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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-17; Planning Commission; Resolution 60671 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 6067 2 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE 3 CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION 4 MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT TO ESTABLISH A 5-YEAR PROGRAM THAT 6 WOULD ALLOW FOR THE PLACEMENT OF UP TO 150,000 CUBIC YARDS (CY) PER YEAR OF OPPORTUNISTIC 7 BEACH FILL (SAND) ALONG THE ENCINAS BEACH PORTION OF THE SOUTH CARLSBAD STATE BEACH, 8 LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF CARLSBAD 9 BOULEVARD AND SOUTH OF PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD, IN LOCAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ZONE 22. 10 CASE NAME: CARLSBAD OPPORTUNISTIC BEACH FILL PROGRAM CASE NO.: SUP 04-13/CDP 06-02 12 WHEREAS, City of Carlsbad, "Applicant," has filed a verified application 13 regarding property owned by California Department of Parks and Recreation, "Owner," 14 described as15 A Parcel of land being Rancho Agua Hedionda portion of 14.22 acres in Lot H of Map 823, and in Section 20, Township 12S, 17 Range 4W, San Bernardino Meridian in the City of Carlsbad, County of San Diego, State of California, according to the 18 official plat 19 ("the Property"); and 20 WHEREAS, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared in conjunction with 21 said project; and 22 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did on the 17th day of May 2006, hold a 24 duly noticed public hearing as prescribed by law to consider said request; and 25 WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, examining the initial study, analyzing the information submitted by staff, and 27 considering any written comments received, the Planning Commission considered all factors 28 relating to the Mitigated Negative Declaration. 1 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Planning 2 Commission as follows: 3 A) That the foregoing recitations are true and correct. 4 B) That based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Planning Commission hereby ADOPTS the Mitigated Negative Declaration (Exhibit 6 "ND") according to the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration (Exhibit "NOI") dated February 2, 2006, and the EIA Part II (Exhibit "PII") 7 dated January 25, 2006, attached hereto and made a part hereof, based on the following findings and subject to the following conditions:8 Findings; 10 1. The Planning Commission has reviewed, analyzed, and considered the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the CARLSBAD OPPORTUNISTIC BEACH FILL PROGRAM (SUP 04-13 and CDP 06-02), the environmental impacts therein identified for the project and any comments thereon prior to APPROVAL of the project. 13 2. The Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, the State Guidelines, and the 14 Environmental Protection Procedures of the City of Carlsbad. 3. It reflects the independent judgment of the Planning Commission of the City of Carlsbad. 4. Based on the EIA Part II and comments thereon, there is no substantial evidence the 17 project will have a significant effect on the environment. 18 Conditions; 19 1. The applicant shall implement or cause the implementation of the Mitigation 20 Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program. 21 " 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PC RESO NO. 6067 -2- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on the 17th day of May 2006, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: Chairperson Montgomery, Commissioners Baker, Cardosa, Dominguez, Segall, and Whitton ABSENT: Commissioner Heineman ABSTAIN: MARTELL B. MONTGOMERY, Mirperson CARLSBAD PLANNING COMMISSION DON NEU Assistant Planning Director PC RESO NO. 6067 -3- City of Carlsbad Planning Department CASE NAME: CASE NO: PROJECT LOCATION: MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program SUP 04-13/CDP 06-02 West of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and north of the mouth of the Encinas Creek, along the Encinas Beach portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of establishing a program to allow for the placement of up to 150,000 cubic yards (cy) per year of opportunistic beach fill (sand) along the Encinas Beach portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach over a 5 year period. DETERMINATION: The City of Carlsbad has conducted an environmental review of the above described project pursuant to the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act and the Environmental Protection Ordinance of the City of Carlsbad. As a result of said review, the initial study (EIA Part 2) identified potentially significant effects on the environment, and the City of Carlsbad finds as follows: [X] Although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because mitigation measures, which will reduce potential impacts to a level of less than significant, have been incorporated into the project and/or agreed to by the applicant. f~l The proposed project MAY have "potentially significant impact(s)" on the environment, but at least one potentially significant impact 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. (Mitigated Negative Declaration applies only to the effects that remained to be addressed). I I Although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there WILL NOT be a significant effect in this case because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project. Therefore, nothing further is required. A copy of the initial study (EIA Part 2) documenting reasons to support the Negative Declaration is on file in the Planning Department, 1635 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008. ADOPTED: ATTEST: Approved, pursuant to Planning Commission Reso No. 6067 MARCELA ESCOBAR-EC Planning Director 1635 Faraday Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-4600 • FAX (760) 602-8559 • www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us City of Carlsbad Planning Department NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION CASE NAME: CASE NO: PROJECT LOCATION: Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program SUP 04-13/CDP 06-02 West of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and north of the mouth of the Encinas Creek, along the Encinas Beach portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of establishing a program to allow for the placement of up to 150,000 cubic yards (cy) per year of opportunistic beach fill (sand) along the Encinas Beach portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach over a 5 year period. PROPOSED DETERMINATION: The City of Carlsbad has conducted an environmental review of the above described project pursuant to the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act and the Environmental Protection Ordinance of the City of Carlsbad. As a result of said review, the initial study (EIA Part 2) identified potentially significant effects on the environment, but (1) revisions in the project plans or proposals made by, or agreed to by, the applicant before the proposed negative declaration and initial study are released for public review would avoid the effects or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly no significant effect on the environment would occur, and (2) there is no substantial evidence in light of the whole record before the City that the project "as revised" may have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration will be recommended for adoption by the City of Carlsbad Planning Commission. A copy of the initial study (EIA Part 2) documenting reasons to support the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration is on file in the Planning Department, 1635 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008. Comments from the public are invited. Please submit comments in writing to the Planning Department within 30 days of the date of this notice. The proposed project and Mitigated Negative Declaration are subject to review and approval/adoption by the City of Carlsbad Planning Commission. Additional public notice(s) will be issued when a public hearing is scheduled. If you have any questions, please call Jennifer Jesser in the Planning Department at (760) 602-4637. PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD February 2, 2006 through March 3. 2006 PUBLISH DATE February 2. 2006 1635 Faraday Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-4600 • FAX (760) 602-8559 • wwv\4«riuegr3fitaW3ca.us ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT - PART II AND DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE CARLSBAD OPPORTUNISTIC BEACH FILL PROGRAM (SUP 04-13/CDP 06-02) January 25,2006 Introduction This document is an Environmental Impact Assessment and draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) prepared to address the potential environmental effects of placing up to 150,000 cubic yards (cy) per year of opportunistic beach fill (sand) on a beach in the city of Carlsbad over a 5-year permit period. Opportunistic beach fill is material that becomes available as a surplus from construction projects and is therefore available at no or relatively low cost compared to costs of material used primarily for beach enhancement or nourishment. Examples of opportunistic beach fill are the by-products of excavation for upland development, transportation projects, wetland restoration, flood control projects, and harbor and channel dredging. The project site, referred to as the "South Carlsbad receiver site", is located along the Encinas Beach portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach, as shown on Figures 1 and 2. The South Carlsbad receiver site is located west of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and north of the mouth of the Encinas Creek. This beach is narrow and backed by an existing fill slope embankment of Carlsbad Boulevard. This is the same beach location where approximately 160,000 cy of sand was placed in summer 2001 as part of the San Diego Regional Beach Sand Project (RBSP). The quantity of material to be placed on the beach would be guided by the placement season (fall/winter versus spring/summer) and the characteristics of the opportunistic material. This document evaluates a maximum sand quantity of 150,000 cy of material with 25 percent or less fine matter (fine material is defined as silt and clay particles small enough to fit through a number 200 sieve, or less than 0.064 millimeters in diameter). Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 1. Project title: Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program 2. Lead agency name and address: City of Carlsbad 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 3. Contact person and phone number: Jennifer Jesser, City of Carlsbad 760-602-4637 4. Project location: The project site, referred to as the "South Carlsbad receiver site", is located along the Encinas Beach portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach, as shown on Figures 1 and 2. The South Carlsbad receiver site is located west of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and north of the mouth of the Encinas Creek. This beach is narrow and backed by an existing fill slope embankment of Carlsbad Boulevard. 5. Project sponsor's name and address: City of Carlsbad 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 6. General plan designation: OS (Open Space) 7. Zoning: OS (Open Space) CD South Carlsbad Receiver Site Map crated IjyCarfetod GIS Department Location Map Figure 1 Page 2 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND HWY. 78 BUENA - VISTA AGObN SOUTH CARLSBAD RECEIVER SITE CARLSBAD PACIFIC OCEAN BAT1QUITOS LAGOON SCALE IN FEET I Fl H 2500 0 25OO SDOO Moffott * Nfetwl -01\COASTAL\DWG\|ooaHonmopiK).dwg Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program Location Map of Opportunistic Beach Site in Carlsbad Figure 2 8. Description of Project: A. General The project consists of establishing a program for the City of Carlsbad to pursue opportunities for obtaining suitable sand for placement on South Carlsbad Beach for erosion control, recreational benefits, and restoration. The program is designed to take surplus sand from upland construction, development, or dredging projects in the area and place it on the City's beach to supplement on-going beach nourishment activities in the region. The purpose of the program is to: • Renourish the Oceanside Littoral Cell (a littoral cell is a reach of shoreline in which all sediment transport processes are related, and may contain several sand sources and sinks); • Provide on-going maintenance of the large-scale beach nourishment project in North County associated with regional beach-fill efforts; • Improve protection to coastal structures and enhance beach recreation opportunities in the City; and • Restore sandy beach habitat. The objective of the program is to capitalize on opportunities to obtain beach-quality sand from upland construction projects when it comes available by obtaining one permit from each permitting agency for an extended period of time (5 years) for beach placement, without having to reapply for individual permits for each placement operation. The sand material would be deposited at a specific location in South Carlsbad State Beach if it is determined to be beach-compatible, rather than having the applicant dispose of it at an inland site. The program would be monitored over time so that it may be modified, with agency consent, to maintain minimal environmental impacts while maximizing nourishment of the littoral cell. This program proposes similar criteria to those proposed for the Opportunistic Programs in the City of Oceanside, City of San Clemente, and the Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment representing the Counties of Santa Barbara and Ventura. B. Background Fill material placed on a beach can help nourish eroding shores. Opportunistic beach fill is material that becomes available as a surplus from construction projects, and is therefore available at no or relatively low cost compared to costs of material used primarily for beach enhancement or nourishment. Examples of opportunistic beach fill are the byproducts of excavation for upland development, transportation projects, wetland restoration, flood control projects, and harbor and channel dredging. The proposed project is related to a previous beach nourishment project implemented in 2001 by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) called the Regional Beach Sand Project (RBSP). That project placed over 2 million cy of beach-quality sand on 12 beach receiver sites from Oceanside to Imperial Beach. The project site was one of those sites, and received 158,000 cy of sand placed along 2,000 feet of beach length in June/July 2001. The potential environmental impacts of the RBSP were evaluated in the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the RBSP. The EIR/EA concluded that the project would not have any significant effects on the environment, but SANDAG was required to implement a short-term (construction) and long-term (5 years) monitoring program to verify that conclusion, as well as to provide additional data regarding actual beach nourishment sand transport compared to coastal engineering models. Monitoring was conducted during construction for turbidity, spawning grunion, and underwater archaeology resources, and no adverse construction impacts were identified. Post- Page 4 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND construction monitoring of lagoons and offshore biological resources (kelp, rocky intertidal habitat, and subtidal habitat) has confirmed no adverse impacts and has provided extensive information about marine resources and sand transport. Additional monitoring at specific locations was sponsored by individual jurisdictions. The City of Encinitas sponsored biological monitoring at six locations (three that received sand as part of the RBSP, and three that did not). The monitoring occurred for three years after the sand placement, and found, overall, an improvement in biological resource use of beach habitat at receiver sites. As stated above, the project site is the same beach location that received 158,000 cy of sand in June/July 2001 as part of the RBSP. Key differences between this project and the RBSP are: 1) the source(s) of sand, 2) sand characteristics, and 3) method of transport. C. Sand Quantities and Qualities Government resource agencies establish criteria for sand placement for all beach nourishment projects in California. These agencies include: • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), • NOAA Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), • California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), • California Coastal Commission (CCC), • California State Lands Commission (CSLC), and • California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB). These agencies were consulted on several occasions during the early phases of project design to determine the appropriate sand qualities and quantities. The project consists of placing a maximum of 150,000 cubic yards per year (cy/yr) of sand on the South Carlsbad receiver site. The maximum proportion of fine-grained particles (or fines, defined as silts and clays passing through the number 200 sieve) is 25% with the remainder 75% sand during the winter season (September 15 