Notice of Preparation

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1 LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Notice of Preparation TO: SUBJECT: Agencies, Organizations, and Interested Parties Notice of Preparation of a Program Environmental Report for the Los Angeles Unified School District New School Construction Program in compliance with Title 14, Section (a) of the California Code of Regulations The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will be the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in the preparation of a Program Environmental Report (PEIR) for its New School Construction Program. The program description, location, and the probable environmental effects of the proposed program are summarized below and presented in the attached initial study. Agencies: We request the views of your agency as to the scope and content of the environmental information relevant to your agency s statutory responsibilities in connection with the proposed program. Your agency may need to use the PEIR prepared by the LAUSD when considering any permit or other approval your agency must issue for future LAUSD school construction. Organizations and Interested Parties: Comments and concerns regarding the environmental issues associated with the New School Construction Program are requested from organizations and individuals. Due to the time mandated by State Law, your response must be received no later than 30 days after receipt of this notice. Please indicate a contact person in your response and send your response to the following: Ms. Nicole Cobleigh Los Angeles Unified School District Office of Environmental Health and Safety 355 S. Grand Avenue, 15th Floor Los Angeles, CA In May 2003, seven scoping meetings will be held throughout the district on this program. All parties are welcome to attend and present environmental information that they believe should be addressed in the PEIR. Information on the location and time of these meetings will be published in general circulation newspapers and will be provided on the LAUSD website ( For more information on the public scoping meetings, please contact Nicole Cobleigh at (213) PROGRAM TITLE: LAUSD New School Construction Program PROGRAM LOCATION: The total area of the district is 704 square miles. In addition to the City of Los Angeles, the district boundaries include all or parts of 25 other cities, as well as some unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The LAUSD has begun a long-range multi-phased program to construct new schools and modernize existing school campuses. The program will provide 200,000 new classroom seats to fulfill the LAUSD Board of Education s goal to provide sufficient seats so that all students will be educated on a single-track, two-semester traditional 180-day instructional calendar. Phase I has already begun and will provide 78,000 classroom seats. Phase I projects were evaluated through individual environmental documents and are considered as cumulative projects in this PEIR. Los Angeles Unified School District 1 Notice of Preparation

2 With the passage of the November 2002 Measure K bond, funding was provided for the implementation of Phase II, which includes activities designed to increase classroom space to achieve class size reduction to pre-1990 levels and end involuntary busing of students outside the attendance areas. Phase II also includes interim goals of achieving a four-track, 180-day instructional calendar to increase capacity at specified schools. In order to meet these goals the LAUSD estimates that 35,000 new classroom seats would be required in Districts A through K. Specific new school and modernization projects that will be constructed during Phase II will not be available for analysis in the PEIR. Phase II projects will be identified through a series of progressively specific solution sets developed for each district under the direction of the General Superintendent of Schools and in collaboration with the local districts. These solution sets may include a wide range of projects such as: Construction of New Schools Reconstruction and/or additions to existing campuses Small satellite academies supported by a central main campus Co-location with other community support services such as family healthcare and childcare. Additional phases will be needed to provide approximately 90,000 additional classroom seats to allow LAUSD to go from the four-track to the one-track calendar. No specific funding sources have been identified beyond Phase II. Therefore, additional phases will be planned based on the availability of future funding. Date: May 2, 2003 Los Angeles Unified School District 2 Notice of Preparation

3 LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT INITIAL STUDY for the NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM Prepared for: Los Angeles Unified School District Office of Environmental Health and Safety Prepared by: Aspen Environmental Group Canwood Street, Suite 215 Agoura Hills, California (818) May 2003

4 LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT INITIAL STUDY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM TABLE OF CONTENTS ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 1. Project Title Lead Agency Name and Address Contact Person and Phone Number Project Location Project Sponsor s Name and Address General Plan Designation Zoning Description of Project Surrounding Land Uses and Setting Other Public Agencies Whose Approval is Required...3 Environmental Factors Affected...5 Determination...5 EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS I. Aesthetics...6 II. Agricultural Resources...6 III. Air Quality...7 IV. Biological Resources...8 V. Cultural Resources...9 VI. Geology and Soils VII. Hazards and Hazardous Materials VIII. Hydrology and Water Quality IX. Land Use and Planning X. Mineral Resources XI. Noise XII. Population and Housing XIII. Public Services XIV. Recreation XV. Transportation/Traffic XVI. Utilities and Service Systems XVII. Mandatory Findings of Significance XVIII. References XIX. List of Preparers and Reviewers Page Los Angeles Unified School District i Initial Study

