4.3 AIR QUALITY Setting

Transcription

1 4.3 AIR QUALITY This section assesses the impacts of the proposed Specific Plan on local and regional air quality. Both temporary impacts relating to onsite construction activity and long-term impacts associated with operation of the proposed project are discussed. Discussions regarding greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are contained in Section 4.7, Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Climate Change, of this EIR Setting a. Climate and Meteorology. Butte County is located within the Northern Sacramento Valley Air Basin (NSVAB). Summer conditions in the NSVAB are typically characterized by high temperatures and low humidity, with temperatures averaging from approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. During the summer months, the prevailing winds are typically from the south. Winter conditions are characterized by occasional rainstorms interspersed with stagnant and sometimes foggy weather. The daytime average temperature is in the low 50s F and nighttime temperatures average in the upper 30s F. During winter, winds predominate from the south, but north winds frequently occur. Rainfall occurs mainly from late October to early May, with an average of 17.2 inches per year, but this amount can vary significantly each year (Butte County General Plan EIR). Dispersion of local pollutant emissions are predominantly affected by the prevailing wind patterns and inversions that often occur in the NSVAB. Within the NSVAB, two types of inversions can occur. During summer months, sinking air forms a lid over the region and confines pollution to a shallow layer near the ground, which can contribute to photochemical smog problems. During winter nights, air near the ground cools while the air aloft remains warm, which can cause localized air pollution hot spots near emission sources (Butte County General Plan EIR; BCAQMD, 1997) b. Air Pollution Regulation. The federal and state governments have been empowered by the federal and state Clean Air Acts to regulate the emission of airborne pollutants and have established ambient air quality standards for the protection of public health. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is the federal agency designated to administer air quality regulations, while the Air Resources Board (ARB) in the California Environmental Protection Agency is the state agency that administers air quality regulations. Local control in air quality management is provided by the ARB through county-level Air Pollution Control Districts (APCDs) and multi-county Air Quality Management Districts (AQMDs). The ARB has established state air quality standards and is responsible for control of mobile emission sources, while the local APCDs and AQMDs are responsible for enforcing standards and regulating stationary sources. The ARB has established 14 air basins statewide. The Plan Area is located within the Sacramento Valley Air Basin and is under the jurisdiction of the Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD). Federal and state standards have been established for six criteria pollutants, including ozone (O 3 ), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), particulates less than 10 microns and 2.5 microns in diameter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ), and lead (Pb) (see Table 4.3-1). California 4.3-1

2 has additional standards for sulfates, hydrogen sulfide, vinyl chloride, and visibility reducing particles. Table Current Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards Pollutant Averaging Time Federal Primary Standards California Standard Ozone PM 10 PM 2.5 Carbon Monoxide Nitrogen Dioxide Sulfur Dioxide Lead 1-Hour ppm 8-Hour µg/m µg/m 3 24-Hour 150 µg/m 3 50 µg/m 3 Annual µg/m 3 24-Hour 35 µg/m Annual 12 µg/m 3 12 µg/m 3 8-Hour 9.0 ppm 9.0 ppm 1-Hour 35.0 ppm 20.0 ppm Annual ppm ppm 1-Hour ppm 0.18 ppm 24-Hour ppm 3-Hour 0.5 ppm (secondary) Hour ppm (primary) 0.25 ppm 30-Day Average µg/m 3 3-Month Average 0.15 µg/m ppm = parts per million µg/m 3 = micrograms per cubic meter Sources: California Air Resources Board, last updated June, 2012; EPA Particulate Matter (PM) Regulatory Actions, March Air pollution is hazardous to health, diminishes the production and quality of many agricultural crops, reduces visibility, degrades soils materials, and damages native vegetation. Of these effects, human health effects are of the greatest concern and are the key determinant for the establishment of the primary air quality standards discussed in this section of the EIR. The general characteristics and potential health effects of the six criteria pollutants regulated by the Federal Clean Air Act and California Clean Air Act are described below. Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas, is a local pollutant that in high concentrations is found only very near the source. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of fuel combustion, but is generally not a concern with typical residential stationary sources (gas water and space heaters, gas dryers) since these are required by law to be properly vented. Automobile traffic is a major source of carbon monoxide with elevated concentrations usually found only near areas of high traffic volumes. Carbon monoxide s health effects are related to its affinity for hemoglobin in the blood. At high concentrations, carbon monoxide 4.3-2

