Citizen s Guide: A Handbook to the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Review Process

Transcription

1 West Basin Municipal Water District Proposed Ocean Water Desalination Project Citizen s Guide: A Handbook to the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Review Process March West Basin Municipal Water District 1

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3 Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction About West Basin Municipal Water District Purpose of the Citizen s Guide Why Has West Basin Prepared an EIR? West Basin s Project History Purpose of the Proposed Ocean Water Desalination Project... 6 Section 2: Project Description Project Objectives Project Location Ocean Water Desalination Facility Ocean Water Desalination Process... 9 Section 3: Environmental Impact Report Contents of the EIR Project Alternatives Where to Find the Draft EIR Public Review Process How to Participate and Where to Submit Comments CEQA Review Process West Basin Municipal Water District 3

4 Acronyms CCC CEQA DEIR DWPS EIR ESGS GHG GMF GPM Local Project Metropolitan MF MGD NOD OWDDF Pilot Project PMP Project RBGS Regional Project RO SEALab UWMP West Basin or District California Coastal Commission California Environmental Quality Act Draft Environmental Impact Report Desalinated Water Pump Station Environmental Impact Report El Segundo Generating Station Greenhouse Gas Emissions Granular Media Filtration Gallons Per Minute 20 MGD Capacity Facility Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Membrane Microfiltration Million Gallons Per Day Notice of Determination Ocean Water Desalination Demonstration Facility Desalination Pilot Project Ocean Water Desalination Program Master Plan West Basin Ocean Water Desalination Project Redondo Beach Generating Station 60 MGD Capacity Facility Reverse Osmosis Science, Education, and Adventure Lab 2005 Urban Water Management Plan West Basin Municipal Water District 2018 West Basin Municipal Water District 4

5 Section 1: Introduction 1.1 About West Basin Municipal Water District West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin or District) is a wholesale water agency that provides imported drinking water to 17 cities and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County throughout its 185-square mile service area. West Basin currently manages a diverse water supply portfolio that includes imported water from the Colorado River and Northern California, locally-produced recycled water and desalted groundwater. West Basin is an industry leader in producing recycled water and in implementing effective water conservation programs. 1.2 Purpose of the Citizen s Guide The Citizen s Guide is designed to provide a general overview of the West Basin Ocean Water Desalination Project (Project), summarizing the environmental review process and identifying ways in which the public can participate in the process. Please refer to the Draft EIR for the detailed environmental analysis available at Why Has West Basin Prepared an EIR? As a coastal water supply agency, West Basin is investigating the possibility of implementing an Ocean Water Desalination Project that would contribute a local water source to its already diverse water supply portfolio of imported water, recycled water, desalted groundwater and conservation. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that a public agency prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) when considering a project that may result in significant environmental impacts. The primary purposes of an EIR are to: Inform public agencies and the public of significant environmental effects of a project; Identify possible ways to avoid or mitigate the significant effects; and Describe reasonable alternatives to the project. West Basin has prepared an EIR evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Ocean Water Desalination Project. The EIR identifies potentially significant impacts and outlines mitigation measures that West Basin will implement to avoid or minimize those impacts where feasible. The EIR also identifies the project objectives and evaluates a reasonable range of alternatives that may avoid or substantially lessen the Project s potentially significant impacts, while meeting most of the project objectives. The purpose of the environmental review process is to fully disclose and address possible impacts and mitigation measures of the Project. 1.4 West Basin s Project History For over 15 years, West Basin has investigated the feasibility of developing an ocean water desalination as a potential contributing water source for its customers. A significant amount of research has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of ocean desalination including the development of a pilot project: implementation of a large-scale demonstration facility; completion of numerous technical studies; and the preparation of an Ocean Water Desalination Program Master Plan. Key Technical Studies Completed Ocean Water Desalination Pilot Study Demonstration Project Final Report Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Study Desalination Program Master Plan High-Salinity Sensitivity Study for Long and Short Term Exposure Intake Study Biofouling and Corrosion Study Feasibility Assessment of Subsurface Intakes 2018 West Basin Municipal Water District 5

