3.6 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/HUMAN HEALTH

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3 This section addresses the potential impacts associated with hazardous materials and construction and operation of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) improvements and proposed effluent land application area. The reader is referred to Section 3.5, Geology and Soils, for information regarding impacts associated with geologic and seismic hazards and to Section 3.1, Air Quality, regarding air quality hazards SETTING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DEFINED According to Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (22 CCR) Section , the term hazardous substance refers to both hazardous materials and hazardous wastes; both are classified according to four properties: toxicity, ignitability, corrosiveness, and reactivity. A hazardous material is defined by 22 CCR Section as a substance or combination of substances that may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in serious, irreversible, or incapacitating illness or may pose a substantial presence or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, or otherwise managed. While public health and safety is potentially at risk whenever hazardous materials are or will be used, the risk is determined by the probability of exposure and to the inherent toxicity of a material (DTSC 2011a). Factors that can influence health effects when human beings are exposed to hazardous materials include the dose the person is exposed to, the frequency of exposure, the duration of exposure, the exposure pathway (route by which a chemical enters a person s body), and the individual s unique biological susceptibility. Hazardous wastes are hazardous substances that no longer have practical use, such as materials that have been discarded, discharged, spilled, or contaminated or are being stored until they can be disposed of properly (22 CCR Section ). Soil that is excavated from a site containing hazardous materials is a hazardous waste if it exceeds specific 22 CCR criteria. Known Hazardous Substances at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and in the Vicinity Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites The State of California Hazardous Waste and Substances Site List (also known as the Cortese List) is a planning document used by state and local agencies and by private developers to comply with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements in providing information about the location of hazardous materials sites. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is responsible for preparing a portion of the information that comprises the Cortese List, through its EnviroStor database. The EnviroStor database does not identify any hazardous material sites within 1 mile of any portion of the project area, including the WWTP location, Busi Ranch or pipeline areas (DTSC 2011b). Leaking Underground Storage Tanks Leaking underground storage tanks are a significant source of petroleum impacts to groundwater and can also result in potential threats to health and safety. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) records soil and/or groundwater contamination caused by leaking underground storage tanks in its Geotracker database. An inquiry through SWRCB s July Draft Environmental Impact Report

4 Geotracker database identified no such sites within 1 mile any portion of the project area including the WWTP location, Busi Ranch or pipeline areas (SWRCB 2012). According to this database search, the proposed project site is not located on a site that is included on any of these lists. Additionally, there are no known historical uses of the project site that would indicate the potential for a previously undiscovered hazard, such as buried fuel tanks or contamination from industrial operations. While the site was previously used for gold mining operations, those operations did not involve underground fuel tanks and therefore there is no possibility of a previously undiscovered underground fuel tank occurring in the area as a result of this activity. Sewage Sludge/Biosolids Sewage sludge is the name for the solid, semisolid, or liquid untreated residue generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment facility. When treated and processed, sewage sludge becomes biosolids, which can be safely recycled and applied as a soil amendment to sustainably improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth. Biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of sewage sludge. Local governments decide how biosolids may be disposed of, whether they may be recycled and used as a soil amendment, incinerated, or landfilled. Biosolids that are to be land-applied must meet strict regulations and quality standards that are defined in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Part 503 Biosolids Rule (discussed in subsection 3.6.2, Regulatory Framework, below). There are different rules for different classes of biosolids. Class A biosolids contain no detectible levels of pathogens, and Class B biosolids are treated but still contain detectible levels of pathogens. There are buffer requirements, public access, and crop harvesting restrictions for all forms of Class B biosolids (EPA 2008). The WWTP currently utilizes a mechanical dewatering system before sludge is stored and hauled. Dewatering decreases biosolids volume by reducing the water content and increasing the solids concentration and is often a necessary process before treatment. The sewage sludge or cake resulting from the dewatering process, without further treatment, would no longer meet the requirements for Class B quality. These biosolids could not be land applied without further treatment at an off-site facility. These biosolids could, however, be disposed of at a landfill permitted to accept biosolids under California Code of Regulations Title 27. Chlorine Chlorine is an acutely toxic constituent, yet it is also the most widely used disinfectant for municipal wastewater because it destroys target organisms by oxidizing cellular material. The WWTP includes chlorination-dechlorination facilities. Filtered water leaving WWTP sand filters flows into underground contact pipes where the water is disinfected with chlorine gas. At the end of the contact pipe, the effluent is dechlorinated with sulfur dioxide gas. Continuous monitoring analyzers for chlorine residual or for dechlorination agent residual in the effluent are in operation at the WWTP. Since all forms of chlorine are highly corrosive and toxic, storage, shipping, and handling pose a risk, requiring increased safety regulations. Chlorine gas is normally stored in steel containers. Draft Environmental Impact Report July