3 reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, causing heart difficulties in people with chronic diseases, reduced lung capacity and impaired mental abilities. Ozone. Ozone is produced by a photochemical reaction (triggered by sunlight) between nitrogen oxides (NO X ) and reactive organic gases (ROG). Nitrogen oxides are formed during fuel combustion while reactive organic gases are formed during combustion and evaporation of organic solvents. Because ozone requires sunlight to form, it mostly occurs in concentrations considered serious between the months of May and October. Ozone is a pungent, colorless toxic gas that can cause detrimental health effects including respiratory and eye irritation and possible changes in lung functions. Groups most sensitive to ozone include children, the elderly, persons with respiratory disorders, and people who exercise strenuously outdoors. Nitrogen Dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) is a by-product of fuel combustion, with the primary source being motor vehicles and industrial boilers and furnaces. The principal form of nitrogen oxide produced by combustion is nitric oxide (NO), but NO reacts rapidly to form NO 2, creating the mixture of NO and NO 2 commonly called NO X. Nitrogen dioxide is an acute irritant, but at typical atmospheric concentrations, it is only potentially irritating. A relationship between NO 2 and chronic pulmonary fibrosis may exist, and an increase in bronchitis in young children at concentrations below 0.3 parts per million (ppm) may occur. Nitrogen dioxide absorbs blue light and causes a reddish brown cast to the atmosphere and reduced visibility. It can also contribute to the formation of PM 10 and acid rain. Suspended Particulates. PM 10 is small particulate matter measuring no more than 10 microns in diameter, while PM 2.5 is fine particulate matter measuring no more than 2.5 microns in diameter. Suspended particulates are mostly dust particles, nitrates, and sulfates. Suspended particulates are a by-product of fuel combustion and wind erosion of soil and unpaved roads, and are directly introduced into the atmosphere through these processes. Suspended particulates are also created in the atmosphere through chemical reactions. The characteristics, sources, and potential health effects associated with the small particulates (those between 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter) and fine particulates (PM 2.5 ) can be very different. The small particulates generally come from windblown dust and dust kicked up from mobile sources. The fine particulates are generally associated with combustion processes as well as being formed in the atmosphere as a secondary pollutant through chemical reactions. Fine particulate matter is more likely to penetrate deeply into the lungs and poses a serious health threat to all groups, but particularly to the elderly, children, and those with respiratory problems. More than half of the small and fine particulate matter that is inhaled into the lungs remains there, which can cause permanent lung damage. These materials can damage health by interfering with the body s mechanisms for clearing the respiratory tract or by acting as carriers of an adsorbed toxic substance. c. Current Ambient Air Quality. The local air quality management agency is required to monitor air pollutant levels to assure that the applicable air quality standards are met and, in the event they are not, to develop strategies to meet these standards. The BCAQMD operates a network of ambient air monitoring stations throughout Butte County. Depending on whether the standards are met or exceeded, the local air basin is classified as being in attainment or nonattainment. Butte County is a non-attainment area for both the state and federal ozone standards, the state and federal PM 2.5 standards and the state PM 10 standards. Butte County is in 4.3-3