5 Environmental Checklist 1. PROGRAM TITLE: LAUSD New School Construction Program 2. LEAD AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS: Los Angeles Unified School District Office of Environmental Health and Safety 355 S. Grand Avenue, 15th Floor Los Angeles, CA CONTACT PERSON AND PHONE NUMBER: Nicole Cobleigh (213) PROGRAM LOCATION: The total area of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is 704 square miles. In addition to the City of Los Angeles, the district serves 25 other cities and several unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County (see Figure 1). Cities entirely within LAUSD: Cudahy, Gardena, Huntington Park, Lomita, Maywood, San Fernando, Vernon, and West Hollywood. Cities partially within the LAUSD: Bell, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Carson, Commerce, Downey, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, Lynwood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, Santa Monica, South Gate, and Torrance (LAUSD, 2003a). 5. PROGRAM SPONSOR S NAME AND ADDRESS: Los Angeles Unified School District Facilities Services Division 355 S. Grand Avenue, 6th Floor Los Angeles, CA GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION: The study area includes the entire district. Therefore, the land use designations would vary and would include residential, commercial, industrial, and other land use designations. 7. ZONING: The study area includes the entire district. Therefore, zoning would vary and would include residential, commercial, industrial, and other zoning designations. 8. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM: Introduction In recent years, the LAUSD has implemented multi-track calendars at more than 200 schools to expand the instructional capacity at these existing schools (LAUSD, 2003a). Students attend classes and have vacation time on staggered tracks throughout the year under a multi-track calendar. (In a single-track calendar, all students attend classes on the same schedule.) In addition, because of Los Angeles Unified School District 1 Initial Study

6 insufficient number of seats in some areas, the district buses students to nearby schools where additional seats are available (LAUSD, 2003a). In 1998, the LAUSD adopted the Facilities Master Plan for Construction as part of its long-range building program. This plan identified four goals, as follows: 1) allow K-12 students to attend their neighborhood schools; 2) provide classroom space for enrollment growth; (3) provide classroom space to implement class size reduction (Option I) for K-3 in all schools and reduce class size for grades 4-12 to pre-1990 levels; and 4) allow special education students to attend schools in their neighborhood (LAUSD, 1998 and 2000). Another goal identified by the LAUSD, after the adoption of the 1998 Master Plan, is to have all schools on a two-semester, single-track, traditional 180-day calendar. In response to these goals, the LAUSD embarked on the current building program known as Phase I that will provide approximately 78,000 seats (environmental impacts of Phase I were addressed through project-specific CEQA documents completed between 2001 and 2003). Phase I will be included in the cumulative analysis and discussion in the Program Environmental Report (PEIR). Current demographic projections suggest that a minimum of 125,000 additional new seats will be needed to meet all LAUSD goals as currently identified. Phase II of the program intends to add 35,000 classroom seats. An additional 90,000 classroom seats will be identified through additional program phases. Program Description The proposed new school construction program consists of a phased approach. Phase II will be developed in response to recent approved funding. Additional phases will be proposed as funding has been identified. The proposed program includes the following: Phase II. With the passage of the Measure K bond in November 2002, funding was provided for the implementation of Phase II. The two basic objectives of Phase II are to increase classroom space to achieve class size reduction to pre-1990 levels and end involuntary busing of students outside the attendance areas. Phase II would also implement a four-track, 180-day instructional calendar to increase capacity at specified schools. To achieve these objectives, the District estimates that 35,000 new classroom seats would be required in Districts A through K (LAUSD, 2003b). Specific new school and modernization projects that will be constructed in Phase II will not be available for analysis in the PEIR. Phase II projects will be identified through a series of progressively specific solution sets developed for each district under the direction of the General Superintendent of Schools and in collaboration with the local districts. These solution sets may include a wide range of projects such as: Construction of New Schools Reconstruction and/or additions to existing campuses Small satellite academies supported by a central main campus Co-location with other community support services such as family healthcare and childcare. A phased implementation plan will be developed from each local district s solution concepts. Those projects, which will proceed under the Phase II funding, will meet both the community-developed implementation plan and the board approved priority criteria for expenditure of funds, as detailed in the comprehensive Strategic Execution Plan (January 2003) approved by the Board of Education (LAUSD, 2003b). Los Angeles Unified School District 2 Initial Study

