HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-19; Planning Commission; ; CUP 99-19|HDP 00-03|SUP 00-03 - SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR REACH 3 (SAHI 3)'• City of Carlsbad Planning Depar!nt
A REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
P.C. AGENDA OF: April 19, 2000
Item No.@
Application complete date: January 14, 2000
Project Planner: Jason Martin
Project Engineer: Randy Klaahsen
SUBJECT: CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/SUP 00-03 -SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER
INTERCEPTOR REACH 3 {SAHi 3) -Request for approval of a Mitigated
Negative Declaration, Addendum and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
Program, a Conditional Use Permit, Hillside Development Permit, and a Special
Use Permit to allow the construction of a sewer lift station and the installation of
sewer pipelines in the area south of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon in the Open Space
and Public Utility Zones, in Local Facilities Management Zones 13 and 8.
I. RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission ADOPT Planning Commission Resolution No. 4760
APPROVING a Mitigated Negative Declaration, Addendum and Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program and ADOPT Planning Commission Resolutions No. 4761, 4762, and 4763
APPROVING CUP 99-19, HDP 00-03, SUP 00-03 based on the findings and subject to the
conditions contained therein.
II. INTRODUCTION
The Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD) has submitted the above referenced
applications for the project. Planning staff has reviewed the project and identified a number of
issues which can be minimized with the recommended conditions of approval/mitigation
measures so that the project complies with all City standards. All the required findings for the
CUP, HDP, and SUP can be made. The project is consistent with the City General Plan, as well
as all other applicable plans and regulations.
III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND
The project involves an addition to the City's wastewater collection system. Specifically, the
project will add a sewer lift station and pipelines to the South Agua Hedionda Interceptor (SARI)
Sewer System which will serve existing and future uses in portions of the northeast and
northwest quadrants of the City. The project is known as South Agua Hedionda Interceptor
Reach 3, or "SARI 3." SARI 3 would connect pipelines within the Cannon Road right-of-way,
which were, or will be, installed under previously authorized projects (i.e. SARI2, SARI4 and
SARI 3B).
SARI 3 is located north of Cannon Road/the Cannon Road extension, in the agricultural and
open space lands south of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. (See Attachment 5). The project is
situated on two large, separate properties -the San Diego Gas and Electric property in the west
if"\ "•+;'
CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/SI 00-03 -SARI 3
April 19,2000
Page2
and the Kelly Land Company property in the east. The General Plan designation for the majority
of both properties is Open Space. A section just south of the proposed lift station site is
Travel/Recreation Commercial, the site of the Agua Hedionda Nature Center. Current zoning for
the westerly portion is Public Utility. Zoning for the easterly portion is Planned Community. A
small section of the easterly portion has a flood hazard zoning overlay. General Plan and zoning
designations are indicated on Attachments 6 and 7. The easterly portion is within the Kelly
Ranch project. The entire area is within the deferred certification segment of the Local Coastal
Program. Therefore, the Coastal Development Permit for the project will be considered by the
California Coastal Commission.
Surrounding, existing land uses are primarily vacant open space in all directions, with the
exception of the Nature Center which is in the near southwest. Future land uses are primarily
open space, with the exception of planned residential uses to the south/southeast of the site and
Nature Center which are part of the Kelly Ranch project.
The project involves installation of pipelines and the construction of a lift station. Over one
mile, or approximately 5,950 lineal feet, of underground pipeline would be installed. The
pipeline will be aligned in an east/west direction, connecting an existing pipeline located near the
intersection of Cannon Road and Car Country Drive with an existing pipeline, and an approved
but not yet installed pipeline, at the planned intersection of the Cannon Road extension and
"Street AA" of the proposed Kelly Ranch project. The lift station site would be located
approximately 820 feet southwest of the Cannon Road/Street AA intersection, and 350 feet
northwest of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Nature Center as shown on Attachment 5. The lift
station would be above grade and in an area immediately adjacent to a dirt access road which
also serves as a public recreation trail.
Creation of a proposed, 14,000 +/-square foot, level pad area for the lift station will necessitate
the grading of a sloping, natural area and the installation of a retaining wall as high as 20 feet. It
is estimated that approximately 12,200 cubic yards of earth will be excavated as part of the
grading operation. Three different methods will be used for pipeline installation along the
pipeline route. For the 850 lineal foot segment from the Cannon Road/Street AA intersection to
the lift station site, which is inhabited by native vegetation and contains wetlands, the pipeline
will be installed via micro tunneling. For the 2,450 lineal foot segment which is also inhabited
by native vegetation, contains wetlands, and spans from the lift station site to a spot along the
outside edge of an agricultural area, the pipeline will be installed via directional drill. The micro
tunneling and directional drilling technologies will be utilized because both involve minimal
disruption to surface topography and vegetation. (Different technologies will be utilized for the
two pipeline segments because of unique topographical conditions, desired drilling accuracies,
and distance of drilling activity). For the remaining 2,650 lineal foot segment through the
agricultural area to the Cannon Road Car County Drive intersection, the pipeline would be
installed via the conventional, open trenching method. The project, overlain on an aerial of the
site, is included as Exhibit "I".
This project is subject to the following plans and regulations:
A. City of Carlsbad General Plan;
B. Local Facility Management Zones 8 and 13; _
CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/S' 00-03 -SAHi 3
April 19, 2000
Page 3
C. Zoning -Public Utility and Planned Community (Chapters 21.36 and 21.38 of the
Zoning Ordinance);
D. Floodplain Management Regulations (Chapter 21.110 of the Zoning Ordinance);
E. Conditional Uses (Chapter 21.42 of the Zoning Ordinance);
F. Hillside Development Regulations (Chapter 21.95 of the Zoning Ordinance);
G. Local Coastal Program.
IV. ANALYSIS
Staff developed its approval recommendation after analyzing the project's consistency with the
applicable City plans and regulations listed above. A discussion on the compliance with each
follows. •
A. City of Carlsbad General Plan
The City's General Plan Land Use Element designates the majority of the project site as Open
Space (OS) and a smaller section as Travel/Recreation Commercial (T-R), as shown on the map
included as Attachment 6. All of the proposed project is proposed within the OS designated
property. The installation of pipeline and a lift station in OS designated property is consistent
with the General Plan, if General Plan goals relative to preservation of the visual and
environmental qualities of open space areas are met.
All pipelines will be installed underground and will therefore not result in visual impacts. To
further preserve the visual and environmental quality of undisturbed open space areas, pipeline
installation will be conducted via directional drilling or micro tunneling. These are trenchless
technologies which result in minimal disruption to surface topography and vegetation. Some
disruption to natural vegetation will occur as a result of lift station construction. Disrupted
natural vegetation will be offset through both restoration of natural vegetation on-site, and
preservation of natural vegetation off-site.
