4.3 AIR QUALITY INTRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING. Climate and Topography

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3 INTRODUCTION This sectin addresses ptential effects n air quality that culd result frm implementatin f the Lincln East Specific Plan (LESP r prpsed prject), and recmmends mitigatin measures t reduce r eliminate significant impacts. The sectin summarizes the existing climate in the prject area; existing air quality cnditins fr bth criteria air pllutants and txic air cntaminants ; and identifies federal, state, and reginal air quality standards. The sectin als analyzes ptential air quality effects caused by statinary and mbile surces related t the prpsed prject. Cmments received in respnse t the NOP (see Appendix B) raised cncerns related t an increase in air pllutants due t the prject as well as the ptential fr an increase in air temperature (climate change). These issues are discussed in this sectin. Because the prpsed prject includes residential, cmmercial, and public uses (n industrial uses), ptential impacts assciated with drs were cnsidered less than significant and addressed in the Initial Study (see Appendix A). Changes in climate are addressed in Sectin 4.14, Climate Change. Infrmatin fr this sectin was btained frm the Califrnia Air Resurces Bard, the Feather River Air Quality Management District, City f Yuba City General Plan, the Califrnia Energy Cmmissin, and a review f the Draft Lincln East Specific Plan (March 2009). ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING Climate and Tpgraphy The prpsed prject is lcated within the Sacrament Valley Air Basin (SVAB) which includes the cunties f Shasta, Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Clusa, Sutter, Yuba, Yl, Sacrament, and parts f Placer and Slan cunties. Ht dry summers and mild rainy winters characterize the Mediterranean climate f the SVAB. During the year the temperature may range frm 20 t 115 degrees Fahrenheit with summer highs usually in the 90s and winter lws ccasinally belw freezing. Average annual rainfall is abut 20 inches with snwfall being very rare. The prevailing winds are mderate in strength and vary frm mist clean breezes frm the suth t dry land flws frm the nrth. The muntains surrunding the SVAB create a barrier t airflw, which can trap air pllutants in the valley when meterlgical cnditins are right. The highest frequency f air stagnatin ccurs in the autumn and early winter when large high-pressure cells lie ver the SVAB. The lack f surface wind during these perids and the reduced vertical flw caused by less surface heating reduces the influx f utside air and allws air pllutants t becme cncentrated in a stable vlume f air. The surface cncentratins f pllutants are highest when these cnditins are cmbined with smke frm agricultural burning r when temperature inversins trap cl air, fg and pllutants near the grund. Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

4 The zne seasn (May thrugh Octber) in the SVAB is characterized by stagnant air r light winds with the delta sea breeze arriving in the afternn ut f the suthwest. Usually the evening breeze transprts the airbrne pllutants t the nrth ut f the valley. During abut half f the days frm July t September; hwever, a phenmenn called the Schultz Eddy prevents this frm ccurring. Instead f allwing fr the prevailing wind patterns t mve nrth carrying the pllutants ut f the Valley, the Schultz Eddy causes the wind pattern t circle back suth. This phenmenn s effect exacerbates the pllutin levels in the area and increases the likelihd f vilating federal r state standards. The Eddy nrmally dissipates arund nn when the delta sea breeze arrives. Air Quality Backgrund Air pllutant emissins within the SVAB are generated by statinary and mbile surces. Statinary surces can be divided int tw majr subcategries: pint and area surces. Pint surces are usually subject t a permit t perate frm the lcal air district, ccur at specific identified lcatins, and are usually assciated with manufacturing and industry. Examples f pint surces include refineries, cncrete batch plants, and can cating peratins. Smaller pint surces include autmtive refinishers and gasline statins. Area surces are widely distributed and prduce many small emissins and d nt require permits t perate frm any air agency. Examples f area surces include residential and cmmercial water heaters, painting peratins, prtable generatrs, lawn mwers, and cnsumer prducts such as barbeque lighter fluid and hairspray. The widespread use f these items and peratins cntributes t reginal air pllutin. A subcategry f area surces are mbile surces which refer t emissins frm mtr vehicles, including tailpipe and evaprative emissins. Mtr vehicles are classified as either n-rad r ffrad. On-rad surces are thse that are legally perated n radways and highways. Off-rad surces include aircraft, ships, trains, racecars, and cnstructin vehicles. Mbile surces accunt fr the majrity f the air pllutant emissins within the SVAB. Criteria Air Pllutants Criteria air pllutants are a grup f pllutants fr which federal r state regulatry agencies have adpted ambient air quality standards. Criteria air pllutants are classified in each air basin, cunty, r in sme cases, within a specific urbanized area. The classificatin is determined by cmparing actual mnitring data with state and federal standards. If a pllutant cncentratin is lwer than the standard, the area is classified as attainment fr that pllutant. If an area exceeds the standard, the area is classified as nn-attainment fr that pllutant. If there is nt enugh data available t determine whether the standard is exceeded in an area, the area is designated unclassified. Ambient Air Quality Standards Bth the federal and state gvernment have established ambient air quality standards fr utdr cncentratins f varius pllutants in rder t prtect public health. The federal and state ambient air quality standards have been set at levels whse cncentratins culd be generally harmful t human health and welfare and t prtect the mst sensitive persns frm experiencing health impacts with a margin f safety. Applicable ambient air quality standards are identified later in this Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

