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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCD/GPC 89-06; ENCINA POWER RECLAIMATION; Planning Comm Determ/Gen Plan Consis (PCD/GPC)I'-' STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD DIVISION OF LOANS AND GRANTS ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS GUIDELINES FOR STATE LOAN PROGRAM APPLICANTS PART I. PURPOSE These guidelines detail the steps that must be taken by local agencies (applicants) to comply with the environmental review requirements for the wastewater treatment facility loan programs administered by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board), Division of Loans and Grants (DL&G). Generally, the process set forth here is accomplished through compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). However, there are some additional requirements for applicants seeking loans from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) which is funded partially by the Federal Government. These additional requirements are clearly emphasized. Detailed requirements under CEQA are given in the CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3). Copies of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines are available from the State Clearinghouse [(916)445-0613] or from the Department of General Services, Publications Section, P.O. Box 1015, North Highlands, CA 95660 [(916)924-4800]. These guidelines are intended to supplement the CEQA Guidelines with specific requirements for environmental documents which will be acceptable to the State Board when reviewing applications for wastewater treatment facility loans; they are not intended to supersede or replace the CEQA Guidelines. The Applicant is a "Lead Agency" as defined under CEQA; the State Board and other agencies having jurisdiction over the proposed project are "Responsible Agencies" under CEQA. State Board regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 23) state that "Whenever any public agency applies to the State Board for any discretionary financial assistance for a project to be undertaken by such public agency, the application shall be supported by either an Initial Study and a Negative Declaration or an "EIR". Section 3750(b). Questions regarding environmental procedures and practices should be directed to the State Water Resources Control Board, Environmental Services Unit, at (916) 739-4416. Questions regarding cultural resources should be directed to the DL&G Cultural Resources Officer at (916) 739-4417. PART II. DETAILED PROCEDURES All references to section numbers or appendices refer to the CEQA Guidelines. Figure A presents a generalized step-by-step approach describing the CEQA process. The numbers in Figure A correspond to the numbered paragraphs below: 1. Submit a project description to the Division of Loans and Grants [DL&G]. This will be reviewed by both the project engineer and the - Environmental Services Unit. . 2. Prepare an Initial Study as described in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15063. An "Initial Study" is a preliminary analysis prepared by the Lead Agency to determine whether an EIR [Environmental Impact Report] or a Negative Declaration must be prepared. The criteria for "significance" of impacts are listed in Sections 15064 et geg. 3. <Decision Point> Are there possible significant adverse environmental impacts? If yes, proceed to Item 9 for start of EIR process; if no, proceed to Item 4 for Negative Declaration process. 4. Prepare Negative Declaration [Section 15371]. 5. Circulate Negative Declaration [Sections 15072 and 15073]. See Item 12 for more detail. 6. Public participation: A public hearing is strongly recommended when applying for any loan administered by the DL&G, and is mandatory when applying for a SRF loan. An earnest public participation program can greatly improve the planning process and reduce the chance of delays due to public controversy. For assistance in this area, please feel free to call the Environmental Services Unit. See Item 13 for more detail. 7. <Decision Point> Are there any significant comments? If yes, proceed to Item 9, prepare an EIR; if no, no further environmental analysis required. 8. Based on the lack of significant effects disclosed in the Initial Study and the absence of significant comments received, the decision- making body should make a finding that the project will have no significant effect on the environment and approve the Negative Declaration. Proceed to Item 17. 9. The State EIR Guidelines require that a Notice of Preparation (NOP) be distributed whenever an EIR is proposed. An NOP is a brief notice sent by you to notify the Responsible Agencies, Trustee Agencies, and involved federal agencies that an EIR will be prepared for the project. The purpose of the NO? is to solicit guidance from those agencies as to the scope and content of the environmental information to be included in the EIR. Public agencies are free to develop their own formats for this NOP. The contents of the NOP are described in Section 15082. If it is uncertain whether an EIR or a Negative Declaration is appropriate, an NOP should be distributed in order to cover both eventualities. Please consult with the Environmental Services Unit or with the State Clearinghouse at (916) 445-0613 if there are any questions about the procedures to be followed. 10. Incorporate any comments received in response to the NOP into the Draft EIR (Item 11). 