5 OTHER HAZARDS Transportation of Hazardous Materials The transportation of hazardous materials within California is subject to various federal, state, and local regulations. It is illegal to transport explosives or inhalation hazards on any public highway not designated for that purpose, unless the use of the highway is required to permit delivery, or the loading of such materials (California Vehicle Code Sections 31602(b), 32104(a)). The California Highway Patrol (CHP) designates through routes to be used for the transportation of hazardous materials. Transportation of hazardous materials is restricted to these routes except in cases where additional travel is required from that route to deliver or receive hazardous materials to and from users. The transportation of hazardous materials within the project area is subject to various federal, state, and local regulations. According to the Amador County Environmental Health Department, all state highways in Amador County are designated as hazardous materials routes. The following provisions are included in the California Vehicle Code and pertain to the transportation of hazardous-related materials: The CHP designates the routes in California which are to be used for the transportation of explosives. (Section 31616) The California Vehicle Code applies when the explosives are transported as a delivery service for hire, or in quantities in excess of 1,000 pounds. The transportation of explosives in quantities of 1,000 pounds or less, or other than on a public highway, is subject to the California Health and Safety Code. (Section 31601(a)) It is illegal to transport explosives or inhalation hazards on any public highway not designated for that purpose, unless the use of the highway is required to permit delivery of, or the loading of, such materials. (Section 31602(b) and Section 32104(a)) When transporting explosives through or into a city for which a route has not been designated by the CHP, drivers must follow routes as may be prescribed or established by local authorities. (Section 31614(a)) Inhalation hazards and poison gases are subject to additional safeguards. These materials are highly toxic, spread rapidly, and require rapid and widespread evacuation if there is loss of containment or a fire. The CHP designates through routes to be used for the transportation of inhalation hazards. It may also designate separate through routes for the transportation of inhalation hazards composed of any chemical rocket propellant (Section and Section 32102(b)) July Draft Environmental Impact Report

6 3.6.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies that oversee hazardous materials handling and a summary of significant hazardous waste management, including the statutes and regulations these agencies administer, are listed in Table TABLE SUMMARY OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATORY AUTHORITY Federal Agencies Regulatory Agency Authority Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Transport Act Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 49 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) State Agencies Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Department of Industrial Relations (CAL-OSHA) State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Board Health and Welfare Agency Air Resources Board and Air Pollution Control District Federal Water Pollution Control Act Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act Occupational Safety and Health Act and CFR 29 California Code of Regulations California Health & Safety Code California Occupational Safety and Health Act, CCR Title 8 Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act Underground Storage Tank Law Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act Air Resources Act FEDERAL Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 USC Section 9601 et seq.) The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) provides a federal superfund to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment. Through CERCLA, the EPA identifies parties responsible for any release and assures their participation in the cleanup. The EPA is authorized to implement CERCLA in all 50 states and in U.S. territories; although, Superfund site identification, monitoring, and response activities are coordinated through the state environmental protection or waste management agencies. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 reauthorized CERCLA to continue cleanup activities around the country and included several site-specific amendments, definition clarifications, and technical requirements (EPA 2011). Draft Environmental Impact Report July