to March 15). The South Carlsbad receiver site is more suitable for placement of a higher percentage of fines than a typical beach nourishment project because it is located adjacent to a creek mouth, which historically delivers more fines to the coast during the rainy (winter) season. Initial beach fill volume is limited to 30,000 cy. During the spring and late summer placement period, a more stringent fines content is proposed. The maximum fines content proposed during the Spring and Late Summer placement window is 15%, with the remainder 85% sand. It is also proposed to limit initial beach fills during this time to approximately 20,000 cy. No sand placement is proposed for the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The rate of sand placement on the beach is designed to replicate nature as closely as possible. Natural sediment delivery to the coast occurs during the wet season (fall and winter); therefore, up to 100% of the sand placement is proposed to occur in the fall and winter seasons, between September 15 and March 15. Coastal watersheds naturally yield sediment from rain runoff in the wet season and the coastal zone is acclimated to this seasonal turbidity pattern. No more than one-third of sand material will be placed on the beach in spring and summer months (see table below), when natural sediment delivery to the coast is lower. This season has the highest beach usage for recreation but is also the most active construction season. Restricting all placement to avoid summer months could result in substantial missed opportunities. Therefore, a limited amount of sand placement with a lesser percentage of fines is proposed for the spring and summer months (excluding the Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 5 highest summer recreation period between Memorial Day and Labor Day). The table below outlines the proposed maximum fines content and volumes during each seasonal placement window. TABLE 1 PROPOSED LIMITATIONS OF SAND PLACEMENT QUANTITIES Season Fall/Winter Sept 15 -Mar 15 Spring Mar 15 - last Monday in May (Memorial Day) Summer Memorial Day - first Monday in Sept (Labor Day) Late Summer Option Labor Day - Sept 15 Maximum Fines Content 25% 15% — 15% Maximum Annual Volume1 1 50,000 cy 40,000 cy — 10,000 cy Initial Maximum Beach Fill Volume 30,000 cy 20,000 cy — 5,000 cy 1 The cumulative maximum quantity of all sand in a calendar year, regardless of season, is 150,000 cy. Allowing a higher percentage of fines during winter for this program is helpful because it offers the City flexibility to consider a broader range of opportunistic beach-fill sources. Certain sand sources may have a high percentage of fines, but may consist of very high-quality sand that would be beneficial to the beach. Material with relatively high fines content would be placed below the Mean High Water (MHW) line to allow the fines to be winnowed away by the rising tide and deposited offshore, leaving the sand behind on the beach. It is proposed that the program start with relatively small projects (up to approximately 30,000 cy), followed by monitoring. Other criteria in determining suitable beach sand include that the material: • Cannot be suspected of containing hazardous chemicals based on an EPA Tier I assessment and appropriate testing; • Must be free of trash and debris based on visual inspection; • Must reasonably match the color of natural beach sand after exposure to the marine environment; • Must be less than 10% manufactured sand; and • Must not form a hardpan after placement. Although sand color is not an engineering or environmental factor, it must be considered for aesthetic reasons, hi July 1996, a private developer placed excavated sandy material over clean white sand at the South Carlsbad receiver site, referred to for that project as the Ponto Beach site. The material was placed above the reach of the tides and was not initially exposed to reworking by waves. While above the reach of the tides, it formed a soil-colored (red) hardpan and was unsightly and uncomfortable to local beach users. In April 1997, earthmoving equipment pushed the material into the water and the fines dispersed leaving the beach-colored sand behind. If the City finds acceptable beach material that is significantly darker-colored than the beach sand, it will be placed below the MHW line, within reach of the tides and waves. As mentioned above, the City will require that the color reasonably match the color of natural beach sand after exposure to the marine environment. To determine that the material characteristics are suitable for beach placement, the City will require sampling of the material, and will analyze it against a checklist of the above-listed criteria prior to placing it on the beach. Any sample not meeting these pre-determined City standards would be rejected. D.Beach Fill Design Options There are three different beach fill design options for the Carlsbad beach fill program: 1) placement directly into the surf zone; 2) placement as a beach berm; or 3) placement as a sand dike along the toe of the bluff. The three design options are described as follows: Page 6 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND i. Surf Zone Placement Beach fill will be placed below the MHT line, directly into the surf zone, if the material is darker colored than the existing beach sand. Sand will be delivered to the beach and pushed by bulldozers to the water's edge. At low tide, the material will be pushed as far seaward as possible and left in a long, linear dike parallel to the coast so that it will be reworked by waves during the following rising tide (see Figure 3). The darker-colored clays will be winnowed out of the material by waves and currents and carried offshore and sand will be left behind. Surf zone placement will likely be the design used most often for sand placement. The berm and dike design options will only be used when there is beach quality sand that will visually blend in with the natural beach sand and will not form a hardpan. ii. Beach Berm Beach fill may be placed as a layer over the existing beach as a berm. The beach-berm design is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The berm would be a level surface extending a certain distance from the back of the beach toward the ocean, then sloping gradually into the water. The elevation, width, length, and slope of the berm will vary for each sand placement opportunity, depending upon the quantity of material to be placed and its qualities. The geometry of the berm will depend on the quantity of material and the condition of the beach at the time of material placement. An example of potential berm dimensions, using the estimated initial fill quantity of 30,000 cy with 25% fines (the anticipated norm during fall/winter) would be a berm that is 1,600 feet long by 100 feet wide, with a fill depth (height) of 5 feet on average. iii. Sand Dike along the Bluff Toe Sand could also be placed as a dike along the bluff toe if appropriate. The sand dike design option could be constructed if the City chose to apply the sand to the sea more gradually than would otherwise occur. The sand dike concept is shown in Figure 3. The material would be piled up along the back portion of the beach and extended along the lower bluff. The dike would be narrower and longer than the beach berm design. A typical dike could reach up to +12 feet MLLW or higher, be only 20 to 30 feet wide, and slope more steeply to the beach at 5:1 (H:V). E. Construction Operations Beach fill activities will occur on short notice and when material becomes available. Trucks will haul material from construction sites along designated routes to the deposition site as shown in Figure 6. i. Beach Access For each opportunistic beach fill, a temporary truck ramp would be constructed adjacent to the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard, north of the Encinas Creek Bridge and culvert structures. Although there is existing vehicle access to the beach from the parking lot located south of the Encinas Creek Bridge, access to the parking area would require trucks to travel south on Carlsbad Boulevard and cross the bridge (no access to the parking area from northbound travel lanes). Trucks hauling a load of sand would exceed the weight capacity of the bridge (due to the bridge's age and structural stability), and therefore, will be prohibited from crossing the bridge. Trucks will be required to access the beach north of the bridge. Carlsbad Boulevard north of the bridge is at a higher elevation than the beach; therefore, the construction of a temporary truck ramp is necessary to provide access to the beach. The ramp would be constructed by creating a wedge of fill material (opportunistic sand dumped from the road shoulder and/or with existing beach sand) over the existing slope. The ramp would allow dump trucks, carrying sand, and other vehicles to access the beach from Carlsbad Boulevard. The ramp would be approximately 75 feet wide (from north to south), and would have an approximate height of 8 to 10 feet, depending on beach level (see Figure 7). Fill would be placed to raise the level of the ramp slightly above the level of the existing grade at the top of the slope. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 7 20 15 10 1 5 ^ o 1 5N~' o 1 10 3 IRID oc ~V^ -:•• : ' '\/ • . >$H>B^ 0 100 Prepared by: Moffatt ft Nfehol Engineer*December 1999K: \3497-m\COASTAL\EN-OIKE.DWG _DIKE AJ.ONG BAO ' SLOPE at 5:1 (H: ^BEL 4/_ . *. * t [ OF BEAC v) OW MHT L • ^--v^^^ -.;"- ' H NE MLLW • •• --^ • > * * . .• m '^^.- /-CB-C / MEAS f ^^- 760 URED 10/ ^ 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 "x Range (Feet seaward of Range Line Monument) Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program Beach Fill Dike Along Back of Beach / Below MHT Line Encinas Beach Typical Section )7 1000 1 Figure 3 20 15 10 I ° * 0 1 Kg "5 1 10yUJ 1 R1 3 X <J(\ -25 ( Prepared by MtottdtiS "V^ '•••A . . • . /.z^ *!':..•>> -eEACH Fl *c-">» "/sy V.^0, ' ~*T . •• ' '' _L *0,, "^ ' fc ~^> , % * • ' • ^s. 1 i • ** " MLLW *\7 '•. • ••'. •^-^ • .. T~ , H * '^>-^ '' '. • f \t • ^CB-C / ME AS / -"">> •• 760 URED 10/ ^^ • ) 100 200 300 4-00 500 600 700 800 900 Range (Feet seaward of Range Line Monument) offatt * Nichd Engineer* lASTAL\pWC\EN-TYP.DWC Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program Encinas Beach Fill Typical Section 37 1000 Figure 4 Prepared by: Moffatt & Nichol April 2005 C:\Documents and 5ettings\glim\Locol Settings\Temporory Internet Files\OLK2\Encind Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program Encinas Beach Fill Plan and Profile Locations Figure 5 LOCATION MAP LEGEND NOT TO SCALE ROUTES PROJECT NAME CARLSBAD TRUCK ROUTES FIGURE 6 CARLSBAD OPPORTUNISTIC BEACH FILL PROGRAM Maximum footprint of temporary truck ramp to the beach site. Fig 7 The ramp would be removed once each beach fill project is complete. When the ramp is removed, portions of the material can remain, if desired by the City, to provide added protection to the existing roadway embankment. There is no native or sensitive plant species within the project area, and temporary access ramp will not result in a negative impact to the stability of the existing slope (roadway embankment). 11.Truck Route The trucks would drive south on Carlsbad Boulevard, exit onto the ramp and drive down to the beach. The trucks would dump their load of material on the beach, where earth-moving equipment would then distribute the sand to the appropriately selected beach placement footprint. The trucks would then egress the site via the same ramp and head south on Carlsbad Boulevard. The estimated number of truck trips is shown in Table 2. Trucks will be provided a dedicated lane for dumping sand. There is an existing 6-foot bike lane adjacent to the unpaved shoulder on the west side of the roadway. Carlsbad Boulevard also has two 12-foot through lanes and a paved 10-foot shoulder on the east side of the road. In order to accommodate the truck operations, the bike lane will be closed and the shoulder will be used for truck queuing. To allow for queuing of trucks and dumping procedures, approximately 450 feet will be coned off along Carlsbad Boulevard. Flagmen will direct traffic during construction operations to ensure traffic safety. This is a typical traffic control plan outline. However, for each project, a specific traffic control plan will be developed for approval by the City Engineer. TABLE 2 PROPOSED MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TRUCK TRIPS AND FREQUENCY Season Fall/Winter Spring/ Late Summer Maximum volume of sand placed weekly (cy) 20,000 10,000 Maximum number of weekly truck trips projected1 1,428 714 Maximum number of daily truck trips projected2 238 119 Maximum number of hourly truck trips projected3 29.8 14.9 Minimum time between trips (minutes) 2 4 1 Assumes a twin trailer belly-dump truck holding 14 cy total.2 Assumes a 6-day workweek, Monday through Saturday.3 Assumes an 8-hour workday. F.Monitoring Program A monitoring program is part of the Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program. The monitoring program will involve grunion, turbidity, beach profiles and surfing conditions, as follows: TABLE 3 OVERVIEW OF MONITORING PROGRAM Project Phase Pre-Project Baseline During Construction Post- Construction Post-Project Type of Monitoring Beach profiles Surf conditions Grunion (if appropriate season) Turbidity Surf conditions Grunion (if appropriate season) Beach profile Surf conditions Beach profile Timing/Duration 30 days prior (profile CB-0775) 14 days prior, 3 times per week (one day on a weekend) Predicted grunion run closest to project initiation (2 to 3 weeks and immediately prior to construction) prior, Daily during construction 5 times per week during construction During predicted runs Within 14 days after construction (profile CB-0775) For at least 14 days, but need not exceed 30 days after construction Over 1 year following construction; all profiles surveyed in fall and spring (April/May) (Oct) Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 13 i. Grunion Monitoring The grunion spawning season is from March 1 to August 30 and grunion spawn during middle-of-the- night spring high tides. The eggs incubate in the sand and hatch after approximately 2 weeks, when the juvenile fish return to the sea during the subsequent spring high tides. Because the South Carlsbad receiver site is a sandy beach, it provides suitable grunion spawning habitat. While grunion are not listed as threatened or endangered, efforts are recommended to minimize impacts to this managed fish species. This project will actually improve grunion spawning by adding sand to the beach. As a precaution, grunion will be monitored before construction, and if present, during construction. No post-construction monitoring is required for grunion. The presence of grunion should not result in a halt to construction, due to the availability of a larger sandy area for spawning immediately up- and down-coast. The project shall be allowed to proceed with modifications as needed to accommodate spawning. A grunion monitor must be present to observe grunion runs two to three weeks prior to construction during a predicted grunion run (according to the grunion calendar produced by the California Department of Fish and Game), and immediately prior to construction. If grunion are not present during their predicted runs, no further monitoring is required. If grunion are present during predicted runs, beach nourishment will only occur above the spring high tide line/kelp line or in the nearshore until the spawning season is over. As an alternative, grunion monitoring could continue throughout the sand placement period, and if they do not spawn during a predicted run then sand could be placed below the spring high tide line. ii. Nearshore Reefs and Biological Monitoring Monitoring of nearshore reefs or biology is not recommended for the South Carlsbad receiver site because previous environmental analysis performed for the San Diego Regional Beach Sand Project show no sensitive resources in the area. This is one significant consideration in selecting the South Carlsbad receiver site for this program. iii. Turbidity Turbidity will be monitored throughout construction to qualify the effect on ocean water clarity from the project. Conditions in the area are typically clear, with occasional storms causing turbidity. The project will also cause turbidity, but the condition will be short-lived and should diminish immediately when construction activities are halted. Turbidity will be monitored by an observer from a vantage point (such as a bluff top landward of the placement site) noting the extent of turbid conditions. The observer will map the area of turbidity each day on a base map and photograph the turbidity in the ocean. A map will be created by the observer, and they will document all other pertinent environmental conditions such as waves, wind, and weather. If monitoring indicates excessive turbidity (greater than ambient beyond one- half mile offshore at or down-coast of the placement site) for a prolonged period, assumed to be 5 days, then placement should be halted or modified to reduce turbidity. This judgment should be made by the project engineer in consultation with the City and regulatory staff assigned to the project. iv. Beach Profiles Beach profiles will be monitored to quantify sand accretion or loss at the South Carlsbad receiver site. A