that avoid and/or minimize the effects of the
Program on the environment. In many cases, implementation of these BMPs will
avoid or reduce a potentially significant effect of the Program to a less than
significant effect. In cases where there are no BMPs, or where the BMPs may not
reduce the potential effects of the Program to a less than significant level, this Draft
EIR proposes feasible mitigation measures, if such are available. Inclusion of BMPs
in the Program description is consistent with SMUD’s core value of environmental
protection.
Thus, the Draft EIR relies on both BMPs and traditional mitigation measures to avoid
and/or minimize the effects of the Program on the environment. Because both BMPs
and mitigation measures are used to lessen or avoid the effects of the Program on the
environment, SMUD will be required to include both BMPs and mitigation measures
in the mitigation monitoring and reporting program required by this EIR.
Furthermore, to ensure the enforceability of both BMPs and mitigation measures,
LAFCo has determined that each of the BMPs and mitigation measures determined to
be feasible in either the Draft or Final EIR will be included as a term and condition in
any resolution(s) approving the change in SMUD’s SOI or approving the proposed
annexation.
DRAFT
II-19
Chapter II
Program Description
(1) Best Management Practice 1: Siting of Transmission Electric Facilities
Program Components 6 and 7, the Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study
Area and the Willow Slough Substation Study Area, are analyzed in this EIR at
the Program Level. Upon approval of the Program by LAFCo and the voters,
SMUD will begin the project level analysis of these facilities. This will include
siting these facilities and performing CEQA analysis to determine the locations of
the transmission line and substation using the process described in Appendix D.
SMUD will use the guidance provided by Sacramento County General Plan and
will engage in a cooperative effort with agencies, local jurisdictions, property
owners, and the public to determine and analyze alternative alignments and
locations for these facilities. SMUD will attempt to site these facilities in
locations that avoid or minimize effects on the environment and adjacent
landowners without either making the construction of these facilities infeasible or
interfering with the authority and responsibility of the SMUD Board of Directors
to make the final decision on the location of SMUD’s facilities in the public
interest. The proposed locations for the transmission line and substation require
approval from the cities or counties where the facilities will be located, though
the SMUD Board of Directors may override a local jurisdiction’s disapproval of a
siting location with a supermajority vote.
It is premature for this EIR to develop specific alignments for Program
Component 6 or specific locations for Program Component 7. The basic policy
question confronting LAFCo at the present time is whether the ratepayers in the
Annexation Territory will be better served by SMUD or by PG&E. This question
of governmental efficiency is a matter solely within the expertise of LAFCo. If
LAFCo were to determine that it would be in the public interest for SMUD to
serve the Annexation Territory, then SMUD would be the agency with expertise
in siting electrical transmission and distribution facilities. SMUD would then have
to conduct that analysis in a way that was consistent with requirements that
LAFCo determined were needed to protect the public interest, which LAFCo
could accomplish though the inclusion of terms and conditions in any order
approving the annexation. Then SMUD also would have to prepare one or more
additional environmental document(s) to analyze the impacts of these program
components on the environment at a project level. In this way, tiered review of the
potential environmental effects of the proposed Program would allow the expert
agency on governmental reorganization (LAFCo) to focus its decision on
governmental efficiency questions and allow the agency with expertise on
electrical service (SMUD) to focus its subsequent environmental analysis on those
areas (the best way to provide electrical service to an area).
(2) Best Management Practice 2: Biological Resources
In general, potential impacts to sensitive biological resources can be avoided
and/or minimized through modification of the project design, construction specifications, and timing of project implementation. Preconstruction surveys for
DRAFT
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Chapter II
Program Description
special-status species will be conducted before construction begins near suitable
habitat. If feasible, design modifications will be made to the project to avoid any
areas with rare plants or sensitive habitat (Biological Sensitivity Areas [BSAs].
The following measures will be implemented during construction of all program
components to minimize impacts to sensitive biological resources.
DRAFT
•
A qualified biologist will survey the transmission line corridor and associated
access routes, laydown areas, and staging areas prior to construction. Sensitive
habitats or active nest locations will be clearly marked and avoided where
feasible.
•
BSAs that abut construction areas along or within any of the construction
rights of way will be designated as such. These sites will be fenced off or
clearly marked to prevent inadvertent destruction. High-visibility fencing will
be installed along the margins of construction work areas where those areas
are adjacent to sensitive biological resources. All construction personnel
working in the BSA will be required to attend environmental awareness
training. At a minimum, the training will include: (1) an overview of the
regulatory requirements for the project, (2) descriptions of the special-status
species in the project area and the importance of these species and their
habitats, (3) the general measures that are being implemented to minimize
environmental impacts, and (4) the boundaries within which equipment and
personnel will be allowed to work during construction. SMUD will maintain a
record of all workers who have completed the training.
•
Construction will generally take place between May 1 and September 30 to
avoid impacting sensitive species except in the vicinity of active Swainson’s
hawk nests. Where Swainson’s hawk nests are present, see item (2)(c).
•
Temporary erosion-control devices will be installed on slopes where erosion
or sedimentation could degrade sensitive biological resources.
•
All temporary disturbance areas in annual grasslands will be revegetated with
appropriate native species upon completion of construction.
•
All spilled substances will be cleaned up promptly and disposed of properly to
avoid the chronic or acute poisoning of wildlife.
•
All construction debris will be removed from the project area after completion
of construction activities. All project-related vehicular traffic will be restricted
to established roads, designated access roads and routes, construction areas,
storage areas, and staging and parking areas. Off-road traffic outside of
designated access routes will be prohibited. A 10-miles per hour (mph) speed
limit will be enforced in the project area when vehicles are not on paved
roads.
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Chapter II
Program Description
•
In the event that a permanent loss of habitat supporting special-status species
is not avoidable, and the area affected falls within the 2003 Natomas Basin
Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) area, a fee must be paid to the City of
Sacramento Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Fund, and other obligations
of the 2003 HCP must be met. This fee to the Habitat Conservation Fund is
one that landowners may elect to pay in lieu of satisfying federal and state
Endangered Species Acts (ESAs) by other methods (City of Sacramento
Municipal Code, Chapter 18.40). If the permanent loss of habitat supporting
special-status species is not avoidable, and the land does not fall within the
2003 HCP, preconstruction surveys for special-status species will be
conducted before construction begins near suitable habitat, as stated above. If
any special-status species are affected, the CDFG or the USFWS will be
contacted, and mitigation will be negotiated with these agencies.
•
If federally jurisdictional wetlands are impacted, SMUD will prepare a
wetland mitigation plan to compensate, at a ratio that has been determined in
partnership with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), for
any wetland habitats lost. The mitigation plan will include monitoring and
performance standards to ensure successful mitigation. Wetlands will be
mitigated so that there is no net loss of this resource.
•
Installation of visual line enhancers and adequate spacing of the conductors
will minimize the risk of avian collision and electrocution. Construction
design standards can be found in the Edison Electric Institute’s APLIC and
USFWS Avian Protection Plan Guidelines (APLIC and USFWS, 2005),
APLIC’s Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection on Power Lines: The
State of the Art in 1996 (APLIC, 1996), or APLIC’s Mitigating Bird
Collisions with Power Lines: The State of the Art in 1994 (APLIC, 1994).
Avian Protection Plan Guidelines can be found on line at
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.
•
It is possible that one or more program components will fall within the service
area of three mitigation banks: the Bryte Ranch Conservation Bank, the
Fitzgerald Conservation Bank, and the Clay Station Conservation Bank. These
banks are approved to sell vernal pool conservation credits for the vernal pool
fairy shrimp and vernal pool tadpole shrimp. The Clay Station Conservation
Bank also is approved to sell USACE wetland mitigation credits. The
Fitzgerald Conservation Bank is approved to sell vernal pool conservation
credits for the vernal pool fairy shrimp, in addition to California tiger
salamander credits.
•
As an avoidance measure to prevent any significant cumulative impacts,
habitat fragmentation of existing preserves will be avoided by placing all
linear facilities or substations adjacent to existing utility corridors or linear
facilities.
DRAFT
II-22
Chapter II
Program Description
(a) Nesting Birds
Preconstruction surveys will be conducted in annual grassland or other habitat
appropriate for nesting birds for any migratory or special-status nesting bird
species. To prevent the potential for direct take of special-status birds that
may be nesting on the site or their nest, field surveys will be conducted no
earlier than 45 days and no later than 20 days prior to construction. The field
surveys will be conducted by a qualified biologist to determine whether active
nests of special-status birds are present in the BSA or within 150 feet of the
BSA. Such surveys will be required as part of any construction contract. If an
active nest is discovered, clearing and construction within 150 feet will be
postponed until the nest is vacated and the juveniles have fledged, as
determined by the biologist, and there is no evidence of second nesting
attempts. Nests located near existing haul roads will not require a 150-foot
buffer zone.
(b) Burrowing Owls
Avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures for impacts on burrowing
owls will be established in accordance with the Staff Report on Burrowing
Owl Mitigation (CDFG, 1995). Preconstruction surveys will be conducted in
grasslands within the project footprint and in suitable habitat within 500 feet
from the project footprint. The locations of all observed burrowing owls and
active burrows will be marked on a map of the project area at a scale
sufficient to accurately show the distance between observed owls and active
burrows and the limits of construction.
(c) Swainson’s Hawks
Mitigation measures and habitat replacement ratios recommended by CDFG
(1994) for Swainson’s hawks will be implemented for the proposed project if
necessary. If construction begins after April 1, preconstruction surveys for
nesting Swainson’s hawks will be conducted within 0.5 mile of the plant site.
If nesting Swainson’s hawks are present, CDFG will be contacted. The nest
will be monitored by a qualified biologist, and project activities that disturb or
agitate the nesting hawks will be delayed until the young have fledged
(approximately July 31). If Swainson’s hawks are nesting within 0.5 mile of
the project area, the nest tree will be clearly marked, and a 2,500-foot buffer
around the nest tree will be avoided during the breeding season or until the
young are foraging independently.
(3) Best Management Practice 3: Cultural Resources
•
DRAFT
A qualified archaeologist and historian will survey the Woodland-Elverta
transmission line corridor and Willow Slough substation study area, as well as
associated access routes, laydown areas, and staging areas, before
construction. Identified cultural resources that are eligible for, or listed on, the
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Chapter II
Program Description
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or the California Register of
Historical Resources (CRHR) will be avoided in siting these facilities.
•
Construction crews will be trained on the identification of cultural and
paleontological resources.
•
An archaeological monitor will be present during ground-disturbing activity at
any program component where excavation takes place in previously
undisturbed soils, particularly where such soils are located within 0.25 mile of
a perennial water source.
•
A paleontological monitor will be present during ground-disturbing activity at
any program component.
•
In the event that unanticipated cultural resources (historic or prehistoric
artifacts, concentrations of shell, burnt or unburnt bone, stone features, etc.)
are uncovered during grading or construction activities, work in the vicinity of
the find will be halted, and a qualified archaeologist will be consulted for an
on-site evaluation and the recovery of any important resources.
•
If human remains or suspected human remains are found on any site, work in
the vicinity will halt, any remains will be protected from further disturbance,
and SMUD will immediately contact the appropriate county coroner. If the
coroner determines the remains are Native American and not under his
purview, he will contact the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC),
as mandated by PRC 5097.
•
Any structures near construction sites, such as 6501 Florin Perkins Road, will
be formally evaluated in the unlikely event that construction will physically
affect the structure. If any such structure is found to be eligible for the CRHR,
appropriate treatment measures, such as recordation to Historic American
Engineering Record (HAER) and Historic American Buildings Survey
(HABS) standards, will be taken, augmented by additional research,
interpretation, and other measures required to reduce the level of impact to
less than significant.
Identification of potential transmission line routes or substation locations will
attempt to avoid any areas that are particularly sensitive relative to prehistoric
archaeological resources. Before a tentative route or site is identified, that area
will be subjected to an intensive pedestrian survey for archaeological and
historic built environment resources. Identified resources will be avoided by
selecting an alternative route or project footprint within the study area that
avoids significant cultural resources and/or through careful consideration of
tower placement. Access roads and construction staging areas also will be
modified as needed to avoid resources. In the event that a significant
archaeological resource cannot be avoided, a program of data recovery,
guided by a research design, will be undertaken.
DRAFT
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Chapter II
Program Description
•
If important paleontological resources are discovered during the construction
of any program component, they will be recovered and archived at an
appropriate institution by a qualified paleontologist.
(4) Best Management Practice 4: Noise
The City of Sacramento noise ordinance exempts construction noise from its
restrictions as long as construction occurs between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and
6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday
(Sacramento Municipal Code Section 8.68.080.E). SMUD will conduct all
construction activities consistent with these provisions of the City of Sacramento
noise ordinance or with more restrictive provisions, if adopted by any of the local
governments with jurisdiction over the areas affected by construction.
(5) Best Management Practice 5: Public Service
Program Components 4 through 8 could have a short-term need for police and fire
protection services. During construction activities, there may be a need for police
services in regard to vandalism or theft of construction materials or equipment
from a construction, storage, or lay-down area. Fire protection services may be
necessary if construction activities result in a fire or medical emergency.
DRAFT
•
SMUD and its contractors will have and implement a written security plan to
minimize the potential for vandalism or theft from construction, storage, or
lay-down sites used for the construction or reconstruction components of the
Program. The objective is to reduce or eliminate the need for police or sheriff
responses and to prevent the loss of building materials, tools, and equipment.
•
SMUD and its contractors will have and implement a written Injury and
Illness Prevention Plan and Safety Plan, in compliance with minimum
OSHA/Cal OSHA requirements, to minimize potential injury and illness of
workers or any site visitors for the program components. The objective is to
reduce or eliminate the need for emergency medical responses and to reduce
injury or illness of any severity.
•
SMUD and its contractors will have and implement a written fire protection
plan to minimize potential fires at construction, storage, or lay-down sites
used for the construction or reconstruction components of the program. Each
construction site will have appropriate fire prevention and suppression
equipment, from fire extinguishers to on-site water tanks or tanker trucks, as
appropriate for the work being performed, the weather, and the adjacent
environmental conditions. The objective is to reduce or eliminate the need for
fire department response.
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Program Description
(6) Best Management Practice 6: Air Quality
The Yolo-Solano Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has established
mitigation measures to reduce fugitive dust from construction projects. These
measures also are cited as effective means of controlling fugitive emissions by the
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) Rule
403. Therefore, these mitigation measures are incorporated into the Program as
BMPs. During Program construction, SMUD and its contractors will control
fugitive dust emissions at construction sites using the following management
practices.
3.
•
Soil stockpiles will be covered or watered twice daily.
•
Exposed soil surfaces will be watered twice daily.
•
Haul roads will be watered twice daily.
•
Dump trucks will be covered securely.
•
To minimize emissions of ozone precursors and diesel particulate matter, nonwork-related idling of vehicles and equipment will be limited to no more than
5 minutes.
Operation and Maintenance of the Annexation Territory’s Electric System
SMUD will operate and maintain, in a way that is consistent with its practices in its
current service area, the electrical transmission and distribution facilities that it will
acquire from PG&E and such other facilities as may be needed to provide electric service
to the Annexation Territory. This program component is analyzed in this EIR at a project
level.
G.
INTENDED USES OF THIS EIR
The purpose of this EIR is to disclose to decision makers and to the public any significant
environmental impacts of the Program. This EIR has been prepared for use by LAFCo, the lead
agency for this Program, in its consideration and approval of the Program as a whole.
Consistent with the tiering approach adopted by this Program and encouraged by CEQA, future
environmental analyses for projects associated with this Program will concentrate on the
environmental effects that may be mitigated or avoided in connection with the decision on each
later project. Project-level approvals involve permitting decisions by other agencies, in addition
to further environmental analyses. Table II-3 identifies the permits and other approvals that are
anticipated to be required from local, state, and federal agencies to implement both the program
and project-level activities.
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Chapter II
Program Description
Table II-3: Permits and Other Approvals That May Be Required
Permits, Approvals That May Be
Required and Related Environmental
Review Requirements
Agency
Program Level
Sphere of Influence Amendment, Annexation
Project Level
SMUD
Decision on whether to implement annexation (if
approved by voters)
Decisions on construction of individual program
components (including siting and location of
facilities)
Sacramento County
Gualco Act for transmission lines
Yolo County
Sutter County
Airport Land Use Commission for Sacramento County
Conformance with Airport Land Use Plan
Airport Land Use Commission for Sutter County
Airport Land Use Commission for Yolo County
California Department of Fish and Game, Central Sierra Region 2 Section 1600 Permit
California Department of Transportation, District 3
Encroachment Permit(s)
California Reclamation Board
Encroachment Permit(s)
California State Lands Commission
Lease for Activities Under and Over the Bed of
Navigable Waterways
Federal Aviation Administration
Airport Safety
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
Authority to Construct/Permit to Operate
Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District
Authority to Construct/Permit to Operate
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
404 Permit, Section 7 Consultation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1
Section 7 Consultation
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Chapter II
Program Description
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II-28
Power Inn Road
Existing SMUD Transmission Lines
(Northern Line to be Reconstructed)
ELDER ROAD
Existing SMUD
Hedge Substation
Legend
FLORIN ROAD
PG&E
Transmission Line
SMUD
Transmission Line
¯
Study Area
1,000 500
0
Feet
1,000
Source: USGS, 7.5' Quadangles
Carmichael, Elk Grove,
Florin, Sacramento East
FIGURE II-2
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Legend
Existing SMUD
North City
Substation
PG&E
Transmission Line
SMUD
Transmission Line
¯
750
375
Study Area
0
750
Feet
1,500
Sacramento East
FIGURE II-3
North City Interconnection Study Area
Existing SMUD
Elverta
Substation
Legend
PG&E
Transmission Line
SMUD
Transmission Line
¯
4,500 2,250
Study Area
0
Feet
4,500
Source: USGS, 100K Quadangles
Sacramento
FIGURE II-4
Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area
LO
W
H
Road 102
OU
WI L
SL
G
Existing PG&E 115-kV
Transmission Line
Legend
¯
750 375
PG&E
Transmission Line
Program
Component
0
750
Feet
1,500
Davis, Grey's Bend
FIGURE II-5
Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component 7)
C H AP T E R III
E N V I R O N M E N TAL S E T T I N G
Chapter III
The following information is presented in accordance with CEQA Guidelines, Section 15125
(California, State of, 2005). Sources referenced in preparing this chapter include The California
Planners’ Book of Lists 2005 (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, 2005).
A.
REGIONAL SETTING
The Program area (Annexation Territory and transmission line study areas) is in California’s
Central Valley, northeast of the San Francisco Bay Area. The Central Valley is situated between
the Coastal Ranges to the west and the Sierra Nevada to the east. The northern part of the Central
Valley, the specific location of the Program area, is primarily known for its agricultural activity.
It has relatively flat alluvial soils that can support a variety of crops, such as rice, tomatoes, and
fruit and nut orchards. The area has smaller urban areas, such as the cities of Davis and
Woodland, that support these agricultural activities. In addition, the larger Sacramento
metropolitan area, which is composed primarily of the cities of West Sacramento and
Sacramento, is to the east of the cities of Davis and Woodland. Sacramento and West
Sacramento are major employment centers for the northern part of the Central Valley and for
Northern California as a whole. The presence of the Port of Sacramento in West Sacramento
makes these two cities well suited for regional distribution and warehouse activities.
B.
LOCAL SETTING
The Annexation Territory includes the cities of West Sacramento and Woodland; the City of
Davis, except for the University of California at Davis; and portions of unincorporated Yolo
County between and surrounding the Cities. In addition to the Annexation Territory, the
transmission line study areas cover portions of the City of Sacramento and unincorporated parts
of Sacramento County and Sutter County. These areas are described in the following paragraphs.
1.
City of West Sacramento
The City of West Sacramento is in eastern Yolo County, between the Sacramento River
on the east and the Yolo Bypass on the west. It lies immediately across the Sacramento
River from the City of Sacramento and is approximately 85 miles east of San Francisco.
Interstate 80 runs through the northwestern part of the city; Business 80 bisects the city,
running east-west through the center of town; and Interstate 5 runs north-south through
the City of Sacramento, just across the river. The city limits of West Sacramento
encompass what, before the city’s incorporation in 1987, were the four separate
communities of Broderick, Bryte, West Sacramento, and Southport.
The population of the City of West Sacramento is approximately 31,615, and the city
covers approximately 22 square miles. The city is a powerful job center for the region,
given its proximity to the City of Sacramento, which is the state capitol, and its port
activity near the Sacramento River.
2.
City of Davis
The City of Davis is in the southeastern corner of Yolo County, along Interstate 80 and
the main Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) line. Davis is positioned in the Central Valley
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50 miles northeast of the San Francisco Bay area and 15 miles west of Sacramento. Davis
is separated from the surrounding cities in the counties of Yolo and Solano by 10 to 15
miles of agricultural land. Between Davis and West Sacramento is the 2-mile-wide Yolo
Bypass, one of the overflow drainage channels that provide flood protection for the
Sacramento River valley.
Davis has a population of approximately 60,308, and the city area covers approxiomately
10 square miles. The city is a university-oriented town with a progressive, vigorous
community noted for its energy conservation, environmental programs, parks, preservation of trees, bicycles, and the quality of its educational institutions.
3.
City of Woodland
Woodland, the county seat of Yolo County, is 20 miles northwest of Sacramento and
located at the intersection of Interstate (I) 5 and State Route (SR) 113. The Sacramento
International Airport is 8 miles to the east. Waterways include the Yolo Bypass and
Sacramento River to the east, Willow Slough to the southeast, and Cache Creek to the
north.
With a population of approximately 49,151, Woodland covers an area of approximately
10 square miles. Woodland has a strong historic heritage, reflected in the historic
buildings in its downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. Woodland’s agricultural
setting is largely responsible for the community’s distinct identity, and agriculture plays
an important economic role in Woodland. Given its proximity to major transportation
nodes, Woodland also has become increasingly important as a manufacturing and
distribution center.
4.
Yolo County
Yolo County has a population of approximately 168,660 and covers approximately 1,035
square miles. Agriculture is Yolo County’s primary industry. The eastern two-thirds of
the county consist of almost level alluvial fans, flat plains, and basins, while the western
third is composed largely of rolling terraces and steep uplands used for dry-farmed grain
and range. The elevation ranges from slightly below sea level, near the Sacramento River
around Clarksburg, to 3,000 feet along the ridge of the western mountains.
Almost 85% of the county’s population lives in the four cities of Davis, West
Sacramento, Woodland, and Winters. The county’s proximity to Sacramento International Airport and two major interstate highways places it at one of the state’s major
transportation hubs.
5.
Sacramento County
Sacramento County encompasses approximately 994 square miles and has a population
of approximately 1.2 million. The county extends from the low delta lands between the
Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, north to about 10 miles beyond the state capitol, and
east to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The southernmost portion of the
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Chapter III
county has direct access to San Francisco Bay. The county is bordered by Contra Costa
and San Joaquin Counties on the south, Amador and El Dorado Counties on the east,
Placer and Sutter Counties on the north, and Yolo and Solano Counties on the west.
6.
City of Sacramento
The City of Sacramento, which is the state capitol, extends eastward from the confluence
of the American and Sacramento Rivers toward the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The
population of the City of Sacramento is approximately 407,000; it covers an area of
approximately 111 square miles. Downtown Sacramento is the urban core for the
metropolitan area, serving as the office, commerce, governmental, and cultural center for
the region. Sacramento’s proximity to the Sacramento International Airport and the
Sacramento River makes it an ideal hub for transportation and commercial activities in
the metropolitan area. The Port of Sacramento ships approximately 870,000 short tons of
cargo annually.
7.
Sutter County
Sutter County has a population of approximately 78,930 and covers approximately 607
square miles. The county is bordered by Yolo and Colusa Counties to the west, with the
Sacramento River and Butte Slough forming the western boundary. Yuba and Placer
Counties lie to the east, with the Feather and Bear Rivers forming the eastern boundary,
and Sacramento County forms the southern boundary. The principal roadways that
connect Sutter County to these surrounding counties include SR 20, Highway 99, and
Interstate 5. The county can be divided up into topographic areas, the valley region, and
the Sutter Buttes region. In addition to its six rural communites, Sutter County includes
two incorporated cities, Yuba City and Live Oaks. Yuba City is the County seat for Yolo
County.
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C H AP T E R IV
D I S C U S S I O N O F E N V I R O N M E N TAL I M PAC T S
Chapter IV
Section 15143 of the CEQA Guidelines directs that an EIR “shall focus on the significant effects
on the environment. The significant effects should be discussed with emphasis in proportion to
their severity and probability of occurrence. Effects dismissed in an Initial Study as clearly
insignificant and unlikely to occur need not be discussed further in the EIR, unless the Lead
Agency subsequently receives information inconsistent with the finding in the Initial Study.”
Sections A through P in this chapter provided discussions of the Program’s potentially
significant effects.
A.
AESTHETICS
This section describes how development associated with the Program may affect aesthetics.
Where significant adverse effects on the environment are identified, mitigation measures are
provided to reduce those impacts to the extent feasible.
1.
Existing Environmental Conditions
This subsection provides a baseline for determining whether the Program will have
significant aesthetic impacts.
a. Analysis Area for Direct and Indirect Impacts
The analysis area for potential direct and indirect impacts related to aesthetics
includes the Annexation Territory, the study areas for the new Woodland-Elverta
transmission line and the Willow Slough substation, the rights of way where the
Power Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission line will be reconstructed and the
new North City interconnection will occur, and land within 1 mile of the study areas
and rights of way. This area will allow the identification of any designated scenic
viewpoints, trails, or roadways that might be affected visually by the facilities.
b. Analysis Area for Cumulative Impacts
The analysis area for potential cumulative impacts for aesthetics is the same as the
analysis area for potential direct and indirect impacts.
c. Existing Regulatory Policies Applying to the Analysis Area
No aesthetic regulatory policies apply to the analysis area.
d. Existing Conditions in the Analysis Area
The Woodland-Elverta transmission line is the only new transmission line proposed
for the Program. The land within this study area is generally flat and dominated by
active agricultural uses. Several roads and existing utility lines cross the area, and a
major portion of the study area is crossed by the Yolo Bypass flood control facility.
Riparian vegetation exists along the Sacramento River, generally along the northcentral boundary of the study area. A few residences are located within the study area.
An existing 69-kV distribution line runs along most of the length of Elverta Road
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Chapter IV
across the eastern and central portions of the study area, and several other transmission lines and distribution lines cross the area. Power Line Road runs north-south
across the west-central portion of the area. A 60-kV line supported by wood poles
crosses from northeast to southwest through the center of the study area.
According to the Caltrans California Scenic Highway Mapping System (Caltrans,
1999), there are no specific scenic vista points or recreational areas for which a scenic
vista is a major feature within this area. However, County Road 16 is designated as a
Scenic County Roadway and an eligible State Scenic Highway. This roadway runs in
an east-west direction from Yolo County’s eastern boundary to County Road 107.
County Road 117, which runs along the eastern boundary of Yolo County near the
Sacramento River from an area just north of County Road 16 to West Sacramento,
also is designated as a Scenic County Roadway. The Garden Highway within
Sacramento County runs along the eastern line of the Sacramento River. However,
the Sacramento County General Plan does not officially designate it as a scenic
resource.
The study area for the Willow Slough substation, centered on County Roads 102 and
27, is almost entirely agricultural. Several homes are located in the southwestern
portion of the area, and Willow Slough itself is in the northwestern area. The City of
Davis and Yolo County general plans and the Caltrans California Scenic Highway
Mapping System do not identify any designated scenic viewpoints, vistas, or
designated scenic roadways in this study area.
The existing right of way of the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission
line reconstruction study area contains several transmission and distribution lines, and
the 115-kv line to be reconstructed is currently suspended on the northernmost row of
steel lattice towers within the right of way. Land uses along the right of way are
varied and include some vacant land, agricultural crops, and commercial and
industrial uses adjacent to and within the right of way. In some areas, the adjacent
commercial or industrial uses have parking or storage areas within the right of way.
The Sacramento City General Plan (Sacramento, City of, 1988) and the Caltrans
California Scenic Highway Mapping System do not identify any designated scenic
viewpoints or vistas near the right of way or designated scenic roadways in the Power
Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission line reconstruction study area.
The North City interconnection is located where existing rights of way and
transmission lines belonging to SMUD and PG&E cross, immediately north of the
American River in the northern portion of the City of Sacramento. The land
surrounding the rights of way is within the American River Parkway, a multijurisdictional recreational and habitat preserve along the river, and is guided by the
American River Parkway Plan, which contains the goals and policies to manage and
preserve this area. The site of the proposed interconnection is within the flood control
levee along the northern side of the river, between SR 160 and the river, just east of
where the two cross. The site is a broad grassy shelf, generally ringed by oaks or
riparian vegetation along the river (to the southwest) and the levee (to the northeast).
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Chapter IV
Several bike and hiking trails ring the area, with an orientation generally along the
river. The site itself and the immediate grassy flat land around it are dominated by the
steel lattice towers of the utility lines that crisscross the area. Other than the existing
trails, the Sacramento City General Plan (Sacramento, City of, 1988) and the
Caltrans California Scenic Highway Mapping System do not identify any designated
scenic viewpoints or vistas near the right of way or any designated scenic roadways in
the North City interconnection study area.
2.
Consideration and Discussion of Environmental Impacts
a. Thresholds of Significance
(1) Environmental Guidance Provided by CEQA
Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines suggests that a development project could
have a significant impact on aesthetics if the project would cause any of the
following effects:
•
Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista;
•
Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees,
rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway;
•
Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its
surroundings; or
•
Create a new source of substantial light or glare that will adversely affect day
or nighttime views in the area.
(2) Thresholds of Significance Adopted in this EIR
None of the program transmission lines will be lighted. A few night lights may be
provided at the Willow Slough substation. These lights will be hooded so that the
light is directed down; therefore, it will not increase light and glare to the
surrounding area. For these reasons, the issue of increased light and glare is not
analyzed further in this EIR.
LAFCo, as the Lead Agency, has adopted the following as thresholds of
significance, consistent with CEQA Guidelines, and has determined that Programrelated impacts relative to aesthetics will result if the Program or any program
component will:
•
Involve facilities located in the following scenic corridors, as designated
pursuant to the Yolo County General Plan:
– County Roads 16 and 117, and South River Road: County Road 107 to
City of West Sacramento
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Chapter IV
– South River Road: Barge Canal (Jefferson Boulevard) to Sutter Slough
(Sacramento County Line)
•
Conflict with the policies related to scenic corridors and highways as
referenced in Policy SH-8 of the Yolo County General Plan and Policy PF-71
of the Sacramento County General Plan.
(3) Evaluation Methods
The aesthetic impacts of the Program were evaluated, where possible, based on
the change in the existing visual quality of the landscape. This change was
estimated based on changes in the basic visual components of line, form, color,
and texture. Aesthetic impacts also were evaluated in terms of general plan
policies regarding visual impacts to scenic resources.
b. Direct Effects on the Environment
(1) Impact AES-1: Visual Impact to Scenic Corridors Designated in Yolo County
General Plan
If towers for the Woodland-Elverta transmission line are located within onequarter mile of the two Yolo County designated scenic roadways, County Road
16 and 117, a potential visual impact will occur. The transmission line must be
located at a height of approximately 200 feet above the ground where it crosses
the Sacramento River to provide for the minimum clearance of the river required
by the USACE and U.S. Coast Guard. To avoid encroaching on the protected air
space of the Sacramento International Airport, the crossing of the Sacramento
River must be well north of the airport. Therefore, it is likely that the WoodlandElverta transmission line will encroach on the viewshed of County Roads 16 and
117. This will be a significant impact. No BMPs or mitigation measures have
been identified to reduce this impact.
(2) Impact AES-2: Conflict with Scenic Policies of the Yolo County and
Reconstruction of the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission line will
replace the existing lattice towers with new steel poles and add a new 115-kV
circuit (adding three overhead wires to the existing six wires and overhead fiber
optic cable). The new steel poles will be approximately 100 to 110 feet high. The
reconstructed line will require approximately 30 new poles.
There are no designated scenic roadways, scenic viewpoints, or similar uses
adjacent to the right of way or in its vicinity. The reconstructed line will have the
same visual character in terms of line, form, and color as the existing transmission
line. For these reasons, this program component will have a less-than-significant
impact on the landscape.
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Chapter IV
The proposed North City interconnection will occur within existing rights of way
near the American River Parkway. The interconnection of the existing SMUD and
PG&E transmission lines is expected to require approximately one to two new
foundations and steel poles.
The existing transmission towers in this study area already affect existing views.
The addition of two new towers and corresponding power lines will not change
the visual character of the landscape noticeably. This program component will not
block any important views or alter views from trails to existing vegetation along
the river. Therefore, this program component will have a less-than-significant
impact on the landscape.
According to the Caltrans California Scenic Highway Mapping System and the
City of Davis and Yolo County General Plans, no scenic roadways or viewpoints
have been identified within one mile of the study area for the Willow Slough
substation. While the substation will introduce man-made structures that will
contrast strongly with the more natural lines, forms, and colors of the existing
agricultural landscape, the structures will not be large enough to be visible beyond
immediate foreground views that include the substation. For this reason, the
Willow Slough substation will have a less-than-significant impact on the
landscape.
The specific location of the Woodland-Elverta transmission line has not been
selected. Therefore, it is not possible to evaluate the visual effects of this
transmission line at this time. A separate project-specific CEQA document will be
prepared to evaluate the location of this transmission line when it is identified.
c. Indirect Effects on the Environment
The presence of the transmission facilities will not, in itself, change the uses of any
other land crossed by Program transmission lines or any land adjacent to those lines
or the proposed substation. Therefore, the Program will make no changes in the
environment that can result in indirect visual impacts.
d. Cumulative Effects on the Environment
Foreseeable future projects in the study area include numerous commercial and
residential developments that will result in a substantial conversion of agricultural
land to urban uses. For example, relative to growth, SACOG Sacramento Region
Blueprint Transportation/Land Use Study, Preferred Blueprint Alternative (SACOG,
2005a) (Blueprint) projects that 102 square miles (65,280 acres) to 166 square miles
(106,240 acres) of agricultural land in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western Placer
Counties will be converted to urban uses by 2050. This will change the visual
character of the study area substantially, altering much of it from views of agricultural
land and relatively natural open space to views of man-made structures and urban
landscapes. The Program will contribute to this cumulative impact.
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Chapter IV
SMUD and LAFCo have no control over land-use development in local jurisdictions.
Project proponents who want to undertake a specific project are required to do so
under local jurisdictional requirements as guided by CEQA. Because each project
would be carried out under the aegis of CEQA, each project would require the
implementation of appropriate mitigation measures to preserve visual quality.
However, the expected amount of growth in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western
Placer Counties appears to be too great to completely mitigate its visual impacts. This
will result in a significant, unavoidable adverse impact to visual resources in the study
area, and the Program will contribute to this significant cumulative impact.
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B.
AGRICULTURE RESOURCES
This section describes how development associated with the Program will affect agriculture
resources. Where significant adverse effects on the environment are identified, mitigation
measures are provided to reduce those impacts to the extent feasible.
1.
This discussion provides the baseline for determining the significance of Program
impacts on agricultural resources. Sources for this discussion are the City of Davis
General Plan (Davis, 2001), Yolo County General Plan Update Background Report
(Yolo County, 2005a), Yolo County LAFCo Agricultural Conservation Policy (Yolo
County LAFCo, 2005a), the agriculture element of the County of Sacramento General
Plan (Sacramento County, 1993), County of Sutter General Plan (1996), and the
California Department of Conservation Web site.
The program components are located in the southern part of the Sacramento Valley in
Yolo, Sutter, and Sacramento Counties. Figure I-3 (provided at the end of Chapter I)
shows the locations for these program components. The analysis area for potential
direct and indirect impacts includes the entire Annexation Territory because
Operation and Maintenance of the Annexation Territory’s Electric System (Program
Component 9) will take place throughout this area, and Program Component 8, which
consists of possible reconductoring of existing overhead wires, also may occur along
any of the 12-kV lines in the Annexation Territory. The analysis area also includes
the Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component 7), the Power Inn
Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction Study Area (Program
Component 5), and the Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program
Component 6).
The potential cumulative impact analysis area is the same as the analysis area for
direct and indirect impacts. This area represents large portions of Yolo and
Sacramento Counties as well as a portion of Sutter County where the Program, in
combination with reasonably foreseeable projects, could have a combined effect on
agricultural resources.
The California State Department of Conservation has evolved over the past 50 years
to help balance California’s population growth with agricultural production. The
Department of Conservation administers the Williamson Act, which provides the
strongest protection against the conversion of agricultural land to urban uses.
Landowners volunteering to keep their land in agricultural or open space uses under a
10-year Williamson Act contract are assessed based on those uses rather than full
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Chapter IV
market or development value during the period of the contract. In 1998, the “Super
Williamson Act” became law, providing additional tax incentives to landowners
willing to enter into 20-year contracts.
In 1995, another major tool for protecting farmland came into being when Senate Bill
275 established the Agricultural Land Stewardship Program, now known as the
California Farmland Conservancy Program (CFCP). Under this grants program,
landowners sell the development rights for their property in perpetuity to a land trust
while retaining the right to use the land for agricultural purposes. The CFCP enhances
the Williamson Act by targeting the agricultural land facing the most development
pressure.
Senate Bill (SB) 1240, passed in 1998, acts as a bridge between the Williamson Act
and the CFCP. This bill allows lands to be taken out of a Williamson Act contract
under certain circumstances if the landowner places a permanent conservation
easement on a separate but higher and more valuable parcel of land approved locally
and by the state.
California Government Code Section 51290 establishes a state policy to avoid,
whenever practicable, the location of public utility improvements in agricultural
preserves. Where it is necessary to locate these improvements in agricultural
preserves, land under Williamson Act contract should be avoided. In the event that
agricultural preserve land is used for the Program, SMUD must make specific
findings regarding this use and advise the Department of Conservation of its
intention.
The Sacramento, Yolo, and Sutter County General Plans have agricultural elements
designed to protect important farmlands from conversion and encroachment and to
conserve agricultural resources. The Yolo County LAFCo has an agricultural
conservation policy that requires it to guide the development or use of land for other
than open-space uses away from prime agricultural lands. The Yolo County RightTo-Farm and Farmland Preservation Ordinance provides additional regulation of the
conversion of agricultural land and is intended to reduce the loss of agricultural
resources by limiting the circumstances under which agricultural operations may be
deemed a nuisance. The farmland preservation portion of the ordinance implements a
program designed to protect agricultural land located within the planning area for
agricultural uses.
To prevent urban encroachment into agricultural lands and regulate the population
growth rate, The City of Davis adopted Measure J (Ordinance 2008). That measure
requires voter approval for the following types of General Plan amendments: (1) to
change an agricultural or urban reserve designation to an urban designation; and (2)
to change an agricultural designation to an urban reserve designation. In 2000, Davis
voters approved Measure O, which provided a parcel tax over 30 years to fund open
space purchases within a planning area of over 102,000 acres surrounding the city.
Other measures contained in the City of Davis General Plan and Municipal Code that
are designed to protect the agricultural lands surrounding the city include the
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establishment of an agricultural transition area land use category and agricultural
transition area for new developments.
Agriculture is a vital and essential part of the Sacramento, Yolo, and Sutter County
economies and environment. Approximately 30% (226,476 acres) of Sacramento
County is classified as important farmland by the Department of Conservation, while
70% (400,592 acres) of Yolo County and 80% (295,696 acres) of Sutter County are
classified as important farmland (California Department of Conservation, 2004).
Between 2000 and 2002, 749 acres of prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland
of statewide importance was converted to urban and built-up land uses in Sacramento
County (California Department of Conservation, 2002). During this same period, 960
and 559 acres of prime and unique farmland and farmland of statewide importance
were converted to urban and built-up land uses in Yolo and Sutter Counties,
respectively.
Most of the land outside of the urban boundaries of Woodland, Davis, and West
Sacramento in the Annexation Territory is prime farmland under Williamson Act
contract, and much of this land is in agricultural preserve (Figure IV.B-1). Small
areas of land under Williamson Act contract are located in the Sacramento and Sutter
County portions of the Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area.
2.
have a significant impact on agricultural resources if the project would cause any
of the following effects:
DRAFT
•
Convert prime farmland, unique farmland, or farmland of statewide
importance (farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP) of the California
Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use.
•
Conflict with existing zoning and agricultural use or a Williamson Act
contract.
•
Involve other changes in the existing environment which, given their location
or nature, could result in conversion of farmland to non-agricultural use.
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significance, consistent with CEQA Guidelines, and has determined that Programrelated impacts relative to agricultural resources will result if the Program or any
program component will:
•
Result in the loss of significant land in a parcel of agricultural land to make it
fall below the minimum lot area requirements for establishing an agricultural
preserve area. The minimum lot area requirements for an agricultural preserve
is 80 acres, as indicated in Title 8 (Section 8-2.406) of the Yolo County Code.
•
Result in land acquisition or an easement across adopted agricultural preserves
or land under a Williamson Act contract unless these lands cannot be
practicably avoided pursuant to Section 51290 of the California Government
Code.
•
Convert prime farmland, unique farmland, or farmland of statewide
importance, as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the FMMP of the
California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use.
•
Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act
contract.
•
Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, given their location
or nature, could result in the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural use.
Maps of prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland of statewide importance
prepared for FMMP were reviewed for Sacramento, Yolo, and Sutter Counties.
The presence of farmland on these maps in relation to program components was
evaluated to determine potential Program impacts to agricultural resources.
(1) Impact AG-1: Fragmentation of Agricultural Preserves
Construction of the Woodland-Elverta transmission line will temporarily disturb
about 12.4 acres of land for access roads and laydown areas. Assuming that all of
the land crossed by the transmission line was in agriculture, it could be out of
production for up to one season, depending on the timing of construction for this
program component. The towers for the transmission line will occupy about 1.5
acres permanently. All of this land could be prime farmland, unique farmland, or
farmland of statewide importance.
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The presence of the transmission line will not preclude farming on lands that it
crosses. Many transmission lines cross productive agricultural land in the Central
Valley, with intensive agriculture occurring around the foundations of the towers.
The permanent loss of up to 1.5 acres over the 15- to 18-mile length of the
transmission line does not represent a large enough area to fragment agricultural
preserves so that they would no longer be viable agricultural preserves. Therefore,
the Woodland-Elverta transmission line will not impact agricultural lands by
preserve fragmentation.
The Willow Slough substation will cover from 1 to 3 acres of prime farmland or
unique farmland. The parcels of farmland in the study area for this substation
exceed 80 acres. The loss of 1 to 3 acres will not impact the viability of these
parcels as agricultural preserves. Therefore, the Willow Slough substation will not
impact agricultural lands by preserve fragmentation.
(2) Impact AG-2: Acquisition or Easement Across Adopted Agricultural
Preserve or Williamson Act Contract Land
Much of the land within the Yolo County portion of the Woodland-Elverta
transmission line is prime farmland under Williamson Act contract and in
agricultural preserve. Prime farmland under the Williamson Act also is present in
the Sacramento and Sutter County portions of this study area. Acquisition of
rights of way for the transmission line across lands under the Williamson Act
contract and in agricultural preserve will be a significant impact.
A portion of the Willow Slough substation at the southwestern corner of County
Roads 27 and 102 is under consideration for Williamson Act contract. Location of
the substation on this land will be a significant impact.
BMP 1 calls for siting all program components to avoid agricultural preserves and
land under Williamson Act contract to the extent practicable. This BMP meets the
requirements of Section 51290 of the California Government Code. Therefore, the
impact of the Program following application of BMP 1 will be less than
significant.
(3) Impact AG-3: Conversion of Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance to Non-Agricultural Uses
As stated under Impact AG-1, the Woodland-Elverta transmission line will impact
about 1.5 acres permanently, and the Willow Slough substation will impact 1 to 3
acres permanently. It is likely that at least some of the land occupied by the
towers for the Woodland-Elverta transmission line will be prime or unique
farmland or farmland of statewide importance. All of the Willow Slough
substation is located on prime or unique farmland. The study area for this
substation has been sited to most efficiently serve the electrical load from the
cities of Woodland and Davis and the surrounding unincorporated portion of the
Annexation Territory. If this substation location were to be moved to land that is
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not either prime or unique farmland, it would have to be located in Woodland or
Davis. Locating the substation in either of these two cities would place it too far
from major portions of the area it must serve. For these reasons, the WoodlandElverta transmission line and Willow Slough substation will convert 2.5 to 4.5
acres of prime or unique farmland or farmland of statewide importance to other
uses. This will be a significant impact.
(a) Mitigation Measure AG-1: SMUD will enter into a conservation mitigation
banking agreement established to preserve land currently in agricultural
production at a ratio equal to the estimated loss of prime farmland, unique
farmland, or farmland of statewide importance (i.e., 1:1).
(b) Significance of the Impact After Mitigation: Implementation of Mitigation
Measure AG-1 will reduce the Program’s impact on farmland to less than
significant.
(4) Impact AG-4: Conflict with Existing Zoning for Agricultural Use or a
Williamson Act Contract
Installation of power transmission facilities does not substantially interfere with
agricultural practices. There are many productive agricultural areas throughout the
Central Valley that are crossed by power transmission lines or occupied by
substations. Electrical transmission facilities physically occupy a very small area
of land, as discussed under Impact AG-1. The presence of transmission lines may
require a farmer to modify the application of agricultural chemicals on a portion
of a field from airborne to ground application; however, this does not prohibit
farming the land under the transmission lines. For these reasons, the Program will
have a less than significant impact on agricultural zoning or land under
Williamson Act contract.
(5) Impact AG-5: Involve Other Changes in the Existing Environment, Which,
Given Their Location or Nature, Could Result in the Conversion of
Farmland to Non-Agricultural Use
Program components will occupy a total of up to about 4.5 acres of farmland. The
presence of the transmission facilities will not preclude the use of any other land
crossed by Program transmission lines or any land adjacent to those lines or the
proposed substation as farmland. The presence of Program transmission facilities
will not cause changes in land uses adjacent to those facilities that will affect the
use of those lands as farmland. Therefore, the program will make no changes in
the environment that could result in the conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses.
As discussed under Impact AG-5, the Program will have no indirect impacts to
agricultural resources.
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The foreseeable future projects in the study area include numerous commercial and
land to urban uses. For example, the Sacramento Council of Governments Blueprint
for growth (SACOG, 2005a) projects that 102 square miles (65,280 acres) to 166
square miles (106,240 acres) of agricultural land in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and
western Placer Counties will be converted from agricultural use to urban use by 2050.
The Program constitutes up to 4.5 acres of this total conversion of agricultural lands
to non-agricultural uses. The Program also will contribute indirectly to this projected
conversion of agricultural land by reducing one constraint to growth: electrical utility
costs in the Annexation Territory. Lowering electrical prices is just one factor among
many that can encourage and fuel long-term growth.
The other factors influencing the development of foreseeable future projects are
beyond the purview of SMUD or LAFCo. SMUD and LAFCo have no control over
land-use development in local jurisdictions. Project proponents who want to
undertake a specific project are required to do so under local jurisdictional
requirements as guided by CEQA. Because each project will be carried out under the
aegis of CEQA, each project will require the implementation of appropriate
mitigation measures to preserve prime farmland, unique farmland, or farmland of
statewide importance. However, the expected amount of growth in Sacramento, Yolo,
Sutter, and western Placer Counties appears to be too great to completely protect the
agricultural economy in the Program study area. This will result in a significant,
unavoidable adverse impact to agricultural resources, and the Program will contribute
to this significant cumulative impact.
e. Monitoring and Reporting
Before construction, SMUD will prepare a report describing its mitigation banking
agreement for the preservation of land currently in agricultural production. This
report will be submitted to LAFCo.
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DRAFT
IV-14
SUTTER
0
5
Scale in Miles
PLACER
YOLO
"
)
Existing PG&E
Woodland
Substation
Existing SMUD
Elverta
Substation
"
)
Willow Slough
Substation
Proposed
Study Area
Existing PG&E
West Sacramento
Substation
Existing PG&E
Davis Substation
Proposed
Transmission Corridor
"
)
"
)
"
)
Existing SMUD
North City
Substation
SACRAMENTO
"
)
Existing SMUD
Hedge Substation
SOLANO
K:\GIS\Projects\SMUD_YoloBypass\ArcMaps\williamson_lands_ltr.mxd CJK 12.29.05 SAC
Existing SMUD
Transmissionline
Reconstruction
LEGEND
Proposed Annexation Area
Proposed Woodland/Elverta
Transmission Line Study Area
County Boundary
Williamson Act and
Agricultural Preserve Lands
Prime Agricultural Land
Non-Prime Agricultural Land
Agricultural Land in Non-Renewal
Non-Enrolled Land
Urban and Built-up Land
Source: State of California Department of Coservation,
Division of Land Resource Protection
Figure 4B-1. Land Enrolled in Williamson Act
and Farmland Security Zone Contracts
"
)
Chapter IV
C.
AIR QUALITY
This section describes how development associated with the Program will affect air quality. It
addresses three major issues or areas of concern: (1) emissions from the construction of Program
facilities to serve the Annexation Territory; (2) potential changes in air emissions related to
service and maintenance trips to and within the Annexation Territory; and (3) potential changes
in air emissions at other locations as a result of the change in the mix of energy sources serving
the area. Where significant effects are identified, mitigation measures are provided to reduce
those impacts to the extent feasible.
1.
This subsection provides a baseline for determining whether the Program will have a
significant impact on air quality.
The analysis area for potential direct and indirect impacts relative to air quality is the
lower or southern portion of the Sacramento Valley Air Basin, specifically the area
defined by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
(SMAQMD) as the Sacramento Federal Ozone Nonattainment Area (SFNA)
(SMAQMD, 2004), which includes five air districts in the larger Sacramento Air
Basin that do not yet meet federal standards for ozone (Butte, Feather River, Colusa,
Yolo-Solano, and Sacramento Metropolitan). The Annexation Territory and all of the
infrastructure components of the Program are located within this portion of the air
basin.
SMAQMD (2004) relates the assessment of cumulative impacts to conformance with
the land-use assumptions used in its 1994 State Implementation Plan (SIP) report.
This plan covers the described SFNA and was based on land-use designations and
assumptions contained in the local government general plans applicable to this area.
Any land-use changes caused by implementation of the Program will occur within
this area. Therefore, the analysis area for potential cumulative impacts relative to air
quality will be the same as the analysis area for direct impacts.
The following agencies are responsible for air quality planning in the SFNA.
•
DRAFT
Federal Government: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
responsible for defining National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for
several pollutants, as called for in the federal Clean Air Act (CAA). The NAAQS
are presented in Appendix G. The EPA also is responsible for reviewing and
approving air quality plans developed by local APCDs, state air quality plans, and
SIPs.
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Chapter IV
•
State of California: In 1988, the California Clean Air Act (CCAA) was passed.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has established California Ambient
Air Quality Standards (CAAQS), which are, in some instances, more stringent
than the NAAQS. Appendix G includes both the national and state AAQS. CARB
is the agency responsible for coordinating and overseeing the state and local air
pollution control programs. CARB, which has primary responsibility for setting
mobile source standards for California, is implementing a Diesel Risk Reduction
Program aimed at reducing exhaust emissions from all diesel vehicles and
stationary diesel engines.
•
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District: SMAQMD
encompasses the area of Sacramento County. SMAQMD works cooperatively
with four other air districts in planning air quality within the SFNA; the YoloSolano Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is one of the other four. The
five districts work together in preparing required plans and reports and in
developing programs to control air emissions. Each district, however, has its own
rules and regulations for implementing the air plans and for establishing and
implementing their permit authorities over point source air emissions. The
objective of air quality regulation is to attain and maintain compliance with the
NAAQS and CAAQS. Stationary sources that have the potential to emit regulated
pollutants over the specified thresholds are required to obtain an Authority to
Construct (ATC) before construction. These sources must also obtain a Permit to
Operate (PTO) before commencing project operations and must provide regular
monitoring and reporting to the air district to ensure compliance with permit
conditions.
In addition to controlling air emissions through the enforcement of its rules and
regulations, SMAQMD (and other districts) also reviews land development and
other projects through the CEQA process. Each district establishes the thresholds
it uses to define a significant impact and provides consultation and information to
local governments to help reduce impacts. The SMAQMD also has a procedure—
its construction mitigation fee program—that allows developers to purchase
emissions offsets in a way similar to that used for regulated point sources. This
construction migitation fee program is available if other applicable mitigation
measures are insufficient to reduce construction emissions below the district’s
adopted thresholds.
DRAFT
•
Local Governments: Cities and counties regulate land uses through their general
plans, ordinances, and entitlement process. The SMAQMD and other districts
coordinate with the local governments in the review and permitting of land-use
projects, assisting with the identification of air quality impacts that may be
associated with land use changes.
•
Sacramento Area Council of Governments: SACOG acts as the clearinghouse for
transportation and other projects within the six-county region, including El
Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba Counties and the 22
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incorporated cities in this region. SACOG assists in the development and
promotion of ride sharing and similar activities related to air quality impacts from
transportation.
(1) Control of Air Pollution
Guided by the overall planning structure described above, the local air districts
(and other agencies) develop and implement procedures to control and reduce air
pollution. Sources of air pollution are typically categorized as follows:
•
“Mobile sources,” related to vehicular emissions;
•
“Point” or “stationary sources,” related to certain industrial or commercial
emissions at fixed locations; and
•
“Area” or “areawide sources,” related to residential, agricultural, and
commercial uses that, by themselves, may have small emission levels but may
have considerable emission levels when viewed as a whole
Rules and regulations adopted to control air pollutants are aimed primarily at socalled “criteria” pollutants—those for which NAAQS and CAAQS have been
adopted. “Toxic Air Contaminants” also are subject to regulations. These
generally have no numerical air quality standards but are regulated based on the
health risk that they pose. Toxic air contaminants may be associated with either
mobile sources or point sources and are addressed with separate statutory and
regulatory responses.
(a) Mobile Sources
Emissions from motor vehicles are regulated by the EPA and CARB. The
EPA and CARB establish pollutant emission limits for various classes of
vehicles. While important in the overall planning for air quality, most of these
regulations do not apply directly to land development projects. Emission
standards adopted by CARB for off-road (construction) equipment will apply
to the grading and construction equipment used for development of the
Program. Authority for regulating off-road equipment is divided between the
CARB and EPA. At the federal level, EPA issued its final rule establishing the
latest reductions in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter applicable
to off-road engines starting in model year 2008 (Federal Register, June 29,
2004).
(b) Stationary Sources
Stationary point sources are subject to regulation by the SMAQMD and other
air districts based on procedures set forth in their rules and regulations. Each
district has a two-step permit process for stationary sources. First, an ATC is
issued. Then, after construction and compliance with the conditions of
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approval in the ATC have been ascertained, a PTO is issued. These permits
typically contain requirements related to emission limits, operating
parameters, control equipment, monitoring, and reporting. Such permits apply
to stationary sources, such as power plants, industrial installations, gas
stations, and many other types of commercial enterprises.