7 Additional Phases. Additional phases will be needed to supply sufficient seats to meet all of the LAUSD goals. These phases would be a continuation of Phase II and would include activities necessary to provide additional seats to go from the four-track to the one-track calendar. Some or all of the solution sets considered in Phase II above would be part of this phase or phases. However, the focus would be on the need to construct an additional 89,000 to 94,000 seats. There are no specified funding sources for these phases of the program. These phases will be determined and planned based on the availability of future funding. 9. SURROUNDING LAND USES AND SETTING: The proposed program encompasses the 704 square miles that make up the district boundaries (LAUSD, 2003a). The district includes 11 local districts and covers the City of Los Angeles and other city jurisdictions (see program location). Because of the urban nature of these cities, the district includes a wide range of land uses and settings. The PEIR will include a description of the different land uses and settings within the district boundaries. 10. OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES WHOSE APPROVAL MAYBE REQUIRED: Agency Approval California Office of Public School Construction Approval of Funding California Department of Education School Approval of Final Site Plan and Final Facilities Planning Division Plan California EPA Department of Toxic Substance Determination of No Further Action, Control Oversee all Clean-up Actions California Division of State Architect Approval of Construction Drawings City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation Review and Concurrence with traffic study Reviewing Agencies California Office of Historic Preservation California Department of Transportation California Department of Conservation California Department of Fish and Game California Department of Parks and Recreation Native American Heritage Commission State Lands Commission California State Allocation Board County of Los Angeles Fire Department City of Los Angeles Planning Department City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering City of Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency City of Los Angeles Office of the Chief of Police City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation City of Los Angeles Waste Water Engineering Services Division City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks City of Los Angeles Fire Department City of Los Angeles Department of Environmental Affairs South Coast Air Quality Management District Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board Other city jurisdictions and local agencies within the LAUSD Boundaries Los Angeles Unified School District 3 Initial Study

8 A Sylmar San Fernando B 118 Granada Hills Chatsworth Pacoima 210 Sunland 405 Reseda Van Nuys G Local N 101 Woodland Hills PACIFIC OCEAN D C Pacific Palisades LAUSD Boundary Districts Within LAUSD Boundary (shading distinguishes between local districts) Santa Monica North Hollywood 405 Venice 170 Beverl y Hills Westchester Hollywood West Hollywood 10 Inglewood El Hawthorne Segundo 5 E G Gardena I Eagle Rock Highland Park Los Angeles Vernon F H Huntington Park Maywood J Bell Bell Gardens Cudahy South Gate Lynwood Compton 710 Monterey Park Montebello Commerce Downey Scale in Miles Source: Adapted from lausd/new/announce/supintendent_search/ 11districts.html 10 Torrance Lomita 110 K Carson Long Beach LAUSD New Construction Program Figure 1 LAUSD Local Districts Rancho Palos Verdes San Pedro Aspen Environmental Group Los Angeles Unified School District New School Construction Program 4 Initial Study May 2003

9 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: The environmental factors checked below will be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a or is Mitigated as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. Aesthetics Agricultural Resources Air Quality Biological Resources Cultural Resources Geology/Soils Hazards & Hazardous Materials Hydrology/Water Quality Land Use/Planning Mineral Resources Noise Population/Housing Public Services Recreation Transportation/Traffic Utilities/Service Systems Mandatory Findings of Significance Note: Although not all of the environmental factors listed above are considered potentially significant, all of the issues listed will be considered in the PEIR to provide a comprehensive program-level document. DETERMINATION: On the basis of this initial evaluation: I find that the Proposed Project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the Proposed Project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the applicant. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the Proposed Project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. I find that the Proposed Project MAY have a potentially significant impact or potentially significant impact unless mitigated on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets, if the effect is a potentially significant impact or potentially significant unless mitigated. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. I find that although the Proposed Project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the Proposed Project, nothing further is required. Date: May 2, 2003 Los Angeles Unified School District 5 Initial Study