5 sectin. Table identifies the federal and state ambient air quality standards that are applicable in Califrnia. Table lists the health effects assciated with these pllutants. TABLE AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS APPLICABLE IN CALIFORNIA Standard (ppm) 1 Standard (µg/m) 2 Pllutant Averaging Time State 3 Federal 4 State 3 Federal 4 Ozne (O 3) 1-hur hur Carbn Mnxide (CO) 1-hur hur Nitrgen Dixide (NO 2) 1-hur Annual arithmetic mean Sulfur Dixide (SO 2) 1-hur hur Annual arithmetic mean Hydrgen Sulfide (H 2S) 1-hur Vinyl Chlride (C 2H 3Cl) 24-hur Particulate Matter 10 micrns r less (PM 10) 24-hur Annual arithmetic mean Particulate Matter 2.5 micrns r less (PM 2.5) 24-hur Annual arithmetic mean Sulfate Particles (SO 4) 24-hur Lead Particles (Pb) 30 days Calendar quarter Ntes: 1. ppm = parts per millin by vlume 2. µg/m 3 = micrgrams per cubic meter 3. Califrnia standards fr zne, carbn mnxide (except Lake Tahe), sulfur dixide (1- and 24-hur), nitrgen dixide, suspended particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5), and visibility reducing particles, are values that are nt t be exceeded. All thers are nt t be equaled r exceeded. Califrnia ambient air quality standards are listed in the Table f Standards in Sectin n Title 17 f the Califrnia Cde f Regulatins. 4. Natinal standards (ther than zne, particulate matter, and thse based n annual averages r annual arithmetic mean) are nt t be exceeded mre than nce a year. The zne standard is attained when the furth highest eight hur cncentratin in a year, averaged ver three years, is equal t r less than the standard. Fr PM 10, the 24 hur standard is attained when the expected number f days per calendar year with a 24-hur average cncentratin abve 150 µg/m 3 is equal t r less than ne. Fr PM 2.5, the 24 hur standard is attained when 98 percent f the daily cncentratins, averaged ver three years, are equal t r less than the standard. Surce: Califrnia Air Resurces Bard, Ambient Air Quality Standards, < aaqs/aaqs2.pdf>, Accessed August 31, The air pllutants fr which federal and state standards have been prmulgated and which are mst relevant t air quality planning and regulatin in the air basins include zne, carbn mnxide, nitrgen xides, suspended particulate matter, sulfur dixide, and lead. In additin, txic air cntaminants are f cncern in Sutter Cunty. Each f these pllutants is briefly described belw. Ozne (O 3 ) is a gas that is frmed when reactive rganic gases (ROGs) and nitrgen xides (NO X ), bth byprducts f internal cmbustin engine exhaust and ther prcesses underg slw phtchemical reactins in the presence f sunlight. Ozne cncentratins are generally highest during the summer mnths when direct sunlight, light wind, and warm temperature cnditins are favrable t the frmatin f this pllutant. Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

6 Pllutant Ozne Carbn Mnxide Particulate Matter Nitrgen Dixide Sulfur Dixide Lead TABLE HEALTH EFFECTS OF MAIN CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS Adverse Effects Ozne can irritate lung airways and cause inflammatin. Other symptms include wheezing, cughing, and breathing difficulties during exercise r utdr activities. Peple with respiratry prblems are mst vulnerable, but even healthy peple that are active utdrs can be affected when zne levels are high. Repeated expsure t zne pllutin fr several mnths may cause permanent lung damage. Even at very lw levels, grund-level zne triggers a variety f health prblems including aggravated asthma, reduced lung capacity, and increased susceptibility t respiratry illnesses like pneumnia and brnchitis. Grund-level zne interferes with the ability f plants t prduce and stre fd, which makes them mre susceptible t disease, insects, ther pllutants, and harsh weather. Ozne reduces crp and frest yields and increases plant vulnerability t disease, pests, and weather. The health threat frm lwer levels f CO is mst serius fr thse wh suffer frm heart disease. Fr a persn with heart disease, a single expsure t CO at lw levels may cause chest pain and reduce that persn's ability t exercise; repeated expsures may cntribute t ther cardivascular effects. Healthy peple can be affected by high levels f CO as well. Peple wh breathe high levels f CO can develp visin prblems, reduced ability t wrk r learn, reduced manual dexterity, and difficulty perfrming cmplex tasks. At extremely high levels, CO is pisnus and can cause death. CO cntributes t the frmatin f grund-level zne, which can trigger serius respiratry prblems. Particle pllutin, especially fine particles, cntains micrscpic slids r liquid drplets that are s small that they can get deep int the lungs and cause serius health prblems. Numerus scientific studies have linked particle pllutin expsure t a variety f prblems, including: increased respiratry symptms, such as irritatin f the airways, cughing, r difficulty breathing; decreased lung functin, aggravated asthma, develpment f chrnic brnchitis; irregular heartbeat, nnfatal heart attacks; and premature death. Particles can be carried ver lng distances by wind and then settle n grund r water. The effects f this settling include: making lakes and streams acidic; changing the nutrient balance in castal waters and large river basins; depleting the nutrients in sil; damaging sensitive frests and farm crps; and affecting the diversity f ecsystems. One f the main ingredients invlved in the frmatin f grund-level zne, which can trigger serius respiratry prblems. Reacts t frm nitrate particles, acid aersls, as well as NO 2, which als cause respiratry prblems. Cntributes t frmatin f acid rain; t nutrient verlad that deterirates water quality; and t atmspheric particles that cause visibility impairment. Reacts t frm txic chemicals. SO 2 causes a wide variety f health and envirnmental impacts because f the way it reacts with ther substances in the air. Peak levels f gaseus SO 2 can cause temprary breathing difficulty fr peple with asthma wh are active utdrs. Lnger-term expsures t high levels f SO 2 gas and particles cause respiratry illness and aggravate existing heart disease. SO 2 reacts with ther chemicals in the air t frm tiny sulfate particles. When these are breathed, they gather in the lungs and are assciated with increased respiratry symptms and disease, difficulty in breathing, and premature death. Peple, animals, and fish are mainly expsed t lead by breathing and ingesting it in fd, water, sil, r dust. Lead accumulates in the bld, bnes, muscles, and fat. Infants and yung children are especially sensitive t even lw levels f lead. Excessive expsure t lead causes seizures, mental retardatin, behaviral disrders, memry prblems, and md changes. Lw levels f lead damage the brain and nerves in fetuses and yung children, resulting in learning deficits and lwered IQ. Lead expsure causes high bld pressure and increases heart disease, especially in men. Lead expsure may als lead t anemia. Surce: Envirnmental Prtectin Agency, Six Cmmn Air Pllutants, < accessed August 29, Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