The lift station has been designed with special attention to concealing it from public view as
much as possible. It has been sited such that existing topography will screen much of the facility
from important public view areas such as the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Nature Center. The lift
station will be in a fully enclosed structure, which will incorporate building materials and
exterior colors that blend with the surrounding natural environment. Additionally, landscaping
and landscaped earth mounding will be provided at the perimeter of the project site to further
assist in screening. The project incorporates a number of design features and construction
techniques intended to preserve the visual and environmental qualities of the surrounding open
space area, and is therefore consistent with the General Plan.
B. Local Facility Management Zones (LFMZ) 8 and 13
The project site is located within LFMZs 8 and 13. Both LFMZs identify the South Agua
Hedionda Interceptor Sewer System, and SAHi 3 in. particular, as required public facilities.
Therefore the project is consistent with LFMZs 8 and 13.
CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/SI 00-03 -SARI 3
April 19, 2000
Page4
C. Zoning
Two zoning categories comprise the project site -Public Utility (PU) and Planned Community
(PC). Underground pipelines are proposed through the PU section, which is an allowable use in
the zone. The lift station site and additional pipeline is proposed in the PC zone. The PC zone
requires the preparation and adoption of a master plan prior to any development. A master plan
exists for the area. The Kelly Ranch Master Plan, adopted in 1984, identified the South Agua
Hedionda Interceptor Sewer System in the plan. It should be noted that the Kelly Ranch project
is in the process of being amended. The amendment generally relates to changes in the number
and type of dwelling units, and does not effect SAHI3. The project is consistent with permitted
uses identified in the Zoning Ordinance and the Kelly Ranch Master Plan. The project is also
consistent with the Kelly Ranch project, as proposed to be amended.
D. Floodplain Management Regulations
The project is subject to the Floodplain Management Regulations, since a portion of the project
is located within the Special Flood Hazard Area as shown on the City's Zoning Map. For
projects in this area, a Special Use Permit is required. Through the special use permitting
process focused attention is given to the project's susceptibility to impacts from potential
flooding. In this case, given the nature of the project, the project's potential to impact
floodwaters was considered as well. The project has been designed to withstand impacts from
flooding, and has been designed to not impact flood waters. The lift station has been designed to
be three feet above the 100 year floodplain and pipelines will be underground a minimum depth
of eight feet. Therefore, the findings for the SUP can be made.
E. Conditional Uses
Pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required for the project.
The conditional use permitting procedure provides the means to evaluate the appropriateness or
compatibility of certain types of uses which possess, because of their nature, the potential to
adversely impact surrounding land uses, and to apply conditions of approval to minimize any
identified potential impacts or otherwise make the use more compatible. As discussed earlier,
identified potential impacts to visual and environmental resources can be minimized to a level of
insignificance through incorporation of specified design features and construction technologies.
Other more vital areas of potential impact relate to public health. Since the project involves the
transport of sewage materials, a potential for sewage spill and odor does exist. The CMWD has
incorporated a number of design features into the preliminary plans for the project to minimize
these concerns such as back up pumps, emergency generators, alarms systems to address
potential spills, chemical treatment, and enclosure of the lift station to address odor control. To
supplement the preliminary plans the CMWD has provided a written outline of the design
features and operational measures incorporated into the project to address these issues, which has
been included with this report as Attachment 10. Additionally, these design features have been
included in the CUP as conditions of approval.
With the design features and operational measures incorporated into the project, the required
findings for the conditional use permit can be made.
CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/SI 00-03 -SARI 3
April 19, 2000
Page 5
F. Hillside Development Regulations
The lift station component of the project is proposed on land which exhibits a slope greater than
15% and an elevation change over the length of the site which is greater than 15 feet. The
project is therefore subject to the City's Hillside Development Regulation and Guidelines, and is
required to obtain a Hillside Development Permit. The hillside development review and
permitting process is intended to minimize adverse visual and erosion impacts which often result
from development in hillside areas. As mentioned earlier in this report, a number of design
features and construction techniques have been incorporated into the project to minimize visual
impacts. Additionally, the project is required to comply with the City's grading and erosion
control standards and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) standards.
The Hillside Development Regulations also require special consideration of any project which
proposes a grading volume greater than 10,000 cubic yards per acre of site area. The proposed
grading for the project exceeds that ratio. In order to approve the project it must be found that
the project is consistent with the intent and purpose of the Hillside Development Regulations,
and that project conserves more open area under the proposed grading concept than would
otherwise be conserved under an alternative concept. The CMWD has provided an exhibit that
illustrates an alternative grading concept. The concept would involve the creation of a terraced
pad and the creation of 2:1 manufactured slopes. The plan would result in the disruption of
nearly three times the area and would eliminate topographical features that would assist in
screening the facility from the Nature Center. Thus, all the findings for the Hillside
Development Permit, including the additional finding of support for grading which exceeds
10,000 cubic yards/ acre, can be made.
G. Coastal Development Permit
As indicated earlier in this report the project site is located in the deferred certification section of
the City's Coastal Zone and the California Coastal Commission will be the final reviewing body.
Staff believes that, with the above outlined design features incorporated into the project, it
complies with the LCP.
V. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An Environmental Impact Assessment (BIA) for the project was conducted in accordance with
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Potential impacts were identified and can be
mitigated to a level of insignificance. Staff is recommending the adoption of a Mitigated
Negative Declaration (MND) and a Mitigation Monitoring Program (MMP). The impact areas
and mitigation measures are discussed in full in the BIA and the recommended MMP, which are
included as an attachment to the Planning Commission Resolution for approval of the MND.
Revision in the project plans or proposals made, or agreed to, by the CMWD before the proposed
mitigated negative declaration and initial study were released for public review would avoid the
effects to a point where clearly no signifi~ant effects would occur.
As required under CEQA, the MND and MMP were circulated for public review and comment.
As a result, written comments were received. The correspondence included as Attachment 10.
Correspondence was received from the Water Resources Control Board and the Department of
Fish and Game. Generally, the correspondence involved explanation of the State's Revolving
CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/SI 00-03 -SARI 3
April 19, 2000
Page 6
Fund loan program, comment on Initial Study checklist methodology, request for additional
information and/or elaborated discussion on certain issues, suggestion of additional mitigation
measures.
Staff has evaluated the comments and suggestions and has modified the originally circulated
MND and MMP. The changes are, however, minor and it has been determined that the change
does not constitute a "substantial revision" as defined in Section 15072 of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and that the change would be equally effective, or more
effective, in mitigating impacts. The changes generally involve the addition of language to
mitigation measures and an elaborated discussion of issues in some impact areas.
