HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdopt Mitigated Negative Declaration of EIR for the Portola Ave. Bridge over Whitewater ChannelCITY OF PALM DESERT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Waive Further Reading and Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration
of Environmental Impact for the Portola Avenue Bridge over the
Whitewater Channel Project (Project # 647-04)
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., City Engineer
DATE: April 28, 2005
CONTENTS: Resolution
Mitigated Negative Declaration
Letters of Comment
Mitigated Monitoring and Reporting Program
Vicinity Map
Recommendation:
By minute motion; waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. os-32
,
approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for the
Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel.
Executive Summary:
In October 2004, City Council awarded the design contract for the Portola Bridge project to
Moffatt & Nichol of Irvine, California. As part of the design process an environmental
document was prepared. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration underwent a 30-
day public review which ended on April 18, 2005. during the public review period, comments
were received from the Native American Heritage Commission and the South Coast Air
Quality Management District. These comments did not identify any impacts not previously
addressed in the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. Based upon an analysis of
potential impacts from the project, mitigation measures have been prepared which will reduce
project impacts to levels that are less than significant.
Discussion:
The environmental assessment was prepared in consultation with the project-consulting
engineers, consulting noise engineers and biologists. Review of the potential environmental
impacts that might be associated with the proposed Portola Avenue Bridge over the
Whitewater Channel included a comprehensive assessment that identified aesthetics,
agricultural resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geologic issues,
environmental hazards, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, mineral
resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, traffic and
transportation, utilities and service systems, and mandatory findings of significance as areas
of potential adverse impact.
Staff Report
Waive Further Reading and Adopt Resolution No. 0_�� Approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration of
Environmental Impact for the Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel (CIP #647-04)
Page 2 of 5
April 28, 2005
Given that in order to facilitate the continued level of service provided by public service
agencies such as fire, police, and schools, these organizations will be notified no less than
four weeks prior to the commencement of roadway demolition and grading activities by the
City of Palm Desert, the project report therefore indicated there would be no significant
impact to the preceding areas of concern, with the exception of two categories that would
require mitigation. The following is a description of those categories and recommended
mitigation measures:
I. Air Quality
The pollutants for which the eastern Riverside portion of the Salton Sea Air Basin (SSAB) is
designated a non-attainment area for national ambient standards are ozone (03) and fine
particulate matter (PM,o). 03 is a colorless, odorless pollutant formed by a chemical reaction
between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) in the presence of
sunlight. The primary sources of VOCs and NOx are mobile, including cars, trucks, buses,
and agricultural and construction equipment. PM,o is borne by fugitive dust caused by soil
disturbances such as construction grading.
Although the primary objective of the proposed roadway improvements is to eliminate road
closures during storm and high water periods, it will also eliminate steep grades and, thereby,
reduce vehicle gearing, which wiJl have a slightly positive impact on air quality. Because the
proposed project is not considered a traffic-generating use, the air quality analysis focuses on
the short-term construction impacts of the proposed project.
Project-related emission levels for CO, ROC, and PM,o would result in a less-than-significant
impact. The generation of NOX emissions is almost entirely due to engine combustion in
construction equipment and employee commuting. Implementation of mitigation measures
would reduce NOx emissions to a level resulting in the proposed project not violating any air
quality standards.
Although daily project-related PM�a emissions would be below the South Coast Air Quality
Management District (SCAQMD) threshold of significance, dust suppression measures are
recommended because the project would occur in an area designated as non-attainment for
PM�o. Implementation of the following Mitigation Measures as listed in the environmental
document would minimize dust (particulate matter) impacts resulting from project-related
construction activities:
MM 3-1 All diesel fuel brought on-site for use by construction equipment shall be low
sulfur diesel fuel. The use of low sulfur diesel fuel is required for stationary construction
equipment by SCAQMD Rules 431.1 and 431.2.
MM 3-2 All construction vehicles and equipment brought on-site shall be equipped with
diesel particulate filters.
G'•Pub\Vorks•Seaff Repons�=00S_�pril ;8`.Adupt \eg Impact Study Ponola Bridge 64.'-Oa doc
Staff Report
Waive Further Reading and Adopt Resolution No. n5—��Approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration of
Environmental Impact for the Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel (CIP #647-04)
Page 3 of 5
April 28, 2005
MM 3-3 Further reduce construction equipment emissions by implementing the following
measures to the greatest extent feasible. Some additional gains in emission control will be
realized from the implementation of these measures.
■ Maintain construction equipment engines consistent with manufacturers'
recommendations.
■ Turn construction equipment off when not in use.
■ Use cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for operating equipment.
■ Utilize post-combustion controls in combustion engine construction equipment.