4 attainment for the state and federal standards for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. The monitoring station located closest to the Plan Area is the Chico-Manzanita Avenue monitoring station located in Chico. Table depicts the annual air quality data for the local airshed over the past three years for the Chico-Manzanita Avenue monitoring station. Table Ambient Air Quality Data Pollutant Ozone, ppm - Worst Hour Number of days of State exceedances (>0.09 ppm) Ozone, ppm Worst 8 Hours Number of days of State exceedances (>0.070 ppm) Number of days of Federal exceedances (>0.075 ppm) Carbon Monoxide, ppm - Worst 8 Hours Number of days of State/Federal exceedances (>9.0 ppm) Nitrogen Dioxide, ppm - Worst Hour Number of days of State exceedances (>0.25 ppm) Particulate Matter <10 microns, g/m 3 Worst 24 Hours Measured number of days of State exceedances (>50 g/m 3 ) Measured number of days of Federal exceedances (>150 g/m 3 ) Particulate Matter <2.5 microns, g/m 3 Worst 24 Hours Measured number of days of Federal exceedances (>35 g/m 3 ) Chico-Manzanita Avenue Monitoring Station Source: California Air Resources Board, 2010, 2011, 2012 Annual Air Quality Data Summaries available at As shown, the ozone concentration exceeded state standards once in 2010, PM 10 exceed state standards 4 times in 2011, and PM 2.5 exceeded federal standards 6 times in No exceedances of either the state or federal standards 1-hour ozone, NO 2 or CO have occurred at this monitoring station in the last three years. Background CO levels are generally low. d. Air Quality Planning. The California Clean Air Act requires air districts to prepare a plan for air quality improvement for pollutants for which the District is in non-compliance. The BCAQMD s Air Quality Attainment Plan (AQAP) was adopted in 1991 and updated in 1994, 1997, 2000, and In 2006, the BCAQMD collaborated with other air districts in the Northern Sacramento Valley Air Basin to prepare a joint AQAP. The region s latest clean air plan, the Northern Sacramento Valley Planning Area 2009 Triennial Air Quality Attainment Plan (AQAP), 4.3-4

5 was released in 2009 and adopted in The 2009 AQAP includes the same control measures included in the 2006 AQMP and additional measures designed to attain the state and federal air quality standards. e. Sensitive Receptors Near the Plan Area. Ambient air quality standards define the level of air pollutant concentrations allowed, with an adequate margin of safety, to avoid impacts to public health and welfare. They are designed to protect that segment of the public most susceptible to respiratory distress, such as children under 14; the elderly over 65; persons engaged in strenuous work or exercise; and people with cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases. Thus, sensitive receptors include individual residences, schools, daycare centers and hospitals. Sensitive receptors in proximity to the project site include the Dingerville mobile home park immediately south and single-family residences along Pacific Heights Road west/northwest of the project site west of SR Impact Analysis a. Methodology and Significance Thresholds. Air quality modeling was performed in accordance with the methodologies defined in the BCAQMD CEQA Air Quality Handbook (January 2008) to quantify construction and operational emissions associated with the proposed project. Maximum daily emissions were quantified using the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) Version (refer to Appendix B for CalEEMod modeling output sheets) for comparison with the thresholds shown in Table 4. Total daily vehicle trips for the project were based on the Transportation Impact Study prepared by KD Anderson & Associates (2014). Project design features were estimated based on information provided in the Specific Plan. For the purpose of this evaluation, construction emissions were quantified for Phase I of the proposed project. This would consist of 200 single family units and related infrastructure developed in Village I and a portion of Village II as discussed in Section 2.0, Project Description. Construction of Phase I is anticipated to begin in late 2015 and be completed by mid to late For operational emissions, Phase I emissions (up to 200 units) and those generated by complete build out of the Specific Plan were quantified. The Specific Plan proposes to integrate numerous design features intended to reduce air emissions. These features include: Emission reduction strategies The project will not include any wood burning fireplaces and the majority of residential units would not contain any fireplaces/hearths (neither natural gas or wood). Energy conservation strategies The project will exceed California Energy Code Title 24 requirements by at least 15%; Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels will be provided as an option on all homes. It was assumed that 50% of total residential energy use provided by solar PV. Water conservation strategies Reclaimed water will be used for irrigation (timing to be determined); Low flow water fixtures will be used in all homes and commercial buildings; 4.3-5