No re-circulation of the Mitigated Negative Declaration was required or conducted. CEQA does
require, however, an additional written finding be included in the Planning Commission's
Resolution when substituting or adding mitigation measures after the circulation of a Mitigated
Negative Declaration document. The additional finding has been incorporated into Resolution
4760. In summary, the project has been analyzed, noticed, and documented in full compliance
with CEQA. CEQA does not require written response to comments made as part of the public
review for a MND. Staff, however, will be responding to these comments. A copy of staff
response will be transmitted to the Planning Commission before or at the April 19th Planning
Commission meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4760 (Mit Neg Dec)
2. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4761 (CUP)
3. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4762 (HDP)
4. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4763 (SUP)
5. Location Map
6. General Plan Map
7. Zoning Map
7. Background Data Sheet
8. Disclosure Statement
9. Outline of Spill and Odor Control Design Features
10. Correspondence
11. Exhibits "A" -"I" dated April 19, 2000
JM:cs:mh
AGUA HEDIONDA
LAGOON
SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA
INTERCEPTOR REACH 3
• CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/SUP 00-03
AGUA HEDIONDA OS
LAGOON
\ RM
T-R \ OS o~~~<:>
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OS ««? ~~
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GENERAL PLAN
SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA
INTERCEPTOR REACH 3
CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/SUP 00-03
AGUA HEDIONDA
LAGOON
OS "'
P-C
ZONING
CAMINO
P-C
----
I
SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA
INTERCEPTOR REACH 3 .
CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/SUP 00-03
-BACKGROUNDDATASHEET-
CASE NO: CUP 99-19/HDP 00-03/SUP 00-03
CASE NAME: South Agua Hedionda Interceptor -Reach 3
APPLICANT: Carlsbad Municipal Water District
REQUEST AND LOCATION: A request to construct a sewer lift station and install pipelines.
APN: 211-010-26 and 208-020-38 Acres: NA Proposed No. of Lots/Units: N _____ A _______ _
GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING
Land Use Designation: Open Space (OS) and Tourist/Recreation Commercial (TR)
Density Allowed: NA Density Proposed: N;:;..:....A=-----------
Existing Zone: Public Utility (PU)/Planned Communinty (PC) Proposed Zone: N_A _______ _
Surrounding Zoning, General Plan and Land Use:
Zoning General Plan Current Land Use
Site PU/PC OS Vacant
North PU/PC OS Vacant
South PU/PC OS/TR Vacant/Nature center
East PU/PC OS Vacant
West PU/PC OS Vacant
PUBLIC FACILITIES
School District: NA Water District: Carlsbad Municipal Water District
Sewer District: Carlsbad Municipal Water District
Equivalent Dwelling Units (Sewer Capacity): "'"'N,.._A.,__ ______________ _
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
~ Negative Declaration, issued --'M=ar=c=h-3..._2=0,._,0'"""0 _____________ _
D Certified Environmental Impact Report, dated _____________ _
D Other, __________________________ _
--City of Carlsbad
14F•l•••••i·■•J4·F•ii,,C4,J4
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
Applicant's statement or disclosure of certain ownership interests on all applications which will require
discretionary action on the part of the City Council or any appointed Board, Commission or Committee.
The following information MUST be disclosed at the time of application submittal. Your project cannot
be reviewed until this information is completed. Please print.
Note:
Person is defined as "Any individual, firm, co-partnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal
organization, corporation, estate, trust, receiver, syndicate, in this and any other county, city and county, city
municipality, district or other political subdivision or any other group or combination acting as a unit."
Agents may sign this document; however, the legal name and entity of the applicant and property owner must be
provided below.
1. APPLICANT (Not the applicant's agent)
Provide the COMPLETE, LEGAL names and addresses of ALL persons having a financial
interest in the application. If the applicant includes a corporation or partnership, include the
names, title, addresses of all individuals owning more than 10% of the shares. IF NO
INDIVIDUALS OWN MORE THAN 10% OF THE SHARES, PLEASE INDICATE NON-
APPLICABLE (NI A) IN THE SP ACE BELOW If a publicly-owned corporation, include the
names, titles, and addresses of the corporate officers. (A separate page may be attached if
necessary.)
Person. ___________ _ Corp/Part. ____________ _
Title. ____________ _ Title. ______________ _
Address. ___________ _ Address. _____________ _
2. OWNER (Not the owner's agent)
ffl()pwr( ~i..
(2/)~,-6 20--4 2~)
Provide the COMPLETE, LEGAL names and addresses of ALL persons having any ownership
interest in the property involved. Also, provide the nature of the legal ownership (i.e,
partnership, tenants in common, non-profit, corporation, etc.). If the ownership includes a
corporation or partnership, include the names, title, addresses of all individuals owning more
than 10% of the shares. IF NO INDIVIDUALS OWN MORE THAN 10%.OF THE SHARES,
PLEASE INDICATE NON-APPLICABLE (NIA) IN THE SPACE BELOW. If a publicly-
owned corporation, include the names, titles, and addresses of the corporate officers. (A separate
page may be attached if necessary.)
Person ___________ _
Title ____________ _
Address ___________ _
Corp/Part 9'M Df&-,to ~/It; r' tL,tc 112/c. Co
Title __________ .,,,..-___ _
Address 6tfN 'Dllf?:,, o C}/.
ieLLy WD ~~Ir -$=
'20(/ ~A-12-A-{12~-,-kb Zab
Di-12~64D C11-f2~
1635 Faraday Avenue• Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-4600 • FAX (760) 602-8559 (!)
3. NON-PROFIT otlANIZATION OR TRUST
If any person identified pursuant to (1) or (2) above is a nonprofit organization or a trust, list the
names and addresses of ANY person serving as an officer or director of the non-profit
organization or as trustee or beneficiary of the.
Non Profit/Trust ·---------Non Profit/Trust -----------
Title Title ----------------------------
Address. __________ _ Address --------------
4. Have you had more than $250 worth of business transacted with any member of City staff,
Boards, Commissions, Committees and/or Council within the past twelve (12) months?
D Yes I )(I No If yes, please indicate person(s): _____________ _
NOTE: Attach additional sheets if necessary.
I certify that all the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signature of owner/date Signature of applicant/date
Print or type name of owner
~Le:;~A'D Hu~lGfl'rl-~ D·,~
Print or type name of applicant
3/J6 /9-()GO
er/applicant's agent if applicable/date
Print or type name of owner/applicant's agent
H:ADMIN\COUNTER\DISCLOSURE STATEMENT 5/98 Page 2 of 2
!·Ja!:on Martin -CANNON ROAD LIFT ST ON ODOR.doc .----------------,j
ATTACHMENT 9
CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION
4/5/2000
RANDY KLAAHSEN
ODOR CONTROL MITIGATION
ODOR CONTROL MITIGATION FOR CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION
ODOR CONTROL FOR A SEWER LIFT STATION IS NOT ALWAY NECESSARY. THE NUMBER
ONE CAUSE OF ODORS RELATED TO LIFT STATIONS AND WASTEWATER COLLECTION
SYSTEMS IS HYDROGEN SULFIDE. (ROTTEN EGG ODORS) THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT
ODOR PROBLEM TYPES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED DURING A DESIGN, ONSITE AND
OFFSITE ODORS.
THE FIRST IS ON SITE ODORS AT THE LIFT STATION SITE.