■ Configure construction parking to minimize traffic interference.
■ Schedule construction operations affecting traffic for off-peak hours.
■ Develop a Traffic Control Plan to minimize traffic flow interference from construction
activities.
■ Utilize existing power sources (i.e., power poles) when feasible. This measure would
minimize the use of higher polluting gas or diesel generators.
■ Use low emission mobile construction equipment. To the greatest extent practicable,
California Air Resources Board (CARB)-certified equipment should be used for
construction activities. A fraction of all the active construction equipment is CARB-
certified. Depending on regional construction activities some or all of the CARB-
certified construction equipment may be utilized on other projects. When available,
CARB-certified construction equipment shall be utilized prior to non-CARB certified
equipment.
■ Consider the use of alternative diesel fuel formulations such as PuriNOX r"' and Amber
363 to the extent feasible.
■ Encourage the use of low sulfur diesel fuel for vehicles not fueled on site, including
haul trucks.
MM 3-4 The contractor shall be required to submit a Dust Control Plan to the Public
Works Department for review and approval prior to issuance of a demolition or grading
permit. This requirement shall be placed on the cover of the grading plans. The Dust Control
Plan shall be consistent with the Coachella Valley State Implementation Plan (CVSIP) and
the Public Works Department's existing policies and standards and, at a minimum, will
incorporate the following measures:
All construction contractors shall comply with the Dust Control Plan and applicable
SCAQMD regulations. To ensure that the project is in full compliance and that there
are no nuisance impacts off-site, the contractor shall implement the following:
2
3.
4.
Cease all dust-generating demolition, grading and/or construction operations
during winds in excess of 25 miles per hour.
Maintain a vehicular speed of not more than 15 miles per hour on unpaved
roads.
Moisten soil not more than 15 minutes prior to moving it.
Water exposed surfaces at least twice a day under calm conditions and as often
as needed on windy days or during very dry weather in order to maintain a
G'�P�bN'orki•StafiReports•ZOOS•.April 28',.�.dopt \eg Impact St�dy Ponola Brkige 647�OJ doc
Staff Report
Waive Further Reading and Adopt Resolution No. 05-32Approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration of
Environmental Impact for the Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel (CIP #647-04)
Page 4 of 5
April 28, 2005
surface crust and prevent the release of visible emissions from the construction
site.
5. Apply soil stabilizers to inactive areas.
6. Provide for street sweeping, as needed, on adjacent roadways to remove dirt
dropped by construction vehicles or mud which would otherwise be carried off
by trucks departing project sites.
7. All trucks entering or leaving the site with material shall use tarps to minimize
fugitive dust or materials released during transit.
8. All stockpiles of earth at the construction site shall be covered with tarps to
minimize fugitive dust release.
Implementation of Mitigation Measures 3-1 through 3-4 would reduce project-related air
quality impacts to a level considered less than significant.
II. Bioloqical Resources
Of the plant species that occur in the vicinity of the City of Palm Desert, 11 species that are
listed or proposed for listing as endangered or threatened by the California Department of
Fish and Game (CDFG) and/or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), or are
considered List 1 B or List 2 species by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) are known
to occur. Five special-status plant species have potential to occur on the project site,
including one federally listed endangered species (i.e., the Coachella Valley milk-vetch).
Evidence (i.e., tracks) of larger mammal species, including bobcat, coyote, and desert kit fox
was observed on the project site during the survey. These species likely use the project side
as a movement corridor between open space areas to the east and west of the Portola
Avenue dip crossing.
Implementation of the following Mitigation Measures as listed in the environmental document
would avoid potential impacts to special-status plant species and terrestrial wildlife resulting
from project-related construction activities:
MM 4-1 Focused surveys for the Coachella Valley milk-vetch were conducted by a
qualified botanist during the Spring of 2005, and no population was identified.
MM 4-2 If construction is scheduled to proceed between March 1 and August 31, no
more than seven days prior to the onset of construction activities (e.g., vegetation clearing or
grading), a qualified biologist will conduct a pre-construction nesting raptor survey within the
limits of project disturbance and adjacent areas for the presence of any active raptor nests.
If a raptor nest is found, the folfowing restrictions on construction will be required between
March 1 and August 31 (or until nests are no longer active as determined by a qualified
biologist): 1) clearing limits will be established with a minimum of 500 feet in any direction
from any occupied raptor nest exhibiting nesting activity; and 2) access and surveying will not
be allowed within 100 feet of any raptor nest exhibiting nesting activity, or as otherwise
determined by a qualified biologist. Any encroachment into the 500/100-foot buffer area
G'•Pub\�'orks•Staf( Reporti•2005•,4pril ?6`.Adopt Veg Impact Study Portola Bridge 647�0.1 doc
Staff Report
Waive Further Reading and Adopt Resolution No. 05-32 Approving the Mitigated Negative
Declaration of Environmental Impact for the Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater
Channel (CIP #647-04)
Page 5 of 5
April 28, 2005
around the known nest is allowed only if it is determined by a qualified biologist that the
proposed activity shall not disturb the nest occupants.