6 1.5 Purpose of the Proposed Ocean Water Desalination Project Exploring ocean water desalination is one component of West Basin s mission to provide safe and reliable water to the communities it serves. Ocean water desalination may provide a high-quality drinking water supply that could further diversify the District s water supply portfolio and help to offset imported water use. As a locally-controlled facility, it would provide a reliable water supply not affected by drought, climate change or other environmental challenges facing the existing imported water supplies (e.g., loss of snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, aquatic habitat concerns and catastrophic interruptions of water supply). The new water supply would provide approximately 11 percent of the District s overall demand (shown in Figure 1), enhancing supply reliability during drought, but not eliminating the need for the District s existing diverse, cost-effective supplies. Section 2: Project Description The Project would include the construction of three primary components: A new ocean water desalination facility; An ocean water intake and concentrate discharge system; and A product water conveyance system. The new Ocean Water Desalination facility would be constructed on the existing power plant property located on the coast within the City of El Segundo, surrounded on three sides by heavy industrial land uses. The desalination facility treatment process would include membrane filtration pretreatment and reverse osmosis technology to produce high-quality drinking water permitted for potable use by the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water. An ocean water intake system would be constructed using the existing power-plant s intake tunnels to deliver ocean water to the facility; a brine discharge system to return concentrated seawater back to the ocean; and a drinking water delivery system to distribute the drinking water produced to the local and regional water supply systems. The Project would produce between 20 to 60 million gallons per day (MGD) of drinking water from the ocean. Initially, the Project would produce approximately 21,500 acre-feet per year (AFY) of high-quality drinking water to meet the local demands. This is referred to as the Local Project. The District is also evaluating a potential expansion of the facility to produce up to 60 MGD (approximately 67,200 AFY) of drinking water, referred to as the Regional Project, to meet future needs in the region. Groundwater (Cities + Retailers) Non-potable Recycled Water (West Basin) 14% 18% 39% Imported Potable Water (West Basin) Conservation (West Basin + Retailers) 18% 11% Proposed Local Potable Desalinated Ocean Water (West Basin) Figure 1: Targeted 2025 Water Supply Portfolio 2018 West Basin Municipal Water District 6

7 2.1 Project Objectives The Project objectives are as follows: Diversify the District s water supply portfolio to increase reliability in the near and intermediate term (5-15 years) and long term (15-30 years), while reducing reliance on imported water; Improve ability to adapt by developing a water supply that is less vulnerable to climate variations; Improve water security by increasing local control of water supplies and infrastructure; Improve the District s ability to control water costs and long-term price stability; and Develop a potable water supply that is cost effective and environmentally responsible. 2.2 Project Location The proposed Project site (Figure 2) would be at an existing 33-acre industrial zoned location within the El Segundo Generating Station (ESGS) at 301 Vista Del Mar in the City of El Segundo, California. W Manchester Ave Westchester Pkwy Pershing Dr LAX 405 Vista Del Mar Imperial Hwy 105 Proposed Ocean Water Desalination Facility Site Grand Ave S Aviation Blvd W 120th St E El Segundo Blvd 105 Rosecrans Ave 405 Inglewood Ave Hawthorne Blvd Prairie Ave Crenshaw Blvd Marine Ave Figure 2: Project Location 2018 West Basin Municipal Water District 7

8 2.3 Ocean Water Desalination Facility The EIR evaluates the proposed construction and operation of a desalination plant located at two potential locations within the ESGS, referred to as ESGS South Site and ESGS North Site (Figure 3 and Figure 4). Only one of the two location options would be implemented. Several components would be included as part of the ocean water desalination facility including: Figure 3: ESGS South Site Figure 4: ESGS North Site Pre-treatment Facilities would include either membrane microfiltration (MF) or granular media filtration (GMF) to remove floating particles that would otherwise clog the reverse osmosis systems. This filtration process removes microscopic material in the ocean water before reverse osmosis (RO). Reverse Osmosis Treatment, a process which uses semi-permeable membranes at high pressure to remove dissolved salts from the feedwater supply, producing a purified stream and a concentrated brine waste stream. This is a molecular process separating clean water molecules from salt molecules. Post-Treatment of the RO product water is required to comply with all applicable California Division of Drinking Water and federal drinking water regulations. Post-treatment involves adding the proper mix of minerals and disinfecting the water so that it is safe for human consumption. Desalinated Water Storage and Pumping to hold the purified product water underneath the Desalinated Water Pump Station until ready to convey the desalinated water to the distribution system. Additional Supporting Facilities at the desalination facility site would include areas for residuals handling and disposal, chemical storage and handling (i.e., materials common and typical for water treatment facilities), power supply and distribution, administration and operations and visitors West Basin Municipal Water District 8