IF THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT IT TAKES TO GET FROM THE FARTHEST LOCATION IN THE
COLLECTION SYSTEM TO THE LIFT STATION SITE IS 4 HOURS OR GREATER THEN ODOR
CONTROL AT THE LIFT STATION SITE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THE REASON FOR THIS IS
THAT HYDROGEN SULFIDE BACTERIA BEGIN EXPONENTIALLY MULTIPLYING AFTER
FOUR HOURS IN A SYSTEM.
IF MERCAPTANS (ORGANIC ODORS PRODUCED BY VEGETABLE CANNERIES, ETC.) ARE
TRIBUTARY TO THE SYSTEM THEN ONSITE ODOR CONTROL AT THE LIFT STATION SITE
SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
IF THE WASTEWATER CONSTITUENTS CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT SUSCEPTABLE TO THE
GENERATION OR RELEASE OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE THEN ONSITE ODOR CONTROL AT THE
LIFT STATION SITE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS WOULD BE LOW
WASTEWATER pH. LOW WASTEWATER pH CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO INDUSTRIAL WASTE
DISCHARGE OR LOW SUPPLY WATER pH. LOWER pH WASTEWATER (ABOUT 6.5 OR LESS)
ALLOWS HYDROGEN SULFIDE TO RELEASE MORE EASILY. THE pH IN OUR COLLECTION
SYSTEM IS AROUND 8.0. IF THE pH CAN BE KEPT AT 8.0 OR ABOVE, HYDROGEN SULFIDE
WILL REMAIN IN SOLUTION.
IF THERE ARE HOMES OR BUSINESSES PROPOSED WITHIN 300 FEET OF THE LIFT STATION,
ONSITE ODOR CONTROL AT THE LIFT STATION SITE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED (ESPECIALLY
IF THE HOMES ARE BUSINESS ARE DOWN WIND OF THE PREY AILING WIND).
ALTHOUGH THE CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION DOES NOT HAVE ANY OF THESE
CHARACTERISTICS, WE ARE DESIGNING THE WETWELL VENTILATION SYSTEM (WHERE
ODORS COME FROM) TO BE CAPABLE OF TREATING AIR THROUGH A CARBON
ADSORPTION SYSTEM. ALSO, WE HAVE RESERVED A LOCATION ON THE SITE FOR A
CARBON ADSORBTION SYSTEM. WE DO NOT FEEL THAT ONSITE ODOR WILL BE AN ISSUE
FOR THIS STATION, HOWEVER IF ONSITE ODORS BECOMES AN ISSUE THE CARBON
ADSORBTION UNIT WILL BE ADDED.
THE SECOND ODOR PROBLEM TYPE IS DOWNSTREAM FORCE MAIN ODORS (THE FORCE
MAIN IS THE PRESSURE LINE THAT CONVEYS THE WASTEWATER FROM THE PUMPS TO A
DISCHARGE POINT). OUR DISCHARGE POINT IS CAR COUNTRY DRIVE AND CANNON
ROAD. THIS IS WHERE THE WASTEWATER HAS BEEN LIFTED TO AND BEGINS AGRA VITY
FLOW CONVEYANCE TO THE ENCINA WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY.
AGAIN, IF THEW ASTEWATER FROM ITS BEGINNING SOURCE IN THE COLLECTION SYSTEM
Page 1
I Jason Martin -CANNON ROAD LIFT ST ION ODOR.doc 1--------------
THROUGH THE FORCE MAIN HAS A DETENTION TIME OF FOUR HOURS OR MORE, OFFSITE
ODOR CONTROL NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. HIGH DETENTION TIMES OCCUR IN FORCE
MAINS BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH, DIAMETER, AND FULL PIPE FLOW.
THE VOLUME OF WASTEWATER IN THE FORCE MAIN HAS AN IMPACT ON ODORS. THE
LARGER THE DIAMETER, THE MORE VOLUME AND THUS MORE DETENTION TIME.
TYPICAL DETENTION TIMES UNDER LOW FLOWS INTO LIFT STATIONS CAN AVERAGE 6
HOURS. A BALANCE IN FORCE MAIN SIZE VERSUS ENERGY CONSUMPTION HAS TO BE
EVALUATED BECAUSE SMALLER FORCE MAINS FOR A GIVEN FLOW USE MORE ENERGY.
THE VELOCITY OF THE WASTEWATER IN THE FORCE MAIN IS CRITICAL. IF THE VELOCITY
IS NOT KEPT ABOVE 3.0 FEET PER SECOND, SOLIDS WILL NOT RESUSPEND AND MOVE OUT
OF THE FORCE MAIN. SOLIDS BUILD-UP CREATES A LOCATION FOR ANAEROBIC
BACTERIA TO SURVIVE AND PRODUCE HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS BYPRODUCT. IF THE
FORCE MAIN VELOCITY IS LESS THAN 3.0 FEET PER SECOND, OFFSITE ODOR CONTROL
NEEDS TO BE INCORPORATED. CLEANING SOLIDS OUT OF A FORCE MAIN FORCE MAIN
CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH A SWABBING SYSTEM.
THE LOCATION OF OFFSITE ODOR CONTROL EQUIPMENT IS GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE
LIFT STATION SITE. CHEMICALS ARE INJECTED INTO THE GRAVITY INFLUENT LINE AT
THE STATION SUCH AS OXIDANTS, NITRATES, IRON SALTS OR CAUSTIC.
IN THE CASE OF CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION, THE DETENTION TIME OF THE
COLLECTION SYSTEM AND FORCE MAIN WARRANTS ODOR CONTROL. WE ESTIMATE
DETENTION TIMES BETWEEN 6 HOURS AND 12 HOURS. WE HA VE SELECTED A FERROUS
CHLORIDE INJECTION FACILITY BECAUSE COST OF CHEMICAL PER POUND OF SULFIDE
REMOVED IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN WITH OXIDANTS OR NITRATES. ALTHOUGH CAUSTIC
IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN FERROUS CHLORIDE, WE DID NOT SELECT CAUSTIC OVER
FERROUS CHLORIDE BECAUSE OF THE HAZARDS OF HANDLING AND MAINTAINING A
CAUSTIC SYSTEM.
THE CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION WILL HA VE FOUR PUMPS. TWO OF THE FOUR PUMPS
WILL HANDLE THE PEAK INFLOW TO THE STATION AT ANY TIME (PEAK FLOW WILL HIT
THIS STATION AROUND 9:00 AM IN THE MORNING). THERE WILL BE TIMES HOWEVER
WHEN ONLY ONE PUMP WILL BE NEEDED (NON-PEAK HOUR FLOWS). WITH THE
COMBINATION OF I PUMP OPERA TING AND THE SELECTED 18" DIAMETER FORCE MAIN,
WE WILL GET 3.2 FEET PER SECOND VELOCITY. THEREFORE, EVEN WITH ONE PUMP
OPERATING, SCOURING VELOCITY IN THE FORCE MAIN IS ACHIEVED. WITH TWO PUMP
OPERATION THE VELOCITY WILL BE 6.0 FEET PER SECOND IN THE FORCE MAIN.