MM 4-3 During excavation or drilling in the Whitewater River Channel, the contractor
shall ensure that all trenches or holes associated with the installation of the bridge piles or
other project construction are fenced or completely covered to exclude native wildlife.
Fencing should include silt fencing at the base to prevent small mammals or reptiles from
being entrapped.
MM 4-4 Prior to impacts to jurisdictional "waters of the U.S. and State" on-site, the
applicant shall obtain a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit, California
Department of Fish and Game Section 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement, and a
Regional Water Quality Control Board Section 401 Water Quality Certification. In this case,
the removal of a dip-crossing type roadway structure and replacement with a bridge structure
would expose areas of Whitewater River that had previously been covered by the roadway.
Therefore, the recovery of the river bottom should represent a"self-mitigating" design
element which offsets project impacts.
In assessing this information, staff is confident that with the recommended mitigation
measures, the overall impact of the proposed Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater
Channel will have a positive effect on the environment as well as the community.
Therefore, staff recommends that City Council, by minute motion, approve Resolution No.
05-32 approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for the
subject project.
Submitted By:
.�"' . ��
f�iark ree od, P.E. .
C�ty E gine
Approval
I�[�
/dhl
Department Head:
Mi a Err te P.E. �
Dir to of blic Works
�
�
City Manager
G•.PubWerks'3ROJECTS'�637�04 Ponola.4�cnue Bndge'StafFRepons�AdoEx ihe Im[ial �fit Neg Study Portola Bridge G47�04 de�:
RESOLUTION NO. 05-32
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION FOR THE PORTOLA AVENUE BRIDGE OVER THE
WHITEWATER CHANNEL.
WHEREAS, the City Council on the 14�h and 28th day of April, 2005, held
public hearings as required by law, at which hearings all persons interested in or
objecting to the proposed Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel were
heard, and said public hearings were duly and regularly closed; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert considered such
matter and finds the following facts, findings, and reasons to justify certification of said
Environmental Assessment:
1. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration underwent a 30-day public
review, which ended on April 18, 2005. During the public review period,
comments were received from Native American Heritage Commission and the
South Coast Air Quality Management District. These comments did not identify
any impacts not previously address in the Initial StudylMitigated Negative
Declaration.
2. The proposed Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel Project will
not be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of the community,
either indirectly, or directly, in that the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
identified no significant unmitigated impacts.
3. The proposed Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel Project will
not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially
reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife population to drop below self sustaining
levels, threaten to efiminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or
restrict the range of rare or endangered plants or animals. Focused surveys for
the Coachella Valley milk-vetch, a Federally listed Endangered species, were
conducted by a qualified botanist during Spring 2005 and were determined to not
be present on the site.
4. There is no evidence before the City that the proposed project will have the
potential for an adverse effect on wildlife resources or the habitat on which the
wildlife depends. A qualified biologist will conduct a pre-construction nesting
raptor survey within the limits of project disturbance and adjacent.
5. The proposed Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel Project will
not have the potential to achieve short-term environmental goals, to the
disadvantage of long-term environmental goals, as no significant unmitigated
effects on environmental factors have been identified by the Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration.
... .. ....-- - . .. .-.-»-�,. -
Resolution No. 05-32
6. The proposed Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel Project will
not result in impacts, which are individually limited or cumulatively considerable
when considering planned or proposed development in the immediate vicinity, as
development patterns in the area will not be significantly affected by the
proposed project.
7. The proposed Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel Project will
not have environmental effects that will adversely affect the human population,
either directly or indirectly, as no significant and unmitigated impacts have been
identified which would affect human health, risk potential or public services.
8. There is no substantial evidence in light of the entire record that the project may
have a significant, unmitigated effect on the environment.
9. The proposed Portola Avenue Bridge over the Whitewater Channel project is
consistent with the Circulation Element and other provisions of the City Gene�al
Plan.
10. The proposed project is an infrastructure improvement that would provide
benefits for a number of the disciplines addressed in the initial study, including
but not limited to aesthetics, air quality, hazards to public safety, hydrology and
water quality, noise, and traffic and transportation.