7 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 USC Section 6901 et seq.) The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act gives the EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from cradle to grave, including the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. The act also sets forth a framework for the management of nonhazardous solid wastes. The Federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments are the 1984 amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act that focus on waste minimization and phasing out land disposal of hazardous waste as well as corrective action for releases. Some of the other mandates of this law include increased enforcement authority for the EPA, more stringent hazardous waste management standards, and a comprehensive underground storage tank program (EPA 2011). Occupational and Safety Health Act (29 USC Section 651 et seq.) The Occupational and Safety Health Act is intended to ensure worker and workplace safety by requiring that employers provide their workers a place of employment free from recognized hazards to safety and health, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions. OSHA is a division of the US Department of Labor that oversees the administration of the act and enforces standards in all 50 states. Toxic Substances Control Act (15 USC Section 2601 et seq.) The Toxic Substances Control Act provides the EPA with authority to require reporting, recordkeeping and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. The act addresses the production, importation, use, and disposal of specific chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, radon, and lead-based paint (EPA 2011). Various sections of the Toxic Substances Control Act provide authority to: Require, under Section 5, pre-manufacture notification for new chemical substances before manufacture. Require, under Section 4, testing of chemicals by manufacturers, importers, and processors where risks or exposures of concern are found. Issue Significant New Use Rules, under Section 5, when it identifies a significant new use that could result in exposures to, or releases of, a substance of concern. Maintain the Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory, under Section 8, which contains more than 83,000 chemicals. As new chemicals are commercially manufactured or imported, they are placed on the list. Require those importing or exporting chemicals, under Sections 12(b) and 13, to comply with certification reporting and/or other requirements. Require, under Section 8, reporting and record-keeping by persons who manufacture, import, process, and/or distribute chemical substances in commerce. Require, under Section 8(e), that any person who manufactures (including imports), processes, or distributes in commerce a chemical substance or mixture and who obtains July Draft Environmental Impact Report

8 information which reasonably supports the conclusion that such substance or mixture presents a substantial risk of injury to health or the environment to immediately inform the EPA, except where the EPA has been adequately informed of such information. Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Law and Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 USC Section 5101 et seq.) The federal hazardous materials transportation law is the basic statute regulating hazardous materials transportation in the United States. Section 5101 of the federal hazmat law states that the purpose of the law is to protect against the risks to life, property, and the environment that are inherent in the transportation of hazardous material in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce. The Hazardous Materials Regulations are administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) and implement the federal hazmat law. The regulations govern the transportation of hazardous materials via highway, rail, vessel, and air by addressing hazardous materials classification, packaging, hazard communication, emergency response information, and training. The PHMSA also issues procedural regulations, including provisions on registration and public sector training and planning grants (49 CFR Parts 105, 106, 107, and 110). The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration issues the Hazardous Materials Regulations (PHMSA 2011). EPA Part 503 Biosolids Rule The Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge, or the EPA Part 503 Biosolids Rule, is contained in Title 40, Part 503 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The rule establishes requirements for the final use or disposal of biosolids when they are applied to land to condition the soil or fertilize crops, placed on a surface disposal site for final disposal, or fired in a biosolids incinerator. The rule includes five subparts: general provisions and requirements for land application, surface disposal, pathogen and vector attraction reduction, and incineration. It also contains numerical limits for metals in biosolids, pathogen reduction standards, site restriction, crop harvesting restrictions and monitoring, record-keeping, and reporting requirements for land-applied biosolids, as well as similar requirements for biosolids that are surface disposed or incinerated. Most recently, standards have been proposed to include requirements in the Part 503 Biosolids Rule that limit the concentration of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in biosolids to ensure safe land application (EPA 2008). STATE California Environmental Protection Agency Unified Program The Unified Program consolidates, coordinates, and makes consistent the administrative requirements, permits, inspections, and enforcement activities of the following six environmental and emergency response programs (CalEPA 2011): The Hazardous Waste Generator program and Hazardous Waste On-site Treatment activities The Aboveground Storage Tank program Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan requirements The Underground Storage Tank program Draft Environmental Impact Report July