2 11. Prepare Draft EIR. "EIR" or "Environmental Impact Report" means a detailed statement prepared under CEQA that describes and analyzes the significant environmental -effects of a project and discusses ways to mitigate or avoid the effects. See Section 15120 et sea. 12. Submit Draft EIR for review by the public and local, state and federal agencies [Sections 15085-150873. The following review.procedureS are designed to coordinate the project with various federal, state, and local areawide plans and programs. Send two [2] copies of the environmental document [either a Draft EIR or Negative Declaration] to the DL&G Environmental Services Unit. All correspondence with the DL&G regarding environmental documents (Draft EIRs, comments received, Final EIRs, Negative Declarations, etc.) should be addressed to: STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD DIVISION OF LOANS AND GRANTS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES UNIT P. 0. BOX 944212 SACRAMENTO, CA 94244-2120 Send ten [copies] of the EIR or Negative Declaration to the State Clearinghouse, unless the State Clearinghouse approves a lower number in advance [Section 15205(e)]. Draft EIRs and Negative Declarations to be reviewed by state agencies must be submitted to the State Clearinghouse [Section 15205]. You may use either the standard "Notice of Completion and Environmental Document Transmittal Form" included in the CEQA Guidelines [Appendix C] or develop a similar form to be used when submitting the documents. On the back side of the form, put a check on any of the "REVIEWING AGENCIES" that you would like Draft EIRs to be sent to (optional), otherwise the State Clearinghouse will select the appropriate review agencies. You must also use a copy of the completed form when sending documents to the areawide clearinghouse. You must also send a formal transmittal letter to the State Clearinghouse giving them the authority to distribute the copies of the Draft EIR. If a consultant is preparing the Draft EIR, the consultant must obtain a formal transmittal letter from you stating that you, the applicant, give permission to the consultant to send the Draft EIR copies to the State Clearinghouse. The letter should also have the State Clearinghouse number from the NOP. If you need a shorter review period than the normal 45 days, you, not the consultant, must submit a written request. This formal request can be included in the transmittal letter stating the reasons for a shorter review period. While you are encouraged to contact the regional and district offices of State Responsible Agencies, this does not replace the requirement 3 to submit documents to the State Clearinghouse for distribution [Section 15205(f)]. To send documents to the State Clearinghouse, use the following address: GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH OFFICE OF PERMIT ASSISTANCE STATE CLEARINGHOUSE 1400 TENTH STREET, ROOM 121 SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 The focal point of the State's review is the State Clearinghouse. The review starts when the State Clearinghouse receives your Draft EIR or Negative Declaration, at which time they will assign a Clearinghouse number to your project. If an NOP was previously filed, they will use the Clearinghouse number assigned to the.NOP. This eight-digit number (e.g. SCH 82061506) is very important and should be used on all documents, such as inquiry letters, supplemental drafts, final EIRs, etc. The State Clearinghouse will send you an "ACKNOWLEDGEMENT" card. If you have any questions about the State Clearinghouse procedures, call (916) 445-0613. You are responsible for sending copies of the environmental documents (either Draft EIR5 or Negative Declarations) to any local or federal' responsible agency with jurisdiction over any part of the proposed project. If the project involves a SRF loan, you are required to send a copy of the NOP or environmental document directly to the following agencies and agency associations: A. The Areawide.Clearinghouse (Usually the local council of governments) B. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 730 Simm Street, Room 450 Golden, Co. 80401 C. District Engineer U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Division of Ecological Services 2800 Cottage Way, Room E-1803 Sacramento, Ca. 95825 D. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento District 650 Capitol Mall Sacramento, Ca. 90012 E. U.S. EPA, Region 9, Construction Grants Branch (w-2-2) 215 Fremont Street San Francisco, Ca. 94105 4 F. Federal Emergency Management Agency Building 105, presidio San Francisco, Ca. 94129 G. State Conservationist, U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service 2121 C St., Ste. 102 Davis, Ca. 95616-4999 I. Land Use Planning Office U.S. Forest Service, Review 630 Sansome Street San Francisco, Ca. 94111 H. California State Coastal Commission, South Coast Area 245 Broadway, Suite 380 Long Beach, Ca. 90802 (For all projects in coastal counties) I. Dept. of Commerce, U.S. National Marine Fisheries 300 South Ferry Street Terminal Island, Ca. 90731 (For all projects in coastal counties) J. U.S.D.I. Assistant Secretary Program Policy Office of Environmental Project 18th and C Streets NW, Room 4239 Washington DC, 20240 (For all projects near wild or scenic rivers) When sending your environmental document to the local Areawide Clearinghouse, please include a copy of the following: A. Draft EIR or Negative Declaration B. Project Report (if available) C. "NOTICE