Notable among stationary point sources that have not been regulated until
recently by CARB or by the local air districts are all sources associated with
agricultural operations. As air emissions from vehicles and other major point
sources are reduced over time, the relative importance of those from
agricultural sources increases. In 2003, the statutory exemption for
agricultural operations was removed by the state legislature (in Senate Bill
[SB] 700). CARB is in the process of developing rules and defining control
measures that would apply to such engines, but the major concern of these
pending rules is the control of diesel exhaust as a health threat. Other
individual air districts have removed or are in the process of removing
agricultural exemptions or developing specific rules for agricultural operations
pursuant to SB 700. In the Yolo-Solano AQMD, Rule 11.1 was adopted on
March 9, 2005. In short, this rule creates an agricultural operating permit
program and will regulate agricultural engines that emit more than 12.5 tons
per year of either volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or NOx. In the
SMAQMD, a revision to Rule 412 (concerning stationary internal combustion
[IC] engines) that would remove the agricultural exemption is being
considered, but as of late 2005, no workshop dates have been set.
Several voluntary programs are intended to reduce ozone precursor emissions
from agricultural sources. These programs encourage agricultural operators to
reduce emissions by installing additional pollution control equipment, by
changing operations to reduce energy consumption and the use of diesel
engines, and by converting stationary diesel engines to electric motors. Both
the SMAQMD and the Yolo-Solano AQMD have incentive programs based
on the CARB “Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment
Program.” These programs provide for the reimbursement of operators of
heavy-duty vehicles and certain types of stationary equipment, such as
agricultural pumping engines. The County Farm Bureaus and other
agricultural advice services provide information and assistance towards
conserving energy and costs in all aspects of agricultural operations, which
also helps to reduce air emissions. In August 2005, under a program supported
by the CPUC, the California Farm Bureau Federation, and other
organizations, PG&E started an incentive program known as the Agricultural
Internal Combustion Engine Conversion Program (AG-ICE). This program
includes a reduced electricity rate (20% below the standard agricultural
electrical rate), capped increases of no more than 1.5% per year through the
end of 2015, and an additional allowance to reduce the costs of line extensions
to serve new electric agricultural motors. This program is intended to
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encourage operators to convert diesel engines to electric motors and thus
reduce the emissions of ozone precursors.
(c) Area Sources
Residential, commercial, and office uses and their associated vehicle traffic
are not regulated directly by CARB or by local air districts. SMAQMD does
review such projects through the CEQA process, however, and attempts to
identify mitigation measures that can be applied to minimize vehicle and other
emissions associated with land development projects (SMAQMD, 2004). In a
similar way, fugitive dust from construction and similar operations is not
regulated directly. Instead, SMAQMD addresses fugitive dust through a
nuisance rule (Rule 403) and through identifying dust mitigation measures
that can be applied to projects case by case.
(d) Toxic Air Contaminants
Several federal and state programs regulate the emission of toxic compounds
to the air. The federal CAA Amendments Title III requires local air districts to
implement a comprehensive toxic air emissions program. Response at the
state level includes the Tanner Toxics Act (AB 1807 in 1983), the Air Toxics
“Hot Spots” Information and Assessment Act (AB 2588), AB 3205 dealing
with toxic emissions near schools, and the “Hot Spots” Risk Reduction
Mandates of SB 1731.
In 1998, after 10 years of study, CARB identified particulate matter in diesel
exhaust as a toxic air contaminant. There is no formal rating or standard for
allowable diesel exhaust concentrations in air, but ambient concentrations of
diesel exhaust particulate matter clearly warrant regulation. They are
responsible for an estimated excess of 540 cancer cases per one million
population, which is more than the total of the next 10 monitored carcinogenic
compounds (CARB, 2000). The Diesel Risk Reduction Program (CARB,
2000) recommends control measures in the form of mobile source regulations
and stationary source airborne toxic control measures.
(2) Criteria Pollutants and Air Quality Standards
The federal CAA, as amended, directed the EPA to establish NAAQS for several
air pollutants. Primary standards relate to the protection of the public’s health and
safety; secondary standards relate to the protection of the public from non-health
effects. The following primary NAAQS have been set for the air pollutants.
(a) Carbon Monoxide (CO)
CO, an odorless gas that is highly toxic, is formed by the incomplete
combustion of fuels. At high concentrations, CO reduces the oxygen-carrying
capacity of the blood and can cause dizziness, headaches, unconsciousness,
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and even death. CO also can aggravate cardiovascular disease. Relatively low
concentrations of CO can significantly affect the amount of oxygen in the
bloodstream because CO binds to hemoglobin 220 to 245 times stronger than
oxygen. Both the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system (CNS)
can be affected when as little as 2.5% to 4.0% of the hemoglobin in the
bloodstream is bound to CO rather than to oxygen. State and federal ambient
air quality standards for CO have been set at levels intended to keep CO from
combining with more than 1.5% of blood hemoglobin.
(b) Ozone (O3)
O3 is formed by a complex series of chemical reactions between reactive
organic gases (ROG), NOx, and sunlight. ROG and NOx are known as ozone
precursors. Ozone is a public health concern because it is a respiratory irritant
that increases susceptibility to respiratory infections and diseases, and because
high concentrations of ozone can harm lung tissue. Ozone also has been
linked to cardiovascular disease. In addition, ozone can cause substantial
damage to leaf tissues of crops and natural vegetation and can damage many
natural and manmade materials by acting as a chemical oxidizing agent.
(c) Suspended Particulate Matter
Suspended particulate matter that is less than 10 microns in size (PM10), given
its small size, can remain airborne for long periods and can be inhaled, passed
through the respiratory system, and lodged in the lungs. The level of fine
particulate matter in the air is a public health concern because PM10 can
bypass the body’s natural filtration system more easily than larger particles
and can lodge deep in the lungs. The health effects vary depending on various
factors, including the type and size of particles. Research has demonstrated a
correlation between high PM10 concentrations and increased mortality rates.
Elevated PM10 concentrations also can aggravate chronic respiratory illnesses,
such as bronchitis and asthma.
(d) Fine Particulate Matter
Fine particulate matter that is 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5) is similar to PM10,
but smaller. It generally derives from combustion sources.
(e) Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
NO2 is a precursor to the formation of ozone. It results from combustion of
fossil fuels. Aside from its contribution to ozone formation, nitrogen dioxide
can increase the risk of acute and chronic respiratory disease and reduce
visibility. NO2 may be visible as the active coloring agent in a brown cloud on
high pollution days, especially when both NO2 and high ozone levels are
present.
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(f) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
SO2 is formed by the combustion of fuels containing sulfur. Like nitrogen
dioxide, sulfur dioxide can irritate lung tissue and increase the risk of acute
and chronic respiratory disease.
(g) Lead (Pb)
Pb was a greater hazard when leaded gasoline was available. As a result of
EPA’s regulatory efforts to reduce the content of lead in gasoline, the
contribution from the transportation sector has declined substantially. Today,
metal processing is the major source of lead emissions to the atmosphere.
Lead accumulates in the blood, bones, and soft tissues. The health effects
associated with lead include adverse affects to the kidneys, liver, CNS, and
other organs.
Under the California Air Quality Act, the state also has adopted primary and
secondary CAAQS for air pollutants. The state has adopted CAAQS for some
pollutants not on the list of NAAQS. Specifically, CAAQS have been adopted
for sulfates, hydrogen sulfide, and visibility-reducing particulate matter. The
NAAQS and CAAQS typically are stated as concentrations of pollutants that
cannot be exceeded. Appendix G contains the current NAAQS and CAAQS
with additional explanations regarding the standards. The roles of the various
agencies involved in improving air quality are discussed in Subsection 1.C.
(1) Climate and Topography
The following information is summarized from the Guide to Air Quality
Assessment in Sacramento County (SMAQMD, 2004).
The SFNA is in the southern portion of the Sacramento Valley Air Basin. The
Sacramento Valley Air Basin is bounded by the North Coast Ranges on the west
and Northern Sierra Nevada on the east. During windless conditions, these
mountains confine the air mass and pollutants over the flat valley land between
them.
Hot dry summers and mild rainy winters characterize the Mediterranean climate
of the Sacramento Valley. During the year the temperature may range from 20 to
115 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), with summer highs usually in the 90s and winter
lows occasionally below freezing. Average annual rainfall is about 20 inches;
snowfall is rare. The prevailing winds are moderate in strength and vary from
moist clean breezes from the south to dry land flows from the north.
Periods of low winds and air stagnation occur most often in the autumn and early
winter, when large high-pressure cells lie over the valley. The lack of surface
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wind during these periods and the reduced vertical flow caused by less surface
heating retard outside air from entering the basin and allow air pollutants to
become concentrated in a stable volume of air.
The surface concentrations of pollutants are highest when these conditions are
combined with smoke from agricultural burning or when temperature inversions
trap cool air, fog, and pollutants near the ground.
The ozone season (May through October) in the Sacramento Valley is
characterized by stagnant morning air or light winds, with the delta sea breeze
arriving in the afternoon out of the southwest. Usually, the evening breeze
transports the airborne pollutants to the north, out of the Sacramento Valley.
During about half of the days from July to September, however, a phenomenon
called the “Schultz Eddy” prevents this evening transport of pollutants out of the
basin from occurring. Instead of allowing for the prevailing wind patterns to move
north, carrying the pollutants out of the valley, the Schultz Eddy causes the wind
pattern to circle back south. This causes the air pollutants to be blown south
toward the SFNA and exacerbates the pollution levels in the area. The eddy
normally dissipates around noon, when the delta sea breeze arrives.
(2) Status of Air Basin and Local Air Quality
Geographic areas and air basins are classified for each pollutant as either
attainment or nonattainment. In general, nonattainment means that the federal
standard has been exceeded more than twice per year anywhere within the air
basin. For ozone and PM10, the formula for attainment is more complicated. Areas
that are designated as nonattainment are subject to further review by the EPA and
to the imposition of pollution control strategies.
The nonattainment designation is further subdivided into five categories (listed in
order of increasing severity): marginal, moderate, serious, severe, and extreme.
The degree of an area’s nonattainment status is affected by the extent of the
pollution and the expected time period required to achieve attainment.
Appendix G contains tables that summarize the air quality in the analysis area by
presenting the number of days that air quality in the nearest monitoring stations in
Sacramento County (3801 Airport Road) and Yolo County (Woodland-Gibson
Road) exceeded applicable federal and state standards. While the data generally
indicate that air quality has been improving over the last five years, both the
SMAQMD and the Yolo-Solano AQMD continue to have days when state and
federal air standards are exceeded. For this reason, this portion of the Sacramento
air basin is considered in nonattainment of the state and federal ozone standards.
This status, and the status of the air basin relative to other standards, is
summarized below in Table IV.C-1. Note that the information in this chart is
presented for the SMAQMD. Unless otherwise noted within the chart, the status is
the same for the Yolo and Solano County portions of the air basin.
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Table IV.C-1: Air Quality Standards Attainment Status Chart for
SMAQMD and Yolo-Solano AQMD
Parameter
Ozone
PM10
PM2.5
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Sulfur dioxide
Lead
Visibility-Reducing Particles
Sulfates
Hydrogen sulfide
California Standard
Non-attainment (classification
is serious for the 1-hour and
8-hour standards)
Non-attainment
Non-attainment (Yolo and
Solano Counties are
unclassified)
Attainment
Attainment
Attainment
Attainment
Unclassified
Attainment
Unclassified
Federal Standard
Non-attainment (classification
is serious for the 8-hour
standard)
Non-attainment (air quality
now meets federal PM10
standards, and SMAQMD
must request redesignation
and submit maintenance plan)
Attainment/Unclassified
Attainment
Attainment
Attainment
Attainment
No federal standard
No federal standard
No federal standard
The federal CAA requires the development of an air quality control plan referred
to as the SIP. The SIP contains strategies and control measures that states will use
to attain the NAAQS. States with areas in violation of the NAAQS are required to
update their SIPs to incorporate additional control measures to reduce air
pollution. The California SIP is periodically modified to reflect the latest emission
inventories, planning documents, and rules and regulations of various air basins.
CARB has primary responsibility for, and produces a major part of, the SIP for
pollution sources that are statewide in scope; however, it relies on the local air
districts to provide emissions inventory data and additional strategies for sources
under their jurisdictions. The SIP consists of the emission standards for vehicular
sources and consumer products set by the CARB and attainment plans adopted by
local air agencies, as approved by CARB. EPA reviews the air quality SIPs to
verify their conformity with federal CAA mandates and that they will achieve air
quality goals when implemented. If EPA determines a SIP is inadequate, it may
prepare a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for the nonattainment area and
impose additional control measures.
The clean air plan for the SFNA (prepared by the five air districts within the
nonattainment area) was adopted in 1994 in compliance with the 1990 federal
CAA Amendments. Under this plan, the federal ozone standard was to have been
met by 2005, or “significant consequences ranging from the imposition of
financial penalties to the adoption of even more stringent air emission control
requirements” will be enforced (Yolo County, 2005). The clean air plan contains
an inventory of emissions throughout the air basin, a series of strategies or control
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measures to be applied through increasing regulation of point sources, and
measures to reduce vehicle emissions and other sources. A brief summary of the
emissions inventories for the SFNA as a whole, provided in Table IV.C-2,
indicates that overall emissions, particularly as motor vehicle emissions, are
reduced.
Table IV.C-2: Summary of Basinwide Air Emissions
Source
TOTAL for Basin
Excerpts of Specific Sources:
Mobile On-Road Vehicles
Agricultural Internal Combustion
Engines
Electric Utilities
NOx (tons/day)
1990
1999
2005
164
131
124
Reactive Organic Gases
(tons/day)
1990
1999
2005
222
176
167
118
0.920
85
0.100
80
0.108
110
0.005
56
0.005
38
0.004
0.507
0.607
0.661
0.014
0.016
0.017
Source: SMAQMD, 1994, Table C-2.
Since the clean air plan’s original preparation, the districts have prepared two
progress or “milestone” reports, the most recent of which is dated May 2003. This
report concludes that the districts are making acceptable progress in achieving
reductions in air pollutant emissions (SMAQMD, 2003). As of late 2005,
SMAQMD is reviewing its updated rate of progress plan (to comply with the
8-hour ozone standard) and preparing an accompanying EIR while working on the
conformity analysis to demonstrate consistency between the regional
transportation plans and air quality plans. This process should lead to hearings at
the AQMDs within the SFNA early next year, followed by submittal to and
approvals by the EPA and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
2.
The following information is provided in accordance with Section 15126.2 of the CEQA
Guidelines.
have a significant impact on air quality if the project would cause any of the
following effects:
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(a) Conflict with, or obstruct implementation of, the applicable air quality plan;
(b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or
projected air quality violation;
(c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for
which the project region is in non-attainment under an applicable federal or
state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions that exceed
quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors);
(d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations; or
(e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people
(2) Threshold(s) of Significance Adopted in This EIR
LAFCo, as the Lead Agency, has determined that air quality impacts will be
significant if the Program or any program component surpasses thresholds
adopted by SMAQMD and the Yolo-Solano AQMD. The districts adopted these
thresholds because they have been found to be protective of human health and the
environment based on epidemiological studies and other research done by CARB
and EPA. The standards have been designed to be protective of segments of the
population that can be sensitive to air pollutants, such as the very young and old
and people with respiratory problems. These quantitative thresholds are as
follows:
Yolo-Solano AQMD (May 1996):
•
•
•
82 lbs/day of ROG
82 lbs/day of NOx
150 lbs/day of PM10
SMAQMD (2002):
•
Short Term
– No standard for ROG
– 85 lbs/day of NOx
– No standard for PM10
•
Long Term
– 65 lbs/day of ROG
– 65 lbs/day of NOx
– No standard for PM10
These standards were adopted by SMAQMD in 2002 (SMAQMD, 2004).
Relative to the assessment of cumulative air quality impacts, SMAQMD (2004,
page 7-2) states:
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Development projects are considered cumulatively significant if
the project requires a change in the existing land use designation
(i.e., general plan amendment, rezone), and projected emissions
(ROG, NOx) of the proposed project are greater than the emissions
anticipated for the site if developed under the existing land use
designation.
Thus, a change in land-use designation leading to an increase in criteria
pollutants, compared to development under the previous land-use designation,
will be considered as contributing to a cumulative significant impact.
Other qualitative thresholds also are published by SMAQMD (2004). These
include the potential to generate offensive odors, the potential to release toxic air
contaminants, and the alteration of a land-use designation so that related air
emissions have the potential to be greater than emissions anticipated under the
existing designations.
The analysis of air quality effects is based generally on the procedures suggested
by SMAQMD (2004). An inventory or projection of the various air emissions
from each phase or component of the Program was prepared and then compared
with appropriate thresholds. Because ozone is the major pollutant of concern, the
focus of the analysis is the precursor compounds that contribute to the formation
of ozone in the atmosphere (NOx and reactive hydrocarbons). In most analyses of
this type, the URBEMIS urban emission model program, published by CARB, is
used to estimate traffic generation and resulting emissions from a project based on
the proposed land uses. Because the program components do not translate directly
into standard land uses that are commonly used in this Program, an alternative
approach was used.
Details regarding the types of construction vehicles and equipment were obtained
from SMUD and were based on SMUD’s experience in building similar facilities.
These were used with conventional emission factors obtained from the mobile
source emissions inventory, EMFAC, 2002 database, or from SMAQMD (2004)
to estimate construction emissions. For its own service vehicles, SMUD maintains
an extensive database of individual vehicle emissions factors. This information
was used along with SMUD estimates of future service, maintenance, and planned
trips to the new service territory to estimate operational emissions from the
program. Appendix G contains the assumptions, emission factors, and results of
this analysis.
Based on concerns raised during the NOP review period and on analysis of the
proposed Program, potential direct effects of the Program are discussed relative to
three primary issues: the change in energy sources serving the Annexation Territory;
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potential emissions changes in the service area caused by the change in service
providers; and the direct effects of SMUD infrastructure construction and SMUD
service and maintenance operations.
(1) Impact AQ-1: Change in Existing Power Plant Operations
This potential effect derives from the overall change in electrical service in the
Annexation Territory proposed for the Program. PG&E currently provides
electricity to the Annexation Territory, relying on its sources, which include a
combination of nuclear, gas-fired, hydroelectric, and purchased power. After
annexation is completed, SMUD will supply power to the Annexation Territory
using long- and short-term purchased power contracts, spot market power
purchases, and possibly surplus power from its Consumnes Power Plant (CPP),
which is scheduled to be completed in 2006. SMUD also will extend its energy
efficiency and renewable energy programs to the Annexation Territory.
The change in electric service providers in the Annexation Territory may change
where power for the Territory is generated. It is not possible to determine the
location of such a change because the specific source of power provided to a
given area, such as the Annexation Territory, is dependent on a wide range of
variables that change daily, such as changes in customer power requirements, the
price of power in the marketplace, hydrologic conditions, weather conditions, the
price of natural gas, transmission system availability and operations, power plant
regulatory and contract requirements, and power plant operating conditions.
However, with the Program, SMUD does not plan to change the operations of its
gas-fired power plants so that permitted emission levels would be exceeded. Nor
is SMUD planning to repermit any of these plants to increase their output and
emission levels.
For example, the CPP is a 500-MW new combined cycle generating plant located
on SMUD property near the inactive Rancho Seco nuclear power plant (see
California Energy Commission [CEC], 2003). Regardless of the Annexation
Program, SMUD plans to operate the CPP as a “base load” power plant. Base load
plants are operated whenever technically and economically feasible.
When compared to all natural gas-fired power plants in California, the CPP will
burn approximately 25% less natural gas to generate an MW of power during
peak periods. This is because it is a new, state-of-the-art power plant. Therefore, it
is likely that SMUD will operate the CPP as often as possible, regardless of the
proposed annexation. When the CPP generates more power than is required to
serve SMUD’s existing area, surplus power will be sold to the energy marketplace
or to the Annexation Territory.
The CPP incorporates all best available control technologies (BACTs) to
minimize air emissions. These include the use of dry low-NOx combustors and
selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to minimize the formation of nitrogen oxides
and maintenance and combustion control measures to minimize the generation of
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organic compounds. These pollutants are the target of control because they are the
precursors for ozone formation. These control measures are expected to keep NOx
emissions at or below 2.0 parts per million (ppm) on a 1-hour average. Because
the air basin does not attain state and federal standards for ozone, SMUD was
required to “offset” any increase in emissions by purchasing and retiring
generators of NOx elsewhere within the region.
Through the combination of conditions applied to the power plant and the process
of offsetting any anticipated emissions, the CEC concluded “…all potential
adverse impacts to air quality will be mitigated to insignificance.” (CEC, 2003,
p 21) The conditions are imposed by both the CEC and by SMAQMD, which also
has permit authority over the plant. Thus, any air emissions at the CPP that might
be attributable to the Annexation Program must be within the limits of the plant’s
operating permit and already have been accounted for in regional projections of
air emissions. In addition, there will be a reduction in emissions from the PG&E
sources currently serving the Annexation Territory. Thus, in considering the
source of energy to be used to serve the Annexation Territory, and its potential
effect on air quality, there is a less than significant impact on air quality.
(2) Impact AQ-2: Conflict with or Obstruct Applicable Air Quality Plans
This potential effect also relates to the overall change in electrical service that is
proposed by the Program. The proposed Program will result in a 2% reduction in
all existing PG&E rate classes within the Annexation Territory. This includes the
current PG&E AG-ICE program, which provides a 20% reduction, below
agricultural rates, to farmers who convert stationary diesel engines to electric
motors. It is likely, therefore, that gradual reductions in air emissions from
stationary agricultural sources will continue because the Annexation Program will
reduce electrical energy costs to farmers below current conditions, providing them
with further incentive to convert pumps used to extract groundwater from diesel
to electrical. SMUD also will extend its public education, energy conservation,
and other programs to encourage efficient energy use to the Annexation Territory.
As dicussed in more detail under Impact AQ-4, the Program may increase vehicle
emissions because of increased vehicle miles traveled to operate and maintain the
electric system in the Annexation Territory. However, this increase in emissions
is projected to be below de minimus levels. These are emission thresholds below
which SMAQMD has determined it can achieve its goals in improving air quality.
In conclusion, the net effect on air quality of changing electrical service providers
throughout the Annexation Territory from PG&E to SMUD will be less than
significant.
(3) Impact AQ-3: Construction Emissions
This potential impact relates to the construction of the infrastructure components
necessary for SMUD to serve the Annexation Territory (Program Components 4
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through 8). These program components will involve somewhat similar construction steps: clearing and drilling (or grading) and then pouring concrete for
foundations; erecting poles; and installing conductors (and other equipment in the
case of the Willow Slough substation) and wire.
Appendix G contains the details of assumptions, emission factors, and resulting
emissions of hydrocarbons and NOx from the construction phase for each of the
Program infrastructure components. The emissions results are summarized in
Table IV.C-3.
The Yolo-Solano AQMD uses a critical threshold of 82 pounds per day (lb/day)
for NOx and hydrocarbons (the ozone precursors) to define a significant
construction emissions impact. The SMQAMD uses a similar figure of 85 lb/day.
None of the operations in Table IV.C-3 will approach this threshold.
Table IV.C-3: Summary of Daily Construction Emissions
Construction Phase
1. Construct Foundations*
2. Install Poles*
3. Install Conductors
1. Construct Foundations
2. Install Poles
3. Install Conductors
1. Grade/Install Foundations
2. Install Poles
3. String Conductor
1. Grade/Do Underground Work*
2. Install Foundations
3. Install Equipment
Total Daily Emissions (lb/day)
HC
CO
NOx
PM
3.849*
33.317* 27.187* 0.573*
2.534*
22.957* 14.262* 0.378*
2.048
17.750
12.504
0.390
2.014
17.368
14.900
0.292
1.368
12.902
7.296
0.190
2.048
17.750
12.504
0.390
4.077
34.850
30.918
0.586
3.781
34.201
21.607
0.569
2.823
24.026
18.362
0.598
4.097*
29.986* 33.482* 1.102*
2.116
18.193
15.858
0.292
1.382
13.141
7.566
0.194
Maximum Anticipated Overlap
Sum of Items Marked *
10.497
8. Other Distribution System
Upgrades
Not specified at this time. Generally minor reconductoring, similar to Phase 3
of Program Component 4.
Program Component
4. Power Inn Road to Hedge
Substation Transmission Line
Reconstruction Study Area
5. North City Interconnection Study
Area
6. Woodland-Elverta Transmission
Line Study Area
7. Willow Slough Substation Study
Area
86.260
74.931
2.053
* Construction phases involving the largest emissions that may overlap.
CO
HC
NOx
PM
=
=
=
=
carbon monoxide
hydrocarbons
oxides of nitrogen
particulate matter
Each phase is such that, at any given location, one phase must be complete before
the next can occur. Thus, it is not appropriate to add all of the phases to create an
arbitrary “total” of emissions. It is possible, however, that the construction phases
could overlap to some extent. Depending on the degree of overlap, that is,
depending on which construction activities occur simultaneously, it is possible
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that the NOx threshold could be exceeded. To analyze for the degree of this
overlap, a preliminary construction schedule prepared by SMUD was reviewed,
and the construction phases involving the largest emissions that may overlap were
identified. These are marked with an asterisk (*) in Table IV.C-3. With this
overlap, the daily emissions of NOx may reach approximately 75 pounds. This is
still below the threshold of 82 lb/day. Since the Willow Slough substation figures
in this analysis, a more detailed assessment of this issue will have to be performed
when construction details are known for this component. It is possible that the
specific construction details of the substation or revisions to the construction
schedule could result in NOx construction emissions exceeding the threshold. This
would be a significant impact.
Fugitive dust also will be released during infrastructure construction. Based on an
approximate release of 10 lb/acre-day, and on estimates of the maximum area of
disturbance for each infrastructure component, the fugitive dust emissions will be:
Program Component 4
Program Component 5
Program Component 6
Program Component 7
1.1 lb/day
0.07 lb/day
113 lb/day
5 lb/day
All of these figures are below the 150 lb/day threshold used by Yolo-Solano
AQMD, and SMAQMD does not have a specific numerical threshold it uses to
assess construction fugitive dust effects. Fugitive dust emissions also will be
reduced by BMP 6, which incorporates construction fugitive dust emissions
requirements established by the Yolo-Solano AQMD and SMAQMD. For these
reasons, fugitive dust effects will be less than significant.
These discussions have focused on criteria pollutants, for which numerical
thresholds and specific regulations exist within the local air districts. Diesel
equipment and trucks used during construction, and diesel trucks used during
service and maintenance trips to the Annexation Territory, will emit diesel
exhaust particulate matter, which is a recognized toxic air contaminant. Service
and maintenance trips by SMUD will replace similar trips currently undertaken by
PG&E. PG&E has indicated that it serves the Annexation Territory from local
centers. SMUD will service the Annexation Territory from Sacramento; therefore,
the Program may result in a small increase in vehicle miles traveled by dieselpowered trucks, resulting in an increase in diesel particulate emissions. This will
be a significant impact.
Additional regulations of stationary and mobile diesel exhaust sources are being
recommended by CARB (2000), and SMAQMD has initiated this process with
Rule 1002, which requires fleet operators to maintain an inventory of vehicle
emissions. This initial rule will help to develop a database for organizing and
evaluating subsequent rules to control emissions from mobile sources under
SMAQMD’s Regulation 10. SMUD maintains and reports its fleet emissions
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inventory to SMAQMD and will comply with subsequent rules recommended by
CARB and adopted by SMAQMD under Regulation 10.
In conclusion, the only potentially significant air quality impacts anticipated from
Program construction is emissions of ozone precursors during simultaneous
construction of infrastructure components, including the Willow Slough
substation, and emissions of diesel particulates. While the impact of NOx
emissions is not expected, based on a review of preliminary schedules, it cannot
be ruled out because the location and details of the Willow Slough substation
work are not yet known and construction schedules may change.
Fugitive dust emissions will not exceed the construction threshold adopted by the
Yolo-Solano AQMD, and all construction operations will incorporate reasonable
dust control measures as part of BMP 6. Changing service and maintenance trips
from PG&E to SMUD will result in a less than significant impact.SMUD
provides SMAQMD with its fleet emissions inventories and will continue to
comply with any rules intended to reduce diesel exhaust and other vehicle
emissions in the future.
(a) Mitigation AQ-1
Before construction of the Willow Slough substation, SMUD will prepare a
detailed construction schedule and updated emissions inventory to determine
whether the emissions from this construction, when added to any other
infrastructure construction anticipated at the same time, will result in the
emission of ozone precursors in excess of 85 lb/day. In the event that the limit
may be exceeded, SMUD will incorporate construction emission mitigation
measures as recommended by SMAQMD (2004). These measures include the
following.
i. Category 1: Reducing NOx Emissions from Off-Road Diesel-Powered
Equipment
Before construction of the Willow Slough substation, SMUD will provide
a plan for approval by LAFCo, in consultation with SMAQMD,
demonstrating that the heavy-duty (> 50 horsepower) off-road vehicles to
be used in the construction program, including owned, leased, and
subcontractor vehicles, will achieve a programwide, fleet-average, 20%
NOx reduction and 45% particulate reduction, compared to the most recent
CARB fleet average at the time of construction.
Before construction of the Willow Slough substation, SMUD will submit
to LAFCo and SMAQMD a comprehensive inventory of all off-road
construction equipment, equal to or greater than 50 horsepower, that will
be used an aggregate of 40 or more hours during any portion of the
construction program. The inventory will include the horsepower rating,
engine production year, and projected hours of use or fuel throughput for
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each piece of equipment. The inventory will be updated and submitted
monthly throughout the duration of the program, except that an inventory
will not be required for any 30-day period in which no construction
activity occurs. At least 48 hours before the use of this heavy-duty offroad equipment, SMUD will provide SMAQMD with the anticipated
construction timeline, including the start date and the name and telephone
number of the Program manager and on-site foreman.
ii. Category 2: Controlling Visible Emissions from Off-Road DieselPowered Equipment
The Program will ensure that exhaust emissions from all off-road dieselpowered equipment, used on the Program site do not exceed 40% opacity
for more than 3 minutes in any one hour. Any equipment found to exceed
40% opacity (or Ringelmann 2.0) will be repaired immediately, and
LAFCo and SMAQMD will be notified within 48 hours of the identification of non-compliant equipment. A visual survey of all in-operation
equipment will be made at least weekly, and a monthly summary of the
visual survey results will be submitted to LAFCo and SMAQMD
throughout the duration of the program, except that the monthly summary
will not be required for any 30-day period in which no construction
activity occurs. The monthly summary will include the quantity and type
of vehicles surveyed and the dates of each survey. SMAQMD and/or other
officials may conduct periodic site inspections to determine compliance.
If it is determined that, even with the inclusion of these measures,
emissions still will exceed 85 lb/day, then SMUD will provide offsets
(off-site decreases in similar emissions) by paying a fee to SMAQMD in
accordance with its construction mitigation fee program. The fee will be
computed by multiplying the daily NOx emissions above the 85 lb/day
threshold times the number of days duration for the construction. The
resulting total significant NOx emissions will be converted to tons, and the
mitigation fee will be computed based on the total tons and the current rate
used by SMAQMD.
(b) Significance of the Impact after Mitigation
Mitigation AQ-1 will reduce construction emissions of ozone precursors to a
less than significant level. Construction will continue to result in a short-term
increase in diesel particulate emissions, which will be a significant impact.
(4) Impact AQ-4: Operation and Maintenance Emissions
Operation and Maintenance of the Annexation Territory’s Electric System
(Program Component 9) will result in a slight change in travel patterns. PG&E
provides operation and maintenance (O&M) from local service centers. SMUD
service vehicles and personnel will make trips to Yolo County from SMUD
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facilities in Sacramento. The trips to respond to customer service calls, read
meters, conduct normal maintenance, and similar activities will average about 20
per day and involve a total of about 400 vehicles miles traveled each day.
Appendix G includes a description of the trips and an estimate of vehicle
emissions from these trips. Table IV.C-4 summarizes the estimated daily
emissions from SMUD O&M vehicles operating in the Annexation Territory.
Table IV.C-4: SMUD Daily Vehicle Emissions (lb/day)
NOx
Hydrocarbons
PM10
Carbon Monoxide
2.5
0.34
0.1
5.4
Even if these numbers were to double, as anticipated by SMUD for the transition
period before and after completing the annexation, the totals are well below the 65
lb/day threshold for a significant impact related to long-term operations. In
addition, any such increases related to SMUD vehicles serving the area will be at
least partially offset by the reduction in PG&E trips of a similar nature. Therefore,
the long-term effect of O&M emissions on criteria pollutants will be less than
significant. However, because of the increase in vehicle miles traveled as part of
the Program, diesel particulate emissions will increase. This will be a significant
impact. No BMP or mitigation measure has been identified to reduce this impact.
Because O&M will occur at the same time as construction of program
components, O&M emissions will contribute to the short-term emissions
associated with construction. This may result in the exceedance of the
construction significance threshold, particularly for NOx. Mitigation AQ-1 will
reduce this impact to a level that is less than significant.
Because of the intermixing of energy from many different sources and suppliers, the
emissions related to energy generation are not directly attributable to the Program.
Thus, they may be considered indirect effects. For this analysis, however, these
emissions are noted as “direct” effects. No other indirect air quality effects are
associated with the Program because the presence of transmission facilities will not
alter adjacent land uses.
SMAQMD recommends a specific procedure to determine whether an individual
project will contribute toward cumulatively significant air quality impacts
(SMAQMD, 2004). The procedure involves comparing the land uses resulting after
implementation of the project, or Program in this case, with the land-use designations
contained in the applicable general plans. If there is no change, then there is no
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contribution toward a cumulative impact. If there is a change, then the process
involves comparing the resulting emissions with those that would have occurred
under the original land-use designation to see whether the increase is greater than the
long-term threshold of 65 lb/day for ozone precursors. In this context, a program such
as the proposed annexation has no effect because it does not alter land uses or
population or have a major influence on travel patterns. The Program’s contribution
toward the regional cumulative air emissions is not expected to be considerable.
Nevertheless, in recognition of the severe non-attainment status of the SFNA, the
cumulative effect of any increases in emissions of the precursors to ozone may be
considered a significant cumulative impact that cannot be mitigated feasibly until
attainment status has been achieved.
Before construction, SMUD will provide LAFCo with a plan for the control of
fugitive dust emissions during construction.
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D.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
This section describes how development associated with the Program will affect biological
resources. Where significant adverse effects on the environment are identified, mitigation
1.
This subsection provides the baseline for determining the significance of Program
impacts on biological resources.
direct and indirect impacts includes the entire Annexation Territory because
Operation and Maintenance of the Annexation Territory’s Electric System, Program
Component 9, will take place throughout this area, and Component 8, which consists
of possible reconductoring of existing overhead wires, also may occur along any of
the 12-kV lines in the Annexation Territory. The analysis area also includes the
(Program Component 4), the North City Interconnection Study Area (Program
Component 5), the Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Project
Component 6), and the Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component
7).
The potential cumulative impact analysis area is the same as the analysis area for
potential direct and indirect impacts. This area represents large portions of Yolo and
Sacramento Counties and part of Sutter County where the Program, in combination
with reasonable foreseeable projects, could have a combined effect on biological
resources.
(1) Federal
Under the federal ESA, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of
Commerce jointly have the authority to list a species as threatened or endangered
(16 United States Code [USC] 1533[c]). The federal ESA defines “endangered”
species as those in danger of extinction throughout all, or a significant portion of,
their range. A “threatened” species is any species that is likely to become an
“endangered” species within the foreseeable future throughout all, or a significant
portion of, its range. Additional special-status species include “candidate” species
and “species of concern.” “Candidate” species are those for which the USFWS
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has on file enough information to propose listing as endangered or threatened.
“Species of concern” are those for which listing may be appropriate but for which
the USFWS lacks sufficient information to support a listing proposal. A species
that has been “delisted” is one whose population has met its recovery goal target
and is no longer in jeopardy of extinction.
Section 7 of the federal ESA requires formal consultation with the USFWS or
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for only those species listed as
endangered, threatened, or proposed for threatened or endangered. Taking of a
federally listed species is prohibited under Section 9 of the federal ESA. Taking is
defined in the federal ESA, Section 3(19), as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt,
shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in any such
conduct.”
The USACE regulates the disposal of dredged and fill materials into “waters of
the United States” under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Waters of
the U.S. include intrastate lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams),
mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa
lakes, or natural ponds, and wetlands adjacent to any water of the U.S. (Code of
Federal Regulations [CFR] 33 Part 328). In areas subject to tidal influence,
Section 404 jurisdiction extends to the high tide line. Certain waters of the U.S.
are considered “special aquatic sites” because they are generally recognized as
having particular ecological value. Such sites include sanctuaries and refuges,
mudflats, wetlands, vegetated shallows, coral reefs, and riffle and pool
complexes. Special aquatic sites are defined by the EPA and may be afforded
additional consideration in the permit process for a project. A permit from the
USACE is required under Section 404.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918 (16 USC 703-711) is an
international treaty for the conservation and management of bird species that may
migrate through more than one country. It is enforced in the United States by the
USFWS, and makes it unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, purchase, or barter any
migratory bird listed in 50 CFR Part 10, including feathers or other parts, nests,
eggs, or products, except as allowed by implementing regulations (50 CFR 21).
Disturbance that causes nest abandonment and/or loss of reproductive effort (e.g.,
killing or abandonment of eggs or young) may be considered a “take” and is
potentially punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. In 1972, the MBTA was
amended to include protection for migratory birds of prey (raptors).
(2) State
The California ESA and the Native Plant Protection Act authorize the California
Fish and Game Commission to designate endangered, threatened, and rare species
and to regulate the taking of these species (§2050-2098, Fish & Game Code). The
state ESA defines “endangered” species as those whose continued existence in
California is jeopardized. State-listed “threatened” species are those not presently
threatened with extinction; however, they may become endangered if their
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environments change or deteriorate. Protection of special-status species is detailed
in Sections 2050 and 2098 of the Fish and Game Code. CCR Title 14, Section
670.5, lists animal species that the state considers endangered and threatened.
Formal consultation must be initiated with the CDFG for projects that may have
an adverse effect on a state-listed species. If no state-listed species will be
affected by a proposed project, environmental documentation is provided to the
CDFG at the discretion of the lead agency.
Section 2080 of the California Fish and Game Code prohibits the taking of statelisted plants and animals. The CDFG also designates “fully protected” or
“protected” species as those that may not be taken or possessed without a permit
from the Fish and Game Commission and/or the CDFG. Species designated as
fully protected or protected may or may not be listed as threatened or endangered.
The CDFG maintains a list of designated endangered, threatened, and rare plant
and animal species. Listed species are either designated under the Native Plant
Protection Act, or designated by the Fish and Game Commission. In addition to
recognizing three levels of endangerment, the CDFG can afford interim protection
to candidate species while they are reviewed by the Fish and Game Commission.
The CDFG also maintains a list of animal “Species of Special Concern,” most of
which are species whose breeding populations in California may face extirpation.
Although these species have no legal status, the CDFG recommends consideration
of them during the analysis of the impacts of proposed projects to protect
declining populations and avoid the need to list them as endangered in the future.
Under the provisions of Section 15380(d) of CEQA, the project lead agency and
CDFG, in making a determination of significance, must treat non-listed plant and
animal species as equivalent to listed species if such species satisfy the minimum
biological criteria for listing. In general, the CDFG considers species on Lists 1A,
1B, or 2 of the California Native Plant Society’s Inventory of Rare and
Endangered Vascular Plants of California (Skinner and Pavlik, 1994) as
qualifying for consideration under this CEQA provision. Species on the California
Native Plant Society’s List 3 or 4 may, but generally do not, qualify for protection
under this provision.
The Fish and Game Code provides specific protection and listing for several types
of biological resources. These include:
DRAFT
•
Fully protected species;
•
Streams, rivers, sloughs, and channels;
•
Significant natural areas; and
•
Designated ecological reserves.
IV-39
Chapter IV
Fully protected species are listed in §3511 (Fully Protected birds), §4700 (Fully
Protected mammals), §5050 (Fully Protected reptiles and amphibians), and §5515
(Fully Protected fishes). The Fish and Game Code prohibits the taking of species
designated as Fully Protected.
Section 1600 of the Fish and Game Code requires a Streambed Alteration
Agreement for any activity that may alter the bed and/or bank of a stream, river,
or channel. Typical activities that require a Streambed Alteration Agreement
include the excavation or the placement of fill within a channel, vegetation
clearing, structures for diversion of water, the installation of culverts and bridge
supports, cofferdams for construction dewatering, and bank reinforcement.
The Fish and Game Code §1930 designates Significant Natural Areas. These
areas include refuges, natural sloughs, riparian areas, vernal pools, and significant
wildlife habitats. An inventory of Significant Natural Areas is maintained by the
CDFG’s Natural Heritage Division and is part of the California Natural Diversity
Database (CNDDB).
Section 1580 of the Fish and Game Code lists Designated Ecological Reserves.
Designated Ecological Reserves are significant wildlife habitats to be preserved in
their natural condition for the general public to observe and study.
(3) Local
(a) Yolo County Tree Retention/Replacement Provisions. The Yolo County
General Plan calls for site development standards to prevent the unnecessary
disruption of vegetation. The open space element calls for no net loss of
riparian habitat and direction of development away from riparian areas.
(b) Sacramento County Tree Retention/Replacement Provisions. The
conservation element of the Sacramento County General Plan requires
protection of oaks with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 6 inches or
greater, replacement, or payment of a fee to the Tree Preservation Fund. It
also requires 50- to 150-foot riparian zones on each side of a stream, with no
net loss of riparian woodland acreage. The conservation element also requires
no net loss of native oak canopy area in discretionary projects. The mitigation
canopy must be 50% of the canopy for valley oak and 30% of the canopy for
blue oak after 15 years. Off-site mitigation is required when on-site mitigation
is infeasible.
(c) Sacramento County Tree Preservation Ordinance. The Tree Preservation
Ordinance preserves and protects native oak trees with at least one trunk with
a DBH of 6 inches or more, or multi-trunked oaks with an aggregate diameter
of 10 inches or more. The ordinance prevents tree removal without a permit as
well as damage to trees from grading, filling, trenching, paving, irrigation, and
landscaping within the dripline of oak trees.
DRAFT
IV-40
Chapter IV
Yolo, Sutter, and Sacramento Counties. The terrain of the central Sacramento Valley
where the components are located is primarily flat and dominated by agriculture. Rice
is one of the most important crops, given the relatively impermeable soils in the area.
Orchards, principally walnut, almond, prune, and peach, are frequently located along
river channels to take advantage of well-drained soils. Vernal pools are common in
areas with poorly drained soils, where the rainwater tends to collect in small closed
basins. Vernal pools are most common on almost level to gently sloping areas; they
become less numerous as the slope increases.
The Sacramento River and its tributaries dominate the landscape of the Sacramento
Valley. Between several mountain ranges (the California Coast Ranges to the west,
the southern Siskiyou Mountains to the north, and the northern Sierra Nevada to the
east) that define the shape of the valley, the river and its tributaries provide water for
agricultural, industrial, residential, and recreational uses. Most of the rivers are
heavily dammed and diverted.
(1) Habitat Types
Much of the Program study area has been described previously in several HCPs
prepared for the region, including the Yolo County HCP, Natomas Basin HCP,
and South Sacramento HCP. Information for this section is taken primarily from
the Yolo County HCP (EIP et al., 2001). The main habitat types in the area, which
are shown in Table IV.D-1, have been broken into specific subtypes and are
described in detail hereafter.
Table IV.D-1: Habitat Types and Subtypes in the Project Areas
Habitat Type
Riparian
Habitat Subtype
Stream Course
Riparian Forest
Marsh
Vernal Pool
Pond/Lake/Open Water
Elderberry Savannah
Grassland
Alfalfa and Pasture
Annual Field Crop
Vineyard and Orchards
Rice
Wetland
Woodland
Grassland
Agriculture
Source: EIP et al., 2001.
DRAFT
IV-41
Chapter IV
Riparian Habitat. Riparian habitat includes the entire range of vegetation types
and other special elements, such as sand or mud, that are associated with
watercourses. The two riparian subtypes identified are streamcourse and riparian
forest.
The streamcourse riparian habitat subtype is defined by the open water, channel,
and bank of a particular watercourse. This subtype includes the sandbar and bank
habitat elements and can be associated with, or be present without, an established
overstory of woody shrubs or trees.
The riparian forest habitat subtype is characterized by an established stand of
mixed mature riparian trees, such as cottonwood, willows, ash, and valley oak
trees. It can occur as a closed canopy forest with a scattered-to-dense understory
of smaller trees, shrubs, and vines. Riparian forests currently support or have the
potential to support special-status species, such as the valley elderberry longhorn
beetle (VELB) (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus), northwestern pond turtle
(Clemmys marmorata marmorata), giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas),
Swainson’s hawks (Buteo swainsoni), western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus
americanus occidentalis), bank swallow (Riparia riparia), and California yellow
warbler (Dendroica patichia).
Wetland Habitat. Wetland habitat types include natural wetland areas (whether
rainfall or spring-supported), modified creeks and drainage ways, and various
artificial impoundments, which refer to wetland types that are supplied with
pumped or passive water. One example of passive water is a flood control basin.
Wetland habitats are defined on a strictly functional basis as habitats that are
subject to seasonal ponding or soil saturation. Accordingly, this habitat includes
many areas that do not fall under federal wetland jurisdiction, which requires the
presence of vegetation, soils, and natural hydrology that are characteristic of
wetlands. On the other hand, it does not include all areas where hydrophytic
vegetation occurs, unless they are also regularly characterized by saturation.
Wetlands support a diversity of species, including special-status species, such as
vernal pool grasses, vernal pool crustaceans, California tiger salamander
(Ambystoma californiense), western spadefoot (Spea hammondii), northwestern
pond turtle, giant garter snake, and several special-status bird species.
The three wetland habitat subtypes identified in the Program area are marsh,
vernal pool, and pond/lake/open water. The marsh habitat subtype includes
seasonal and perennial wetland habitats characterized by herbaceous emergent
vegetation. Grasses, sedges, and rushes typically dominate the marsh habitat
subtype. The vernal pool habitat subtype includes seasonally ponded areas
supported strictly by rainfall and localized watersheds within the immediate
surroundings of individual pools or pool complexes. Vernal pools are
characterized by the presence of a diverse herbaceous flora of native Californian
species. The pond/lake/open water habitat subtype includes those natural and
artificial wetlands characterized by an aquatic habitat void of emergent
DRAFT
IV-42
Chapter IV
vegetation. A variable fringe of emergent and upland vegetation may border this
habitat subtype.
Woodland Habitat. Woodland habitats include a continuously varying series of
habitat types dominated in height, if not in areal cover, by trees. These types vary
from a closed-canopy oak forest, to open woodland with canopy cover between
approximately 10% and 70% or to savannah, which is conventionally defined as
having canopy cover of 10% or less. For simplicity, and in recognition of their
common biological values, large mature planted trees are also considered
woodland habitat. Such trees occur as windrows or along roadways, as clumps of
trees planted in agricultural or rangeland settings, and as individual trees within
other non-wooded habitat types or urban areas. One habitat subtype, the
elderberry savannah, is identified in the study area. This habitat subtype is
characterized by single plants or aggregations of elderberry shrubs in grassland
habitat. Woodland habitats support the VELB and are particularly important as
nesting sites for the Swainson’s hawk.
Grassland Habitat. Grassland habitat in the study area is overwhelmingly
vegetated by newly introduced non-native annual grasses, which are primarily
wild oats, ripgut brome, soft chess, and barleys. A variety of forbs are
interspersed among the grasses, and are nearly all exotic species. Although native
plants are relatively absent from this habitat type, grasslands are of high habitat
value for many native wildlife species. For example, an important nonvegetational habitat element in grassland is the soil within which burrowing
wildlife species create dens or nest sites. These burrows often constitute a crucial
habitat element for other species that need them, but are unable to dig them.
Ground squirrel burrows and pocket gopher burrows are subsequently used by
and are essential for special-status species, such as the western burrowing owl
(Athene cunicularia hypugaea) and the California tiger salamander. Grassland can
occur within riparian habitat and oak savannah and occasionally is associated with
agricultural lands. Isolated wetlands and widely scattered trees also occur within
some grasslands. No habitat subtypes are defined within the grassland category in
the study area.
Agricultural Habitat. Agricultural habitats comprise the dominant habitat type in
the Elverta and Willow Slough substation areas of the Program. Agricultural lands
are intensively used lands that historically supported other Great Valley habitat
types. Over the last 150 years, conversion of natural lands to agriculture has
steadily increased. Many of the habitat values of these agricultural lands overlap
with those of less intensively modified lands categorized as other habitat types.
For example, many of the habitat values of rice fields are similar to those of
wetlands, due to regular inundation. Most rice-growing areas were formally
wetlands. Dry-farmed or briefly flood-irrigated croplands used to grow cereal
crops, tomatoes, and particularly alfalfa, share some of the habitat values of
grasslands. Four habitat subtypes are identified: Alfalfa and pasture, annual field
crop, vineyards and orchards, and rice.
DRAFT
IV-43
Chapter IV
The alfalfa and pasture habitat subtype is characterized by a more perennial
preserve. While alfalfa is mowed regularly during the growing season, the crop is
often in place for four to five consecutive years. Pasture is typically irrigated
grassland habitat with a varying amount of animal density that will ultimately
affect the stand of vegetation at any particular time.
The annual field crop habitat subtype includes those lands subject to yearly
production of annual crops. Typical annual cultural practices include discing in
preparation for planting, regular irrigation, harvesting, and discing again prior to
the winter. Some annual field croplands are subject to winter inundation for floodcontrol purposes.
The vineyard and orchard habitat subtype is characterized by stands of grapevines
and fruit and nut trees. While perennial in nature, vineyards and orchards are
typically intensively managed for weed, vertebrate, and invertebrate pest control.
The rice habitat subtype is characterized by seasonal inundation of fields for
production. Fields are subject to annual discing and check pulling, flooding,
draining, harvesting, and the burning of rice straw, which is being replaced with
other methods of removal, such as winter flooding for straw decomposition.
Other Special Habitat Elements. The most important special habitat elements in
agricultural lands usually are the berms and fences that bound many parcels.
These edges provide valuable burrow opportunities and perches for species that
feed on the insects and rodents that are found on and along the edges of some
fields. The harvesting process is another special element. This regular removal of
cover exposes the resident insect and rodent populations to foraging predators,
some of which are special-status species, such as the Swainson’s hawk. In
addition, many Yolo County farmers already manage portions of their farms to
enhance habitat value on a voluntary basis. Planting of hedgerows and trees,
maintenance and strategic location of tailwater ponds, and other management
techniques are incorporated into normal farming practices to balance wildlife use
with active agricultural use.
(2) Special-Status Species
For the purposes of this evaluation, special-status species include taxa with a
moderate or greater potential to occur in the Program study area, including those:
(1) listed as threatened or endangered under either the California or federal ESA;
(2) candidates for either state or federal listing; (3) species afforded protection
under the Fish and Game Code of California; (4) federal and CDFG “Species of
Special Concern”; (5) CDFG “Species of Special Concern” highest and second
priority lists; and (6) California Native Plant Society (CNPS) List 1-3 plants.
The CNDDB, the CNPS electronic database, and the official USFWS species list
were reviewed to determine the occurrence or potential occurrence of special
status plant or wildlife species and natural communities of special concern within
DRAFT
IV-44
Chapter IV
Yolo and Sacramento Counties. This range was used to identify potential
special-status species issues because it encompasses a sufficient distance to
accommodate for regional habitat diversity and to overcome the limitations of the
CNDDB. The CNDDB is based on actual recorded occurrences and does not
constitute an exhaustive inventory of every resource. In addition to a survey of the
databases described above, a vehicular reconnaissance survey was conducted of
the study area on October 5, 2005.
Table IV.D-2 includes a list of these special-status plant and wildlife species with
both scientific and common names, legal status and description of habitat
preference.
(3) Wildlife Species
This section describes special status wildlife species with the potential to occur in
the study area.
Bank Swallow. The bank swallow is a federal species of concern and state listed
as threatened. It is generally found near water, both during breeding and in
migration. The nesting sites are almost always along a water body on vertical
banks of dirt or sand. These colonies can support dozens to thousands of nesting
birds. They are largely found in riparian ecosystems, particularly rivers in the
larger lowland valleys of northern California.
The bank swallow is a locally common to uncommon breeding season resident in
northern and central California. The major breeding population is confined to the
Sacramento and Feather Rivers and their major tributaries north of their
confluence, where an estimated 75% of California’s breeding population was
found in 1987 (Laymon et al., 1988). The Sacramento River population
represented approximately 50% of the state’s population in 1987, and the
population occurs between Redding, Shasta County, and the Yolo Bypass in Yolo
County. The Feather River supported 25% of the state’s population in 1987; this
population occurs between Oroville, Butte County, and the confluence of the
Sacramento and Feather Rivers in Sutter County.
This species has been recorded nesting along the Sacramento River in and
adjacent to the Elverta study area. It also has been observed along the Sacramento
River less than 0.5 mile east of the North City interconnection study area (CDFG,
2005).
California Black Rail. The California black rail is a federal species of concern, a
state threatened species, and a CDFG fully protected species. It is a yearlong
resident of saline, brackish, and fresh emergent wetlands in the San Francisco Bay
area and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Zeiner et al., 1990). The species occurs
most commonly in tidal emergent wetlands dominated by pickleweed or in
DRAFT
IV-45
Chapter IV
Table IV.D-2: Potential Special-Status Species Within the Program Study Area
Scientific Name
Common Name
Status
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Habitat/Blooming Period
Potential to Occur Within the
Program Components
Mammals
Corynorhinus
Pacific western big(=Plecotus) townsendii eared bat
townsendii
Myotis ciliolabrum
Small-footed myotis bat
SC
SC
NA
Humid coastal regions; roosts include
caves, mines, and buildings
Not likely to occur
SC
None
NA
Not likely to occur
Myotis thysandoes
Fringed myotis bat
SC
None
NA
Myotis volans
Long-legged myotis bat
SC
None
NA
Open stands in arid forests, woodlands,
and brushy habitats, near water, western
and eastern sides of Sierra Nevada.
Southern Contra Costa County is the
closest occurrence of this species to the
Program components.
