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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCUP 260C; PALOMAR TRANSFER STATION; PALEONTOLOGICAL SURVEY; 2007-05-21Brian F .• th &Associates • Archaeological/Historical/Paleontological Consulting 21 May 2007 Mr. Chris DeCerbo Carlsbad Planning Department 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, California 92008 Subject: Paleontological survey of Palomar Transfer Station, Carlsbad, California (Project No. CUP-260 (C)) Dear Mr. DeCerbo: This is to confirm that the environmental firm of Brian F. Smith and Associates of Poway, California, has been retained to perform paleontological mitigation services for the Palomar Transfer Station project site, located at the southeast corner of Faraday A venue and Orion Street in the City of Carlsbad, California. Note A of the "Paleontological Notes" on the grading plans for the project calls for a "walkover survey of the site and ... review [ ofJ the grading plans to determine if the proposed grading will impact fossil resources. A copy of the paleontologist's report shall be provided to the Planning Director prior to issuance of a grading permit." Accordingly, a walkover survey of the site was conducted on Thursday, May 17, 2007, the results of which are outlined below. Planned construction at the Palomar Transfer Station consists of two parts, construction of an addition to the east end of the existing transfer station, not required to be monitored for paleontological resources, and grading for new parking areas on the north side of the property, to be considered for paleontological monitoring. The deep footing trenches at the east end of the transfer station addition bottomed in granitic rocks, whi.-.::h were overhin by one to several feet of weathered-boulder conglomerate attributable to the Lower Cretaceous Lusardi Formation. These in turn were overlain by pebbly pea gravels that are assigned to the basal Point Loma Formation. On Palmer Way, several blocks to the north, these pea gravels have yielded Late Cretaceous fossils diagnostic of the Point Loma Formation. Poorly preserved fossil plant material was noted in the Point Loma Formation just north of the transfer station at the west {md of the proposed truck parking area. However, the survey of the northern part of the property revealed multiple episodes of dumping of artificial fill materials. A collections and records search conducted by the Department of Paleontology at the San Diego Natural History Museum revealed numerous Late Cretaceous fossil localities in the area, including five localities in the Point Loma Formation collected during paleontological monitoring of construction of the Faraday A venue extension along and immediately adjacent to the north side of the Palomar Transfer Station property. 14010 Poway Road, Suite A, Poway, California 92064; Phone (858) 484-0915 or (909) 681-9950; Fax (858)679-9896; www.bfsa-ca.com Business Office: 14678 Ibex Court, San Diego, California 92129 On the basis of the walkover survey of the subject property, and of the results of the collections and records search at the San Diego Natural History Museum, chances are good that additional paleontological resources (i.e., fossil invertebrates and/or fossil plants) could be impacted by excavation and/or grading activities concomitant with construction of the planned parking area on the southeast corner of Faraday A venue and Orion Street. Therefore, paleontological monitoring of such activities is recommended in order to mitigate against the potential loss of these paleontological resources. It should be noted also that the area of Carlsbad along Faraday A venue has yielded the best preserved Late Cretaceous fossils in California, including the most important dinosaur remains ever found in southern California! If you have any questions about this evaluation, please feel free to contact us at our Poway address. Sincerely, George L. Kennedy, Ph.D. Senior Paleontologist cc: Kenneth Riha, Project Manager, Riha Construction / John Camp, Project Superintendent MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM 1.1 INTRODUCTION The primary goals and objectives of the Proposed Project are to: • Meet existing and increased solid waste processing demands in Northern San Diego County; • Continue operating as a local transfer station to allow long-haul trailers to transfer solid waste to distant landfills; • Accommodate future solid waste needs of the City of Carlsbad and adjacent communities; and • Provide a location for the general public's solid waste recycling needs. 1.2 LEAD AGENCY The City of Carlsbad is the Lead Agency for the preparation of the BIR and the incorporated MMRP in accordance with CEQA Guidelines (CCR, Title 14 §§ 15082 (a), 15103, 15375). As the lead agency, the City of Carlsbad is responsible for ensuring that mitigation measures are implemented. 1.3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF MITIGATION MEASURES Mitigation measures are designed to avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, eliminate or compensate for significant impacts caused by construction, operation or maintenance of a project. Mitigation measures developed for this EIR were selected to mitigate potentially signific~t adverse environmental impacts to a less than significant level. Mitigation measures included in the MMRP are presented by resource category. 1.4 VERIFICATION SCHEDULE The verification schedule for mitigation measures is categorized in Table 1 as either construction or operation. Mitigation measures that are to be implemented during on-going operations must be implemented immediately upon project approval or as otherwise specified by the City. Applicant must keep records of all mitigation measure implementation and supply reports to the City upon request. 1.5 POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The following environmental issues were identified as potentially significant in the BIB.: 1-1 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program 1.5.1 Air Quality/Odor Activities associated with the construction and extended hours of operation could generate tail pipe emissions, fugitive dust and odor that may have an adverse effect on local and /or regional air quality. Though not required, these mitigation measures are recommended. 