11. California Public Resource Code 21081.6 requires that a lead agency or
responsible agency adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
(MMRP) when approving or carrying out a p�oject where an environmental
document, either an environmental impact report (EIR) or a Mitigated Negative
declaration (MND), has identified measures to reduce potential adverse
environmental impacts. The City of Palm Desert is the lead agency for the
Portola Avenue Bridge project and therefore is responsible for the
implementation of the MMRP. A MND has been prepared #or this project which
addresses the potential environmental impacts and, where appropriate,
recommends measures to mitigate these impacts. An MMRP is therefore
required to ensure that the adopted mitigation measures are successfully
implemented. Therefore, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert adopts this
MMRP in its capacity as lead agency in accordance with the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and its implementing guidelines.
12. The location
Public Works
California.
and custodian of the City's records relating to this project is the
Department located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert,
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert,
California, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLL�WS:
Page 2 of 3
Resolution No. 05-32
1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitutes the findings of
the City Council for this Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration.
2. That it does hereby certify the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for
the reasons set forth in this Resolution and as stated in the Environmental
Assessment Checklist on file in the Public Works Department
3. That the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration reflects the independent
judgment of the City.
That the City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, shall cause a
certified copy of this resolution and order it to be recorded in the Office of the County
Recorder of Riverside County, California.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, on this day of , 2005, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Buford A. Crites, Mayor
City of Palm Desert, California
RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
City of Palm Desert, California
Page 3 of 3
� RESOLUTION N0. 05-32
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NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMISSION
9i6 CAPiTOL 1AALL, ROOM 36a
S/LCRMAENTO. CA 95814
(8�� G�-4�82 •
(9t6� 857�ssso - Fax
Mr. Mike ErraMe
City of Palm Deae�t
73510 Fned Waring t)rive
Palm Opsert, CA 9226Q
Re: Portola Avenue 6ric�e Project
scH# zoasoa� o�
De�r Mr. Errante ;
Apri118, 2005
�d,iS.:i.�s��.,. Ga�nrr
:;�??�
� . r."
� =::: J
Thank you tcr the oQporwntcy tn comment on the ahove-me�tioned docume�t. The Commission
was able to perfomt a r+eccrd se�ch of its Sacc�d Lands Fle fvr the project area, which feiled tc ind'�cat�e
the pr+esence of Native Americ� cuttural resources in the immed�te prvject erea. The at�senoe af
Specific Sibe information !n the SaC�ed Lands Fla dves not indic�e the absencc of cultursl r+esouroes in
any pnoject aree. OL�er snun�s oi cutttuai resou�ces should also be oont�act�d fer informaticn regarding
kncM+n and recorded sites.
Earty c�nsuttatSon with tr�es in �rour area i9 the b�t way tar �void unsnbidpa�ed discav�riec onoe
a pIOJ�Ct is uttdelWay. End�eed Ls a list of Nabve A.�.. �:.�. ,., individuslslotgenir�tione that maiy have
knowledc,� ot cultural resou�es in the project area Thc Comni�aion rnekes no recomrnendation of �
single i�d'nridual or gro� over anotfivr_ Plea�c coMact afl thoee I'isted; if ihey cannot suppty you with
specitic iMormetia��. they may be abfc !o r000�nmend athers with speqfic knowtedge. By conlacLing aN
those lisbed, rour organiiatibn wiU bc better able to respond tc daims af faih,re to oonsult with me
appropriade tribe or group. tf you hav�e not r+eoeived a response within two week�' tirr�e, we recommend
that you follow-up with a t�cbphone qll to make sure that the inf+ormation was reoeNeo.
Lack of swfaoe cvidenoe af arch�alogicat resouroes does not predude the exisLence of .
ar�eological reso�rxs. Leed aa�ne�s should oonsidPr a�adance- a� de(lneo In S�r.tien 1537n�
C�.QA Ou'�delin�, when sianifi„ t a,tbural resou�s could be affect�d t�v a �rd� Poo�sions should
abo be includcd for accidenCaliy d'�soovered arch�olog'�ca1 respurces duhng construct'wn per Califvmia
Emiironmcnt�l Quarit�f Aet (CEQAj, Public Resouroes Code §15flC,4.5 (fj. Heafth sr�d Safe�y Code
§7050.5; and Public Resources Cade §509T.96 mandate ihe proc�cs to be failowed in the � of an
aocident9l dieoo�+ary of arry human remaiRs in � bcaho�n other than a dedicated cemetery and ShOUId be
includsd � all environme�al doeuments_ ff you �ave any quastions, plp.ase cv� me at (916} 853-
6261,
Sinoe►ely.