Piñon-juniper forest, valley and foothill
hardwood woodlands, and hardwoodconifer forest
Brush, woodland, and forest habitats
Myotis yumanensis
Yuma myotis bat
SC
SC
NA
Open forests and woodlands near water
Perognathus inornatus San Joaquin pocket
mouse
Birds
Agelaius tricolor
Tricolored blackbird
SC
None
NA
Grasslands, blue oak savannas; needs
friable soils
SC
SC
NA
Asio flammeus
SC
SC
NA
Open valleys and foothills in streamside
timber, alfalfa and rice fields, blackberry
thickets, tules and cattails on and around
marshes and reservoirs
Meadows, grasslands, wetlands, irrigated
land
DRAFT
Short-eared owl
IV-46
Not likely to occur
Potential to occur in the WoodlandElverta transmission line study area
and the North City interconnection
study area
and the North City interconnection
study area
Not likely to occur
and Willow Slough substation study
area
Chapter IV
Table IV.D-2 (Continued)
Status
Scientific Name
Program Components
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Athene cunicularia
hypugaea
Western burrowing owl
SC
P
NA
Nests and winters in grassland and sparse
shrubland habitats throughout California;
uses abandoned burrows of burrowing
mammals for shelter and nest sites
Botaurus lentiginosus
American bittern
SC
None
NA
Marshes and wetlands
Branta canadensis
leucopareia
Aleutian Canada goose
D
None
NA
Buteo regalis
Ferruginous hawk
SC
SC
NA
Buteo swainsoni
Swainson’s hawk
SC
T
NA
Carduelis lawrencei
Lawrence’s goldfinch
SC
None
NA
Charadrius montanus
Mountain plover
PT
SC
NA
Does not nest in California. Winter
habitat includes agricultural croplands
and pastures. Known to winter in San
Joaquin delta, Humboldt County, Merced
and Stanislaus counties, Butte Sink,
Colusa County.
Undisturbed grassland and agricultural
Potential to occur in the Woodlandareas (winter).
Elverta transmission line study area
area
Lower Sacramento and San Joaquin
Potential to occur in the WoodlandValleys, the Klamath Basin, and Butte
and North City interconnection study
Valley; highest nesting densities occur
near Davis and Woodland, Yolo County. area
Nests in oaks or cottonwoods in or near
riparian habitats; forages in grasslands,
irrigated pastures, and grain fields.
Valley foothill hardwood, valley foothill Not likely to occur
hardwood-conifer
Nests in Montana, New Mexico,
Potential to forage in the WoodlandOklahoma, Colorado, and Texas; winters Elverta transmission line study area
primarily within the Central and Imperial and Willow Slough substation study
Valleys of California within cultivated
area
fields and grasslands.
DRAFT
IV-47
and the Power Inn Road to Hedge
reconstruction study area
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Program Components
area
Not likely to occur; out of range of
known breeding areas
Stateb
CNPSc
None
SC
NA
Marshes, grasslands, meadows, also
agricultural lands for foraging
Large stands of valley-foothill riparian;
breeds only along the Feather River in
Sutter County, along the Sacramento
River in Butte, Glenn, and Colusa
Counties, and along the south fork of the
Kern River
(Nesting) Habitats are mixed conifer,
Not likely to occur
montane hardwood-conifer, Douglas fir,
redwood, red fir, and lodge pole pine.
Most numerous in montane conifer
forests where tall trees overlook canyons,
meadows, lakes, or other open terrain.
Riparian woodland for breeding;
Potential to forage in the Woodlandwidespread as a migrant.
Elverta transmission line study area,
Willow Slough substation study
area, and North City interconnection
study area
Nests among dense-topped trees; forages Potential to occur in the Woodlandin open grasslands, meadows, or marshes Elverta transmission line study area,
study area
Circus cyanena
Northern Harrier
Coccyzus americanus
occidentalis
Western yellow-billed
cuckoo
C
E
NA
Contopus cooperi
Olive-sided flycatcher
SC
SC
NA
Dendroica patichia
Yellow warbler
None
SC
NA
Elanus leucurus
White-tailed kite
SC
FP
NA
DRAFT
Federala
IV-48
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Little willow flycatcher
None
E
NA
Falco peregrinus
American peregrine
anatum
falcon
Grus canadensis tabida Greater sandhill crane
D
E
NA
T
None
NA
Haliaeetus
leucocephalus
Lanius ludovicianus
Bald eagle
T
E
NA
Loggerhead shrike
SC
SC
NA
Riparian habitat, dense willow thickets
edging wet meadows or ponds (not
specific to subspecies). Historically, it
was found in the Sierra Nevada, Central
Valley, and central and northern Coast
Ranges. Currently, it is found only in
isolated populations in the Sierra Nevada
and the Cascade Range and occasionally
in the northern Coast Ranges
Cliff ledges, particularly near shores and
marshes
Shallow waters, freshwater margins.
Known to nest in Lassen, Modoc,
Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, and Siskiyou
Counties.
Seacoast, islands, sea cliffs, large lakes,
large rivers, coastal lagoons
Open canopied valley and foothill
hardwood, riparian; urban areas
Laterallus jamaicensis
coturniculus
Limosa fedoa
Black rail
SC
NA
Marbled godwit
SC
T
FP
SC
Empidonax traillii
brewsteri
DRAFT
NA
Tidal salt marshes, freshwater and
brackish marshes.
Coastal beaches, mudflats, salt marshes,
and tidal creeks. Does not breed in
California.
IV-49
Program Components
Not likely to occur
Potential to forage in the WoodlandElverta transmission line study area
Not likely to occur
Potential to occur in the WoodlandElverta transmission line study area,
Power Inn Road to Hedge substation
transmission line reconstruction
study area, and North City
interconnection study area
Not likely to occur
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Melanerpes lewis
Lewis’ woodpecker
SC
None
NA
Numenius americanus
Long-billed curlew
SC
SC
NA
Numenius phaeopus
Whimbrel
SC
None
NA
Phalacrocorax auritus
None
SC
NA
Picoides nuttallii
Double-crested
cormorant
Nuttall’s woodpecker
SLC
None
NA
Plegadis chihi
White-faced ibis
SC
SC
NA
Riparia riparia
Bank swallow
SC
T
NA
DRAFT
Program Components
Open pine-oak woodlands, coniferous
Potential to occur in the Woodlandforests, and riparian woodlands. Prefers Elverta transmission line study area
burned and logged woodlands. Important and the Willow Slough substation
aspects of breeding habitat include an
study area
open canopy, a brushy understory
offering ground cover and abundant
insects, dead or downed woody material
and available perches.
Intertidal mudflats of large estuaries,
Potential to forage in the Woodlandupland herbaceous areas, and cropland
(winter)
and the Willow Slough substation
study area
Marshes, agricultural fields for forging
study area
Inland waters
Not likely to occur
Resident from northern California to
Baja California. Found in canyon scrub
oaks, oak woodlands, and riparian areas
and North City interconnection study
area
Nests in a few isolated areas within the
Potential to forage in the WoodlandCentral Valley; places nests within dense Elverta transmission line study area
stands of fresh water emergent vegetation
near shallow water or muddy fields for
foraging; winters mainly in the San
Joaquin Valley and Imperial Valley.
Riparian vegetation, vertical banks or
Potential to occur in the Woodlandcliffs near streams, rivers, lakes, and
oceans
study area
IV-50
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Selasphorus rufus
Rufous hummingbird
SC
None
NA
Selasphorus sasin
Allen’s hummingbird
SC
None
NA
Sphyrapicus rubber
Red-breasted sapsucker
SC
SC
NA
Strix occidentalis
caurina
Toxostoma redivivum
Northern spotted owl
T
SC
NA
California thrasher
SC
None
NA
Reptiles
Anniella pulchra
pulchra
Silvery legless lizard
SC
SC
NA
Clemmys marmorata
marmorata
Northwestern pond
turtle
SC
SC
NA
SC
SC
NA
SC
SC
NA
Masticophis flagellum San Joaquin coachwhip
ruddocki
Phrynosoma coronatum California horned lizard
frontale
DRAFT
Program Components
Valley and foothill woodland, hardwood- Potential to occur in the Woodlandconifer forest, riparian woodland, and
chaparral during migration
study area
Brushy slopes, chaparral, thickets and
Not likely to occur
open coniferous forests
Dense mixed and conifer forests often
Potential to occur in the Woodlandfound in mature and old growth forests, Elverta transmission line study area
but will breed in second growth as long
as some large nesting trees occur. Can
also be found in riparian habitats with
large cottonwoods.
Old-growth forests or mixed stands of
Not likely to occur
old-growth and mature trees.
Chaparral vegetation along coast and
Not likely to occur
foothills
Found primarily in areas with sandy or
loose organic soils or where there is
plenty of leaf litter
Permanent or nearly permanent water
with basking sites and upland for nest
sites; can tolerate seawater for short
periods of time, but prefer freshwater
Dry, open areas in brushland and rocky
hillsides.
Lowlands along sandy washes with
scattered low bushes and open areas for
sunning
IV-51
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Program Components
Dense emergent vegetation, deep and
Potential to occur in the Woodlandshallow pools of water, open areas along Elverta transmission line study area
the margins, and upland habitat. Rice
fields are often used by this species.
area
Thamnophis gigas
Giant garter snake
T
T
NA
Amphibians
Ambystoma
californiense
California tiger
salamander
T
SC
NA
Annual grassland and valley-foothill
hardwood habitats, vernal pools and
other seasonal water sources adjacent to
underground refuges
Rana aurora draytonii
California red-legged
frog
E
SC
NA
Rana boylii
Foothill yellow-legged
frog
SC
SC
NA
Spea hammondii
Western spadefoot toad
SC
SC
NA
Lowlands and foothills with deep water
remaining for at least 11 weeks; water
source is usually associated with
abundant emergent and/or shoreline
vegetation
Partly shaded, shallow streams and riffles Not likely to occur
with a rocky substrate in a variety of
habitats. Need at least some cobble-sized
substrate for egg laying. Need at least 15
weeks of water to attain metamorphosis.
Quiet streams and temporary pools in
Potential to occur in the Woodlandgrassland, open chaparral, and pine-oak Elverta transmission line study area
woodlands
Fish
Acipenser medirostris
Eucyclogobius
newberryi
Green sturgeon
Tidewater goby
P
E
SC
SC
NA
NA
Delta smelt
T
T
NA
Hypomesus
transpacificus
DRAFT
and the Power Inn Road to Hedge
Not likely to occur
Rivers and estuaries
Not likely to occur
Estuaries and lagoons of coastal creeks
Not likely to occur
with low salinity. Critical habitat for this
species is present only in southern
California.
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Suisun
Not likely to occur
Bay, San Pablo Bay, river channels and
sloughs
IV-52
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and
Delta; estuaries, rivers and creeks with
fine gravel substrates
Friant-Kern Canal, lower Merced,
Kaweah, Kings, and San Joaquin Rivers
Estuaries, rivers and creeks with fine
gravel substrates
Pacific Ocean, nearshore marine zone
and riverine and estuarine areas. Critical
habitat has been withdrawn.
Pacific Ocean, spawn in coastal streams
and rivers, over gravel beds
Pacific Ocean, spawn in large, permanent
coastal streams and rivers, over gravel
beds
beds
beds
Fresh water from lower Sacramento and
San Joaquin Rivers down to Montezuma
Slough. Known to occur in the
Sacramento River.
Moderately saline estuaries and lower
reaches of rivers
Program Components
Not likely to occur
Lampetra ayresi
River lamprey
SC
SC
NA
Lampetra hubbsi
Kern Brook lamprey
SC
None
NA
Lampetra tridentata
Pacific lamprey
SC
None
NA
Oncorhynchus kisutch
T
SC
NA
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Southern
Oregon/Northern
California coho salmon
Central Valley steelhead
T
None
NA
Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha
Central Valley fall/latefall-run chinook salmon
T
None
NA
Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha
Central Valley springrun chinook salmon
T
T
NA
Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha
Winter-run chinook
salmon
T
E
NA
Pogonichthys
macrolepidotus
Sacramento splittail
None
SC
NA
Spirinchus thaleichthys Longfin smelt
SC
SC
NA
Invertebrates
Anthicus antiochensis
SC
None
NA
Sand deposits along waterways; riverine Not likely to occur
SC
None
NA
Sand deposits along waterways; riverine Not likely to occur
Anthicus sacramento
DRAFT
Antioch Dunes anthicid
beetle
Sacramento anthicid
beetle
IV-53
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Known to occur in the WoodlandElverta transmission line study area
Not likely to occur
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Branchinecta
conservatio
Branchinecta lynchi
Conservancy fairy
shrimp
Vernal pool fairy shrimp
E
None
NA
Large, cool-water vernal pools
T
None
NA
Vernal pools
Branchinecta
mesovallensis
Midvalley fairy shrimp
SC
None
NA
Coelus gracilis
San Joaquin dune beetle
SC
None
NA
Desmocerus
Valley elderberry
californicus dimorphus longhorn beetle
T
None
NA
Elaphrus viridis
Delta green ground
beetle
T
None
NA
Hygrotus curvipes
Curved-foot hygrotus
diving beetle
SC
None
NA
Lepidurus packardi
Vernal pool tadpole
shrimp
E
None
NA
DRAFT
Program Components
Not likely to occur
and Power Inn Road to Hedge
Vernal pools
and Hedge substation transmission
line study area
Inland sand dunes along the western edge Not likely to occur
of the San Joaquin Valley
Valley-foothill riparian; elderberry shrub Potential to occur in the Woodlandis the host plant
study area
Margins of vernal pools in grassland
Not likely to occur
areas between Jepson prairie and Travis
Air Force Base
Shallow water pools; known only from a Not likely to occur
shallow muddy pool in Oakley, Contra
Costa County
Vernal pools
IV-54
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
SC
None
NA
Vernal pools
None
None
1B
SC
None
1B
Astragalus rattanii var. Jepson’s milk-vetch
Jepsonianus
SC
None
1B
Astragalus tener var.
Ferrisiae
Ferris’s milk vetch
SC
None
1B
Coastal bluff scrub, cismontane
woodland and valley and foothill
grassland, March-June
Brackish and freshwater marshes and
swamps, May-November
Chaparral, cismontane woodland, valley
and foothill grassland, often serpentinite;
April-June
Vernal meadows and seeps, subalkaline
valley and foothill grassland; April-May
Astragalus tener var.
Tener
Alkali milk vetch
SC
None
1B
Atriplex cordulata
Heartscale
SC
None
1B
Atriplex depressa
Brittlescale
SC
None
1B
Linderiella occidentalis California linderiella
fairy shrimp
Plants
Amsinckia lunaris
Aster lentus
DRAFT
Bent-flowered
fiddleneck
Suisun Marsh aster
Program Components
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Potential to occur in the Willow
Slough substation study area
Playas, adobe clay valley and foothill
grassland, alkaline vernal pools; MarchJune
Chenopod scrub, meadows, and seeps,
Not likely to occur
sandy valley and foothill grassland,
typically in saline or alkaline habitat;
believed to be extirpated from Yolo
county and has not been reported from
Sacramento County; April-October
playas, valley and foothill grassland,
vernal pools, typically in alkaline or clay
habitat; May-October
IV-55
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Atriplex joaquiniana
San Joaquin spearscale
Carex comosa
Bristly sedge
Cordylanthus palmatus Palmate-bracted bird’s
beak
Delphinium recurvatum Recurved larkspur
Downingia pusilla
Dwarf downingia
Eriogonum nervulosum Snow Mountain
buckwheat
Erodium macrophyllum Round-leaved filaree
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
SC
None
1B
None
None
2
E
E
1B
SC
None
1B
None
None
2
SC
None
1B
None
None
2
SC
None
1B
Eryngium
pinnatisectum
Tuolumne button-celery
Fritillaria agrestis
Stinkbells
SLC
None
4
Fritillaria pluriflora
Adobe-lily
SC
None
1B
DRAFT
playas, valley and foothill grassland;
typically in alkaline habitat; AprilOctober
Coastal prairie, marshes and swamps,
lake margins, valley and foothill
grassland; May-September
Chenopod scrub, alkaline valley and
foothill grassland; May-October
Chenopod scrub, cismontane woodland,
alkaline valley and foothill grassland;
March-May
Mesic soils in valley and foothill
grassland, vernal pools; March-May
Serpentinite soils in chaparral; JuneSeptember
Clay soils in cismontane woodland,
valley and foothill grassland; March-May
Mesic soils in cismontane woodland,
lower montane coniferous forest, vernal
pools; March-May
Program Components
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Clay and sometimes serpentinite soils in
chaparral, cismontane woodland, pinyon
and juniper woodland, valley and foothill
grassland; March-June
Chaparral, cismontane woodland, adobe Not likely to occur
soils in valley and foothill grassland;
February-April
IV-56
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
SC
E
1B
Gratiola heterosepala
Boggs Lake hedgehyssop
Harmonia hallii
Helianthemum
suffrutescens
Hesperolinon
drymarioides
Hall’s harmonia
Bisbee Peak rush-rose
None
SC
None
None
1B
3
Drymaria-like western
flax
SC
None
1B
Hibiscus lasiocarpus
Rose-mallow
None
None
2
Juglans hindsii
Black walnut
None
None
1B
SC
None
1B
SC
None
1B
SC
None
1B
SC
None
1B
Juncus leiospermus var. Ahart’s dwarf rush
Ahartii
Juncus leiospermus var. Red Bluff dwarf rush
leiospermus
Lathyrus jepsonii var. Delta tule pea
Jepsonii
Layia septentrionalis
DRAFT
Colusa layia
Program Components
Clay soils in marshes and swamps, lake Potential to occur in the Woodlandmargins and vernal pools; March-June
Serpentinite soils in chaparral; April-June Not likely to occur
Serpentinite, gabbroic or Ione soils in
Not likely to occur
chaparral; April-June
Serpentinite soils in closed-cone
Not likely to occur
coniferous forest, chaparral, cismontane
woodland, valley and foothill grassland;
May-August
Freshwater marshes and swamps,
Potential to occur in the Woodlandriparian areas; June-September
area
Riparian forest, riparian woodland;
Potential to occur in the WoodlandApril-May
study area
Not likely to occur
grassland; June-September
Not likely to occur
grassland; June-September
Predominantly found in the Delta region Potential to occur in the Woodlandof the Central Valley, and in salt marshes Elverta transmission line study area
and on tidal rivers; March-May
Sandy and serpentinite soils in chaparral, Not likely to occur
cismontane woodland, and valley and
foothill grassland; April-May
IV-57
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Legenere limosa
Legenere
SC
None
1B
Vernal pools; May-September
Lepidium latipes var.
Heckardii
Lessingia hololeuca
Heckard’s pepper grass
SC
None
1B
Woolly headed lessingia
None
None
3
Lilaeopsis masonii
Mason’s lilaeopsis
SC
R
1B
Alkaline valley and foothill grassland;
March-May
Broadleafed upland forest, coastal scrub,
lower montane coniferous forest, valley
and foothill grassland, typically found in
clay and serpentinite habitat; JuneOctober
Brackish and freshwater marshes and
swamps and riparian scrub; AprilNovember
Limosella subulata
Delta mudwort
None
None
2
Madia hallii
Hall’s madia
(=Harmonia hallii)
Navarretia myersii ssp. Pincushion navarretia
Myersii
SC
None
1B
Marshes and swamps; known from the
margins of channels and sloughs in the
Delta area; May-August
Chaparral; April-June
SC
None
1B
Vernal pools; May
Neostapfia colusana
Colusa grass
T
E
1B
Vernal pools; May-August
Oenothera deltoides
ssp. howellii
Antioch Dunes evening
primrose
E
E
1B
Inland dunes; March-September
DRAFT
IV-58
Program Components
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
study area
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Not likely to occur
Chapter IV
Status
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federala
Stateb
CNPSc
Orcuttia tenuis
Slender Orcutt grass
FT
E
1B
Vernal pools; May- October
Orcuttia viscida
Sacramento Orcutt grass
FE
E
1B
Vernal pools; April-July
Sagittaria sanfordii
Sanford’s arrowhead
SC
None
1B
Shallow freshwater marshes or vernal
pools; May-August
Tuctoria mucronata
Solano grass
E
E
1B
Valley and foothill grassland, vernal
pools; only known from three locations:
the Yolo County population is owned by
the Department of Defense. No land
within the project components are owned
by the Department of Defense; AprilAugust
DRAFT
IV-59
Program Components
Not likely to occur
Chapter IV
Table IV.D-2: (Continued)
a
Federal Status Codes:
E
= Endangered. Species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
T
= Threatened. Species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.
PE = Proposed for listing as endangered.
PT = Proposed for listing as threatened.
C = Candidate for listing.
D = Delisted
FE = Federally listed as endangered
FT = Federally listed as threatened
SC = Special concern species.
SLC = Species of local concern
b
California Status Codes:
E
= Endangered. Species whose continued existence in California is in jeopardy.
FP = Fully protected
P
= Proposed for listing.
T
= Threatened. Species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.
R = Rare. Plant species, though not presently threatened with extinction, that may become endangered in the foreseeable future.
SC = California Department of Fish and Game species of special concern.
c
California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Status Codes:
1A = Plants presumed extinct in California.
1B = Plants that are rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere.
2
= Plants that are rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common elsewhere.
3
= Plants about which more information is needed.
4
= Limited distribution (Watch List)
NA = not applicable
DRAFT
IV-60
Chapter IV
brackish marshes supporting bulrushes in association with pickleweed. In
freshwater, it is usually found in bulrushes, cattails, and saltgrass. Black rails are
most commonly found in immediate vicinity of tidal sloughs, in the high wetland
zones near the upper limit of tidal flooding, not in low wetland areas with
considerable annual and/or daily fluctuations in water levels.
No occurrences of California black rails have been recorded within the study area
(CDFG, 2005).
California Tiger Salamander. The California tiger salamander is federally listed
as threatened and is also a CDFG species of concern. The documented range of
the tiger salamander includes the Central Valley from Yolo County south to Kern
County, and coastal grasslands from the vicinity of San Francisco Bay south at
least to Santa Barbara County (Zeiner et al., 1988). Tiger salamanders breed in
vernal pools and other seasonal wetlands as well as stockponds where predatory
fish and bullfrogs are absent. Aquatic habitat must hold water for two to three
consecutive months to allow salamanders to complete their metamorphosis. Tiger
salamanders aestivate in the summer in underground burrows, generally
excavated by ground squirrels.
No occurrences of California tiger salamanders have been recorded within the
Program study area (CDFG, 2005).
Giant Garter Snake. The giant garter snake is listed as threatened under the
federal and state ESAs. This mostly aquatic snake is the largest of the garter snake
genus, Thamnophis, and is endemic to the basins and floodplains of the
Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys (USFWS, 2002). The giant garter snake is a
year-round resident of the Yolo Bypass, occupying slow-moving streams and
adjacent uplands characteristic of that area. Giant garter snakes are found in rice
fields, canals, irrigation ditches, and cattail marshes. Giant garter snakes prey on
small fish, tadpoles, and frogs throughout the year. From late October to late
March, giant garter snakes hibernate above the high water line. Hibernaculae are
often abandoned rodent burrows, but the snakes also can hibernate in other types
of cracks or crevices that would provide them with adequate shelter. During this
period, they are susceptible to harm from mechanized earth-moving activities.
Over one dozen occurrences of giant garter snakes have been recorded in the
Elverta study area, east of the Sacramento River (CDFG, 2005).
Swainson’s Hawk. The Swainson’s hawk is listed as threatened under the state
ESA. Swainson’s hawks are open-country birds that nest in the Central Valley of
California and in the juniper woodlands of Modoc County. Nests are typically
found in scattered trees or along riparian corridors adjacent to annual grasslands,
pastures, alfalfa, and other crops that provide foraging habitat (CDFG, 1994).
Swainson’s hawks also nest in urban areas, though the reproductive success of
pairs in urban areas has been shown to be lower than that of birds that nest in rural
DRAFT
IV-61
Chapter IV
areas (England et al., 1995). Swainson’s hawks forage primarily on small rodents
and reptiles during the breeding season and insects during the non-breeding
period (England et al., 1997). Agricultural areas are most often used by foraging
Swainson’s hawks just after harvest or irrigation, when prey populations become
exposed or brought to the surface (Smallwood, 1995). The current population of
nesting Swainson’s hawks in California is believed to be 10% of historic numbers
as a result of the loss of breeding habitat in the state and wintering habitats in
Mexico, Central America, and South America. Elimination of breeding habitat is
the result of several land conversion activities, including the loss of small farms
with shelterbelts and tree plantings to larger agribusiness, the increasing
development of woody perennial crops (i.e., orchards and vineyards), and urban
development (England et al., 1997).
Swainson’s hawks have been recorded along the Sacramento River and west of
the Sacramento River in the Elverta study area. They also have been documented
along Willow Slough in and adjacent to the Willow Slough substation study area
(CDFG, 2005).
Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle. The VELB is listed as a threatened species
under the federal ESA. Elderberry beetles have been found only in association
with their host plants, elderberry shrubs (Sambucus mexicana and S. racemosa
var. microbotrys). This species is generally found within or close to riparian
habitats along Central Valley rivers and their tributaries. Given the widespread
reduction of riparian habitat throughout the state, supporting habitat for this
species has been reduced drastically from historic levels (Biosystems, 1994).
This species depends on its host plant, the elderberry shrub, throughout its entire
life cycle. Elderberry shrubs often occur in clumps that consist of several stems
attached to a main truck. Beetles remain hidden within the stems and trunks of
elderberry shrubs as larvae and pupae for one to two years. Beetles are rarely
observed in the field, and generally the only sign of beetle occupancy is the exit
hole created by the larva just before the pupal stage (USFWS, 1999).
VELB have been observed in the Elverta study area less than 0.5 mile south of the
Sacramento River, near Gray’s bend. They have also been observed along the
Sacramento River near the North City interconnection study area (CDFG, 2005).
Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp. The vernal pool fairy shrimp is listed as threatened
under the federal ESA. Although widely distributed, vernal pool fairy shrimp are
not abundant anywhere. The known range of this shrimp includes grasslands in
the Central Valley and in the Central Coast and South Coast mountains. Distinct
locations have been found from Tehama to Riverside Counties (Eng et al., 1990).
Habitat for these shrimp have been reduced and degraded by the development of
land for urban, agricultural, and other uses.
DRAFT
IV-62
Chapter IV
These animals are known to occupy several types of seasonal pools, which are
generally grass-, or mud-bottomed pools embedded in swales, earth-slump pools,
and basalt-flow depression pools. Sites occupied by these shrimp are seasonally
inundated and are not subject to strong flow (Federal Register, 1992). This species
also has been found in human-made pools with unvegetated bottoms and margins
dominated by ruderal, upland, and marsh vegetation, such as rushes.
This species has been observed in the Hedge substation transmission line study
area south of Elder Creek Road, between Power Inn Road and Florin Perkins
Road. They also have been observed in the northeastern corner of the Elverta
study area (CDFG, 2005).
Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp. The vernal pool tadpole shrimp is listed as
endangered under the federal ESA. This species of Lepidurus is found in
California’s Central Valley. Tadpole shrimp also have been documented at the
Jepson Prairie in Solano County (Federal Register, 1992).
Information on the biology of tadpole shrimp is limited. Adaptation of tadpole
shrimp to their temporary, annual pool habitat is the result of high fecundity and
the production of drought-resistant eggs that may remain unhatched in the pool
sediment until favorable conditions occur, perhaps more than 1 year. Specimens
of tadpole shrimp have been collected from early December until April or May
(Ahl, 1991). These shrimp inhabit temporary pools of the following types: grassbottomed pools in swales of unplowed grasslands underlain by hardpan, and mudbottomed pools with highly turbid water (Federal Register, 1992).
This species has been observed in the Hedge substation study area south of Elder
Creek Road between Power Inn Road and Florin Perkins Road, as well as 0.2 mile
south of Elder Creek Road. They also have been observed in the northeastern
corner of the Elverta study area (CDFG, 2005).
Aleutian Canada Goose. The Aleutian Canada goose is a federal species of
concern. This species breeds in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska and winters in
California, in the Central Valley. During the migration, the Aleutian Canada
goose rests and forages at known stopovers along the northwestern coast (CDFG,
2002). The preferred habitats of this species include inland lakes, fresh emergent
wetlands, and moist grasslands, croplands, pastures, and meadows. In California,
this goose species feeds primarily on green shoots and seeds of cultivated grains
and wild grasses and forbs, by grazing and gleaning in moist fields. The Aleutian
Canada goose will typically roost on open waters of lakes and ponds (CDFG,
2002).
No occurrences of Aleutian Canada geese have been recorded within the Program
American Bittern. The American bittern is a federal species of concern. This
bird is distributed widely during winter in freshwater marsh habitats, primarily
DRAFT
IV-63
Chapter IV
west of the Sierra Nevada. It typically hides, rests, and roosts amidst tall, dense,
emergent vegetation, on the ground, or near the ground on a log or stump (CDFG,
2002).
No occurrences of American bitterns have been recorded within the Program
American Peregrine Falcon. The American peregrine falcon, a state-listed
endangered species and fully protected in California, was delisted as a federal
endangered species. This bird breeds mostly in woodland, forest, and coastal
habitats. Riparian areas and coastal and inland wetlands are important yearlong
habitats. This species breeds near water on high cliffs, banks, dunes, and mounds.
This species will nest on human-made structures and occasionally uses tree or
snag cavities or old nests of other raptors (CDFG, 2002).
No occurrences of American peregrine falcons have been recorded within the
Bat Species. The following special-status bat species have the potential to occur
in the BSA:
•
The long-legged myotis bat (Myotis volans) is a federal species of concern.
Its range is widespread throughout California. This mammal is a colonial bat
that is known for breeding in buildings and small crevices in rocky cliff
ledges. No occurrences of this species are known in the project vicinity.
•
The Yuma myotis bat (Myotis yumanensis) is widespread in California and
can occur in a wide range of habitats, but optimal habitat consists of open
forests and woodlands with sources of water in which to feed. The Yuma
Myotis bat roosts in buildings, mines, caves, and crevices.
No occurrences of either species have been recorded within the Program study
area (CDFG, 2005).
California Linderiella. The California linderiella is designated as a species of
concern by the USFWS. This California endemic fairy shrimp is commonly found
in cool, soft-water pools of Central Valley grasslands (Eriksen and Belk, 1999).
Occurrences of this species were observed 0.5 and 0.4 mile south of Elder Creek
Road, 0.7 mile north of Elder Creek Road, and 0.7 mile southeast of Fruitridge
Road and South Watt, adjacent to the Hedge substation study area. Another
occurrence was recorded north of Florin and Bradshaw Road, less than 1 mile
from the study area. They also have been observed in the northeastern corner of
the Elverta study area (CDFG, 2005).
Ferruginous Hawk. The ferruginous hawk is a CDFG and USFWS species of
concern. While common in southwestern California, it is an uncommon wintering
DRAFT
IV-64
Chapter IV
resident and migrant of the Modoc Plateau, Central Valley, and Coastal Ranges
from September to mid-April. The hawk is found in lower elevation open
grassland, scrubland, desert areas, and lower foothills. No breeding records are
known from California. Prey consists of rabbits, hares, and other lagomorphs,
rodents, snakes, reptiles, and amphibians. The ferruginous hawk searches for prey
by gliding close to the ground, or by hovering, or from perches. They roost on
poles or lone trees and nest on low cliffs, cut banks, shrubs, trees, or man-made
structures in transition areas along the foothills or grassland.
No occurrences of ferruginous hawks have been recorded within the Program
Greater Sandhill Crane. The greater sandhill crane is a USFWS species of
concern and is a state fully protected species. The breeding range of the greater
sandhill crane has been reduced to northeastern California. The bird winters in the
Central Valley in grassland, emergent wetland, and moist agriculture fields. The
species feeds on grasses, forbs, cereal crops, roots, tubers, rodents, insects,
snakes, small birds, frogs, and crayfish. The crane roosts in flocks at night and
prefers treeless areas where predators can be seen.
No occurrences of greater sandhill cranes have been recorded within the Program
Lewis’ Woodpecker. The Lewis’ woodpecker is a federal species of concern.
This bird uses open habitats dominated by oaks and other deciduous trees and
conifers and nests in cavities of trees. It breeds along the eastern slopes of the
Coast Range and in the Sierra Nevada, the Warner Mountains, and the Klamath
and Cascade Ranges. Lewis’ woodpecker breeds from early May through July
(CDFG, 2002).
No occurrences of Lewis’ woodpeckers have been recorded within the Program
Little Willow Flycatcher. The Little willow flycatcher is a federal species of
special concern. Historically, this species nested throughout California wherever
there was dense riparian habitat. In 1991, it was estimated that approximately 200
nesting pairs remained in the state isolated in five distinct populations: one along
the Sierra Nevada mountains and four along river systems in Southern California
(CDFG, 1991). Significant reductions of riparian nesting habitat throughout the
state and nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds has been attributed to the
decline of this species (Biosystems, 1994). Grazing practices that directly destroy
nests and alter habitat also are believed to impact this species’ population in the
state (Biosystems, 1994).
The little willow flycatcher closely resembles the other six flycatcher species
found in the state. Little willow flycatchers nest from near sea level up to
approximately 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) in elevation in open river valleys or large
DRAFT
IV-65
Chapter IV
mountain meadows where there is dense willow cover. The breeding season
occurs between late May and June when adults return from wintering in South
America. Fall migration for both juveniles and adults usually occurs during
August (Zeiner et al., 1990).
No occurrences of little willow flycatchers have been recorded within the
Loggerhead Shrike. The loggerhead shrike is a federal species of concern. This
species prefers open habitats with scattered shrubs, trees, posts, fences, utility
lines, or other perches. It occurs in highest density in open-canopied valley
foothill hardwood, valley foothill hardwood-conifer, valley foothill riparian,
pinyon-juniper, juniper, desert riparian, and Joshua tree habitats. This species
frequents open habitats with sparse shrubs and trees, other suitable perches, bare
ground, and low or sparse herbaceous cover.
The loggerhead shrike feeds mostly on large insects, but it also eats small birds,
mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, carrion, and various other invertebrates. It
usually flies directly to its prey on the ground or in a shrub and sometimes hovers.
Frequently, loggerhead shrikes skewer their prey on a thorn, sharp twig, or barb
wire or force it into the crotch of a tree or shrub to feed on, or to cache for feeding
later.
In California, loggerhead shrikes lay their eggs from March into May, and their
young become independent in July or August. A monogamous, solitary nester, the
loggerhead shrike lays a clutch of four to eight eggs and may be double-brooded.
No occurrences of loggerhead shrikes have been recorded within the Program
Long-Billed Curlew. The long-billed curlew is a federal and CDFG species of
special concern. This species breeds within the northeastern portion of the state in
grassland or wet meadow habitats that are usually adjacent to lakes or marshes.
Conversion of these breeding grounds to agricultural areas is believed to be the
primary cause for the decline of this species in the state (Zeiner et al., 1990).
Long-billed curlews commonly winter in the Central Valley, where they occupy
seasonal wetland habitats. Smaller numbers of curlews also winter in the Bay.
No occurrences of long-billed curlews have been recorded within the Program
Midvalley Fairy Shrimp. The midvalley fairy shrimp has been petitioned for
listing under the federal ESA. However, this species is not currently proposed for
listing. USFWS has designated midvalley fairy shrimp as a species of concern.
The midvalley fairy shrimp was first described in June 2000 and has no formal
listing status (Belk and Fugate, 2000). This species is known to occur in
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Sacramento, Solano, Contra Costa, Madera, Merced, and Fresno Counties. The
north-south range of this species is less than any other species of fairy shrimp
found in California, including two species listed as endangered by the USFWS.
Vernal pools in the portion of California where this species occurs are threatened
by human development. This species is jeopardized by conversion of its habitat to
residential, commercial, and agricultural land uses within its limited range.
No occurrences of midvalley fairy shrimp have been recorded within the Program
Mountain Plover. The mountain plover is proposed for listing as federally
threatened. Mountain plovers breed in the western Great Plains and winter in
California, Arizona, Texas, and northern Mexico. Wintering mountain plovers are
concentrated in the San Joaquin Valley and the Carrizo Plain area in San Luis
Obispo County (CDFG, 2002). Mountain plovers forage and rest in grasslands
and agricultural areas where the vegetation or crop cover is low and sparse.
A mountain plover was observed in the southwestern corner of the Elverta study
area (CDFG, 2005).
Northern Harrier. The northern harrier is listed as a California Special Concern
species with a “demonstrably secure” population. Their nesting sites are of
primary concern. Breeding usually occurs in shrubby vegetation within marshes,
though nesting also may occur in grasslands or other dry habitats away from
water. Harriers forage primarily on small mammals that inhabit a variety of wet
and dry habitats.
No occurrences of northern harriers have been recorded within the Program study
area (CDFG, 2005).
Northwestern Pond Turtle. The northwestern pond turtle is a federal and CDFG
species of special concern. This species ranges throughout the state from southern
coastal California and the Central Valley, east to the Cascade and Sierra Nevada
mountains. Freshwater habitat alteration and competition and predation from
introduced nonnative species, such as bullfrogs and predatory fish, continue to
threaten this species’ population (Holland, 1991).
Northwestern pond turtles occur in a variety of permanent and intermittent aquatic
habitats, such as ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, and ephemeral pools.
Northwestern pond turtles can be found up to 6,000 feet in elevation. These turtles
also require an upland oviposition site in the vicinity of the aquatic site. Nests are
typically dug in soils that are high in clay or silt fraction. Egg-laying usually takes
place between March and August (Zeiner et al., 1988).
No occurrences of northwestern pond turtles have been recorded within the
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Nuttall’s Woodpecker. The nuttall’s woodpecker is a federal species of local
concern. The range of Nuttall’s woodpecker includes the Central Valley, the
Coast Ranges, and lower portions of the Cascade Range. It forages in oak and
riparian deciduous habitats and nests in cavities of riparian trees and oaks of
adjacent habitat (CDFG, 2002).
No occurrences of Nuttall’s woodpeckers have been recorded within the Program
Oak Titmouse. The oak titmouse is a federal species of local concern. Its
preferred habitat includes open mixed oak woodlands, including oak woodlands,
streamside cottonwoods, forest edges, and oak-juniper woodlands. Although this
species prefers oak habitats, some populations have adapted locally to warm, dry
environments without oaks, such as the western juniper woodland in Northern
California. The species has adapted to urban and suburban environments in
wooded areas.
No occurrences of oak titmice have been recorded within the Program study area
(CDFG, 2005).
Sacramento Splittail. Although the Sacramento splittail was removed from the
federal list of threatened species, it is still a CDFG species of special concern.
Splittail are medium to large minnows of the lower Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta. Channelization of much of the Delta and water allocation issues, coupled
with low water years, are the major contributors to this species’ population
decline (McGinnis, 1984).
This species generally occurs in backwater sloughs of the Delta, where it spawns
over shoreline vegetation. During years of high water levels, splittail also may
enter tributaries of larger rivers, where they spawn in slow-moving waters
dominated by emergent and floating vegetation typical during periods of receding
floodwaters (McGinnis, 1984).
Sacramento splittails have been observed in the Sacramento River in the Elverta
Short-Eared Owl. The short-eared owl is a California special concern species
and a USFWS migratory nongame bird of management concern; their nesting
sites are of primary concern. These owls inhabit freshwater and saltwater marshes
and grasslands where there is tall vegetation. They feed on a variety of prey,
including small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods (Zeiner et
al., 1990). Breeding occurs along the central and northern coast of California,
including the Bay region, and in the northeastern portion of the state. Destruction
of marsh and grassland habitat and grazing present the greatest threat to the
species (Zeiner et al., 1990).
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No occurrences of short-eared owls have been recorded within the Program study
area (CDFG, 2005).
Tricolored Blackbird. The tricolored blackbird is a federal and CDFG species of
special concern that is nearly endemic to California. Historically, this species
nested throughout the Central Valley and along the coast from Sonoma County to
Mexico. The state population of tricolored blackbirds has been reduced by an
estimated 64% from its historic numbers because of the loss of freshwater wetland
habitat, human disturbance, and competition for nesting space with red-winged
blackbirds (San Francisco Estuary Project, 1992).
This species nests in dense colonies along freshwater wetlands, and other areas
where there is a permanent water source and dense stands of cattails or tules (San
Francisco Estuary Project, 1992). Tricolored blackbirds also have been observed
nesting in riparian vegetation, such as willows, thistles, blackberry, and wild rose
plants when freshwater emergent vegetation is not available. Nest sites are
generally proximate to foraging areas, which often include flooded rice fields,
pond margins, and other grassy sites (San Francisco Estuary Project, 1992).
No occurrences of tri-colored blackbirds have been recorded within the Program
Western Burrowing Owl. The western burrowing owl is fully protected against
take, pursuant to Section 3503.5 of the California Fish and Game Code, and is a
CDFG species of special concern. Burrowing owls are small birds with the
relatively unique habits of being active during the day as well as in the evening
and nesting underground. They typically use burrow systems formerly occupied
by ground squirrels or other large burrow-dwelling rodents. Their diet is usually
dominated by insects but may include small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Burrowing owls generally forage in open fields with relatively sparse, short
vegetation; their foraging ability is disrupted by dense, tall vegetation.
Western borrowing owls were observed in 1988 on the eastern side of the Willow
Slough substation study area. This area is currently plowed for agriculture and is
not likely to support this species. Burrowing owls also have been observed in the
ditches surrounding the Sacramento Army Depot, approximately 500 feet from
the Program area between Florin Perkins Road and the Central California
Traction Railroad. An occurrence was recorded on the eastern end of the Elverta
Western Spadefoot. The western spadefoot (Scaphiopus hammondii) is a federal
and state species of concern. The western spadefoot occurs in the central and
southern Coast Ranges, the Central Valley, and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada,
primarily in grasslands, frequenting washes, floodplains of rivers, alluvial fans,
playas, and alkali flats (Zeiner et al., 1988). The western spadefoot is rarely found
on the surface, as most of the year is spent in underground burrows to 36 inches
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deep, which they construct themselves. Some individuals also may use mammal
burrows. The species is active on the surface nocturnally, during rains or periods
of high humidity. Recently metamorphosed juveniles seek refuge in the
immediate vicinities of breeding ponds for up to several days after transformation.
They hide in drying mud cracks and under boards and other surface objects,
including decomposing cow dung.
Breeding and egg laying occur almost exclusively in shallow, temporary pools
formed by heavy winter rains. Breeding and egg laying normally occur from late
winter to the end of March (Zeiner et al., 1988). Egg masses are attached to plant
material or the upper surfaces of small submerged rocks. Eggs hatch rapidly,
normally within 2 weeks. Breeding activities normally conclude by the end of
March. Tadpoles transform during late spring and disperse after spending a few
hours or days near the pond margins. Few movements occur during most of the
year, but they will travel up to several meters on rainy nights.
No occurrences of the western spadefoot have been recorded within the Program
White-Faced Ibis. The white-faced ibis is a federal and state species of concern.
The ibis is a rare visitor to the Central Valley and an uncommon summer resident
of southern California. The bird forages in emergent wetlands, shallow lakes,
muddy ground in wet meadows, and wet irrigated cropland. The ibis feeds on
worms, insects, crustaceans, and small fish by probing muddy soil with its long
bill. Nesting is only known to occur in isolated areas throughout California in
dense emergent wetlands. Formerly more common, especially in the San Joaquin
Valley, this species no longer breeds regularly anywhere in California (Remsen,
1978). Pesticides and marsh clearing are suspected culprits for the decline in
species numbers.
No occurrences of white-faced ibis have been recorded within the Program study
area (CDFG, 2005).
White-Tailed Kite. The white-tailed kite is a federal species of concern and a
fully protected species in California. This bird is an uncommon year-long resident
in coastal and valley lowlands and is rarely found away from agricultural areas. It
makes a nest of loosely piled sticks and twigs and lines it with grass, straw, or
rootlets. Typically, the nest is located near the top of dense oak, willow, or other
tree stands. The white-tailed kite is mostly non-migratory in California. Typical
prey of this raptor include voles and other small, diurnal mammals, although the
whit-tailed kite occasionally preys on birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. The
white-tailed kite forages in undisturbed, open grasslands, meadows, farmlands,
and emergent wetlands. This kite species breeds from February to October
(CDFG, 2002).
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White-tailed kites have been observed approximately 0.4 mile south of Elder
Creek Road adjacent to the Hedge substation study area. It also has been observed
approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the Elverta study area (CDFG, 2005).
(4) Plant Species
Boggs Lake Hedge-Hyssop. Bogg’s Lake hedge-hyssop has no federal list status
but it is protected as endangered under the California ESA. This species is a tiny
member of the snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae). Most plants are only 1 inch
tall with a single 0.25-inch white and yellow flower (Jepson Prairie Docent
Program, 1998). Bogg’s Lake hedge hyssop grows in vernal pools and along lake
margins. It is widely distributed in central and northern California and is also
known from one occurrence in Oregon. Agriculture, development, grazing,
trampling, and vehicles threaten the known occurrences of this species.
This species has been recorded approximately 1.5 miles east of the Elverta study
area (CDFG, 2005).
Colusa Grass. Colusa grass is listed as threatened under the federal ESA and as
endangered under the California ESA. This annual species is a member of the
grass family (Poaceae). Colusa grass is seldom taller than 10 inches, with several
stems of loosely folded, clasping leaves, and thick, cylindrical terminal spikes of
flowers (Jepson Prairie Docent Program, 1998). The alternating arrangement of
leaves on this species vaguely resembles a miniature stalk of corn. Foliage is pale
green with sticky glands and a sharp acrid taste.
This grass occurs only on the mud of large or deep vernal pools in Merced,
Stanislaus, Solano, and Yolo Counties. Associated species in some locations
include state and federally listed hairy Orcutt grass (Orcuttia pilosa) and San
Joaquin Valley Orcutt grass (O. inaequalis). Colusa grass occurs at elevations
between 15 and 700 feet. This grass species flowers from May to August,
depending upon the hydrology of the associated pool. Agriculture, development,
overgrazing, flood control, and non-native plants threaten this species.
No occurrences of Colusa grass have been recorded within the Program study area
(CDFG, 2005).
Palmate-Bracted Birds-Beak. Palmate-bracted birds-beak is state and federally
listed as endangered; it is also a CNPS List 1B plant. This species of annual herb
and hemiparisite is a member of the snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae). It
ranges in the San Joaquin Valley from San Joaquin County in the south to Colusa
County in the north on chenopod scrub and alkaline valley and foothill grasslands.
It is found between 16 and 500 feet and blooms from May to October.
The palmate-bracted birds-beak was recorded in the southwest corner of the
Elverta study area in 1952 (CDFG, 2005).
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Sacramento Orcutt Grass. Sacramento Orcutt grass is listed as endangered
under the federal ESA and California ESA. It is included on the CNPS List 1B.
Sacramento Orcutt grass occurs in vernal pools in Sacramento County and blooms
from May to June.
No occurrences of Sacramento Orcutt grass have been recorded within the
Slender Orcutt Grass. The slender orcutt grass is listed as threatened under the
federal ESA. This species also is listed as endangered under the California ESA,
and is included on the CNPS List 1B. Slender Orcutt grass is widespread but
sparsely distributed in eastern Shasta County, Lake County, and the Sacramento
Valley, from Sacramento to Shasta County. Usually, it is located at the bottom of
vernal pools, mostly at sites underlain by volcanic substrates, and blooms from
May to October.
No occurrences of slender Orcutt grasses have been recorded within the Program
Alkali Milk-Vetch. The alkali milk-vetch is a CNPS List 1B species. This
inconspicuous, annual herb in the pea family (Fabaceae) is known from Central
Valley and the Coast Ranges of central California from Merced and Monterey
Counties north to Sonoma and Yolo Counties. Typical habitat for this milk-vetch
includes playas, the margins of vernal pools, and other mesic sites with heavy
clay soils. This species produces showy rose-colored blooms from March to June.
Habitat destruction is the primary threat to this species. Other threats, such as
displacement by invasive non-native vegetation and build-up of grass thatch from
fire suppression or lack of herbivory (including livestock grazing) are not well
documented. Alkali milk-vetch was last documented in the Bay Area in 1959. The
remaining occurrences are in five counties: Alameda, Merced, Napa, Solano, and
Yolo.
No occurrences of the alkali milk vetch have been recorded within the Program
Brittlescale. Brittlescale is included on the CNPS List 1B. This annual herb in the
goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae) occurs in the Central Valley from Butte
County south to Kern County. Typical habitats include chenopod scrub, playas,
grasslands, vernal pools, meadows, and seeps on alkaline clay soils. This species
occurs at elevations between 3 and 1,000 feet. Inconspicous blooms are present
from May to October.
Development, grazing and trampling threaten this species. Extant occurrences are
documented in Contra Costa, Solano, and Yolo Counties.
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No occurrences of brittlescale have been recorded within the Program study area
(CDFG, 2005).
Delta Tule Pea. The delta tule pea is a CNPS List 1B plant. It is a perennial herb
found within freshwater and brackish marshes and swamps. It is a member of the
pea family (Fabaceae) and has been recorded in Sacramento County but not in
Yolo County. It blooms from May to September.
No occurrences of the delta tule pea have been recorded within the Program study
area (CDFG, 2005).
Dwarf Downingia. The dwarf downingia is included on the CNPS List 2. This
diminutive member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae) is known to occur
in the Central Valley from Tehama County south to Merced County. Except for
Solano County, all of the known occurrences are located along the eastern side of
the Central Valley. Dwarf downingia produces small white flowers approximately
0.2 inch in diameter between March and May. Typical habitat includes moist
grassland areas and vernal pools. Urbanization, grazing, vehicles, and industrial
forestry threaten this species (CNPS, 2001).
The dwarf downingia has been observed on the southeastern side of the Elverta
Ferris’ Milk-Vetch. Ferris’ milk-vetch is included on the CNPS List 1B. This
annual herb in the pea family (Fabaceae) is known from occurrences in Butte,
Colusa, Glenn, Solano, Sutter, and Yolo Counties in the Sacramento Valley.
Typical habitat for this species includes seasonally moist meadows and seeps on
alkaline soils. Ferris’ milk-vetch occurs at elevations between 15 and 250 feet.
This species was rediscovered in 1989 at Butte Sink Wildlife Area (CNPS, 2001).
It is known from only four extant occurrences (CNPS, 2001). Most of the historic
occurrences have been extirpated by conversion to agriculture. No occurrences of
Ferris’ milk-vetch have been recorded within the Program study area (CDFG,
2005).
Heartscale. Heartscale is a CNPS List 1B species. It is a gray-scaly annual herb
in the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae). It is typically 0.4 to 2 inches tall. The
flowers are inconspicuous, and the plant is most easily identified when it is in
fruit.
Heartscale occurs in the Central Valley, from Kern County in the south to Butte
and Glenn Counties in the north, and from Alameda County in the west to Madera
and Tulare Counties in the east. It is believed to be extirpated from San Joaquin,
Stanislaus, and Yolo Counties and has not been reported from Sacramento
County. Heartscale was observed approximately 1.3 miles south of the Willow
Slough substation study area (CDFG, 2005).
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It grows in sandy, saline, or alkaline flats or scalds, in chenopod scrub, meadows,
and valley and foothill grassland, and frequently occurs in areas that are
dominated by saltgrass and brittlescale. Atriplex species are relatively tolerant of
disturbance. Heartscale blooms April through October. Habitat loss is responsible
for the decline of heartscale.
Legenere. Legenere is included on the CNPS List 1B and is designated a species
of concern by the USFWS. This annual member of the bellflower family
(Campanulaceae) is endemic to vernal pool habitat in the Central Valley and the
Coast Ranges. Legenere often lacks a corolla and can be difficult to distinguish
from pre-blooming species of downingia. This species typically blooms from
April to June.
Legenere was recorded approximately 2 miles southeast of the Elverta study area
(CDFG, 2005).
Mason’s Lilaeopsis. The Mason’s lilaeopsis is a USFWS species of concern and
is listed as rare under the California ESA. This tiny perennial in the carrot family
(Apiaceae) is endemic to intertidal areas of rivers and streams in the Delta region.
It spreads by rhizomes and produces narrow, jointed leaves. Mason’s lilaeopsis
has tiny yellow flowers and blooms in the summer (April to November).
Typical habitats for this species include brackish or freshwater marshes, riparian
scrub (CNPS, 2001). This species is semi-aquatic and is usually found on
saturated clay soils that are regularly inundated by waves and tidal action. Its
known distribution extends from the margins of the Napa River in Napa County
east to the channels and sloughs of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in Contra
Costa, Solano, Sacramento, Yolo, and San Joaquin Counties. This species grows
at an elevation between 0 and 30 feet (CNPS, 2001). Erosion, channel
stabilization, development, flood control projects, recreation, agriculture, and
shading resulting from marsh succession threaten this species (CNPS, 2001). The
non-native Eichhornia crassipes competes with Mason’s lilaeopsis in some
places.
No occurrences of the Mason’s lilaeopsis have been recorded within the Program
Northern California Black Walnut. The northern California black walnut is a
CNPS List 1B species. This medium sized tree in the walnut family
(Juglandaceae) is known from only three native stands. Only two of these stands
are extant (CNPS, 2001). However, this species is widely naturalized from
plantings and rootstock grafted to cultivated walnuts.
No occurrences of black walnut have been recorded within the Program study
area (CDFG, 2005).
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Pincushion Navarretia. The pincushion navarretia is a CNPS List 1B species.
The species is known from six locations statewide (CNPS, 2005) in the Sierra
Nevada foothills and the Sacramento Valley (Amador, Lake, Merced, and
Sacramento Counties). Pincushion navarretia occurs in vernal pools at elevations
of 66 to 300 feet and blooms in May.
No occurrences of pincushion navarretia have been recorded within the Program
Recurved Larkspur. The recurved larkspur is a CNPS List 1B species in the
buttercup family. This perennial herb typically blooms from March to May in
alkaline soils of chenopod scrub, woodlands, and valley and foothill grasslands.
Recurved larkspur is found in several counties of northern and central California.
No occurrences of the recurved larkspur have been recorded within the Program
Rose-Mallow. The rose mallow is included on the CNPS List 2 because it is rare
in California, but it also occurs in eastern North America, where it is more
widespread. This member of the mallow family (Malvaceae) is known to occur
from Butte County south to San Joaquin County. Most of the known occurrences
are very small (CNPS, 2001). Typical habitat is freshwater marsh along major
rivers and streams. Rose-mallow blooms from June to September.
Development, agriculture, recreation, and river channelization threaten this
species. Rose-mallow was recorded 0.3 mile south of the Sacramento River in the
Elverta study area (CDFG, 2005).
Sanford’s Arrowhead. The Sanford’s arrowhead is included on the CNPS List
1B and it is designated a species of concern by the USFWS. This perennial herb
in the water plantain family (Alismataceae) is widely distributed in California
from Del Norte County on the northern coast to Ventura and Orange Counties in
southern California. However, this species is now extirpated from southern
California and many parts of the Central Valley. Typical habitat is shallow
freshwater marsh at elevations between 0 and 2,000 feet. This species blooms
from May to October.
The Sanford’s arrowhead was observed adjacent to the North City interconnection
San Joaquin Spearscale. The San Joaquin spearscale is included on the CNPS
List 1B. This annual herb is in the goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) family and occurs
in the San Joaquin valley from San Luis Obispo in the south to Colusa and Glenn
Counties in the north. Typical habitats include chenopod scrub, alkaline meadows
and seeps, and alkaline valley and foothill grasslands. This species occurs at
elevations between 1 and 2,700 feet. It blooms from April to October.
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San Joaquin spearscale was observed approximately 0.4 mile east of the Willow
Slough substation study area (CDFG, 2005).