10 EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: I. AESTHETICS. Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, rock out-croppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect day or nighttime views of the area? No Explanation: a-d). The proposed program, depending on the surroundings of future project sites, could have an adverse visual impact and/or a lighting/glare impact through the introduction of new structures, buildings, and light sources to a project area. LAUSD incorporates design features in its construction plans that reduce or avoid aesthetic impacts. These measures reduce spillage of light from the project site by requiring designs that reduce glare such that neither the light source nor its image from a reflectory surface results in spillage of light from any point measured five feet from the subject property line. measures have been adopted by the LAUSD for past projects that further reduce or avoid aesthetic impacts. They include: situating athletic facilities away from residential areas; using security lighting with low wattage bulbs and prismatic glass coverings that inhibit the spread of light; aiming lights away from adjacent residences; painting light poles to reduce reflection; and providing luminaries with filtering louvers and hoods, aimed away from areas where spill light is a problem. The PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. However, the PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. II. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES. In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. Would the project: a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract?) c) Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to nonagricultural use? No Explanation: a-c). The LAUSD boundaries encompass the City of Los Angeles, eight other complete cities, and another seventeen cities and the County are partially within the boundaries. These areas are generally highly urbanized with only small pockets of prime farmland, unique farmland, or farmland of statewide significance (DOC, 2003 and LAUSD, 2003c). There may be pockets of agriculturally zoned land within the district boundaries that could be replaced by the construction of new schools. Previous use of a property for agricultural purposes would be evaluated by the LAUSD through a Health Risk Assessment to assess the use of pesticides on the site. Although the impact of the proposed program on agriculture is thought to be less than significant, the PEIR will investigate this issue further and develop guidelines for addressing this issue should it need to be addressed on future project reviews. The PEIR will identify and evaluate Los Angeles Unified School District 6 Initial Study

11 standard design measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future sitespecific reviews. However, the PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. III. AIR QUALITY. Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable Air Quality Attainment Plan or Congestion Management Plan? b) Violate any stationary source air quality standard or contribute to an existing or projected air quality violation? c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions that exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? d) Create or contribute to a non-stationary source hot spot (primarily carbon monoxide)? e) Expose sensitive receptor to substantial pollutant concentrations? No f) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? Explanation: a). The proposed program is subject to the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The program would be deemed inconsistent with air quality plans if it results in population and/or employment growth that exceed growth estimates in the applicable air quality plan. The proposed program does not include any residential development, housing, or large local or regional employment growth. The proposed program is intended to accommodate an existing capacity shortfall and expected growth in the region. It is assumed that the emissions associated with future construction and operation of the proposed program would not obstruct the implementation of the applicable Air Quality Attainment Plan (AQAP) or Congestion Management Plan (CMP). The PEIR would evaluate whether the proposed program conforms to the requirements of the AQAP and the CMP. b). The proposed program would be located in the South Coast Air Basin, which is nonattainment for ozone, PM10, and carbon monoxide (CO). Implementation of the program could contribute to short-term and long-term air quality impacts in a non-attainment area. Short-term construction emissions could result from the operation of heavy-duty construction equipment, clearing of debris and asphalt, on-site excavation and grading, and transportation of demolition debris and excavated material to off-site disposal locations. Long-term program impacts could include emissions generated from vehicles of the school employees and students, as well as general operation of the schools. LAUSD program design features that can reduce impacts to air quality include implementing measures to reduce PM10 emissions under high wind and normal wind conditions pursuant to SCAQMD Rule 403; properly tuning and maintaining construction equipment; encouraging ride-sharing programs for students and teachers; and maintaining fleet vehicles in good condition. measures that LAUSD has adopted in the past to reduce PM10 air quality impacts include: paving or applying chemical stabilization at sufficient concentrations and frequency to maintain a stabilized surface on roadways, installing track-out control devices, removing track-out material on public paved roads during active operations, and removing all visible roadway track-out dust on public paved roadways at the conclusion of each workday. With regard to NOx emissions, mitigation measures LAUSD has adopted in the past include: monitoring the use of on-site heavy-duty construction equipment during the excavation/site preparation/trenching phase; monitoring haul truck trips per day; requiring trucks and vehicles in loading and unloading queues to keep their engines off, when not in use, to reduce vehicle emissions; phasing construction to avoid emissions peaks; and stopping construction during second-stage smog alerts. Additional design measures reduce ROG emissions by specifying paints with low VOC content. The PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. In addition, the PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. Los Angeles Unified School District 7 Initial Study