6 Turf will be minmized; and Water efficient irrigation systems will be installed. Waste reduction strategies Recycling and compost programs will be implemented to achieve at least a 50% reduction in the volume of waste sent to a landfill; and Compost program will be used to generate soil ammendments for landscaping. Mobile emission reduction strategies Increase density over typical suburban developments; Increase diversity by providing multiple housing types; Improve walkability; Improve destination accessability through mixed use development; Provide transit access by expanding public transportation; Improve pedestrian and cycling network; and Roadways are designed to calm traffic, lower vehicle speeds, and promote alternative trips. Many of the features referenced above would not be integrated into Phase I. Thus, to quantify Phase I emissions, only the following design features were included in the calculations: No natural gas or wood burning fireplaces/hearths; Exceed California Energy Code Title 24 requirements by 15%; Solar energy would provide 50% of residential energy requirements; Low flow water fixtures and energy efficient lighting would be implemented; and Waste reduction strategy would reduce landfill material by 50%. According to appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, Specific Plan implementation would result in a significant impact to air quality if it would: Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan; Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or project air quality violation; 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 which exceed qualitative thresholds for ozone precursors); Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations; or Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people The BCAQMD s CEQA Air Quality Handbook (January 2008) establishes four separate categories for determining the significance of project impacts: 1) Comparison of calculated project emissions to District emission thresholds; 2) Consistency with most recent Air Quality Attainment Plan (AQAP) for Butte County; 3) Comparison of predicted ambient pollutant concentrations resulting from the project to State and Federal Health standards, when applicable; and 4.3-6

7 4) The evaluation of special conditions which apply to certain projects, such as public exposure to toxic air contaminants. For the first category, the BCAQMD quantitative thresholds for air pollutant emission are shown in Table A quantitative analysis of air quality impacts related to project implementation is provided herein for comparison with the BCAQMD thresholds. For the second category, impacts associated with the project would be significant if it would conflict with, or obstruct implementation of the BCAQMD Air Quality Attainment Plan and SIP strategies. The third category focuses on large industrial and commercial projects. The proposed commercial element of the Specific Plan is evaluated as part of the aggregate emissions for the project rather than as a separate source. Thus, BCAQMD standards related to commercial and industrial sources are not applicable to the proposed project. Table BCAQMD Thresholds Pollutant Level A Level B Level C NO X 25 lbs/day >25 lbs/day >137 lbs/day ROG 25 lbs/day >25 lbs/day >137 lbs/day PM lbs/day >80 lbs/day >137 lbs/day Level of Significance Potentially Significant Impacts Potentially Significant Impacts Environmental Document MND or ND MND or EIR EIR Source: Significant Impacts b. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures Impact AQ-1 The proposed Specific Plan would increase the population of Butte County by providing new housing and employment opportunities. However, the increase associated with new residences and employess would be within BCAQMD estimates; and thus, impacts would be Class III, less than significant. The land use assumptions used for the 2009 AQAP are based on the adopted Butte County General Plan. The proposed project involves development of the Rio d Oro Specific Plan, which is designated as Specific Plan to be Developed in the Butte County General Plan. The population of unincorporated Butte County is projected to increase from 84,302 in 2010, to 90,102 in 2015 and to 116,424 in 2035; an increase of 32,122 over 20 years. The share of projected housing growth that would be accommodated by the proposed project within unincorporated Butte County would be 3.9% in 2015 and 19.0% in The proposed project would accommodate approximately 4.2% of total population growth within Butte County in 2015 and 22.4% of total population growth within Butte County in 2035 (see Section 4.12, Population and Housing). Impacts under this threshold are determined based on population growth estimates and whether the project would exceed growth projections used to develop the AQAP. Housing and population growth associated with the project would be consistent with estimates in General Plan 2030 (and the 4.3-7