Suisun Marsh Aster. The Suisun Marsh aster is included on the CNPS List 1B; it
is also designated as a species of concern by the USFWS. This perennial
herbaceous species in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) is found in Contra Costa,
Napa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Solano Counties. Typical habitats include
brackish and freshwater marsh. Suisun Marsh aster occurs at elevations between 0
and 10 feet. This species blooms from May to November.
No occurrences of Suisun Marsh aster have been recorded within the Program
Tuolumne Button-Celery. Tulumne button-celery is a CNPS List 1B plant and a
member of the parsley family (Apiaceae). It is found in vernal pools, woodlands,
and lower montane coniferous forests, and it blooms from June to August. It has
been identified in Sacramento County but not in Yolo County. It is threatened by
loss of habitat through the spread of agriculture.
No occurrences of the Tuolumne button-celery have been recorded within the
Bristly Sedge. Bristly sedge is a CNPS List 2 plant in the sedge family
(Cyperaceae). It occurs in coastal prairie, marshes and swamps, and lake margins.
It is found in valley and foothill grasslands and blooms between May and
September. It has been identified in Sacramento County but not in Yolo County.
Threats to the taxon include changes in water regime and invasion of habitat by
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). In addition, logging, and shoreline
development are potential threats.
No occurrences of bristly sedge have been recorded within the Program study area
(CDFG, 2005).
(5) Individual Program Component Settings
Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6).
The Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area contains all of the vegetation
communities listed in Table IV.D-2; however, no jurisdictional wetlands were
found within the program component area. Focused surveys have not been
conducted for rare plants. It is assumed that these species are present where
suitable habitat occurs.
Four raptor nests were observed in the riparian woodlands within this study area.
The grasslands and riparian woodlands in this area provide suitable foraging and
nesting habitat for raptors, including the special-status species, Swainson’s hawk.
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Multiple elderberry shrubs were found in the riparian woodlands. These could
provide habitat for the federally listed VELB.
The following federal and state-listed species could occur in the study area:
•
American peregrine falcon
•
Bank swallow
•
Black rail
•
California tiger salamander
•
Giant garter snake
•
Greater sandhill crane
•
Swainson’s hawk
•
Valley elderberry longhorn beetle
•
•
Vernal pool tadpole shrimp
•
Colusa grass
•
•
Other special-status species that could occur in the study area include the
following:
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•
•
American bittern
•
California linderiella fairy shrimp
•
Ferruginous hawk
•
Lewis’ woodpecker
•
Loggerhead shrike
•
Long-billed curlew
•
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•
•
Mountain plover
•
Northern harrier
•
Northwestern pond turtle
•
•
•
Rufous hummingbird
•
Sacramento splittail
•
Short-eared owl
•
•
•
Whimbrel
•
White-faced ibis
•
White-tailed kite
•
Yellow warbler
•
Yuma myotis bat
•
Black walnut
•
Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop
•
Bristly sedge
•
Delta tule pea
•
Dwarf downingia
•
•
Legenere
•
•
Pincushion navarretia
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•
Rose-mallow
•
•
Suisun Marsh aster
•
Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction
Study Area (Program Component 4). The program component is in an
urbanized area of southern Sacramento. A large portion of the land adjacent to
this study area is urbanized and developed. However, the undeveloped areas in the
corridor include vernal pools and annual grassland that may be used by specialstatus species.
Special-status species that could occur in the study area are listed hereafter. The
study area is outside of the documented range of the California tiger salamander.
However, portions of Elder Creek that are located approximately 0.6 mile
southeast of the Hedge substation may provide suitable breeding habitat for this
species.
The following federal and state-listed species could occur in the Power Inn Road
to Hedge substation transmission line study area:
•
•
•
•
Colusa grass
•
•
Other special-status species that could occur in Program Component 4 include the
following:
DRAFT
•
•
•
•
•
Black walnut
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•
•
Dwarf downingia
•
•
Legenere
•
•
•
Signs of potential burrowing owls were observed at one location within the
program component, at the western terminus of the transmission line route near
Power Inn Road.
One retention basin with a low cover of wetland plant species occurs within the
300-foot buffer of the transmission line route, east of Florin Perkins Road. This
retention basin and surrounding ground squirrel burrows provide potential habitat
for the California tiger salamander.
Potential habitat exists for listed vernal pool branchiopods in several areas. On the
southern side of the Hedge substation, and within the right-of-way of Tokay
Road, are several depressions that could pond water long enough to support
vernal pool branchiopods. An additional depression exists in the transmission line
route on the side of the Central California Traction Railroad tracks and within the
SMUD South City substation. Both sites consist of shallow depressions with little
to no vegetation. The retention basin east of Florin Perkins Road also provides
potential habitat for vernal pool branchiopods.
One raptor nest was found in this study area within the transmission line route.
No jurisdictional wetlands were found within the transmission line route. The
detention basin west of South Watt Road, within the 300-foot buffer, is excavated
in uplands and therefore is not considered jurisdictional.
North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5). Vegetation
communities in the North City interconnection study area include riparian areas
and disturbed annual grasslands. Federal- and state-listed species that have the
potential to occur in the study area include the VELB and the Swainson’s hawk
Other special-status species that have the potential to occur in the study area
include the following:
•
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•
•
Rufous hummingbird
•
Yellow warbler
•
Yuma myotis bat
•
Black walnut
Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component 6). Agriculture is
the dominant land use in the Willow Slough substation study area. The riparian
corridor of Willow Slough is in the northwestern corner of the parcel. Pescadero
soils are present in portions of the project area. These soils are alkaline and are
known to support several special-status plant species, including alkali milk vetch,
brittlescale, and San Joaquin spearscale. However, the area where the Pescadero
soils occur is currently in active agricultural cultivation. Thus, a low potential
exists for special-status plants to occur there. The drainage ditch located on the
southern side of Road 27 could support special-status plants that occur in alkaline
areas. Cultivated fields may be used by foraging raptors, including state-listed
Swainson’s hawks that are known to nest in the vicinity.
The following several federal- and state-listed species have the potential to occur
in the area of the proposed Willow Slough substation:
•
Bank swallow
•
Giant garter snake
•
VELB
•
Swainson’s hawk
•
Palmate-bracted bird’s-beak
Other special-status species that have the potential to occur in the area of the
proposed Willow Slough substation include the following:
DRAFT
•
Ferruginous hawk
•
Lewis’ woodpecker
•
Long-billed curlew
•
Mountain plover
•
Northern harrier
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2.
•
Rufous hummingbird
•
Short-eared owl
•
•
Whimbrel
•
White-tailed kite
•
Yellow warbler
•
Alkali milk-vetch
•
Black walnut
•
Brittlescale
•
•
Recurved larkspur
•
Rose-mallow
•
San Joaquin spearscale
have a significant impact on biological resources if the project would cause any of
the following effects:
(a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat
modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or specialstatus species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the
CDFG or USFWS.
(b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive
natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations,
or by the CDFG or USFWS.
(c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined
by Section 404 of the CWA (including, but limited to, marsh, vernal pool,
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coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or
other means.
(d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory
fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory
wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites.
(e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources,
such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance.
(f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted HCP, Natural Community
Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan.
The Program study area contains riparian, wetland, and woodland habitats and
supports a variety of special-status species. The Natomas Basin HCP is also in
place in the Program study area. LAFCo, as the Lead Agency, has adopted the
following as thresholds of significance, consistent with CEQA Guidelines, and
has determined that significant impacts relative to biological resources will result
if the Program or any program component will:
(a) Have an adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on
populations of any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status
species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFG or
USFWS.
(b) Have an adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the
CDFG or USFWS.
(c) Have an adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section
404 of the CWA (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal,
etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means.
(d) Interfere with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or
wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife
corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites.
(e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources,
such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance.
(f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted HCP, Natural Community
Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan.
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Potential impacts to biological resources were evaluated according to the
standards of significance already defined. The CNDDB, the CNPS electronic
database, and the official USFWS species list were reviewed to determine the
occurrence or potential occurrence of special-status plant and wildlife species and
natural communities of special concern within Yolo and Sacramento Counties.
This area was used to identify potential special-status species issues because it
encompasses a sufficient distance to account for regional habitat diversity and to
overcome the limitations of the CNDDB. In addition to a survey of the databases
already described, a vehicular reconnaissance survey was conducted of the four
project component areas on October 5, 2005.
A wetland delineation and general wildlife survey was conducted at Program
Component 4 (Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line
Reconstruction Study Area) on November 7, 2005. A formal wetland delineation
was completed for the 50-foot-wide transmission line route, and an informal
delineation was completed for a 300-foot buffer area surrounding the route. This
buffer was included to address potential indirect impacts to listed vernal pool
branchiopods that could occur in the area. The presence and extent of formally
delineated wetlands in the Program Component 4 area is based on the technical
criteria and procedures described in the USACE 1987 Wetland Delineation
Manual.
The suitability of habitat for special-status species was assessed along the
transmission line route as well as in the 300-foot buffer. An informal survey was
conducted for burrowing owls, and the Program Component 4 area was searched
for raptor nests.
A general wildlife survey was conducted, and the suitability of habitat for specialstatus species also was assessed at Program Component 5, North City Interconnection Study Area, on November 21, 2005. A wetland delineation was not
conducted at this site because no potential jurisdictional wetlands are present at
this location.
d. Direct Effects on the Environment
(1) Potential Impacts
Potential impacts to special-status species may result from temporary and
permanent loss of habitat. Temporary roads and construction laydown areas for
the Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction Study
Area (Program Component 4) will disturb approximately 2.2 acres. Of this total,
about 0.28 acre will be committed permanently to transmission facility
foundations. The North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5)
will disturb 800 square feet for the foundations of one or two power poles.
Temporary roads and construction laydown areas for the Woodland-Elverta
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Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6) will disturb
approximately 12 acres. About 1.5 acres of this area will be committed
permanently to the transmission facility foundations. The Willow Slough
Substation Study Area (Program Component 7) will require 1 to 3 acres for
construction. This area also will be committed permanently to substation
facilities. Other Distribution System Upgrades (Program Component 8) in the
Annexation Territory and Operation and Maintenance of the Annexation
Territory’s Electric System (Program Component 9) also will disturb an unknown
area of land temporarily. This program component will not result in the
permanent disturbance of any land. In summary, the construction of Program
facilities will disturb approximately 12.4 acres temporarily, at a minimum. The
facilities will permanently commit 2.8 to 4.8 acres of land to transmission
facilities.
The new Woodland-Elverta transmission line also may interfere with waterfowl
migration. In addition, the new transmission line may impact the Swainson’s
hawk.
(2) Impact BIO-1. Impacts to Special-Status Species
(a) Impact BIO-1a. Temporary Impacts to Special-Status Species that Use
Vernal Pools and Swales
Reconstruction of the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission line
and construction of the North City interconnection will disturb about 2.2 acres
of grasslands temporarily. Based on a field survey, these grasslands contain
vernal pools and swales. Vernal pools and swales also are present within the
study area for the Woodland-Elverta transmission line. These habitats support
the following special-status plants and animals:
i. Plants
DRAFT
•
Colusa grass
•
•
•
•
Legenere
•
•
•
Dwarf downingia
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•
ii. Animals
•
•
•
•
•
•
Temporary disturbance of vernal pools and swales resulting from
construction of the program components, reconductoring in the
Annexation Territory, and O&M may result in the loss of individuals of
the special-status species listed above. If all of the habitat temporarily
impacted by construction consisted of vernal pools and swales, it still
would be a relatively small area (a maximum of 12.4 acres plus
disturbance from future reconductoring in the Annexation Territory and
O&M activities). However, because of the limited habitat available for
these species, this temporary loss is considered a significant impact. Based
on observations made by biologists in the Sacramento Valley over the past
several decades, vernal pools and swales have been known to recover
within one to four seasons following disturbance, as long as the hardpan in
the soil that allows their formation is not penetrated. Soil disturbance from
temporary roads and laydown areas will not be deep enough to damage the
impermeable soil layer that results in the formation of vernal pools and
swales. Therefore, disturbed habitat is expected to recover following
construction. After recovery, these habitats will be available again to
special-status species.
BMP 2 will ensure that Program construction avoids damage to vernal
pools and swales and the corresponding impact to the listed special-status
species. SMUD has agreed, by implementing BMP 2, to meet a
performance standard that avoids adverse effects to the maintenance of
special-status species populations in the Program study area. Therefore,
Program construction will have a less than significant impact to specialstatus species using vernal pools and swales. The following elements of
BMP 2 will minimize these impacts.
•
DRAFT
SMUD or its contractors will have a qualified biologist survey all
areas that might be disturbed by access routes, laydown areas, and
staging areas for the program components for all special-status species
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and sensitive habitats before any disturbance occurs. If special-status
animals or plants are present, SMUD will be required either to avoid
impacts to such individuals (e.g., by rerouting an access route to avoid
special-status plants or by limiting work to periods during the year
when such special-status animals are not present) or implement
compensatory mitigation, as described in Chapter II.
•
SMUD or its contractors will be required to fence off or clearly mark
sensitive habitats that may contain special-status species near Program
construction areas.
•
All construction personnel working in a biologically sensitive area will
be required to attend environmental awareness training. At a
minimum, the training will include: (1) an overview of the regulatory
requirements for the Program; (2) descriptions of the special-status
species in the Program area and the importance of these species and
their habitats; (3) the general measures that are being implemented to
minimize environmental impacts; and (4) the boundaries within which
equipment and personnel will be allowed to work during construction.
•
All construction debris will be removed from the Program area after
completion of construction activities. All Program-related vehicle
traffic will be restricted to established roads, designated access roads
and routes, construction areas, storage areas, and staging and parking
areas. Off-road traffic outside of designated access routes will be
prohibited. A 10-mph speed limit will be enforced in the Program area
when vehicles are not on paved roads.
•
Construction will be limited to May 1 through September 30 to avoid
impacting vernal pool special-status species.
(b) Impact BIO-1b. Temporary Impacts to Special-Status Species that
Inhabit Grasslands and Agricultural Lands
As indicated, reconstruction of the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation
transmission line and construction of the North City interconnection will
disturb about 2.2 acres of grasslands temporarily. The Woodland-Elverta
transmission line also crosses grasslands, and the study area for this
transmission line is largely used for agriculture. These habitats support the
following special-status species:
DRAFT
•
Short-eared owl
•
•
Ferruginous hawk
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•
Mountain plover
•
Northern harrier
•
White-tailed kite
•
Long-billed curlew
•
Whimbrel
•
Swainson’s hawk
•
•
Giant garter snake
Individual western burrowing owls or giant garter snakes could be lost during
construction activities. The other special-status bird species listed are mobile
enough to avoid construction activities. If construction takes place in the
vicinity of active northern harrier nests, those nests may be abandoned. If all
of the habitat temporarily impacted by construction consisted of grasslands or
agriculture, it still would be a relatively small area (a maximum of 12.4 acres
plus disturbance from future reconductoring in the Annexation Territory and
O&M activities); however, because of the limited habitat available for these
species, this temporary loss is considered a significant impact. Based on
observations made by biologists in the Sacramento Valley over the past
several decades, grassland and agricultural habitats can recover within one
season following disturbance. After recovery, these habitats will again be
available to the special-status species listed.
BMP 2 will ensure that Program construction minimizes impacts to the
special-status species listed. SMUD has agreed, by implementing BMP 2, to
meet a performance standard that avoids adverse effects to the maintenance of
special-status species populations in the Program study area. Therefore,
Program construction will have a less than significant impact on special-status
species using grasslands and agricultural habitat. In addition to the BMP 2
elements listed under Impact BIO-1a, the following elements will ensure that
impacts to special-status species using grasslands and agricultural lands are
DRAFT
•
Temporary erosion control devices will be installed on slopes where
erosion or sedimentation may degrade sensitive biological resources.
•
All temporary disturbance areas in annual grasslands will be revegetated
with appropriate native species upon completion of construction.
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•
All spilled substances will be cleaned up promptly and disposed of
properly to avoid chronic or acute poisoning of wildlife.
•
Preconstruction surveys in grasslands will be extended to suitable habitat
for burrowing owls 500 feet from the Program footprint. The locations of
all observed burrowing owls and active burrows will be marked on a map
of the Program area at a scale sufficient to accurately show the distance of
observed owls and active burrows to the limits of construction.
(c) Impact BIO-1c. Temporary Impacts to Special-Status Species that
Inhabit Marsh, Riparian Areas, and Woodland
The Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area crosses the Sacramento
River and other drainages that support some marsh habitat, riparian woodland,
and elderberry savannah. These habitats can support the following specialstatus plant and animal species.
i. Plants
•
Suisun Marsh aster
•
Bristly sedge
•
Rose-mallow
•
Black walnut
•
Delta tule pea
•
•
ii. Animals
DRAFT
•
•
Yuma myotis bat
•
•
American bittern
•
Cuckoo
•
Yellow warbler
•
White-tailed kite
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•
Little willow flycatcher
•
American peregrine falcon
•
Greater sandhill crane
•
Loggerhead shrike
•
Black rail
•
Lewis’ woodpecker
•
•
White-faced ibis
•
Bank swallow
•
Rufous hummingbird
•
•
Northwest pond turtle
•
Giant garter snake
•
VELB
Individual special-status plants and individual giant garter snakes and
VELB could be lost during construction activities. In addition, if
construction took place in the vicinity of active nests of special-status bird
species, such as the Swainson’s hawk, tricolored blackbird, yellow
warbler, white-tailed kite, loggerhead shrike, black rail, Lewis’
woodpecker, Nuttall’s woodpecker, bank swallow, rufous hummingbird,
or red-breasted sapsucker, those nests could be abandoned. If all of the
habitat temporarily impacted by construction consisted of these habitats, it
would still be a relatively small area (a maximum of 10.5 acres plus
disturbance from future reconductoring in the Annexation Territory and
O&M activities). However, because of the limited habitat available to
these species, this temporary loss is considered a significant impact. Based
on observations made by biologists in the Sacramento Valley over the past
several decades, marshes can recover quickly, within one to four seasons.
Woodland habitats will take a decade or more to recover. After recovery,
these habitats will again be available to the special-status species listed
above.
BMP 2 will ensure that Program construction minimizes impacts to the
special-status species listed. SMUD has agreed, by implementing BMP 2,
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to meet a performance standard that avoids adverse effects to the
maintenance of special-status species populations in the program study
area. Therefore, Program construction will have a less than significant
impact on special-status species using marsh, riparian, and woodland
habitats. In addition to the BMP 2 elements listed under Impacts BIO-1a
and BIO-1b, the following elements will ensure that impacts to specialstatus species using marsh, riparian, and woodland habitats are less than
significant.
•
In the event that an active nest of a special-status species or a species
protected under the Migratory Bird Act is discovered, clearing and
construction within 150 feet of the nest will be postponed until the nest
is vacated and juveniles have fledged, as determined by a qualified
biologist, and there is no evidence of second nesting attempts.
•
If construction begins after April 1, preconstruction surveys for nesting
Swainson’s hawk will be conducted within 0.5 mile of construction
sites. If nesting Swainson’s hawks are present, CDFG will be
contacted. The nest will be monitored by a qualified biologist, and
Program activities that disturb or agitate the nesting hawks will be
delayed until the young have fledged (approximately July 31). If
Swainson’s hawks are nesting within 0.5 mile of construction site, the
nest tree will be marked clearly, and a 2,500-foot buffer around the
nest tree will be avoided during the breeding season, or until the young
are foraging independently.
(d) Impact BIO-1d. Permanent Loss of Habitat Used by Special-Status
Species
Foundations for transmission line facilities will result in the permanent loss of
about 0.3 acre for Program Components 4 and 5 and 1.5 acres for Program
Component 6. Program Component 7 will require 1 to 3 acres of land.
Based on field surveys, the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation and North
City interconnection facilities will be located in grassland. The WoodlandElverta transmission line may permanently impact vernal pools or swales,
grassland, agricultural land, or riparian woodland, or a combination of these
habitats. Although the land that will be used for the Willow Slough substation
is largely in agriculture, its construction could impact several special-status
plant species that inhabit alkali soils, including alkali milk vetch, brittlescale,
and San Joaquin spearscale. The total loss of habitat that could be used by
special-status species would range from 2.8 to 4.8 acres, depending on the size
of the Willow Slough substation. This permanent loss of habitat is considered
a significant impact because of the habitat restrictions faced by these species.
BMP 2 requires SMUD to mitigate for the loss of habitat that may be used by
special-status species. SMUD may mitigate habitat loss by replacement in
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kind adjacent to program components, or it may participate in the Natomas
Basin Habitat Conservation Fund or one or more mitigation banks (e.g., Bryte
Ranch Conservation Bank, Fitzgerald Conservation Bank, and Clay Station
Conservation Bank), depending on the location and type of habitat impacted
by the Program. This will reduce impacts of the permanent loss of habitat
from Program components to less than significant.
(e) Impact BIO-1e. Loss of Special-Status Bird Species from Collisions with
Transmission Lines
The new Woodland-Elverta transmission line could be positioned next to rice
fields that may provide foraging and/or resting habitat for Aleutian Canada
goose, Swainson’s hawk, white-faced ibis, and ferruginous hawk. These birds
could collide with the new transmission line. Bird collisions with electric
conducting wires occur when the birds are unable to see the lines, especially
during fog and rain and when they are suddenly flushed from the ground.
Raptors also will be at risk of electrocution when perching on power poles
where conducting wires are closer together than their wingspans. These losses
are not expected to be high enough to affect the long-term maintenance of
populations of any of these special-status species. BMP 2 requires SMUD to
install visual line enhancers and provide adequate spacing of the conductors to
minimize the risk of avian collision and electrocution1. This will reduce
impacts of bird collisions from the new Woodland-Elverta transmission line to
(3) Impact BIO-2: Impacts to Sensitive Natural Communities
As discussed under Impact BIO-1, Program Components 4 through 9 could have
temporary construction impacts to a variety of sensitive natural communities.
These program components could impact vernal pools and swales, marsh, and
woodland (riparian and elderberry savannah). The maximum area of sensitive
natural communities that may be impacted during Program construction is 12.4
acres. The Woodland-Elverta transmission line and the Willow Slough substation
may result in the permanent loss of up to 4.5 acres of these habitats. Based on a
field survey, the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission line
reconstruction and the North City interconnection will not result in the permanent
loss of any sensitive natural communities. These project components will
permanently impact approximately 0.3 acre of grassland habitat that does not
contain vernal pools or swales. As described under Impact BIO-1d, BMP 2
requires SMUD to compensate for impacts to sensitive natural communities. This
will reduce Program impacts to sensitive natural communities to less than
significant.
1
Construction design standards can be found in APLIC and USFWS, 2005; APLIC, 1996; and APLIC, 1994. Avian
Protection Plan Guidelines can be found online at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.
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(4) Impact BIO-3: Impacts to Wetlands
Program Components 4 through 9 may have temporary impacts to wetlands, as
defined under Section 404 of the CWA. Those wetlands include vernal pools and
marsh. The Woodland-Elverta transmission line may have a permanent impact on
up to 1.5 acres of wetlands. BMP 2 requires SMUD to prepare a wetland
mitigation plan to compensate for any jurisdictional wetlands lost, at a ratio that
has been determined in partnership with the USACE. The mitigation plan will
include monitoring and performance standards to ensure successful mitigation.
BMP 2 will reduce Program impacts to jurisdictional wetlands to less than
significant.
(5) Impact BIO-4: Interference with Fish or Wildlife Movement
As discussed in Impact BIO-1e, the new Woodland-Elverta transmission line
could be positioned next to rice fields that may provide foraging and resting
habitat for migratory waterfowl during the winter. Migratory waterfowl will have
the potential to collide with the new transmission line. Bird collisions with
electric conducting wires occur when the birds are unable to see the lines,
especially during fog and rain and when they are suddenly flushed from the
ground. BMP 2 requires SMUD to install visual line enhancers and provide
adequate spacing of the conductors to minimize the risk of avian collision and
electrocution. This will reduce impacts of bird collisions from the new WoodlandElverta transmission line to less than significant.
(6) Impact BIO-5: Conflict with Local Policies or Ordinances
Both the Yolo and Sacramento County general plans call for no net loss of
riparian habitat. The Sacramento County General Plan and the Tree Preservation
Ordinance provide for protection of native oaks. The Woodland-Elverta
transmission line may result in the loss of riparian habitat at the Sacramento
River. Construction of this transmission line also may result in the removal of
native oak trees. As described in Impact BIO-1a, BMP 2 requires SMUD or its
contractor to require a qualified biologist to survey all areas that may be disturbed
by access routes, laydown areas, and staging areas for the Program components
for all special-status species and sensitive habitats before any disturbance occurs.
This survey will include the identification of all native oaks and riparian habitat.
If oaks or riparian habitat are present, SMUD will be required either to avoid
impacts to oaks or riparian habitat (e.g., by rerouting an access route to avoid oak
species or riparian habitat) or implement compensatory mitigation in accordance
with the Yolo and Sacramento County general plan guidelines and the guidelines
set forth in the Sacramento County Tree Preservation Ordinance. This will reduce
potential conflict with local policies and ordinances to less than significant.
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(7) Impact BIO-6: Conflict with Habitat Conservation Plans
The Natomas Basin HCP is the only adopted HCP in the Program area. Two other
HCPs, the Yolo County HCP and the South Sacramento HCP, are still in draft
form.
The Natomas Basin HCP has been established to promote biological conservation
along with economic development and the continuation of agriculture in the
Natomas Basin. The primary species it has been designed to protect are
Swainson’s hawk and the giant garter snake. Secondarily, it is designed to protect
a variety of wetland, upland, and vernal pool special-status species
(http://www.natomasbasin.org). The Natomas Basin is within the study area for
the Woodland-Elverta transmission line. In the event that the line crosses the
basin, it will require the permanent use of less than 1 acre of land for transmission
line foundations. This will not significantly restrict the use of land within the
basin for wildlife habitat consistent with the goals of the Natomas Basin HCP. As
discussed in Impact BIO-1e, BMP 2 requires SMUD to install visual line
enhancers and provide adequate spacing of the conductors to minimize the risk of
avian collision and electrocution. This will reduce impacts of bird collisions,
including Swainson’s hawk, from the new Woodland-Elverta transmission line to
less than significant. For these reasons, the Program will not conflict with the
Natomas Basin HCP.
e. Indirect Effects on the Environment
Program components will occupy up to about 4.8 acres of land. The presence of the
transmission facilities will not preclude the use of any other land crossed by Program
transmission lines, or any land adjacent to those lines, as habitat for wildlife and
plants. The presence of Program transmission facilities will not cause changes in land
uses adjacent to those facilities that will affect the use of those lands as wildlife
habitat. Therefore, the program will have no indirect effects on biological resources.
f. Cumulative Effects on the Environment
residential developments that will result in a substantial conversion of sensitive
habitats and habitats used by special-status species to urban uses unable to support
these sensitive habitats and special-status species. For example, relative to growth, the
SACOG Blueprint (SACOG, 2005a) projects that 102 square miles (65,280 acres) to
166 square miles (106,240 acres) of agricultural land in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and
western Placer Counties will be converted from agricultural use to urban use by 2050.
The Program will constitute about 4.8 acres of this total conversion of agricultural
lands to non-agricultural uses. The Program also will contribute indirectly to this
projected conversion of agricultural land by reducing one constraint to growth:
electrical utility costs in the Annexation Territory. Lowering electrical prices is just
one factor among many that could encourage and fuel long-term growth.
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mitigation measures to preserve and protect biological resources. However, the
expected amount of growth in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western Placer Counties
appears to be too great to successfully provide the same level of habitat to support
sensitive natural communities and special-status species as exists today. This will
result in a significant adverse impact to these biological resources, and the
Annexation Program will contribute to this significant cumulative impact. If the
growth projected by SACOG occurs in the region, it will require too much land to
fully mitigate impacts to biological resources. Therefore, it will result in a significant,
unavoidable adverse impact to sensitive natural communities and special-status
species.
g. Monitoring and Reporting
SMUD will implement the following monitoring and reporting protocols for the
potential impacts of the Program on biological resources.
(1) Before construction, a report will be prepared on the preconstruction biological
survey, including:
•
Survey methods;
•
Maps of locations of wetlands (including vernal pools and swales), riparian
habitat, and sensitive upland habitat such as elderberry savannah;
•
Maps of the locations of special-status plant and animal species; and
•
Maps of locations of Swainson’s hawk nests.
This report will be provided to LAFCo.
(2) A report on transmission line design features incorporated to minimize collision
and electrocution hazards to birds will be prepared before construction and
provided to LAFCo.
(3) Facility alignment maps showing routing to avoid sensitive habitats and known
locations of special-status species will be provided to LAFCo before construction.
(4) Maps showing the locations of sensitive habitat and locations of special-status
species that have been fenced or marked off before construction will be provided
to LAFCo.
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(5) The construction crew training program syllabus and training sign-in sheets will
be provided to LAFCo following construction.
(6) A report on the grassland revegetation program will be provided to LAFCo
following construction.
(7) A wetland mitigation plan approved by USACE will be provided to LAFCo.
(8) A report on compensatory mitigation that has been implemented by SMUD will
be provided to LAFCo following the implementation of mitigation.
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E.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
This section describes how development associated with the Program will affect cultural
resources. Cultural resources include archaeological and historical objects, sites and districts,
historic buildings and structures, cultural landscapes, and sites and resources of concern to local
Native Americans and other ethnic groups. Where significant effects are identified, mitigation
measures are provided to reduce those impacts to the extent feasible. Paleontological resources
include paleontological site and fossil remains of prehistoric life.
Cultural resources data for this analysis were obtained from information centers of the California
Historical Resources Information System, as well as from pedestrian cultural resources surveys
of Program Components 4 and 5 performed by archaeologists and an architectural historian.
Paleontological assessment of the project area was undertaken on the basis of information
provided on existing geologic maps and in paleontological and geological literature and museum
records.
1.
significant environmental impact on cultural resources.
Yolo, Sutter and Sacramento Counties. Figure I-3 (provided at the end of Chapter I)
direct and indirect impacts relative to cultural resources includes the entire
Annexation Territory because Operation and Maintenance of the Annexation
Territory’s Electric System, Component 9, will take place throughout this area, and
Component 8, which consists of possible reconductoring of existing overhead wires,
also may occur along any of the 12-kV lines in the Annexation Territory. The
analysis area also includes the Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program
Component 7), the Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line
Reconstruction Study Area (Program Component 4), the North City Interconnection
Study Area (Program Component 5), and the Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line
Study Corridor (Program Component 6).
The analysis area for potential cumulative impact is the same as the analysis area for
Sacramento Counties and a portion of Sutter County where the Program, in
combination with reasonably foreseeable projects, could have a combined effect on
cultural resources.
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Generally, under CEQA, a historical resource (including built-environment historic
and prehistoric archaeological resources) is considered significant if it meets the
criteria for listing on the CRHR. These criteria, which are set forth in CEQA Section
15064.5, are defined as any resource that:
•
Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
patterns of California’s history and cultural heritage;
•
Is associated with the lives of persons important in our past;
•
Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of
construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or
possesses high artistic values; or
•
Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or
history.
A cultural resource that is listed, or has been formally determined to be eligible for
listing, on the NRHP is considered to be eligible for listing on the CRHR.
CEQA Section 15064.5 also assigns special importance to human remains and
specifies procedures to be used when Native American remains are discovered. These
procedures are detailed under California PRC Section 5097.98.
Impacts to “unique archaeological resources” and “unique paleontological resources”
also are considered under CEQA, as described under PRC 21083.2. A unique
archaeological resource implies an archaeological artifact, object, or site about which
it can be demonstrated clearly that – without merely adding to the current body of
knowledge—a high probability exists that it meets one of the following criteria.
•
The archaeological artifact, object, or site contains information needed to answer
important scientific questions, and public interest in that information is
demonstrable.
•
The archaeological artifact, object, or site has a special and particular quality,
such as being the oldest of its type or the best available example of its type.
•
The archaeological artifact, object, or site is directly associated with a
scientifically recognized important prehistoric or historic event or person.
A non-unique archaeological resource indicates an archaeological artifact, object, or
site that does not meet these criteria. Impacts to non-unique archaeological resources
and resources that do not qualify for listing on the CRHR receive no further
consideration under CEQA.
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Section 7052 of the California Health and Safety Code states that the disturbance of
Native American cemeteries is a felony. Section 7050.5 requires that construction or
excavation be stopped in the vicinity of discovered human remains until the coroner
can determine whether the remains are those of a Native American. If determined to
be Native American, the coroner must contact the California NAHC.
The California Native American Historical, Cultural, and Sacred Sites Act applied to
both state and private lands in California. It requires that upon discovery of human
remains, construction or excavation activity cease, and the county coroner be notified.
If the remains are of a Native American, the coroner must notify the NAHC. The
NAHC then notifies those persons most likely to be descended from the Native
American remains. This act stipulates the procedures the descendants may follow for
treating or disposing of the remains and associated grave goods.
PRC Section 5097 specifies the procedures to be followed in the event of the
unexpected discovery of human remains on nonfederal land. The disposition of
Native American burial falls within the jurisdiction of the NAHC. Section 5097.5
states:
No person shall knowingly and willfully excavate upon, or remove,
injure or deface any historic or prehistoric ruins, burial grounds,
archaeological or vertebrate paleontological site, including fossilized
footprints, inscriptions made by human agency, or any other
archaeological, paleontological or historical feature, situated on
public lands, except with the permission of the public agency having
jurisdiction over such lands. Violation of this section is a
misdemeanor.
(1) Cultural Resources of the Sacramento Valley
The Sacramento Valley is characterized by a variety of land types, including
grassland, timberland, woodland, and chaparral in the foothills of the Sierra and in
the Coast Ranges (Baumhoff, 1978). This diversity of land supplied several food
sources, including acorns (valley oaks), deer/antelope (grassland), and salmon
(river/tributaries).
Common elements for all occupants of prehistoric California are found in hunting
implements (atlatls and darts), the use of milling stones for grinding seeds, and
the use of natural resources for subsistence and livelihood. The number of sites
and the richness of artifact remains found in them suggest that the Sacramento
Valley must have been an innovative center of cultural development (Elsasser,
1978).
The three cultural periods pertaining to the Sacramento Valley, as first defined by
Lillard and Purves (1936) and Lillard, Heizer, and Fenega (1939) were the Early,
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Intermediate/Transitional, and Late Periods. They were based on changes
observed within the mortuary patterns and grave furniture recovered from their
sample sites. These early scholars believed that the sequence represented a single
cultural progression, the Early Period evolving into the Transitional Period, and
the Transitional Period evolving into the Late Period.
Since the 1930s, there have been numerous revisions for the cultural sequence of
central California. The most significant of these revisions was Beardsley’s (1954)
Temporal and Arial Relationships in Central California Archaeology, in which
the Central California Taxonomic System was formally developed. David
Fredrickson (1973 and 1974) re-examined the system and proposed a cultural
classification scheme to address early cultures of the North Coast Ranges.
Expanding on his earlier work at such sites as CCO-30, just south of the city of
Walnut Creek, Fredrickson introduced the concept of patterns in his 1974 article
“Cultural Diversity in Early Central California: A View from the North Coast
Range” (Frederickson, 1974). “Pattern” is a term for a chronological era.
Frederickson defined three major cultural patterns, the Windmiller, the Berkeley,
and the Augustine.
The Windmiller Pattern extended from about 3000 to 500 BC and is characterized
by primarily stone tools, ground stone, baked clay, and shell items reflecting the
exploitation of diverse subsistence resources and the acquisition of materials from
distant geographic areas through trade. The cultural materials show a more
advanced technology, in that greater attention was paid to finished products and to
artistic elaboration, such as the highly polished charmstones (Wallace, 1978).
The Berkeley Pattern extended from about 500 BC to 500 AD. It was initially a
San Francisco Bay region development that later spread to surrounding coastal
and interior areas of Central California (Moratto, 1984). The transition to the
Berkeley Pattern is thought to have been a gradual shift in economic and material
traits and not a result of a separate migration into California. The use of acorns for
food increased greatly from the Windmiller Pattern, as demonstrated in the
abundance of mortars and pestles recovered from Berkeley Pattern sites. Houses
were built more substantially, suggesting a greater degree of sedentism and the
development of permanent settlements in areas that previously were occupied
only seasonally (Chartkoff and Chartkoff, 1984: 116).
The Augustine Pattern is distinguished by intensive fishing, hunting, and
gathering. Large dense populations, highly developed exchange systems, and
social stratification, as indicated by variability in the grave goods (Moratto, 1984,
p 211). The artifact assemblages of Augustine Pattern sites indicate an increased
reliance on hunting, gathering, and fishing. Technologically, the Augustine
Pattern exhibits shaped mortars and pestles, bone awls for making coiled baskets,
and the bow and arrow (Frederickson, 1973, in Moratto, 1984).
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The Program study area lies within the territories of the Nisenan and Plains
Miwok tribes. The Nisenan territory encompassed the drainages of the Yuba,
Bear, and American Rivers and the lower drainages of the Feather River. The
western boundary was the western bank of the Sacramento River, a few miles
upstream from the mouth of the Feather River, southward to a few miles below
the confluence of the American River, with a large area between the American
and Cosumnes Rivers occupied by the Miwok to the south (Bennyhoff, 1977).
The Plains Miwok inhabited the lower reaches of the Mokelumne and Cosumnes
Rivers and both banks of the Sacramento River from Rio Vista to Freeport (Levy,
1978).
The Nisenan, sometimes referred to as the Southern Maidu, were the southern
linguistic group of the Maidu tribe. The word “Nisenan” was used as a selfdesignation by the Nisenan, who occupied the Yuba and American River
drainages (Wilson and Towne, 1978).
Relatively few villages are ethnographically recorded in the Program study area.
Although many Indian tribes felt the influence of European contact, the tribes
living in the Sacramento Valley seem to have been particularly affected. One of
the early tragedies of contact was the malaria epidemic of 1833, which resulted in
the abandonment/loss of many Plains Miwok villages, as well as those of other
local tribes. From secularization in 1834 until the Gold Rush in 1849, boundaries
between autonomous Indian villages and Mexican-controlled areas of California
remained fairly stable, except on the northern frontier, including the Miwok and
Nisenan areas (King, 1978). Most peoples living in these areas either moved to
other areas or were killed; a few worked as ranchers for the Europeans who took
over the land.
(2) History
In 1839, Captain John Augusta Sutter landed where the Sacramento and American
Rivers converge and set up camp, intent on building an agricultural empire. In
1841, he received a land grant of nearly 97 square miles from Mexico. He
established a fort and the town of New Helvetia, which later became known as
Sutterville. On January 24, 1848, a contractor at Sutter’s lumber mill, James
Wilson Marshall, discovered gold. Within a year, thousands of gold seekers had
arrived in Sacramento, Sutter lost much of his workforce and, therefore, his
businesses, to the pursuit of gold. To keep from losing everything, he deeded his
remaining land to his son, John Sutter, Jr. The young Sutter began laying out the
Sacramento town site in January 1849. By October 1849, Sacramento had a
population of 2,000, and by 1850, the population had grown to 9,000
(www.frepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com).
Sacramento County has long been established as a center of commerce for the
surrounding area. Trade and services, federal, state, and local government, and
food processing are all-important economic sectors. Visitors are attracted to the
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County by the state capitol and other historical attractions, such as Sutter’s Fort,
as well as natural amenities.
(3) Cultural Resources in the Program Study Area
(a) Annexation Territory
There are 23 previously recorded prehistoric archaeological sites within the
Annexation Territory, mostly described as “mounds” and located near the
Sacramento River. One of these sites has been evaluated formally and
determined to be eligible for listing on the NRHP.
Three historic archaeological sites are recorded in the Annexation Territory,
none of which has been evaluated as eligible for listing on the NRHP. Two
sites are domestic debris scatter, and the third is described as concrete pads or
foundations.
Most of the historic built environment resources within the Annexation
Territory are residences in Davis and Woodland. Other built environment
resources include railroad alignments and associated features, historic groves
of trees, commercial buildings, such as the Varsity Theatre in Davis, and
industrial structures, such as the National Rice Mills complex. Many of the
built environment features have been found to be eligible for listing on the
NRHP, and thus are likely to qualify for inclusion on the CRHR, as well.
(b) Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction
Study Area
Eleven cultural resource surveys have been identified by the North Central
Information Center (NCIC) within the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation
transmission line reconstruction study area.
There are no previously recorded prehistoric archaeological sites and one
previously recorded historic archaeological site within 0.25 mile of this
program component. The site includes the remnants of a concrete foundation
and pathway and has been determined ineligible to the NRHP.
Information provided by the NCIC indicates that there are five recorded
historic built environment resources within this program component. One of
these sites, the Southern Pacific Railroad (SPRR) tracks, has been determined
NRHP eligible. The other sites have been determined to be ineligible for
inclusion on the NRHP or CRHR.
Professional archaeologists with URS Corporation performed an intensive
pedestrian survey of the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission
line route on November 8, 2005. The surveyors walked under the existing
power lines through private property, established businesses, paved areas, and
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construction sites. No significant cultural resources were observed. Site KT69, a former residence located between the Central California Traction
Company Railroad tracks and South Watt Avenue, south of Elder Creek Road,
was recorded in the mid-1990s and noted during the current survey. Only the
concrete foundation and pathway remain. It does not appear eligible for listing
in the CRHR.
A URS architectural historian conducted a vehicular reconnaissance of this
program component to identify other features of the built environment on
October 5, 2005, followed by a field survey on November 9, 2005. This
vehicular reconnaissance survey resulted in the identification of one property
appearing to be 50 years old or older and, thus, potentially eligible for
consideration as a historic resource. This property is located at 6501 Florin
Perkins Road. Given the limited access, further research on this property
would be necessary, should reconstruction of the transmission line require
physical alterations of the structure.
(c) North City Interconnection Study Area
Six cultural resource surveys have been identified by the NCIC within the
North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5). There are no
previously recorded prehistoric or historic archaeological sites within 0.25
mile of this program component.
URS Corporation archaeologists also conducted an intensive pedestrian
survey of this program component on November 8, 2005. Most of the ground
around the existing transmission lines was covered with vegetation (long, dry
grass and thistle), making ground visibility very poor in most areas. No
artifacts were observed in the survey area.
Information provided by the NCIC indicates there are five recorded historic
built environment resources within 0.25 mile of this program component
(including bridges). The site of two converging railroad grades has been
determined to be NRHP eligible and, therefore, likely to be eligible to the
CRHR. The other sites are railway segments and a levee, neither of which has
been evaluated for eligibility for inclusion on the NRHP or CRHR.
URS conducted a vehicular reconnaissance of the study area for this program
component to identify other features of the built environment on October 5,
2005. In addition to those already listed, no other built environment features
were observed as part of this survey.
(d) Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area
Within the Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program
Component 6), 39 cultural resource surveys have been identified, 12 in
Sacramento County, 10 in Sutter County, and 17 in Yolo County.
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Five previously recorded prehistoric archaeological sites are within this
program component. None of these sites has been evaluated for NRHP or
CRHR eligibility. Two of the sites are in Sacramento County, and the other
three sites are in Yolo County. Of the three sites in Sacramento County, one is
described as knoll in the middle of a field containing mortars and pestles,
another is described as a concentration of lithic artifacts on a knoll, and a third
is described as a leveled mound. Of the two sites in Yolo County, one is
described as a site that extends well below the surface near Gray’s Bend, and
the other is described as a prehistoric mound.
Seven historic archaeological sites are recorded in this program component,
four within Sacramento County, two within Sutter County, and one within
Yolo County. These sites have not been evaluated for NRHP or CRHR
eligibility. Most of the sites are debris scatters consisting of domestic refuse.
One archeological site in Sacramento County contains both prehistoric and
historic remains. The site is described as a leveled mound containing human
remains and associated artifacts. The historic component is described as the
remains of a home site with associated debris. The site has not been evaluated
for NRHP or CRHR eligibility.
The half of the study area for this program component that is east of the
Sacramento River has been subject to numerous cultural resource surveys.
Reclamation District 1000, a National Register-listed historic landscape,
encompasses the eastern half of the study corridor. Historic built environment
resources within the eastern portion of the study corridor include a historic
levee along a railroad alignment and a historic road along the current SutterPlacer County line. Several unevaluated water conveyance features are located
along the Tule Canal. Other features in Sutter include levees (two of which are
National Register contributors to Reclamation District 1000) and an
unevaluated World War I era feed mill site. Numerous other built environment
features are scattered throughout the study corridor, many of which have not
been evaluated for significance.
In addition to the information provide by the NCIC, an architectural historian
with URS Corporation conducted a vehicular reconnaissance of the study area
to identify other features of the built environment on October 5, 2005. This
vehicular reconnaissance survey resulted in the identification of 11 properties
appearing to be 50 years or older, and thus eligible for consideration as
historic resources. In the portion of Program Component 6 to the east of the
Sacramento River, these potentially eligible properties are located primarily
along Rio Linda Boulevard and Pleasant Grove Road. In the portion that lies
to the west of the Sacramento River, these potentially eligible properties are
located primarily along County Roads 14 and 15, between County Roads 100
and 102.
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(e) Willow Slough Substation Study Area
There were no previous studies, previously recorded historic archaeological
sites, or previously recorded historic built environment resources within the
Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component 7).
There is one previously recorded prehistoric archaeological site located just
outside of this program component, described as a midden deposit. It is
adjacent to Willow Slough.
An architectural historian with URS Corporation conducted a vehicular
reconnaissance of the study area to identify other features of the built
environment on October 5, 2005. Two potentially historic buildings were
observed. Both are located within 1/8 mile of the intersection of County
Roads 102 and 27.
(f) Native American Consultation
On September 26, 2005, the California Native American Heritage
Commission was contacted with regard to the Annexation Program. The
commission conducted a record search of the study area and found that it
contained no known Native American cultural resources. The commission
provided a list of 13 Native American consultants who could be contacted
with regard to important Native American cultural sites in the Program area.
Letters were sent to each of these consultants on October 10, 2005, informing
them of the Program and requesting their input. No responses had been
received as of January 5, 2006.
(4) Paleontological Resources
Paleontological resources are lithologically dependent; that is, deposition and
preservation of paleontological resources is tied to the lithologic unit in which
they occur. The potential for paleontological resources to be present is described
as the paleontological sensitivity of a particular geological unit.
The criteria used to assess the paleontologic significance of a lithologic unit are
based on the presence or possible presence of any fossils of the three major
categories of organisms: vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. These fossils are
typically distributed on the earth’s surface within two general rock types,
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, with most being found within sedimentary
rocks. As a result of this distribution, areas of higher or lower probability of fossil
discovery can be identified by delineating the distribution of surface outcrops or
exposures of these general rock types. Delineation of these rock types within a
particular study area is integrated with information from geologic mapping, the
interpretation of depositional environments and post-depositional environments,
and the location of previously discovered fossils to assess the probability of the
presence of fossils. Sediments, both lithified and unconsolidated, have the highest
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potential for containing significant fossil resources, though not all sediments
contain fossils, and not all fossils are found in sediments. Metamorphic rocks also
contain significant numbers of fossils.
The significance of paleontological resources depends on several factors weighted
differently by different investigators. As a result of this, several agencies and
professional societies have developed criteria for categorizing the significance or
probability of the occurrence of paleontological resources. The Society of
Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) has developed the following categories to rank the
paleontologic significance of geologic areas according to the probability of fossil
occurrences.
High Potential
Areas or geologic units that are known to contain vertebrate fossils, or significant occurrences of invertebrate
or plant fossils.
Undetermined Potential Areas with exposures of geologic units or settings that
have a high potential of containing vertebrate fossils or
significant occurrences of invertebrate or plant fossils.
The presence of geologic units in which fossils have
been discovered elsewhere may require further assessment.
Low Potential
Areas or geologic units that are unlikely to contain
vertebrate fossils or significant occurrences of invertebrate or plant fossils based on surface geology, the
presence of igneous or metamorphic rocks, young
alluvium, or undesirable depositional environments.
For the purposes of categorizing the Program study area, a preliminary site
evaluation was performed. This evaluation consisted of determining the presence
of favorable geological units within the study area and performing a preliminary
evaluation of the fossil-containing potential of the units through a preliminary
literature search. Three geologic maps were consulted (Helley, E.J., 1979a,
Helley, E.J., 1979b and Regional Geologic Map Series, Map No. 1A Sacramento
Quadrangle), and the units were compared to the area of investigation. Geologic
units (mappable rock formations) of interest occurring within the Program area
are presented in Table IV.E-1.
Table IV.E-1: Geologic Units Considered in Study
Geologic Unit Name
Quaternary Alluvium
Basin Sediments
Riverbank Formation
Modesto Formation
Tehama Formation
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Predominant Rock Type
Alluvial Sediments
Alluvial/Fluvial Sediments
Alluvial Sediments
Alluvial/Fluvial Sediments
Alluvial Sediments
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Age (Epoch)
Holocene
Holocene
Pleistocene
Pleistocene
Pliocene
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A paleontological assessment of the Program area was undertaken based on
information provided on existing geologic maps and in paleontological and
geological literature and museum records. Five different geologic units were
identified in the literature search and evaluation. Of the five units identified, four
were identified as containing vertebrate fossils within the study area (University
of California Museum of Paleontology location search engine). These units
included the Holocene Epoch Quaternary Alluvium and Basin sediments, and the
Modesto and Tehama Formations. In addition, all five geologic units have records
of fossil discoveries within their exposures.
The Holocene Epoch Quaternary Alluvium and Basin sediments are widespread
across the study area and compose the largest percentage of the exposed surface
geology. The undifferentiated Riverbank and Modesto Formations constitute the
next most common surface exposures and are found predominantly in the western
portion of the study area, along Putah Creek and Willow Slough. The Riverbank
Formation is exposed in the northern portion of the study area adjacent to the
Sacramento River and the Natomas East Main Drain. The Tehama Formation
comprises only a small percentage of the surface exposures and is found at the
extreme west of the study area, in the vicinity of the Yolo County Airport.
Based on the presence of vertebrate fossils within the Quaternary Alluvium and
Basin sediments, and Modesto and Tehama Formations, and the presence of
fossils within the remaining geologic units, the study area is classified either as
having a high or an undetermined potential for containing significant
2.
Consideration and Discussion of Significant Environmental Impacts
have a significant impact on cultural or paleontological resources if the project
would cause any of the following effects:
(a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource,
as defined in §15064.5;
(b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological
resource pursuant to § 15064.5;
(c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or
unique geologic feature; or
(d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal
cemeteries.
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significance, consistent with CEQA Guidelines, and has determined that Programrelated impacts relative to cultural resources will result if the Program or any
program component will:
(a) Directly or indirectly impact any archaeological, historic, or paleontological
resources, such that its cultural significance would be adversely affected
pursuant to Section 15064.5 of the CEQA Guidelines; or
(b) Directly or indirectly impact “unique archaeological resources” as defined in
Section 21083.2 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Known cultural and paleontological resources, as well as the potential for these
resources in the Program study area, were compared to the criteria established in
CEQA that defines significant or unique resources. The potential effect of
Program activities on these significant or unique resources was then evaluated.
(1) Impact CR-1. Construction-Related Impacts to Cultural Resources
All of the program components are separated by many miles. For this reason,
construction-related cultural resource impacts of individual program components
will not be additive. Consequently, construction-related impacts are described
hereafter by program component.
(a) Impact CR-1a. Cultural Resource Impacts from the Power Inn Road to
Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction
Reconstruction of the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission line
will require either the modification of existing towers or the replacement of
towers. Based on known data, including a cultural resources survey conducted
for this program component, no significant archaeological resources have
been identified in the area of potential effect of this component. Therefore,
installation of new towers will not impact known significant cultural
resources. However, there is still a potential for intact buried archaeological
sites to be present in the study area. Excavation activity associated with this
program component could impact a buried archaeological resource, if present.
This would be a significant cultural resources impact.
A structure at 6501 Florin Perkins Road was identified as potentially eligible
for consideration as a historic resource. However, the structure is in fair to
poor condition and in a state of disuse. The residence would have to be
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formally evaluated if reconstruction of the Power Inn Road to Hedge
substation transmission line might physically alter the structure. Assuming
that the structure is eligible for inclusion in the CRHR, alternation of the
structure by this program component would be a significant cultural resources
impact.
BMP 3 will be followed during the construction for all program components.
This BMP includes:
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•
A qualified archaeologist and historian will survey the Woodland-Elverta
transmission line study area and Willow Slough substation study area, as
well as associated access routes, laydown areas, and staging areas, prior to
construction. Identified cultural resources that are eligible for or listed on
the NRHP or the CRHR will be avoided in siting these facilities.
•
Construction crews will be trained on the identification of cultural and
•
An archaeological monitor will be present during ground-disturbing
activity at any program component where excavation takes place in
previously undisturbed soils, particularly where such soils are located
within 0.25 mile of a perennial water source.
•
A paleontological monitor will be present during ground-disturbing
activity at any program component.
•
In the event that unanticipated cultural resources (historic or prehistoric
artifacts, concentrations of shell, burnt or unburnt bone, stone features,
etc.) are uncovered during grading or construction activities, work in the
vicinity of the find will be halted, and a qualified archaeologist will be
consulted for an on-site evaluation and the recovery of any important
resources.
•
If human remains or suspected human remains are found on any site, work
in the vicinity will halt, any remains will be protected from further
disturbance, and SMUD will immediately contact the appropriate county
coroner. If the coroner determines the remains are Native American and
not under his purview, he will contact the NAHC as mandated by PRC
5097.
•
Any structures near construction sites, such as 6501 Florin Perkins Road,
will be evaluated formally in the unlikely event that construction will
physically affect the structure. If any such structure is found to be eligible
for the CRHR, appropriate treatment measures will be taken, such as
recordation to HAER and HABS standards, augmented by additional
research, interpretation, and other measures required to reduce the level of
impact to less than significant.
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The identification of potential transmission line routes or substation
locations will attempt to avoid any areas that are particularly sensitive for
prehistoric archaeological resources. Before a tentative route or site is
identified, that area will be subjected to an intensive pedestrian survey for
archaeological and built environment resources. Identified resources will
be avoided by the selection of a route alternative or project footprint
within the study area that avoids significant cultural resources and/or
through careful consideration of tower placement. Access roads and
construction staging areas also will be modified as needed to avoid
resources. In the event that a significant archaeological resource cannot be
avoided, a program of data recovery, guided by a research design, will be
undertaken.
•
If important paleontological resources are discovered during construction
of any program component, the resources will be recovered and archived
at an appropriate institution by a qualified paleontologist.
Application of BMP 3 will avoid known cultural resources and recover those
resources that may be encountered accidentally during construction.
Therefore, cultural resources impacts resulting from the construction of this
program component will be less than significant.
(b) Impact CR-1b. Cultural Resources Impacts from Construction of the
Based on known data, including a cultural resources survey conducted for this
program component, no significant archaeological or built environment
resources have been identified within the area of potential effect for the North
City interconnection. There is no surficial evidence for historic or prehistoric
archaeological sites, and none has been recorded within 0.25 mile of this
program component. However, given the proximity to the American River,
the potential for buried archaeological resources associated with this
watercourse cannot be ruled out. Previous construction associated with the
existing transmission lines and the well-delineated dirt roads may have
disturbed the area. However, there is still a potential for intact buried
archaeological sites. Excavation activity associated with this undertaking may
impact a buried archaeological resource, if present, resulting in a significant
cultural resources impact. This impact will be reduced to a less than
significant level by the application of BMP 3.