9 The Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory program California Accidental Release Prevention program The Hazardous Materials Management Plans and the Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement requirements The state agencies responsible for these programs set the standards, while local governments implement the standards. The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) oversees implementation of the Unified Program as a whole, and the local Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) is required to consolidate, coordinate, and make consistent the administrative requirements, permits, fee structures, and inspection and enforcement activities for these six program elements. Most CUPAs have been established as a function of a local environmental health or fire department. The Amador County Environmental Health Department is the CUPA for Amador County. Local Amador County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan The Amador County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan describes the County s actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property from hazards. Hazard mitigation planning is the process through which natural hazards potentially threatening communities are identified, likely impacts of those hazards are determined, mitigation goals are set, and appropriate strategies that would lessen the impacts are determined, prioritized, and implemented. Amador County Environmental Health Department As previously described, the Amador County Environmental Health Department is the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for Amador County and administers a consolidated hazardous materials program. As the CUPA, the department issues permits for hazardous material storage, the generation of hazardous waste, and underground and aboveground storage tanks in Amador County. The department also administers the Hazardous Material Release Response Plan and Inventory (Business Plan) and California Accidental Release Prevention programs IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES STANDARDS OF SIGNIFICANCE The impact analysis provided below is based on the following State CEQA Guidelines Appendix G thresholds of significance: 1) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. 2) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment. 3) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school. July Draft Environmental Impact Report

10 4) Be located on a site which is 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. 5) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within 2 miles of a public airport or public use airport, result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area. 6) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area. 7) Implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. 8) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands. As identified in subsection 3.6.1, Setting, above, there are no hazardous material sites on or in the vicinity of the proposed project area. Therefore, hazards associated with sites which are included on a list of hazardous materials sites (Standard of Significance 4) are not discussed further in this DEIR. Additionally, no schools are located or proposed to be located within one-quarter mile of the proposed project area. Therefore, the proposed project would not emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school. This issue (Standard of Significance 3) will not be discussed further in this DEIR. METHODOLOGY This section analyzes the impacts associated with the proposed project and the risk of upset resulting from hazardous substances, waste contamination, or other potential threats to public safety that may exist on or in the vicinity of the project area. This analysis is based on information obtained from Department of Toxic Substances Control and Regional Water Quality Control Board databases, aerial imagery of the project area, and geographic information system analysis. The potential for project construction and operational activities to result in adverse environmental impacts associated with hazardous materials was examined in context with applicable federal, state, and local regulations to determine if a significant impact would occur. PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Transportation, Use, and Disposal of Hazardous Materials (Standard of Significance 1) Impact Implementation of the proposed project could result in the transport, use, and/or disposal of hazardous materials, which could result in exposure of such materials to the public either through routine use and transport or due to accidental release. This is a less than significant impact. The proposed project would result in the limited use, transportation, and storage of hazardous materials during both construction and operational phases (beyond current operations of the WWTP). The uses and storage during construction would include small amounts of solvents, Draft Environmental Impact Report July

11 lubricants, paints, fertilizers, and other hazardous materials required for the construction of the proposed facilities. As previously stated, filtered water leaving WWTP sand filters flows into contact pipes where the water is disinfected would be treated with liquid hypochlorite under the proposed project instead of chlorine gas as currently operated. Implementation of the proposed project would continue the use, transportation, and disposal of potentially hazardous materials on and in the vicinity of the project site, similar to existing conditions. The transportation of hazardous materials on area roadways is regulated by the CHP and the Hazardous Materials Transportation Law, and the use of hazardous materials is regulated by the DTSC (22 California Code of Regulations Sections 66001, et seq.). The use, storage, and transport of hazardous materials by developers, contractors, and wastewater treatment providers are required to be in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations during project construction and operation. Facilities that use hazardous materials may be required to obtain permits and comply with appropriate regulatory agency standards designed to avoid hazardous material releases. The WWTP is required to comply with federal, state, and local regulations regarding the storage, handling, transportation, disposal, and cleanup of hazardous materials. Furthermore, operators of facilities and/or businesses that handle hazardous materials in specific quantities are required to develop and submit a Business Plan to the Amador County Environmental Health Department, which is the local Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). Hazardous Materials Business Plans protect the public by providing: Hazardous materials storage information to emergency responders. Prevention of spills and releases through cooperation among businesses and local, state, and federal government authorities. Businesses and public service providers are required to disclose all hazardous materials and wastes above certain designated quantities which are used, stored, or handled at their facility. Continued compliance with the requirements of the Hazardous Materials Business Plan would ensure that impacts associated with the storage and sale of limited quantities of hazardous materials is a less than significant impact. Mitigation Measures None required. Accidental Release of Hazardous Materials (Standard of Significance 2) Impact The increased use of hazardous materials associated with the proposed project has the potential to result in an increased risk of accidental release of hazardous materials. This is considered a less than significant impact. Implementation of the proposed project could potentially result in increased storage and use of hazardous materials beyond current WWTP operations, which could consequently increase the risk of accidental release of hazardous materials. The California Accidental Release Prevention program, as administered by the Amador County Environmental Health Department, seeks to prevent accidental releases of regulated substances that potentially pose the greatest risk of immediate harm to the public and the environment. The program requires that any owner or operator of a stationary source with more than the threshold quantity of a regulated substance be evaluated to determine the potential for accidental releases. The list of substances regulated July Draft Environmental Impact Report