9 2.4 Ocean Water Desalination Process The ocean water desalination process (Figure 5) involves accessing seawater; removing dissolved salts and impurities to produce clean drinking water; and discharging the concentrated salts back to the ocean. The process involves the following steps: a b c d e f Figure 5: Ocean Water Desalination Process a b c d e f Intake: Ocean water passes through screens specifically designed to minimize impacts to marine life. The screens will be designed in accordance with the 2015 California Ocean Plan Amendment for desalination. The Project would use a screened ocean intake system consisting of a wedge-wire screens with 1-millimeter (mm) openings at the end of the intake pipeline to help protect marine life. The Project s ocean water intake will meet or surpass the State s new rigorous ocean desalination intake requirements contained in the recently adopted Ocean Plan Amendment for Desalination. These regulations, adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board in May 2015, represent the world s strictest ocean desalination requirements for siting, intake and discharge, and are based on years of scientific research, technical advisory panels and stakeholder input. Desalination: As described above, the seawater would be conveyed through a system of pre-treatment MF, RO and post treatment processes. Once treated, the water would be re-mineralized to stabilize it and to prevent water pipes from corroding. The water would then be disinfected so it is safe for drinking. Brine Disposal: The brine from the RO process is returned to the ocean through an existing discharge tunnel upgraded with diffusers, where it reaches ambient salinity levels within a 100-meter radius to minimize impacts on marine life. The brine discharge system will be designed in accordance with the 2015 California Ocean Plan Amendment for desalination. Desalinated Water Conveyance: The product water will be pumped from the desalination facility through a new pipeline to the existing regional water distribution system for distribution to the public. Post-Treatment: Due to the pure water quality that results from the RO process, the water is remineralized to stabilize it and prevent water pipes from corroding. The water is then disinfected so it is safe for drinking. Brine Disposal: The brine from the RO process is returned to the ocean where it reaches ambient salinity levels within a 100-meter radius to minimize impacts on marine life. The brine discharge system will be designed in accordance with the 2015 California Ocean Plan Amendment for desalination West Basin Municipal Water District 9

10 Section 3: Environmental Impact Report 3.1 Contents of the EIR West Basin has prepared an EIR evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Ocean Water Desalination Project. The EIR identifies potentially significant impacts and outlines mitigation measures that West Basin will implement to avoid or minimize those impacts where feasible. The EIR provides a detailed project description and includes an assessment of potential impacts of both construction and operation of the Local and Regional Projects. The EIR evaluates potential construction impacts including air quality, noise and traffic from construction of the treatment facility, pump stations and pipeline conveyance system. Potential impacts to marine life and ocean water quality are also analyzed for construction of the intake and discharge upgrades. Operational impacts associated with operating the treatment facility including energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are analyzed, as well as the potential effects to marine life and ocean water quality from the use of the intake and discharge system. The EIR assesses all the environmental topics included in the CEQA Guidelines, identifies the numerous regulations that cover construction and operation of the facility and lists the permits required prior to initiating construction. Direct, indirect and cumulative impacts are each evaluated and mitigation measures are identified that commit West Basin to implementing measures to reduce potential impacts where feasible. Per CEQA Guidelines, Section 15382, the definition for effect on environment means a substantial, or potentially substantial, adverse change in any of the physical conditions within the area affected by the project, including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noise, and objects of historic or aesthetic significance. No Impact A project does not create an impact in specified categories. No substantial change expected in the specified category, only less than significant impacts. with Mitigation Changes could be reduced to a less than significant level in specified category with mitigation measure(s) incorporated. and Unavoidable Substantial changes in specified category with no mitigation measure(s) available to reduce impact to a less than significant level. The table below summarizes the categories that have the highest significant determination levels (in alphabetical order); refer to the Draft EIR for a complete list of all environmental impacts. Category EIR Contents Significance Determination EIR Section Aesthetics, Light and Glare Evaluates the impacts of the project on the overall visual quality of the project area including scenic vistas and from surrounding Vista Del Mar Avenue and Manhattan Beach neighborhoods. Identifies mitigation measures requiring Project designs to minimize impacts to visual character. with Mitigation 5.1 Concludes that impacts would be less than significant with mitigation West Basin Municipal Water District 10

11 Category EIR Contents Significance Determination EIR Section Air Quality Calculates short-term construction-related and long-term operational emissions and compares peak daily emissions to South Coast Air Quality Management District significance thresholds. Evaluates consistency with Air Quality Management Plans and Federal air conformity. Identifies mitigation measures to reduce emissions. Concludes that construction related emissions would exceed daily thresholds of significance and would remain significant even after mitigation. Concludes operational air emissions would be less than significant after mitigation. and Unavoidable during construction 5.2 Biological Resources - Terrestrial Evaluates impacts of the proposed Project on terrestrial vegetation and wildlife including nesting birds, common wildlife and sensitive species. Identifies mitigation measures to minimize potential for effects during construction including pre-construction surveys and monitoring. with Mitigation 5.3 Concludes less than significant after mitigation. Cultural Resources Evaluates potential impacts on archaeological, paleontological and historic resources both onshore and offshore. Identifies potential Tribal Cultural Resources. Addresses potential for discovering cultural resources during Project construction, particularly during deep excavation or trenching. with Mitigation 5.4 Identifies mitigation measures to minimize potential for effects including worker training and monitoring. Concludes less than significant after mitigation. Energy Calculates the Project s energy requirements as well as opportunities for energy efficiencies during the construction, operation and maintenance phases. Concludes that energy use would not be wasteful or inefficient West Basin Municipal Water District 11

