Mendocino Forest Products Grading For Industrial Land Improvements

Transcription

1 Mendocino Forest Products Grading For Industrial Land Improvements Technical Memorandum #8 CEQA Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Land Use and Planning Population and Housing Public Services Recreation Utilities and Service Systems Prepared for: Mendocino Forest Products Company, LLC Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Inc. 335 S. Main Street Willits, CA January

2 Reference: Mendocino Forest Products Grading For Industrial Land Improvements Technical Memorandum #8 CEQA Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Land Use and Planning Population and Housing Public Services Recreation Utilities and Service Systems Prepared for: Mendocino Forest Products Company, LLC Prepared by: Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Inc. 335 South Main Street Willits, CA January 2014 QA/QC: TMH

3 Table of Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms... ii 1.0 Overview Proposed Project Affected Environment Land Use and Planning Population and Housing Public Services Recreation Utilities and Service Systems Evaluation of Environmental Impacts Land Use and Planning Population and Housing Public Services Recreation Utilities and Service Systems Proposed Mitigation Measures List of Preparers References List of Illustrations Page Figures Follows Page 1. Site Location Map Aerial Site Location Map Site Map Land Use Designation... 4 Photos On Page 1. Existing uses at project site Historical log deck (excavation area 1) i

4 Abbreviations and Acronyms AH CAL FIRE Caltrans CEQA CHP I I2 PMC SHN SWPPP USGS airport height combining zone (general plan classification) California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection California Department of Transportation California Environmental Quality Act California Highway Patrol general industrial (general plan classification) general industrial district ((general plan classification) Pacific Municipal Consultants SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Inc. storm water pollution prevention plan United States Geological Survey ii

5 Technical Memorandum #8 1.0 Overview SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Inc. has developed this technical memorandum to document the potential impacts of the Mendocino Forest Products grading for future industrial land improvements at its Willits industrial site. The following resources in the project area were assessed as part of this evaluation: Land use and planning Population and housing Public services Recreation Utilities and service systems This technical memorandum presents a discussion of our evaluation of each of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) questions pertaining to these resources and provides information and analysis (as needed) to lead to the determination of a level of significance. 2.0 Proposed Project Mendocino Forest Products (MFP) proposes to grade portions of their 53 acre industrially zoned site (Assessor s parcel numbers and ; Figures 1, 2 & 3) to expand the usable area of the site to facilitate future industrial uses. In particular, MFP proposes to grade three areas and remove the graded fill material by truck on existing roads. Those areas are displayed on Figure 3, and activities in each area are shown below: Area 1 is approximately 10.6 acres in size and will have approximately 497,194 cubic yards of soil removed. This is an historical log deck and most vegetation has been previously removed. A small fringe of forest vegetation around the eastern edge will be removed, including forest vegetation. Area 1 will be graded using earth moving equipment (dozers, excavators, dump trucks, etc.). Operations are planned to begin in the non-forested portion of Area 1 the first week of May 2014 with the removal of the on-site vegetation and will take approximately one week to complete; work will be done in 12 hour shifts. The forested portion of Area 1 is expected to be excavated beginning in the first week of July Grading operations will occur from the middle of May 2014 and will proceed for about 80 working days (6 days per week, for 12 hours each day) and will terminate sometime in late August 2014, depending on the overall progress of work. Night operations may be required to meet other trucking schedules, and if these are required it is anticipated that night work will include both grading and trucking operations. Area 2 is approximately 3.0 acres and will have 64,519 cubic yards of soil removed; approximately 46,000 cubic yards of soil have already been removed from this area, leaving approximately 18,519 cubic yards to be removed. As a historical log deck and lumber storage area, vegetation has been previously removed and any remnant vegetation was removed as part of the first 46,000 cubic yards of soil removal. The balance of the material to be removed will be by dozer, excavator and dump truck. Grading and trucking 1

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7 LEGEND EXCAVATION AREAS PROJECT PARCEL BOUNDARY BYPASS ROADWAY LIMIT BYPASS RIGHT OF WAY WILLITS CITY LIMIT \\Willits\projects\2013\ WillMillCEQA\GIS\Figures\AERIAL SITE LOCATION MAP figure2.mxd Path: 0 2,000 ± Mendocino Forest Products Company, LLC MFP Willits Sawmill US Highway 101 N, Willits, California Aerial Site Location Map Grading for Industrial Land Improvements SHN December 2013 AERIAL SITE LOCATION MAP figure2 Figure 2