OF COMPLETION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT TRANSMITTAL FORM". Make sure State Clearinghouse Number is on the form and the Areawide Clearinghouse name in the appropriate block (item 12) For projects involving SRF loans, the above agencies must have at least forty five (45) calendar days to review each environmental document (including Negative Declarations). The review is to be calculated as fifty one (51) calendar days from the date the environmental document was mailed to the reviewing agency. You must certify that you mailed a complete copy of the environmental document to each of the agencies listed above on a specified date with instructions to send their comments back to yourself with a copy to the DL&G. 5 After the review period ends you will receive comments from: A. State Clearinghouse (Comments from various state agencies) B. Areawide Clearinghouse (sign-off on "NOTICE OF COMPLETION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT TRANSMITTAL FORM" with or without comments) C. Federal Agencies D. Interested Parties 13. Public participation and review are essential to the CEQA process [Section 15087]. Each public agency should include wide public involvement, formal and informal, consistent with its existing activities and procedures, in order to receive and evaluate public reactions to environmental issues related to its project. While CEQA itself does not require formal public hearings at any stage of the environmental review process, such hearings are a required part of an application for SRF loans, and are strongly recommended for all projects receiving funds from the DL&G. You should provide ample notice when formal public hearings or meetings are scheduled. Public comments or controversies that are not responded to during the planning of a proposed project could result in the need for a Subsequent EIR at a later stage or lead to legal challenges, thus delaying the project and raising the cost significantly. 14. <Decision Point> Review all comments received during the review process, including any oral comments received at formal or informal public meetings. Decide whether or not the comments are significant. If they are significant, go to Item 15. If they are not significant or no comments were received, go to Item 16. If the project involves a SRF loan, send a copy of the comments to the DL&G at the above address and a copy to the appropriate California Regional Water Quality Control Board. 15. <Decision Point> If the comments are significant, consider whether they would require a complete revision of the EIR or the proposed project or whether mitigation measures could reduce the impacts sufficiently. If the EIR needs complete re-writing, return to Item 9. If mitigation measures can be devised, go to Item 16. 16. Incorporate comments [or state that no comments were received] and any necessary mitigation measures into the Final EIR. Include a plan for implementing and monitoring mitigation measures. Also include dates for all public meetings, hearings, etc. and the dates of notices for them. The final EIR must be certified by your decision making body. After resolving all comments and printing your Final EIR, submit copies to the agencies and individuals commenting on the Draft EIR. See Section 15132 for the contents of a Final EIR. 21 If the project involves aSRF loan, copies of the Final EIR must be distributed to: A. State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Loans and Grants B. Appropriate California Regional Water Quality Control Board C. Appropriate Areawide Clearinghouse D. Each federal agency that commented on the Draft EIR. E. Each local agency that commented on the Draft EIR. 17. Once your decision making body has made a decision on whether to proceed with the project, you must prepare and file a "Notice of Determination" [see Appendix D of the CEQA Guidelines) with the State Clearinghouse and the local County Clerk. The contents of this Notice are given in Sections 15075 and 15094 for Negative Declarations and EIR5, respectively. Include a copy of the Notice in the loan application package. 18. Submit the completed application to the State Board. The application package must include a copy of the Final EIR (or Negative Declaration) and the Notice of Determination. 7 Figure A 1 Project Description V 2 6 Prepare Public Initial Participation Study I I V V A 3 I 4 5' Significant No Prepare Negative Circulate Keg. Significant impacts? Declaration Declaration comments? Yes' Yes No Prepare and circulate Notice of Preparation V 10 Incorporate any comments received V 11 Prepare Draft EIR V Approve Neg. Declaration 12 13 Public F- Public participation review I Yes I - : 1 Decide to amend V V 14 16 17 18 Yes f Significant - Prepare FEIR Approve project, I Submit completed comments?_INO certify and prepare and fileI—' application distribute Notice ofDeterini No Prepared by the Environmental Services Unit of the Division of Loans and Grants, State Water Resources Control Board. 