12 Category EIR Contents Significance Determination EIR Section Geology and Soils Evaluates the potential exposure of people/structures to seismic and geologic-related hazards. 5.6 Concludes that the project would not exacerbate seismic and other geologic hazards. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Calculates construction-related and operational GHG emissions. Identifies mitigation measure that would provide emissions offsets to result in net-zero GHG emissions compared with imported water. with Mitigation 5.7 Concludes less than significant after mitigation. Hazards and Hazardous Materials Evaluates potential hazards including hazardous activities and the potential to encounter hazardous waste and materials. Identifies mitigation measures to minimize potential for effects including preparing worker safety plans, marine vessel anchoring and safety plans. with Mitigation 5.8 Concludes less than significant after mitigation. Hydrology and Water Quality Evaluates potential effects to surface water quality and surface hydrology. Calculates ocean water quality impacts from concentrate discharges and compares with requirements of California Ocean Plan and Porter Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and other applicable local, state and federal regulations. with Mitigation 5.9 Evaluates the potential for the project to expose persons to flooding impacts. Evaluates whether the project exacerbates flooding and coastal erosion impacts including from sea level rise and tsunamis. Identifies mitigation measures to prepare and implement a Coastal Hazards Resiliency Plan consistent with California Coastal Commission (CCC) guidance. Concludes less than significant after mitigation. Land Use and Planning Evaluates consistency of Project with applicable land use designations, including with consistency with Local Coastal Plan and compatibility with neighboring land uses Concludes less than significant West Basin Municipal Water District 12

13 Category EIR Contents Significance Determination EIR Section Marine Biological Resources Evaluates potential effects to marine habitat during construction and operation. Identifies California Ocean Plan requirements for desalination facilities and outlines permitting requirements. with Mitigation 5.11 Evaluates potential effects of ocean water intake and ocean water discharge on marine life and micro-organisms. Identifies mitigation measures to minimize potential for effects including construction noise controls and coastal wetland restoration. Concludes less than significant after mitigation. Noise Evaluates potential noise impacts from construction and operation. Identifies pile driving as a potentially significant noise source during construction. Identifies mitigation measures to minimize potential for effects. Concludes that if pile driving is required, noise would remain significant and unavoidable. Concludes operational noise would be less than significant after mitigation. Public Services Evaluates possible effects to fire and police protection resulting from increased demand created by the Project. Evaluates adequacy of emergency access into site. Concludes less than significant. Recreation Evaluates Project effects on recreation areas. Concludes less than significant. and Unavoidable during construction Transportation and Traffic Evaluates construction-related and operational traffic on local roadways including peak hour impacts. Identifies mitigation measures to minimize potential for effects. Concludes less than significant after mitigation. with Mitigation 5.15 Utilities and Service Systems Evaluates construction-related and operational impacts to public utilities including wastewater treatment, water supplies and solid waste Identifies mitigation measures to minimize potential for effects. Concludes less than significant after mitigation West Basin Municipal Water District 13