12 c). Implementation of the proposed program could potentially contribute to air quality impacts when combined with other existing and future emission sources in the program area. The PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. d). The proposed program could create or contribute to a non-stationary source hot spot. This issue will be considered further to assess the likelihood of the program to create these nonstationary source hot-spots. The PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. e). The emissions associated with school construction may cause significant emissions levels near sensitive receptors (e.g., residences). To address this issue further, the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. No site-specific impacts will be identified in this assessment because they would be too speculative for consideration. The thresholds of significance for construction as well as operational emissions would be based on the criteria used by the SCAQMD s implemented criteria and LAUSD air quality guidelines. f). Diesel emissions from construction equipment may create objectionable odors. These odors would be temporary; however, it may affect nearby residents or workers. Some of the measures identified in (b) could be used to reduce these impacts. The PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the project: a) Adversely impact, either directly or indirectly or through habitat modification, any endangered, threatened or rare species as listed in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (sections or 670.5) or in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (section or 17.12)? b) Have substantial adverse impacts, either directly or indirectly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? c) Have a substantial adverse impact on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, and regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? d) Have a substantial adverse affect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc) either individually or in combination with known probable impacts of the activities through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? e) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of wildlife nursery sites? f) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as tree preservation policy or ordinance? g) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? No Explanation: a-g). The proposed program is not expected to have an adverse impact on biological resources, wetlands, sensitive habitat areas, or areas managed under a Habitat Conservation Plan. Depending Los Angeles Unified School District 8 Initial Study

13 on the location of future site construction, the program has the potential to remove trees protected by local ordinance to accommodate school buildings or structures. To reduce impacts from tree removal, the LAUSD works with local agencies to ensure compliance with any applicable tree removal ordinance or to determine the best approach for removing or moving protected trees (i.e., oak trees). Although this program is not expected to significantly impact biological or sensitive resources, the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard design measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. V. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project: a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource, which is either listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historic Resources, or a local register of historic resources? b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of unique archaeological resources (i.e., an artifact, object, or site about which it can be clearly demonstrated that, without merely adding to the current body of knowledge, there is a high probability that it contains information needed to answer important scientific research questions, has a special or particular quality such as being the oldest or best available example of its type, or is directly associated with a scientifically recognized important prehistoric or historic event or person)? c) Disturb or destroy a unique paleontological resource or site? No d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries? Explanation: a). The City of Los Angeles as well as other cities within the district boundaries have the potential for historical resources, which are listed or eligible for listing in the California Register or local listing of historic places. The program, depending on the location of future projects, has the potential to impact these historic resources by siting new schools on or near these sites. The LAUSD requires an assessment of all historic and potentially historic sites by a qualified historian who determines what measures would be taken to reduce or avoid impacts. The PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. This evaluation will not be site-specific, however, it will be developed at a program-wide level. b-d). The proposed program could have an adverse impact to cultural resources (archeological, paleontological, or human remains) from the future construction of new schools and the expansion of existing schools. LAUSD incorporates program design features in its projects that reduce or avoid impacts to cultural resources. These features include: conducting record searches to determine if any previously evaluated resources are present at potential school sites, preparing reconnaissance surveys of potential school sites, preparing Intensive Surveys (if required), suspending construction work in the vicinity of archaeological resources or human remains if discovered during ground-disturbing activities and notifying LAUSD or the County Coroner, respectively. To further address this issue the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. Los Angeles Unified School District 9 Initial Study

14 VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. Would the project: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury or death involving: i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? ii) Strong seismic ground shaking? No iii) iv) Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? Landslides? b) Result in substantial soil erosion or loss of topsoil? c) Locate on geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse? d) Locate on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property? e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for disposal of wastewater? Explanation: a-e). The implementation of the program has the potential to expose people or structures to substantial adverse effects due to rupture of a known earthquake fault, strong seismic ground shaking, seismic-related ground failure (including liquefaction), and/or landslides. Southern California is a seismically active region that experiences earth movements known to cause damage to persons and property. LAUSD program design features that can reduce or avoid impacts due to geology and soils include providing an assessment of the potential earthquake or other geological hazard damage if the proposed school site is located within an Alquist-Priolo or other special studies zone; examining the potential for caving, ground motion, liquefaction, dynamic settlement, inundation and landslides; not selecting a site within an area of flood or dam flood inundation unless the cost of mitigating the flood or inundation is reasonable; and, where necessary, conducting a geotechnical evaluation of the project site that satisfies the requirements of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California (CDMG Special Publication 117) and the CDMG Checklist for the Review of Geologic/Seismic Reports for California Public Schools, Hospitals, and Essential Services Buildings. The recommendations of the geotechnical report are incorporated into the project design prior to submittal to the State Architect for approval. To reduce impacts LAUSD has adopted mitigation measures on previous projects that reduce or avoid geology/soil impacts. These measures include: channeling surface runoff through on-site drainage systems to existing storm drains; employing soil erosion control plans; providing program design recommendations and having them verified by a qualified geotechnical expert. Although some mitigation measures have been developed, the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. VII. HAZARDS & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Would the project: a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use or disposal of hazardous materials? b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the likely release of hazardous materials into the environment? No Los Angeles Unified School District 10 Initial Study