(c) Impact CR-1c. Cultural Resources Impacts from Construction of the
Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line
Construction of a new transmission line within the study area will have the
potential for significant direct impacts to either known, or previously
unidentified, cultural resources. These potential impacts would be associated
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with ground-disturbing activity related to transmission line construction and
associated access roads and construction staging areas, if such activities were
to physically disturb a cultural resource qualifying as a historic resource or
unique archaeological site. Significant impacts also may occur as a result of
changes in the setting of a significant built environment resource. This
program component also encompasses Reclamation District 1000, a listed
NRHP landscape. Impacts to any contributing elements to the District will be
considered a significant impact. This impact will be reduced to a less than
significant level by BMP 3.
(d) Impact CR-1d. Cultural Resources Impacts from Construction of the
Based on known data, no significant archaeological resources have been
identified within the area of potential effect of the Willow Slough substation.
One prehistoric archeological site has been recorded outside of but proximate
to this program component. However, the study area has not been subject to a
formal archaeological survey. Should significant archaeological resources be
present, ground-disturbing activity associated with the construction of the new
substation could result in significant impacts to these archaeological
resources.
Two unevaluated built environment resources are within, or adjacent to, the
potential substation location. New construction might impact significant built
environment resources directly if the resource were physically altered by new
construction. A significant impact also could occur if a built environment
resource’s significance were dependent on the integrity of setting, and the
setting were sufficiently changed by changes in the transmission line tower
height or location.
Implementation of BMP 3 will protect unknown cultural resources in the area
of potential effect. Therefore, construction of the Willow Slough substation
will result in a less than significant impact.
(e) Impact CR-1e. Cultural Resources Impacts from Reconductoring in the
The replacement of wires on existing transmission towers will not impact
cultural resources; however, ground-disturbing activity associated with
reconductoring staging areas or pull stations may impact unanticipated
archaeological resources, resulting in a significant archaeological impact. The
reconductoring program will have no effect on built environment resources.
Implementation of BMP 3 will protect unknown cultural resources in the area
of potential effect of this program component. Therefore, reconductoring in
the Annexation Territory will result in a less-than-significant impact to
cultural resources.
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(2) Impact CR-2. Impacts to Paleontological Resources from the Construction of
Program Components
As discussed under existing conditions above, all of the program components may
be constructed in surficial geologic deposits that contain significant
paleontological resources. The loss of these results during program construction
will be a significant impact. This impact will be reduced to a less than significant
level by BMP 3.
The presence of Program transmission facilities will not cause changes in land uses
adjacent to those facilities that will affect the intensity of the use of those lands.
Therefore, the Program will have no indirect effects on cultural resources.
residential developments that will result in a substantial conversion to urban uses of
previously undisturbed land and agricultural land that may contain significant cultural
resources. That conversion may result in significant impacts to cultural resources
through the loss of important cultural material that is currently unknown. For
example, the SACOG Blueprint for growth (SACOG, 2005a) projects that 102 square
miles (65,280 acres) to 166 square miles (106,240 acres) of agricultural land in
Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western Placer Counties will be converted from
agricultural use to urban use by 2050. The Program will comprise about 4.8 acres of
this total conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses. The Program also
will contribute indirectly to this projected conversion of agricultural land by reducing
one constraint to growth: electrical utility costs in the Annexation Territory. Lowering
electrical prices is just one factor among many that can encourage and fuel long-term
growth.
requirements, as guided by CEQA. Because each project will be carried out under the
mitigation measures to preserve and protect cultural resources. However, the expected
amount of growth in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western Placer Counties is great
enough that it is likely that significant cultural resources will be lost through ground
disturbance of currently unknown cultural sites. This will result in a significant
adverse impact, and the Program may contribute to this significant cumulative
impact.
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SMUD will implement the following monitoring and reporting protocols for the
potential impacts of the Program on cultural resources.
(1) New Ground-Disturbing Activity
Prior to Program construction, a cultural resources mitigation and monitoring plan
(CRMMP) will be developed by SMUD to identify when and where a cultural
resources survey will be conducted before construction. The CRMMP also will
identify where a qualified cultural resources monitor will have to be present at a
specific program component, and during which stage of construction activity. The
CRMMP will be provided to LAFCo.
Cultural resource and paleontological monitors will maintain records of their
monitoring activities. These records will be provided to LAFCo following
Program construction.
(2) Discovery
Any discovery made during Program construction, and potential subsequent
treatment, will be documented in a technical report. This technical report will be
provided to LAFCo.
(3) Known Built Environment Resources
In the event a potentially historic built environment resource may be directly or
indirectly impacted by any of the program components, the CRMMP will contain
procedures for the recordation and evaluation of such resources. The CRMMP
will outline procedures to reduce the impact to a less than significant level in the
event the resource is found to be significant and cannot be avoided.
(4) Human Remains
The CRMMP will outline procedures for addressing human remains, should they
be encountered during activities at any of the program components. If remains are
found, the coroner’s report will be provided to LAFCo along with evidence of the
notification of the NAHC.
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F.
HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
This section describes potential hazard and hazardous materials effects of the Program. Where
significant effects are identified, mitigation measures are provided to reduce those impacts to the
extent feasible. Sources consulted for this discussion include the Cortese List and the California
Department of Education.
1.
The following information is provided in accordance with Section 15125 of the CEQA
Guidelines. These existing environmental conditions are the baseline for determining the
significance of Program impacts.
The analysis area for potential direct and indirect impacts includes the Annexation
Territory in Yolo County and the study areas for the Power Inn Road to Hedge
substation transmission line reconstruction, the North City interconnection, the
Woodland-Elverta transmission line, and the Willow Slough substation. These areas
are shown in Figure I-3.
The analysis area for potential cumulative impacts related to hazards and hazardous
materials is the same as described for potential direct and indirect impacts. This is
because potential hazards created by the Program are limited to the immediate
vicinity of Program facilities.
(1) Hazards and Hazardous Materials
State and federal regulations establish the procedures and reporting requirements
for handling hazardous materials and hazardous wastes. Typically, these
requirements are enforced by the local health departments, with oversight by the
California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and EPA. All
operations involving the use of hazardous materials must be performed in
accordance with approved plans and permits, including operational plans and
contingency plans in the case of upset. Hazardous wastes may not be stored
longer than 90 days, and particular storage designs (such as segregating certain
types of wastes and providing full secondary containment for liquid wastes) and
monitoring requirements are required by state and federal regulations. All
transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes must be done only by
properly licensed contractors, and records must be maintained to document the
proper handling of wastes from “cradle to grave.”
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On August 21, 3003, SMUD’s Board of Directors adopted Environmental
Protection as a core value of the District (Resolution No. 03-08-13). In response,
SMUD’s General Manager has established a SMUD-wide policy for the
administration of environmental programs and management systems. The SMUD
policy is included in District Safety, Health & Environmental Policies and
Procedures (SMUD, 2000–2004). Pertinent sections of the policies and
procedures are provided in Appendix I.
As part of the acquisition of PG&E facilities, SMUD will change the registered
owner name and contacts from PG&E to SMUD on all applicable hazardous
materials plans and permits. SMUD’s plans and coordination procedures will be
extended to the newly acquired facilities with additional adaptation to Yolo
County-specific ordinances, if necessary. SMUD will be responsible for
maintaining the facilities, including removing failed equipment, reporting, and
cleaning up any spilled material. SMUD has supervisors and crews on call at all
times to respond to emergencies.
Like most industries complying with waste reduction regulations, SMUD
continues to strive to use less hazardous materials by finding more benign
substitutes, to use products that can be recycled at the end of their lives, and to
emphasize spill prevention and cleanup in the event there is a spill.
(2) Electrical and Magnetic Fields
The School Site Selection and Approval Guide of the California Department of
Education (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sx/schoolsiteguide.asp), has requirements
for the proximity of high-voltage power transmission lines to schools. Any part of
a school site property line must be at least 100 feet from the edge of an easement
for a 50-133 kV line and 150 feet from the edge of an easement for a 220-230 kV
line.
(3) Aviation Hazards
Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 77 specifies notification and review
procedures to identify and address potential safety hazards to airport operations
from tall structures. Similar requirements in California are found in the Public
Utilities Code (starting at section 21655), with review by the California Division
of Aeronautics.
(4) Wildland Fires
Periodic inspection of facilities and coordination with local fire officials to ensure
compliance with applicable fire codes serve to minimize the potential fire hazard
associated with electrical transmission structures or equipment at substations. The
regular inspection and maintenance activities along transmission lines, and control
of vegetation within the rights of way, reduces the potential for wildland fires.
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(1) Hazardous Materials and Wastes
The Annexation Territory includes approximately 212 square miles encompassing
the cities of Woodland and West Sacramento, most of the City of Davis, and the
unincorporated lands in Yolo County between the cities. Currently, existing
electrical facilities within this area are owned by PG&E. Estimates performed as
part of early Program planning and feasibility work cataloged thousands of
transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment items throughout the area
(R.W. Beck, Inc., et al., 2005). A partial list includes the following:
•
Over 4,000 overhead distribution transformers;
•
Over 2,500 subsurface or pad-mounted transformers;
•
Over 1,000 switches; and
•
Approximately 190 capacitor banks.
The precise inventory and location of all of this equipment is not known, but it is
clear that this type of equipment is distributed throughout the Annexation
Territory. Cooling and insulating oil used in some of this equipment may contain
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with traces of other toxic organic compounds.
Fires in this type of equipment can cause accidental release of these compounds to
the environment where the public may be exposed. This existing condition does
not represent an extreme or even a unique hazard—it is common in all areas with
electrical service. It is presumed that PG&E operates the existing facilities within
the Annexation Territory in a safe way by handling, storing, transporting, and
disposing of all such hazardous materials and wastes in a way that is consistent
with all applicable laws and regulations.
The Cortese List was searched to determine whether any hazardous materials or
hazardous waste sites are close to the proposed transmission and substation
facilities. Twenty sites were identified, most in the City of Sacramento or the
County of Sacramento. Table IV.F-1 summarizes known locations of hazardous
waste within the analysis area.
Table IV.F-1: Known Locations of Hazardous Waste Within Analysis Area
DRAFT
City/County
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Address
1324 A Street
1731 17th Street
1920 Front Street
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
2000 Front Street
2175 Perkins Way
2809 S Street
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Site Name
SP-Purity Oil
Orchard Supply Company
Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment
Agency
PG&E – Sacramento Site
Sacramento Cable
Sacramento Plating, Inc.
Chapter IV
Table IV.F-1: (Continued)
City/County
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento
Davis
Address
Site Name
3675 Western Pacific Avenue Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), Curtis Park
401 I Street
UPRR, Downtown Sacramento – Central Shops
401 I Street
UPRR, Downtown Sacramento – Ponds And
Ditch
401 I Street
UPRR, Downtown Sacramento – Northern
Shops / Drums
401 I Street
UPRR, Downtown Sacramento – Lagoon
401 I Street
UPRR, Downtown Sacramento – Car Shop
Nine
401 I Street
UPRR, Downtown Sacramento – Central
Corridor
5,485 Acres; 12 miles east of Mather Air Force Base
Sacramento
5200 S Watt Avenue
Former McClellan AFB – Area D
8350 Fruitridge Road
Sacramento Army Depot
Approximately 5200 Watt
Former McClellan Air Force Base
Avenue
Front & T Streets
SMUD, Front & T Streets
I-5 Q Street Off-Ramp
Caltrans, I-5 Q Street Off-Ramp
Second Street/Between Pena Frontier Fertilizer
& Mace Boulevard
The locations of schools in the Program study area were identified using maps on
the California Department of Education Web site (http://www.cde.ca.gov/). No
schools were located within one-quarter mile of the study area.
(2) Electrical and Magnetic Fields
Whenever electricity is used or transmitted, electric and magnetic fields are
created by the electric charges. Positive and negative charges attract each other,
while those of the same charge repel each other. These forces of attraction and
repulsion create electric fields. Magnetic fields are created only when there is
current flowing through a conductor or device. For example, when a lamp is
plugged into a wall, an electric field is created around the cord to the lamp. A
magnetic field is present only when the lamp is turned on, and current flows
through the light bulb. Electric fields are present around electrical appliances,
electrical devices, and wiring located in buildings, as well as around electrical
transmission lines and substations. Thus, they are common phenomena
throughout the Annexation Territory, the component areas, rights of way, and
throughout all urban and suburban areas.
The medical and scientific communities generally agree that the available
research evidence has not demonstrated that electromagnetic fields (EMF)
associated with electrical transmission facilities create a health risk. However,
they also agree that the evidence has not precluded the possibility of such a risk.
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Thus, uncertainty continues regarding potential adverse health effects of electric
and magnetic fields and the limits for safe exposure for the general public and for
industry workers. While research into this matter continues, the CPUC has
adopted policies and programs to address public concern and scientific
uncertainty (CPUC Decision [D] 93-11-013). These include using no-cost or lowcost procedures to minimize or reduce potential public exposures whenever
possible in the design and construction of new transmission lines and related
facilities. CPUC does not regulate municipal utilities such as SMUD, but SMUD
has adopted similar programs for the design and installation of new electrical
facilities.
SMUD’s Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 91-04-18 on April 18, 1991,
approving an EMF policy statement and authorizing the implementation of an
EMF program. Since 1991, SMUD has followed studies on EMF; adopted
practices where practicable to minimize potential EMF exposure from new
transmission lines, sub-transmission, and distribution facilities; and practiced
prudent avoidance in designing and building facilities. SMUD also has
contributed funds to the National EMF Research Program and the California
Department of Heath Services EMF Program (DHS completed an EMF Risk
Assessment in October 2002).
(3) Aviation Hazards
Sacramento International Airport is adjacent to the southern boundary of the
Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area. The current “overflight” zone,
within which the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) reviews projects for
compatibility with safety requirements at the airport, extends 10,000 feet
northward from the airport. The Draft Airport Master Plan (Sacramento County
Airport System, 2004), currently being updated, calls for the extension of one of
the airport runways another 1,000 feet to the north. Several smaller private
airstrips are located in the agricultural lands in or adjacent to the easterly half of
this study area.
FAR part 77, found in 14CFR77, requires notification to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) before beginning the construction of any structure higher
than 200 feet above ground level, or tall enough to protrude into an imaginary
surface defined from the end of a nearby runway. The slope and distance of the
imaginary surface vary, based on the type of airport and operations present.
(4) Wildland Fire
The largest areas of concern for fires associated with the Program are the study
areas for the Woodland-Elverta transmission line and the Willow Slough
substation. These areas are predominantly irrigated agricultural land. Fire danger
in these areas is usually low, but extensive areas of dry stalks or grasses can
accumulate and pose a seasonal fire hazard.
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The right of way for the Power Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission line
reconstruction contains vacant land and some outdoor parking and storage areas.
The land beneath the North City interconnection site also is vacant, supporting a
light cover of non-native grasses. The land is flat, and vegetation is sparse at both
of these locations, so the potential for a significant wildland fire hazard is low.
2.
Guidelines.
have a significant impact on hazards and hazardous materials if the project would
cause any of the following effects:
DRAFT
•
Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the
routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials;
•
Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through
reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of
hazardous materials into the environment;
•
Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed
school;
•
Be located on a site included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, create a
significant hazard to the public or the environment;
•
For a project located within an airport land-use plan or, where such a plan has
not been adopted, within 2 miles of a public airport or public use airport,
result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area;
•
For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, result in a safety hazard
for people residing or working in the project area;
•
Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation plan; or
•
Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death
involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized
areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands.
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Chapter IV
significance, consistent with CEQA Guidelines, and has determined that Programrelated impacts relative to hazards and hazardous materials will result if the
Program or any program component will:
•
Expose people or property to hazardous materials or conditions in a way that
is not authorized by SMUD’s procedures and permits related to the use of
hazardous materials and the disposition of hazardous wastes;
•
Conflict with public safety policies or regulations in the Yolo County Airport
Comprehensive Land Use Plan and/or the Sacramento International Airport
Comprehensive Land Use Plan;
•
Conflict with implementation of the Sacramento County Multi-Hazard
Emergency Operations Plan or the County of Yolo Emergency Plan; or
•
Cause wildland fires.
(a) Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Records of existing permitted hazardous waste facilities and sites were
reviewed to identify any within the analysis area. Procedures used by SMUD
to manage hazardous material and wastes were reviewed. Particular attention
was devoted to identifying the potential for any hazardous materials or wastes
to be located near any schools or major population centers.
(b) Electrical and Magnetic Fields
Current policies and recent decisions by the CPUC were reviewed to identify
any applicable constraints or regulations that will affect the facilities proposed
for the Program. Maps and land uses along the rights of way for the Power Inn
Road to Hedge substation transmission line reconstruction and the North City
interconnection were reviewed to identify any sensitive uses in the immediate
area.
(c) Aviation Hazards
Maps, aerial photographs, and other records were reviewed to identify airports
in the area that must be considered relative to the potential for towers to pose
an aviation obstruction or hazard. In addition to the Sacramento International
Airport, three private airstrips were identified in or near the Woodland-Elverta
transmission line study area. Because the exact alignment and height of poles
for this facility are not known at this time, it is not possible to determine
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whether any will constitute a hazard. The imaginary surface for an airport,
such as Sacramento International Airport, starts at the nearest runway location
(northern end) and extends for 20,000 feet with a 100:1 slope. Thus, a 200foot pole can be located beyond this distance from the runway and shorter
closer poles will have to be evaluated based on their height and location.
(d) Wildland Fires
Review of aerial photographs and brief field inspections confirmed the
conditions and vegetation types within the Woodland-Elverta transmission
line, Willow Slough substation, Power Inn Road to Hedge substation
transmission line reconstruction, and North City interconnection study areas.
No specific Yolo County safety policies relate to fire protection and electrical
facilities, but Policy S15 of the General Plan (Yolo County, 1983) requires the
county to request review and comment from affected fire districts for all
significant development proposals.
(1) Impact HAZ-1: Expose People or Property to Hazardous Materials or
Hazardous Conditions
(a) Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Wastes
During construction, gasoline- and diesel-powered trucks will be used to
deliver materials and workers to Program construction sites. The drill rig used
to prepare borings for pole foundations will use diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid,
and other lubricants and solvents or cleaning materials. Cranes and similar
vehicles and equipment used to install foundations, erect poles, and install
conductors will use similar fuels, fluids, and solvents. These types of materials
and their use in construction are common features for any building or
development project. The regulations on handling, storing, using, and
disposing of these materials apply to all contractors and entities involved in
major construction. The effect of applying these regulations to such activities
reduces the potential for the uncontrolled release of hazardous materials to the
environment. These regulations also establish response and notification
procedures in the event of a hazardous material spill so that it is promptly
cleaned up. For these reasons, the potential impact of the construction of
Program components, with regard to exposing people or property to hazardous
materials, is less than significant.
All transformers or related equipment associated with the new electrical
transmission facilities (or distribution lines that may emanate from it) will not
contain PCBs. They will be filled with mineral oil or soy-based fluid. Mineral
oil or soy-based fluid will be transported to installation sites in sealed
transformer equipment; therefore, the risk of release will be minimal.
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The Willow Slough Substation backup battery system will contain liquid
sulfuric acid. This will be transported to the site in sealed containers.
Therefore, the potential for rupture of the battery is minimal. The potential for
the release of any hazardous material at the Willow Slough substation is
similar to that from any substation or similar industrial installation. The low
potential for release, combined with the regular inspection and maintenance
procedures, response plans, and regulatory oversight of the handling of
hazardous materials, reduces the potential impact from such a release to a
level that is less than significant.
Design features for the Willow Slough substation will include: installing
remote alarming monitoring equipment to alert SMUD’s Energy Dispatch
Operators in case of high temperatures or low oil levels and the construction
of secondary containment within the substation to prevent any spilled oil from
being discharged. SMUD will begin cleanup activities immediately if a
release occurs. In addition, SMUD will implement BMPs through a Spill
Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan to minimize the
possibility of any spills or release from the transformers. To prevent public
access to onsite electrical equipment, the proposed substation will be enclosed
in a minimum 8-foot-high chain link fence topped with 3-pronged barbed
wire. Access will be restricted with a locked gate. For these reasons, the
Willow Slough substation will have a less than significant impact relative to
hazards and hazardous materials.
Equipment that is changed out as a result of upgrading the system in the
Annexation Territory will be handled in a way that is consistent with SMUD
procedures and permits related to the use of hazardous materials and wastes.
These procedures, coupled with regular inspections and maintenance, will
reduce the potential for the release of any hazardous material to a level that is
SMUD complies with the various regulations pertinent to electric system
component handling. The SMUD Corporation Yard in Sacramento, at 59th
Street and Highway 50, is central to handling new and old equipment. SMUD
has a hazardous material handling facility in the Corporation Yard. It has an
EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) identification number
and testing and interim storage facilities, and it processes items so that
hazardous waste is not stored longer than 90 days. Hazardous wastes are
shipped by SMUD to licensed storage or disposal facilities using licensed
transporters.
If the proposed annexation is approved, SMUD will meet with PG&E to
review its records for its facilities. If the records are not available, SMUD will
perform field audits of the Annexation Territory facilities, including taking oil
samples of the substation transformers for analysis. SMUD also will
determine whether oil containment measures have been installed at the
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appropriate locations within the Annexation Territory. SMUD will develop a
remediation plan if necessary.
The Program may generate small quantities of universal wastes, including
batteries, mercury-containing thermostats, lamps (fluorescent, high intensity
discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high-pressure sodium, and metal halide),
aerosol cans, and cathode ray tubes. These wastes will be segregated properly
from other types of solid wastes and disposed of appropriately, in accordance
with the procedures established in SMUD’s District Safety, Health &
Environmental Policies and Procedures.
The Program will not increase the volume of hazardous materials handled by
SMUD enough to require changes to SMUD’s hazardous materials handling
facilities. The distance from the Corporation Yard to the farthest points of the
Annexation Territory is no greater than from the Corporation Yard to the
farthest points of the existing SMUD service area. Therefore, SMUD’s
existing facility and procedures for handling hazardous materials are sufficient
to handle the Annexation Territory’s minor additional demand.
(b) Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
As already described, part of SMUD Resolution No. 91-04-18 calls for
prudent avoidance of residences, schools, hospitals, and other facilities where
people may reside for extended periods of time when siting and designing
electrical transmission facilities. This policy reduces the potential exposure of
people to electric and magnetic fields to a less-than-significant level.
The strength of electric and magnetic fields generally falls off rapidly with
distance from the source. If currents are balanced, and conductors are closely
spaced, fields related to transmission lines decrease at a rate of 1/r2 (where r is
the radial distance from the conductor). Therefore, if the distance from the
source is doubled and the transmission line is balanced in all three phases, the
magnetic field will drop off by a factor of four. These factors are used in the
design and construction of new transmission lines and substations to reduce
the generation of electric and magnetic fields.
A double-circuit transmission line, such as the one proposed for the
Woodland-Elverta transmission line, can be constructed to reduce the EMF
field levels. A three-phase transmission line has an A, B, and C phase (three
wires). If the wires on one side of the transmission line are installed in a
vertical configuration with Phase A at the top, Phase B in the middle, and
Phase C at the bottom, and the circuit on the wires on the other side of the
structure is installed with Phase C at the top, Phase B in the middle, and Phase
A at the bottom, the resultant transmission line configuration will provide the
lowest EMF field levels. SMUD will adopt this configuration in the
Woodland-Elverta transmission line.
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The proposed transmission line route selection also will comply with State of
California Board of Education overhead power line siting requirements.
(2) Impact HAZ-2: Conflict with Airport Comprehensive Plans
Transmission lines already exist within the rights of way for the Power Inn Road
to Hedge substation transmission line reconstruction and the North City
interconnection study areas. The height of any new transmission towers
associated with these Program components will not differ from the height of
existing towers. Therefore, these program components will have no impact on
airports. The Willow Slough substation study area is not located near an airport;
therefore, this program component will have no impact on airports. Other
Distribution System Upgrades (Program Component 8) and Operations and
Maintenance of the Annexation Territory’s Electric System (Program Component
9) will not alter the location or height of existing transmission facilities.
Therefore, these program components will have no impact on airports.
The Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6)
will be north of the Sacramento International Airport, and it may be located in the
vicinity of the Yolo County Airport. There are also private airstrips in the
Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area used by crop-dusting aircraft.
SMUD will work cooperatively with the administrations of both public-use
airports, the owners of private airstrips, and the FAA to ensure that the
transmission line is sited outside of airspace protected for the safe operation of
these airports and airstrips. In some cases, it may not be possible to avoid
impacting private airstrips. In those cases, SMUD will pay for the relocation of
aircraft operations from those airstrips to other nearby airstrips or pay for cropdusting operations to take place at a new location. For these reasons, the
Woodland-Elverta transmission line will have no impact on public-use airports
and a less than significant impact on private airstrips.
(3) Impact HAZ-3: Conflict with Implementation of Emergency Response Plans
SMUD regularly coordinates with emergency response planning agencies to
ensure that its operations are consistent with applicable plans and policies,
including the Sacramento County Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan. The
Program will not alter this coordination or cause any other policy-related adverse
effects.
(4) Impact HAZ-4: Cause Wildfires
All of the program components, except for the Woodland-Elverta Transmission
Line Study Area and the Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program
Components 6 and 7) are in existing electrical transmission line rights of way and
will not change transmission line operations. Therefore, these program
components will not alter the potential to cause wildfires from existing conditions.
Therefore, these components will have no impact with regard to wildfires.
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The Willow Slough substation study area is in irrigated agricultural land. Most of
the study area for the Woodland-Elverta transmission line also is in irrigated
agricultural land. These lands are not readily susceptible to wildfires. In addition,
the agency coordination, inspection, and maintenance procedures used by SMUD
will serve to minimize the potential for wildfire. Therefore, the Program will have
a less than significant wildfire impact.
The presence of the transmission facilities will not alter land uses adjacent to the
existing or proposed transmission lines or the proposed substations. Therefore, the
Program will not have indirect effects relative to hazards and hazardous materials.
Foreseeable future projects in the study area include substantial development. In
regard to growth, the SACOG Blueprint (SACOG, 2005a) envisions that an
additional 304 to 661 square miles of land in the greater Sacramento area will be
urbanized by 2050. This leads to the potential for substantially more use of hazardous
materials and the increased generation of hazardous waste over existing conditions,
with a significant increase in the potential for people to be exposed to hazardous
materials or hazardous wastes. The Program would contribute to this significant
cumulative impact.
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G.
HYDROLOGY/WATER QUALITY
This section describes how development associated with the Program will affect hydrology and
water quality. Where significant effects are identified, mitigation measures are provided to
reduce those impacts to the extent feasible.
1.
significant environmental impact on hydrology/water quality.
shows the locations of these program components. The analysis area for potential
direct and indirect impacts relative to hydrology/water quality includes the entire
Annexation Territory because Operation and Maintenance of the Annexation
Territory’s Electric System, Program Component 9, will take place throughout this
area, and Program Component 8, which consists of the possible reconductoring of
existing overhead wires, also may occur along any of the 12-kV lines in the
Annexation Territory. The analysis area also includes the Power Inn Road to Hedge
Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction Study Area (Program Component 4),
the North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5), the WoodlandElverta Transmission Line Study Area (Project Component 6), and the Willow
Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component 7).
The analysis area for potential cumulative impacts is the same as the analysis area for
Sacramento Counties as well as a portion of Sutter County where the Program, in
combination with reasonably foreseeable projects, may have a combined effect on
hydrology and water quality.
(1) Federal
Sections 401 and 402 of the federal CWA establish requirements for the
protection of the quality of the waters of the U.S. Section 401 requires that every
applicant for a federal permit or license for any activity that may result in a
discharge to a water body obtain water quality certification. The water quality
certification affirms that the proposed activity will comply with state water
quality standards. In the Program study area, the water quality certification
program is administered by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control
Board (CVRWQCB).
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Section 402 of the CWA prohibits the discharge of pollutants to waters of the U.S.
from any point source unless the discharge is in compliance with a NPDES
permit. An NPDES permit is required for the discharge of storm water from
construction sites that disturb one acre or more. The CVRWQCB administers
these permits, with oversight provided by the State Water Resources Control
Board (SWRCB) and EPA Region 9.
The SWRCB issued Order No. 99 08 DWQ, which is an NPDES General Permit
and Waste Discharge Requirements for discharges of storm water associated with
construction activity (Construction Storm Water General Permit). Construction
projects that disturb one or more acres are required to comply with this permit.
The major provisions of the permit are the minimization or elimination of nonstorm water discharges from the site; implementation of BMPs to control
construction materials and wastes, erosion, and sediment; and monitoring to
assure the maintenance and adequacy of the BMPs that are being implemented.
Project construction activities must be conducted consistent with a Storm Water
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and the associated Monitoring and Reporting
Plan (MRP) developed in accordance with the provisions of the permit.
The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), enacted in 1974 and significantly
amended in 1986 and 1996, directed the EPA to set national standards for
drinking water quality. It required the EPA to set maximum contaminant levels
for a wide variety of constituents. Local water suppliers are required to monitor
their water supplies to assure that regulatory standards are not exceeded.
(2) State
The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act is California’s comprehensive
water quality control law, and it is a complete regulatory program designed to
protect water quality and beneficial uses of the state’s water. It requires the
adoption of water quality control plans (basin plans) by the state’s nine Regional
Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs) for watersheds within their regions.
In 1976, California enacted its own Safe Drinking Water Act, requiring the
Department of Health Services (DHS) to regulate drinking water, including:
setting and enforcing federal and state drinking water standards; administering
water quality testing programs; and administering permits for public water system
operations.
(1) Surface Water Hydrology
The Sacramento River forms the eastern border of the Annexation Territory,
which includes the Yolo Bypass, a major flood control facility for the Sacramento
River, Cache Creek, and Willow Slough. The Willow Slough substation study
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area borders Willow Slough. The North City interconnection study area is crossed
by the American River.
The Sacramento River Hydrologic Region drains 27,246 square miles of
California, from the Oregon border in the north to the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta in the south and from the crest of the Sierra Nevada in the east to the crest
of the Coast Ranges in the west. The many rivers and streams that are tributary to
the Sacramento River provide important riparian habitat that is critical for many
aquatic and terrestrial species. The valley floor region of the river provides some
of the most important wintering areas along the Pacific Flyway for many species
of waterfowl (Department of Water Resources [DWR], 2005).
The southern portion of the Sacramento River Hydrologic Region is experiencing
rapid population growth and urbanization. While California experienced a
statewide population increase approaching 15% from 1990 to 2000, growth rates
in the Sacramento metropolitan area have exceeded this trend. According to
California Department of Finance projections, Sacramento County’s population
increased by 17.5% between 1990 and 2000, and is projected to grow by 26%
between 2000 and 2010, to more than 1.5 million people. The adjoining urban
areas in Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo Counties are experiencing the same levels of
extensive growth and urban expansion. This ongoing rapid rate of urbanization is
expected to generate significant land and water use challenges for the entire
southern portion of the Sacramento River region, including adequate droughtperiod water supplies, growth in flood plains, loss of productive farmland, and
preservation of sensitive environmental habitats (DWR, 2005).
The DWR estimates that, in a year of normal precipitation, the total amount of
water entering the Sacramento River Hydrologic Region is 58,217 acre-feet2. Of
this total, approximately 24,192 acre-feet of water are lost through evaporation,
evapotranspiration from natural vegetation, groundwater recharge, and runoff.
Consumptive use of water for agriculture, urban uses, and wetland maintenance
totals 5,532 acre-feet. Other demands for the water exceed the inflow to the
region by 1,101 acre-feet (DWR, 2005). These excess demands are either met by
water stored in reservoirs in the region, or, if the reservoirs are low as a result of
several years of drought, the excess demand is not met.
(2) Surface Water Quality
Surface water quality in the Sacramento River watershed is generally good.
However, turbidity, rice pesticides, and organophosphate pesticides, such as
diazinon, can affect fisheries and drinking water supplies. For instance, the
decline of fisheries in the Sacramento River is in part related to water quality
problems on the river’s main stem: unsuitable water temperature, toxic heavy
2
An acre-foot is the volume of water required to cover one acre to the depth of 1 foot. It is equal to 325,851 gallons
of water.
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metals (such as mercury, copper, zinc, and cadmium) from acid mine drainage,
pesticides, and fertilizer in agricultural runoff, and degraded spawning gravels.
The holding of rice field drainage to allow the degradation of rice herbicides has
addressed this water quality concern effectively among downstream water users,
particularly the City of Sacramento. In the Cache Creek watershed, Clear Lake
suffers from large mercury, sediment, and nutrient loadings, the latter leading to
nuisance algae blooms (DWR, 2005).
(3) Groundwater Hydrology
The Annexation Program is located largely within the North American Subbasin
of the Sacramento Valley Groundwater Basin, as defined by DWR (DWR, 2004).
The water-bearing materials of this subbasin are dominated by unconsolidated
continental deposits of Lake Tertiary and Quaternary age. Alluvium constitutes
the upper aquifer system, occupying the upper 200 to 300 feet below ground
surface. The Mehrten and older geologic units constitute the lower aquifer system,
occurring generally deeper than 300 feet toward the western side of the subbasin.
The cumulative thickness of these deposits increases from a few hundred feet near
the Sierra Nevada foothills on the east to over 2,000 feet along the western margin
of the subbasin (DWR, 2004).
Groundwater levels in southwestern Placer County and northern Sacramento
County generally have decreased, with many wells experiencing declines at a rate
of about 1.5 feet per year for the last 40 years or more. Some of the largest
decreases have occurred in the area of the former McClellan Air Force Base.
Groundwater levels in Sutter and northern Placer Counties generally have
remained stable, though some wells in southern Sutter County have experienced
declines (DWR, 2004).
(4) Groundwater Quality
The three major water types in the subbasin are magnesium calcium bicarbonate
(or calcium magnesium bicarbonate), magnesium sodium bicarbonate (or sodium
magnesium bicarbonate), and sodium calcium bicarbonate (or calcium sodium
bicarbonate). While many areas of good water quality exist in the North American
subbasin, there are places with poor water quality. High total dissolved solids
(TDS) are present in the groundwater along the Sacramento River from the
Sacramento International Airport northward to the Bear River. The groundwater
is this area also contains high levels of chloride, sodium, bicarbonate, manganese,
and arsenic. The groundwater in the southern part of the basin generally is
characterized as good quality, low in disinfection by-product precursor materials,
and moderate in mineral content (DWR, 2004).
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2.
have a significant impact on hydrology and water quality if the project would
cause any of the following effects:
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•
Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements;
•
Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with
groundwater recharge so that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or
a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of
pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level that would not support
existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted);
•
Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a way that would
result in substantial erosion or siltation on or off site;
•
Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially
increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a way that would result in
flooding on or off site;
•
Create or contribute runoff water that would exceed the capacity of existing or
planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources
of polluted runoff;
•
Otherwise substantially degrade water quality;
•
Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area, as mapped on a federal
flood hazard boundary or flood insurance rate map (FIRM) or other flood
hazard delineation map;
•
Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures that would impede or
redirect flood flows;
•
Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death
involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or
dam; or
•
Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow.
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The Program does not include any commercial or residential development.
Therefore, it involves no waste discharges or housing. For these reasons, these
environmental issues are not addressed further in this EIR.
A seiche is an underwater wave. A tsunami is a series of waves created when
water in a lake or the sea is rapidly displaced on a massive scale. There are no
physical features in the Program study area that would cause either of these
phenomena, and the Program study area is too far inland from the ocean or San
Francisco Bay to be subject to the effects of a tsunami. The Program study area
also is relatively flat and not conducive to mudflows. Therefore, these issues are
not addressed further in this EIR.
significance, consistent with CEQA Guidelines, and has determined that Programrelated impacts relative to hydrology/water quality will result if the Program or
any program component will:
(a) Result in stormwater discharges that exceed the water quality criteria
protective of the beneficial uses of receiving waters.
(b) Interfere with groundwater recharge or result in increased groundwater use to
the point that the production rate of pre-existing wells will decrease to the
point that they will not support existing land uses or planned uses for which
permits have been granted.
(c) Conflict with the implementation of drainage design standards of the affected
city and county jurisdictions.
(d) Expose people or existing structures to increased risk of loss, injury, or death
involving flooding.
(e) Place sensitive equipment within an area subject to a 100-year flood.
(f) Conflict with drainage plans and grading ordinances of the affected city and
county jurisdictions established to avoid impacts to water quality.
The CVRWQCB Basin Plan and FIRM prepared by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) were reviewed to determine whether the proposed
Program will impact surface water and groundwater hydrology and/or water
quality.
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(1) Impact H-1: Impacts on Storm Water Quality
As discussed in Chapter II, during the construction of Program facilities, SMUD
and its contractors will comply with the statewide Construction Storm Water
General NPDES Permit. SMUD and/or its contractors will prepare a SWPPP in
accordance with the permit requirements. The SWPPP will identify specific
BMPs to control construction materials and wastes, erosion, and sediment to
prevent the pollution of storm water runoff. The SWPPP also will contain an
MRP that will assure the maintenance and adequacy of the BMPs that are being
implemented. BMP 2 calls for the revegetation of areas disturbed by Program
construction. Therefore, there will be no excessive runoff or erosion from
Program sites following the installation of transmission facilities. Implementation
of the SWPPP and MRP, as well as the revegetation of disturbed areas, will
ensure that the Program will result in a less than significant impact on surface
water quality.
(2) Impact H-2: Impacts to Groundwater Hydrology
Program facilities will increase the area of impermeable surfaces in the
Annexation Territory by a maximum of 4.5 acres. The largest of these areas will
be the Willow Slough substation, at a maximum size of 3 acres. The remaining
1.5 acres will consist of the foundations of transmission towers, each covering up
to 400 square feet. This is too small an area to measurably reduce the recharge
area of the Annexation Territory, which covers 212 square miles.
The Program will reduce electrical rates in the Annexation Territory. This may
reduce the cost of groundwater pumping to farmers within the Annexation
Territory. This is not expected to increase the use of groundwater for irrigation to
the extent that it will cause further drawdown of the aquifers in the North
American Subbasin.
Based on a study of on-farm energy use characteristics (Brown and Elliott, 2005),
energy expenditures account from 2% to 9% of the total production expenditures
of farming, depending on the product. It is estimated that the Program may reduce
electrical costs in the Annexation Territory by as much as 20%. Approximately
16% of the energy used nationwide for agricultural is electricity (Brown and
Elliott, 2005). If it is conservatively assumed that 100% of the energy used in
agriculture is electricity, then a 20% reduction in electricity costs to farmers in the
Annexation Territory will reduce their production costs by 0.4% to 1.8%, or for
every $100 expended to produce a crop, the cost will drop by $0.40 to $1.80.
Since the actual use of electricity is less than 100%, the actual change in
production costs will be much less, on the order of $0.06 to $0.28 for every $100
expended to produce a crop. In either case, these savings are not large enough to
alter current water practices in the Annexation Territory.
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(3) Impact H-3: Conflict with City or County Drainage Design Standards
As indicated in Chapter II, SMUD and/or its contractors will obtain grading
permits for Program facilities from the appropriate jurisdictions. Therefore, the
Program will not conflict with city or county drainage design standards.
(4) Impact H-4: Increased Risk from Flooding
Based on FEMA flood insurance maps, all of the Program components except the
Willow Slough substation study area will be at least partially located in the 100year floodplain of the American River, Sacramento River, Yolo Bypass, or Cache
Creek. Transmission towers may be on the order of about 3 feet in diameter and
spaced as close as 600 feet apart. The 100-year floodplains crossed by the
Program transmission facilities are a minimum of 1.75 miles wide. Because of the
small diameter of the towers, they will not collect debris during a flood; thus, they
will not increase their volume in floodwaters beyond the diameter of the tower
and its foundation. As a result, the transmission towers will not occupy more than
0.5% of the cross-section of any of the floodplains. For these reasons, the area
displaced by the transmission towers will not be great enough to measurably
change the elevation of the 100-year flood. Therefore, the Program will not
increase flood risks to people or property.
(5) Impact H-5: Place Sensitive Equipment in a 100-Year Floodplain
The design of transmission towers and their foundations will take into account
forces generated by floodwaters. Therefore, the Program will not place sensitive
equipment in a 100-year floodplain.
(6) Impact H-6: Conflict with Drainage Plans and Grading Ordinances
As indicated in Chapter II, SMUD and/or its contractors will obtain grading
permits for Program facilities from the appropriate jurisdictions. Therefore, the
Program will not conflict with city or county drainage plans or grading
ordinances.
adjacent to those facilities that will affect the current uses of those lands. Therefore,
the Program will make no changes in the environment that can result in indirect
effects to hydrology and water quality.
land to urban uses. For example, relative to growth, the SACOG Blueprint (SACOG,
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2005a) projects that 102 square miles (65,280 acres) to 166 square miles (106,240
acres) of agricultural land in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western Placer Counties
will be converted from agricultural use to urban use by 2050. As indicated by DWR
(2005), this will result in significant water use challenges for the entire southern
portion of the Sacramento River region, including adequate drought-period water
supplies and growth in floodplains. This will result in a significant cumulative
hydrology and water quality impact. The Program will contribute to the growth of the
region by reducing electrical costs, one of many factors influencing population
growth.
mitigation measures to prevent or minimize hydrology and water quality impacts.
However, the expected amount of growth in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western
Placer Counties appears to be too great to completely prevent such impacts. This will
result in a significant, unavoidable adverse hydrology and water quality impact, and
the Program will contribute to this significant cumulative impact.
Before construction begins, SMUD and/or its contractors will prepare a SWPPP and
MRP. These documents will be provided to the CVRWQCB. SMUD will obtain
grading permits from the appropriate county or city jurisdiction before Program
construction. These permits will be provided to LAFCo.
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H.
LAND USE/PLANNING
This section describes how development associated with the Program will affect land use and
planning. Where significant effects are identified, mitigation measures are provided to reduce
1.
significant environmental impact on land-use/planning.
The analysis area for potential direct and indirect impacts relative to land use and
planning includes the study areas for Program facilities in Yolo, Sacramento, and
Sutter Counties and the cities of Davis, Sacramento, West Sacramento, and
Woodland. These areas were selected to avoid inappropriate siting of proposed
infrastructure where certain land uses (e.g., residential) exist.
The analysis area for potential cumulative impacts relative to land-use and planning
includes the general plan areas for Sacramento, Sutter, and Yolo Counties and the
cities of Davis, Sacramento, West Sacramento, and Woodland. This area was selected
based on the jurisdictional boundaries of the affected general plans.
The general plans and zoning ordinances for Sacramento, Sutter and Yolo Counties
and the cities of Davis, Woodland, Sacramento, and West Sacramento regulate land
use through their respective policies and ordinances. The County of Sacramento has
specific policies and a zoning ordinance addressing energy facilities. The City of
Sacramento also has a zoning ordinance for high voltage transmission lines.
The Sacramento County General Plan public facilities element, Section VIII,
addresses goals, objectives, and policies for energy facilities. The element establishes
objectives and policies for electric transmission delivery systems and electrical
transmission facility siting and design. The objective of the plan for electrical
transmission delivery systems is to: “Ensure the provision of safe, reliable, efficient
and economical electric service while minimizing potential land use conflicts, and
health, safety, environmental, and aesthetic impacts of transmission facilities”
(Sacramento County, 1993). The objective of the plan for electric transmission
facility siting and design is to: “Plan and design transmission facilities to minimize
visual impacts, preserve existing land uses, and avoid biological and cultural
resources” (Sacramento County, 1993). Policies regarding these objectives are
provided in the Sacramento County General Plan from PF-85 through PF-100.
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The County of Sacramento zoning ordinances include an ordinance (301-11) for
siting transmission facilities. That ordinance states that electrical transmission lines of
100,000 volts or greater capacity may be located in any zone and will be located in
easements or rights of way that permit access for maintenance with minimal
disruption of surrounding properties. Preference will be given to the location of
transmission lines in the rank order specified hereafter:
•
Within existing SMUD transmission rights of way or those anticipated for other
projects proposed subject to this zoning ordinance;
•
Adjacent to railroads or adopted freeway routes;
•
Along or adjacent to major arterial streets where existing or planned uses are
commercial or industrial;
•
Adjacent to or through existing or planned commercial, industrial, or agricultural
uses;
•
Along arterial streets where residential uses designated in an adopted plan are
RD-20 or greater density;
•
Through areas where land uses in an adopted plan are predominantly commercial
but include residential uses; and
•
Through residential areas, including side and rear yards, irrespective of density.
Every reasonable effort will be exerted to avoid siting transmission lines of 100,000
volts or greater capacity through established residential areas. In the event SMUD
determines that it has no other alternative than to route such a transmission line
through an established residential area, such lines will be installed underground,
except when SMUD can demonstrate that it is infeasible to do so.
Substations may be located on sites in all zones, provided mitigation measures are
instituted as provided in Section 301.12 of the zoning ordinances. Preference will be
given to the location of substations in the following rank order:
•
Areas designated for industrial or commercial land uses in an adopted plan;
•
Undeveloped areas designated for residential use in an adopted plan;
•
Areas designated “agricultural-urban reserve” in an adopted plan; and
•
Sites designated for residential use in an adopted plan and surrounded by existing
residential uses.
The City of Sacramento has adopted the same transmission line and substation siting
criteria as the County of Sacramento. The city’s siting criteria are provided in Chapter
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17.24.050, footnote 61, of the City of Sacramento’s zoning ordinance regarding high
voltage transmission facilities.
The Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6) falls
within the study area for the “Natomas Joint Vision,” as adopted by the Sacramento
City Council and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. An MOU between
the two jurisdictions, establishing that vision, was executed on December 10, 2002.
The Natomas Joint Vision provides guiding principles for both jurisdictions to
achieve. The guidelines implement the Vision’s goals to proactively guide future
growth for more efficient land use, to improve air quality through efficient land use,
and to protect future airport operations. To date, no communities have been
established by either the City of Sacramento or Sacramento County in the area
designated by the Natomas Joint Vision.
Measure M is another program affecting Program Component 6. This measure was an
advisory measure intended to provide the Sutter County Board of Supervisors with an
indication of how the citizens of Sutter County felt about the types and level of
development in the area of the South Sutter County Industrial / Commercial Reserve.
On November 2, 2004, Measure M was approved with 59% of the vote. The next step
for this measure is a general plan amendment application, which will be submitted by
the Measure M developer group to the Sutter County Planning Department. Based on
a conversation with Doug Libby (Senior Planner, Sutter County Planning
Department), as of December 19, 2005, an application for Measure M had not been
submitted by the developer. On August 30, 2005, the Board of Supervisors held a
study session with the developer group. During the study session, the developer group
presented a conceptual land-use plan for development of the Measure M area. This
measure calls for a mix of commercial, industrial, and residential development for the
current South Sutter Industrial/Commercial Reserve. To date, no other plans have
been presented to the county.
The study area for Program Component 6 also falls within the northern portion of the
Sacramento International Airport Master Plan area, which is in Sacramento County.
The Sacramento International Airport Master Plan proposes several improvements to
the Sacramento International Airport for 2005-2020, including the extension of an
existing runway, the addition of a third runway, the construction of a new terminal,
and other improvements to other supporting facilities. An EIR is currently being
prepared by Sacramento County to address this plan.
Finally, in northern Sacramento County and southern Sutter County, The Natomas
Basin Conservancy (TNBC) serves as the plan operator for the Natomas Basin
Habitat Conservation Plan (NBHCP). The TNBC acquires lands for the 22 specialstatus species that are identified in the NBHCP. Currently, Yolo County is proceeding
with the Yolo County HCP (EIP Associates et al., 2001). A draft version that was
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prepared in 2001 is currently available, but it has not yet been adopted. These plans
are discussed in greater detail in Section IV.D (Biological Resources).
2.
have a significant impact on land use and planning if the project would cause any
•
Physically divide an established community;
•
Conflict with any applicable land-use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency
with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general
plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for
the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect; or
•
Conflict with any applicable HCP or natural community conservation plan.
As indicated, potential Program conflicts with HCPs are discussed in Section
IV.D (Biological Resources); they are not addressed further in this section.
LAFCO, as the Lead Agency, has determined that Program-related impacts
relative to land-use/planning will result if the Program or any program component
will:
•
Directly or indirectly cause physical division of an established community;
•
Conflict with electric generation policies PF-85 through PF-100 of the
Sacramento County General Plan; or
•
Conflict with the objectives of the Measure M advisory measure, the Natomas
Joint Vision Plan, and the Sacramento International Airport Master Plan.
Policies found in the County of Sacramento and City of Sacramento general plans
and ordinances that are directly related to the development of transmission and
substation facilities were reviewed to determine whether the project will conflict
with them. In addition, the Natomas Joint Vision Plan, Measure M, and the
Sacramento International Airport Master Plan were reviewed to determine
whether any land-use/planning conflicts exist.
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(1) Impact LU-1: Physical Division of Established Community
Program Components 4 and 5 are located within existing transmission line rights
of way. Therefore, these components will not physically divide an established
community. Since there are no established communities in the study areas for
Program Components 6 and 7, these components will have no impact on land
use/planning with regard to the physical division of a community.
(2) Impact LU-2: Conflict with Policies of Sacramento County General Plan
The transmission facilities proposed for Program Components 4 and 5 will be
located within an established community where existing transmission line
facilities already are located in their respective rights of way. Therefore, these
components will specifically comply with PF-86 of the Sacramento County
General Plan and Zoning Ordinance 301-11, which state that new transmission
lines should use existing corridors whenever practical. As described in Appendix
D of this Draft EIR (Siting of Transmission Electric Facilities), all of the
transmission facilities proposed for the Program will meet Sacramento County
electric generation policies PF-85 through PF-100. Therefore, the Program will
not conflict with the Sacramento County General Plan.
(3) Impact LU-3: Conflict with Measure M, the Natomas Joint Vision Plan, and
The Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6)
includes areas covered by Measure M, the Natomas Joint Vision Plan, or the
Sacramento International Airport Master Plan. Measure M calls for a mix of
commercial, industrial, and residential development for the current South Sutter
Industrial/Commercial Reserve. This development will coincide with other
planned land uses, including parks and open space. The main objective of the
Natomas Joint Vision is to guide urban growth for more efficient use of land,
while securing permanent preservation of open space/farmland. As described in
Appendix D of this Draft EIR, BMP 1 for siting the Woodland-Elverta
transmission line will use the siting criteria provided in Sacramento County
zoning ordinance 301-11 and City of Sacramento zoning ordinance 17.24.050.
SMUD also will work with the appropriate jurisdictions and landowners to
attempt to ensure that the transmission line does not conflict with specific
development plans. For these reasons, the Program will not conflict with Measure
M or the Natomas Joint Vision Plan.
SMUD will work with the FAA to ensure that the Woodland-Elverta transmission
line does not penetrate protected airspace for existing Sacramento International
Airport facilities or future facilities included in the Sacramento International
Airport Master Plan. Therefore, this component of the Program will conform with
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the policies found in the Sacramento International Airport Comprehensive Land
Use Plan that pertain to airport safety areas.
adjacent to those facilities that will affect current or future uses of those lands.
Therefore, the Program will make no changes in the environment that will result in
indirect land-use impacts.
WAPA plans to construct a new 230-kV transmission line from the O’Banion
substation to Elverta substation to provide voltage support for the Sacramento area.
This project will cross a portion of the Woodland-Elverta transmission line study
area. Because the Woodland-Elverta transmission line will have no direct or indirect
land-use impacts, it would not cumulatively contribute to potential land-use impacts
associated with the proposed WAPA transmission line.
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I.
NOISE
This section describes how the Program will affect the noise environment. Where significant
adverse effects on that environment are identified, mitigation measures are provided to reduce
Several factors affect sound as it is perceived by the human ear: the actual level of sound (or
noise), the frequencies involved, the period of exposure to the noise, and the changes or
fluctuations in the noise levels during exposure. Levels of noise are measured in units called
decibels. Because the human ear cannot perceive all pitches or frequencies equally well,
measured sound levels are adjusted or weighted to correspond to human hearing. This adjusted
unit is known as the “A-weighted” decibel (dBA). All references to noise in this report refer to
dBA.
Few noises are constant. Most fluctuate in decibel level over short periods of time. One way of
describing fluctuating sound is to present the fluctuating noise heard over a specific time period
as if it had been a steady, unchanging sound. For this, a descriptor called the equivalent sound
level, Leq, is computed. Leq is the constant sound level (A-weighted) that, for a given situation
and time period (e.g., 1-hour Leq or 24-hour Leq), conveys the same sound energy as the actual
time-varying sound.
The noise descriptors used in this report are day-night average noise level (Ldn) and community
noise equivalent level (CNEL). These descriptors are used because they are the basis for local
agency regulations to minimize or prevent noise impacts to people. Both of these descriptors are
based on hourly equivalent noise levels during a 24-hour period, with penalties of added decibels
during the evening (for CNEL) and/or nighttime period (both Ldn and CNEL) to represent the
added sensitivity of most people to noise at these times. Values of Ldn and CNEL agree with one
another within about 1 dBA, and the two frequently are used interchangeably.
1.
This subsection provides the baseline for determining the significance of Program
impacts on noise.
O&M of the Annexation Territory’s Electric System, Program Component 9, would
take place throughout the Annexation Territory, and Program Component 8, which
consists of possible reconductoring of existing overhead wires, also may occur along
any of the 12-kV lines in the Annexation Territory. Because these two program
components may occur throughout the Annexation Territory, and Program
Component 7 (Willow Slough Substation Study Area) is located in the Annexation
Territory, the analysis area for direct and indirect noise impacts includes the entire
Annexation Territory. The noise analysis area also includes the Power Inn Road to
Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction Study Area (Program
Component 4), the North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5),
and the Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6).
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Noise from electrical system construction and O&M is relatively low and does not
radiate far from the source. Therefore, the analysis area for cumulative noise effects is
the same as that for direct and indirect effects already described.
(1) Federal Regulations
No federal regulations specifically govern noise issues for the Program. There are
several federal regulations regarding noise for land uses in the study area that
establish noise standards for sensitive receptors, such as homes, churches, and
schools. The FAA sets noise limits for commercial aircraft (14 CFR Part 36) and
establishes procedures for airport noise studies and land-use compatibility
evaluations (14 CFR Part 150). The federal Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) has site acceptability standards for HUD-financed or
HUD-assisted projects. The FAA and HUD standards consider a site with an Ldn
of 65 dBA or less as “acceptable” for residential uses, while sites with an Ldn
greater than 75 dBA are considered “unacceptable” for residential uses.
(2) State Regulations
State laws and regulations provide the authority to state and local agencies to
control the exposure of people to noise. The most important of these provisions
are found in the Aviation Noise Standards set forth in Title 21 (Public Works) of
the California Code of Regulations (CCR) (21 CCR5000), and the Noise
Insulation Standards set forth in the State Building Code (24 CCR Section
T25-28). These and other regulatory provisions are summarized in Table IV.I-1.