��. ��� �
`�
Carol Gaubati ,, �
Program Ana '
Cc: Scatie Ctea�ringhouse
Received Apr-18-2005 15:33 From-616 657 5390 To-PALN DESERT PI�LIC W Pa�e 001
Od/18/2005 16:28 FAZ 916 657 5390 NAHC [�J002/002
Samuel H. Duniap �
P.O. Box 1391
Temecula � CA 92593
(909) 262-9351 (Cell)
(909) 693-9196 FAX
Native Ama�lcan Conta�ts
Riverside CouMy
April 18, 2005
Augustine Band of Mission Indians
Karin Kupcha, Tribaf Administrator
Gabriefina P.O. Box 129i Cahuilla
Cahuilla Yuoca Yal)ey , CA 92286
L.uiseno (760; 365-1373
(760) 36.5-2664 Fax
Alvino Siva
2034 W. W�.�tward Cahuilla
Banning 92220
� CA
(951) 849�450
Anthony J. Andreas� J�.
3022 W. Nicolei Street Cahuilla
Bannin � CA 92220
(909) 8�9-5844
Agua Caleente 6and of Cahuilla Indians
Richard Mi{anovich, Chairperson
�00 Tahquitz Wa y Cahuilla
Pa1m Springs , CA sz2s2
�(7�) 3�2,5-�0�leryte.net
(760) 325-0593 Fax
Augw^�tine Band of Mission Indians
Msryann Martin, Chairperson
�'-Q- �x � Cahuilla
Cpachella . CA 92236
(760) 398-4?22
TNs tlat Is tumeni oNll as of the da0e of tlds decurtleltit.
Cabazon Band of Mis.sion Indians
John A. Jam�s, Chairperson
84-245 tndio Sprtngs Parkway Cahuilla
(ndio , CA �'ao�a�
IweaverG �azonindians.o�g
(760 34�2-C�S�i
(760; 347-7880 Fax
Cabazon Band ot Misslon lndians
Judy Stapp, Directnr of Cultu�l Affdirs
84-245 Indio Springs Parkway Cahuula
Indio . CA �a�
Iweaver@ cabazonindians.org
(760) 342-2583
(760) 347-7880 F�x
Cabazon Band of Mission Inciians
E3itl AI'tder'son, Environmentai Manager
84-245 Indio Springs Parkway Cahuilla
Indio . CA �aae�
lweavert�tcabazonirrdians.org
(760) 342 2593
(760) 347-7880 Fex
Dlsbr�+tlon ot ttd� Mst dooG not rdla,re arq► o+rsee of s�ppor�► re�potes�up�y ae ae�nad in sedlnn 7oso.5 ot u1e H0d1m a110
3�de4► Coda� Seetlo� 5�097.94 M ihe Pubse Ra�aases Co�de �nd Ss�.ifon 5D9�!'.98 d th� Publlc Rrso�r�ess Cad�
���i Awr ��9Ci� 2DOr'�O�f0��92. �wrald� ��s wnn ewg,re ��••••� recoum� s�rnant tor tne p�oposeo
Recaived Apr-18-2005 15:33 From-916 657 5390 To-PAL�I DESERT PUBLIC W PaQe 002
t � � South Coast
� . . . .
Alr Quality Mana�ement District
21865• Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 9 1 765-4 1 78
� ' � (909) 396-2000 • www.aqmd.gov
FAXED: APRIL I5, 2005
Mr. Mike Errante, Director of Public Works
City of Palm Desert
Palm Desert Civic Center
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
c��f �
� fi� � �
7� L�� �L
April 15, 2005
Mitisated Negative Declaration (MNDI for the Pronosed Portola Avenue Brid�e
� Pruiect
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) appreciates the
opportunity to comment on the above-mentioned document. The following comments
are meant as guidance for the Lead Agency and should be incorporated into the Final
Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND).
Please provide the SCAQMD with written responses to all comments contained herein
prior to the adoption of the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration. The SCAQMD would
be happy to work with the Lead Agency to address these issues and any other questions
that may arise. Please contact Gordon Mize, Air Quality Specialist — CEQA Section, at
(909) 396-3302, if you have any questions regarding these comments.
Sincerely,
.
�� �'Y~1�
Steve Smith, Ph.D.
Program Supervisor, CEQA Section
Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources
Attachment
�Y.�t3�ui
RVC050309-01
Control Number
_ REc��ti���
��`� � � �';�:
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
CITY OF PAL��1 CES�R7
� � > > - : . , k , . . . . , . , • '..�. � ;.' . .