12 by the California Accidental Release Prevention program is located in Title 19, Article 8, Section of the California Code of Regulations. In addition, as identified in the discussion of Impact above, the use, disposal, and transportation of all hazardous materials associated with the proposed project would require compliance with federal, state, and local regulations regarding hazardous materials. Proper management of hazardous materials consistent with these regulations would serve to reduce the risk of accidental release of hazardous materials. Therefore, impacts associated with the accidental release of hazardous materials would be less than significant. Mitigation Measures None required. Interfere with an Adopted Emergency Response Plan or Emergency Evacuation Plan (Standard of Significance 7) Impact The proposed project would not impact roadways used to respond to hazardous materials incidents and/or for emergency evacuations. Therefore, impacts associated with adopted emergency response and evacuation plans would be less than significant. The Fire Department and the Amador Fire Protection District provide hazardous material and emergency response services to the. Currently, three full-time operators work at the WWTP. The proposed project is not expected to create a need for additional employees. Furthermore, operational truck trips, including those taken by employees and by waste haulers, are not expected to change as a result of the proposed WWTP expansion. Additional vehicle trips would be limited to occasional maintenance and inspection of effluent land disposal facilities. Therefore, the proposed project would not interfere with implementation of emergency response activities such as fire department response or emergency evacuation. The proposed project s potential to conflict with emergency response and emergency preparedness plans is less than significant. Mitigation Measures None required. Hazards Associated with Residual Agricultural Chemicals (Standard of Significance 2) Impact The proposed project includes soil-disturbing activities that could result in exposure to residual agricultural-related chemicals. This is a potentially significant impact. As Busi Ranch contains farmland that may have been subject to the application of residual agricultural-related chemicals, residual chemicals may be present at differing levels in soils. Implementation of the proposed project would result in soil-disturbing activities that could increase exposure of those on and in the vicinity of the project area to these hazardous agricultural-related chemicals. The nearest residential and commercial property lines are approximately 1,000 feet from the WWTP. Based upon the site plan, no residences are expected to be located within 200 feet of the effluent storage basin(s) or within 250 feet of the effluent land disposal system. Some construction activities could occur within 150 feet of the residences along the effluent pipeline. This is a potentially significant impact. Draft Environmental Impact Report July