With respect to residential and other sensitive uses cited in 21 CCR5000 and
24 CCRT25-28, the exterior standard of 65 dBA CNEL is generally consistent
with the interior standard of 45 dBA CNEL. This is because normal wood-frame
residential construction usually provides from 12 to 18 dBA of reduction from
exterior to interior areas, and 20 dBA or more is commonly achieved in new
structures with insulation and components that meet current energy conservation
standards (County of Sacramento, 1993; City of Sacramento, 1998).
(3) Local Regulations
The Program encompasses land under the authority of several different local
governments. These are reviewed here, along with applicable noise standards or
requirements from each.
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Table IV.I-1: Summary of California Noise Laws and Regulations
Code Section
Title 21 (Public Works) CCR 5000 et
seq.
Title 24 (Building) CCR T25-28
Public Utilities Code Section 21670 et
seq.
Health and Safety Code Sections
17922.6, and 46000 et seq.
Title 8 (Industrial Relations) CCR 5095
Title 13 (Motor Vehicles) CCR 602 and
1036
Provisions
Aviation Noise Standards. Basic requirement that CNEL not exceed 65
dBA in exterior areas of residences, schools, hospitals, churches, and
synagogues. Standards and procedures for defining noise impact areas,
monitoring, resolving complaints.
Noise insulation standards. Maximum interior CNEL of 45 dBA for all
multi-family residences. Requirement for acoustic report for multifamily structures in areas with exterior CNEL over 60 dBA.
Establishes and defines planning and review procedures for Airport
Land Use Commissions.
Establishes Office of Noise Control, guidelines for preparation of
Noise Elements and adoption of local standards and ordinances.
Establishes standards and procedures for occupational exposures to
noise. Sliding scale, maximum of 90 dBA for 8-hour exposure. Higher
noise levels are allowed for shorter periods of time, up to 115 dBA for
15 minutes.
Establishes standards and procedures for motor vehicle exhaust noise.
Maximum of 95 dBA at 20 inches for most passenger vehicles and
light trucks)
(a) County of Sacramento
The applicable standards from the Sacramento County Noise Element (County
of Sacramento, 1998, Table II-1) dealing with allowable noise limits in
residential areas from non-transportation-related sources are summarized as
follows.
•
During the daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.), the median noise level (L50,
or noise level exceeded 50% of the time) will not exceed 50 dBA, and the
maximum noise level (Lmax) will not exceed 70 dBA.
•
During the nighttime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), the L50 will not exceed 45
dBA, and the Lmax will not exceed 65 dBA.
If a non-transportation noise source is expected to cause noise levels in excess
of these limits, then an acoustical analysis is required as part of the environmental review process for that project. For transportation noise sources, the
County Noise Element standards for residential areas allow an Ldn or CNEL of
60 dBA, or a maximum of 65 dBA if all practical exterior noise reduction
measures are applied (County of Sacramento, 1998, page 5).
The County Noise Control Ordinance (Chapter 6.68 of the County Code)
exempts noise sources associated with construction, demolition, paving, and
grading. These activities are not to take place after 8 p.m. or before 6 a.m. on
weekdays and 7 a.m. on weekends.
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(b) City of Sacramento
Noise element standards and policies are contained in the public health and
safety element (City of Sacramento, 1998) and summarized as follows for the
residential land-use category:
•
Less than 60 dB (Ldn or CNEL) normally acceptable; and
•
60 to 70 dB (Ldn or CNEL) conditionally acceptable.
Other standards exist for other land-use categories, and the public health and
safety element contains a more detailed set of interior and exterior noise
standards that are applicable to new development (City of Sacramento, 2004,
pages 8-28). The City of Sacramento Municipal Code (Section 8.68.060)
includes a noise ordinance that specifies acceptable noise limits for activities
that affect properties zoned as agricultural and residential. The allowable
limits are summarized as follows:
•
From 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., the exterior noise standard is 55 dBA; and
•
From 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., the exterior noise standard is 50 dBA.
Construction activities, however, are exempt from these limits as long as they
meet certain conditions. All internal combustion engines on equipment must
have suitable mufflers installed, and all construction activity must occur
during specified daytime hours.
(c) County of Yolo
The Yolo County General Plan (1983) identifies the following acceptable
noise ranges:
•
Low-density residential uses – less than 60 dB, conditionally acceptable
range of 55 to 70 dB;
•
High-density residential uses – less than 65 dB, conditionally acceptable
range of 60 to 70 dB;
•
Educational and medical facilities – less than 70 dB, conditionally
acceptable range of 60 to 70 dB; and
•
Office and commercial – less than 70 dB, conditionally acceptable range
of 67.5 to 77.5 dB.
The Sutter County General Plan (Sutter County, 1996) noise element noise
level standards for residential areas (provided in Table 7 of the General Plan)
are summarized as follows.
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•
During the daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.), the hourly equivalent sound
level (Leq) will not exceed 50 dB, and the maximum noise level will not
exceed 70 dB.
•
During the nighttime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), the Leq will not exceed 45
dB, and the maximum noise level will not exceed 65 dB.
(1) Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction
Study Area
The proposed reconstruction of the SMUD transmission line between SMUD’s
Hedge Substation and Power Inn Road will result in the addition of three new
wires. The existing line is located in a transmission line corridor with an existing
SMUD 230-kV double-circuit transmission line. The corridor crosses from the
southern portion of the City of Sacramento on the west into unincorporated land
in Sacramento County on the east. Land uses in the area are varied, ranging from
vacant land and some agricultural uses to industrial and commercial uses. For the
most part, the only residential areas adjacent to the transmission line corridor are
found near its eastern end. These include homes along Elder Creek Road (to the
north) and Tokay Lane (to the south), east and west of Hedge Avenue. A distance
of about 500 feet separates the homes to the north and south from the transmission
line right of way. In both directions, the distances between the existing homes and
the adjacent roadways are less than the distance from the homes to the
transmission line right of way. There are some vacant and industrial or heavy
commercial parcels interspersed in this area as well. From South Watt Avenue,
westward along the transmission line corridor to Power Inn Road in the City of
Sacramento, developed land uses are industrial or heavy commercial in nature,
and about two-thirds of the land is vacant. West of Power Inn Road, the land is
developed for mostly residential uses. Local traffic is the dominant noise source
in the area. Elder Creek Road is approximately 600 feet to the north of the right of
way for the transmission line reconstruction. Elder Creek Road is a two-lane road,
currently carrying approximately 5,000 annual average daily traffic (AADT).
Based on methods published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
(FHWA, 2004), the daytime Leq at 50 feet from the center of Elder Creek Road is
about 64 dBA, and the Ldn is about 67 dBA. In the vicinity of the transmission
line right of way, approximately 500 feet to the south of Elder Creek Road, the
daytime Leq values are about 54 dBA.
(2) North City Interconnection Study Area
The location for this interconnection is a small area, north of the American River
and east of SR 160 and a Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) river crossing, where
existing 115-kV lines of SMUD and PG&E cross one another. The area where the
transmission line right of ways cross is about 1,000 feet south of SR 160, which is
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the dominant noise source in the area. Based on an AADT of 53,000 (Caltrans,
2004), the Ldn at 50 feet from SR 160 is about 77 dBA, and the daytime Leq is
about 75 dBA. At the site of the proposed interconnection, the traffic noise is
reduced to a daytime Leq of about 62 dBA. Other noise sources in the area include
other surface streets, the two railroad lines that cross the river in this vicinity
(UPRR and Burlington Northern Santa Fe [BNSF] Railroad), and smaller
contributions from distant traffic and aircraft operations. The land under and
adjacent to the utility right of ways is a large vacant grassy field. Bicycle and
hiking trails cross the area and generally are oriented toward the main channel of
the American River, though they do cross under the utility lines in the area.
(3) Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area
The Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area includes portions of
Sacramento, Sutter, and Yolo Counties. The dominant land use in this study area
is agriculture, and the land is zoned A1 (Agricultural-General) and AP
(Agricultural-Preserve). Noise levels in this area are generally low; they originate
from aircraft operations at the Sacramento International Airport adjacent to and
south of the Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area, local and distant
roadway traffic, and agricultural operations, including crop dusting and the
operation of large agricultural equipment. SR 99/70 passes north-south across the
easterly portion of this study area. Based on an AADT of 38,500 (Caltrans, 2003),
the Ldn at 50 feet from SR 99 is about 81 dBA, and the daytime Leq is 78 dBA.
Areas within about 2,000 feet of the highway would have Ldn values of 65 dBA or
higher and Leq values of 62 dBA. This result is somewhat higher than that shown
in the Sacramento County General Plan noise element (Sacramento County, 1993,
Table II-4), which shows that the distance from the roadway centerline to the 60dB noise contour would be 2,000 feet.
Noise contours associated with the Sacramento International Airport are ellipses
that generally extend north-south and around the two runways, with an additional
ellipse further to the west (Figure IV-1). The 70-CNEL line from the airport noise
contours extends into the Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area along
Power Line Road and the Sacramento River (Airport Land Use Commission,
1994).
Other than the Sacramento International Airport, no noise contours have been
generated for Yolo County within the Woodland-Elverta transmission line study
area, and only roadway noise data have been provided in the General Plan. Based
on similarly traveled roadways in Yolo County, the 60-Ldn contour for surface
roadways in the interior portions of the study area (remote from SR 99) would
average 80 feet from the roadway centerline (Yolo County, 1983).
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(4) Willow Slough Substation Study Area
The Willow Slough substation study area is centered on the intersection of Roads
27 and 102, approximately midway between the Cities of Woodland and Davis.
As with the Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area, agriculture is the
dominant land use in the Willow Slough study area. About 12 homes are within or
in the vicinity of this study area; most are located in the quadrant to the southwest
of the intersection of County Roads 102 and 27. Noise levels are generally low;
they are associated with roadway traffic and distant aircraft operations. Based on
a traffic volume of about 3,000 AADT on these roadways, the Ldn at 50 feet
would be about 62 dBA. The typical daytime Leq in these areas near the existing
roadways would be about 60 dBA. A daytime Leq of 50 dBA or less would occur
about 500 feet from the nearest roadway.
(5) General Annexation Territory
Noise levels throughout the area proposed to be served by SMUD vary between
the urban areas in the Cities of West Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland and the
rural agricultural areas in unincorporated Yolo County. These areas are currently
served by PG&E, and the existing noise levels associated with the PG&E
electrical facilities are part of the background noise environment in these areas.
Noise levels from electrical facilities are typically very low when compared to
those from roadways, airports, mechanical equipment operation, and other
sources. When a transmission line is in operation, an electric field is generated in
the air surrounding the overhead conductor. When the intensity of the electric
field at the conductor surface exceeds the breakdown strength of the surrounding
air, a corona discharge occurs at the conductor surface. During this process,
electrical energy from the conductors is released and manifested as audible noise
and radio and television interference. The audible noise associated with a
transmission line is most often perceived as a buzz, hum, or crackling sound. The
noise level can increase when the overhead conductors are wet.
A different phenomenon, known as gap-type noise, is caused by an oxidized film
on the surface of two hardware pieces in contact. The film acts as an insulator
between the surfaces, and small electric arcs, which produce noise and radio or
television interference, are created.
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has conducted several transmission
line studies (EPRI, 1982). These studies measured sound levels at the ground
level beneath several power line sizes with wet conductors; the results are shown
in Table IV.I-2.
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Table IV.I-2: Typical Transmission Line Noise Levels
CORONA DISCHARGE
Line Voltage
Noise Level
138kV
33.5 dbA
240kV
40.4 dbA
356kV
51.0 dbA
These noise levels are at or below ambient noise levels that are typical of urban
and most rural areas. While the human ear may be able to distinguish the noise by
its characteristics, measurements of the noise from corona discharge are within
one or two dBA of ambient noise levels.
2.
Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines suggests that a development project can
have a significant impact on noise if the project causes any of the following
effects:
•
Exposure of persons to, or generation of noise levels in excess of, standards
established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies;
•
Exposure of persons to, or generation of excessive, groundborne vibration or
groundborne noise levels;
•
A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project
vicinity above levels existing without the project;
•
A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the
project vicinity above levels existing without the project; and
•
For a project located within an airport land-use plan, or, where such a plan has
not been adopted, within 2 miles of a public airport or public use airport, the
project exposes people residing or working in the project area to excessive
noise levels.
Instances where groundborne vibration or noise is substantial enough to be felt or
heard are usually associated with activities such as blasting or pile driving or with
the movement of very heavy equipment, such as railroads or mining equipment
(Federal Transit Administration, 1995, page 7-1). The perceptible vibrations from
typical construction activities are limited to the immediate construction site. The
construction and operation of electrical transmission lines and a substation will
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not involve blasting, pile driving, or the use of any equipment likely to generate
groundborne vibrations or noise that can be perceived off of the immediate
construction site. For these reasons, this issue is not analyzed further here.
The Program will not expose people residing or working within the vicinity of
Sacramento International Airport to excessive noise levels. The Program does not
involve any residential development; therefore, it will not create a situation in
which new residences are exposed to excessive aircraft noise. The Program will
necessitate placing some workers in the general vicinity of the Sacramento
International Airport. This could occur during the construction of the WoodlandElverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6) or during service
and maintenance trips by SMUD employees related to operations after the
annexation has been completed (Program Component 9). Whether the exposure to
noise occurs from aircraft operations, the use of construction equipment, or any
other source, SMUD and its contractors must comply with the California law that
governs occupational noise exposure. These requirements are identified in Table
IV.I-1 and are in 8 CCR 5095. For an 8-hour duration, workers may not be
exposed to noise in excess of 90 dBA. For shorter periods, higher exposures are
allowed, up to a maximum of 115 dBA for 15 minutes. All employers, including
SMUD and any contractors that SMUD uses (including PG&E), are required to
prepare and implement hearing conservation plans for workers in noisy
environments. Typical measures that are identified in such plans include
scheduling and changing assignments to provide respite from continuous noise
exposures, installing mufflers and other noise control measures on mechanical
equipment, providing ear plugs or similar personal protective equipment, and
monitoring noise levels with personal noise dosimeters designed to measure
compliance with the applicable exposure standards. These measures, which are
required by state law, serve to avoid excessive worker exposure to high noise
levels. This issue, therefore, is not analyzed further in this EIR.
For permanent noise levels caused by the operation of the various program
components, the standards set forth in the local governments’ noise elements and
ordinances were reviewed. These noise standards provide appropriate significance
thresholds for this impact because they are intended to protect public health and
welfare and reflect community standards and concerns within each jurisdiction.
Of these standards, the most conservative or protective of the environment are
found in the Sacramento County noise element, related to allowable noise levels
from non-transportation noise sources, and in the Sutter County noise element
standards for residential uses. Both specify allowable noise levels based on the
time of day. In Sacramento County, for non-transportation noise sources, the
limits are summarized as follows.
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•
During the daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.), the median noise level (L50, or
noise level exceeded 50% of the time) will not exceed 50 dBA, and the Lmax
will not exceed 70 dBA.
•
During the nighttime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), the L50 will not exceed 45
dBA, and the Lmax will not exceed 65 dBA.
In Sutter County, the noise level standards for residential areas are summarized as
follows.
•
During the daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.), the hourly equivalent sound
level (Leq) will not exceed 50 dB, and the Lmax will not exceed 70 dB.
•
During the nighttime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), the Leq will not exceed 45 dB
and the maximum noise level will not exceed 65 dB.
To compare these standards with one another, or with those from other
jurisdictions (and used in the Sacramento County noise element for transportation
sources), the statistical measurement of L50 must be related to the energyequivalent measurement of Leq. For time-symmetrical noise events, the L50 noise
metric is the same as the Leq that is used as the basis for the 24-hour Ldn or CNEL
standards (Everbach, 2001). Assuming a daytime Leq of 50 dBA and a nighttime
Leq of 45 dBA, which are consistent with the Sacramento and Sutter County
standards, leads to an Ldn value of about 53 dBA. This Ldn level is less than (more
stringent than) the 60 dBA or 65 dBA Ldn standard that is used in other noise
elements. Therefore, permanent noise levels associated with the proposed
program greater than 53 dBA Ldn were considered to result in a significant impact.
A threshold of significance concerning marginal increases in noise levels is
frequently considered when ambient noise is well below applicable standards. For
example, if the ambient noise level in a rural area is 50 dBA Ldn, it would be
possible for a new source to increase noise levels by over 10 dBA without
exceeding a typical 65 dBA standard. In this instance, agencies may recommend
an additional standard that specifies an allowable increase. The City of
Sacramento (City of Sacramento, 1998) states:
When evaluating changes in community noise levels, or Ldn, a
difference of 3 dBA is a barely perceptible increase to most people.
A 5 dBA increase is readily noticeable, while a difference of 10 dBA
would be perceived as a doubling of loudness.
For this analysis, in areas where ambient noise levels are below an applicable
standard, a permanent increase that either causes the standard to be exceeded or
that increases noise levels by 3 dBA was considered to be a significant impact.
Temporary increases in noise levels will be associated with program construction
activities. Of the local jurisdictions that will be affected by construction, the two
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with noise ordinances addressing activities creating short-term noise increases
both exempt construction activities. The exemptions and other language in the
ordinances create a performance standard that defines allowable limits for
construction activity—that is, construction activity must occur during normal
work hours and days. This limitation is already incorporated in the program
description as BMP 4. For assessment purposes, the daytime Leq (or L50) standard
used for evaluating the significance of long-term noise changes also was used as
the significance threshold for short-term construction effects.
In summary, two general noise criteria were used for this impact analysis.
Program-related noise that exceeds one of the community criteria already
described is considered a significant impact. Where Program-related noise, in
combination with ambient noise, does not exceed the criteria but does increase
ambient noise by 3 dBA or more, the Program-related noise is considered a
significant impact. An increase of 3 dBA was used for this criterion because most
people do not perceive that there is a change in noise level when that change is
less than 3 dBA.
Two major issues regarding noise are evaluated in this EIR. These are the effects
of the Program on permanent noise levels, and the effects of infrastructure
construction on short-term noise levels. The evaluation methods used in each
involve obtaining literature values for the anticipated noise levels and comparing
the values with the thresholds already noted. Literature or computed values for
source noise are given for specified reference distances from the source. For
example, roadway noise levels are frequently specified at a reference distance of
50 feet from the centerline of the roadway. Equipment noise levels are commonly
specified at a reference distance of 50 feet for mobile equipment. For some areas,
adjustments were made to the literature values to account for varying distances
from the noise source. Distance attenuation of noise levels was estimated based
on a 6 dBA reduction for each doubling of distance for point sources and a 3 dBA
reduction for each doubling of distance for line sources. For example, if the noise
level at 50 feet from the centerline of a given roadway (a line source) is 70 dBA,
then doubling the distance to 100 feet will reduce the noise level by 3 dBA to 67
dBA.
Noise is perceived over an extremely wide range of actual sound pressure levels
(e.g., Newtons per square meter or pounds per square inch). Because of this, noise
levels are normally expressed in an easier-to-use, unitless value, called a decibel.
Decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale. The conversion of a pressure level
to a decibel actually involves taking the base-ten logarithm of the pressure level
(after dividing by a reference level). To add noise levels expressed in decibels,
one cannot add the decibels together because they are logarithms of actual
pressure levels, and adding logarithms will result in multiplying actual pressure
levels together. Because of this, the addition of noise levels in decibels cannot be
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done directly; rather, the decibels must be converted mathematically back into
actual pressure levels, then added, and then the logarithm of that addition yields a
result in decibels. This is why the exposure to two 50 decibel noise levels at the
same time results in an exposure to about 53 decibels, rather than 100 decibels, as
one might otherwise expect. (In fact, 100 decibels would indicate a pressure level
some 1,000 times the real pressure level of two simultaneous 50-decibel
exposures.)
(1) Potential Impacts
(a) Impact NOI-1: Construction Noise
As described hereafter, noise from the equipment used to construct program
components will average about 88 dBA at 50 feet from the source. Therefore,
based on noise attenuation with distance, construction noise will be less than
50 dBA at about 4,000 feet from the construction site. All of the program
components are separated by many miles. For this reason, construction noise
from program components will not be additive at any receptor in the study
area. Construction noise impacts are described hereafter for each program
component.
i. Impact NOI-1a: Noise from Reconstruction of the Power Inn Road to
Hedge Substation Transmission Line. Construction operations for the
Study Area (Program Component 4) may involve minor grading to
provide access to the locations for each support pole, drilling and pouring
concrete for foundations, erection of poles, and installation of conductors.
At the location of each pole, the disturbance area would be approximately
3,200 square feet. Typical noise levels for construction equipment
anticipated to be used for program construction are listed in Table IV.I-3,
along with other common equipment types. Most homes in the study area
are located about 500 feet from the right of way for this transmission line.
The total duration of construction for the Power Inn Road to Hedge
substation transmission line will be about nine weeks. Construction
activities will occur during daytime periods and at varying positions along
the transmission line route as work progresses. Thus, the noise effects will
occur at a single location for a period of a few days, as foundations are
constructed in that vicinity, and then for another short period, as poles are
erected, and finally for another short period, as the conductors are
installed. Although the local jurisdictions with noise ordinances
specifically exempt construction activities from numerical noise level
limits, the anticipated construction noise levels still will exceed the 50dBA Leq significance threshold. Therefore, construction of the Power Inn
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Road to Hedge substation transmission line will result in a short-term
significant impact.
The City of Sacramento noise ordinance exempts construction noise from
its restrictions for as long as construction occurs during daytime hours.
BMP 4 requires SMUD or its contractors to conduct all construction
activities between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through
Saturday, and between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. This is
consistent with Sacramento Municipal Code Section 8.68.080.E. While
implementation of this BMP will comply with community standards
regarding noise, it will not reduce short-term noise levels at adjacent
properties during the daytime.
Table IV.I-3: Noise Levels from Construction Equipment
Equipment Type
Front Loader
Backhoes
Tractors
Scrapers
Graders
Pavers
Trucks
Concrete Mixers
Concrete Pumps
Cranes, movable
Cranes, derrick
Pumps
Generators
Compressors
Mounted breakers
(hoerams)
Pneumatic wrenches
Jackhammers and rock
drills
Boring or drill rigs
Impact drivers (peak)
Vibrator
Saws
PI Rd-Hedge
NC Int.
Woodl-Elv.
WS
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=
=
=
=
Expected Use in Component*
WS
WS
PI Rd-Hedge, NC Int. Woodl.-Elv., WS
(line tensioner is similar)
Range in Noise Level
(dBA at 50 feet)
72-84
72-93
77-96
80-93
80-93
86-89
82-94
75-88
81-84
75-88
86-89
68-72
71-82
74-87
76-94
82-89
81-98
PI Rd-Hedge, NC Int. Woodl.-Elv.,
Power Inn Rd. to Hedge Transmission Line Reconstruction
North City Substation Interconnection
Woodland to Elverta Transmission Line
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85-90
95-106
69-81
72-82
Chapter IV
Mitigation Measure NOI-1: SMUD will incorporate the following
measures into its plans, contracts, and specifications for work on each of
the infrastructure components of this Program.
•
Stationary construction equipment, such as generators, that generate
noise exceeding 50 dBA at the project boundaries will be located as far
as possible from existing residences in the vicinity of any
infrastructure component.
•
Access routes for all construction traffic and equipment involved will
be located along existing public or private roads to minimize
construction traffic volumes passing existing residences in the vicinity
of any infrastructure component.
•
All vehicles and equipment not in use will be turned off and not
allowed to idle for more than 10 minutes at a time.
These measures will help to reduce the vehicle and other construction
noise that may affect residents in the vicinity of the infrastructure
components, but it is likely that they will not reduce Leq values to below
50 dBA at the edge of the right of way or property where construction is
occurring.
Significance of Impact NOI-1 After Mitigation. Because the
implementation of BMP 4 and Mitigation NOI-1 may not reduce shortterm noise levels at adjacent properties to below 50 dBA Leq, the shortterm construction noise impacts for Program Component 4 will remain
significant.
ii. Impact NOI-1b: Noise from Construction of the North City
Interconnection. Construction operations for the North City
Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5) will involve a brief
period of drilling for the foundations of one or two poles, placing concrete
to form the foundation(s), erecting the poles, and connecting the
conductors. The total duration of construction for the North City
interconnection will be about one week. Construction activities will occur
during daytime periods and will remain within or adjacent to the point
where the PG&E and SMUD right of ways cross.
No homes are in the immediate vicinity, and nearby offices are about
1,000 feet to the northeast on the northern side of the northern levee along
the American River. At this distance, construction noise will be attenuated
by about 26 dBA. The barrier provided by the American River levee
provides approximately 10 dBA in additional noise reduction. Thus, the
maximum exterior noise levels anticipated at the nearest offices will be
about 59 dBA. This value is far below the Lmax limit of 70 dBA, which is
part of the threshold of significance used in this EIR. Non-residential uses,
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such as offices, have a higher threshold for noise in community noise
standards, typically on the order of 65 to 70 dBA Ldn or CNEL.
Construction noise at these offices will not approach those levels.
Recreational users on the American River Parkway trails in the vicinity of
the North City Interconnection will experience high noise levels that may
be disruptive, up to 80 or 90 dBA, for very short periods as they pass by
the construction site. Given the very short duration of the construction
period for this component, and that distance and barrier noise reductions
will reduce the noise levels at the nearest permanent land uses to below
the threshold of significance, the noise impact of construction for the
North City interconnection will be less than significant.
iii. Impact NOI-1c: Noise from Construction of the Woodland-Elverta
Transmission Line. While the Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line
Study Area (Program Component 6) is not extensively developed, there
are a few farm residences in the area and future development is planned
generally along Elverta Road in Sacramento County, which is the easterly
portion of the study area. Depending on the exact future location of
construction activities for this component, and how they relate to the
nearest residences, it is possible that homes may be exposed to temporary
noise levels in excess of the daytime Lmax of 70 dBA. This will result in a
significant short-term impact. BMP 4 described above under NOI-1a will
ensure that this noise impact does not exceed community standards, and
mitigation measure NOI-1 will ensure that construction noise is
minimized; however, this short-term noise impact will remain significant
if the transmission line is located near existing homes.
iv. Impact NOI-1d: Noise from Construction of the Willow Slough
Substation. While the study area for the Willow Slough Substation is
generally rural and agricultural in nature, approximately 12 homes are in
the vicinity. Depending on the exact future location of construction
activities for this component and how they relate to the nearest residences,
it is possible that homes may be exposed to temporary noise levels in
excess of either the 50 dBA Leq or the 70 dBA Lmax. This will result in a
significant short-term impact. BMP 4 described above under NOI-1a will
ensure that this noise impact does not exceed community standards, and
mitigation measure NOI-1 will ensure that construction noise is
minimized; however, this short-term noise impact will remain significant.
v. Impact NOI-1e: Noise from Reconductoring in the Annexation
Territory. The noise levels associated with Other Distribution System
Upgrades (Program Component 8) will range up to about 88 dBA at 50
feet because the types of activities in this program component will not
involve heavy equipment, though they may involve trucks and cranes
(Table IV.I-3). Depending on the exact future location of activities in this
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component and how they relate to the nearest residences, it is possible that
homes may be exposed to temporary noise levels in excess of either the 50
dBA Leq or the 70 dBA Lmax thresholds. This will result in a significant
short-term impact. BMP 4 described above under NOI-1a will ensure that
this noise impact does not exceed community standards, and mitigation
measure NOI-1 will ensure that construction noise is minimized; however,
this short-term noise impact will remain significant.
(b) Impact NOI-2: Operational Noise
i. Impact NOI-2a: Noise from Operations and Maintenance. Program
Component 9 consists of normal O&M activities for the electrical system
in the Annexation Territory. These activities are currently being conducted
by PG&E. O&M under the Program will be the same as it currently is
from the standpoint of noise generation. Therefore, Program Component 9
will have no impact on the noise environment.
ii. Impact NOI-2b: Noise from New Transmission Lines. Operational
noise for the new power transmission lines proposed under Program
Components 4, 5, and 6 will consist of the occasional cracking sounds
associated with corona discharge from high voltage power lines. As
indicated in Table IV.I-2, noise from the transmission line will be about 40
dBA. This noise level is at or below ambient noise levels typical of urban
and most rural areas. Therefore, this noise will be less than significant.
The current daytime Leq value from Elder Creek Road in the vicinity of the
Study Area (Program Component 4) is approximately 54 dBA. From
Table IV.I-1, the existing 230-kV transmission lines in this right of way
may be expected to cause Leq values up to about 40 dBA at ground level
under these lines, and the existing 115-kV lines will contribute slightly
less than 33 dBA. Because of the large differences between the
transmission line noise and the roadway noise, their logarithmic sum is
only about 54.2 dBA. From Table IV.I-1, the corona discharge noise from
the new 115-kV transmission line is expected to be below 33 dBA.
Adding this new 33 dBA to the previous sum of 54.2 dBA yields a new
logarithmic sum of 54.2 dBA. At the sites of the homes nearest to the right
of way for this program component, the roadway noise levels are even
higher (daytime Leq of about 64 dBA), and the transmission line noise will
be even lower (about 30 dBA). The relative effect of the new transmission
line at these homes will be even less than the effect directly under the
lines—or indiscernible, for all practical purposes.
The current daytime Leq value from SR 160 is approximately 62 dBA in
the vicinity of the North City Interconnection Study Area (Program
Component 5). From Table IV.I-1, the existing 115-kV transmission lines
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in this right of way may be expected to cause Leq values up to about 33
dBA at ground level under these lines. Because of the large differences
between the transmission line noise and the roadway noise, their
logarithmic sum is only about 62 dBA. No new transmission lines will be
added at this location—this component will involve only the addition of
two poles and short lengths of conductor to interconnect the two systems.
Because of this, there will be no effects on the noise environment at this
location.
The current daytime Leq value from SR 99 in the Woodland-Elverta
Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6) is approximately
78 dBA at 50 feet from the highway and 62 dBA out to a distance of 2,000
feet. It would be necessary to travel 30,000 feet from this highway, or
about one-third of the way across the length of the study area for Program
Component 6, for the noise from this highway to fall below the 50 dBA
daytime Leq used as the threshold of significance for evaluating noise
effects. In addition, much of the study area is affected by aircraft
operations that raise the Ldn values to over 60 dBA, and traffic on local
roadways may contribute additional noise. From Table IV.I-1, the new
115-kV transmission lines proposed for the program in this study area may
be expected to cause Leq values up to about 33 dBA at ground level under
the lines. Even in the quietest portions of the study area, the addition of 33
dBA to an existing Leq of 50 dBA will result in a logarithmic sum of 50
dBA. Thus, the new 115-kV transmission line through this area will have
no impact on the noise environment.
iii. Impact NOI-2c: Noise from Willow Slough Substation. Transformers
operating within the Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program
Component 7) will emit a continuous hum at a frequency of 60 cycles per
second, and cooling fans associated with transformers may emit additional
noise. There also will be some occasional corona discharge noise from the
115-kV lines in and adjacent to the substation, which currently run northsouth along County Road 102 through the study area. The resulting noise
levels at the property line of the substation will be a function of the
number of transformers operating, the distance between the transformers
and the property line, and the type of security (fence or wall) used at the
property line. Based on the design of similar substations, the following
assumptions were used to compute the Leq from the substation operation at
the substation property line.
Number of transformers
Transformer source noise
Total transformer source noise
Area of substation
Distance from transformers to property line
Perimeter type
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4
60 dBA each at 3 feet
66 dBA at 3 feet
2 acres
147 feet
fence (no noise barrier)
Chapter IV
With these assumptions, the resulting Leq at the substation boundary will
be about 33 dBA. The substation probably will be close to County Road
102, since that is where the existing 115-kV transmission line is. In this
area, the daytime Leq is about 60 dBA. The addition of 33 dBA from the
substation to this existing noise level will result in a logarithmic sum of 60
dBA, or no change. Even at locations more distant from the roads, where
the existing daytime Leq values are 50 dBA, adding the substation noise
will result in a logarithmic sum of 50 dBA. If added to a nighttime Leq of
45 dBA, the substation still will result in a logarithmic sum of 45 dBA.
(The actual result will be 45.3 dBA.) Thus, under most circumstances, the
substation contribution to permanent noise levels will not be significant.
If the substation were to occupy a much smaller area than the assumed two
acres, or if the transformers were not centrally located within the
substation property but were just inside its perimeter, then the resulting
noise levels at the property line might be sufficiently high to influence
long-term noise levels. For example, using the above assumptions but
reducing the distance between the transformers and the property line to 50
feet results in a substation noise of 42 dBA. Added to a daytime Leq of 50
dBA, this will lead to a logarithmic sum of 51 dBA—a small increase, but
sufficient to exceed the threshold for a significant impact in this EIR. If
considered with a nighttime Leq limit of 45 dBA, the resulting sum is 47
dBA, which exceeds the threshold of significance. For this reason, the
effect of the Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component
7) on permanent noise levels is considered a potentially significant impact.
No BMPs are proposed for the Program that will reduce this noise impact.
Mitigation Measure NOI-2: In determining the final location and in
developing the final designs for the Willow Slough substation, SMUD will
ensure that transformer noise at the property line will not exceed 40 dBA
Leq.
Significance of Impact NOI-2c Following Mitigation. Implementation
of Mitigation Measure NOI-2 will ensure that the contribution of the
substation noise to the existing daytime Leq of 50 dBA and nighttime Leq
of 45 dBA are less than 0.5 dBA. This will reduce the effect of the
substation operation on existing noise levels to less than significant.
3.
Indirect Effects on the Environment
With implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-2, noise from Program facilities will
not exceed 33 dBA Leq below the transmission lines or beyond the substation property
line. This noise level is at or below ambient noise throughout the Program study area;
therefore, Program noise will not increase ambient noise in the region. The presence of
transmission lines and a substation will not attract noise-generating activities to the area.
For these reasons, the Program will have no indirect noise impacts.
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4.
Cumulative Effects on the Environment
Construction noise effects of the program will be superimposed on existing noise levels
originating from roadway traffic, aircraft operations, agricultural work, and other sources
in the various component areas. Noise levels are variable, but generally low, in the areas
that will be affected by the Program. Periodic short-term construction and its related
noise are common occurrences in urban and rural areas, particularly areas experiencing
population growth and development similar to what is experienced in northern
Sacramento and Yolo Counties. The proposed annexation and construction of facilities
necessary for SMUD to serve the Annexation Territory will not significantly alter landuse patterns or activities within the areas to be served or the areas where proposed
facilities will be located. For these reasons, cumulative noise effects in the areas affected
by the Program are not expected to be significant, and the Program’s contribution to these
cumulative noise levels will be minor and also not significant.
5.
Monitoring and Reporting
SMUD will implement two monitoring and reporting protocols for the potential Program
noise impacts. SMUD construction inspectors will monitor work hours to ensure noisegenerating equipment is not operated outside the hours specified by BMP 3. Any
violations of this policy will be recorded, and the records will be provided to LAFCo
quarterly during the construction period. SMUD will prepare a report showing the
location of the transformers for the Willow Slough substation relative to the property
boundary before construction of the substation. This report will be provided to LAFCo.
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J.
POPULATION/HOUSING
This section describes how the Program will affect population and housing in the Annexation
Territory and the Sacramento municipal area. Where significant effects are identified, mitigation
1.
significant environmental impact on population/housing.
The analysis area for potential direct impacts relative to population/housing includes
all of the jurisdictions covered by SACOG. This area was selected because
employment associated with the Program could affect people from Sacramento, Yolo,
Sutter, El Dorado, Placer, and Yuba Counties and all incorporated cities within those
counties.
The analysis area for potential cumulative impacts relative to population and housing
is the same as the analysis area for direct and indirect impacts because this area
covers the entire region that could be influenced economically by the Program.
There are no regulatory policies regarding population and housing relevant to the
Program.
Based on the 2000 Census, the population of the Sacramento-Yolo County area was
1,796,857. The median age of this population is relatively high, at 34.5 years, with the
35- to 44-year-old age group representing 16.3% of the population. About 70% of the
population is white, with Asians representing the next largest ethnic group in the
population, at 9%. The median household income of the Sacramento-Yolo County
area is $46,106, and the per capita income is $22,302.
The 2000 Census recorded 714,981 housing units in the Sacramento-Yolo County
area. There were a total of 49,683 vacant housing units. Of this total of vacant units,
21,374 units are for seasonal, recreational, or other occasional uses.
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2.
Consideration and Discussion of Potentially Significant Environmental Impacts
have a significant impact on population/housing, if the project would cause any of
•
Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example,
by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through
extension of roads or other infrastructure);
•
Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere; or
•
Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere.
The Program is not a development project. Therefore, none of the CEQA
guidance applies directly.
LAFCO, as the Lead Agency, has determined that Program-related impacts
relative to population/housing will result if the Program or any program
component will:
(a) Increase population growth beyond that forecast by SACOG within the
Program study area;
(b) Increase housing demand beyond the available housing stock; or
(c) Pre-empt housing on land planned for housing development.
SACOG provides population forecasts for Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, El Dorado,
Placer, and Yuba Counties and all incorporated cities within these counties. Each
of the jurisdictions provides input into these growth forecasts, based on the local
planning staff’s knowledge of their particular jurisdiction. These data and 2000
Census data were used, in addition to expected employment requirements of the
Program, to evaluate potential impacts.
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(1) Impact PH-1: Increase Population Growth
There are contractors and workers in the Sacramento metropolitan area with
experience in constructing power transmission lines and substations. Program
components are relatively small, requiring the construction of one substation and
approximately 20 miles of transmission line. Therefore, it is not expected that the
construction of program components will result in in-migration of construction
workers to the Program study area.
The Program will create 79 new positions with SMUD. SMUD has determined
that the skill and knowledge required for these new jobs are available within the
labor pool in the Program study area. SMUD also has committed to hire any
qualified PG&E employees displaced by the Program. Based on the population
size of the region and the small number of new jobs required, it is not expected
that anyone will migrate to the region specifically for these jobs. Therefore, the
Program is not expected to cause any increase in regional population.
If it were assumed that all Program jobs would be filled by people from outside
the region, the Program still would have only a minor effect on population
growth. The average household size in the Program study area used by SACOG in
its estimates of population growth is 2.76. Assuming that all of the people filling
these SMUD jobs were married with families, this would result in regional
population growth of 218 people. SACOG estimates that regional population will
grow to 2,326,308 by 2010 and 2,864,387 by 2025. The population increase
associated with the Program, even if every new job brought a family to the region,
would have a less than significant impact on projected population growth.
(2) Impact PH-2: Increase Housing Demand
As discussed under Impact PH-1, the Program will create no demand for housing.
Even if it were assumed that all of the new jobs created by the Program generated
the need for housing units, this would only total 79 units. Based on the census,
there were 28,309 vacant housing units that were not used for part-time or
recreational occupancy in the Sacramento-Yolo County area in 2000. The housing
stock in this region has continued to grow. Therefore, even if the Program
resulted in the need for housing, the demand would be substantially less than the
available vacant housing stock. For this reason, the Program will have a less than
significant impact on housing.
(3) Impact PH-3: Preempt Housing on Land Planned for Housing Development
Measure M passed by the voters of Sutter County calls for the development of a
new community in southern Sutter County on the border of Sacramento County.
The Natomas Joint Vision Area located in northern Sacramento County also
includes residential and commercial development. The Woodland-Elverta
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transmission line may pass through these areas. The specific alignment of the
transmission line has not yet been determined, and there is no specific plan for
new communities in southern Sutter County or northern Sacramento County.
Therefore, it is not possible, at this time, to determine the effect of the WoodlandElverta transmission line on future community development.
The presence of a transmission line does not preclude residential or commercial
development on adjacent lands or under the transmission lines. The transmission
line right of way also can be used for recreation in urban areas, such as parks and
walking and bicycle trails.
As part of BMP 1, SMUD will work cooperatively with city and county
jurisdictions and landowners to attempt to avoid conflicts in siting the WoodlandElverta transmission line. This will minimize any potential impact to future
housing in Sutter and Sacramento Counties to a less than significant level.
indirect effects to population and housing.
Annexation of Yolo County territory into SMUD’s service area may be viewed in the
context of Yolo County’s comprehensive update to its general plan. Yolo County
planning staff, in response to the Program’s NOP, has not identified any conflicts
between SMUD’s proposal and the County’s general plan update. Therefore, LAFCo
anticipates that, upon adoption of the new Yolo County General Plan, the Yolo
County Board of Supervisors will continue to control the rate and direction of
population growth in the Annexation Territory.
residential developments. Relative to growth, SACOG’s Blueprint (SACOG, 2005a)
projects that 304 square miles (194,560 acres) to 661 square miles (423,040 acres) of
land in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western Placer Counties will be converted from
existing rural uses to urban use by 2050. The Program will contribute to the growth of
the region by reducing electrical costs in the Annexation Territory; electrical costs is
one of many factors influencing population growth in western Yolo County.
land-use development in local jurisdictions. SACOG and its member jurisdictions
recognize that the region can expect substantial future growth and are planning for
that growth.
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The SACOG Blueprint is a visioning/planning effort for orderly development in the
greater Sacramento metropolitan area that includes portions of Sacramento, Placer,
Yolo, Yuba, El Dorado, and Sutter Counties. This region is anticipated to add over
1.7 million people, growing to 3.6 million people, and to more than double the
number of homes, from 713,000 to 1.5 million, by 2050. Assessments show that
existing general plans do not accommodate future population, housing, or job growth
adequately. The Blueprint uses the planning principles of housing options, compact
development, transportation choices, mixed land uses, conservation of natural
resources, use of existing assets, and quality design to address the anticipated future
need. The SACOG Board of Directors adopted the Preferred Blueprint Scenario in
December of 2005. The scenario proposes shifts in the allocation of housing and jobs
in the region in a way that encourages less dependence on single-driver commutes.
The scenario encourages increased residential development near transit, smaller
single-family lots, and increased mixed-use developments while seeking to preserve
open space and improve commute times and air quality in the region. The Blueprint
also measures the impacts and benefits of the adopted scenario on existing conditions.
Some cities and counties in the region have begun to incorporate the Blueprint’s
smart growth principles.
The results of the siting study that will determine the alignment for the WoodlandElverta transmission line will be provided to LAFCo for review before construction
of the transmission line begins.
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K.
PUBLIC SERVICES
This section describes how development associated with the Program will affect public services.
Where significant adverse effects on the environment are identified, mitigation measures are
provided to reduce these impacts to the extent feasible.
1.
Guidelines. This environmental setting is the baseline for determining whether the
Program will have significant environmental impacts on public services.
The analysis area for potential direct and indirect impacts includes the service district
areas affected by implementation of the Program in Sacramento, Sutter, and Yolo
Counties and the cities of Davis, Sacramento, West Sacramento, and Woodland. This
area was selected based on the Program’s potential to result in a decline in existing
public services or the need to construct new facilities elsewhere in the affected city or
county.
The analysis area for potential cumulative impacts is the same as the analysis area for
direct and indirect impacts because impacts to service areas associated with the
Program will not extend outside of this area.
No regulatory policies related to public services apply to the analysis area.
Fire protection services associated with the program components are provided by the
city fire departments in Davis, West Sacramento, and Woodland, and by fire districts
in Sacramento, Sutter, and Yolo Counties. Police protection services are provided by
the city police departments in Davis, West Sacramento, and Woodland and by the
sheriff departments in Sacramento, Sutter, and Yolo Counties. SMUD also operates
its own Asset Protection group that provides security for its facilities. Existing parks
located in the study area are operated and maintained by the Yolo County Parks and
Natural Resources Division, the Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks,
Recreation and Open Space, the Sutter County Public Works Department, City of
Davis Parks and Community Services Department, City of Woodland Parks,
Recreation & Community Services Department, and City of Sacramento Department
of Parks and Recreation. A multiple number of school districts serve the cities of
Davis, Sacramento, West Sacramento, and Woodland and the counties of Sacramento,
Yolo, and Sutter.
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2.
have a significant impact on public service if the component would cause any of
(a) The project would result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated
with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need
for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of
which could cause significant environmental impacts, to maintain acceptable
service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of the
public services:
•
Fire protection;
•
Police protection;
•
Schools;
•
Parks; and
•
Other public facilities.
(2) Thresholds of Significance Adopted in This EIR
LAFCo, as Lead Agency, has determined that Program-related impacts relative to
public services will be significant if the program or any program component will
directly or indirectly restrict the ability of jurisdictions (cities of Davis,
Sacramento, West Sacramento and Woodland, and Sacramento, Sutter, and Yolo
Counties) to provide adequate public services, as judged by the following:
(a) Prevent affected jurisdictions from meeting the desired police response time;
(b) Prevent affected jurisdictions from meeting the desired fire response time;
(c) Prevent affected jurisdictions from providing the desired classroom size in
public schools; or
(d) Prevent affected jurisdictions from providing desired park land.
Police and sheriff departments, fire departments, and fire districts were contacted
to determine their current service levels. The general plans for the cities of West
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Sacramento and Woodland and for Sacramento and Yolo Counties were reviewed
to identify any fire or police stations that will be physically affected by the
development of the proposed transmission and substation facilities, given their
present locations. Maps available on Web sites for the school districts that have
jurisdiction over the program component areas were reviewed to determine the
presence of existing schools. In addition, maps available on Web sites for the
municipal parks and recreation departments that have jurisdiction over the
program component areas were reviewed to determine the presence of existing
parks.
(1) Impact PS-1: Impacts on Police and Fire Service Response Times
No program component will require the modification of any existing roads or the
creation of any permanent new roads. During construction of the program
components, vehicles will be parked off of roadways to ensure that they do not
interfere with the provision of services in the area. Therefore, the Program will
have no effects on the response times of police and fire services.
The Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction
Study Area and the North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Components
4 and 5) will either reconstruct or slightly modify existing electrical transmission
facilities. Therefore, these program components will not require any additional
fire or police protection services beyond what is required for the existing
facilities, and these program components will not interfere with existing response
times.
Program Component 6 will be located primarily in irrigated agricultural land, and
Program Component 7 is in irrigated agricultural land. Therefore, these program
components will not substantially increase fire hazards. In the event of theft,
vandalism, or unauthorized climbing or entry of Program facilities, SMUD’s
Asset Protection security force generally will be the first responder. Therefore,
rapid police response typically will not be necessary for the SMUD facilities.
Based on the operations of existing SMUD facilities, it is estimated that there will
be an average of approximately 1 call for police protection services every 6
months for the Woodland-Elverta transmission line and Willow Slough
substation, and this will be a non-emergency call. Fire protection services will be
needed, at an average, no more often than once very 10 years. Therefore, these
program components will not place substantial additional demands on existing
police and fire services in the study area. For these reasons, Program Components
6 and 7 will have a less than significant impact on police and fire services.
Program Component 8 involves reconductoring in the Annexation Territory and
consists of the replacement of existing overhead wires with new, slightly larger
diameter, overhead wires. The use of a larger wire does not change the risk of fire
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in a transmission line. Therefore, this program component will not require any
additional fire protection service beyond what has been required previously for
these existing facilities. During Program construction, there may be a short-term
need for police and fire protection services. Police services may be necessary in
the event of theft or vandalism of construction materials or equipment. Fire
protection services may be necessary if construction activities result in a fire or
medical emergency. BMP 5 will ensure that this demand on police and fire
service will be less than significant. BMP 5 includes the following.
•
SMUD and its contractors will have and implement a written security plan to
minimize the potential for vandalism or theft from construction, storage, or
lay-down sites used for construction or reconstruction components of the
Program. The objective of this BMP is to reduce or eliminate the need for
police or sheriff responses and to prevent the loss of building materials, tools,
and equipment.
•
SMUD and its contractors will have and implement a written Injury and
Illness Prevention Plan and Safety Plan in compliance with minimum
OSHA/Cal OSHA requirements to minimize the potential injury and illness of
workers or any site visitors for the program components. The objective of this
BMP is to reduce or eliminate the need for emergency medical responses and
to reduce injury or illness of any severity.
•
SMUD and its contractors will have and implement a written fire protection
plan to minimize potential fires at construction, storage, or laydown sites used
for construction or reconstruction components of the Program. SMUD will
plan for, and have available at each construction site, appropriate fire
prevention and suppression equipment, from fire extinguishers to on-site
water tanks or a tanker truck, as appropriate for the work being performed, the
weather, and the adjacent environmental conditions. The objective of this
BMP is to reduce or eliminate the need for fire department response.
(2) Impact PS-2: Impacts to Schools
No schools are located within one-quarter mile of any of the program
components. As discussed in Section J (Population/Housing), it is expected that
the 79 permanent jobs created by the Program will be filled by former PG&E
personnel or from the existing labor pool in the Sacramento area. Therefore, it is
unlikely that workers will move to the Sacramento area for these jobs or increase
the number of school children. However, if it were assumed that all 79 jobs were
taken by people moving to the area for those jobs, that each new employee
represented a new household in the region, and that those households had two
school-aged children, then the total increase in school children in the Sacramento
area related to the Program would be only 158. This is a small number, well
within the annual turnover rate of children whose families move into or out of
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school districts in a metropolitan area the size of Sacramento. Therefore, the
Program will have a less than significant impact on schools.
(3) Impact PS-3: Impacts to Parks
All of the program components except for the Woodland-Elverta Transmission
Line Study Area and Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program
Components 6 and 7) involve minor modifications or refurbishment of existing
electrical transmission facilities. Therefore, Program Components 4, 5, and 8 will
have no impact on planned or existing park lands.
According to the Yolo County Parks and Open Space Master Plan, and based on
available information for Sacramento and Sutter County, no parks are proposed
within the study areas for the Woodland-Elverta transmission line or Willow
Slough substation. As a result, these components will have no impact on the
ability of Sacramento, Sutter, or Yolo Counties to achieve the desired parkland for
their jurisdictions.
indirect effects to public services.
residential developments that will result in substantial growth. For example, relative
to growth, the SACOG Blueprint (SACOG, 2005a) envisions that an additional 304 to
661 square miles of land in the greater Sacramento area will be urbanized by 2050.
Population projections by SACOG estimate a regional population of about 2.8 million
by 2025. This growth will place substantial demands on police and fire services in the
region as well as on schools and parks.
The Program will reduce electrical costs in the Annexation Territory. This is one
factor that may influence growth in the region. The other factors influencing the
development of foreseeable future projects are beyond the purview of SMUD or
LAFCo. SMUD and LAFCo have no control over land-use development in local
jurisdictions. Project proponents who want to undertake a specific project often are
required to provide compensation for the increased demand on public services. In
addition, as an area urbanizes, tax revenues to support fire and police services,
schools, and parks typically increase. Often, however, there can be a lag between
demand and the funding of public services.
The expected amount of growth in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western Placer
Counties appears to be too great to completely prevent this type of impact on public
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services. This will result in a significant, unavoidable adverse impact to fire and
police services, schools, and parks, and the Program will contribute to this significant
cumulative impact.
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L.
RECREATION
This section describes how development associated with the Program will affect recreation.
Where significant effects are identified, mitigation measures are provided to reduce those
impacts to the extent feasible.
1.
Guidelines. This environmental setting is the baseline for determining whether the
Program will have a significant impact on recreation.
Yolo, Sutter and Sacramento Counties. Figure I-3 (provided at the end of Chapter I)
shows the locations of these program components. The analysis area for potential
direct and indirect impacts includes the entire Annexation Territory because the
O&M activities involved in Program Component 9 will take place throughout this
area, and Program Component 8, which consists of the possible reconductoring of
existing overhead wires, also may occur along any of the 12-kV lines in the
Annexation Territory. The analysis area also includes the Power Inn Road to Hedge
Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction Study Area (Program Component 4),
the North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5), the WoodlandElverta Transmission Line Study Area (Project Component 6), and the Willow
Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component 7).
The analysis area for cumulative impacts for recreation is the same as the analysis
area for direct and indirect impacts because recreation at local parks associated with
the Program will not extend outside of this area.
The Quimby Act (California Government Code §66477) authorizes cities and
counties to pass ordinances requiring that developers set aside land, donate
conservation easements, or pay fees for park improvements. However, the revenue
generated cannot be used for park O&M purposes. This Act applies to all jurisdictions
affected by the Program.
Existing parks in the study area are operated and maintained by the Yolo County
Parks and Natural Resources Division; Sacramento County Department of Regional
Parks, Recreation and Open Space; Sutter County Public Works Department; City of
Davis Parks and Community Services Department; City of Woodland Parks;
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Recreation & Community Services Department; and City of Sacramento Department
of Parks and Recreation. According to the Draft Yolo County Parks and Open Space
Master Plan (Yolo County, 2005b), the County has a total of 1,800 acres of parks and
open space land. According to the Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks,
Recreation and Open Space, a total of over 14,000 acres of recreational land and
facilities are operated by Sacramento County, which includes the American River
Parkway, 18 parks, recreation, and river access points, and 4 golf courses. According
to the County of Sutter General Plan (Sutter County, 1996), there are 9 parks in Sutter
County, including 2 boat ramps.
SMUD owns and operates the Upper American River Project (UARP), a
hydroelectric facility on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. The UARP lies
within El Dorado and Sacramento Counties, primarily within the lands of the
Eldorado National Forest. It consists of 11 reservoirs and 8 powerhouses and
generates enough electricity (688 MW) to meet about 20% of SMUD’s customer
demand. In a normal water year, the UARP provides roughly 1.8 billion kilowatthours of electricity, which is enough energy to power about 180,000 homes. This
abundant energy resource firmly establishes the UARP as an important component of
the SMUD-owned generation that serves the needs of the 1.2 million residents of
SMUD’s service territory.
In 1957, the Federal Power Commission, the predecessor to the FERC, granted a 50year license to SMUD for the construction and operation of the UARP. The present
project configuration of 11 dams and 8 powerhouses was constructed over a period of
approximately 50 years, culminating in 1985 with the addition of the Jones Fork
Powerhouse. That initial license, subsequent amendments, and other agreements set
the parameters within which SMUD may operate the UARP. Those parameters
balance biological factors, recreation, and generation with provisions for dry years
and wet years.
The current license (FERC No. 2101) for the UARP expires on July 31, 2007. An
application for a new license was filed on July 15, 2005. Pending settlement
negotiation discussions with federal and state agencies, it is anticipated that a new
license for the UARP will be issued by FERC and accepted by SMUD in 2007. This
process is governed by a complex set of laws and regulations that, in total, require
multiple years of planning, including environmental studies, agency consultation, and
public involvement. FERC will make a final determination as to the operating
parameters of the new license.
The operation of the UARP has contributed to whitewater rafting on the South Fork
of the American River. By storing a portion of flows from spring run-off and
releasing it during low-flow summer months, SMUD helps to provide a higher than
natural flow regime during popular boating months, such as July and August.
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2.
have a significant impact on recreation if the project would cause any of the
following effects:
•
Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other
recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility
would occur or be accelerated
•
Include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of
recreational facilities that might have an adverse physical effect on the
environment
The second effect was dismissed as a threshold because none of the program
components will include recreation facilities or require the construction or
expansion of recreation facilities. Recreation facilities will not be expanded or
constructed because of the Program because program components will not
directly take any existing or planned recreational land. In addition, as described in
Section IV.J, Population/Housing, the Program will not result in workers moving
to the region.