1.5.2 Biological Resources - Activities ass_ociated with construction could potentially disturb vegetation communities 1.5.3 Cultural Resources The Draft BIR concluded that the project would not have a potentially significant impact on cultural resources. Hqwever, to address the issues raised by the Native American Heritage Commission in their comment letter. on the Draft BIR, the Applicant has volunteered to add a "Supplemental Voluntary Mitigation Measure" to ensure that any cultural resources found during the grading phase of the project are adequately protected. 1.6 MITIGATION MEASURES AND VERIFICATION SCHEDULE The following mitigation measures will be incorporated into the Conditions of Approval for this Project in order to mitigate identified environmental impacts to a less than significant level. An initialed box for each mitigation measure indicates that this mitigation measure has been complied with and implemented, and fulfills the City's monitoring requirements with respect to Assembly Bill 3180 (Public Resources Code Section 21081.6). 1-2 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan Table 1 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program Party Responsible Monitoring Verification Timing Completed Mitigation Measure Responsible to Party and Method Construction Operation Initials Date Comments Implement Air Quality/Odor IMPACT: Potential for fugitive dust and emissions contributing to local CO, NOx, SOx, and PM10 • AQ-1 -All clearing and grading activities Palomar Transfer Palomar Transfer Station ~e, shall cease during periods of high wind Station Annual reporting to the City X (Greater than 20 mph averaged over 1 of Carlsbad hour). • AQ-2 -The Developer shall employ Palomar Transfer Palomar Transfer Station existing fogging system during trash Station Monthly inspection by the X <An dumoing and loading operations. City • AQ-3 -The Developer shall limit vehicle Palomar Transfer Palomar Transfer Station V speeds on-site to 10-15 mph. Station and City Post speed limit signs on X X t Planning property Department Biological Resources IMP ACT: Activities associated with construction could potentially disturb vegetation communities • BR-1 -The Developer shall preserve the Palomar Transfer Palomar Transfer Station, slope in the NE portion of the property to Station RWQCB X X 't--~ minimize erosion and adverse impacts on neighboring areas. • BR-2 -The Developer shall place silt Palomar Transfer Palomar Transfer Station, fencing, haybales and/or sandbags m Station City Engineering Staff X X ~<o potential drainage areas to reduce pollution of off-site watersheds. SUPPLEMENTAL VOLUNTARY MITIGATION MEASURE-Cultural Resources - IMPACT: The Draft EIR concluded that the project would not have a potentially significant impact on cultural resources. However, to address the issues raised by the Native American Heritage Commission in their comment letter on the Draft EIR, the Applicant has volunteered to add a "Supplemental Voluntary Mitigation Measure" to ensure that any cultural resources found during the grading phase of the project are adequately protected. I r.s, ,_J, o .s £ 1/ (.;;,.,.), ,;._; ! 11-.s f' d,,.,. -,., E.,,; I/, 1 I~ , f ,_J,,,.. S '7~0 " -I,,.,,/._~ /. -/41,,. /,<_,,_...,? : (,, I?-57 Z -O't 70 ~ on 9,/e -4-ca,.., 1-3 an > w,:,r 4-v1y 1 t/ t..r /2 r/'IJ Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan Table 1 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program Party Responsible Monitoring Verification Timing Completed Mitigation Measure Responsible to Party and Method Construction Operation Initials Date Comments Implement ■ CR-1 -A cul turall y-affilia ted Native Palomar Transfer Palomar Transfer Station American, with knowledge Ill cultural Station resources, shall be allowed to monitor all gradmg activities for the project with the d> provision that the monitor comply with all necessary safety precautions and requirements at the site. In the event that X significant cultural resources are discovered during the grading for the project, the project engineer shall temporarily halt ground disturbance activities in the area of discovery to allow evaluation and possible recovery of potentially important cultural resources. 1-4 - Exhibit 4"X''-Revised March 5. I 997 PROPOSED TRAFFIC/CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENTS The following traffic and circulation system improvements are included in the proposed project as designed: I. Faraday Dedication 2. 3. The County shall make an Irrevo_cable Offer to Dedic~te ("IOD") to the City of Carlsbad ("Carlsbad"), at no cost and free of all liens and encumbrances, Faraday A venue along the project site from the western edge of the County ownership and extending all the way to the East edge of the County ownership. The IOD shall be for an 84-foot right of way including slope and drainage easements. No improvements shall be required at this time. Design and alignment of Faraday Avenue shall comply with the City's design standards for a secondary arterial. Access Road Dedication and Improvement The County shall make an IOD approximately 1800 feet long, at no cost and free of all liens and encumbrances, in favor of Carlsbad for a 48-foot right of way covering the public easement/access road that serves the Transfer Station. In addition, this access road shall be improved to 40 feet, industrial street standards, with ale berms on each side, including strirping, etc. as required by Carlsbad. Faraday and El Camino Real Intersection Improvements .,,. The intersection of Faraday and El Camino Real shall be improved to provide two left turn lanes out of Faraday onto El Camino Real, one through lane, and one right turn lane, with a median/divider, as required by Carlsbad. 4. Deceleration Lane On El Camino Real A deceleration lane approximately 300 feet in length improved to prime arterial standards shall be installed on El Camino Real South of the current connection to the access road. 5. Implementation of Road Improvements The fore.going road improvements are to be installed and paid for in conformance with the terms of the litigation settlement agreement between Carlsbad, the County, and Coast Waste Management. The IOD's shall be _made as soon as possible and in no event later than 180 days after CUP approval. 6. Additional Street Dedications and Improvements The owner shall make such additional street dedications and improvements as may be agreed to in the litigation settlement agreement between Carlsbad. the County, and Coast Waste Management. 7. Fence Removal The applicant shall remove the fence that crosses part of the access road prior to dedication. _,,,, ..