7 Carbn Mnxide (CO) is a clrless, drless gas prduced by the incmplete cmbustin f fuels. CO cncentratins tend t be the highest during the winter mrning, with little t n wind, when surface-based inversins trap the pllutant at grund levels. Because CO is emitted directly frm internal cmbustin engines, unlike zne, mtr vehicles perating at slw speeds are the primary surce f CO in the SVAB. The highest ambient CO cncentratins are generally fund near cngested transprtatin crridrs and intersectins. Nitrgen xides (NO X ) is the generic term fr a grup f highly reactive gases, all f which cntain nitrgen and xygen in varying amunts. Many f the nitrgen xides are clrless and drless. Hwever, ne cmmn pllutant, nitrgen dixide (NO 2 ) alng with particles in the air can ften be seen as a reddish-brwn layer ver many urban areas. Nitrgen xides frm when fuel is burned at high temperatures, as in a cmbustin prcess. The primary manmade surces f NO X are mtr vehicles, electric utilities, and ther industrial, cmmercial, and residential surces that burn fuels. Nitrgen xides can als be frmed naturally. Respirable Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) and Fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) cnsist f extremely small, suspended particles r drplets 10 micrns and 2.5 micrns r smaller in diameter. Sme surces f suspended particulate matter, like pllen and windstrms, ccur naturally. Hwever, in ppulated areas, mst fine suspended particulate matter is caused by rad dust, diesel st, cmbustin prducts, abrasin f tires and brakes, and cnstructin activities. Sulfur Dixide (SO 2 ) is a clrless, extremely irritating gas r liquid. It enters the atmsphere as a pllutant mainly as a result f the burning f high sulfur-cntent fuel ils and cal, and frm chemical prcesses ccurring at chemical plants and refineries. Lead ccurs in the atmsphere as particulate matter. The cmbustin f leaded gasline is the primary surce f airbrne lead. Since the use f leaded gasline is n lnger permitted fr n-rad mtr vehicles, lead is nt a pllutant f cncern in the SVAB. Txic Air Cntaminants (TACs) are knwn t be highly hazardus t health, even in small quantities. TACs are airbrne substances capable f causing shrt-term (acute) and/r lngterm (chrnic r carcingenic) adverse human health effects (i.e., injury r illness). TACs can be emitted frm a variety f cmmn surces, including gasline statins, autmbiles, dry cleaners, industrial peratins, and painting peratins. TAC impacts are assessed using a maximum individual cancer risk (MICR) that estimates the prbability f a ptential maximally expsed individual (MEI) cntracting cancer as a result f sustained expsure t txic air cntaminants ver a cnstant perid f 24 hurs per day fr 70 years fr residential receptr lcatins. The CARB and lcal air districts have determined that any statinary surce psing an incremental cancer risk t the general ppulatin (abve backgrund risk levels) equal t r greater than 10 peple ut f 1 millin t be excessive. Fr statinary surces, if the incremental risk f expsure t prject-related Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

8 TAC emissins meets r exceeds the threshld f 10 excess cancer cases per 1 millin peple, the CARB and lcal air district require the installatin f best available cntrl technlgy (BACT) r maximum available cntrl technlgy (MACT) t reduce the risk threshld. T assess risk frm ambient air cncentratins, the CARB has cnducted studies t determine the ttal cancer inhalatin risk t individuals due t utdr txic pllutant levels. The CARB has cnducted studies t determine the ttal cancer inhalatin risk t individuals due t utdr txic pllutant levels. Accrding t the map prepared by the CARB shwing the estimated inhalatin cancer risk fr TACs in the State f Califrnia, Yuba City has an existing estimated risk that is between 100 and 500 cancer cases per 1 millin peple. There is a higher risk arund dwntwn Yuba City where the cancer risk is as high as 500 cases per 1 millin peple. 1 This represents the lifetime risk that between 100 and 500 peple in 1 millin may cntract cancer frm inhalatin f txic cmpunds at current ambient cncentratins under an MEI scenari. Reginal Air Quality Reginally, sme prtins f the SVAB have fewer air quality prblems than thers. Only the suthern prtin f the SVAB is in nn-attainment fr federal zne standards, which includes the suthern prtin f Sutter Cunty. Regarding state standards, the entire SVAB is in nn-attainment fr bth the 1-hur and 8-hur zne standards and PM 10 and PM 2.5 standards. Existing Lcal Air Quality The CARB cllects ambient air quality data thrugh a netwrk f air mnitring statins thrughut the state. Many f the mnitring statins are part f the State and Lcal Air Mnitring Netwrk Plan (SLAM) which cllect data n ambient levels f gaseus and particular air pllutants which are used t determine attainment status. There are tw mnitring statins in Sutter Cunty: the Yuba City Almnd Street statin and the Sutter Buttes S (suth) Butte statin. Because the prpsed prject is lcated clsest t the Yuba City Almnd Street statin, data n zne, carbn mnxide, PM 10, PM 2.5, and nitrgen dixide are reprted frm this statin. Table lists the ambient pllutant cncentratins that have been measured within the cunty thrugh the perid f 2004 t 2006 frm the Yuba City Almnd Street statin. As shwn, Yuba City has a recent histry f exceeding federal levels fr the 8-hur zne standard. Yuba City has als exceeded the state standards fr the zne 1-hur average, the zne 8-hur average, and the PM 10 standards. The federal and state standards fr CO, PM 2.5, and NO 2 have nt been exceeded during this time. 1 Califrnia Air Resurces Bard, Cancer Inhalatin Risk: Lcal Trend Maps, Yuba-Sutter: 2001 Cancer Risk per Millin, < /cncrinhl/rskmapvwtrend.htm>, accessed August 29, Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