LAFCo, as the Lead Agency, has determined that impacts regarding recreation
will be significant if the Program either substantially interferes with the use of
neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities or substantially
increases the use of these public recreational facilities so that the deterioration of
their physical condition is accelerated. This significance threshold is consistent
with the guidance provided in Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines.
Maps available on Web sites for the municipal parks and recreation departments
that have jurisdiction in the study area were reviewed to determine the presence of
existing parks. This information was used to evaluate the impacts of program
components on those facilities.
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(1) Impact REC-1: Direct Impacts to Public Recreational Facilities
No existing or planned public recreational facilities are within one-half mile of the
Power Inn Road to Hedge substation transmission line reconstruction study area,
Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area, or Willow Slough substation
study area. Reconductoring in the Annexation Territory and Program O&M will
not take place outside of existing or planned Program facilities. Therefore,
Program Components 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 will not impact public recreational facilities
directly.
The North City Interconnection involves facilities already located in the American
River Parkway. The interconnection may involve the construction of one or two
new foundations for one or two steel poles in the parkway. Existing access roads
will be used for construction and maintenance. Construction of this program
component will take approximately 10 days. Therefore, it is not anticipated that
construction will result in significant interference with the recreational use of the
American River Parkway. As a result, Program Component 5 will have a less than
significant impact on the provision of adequate recreational facilities and services
for the City of Sacramento.
The SMUD Board of Directors has resolved that the low cost UARP power will
be preserved for SMUD’s existing customers. The proposed annexation will not
result in the use of, or need to operate, the UARP in a way that differs
significantly from the present day or anticipated re-licensed operation regimen. In
addition, the expected new FERC license will provide SMUD with the operating
criteria for the UARP that can only be modified by FERC.
It is expected that sometime after the Annexation Territory customers have
completed payment for the cost of annexation, the new SMUD customers will
share in all SMUD resources. However, as stated in L.1.d, any changes in UARP
operating criteria will require FERC approval after extensive study and analysis,
which generally will require several years. Therefore, it is expected that the
Program will not change water flows on the South Fork American River that will
impact rafting.
(2) Impact REC-2: Accelerated Deterioration of Recreational Facilities
As discussed in Section IV.J, Population/Housing, the Program will create
approximately 79 new permanent jobs. SMUD will hire all qualified PG&E
employees displaced by the Program. The labor pool in the Sacramento area also
has the appropriate skills to fill these jobs. Therefore, no population increase will
be related directly to the Program. However, if it were assumed that all 79 new
jobs were filled by people moving to the area for those jobs, the Program would
cause a maximum population increase of about 218 people. The 2000 Census
recorded a population of about 1.8 million people in the Sacramento area. The
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maximum population increase that could be created by the Program,
hypothetically, is too small relative to the regional population to have a
measurable impact on recreational facilities.
indirect effects to recreation.
residential developments that will result in substantial growth. Projections by
SACOG (2005) estimate a regional population of about 2.8 million by 2025. This
growth will place substantial demands on recreational facilities in the region.
However, as already discussed, the Quimby Act authorizes cities and counties to pass
ordinances requiring that developers set aside land, donate conservation easements, or
pay fees for park improvements. It is expected that this process will ensure that
adequate recreational facilities are provided in the future, as the region grows.
Therefore, it is projected that cumulative impacts on recreational facilities will be less
than significant.
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M.
TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC
This section describes how development associated with the Program will affect transportation
and traffic. Where significant effects are identified, mitigation measures are provided to reduce
1.
significant environmental impact on transportation/traffic.
The analysis area for potential direct and indirect impacts related to transportation
includes Sacramento, Yolo, and Sutter Counties and the incorporated cities of Davis,
Sacramento, West Sacramento, and Woodland. These areas were selected since
Program improvements will be constructed within these counties and cities, and local
roadways will be used to access Program improvements.
The analysis area for potential cumulative impacts for transportation will be the same
as the analysis area for direct and indirect impacts because traffic associated with the
Program will not extend outside of this area.
No transportation or traffic regulatory policies apply to the analysis area.
The City of Sacramento is at the junction of Interstate 5 (I-5), the major north-south
interstate freeway that traverses California, and Interstate 80 (I-80), the major eastwest interstate crossing the northern part of California. These two freeways cross the
entire study area. Other major freeways in the study area include SR 113 connecting
Davis and Woodland, SR 99, the major highway connecting the communities of the
Central Valley, and SR 50. The Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission
Line Reconstruction Study Area (Program Component 4) and the North City
Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5) are in the urban portion of
greater Sacramento, where there are numerous major arterials and secondary roads.
The Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6) is
located primarily in rural parts of Sacramento, Sutter, and Yolo counties where most
roads other than the freeways already mentioned are two-lane rural highways and
secondary roads. The Willow Slough Substation Study Area (Program Component 7)
is located near the intersection of County Roads 27 and 102 in rural Yolo County.
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2.
have a significant impact on transportation/traffic if the project would cause any
•
An increase in traffic which is substantial in relation to the existing traffic
load and capacity of the street system (i.e., result in a substantial increase in
either the number of vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio on roads, or
congestion at intersections);
•
Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service standard
established by the county congestion management agency for designated
roads or highways;
•
Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or
dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment);
•
Result in inadequate emergency access;
•
Result in inadequate parking capacity; or
•
Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative
transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks).
The Program consists of annexing a portion of Yolo County into the SMUD
service system and connecting the existing electrical system in the Annexation
Territory to the SMUD system. The Program does not include the construction of
new roads or housing and/or commercial development that will generate traffic.
For this reason, none of the guidance provided by CEQA is relevant to this
Program.
(2) Thresholds of Significance Adopted in This EIR
The direct and indirect transportation issue associated with the Program is traffic
congestion caused by Program construction activities and O&M. Generally,
traffic congestion is evaluated in terms of level of service (LOS). LOS is an
indicator of operating conditions on a roadway or at an intersection and is defined
in categories ranging from A to F. These categories can be viewed much like
school grades, with A representing the best traffic flow conditions and F
representing poor conditions. LOS A indicates free-flowing traffic and LOS F
indicates substantial congestion, with stop-and-go traffic and long delays at
intersections. Table IV.M-1 provides definitions of LOS for signalized
intersections as specified in the Highway Capacity Manual (Transportation
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Research Board of the National Academies, 2000). In urban areas, because
intersections are spaced relatively close together, intersection capacities generally
control traffic operations on the arterials. Therefore, the LOS at signalized
intersections gives a good indication of the overall operating conditions
throughout the transportation network.
Table IV.M-1: Signalized Intersection LOS Criteria Highway
Capacity Manual, Operational Analysis Method
Level of
Service
LOS A
LOS B
LOS C
LOS D
LOS E
LOS F
Control Delay per
Operational Characteristics
Vehicle (seconds/vehicle)
Very low delay. Progression is extremely favorable.
≤10
Most vehicles arrive during the green phase and do not
stop at all.
More vehicles stop than with LOS A, causing higher
>10 and ≤20
levels of average delay.
The number of vehicles stopping is significant at this
>20 and ≤35
level, though many still pass through the intersection
without stopping.
At LOS D, the influence of congestion becomes more
>35 and ≤55
noticeable. Many vehicles stop, and the proportion of
vehicles not stopping declines.
There
is generally a high ratio of traffic volume to
>55 and ≤80
roadway capacity at this level.
>80
This level, considered to be unacceptable to most
drivers, often occurs with over saturation; that is, when
arrival flow rates exceed the capacity of the
intersection.
Source: Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, 2000.
Acceptable LOS in the study area for roadways and intersections are an LOS of D
for rural areas and an LOS of E for urban areas. This is based on community
standards used by Sacramento County. The Program will result in a significant
impact if construction generates traffic that results in the following, relative to
LOS standards:
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•
Result in a roadway or a signalized intersection operating at an acceptable
LOS to deteriorate to an unacceptable LOS;
•
Increase the volume to capacity (V/C) ratio by more than 0.05 at a roadway or
at a signalized intersection that is operating at an unacceptable LOS without
the project;
•
Result in an unsignalized intersection movement/approach operating at an
acceptable LOS to deteriorate to an unacceptable LOS, and also cause the
intersection to meet a traffic signal warrant;
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•
Increase the delay of an unsignalized intersection that meets a signal warrant
by more than 5 seconds at a movement/approach that is operating at an
unacceptable LOS without the project;
•
Result in freeway ramps operating at an acceptable LOS to deteriorate to an
unacceptable LOS, according to the LOS threshold defined by Caltrans;
•
Result in freeway segments operating at an acceptable LOS to deteriorate to
an unacceptable LOS, according to the LOS threshold defined in the Caltrans
Route Concept Report for that facility;
•
Result in a residential street operating at an acceptable LOS to deteriorate to
an unacceptable LOS; or
•
Increase the V/C ratio by more than 0.05 at a residential street that is
operating at an unacceptable LOS without the project.
An increase in the V/C ratio greater than 0.05 was selected as the threshold of
significance for roadways and intersections not operating at an acceptable LOS
because this level of increase will be noticeable to drivers. A change in the V/C
ratio equal to or less than 0.5 is within the day-to-day variability of traffic during
the peak hour. When the increase in the V/C ratio exceeds 0.05, most drivers
perceive an increase in traffic congestion. Both the City of Sacramento and
Sacramento County use this threshold of significance.
The evaluation of construction and operational impacts assumed that all trips will
originate from SMUD’s Corporate Yard at 59th Street and S Street in Sacramento.
Highway 50 and I-80 were assumed to be the major highways that will be used to
access the Program construction sites and the Annexation Territory. As no two
program components will be built at the same time, Program Component 6 was
used for the construction traffic analysis because it will have the maximum
number of trips. The following worst-case assumptions are made in this analysis.
•
Peak hour trips will be 25% of the total daily trips.
•
Construction trucks are equivalent to three passenger cars.
•
The possibility of the trips in the peak day will be 25% of the number of trips
for any program component that occur in the overall construction period or in
a week.
The analysis of signalized intersections was based on the Intersection Capacity
Utilization (ICU) practices. Existing conditions and existing conditions with the
Program were analyzed. Existing lane configuration and traffic volume data were
obtained from the Caltrans and City of Sacramento traffic Web sites.
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(1) Impact TR-1: Construction Traffic Impacts
Estimated construction traffic for each program component is provided in Table
IV.M-2. For the purpose of this analysis, it was assumed that all construction
traffic will initiate at SMUD’s Corporate Yard. In actuality, independent
contractors may be used for Program construction, and their equipment may come
from anywhere in the greater Sacramento area. Therefore, actual construction
traffic will be more dispersed than provided in this analysis, resulting in less of a
traffic impact than is presented here.
Table IV.M-2: Estimated Daily and Weekly Trips for Construction, by Program Component
Vehicle Type
Number of Individual
Vehicle Trips
Total Number of Vehicle Trips
Program Component 4 (Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation Transmission Line Reconstruction Study Area)
Drill Rig (2)
1 trip per week
2 trips per week
Pick-Up Trucks (9)
2 trips per day
18 trips per day
Concrete Trucks (2)
4 trips per day
8 trips per day
General-Use Flat Bed Truck (4)
2 trips per day
8 trips per day
Cranes (3)
1 trip for overall project
3 trips for overall project
Line Tensioner (1)
Program Component 5 (North City Interconnection Study Area)
Drill Rig (1)
1 trip per week
Pick-Up Trucks (8)
2 trips per day
Concrete Trucks (2)
4 trips per day
General-Use Flat Bed Trucks (3)
2 trips per day
Crane (2)
Line Tensioner (1)
1 trip per week
16 trips per day
8 trips per day
6 trips per day
Program Component 6 (Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area)
Drill Rig (2)
1 trip per week
Pick-Up Trucks (12)
2 trips per day
Concrete Trucks (5)
4 trips per day
General-Use Flat Bed Trucks (8)
2 trips per day
Cranes (4)
Line Tensioner (2)
2 trips per week
24 trips per day
20 trips per day
16 trips per day
Program Component 7 (Willow Slough Substation Study Area)
Drill Rig (1)
1 trip per week
Pick-Up Trucks (12)
2 trips per day
Concrete Trucks (7)
4 trips per day
General-Use Flatbed Trucks (4)
2 trips per day
Compacter (1)
Backhoe (2)
D6 Tractor (1)
Crane (1)
1 trip per week
24 trips per day
28 trips per day
8 trips per day
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Based on the traffic information provided in Table IV.M-2, the maximum daily
trips resulting from construction of program components are provided in Table
IV.M-3. Potential impacts were analyzed only for the a.m. peak hour because
construction trips are most likely to be concentrated during a single time period at
the start of the day.
Table IV.M-3: Maximum Daily Construction Traffic
Daily Trips
2
72
60
48
3
2
187
Drill Rig
Pick-Up Trucks
Concrete Trucks
General-Use Flat Bed Trucks
Cranes
Line Tensioner
Total
Peak Hours Trip (a.m. peak)
1
18
15
12
1
1
48
The 59th Street and Highway 50 interchange is the primary intersection in the
vicinity of the SMUD Corporate Yard. All other intersections surrounding this
area have lower volumes of traffic. Based on lane configuration and traffic data
from Caltrans and the City of Sacramento (Table IV.M-4), this interchange has an
existing V/C ratio of approximately 0.414, with an LOS B. With the addition of
the trips generated during Program construction provided in Table IV.M-3, the
V/C will increase to 0.438, and the LOS will remain B. Therefore, Program
construction will have a less than significant impact on traffic.
Table IV.M-4: Existing Traffic Volume at SR 50 and 59th Street
Location
Eastbound traffic off SR 50 to 59th Street
Westbound traffic onto SR 50 from 59th Street
59th Street
TOTAL
Average Daily
Traffic
6,440
6,910
5,623
Peak Hour Volume
(a.m.)
640
690
451
1,781
(2) Impact TR-2: Operation and Maintenance Traffic Impacts
During Program O&M, all trips to the Annexation Territory will be from
SMUD’s Corporate Yard in Sacramento. Table IV.M-5 shows the estimated total
number of trips that will be generated on a daily and weekly basis for O&M in the
Annexation Territory. As indicated in the analysis of impact TR-1, 48 peak-hour
trips will have a less than significant impact on the major interchange that will be
most impacted by Program construction. Program O&M will generate less than
half of the number of trips (21.2) in a given day than will be generated by
Program construction. Even if all of these O&M trips occur during the a.m. peak
hour, they will have a less than significant impact on traffic. As O&M traffic
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disperses throughout the Annexation Territory, its effect on the transportation
system will decrease because fewer and fewer vehicles will pass through a given
intersection or interchange in the Annexation Territory. Therefore, Program O&M
will have a less than significant impact on traffic.
Table IV.M-5: Daily and Weekly Trips for Operation and Maintenance
Number of Vehicle
Miles Per Day
Number of Vehicle
Trips Per Day
83
83
93
129.5
4
4
4
6
18.8
27.3
18.8
18.8
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
Designers (2)
49.2
1.6
TOTAL
521.6
21.2
Vehicle Type
Daily
Heavy Line Truck (2)
Foreman Truck (2)
Troubleshooter Van (2)
Meter Reader (3)
Weekly (1 trip per week)
Substation Truck (1)
Foreman Truck (1)
Substation Technician Van (1)
Substation Reader Van (1)
Weekly (2 trips per week)
The presence of the transmission facilities will not, in itself, change the uses of any
other land crossed by Program transmission lines or any land adjacent to those lines
or the proposed substation. Therefore, the Program will make no changes in the
environment that may result in indirect traffic impacts.
Foreseeable future projects in the Program study area include substantial development. The SACOG Blueprint for growth (SACOG, 2005a) envisions that an
additional 304 to 661 square miles of land in the greater Sacramento area will be
urbanized by 2050. Population projections by SACOG estimate a regional population
of about 2.8 million by 2025. At present, approximately 92% of the trips taken by
people in the study area are by car, and SACOG estimates that this may grow to
93.7% by 2050. By the use of smart growth principals, SACOG believes that the
number of trips by car can be reduced by about 10%. However, with the substantial
growth projected for the region, cumulative traffic congestion is going to increase
significantly. O&M trips associated with the Annexation Program will contribute to
this significant cumulative impact.
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N.
UTILITIES/SERVICE SYSTEMS/ENERGY CONSERVATION
This section describes how development associated with the Project will affect utilities and
service systems. In addition, this section describes the impacts of the Program relative to energy
conservation. Where significant effects are identified, mitigation measures are provided to
reduce those impacts to the extent feasible.
1.
Guidelines. This subsection provides the baseline for determining whether the Program
will have a significant impact on the environment.
The analysis area for potential direct and indirect impacts relative to utilities/service
systems/energy conservation includes the Annexation Territory, the portion of Sutter
County included in the Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area, and SMUD’s
existing service area. The Annexation Territory was selected because the completion
of the program components and the replacement of PG&E with SMUD as the
provider of electric service could affect utilities/service systems/energy conservation
in the Annexation Territory. The SMUD service area was selected because analysis of
this area may provide an indication of what changes can be expected by SMUD
customers if the Program is approved.
The analysis area for potential cumulative impacts relative to utilities/service
systems/energy conservation includes the Annexation Territory. The cumulative
impacts of the replacement of PG&E with SMUD as the electric service provider in
the Annexation Territory, in combination with the foreseeable future projects
described in Chapter V, Cumulative Impacts, may affect utilities/service systems/
energy conservation in the Annexation Territory.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board oversees the permitting of solid
waste and recycling facilities and manages several programs to implement Integrated
Waste Management Act. A fundamental principle of that act is the diversion of 50%
of California city and county waste from landfills.
Title 14, Division 7, of the CCR establishes minimum standards for solid waste
handling and disposal. These regulations contain provisions for enforcing solid waste
standards and administering solid waste facility permits. They also set out planning
guidelines and procedures for preparing, revising, and amending countywide or
regional integrated waste management plans. Both Yolo and Sacramento Counties
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have approved integrated waste management plans that are reviewed and updated, as
necessary, on a 5-year basis, in accordance with regulations.
Title 27, Division 2 of the CCR establishes regulations for landfills and disposal sites.
These regulations address siting and design criteria, water monitoring, operating
criteria for landfills and disposal sites, and closure and post-closure maintenance.
PG&E currently provides electric service to the Annexation Territory. PG&E’s
activities are regulated by the CPUC. PG&E generates and disposes of solid waste as
part of the normal operation and maintenance of the electric system in the Annexation
Territory. PG&E also conducts demand response, energy efficiency, and renewable
energy programs pursuant to legislative and CPUC mandate.
SMUD provides electric service within its existing service area (which includes
Sacramento County, a small portion of Placer County and a site in Yolo County).
SMUD also generates and disposes of solid waste as part of the normal operation of
the electric system in its service area. SMUD’s customers, through SMUD’s Board of
Directors, govern its policies and activities. SMUD voluntarily implements certain
demand response, energy efficiency, and renewable energy programs.
The report on 5-year review of Sacramento County’s Integrated Waste Management
Plan was completed in 2003 (Sacramento County Department of Waste Management
& Recycling, 2003). The report indicated that waste generation quantities had
increased in the county and that while reported disposal tonnages increased modestly
countywide, diversion performance increased notably. The City of Isleton and the
County/City of Citrus Heights Regional Agency met or exceeded their goals of 50%
diversion of solid waste from landfills, while the cities of Folsom, Galt, and
Sacramento had realized diversion rates of 49, 41, and 45%, respectively.
The Kiefer Landfill continues to have disposal capacity available for the municipal
solid waste generated but not diverted in Sacramento County. In its 2001 annual
report, the County reported 44 years of available disposal capacity (Department of
Waste Management & Recycling, 2003).
Unincorporated Yolo County and the cities of Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, and
Woodland exceeded the 50% goal of diverting solid waste from landfills by 2002
(Sullivan, 2002). The Yolo County Central Landfill continues to have adequate
disposal capacity. As the County reported in the 2000 annual report, the landfill has
20 years of available capacity (Sullivan, 2002).
2.
Consideration and Discussion of Significant Environmental Impacts
Guidelines.
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have a significant impact on utilities and service systems, if the project would:
(a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water
Quality Control Board;
(b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment
facilities or the expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which
could cause significant environmental effects;
(c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or
the expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects;
(d) Require new or expanded water entitlements;
(e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider that serves or
may serve the project that it does not have adequate capacity to serve the
project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing
commitments;
(f) Be served by a landfill with insufficient permitted capacity to accommodate
the project’s solid waste disposal needs; or
(g) Would not comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations
related to solid waste.
The Program consists of changing the electric service provider in the Annexation
Territory and connecting that Annexation Territory to the SMUD service area.
The Program does not include development that will impact wastewater treatment
facilities, storm water drainage facilities, or water supplies. Therefore, these
issues are not addressed further.
Appendix F of the CEQA Guidelines suggests a project would have a significant
impact with regard to energy conservation if it would:
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•
Increase overall per capita energy consumption;
•
Increase reliance on natural gas and oil; or
•
Decrease reliance on renewable energy sources.
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LAFCo, as the Lead Agency, has determined that impacts to utilities, service
systems, and energy conservation will be significant if the Program or any
program components will:
(a) Be served by a landfill with insufficient permitted capacity to accommodate
the Program’s solid waste disposal needs;
(b) Result in non-compliance with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations
related to solid waste;
(c) Increase overall per capita energy consumption;
(d) Increase reliance on natural gas and oil; or
(e) Decrease reliance on renewable energy sources.
The expected volume of solid waste generated by the Program was compared to
existing landfill capacity to evaluate potential impacts. Energy use in the
Annexataion Territory was evaluated with and without the Program to evaluate
energy efficiency.
(1) Impact UT-1: Impacts on Solid Waste Disposal Facilities
Environmental protection is a core SMUD value. One of the metrics SMUD uses
to ensure adherence to this value is waste diversion through recycling. As of
November, SMUD had generated 12,692 cubic yards of solid waste in 2005, of
which 7,180 cubic yards (57%) has been recycled.
Construction of program components will generate solid waste, including
packaging, wooden wire spools, and concrete rubble. Most of this material will be
recycled, and a small volume will be sent to the Kiefer Landfill and/or Yolo
County Central Landfill. While the specific volume of landfill material cannot be
determined at this time, it will be relatively small and, as indicated in N.1.d, there
is substantial existing capacity in both landfills. Therefore, the impact of Program
construction on solid waste disposal facilities will be less than significant.
The Program will increase permanent employment at SMUD by about 79 people.
Based on solid waste disposal data for Yolo and Sacramento Counties (Sullivan,
2002; Sacramento County Department of Waste Management & Recycling,
2003), individuals may generate about 8 lb/day of solid waste. Assuming that half
of this waste is generated at work, the Program may increase the volume of solid
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waste generated by SMUD employees by about five tons per month. More than
half of this waste is expected to be recycled, as is the current practice at SMUD. A
component of the Program is to upgrade electrical transmission and distribution
facilities in the Annexation Territory. This will generate more solid waste than
will be generated if service in the Annexation Territory continues to be provided
by PG&E. The waste generated will include packaging, concrete rubble, wooden
wire spools, and wire. Most of this material will be recycled. Because of the small
volume of solid waste that will go to landfills and the large remaining capacity of
those landfills, the Program will result in a less than significant impact to solid
waste disposal facilities.
(2) Impact UT-2: Compliance with Statutes and Regulations Related to Solid
Waste
SMUD’s Board Policy on Environmental Protection states:
“Environmental protection is a core value of the District. The
Board is committed to pollution prevention, continuous
environmental improvement, and compliance with all applicable
environmental protection laws and regulations.”
As described under Impact UT-1, SMUD currently diverts more than 50% of its
solid waste from landfills. This exceeds the goals of the Integrated Waste
Management Act. SMUD received an Environmental Recognition Award from
the Sacramento Environmental Commission and the Sacramento County Board of
Supervisors in April 2005 for voluntarily exceeding environmental regulatory
requirements and adding new measures in 2004 to reduce waste and increase the
use of environmentally friendly materials. SMUD’s environmental policies and
procedures will be extended to the Program; therefore, it will be in compliance
with statutes and regulations related to solid waste.
(3) Impact UT-3: Increase Overall Per Capita Energy Consumption
Changes in the overall per capita energy consumption in the Annexation Territory
associated with the Program will be directly related to the proposed changes in
demand response, energy efficiency, and energy conservation resulting from
SMUD’s replacement of PG&E as the electric service provider. Each of these
factors is discussed hereafter.
(a) Demand Response
Demand response consists of an electric service provider’s capability to
reduce energy usage of residential and commercial customers to provide
electric load relief in the event of energy shortages or local or regional system
emergencies. Both PG&E and SMUD have active demand response programs
designed to curtail energy use. Each program has different terms and
conditions. Some programs are voluntary, with limited incentive. Other
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programs provide financial incentives to participating customers. Some of the
programs also include charging penalties to the customer if curtailment
obligations are not met.
The CPUC believes the potential demand responses reported by PG&E and
other investor-owned utilities (IOUs) in California are currently inaccurate,
based primarily on the assumptions made by the utilities about the amount of
actual customer participation in voluntary programs. The CPUC has directed
these utilities to meet with the CEC and CUPC to determine a more realistic
method of estimating their demand response capabilities.
As reported by PG&E to the CPUC, its demand response capabilities in 2005
are estimated to be approximately 1,100 MW. If this amount is accurate, it
represents the capability of reducing PG&E’s peak load by approximately 6%.
Based on the CPUC concern that the assumptions used to predict the
curtailment from voluntary demand response programs are too high, PG&E’s
peak load curtailment is probably considerably less than 6% of the peak load.
SMUD operates several load management programs designed to help curtail
load. These programs can reduce energy usage by residential and commercial
customers to provide load relief. The Peak Corps Program is one of SMUD’s
oldest and most reliable programs. Customers in this program have cycling
devices installed on their air conditioners that allow SMUD to cycle their
compressors during the summer months in exchange for a nominal bill credit.
This program includes approximately 100,000 customers. Given the climate
conditions of the Sacramento region, SMUD’s peak load periods are
coincidental with high temperatures and air conditioner usage. The amount of
load curtailment that this program provides is currently approximately 156
MW. This amount was recently validated by a test of the system. SMUD plans
to extend the Peak Corps Program to the proposed Annexation Territory.
SMUD also currently contracts with three industrial companies in Sacramento
to allow SMUD to order load curtailment from these companies up to 12
times per year. The total curtailment capability for these contracts is 24 MW.
SMUD also has a voluntary load-curtailment program with a large group of
commercial customers. This program is estimated to have a curtailment
capability of 45 MW.
SMUD’s total load curtailment capability is estimated at 225 MW. This
represents the capability of reducing SMUD’s peak load by approximately
7.6%. Excluding SMUD’s voluntary curtailment program, SMUD’s load
curtailment potential represents 6% of its peak load.
If the annexation is approved, SMUD has more potential than PG&E currently
has to provide predictable peak demand reduction for the proposed
Annexation Territory. This will be accomplished primarily through the rollout
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of SMUD’s Peak Corps Program. SMUD estimates this program has the
potential to curtail approximately 13 MW in the Annexation Territory. This
represents 5% of the peak load for the Annexation Territory.
(b) Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency programs are designed to assist homeowners, business
owners, and builders in providing more energy efficient work and living
spaces and more energy efficient electrical equipment. Both SMUD and
PG&E have active energy efficiency programs. Both utilities are currently
going through a significant transition phase.
PG&E and the other IOUs are projecting a significant increase in spending in
2006 to comply with recent CEC and CPUC decisions. Based on current
projections for 2006, PG&E spending per capita will exceed SMUD spending
by 16%. However, no current data are available on the timetable and type of
programs that will be implemented by PG&E. In early 2006, the SMUD
Board of Directors is expected to begin a public process to re-evaluate
SMUD’s energy efficiency commitments and consider new energy efficiency
opportunities.
Until more detail is available for future years from both electric service
providers, the best available information for forecasting the impact on energy
efficiency in the Annexation Territory is historical data. Acting voluntarily,
SMUD’s per capita spending on energy efficiency has exceeded that of
California’s IOUs for over two decades. The per capita spending of SMUD
and the IOUs for the past 15 years is compared in Table IV.M-6.
Table IV.M-6: Per Capita Spending, SMUD and IOUs
SPENDING ($) PER CAPITA
SMUD
IOU(s)
33
10
17
9
16
12
Year
1991–1996
1997–2003
2004–2005
SMUD has almost 30 years of experience in developing and implementing
energy efficiency programs. SMUD received the 2005 Climate Action
Champion Award from the California Climate Action Registry for leadership
on climate change issues and innovative energy programs that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. SMUD received the 2004 Flex Your Power Award
in the Innovative Implementation Actions category from the State of
California for SMUD’s partnership in testing a new product that achieved
significant energy savings.
One of SMUD’s most popular and successful energy efficiency programs is
its Shade Tree Program. This program provides free shade trees to customers
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to plant in locations that directly shade homes and reduce summer air
conditioning loads. Since 1990, SMUD, in collaboration with the Sacramento
Tree Foundation, has planted more than 350,000 trees in the Sacramento area.
These trees create an urban forest that helps mitigate the summer heat-island
effect and provide air quality benefits. This program received the U.S.
Department of Forestry’s Tree Line USA Award in 2004 for the fourth
consecutive year. Other SMUD programs to promote energy efficiency
include: low interest financing for the replacement of older heat pump and air
conditioning equipment with newer energy efficient equipment; cool roof
incentive program that offers rebates for the installation of specialized roofing
materials that reduce the amount of heat absorbed into a building through the
roof; and, the aeroseal duct sealing program that provides testing and sealing
of heating and air conditioning systems, which increases the efficiency of the
system.
Although current projections show that PG&E may outspend SMUD in
energy efficiency in 2006, it is difficult to analyze this impact without details
on how this additional spending will affect customers in the Annexation
Territory. What is known is that the types of energy efficiency programs that
SMUD offers will be highly applicable to customers in the Annexation
Territory who have needs similar to those of existing SMUD customers.
Based on SMUD’s award-winning reputation and history for energy
efficiency, the Program is expected to improve energy efficiency in the
Annexation Territory.
(c) Conservation
SMUD is guaranteeing that when it begins providing electric service in the
Annexation Territory, customer rates in the Annexation Territory will be at
least 2% lower than PG&E’s rates. SMUD expects the difference between
SMUD’s rates in the Annexation Territory and PG&E’s rates to continue to
grow over time, as the costs of annexation are recovered.
It is possible that, overall, customers in the Annexation Territory will
consume more power after annexation because of SMUD’s lower rates.
However, it is also possible that, overall, customers in the Annexation
Territory will choose to save any energy savings, or spend them in other ways.
During a recent LAFCo meeting, commercial customers and school district
personnel stated the expected savings from the expected rate decrease will be
used for other needs. Further, in light of the success of SMUD’s demand
response and energy efficiency programs, it is possible that, overall,
customers in the Annexation Territory may consume less power after
annexation than they do at present, even with SMUD’s lower rates. Without
sufficient data, it would be speculative to conclude that the proposed
annexation would result in a decrease in energy conservation that will cause
increased per capita energy consumption.
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(4) Impact UT-4: Increased Reliance on Natural Gas and Oil
Most of the electricity generated or purchased by PG&E comes from
hydroelectric, nuclear, and natural gas-fired power plants. SMUD’s generation
and power purchases are made primarily from hydroelectric and natural gas-fired
power plants. Because neither SMUD nor PG&E uses significant oil-fired energy
resources, this analysis focuses on natural gas impacts only.
SMUD will be reserving its existing low-cost energy resources for its existing
customers. It will procure new energy resources to supply electricity to customers
in the Annexation Territory. These new resources will be a combination of new
short- and long-term power purchase contracts, spot market purchases, customerowned generation, new renewable power supplies, and possible surplus output
from SMUD’s natural-gas fired CPP, which is expected to come on line in early
2006. It is expected that most of SMUD’s new energy resources for the
Annexation Territory will come from natural gas-fired power plants.
With the change in electric service proposed by the Program, PG&E will be able
to lower its power generation requirements accordingly. PG&E’s highest cost
power resource is currently natural gas-fired power plants. Therefore, it is likely
that PG&E will reduce its energy resources currently provided by natural gasfired power plants and that SMUD will offset this reduction with its proposed new
natural gas-fired resources for the Annexation Territory. Consequently, there will
be no overall change in reliance on natural gas as a result of annexation.
(5) Impact UT-5: Decreased Reliance on Renewable Energy Sources
PG&E’s and SMUD’s projected 2005 percentage of renewable energy resources,
compared to their total energy resource mix, is 13% and 12%, respectively. Both
utilities have set goals of reaching a level of 20%. PG&E plans to reach this level
in 2010 and SMUD has set its goal for 2011.
SMUD’s renewable procurement standard (RPS) policy is comparable to the
statutory and CPUC-approved RPS requirements applicable to the IOUs. For
purposes of determining compliance with these goals, SMUD uses the definition
of renewable resources applicable to the IOUs (Public Utilities Code Section
399.12 and PRC Section 25741). SMUD reports its resource mix to the CEC
annually, in accordance with CCR Title 20, Sections 1390-1394.
In addition to the renewable goals established by its Board of Directors, SMUD
has an award-winning3 Greenergy® program that allows residential and
commercial customers to purchase additional renewable energy (as defined in
PRC Section 25741). The Greenergy® program allows customers to pay an
additional monthly charge for SMUD to buy energy that is produced from clean,
3
Green Power Beacon Award from the U.S. Department of Energy presented for SMUD’s Greenergy® program.
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renewable, energy resources. SMUD commits 40% of the premium paid by
Greenergy® customers to investment in new renewable power plants. Almost
30,000 residential customers, and over 1,200 businesses, have signed up for this
program, making this program the fourth largest green-pricing program in the
U.S., based on enrollment.
SMUD expects Greenergy® participation to reach 2% of total SMUD sales in
2006 and 3% of total sales by 2011. With Greenergy® participation, SMUD
expects to have 15% of its energy from renewables in 2006 (13% RPS and 2%
Greenergy®) and 23% of its energy from renewables in 2011.
SMUD also is committed to expanding the application of solar technology. Over
the past two decades, SMUD has achieved one of the highest annual installation
rates for solar energy of any utility in the country in relation to its size. Nearly
10 MW of grid-connected solar systems have been installed, representing
approximately 10% of all grid-connected photovoltare systems in California.
As with its demand response and energy efficiency programs, SMUD is proposing
to extend its renewable programs to the Annexation Territory. Based on the
success of SMUD’s current programs, in particular its Greenergy Program®, it is
expected that reliance on renewable energy sources will increase in the
The purpose of the Program is to change electric service providers in the Annexation
Territory. This will not increase the amount of electrical power available in SMUD’s
system or have any other indirect effect on utilities.
The Sacramento area currently has a population of about 1.8 million people.
Projections by SACOG (2005a) estimate a regional population of about 2.8 million
by 2025. SACOG (2005a) projects that 304 square miles (194,560 acres) to 661
square miles (423,040 acres) of land in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western Placer
Counties will be converted from existing rural uses to urban use by 2050. This rapid
growth will place substantial cumulative demands on all utilities, including
wastewater treatment, water supply, and solid waste disposal. The Program will
contribute to the increased demand for solid waste disposal in the region. Lowering
electrical prices is just one factor among many that could encourage and fuel longterm growth.
land-use development in local jurisdictions. Utilities will be expanded to address
increased demand as growth occurs. However, the expected amount of growth in
Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and western Placer Counties appears to be too great for
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wastewater treatment, water supply, and solid waste disposal facilities to keep up with
demand. This will result in a significant, unavoidable adverse impact to utilities, and
the Program will contribute to this significant cumulative impact with regard to solid
waste disposal.
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O.
MINERAL RESOURCES
1.
Potential Environmental Effects
The Program may result in the loss of valuable mineral resources.
2.
Reasons Why Effect Not Found Significant
According to the Yolo County General Plan Update Background Report (Yolo County,
2005a) and the Mineral Land Classification: Portland Cement Concrete-Grade
Aggregate in the Sacramento-Fairfield Production-Consumption Region (California
Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, 1988), no Mineral
Resources Zones, as designated by the State Mining and Geology Board, are in the
Annexation Territory or Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area.
According to Mineral Land Classification: Portland Cement Concrete-Grade Aggregate
and Kaolin Clay Resources in Sacramento County, California (California Department of
Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, 1999), there are MRZ-1 and MRZ-3
zones in the Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area. An MRZ-1 zone is an area
where no significant mineral deposits are present or there is little likelihood of their
presence, and an MRZ-3 zone is an area where the mineral resource significance is
undetermined. The existing Hedge substation and a portion of its existing transmission
line fall within an MRZ-2 zone (an area where known significant mineral resources are
present). However, the proposed transmission line that will replace the existing
transmission line for this program component will be sited in the existing right of way
and is not expected to result in a substantial amount of soil disturbance.
The Program will not have any impacts related to mineral resources because all
reconductoring and construction will take place in existing rights of way. In addition, if
unexpected mineral deposits are encountered during implementation of any program
component, it will be feasible to relocate such construction to a different location.
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P.
GEOLOGY AND SOILS
1.
Potential Environmental Effects
The Program may expose people or structures to potentially adverse effects as a result of
geologic hazards. In addition, it may cause substantial erosion.
2.
Reasons Why Effect Not Found Significant
According to the Yolo County General Plan Update Background Report (Yolo County,
2005a), no seismically active faults are in the Annexation Territory. Furthermore, the
Sacramento County General Plan (Sacramento County, 1993) indicates that no
seismically active faults are in Sacramento County, where the Woodland-Elverta
transmission line study area exists. According to the Sacramento County General Plan,
the areas of the county most vulnerable to seismic and geologic hazards are those areas
subject to liquefaction, expansive soils, and subsidence. The Yolo County General Plan
(Yolo County, 1983) indicates that landslides are not a significant hazard in the
Annexation Territory, but the risk of liquefaction is expected to be higher in the
floodplain and stream areas than in the Coastal Ranges of Yolo County. The Annexation
Territory does contain floodplain and stream areas that may have this potential. Since the
proposed Woodland-Elverta transmission line and Willow Slough substation will occupy
a relatively small footprint, substantial soil erosion is not expected to occur in the
Annexation Territory or Woodland-Elverta transmission line study area.
Given existing utility design standards and practices, no impacts are expected on geology
or soils. In addition, it is not expected that the local geology or soils will impact the
proposed electric facilities.
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C H AP T E R V
C U M U L AT I V E I M PAC T S
Chapter V
Cumulative Impacts
According to Section 15130(a) of the CEQA Guidelines, “An EIR shall discuss cumulative
impacts of a project when the project’s incremental effect is cumulatively considerable, as
defined in Section 15065(c)” (California, State of, 2005). In addition, “The discussion of
cumulative impacts shall reflect the severity of the impacts and their likelihood of occurrence,
but the discussion need not provide as great detail as provided for the effects attributable to the
project alone” (Section 15130(b) of the CEQA Guidelines) (California, State of, 2005).
For air quality and traffic, the analysis in this Draft EIR is based on regional models
(respectively, SMAQMD’s Air Quality Plan [SMAQMD, 1994] and SACOG’s Metropolitan
Transportation Plan [MTP] [SACOG, 2005b]). For other potentially affected resource areas, the
analysis is based on several reasonably foreseeable future projects.
A.
REASONABLY FORESEEABLE FUTURE PROJECTS
1.
Sacramento Region Blueprint Transportation and Land Use Study
The Sacramento Region Blueprint is a visioning/planning effort that includes
Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Yuba, El Dorado, and Sutter Counties. By 2050, the region is
anticipated to add over 1.7 million people, growing to 3.6 million people, and to more
than double the number of homes, from 713,000 to 1.5 million. Assessments show that
existing general plans do not adequately accommodate future population, housing, and
job growth. The Blueprint uses the planning principles of housing options, compact
development, transportation choices, mixed land uses, conservation of natural resources,
use of existing assets, and quality design to address the anticipated future need.
SACOG’s Board of Directors adopted the Preferred Blueprint Scenario (Blueprint
Scenario) in December of 2005. The Blueprint Scenario proposes shifts in the allocation
of housing and jobs in the region in a way that encourages less dependence on singledriver commutes. The Blueprint Scenario encourages increased residential development
near transit, smaller single-family lots, and increased mixed-use developments while
seeking to preserve open space and improve commute times and air quality in the region.
The Blueprint Scenario also measures the impacts and benefits of the adopted scenario on
existing conditions. Some cities and counties in the region have begun to incorporate the
Blueprint Scenario smart growth principles.
The Blueprint Scenario’s principles and data also will be incorporated into SACOG’s
MTP for 2030. The MTP allocates federal transportation funding for transportation
projects included in the MTP for the 6-county, 22-city SACOG region. In combination,
these documents show existing conditions, proposed projects, and potential future landuse patterns in the Program area. Detailed impacts will be analyzed on a project-byproject basis as potentially affected communities grow over the next 20 to 30 years.
This project was selected because it may have cumulative effects on the resource areas
discussed in Chapter IV.
For more information, please refer to the following Web site:
http://www.sacregionblueprint.org/sacregionblueprint/the_project/implementation.cfm
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2.
Cumulative Impacts
Sacramento International Airport Master Plan
The Sacramento International Airport is 12 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento.
The airport serves approximately 8.5 million passengers annually and has more than 150
scheduled daily departures. As of December 2005, the airport master plan was being
updated to lay out the development of the facility for 2005-2020. It will incorporate the
vision of various interested parties, inventory and assess existing facilities, and forecast
future airport activities, such as passenger levels and changes in freight and mail served
through the facility. Alternatives will be developed to address future demand, and a
preferred alternative will be selected for the Master Plan for the ongoing development of
Sacramento International Airport. Specific improvements proposed among its alternatives
include the extension and widening of an existing runway, the construction of a new
terminal, and other improvements to support airfield facilities. On February 2004, the
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Environmental
Review and Assessment (DERA) to prepare an EIR on the draft Master Plan. The NOP
for the Master Plan EIR/EIS was prepared and sent out for public review in August 2005,
and the EIR/EIS is currently in preparation.
For more information, please refer to the following Web sites:
http://www.sacairports.org/int/planning/master_plan.html and
http://www.sacairports.org/int/planning/construction.html
3.
Yuba-Sutter Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan
(NCCP/HCP)
The NCCP/HCP is a current 3- to 5-year cooperative planning effort that was initiated by
Yuba and Sutter Counties in connection with improvements to Highways 99 and 70 and
development associated with those areas. The goals of the NCCP/HCP include preserving
plant and wildlife communities; protecting threatened and endangered species;
simplifying and expediting land-use and conservation planning in the plan area;
maintaining recreation, hunting, fishing, and other public open space uses; and continuing
economic growth and community development.
The habitat area covered encompasses over 198,000 acres along Highway 99 and 70.
Approximately 140,000 acres are in the County of Yuba, and 58,000 acres of habitat are
in Sutter County. In addition to the joint effort of these two counties, Caltrans, USFWS,
and the CDFG are working together proactively with the affected communities on this
project.
http://www.yubasutternccp.org/
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4.
Cumulative Impacts
Sacramento County General Plan Update
The Sacramento County General Plan sets policies and programs that are intended to
guide the physical development of Sacramento County through the year 2025. The
unincorporated county is home to approximately 600,000 residents. The general plan is
undergoing its first update since it was last adopted in 1993. In addition to the general
plan’s existing elements, which include land use, circulation, open space, safety, noise,
air quality, plan administration, public facilities, hazardous materials, agriculture,
conservation, and housing, the general plan update also will include a new economic
development element to address tax base expansion, business creation and retention,
business expansion, and corridor redevelopment. Other topics on which this update will
focus include the revitalization of commercial corridors, continued improvements for
well-established suburban communities, holding capacity to accommodate future growth,
and incorporation of smart growth principles. Aspects of the Sacramento Region
Blueprint may be included in the final document as well.
As of December 6, 2005, 10 Board of Supervisors workshops have been held for the
general plan update to assist in the overall visioning process for the general plan.
http://www.saccounty.net/planning/gpupdate/gpu-index.html
5.
Natomas Joint Vision
The Natomas Joint Vision is a collaborative effort between the City and County of
Sacramento to plan for future growth and provide for revenue sharing between the city
and the county. The plan provides guiding principles for both jurisdictions to achieve.
The guiding principles implement the plan’s goals to proactively guide future growth for
more efficient land use, improve air quality through efficient land use, and protect future
airport operations. An MOU between the City and County of Sacramento, establishing
the Vision, was executed on December 10, 2002. To date, no communities have been
established by either the City of Sacramento or Sacramento County as a result of the plan.
The planning area for the Natomas Joint Vision encompasses approximately 25,000
acres. The planning area is located to the west and north of the City of Sacramento, and it
includes Sacramento International Airport; it extends north of the city’s SOI into the
southern portion of Sutter County.
http://www.saccounty.net/planning/longrange/city-county.html
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6.
Cumulative Impacts
Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan
The NBHCP establishes a conservation program to mitigate the loss of biological
resources that is expected to result from urban development, the operation of irrigation
and drainage systems, and rice farming. The overall goals of the NBHCP include
biological protection, economic development, and conservation of agricultural uses. The
NBHCP covers 53,341 acres of the interior of the Natomas Basin in the northern portion
of Sacramento County and the southern portion of Sutter County. The basin encompasses
both incorporated and unincorporated areas. Most of the basin is in Sacramento County
and borders the City of West Sacramento and the city’s proposed SOI to the north. A
portion of the Woodland-Elverta Transmission Line Study Area (Program Component 6)
lies within the Natomas Basin. The proposed Power Inn Road to Hedge Substation
Transmission Line Reconstruction Study Area (Program Component 4) and the proposed
North City Interconnection Study Area (Program Component 5) are within the City of
Sacramento and are outside of the Natomas Basin. The NBHCP was approved by the
USFWS in 2003.
http://www.natomasbasin.org/index.php
7.
City of Sacramento General Plan Update
The City of Sacramento is home to over 440,000 residents, and population projections
show an increase to over 530,000 by 2025. The City of Sacramento General Plan is
undergoing its first update since it was last adopted in 1988. The existing general plan
contains elements for residential land use, housing, commerce and industry land use,
circulation, conservation and open space, public facilities and services, health and safety,
and preservation, which meet state requirements for general plans. In addition to these
elements, the general plan update will include a community design element.
Currently, the general plan update process is in the visioning and principles stage. At this
early stage, several of the concepts included in the Sacramento Region Blueprint are
being discussed and may appear in the final document. Following are some of the main
objectives of the general plan update:
DRAFT
•
Incorporate smart growth principles;
•
Update demographic projections through 2030;
•
Re-evaluate and revise current traffic LOS standards to reflect existing conditions;
•
Revise EIR thresholds of significance for infill and selected new growth areas to
reflect existing conditions;
V-4
Chapter V
Cumulative Impacts
•
Streamline project-level CEQA reviews through a program that updates critical
environmental data (e.g., traffic data) in specific areas of the city; and
•
Re-evaluate land uses within areas where there are opportunities for reuse.
http://www.cityofsacramento.org/dsd/planning/projects/generalplanupdate/
8.
Yolo County General Plan Update
The Yolo County General Plan is undergoing its first major update since it was last
adopted in 1983. The existing general plan includes elements for land use, circulation,
safety and seismic safety, noise, open space, conservation, scenic highways, recreation,
historical preservation, housing, energy, and administration. The Yolo County General
Plan will involve the update of five of the required seven elements. The housing and
open space elements are not included in this project because they were updated recently.
Historically, Yolo County has been a county with its roots in agriculture. Yolo County’s
vision for the general plan is to provide an active buffer of agricultural land and open
space that separates the San Francisco Bay area from Sacramento. At the same time that
new growth is occurring in the county, infill and increased density for older, developed
communities is planned. The alternatives under review for the current general plan update
propose various scenarios to balance the rapid growth that is expected in the region with
its rural and agricultural roots. Alternatives vary allocations of anticipated future growth
primarily to the existing incorporated cities of Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, and
Woodland.
The general plan discusses the following three alternatives, which address growth
patterns for the county between 2005 and 2025.
DRAFT
•
Alternative 1 will result in an additional 2,700 housing units, 5,800 jobs, and 7,200
residents for the county. Approximately 60% of this growth will occur throughout
rural agricultural areas, and the remainder will occur within existing unincorporated
communities.
•
Alternative 2 will allow more growth within the unincorporated communities than
Alternative 1. This alternative will result in approximately 5,525 additional housing
units and 9,215 additional residents.
•
Alternative 3 will create twice as much growth as is planned under Alternative 1 and
approximately 50% more growth than is planned under Alternative 2. A total of an
additional 26,800 residents and 10,000 new housing units is expected to occur in the
county as a result of this alternative. Most of this growth, 7,000 housing units, will
occur in the community of Dunnigan.
V-5
Chapter V
Cumulative Impacts
http://www.yolocountygeneralplan.org/
9.
WAPA Sierra Nevada Region Sacramento Area Voltage Support
The WAPA Central Valley Project transmission system is integral to the interconnected
Sacramento area transmission grid. The purpose of this project is to fulfill a need for
short-term transmission line enhancements to maintain transmission security and
reliability for the Central Valley Project. This project involves the reconductoring of a
73.2-mile, 230-kV transmission line from the Elverta substation to the Tracy substation,
construction of a new 26.6-mile 230-kV transmission line from the O’Banion substation
to the Elverta substation, and the realignment of the transmission line near Pleasant
Grove Cemetery, between the O’Banion substation and the Elverta substation. Overall,
the project will disturb a total of 672 acres and involve 29 miles of new access roads and
175 new structures. The project area is northwest of West Sacramento and falls within the
proposed study area of Program Component 6.
http://www.wapa.gov/default.htm
10.
South Sutter Specific Plan
The specific plan is a precise development plan for a portion of southern Sutter County to
be developed in three phases. Phases I and II are south of Riego Road and run parallel
with the northern boarder of Sacramento County, between Powerline Road to the west
and Natomas Road to the east. Phase III is north of Phases I and II, bordered by Pacific
Avenue on the west, Natomas Road on the east, and Sankey Road to the north. The
specific plan area overlaps with the northernmost portion of the Natomas Joint Vision
Planning area. The effort is an outgrowth of Measure M, an advisory measure intended to
provide the Board of Supervisors with an indication of how the citizens of Sutter County
felt about the types and level of development in the area of the South Sutter County
Industrial / Commercial Reserve. Measure M was approved by 59% of the voters on
November 2, 2004. In accordance with this measure, in August 2005, the Sutter County
Board of Supervisors reviewed a concept plan for the development of approximately
7,500 acres, which will include 2,900 acres devoted to residential uses, 3,600 acres for
industrial and commercial parks, and 1,000 acres for public facility (e.g., schools, parks,
open space, libraries) uses. As of December 2005, no formal application has been
received for this master planned project.
DRAFT
V-6
Chapter V
Cumulative Impacts
http://www.co.sutter.ca.us/pdf/cs/ps/measureM/south_sutter_08_30_05.pdf
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF REASONABLY FORESEEABLE PROJECTS AND THE PROGRAM
B.
LAFCo has decided that these projects could all have cumulative effects in combination with the
proposed Program because each of these projects could have an effect on the same resources that
could be affected by the Program. LAFCo selected these projects from myriad other
development projects occurring in the Sacramento metropolitan region because they are
currently either approved or under consideration for approval, and they all represent large-scale
planning efforts that could involve the construction of physical improvements, including
infrastructure, in the northern Sacramento County, southern Sutter County, and Yolo County
areas. By incorporating these large-scale planning efforts, this cumulative impacts analysis
includes each of the projects authorized by these planning efforts. For example, because the
cumulative impacts analysis includes the growth authorized, but not built, under the existing
general plans for the counties of Sacramento, Sutter, and Yolo, as well as the City of
Sacramento, there is no need for separate analysis of the cumulative effect of each specific
planning area or each individual development project.
This Draft EIR anticipates cumulative effects from the combination of the Program and past,
present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects in all resource areas except geology/soils and
mineral resources. The reason for this conclusion, in general, is that the Sacramento metropolitan
area has been growing and is anticipated to continue to grow in a sustained way throughout the
implementation of the Program. For instance, from 1990 to 2001, population in the six-county
SACOG area grew from 1.56 million to 2.1 million (SACOG, 2005b). Population in that area is
expected to increase by 2025 to 2.86 million (SACOG, 2005b). More than 35,000 acres of
agricultural lands were converted to urban and built-up uses between 1990 and 2000 (Valley
Vision et al., 2004). Traffic in the Sacramento region, measured in terms of vehicle miles
traveled, increased from 44.9 million miles to 50.8 million miles during the period 1996 to 2000
(Valley Vision et al., 2004) and is expected to increase more through 2025.
Some of the key indicators of the cumulative effect of growth on the Sacramento metropolitan
region, as identified by the Sacramento Region Quality of Life Report (Valley Vision et al, 2004)
can be applied to the Program. These key indicators are described hereafter.
•
Economic Engine. This indicator addresses issues such as regional employment growth, the
distribution of employment, and agricultural productivity. These issues relate to land use,
agriculture resources, and growth inducement in the Program study area.
•
Education. This indicator addresses K-12 enrollment for public schools, which directly
relates to the public services aspect in the Program study area.
•
Family Well-Being and Public Safety. This indicator addresses several issues pertaining to
family well-being and public safety. Crime rate is one of the subtopics, which is measured by
the number of 911 calls reported to police and sheriff departments. This indicator directly
relates to police protection services (public services) provided in the Program study area.
DRAFT
V-7
Chapter V
Cumulative Impacts
•
Land Use and Housing. This indicator addresses issues such as urbanization and farmland
conversion, jobs and housing balance, and housing development, all of which relate to the
agricultural resources and land-use aspects for the Program study area.
•
Transportation and Mobility. This indicator addresses issues such as traffic congestion and
public transit, which are measured by annual hours of vehicle delay, service miles, and
ridership. These issues apply directly to the transportation aspect of the Program study area.
•
Environment. This indicator addresses issues such as the health of rivers and streams,
existing parks, air quality, and protected lands. These issues apply directly to several of the
resource areas for the Program study area, including biological resources, hydrology/water
quality, land use, and recreation.
Because the Sacramento metropolitan area is experiencing long-term sustained growth, LAFCo
has decided that, in analyzing the cumulative effects of the Program, it will treat any direct or
indirect effect as a significant cumulative effect. Of course, if the Program does not have any
effect on the environment in a given resource area, the lack of any effect is less than significant
cumulatively. In other words, this EIR treats each and every environmental effect of the Program
as cumulatively significant, even if the direct and indirect effects of the Program in a specific
resource area are less than significant after implementation of the BMPs and any appropriate
mitigation measures. This is the most conservative (i.e., protective of the environment) standard
possible for the evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of the Program. LAFCo is
adopting this conservative standard to ensure that this EIR fully discloses to the residents of the
Sacramento metropolitan area the cumulative effects of the proposed Program.