licensed surveyor experienced with the survey methods will survey the beach profiles. The survey is to provide data that enables the City to determine the sand gain or loss at the placement site. Existing beach profiles used for regional monitoring and for recent monitoring of the Regional Beach Sand Project are suitable for monitoring of the City's program without the need to establish new beach profiles. There are three established profiles that will be used for this project (see Figure 5). Tasks for beach profiling include: Page 14 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND a. Utilize the one existing beach profile transect within the beach fill footprint that is designated as CB-0775. Utilize the two existing beach profiles adjacent to the site, with one being up-coast of the site at CB-0780 and the other down-coast of the site at CB- 0760. All beach profiles should be surveyed each fall (October) and spring (April/May). Profile CB-0775, however, should also be surveyed more frequently at the time of each project. It should be surveyed within 30 days prior to construction, and within 14 days after construction to record pre- and post-construction conditions, respectively. b. Record beach and seabed elevation along the profiles from the back of the beach out to the depth of 30 feet relative to mean lower low water. Survey equipment to be used includes: 1. Standard survey equipment (level, Global Positioning System or GPS, and rod) for work on land; and 2. A survey boat with a fathometer and GPS for work on the water to tie into the land profile. c. Produce receiver site profiles to compare pre-project with post-project profiles for interpretation and reporting. v. Surf Conditions Monitoring of surfing is intended to provide qualitative information to understand if the project causes negative impacts to surfing at the South Carlsbad beach. This monitoring is not required to be technical nor precise, but rather to simply obtain a sense from observations and periodic interviews/questioning of surfers if the program is problematic to the activity. If so, possibly more detailed data can be obtained to verify concerns. If not, projects should be able to continue without modification. Simple counts of the number of surfers in the water during the prime time for surfing in the morning should roughly indicate if changed conditions from the project affected surfing. General surfing conditions should be observed and noted over a period of 14 days prior to construction and for at least 14 days after construction (no longer than 30 days after construction). The frequency of observations should be 3 times per week with 1 day falling on a weekend. More frequent observations should be made during construction, such as 5 times per week. Observations can be relatively short in time, possibly for 15 minutes at some point between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Observations and notes should recorded on data recording forms specifying the general conditions: a. month/date/time; b. approximate wave height and direction estimated by the eye; c. tide from a tide book; d. wind as roughly estimated by the observer; e. water temperature obtained from lifeguards, newspaper, or the observer; f. qualitative water clarity by the observer; and g. number of surfers in the water Short interviews would be conducted periodically (once during most visits) with local surfers to ascertain effects of the project that may not be able to be determined from observations. For instance, asking how frequently a person surfs that location and why they surf there rather than elsewhere should help solicit their feelings and experience about the site. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 15 G. Additional Project Design Features In addition to the monitoring program specified above, which would document beach and offshore conditions before, during, and after project construction, the following design features would be implemented to minimize adverse effects to the general public: i. Truck operation shall be limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday (fall/winter) and Monday through Friday (spring/summer) with no activity during holidays. ii. A flagman shall keep pedestrians a safe distance from the truck, notify beach users of the presence of the truck, and ensure that a clear and safe path is maintained. This system will be codified in the traffic control plan required to be prepared for each beach fill project. iii. Public streets used for hauling the material to the project site shall be cleaned via street-sweeper every third day of truck delivery to the project site. iv. Trucks shall only use haul routes approved by the city, and shall be specified in the traffic control plan required to be prepared for each beach fill project. v. A Spill Prevention, Containment and Countermeasures Plan shall be prepared by the contractor prior to each beach fill project. The plan shall specify fueling procedures, equipment maintenance procedures, and containment and cleaning measures to be followed in the event of a spill. At a minimum, the plan shall include: a. Use and refueling of equipment as necessary; b. Handling and storage of construction and maintenance fluids (oils, antifreeze, fuels). Fluids shall be stored in closed containers (no open buckets or pans) and disposed of promptly and properly away from permeable areas to prevent contamination of the site. c. Immediate control, containment, and cleanup of fluids released because of spills, equipment failure (broken hose, punctured tank, etc.), or refueling, per federal and state regulations. All contaminated materials shall be disposed of promptly and properly to prevent contamination of the site. To reduce the potential for spills on the beach during refueling, refueling of portable equipment shall occur within a contained area. Where that is not possible, barriers shall be placed around the site where the fuel nozzle enters the fuel tank. The barriers shall be such that spills shall be contained and easily cleaned up. Someone shall be present to monitor refueling activities to ensure that spillage from overfilling, nozzle removal, or other action does not occur. 9. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting The project site, referred to as the "South Carlsbad receiver site", is located along the Encinas Beach portion of the South Carlsbad State Beach, as shown on Figures 1 and 2. The South Carlsbad receiver site is located west of Carlsbad Boulevard, south of Palomar Airport Road, and north of the mouth of the Encinas Creek. This beach is narrow and backed by an existing fill slope embankment of Carlsbad Boulevard. During the winter months, the beach consists of sand and cobbles. In the summer and fall, the sand moves from the offshore bar back onto the beach covering the cobbles. There is no development along this site, but the beach is public with a parking area located off of Carlsbad Boulevard, approximately 650 feet south of the mouth of Encinas Creek. The South Carlsbad receiver site is located within the limits of South Carlsbad State Beach. Surrounding development consists of: Page 16 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND • North of the site - Palomar Airport Road • South of the site - continuation of Carlsbad State Beach, public parking lot, and State Beach campground • Bordering the east side of the site - Carlsbad Boulevard • East of Carlsbad Boulevard/south of Palomar Airport Road/north of Encinas Creek - timeshare resort, and residential development • East of Carlsbad Boulevard/south of Encinas Creek - undeveloped with natural vegetation. • West of the site - Pacific Ocean The South Carlsbad receiver site is located on a low tide terrace, which lies in front of coastal cliffs between Agua Hedionda and Batiquitos Lagoons. The steep coastal cliffs in this area have been continually forming from wave action cutting against the marine terrace. This process has occurred since the last relative still-stand of sea level, approximately 6,000 years ago. The project site comprises the flat, rocky, shallow part of the shoreline. 10. Other public agencies whose approval is required (i.e., permits, financing approval or participation agreements): Implementation of the Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Project will require approval and permits from a variety of local, state, and federal agencies, as follows: A. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) - Sections 10 and 404 Permit The proposed program involves placing sand on a beach receiver site. Section 10 of the River and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act require permits from the USAGE for transporting and placing fill material into waters of the U.S. B. Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWOCB) - Section 401C Certification Any project in California that proposes placing fill materials into waters of the U.S. requires a Section 401C Certification from the RWQCB. Since the program involves placing sand on the beach below the mean high tide line, a certification is needed from the RWQCB. C. California Coastal Commission (CCC) - Coastal Development Permit The proposed program is located within the Coastal Zone (both seaward and landward of the mean high tide line). The part of the project located seaward of the mean high tide line is subject to the approval of a coastal development permit (CDP) from the CCC. The part of the project that is located landward of the mean high tide line is subject to approval of a CDP from the City of Carlsbad. D. California State Lands Commission (CSLC) - Lease of State Land The CSLC has jurisdiction over certain tidal zones and submerged lands, pursuant to Section 630.3 (Division 6) of the California Public Resources Code. This jurisdiction includes those areas located seaward of the mean high tide line. The placement of beach fill material below the mean high tide line requires a lease agreement with the CSLC. E. California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) - Encroachment Permit The project site is owned by the CDPR and an encroachment permit from CDPR is necessary for access to the State beach. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 17 F. City of Carlsbad - Approval of Mitigated Negative Declaration, Special Use Permit (SUP), and Local CDP. The City must approve the environmental determination made pursuant to CEQA (as indicated in this document, a Mitigated Negative Declaration). The project site contains a special flood hazard area - Zone VE (coastal flood with velocity hazard - wave action). A SUP is required by the City of Carlsbad for the placement of fill material in a special flood hazard area. Also, the portion of the project that is located landward of the mean high tide line is subject to City approval of a local CDP, which can be appealed to the CCC. Page 18 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: The summary of environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact," or "Potentially Significant Impact Unless Mitigation Incorporated" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. |~| Aesthetics [X] Biological Resources |~| Hazards/Hazardous Materials |~~| Mineral Resources l~~l Public Services PI Utilities/Service Systems ED Agricultural Resources l~~l Cultural Resources £3 Hydrology/Water Quality I I Noise CH Recreation £3 Mandatory Findings of Significance D Air Quality I I Geology/Soils I | Land Use/Planning I | Population/Housing IXI Transportation/Traffic DETERMINATION: (To be completed by the Lead Agency) [~~1 I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. E<3 I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because mitigation measures, which will reduce potential impacts to a level of less than significant, have been incorporated into the project and/or agreed to by the applicant. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I I I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. l~1 I find that the proposed project MAY have "potentially significant impact(s)" on the environment, but at least one potentially significant impact 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. A Negative Declaration is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. l~~l I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there WILL NOT be a significant effect in this case because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project. Therefore, nothing further is required. Planning Director's Signature Date Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 19 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS STATE CEQA GUIDELINES, Chapter 3, Article 5, Section 15063 requires that the City conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment to determine if a project may have a significant effect on the environment. The Environmental Impact Assessment appears in the following pages in the form of a checklist. This checklist identifies any physical, biological and human factors that might be impacted by the proposed project and provides the City with information to use as the basis for deciding whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Negative Declaration, or to rely on a previously approved EIR or Negative Declaration. • A brief explanation is required for all answers except "No Impact" answers that are adequately supported by an information source cited in the parentheses following each question. A "No Impact" answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved. A "No Impact" answer should be explained when there is no source document to refer to, or it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards. • "Less Than Significant Impact" applies where there is supporting evidence that the potential impact is not significantly adverse, and the impact does not exceed adopted general standards and policies. • "Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated" applies where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from "Potentially Significant Impact" to a "Less Than Significant Impact." The developer must agree to the mitigation, and the City must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level. • "Potentially Significant Impact" is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect is significantly adverse. • Based on an "EIA-Part II", if a proposed project could have a potentially significant adverse effect on the environment, but all potentially significant adverse effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or Mitigated Negative Declaration, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, and none of the circumstances requiring a supplement to or supplemental EIR are present and all the mitigation measures required by the prior environmental document have been incorporated into this project, then no additional environmental document is required. • When "Potentially Significant Impact" is checked the project is not necessarily required to prepare an EIR if the significant adverse effect has been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR pursuant to applicable standards and the effect will be mitigated, or a "Statement of Overriding Considerations" has been made pursuant to that earlier EIR. • A Negative Declaration may be prepared if the City perceives no substantial evidence that the project or any of its aspects may cause a significant adverse effect on the environment. • If there are one or more potentially significant adverse effects, the City may avoid preparing an EIR if there are mitigation measures to clearly reduce adverse impacts to less than significant, and those mitigation measures are agreed to by the developer prior to public review. In this case, the appropriate "Potentially Significant Impact Unless Mitigation Incorporated" may be checked and a Mitigated Negative Declaration may be prepared. • An EIR must be prepared if "Potentially Significant Impact" is checked, and including but not limited to the following circumstances: (1) the potentially significant adverse effect has not been discussed or mitigated in an earlier EIR pursuant to applicable standards, and the developer does not agree to mitigation measures that reduce the adverse impact to less than significant; (2) a "Statement of Overriding Considerations" for the significant adverse impact has not been made pursuant to an earlier EIR; (3) proposed mitigation measures do not reduce the adverse impact to less than significant; or (4) through the Page 20 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND EIA-Part II analysis it is not possible to determine the level of significance for a potentially adverse effect, or determine the effectiveness of a mitigation measure in reducing a potentially significant effect to below a level of significance. A discussion of potential impacts and the proposed mitigation measures appears at the end of the form under DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION. Particular attention should be given to discussing mitigation for impacts, which would otherwise be determined significant. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 21 Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). I. AESTHETICS-Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d) Create a new source of substantial light and glare, which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? II. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES - (In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model-1997 prepared by the California Department of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland.) Would the project: a) 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 of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? c) Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use? HI. AIR QUALITY - (Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations.) Would the project: 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? Potentially Significant Impact Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact D D D D D D n m Page 22 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). 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 which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian, aquatic or wetland habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations or by California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including but not limited to marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filing, 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 Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? Potentially Significant Impact Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact D No Impact D D D D D n Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 23 Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). V. CULTURAL RESOURCES - Would the project: 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 signifi- cance of an archeological resource pursuant to §15064.5? c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontologi- cal resource or site or unique geologic feature? d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries? VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS - Would the project: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury or death involving: i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. ii. Strong seismic ground shaking? iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? iv. Landslides? b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse? d) Be located on expansive soils, as defined in Table 18 - 1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1997), creating substantial risks to life or property? Potentially Significant Impact Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact D EI Page 24 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). VII. e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater? HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - Would the project: a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? b) Create a significant hazard to the public or environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or environment? e) For a project within an airport land use plan, or where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? h) 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? VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY - Would the project: a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements? Potentially Significant Impact Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant No Impact Impact D D D n D D Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 25 Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with ground water recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local ground water table level (i.e., the production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? c) 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 manner, which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off- site? d) 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 flow rate or amount (volume) of surface runoff in a manner, which would result in flooding on- or off- site? e) Create or contribute runoff water, which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a Federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood delineation map? h) Place within 100-year flood hazard area structures, which would impede or redirect flood flows? i) 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? j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? IX. LANDUSE AND PLANNING - Would the project: a) Physically divide an established community? b) 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? Potentially Significant Impact Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant No Impact Impact n n D n Page 26 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan? X. MINERAL RESOURCES - Would the project: a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of future value to the region and the residents of the State? b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan? XI. NOISE - Would the project result in: a) 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? b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundbourae vibration or groundbourne noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? Potentially Significant Impact Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact n EI EI n n El e) 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, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING - Would the project: a) Induce substantial 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)? b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? El Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 27 Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered government facilities, a need for new or physically altered government facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of the public services: i) Fire protection? ii) Police protection? iii) Schools? iv) Parks? v) Other public facilities? XIV. RECREATION a) Would the project 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? Potentially Significant Impact Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact D D D D D b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities, which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC - Would the project: a) Cause 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)? b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service standard established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? D D Page 28 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? e) Result in inadequate emergency access? f) Result in insufficient parking capacity? g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus turn- outs, bicycle racks)? XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICES SYSTEMS - Would the project: 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 expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which would cause significant environmental effects? c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? Potentially Significant Impact Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact D n D D D e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider, which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste disposal needs? g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste? n n n [XI Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 29 D D XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumula- tively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects?) c) Does the project have environmental effects, which will cause the substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? XVIII. EARLIER ANALYSES Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, one or more effects have been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). In this case a discussion should identify the following on attached sheets: a) Earlier analyses used. Identify earlier analyses and state where they are available for review. b) Impacts adequately addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis. c) Mitigation measures. For effects that are "Less Than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated," describe the mitigation measures, which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project. Page 30 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION I. AESTHETICS - Would the project: a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b. Substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway? c. Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d. Create a new source of substantial light and glare, which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? No Impact (a, b, c, and d). The project involves placing sand on an existing beach, which will have a beneficial aesthetic effect as existing eroded beaches gain sand cover. The project does not involve any activity that would damage a scenic recource, degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site, or create a new source of substantial light and glare. II. AGRICULTRAL RESOURCES - Would the project: a. 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 of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? b. Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? c. Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use? No Impact (a, b, and c). The proposed beach fill program site is not farmland, is not zoned for agricultural use, and the location and nature of the project will not result in the conversion of farmland to a non-agricultural use. in. AIR QUALITY—Would the project: a. Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? No Impact. The project site is located in the San Diego Air Basin which is a federal and state non- attainment area for ozone (Oa), and a state non-attainment area for particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter (PM]0). The periodic violations of national Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS) in the San Diego Air Basin (SDAB), particularly for ozone in inland foothill areas, requires that a plan be developed outlining the pollution controls that will be undertaken to improve air quality. In San Diego County, this attainment planning process is embodied in the Regional Air Quality Strategies (RAQS) developed jointly by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). A plan to meet the federal standard for ozone was developed in 1994 during the process of updating the 1991 state-mandated plan. This local plan was combined with plans from all other California non- attainment areas having serious ozone problems and used to create the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP was adopted by the Air Resources Board (ARB) after public hearings on November 9th through 10th in 1994, and was forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 31 approval. After considerable analysis and debate, particularly regarding airsheds with the worst smog problems, EPA approved the SIP in mid-1996. The project involves the placement of sand on an existing beach, which will not conflict with or obstruct implementation of any air quality plan, strategy or standards. Measures required for construction activity by the APCD and the City will be adhered to during project construction, thus ensuring consistency with air quality standards. b. Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation? Less Than Significant Impact. The closest air quality monitoring station to the project site is in the City of Oceanside. Data available for this monitoring site through April 2002 indicate that the most recent air quality violations recorded were for the state one hour standard for ozone (one day in both 2000 and 2001) and one day in 2001 for the federal 8-hour average for ozone and one day for the 24-hour state standard for suspended particulates in 1996. No violations of any other air quality standards have been recorded recently. The project would involve minimal short-term emissions associated with material transport and earthmoving activities involved with the construction of each beach fill. Such emissions would be minimized through standard construction measures such as the use of properly tuned equipment and watering roads and site during earthmoving to reduce dust. Long-term emissions associated with travel to and from the project site will be minimal. Although air pollutant emissions would be associated with the project, they would neither result in the violation of any air quality standard (comprising only an incremental contribution to overall air basin quality readings), nor contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation. Any impact is assessed as less than significant. c. Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard? Less Than Significant Impact. The Air Basin is currently in a non-attainment zone for ozone and suspended fine particulates. The proposed project would represent a contribution to a cumulatively considerable potential net increase in emissions throughout the air basin. As described above, however, emissions associated with the proposed project would be minimal. Given the limited emissions potentially associated with the proposed project, air quality would be essentially the same whether or not the proposed project is implemented. According to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15130 (a)(4), the proposed project's contribution to the cumulative impact is considered de minimus. Any impact is assessed as less than significant. d. Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? Less Than Significant Impact. It is likely that some children, the elderly, and those suffering from respiratory problems may reside in the vicinity of the beach fill program site. During construction, their exposure to contaminants in the air may be slightly greater near the site than at other locations within the area. The project primarily involves the conveyance of sand, which would be moist and the potential for dust generation would be very low. Activities on dry sand (mobilization, crew access) would be of a relatively short duration. These impacts are not considered significant because of the short-term nature of the activity and the relatively low incremental increase in emissions. e. Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? Less Than Significant Impact. The construction of the proposed project could generate fumes from the operation of construction equipment, which may cause air emissions that generate standard odors associated with these emissions. These odors tend to dissipate rapidly in the atmosphere, would be short- Page 32 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND term, and are not considered significant. In addition, the number of people exposed to such short-term impacts is not considered substantial. IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - Would the project: a. Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? Less Than Significant Impact. As noted in the RBSP EIR/EA, the southern California coastal environment is known habitat for three key species identified as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act: 1) the California least tern; 2) the California brown pelican; and 3) the western snowy plover. Part of the information summarized below is taken from the Biological Assessment for the RBSP. California brown pelicans are found in the open ocean and other coastal salt waters along the southern California coast throughout the year. This species is tolerant of human activity near its daytime roosts and readily utilizes various man-made structures (e.g., piers, breakwaters, buoys) as roosting sites. Known breading locations include offshore islands such as Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands, and islands off the coast of northwestern Baja California, Mexico. The California least tern nest in colonies along the southern California coast on sandy beaches with sparse vegetation. It forages in shallow open water, generally less than 60 feet deep and within one mile of shore, and in wetlands nearby these nesting habitats. The tern nesting sites located nearest to the project site are at Batiquitos Lagoon (just over 2 miles south of the site) and San Elijo Lagoon (approximately 3.5 miles north of the site). Least terns usually feed in waters within a two-mile radius of their nesting site, but may forage as far as five miles away. The least tern nesting season is April 1 to September 15. Snowy plovers nest on bay fill and beaches around bays and lagoons, spits and alkali flats at river mouths, and on salt evaporators. Plovers typically forage in areas with little or no human activity, and prefer to forage on sandy beaches with kelp washed ashore. Plover nest sites located nearest to the project site have been found around Agua Hedionda, Batiquitos, and San Elijo Lagoons. Plovers forage close to their nests probing in the sand for invertbrates or running along the sand snatching up insects in the air. The plover nesting season extends from March 1 to September 15. The proposed beach fill project consists of the placement of sand on the South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach), which would result in short term increases in turbidity in the project vicinity. Fish eating birds such as the California brown pelican and California least tern could be impacted in the vicinity of the site by temporary reduction in their prey base if fish move away from the turbidity plume. Temporary impacts may also include an increase in noise from beach fill construction activities. These impacts (turbidity, noise) are short term and the birds will likely forage in the waters outside of the beach fill construction activities. Turbidity from the project would be localized and temporary, and would not extend beyond the normal foraging distances for either of these species. Since ample alternative forage areas would be available to these species during receiver site construction, no adverse impacts to these species are anticipated. However, as a precaution, measures are incorporated into the program to reduce least tern and brown pelican impacts. Such measures include turbidity monitoring, and limiting the beach fill activities mainly to times other than least tern breeding season (maximum annual volume of sand is limited to 40,000 cy between March 15 and Memorial Day, and 10,000 cy between Labor Day and September 15). The proposed beach fill project may also temporarily reduce (within the fill area) the invertebrate populations that the snowy plover forage on. This impact is not considered significant since there is unaffected shoreline near the site and recolonization of the site would be rapid. As a precaution, Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 33 measures are incorporated into the program to reduce potential impacts to snowy plovers. The City will direct a qualified biologist to examine the beach area prior to any fill activities. If no snowy plovers are detected, no further measures will be taken. However, if birds are present, any planned beach fill activities will be temporarily halted until the monitor determines that the birds have moved away from the fill area. b. Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian, aquatic or wetland habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations or by California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? Less Than Significant Impact. As noted in the RBSP EIR/EA, the intertidal habitat of the project site is predominantly sand with localized cobble bands extending from the upper intertidal zone from 10 to 100 feet seaward to the mid tide zone. Nearshore waters are characterized by mostly sandy bottom with a patch of high-relief reef in the northern/central part of the site. The high-relief reef begins 525 feet offshore in -6 feet MLLW at a distance of about 225 feet from the seaward boundary of the fill site. Feather boa kelp and sea palms were noted on the reef in 1997. No surface canopy of kelp was mapped in the vicinity in 1999, and the closest kelp bed in 1997 was approximately one mile south. Historically, kelp has occurred offshore at a depth greater than 20 feet above MLLW. The project may cause limited sedimentation around the reef, which may temporarily impact intertidal and shallow nearshore subtidal reef plants due to a temporary increase in sediment elevation and/or turbidity resulting from beach fill activity. Turbidity from the project will have a less than significant impact to kelp and reef plants. In addition, the RBSP EIR/EA indicates that there is a low risk of sedimentation impact to intertidal habitat when a beach receiver site is located at offshore coastlines that curve outward as headlands or have a steeper depth profile. The project site was identified in the RBSP EIR/EA as one of five sites that would have a low risk of sedimentation impact to intertidal habitat. c. Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including but not limited to marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filing, hydrological interruption, or other means? No Impact. The project site is a sandy beach, and no federally protected wetlands exist within the project area. No impacts to protected wetlands will occur from the project. 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? Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. The project consists of the placement of sand on the South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach). The sand placement would result in burial impacts to marine life within the footprint area. The loss of benthic organisms within the beach fill footprint is an expected and unavoidable impact during beach replenishment project. However, as indicated in the RBSP EIR/EA, due to the widespread occurrence and rapid recovery rates of these types of organisms, direct impacts to marine life within the beach fill footprint are expected to be less than significant. Migratory fish and marine mammals occur within the nearshore waters. The beach fill material may cause slightly higher turbidity than ambient conditions during construction. However, any increase in turbidity will be very limited and within natural winter to spring season sedimentation rates. Impacts are considered less than significant. California grunion spawn on sandy beaches in the San Diego region between March and August and have the potential to be affected by the beach fill project. The grunion spawn during middle-of-the-night Page 34 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND spring high tides, and their eggs incubate in the sand and hatch in approximately 2 weeks when the next spring high tide occurs. Grunion have the potential to be impacted by beach fill activities if the eggs are buried by beach fill material, thus preventing eggs from hatching. The project includes a monitoring program designed to ensure that no significant impact to grunion will occur. e. Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? No Impact. There are no local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources that the project would conflict with. f. Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? No Impact. The project site is not located within a designated local regional or state habitat or natural community conservation plan area, and therefore, will not conflict with any conservation plan. V. CULTURAL RESOURCES - Would the project: a. Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in §15064.5? No Impact. There are no known historical resources that would be impacted by the project. The project site is subject to repeated wave action that continually brings sediments onto the beach and causes heavy erosion. No impact to historical resources will occur. b. Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archeological resource pursuant to §15064.5? No Impact. The archaeological site located nearest to the project site is at the 50-foot contour above and across (east of) Carlsbad Boulevard from the project. The project site is subject to repeated wave action that continually brings sediments onto the beach and causes heavy erosion. No impact to archaeological resources will occur. c. Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature? No Impact. The project site is subject to repeated wave action that continually brings sediments onto the beach and causes heavy erosion. There are no known paleontological resources or unique geologic features at the site. Also, the project will not result in subsurface excavation that may impact buried resources. No impact to paleontological resources or unique geologic features will occur. d. Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries? No Impact. The project site is subject to repeated wave action that continually brings sediments onto the beach and causes heavy erosion. There are no known human remains interred at the site. Also, the project will not result in subsurface excavation that may impact interred human remains. No impact to human remains will occur. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 35 VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS - Would the project: a. Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury or death involving: i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. No Impact. There are no Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault zones within the City of Carlsbad and there is no other evidence of active or potentially active faults within the City. The nearest known active fault is the northern extension of the Rose Canyon Fault located approximately 8 miles west (offshore). Therefore, there would be no potential adverse effect due to fault rupture. ii. Strong seismic ground shaking? Less Than Significant Impact. The project would not result in, or expose people to seismic ground shaking beyond the conditions that currently exist throughout the region. This exposure is the general exposure that all person in Southern California experience because of the high seismic activity level of the region. The project will replenish South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach) and will not increase exposure to seismic activity because no development is proposed. iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? Less Than Significant Impact. The project is primarily limited to valley bottoms and shoreline areas. Exposure of people to seismic ground failure, including liquefaction, may occur at the project site but would not increase beyond existing conditions because the project would only add sand to an existing beach, not new structures. iv. Landslides? Less Than Significant Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach), which involves the construction of a temporary access ramp (constructed from a portion of the beach fill material) from the top of the slope located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard down to the beach. Based on the Geologic Reconnaissance for the project (URS, September 2, 2005), construction of the temporary beach access ramp will not result in a significant impact to the existing slope. According to the Shoreline Erosion Assessment and Atlas of the San Diego Region (Department of Boating and Waterways and SANDAG, 1994), the entire stretch of beach along the project site is an area of "High Risk" due to unfavorable geology, inadequate setback, and recreation sensitivity. However, the shoreline reach indicated as being "High Risk" primarily includes natural coastal bluffs, whereas the proposed beach access ramp is proposed in an area where the beach is backed by a stretch of an existing fill slope embankment of Carlsbad Boulevard. The road embankment in the project area consists of an 8 to 10 foot high fill slope with a near vertical inclination. Based on the project geologic reconnaissance, the road embankment appears to have been placed in layers, and was likely placed in an engineered manner. Therefore, it is unlikely that the proposed fill placement would result in increased and/or renewed slope instability as there are no indications of recent or ongoing slope movement along the road embankment. The proposed ramp would create a wedge of new fill extending seaward from the face of the road embankment. The new fill slope would have a buttressing effect, and at least temporarily offer some protection from high waves. Given the distance between the top of the slope and the road edge, the Page 36 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND embankment potentially could slope back at an approximate inclination of 1:1 without impacting the road. Therefore, the placement of a wedge of fill over the edge of the slope is not likely to result in embankment instability that could undermine the roadway. Heavy equipment utilizing the temporary slope could potentially cause shallow slope failures along the outer edge of the existing road embankment if the equipment were to operate near the outer edge of the embankment. Therefore, equipment used in the fill operation will be sequenced to avoid heavy vehicle activity near the outer edge of the embankment. Also, the fill operation will be monitored to avoid making notches or other cuts into the slope along the area. Even with proper monitoring of the operation however, some minor degradation of the upper edge of the embankment may be unavoidable. However, it is anticipated that any minor distress to the embankment could be readily repaired by recompacting the fill. The proposed temporary beach access ramp will not result in significant impacts on the existing road embankment. Therefore, the potential for the project to expose people or structures to adverse effects caused by a landslide is less than significant. b. Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? Less Than Significant Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach), which involves the construction of a temporary access ramp (constructed from a portion of the beach fill material) from the top of the slope located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard down to the beach. The purpose of the project is to replenish an eroding beach. As such, the placement of sand on the beach will not result in erosion and is intended to reduce existing beach erosion conditions. The project will result in minor changes to topography and ground surface relief features at the beach, but in an insignificant and potentially beneficial manner. With regard to the temporary beach access ramp, as indicated above in item "a.iv." of this section discussing potential impacts to "geology and soils", construction of the temporary ramp will not result in a significant impact to the existing road embankment located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard. Therefore, the potential for the project to result in substantial soil erosion or loss of topsoil is less than significant. c. Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse? Less Than Significant Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach), which involves the construction of a temporary access ramp (constructed from a portion of the beach fill material) from the top of the slope located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard down to the beach. As indicated above in item "a.iv." of this section discussing potential impacts to "geology and soils", the entire stretch of beach along the project site is designated by the Shoreline Erosion Assessment and Atlas of the San Diego Region as an area with unfavorable geology, inadequate setback, and recreation sensitivity. However, the proposed beach access ramp is proposed in an area where the beach is backed by a stretch of an existing fill slope embankment of Carlsbad Boulevard, and the geologic reconnaissance conducted for the project determined that construction of the temporary ramp will not result in a significant impact to the existing road embankment located adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard. The project will not result in a significant impact to, nor be significantly impacted by, the stability of soil conditions at the site. The site is located within a potential liquefaction area, but the project will not change this existing condition. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 37 d. Be located on expansive soils, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property? No Impact. The project site is a sandy beach. Expansive soils are not documented to exist at the site, nor will they be created by the project. Therefore, the project will not create substantial risks to life or property due to expansive soils. e. Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater? No Impact. The project does not include or require the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems. Therefore, the project will have no impact due to soils being incapable of supporting a septic or wastewater disposal system. VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - Would the project: a. Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? No Impact. The project consists of the placement of sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No hazardous materials will be transported to or from the site, or used or disposed of on the site. b. Create a significant hazard to the public or environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? Less Than Significant Impact. The project consists of the placement of sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No hazardous materials will be used in the project operations, except conventional types of fuels to power equipment and trucks. Containment for potential leaks and spills from construction equipment are addressed as a project design feature (Spill Prevention, Containment and Coutermeasures Plan) as detailed in the project description. Therefore, the project will not create a significant hazard to the public or environment involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment. c. Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? No Impact. The project consists of the placement of sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No hazardous materials will be used in the project operations, except conventional types of fuels to power equipment and trucks. There are no existing or proposed schools within one-quarter mile of the site. Therefore, the project will not emit or handle hazardous materials within one-quarter mile of a school. d. Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or environment? No Impact. The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites, and therefore, will not create a significant hazard to the public or environment. e. For a project within an airport land use plan, or where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? Page 38 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND No Impact. According to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLUP), the project site is located within the airport's Influence Area. McClellan-Palomar Airport is located slightly more than 2 miles east of the project site. The airport's Influence Area encompasses those areas adjacent to the airport that could be impacted by noise levels exceeding the California State Noise Standards or where height restrictions would be needed to prevent obstructions to navigable airspace. The northern portion of project site is located within the airport's 60 CNEL noise contour, the southern portion is outside the 60 CNEL. The existing recreational beach use is a compatible use within the 60 CNEL noise contour. The project will not change the existing use. Also, the project does not include the construction of any structure that would obstruct navigable airspace. Therefore, the project will not result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area. f. For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? No Impact. The project site is not located within the vicinity of a private airstrip, and therefore, the project will not result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area. g. Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? No Impact. Material transport as part of the project will follow designated haul routes capable of conveying the traffic, while maintaining access for emergency response and evacuation. Also, the project site is located in an area where adequate circulation and access is provided to address emergency responses. Therefore, project implementation will not interfere with an emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. h. 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? No Impact. The beach (project site) is not within or adjacent to a wildland fire area, and therefore, will not expose people or structures to risk involving wildland fires. VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY - Would the project: a. Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements? Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. All proposed sand sources will be clean, beach-quality sand material and beneficial for the environment and public. The proposed Opportunistic Beach Fill Program includes a requirement that all potential sand sources be tested for bulk chemistry, trash, color, and sand percentage to verify that the sand is free of contaminants prior to placement on the project site. Background research will also be conducted to determine the potential for the material to possess contaminants based on Tier I testing protocol as specified by the USAGE and USEPA. Water conditions in the project area are typically clear, with occasional storms causing turbidity. The project may cause a low-level turbidity plume in the water, but the condition will be short-lived and should diminish immediately when construction activities are halted. Turbidity could temporarily exceed water quality standards, but will be mitigated to less than significant by restricting the silt and clay content to 25% maximum during winter placement and 15% during summer placement, and by restricting sand placement rates on the beach as specified in the project description. Turbidity will be monitored throughout construction to qualify the effect on ocean water clarity from the project. Turbidity will be monitored by an observer from a vantage point (such as a bluff top or lifeguard tower) noting the extent of turbid conditions. The observer will map the area of turbidity each day and Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 39 photograph it. A map will be created by the observer, and they will document all other pertinent environmental conditions such as waves, wind, and weather. If monitoring indicates excessive turbidity (greater than ambient beyond one-half mile offshore at or downcoast of the placement site) for a prolonged period, assumed to be 5 days, then placement will be halted or modified to reduce turbidity. b. Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with ground water recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local ground water table level (i.e., the production rate of pre- existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). The project will not deplete groundwater supplies or interfere with groundwater recharge in any way. c. 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 manner, which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? No Impact. The project will not result in changes to existing drainage patterns at the beach fill site. The purpose of the project is to place sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach), which will help reduce existing erosion problems and may minimize future erosion. d. 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 flow rate or amount (volume) of surface runoff in a manner, which would result in flooding on- or off-site? No Impact. The project will not result in changes to existing drainage patterns or the amount of surface runoff at the site. Drainage at the site may improve as the beach is widened to reduce coastal flooding from high tide events. e. Create or contribute runoff water, which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff?, No Impact. The project will place sand on the beach and will not contribute runoff water that would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems, and will not create additional sources of polluted runoff. f. Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). As the waves work the sand into the littoral system, the fine-grained sediment will stay in suspension as the coarser-grained sediment settles to the bottom in the nearshore. During this time, the turbidity levels in the surfzone may temporarily increase above ambient levels. However, this increase in turbidity is expected to be short-lived as the fine-grained sediments settle to the bottom in deeper water. Since this impact is temporary, impacts are considered less than significant with mitigation incorporated as discussed in item "a" of this section discussing environmental impacts to "Hydrology and Water Quality", above. As mitigation, turbidity will be monitored and if significant turbidity occurs above ambient conditions, the project will be modified to reduce turbidity by reducing sand delivery rates. The proposed Opportunistic Beach Fill Program includes a requirement that all potential sand sources be tested for bulk chemistry, trash, color, and sand percentage to verify that the sand is free of contaminants Page 40 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND prior to placement on the project site. Background research will also be conducted to determine the potential for the material to possess contaminants based on Tier I testing protocol as specified by the USAGE and USEPA. No other changes to water quality, such as to temperature, dissolved oxygen, or pH will occur because the beach fill material will be sand that is chemically inert and not possess characteristics that would affect these parameters. g. Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a Federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood delineation map? No Impact. The project will place sand on the beach. No housing is involved in the project, and therefore, the project will not place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area. h. Place within 100-year flood hazard area structures, which would impede or redirect flood flows? No Impact. The project will place sand on the beach. No structures are involved in the project, and therefore, the project will not place structures within a 100-year flood hazard area. i. 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? No Impact. The project will place sand on the beach. No development is proposed. The project may offer added protection from flood hazards since the project would raise and widen the existing beach. Therefore, the project will expose people or structures to a significant risk from flooding. j. Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? No Impact. Implementation of the proposed project would not result in the increased exposure of people or property to seiche, tsunami, or mudflow. All coastal locations are potentially exposed to tsunamis and the project would not change this existing condition. It may offer greater protection for oceanfront residences if the beach is wider. No lakes or bays exist for the creation of a seiche condition and the project would not affect this situation. IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING - Would the project: a. Physically divide an established community? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No development is proposed and no aspect of the project will physically divide an established community. b. 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? No Impact. The project site is a public beach owned by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and is located within the Coastal Zone of the California Coastal Commission. The City of Carlsbad General Plan designates the project site as Open Space (OS). The OS land use designation is defined as "any area of land or water which, for whatever reason, is not developed for urbanized uses and which therefore enhances residents' quality of life. The open space may be in its natural state or modified in such a way that the modification itself contributes to this enhancement." The Carlsbad General Plan specifies that coastal beaches are a category of open space that should be preserved and protected. The project will place sand on an eroded beach, which will enhance the quality of the beach and improve its recreational use as a public beach. Also, the project is consistent with California Coastal Act Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 41 requirements to place suitable excess fill on the beach. The project does not conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project. c. Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan? No Impact. The project site is not located within a habitat or natural community conservation plan area, and no aspect of the project will conflict with any such plan. X. MINERAL RESOURCES - Would the project: a. Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of future value to the region and the residents of the State? No Impact. The project will not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource. In fact, the project will make use of a valuable resource (beach quality sand) that may otherwise be lost in a landfill. Once placed in the beach system this resource would be part of the natural littoral system and would benefit the region and residents along the Oceanside littoral cell area. b. Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan? No Impact. The project site is not delineated as a mineral resource recovery site in any general, specific or other land use plan, and therefore, will not result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource. XI. NOISE - Would the project result in: a. 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? Less Than Significant Impact. The project may result in a temporary increase in the existing noise levels during construction as vehicles will deliver sand to the project site, and construction equipment will be required to construct the temporary beach access ramp and spread sand on the beach. This activity may result in short-term construction noise from the mechanical equipment used to transport and spread the beach fill material. Diesel engine noise levels for construction equipment are estimated at 85-90 dBA measured at 50 feet from the engine. The City of Carlsbad does not have an established noise standard for construction activities. City policies do limit the hours of construction to between 7:00 am and sunset Monday - Friday, and between 8:00 am and sunset on Saturday, and construction equipment operated within 1,000 feet of a dwelling or noise sensitive use must be equipped with properly operating and maintained mufflers. Equipment used during project construction will be required to comply with these regulations. The closest residences to the project site are 550 to 750 feet from the beach area. Most of the beach area where sand would be distributed is not directly visible from the residences because of topography. As stated in the RBSP EIR/EA, line of site construction equipment noise would be at least 20 dBA less (approximately 65 to 70 dBA) at the residences than at the beach, and would not likely be discernable above the traffic noise from Carlsbad Boulevard. Based on the short-term nature of the construction activities, and the distance from residences, the noise impact from the project will be less than significant. Page 42 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND b. Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundbourne vibration or groundbourne noise levels? Less Than Significant Impact. The project may result in a temporary increase in groundbourne vibration and noise levels during construction as vehicles will deliver sand to the site, but this effect would be minimal and short-term. Exposure from the project to groundbourne vibration and noise will be less than significant. c. A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? No Impact. The project will not result in the construction of a permanent noise-generating source. Any noise generated from the project would be temporary during construction activities. Therefore, the project will not result in a permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity. d. A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? Less Than Significant Impact. The project will result in temporary increases in noise levels created by construction equipment used to haul and spread sand on the beach. However, the nearest sensitive receptor to the site is residences located 550 to 750 feet east of the beach. As stated in the RBSP EIR/EA, temporary noise generated from construction equipment at the site would be at least 20 dBA less (approximately 65 to 70 dBA) at the residences than at the beach, and would not likely be discernable above the existing traffic noise from Carlsbad Boulevard. Also, in accordance with City requirements, construction activity will be limited to between 7:00 am and sunset Monday - Friday, and between 8:00 am and sunset on Saturday, and equipment mufflers will be required to be properly maintained, which will minimize potential noise impacts. Therefore, the temporary increases in ambient noise levels generated by the project will be less than significant. e. 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, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? No Impact. McClellan-Palomar Airport is located slightly more than 2 miles east of the project site. According to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLUP), the project site is located within the airport's Influence Area. The northern portion of project site is located within the airport's 60 CNEL noise contour, the southern portion is outside the 60 CNEL. The existing recreational beach use is a compatible use within the 60 CNEL noise contour. The project will not change the existing use. Therefore, the project will not expose people residing or working in the area to excessive noise levels associated with air traffic. f. For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? No Impact. The project site is not located within the vicinity of a private airstrip. Therefore, the project will not expose people residing or working in the area to excessive noise levels associated with air traffic. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 43 XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING - Would the project: a. Induce substantial 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)? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No aspect of the project will induce substantial growth either directly or indirectly. b. Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). There is no housing on the project site. Therefore, the project will not displace any housing. c. Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). There is no housing on the project site. Therefore, the project will not displace people, and will not necessitate the construction of replacement housing. XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES a. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered government facilities, a need for new or physically altered government facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of the public services: i. Fire protection? ii. Police protection? iii. Schools? iv. Parks? v. Other public facilities? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach), which will widen the beach and improve the quality of the beach for public use. No development is proposed. Therefore, the project will not result in the need for new or altered government facilities, and will not impact the performance objectives for fire or police protection, schools, parks, or other public facilities. XIV. RECREATION a. Would the project 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? Less Than Significant Impact. The project would not cause an increase in the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks, as it does not involve any development. During construction of the project, the site would be closed, creating a temporary minor adverse impact on the availability of existing recreational beach opportunities during the construction phase. Temporary closure of the beach within the project site area would occur during construction, but several miles of other beaches would be available for public use. Once the beach fill construction is completed, recreational activities would resume and may be enhanced by the additional sand and widened beach. Page 44 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Surfing occurs throughout the beaches along the City of Carlsbad coastline. Surfable wave peaks occur throughout the project area. Surfing near the site could potentially be impacted by: • Modification of existing sand bars and reefs by sand placement and deposition; • Access being denied during construction; and • Poor water quality caused by turbidity generated during construction of the beach fill. Each potential impact is addressed below: • Modification of existing sand bars and reefs by sand placement and deposition. The project could add a relatively large sand "slug" to the system over a short time frame, thereby changing bottom conditions at the site. This impact could be adverse and significant if sand deposition caused waves to close out over a long period of time (months) rather than peak, or resulted in a perpetual shore break at the beach rather than a nearshore bar for waves to break over. Due to the expected low sand material quantity of individual projects, it would likely not create a long term close-out or shorebreak condition. It may, however, cause such conditions over a temporary short-term period while the sand is naturally redistributed over the bottom. The project may also result in potentially beneficial impacts to surfing by contributing sand to the nearshore that would be deposited in bars. More sand in the system provides material for enhanced sand bar formation and may result in larger or longer lasting bars, and improved surf conditions. Informal observations of SANDAG RBSP showed surfing conditions improved at each sand placement site after construction because of sand bar formation. To determine any substantial change to surfing conditions, a monitoring program will be instituted as described in the project description. Monitoring will occur before and after construction. Due to the short-term nature of any potential impact, the projects will have a less than significant, and possibly beneficial, impact to surf conditions. • Access being denied during construction. Public access to the construction site will be denied during construction, but this restriction will be short term and temporary, with access being restored at completion of the construction activity. Also, surfers will be able to access surfing sites by moving around the construction site area and entering the water from an alternate location. The water may not be closed by the City during construction, but the City has the discretion of closing off the site to surfing if the safety of surfers could be affected during sand placement. Impacts would be less than significant. • Poor water quality caused by turbidity generated during construction of the beach fill. As a requirement of the project, the fill material will be clean and suitable for placement on the beach. The project will generate turbidity, but it is anticipated to be short term in duration and relatively localized. Surfers have many other options for surfing in similar wave conditions up and down the coast where project turbidity would not be noticeable. The impact would be less than significant. b. Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities, which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? Less Than Significant Impact. The project site is an existing recreational facility (public beach). However the project will not result in any new or expanded recreational facility that will have an adverse Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 45 physical effect on the environment. In fact, the purpose of the project is to add sand to the beach and improve the physical condition of the beach, thereby enhancing the sites use as a recreational facility. XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC—Would the project: a. Cause an increase in traffic that 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)? Less Than Significant Impact. The project will result in a temporary increase in vehicular traffic when beach fill material is hauled to the site. Trucks hauling the fill material will be limited to the City's designated truck route roadways. The table below shows the maximum project truck trips per day. The trucks will follow designated truck routes to the site and flagmen will direct traffic. The designated truck route and required traffic control plan for each project will be determined and approved by the City traffic engineer to minimize potential traffic impacts. Based on the short-term, temporary nature of the increase in traffic caused by the project, and as determined by the Traffic Impact Analysis prepared for the project (RBF Consulting, 2002), impacts to traffic will be less than significant. Table 4 Proposed Maximum Number Of Truck Trips And Frequency Season Fall/Winter Spring/ Late Summer Maximum volume of sand placed weekly (cy) 20,000 10,000 Maximum number of weekly truck trips projected1 1,428 714 Maximum number of daily truck trips projected2 238 119 Maximum number of hourly truck trips projected3 29.8 14.9 Minimum time between trips (minutes) 2 4 1 Assumes a twin trailer belly-dump truck holding 14 cy total. 2 Assumes a 6-day workweek, Monday through Saturday. 3 Assumes an 8-hour workday. b. Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service standard established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? Less Than Significant Impact. SANDAG acting as the County Congestion Management Agency has designated three roads (Rancho Santa Fe Rd., El Camino Real and Palomar Airport Rd.) and two highway segments in Carlsbad as part of the regional circulation system. The Existing and Buildout average daily traffic (ADT) and Existing LOS on these designated roads and highways in Carlsbad is: Rancho Santa Fe Road El Camino Real Palomar Airport Road SR78 1-5 Existing ADT* 17-35 27-49 10-57 124-142 199-216 LOS Buildout ADT* "A-D" 35-56 "A-C" 33-62 "A-D" 30-73 "F" 156-180 "D" 260-272 *The numbers are in thousands of daily trips. The Congestion Management Program's (CMP) acceptable Level of Service (LOS) standard is "E", or LOS "F" if that was the LOS in the 1990 base year (e.g., SR 78 in Carlsbad was LOS "F" in 1990). Accordingly, all designated roads and highways are currently operating at or better than the acceptable standard LOS. Page 46 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND The project does not propose any development that would increase traffic on any designated roadway. The project will cause a temporary increase in traffic during construction when trucks haul beach fill material to the site. However, this is a short-term, temporary increase in traffic that will not occur after the project is completed. Therefore, the project will not individually or cumulatively cause traffic to exceed levels of service established by the CMP. c. Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? No Impact. The project does not involve changes to air traffic and is not located in an area that will affect or be affected by air traffic. Therefore, the project will not result in a change in air traffic patterns, or increase air traffic levels, or change air traffic location that would result in a substantial safety risk. d. Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature or incompatible uses? Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. Truck transport of sand to the project site may increase hazards along haul routes and at the beach site during construction due to conflict between people and trucks. To mitigate this potential hazard to a less than significant level, a traffic control plan approved by the City traffic engineer will be required for sand delivery to the site. A system of signs and flagmen will be necessary to prevent accidents/conflicts with other vehicles and pedestrians while construction vehicles access and egress from the site. The traffic control plan will ensure the project does not significantly increase traffic hazards. e. Result in inadequate emergency access? No Impact. Trucks transporting sand to the site will use designated truck routes and will not block or impede emergency access. Also, the placement of sand on the beach will not impact emergency access to the site or nearby uses. Adequate emergency access will continue to be provided. The project will not result in inadequate emergency access. f. Result in inadequate parking capacity? Less Than Significant Impact. Truck hauling and construction activities associated with the project may cause several parking spaces on Carlsbad Boulevard to be temporarily unavailable during beach fill activities at the site. The beach would be cordoned off to users during construction periods, so the temporary loss of parking should not adversely affect beach use at the site. The loss of parking will be short-term and temporary. Therefore, the project will not result in a significant impact to parking capacity. g. Conflict with adopted policies, plans or programs supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks, etc.)? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No aspect of the project will conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative transportation. XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICES SYSTEMS - Would the project: a. Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No wastewater will be generated by the project. The project will not impact wastewater service systems or exceed wastewater treatment requirements. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 47 b. Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which would cause significant environmental effects? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No wastewater will be generated by the project. Therefore, the project will not require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities. c. Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No development is proposed. Therefore, the project does not require and will not result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. d. Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No new demand on local or regional water supplies will be created by the project. With the exception of relatively small quantities of water that may be needed at the site for dust control during construction, no water will be needed to serve the project. Therefore, the project will not impact water supplies. e. Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider, which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No wastewater will be generated by the project. Therefore, the project will not adversely impact any wastewater treatment service capacity. f. Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste disposal needs? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No solid waste will be generated by the project. Therefore, the project will not adversely impact solid waste disposal capacity at any landfill. The project could result in a beneficial effect to landfill capacity if material otherwise disposed of in a landfill were instead used as beach fill material. g. Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste? No Impact. The project consists of placing sand on South Carlsbad beach (Encinas beach). No solid waste will be generated by the project. Therefore, the project will not conflict with any federal, state, or local statutes and regulations related to solid waste. XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE a. Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered Page 48 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. The project consists of the placement of sand on the South Carlsbad beach (Encinas Beach). As discussed in the Biological Resources discussion, above, the sand placement would result in burial impacts to marine life within the footprint area. The loss of benthic organisms within the beach fill footprint is an expected and unavoidable impact during beach replenishment project. However, as indicated in the RBSP EIR/EA, due to the widespread occurrence and rapid recovery rates of these types of organisms, direct impacts to marine life within the beach fill footprint are expected to be less than significant. Migratory fish and marine mammals occur within the nearshore waters. The beach fill material may cause slightly higher turbidity than ambient conditions during construction. However, any increase in turbidity will be very limited and within natural winter to spring season sedimentation rates. Impacts are considered less than significant. California grunion spawn on sandy beaches in the San Diego region between March and August and have the potential to be affected by the beach fill project. The grunion spawn during spring high tides, and have the potential to be impacted by beach fill activities if the eggs are buried by beach fill material. The project includes a monitoring program designed to ensure that no significant impact to grunion will occur. Other wildlife that have the potential to be impacted by the project include: 1) the California least tern; 2) the California brown pelican; and 3) the western snowy plover. The project would result in short term increases in turbidity in the project vicinity. Fish eating birds such as the California brown pelican and California least tern could be impacted in the vicinity of the site by temporary reduction in their prey base if fish move away from the turbidity plume. Temporary impacts may also include an increase in noise from beach fill construction activities. These impacts (turbidity, noise) are short term and the birds will likely forage in the waters outside of the beach fill construction activities. Turbidity from the project would be localized and temporary, and would not extend beyond the normal foraging distances for either of these species. Since ample alternative forage areas would be available to these species during receiver site construction, no adverse impacts to these species are anticipated. However, as a precaution, measures are incorporated into the program to reduce least tern and brown pelican impacts. Such measures include turbidity monitoring, and limiting the beach fill activities mainly to times other than least tern breeding season (maximum annual volume of sand is limited to 40,000 cy between March 15 and Memorial Day, and 10,000 cy between Labor Day and September 15). The proposed beach fill project may also temporarily reduce (within the fill area) the invertebrate populations that the snowy plover forage on. This impact is not considered significant since there is unaffected shoreline near the site and recolonization of the site would be rapid. As a precaution, measures are incorporated into the program to reduce potential impacts to snowy plovers. The City will direct a qualified biologist to examine the beach area prior to any fill activities. If no snowy plovers are detected, no further measures will be taken. However, if birds are present, any planned beach fill activities will be temporarily halted until the monitor determines that the birds have moved away from the fill area. Based on the short-term, temporary nature of the project, the sand quality/quantity control measures incorporated into the project, and the proposed monitoring programs, the project will not significantly degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal. In fact, placement of sand on the beach is intended to widen the beach and improve the quality of the beach environment. In addition, there are no known cultural resources at the project site. Therefore, the project will not result in the elimination of important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 49 b. Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects?) Less Than Significant Impact. A wide variety of beach replenishment projects are proposed in the Oceanside littoral cell coastal area, and a list of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable projects is provided in Table 5. No significant, unmitigable environmental impacts have occurred from the past beach replenishment projects. In the last large project (RBSP), over 2 million cy of sand were placed along the Oceanside littoral cell coastline over a period of several months, which included 160,000 cy placed on this project site. Monitoring after the RBSP project has not indicated any adverse effects at the project site as a result of the project. This project will not exceed 150,000 cy of sand placed on the site each year. Potentially significant impacts from implementation of the project would be mitigated to below a level of significance by mitigation measures and monitoring programs. None of the potential impacts identified would result in cumulatively significant impacts. Potential adverse impacts from other future beach fill projects may be incrementally increased from this project, but the level of increased impact will be immeasurably small. Two similar Opportunistic Beach Fill Programs are proposed for the North County region, including sand placement at South Oceanside, and Encinitas and Solana Beach. Due to their relatively even spacing along the coast and distance from one another (average of 5 miles), the effects of these projects are not likely to cumulatively impact any particular areas of the North County coast. Measurable impacts from sediment dispersion of these projects will be contained to coastal areas immediately adjacent to the sites, based on modeling and monitoring done for the RBSP, and they will therefore not cause a significant cumulative impact from sedimentation. The cumulative turbidity area from several projects occurring simultaneously will expand in area to be larger than from one project, but measures are included for each program (specified in Section VHI.a. herein as "...to limit turbidity if levels exceed ambient beyond one- half mile offshore at or downcoast of the placement site for a prolonged period, assumed to be 5 days...") to limit turbidity to the nearshore and adjacent alongshore areas, so impacts will be less than significant. Thus, cumulative impacts from the local Opportunistic Beach Fill Programs will less than significant. c. Does the project have environmental effects, which will cause the substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? Less Than Significant Impact. No significant adverse effects are anticipated to occur to human beings, either directly or indirectly, as a result of the project. Potential beneficial effects could occur to humans (e.g., recreation) and the environment (e.g., more sand habitat) from this project. Page 50 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Table 5 List of Cumulative Projects in Oceanside Littoral Cell Project Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP) Oceanside Harbor Maintenance Dredging Oceanside Beach Hotel Project Buena Vista Lagoon Weir Replacement Project The Bandstand Sewer Lift Station Replacement La Paz County Sand- for-Trash Pilot Program Pacific Street Bridge Widening Agua Hedionda Lagoon Maintenance Dredging Bristol Cove Dredging Project Precise Development Plan and Desalination Plant Jurisdiction Oceanside Oceanside Oceanside Oceanside Oceanside Oceanside Oceanside Carlsbad Carlsbad Carlsbad Description A five-year program for the placement of up to 150,000 cy/year of opportunistic fill material on Oceanside beach between Oceanside Boulevard to just north of Loma Alta Creek. Oceanside Harbor is dredged annually by the USAGE to maintain sufficient depth for boat traffic. Dredged material is typically disposed of by placing it on Oceanside beaches south of Tyson Street. The average amount of material placed on the beach is 175,000 cy. The most recent activity (Spring 2005) placed an estimated 260,000 cubic yards. This proposed project is anticipated to be submitted for approval and must complete the CEQA process. This replaces the Manchester Resort Project. Preliminary plans for the project include approximately 300 hotel rooms and 70 timeshare condos on two city blocks south of the Oceanside Pier. Some retail uses may also be developed. The City of Oceanside has proposed to replace the existing weir at the mouth of the Buena Vista Lagoon located at the border of the cities of Oceanside and Carlsbad. The project would replace the existing 50 foot long weir with an 80- by 10-foot weir. The new weir design would decrease beach erosion downstream and increase flows through the mouth of the lagoon during storm events while maintaining the freshwater characteristic of the lagoon. The proposed project would relocate the existing sewer lift station near the Oceanside Pier south to Tyson Park. The project would involve lift station construction, as well as extensive construction along the Strand for pipe installation. This project involved an exchange of San Diego trash for Arizona sand. Solid waste was shipped to Arizona and the sand displaced was used to replenish San Diego regional beaches. Approximately 1,000 cy of sand were placed on the beach at the foot of Oceanside Boulevard. This project has been discontinued and no additional phases are planned. The approved project involved widening the opening under the Pacific Street Bridge at Loma Alta Creek to allow improved movement of water both from the creek and tidal flushing. This lagoon has undergone maintenance dredging since 1955 and in that period, over 5.9 million cy may have been removed. This dredged material has been placed on adjacent beaches in Carlsbad. In 1998, over 59,000 cy were dredged from the middle basin, and over 214,000 cy were dredged from the inner basin. In 1999, an estimated 155,000 cy were dredged from the outer basin. Dredging of 20,000 cy of silt from the Bristol Cove boat channel at the intersection of Park Drive and Cover Drive to restore it to its original -9 MSL elevation. Although this dredged material was not directly placed on Carlsbad beaches, it was placed in a future borrow pit within the outer basin of the Agua Hedionda lagoon which displaced sand for placement onto nearby Carlsbad beaches. A seawater desalination facility at the Encina Power Station (south of Agua Hedionda Lagoon) with the capacity to deliver 50 million gallons of drinking (potable) water per day. The project also involves new pipelines to deliver desalinated water to Carlsbad and possibly other nearby cities. Source water for the project will come from filtered seawater in existing cooling water pipelines at the Encina Power Station. Up to 100 mgd of seawater would be diverted from the combined outlet of the power plant condensers and piped to the desalination facility. The source water will be pre-treated and filtered through Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes to produce high quality drinking water. Timing To Oceanside City Council Spring 2006 Annually in the spring Not yet scheduled Sept. 2006 Not yet scheduled March 1997 2000 Dredging occurs every 2 years May 1998 To start public hearing process in early 2006. Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 51 Table 5 (continued) List of Cumulative Projects in Oceanside Littoral Cell Project Batiquitos Lagoon Enhancement Project Carlsbad Boulevard/ Descanso Lot Subdivision Moonlight Beach San Elijo Lagoon Mouth Opening Encinitas/Solana Beach Shoreline Protection Feasibility Study and EIS/EIR San Elijo Lagoon Restoration Project Encinitas Resort Hotel Lomas Santa Fe Drive Grade Separation Fletcher Cove Master Plan Cedros Crossing Mixed Use Project Jurisdiction Carlsbad Carlsbad Encinitas Encinitas Encinitas and Solana Beach Encinitas Encinitas Solana Beach Solana Beach Solana Beach Description A phased project to restore Batiquitos Lagoon was initiated in 1995, which has resulted in the dredging of 1.8 million cy of sediment from the lagoon. Dredged material was used as beach nourishment material for Carlsbad, both south of Agua Hedionda Lagoon and north of Batiquitos Lagoon. Approximately 1.6 million cy of sand were placed on Encinas Beach (near proposed South Carlsbad receiver sites) and 200,000 cy were placed adjacent to the lagoon inlet (proposed Batiquitos receiver site). Continued dredging and placement is planned to maintain the lagoon, and may need to be conducted annually. Dredging and placement in May 1999 yielded 10,000 cy; half of which were placed on Carlsbad beaches and the other half of which were placed in least tern nesting areas in the lagoon. Dredging in February 2000 placed an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 cy at Encinitas/South Ponto Beach. Another dredge event occurred in the 2003/2004 season. Anticipated maintenance dredging may result in 50,000 cy available in 2006. As a by-product of a condominium construction project, 20,000 cy of sand were placed at Ponto Beach. The city sponsors yearly beach replenishment to place approximately 1,000 cy of sediment on Moonlight Beach. The sand is purchased and trucked to the site. For example, 1,327 cy of imported sand was placed in Spring 1999. This project dredges the mouth of the San Elijo Lagoon to maintain the opening and places the cobble and sand material south of the mouth on Cardiff Beach. Dredging occurs on an as-needed basis. An average of 6,000 cy has been placed on the beach annually. Dredging in May 1999 resulted in the placement of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 cy of sand. In 1999, the mouth was opened three times. Feasibility study to evaluate methods of shoreline protection. The preferred alternative is approximately 1 million cy of beach nourishment material, combined with erodible concrete to fill notches at the base of cliffs. Conceptual plans to restore the lagoon via major infrastructure changes (e.g., elevate railroad tracks and Coast Highway 101 as well as remove fill at 1-5 bridge) plus dredging. Establish lagoon as a mitigation bank for 1-5 widening and other major infrastructure projects with impacts to coastal wetlands. Development of a 125+ room hotel on bluffs west of Coast Highway 101, south of Batiquitos Lagoon. Possibly 45,000 cy of beach nourishment material available. MND approved, permits in process. As a by-product of a roadway project, 51,000 cy of material were placed at Fletcher Cove and 3,000 cy was placed at Tide Beach Park. Redevelopment of Fletcher Cove Beach Park and surrounding business district including construction of a parking garage, new lifeguard station, additional open space, pedestrian paths, and other upgrades. Being constructed in 5 phases, the first phase (restroom) was built in 2005. Others still in conceptual phase. Proposed mixed use development at the Solana Beach train station. Consists of approximately 140 residences and 70,000 cubic feet of commercial use. Both CEQA and NEPA are in process. Estimated opportunistic beach material of 100,000 cy. Timing Possibly yearly or every other year July 1996 Possibly annually, prior to Memorial Day At a minimum, annually in the spring EIS/EIR available in mid to late August 2005. Implementation in 2008. CEQA/NEPA document anticipated in 2007. Implementation time not known. Fall 2006. 1999 Phase 1 - 2005. Other phases at least 2010 Unknown, possibly 2007 to 2010 Page 52 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Table 5 (continued) List of Cumulative Projects in Oceanside Littoral Cell Project Various Opportunistic Beach Nourishment Pilot Project Sites within San Diego Region Regional Beach Sand Project U.S. Navy Homeporting Project Jurisdiction Encinitas, Solana Beach, Coronado, Imperial Beach Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, San Diego, Imperial Beach Oceanside, Del Mar and San Diego Description If the SCOUP plan process is successful, than other jurisdictions may decide to proceed with less-than- optimum opportunistic programs in their jurisdictions. Potential for up to 150,000 cy per year at each site, two of which are located in North County. Dredged over 2 million cy of beach-quality material from 5 offshore borrow sites and replenished 12 receiver sites. Implemented 5-year monitoring program. As part of a project to dredge the North Island berthing area and the main navigation channel into San Diego Harbor, up to 5.5 million cy were permitted for beach nourishment at 1 1 receiver sites in the San Diego region. The project was discontinued in 1997 when munitions were found in the dredged material. Before termination, Oceanside received 102,000 cy of sand that was placed onshore. Approximately 170,00 cy were placed in the nearshore zone off Del Mar and 12,000 cy were placed in the nearshore off Mission Beach. Timing Anticipated program in late 2007. Spring/Summer 2001 Ended October 1997 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 53 XVIII. LIST OF MITIGATING MEASURES The following environmental mitigation measures will be incorporated into the Conditions of Approval for this project in order to mitigate identified environmental impacts to a level of insignificance for biological resources (grunion), water quality (turbidity), and traffic (truck hauling operations). Section 8 of this MND provides a description of the monitoring program that incorporates these mitigation measures. The monitoring program also requires monitoring of beach profiles and surf conditions, which are not listed below because they are not associated with any identified potentially significant environmental impact. Table 6 List of Mitigation Measures Mitigation Measure Monitoring Type Monitoring Department (Biological Resources) Grunion monitoring will occur before construction, and if grunion are present, during construction. No post-construction monitoring is required for grunion. The presence of grunion should not result in a halt to construction, due to the availability of a larger sandy area for spawning immediately up- and down-coast. The project shall be allowed to proceed with modifications as needed to accommodate spawning. A grunion monitor must be present to observe grunion runs two to three weeks prior to construction during a predicted grunion run (according to the grunion calendar produced by the California Department of Fish and Game), and immediately prior to construction. If grunion are not present during their predicted runs, no further monitoring is required. If grunion are present during predicted runs, beach nourishment will only occur above the spring high tide line/kelp line or in the nearshore until the spawning season is over. As an alternative, grunion monitoring could continue throughout the sand placement period, and if they do not spawn during a predicted run then sand could be placed below the spring high tide line. Project (conducted for each beach fill project) City of Carlsbad Engineering Department (Hydrology /Water Quality) Turbidity will be monitored throughout construction to qualify the effect on ocean water clarity from the project. Turbidity will be monitored by an observer from a vantage point (such as a bluff top landward of the placement site) noting the extent of turbid conditions. The observer will map the area of turbidity each day on a base map and photograph the turbidity in the ocean. A map will be created by the observer, and they will document all other pertinent environmental conditions such as waves, wind, and weather. If monitoring indicates excessive turbidity (greater than ambient beyond one-half mile offshore at or down-coast of the placement site) for a prolonged period, assumed to be 5 days, then placement should be halted or modified to reduce turbidity. This judgment should be made by the project engineer in consultation with the City and regulatory staff assigned to the project. Project (conducted for each beach fill project) City of Carlsbad Engineering Department Page 54 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Table 6 (continued) List of Mitigation Measures Mitigation Measure Monitoring Type Monitoring Department (Transportation/Traffic) Truck/hauling operations will be subject to the following: a. A traffic control plan will be prepared for each beach fill project; b. Truck operations shall be limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday (fall/winter) and Monday through Friday (spring/summer) with no activity during holidays; c. A flagman shall keep pedestrians a safe distance from the truck, notify beach users of the presence of the truck, and ensure that a clear and safe path is maintained. This system will be codified in the traffic control plan prepared for each beach fill project. d. Public streets used for hauling the beach fill material to the project site shall be cleaned via street-sweeper every third day of truck delivery to the project site. e. Trucks shall only use haul routes approved by the city, and shall be specified hi the traffic control plan prepared for each beach fill project. Project (conducted for each beach fill project) City of Carlsbad Engineering Department Applicant Concurrence With Mitigation Measures THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT I HAVE REVIEWED THE ABOVE REFERENCED MITIGATING MEASURES AND CONCUR WITH THE ADDITION OF THESE MEASURES TO THE PROJECT. Date Signatu Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND Page 55 XIX. EARLIER ANALYSIS USED AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION SOURCES California Coastal Commission California Coastal Act of 1976. City of Carlsbad Geotechnical Hazards Analysis and Mapping Study, November 1992 Final Master Environmental Impact Report for the City of Carlsbad General Plan Update (MEIR 93-01), March 1994 City of Carlsbad General Plan. 1994 City of Carlsbad Haul Route Plan. 2005 City of Carlsbad Municipal Code City of Carlsbad Noise Guidelines Manual. 1995 MEC Analytical Systems, Inc. Review and Update of Potential Nearshore Biological Impacts for the City of Carlsbad Opportunistic Beachfill Program, Memorandum, April 2, 1998 Moffatt & Nichol Engineers Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program Criteria and Concept Design. Revised Final Technical Report, February 2000 Final Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program Plan. June 2005 San Clemente Beach Replenishment Program Technical Report. January 2002 RBF Consulting Traffic Impact Analysis for Carlsbad Beach Sand Project. 2002 Operational Analysis for Carlsbad Beach Sand Project. 2002 SANDAG Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment for the San Diego Regional Beach Sand Project. June 2000 Regional Beach Sand Project Post-Construction Monitoring Report for Intertidal. Shallow Subtidal. and Kelp Forest Resources. Prepared by AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc., July 2002 2004 Regional Beach Monitoring Program Annual Report. Prepared by Coastal Frontiers Corporation, April 2005 University of Southern California Department of Geography The Fate of Fine Sediments in a Suspension Plume: Ponto Beach. California. April 1998 URS Corporation Geologic and Biological Reconnaissance and Temporary Access Ramp for Opportunistic Beach Fill Program Carlsbad. California. September 2005 Page 56 Carlsbad Opportunistic Beach Fill Program MND