9 TABLE FEDERAL AND STATE AIR POLLUTION STANDARDS EXCEEDED IN SUTTER COUNTY 1 Pllutant Standard Ozne (1-hur) Highest 1-hur measurement ppm ppm ppm # days ver Federal standard 0.12 ppm # days ver State standard 0.09 ppm Ozne (8-hur) Highest 8-hur measurement ppm ppm ppm # days ver Federal standard 0.08 ppm # days ver State standard 0.07 ppm Carbn Mnxide (CO 8-hur) Highest 8-hur measurement ppm 3.39 ppm 2.29 ppm # days ver Federal standard 9.0 ppm # days ver State standard 9.0 ppm Particulate Matter (PM 10) Highest 24-hur cncentratin µg/m µg/m µg/m 3 # days ver Federal standard µg/m # days ver State standard 50.0 µg/m Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) Highest 24-hur cncentratin µg/m µg/m µg/m 3 # days ver Federal standard 35.0 µg/m Annual Mean µg/m µg/m µg/m 3 Annual Mean ver State standard? 12.0 µg/m 3 NO NO NO Nitrgen Dixide (NO 2) Highest 1-hur measurement ppm ppm ppm # days ver State standard 0.25 ppm Annual Mean ppm ppm ppm Annual Mean ver Federal standard? ppm NO NO NO Ntes: 1. Data is derived frm the Yuba City-Almnd Street statin due t the limited data cllectin capabilities f the Sutter Buttes-S Butte statin. The Sutter Buttes statin nly cllects data abut zne, while the Yuba City statin cllects data fr all the pllutants listed abve. 2. It shuld be nted that accrding t the CARB, an exceedance is nt necessarily a vilatin f federal r state standards. Surce: Califrnia Air Resurces Bard, Air Quality Data Statistics, < accessed August 30, Attainment Status As specified in the Califrnia Clean Air Act (CCAA) f 1988, it is the respnsibility f each air pllutin cntrl district and air quality management district within the state t attain and maintain Califrnia s ambient air quality standards. The CCAA requires that an Attainment Plan (Plan) be develped by all nn-attainment districts fr O 3, CO, sulfur xides (SO X ), and NO X that are either receptrs r cntributrs f transprted air pllutants. Districts are required t update the Plan every three years. The purpse f this Plan is t cmply with the requirements f the CCAA as implemented thrugh the Califrnia Health and Safety Cde. In cmpliance with the CCAA, the Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD), in cnjunctin with ther air districts in the Nrthern Sacrament Valley Air Basin (NSVAB), prepared the 2006 NSVAB Air Quality Attainment Plan (AQAP) t address the nn-attainment status fr zne and respirable PM 10. The NSVAB includes the fllwing cunties lcated in the nrthern prtin f the SVAB: Butte, Clusa, Glenn, Shasta, Sutter, Tehama, and Yuba. This triennial update f the Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

10 NSVAB AQAP discusses the prgress made in implementing the 2003 plan and prpses mdificatins t the strategies necessary t attain the Califrnia ambient air quality standard fr the 1-hur zne standard at the earliest practicable date. The 2006 Plan fcuses n the adptin and implementatin f cntrl measures fr statinary surces, area wide surces, and indirect surces, and addresses public educatin and infrmatin prgrams. The 2006 Plan als addresses the effect that pllutant transprt has n the ability f the NSVPA t meet and attain the State standards. Like the 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2003 Plans, the 2006 Plan fcuses n the adptin and implementatin f cntrl measures fr statinary surces, area wide surces, indirect surces, and address public educatin and infrmatin prgrams. The 2006 Plan als addresses the effect that pllutant transprt has n the NSVAB s ability t meet and attain the state standards. 2 Table shws the District s attainment status fr criteria air pllutants. TABLE CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS ATTAINMENT STATUS OF THE FEATHER RIVER AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AREA Pllutant State Standards Federal Standards Ozne (1-hur) Nn-attainment N/A Ozne (8-hur) Nn-attainment Nn-attainment Carbn Mnxide Attainment N/A PM 10 Nn-attainment Unclassified PM 2.5 Nn-attainment Unclassified Nitrgen Dixide Attainment Unclassified/Attainment Sulfur Dixide Attainment Unclassified/Attainment Sulfates Attainment N/A Lead Attainment N/A Hydrgen Sulfide Unclassified N/A Visibility Reducing Particles Unclassified N/A Surce: Feather River Air Quality Management District, 2004 FRAQMD Area Designatins fr State and Natinal Ambient Air Quality Standards, < accessed August 30, Ozne vilatins are caused in part, within the NSVAB, by cmbustin surces and have ccasinally been influenced by smke impacts due t nearby wildfires. The primary emissin surce is the internal cmbustin engine. The zne prblem is further aggravated by transprt frm the greater Sacrament regin, which is cmprised f Sacrament Cunty, and prtins f El Drad, Placer, Sutter, and Yl cunties. Ozne is frmed by a phtchemical reactin f the zne precursrs, nitrgen xides and reactive rganic gases. These zne precursrs are emitted as part f the exhaust f internal cmbustin engines in the NSVAB and greater Sacrament area and are transprted nrthward via prevailing winds. Due t the reginal nature f the zne prblem and the fact that the NSVAB cunties share the same air basin with the greater Sacrament area, the 2006 Attainment Plan is prepared in cnjunctin with the Sacrament Valley Air Basin Cntrl Cuncil s Technical Advisry Cmmittee. The CARB has utlined, in the apprved 1994 State Implementatin Plan (SIP) fr zne, new cntrl strategies that will be develped and implemented ver the next decade in Califrnia. This 2 Feather River Air Quality Management District, Nrthern Sacrament Valley Air Basin, 2006 Air Quality Attainment Plan, < Accessed Nvember Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