THIS STATION WILL ALSO IN CORPORA TE VARIABLE SPEED PUMPING. VARIABLE SPEED
PUMPING MEANS THAT WHEN THE FLOW INTO THE STATION IS LOW, THE SPEED OF THE
MOTOR WILL BE LOWERED (REDUCING PUMP OUTPUT) TO MATCH THE FLOW COMING
INTO THE STATION. THIS WILL ALLEVIATE BUT NOT ELIMINATE ODOR PRODUCTION IN
THE FORCE MAIN BECAUSE KEEPING THE FLOW MOVING IN THE FORCE MAIN HELPS
ALLEVIATE ODORS.
NOTE: VARIABLE SPEED PUMPING IS DEPENDENT ON THE PUMP CHARACTERISTIC CURVE
AND THE STATIC HEAD TO TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD RATIO.
Page 2
Jason Martin -CANNON ROAD LIFT ST ON SPILL PREVENTION.doc
CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION
4/5/2000
RANDY KLAAHSEN
SPILL PREVENTION
CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION WILL BE A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY WITH MAXIMUM
PROTECTIVE FEATURES ADDED TO PREVENT SPILLS FROM OCCURING INTO THE AGUA
HEDIONDA LAGOON. •
AMONG THESE ARE:
1. EMERGENCY GENERA TOR
THE EMERGENCY GENERA TOR WILL SUPPLY POWER TO THE FACILITY IN THE EVENT
THAT COMMERCIAL POWER FAILS. THE GENERA TOR IS SIZED TO OPERA TE TWO PUMPS
AT FULL SPEED AND ALL FACILITY POWER SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE DIESEL GENERA TOR
WILL HA VE A BLOCK HEATER AND A BATTERY CHARGER TO ENSURE GENERA TOR
STARTS. IN ADDITION, GENERATORS ARE OPERATED ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO ENSURE
FULL QPERATIONAL FUNCTIONALITY.
2. DUAL PUMP OPERATION WITH TWO STANDBY PUMPS
THE FACILITY WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR PUMPS OF EQUAL CAPACITY. TWO PUMPS
WILL BE CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE MAXIMUM PEAK FLOW (5000 GALLONS PER
MINUTE). THE OTHER TWO PUMPS ARE STANDBY IN THE EVENT THAT A PUMP FAILS OR
NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE. IN ESSENCE THIS LIFT STATION DESIGN PROVIDES
A STANDBY AND AN EXTRA EMERGENCY PUMP.
3. AUTODIALER AND TELEMETRY SYSTEM
THE FACILITY WILL HA VE TWO WAYS TO COMMUNICATE OUT DURING EMERGENCIES,
THE AUTODIALER AND THE TELEMETRY SYSTEM. THE AUTODIALER IS AN ALARM
SYSTEM THAT CALLS OPERA TORS DIRECTLY TO THEIR HOMES IN THE EVENT OF AN
EMERGENCY. A PRE-PROGRAMMED LIST AND NUMBERS IS INPUTTED AND THE SYSTEM
WILL CALL ALL NUMBERS ON THE LIST AND REPEAT THE PROCESS UNTIL IT GETS AN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE ALARM BY A FACILITY OPERATIOR. ALARMS INCLUDE:
HIGH WETWELL, ALL PUMP FAILURES (SEAL FAILlJRE, MOTOR OVERTEMPERA TURE,
MOTOR DRIVE FAILURE, CHECK VALVE NOT OPENING ON PUMP START), FLOAT
OVERRIDE ACTIVATED AND FLOODED DRYWELL.
THE TELEMETRY SYSTEM IS AN INDEPENDENT ALARM SYSTEM THAT TRANSMITS
SIGNALS TO THE CENTRAL STATION AT THE WATER DISTRICT. THIS SYSTEM FORWARDS
THE ALARMS TO THE OPERA TORS THROUGH A TELEPHONE LINE. THESE. ALARMS ALSO
MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE FACILITY OPERATOR.
BOTH THE AUTODIALER AND TELEMETRY SYSTEM ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN
UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY. THIS MEANS THAT EVEN IF COMMERCIAL POWER IS
LOST AND THE EMERGENCY GENERA TOR FAILS TO START, THE OPERA TORS WILL STILL
BE CALLED.
4. BUBBLER AIR SYSTEM CONTROL WITH FLOAT OVERRIDE SYSTEM FOR BACKUP
THE LIFT STATION WILL BE CONTROLLED BY A BUBBLER AIR SYSTEM, THE MOST
RELIABLE CONTROL SYSTEM USED IN WASTEWATER LIFT STATION DESIGN. THIS LEVEL
CONTROL SYSTEM TELLS WHAT PUMP TO TURN ON AND AT WHAT LEVEL. IF THE LEVEL
RISES EVEN FURTHER A SECOND PUMP IS CALLED (AND THE THIRD AND FOURTH PUMP IF
Page 1
Jason Martin -CANNON ROAD LIFT ST ON SPILL PREVENTION.doc
NECESSARY). FINALLY THE LEVEL CONTROLLER WILL REACH A LEVEL AND SEND AN
ALARM THROUGH THE AUTODIALER AND TELEMETRY SYSTEM. THE BUBBLER SYSTEM
WILL AUTOMATICALLY PURGE THROUGH THE BUBBLER AIR LINE ON A PRE-
PROGRAMMED INTERVAL ALTHOUGH IT IS INHERENTLY RELIABLE BECAUSE IT
CONTINUOUSLY FEEDS AIR INTO THE WETWELL.
IN THE EVENT THAT THE BUBBLER SYSTEM FAILS, A SECONDARY ALARM AND CONTROL
SYSTEM WILL TAKE OVER. THIS IS CALLED A FLOAT OVERRIDE SYSTEM. THE FLOAT
OVERRIDE SYSTEM WILL START AND STOP ANY NUMBER OF DESIGNATED PUMPS. THE
FLOAT OVERRIDE SYSTEM WILL ALSO SEND AN ALARM THROUGH THE AUTODIALER AND
TELEMETRY SYSTEM SHOWING A "FLOAT OVERRIDE SYSTEM ACTIVATED ALARM".
5. EMERGENCY BYPASS SYSTEM
THE EMERGENCY BYPASS SYSTEM ALLOWS THE CITY TO BRING A PORTABLE PUMP TO
THE LIFT STATION AND PUMP WASTEWATER THROUGH THE FORCE MAIN INDEPENDENT
OF THE PUMPS IN THE DRYWELL. ONLY IF ALL PUMPS AND SYSTEMS HA VE FAILED IN
THE LIFT STATION WOULD THIS EVENT OCCUR.
6. DRY PIT SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS AND SUBMERSION PROOF CONTROLS
MOST LIFT STATIONS ARE EITHER WETWELL/DRYWELL OR WETWELL ONLY TYPES.