14 3.2 Project Alternatives CEQA requires that an EIR describe a range of reasonable alternatives to the proposed project, or alternative project locations, that could feasibly attain most of the basic project objectives and would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant environmental impacts of the proposed project. The four CEQA alternatives evaluated and the findings are presented in Section 7 in the Draft EIR, which include the following: No Project Alternative: The No Project Alternative assumes that West Basin would continue to receive potable water supply from the existing sources that make up the West Basin water supply portfolio. AES Redondo Beach Generating Station Alternative: The AES Redondo Beach Generating Station (RBGS) Alternative considers the development of the Ocean Water Desalination Project located at the AES Corporation. Reduced Capacity Alternative: The Reduced Capacity Alternative considers the development of an ocean water desalination facility located at the ESGS capable of producing 10 MGD of desalinated supplies. Reduced Elevation South Site Plan Alternative: The Reduced Elevation South Site Plan Alternative would install an ocean water desalination facility at the ESGS South Site that would have an aboveground roof elevation at-grade with the existing landscaped berm present at the site s southern boundary. The Reduced Elevation South Site Plan would involve extensive excavation activities in order to reduce the facility s visibility from neighboring areas. 3.3 Where to Find the Draft EIR The Draft EIR can be accessed online at on the project materials page. Hard copies are available for the public at the following public locations throughout the surrounding communities. # City Location Address 1 Carson West Basin Municipal Water District Offices 2 Carson Carson Library 3 Culver City Culver City Julian Dixon Library 4 El Segundo El Segundo Public Library Central Library 5 Gardena Gardena Mayme Dear Library 6 Inglewood Inglewood Public Library 7 Malibu Malibu Library S. Avalon Blvd. Carson, CA E. Carson St. Carson, CA Overland Ave. Culver City, CA W. Mariposa Ave. El Segundo, CA W. Gardena Blvd. Gardena, CA W. Manchester Blvd. Inglewood, CA W. Civic Center Way Malibu, CA West Basin Municipal Water District 14

15 # City Location Address 8 Manhattan Beach Manhattan Beach Library 9 Redondo Beach Redondo Beach Main Library 10 Rolling Hills Estates Palos Verdes Peninsula Center Library 11 West Hollywood West Hollywood Public Library 1320 Highland Ave. Manhattan Beach, CA N. Pacific Coast Hwy. Redondo Beach, CA Silver Spur Rd. Rolling Hills Estates, CA N. San Vicente Blvd. West Hollywood, CA Public Review Process A 91-day public review and comment period begins on March 27, 2018 and will close on June 25, 2018 at 5:00 PM. The review period has been extended by the West Basin Board of Directors beyond the minimum 45 days required to allow for the community to learn facts about the proposed facility and ask questions regarding the potential impacts detailed in the Draft EIR. West Basin is committed to a thorough environmental review process. Input from the public is a critical part of the CEQA process, as it helps to inform and refine the Project. The public comment period provides opportunities for stakeholders to ask questions and submit written comments on the proposed Project. During this period, no formal decisions will be made regarding the proposed Project. At the end of the 91-day public review period, West Basin will review all public comments, prepare responses to comments and incorporate any necessary revisions to the Draft EIR. A Final EIR will be prepared that includes the revised Draft EIR and technical appendices, together with all the public comments and the responses to comments. The Final EIR will be made available to commenters prior to the West Basin Board of Directors meeting, where the Board will consider certifying the adequacy of the Final EIR pursuant to CEQA. The certification of the Final EIR is a process to ensure the review was completed in compliance with CEQA, presented to the decision-making body of the lead agency and reflects the lead agency s independent judgement and analysis. Once the Final EIR is certified, the Board will consider whether to proceed with the Project. For more information, see CEQA Guidelines Section Certification of the Final EIR. 3.5 How to Participate and Where to Submit Comments During the comment period, from March 27, 2018 to June 25, 2018 at 5:00 PM (PDT), comments can be submitted through the following methods: Mail: West Basin Municipal Water District Attn: Zita Yu, Ph.D., P.E., Project Manager S. Avalon Blvd. Carson, CA Online: desaleir@westbasin.org In addition, public comments will be collected at two public meeting dates that are open to the community. The public meetings provide the community opportunities to learn more about the project, ask questions and submit comments West Basin Municipal Water District 15

16 Public Meeting Dates Date Location Time Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Saturday, May 12, 2018 Richmond Street Elementary School Auditorium 615 Richmond St. El Segundo, CA Richmond Street Elementary School Auditorium 615 Richmond St. El Segundo, CA :00 PM 9:00 PM 10:00 AM 1:00 PM The Project Team will be available to answer questions and take comments at the public meetings. Meeting facilities are accessible with persons of disabilities. Language interpretation can be made available at public meetings by requesting at least 72-hours in advance of the meeting by calling (310) for assistance. 3.6 CEQA Review Process The latest CEQA review process is provided below. Please visit the Project website for updates at Notice of Preparation (NOP) Release Public Comment Period Public Scoping Meeting at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility Draft EIR Preparation Draft EIR Release Draft EIR Public Comment Period (2 Public Meetings) Final EIR Hearing and Certification Public Input and Engagement Notice of Determination (NOD) (If Approved by the Board) August 31, 2015 September 30, 2015 August 31 to October 15, 2015 (45 Days) March 27, 2018 October 16, 2015 to March 26, 2018 To Be Announced March 27 to June 25, 2018 (91 Days) 2018 West Basin Municipal Water District 16