8 PART III. BASIC OUTLINE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS The purpose of the environmental review is to incorporate environmental considerations into the planning process. Prior to the selection of a specific project alternative, a thorough, unbiased and frank analysis of the environmental impacts of every reasonable project alternative should be made. It is intended that environmental concerns be considered on an equal basis with engineering feasibility, economics, and social considerations. In order to assist you in preparing environmental documents for your loan application, we have put together this outline. The outline details project-specific information that must be disclosed in any environmental document prepared in conjunction with an application for a wastewater treatment facility loan administered by the State Board. The outline does not replace CEOA guideline requirements regarding elements of an environmental document and does not cover all necessary components of the document. I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION A. Describe Objectives that Qualify the Project for a Loan 1. Correction of water quality problems associated with wastewater treatment facilities a. Health Department violation b. Cease and Desist Order C. Nonconformance with Basin Plan or 208 Plan d. Other (specify) 2. Treatment of agricultural drainage wastewater 3. Wastewater reclamation B. Explain How Objectives will be Accomplished 1. New facilities 2. Upgrading existing facilities 3. Correction of inflow and infiltration problems 4. Other C. Describe Existing Facilities (if present) 1. Condition 2. Level of treatment 01 3. Collection and conveyance systems 4. Disposal/reclamation system. 5. Present capacity of facilities a. Average Dry Weather Flow (ADWF) capacity b. Peak Wet Weather Flow (PWWF) capacity 6. Present inflow (give data source and approximate date of determination) (give in terms of ADWF for treatment or disposal facilities and PWWF for pipelines; indicate which) a. Municipal wastewater treatment facilities (1) Residential and commercial (2) Industrial (3) Total (4) Per capita flow b. Agricultural drainage wastewater treatment facilities (total inflow) C. Water Reclamation (total inflow) 7. NPDES permit number 8. Present receiving water quality (describe qualitatively and quantitatively) 9. Present effluent quality (describe qualitatively and quantitatively) 10. Present disposal/release methods (include final location in description) for: a. Wastewater effluent b. Sludge (or septage) C. Reclaimed water D. New Facilities (describe the facilities that will be constructed or modified and operations) 1. Facilities (give physical dimensions) 10 a. Treatment facilities b. Interceptors C. Outfalls d. Appurtenant structures e. Other 2. Pertinent operational data 3. Disposal/release methods (describe final disposal locations) a. For wastewater b. For sludge C. For reclaimed water 4. Capacity (give in terms of ADWF for treatment or disposal facilities and PWWF for pipelines; indicate which) a. Design capacity (1) Municipal wastewater treatment facilities (a) Residential and Commercial (b) Industrial (c) Total (d) Per Capita Flow (2) Agricultural drainage wastewater treatment facilities (total inflow) (3) Water reclamation (total inflow) b. Increase over present capacity (for existing facilities) C. Increase needed to serve existing development (municipal wastewater treatment facilities only) (1) Residential and commercial (2) Industrial (3) Total 11 d. Increase allowed for growth (municipal wastewater treatment facilities only) (1) Residential and commercial (2) Industrial (3) Total e. Loan-Eligible Capacity (municipal wastewater treatment facilities only) (1) Residential and commercial (2) Industrial (3) Total (4) Eligible per capita flows 5. Population basis for capacity determination (municipal wastewater treatment facilities only) a. Design (include year) b. Eligible (include year) C. Source d. Air Quality State Implementation Plan (SIP) Population (include year) E. Project Approvals and Planning Considerations (discuss the roles of planning and regulatory agencies which have permit or funding authority over the proposed project) F. Project Location (description and map) 1. Existing facilities 2. New facilities 3. Service Area II. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING (include a discussion of all the following detailed elements; if an element is not applicable to the project or is not present within the described area, give reasons or verify with investigative results) A. Topography' of the Region 1. Location of facilities site and service area with regard to major topographical features a. Mountains b. Rivers C. Lakes d. Other (specify) 2. Elevations and slopes on facilities site(s) and service area B. Land Use within Facilities Site(s) and Service Area 1. Existing land uses a. Urban b. Rural C. Agricultural d. Recreational e. Industrial f. Other (specify) 2. Communities (within service area) a. Types (1) Incorporated (2) Unincorporated (3) Neighborhood (4) Other (specify) b. Housing Type and Mix (in percentages or general terms if known) (1) Single family homes (2) Condominium units (3) Apartment units (4) Second homes 13 (5) Other 3. Present population (within service area) a. Total b. Date of determination C. Source of information 4. Major economic activities (within service Area) a. Commercial b. Industrial C. Governmental d. Socio-economic background of community 5. zoning of the facilities site(s) 6. Land use plans and policies C. Geology of the Region 1. Seismic hazards 2. Unstable substrate 3. Erosion potentials 4. Any other applicable geological information (details of the underlying geologic structure are not required unless the information directly relates to the water quality problem, e.g., fractured bedrock) D. Climate 1. Annual precipitation a. Season b. Amount 2. Temperature ranges 3. Seasonal weather patterns E. Air Quality 1. Air basin 14 2. Nonattainment area for: (list appropriate items) a. Ozone b. Nitrogen dioxide C. Sulfur dioxide d. Particulates e. Carbon monoxide f. Not a nonattaininent area 3. Status of local air quality plan F. Major Botanical Features (plant communities or associations) 1. Service area 2. Facilities site(s) 3. Disposal/irrigation site (if applicable) G. Important Fish and Wildlife (major species and economically or recreationally important species) 1. Service area 2. Facilities site(s) 3. Disposal/irrigation site (if applicable) H. Threatened or Endangered Species (listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or by the State of California Department of Fish and Game - indicate which) at Service area, Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site(s), or Nearby Areas. 