13 Mitigation Measures MM Prior to any soil disturbance on the site, the City shall test on-site soils to determine concentrations of agricultural chemicals present. If contaminated soils are found on the project area as determined by applicable federal, state, and local standards at the time, they shall be excavated and disposed of at a certified hazardous waste disposal facility. Timing/Implementation: Enforcement/Monitoring: Prior to grading permit approval Implementation of mitigation measure MM would require on-site testing of soils for hazardous chemical residues and would also require that any hazardous soils discovered on the project area as a result of this testing would be removed and disposed of properly. Therefore, impacts would be reduced to a less than significant level. Public and Private Airport Hazards (Standards of Significance 5 and 6) Impact Implementation of the proposed project would not result in a safety hazard associated with people residing or working in the vicinity of a public or private airport. No impact would occur. The closest airport to the project site is the Amador County (Westover Field) Airport located just over 2 miles to the north, though this airport is outside of the Amador County Airport safety impact area and noise contour (ACALUC 1990). Therefore, the proposed project would not result in a safety hazard associated with people residing or working in the vicinity of a public or private airport. No impact would occur. Mitigation Measures None required. Wildland Fire Hazards (Standard of Significance 8) Impact Implementation of the proposed project would not expose people and structures to significant hazards involving wildland fires. This impact is considered to be less than significant. The proposed project would not increase the exposure to persons or structures to wildland fires beyond current conditions. The net effect of the project s proposed WWTP design upgrades is a substantial reduction in the amount of effluent discharged to Jackson Creek, particularly during dry seasons when creek flows can be very low to zero (effluent will continue to be discharged to Jackson Creek when compliance with the Waste Discharge Requirements can be met, most likely in winter months due to higher dilution rates). Therefore, while the project design is expected to result in compliance with the 2007 Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Order of a 5 percent effluent limit in Lake Amador under all conditions (normal year to drought year conditions), the reduced amount of effluent discharged to Jackson Creek during the dry season could also result in a reduction of water that could reduce the amount of vegetation able to exist along the creek. Jackson Creek vegetation, currently adapted to a steady water supply July Draft Environmental Impact Report

14 during the hot, dry summer months of the year, could potentially experience increasingly stressed conditions and even die-off during the initial years of project implementation until the vegetation along the creek adapts to the new conditions. Fuel is the material that feeds a fire and is a key factor in wildfire behavior. Fuel is generally classified by type and by volume. Fuel sources are diverse and include everything from dead tree needles and leaves, twigs, and branches to dead standing trees, live trees, brush, and cured grasses. This potential increase of dead matter as a result of the proposed project could result in additional fuel sources for wildland fire. While the project could result in the initial increase of dead plant matter along Jackson Creek, this phenomenon would be temporary as vegetation adapts to the new hydrologic conditions. In addition, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL-FIRE) provides fire protection in state responsibility areas, which cover the majority of Jackson Creek. Also, local fire protection services in Jackson and Amador County are provided by separate, but cooperative, districts, which include Amador Fire Protection District, Ione Fire Department, Jackson Fire Department, Jackson Valley Fire Protection District, Lockwood Fire Protection District, and Sutter Creek Fire Protection District. These local fire protection districts are responsible for responding to structural fires and wildland fires. Properties in the area are subject to Public Resources Code Section 4291 that requires defensible space clearance to be maintained around buildings and structures from 30 feet to a distance of 100 feet. Given these circumstances, this impact would be less than significant. It should also be noted that the project would provide wildland fire prevention benefits from the irrigation of Busi Ranch during the summer months. Mitigation Measures None required. Mosquito Vectors (Standard of Significance 2) Impact Implementation of the proposed project could result in the increased exposure of disease associated with mosquito vectors. This impact is considered to be potentially significant. Ponding of irrigated effluent on the proposed effluent land application area could provide breeding habitat for mosquitoes, which act as vectors for the West Nile virus. Any source of standing water regardless of size can provide breeding habitat for mosquitoes in the area. Mosquitoes are known to carry the West Nile virus, which can infect humans as well as birds, horses, and other animals and can be potentially deadly. While less than 1 percent of the people infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness, the Amador County Environmental Health Department provides public education regarding vectors and their impacts on public health. The Environmental Health Department responds to nuisance complaints associated with vectors in an attempt to limit the spread of vector borne diseases to the public. The proposed effluent storage basin(s) would create vector habitat. Therefore, the effluent storage basin(s) would need to be treated to prevent mosquito breeding. This impact is potentially significant before implementation of mitigation. Draft Environmental Impact Report July