Mr. Mike Errante, -I- April 15, 2005
Director of Public Works
MitiEated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Proposed Portola Avenue Brid�e
Proiect
In Section III. Air Quality on page 15 of the Draft MND, the lead agency proposes
mitigation measures MM 3-2 and MM 3-3 (the use of diesel particulate filters and
aqueous diesel fuel) to reduce NOx emissions from construction vehicles and
equipment. In Appendix A(L7RBEMIS Air Quality Modeling}, the lead agency has
activated these measures as shown in the URBEMIS 2002 output sheets along with an
additional measure, the use of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).
It is recemmended tha� the lead agency investigate the availability of aqueous diesel
fuel and off-road mobile sources equipped with EGR and diesel particulate filters.
Currently, the availability of equipment filters with these technologies is relatively
limited, so they may not be available for use by the project proponent to completely
mitigate construction air quality impacts. It is recommended that the lead agency
document the availability of construction equipment fitted with control technologies
and the availability of tow sulfur diesel or aqueous diesel projects or identify
additional mitigations to ensure that construction air quality impacts are not
significant.
F��CEIVED ,
AFP� 1 8 �UG5
PUBLJC WORKS DEPART���"'T
�� �,. „ . .
REQUEST:
SUBMITTED BY:
DATE:
CONTENTS:
Recommendation:
MEETING DATE "i %1 ' OS
CONTINUED TO e.
CITY OF PALM DES =I PASSED TO 2ND READING
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
Public Hearing for Environmental Impact Report for the
Portola Bridge over the Whitewater Channel (Project 647-04)
Mark Greenwood, P.E.
City Engineer
April 14, 2005
Vicinity Map
City Council by minute motion, continue Public Hearing for
Environmental Impact Report for the Portola Avenue Bridge over
the Whitewater Channel.
Discussion:
On March 9, 2005 a Notice of Availability/Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative
Declaration was published by the City Clerk. Within that Notice a hearing date of
April 14, 2005 at 4:00 P.M. was scheduled.
On March 17, 2005, the State of California clearinghouse, an agency that
distributes all copies of the report to concerned government agencies, informed
our office that the appropriate copies had not been distributed as per schedule.
Due to the mandatory thirty (30) day review period, we were required to extend
the review period until April 18, 2005.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is scheduled for April 28,
2005. We would ask that the hearing be continued until that date.
Staff Report -
Continue Public Hearing for Portola Bridge over the Whitewater Channel
Page 2 of 2
April 14, 2005
Therefore, staff recommends that City Council continue the Public Hearing
scheduled for April 14, 2005 to April 28, 2005, at 4:00 P.M.
Submitted B
Mark Greenwood, P.E.
City Engineer
Approval:
r
for Dement Services City Manage
Department Head:
Michael Errante, P.E.
Director of Public Works
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� MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
FOR PORTOLA AVENUE BRIDGE
� OVER WHITEWATER CHANNEL
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA �
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� " Prepared For:
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� City of Pa1m Desert
Palm Desert Civic �enter
73-510 Fred Waring Drive �
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Contact: Mark Errante
(760) 346-0611
. �Prepared by:
� BonTerra Consulting
151 Kalmus Drive, Suite E-200
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 •
(714) 444-9199
� Coniact: Dana Privi�t
� Associate Principal, EnvirQnmental/
� Planning Services
April 2� , 2005
PoRola Avenue Bridge
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ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM
I. iNTRODUCTION
1. Project Title: Po�tola Avenue 8ridge
2. Lead Agency Name and Address:
City of Palm Desert
73-510 Fred Waring D�ive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
3. Contact Person and Phone Number:
Mike Errante
(760) 346-0611
4. Project Location: The project site consists of approximately 5 acres within and adjacent to
the Whitewater River wash at the Portola Avenue dip crossing in the City of Palm Desert,
Riverside County. The project site is located on the U.S. Geological Sunrey's La Quinta,
7.5-minute California Quadrangle at Township 5S, Range 6E, and includes the central
portion of Section 17. The regional location and local vicinity of the project site are
presented in Exhibits 1 and 2, respectively.
5. Project Sponsor's Name and Address: City of Palm Desert
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
6. General Plan Designation: Open Space, Low/Medium Density Residential
7. Zoning: D(Orainagevvay, Floodway, or Watercourse)
8. Description of Project: The proposed project involves elevating an 1100-foot-long section of
Portola Avenue from about 300 feet north of Magnesia Falls Drive to about 120 feet north of
Quicksilver Drive in the City of Palm Desert. In this area, Portola Avenue currently exists as
a dip crossing over the Whitewater Channel and is subject to closures under moderate
channel flow conditions. The proposed project would provide an elevated all-weather
crossing of the channel following the existing centerline alignment. A 437-foot long bridge
with a roadway width of 88 feet (curb-to-curb} would be provided; the roadway would
transition to 70 feet to match the existing roadway south of the bridge and to 7fi feet to
match the existing roadway north of the bridge. An 8-foot-wide sidewalk would be provided
along both sides of the bridge as well as along the east side of Portola Avenue from
Magnesia Falls Drive to the south end of the bridge and from the north end of the bridge to
Quicksilver Drive. A 4-foot-wide high retaining wall would be provided behind the sidewalk
near Magnesia Falls Drive and Quicksilver Drive to accommodate the addition of the
sidewalk. The project design as shown on an aerial is presented on Exhibit 3.