1. Species 2. Locations of populations I. Critical Habitats (as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) in Service area, Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site(s), or Nearby Areas. 1. Type 2. Location 15 J. Wetlands in Service area, Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site(s), or Nearby Areas. 1. Name (if any) 2. Location 3. Size K. Designated Wild and Scenic Rivers flowing through Service area, Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site(s), or Nearby Areas (include map if present) 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification L. Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Service area, Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site(s), or Nearby Areas 1. Description 2. Location H. Groundwater Resources Underlying' the Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site(s), Service Area, or Nearby Areas 1. Depth 2. Quality 3. Location N. Environmentally Significant Agricultural Land in the Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site(s) or Service Area 1. Acres 2. Zoning 3. Present use 0. Cultural Resources (archaeological, paleontological, historic, ethnographic) Present on Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site(s), Service Area or Nearby Areas 1. Description 2. Locations (do not include detailed maps in public documents) 16 P. Coastal Zone (indicate if the Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site(s) or Service Area are in a Coastal Zone) Q. Floodplain (indicate if the Facilities or Disposal/Irrigation Site are on a Floodplain) III. RELATIONSHIP OF PROJECT TO OTHER PLANNING (briefly describe the project's relationship to and consistency with other applicable planning) A. Water Quality Planning 1. Basin Plan (include beneficial uses of the receiving water as given in the applicable Basin Plan) 2. 208 Plan 3. Special permits required as part of a phased project 4. Other (specify) B. Air Quality Planning 1. State Implementation Plan for Air Quality 2. The applicable Air Quality Management Plan C. Other IV. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES (for the following subjects, list and explain impacts from project construction and operation, and any proposed mitigation measures. Include secondary impacts of other activities associated with or resulting from construction or operation of the project.) A. Water (quantity and quality) 1. Surface water 2. Groundwater B. Air Quality C. Geologic Stability D. Soils (erosion) E. Important Vegetation Types F. Fish and Wildlife G. Aesthetics 17 . 1 H. Noise I. Recreation J. Open Space K. Cultural Resources L. Threatened or Endangered species M. Sensitive Areas 1. Environmentally significant agricultural land 2. Coastal zone 3. Wetlands 4. Wild & scenic rivers 5. Floodplains 6. Critical Habitats N. Energy 0. Transportation/Circulation P. Public Services Q. Public Safety R. Population S. Housing V. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES (discuss the environmental impacts, cost effectiveness, compatibility with proposed or existing projects, and reasons for rejection for each alternative; include future options, e.g., reclamation regionalization, etc.) A. Discuss Alternatives for Each Major Phase or Component of the Project 1. Treatment processes 2. Disposal techniques 3. Outfall lines 4. Other 18 B. Discuss Alternative Projects Which Could Accomplish the Project Objectives 1. Inflow and infiltration correction 2. Update existing facilities 3. Other C. Discuss Alternative Siting Locations 1. Treatment facilities 2. Disposal/release sites 3. Outfall 4. Collection lines 5. Other VI. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES (discuss the resources necessary for construction and operation of your project) A. Fuel for the Construction Equipment B. Kilowatt-Hours of Electricity Needed to Operate the System, C. Acres of Land Involved with the Project D. Use of Chemicals in the Operation & Maintenance. VII. CUMULATIVE AND GROWTH INDUCING IMPACTS (discuss the effects of growth and cumulative impacts on area resources, including air quality, public services, open space and agricultural land) A. Cumulative Impacts (discuss the significant cumulative effects of related projects and additional phases of the project envisioned for the future) 1. Major Intercepts 2. Reclamation 3. Expansion 4. Other B. Growth Inducing Impacts (discuss the ways in which the proposed project could. encourage or accommodate growth directly or 19 indirectly for the following elements, e.g., expansion of service area to allow for more housing construction) 1. Economy 2. Population 3. 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