15 Mitigation Measures MM The City shall implement all recommendations made by the Amador County Environmental Health Department for necessary measures to avoid ponding and treatments, including chemical control of the effluent storage basin(s). In addition, during the summer months the City shall monitor all effluent storage basin(s) for mosquito larvae, remove all emergent vegetation from the effluent storage basin(s), and use mechanical agitation to prevent the formation of any crust on the effluent storage basin(s). Timing/Implementation: Enforcement/Monitoring: Prior to grading permit approval Implementation of the above mitigation measure, as well as mitigation measure MM requiring the performance of routine site inspections before, during, and immediately after land application to assess zones both within and adjacent to the land application area which exhibit excess ponding, and management of any ponding through modification, would mitigate mosquito populations. Thus, this impact would be reduced to less than significant CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES CUMULATIVE SETTING Hazardous material, human health, and safety impacts are typically site-specific and are not cumulative by nature. Therefore, the cumulative setting for hazardous materials is limited to the areas surrounding the entirety of the project site area and do not include the projects listed in Table The project site (including the WWTP, effluent pipeline, and effluent storage basin(s)) is surrounded by agricultural and vacant land. There are no known hazardous sites on or in the vicinity of the project area. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Cumulative Hazards and Hazardous Material Impacts Impact The proposed project and projects in the surrounding area would not result in the addition of hazardous materials over planning thresholds. Impacts would therefore be less than cumulatively considerable. Cumulative hazardous material impacts would result if other existing, planned, or reasonably foreseeable projects in the vicinity of the project area included the addition of hazardous materials above planning thresholds. This would change the total amount of hazardous materials being transported over public roadways and being used and stored near the proposed project area. The project area is located in a rural area. There are no identified hazardous material sites on the proposed project area or in the surrounding area on adjacent sites. Surrounding land is vacant or agricultural and typically does not involve extensive use or transport of hazardous materials. The proposed project would not increase the exposure to persons or structures to wildland fires beyond current conditions. While the project could result in the initial increase of dead plant matter along Jackson Creek, this phenomenon would be temporary as vegetation adapts to July Draft Environmental Impact Report

16 the new hydrologic conditions. In addition, CAL-FIRE provides fire protection in state responsibility areas, which cover the majority of Jackson Creek. Also, local fire protection services in Jackson and Amador County are provided by separate, but cooperative, districts, which include Amador Fire Protection District, Ione Fire Department, Jackson Fire Department, Jackson Valley Fire Protection District, Lockwood Fire Protection District, and Sutter Creek Fire Protection District. These local fire protection districts are responsible for responding to structural fires and wildland fires. Properties in the area are subject to Public Resources Code Section 4291 that requires defensible space clearance to be maintained around buildings and structures from 30 feet to a distance of 100 feet. Furthermore, mitigation measures identified under Impact and above would reduce the proposed project s contribution to hazard impacts under cumulative conditions due to the requirement of on-site testing of soils for hazardous chemical residues and removal and disposal of any discovered contaminated soils as well as the requirement of coordination and adherence with Amador County Environmental Health Department recommendations regarding mosquito vector control. Therefore, the project s contribution to significant cumulative impacts to human health associated with hazards and hazardous materials or conditions is considered less than cumulatively considerable. Mitigation Measures None required. Draft Environmental Impact Report July

17 REFERENCES ACALUC (Amador County Airport Land Use Commission) Airport Land Use Plan for Westover Field, Amador County. October 1987, Amended July CalEPA (California Environmental Protection Agency) Accessed February DTSC (Department of Toxic Substances Control). 2011a. Accessed February b. EnviroStor. Accessed February 6, EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) Laws, Regulations, Guidance, and Dockets. Accessed February Laws and Regulations. Accessed February /index.html Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet Chlorine Disinfection. Accessed February 6. =EPA&Index=1995+Thru+1999&Docs=&Query=&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&Toc Restrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&IntQFiel dop=0&extqfieldop=0&xmlquery=&file=d%3a%5czyfiles%5cindex%20data%5c95thru9 9%5CTxt%5C %5C200044E0.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&Sort Method=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8 /x150y150g16/i425&display=p%7cf&defseekpage=x&searchback=zyactionl&back=zya ctions&backdesc=results%20page&maximumpages=1&zyentry=1&seekpage=x&zypurl. PHMSA (United States Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) Accessed February 6, SWRCB (State Water Resources Control Board) Geotracker. Accessed February 6. July Draft Environmental Impact Report

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