8 AQAP) for the unincorporated County for the interim years of 2020, 2025, and 2030 even if build out of the Specific Plan were to occur during those years. As such, the proposed project does not conflict with the land use assumptions used to prepare the AQAP. Impacts would be less than significant. Mitigation Measures. This impact would be less than significant without mitigation. Significance After Mitigation. This impact would be less than significant without mitigation. Impact AQ-2 Project construction would generate temporary air pollutant emissions of ozone precursors ROG and NOx, as well as fugitive dust (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ). However, with implementation of standard BCAQMD control measures, temporary construction-related air quality impacts during Phase I would be Class III, less than significant. As discussed in Section 2.0, Project Description, buildout of the proposed project would occur over the course of 20 years. Project construction would generate temporary air pollutant emissions. These impacts are associated with fugitive dust (PM 10 ) and exhaust emissions such as NO x from heavy construction vehicles, in addition to ROG that would be released during the drying phase upon application of architectural coatings. Construction would generally consist of grading, building construction, paving, and architectural coating. The exact schedule and timing of all development phases of the Specific Plan are unknown. However, the first Phase (which would include up to 200 units associated with Phase I plus backbone infrastructure for the project) is anticipated to begin in late 2015 and be completed by mid to late To illustrate the potential maximum daily air pollutant emissions, construction emissions associated with Phase I were evaluated to represent each phase of the Specific Plan build out over the estimated twenty year plan horizon. Thus, construction emissions associated with the development of future phases of the Specific Plan are assumed to be similar to emissions associated with Phase I. Construction emissions associated with Phase I (200 units plus backbone infrastructure) are shown in Table Table Estimated Maximum Daily Construction Emissions Phase I Construction Phase Maximum Emissions (lbs/day) ROG NO x PM 10 PM 2.5 CO Maximum lbs/day BCAQMD Thresholds NA NA Threshold Exceeded? No No No NA NA Notes: All calculations were made using the CalEEMod software. See the Appendix B for calculations. Site Preparation, Grading, Paving, Building Construction, and Architectural Coating totals include worker trips, construction vehicle emissions and fugitive dust

9 Maximum daily emissions for Phase I are shown in Table (Appendix B). Butte County does not currently implement construction phase air quality thresholds; however, control measures are specified as standard for all construction projects and others are recommended for implementation on a discretionary basis. Standard construction measures are required for Phase I and construction associated with the future phases. These measures as well as other common air pollution control measures recommended in Section 6.3 of the BCAQMD CEQA Handbook (2008) are defined below. Measures AQ-1 and AQ-2 are common measures recommended by the BCAQMD to minimize emissions of ozone precursors ROG and NO x, as well as PM 10 during construction. Measure AQ-3 is recommended to minimize ROG emissions associated with architectural coatings. AQ-1 Dust Control Measures. The following shall be implemented during grading and construction to control dust. 1. The area disturbed by clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation operations shall be minimized to prevent excessive amounts of dust. 2. Pre-grading/excavation activities shall include watering the area to be graded or excavated before commencement of grading or excavating activities. Application of water (preferably reclaimed, if available) should penetrate sufficiently to minimize fugitive dust during grading activities. 3. Fugitive dust produced during grading, excavation, and construction activities shall be controlled by the following activities: a. All trucks shall be required to cover their loads as required by California Vehicle Code Section b. All graded and excavated material, exposed soil areas, and active portions of the construction site, including unpaved on-site roadways, shall be treated to prevent fugitive dust. Treatment shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, periodic watering, application of environmentally-safe soil stabilization materials, and/or roll-compaction as appropriate. Watering shall be done as often as necessary and reclaimed water shall be used whenever possible. 4. Graded and/or excavated inactive areas of the construction site shall be monitored at least weekly for dust stabilization. Soil stabilization methods shall be periodically applied to portions of the construction site that are inactive for over four days. If no further grading or excavation operations are planned for the area within three weeks, it shall be seeded and watered until grass growth is evident, or periodically treated with environmentally safe dust suppressants, to prevent excessive fugitive dust. 5. Signs shall be posted on-site limiting traffic to 15 miles per hour or less. 6. During periods of high winds (i.e., wind speed sufficient to cause fugitive dust to affect adjacent properties), all clearing, 4.3-9