11 2006 Plan cntains the suggested cntrl measures included in the 2000 and 2003 Plan alng with the Tier 1 Cntrl Measures (Identificatin f Achievable Perfrmance Standards and Emerging Technlgies fr Statinary Surces March 1998; Identificatin f Perfrmance Standards fr Existing Statinary Surces Updated May 16, 2002). These cntrl measures will reduce air pllutin thrughut Califrnia and ensure cntinued prgress twards meeting r maintaining federal standards, as well as prgress twards Califrnia s mre stringent health prtective state standards. With the SIP as the state s established cntrl strategy fr the future, the CARB fund that the NSVAB Districts wuld nt be required t prepare a cmprehensive Plan update fr Instead, districts were directed t fcus n implementing their existing cntrl strategies and SIP cmmitments. The 2006 Plan, similar t the 2003 Plan, incrprates three general principles that guide air districts in their planning prcess: 3 1. Air quality mdeling t identify the reductins needed and t design effective emissin reductin strategies; 2. Cmprehensive emissin reductin prgrams that take advantage f current emissin cntrl technlgies; and 3. Address the impacts f pllutant transprt in the attainment demnstratin. While air quality is gradually imprving and tns f ROG and NO x have been remved frm the emissin inventry, the District must cntinue t reduce emissins t meet and maintain state healthful air quality levels. Incentive prgrams, such as the Carl Myer Prgram, assist the District in achieving the necessary NO x and PM emissin reductins t meet these bjectives and requirements. Withut incentive prgrams, emissin reductins wuld have t be btained frm industry and ther surces r thrugh regulatry measures, where reductins are nt typically as cst effective. Sensitive Receptrs Sme individuals are cnsidered t be mre sensitive than thers t air pllutin. Reasns fr greater sensitivity can include existing health prblems, duratin f expsure t air pllutants, r certain peples increased susceptibility t pllutin-related health prblems due t factrs such as age. Land uses such as day care prviders, primary and secndary schls, hspitals, and cnvalescent hmes are cnsidered t be sensitive receptrs t pr air quality because the very yung, the ld, and the infirm are mre susceptible t respiratry infectins and ther air quality related health prblems than the general public. Residential uses are cnsidered sensitive because peple in residential areas are ften at hme fr extended perids f time, s they can be expsed t pllutants fr extended perids. Recreatinal areas are cnsidered mderately sensitive t pr air 3 Feather River Air Quality Management District, Nrthern Sacrament Valley Air Basin, 2006 Air Quality Attainment Plan, < Accessed Nvember Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

12 quality because vigrus exercise assciated with recreatin places a high demand n the human respiratry functin. Land Use Planning and Air Quality Califrnia s ppulatin is expected t grw, and meeting federal and state air quality standards suggests a need fr a fundamental shift in appraches t land use and develpment. Accrding t the Califrnia Energy Cmmissin, the State needs t investigate appraches that g beynd decreasing transprtatin fuel use and relieving cngestin t appraches that can serve as a nexus fr develping efficient transprtatin means in cmmunities. This apprach can help Califrnia reach attainment status fr thse pllutants which are currently abve the standards. An pprtunity t meet thse gals includes incrprating smart grwth, which refers t the applicatin f specific develpment principles t make prudent use f resurces and create lw-impact cmmunities thrugh design. 4 Sutter Cunty is a member f the Sacrament Area Cuncil f Gvernments (SACOG), which cvers a six-cunty area. SACOG has develped the Blueprint, a transprtatin and land use study fr the Sacrament regin which includes all f Sutter Cunty. SACOG has als adpted a Metrplitan Transprtatin Plan (MTP) t prvide a reginal visin fr all mdes f surface transprtatin and a guide fr reginal transprtatin investments. The MTP includes prgrams designed t meet gals which include: clean air; design f cmmunities t encurage lcal walk, bicycle, and transit travel; and fr imprvements t main rutes that serve lnger distance travel arund the regin, specifically freeways, rail lines, and majr radways and streets that serve reginal traffic. Applicatin f these smart grwth planning cncepts in grwing areas f Sutter Cunty wuld help reduce the emissin f criteria air pllutants by reducing vehicle trips, prmting alternative transprtatin, and develping smart-grwth prjects that, verall, reduce the ppulatin s reliance n mtr vehicle use and reduces the distance f any necessary vehicle trips. REGULATORY SETTING Air quality in the prpsed prject area is regulated by the U.S. EPA, the CARB, and the Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD). These agencies develp rules and regulatins t meet the gals r directives impsed n them thrugh legislatin. Althugh U.S. EPA regulatins may nt be superseded, bth state and lcal regulatins may be mre stringent than the federal standards. In general, air quality evaluatins are based n air quality standards develped by the federal and state gvernments. Emissins limitatins are then impsed upn individual surces f air pllutants by the varius air agencies. Mbile surces f air pllutants are largely cntrlled thrugh federal and state agencies, while mst statinary surces are regulated by the lcal air pllutin cntrl r air quality management districts. 4 Califrnia Energy Cmmissin, 2006 Integrated Energy Plicy Reprt Update, January Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

13 Federal U.S. Envirnmental Prtectin Agency The U.S. EPA is the federal agency respnsible fr setting and enfrcing the federal ambient air quality standards fr atmspheric pllutants. The EPA regulates emissin surces that are under the exclusive authrity f the federal gvernment, such as aircraft, ships, and certain lcmtives. The EPA als has jurisdictin ver emissin surces utside state waters (uter cntinental shelf), and establishes varius emissins standards fr vehicles sld in states ther than Califrnia. As part f its enfrcement respnsibilities, the EPA requires each state with nn-attainment areas t prepare and submit a SIP that demnstrates the means t attain the federal standards. The SIP must integrate federal, state, and lcal plan cmpnents and regulatins t identify specific measures t reduce pllutin in nn-attainment areas, using a cmbinatin f perfrmance standards and market-based prgrams. Federal Clean Air Act The Federal Clean Air Act (CAA), as amended, establishes air quality standards fr several pllutants. These standards are divided int primary standards and secndary standards. Primary standards are designed t prtect public health, and secndary standards are intended t prtect public welfare frm effects such as visibility reductin, siling, nuisance, and ther frms f damage. The CAA requires that reginal plans be prepared fr nn-attainment areas illustrating hw the federal air quality standards culd be met. The CARB apprved the mst recent revisin f the SIP in 1994, and submitted it t the EPA. The SIP, apprved by the EPA in 1996, cnsists f a list f ROG and NO x cntrl measures fr demnstrating future attainment f zne standards. The steps t achieve attainment will cntinue t require significant emissins reductins in bth statinary and mbile surces. State Califrnia Air Resurces Bard The CARB, a part f the Califrnia EPA (Cal EPA) is respnsible fr the crdinatin and administratin f bth federal and state air pllutin cntrl prgrams within Califrnia. In this capacity, the CARB cnducts research, sets state ambient air quality standards, cmpiles emissin inventries, develps suggested cntrl measures, and prvides versight f lcal prgrams. The CARB establishes emissins standards fr mtr vehicles sld in Califrnia, cnsumer prducts (such as hairspray, aersl paints, and barbecue lighter fluid), and varius types f cmmercial equipment. It als sets fuel specificatins t further reduce vehicular emissins. The CARB als has primary respnsibility fr the develpment f Califrnia s SIP, fr which it wrks clsely with the federal gvernment and the lcal air districts. Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