8 LEGEND EXCAVATION AREAS PROJECT PARCEL BOUNDARY Path: \\Willits\projects\2013\ WillMillCEQA\GIS\Figures\SITE MAP figure3.mxd ± Mendocino Forest Products Company, LLC MFP Willits Sawmill Highway 101 N, Willits, California December, 2013 SITE MAP figure3 Site Map Grading for Industrial Land Improvements SHN Figure 3

9 Technical Memorandum #8 operations are expected to begin the first week of May 2014 and run for approximately 6 days, in 12 hour shifts. No night work is anticipated. Area 3 is approximately 7.4 acres and will have approximately 322,237 cubic yards of soil removed. This site is covered by forest vegetation and this vegetation will be removed by timber harvest activities prior to grading. Timber harvest operations will include intermittent use of chainsaws, skidders and loaders, and log trucks. Once the timber is removed clearing and grading operations will occur, and will use conventional grading equipment such as dozers, excavators, loaders and dump trucks. Work is expected to begin with timber operations in early July 2014 and that these operations will take approximately 14 days. Additional vegetation clearing and grading that will take approximately 75 working days, and will begin in August 2014, terminating in early October Work will be in 12 hour shifts, 6 days per week. Night work is not anticipated at this site, but may be required to meet seasonal shut-down restrictions. Trucking of graded material off-site will use standard dump trucks capable of holding about 13 cubic yards of material each. The operations will utilize 20 trucks per shift that will generate approximately 600 trips each day. While it is expected that the grading and trucking operations will be completed in 2014, unanticipated weather delays and winter shutdowns may extend grading and trucking into Graded material from this project will be hauled off the project site to the Willits Bypass project, approximately 1 mile south of the site. Trucks will exit the MFP property at the existing access road, travel on Highway 101 for approximately 1 mile and then exit onto the construction project. Empty trucks will then make a return trip to the project. Grading activities will be governed by a grading permit and Conditional Use Permit from Mendocino County and a Large Grading Project air quality permit from Mendocino County Air Quality Management District. An erosion control and storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) has been prepared for the site and will be amended as needed for project activities. At its November 14, 2013, regular business meeting, the State Mining and Geology Board conditionally granted a one-time exemption from the requirements of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) for the project site, pending attaining all necessary permit conditions set forth by the County of Mendocino and other jurisdictional agencies. Once grading is completed, the site will be available for further industrial uses. MFP has no current plans for expansion of industrial operations at the site, but may do so in the future as economic conditions dictate. 2

10 Technical Memorandum #8 3.0 Affected Environment 3.1 Land Use and Planning The project site has been partially developed and was historically used as an industrial lumber mill. The site has had significant alterations from slopes and grades being modified for uses such as mill buildings, log decks, paved and unpaved roads, water storage ponds, mill office buildings and assorted structures related to lumber mill operations. Areas of the property were previously excavated to provide access roads to the upper slopes and as a material source for rocking on-property roads and log decks. A significant number of the historical structures were removed when the mill was closed and dismantled in the early 2000s. However, several structures and the infrastructure (roads, underground water and sewer lines, storm drains, light poles, etc.) remain in use. The site is Photo 1. Existing uses at project site. currently used, in part, as construction offices, equipment and material storage, and for general construction staging for contractors developing the Willits Highway 101 Bypass. Immediately adjacent to the project is US Highway 101 (a two-lane highway), which is the major north-south public transportation corridor in the area. Also adjacent to the project is the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, for which there are existing railroad easements. Essentially, this rail line has been abandoned; however, remnant tracks remain, as do the easements for rail use. Although it is not currently in use, the line could have future uses. Figures 1 and 2 show the project location and Figure 3 displays existing conditions at the site. As shown on Figure 3, large areas of the property have been altered to facilitate industrial uses. Operations at the site date back to about 1950, when lumber milling operations began at the site, and extended over the next 50 years, during which the site was Photo 2. Historical log deck (excavation area 1). fully developed for industrial milling operations. In 2000, the site was closed and most of the structures were removed; however, former log decks, roadways, bark disposal areas, and quarry areas remain. 3