10 grading, earth moving, and excavation operations shall be curtailed to the degree necessary to prevent fugitive dust from being an annoyance or hazard, either off-site or on-site. 7. Adjacent streets and roads shall be swept at least once per day, preferably at the end of the day, if visible soil material is carried over to adjacent streets and roads. 8. Personnel involved in grading operations, including contractors and subcontractors, shall wear respiratory protection in accordance with California Division of Occupational Safety and Health regulations. 9. Shaker plates shall be installed at all truck exits from the site. 10. Dust control requirements shall be shown on all grading plans. AQ-2 AQ-3 Construction Equipment Controls. The following shall be implemented during construction to minimize emissions of ozone precursors. 1. Construction contractors shall minimize equipment idling time throughout construction. Engines shall be turned off if idling would be for more than five minutes. 2. Equipment engines shall be maintained in good condition and in proper tune as per manufacturers specifications. 3. The number of pieces of equipment operating simultaneously shall be minimized. 4. Construction contractors shall use alternatively fueled construction equipment (such as compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or electric) when feasible. 5. The engine size of construction equipment shall be the minimum practical size. 6. Heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment manufactured after 1996 (with federally mandated clean diesel engines) shall be utilized wherever feasible. 7. During the smog season (May through October), the construction period should be lengthened so as to minimize the number of vehicles and equipment operating at the same time. Low Volatile Paints. Wherever feasible, non-painted exterior surfaces and low volatile interior and exterior paints shall be used for architectural coatings. Mitigation Measures. With implementation of standard BCAQMD requirements identified above, no mitigation measures are required. Significance After Mitigation. With implementation of these measures, no mitigation is required and impacts would be less than significant. As noted, emissions associated with future phases developed under the proposed Specific Plan that are similar in size and scope to Phase I and are likely to be similar to those shown in Table Whether future phases will require

11 additional analyses is subject to determination by the Butte County Development Services Department. Impact AQ-3 With full buildout of the proposed Specific Plan, operational ROG, NO x, and PM 10 emissions would exceed BCAQMD s daily thresholds. While the Specific Plan would incorporate design features that would reduce emissions, no feasible mitigation is available that would reduce impacts to less than significant. Therefore, the project would have a Class I, significant and unavoidable, impact to regional air quality. Phase I 2017 Operational Year. Phase I of the proposed Specific Plan is anticipated to be completed in the year 2017 and would include 200 residential units. Table summarizes estimated emissions associated with operation of Phase I. The majority of project-related operational emissions would result from vehicle trips to and from the site. As noted above, the CalEEMod model includes project features provided in the Specific Plan that would result in fewer emissions than if these features were not incorporated. As shown in Table 4.3-5, emissions associated with Phase I would not exceed any BCAQMD thresholds of significance; and thus, air quality impacts would be less than significant. Table Estimated Operational Emissions Phase I Estimated Emissions (lbs/day) ROG NO X PM 10 PM 2.5 CO Area Energy Mobile Maximum lbs/day BCAQMD Thresholds NA NA Threshold Exceeded? No No No NA NA See Appendix B for CalEEMod computer model output. Summer emissions shown. Full Buildout of Specific Plan Operational Year. Full buildout of the Specific Plan was modeled in CalEEMod to estimate total emissions associated with operation of the project. Table summarizes estimated emissions associated with operation of the proposed project (including 2,700 residential units, the commercial component, school, public service facility and recreational parks). Emissions include Area sources, Energy sources, and Mobile emissions. Area sources include use of consumer products, use of gas powered landscaping equipment, reapplication of architectural coating (re-painting), and use of fireplaces/hearths. Energy sources include electricity and natural gas for uses such heating/air conditioning, appliances, lighting, and water heating. Mobile emissions include vehicle trips (including residents, employees, deliveries, visitors, and customers to the commercial areas). The majority of project-related operational emissions would result from vehicle trips to and from the site. Trip generation rates

12 from the traffic impact study (see Section 4.14, Traffic) were used to estimate potential traffic generation impacts. As shown in Table 4.3-6, the operational emissions associated with the proposed Specific Plan would exceed the BCAQMD thresholds of significance shown in Table Thus, regional air emissions would be significant. The majority of emissions are associated with mobile sources (i.e., the operation of motor vehicles) and related to trips to/from the project by residents, visitors, employees and vendors. No feasible mitigation measures are available to reduce vehicle trips and related emissions to less than BCAQMD thresholds. To minimize emissions associated with the proposed project, the Specific Plan incorporates a number of features intended to reduce project emissions. These features include use of reclaimed water for irrigation of common areas and open space and access to transit and a walkable/pedestrian oriented design to reduce vehicle trips. Collectively, these characteristics reduce ROG emissions by 95%; NO x, emissions by 24%; CO emissions by 77%; PM 10, emissions by 86% and PM 2.5 emissions by 95% compared to emissions without these features 1. Thus, while impacts are considered significant and unavoidable, emissions have been reduced with implementation of Specific Plan design features. Table Estimated Operational Emissions Estimated Emissions (lbs/day) ROG NO X PM 10 PM 2.5 CO Area Energy Mobile ,499.8 Maximum lbs/day ,734 BCAQMD Thresholds NA NA Threshold Exceeded? Yes Yes Yes NA NA See Appendix B for CalEEMod computer model output. Summer emissions shown. Mitigation Measures. No feasible mitigation measures are available that would reduce impacts to a less than significant level. Significance After Mitigation. Implementation of project design features such as roof-top solar, pedestrian/bicycle features and use of low volatility paints would minimize emissions; however, the project would exceed the BCAQMD thresholds for ROG, NO x and PM 10. This would result in significant and unavoidable air emissions. 1 See Unmitigated Results in Appendix B for emissions without the implementation of Specific Plan features intended to reduce emissions