15 VII. HAZARDS & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Would the project: c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section and, as a result, create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? e) Result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area, for a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport? f) Result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area, for a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip? g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires, including where wildland are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? i) Be located on a site that is (a) a current or former hazardous waste disposal site or solid waste disposal site and, if so, has the waste been removed; (b) a hazardous substance release site identified by the State Department of Health Services in a current list adopted pursuant to Section for removal or remedial action pursuant to Chapter 6.8 of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code; or a site that contains one or more pipelines, situated underground or above ground, which carries hazardous substances, acutely hazardous materials or hazardous wastes, unless the pipeline is a natural gas line which is used only to supply natural gas to that school or neighborhood?/ j) Be located within one-fourth of a mile of any facilities which might be reasonably anticipated to emit hazardous or acutely hazardous substances or waste? k) Be located on a site where the property line is less than the following distance from the edge of respective power line easements? 100 feet of a kv line, 150 feet of a kv line, or 350 feet of a kv line. l) Be located on a site that is within 1,500 feet of a railroad track easement? m) Be located on a site that is adjacent to or near a major arterial roadway or freeway that may pose a safety hazard? n) Be located on a site that is near a reservoir, water storage tanks, or high-pressure water pipelines? o) Be located within 1,500 feet of a pipeline that may pose a safety hazard? p) Be located on a site that contains, or is near, propane tanks that can pose a safety hazard? q) Be located on a site that does not have a proportionate length to width ratio to accommodate the building layout, parking and playfields that cannot be safely supervised? r) Be located on a site where the existing or proposed zoning of the surrounding properties is incompatible with schools and may pose a health or safety risk to students? s) Be located on a site with a traffic pattern for school buses that can pose a safety hazard? t) Be located on a site that is within 2,000 feet of a significant disposal of hazardous waste? No Los Angeles Unified School District 11 Initial Study

16 Explanation: a). New schools are not expected to use, store, transport, generate, or dispose of large quantities of hazardous substances. Hazardous or flammable substances that could be used during construction would include vehicle fuels and oils in the operation of heavy equipment for site grading and building construction. Construction vehicles on site may require routine or emergency maintenance that could result in the release of oil, diesel fuel, transmission fluid, or other materials. However, the materials used would not be used in large quantities or stored in a manner that poses a significant hazard to the public. In addition, certain courses such as chemistry and shop may involve small quantities of chemicals, fuels and other petroleum products, solvents, and paints. LAUSD requires appropriate storage of hazardous materials, installing or affixing appropriate warning signs and labels, using commercial services that specialize in the recycling of used automotive fluids, installing emergency waste areas for flushing irritating automotive fluids from eyes and exposed skin areas should such contact occur, providing for well-ventilated areas in which to use paints and solvents, and maintaining adult supervision during students use of hazardous materials. Therefore, the program with implementation of design measures would result in less-than-significant impacts. However, the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard design measures and potential significance criteria that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. b). As noted in (a) above, the program is not expected to generate hazardous materials or substances that pose a hazard to the public. In siting schools and school related facilities, LAUSD follows the requirements set out by the California Department of Education and Department of Toxic Substances Control to reduce the impact of siting schools on a hazardous waste disposal site, a hazardous substance release site, or a site that contains one or more pipelines. Background searches are conducted to determine the location of these sites near a potential school site. If the proposed school site is within 2,000 feet of a significant hazardous waste disposal site, the LAUSD contacts the DTSC for a determination of whether the property should be considered a Hazardous Waste Property or Border Zone Property. CCR, Title 5, 14010(t). Further consideration of this issue will be evaluated in the PEIR. The PEIR will identify and evaluate standard guidelines, standard mitigation measures, and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews [also, see responses (d) and (n)]. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. c) No. The program would facilitate the development of new classroom seats within district boundaries but would not involve actual school construction at this time. This program would not result in facilities that emit hazardous emissions or handle large quantities of hazardous materials within one-quarter mile of an existing school. d). The LAUSD has established procedures for siting schools in areas that pose the least safety risk to students and staff. These procedures are based on the California Department of Education siting process and on the California Department of Toxic Substances Control requirements for determining whether a project site is listed as a hazardous materials site. These procedures generally require the following: Create an environmental impact report or negative declaration to determine whether the proposed site is any of the following: (i) a current or former hazardous waste disposal site or solid waste disposal site unless, if the site was a former solid waste disposal site, the educational agency concludes that the wastes have been removed; (ii) a hazardous substance release site identified by the State Department of Health Services; or (iii) the site of one or more pipelines, situated underground or aboveground, which carry hazardous substances, materials, or wastes, unless the pipeline is used only to supply natural gas to that school or neighborhood. Do not locate a school on the site without a specific variance in writing by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), if the proposed site has been designated a border zone property by the DTSC. Perform an assessment to determine if there is potential for exposure to naturally occurring hazardous materials such as oil, gas, or asbestos containing serpentine rock. Assess and receive approvals for toxic and hazardous materials before receiving final site approval from the California Department of Education (CDE) and funds under the School Facilities Program. Contact the DTSC for a determination of whether the property should be considered a Hazardous Waste Property or Border Zone Property. CCR, Title 5, 14010(t), if the proposed school site is within 2,000 feet of a significant disposal of hazardous waste Los Angeles Unified School District 12 Initial Study