11 Technical Memorandum #8 The applicable land use plan in the project area is the 2009 County of Mendocino general plan (PMC, 2009). The two project parcels have a general plan classification of I-General Industrial and are zoned I2-General Industrial District with an AH-Airport Height combining zone. Excavation areas 1 and 2 are historical log deck and finished lumber storage areas for the former sawmill operations, which were terminated in the year Excavation area 3 was used for timber harvest operations in the past, and currently has a second growth forest stand of Douglas fir covering most of it (Figure 3). The surrounding properties consist of three Rural Residential (10-acre-minimum) parcels to the north and west (Figure 4). To the east is land zoned AG-Agricultural District (40-acre-minimum), which is in the floodplain of Outlet Creek. Highway 101 and the railroad provide a buffer approximately 150 feet wide between the agricultural land and the project parcels. Lands to the south are zoned Rangeland (160-acre-minimum), and are used as range for livestock grazing. 3.2 Population and Housing The project is on land zoned as industrial and has had historical heavy industrial uses. The property contains some forested areas, but no housing other than a caretaker s residence, which is not within the areas proposed for grading. The areas surrounding the project site include rural residential lands to the north and west, rangeland to the south, and U.S. Highway 101 and agricultural lands to the east. The nearest residential dwelling is approximately 250 feet from the Mendocino Forest Products property boundary, north of excavation area Public Services The Mendocino County Sherriff provides general public safety and law enforcement services for the unincorporated lands in the project area. Additional law enforcement is provided by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), which has primary responsibility for enforcement along Highway 101. The Little Lake Fire Protection District and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE, located in Willits) provide fire protection services for the valley. Emergency medical services are provided by Verihealth ambulance service and both Reach and Cal-Star Emergency Helicopter air ambulance. Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital provides emergency and general health care in Willits. Additional public health and social services are provided by the County of Mendocino. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) maintains Highway 101 and Mendocino County Department of Transportation maintains area County roads. 3.4 Recreation There is no recreation facility within or adjacent to the proposed project. 4

12 HUNTER ZONE RL GEN. PLAN RL160-RANGELAND PADULA ZONE RR GEN. PLAN RR10-RURAL RESIDENTIAL PADULA ZONE RR GEN. PLAN RR10-RURAL RESIDENTIAL Path: \\Willits\projects\2013\ WillMillCEQA\GIS\Figures\LAND USE DESIGNATIONS figure4.mxd LEGEND US HIGHWAY 101 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ZONE AG GEN. PLAN AG40-AGRICULTURAL PROJECT PARCEL BOUNDARY APROXIMATE ASSESSOR PARCEL LINE EXCAVATION AREAS ± MENDOCINO FOREST PRODUCTS ZONE I2 GEN. PLAN I-GENERAL INDUSTRIAL STATE OF CALIFORNIA ZONE AG GEN. PLAN AG40-AGRICULTURAL MENDOCINO FOREST PRODUCTS ZONE I2 GEN. PLAN I-GENERAL INDUSTRIAL STATE OF CALIFORNIA ZONE AG GEN. PLAN AG40-AGRICULTURAL SHEETS ZONE GEN. PLAN RR10-RURAL RESIDENTIAL KOZELUH ZONE RR GEN. PLAN RR10-RURAL RESIDENTIAL STATE OF CALIFORNIA ZONE AG GEN. PLAN AG40-AGRICULTURAL Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Mendocino Forest Products Company, LLC MFP Willits Sawmill US Highway 101 N, Willits, California Land Use Designations Grading for Industrial Land Improvements SHN January, 2014 LAND USE DESIGNATIONS figure4 Figure 4