Chapter IV contains the analyses of the cumulative effects of the Program in each resource
category. Consistent with LAFCo’s conservative standard for evaluating cumulative impacts of
the Program on the environment, each effect of the Program on the environment is deemed to be
significant. Further, because neither SMUD nor LAFCo has authority to control the long-term
growth that fuels these cumulative effects, and because LAFCo already has mandated that
SMUD take advantage of all regional efforts to mitigate the effects of growth in mitigating for
the effects of the Program, the EIR concludes that each of these effects is significant and
unavoidable.
DRAFT
V-8
C H AP T E R VI
G R O W T H -I N D U C I N G I M PAC T S
Chapter VI
In accordance with Section 15126.2(d) of the CEQA Guidelines, an EIR must “discuss the ways
in which the proposed project could foster economic or population growth, or the construction of
additional housing, either directly or indirectly, in the surrounding environment.” In addition,
when discussing growth-inducing impacts of a proposed project, “it must not be assumed that
growth in any area is necessarily beneficial, detrimental, or of little significance to the
environment” (CEQA Guidelines §15126.2(d)). Effects of the Program related to growth are
discussed in this chapter, rather than in Chapter IV, because of the large number of variables that
contribute to growth (e.g., the economic climate of California and the Sacramento region,
housing affordability, immigration, etc.); uncertainty about the nature, extent, and location of
growth; and the potential contributions to growth from projects other than the Program.
Two key goals of the Program—lower rates and better reliability—are likely, by their nature, to
support economic growth within the Annexation Territory. Therefore, by definition under
CEQA, the Program may induce growth. In fact, one of the reasons for the support for the
annexation proposal from the Yolo Communities may be an expectation that the Program will
lead to improved economic conditions in the Annexation Territory. Even though the Program
does not actually extend public service infrastructure into areas lacking services, it removes an
obstacle to growth by improving reliability, lowering rates for electric service, and improving the
electric service distribution infrastructure in the Annexation Territory.
An unreliable electric service provider can serve as an obstacle to growth for businesses
considering relocation to the Annexation Territory. For example, PG&E’s reported average
outage duration in 2003 was 280 minutes, compared to SMUD’s 97 minutes. For businesses that
require a continuous power supply for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, this discrepancy may be a
significant factor in the decision whether to relocate or expand into the Annexation Territory, all
other factors being equal. Even businesses that do not require a constant power supply are
increasingly reliant on computer networks being constantly available to employees or customers.
More reliable electric service may give these businesses a competitive advantage in the market,
making them more likely to relocate to the Annexation Territory. Such relocation drives
population growth, housing and economic growth in the area.
High rates also can present an obstacle to growth. Energy costs can be a significant cost of doing
business; reducing these rates by over 25% will give a business located in the Annexation
Territory a long-term competitive advantage over a business located in PG&E’s service territory.
In this way, lower rates, like improved reliability, can remove an obstacle to growth, resulting in
increased economic activity, more jobs, more need for workers, and, thus, more housing, with all
of the attendant consequences on the environment (e.g., traffic, noise, energy consumption, etc.).
For instance, though a transfer of responsibility for electric service from PG&E to SMUD will
not actually increase the amount of available commercial or industrial land, a 2004 study of
business trends by Area Development lists energy availability and costs as one of the top five
priorities for businesses making site selection decisions. Over 85% of the businesses surveyed by
Area Development ranked energy availability and costs an important or a very important factor.
Given the importance of affordable energy to businesses, it is not surprising that SMUD’s
Economic Development Group collaborates in economic development efforts with cities and
counties in its service area to attract new businesses and employment opportunities into those
DRAFT
VI-1
Chapter VI
jurisdictions. Based on SMUD’s experience, businesses seeking to relocate generally are looking
for advantages in labor cost, availability of skilled labor, availability of transportation, and state
and local incentives ahead of energy costs and reliability. These priorities vary, of course,
depending on the contribution they play in the profitability of each business.
In summary, the Program is expected to remove obstacles to growth created by low electric
system reliability and high electric rates and to support economic growth by attracting new
industrial and commercial customers. Any growth induced by the Program will, of course, be
consistent with applicable general plans and other land-use policies and regulations. Therefore,
Program impacts on growth inducement are determined to be significant and unavoidable.
DRAFT
VI-2
C H AP T E R VII
I R R E V E R S I B L E C H AN G E S : I M PAC T S T H AT C A N N O T B E
F U L LY M I T I G AT E D O R AV O I D E D
Irreversible Changes: Impacts that Cannot
Be Fully Mitigated or Avoided
Chapter VII
Under Section 15126.2(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, an EIR must include a description of
significant irreversible environmental changes that will be caused by the proposed action. An
EIR also must describe impacts identified as significant and unavoidable, as provided in Section
15126.2(b) of the CEQA Guidelines. For the purposes of this EIR, Table VII-1 fulfills the
requirements of both CEQA sections. The impacts listed in the table are discussed in greater
detail in Chapters IV, V, and VI of this EIR.
Table VII-1: Significant and Unavoidable Impacts
Significance After
Mitigation
Potential Impacts
I. DIRECT EFFECTS
Impact AES-1
Visual Impact to Scenic Corridors Designated in Yolo County
General Plan
Impact AQ-2
Construction emissions of diesel particulate
Impact AQ-4
Operation and maintenance emissions of diesel particulate
Impact NOI-1a
Impact NOI-1c
Impact NOI-1d
Impact NOI-e
Noise from reconstruction of the Power Inn Road to Hedge
Substation Transmission Line
Noise from construction of the Woodland to Elverta
Transmission Line
Noise from construction of the Willow Slough Substation
Noise from reconductoring in the Annexation Territory
II. GROWTH INDUCING EFFECTS (Chapter VI)
Impacts
reliability
III. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (Chapters IV and V)
Impact AES-1
Visual Impact to Scenic Corridors Designated in Yolo County
General Plan
Impact AES-2
Conflict with Scenic Policies of the Yolo County and
Impact AG-2
Impact AG-3
Impact AG-4
DRAFT
Acquisition or Easement Across Adopted Agricultural Preserve
or Williamson Act Contract Land
Conversion of Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland
of Statewide Importance to Non-Agricultural Uses
Conflict with Existing Zoning for Agricultural Use or a
Williamson Act Contract
VII-1
Chapter VII
Table VII-1: (Continued)
Significance After
Mitigation
Potential Impacts
Impact AQ-1
Impact AQ-3
Impact AQ-4
Construction emissions
Impact BIO-1a
Temporary Impacts to Special-Status Species that Use Vernal
Pools and Swales
Impact BIO-1b
Impact BIO-1c
Impact BIO-1d
Impact BIO-1e
transmission lines
Impact BIO-2
Impact BIO-3
Impacts to wetlands
Impact BIO-4
Impact BIO-5
Impact BIO-6
Impact CR-1a
Impact CR-1b
Impact CR-1c
Impact CR-1d
Impact CR-1e
Impact CR-2
Road to Hedge Substation transmission line
Interconnection
Cultural resources impacts from construction of the Woodland
to Elverta transmission line
Slough Substation
program components
Impact HAZ-1
Impact HAZ-2
Impact HAZ-4
Expose people or property to hazardous materials or conditions
Conflict with Airport Comprehensive Plans
Cause wildfire
Impact H-1
Impact H-2
Impact LU-3
DRAFT
VII-2
Chapter VII
Table VII-1: (Continued)
Significance After
Mitigation
Potential Impacts
Impact NOI-2b
Noise from New Transmission Lines.
Impact NOI-2c
Noise from Willow Slough Substation.
Impact PH-1
Impact PH-2
Impact PH-3
Increase Population Growth
Increase Housing Demand
Impact PS-1
Desired Fire and Police Response Times
Impact REC-1
Impact TR-1
Impact TR-2
Impact UT-1
Increase overall per capita energy consumption
Impact UT-1
Impacts
reliability
DRAFT
VII-3
Chapter VII
DRAFT
VII-4
C H AP T E R VIII
A LT E R N AT I V E S T O T H E P R O P O S E D P R O G R AM
Chapter VIII
Alternatives to the Proposed Program
This section presents and analyzes five alternatives to the Program, in addition to a No Program
Alternative. CEQA requires that EIRs describe a range of reasonable alternatives to the proposed
Program or location of the Program that feasibly may attain most of the basic objectives of the
Program but will avoid or substantially lessen the significant effects of the Program (CEQA
Guidelines §15126.6(a)). The EIR must explain the rationale for selecting the alternatives and
identify any alternatives that have been considered by the Lead Agency but rejected as infeasible
(CEQA Guidelines §15126.6(c)). The range of alternatives required in an EIR is governed by a
rule of reason that requires the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a
reasoned choice (CEQA Guidelines §15126.6(f)). The EIR must then evaluate the comparative
merits of the alternatives selected; for each alternative, the EIR must include sufficient
information to allow meaningful evaluation, analysis, and comparison with the proposed project
(CEQA Guidelines §15126.6(a), (d)).
Potential alternatives were screened to develop a reasonable range of alternatives. The screening
process typically involves determining whether preliminary alternatives may (1) avoid or
substantially lessen the Program’s direct significant effects while not adding new significant
impacts; (2) meet most of the Program’s objectives; and (3) be feasible to implement (CEQA
Guidelines §15126.6(a), (b)). The Program’s environmental impacts are limited to significant
and unavoidable impacts on aesthetics, short-term construction emissions, short-term and longterm emissions of diesel particulates, short-term noise impacts from construction activities, and
cumulative and growth-inducement impacts.
The alternatives examined in this chapter were selected because they represent potential
solutions to the fundamental policy question facing LAFCo in connection with the Program:
which type of governmental (or quasi-governmental) agency will best serve the public interest in
providing electric service to the Annexation Territory? This chapter analyzes several different,
alternative forms of governmental organization and several different providers (including SMUD
and PG&E). The alternatives chosen were analyzed and deemed feasible in the Annexation
Feasibility Study performed by R.W. Beck et al.
In addition to the No Program Alternative, the following five alternatives to the Program were
evaluated:
•
Alternative 1: City/County Individual Provision of Service (Section B.1);
•
Alternative 2: Joint Powers Authority (Section C.1);
•
Alternative 3: PG&E Upgraded/Improved Service (Section C.2);
•
Alternative 4: Community Choice Aggregation (Section C.3); and
•
Alternative 5: SMUD Annexation with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
Service (Section C.4).
At the end of the discussion, Table VIII-1 presents a qualitative comparison of the environmental
impacts of each alternative and the Program (CEQA Guidelines §15126.6(d)). Table VIII-2
summarizes the achievement of the Program’s goals and objectives under each alternative.
DRAFT
VIII-1
Chapter VIII
A.
NO PROGRAM ALTERNATIVE
CEQA requires that the EIR discuss a No Program Alternative to allow decision makers to
compare the impacts of approving the proposed Program with the impacts of not approving the
proposed Program (CEQA Guidelines §15126.6(e)(1)). The No Program Alternative analysis
must discuss the existing conditions at the time the NOP is published and what can be reasonably
expected to occur in the foreseeable future if the Program is not approved, based on current plans
and consistent with available infrastructure and community services (CEQA Guidelines
§15126.6(e)(2)).
1.
Description
The No Program Alternative reflects the physical environment in the event that either
LAFCo or the voters do not approve SMUD’s annexation plan. In that event, none of the
projects listed in the Program Description of this EIR will occur, and PG&E will remain
the provider of electric service in the Annexation Territory.
For the purpose of the No Program Alternative, the existing condition is the provision of
electric service by PG&E to residents of the proposed Annexation Territory. Specifically,
this includes PG&E’s current levels of reliability and customer service, PG&E’s electric
service rates, and its form of organization.
a. PG&E Reliability
Typically, reliability is measured by the average duration and frequency of outages.
As part of PG&E’s 2003 General Rate Case filing to the CPUC, PG&E reported the
average outage duration for its Sacramento Division4 was 280 minutes, and the
average outage frequency was 1.7 outages per year, including major events. By
contrast, SMUD’s average outage duration for the same time period was 97 minutes,
and the average outage frequency was 1.3.
In March 2005 and July 2005, J.D. Power and Associates conducted commercial and
residential customer satisfaction surveys for the largest electric utilities located in the
Western Region of the United States (J.D. Power and Associates, 2005a and 2005b).
PG&E scored 98 points on the commercial customer survey and 91 points on the
residential customer survey, which was 2 points below the Western Region average
score for commercial customers and 6 points below the Western Region average
score for residential customers. By comparison, SMUD scored above the Western
Region averages, achieving 102 and 108 points for commercial and residential
customers, respectively. (In these surveys, higher numbers represent better customer
satisfaction.)
4
PG&E’s Sacramento Division includes Sacramento County, Yolo County, Solano County, Colusa County, and
portions of Sutter County.
DRAFT
VIII-2
Chapter VIII
b. PG&E Rates
Another component of the existing condition is the rates paid by PG&E customers for
electric service in the Annexation Territory. In 2006, approved rate changes will
result in approximately a 10.8% rate increase for PG&E’s residential customers and a
3.5% increase for mid-size commercial customers (PG&E, 2005a, and CPUC
Resolution No. E-3956). In addition to recovering the costs of providing electric
service in its rates, PG&E also must maintain rates at a level that provides a return on
investment for existing stockholders and attracts future investors. In contrast, SMUD
is owned by its ratepayers and, therefore, is not required to pay a dividend to
stockholders. Over the past 15 years, PG&E’s electric rates have been on average
approximately 20% higher than SMUD’s rates. It is expected that this differential will
grow to approximately 28% by early 2006. Based on PG&E and SMUD rate
projections, this rate differential is expected to continue over the long run.
PG&E has proposed transmission "reinforcement" projects for the 2000 through 2010
timeframe that may improve transmission system reliability and capacity in and
around the Annexation Territory (PG&E, 2005b). The projects PG&E has identified
for implementation between now and 2010 include the following transmission system
improvements:
•
Reconductor 12 miles of the 115-kV West Sacramento-Davis line (May 2006);
•
Convert 60-kV lines to 115-kV lines in the Davis-U.C. Davis transmission system
(May 2006);
•
Install a second 115/60-kV transformer in the Vaca Dixon 115/60-kV system
(May 2006);
•
Replace Brighton 230/115-kV transformer No. 9 with a 420 megavolt amperes
(MVA) unit (May 2009); and
•
Reconductor the West Sacramento-Brighton 115-kV line (May 2009).
Historically, PG&E has deferred planned upgrades. Therefore, while PG&E’s
proposed schedule is included for reference, it could be delayed.
c. PG&E’s Form of Organization
Finally, PG&E’s form of organization is a relevant existing condition. PG&E is a
private corporation governed by a Board of Directors elected by PG&E shareholders.
Many decisions are made in closed Board of Directors meetings not open to the
public. PG&E’s ratepayers do not have a say in the management or operation of the
organization. In addition, PG&E is regulated by the CPUC. If customers desire to
participate in CPUC regulatory proceedings affecting PG&E’s electric rates, they
must become parties in those cases and appear before the CPUC in San Francisco. In
comparison, SMUD is governed by a Board of Directors elected by SMUD’s
DRAFT
VIII-3
Chapter VIII
customers. SMUD business is conducted by that Board, primarily in open meetings
accessible to the public.
2.
Feasibility
Under the No Program Alternative, PG&E will continue to provide electric service at
PG&E’s rates and under current levels of reliability and customer service. This
alternative maintains the status quo; therefore, it is feasible.
3.
Reliability
The No Program Alternative does not meet the goal of improved reliability in the
Annexation Territory because it will not provide the electric system improvements or a
commitment to an improvement in reliability that is comparable to the Program. PG&E’s
existing system reliability in the Sacramento Division is significantly lower than
SMUD’s, as evidenced by the measurements of average outage duration and frequency
for the two systems.
The difference in system reliability between SMUD and PG&E is the result of the basic
configuration of the transmission and distribution systems used by SMUD. SMUD uses
two-terminal transmission lines within its service area, and PG&E uses multi-terminal
transmission lines in the Annexation Territory. In general, in an outage, a two-terminal
line usually affects fewer customers and requires less time to restore to service than a
multi-terminal line. In addition, SMUD’s distribution lines are shorter in length and have
a larger electric current carrying capacity than a comparable PG&E distribution line.
Distribution lines that are shorter in length have less voltage drop at the end of the line
and affect fewer customers during an outage. In addition, the SMUD system generally
has more looped lines than a comparable PG&E system. Looped lines provide the
capability to serve customers from alternative directions by opening and closing switches.
The shorter, higher capacity, looped lines allow SMUD to isolate a problem area during
an outage and restore service more quickly to affected customers. The No Program
Alternative will not provide for a new substation in the Annexation Territory. A new
substation will provide additional capacity and flexibility to minimize the interruption of
electric service in the event of an outage, and it will serve load growth.
PG&E has not provided any commitments to the Annexation Territory customers,
LAFCo, or the CPUC to make any significant changes in the configuration of the existing
electric system that will result in improvements in the reliability of the existing electric
system. PG&E plans to construct some transmission system upgrades in the Annexation
Territory region. However, according to PG&E records, most of the outages contributing
to its current reliability levels are within the distribution system.
In comparison, SMUD has committed to reducing the average outage duration time in the
Annexation Territory to 140 minutes within the first five years after replacing PG&E as
the service provider, which represents a 50% reduction, compared to PG&E’s 2003
record. SMUD also has committed to reducing the average outage frequency in the
Annexation Territory to 1.4 outages per year within the first five years, which represents
DRAFT
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Chapter VIII
a 15% improvement in outage frequency compared to PG&E’s 2003 record. SMUD’s
eventual goal is to lower outage duration and outage frequency in the Annexation
Territory to the levels enjoyed in the existing SMUD service area. The Program calls for
the investment of $20 million in system improvements before the expected provision of
service by SMUD in late 2008 and an additional $28 million in the first five years after
SMUD becomes the service provider. These funds will be provided by the customers of
the Annexation Territory through the rate differential between SMUD’s existing system
rates and the proposed Annexation Territory rates. Under PG&E’s current rate structure
(i.e., the No Program Alternative), it is unlikely that PG&E will be able to fund a
comparable investment in system improvements in the Annexation Territory.
For these reasons, it is expected that electric system reliability will not improve under the
No Program Alternative.
4.
Customer Service
The No Program Alternative does not meet the goal of improved customer service in the
Annexation Territory. For residential customers, PG&E has consistently ranked fourth of
the five major utilities measured in California over the last 5 years. In 2005, it ranked
fifth in California. In contrast, the residential customer survey has ranked SMUD first in
California for 5 of the previous 6 years and third or better in the Western Region for the
same period. SMUD was the highest-ranked electric utility in California for both
residential and commercial customers in the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates surveys
(J.D. Power and Associates, 2005a and 2005b).
As part of a 2004 California customer survey conducted for the California Municipal
Utilities Association, RKS Research & Consulting reported that "[c]ustomers award
SMUD customer service representatives high scores for their performance, rating them
above statewide municipal utility and IOU averages on all measures."5 Recently, in a
survey of 105 utilities across the nation, PG&E’s Internet Web site was ranked 57th in the
nation for serving its residential customers. In comparison, SMUD’s internet Web site
was named the best in California and fourth best in the nation.
SMUD will be extending its customer service programs to the Annexation Territory and
has committed to improving customer satisfaction in the Annexation Territory to at least
the Western Region average, as measured by the J.D. Power and Associates surveys,
within 2 years after taking over as the service provider and to eventually matching the
levels of customer satisfaction enjoyed by the existing SMUD customers.
Absent significant changes in PG&E’s customer service, it is expected that historical
customer service levels in the Annexation Territory will continue under the No Program
Alternative.
5
PG&E is a California IOU (investor-owned utility).
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5.
Rates
The No Program alternative will not achieve the Program goal of lower electric rates in
the Annexation Territory. SMUD’s current rates in its existing service area are at least
19% lower than PG&E’s current rates, even including a 2004 SMUD rate increase.6
SMUD raised rates for only the second time in 15 years in March 2004. This change
resulted in a rate increase of approximately 6.2% for residential customers and 5% to 6%
for mid-size commercial customers. From 1990 to 2005, SMUD’s electric rates have, on
average been approximately 20% below PG&E rates (including the 2004 SMUD
increase). Based on SMUD and PG&E projections, this rate differential is expected to
continue over the long run. In 2006, the rate differential will be approximately 28%.
Under the Program, the rate differential between PG&E rates and SMUD rates in the
Annexation Territory will be at least 2% during the early years following annexation,
when the costs of annexation are being recovered. Over time, the differential in the
Annexation Territory is expected to increase as annexation costs are recovered and rates
transition to near SMUD’s standard lower rates.
6.
Local Control
Finally, the No Program Alternative does not meet the goal of local control because
PG&E, a private, investor-owned utility, will continue to provide service to the proposed
Annexation Territory. PG&E is a private corporation, governed by a Board of Directors
elected by PG&E shareholders. Many decisions are made in closed Board of Directors
meetings that are not open to the public. PG&E’s ratepayers do not have a say in the
management and operation of the organization. In addition, PG&E is regulated by the
CPUC. If customers desire to participate in CPUC regulatory proceedings affecting
PG&E’s electric rates, they must become parties in those cases and appear before the
CPUC in San Francisco. In comparison, SMUD is governed by a 7-member Board of
Directors elected by SMUD customers in each of 7 wards. The SMUD Board’s
discussions and decision-making are conducted during publicly noticed meetings held at
SMUD’s Sacramento headquarters. Members of the public are invited to participate in
these meetings, which also are televised and Web cast. If LAFCo and voters approve
SMUD’s annexation and electric service proposal, the SMUD Board of Directors will
adjust SMUD’s ward boundaries to incorporate the Annexation Territory, thereby
ensuring representation of Annexation Territory customers.
7.
No Financial Cost or Reduction in Service or Reliability to Existing SMUD
Customers
SMUD will not participate in this alternative; therefore, it will have no impact on existing
SMUD customers.
6
See http://www.smud.org/about/rate_action/index.html.
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8.
No Financial Cost or Reduction in Service or Reliability to PG&E Ratepayers
Under the No Program Alternative, PG&E will continue to provide electric service at
PG&E’s rates and under current levels of reliability and service. This alternative
maintains the status quo; accordingly, it will have no impact on PG&E ratepayers.
9.
Comparison with Program Impacts on the Environment
The No Program Alternative will result in fewer direct and indirect impacts on the
environment than the Program because the transmission line, substation, and distribution
system upgrades will not be constructed. It is expected that the No Program Alternative
will have no cumulative impacts on the environment because PG&E will not be installing
the facilities or adding any additional workforce, as will be required under the Program.
Because the No Program Alternative will not improve reliability or reduce rates in the
Annexation Territory, it is not expected to induce growth. See Table VIII-1 for a
comparison of the impacts of this alternative to the Program’s impacts.
10.
Comparison with the Program Goals and Objectives
Under the Program, SMUD has committed to substantial improvements in reliability and
customer service within the first five years of providing service in the Annexation
Territory. SMUD has set the eventual goal of providing service at the same reliability and
customer service levels as in SMUD’s existing service area. PG&E has not provided any
details during the public workshops, or to the CPUC or LAFCo, of its plan for improving
electric system reliability or customer satisfaction. If the Program described in this EIR is
not approved, it is reasonable to expect that the existing conditions already described will
continue. Further, PG&E’s rates will be significantly higher than SMUD’s in 2006 and
are projected to remain higher over the long-term.
As described, the No Program Alternative will not meet the following Program goals or
objectives:
•
Improved reliability of electric service and customer service in Annexation Territory;
•
Lower rates; and
•
Local control by Annexation Territory ratepayers over their electric utility.
See Table VIII-2 for a comparison of this alternative’s achievement of the Program goals
and objectives.
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B.
ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM DETAILED EVALUATION
1.
Alternative 1: City/County Individual Provision of Service
a. Description
Under this alternative, SMUD will annex one or two but not all three of the cities.
This, in turn, will affect whether (and which) portions of unincorporated Yolo County
will be annexed to SMUD. Under this alternative, the city or cities and portions of
Yolo County not annexed by SMUD will continue to receive electric service from
PG&E.
b. Feasibility
If SMUD were to annex only part of the proposed Annexation Territory, the
separation of the smaller Annexation Territory from PG&E’s existing system and the
subsequent interconnection to SMUD’s electric system will present significant
challenges. If SMUD were to annex only one or two of the cities, it would need to
acquire from PG&E the existing substation or substations located in the relevant city
or cities. Because these substations also serve customers in Yolo County currently,
PG&E will have to install new substation capacity and distribution lines to replace the
loss of the existing substations. In addition, SMUD will have to install new
transmission line connections from its existing system to the substations in the
smaller Annexation Territory. For example, if SMUD were to annex West
Sacramento and Davis only, PG&E would lose the existing interconnections between
Woodland and Davis. Therefore, it would have to construct a new transmission line
from its remaining system to the Woodland substation to maintain reliability.
Similarly, SMUD would have to construct a transmission line from the Davis
substation to its existing system to replace the lost interconnection with the Woodland
substation. It is likely that portions of these new transmission lines would have to be
installed through existing communities. Combinations of cities and portions of the
county other than the combination proposed in the Program pose similar challenges.
Although this alternative is technically feasible, the installation of new transmission
lines within established communities may not be politically feasible.
The SMUD annexation feasibility study (R.W. Beck, Inc., et al., 2005) analyzes the
potential economic costs and benefits of serving the Yolo Communities individually
and collectively. The study determined that the greatest savings to Yolo consumers
will occur if SMUD provides electric service to the entire Annexation Territory.
Lesser savings will occur if certain unincorporated areas of Yolo County and/or one
or two of the cities are excluded from the area to be annexed by SMUD. The study
also determined that the costs associated with providing electric service to a smaller
area will be substantial. Spreading those costs over one or two of the cities will result
in electric rates that are approximately equal to the rates associated with service by
PG&E.
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c. Comparison with Program Impacts on the Environment
As discussed, a reduced Annexation Territory will change the configuration of the
electric system fundamentally. To effectively provide service under this alternative,
both SMUD and PG&E may have to install transmission lines and substations in
locations that may differ from those proposed under the Program. The SMUD and
PG&E facility additions necessary for this alternative, including PG&E’s proposed
transmission system improvements (see discussion under No Program Alternative),
will have direct and indirect impacts and cumulative impacts on the environment
comparable to the Program because this alternative will require the construction of
transmission lines and substations and additions to SMUD’s workforce. It is expected
that this alternative will improve the reliability of the area(s) annexed by SMUD;
however, rates in such an area or areas are expected to stay near PG&E’s rates, as
discussed. While this alternative may result in some growth inducement because of
reliability improvements, this impact will be less than under the Program, because
SMUD rates in the Annexation Territory will not be significantly lower than PG&E
rates.
d. Comparison with the Program Goals and Objectives
This alternative will not reduce the cost of electric service or provide local control to
the areas not included in the reduced Annexation Territory. In addition, electric
system reliability and customer service will remain the same in areas where PG&E
continues to provide service. Although existing SMUD customers will have the same
protections under the Program, PG&E will be required to continue to serve the
Annexation Territory load and to complete costly upgrades. Under these conditions,
LAFCo has determined that Alternative 1 will not satisfy most of the goals and
objectives of the Program, and it has eliminated Alternative 1 from further
consideration.
See Table VIII-2 for a comparison of this alternative’s achievement of the Program
goals and objectives.
C.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED FOR DETAILED EVALUATION
1.
Alternative 2: Joint Powers Authority
a. Description
Under this alternative, a JPA consisting of the cities will purchase electricity for sale
and distribution in the Annexation Territory. The JPA will acquire and operate
PG&E’s distribution facilities within the Annexation Territory. The CAISO will
continue as the transmission and control area provider. PG&E will continue to own
the transmission lines (115kV) serving the Annexation Territory. JPAs are commonly
used by local agencies to offer services more efficiently. Under Government Code
Sections 6500 et seq., public agencies may, by agreement, jointly exercise any power
common to them. Each of the cities has the constitutional right to establish a
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municipal electric utility and to acquire PG&E’s facilities by exercising the power of
eminent domain.
A JPA will coordinate the efforts of the Cities to supply and distribute electric power
within their boundaries. This analysis assumes that a JPA will provide service at
reliability and customer service levels equal to that of the Program to ensure an
“apples to apples” comparison.
b. Feasibility
Unlike the cities, Yolo County does not have the authority to sell and distribute
electricity. Because Yolo County does not share this common power, Yolo County
cannot participate in a JPA unless it forms a publicly owned utility authorized to
provide electric service. Formation of a publicly owned utility may be infeasible for
financial or political reasons. Similarly, the cities will have to take the steps necessary
to municipalize the provision of electric service, which also may be infeasible for
financial or political reasons. For purposes of this analysis, it is assumed that the
cities and Yolo County will take the steps necessary to provide electric service, and
that the JPA will consist of the cities and Yolo County.
This alternative is subject to the additional challenges of developing a new utility
organization capable of providing electric service at reliability and customer service
levels comparable to those available under the Program. In addition to acquiring
PG&E’s distribution system in the Annexation Territory, the JPA will have to either
contract part or all of the operation, maintenance, customer service, and
administration needed to provide electricity in the Annexation Territory or undertake
these activities itself. If the JPA self-performs these responsibilities, it will have to
hire and maintain an experienced qualified workforce and either acquire an operations
center, maintenance facilities, customer service centers, information technology, and
material warehouses or construct facilities of its own. Both options will be costly. The
JPA will have to install metering facilities at each of the interconnection points with
CAISO and establish an interconnection agreement.
Under this alternative, PG&E, in conjunction with CAISO and regulators, will
determine the appropriate level of transmission reliability for the Annexation
Territory. PG&E also will decide when and how to upgrade the transmission facilities
serving the Annexation Territory. The JPA will have limited influence on
transmission system reliability and capacity and will be subject to PG&E’s and
CAISO’s transmission planning standards, which may be more focused on regional,
rather than local, issues. Historically, PG&E has identified necessary transmission
improvement projects in the Annexation Territory only to defer upgrades in favor of
re-rating lines.
Although this alternative is technically feasible, it will be extremely costly to create a
new electric service provider, and it may be some time before the JPA will be able to
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provide the level of reliability, customer service, energy efficiency, and demand
response programs that are provided with the Program.
c. Reliability and Customer Service
As stated, it is assumed that the JPA will install all of the necessary electric facilities
and either contract or self-perform all of the necessary services to provide reliability
and customer service comparable to that provided by the Program. However, it is
likely to take many years for the JPA to reach these reliability and customer service
levels. The Annexation Territory also will be subject to CAISO initiated load shed
plan, regardless of the JPA’s ability to procure and provide energy for the Annexation
Territory.
d. Rates
The cost of providing service will be greater under this alternative than under the
Program because the JPA will have to expend significant monies to acquire, establish,
and maintain the infrastructure and organization necessary to function as an electric
service provider like SMUD. Because the JPA will not generate any power, the cost
of the JPA’s power supply will be fully subject to market price fluctuations, resulting
in significant rate uncertainty for customers under this alternative. The JPA may be
able to mitigate such fluctuations through long-term contracts. However, given the
relatively small power needs of the Annexation Territory (i.e., approximately 250
MW), the JPA will not benefit from significant economies of scale and might end up
with long-term contracts at higher prices than those a larger utility could negotiate. In
addition, the JPA will have to pay CAISO tariffs. PG&E is currently proposing to
increase transmission rates significantly. According to the R.W. Beck Report (2005),
based on these factors, it is not likely that a JPA can, ultimately, provide electric
service at rates substantially below PG&E’s rates, as proposed under the Program.
e. Local Control
The JPA alternative will include a Board of Directors consisting of designated
members of the elected bodies of the cities and Yolo County. Because customers in
the Annexation Territory will not elect the JPA Board directly, the JPA will not
provide the same measure of local control as provided under the Program.
f. No Financial Cost or Reduction in Service or Reliability to Existing SMUD
Customers
Because SMUD will not be a participant in the JPA, this alternative will have no
impact on existing SMUD customers.
g. No Financial Cost or Reduction in Service or Reliability to PG&E Ratepayers
This alternative will not provide the same benefits to the remaining PG&E customers
as the Program. In particular, under the JPA alternative, the PG&E transmission
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system still will be required to serve the Annexation Territory load and, therefore,
will require costly transmission system upgrades.
h. Comparison with Program Impacts on the Environment
The direct and indirect effects on aesthetics, agricultural, biological, cultural, hazards
and hazardous materials, land-use/planning, and recreation are expected to be less
than under the Program because the proposed transmission lines will not be
constructed. It also is expected that the direct and indirect impacts on
hydrology/water quality, noise, and public services will be equal to the Program
because the JPA will construct the substation and distribution system upgrades
proposed by the Program, and PG&E will complete the transmission system upgrades
described under the No Program Alternative. However, the JPA alternative is
expected to have a greater impact on air quality, population/housing, transportation/
traffic, and utilities/service systems/energy conservation based on the need for a new
utility work force beyond what is required by the Program and because it will take
many years to establish energy efficiency and renewable energy programs
comparable to those under the Program. The JPA alternative is expected to have no
cumulatively significant impacts on aesthetics, land use/planning, or recreation
because the transmission lines required by the Program will not be constructed. This
alternative is expected to have cumulatively significant impacts on agricultural,
biological, cultural, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality,
noise, population and housing, public services, transportation/traffic, and
utilities/service systems/energy conservation because the substation and distribution
system upgrades proposed by the Program will be constructed, and this alternative
requires the creation of a new workforce. While this alternative may result in some
growth inducement because of reliability improvements, that growth inducement will
be less than under the Program because JPA rates will not be significantly lower than
PG&E rates.
i. Comparison with the Program Goals and Objectives
Over time, this alternative will provide improvements in reliability and customer
service that are similar to those provided by the Program. The JPA will afford an
opportunity for local control, though not to the same extent as the Program. It will not
impact existing SMUD or remaining PG&E customers. The JPA alternative will not
achieve the Program goal of reducing the cost of electric service for Annexation
Territory customers. See Table VIII-2 for a comparison of this alternative’s
achievement of the Program goals and objectives.
2.
Alternative 3: PG&E Upgraded/Improved Service
a. Description
Under this alternative, PG&E will continue to provide service to residents in the
Annexation Territory, but it will make significant changes to its infrastructure and
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services to bring its level of customer service and reliability up to the level proposed
by SMUD under the Program.
PG&E will be required to make the following changes in the Annexation Territory
under this alternative:
(1) Complete the transmission upgrade projects recommended by PG&E
(2) Shorten the length and increase the capacity of existing distribution lines
(3) Increase substation capacity
(4) Increase the number of looped distribution lines
(5) Reduce the number of multi-terminal transmission lines
(6) Provide the infrastructure and programs to improve customer satisfaction
b. Feasibility
Assuming PG&E collects sufficient revenues through rates to make the necessary
upgrades and improvements, and PG&E commits to improving reliability and
customer service, it is feasible to implement this alternative over time.
c. Reliability
This alternative will require PG&E to make significant distribution and transmission
facility upgrades and additions to the electric system in the Annexation Territory.
These changes, along with a strong commitment from PG&E to the Annexation
Territory customers, will improve system reliability in the Annexation Territory.
d. Customer Service
This alternative will require that PG&E make significant changes to improve
customer satisfaction in the Annexation Territory. These changes will be aimed at
improving power quality and reliability, customer service, company image, billing
and payment, pricing, and communications, as measured by the J.D. Power and
Associates surveys (J.D. Power and Associates, 2005a and 2005b). Improvements
also are necessary in PG&E’s contact center and customer Web site. These
improvements, along with a commitment from PG&E, will improve customer
satisfaction in the Annexation Territory.
e. Rates
This alternative will not achieve the Program goal of lower electric rates in the
Annexation Territory for the same reasons outlined in the No Program Alternative.
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f. Local Control
Since PG&E will continue as the electric service provider in the Annexation
Territory, this alternative will not achieve the Program goal of providing local
control.
g. No Financial Cost or Reduction in Service or Reliability to Existing SMUD
Customers
Because SMUD will not participate in this alternative, it will have no impact on
existing SMUD customers.
h. No Financial Cost or Reduction in Service or Reliability to PG&E Ratepayers
It is unclear whether existing PG&E ratepayers will shoulder the cost of PG&E’s
necessary facility upgrades and any other necessary administrative costs under this
alternative. However, in light of standard PG&E rate practice, which spreads the costs
of infrastructure improvements across all PG&E ratepayers, it is likely that PG&E
ratepayers within and outside of the Annexation Territory will bear the costs of this
alternative in their rates.
Under this alternative, PG&E will not implement improvements in reliability and
customer service outside of the Annexation Territory. Thus, while existing PG&E
ratepayers outside of the Annexation Territory are not likely to see a reduction in
reliability or customer service, both will be significantly lower when compared to the
Annexation Territory, where improvements are made.
i. Comparison with Program Impacts on the Environment
It is expected that this alternative will result in fewer direct and indirect effects on
aesthetics, agriculture, air quality, biological, cultural, hazards and hazardous
materials, land-use/planning, population/housing, recreation, and transportation/
traffic than under the Program because the proposed transmission lines will not be
constructed, and it also is assumed that no significant additional PG&E workforce
will be required. It is expected that the direct and indirect impacts on hydrology/water
quality, noise, public services, and utilities/service systems/energy conservation will
be equal to the Program because it is assumed that PG&E will construct the
substation and distribution system upgrades proposed by the Program, and that PG&E
will complete the transmission system upgrades described in the No Program
Alternative. Alternative 3 is expected to have no cumulative impacts on aesthetics, air
quality, land use/planning, population and housing, recreation, transportation/traffic,
or utilities/service systems/energy conservation because the transmission lines
proposed by the Program will not be constructed, and it is assumed that PG&E will
not add to its workforce. This alternative is expected to have cumulatively significant
impacts on agricultural, biological, cultural, hazards and hazardous materials,
hydrology and water quality, noise, and public services because the substation and
distribution system upgrades proposed by the Program will be constructed. While this
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alternative may result in some growth inducement because of reliability
improvements, this impact will be less than under the Program because customers
will continue to be charged PG&E rates.
j. Comparison with the Program Goal and Objectives
This alternative will result in reliability and customer service levels similar to those
offered by SMUD under the Program. Growth inducement under this alternative will
be less than growth inducement under the Program because PG&E’s rates still will be
much higher than SMUD’s under the Program. It is likely that the costs of improved
reliability and customer service in the Annexation Territory will be borne by all of
PG&E’s existing customers (i.e., customers within and outside of the Annexation
Territory). In addition, though PG&E customers outside of the Annexation Territory
will not experience reductions in reliability and customer service levels, they will not
benefit from improvements comparable to those that will occur in the Annexation
Territory.
This alternative will fulfill some, but not all, of the Program’s objectives. In the
Annexation Territory, it will provide customer service and system reliability near the
levels expected from the Program. However, it will not meet the following goals of
the Program:
•
Lower rates;
•
Local control by Annexation Territory ratepayers over their electrical utility; and
•
Provision of service to the Annexation Territory at no financial cost and no
reduction in service quality/reliability to existing PG&E ratepayers outside of the
3.
Alternative 4: Community Choice Aggregation
a. Description
Under this alternative, one or more of the cities and/or Yolo County will act as a
community choice aggregator to group retail electric customers and to solicit bids and
broker and contract for energy services for those customers, pursuant to Public
Utilities Code Sections 366 through 366.5 and applicable CPUC decisions. Any
public agency that serves as a community choice aggregator must offer the
opportunity to purchase electricity to all residential customers within its jurisdiction.
If two or more of the Yolo Communities participate as a group in a community choice
aggregation project, they must form a JPA. Customers in any jurisdiction that does
not act as a community choice aggregator and customers who opt out of a community
choice aggregation program will continue to be supplied with energy by PG&E.
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Regardless of who furnishes the power to the customers in the Annexation Territory,
PG&E will continue to transmit and distribute the power to all of the Yolo
Communities under this alternative.
Because PG&E will continue to provide transmission and distribution services in the
Annexation Territory, it is assumed that reliability and customer service levels will
remain the same as described under the No Program Alternative.
b. Feasibility
If Yolo County serves as a community choice aggregator, it will be required to offer
the opportunity to purchase electricity to all residential customers within its
jurisdiction. At present, it is proposed that only customers in the unincorporated areas
of Yolo County near the cities will depart from PG&E electric service. Thus, unless
Yolo County is willing to make power available to all of its residents, Yolo County
may not, by law, act as a community choice aggregator or participate in a group with
one or more of the cities.
Because PG&E will continue to transmit and distribute power under this alternative,
no improvements are expected in current levels of reliability and customer service.
d. Rates
Under Alternative 4, the participating Yolo Communities will own no generation
resources and will enter into contracts for electricity with various suppliers for
various terms, with the result that rates in the Annexation Territory will be extremely
sensitive to market price fluctuations. PG&E will continue to transmit and distribute
electricity. Thus, under this alternative, the Yolo Communities will assume
responsibility for the riskiest component of power supply, exposing customers to
significant rate uncertainty. Further, as under Alternative 2, given the relatively small
power needs of the Annexation Territory (i.e., approximately 250 MW), community
choice aggregation will not benefit from significant economies of scale, with the
result that power purchase contracts are likely to be for prices higher than those a
larger utility will be able to negotiate. Customers who depart PG&E to purchase
energy from a community choice aggregator may be subject to certain nonbypassable charges that PG&E is authorized to collect in addition to non-bypassable
charges assumed under the Program. This alternative also will require payment of
CAISO fees for delivery of power to the Annexation Territory. These fees may
increase by an additional 25%, as requested by PG&E in a recent advice letter
concerning transmission tariff rates. In addition, this alternative will require
contracting with, or creating an organization to function as, an aggregator, which will
increase overhead costs. Given these variables, it is not likely that a community
choice aggregator can, ultimately, provide electric service at rates substantially below
PG&E’s, as proposed under the Program.
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e. Local Control
Under Alternative 4, customers may have some input relative to the choice of a power
supplier and the setting of rates. However, as the entity responsible for transmission
and distribution, PG&E will retain control over substantial electric service decision
making.
Customers
SMUD will not participate in this alternative, therefore it will have no impact on
existing SMUD customers.
Under this alternative, PG&E will be replaced as the supplier of the electric
commodity in the Yolo Communities that participate in a community choice
aggregation program. Unlike the Program, PG&E will continue to provide electric
delivery services. With regard to the Program, where SMUD will replace PG&E with
respect to the provision of both the supply and delivery of electricity throughout the
Annexation Territory, the CPUC determined in Resolution E-3952 that the provision
of electric service by SMUD will not substantially impair PG&E’s ability to provide
adequate service at reasonable rates to its remaining customers. The same result is
likely to apply here, where fewer PG&E services will be replaced. However, this
alternative will not provide the same benefits to the remaining PG&E customers as
the Program. In particular, PG&E’s transmission system still will be required to serve
the Annexation Territory load and, therefore, will require costly transmission system
upgrades.
Alternative 4 is expected to have direct and indirect impacts less than under the
Program in all resource areas except for utilities/service systems/energy conservation.
The direct and indirect impacts on this resource area are similar to those under the
Program because this alternative requires the creation of a small workforce that will
generate solid waste. It is expected that this alternative will have no cumulatively
significant impacts on any of the resource areas except for utilities/service
systems/energy conservation. Because this alternative will require a small workforce,
it is expected that there will be a cumulatively significant impact on this resource
area. Because this alternative will not improve reliability or reduce rates in the
Annexation Territory, it is not expected to induce growth. See Table VIII-1 for a
comparison of this alternative to the Program’s impacts.
Alternative 4 will not improve reliability or customer service because PG&E will
continue to transmit and distribute electricity in the Annexation Territory. The only
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change will be who supplies the electric commodity. This alternative will not
guarantee lower rates because aggregation covers only the riskiest element of power
supply, which will be subject to market price fluctuations, non-bypassable charges,
and CAISO fees.
Under this alternative, most of the benefits of the Program will not be realized. The
alternative will not meet the following Program goals:
•
Improved reliability of electric service and customer service in the Annexation
Territory;
•
Lower rates; and
•
Local control over utility decision making.
4.
Alternative 5: SMUD Annexation with the California Independent System Operator
(CAISO) Service
a. Description
Under this alternative, SMUD will annex the proposed Annexation Territory without
electrically interconnecting PG&E’s existing 115-kV electric transmission system
into SMUD’s control area. CAISO will continue as the transmission and control area
provider, and PG&E will continue to own the transmission lines (115 kV) serving the
Annexation Territory. SMUD will acquire the electric distribution facilities in the
Annexation Territory and provide electric distribution and energy services, replacing
PG&E as the electric service provider. SMUD will procure the electric energy needs
of the Annexation Territory and arrange for energy delivery through the CAISO grid
to SMUD-owned distribution facilities within the Annexation Territory.
Currently, there are three existing PG&E/CAISO-SMUD interconnections. This
alternative may triple the number of interconnections. The new interconnections will
require changes at substation facilities and to the energy management systems to
enable coordinated and reliable operation of the electrical grid. In addition, the
existing interconnection contracts between SMUD and PG&E may have to be
updated, or new agreement(s) may have to be put in place to reflect the new
interconnections. Additional contracts and operational coordination will be required
with the CAISO to enable the provision of services under this alternative.
PG&E, in conjunction with the CAISO and regulators, will determine the appropriate
level of transmission reliability for the Annexation Territory. PG&E also will decide
when and how to upgrade the transmission facilities serving the Annexation Territory.
SMUD will have limited influence on transmission system reliability and capacity
and will be subject to PG&E’s and CAISO’s transmission planning standards, which
DRAFT
VIII-18
Chapter VIII
may be more focused on regional rather than local issues. Historically, PG&E has
identified necessary transmission improvement projects in the Annexation Territory
only to defer upgrades.
SMUD will complete all program components necessary to improve distribution
system reliability and customer service comparable to the Program, except for
Program Components 4, 5, and 6. The transmission system improvements will be
limited to the transmission system upgrades planned and completed by PG&E.
SMUD will have to install metering facilities (at substantial cost) at each of the
CAISO interconnection points and provide CAISO with real-time interconnection
data.
b. Feasibility
Although this alternative is technically feasible, it will increase the complexity of
SMUD and CAISO control area operations. Additional interconnection points will
have to be established, and modifications will be required to make this alternative
work. This alternative will establish a SMUD service island in the CAISO control
area that will fragment the SMUD service territory and create the need for multiple
rate structures and separate operation processes and procedures for the Annexation
Territory and the existing SMUD service area. The new interconnection points will
require new metering facilities and equipment control arrangements with CAISO.
SMUD also will be required to schedule energy through the CAISO system and will
be subject to CAISO settlement processes for Annexation Territory related
transactions. This alternative will require modification of the SMUD control area
because of the additional interconnection points with CAISO.
As under the Program, distribution reliability and customer service is expected to
improve when SMUD replaces PG&E as the electric service provider; this will be as
a direct result of improvement in the design and operation of the electric distribution
system. Similarly, customers in the Annexation Territory will receive the same high
level of customer service as is received in the existing SMUD service area. The
existing SMUD energy efficiency, renewable energy, and customer programs will be
extended to the Annexation Territory. However, the transmission reliability
improvements, as envisioned under the Program, will not occur because this
alternative does not reduce multi-terminal lines. Further, the transmission system will
be subject to CAISO tariff structures and congestion management. The Annexation
Territory also will be subject to CAISO initiated load-shed plan, regardless of
SMUD’s ability to procure and provide energy for the Annexation Territory.
d. Rates
All load served through the CAISO option will be subject to CAISO tariffs. Costs and
fees paid to CAISO will impact and reduce the benefits of annexation substantially.
Annexation Territory customers will have relatively little or no benefit of SMUD’s
DRAFT
VIII-19
Chapter VIII
own control area operations and will not benefit from available capacity on SMUD’s
existing transmission system. The Annexation Territory customers will be subject to
CAISO tariffs without significant influence on CAISO policies or rate structures.
PG&E is currently proposing to increase transmission rates significantly, which will
increase Annexation Territory transmission rates.
The R.W. Beck Annexation Feasibility Study Final Report (R.W. Beck, Inc., 2005)
analyzed the potential economic costs and benefits if SMUD were to obtain
transmission service from CAISO. It determined that CAISO fees will increase the
cost of providing service to the Annexation Territory customers relative to the
Program. With CAISO fees, Annexation Territory rates will be higher than proposed
under the Program. Because of these cost increases, it will also take longer to pay off
the annexation costs. Therefore, under this alternative, it is likely the Annexation
Territory customers always will be on a separate rate structure from existing SMUD
customers.
e. Local Control
Since SMUD will be the electric service provider for this alternative, the Annexation
Territory customers will have the same level of local control provided under the
Program. However, SMUD will have less control over transmission planning, control
area, and load-shedding policies, compared to its existing service area, because
PG&E/CAISO will continue to own and operate the transmission system in the
Customers.
This alternative will include the same commitments by SMUD as those included in
the Program to ensure that there is no financial cost or reduction in service or
reliability to existing SMUD customers.
This alternative will not provide the same benefits to the remaining PG&E customers
as the Program. In particular, the PG&E transmission system still will be required to
serve the Annexation Territory load and, therefore, will require costly transmission
system upgrades.
The direct and indirect effects on aesthetics, agriculture resources, air quality,
biological, cultural, hazards and hazardous materials, land-use/planning, and
recreation are expected to be less than under the Program because the proposed
transmission line will not be constructed. It is also expected that the direct impacts on
hydrology/water quality, noise, population/housing, public services, transportation/
traffic and utilities/service systems/energy conservation will be equal to the Program.
DRAFT
VIII-20
Chapter VIII
This is because SMUD will construct the substation and distribution system upgrades
proposed by the Program, extend its energy efficiency, demand response, and
renewable energy programs to the Annexation Territory, and add to its workforce,
and PG&E will complete the transmission system upgrades described in the No
Program Alternative. While this alternative may result in some growth inducement
because of reliability improvements, the impact will be less than under the Program
because the expected rates for this alternative will not be significantly lower than
PG&E rates.
This alternative is significantly more complex than the proposed Program because the
Annexation Territory will not be integrated with the existing SMUD service area. The
Annexation Territory customer will continue to be subject to CAISO tariffs, rules and
regulations at significantly higher cost relative to the Program. This alternative
significantly increases the amount of coordination with CAISO and the operational
complexity of the SMUD control area. In addition, this alternative does not meet the
following Program objectives:
•
Improved transmission system reliability;
•
Lower rates; and
•
Local Control.
D.
COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES
Table VIII-2 compares each alternative in terms of achieving the goals of the Program. All of the
alternatives excamined in Section C of this chapter meet at least some of the Program’s goals and
have been determined to be potentially feasible. However, only the Program meets all of the
goals enumerated by LAFCo. In particular, only the Program provides lower rates, improved
reliability and customer service, and local control.
See Table VIII-1 for a summary comparison of each alternative to the Program’s environmental
impacts.
See Table VIII-2 for a summary comparison of each alternative to the Program’s goals and
objectives.
DRAFT
VIII-21
Chapter VIII
Alternatives to the Proposed Project
Table VIII-1: Comparison of Environmental Impacts of the Program and All Alternatives
Alternative 1 –
City/County
Individual
No Program
Provision of
Resource Area
Alternative
Service
Aesthetics
—
=
Agriculture
—
West Sacramento
Only –
Woodland/West
Sacramento or
Davis =
Davis/ West
Sacramento =
Woodland =
Davis =
Air Quality
—
=
Biological
—
West Sacramento
Resources
Only –
Woodland/ West
Sacramento or
Davis =
Davis/ West
Sacramento =
Woodland =
Davis =
Cultural Resources
—
=
Hazards and
—
=
Hazardous
Materials
Hydrology/Water
—
=
Quality
Land-Use/Planning
—
=
Noise
—
=
Population/Housing
—
=
Public Services
—
=
Recreation
—
=
Transportation/
—
=
Traffic
Utilities/Service
—
Short Term +
Systems/ Energy
Long Term =
Conservation
Cumulative Impacts
—
=
Growth Inducement
—
—
Alternative 3 –
PG&E Upgraded/
Improved Service
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
=
=
—
=
—
=
+
=
—
+
—
=
—
=
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
=
=
=
—
—
+
=
=
=
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Notes:
+ Impacts of alternative greater than impacts of Program
= Impacts of alternative equal to impacts of Program
— Impacts of alternative less than impacts of Program
DRAFT
Alternative 5
Alternative 4 –
– SMUD
Community
Annexation
Choice
with CAISO
Aggregation
Service
—
—
—
—
Alternative
2 – Joint
Powers
Authority
—
—
VIII-22
Chapter VIII
Table VIII-2: Comparison of Achievement of Program Goals/Objectives Under Program and All Alternatives
Goal/Objective
Lower Rates
Improved Customer
Service
Improved Reliability
Local Control
No Impact on PG&E
Customers Outside of
No Impact on Existing
SMUD Customers
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Alternative 1 –
City/County
Individual
Provision of
Service
No
Short-Term No
Long-Term Yes
Yes (Distribution)
No (Transmission)
Yes
Maybe
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Program Program
No
Yes
No
Yes
Alternative 3 – PG&E
Alternative 2 – Joint Upgraded/Improved
Powers Authority
Service
No
No
Short-Term No
Yes
Long-Term Yes
Yes (Distribution)
Yes
No (Transmission)
Partial
No
Maybe
No
Yes
Yes:
Alternative meets Program goal and objective
No:
Alternative does not meet Program goal and objective
Partial: Alternative provides a portion of the Program goal and objective
DRAFT
VIII-23
Yes
Alternative 4 –
Community
Choice
Aggregation
No
No
Alternative 5 –
SMUD
Annexation with
CAISO Service
No
Yes
No
Partial
Yes
Yes (Distribution)
No (Transmission)
Yes
Maybe
Yes
Yes
Chapter VIII
DRAFT
VIII-24
C H AP T E R IX
P R E PAR E R S O F T H I S R E P O R T
Chapter IX
Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (Lead Agency)
Peter Brundage, Executive Officer
Donald Lockhart, AICP, Assistant Executive Officer
Nancy Miller, Commission Counsel
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (Applicant)
Michael Deis, Senior Project Manager
Ronald Knierim, Environmental Specialist
URS Corporation (Consultant to Sacramento LAFCo)
Joseph Trapasso, Principal in Charge
Brian Smith, AICP, Project Senior Environmental Planner
Thomas Baily, Project Senior Environmental Planner
Nicholas Trifiro, AICP, Project Environmental Planner
Anja Kelsey, Environmental Scientist
John Larson, Project Environmental Planner
Victor Auvinen, Environmental Scientist
Robert Rusby, AICP, Project Environmental Planner
Christine Stora, Project Environmental Planner
Roxanne Yonn, Public Outreach/Facilitation
Stephen Leach, Senior Biologist
Corinna Lu, Biological Resources
Brian Hatoff, Cultural Resources
Jason Jones, Cultural Resources
Vivian Gaddie, Graphics
Carolyn Knight, GIS mapping
Michael Schindler, GIS mapping
Karyl Hendrick, Technical Writer/Editor
DRAFT
IX-1
Chapter IX
DRAFT
IX-2
C H AP T E R X
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DRAFT
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DRAFT
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DRAFT
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DRAFT
X-7
Chapter X
References Cited
DRAFT
X-8

Draft Environmental Impact Report

Transcription

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