14 Califrnia Clean Air Act The CCAA f 1988 requires nn-attainment areas t achieve and maintain the state ambient air quality standards by the earliest practicable date and lcal air districts t develp plans fr attaining the state zne, carbn mnxide, sulfur dixide, and nitrgen dixide standards. The CCAA als requires that by the end f 1994 and nce every three years thereafter, the air districts are t assess their prgress tward attaining the air quality standards. The triennial assessment is t reprt the extent f air quality imprvement and the amunts f emissin reductins achieved frm cntrl measures fr the preceding three year perid. Air Txics Ht Spts Infrmatin and Assessment Act The Air Txics Ht Spts Infrmatin and Assessment Act f 1987 (AB 2588), Califrnia Health and Safety Cde Sectin et seq., prvides fr the regulatin f ver 200 air txics and is the primary air cntaminant legislatin in the state. Under the Act, lcal air districts may request that a facility accunt fr its TAC emissins. Lcal air districts then priritize facilities n the basis f emissins, and high pririty designated facilities are required t submit a health risk assessment and cmmunicate the results t the affected public. The TAC cntrl strategy invlves reviewing new surces t ensure cmpliance with required emissin cntrls and limits, maintaining an inventry f existing surces f TACs, and develping new rules and regulatins t reduce TAC emissins. The purpse f AB 2588 is t identify and inventry txic air emissins and t cmmunicate the ptential fr adverse health effects t the public. Assembly Bill 1807 AB 1807, enacted in September 1983, sets frth a prcedure fr the identificatin and cntrl f TACs in Califrnia. The CARB is respnsible fr the identificatin and cntrl f TACs, except pesticide use. AB 1807 defines a TAC as an air pllutant that may cause r cntribute t an increase in mrtality r an increase in serius illness, r which may pse a present r ptential hazard t human health. The CARB prepares identificatin reprts n candidate substances under cnsideratin fr listing as TACs. The reprts and summaries describe the use f and the extent f emissins in Califrnia resulting in public expsure, tgether with their ptential health effects. In 1998, the CARB identified diesel particulate matter (DPM) as a txic air cntaminant under the AB 1807 prgram. DPM is emitted int the air via heavy-duty diesel trucks, cnstructin equipment, and passenger cars. In Octber 2000, the CARB released a reprt entitled Risk Reductin Plan t Reduce Particulate Matter Emissins frm Diesel-Fueled Engines and Vehicles. This plan identifies DPM as the predminant TAC in Califrnia and prpses methds fr reducing diesel emissins. Senate Bill 656 As a first step in the implementatin f Senate Bill 656 (SB 656, Reducing Particulate Matter in Califrnia), the CARB apprved a list f the mst readily available, feasible, and cst-effective cntrl measures that can be emplyed by air districts t reduce particulate matter PM 10 and PM 2.5 (cllectively referred t as PM) in The list is based n rules, regulatins, and prgrams Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

15 existing in Califrnia as f January 1, 2004, fr statinary, area-wide, and mbile surces. As a secnd step air districts must adpt implementatin schedules fr selected measures frm the list. The implementatin schedules will identify the apprpriate subset f measures, and the dates fr final adptin, implementatin, and the sequencing f selected cntrl measures. In develping the implementatin schedules, each air district will priritize measures based n the nature and severity f the PM prblem in their area and cst-effectiveness. Cnsideratin is als given t nging prgrams such as measures being adpted t meet natinal air quality standards r the state zne planning prcess. The cnsideratin and adptin f air district rules in their implementatin schedules, cupled with CARB's nging prgrams, will ensure cntinued prgress in reducing public expsure t PM and attainment f the state and federal standards. Senate Bill 700 In September 2003, the Califrnia Legislature adpted SB 700: Agriculture and Air Quality Summary and Implementatin. This bill remved a lng-standing statute that exempted agricultural peratins frm btaining perating permits fr surces f air pllutin. The bill requires agricultural surces with emissins greater than r equal t ne-half the threshld fr a federal majr surce t btain a District permit, and surces that meet r exceed the threshld fr a federal majr surce t btain a federal perating permit frm U.S. EPA r a lcal district with a federally apprved federal perating permits prgram. Lcal Feather River Air Quality Management District The FRAQMD is a bi-cunty air district that was frmed in 1991 t administer lcal, state, and federal air quality management prgrams fr Yuba and Sutter cunties. The missin f FRAQMD is t prmte and imprve the air quality f Sutter and Yuba cunties thrugh mnitring, evaluatin, educatin, implementing cntrl measures t reduce emissins frm statinary surces, permitting and inspecting pllutin surces, enfrcing air quality regulatins, and supprting and implementing measures t reduce emissins frm mtr vehicles. FRAQMD als cllabrates with ther air districts in the NSVAB t address the nn-attainment status fr O 3 and PM 10 in the greater Sacrament regin. Fr example, FRAQMD prepared the 2006 NSVAB AQAP t discuss the prgress made in implementing the previus 2003 plan and prpsed mdificatins t the strategies necessary t attain the Califrnia ambient air quality standards at the earliest practicable date. The 2006 Plan als identified the air pllutin prblems t be cperatively addressed n as many frnts as pssible with the cperatin f ther air districts. Currently FRAQMD is prpsing t adpt new and amend existing regulatins regarding agricultural surce emissins in accrdance with passage f SB 700. As discussed abve, SB 700 requires that majr agricultural surces f air pllutin and certain nn-majr agricultural surces f air pllutin btain statinary surce permits frm lcal districts. Existing FRAQMD Rule 4.3 exempts all agricultural surces frm btaining district permits. The prpsed amendments t Rule 4.3 wuld remve thse exemptins fr these surces and will update FRAQMD rules and regulatins t be Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