13 3.5 Utilities and Service Systems Technical Memorandum #8 The site is developed with utilities and service systems related to its previous and current industrial uses, including private roads, storm drains, an onsite drinking water system, onsite sewer system, gas and electricity (provided by Pacific Gas & Electric), and telecommunications. A well situated at the western edge of excavation area 3 serves the property and will remain in service. An extensive ditch, culvert, and underground piping system provide surface water drainage for the site. This system was developed when the lumber mill was fully operational and was designed to produce stormwater runoff to meet water quality standards for turbidity and suspended sediment. 4.0 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts This section provides an evaluation of the environmental impacts for each resource and each question from the Initial Study Checklist. Each question is evaluated against the proposed project, with detailed analysis provided, where applicable. For each question, a determination is made for each question that indicates the project is likely to be Potentially Significant, Less Than Significant with Mitigation, Less Than Significant, or has No Impact. 4.1 Land Use and Planning Question A Would the project physically divide an established community? No Impact. The project involves grading of an industrial site and transportation of excavated material. The project will not physically divide a community, as no community is located at the site. Question B Would the project 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? Less Than Significant. The project will not conflict with any Mendocino County General Plan (2009 edition) general plan goals, policies, or objectives intended to mitigate potential environmental impacts. The project will adhere to the provisions of a project specific Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), the conditions of a County of Mendocino grading permit, and provisions of a Large Grading Project air quality permit from the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District. The project is exempt from the requirements of the Surface Mining and 5

14 Technical Memorandum #8 Reclamation Act (SMARA) as identified in the Mendocino County General Plan (Chapter Surface Mining and Geology, Section Exemptions, Subsection H). Question C Would the project conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan? No Impact. Currently, there is no habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan that covers the project site. 4.2 Population and Housing Question A Would the project induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)? No Impact. The project will not induce population growth directly, as the project does not propose new homes or businesses. The project will not induce population growth indirectly, because it does not involve increasing roadway capacity or expansion of infrastructure that would accommodate growth in the future. Question B Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? No Impact. The project will not displace any housing. Question C Would the project displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? No Impact. The project does not involve the displacement of people. 6

15 Technical Memorandum #8 4.3 Public Services Question A Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, 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 proposes to make the property more usable for industrial activities by grading three areas down to the same level as the mill site. There is no current plan for further development. The proposed grading will not induce population growth; therefore the project would not result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities. The proposed project will not require any new neighborhood park, or expansions to an existing park or other public facility. The project, as defined, will not result in an adverse impact on public services. 4.4 Recreation Question 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? No Impact. The project will not increase the use of existing parks in the area and does not include the construction of any recreational facility. Question 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? No Impact. The project does not include the construction of any recreational facility and will not require the expansion of existing recreational facilities. 7

16 4.5 Utilities and Service Systems Question A Technical Memorandum #8 Would the project exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? No Impact. The project site has an existing onsite wastewater system and does not connect to any public wastewater facility. Development of the project will not produce additional wastewater; therefore, it would not exceed any wastewater treatment requirements. Question B Would the project require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? No Impact. The project has sufficient onsite water and wastewater systems and will not increase the demand on existing water or wastewater treatment facilities. Question C Would the project 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? Less Than Significant. Existing drainage facilities are anticipated to be sufficient for stormwater management at the project site. Maintenance of existing facilities will provide sufficient drainage control structures and onsite detention facilities will allow storm water to be controlled and not cause significant environmental effects. Project grading activities will direct stormwater to the existing stormwater facilities and construction-related stormwater will be regulated through a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). Question D Would the project have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? 8

17 Technical Memorandum #8 No Impact. Sufficient water supplies are available for uses at the project site. Question E Would the project 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 will use an existing onsite wastewater system and will not deliver wastewater to a public wastewater treatment facility. Question F Would the project be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project s solid waste disposal needs? No Impact. Solid waste generated by the project will be limited to general day-to-day refuse from existing office operations located at the site and minor construction related trash/debris. Additional construction debris, including asphalt, will be generated by excavation of the existing paved roadway in excavation area 3. Solid waste disposal will occur in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and will be trucked to the permitted Willits Transfer Station. The project is not likely to generate solid waste in amounts that would adversely affect the capacity of the local transfer station and, ultimately, the regional landfill. Therefore, the project will not generate the need for new solid waste facilities. Question G Would the project comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste? No Impact. The project will conform to all applicable federal, state and local solid waste regulations. 5.0 Proposed Mitigation Measures No mitigation measure is required or proposed for any of the resources identified above, as all are either No Impact or Less Than Significant. 6.0 List of Preparers 9

18 Technical Memorandum #8 Mark Chaney, Principal Scientist, SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Inc. Stein Coriell, Project Planner, SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Inc. 7.0 References Pacific Municipal Consultants. (Adopted August 2009). County of Mendocino General Plan, Mendocino County, CA. Rancho Cordova, CA:PMC. United States Geological Survey. USGS 7.5-Minute Quadrangle. NR:USGS. 10