13 Impact AQ-4 The proposed Specific Plan would support residential, recreational and commercial land uses. These uses would not generate objectionable odors. Impacts would be Class III, less than significant. The Specific Plan would include residential, recreational and commercial land uses. No industrial, agricultural or other uses typically associated with objectionable odors are proposed. Therefore, it is unlikely that the proposed Specific Plan would generate objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people. As such, significant odor impacts are not anticipated. Construction activities could also generate temporary airborne odors during the operation of diesel powered construction vehicles and the application of architectural coatings. However, these odors are generally not considered offensive. Emissions would be temporary and confined to the immediate vicinity of the construction site. Emission reduction strategies, including BCAQMD Rule 207, 205, 230, that specifically designed to reduce nuisance air quality and odor emissions would be applied to all new development in the Specific Plan area. With implementation of the controls, significant odor impacts would not be anticipated and impacts would be less than significant. Mitigation Measures. This impact would be less than significant without mitigation. Significance After Mitigation. This impact would be less than significant without mitigation. c. Cumulative Impacts. By late 2017, the proposed Specific Plan would include backbone roadways, utilities and 200 homes on the Rio d Oro site. Concurrent with this development, cumulative projects as defined in Table 3-1, would include a Super Walmart retail store and a 50- unit apartment complex in the City of Oroville to the north, as well as the Powerhouse Mine expansion and another 50 residential units in the unincorporated County. Cumulative projects would increase both construction and operational emissions which may exceed BCAQMD thresholds. Cumulative development is assumed to be consistent with General Plan The General Plan 2030 EIR projected that buildout of the General Plan would result in the development of approximately 13,700 residential units in unincorporated areas by 2030, in addition to approximately 1.1 million square feet of industrial space and 1.8 million square feet of commercial space. This level of development in unincorporated areas of the Butte County would result in extensive construction and operational emissions. The General Plan 2030 EIR found that air emissions associated with cumulative development would be less than significant as such development would be required to incorporate goals, policies and mitigation language within General Plan 2030 and the Environmental Impact Report that are designed to reduce emissions relative to what would be expected in the absence of these measures. Specifically, goals CIR-2, CIR-3, CIR-4, and CIR-5 within the General Plan 2030 Circulation Element, target the main source of criteria pollutant emissions, automobile vehicle miles traveled (VMT), by promoting alternative forms of transportation. Associated policies support public transit, carpooling, home businesses, street-safety improvements, bicycle systems, and walkable

14 neighborhoods. Together these goals would reduce county-wide VMT and VMT associated with the proposed project and projects evaluated as part of the cumulative scenario. This would directly reduce regional CO, ROG, NO x, PM 10, and PM 2.5 emissions. As referenced herein, the Specific Plan incorporates a number of transportation-related design features that are intended to reduce VMT. These include transit services, on-site commercial services and the design of pedestrian and bicycle-oriented communities. However, at build out, the Specific Plan would exceed BCAQMD thresholds for operational emissions. Because the Specific Plan would be consistent with General Plan 2030 and the Specific Plan incorporates measures recommended in General Plan 2030 to reduce VMT, the proposed Specific Plan would not contribute to a significant and unavoidable cumulative air quality impact