16 cnsistent with state and federal law. The exemptin will be such that FRAQMD rules will be equally, but nt mre stringent than state law requires. 5 Yuba City General Plan The fllwing gals and plicies frm the City f Yuba City General Plan (2004) are relevant t air quality. 5.2 Radway System Guiding Plicies 5.2-G-2 Make efficient use f existing transprtatin facilities, and, thrugh the arrangement f land uses, imprved alternate transprtatin mdes, and prvisin f mre direct rutes fr pedestrians and bicyclists, strive t reduce the ttal vehicle-miles traveled per husehld. Implementing Plicies 5.2-I-7 When cnstructing r mdifying radways, plan fr usage f the radway space by all users, including mtr vehicles, transit vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. 5.3 Transit Guiding Plicies 5.3-G-1 Cntinue t expand and imprve the existing transit netwrk t prvide cnvenient and efficient public transprtatin t wrkplaces, shpping, and ther destinatins. 5.3-G-2 Preserve ptins fr future transit use when designing imprvements fr radways. Implementing Plicies 5.3-I-1 Cperate with public agencies and ther jurisdictins t prmte lcal and reginal public transit service in Yuba City. 5.3-I-2 Wrk with Yuba-Sutter Transit t situate transit stps and hubs at lcatins that are cnvenient fr transit users, and prmte increased transit ridership thrugh the prvisin f shelters, benches, and ther amenities. 5.3-I-3 Crdinate with Caltrans and Yuba-Sutter Transit t identify and implement Park & Ride sites with cnvenient access t public transit. 5.3-I-4 Require new develpment t prvide transit imprvements, where needed. This includes: Direct pedestrian access t transit stps; Bus turnuts and shelters; and Lane width t accmmdate buses. 5.3-I-5 Ensure that new develpment is designed t make transit a viable chice fr residents. Design ptins include: Have Neighbrhd fcal pints with sheltered bus stps; 5 Feather River Air Quality Management District, Staff Reprt, Prpsed Rule Amendment: Regulatin IV Rule 4.3 Exemptins Frm Permit, < Accessed August 31, Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

17 Lcate medium-high density develpment whenever feasible near streets served by transit; and Link neighbrhds t bus stps by cntinuus sidewalks r pedestrian paths. 5.3-I-6 Require cmmunity care facilities and senir husing prjects with mre than 25 units t prvide accessible transprtatin services fr the cnvenience f residents. Prvisin f transprtatin services at large facilities will reduce demand n the Dial-A- Ride and fixed-rute transit systems. 5.4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulatin Guiding Plicy 5.4-G-1 Develp a system f sidewalks and bikeways that prmte safe walking and bicycle riding fr transprtatin and recreatin. Implementing Plicies 5.4-I-1 Establish a netwrk f n- and ff-radway bicycle rutes and encurage their use fr cmmute, recreatinal, and ther trips. Design bike rutes with the safety f cyclists as a pririty. 5.4-I-2 Develp bicycle rutes that prvide access t schls, parks, and the Feather River Parkway. 5.4-I-3 Require bicycle parking, strage, and ther supprt facilities as part f new ffice and retail develpments, and public facilities. 5.4-I-4 Prvide bicycle lanes with a minimum width f five feet (six feet alng all parkways) n new streets and existing streets whenever they are widened t mre than tw travel lanes. 5.4-I-5 Plan fr reuse f abandned rail rights-f-way, and seek t acquire suitable rights-f-way fr separate bicycle paths, as they becme available. State and Federal funding fr rails-t-trails prgrams can help the City implement this plicy. An example f hw a bikeway and rad can be develped alng the abandned railrad is shwn in Figure I-6 Wrk with Sutter Cunty and ther agencies t update the Yuba-Sutter Bikeway Master Plan, implement a reginal bikeway system and, maintain a regularly updated map f lcal and reginal bikeways. 5.4-I-7 Increase bicycle safety by: Sweeping and repairing bicycle lanes and paths n a regular basis; Ensuring that bikeways are delineated and signed in accrdance with Caltrans' standards, and lighting is prvided, where needed; Prviding bicycle paths r lanes n bridges and verpasses; Ensuring that all new and imprved streets have bicycle-safe drainage grates and are free f hazards such as uneven pavement and gravel; Prvide adequate signage and markings warning vehicular traffic f the existence f merging r crssing bicycle traffic where bike rutes and paths make transitins int r acrss radways; and Wrk with the Yuba City Unified Schl District t prmte classes n bicycle safety in the schls. Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

18 5.4-I-8 Give bikes equal treatment in terms f prvisins fr safety and cmfrt n arterials and cllectrs as mtr vehicles. 5.4-I-9 Develp a series f cntinuus walkways within new ffice parks, cmmercial districts, and residential neighbrhds s they cnnect t ne anther. 5.4-I-10 Prvide fr pedestrian-friendly znes in cnjunctin with the develpment, redevelpment, and design f mixed-use neighbrhd cre areas, the Dwntwn area, schls, parks, and ther high use areas by: Prviding intersectin "bump uts" t reduce walking distances acrss streets in the Dwntwn and ther high use areas; Prviding pedestrian facilities at all signalized intersectins; Prviding landscaping that encurages pedestrian use; and Cnstructing adequately lit and safe access thrugh subdivisin sites. 5.4-I-11 Establish specific standards fr pedestrian facilities t be accessible t physically disabled persns, and ensure that radway imprvement prjects address mbility r accessibility fr bicyclists r pedestrians. 8.6 Air Quality Guiding Plicies 8.6-G-1 Prtect Yuba City s air quality. 8.6-G-2 Make air quality a pririty in land use planning by intrducing cncepts that reduce vehicle trips. Implementing Plicies 8.6-I-1 Cperate with ther lcal, reginal, and State agencies t achieve and maintain air quality standards. 8.6-I-2 Wrk with the Feather River Air Quality Management District t implement the reginal Air Quality Management Plan. 8.6-I-3 Require the use f trees and plants in urban and street designs t reduce air pllutant levels. 8.6-I-4 Prvide infrmatin t encurage the use f transprtatin mdes that minimize mtr vehicle use and resulting cntaminant emissins. Reducing the reliance n autmbiles will minimize air pllutin in the Planning Area. 8.6-I-5 Evaluate new cmmercial and industrial develpment fr ptential handling, strage, and transprt f hazardus materials t minimize public expsure t txic air cntaminants. The City can establish prper buffer znes between statinary surces f TACs and sensitive receptrs such as residential areas. 8.6-I-6 Require applicants whse develpment wuld result in cnstructin-related fugitive dust emissins t cntrl such emissins as fllws: During clearing, grading, earth-mving, r excavatin peratins, fugitive dust emissins shall be cntrlled by regular watering, paving f cnstructin rads, r ther dust-preventive measures. Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