ALTHOUGH THIS STATION IS BEING DESIGN ON THE WETWELL/DRWELL PREMISE, IT IS
ACTUALLY BOTHA WETWELL/DRYWELLANDA WETWELLSTATION. THATISTOSAY
THAT THE PUMP ROOM (WHICH IS A DRY ROOM) CAN BE COMPLETELY SUBMERGED AND
THE LIFT STATION WILL STILL BE 100% FUNCTIONAL. THIS IS BECAUSE DRYWELL
SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS ARE INCORPORATED INTO THIS DESIGN. ALL REGULAR DRYWELL
PUMPS WHEN SUBMERGED CAN NOT OPERA TE WHEN SUBMERGED BECAUSE FLUID IS
INGESTED INTO THE MOTORS CAUSING A SHORT TO GROUND FAILURE. WITH DR WELL
SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS AND SUBMERSION PROOF CONTROLS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE.
7. SYSTEM OVERFLOW FAILSAFE TO NORTH AGUA HEDIONDA INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM
IN THE EVENT OF AN ALL PUMP FAIL SCENARIO, THE AUTODIALER AND TELEMETRY
SYSTEM WOULD SEND PUMP FAILURES AND THE HIGH WETWELL ALARMS TO THE
OPERATOR. IF TI;IE OPERATOR GOES TO THE CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION AND FINDS A
PROBLEM SHE CAN NOT FIX, AV ALVE ON THE INFLUENT GRAVITY LINE CAN BE CLOSED,
THE SYSTEM WILL BACK UP IN THE GRAVITY SYSTEM FLOWING DOWN CANNON ROAD
AND WOULD THEN FLOW OVER A WEIR INTO THE NORTH AGUA HEDIONDA SYSTEM. IT
IS ESTIMATED IN THE FIRST 3 YEARS OF OPERATION THAT THE NORTH AGUA HEDIONDA
SYSTEM COULD TAKE I 00% OF THE FLOW IN THE SOUTH SYSTEM IN ADDITION TO ITS
OWN BASIN. AFTER THE THREE YEARS, THE VALVE WOULD STILL BE CLOSED TO DIVERT
FLOW INTO THE NORTH SYSTEM AND THE PORTABLE EMERGENCY BYPASS PUMP (AS
MENTIONED IN PARA GRAPH #5) WOULD NEED TO BE BROUGHT TO THE LIFT STATION TO
HANDLE THE EXCESS FLOW THAT THE NORTH AGUA HEDIONDA SYSTEM COULD NOT
HANDLE.
8. WATER HAMMER SURGE PROTECTION
LIFT STATIONS WITH HIGH STATIC HEAD (THE DIFFERENCE IN ELEVATION BETWEEN THE
CENTERLINE OF THE PUMP AND THE DISCHARGE POINT) ARE SUSCEPTABLE TO
INSTANTANEOUS FAILURE DUE TO WATER HAMMER. WHEN THE STATIC HEAD IS NOT AT
THIS CRITICAL ELEVATION DIFFERENCE, A SYSTEM CAN STILL BE SUSCEPTABLE TO
WATER HAMMER DUE TO FATIGUE FAILURE (LIKE REPEATEDLY BENDING A PIECE OF
WIRE UNTIL IT BREAKS). WATER HAMMER IS ALSO RELATED TO THE VELOCITY IN THE
FORCE MAIN AND THE NUMBER OF ABRUPT BENDS IN THE SYSTEM. EXTRA PRECAUTION
Page 2
r Jason Martin -CANNON ROAD LIFT ST ON SPILL PREVENTION.doc
HAS BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT WATER HAMMER WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM AT THE
CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION. FIRST THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN MODELED TO PREDICT
WHAT THE MAXIMUM DOWN SURGE PRESSURE WILL BE. THAT PRESSURE HAS BEEN
DETERMINED TO BE 90 PSI (THAT NUMBER IS BASED ON TWO PUMPS OPERA TING AT FULL
SPEED AND A POWER FAILURE EVENT-WORST CASE) THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SURGE
PRESSURE FOR THE PIPELINE AND COMPONENTS IS 200 PSI. SECONDLY AND
COINCIDENTALLY WE WILL BE USING VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES TO MATCH THE
INCOMING FLOW RATE WITH THE PUMPING RATE. THIS IS DONE TO CONSERVE ENERGY.
HOWEVER, THE VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES OFFER THE ABILITY TO RAMP UP AND
RAMP DOWN THE MOTOR SPEED OVER A GIVEN DURATION OF TIME (TYPICALLY 60
SECONDS). THIS SMOOTH RAMP UP AND DOWN OF THE PUMPS CREATES EVEN A LOWER
WATER HAMMER PRESSURE MODELED TO BE 75 PSI. THUS THE FA TIGUE FACTOR IS EVEN
LESS THAN A CONSTANT SPEED PUMPING SHUTDOWN. THE LIFE CYCLE IS EXPECTED TO
BE IN THE HUNDREDS OF YEARS. IN ACTUALITY THE LIFE WILL BE EVEN LONGER THAN
THIS BECAUSE THE FLOW PACING CAPABILITY WILL LIMIT THE SHUT DOWNS PER HOUR.
THIRDLY, THE FORCE MAIN WILL BE DESIGNED TO HA VE A SMOOTH TRANSITIONING
CONSTANTLY RISING FORCE MAIN TO A VOID COLUMN SEPERA TION AND VAPOR CAVITY
FORMATION MINIMIZING INCREASED WATER HAMMER PRESSURES.
9. DAILY OPERATIONAL CHECKS
CARLSBAD'S OPERATION TEAM INSPECTS EACH STATION DAILY. THIS HELPS IN
PREDICTING WHEN PUMPS NEED MAINTENACE. A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES WOULD BE:
NOTICING THAT THE PUMPS ARE VIBRATING MORE THAN THEIR USUAL MANNER OR
THEY ARE PUMPING AT A LOWER CAPACITY THAN THEIR RA TING. A GOOD
OPERATIONAL PROGRAM IS A KEY FACTOR IN SYSTEM RELIABILITY.
ALL PRECAUTIONARY AND DESIGN MEASURES POSSIBLE HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE
THAT NO SPILLS WILL OCCUR FROM THE CANNON ROAD LIFT STATION IN THE FUTURE.
THESE THINGS IN CONJUNCTION WITH DAILY OPERATIONAL CHECKS WILL PROTECT THE
AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON.
Page 3 •
,
• 'STATE OF CALIFORNIA-THE RESO~RCES A.CY
ATTACHMENT 10
GRAY DAVIS Governor
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
South Coast Region
4949 Viewridge Avenue
San Diego, California 92123
(858) 467-4201
FAX (858) 467-4235
Jason Martin
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
April 3, 2000
----------------
.. . .
Comments on the Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration for the'South Agua Hedionda
Interceptor Reach 3, City of Carlsbad
• (SCH#2000031019)
Dear Mr. Martin:
The Department of Fish and Game (Department) has reviewed the above-referenced
Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) that we received on March 15, 2000. The Department is
identified as a Trustee Agency pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Section 15386 and is responsible for the conservation, protection and management of the state's
biological resources.