17 Consider whether a site is located near or downwind from a stockyard, fertilizer plant, soil-processing operation, auto dismantling facility, sewage treatment plant, or other potentially hazardous facility. Although a process has been established for addressing this issue, the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future sitespecific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. e). Although the program would not involve specific project sites, there is a potential for future projects identified through this program to be sited near an airport runway. If a future site is within two miles of an existing airport runway, or a potential runway included in an airport master plan, the LAUSD Board of Education and the Department of Transportation would review the acquisition of the site, holding a public hearing prior to acquisition of the property, if necessary. To further assess this issue, the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard design measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. f). Although the program would not involve specific project sites, there is a potential for future projects identified through this program to be sited near an air strip. If a future site is within two miles of an existing air strip, the LAUSD Board of Education and the Department of Transportation would review the acquisition of the site, holding a public hearing prior to acquisition of the property, if necessary. To further assess this issue, the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard design measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. g). The proposed program would facilitate the development of 125,000 new classroom seats within district boundaries. While specific projects are not proposed at this time, it would provide for the construction and operation of new schools, reconstruction, and/or additions to existing campuses, small satellite academies, and co-location of schools with other community support services. The program is intended to house existing students and to address expected growth in the region. Therefore, the program would not physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. Even though the program would have a less-than-significant impact on emergency plans, the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard design measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. h). As noted in the program description, the district encompasses 704 square miles of land area. It includes 11 local districts and covers the City of Los Angeles, eight other complete cities, and partially includes seventeen other city jurisdictions and the County. The majority of the district is urbanized with few pockets of undeveloped land; the majority is out of the vicinity of wildlands. All LAUSD projects comply with all applicable fire codes requirements. Therefore, the program would not have a significant impact on wildland fires. However, the PEIR will identify and evaluate standard design measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews. The PEIR will not attempt to identify or evaluate site-specific impacts, which are too speculative for consideration. i). As noted previously, the program would facilitate the development of 125,000 new classroom seats within district boundaries. While specific projects are not proposed at this time, it would provide for the construction and operation of new schools, reconstruction, and/or additions to existing campuses, small satellite academies, and co-location of schools with other community support services. In siting these schools and school related facilities, LAUSD follows the requirements set out by the California Department of Education and Department of Toxic Substances Control to reduce the impact of siting schools on a hazardous waste disposal site, a hazardous substance release site, or a site that contains one or more pipelines. Background searches are conducted to determine the location of these sites near a potential school site. If the proposed school site is within 2,000 feet of a significant disposal of hazardous waste, the LAUSD will contact the DTSC for a determination of whether the property should be considered a Hazardous Waste Property or Border Zone Property per CCR, Title 5, 14010(t). Further consideration of this issue will be evaluated in the PEIR. The PEIR will identify and evaluate standard mitigation measures and potential significance thresholds that will be considered during future site-specific reviews [also, see responses (d) and Los Angeles Unified School District 13 Initial Study