19 All material excavated r graded shall be sufficiently watered t prevent excessive amunts f dust. Watering, with cmplete cverage, shall ccur at least twice daily, preferably in the late mrning and after wrk is dne fr the day. All clearing, grading, earth-mving, r excavatin activities shall cease when winds exceed 20 mph averaged ver 1 hur. All material transprted ff-site shall be either sufficiently watered r securely cvered t prevent excessive amunts f dust. The area disturbed by demlitin, clearing, grading, earth-mving, r excavatin peratins shall be minimized at all times. Prtins f the cnstructin site t remain inactive lnger than a perid f 3 mnths shall be seeded and watered until grass cver is grwn. All n-site rads shall be paved as sn as feasible r watered peridically r chemically stabilized. Particulate emissins are ften the result f cnstructin activities. These prvisins shuld als be implemented utside and adjacent t the urban grwth area thrugh a Memrandum f Understanding with the Cunty. 8.6-I-7 Require applicants whse develpment wuld result in cnstructin-related exhaust emissins t minimize such emissins by maintaining equipment engines in gd cnditin and in prper tune accrding t manufacturer's specificatins and during smg seasn (May thrugh Octber) by nt allwing cnstructin equipment t be left idling fr lng perids. 8.6-I-8 Require applicants whse develpment wuld result in ptential carbn mnxide (CO) "ht spt" impacts t cnsult with the City t ensure that schls, hspitals, r day care facilities are nt lcated near such "ht spts". 8.6-I-9 Require all new wd-burning stves and fireplaces t cmply with EPA standards and prepare hmewner infrmatin handuts utlining lw-emissin alternatives t wdburning fireplaces. Fireplaces are a grwing surce f lcalized air pllutin. Wd smke released frm fireplaces and wd stves cntains carbn mnxide, nitrgen dixide, vlatile rganic cmpunds, and inhalable particulate matter (PM10). Wd burning shuld be encuraged nly in stves and fireplaces designed t minimize air pllutants. Pllutin can be reduced by installing gas fireplaces r EPA certified wd heaters, and by perating existing fireplaces and wd stves mre efficiently. Pacific Gas & Electric and the Hearth Prducts Assciatin have ffered incentives in the past in the frm f cash rebates t encurage replacement f ld wd-burning appliances with mre efficient fireplaces and stves. These incentives are determined annually and are nt necessarily ffered each year. IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Methds f Analysis The analysis fcuses n the nature and magnitude f the change in air quality due t cnstructin and peratin f the prpsed prject. Air pllutant emissins assciated with the prpsed prject wuld result frm cnstructin activities, increased residential ppulatin, and increased traffic Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt

20 vlumes. The net increase in emissins generated by these activities and ther secndary surces have been estimated and cmpared t threshlds f significance recmmended by the FRAQMD. The FRAQMD guidance fr CEQA analysis, called the FRAQMD Indirect Surce Review Guidelines, was adpted in July 1998 by the FRAQMD Bard f Directrs. The dcument is designed t assist lead agencies in evaluating impacts t air quality frm their prpsed prjects and recmmends methds fr use by lead agencies when making a determinatin f significance. The Guidelines establishes threshlds against which t measure air emissins frm the prpsed prject. Prjects that wuld trigger the threshlds in these Guidelines are thse which wuld generate 25 punds per day f ROG r NO X, r 80 punds per day f PM 10, r greater. See Table fr FRAQMD s significance threshlds. TABLE FRAQMD CEQA SIGNIFICANCE THRESHOLDS (MASS EMISSION, POUNDS PER DAY) Respirable Particulate Matter Ozne Precursr Emissins Emissins Prject Type NO X ROG PM 10 All Surce: Feather River Air Quality Management District, FRAQMD CEQA Significance Threshlds, < Accessed January 15, Cnstructin Impacts The demlitin, clearing, grading, and cnstructin activities assciated with the prpsed prject wuld generate emissins f criteria air pllutants. Cnstructin f the 1,160-acre prject site wuld ccur ver the curse f 10 t 20 years in seven phases. Because specific infrmatin abut cnstructin equipment is nt available at this time, the analysis used the cnstructin equipment defaults assumed in the URBEMIS 2007 emissins mdel, versin The number f cnstructin vehicles calculated in URBEMIS 2007 is based n land use data prvided by the prject applicant. Please refer t Appendix C fr the URBEMIS mdeling data. Operatinal Emissins Operatinal emissins refer t the emissins that are generated by the nrmal day-t-day activity f the prject. These activities include the heating and cling f buildings, landscape maintenance, emissins frm increased traffic, and the use f cnsumer prducts by residents and emplyees. Average emissin factrs fr peratinal emissins f criteria pllutants are estimated by using emissin factrs in the URBEMIS 2007 emissins mdel, versin These emissin factrs are based n CARB s EMFAC2007 mdel. Mbile surce emissins are largely driven by the daily trip generatin rates calculated in the traffic study (see Sectin 4.12, Transprtatin and Circulatin) that was cnducted fr the prpsed prject. The analysis assumed that 75 percent f the residential develpment wuld use natural gas fireplaces, while the remaining 25 percent f residential Lincln East Specific Plan Draft Envirnmental Impact Reprt