The proposed grade along Portola Avenue at the Quicksilver Drive inte�section would be
approximately two feet higher than the existing grade. This would require re-grading a short
—' portion of Quicksilver Drive and raising the adjacent traffic signals. As part of this effort, the
entrance gate to the Chaparral Country Club would be relocated about 20 feet to the east.
—, Landscaped roadway side slopes wou4d be utilized in embankment areas at the bridge
approaches to enhance visual appeal and would be finished with drought resistant
landscaping. Existing irrigation systems would be extended to provide water for the plants.
r., Temporary construction easeme�ts would be obtained to facilitate placement of the
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'— embankments. The bridge would also include special aesthetic treatments for the
belvederes and barriers, as well as >4.5-foot-high railing to accommodate bicyclists.
— Curb inlets would be provided along Portola Avenue to collect and channel surface drainage
inta dry we44s or swale areas at embankments. AN runoff would be routed either through dry
wells or swale areas prior to discharge into the channel. Channel improvements consist of
_. extending the channel lining just upstream of the bridge and transitioning to join the 96-inch
storm drain outlets just downstream of the bridge. The existing crossing would be removed
and the channel invert graded to match the adjacent channel. Vertical clearance beneath
� the bridge soffit would provide at least one foot of freeboard above the "Standard Project
Flood" and three feet of clearance above the 100-year flood. The existing Coachella Valley
Water District (CVWD) waterlines along the west side of Portola Avenue would be relocated
at the bridge approaches and other utility relocations, involving telephone and cable TV lines
"�" as well as adjustments to Southern California Edison (SCE) vaults, would be performed by
utility companies.
— The bridge would be constructed in two stages to maintain existing traffic flow. A 28-foot
minimum width roadway would be provided at all times. A rubberized asphalt overlay would
be placed on the completed bridge deck to minimize traffic noise.
The superstructure of the bridge would use pre-cast California "I" girders. The foundations
would utilize cast-in-drilled-hole concrete piling (this to be confirmed after the geotechnical
... investigation).
9. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting: The majority of the project site is within the Whitewater
� River Channel. The Whitewater River is the largest river in the Indio Sub-basin which
encompasses the Coachella VaNey. It drains in a southeastward direction to the Salton
Sea. Topography on the project site is relatively flat, with elevations ranging from
...
approximately 130 to 175 feet (ft) above mean sea level (msl).
The Whitewater River channel consists of sloped concrete sides with a sandy substrate
bottom that is repeatedly disturbed by flood control channel maintenance procedures (e.g.,
�- vegetation and sediment removal). The existing river channel crossing at Portola Avenue
consists of a four-lane roadway without sidewalk improvements. The roadway is
approximately 22 feet below the top of the channel lining and surrounding land uses and
— crosses the Whitewater River over three arch channel culverts 6.75 feet in diameter. These
culverts were installed to prevent street closures during very low-flow conditions and Portola
Avenue accasionally closes during moderate-flow storm events.
Surrounding land uses consist of residential and recreational development including a gated
residential area and golf course to the northwest and northeast, mobile home parks to the
^ southwest, and a gated detached condominium complex to the southeast.
10.Other public agencies whose approval is required (e.g., permits, financing approval, or
participation agreement.): Consultation with the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and
"" California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is required to obtain permits for
construction within the Whitewater River Channel. Additionally, an encroachment permit is
required from the Coachella Valley Water District for construction within the Whitewater
^ River Channel.
�
� R�PrqectsV�AottanW0161MND-0a2i05Ooc 2 Mitigated Negative Dec/aration
0
PoRola Avenue Bridge
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II. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:
The environmental factors checked betow would be potentially affected by this project, involving
— at least one impact that is a"Potentially Significant Impact" as indicated by the checklist on the
following pages.
�
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❑�
Aesthetics
❑ Agricultural Resources
❑ Cultural Resources
❑ Hydrology/Water Quality
❑ Air Quality
❑ Geology/Soils
❑ Land Use/Planning
� Population/Housing
Biological Resources
Hazards 8
Hazardous Materials
Mineral Resources
� Noise
� Public Services � Recreation � TransportationlTraffic
� � Utilities/Service � Mandatory Findings of Significance
Systems
—' III. DETERMINATION: (To be completed by the Lead Agency.)