Project alternative 3B (project) involves the installation of pipelines and the construction
of a pump station in the eastern portion of Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Approximately 5,950 feet of
underground pipeline will be installed, connecting existing pipelines. The pump station will be
located 350 feet northwest of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Nature Center and will require the
creation of an approximately 14,000 square foot pad and installation of a retaining wall on a
vegetated slope adjacent to an existing dirt access road. The proposed project will utilize three
different methods of pipeline installation: the 850 lineal feet of pipeline from Hidden Valley
Road to the pump station (hereafter referred to as "Segment A") will be installed through micro
tunneling methods, the 2,450 lineal feet from the pump station across Agua Hedionda Lagoon to
agricultural fields ("Segment B") will utilize directional drilling, and 2,650 lineal feet through the
agricultural fields to Cannon Road/Car Country Drive intersection ("Segment c,'') will be
installed using open trenching.
According to the Biological Technical Report (Report), project implementation will result
in impacts to the following habitats: permanent impacts to 0.45 acres ofDiegan coastal sage
scrub, permanent impacts to 0.11 Valley needle grassland, 0.03 acres of permanent impacts to
non-native grassland, 0.08 acres of temporary impacts to non-native grassland, 1.08 acres of
permanent impacts to agricultural/disturbed/road habitat and 1.78 acres of temporary impacts to
agricultural/ disturbed/road.
Mitigation measures proposed in the Report will be in concurrence with the proposed
City of Carlsbad (City) Habitat Management Plan (HMP) and will include: replacement of 0.9
acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat ( a 2: 1 replacement-to-impact ratio) either onsite or
immediately adjacent, allowing the brushing of coastal sage scrub to occur only outside the
California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica, gnatcatcher) breeding season (February
14 to August 31), replacement of0.33 acres of valley needl~grass habitat (a 3:1 ratio), and
..
'
,
Jason Martin
April3,2000
Page 2
replacement of 0.055 acres of non-native grassland (a 0.5:1 ratio).
The Department offers the following comments and recommendations:
We concur with the project's ·finding that Alternative B3 is the biologically-preferred
alternative that will minimize habitat impacts. The Department appreciates the project's efforts
to avoid impacts and to preserve the biological resource value of Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
The project should address impacts to the pending Agua Hedionda Lagoon Ecological
Reserve (Reserve). Approximately 186 acres of Agua Hedionda Lagoon and adjacent habitats
will soon be dedicated to the Department for preservation of sensitive flora and fauna. Although
most of the proposed pipeline appears within existing easements, the proposed location of the
pump station appears to be entirely on Reserve land. The Department strongly recommends the
applicant avoid impacts to the Reserve. A detailed aerial map indicating project and Reserve
boundaries, as well as existing easements and habitat, should be provided to the Department prior
to issuance of any permit.
As mentioned in the :MND, the project is within the boundaries of the proposed City of
Carlsbad's Habitat Management Plan. Furthermore, the project is within an area identified in the
HMP as an Existing Hardline Conservation Area (an area that has been committed to habitat
conservation as a result of existing open space regulations, past development approvals or other
actions). The Department recommends the project be consistent with goals and conservation
levels proposed in the HMP and avoid further impacts to this area of proposed conservation. On-
or offsite restoration and/or preservation of habitat for mitigation should occur in areas oflong-
term conservation potential under the direction of a qualified biological monitor. A management
and monitoring plan should be reviewed and approved by the Department prior to any
construction activity.
The Department recommends all directional and microtunnel drilling occur at a minimum
of 30 feet below the deepest point of wetland habitat to reduce possible impacts. The project
should indicate containment and impact reduction measures should a frac-out occur during
pipeline installation. Use of Bentonite and other drilling lubricants should also be indicated and
analyzed for potential impacts. The use of non-corrosive materials or installation of pipe liner is
also recommended during operation of the pipeline to reduce Jjsk of impacts due to rupture or
general pipe failure. A biological monitor should be present at all phases of drilling to anticipate
and identify impacts to wildlife and habitats onsite. The Department strongly recommends the
project obtain a Streambed Alteration Agreement (SAA), pursuant to Section 1600 et seq. of the
Fish and Game Code. An SAA would allow the applic;mt to fully identify the potential impacts
to wetland resources onsite and provide adequate avoidance, mitigation, monitoring and
reporting commitments should this be necessary. A Streambed Alteration Agreement form may
be obtained by writing to The Department of Fish and Game, 4949 Viewridge Avenue, San
Diego, CA 92123, or by calling (858) 636-3160.
Through a phone conversation between you and Kim McKee-Lewis of the Department on
,.
I'
Jason Martin
April 3, 2000
Page 3
March 29, 2000, it is our understanding that the 15-feet-wide access road over the Section B of
the project has been removed from the proposed project. However, proposed in the Discussion
of Environmental Evaluation in the :MND is the paving of an access road on an existing dirt
road/public recreation trail. Presently, the dirt road runs from the intersection of Hidden Valley
Road/Cannon Road, over a dike in the lagoon wetlands to the area of the proposed pump station.
The road appears to be within the proposed Reserve and justifications for the·need for such
paving should be clearly detailed as it is our understanding that use of the road will be minimal.
Paving is not consistent with the Department's efforts to preserve and enhance the biological
resource value of Agua Hedionda Lagoon. We are concerned that paving will increase fresh
water runoff into salt marsh habitat-subsequently allowing further invasion of weedy species and
cattails _and allowing salt marsh conversion that will reduce habitat for the endangered Belding's
savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi). Increased siltation should also be of
concern in determining alternatives to paving.
The Department concurs with measures to minimize impacts to California gnatcatcher
(Polioptila californica californica) and other breeding birds in coastal sage scrub habitat.
Pursuant to Fish and Game Code 3503, it is unlawful to take, possess or needlessly destroy the
nest or eggs of any bird. The on-site biological monitor should ensure that impacts to nesting
birds be avoided in all habitats through the appropriate breeding seasons.
The Department recommends that only local, native species be used in the landscaping
plan outlined on Page 20, Mitigation Measure #10, that is proposed to occur adjacent to the lift
station. A detailed landscaping planting palette and irrigation plan should be submitted to the
Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Planning Department for review and final
approval prior to issuance of any permit.
The Department appreciates the opportunity to comment on your project. Questions and
comments concerning this letter should be directed to Warren Wong at (858) 636-3167.
cc: Department of Fish and Game
Kim McKee-Lewis
C.F. Rays brook
Tamara Spear
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Nancy Gilbert
Julie V anderwier
William E. Tippets
Habitat Conservation Supervisor
State &ter Resources ContreBoard
Winston H. Hickox
Secretary for
Environmental
Protection
MnR 24 200:l
Mr. Jason Martin
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Dear Mr. Martin:
Division of Clean Water Programs
2014 T Street• Sacramento, California 95814 • (916) 227-4480
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 944212 • Sacramento, California• 94244-2120
FAX (916) 227-4595 • Internet Address: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov
(; -' • -~ .:-.: .. ~:_:__, : ..... _ ..
INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (IS/MND) FOR THE CITY OF
• CARLSBAD (CITY) -SOUTH AQUA HEDIONDA INTERCEPTOR REACH 3 -STATE
CLEARINGHOUSE NO. 2000031019
Gray Davis
Governor
" -I
·-....
Thank you for the opportunity to review the above document. The State Water Resources Control
• Board (SWRCB), Division of Clean Water Programs (Division) is responsible for administering State
Revolving Fund (SRF) loans for eligible wastewater treatment projects. If the City will be seeking
funding from the SWRCB for the above project, the SWRCB will be a responsible agency under
CEQA. As a funding agency, the· SWRCB must consider the information in the environmental
document when approving funding for the proposed project. We have enclosed a copy of the SWRCB 's
Policy for SRF loans for your information. The policy contains environmental guidelines for loan
projects in Appendix E.
Below are several procedural items and SRF loan program requirements (Section I). In addition, we
have comments on the environmental document (Section II):
I. SRF loan program requirements:
1. Following the public and State Clearinghouse review period, please send us a copy of: (1) the
approved/adopted MND, (2) the resolution adopting/approving the MND and a Mitigation
Monitoring Program (MMP), (3) the MMP, (4) all comments received during the review period
and your responses to those comments, and (5) the Notice of Determination filed with the
Governor's Office of Planning and Research, when they become available. Please send us
notices of any meetings or hearings scheduled regarding the document and project approval.
2. Since SRF loans are partially funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the
Division is required to consult directly with appropriate federal agencies responsible for
implementing federal environmental laws and regulations. If your Agency will be seeking an
SRF loan, you will need to provide us with eight copies of the IS/MND so that we may initiate
federal consultation. Federal agencies have 30 calendar days to review and comment on your
environmental document plus six days mailing time. We will forward any comments received to
you at that time for your response. Any environmental issues raised by federal agencies will
need to be resolved prior to approval of an SRF loan.
California Environmental Protection Agency
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t •
Mr. Jason Martin -2 -MAR 24 2000
3. Please note that SRF loan projects are subject to:
a. Provisions of the Federal Endangered Species Act and must obtain a Section 7 clearance
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) prior to a loan commitment.
b. -Federal laws pertaining to cultural resources, particularly Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act. For projects intended to receive SRF assistance, please contact
our Cultural Resources Officer, Ms. Cookie Hirn, at (916) 227-4410 to initiate the Section
106 process. She will consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) on your
behalf at several points in the process. She will also work with your Agency and the SHPO
to establish your project's Area of Potential Effects (APE) and determine whether any
cultural resources are present within the APE. After the APE is established, please provide
documentation of the following: (1) background research for cultural resources, including a
records search with the California Historical Resources Information System, consultation
with interested Native Americans, local historical societies, and any other interested parties;
(2) a field survey by a qualified archaeologist and, if appropriate, historical specialist; and
(3) an inventory of all cultural resources in the project's APE. Additional submittals may be
required to document resource significance and/or project effects. When adequate
information has been submitted, Ms. Hirn will review it for Section 106 compliance and will
forward approved documents to the SHPO. The SHPO has a 30-day review period in which
to comment or to concur that the process is complete.
c. As of January 31, 1994, SRF loan projects located in non-attainment areas may be required
to meet the Federal General Conformity Rule for the Federal Clean Air Act. Where a
Federal agency has delegated its responsibility to take certain actions to a State or local
agency, the action is considered a Federal action and the State or local agency must make a
conformity determination on the Federal agency's behalf. Consequently, the City must make
a conformity determination, if emissions from project facilities and construction emissions
are above "de ininimis" thresholds established for the area. For an SRF loan, your
environmental document should include the following:
• Description of the air quality status for each criteria pollutant for the area
where the project's emissions will occur; and
• A summary of the emissions that are expected from both the construction and
operation of the project for each criteria pollutant in a non-attainment or
maintenance area.
A conformity determination can be made if facilities are sized to meet only the needs of
current population projections that are used in the approved State Implementation Plan for
air quality. You may contact your local Air Pollution Control District or Air Quality
Maintenance District for information regarding this requirement.
California Environmental Protection Agency
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I -
Mr. Jason Martin -3 -
M4R 2 4 2000
II. Comments regarding the adequacy of your environmental document:
1. If the. City will be requesting SRF funding, the Division will require three copies each of earlier
analyses cited in the MND for federal distribution and review in relation to the proposed project
(SARI 3). These documents include:
• Final Environmental Impact Report for Reach 1 of Cannon Road;
• Final Supplemental Environmental ~pacts Report for a segment of the South Agua
Hedionda Sewer Interceptor; and
• Biological Technical Report for a segment of the South Agua Hedionda Sewer Interceptor
System.
2. The IS/MND, as a stand-alone document, would not be adequate for our purposes because not
all checklist answers are adequately explained. The use of references to support the "No
Impact" answers does not appear to be appropriate for this project. Incorporation by reference
is only appropriate where the "No Impact" answer is adequately supported by referenced
information sources which show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one
involved. Your "No Impact" answers appear to be based on project specific information.
Therefore, an explanation is required for your checklist summarized in the Initial Study or the
referenced documents should be made a part of the environmental document. You may want to
incorporate some of the referenced information into your document. Also, a citation to the page
or pages where the information is found should be provided for referenced documents. For-
clarification see CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15063 (d) and 15150.
3. Biological Impacts: The City will need to elaborate on the potential impacts to wetlands and the
disruption to surface topography, and how mitigation measures will be employed to offset
impacts. Also, biological surveys may be required and need to be conducted during the
appropriate time of year for undisturbed or sensitive areas impacted by the project. We
recognize that biological surveys were conducted in conjunction with the referenced Biological
Technical Report. However, these may need to be updated. If this project has a potential to
impact biological resources, a Biological Assessment may be required for an SRF loan.
Information and maps concerning candidate species in California are available from the
California Natural Diversity Data Base, a program of the California Department of Fish and
Game. Address requests to: Marketing Manager, California Department of Fish and Game,
Natural Diversity Data Base, 1426 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 324-3812.
4. Mitigation Measures: Use of an MND requires mitigation measures that clearly avoid or
mitigate significant impacts and those measures are agreed to by the project proponent prior to
public review. Compliance with permits and regulations must specify what the provisions will
do to mitigate the identified impact. The City must also provide specificity by adhering to the
following:
• Compliance with regulations and permits must specify what the regulation will do to
mitigate the identified impact.
California Environmental Protection Agency
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.,. • • M4R 2 4 2000
Mr. Jason Martin -4 -
• Any monitoring mitigation measures must be accompanied by criteria that will trigger
specific mitigation measures.
If you have any questions regarding the environmental review of this project, please contact me at (916)
227-4480.
Sincere~,
\ i : --• / ., V\IYYW 1.-(i J
James Hockenberry
Environmental Services Unit
cc: Governors Office of Planning and Research
1400 Tenth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mr. Dat Quach
San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board
9771 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite B
San Diego, CA 92124
California Environmental Protection Agency
rC} Recycled Paper