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
-- � I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the
environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
,�., � I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the
environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the
project have been made by or agreed to be the project proponent. A MITIGATED
w NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
� I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
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� I find that the proposed project MAY have a"potentially significant impact" or "potentially
significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has
been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards,
and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as
described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required,
but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.
� I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the
environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed
adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to the applicable
standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or
NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are
imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.
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Date
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Signature
For
^ R�Pro�ectsWloHatt1J0161MN0-042105 Coc 3 Mitigated Negative Declaration
Porto7a Avenue Bridge
— EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
1) A brief explanation is required for all answers except "No Impact" answers that are adequately
.— supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses foilowing each
question. A"No ImpacY' answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources
show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls
outside a fault rupture zone). A"No Impact" answer should be explained where it is based on
" project-specific factors as well as general standards (e.g., the project will not expose sensitive
receptors to pollutants, based on a project-specific screening analysis).
�— 2) All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off-site as well as on-site,
cumulative as well as project-level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as
operational impacts.
—' 3) Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the
checklist answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant
with mitigation, or less than significant. "Potentially Significant Impact' is appropriate if there is
�.. substantial evidence that an effect may be significant. If there are one or more "Potentially
Significant Impact" entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required.
4) "Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated" applies where the
" incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from "Potentially Significant ImpacY' to
a"Less than Significant Impact." The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and
briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level (mitigation measures
... from Section XVII, "Earlier Analysis," may be cross-referenced).
5) Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA
process, an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration.
'�' Section 15063 (c)(3)(D). In this case, a brief discussion should identify the following:
a) Earlier Analysis Used. Identify and state where they are available for review.
,.., b) Impacts Adequately Addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within
the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal
standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on
the earlier analysis.
" c) Mitigation Measures. For effects that are "Less than Significant with Mitigation Measures
Incorporated," describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the
earlier document and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project.
..,
6) Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources
for potential impacts (e.g., general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously
prepared or outside document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or
� pages where the statement is substantiated.
7) Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached, and other sources used or
individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion.
8) This is only a suggested form, and lead agencies are free to use different formats; however, lead
agencies should normally address the questions from this checklist that are relevant to a projecYs
�-- environmental effects in whatever format is selected.
9) The explanation of each issue should identify:
...
a) the significance criteria or threshold, if any, used to evaluate each question; and
b) the mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significance.
R�Pro�ectslMOHanU0�6�MND-0a2105 aoc 4 Mrtigated Negative Declaration
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Portola Avenue Bndge
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SECTION 4— ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM
This section includes the completed environmental checklist form. The checklist form is used to
assist in evaluating the potential envi�onmental impacts of the proposed project. The checklist
form identifies potential project effects as follows: (1) Potentially Significant Impact;
(2) Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated; (3) Less Than Significant Impact; and,
(4) No Impact. Substantiation and clarification for each checklist response is provided in
Section 5(Environmental Evaluationj. Inc(uded in each discussion are mitigation measures, as
appropriate, that are recommended for implementation as part of the proposed project.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
(See attachments for information sources)
1. AESTHETICS. Would Lhe project:
a) Affect a scenic vista or scenic highway?
b) Have a demonstrable negative aesthetic effect?
c) Create adverse light or glare effects?
11. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as
shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural
use?
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or
a Williamson Act contract?
c) Involve other changes in the existing environment
which, due to their location or nature, couid result in
conversion of farmland, to non-agricultural use?
III. AIR QUALtTY. Wou/d the project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan?
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute to an
existing or projected air quality violation?
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase
of any criteria pollutant for which the project region
is non-attainment under an applicable federal or
: state ambient air quality standard (including
releasing emissions which exceed quantitative
thresholds for ozone precursors)?
d) Expose sensitive receptors to pollutant?
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial
number of people?
N, BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Wou/d ihe project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or
through habitat modificatfons, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special
status species in local or regional plans, policies, or
regulations, or by the California Department of Fish
and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
Potentlally
Slgnificant
Potentlally Uoless
SignlflcaM MitlgaUon
Impad Incorporated
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R\Pro�ectsNAoHanU0�6�MND-042105 Goc 5 M�Ggated Negative Declaration
Poriola Avenue Bridge
� - . . _— PotenWily .
Signiflwnt
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Potentlally umeas �ess rnan
SigniflcaM Mtdgadon Slgniflcartt Mo
_ (See attachments for information sources) tmpect in�orporaced imPacc impac�
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian ❑ a � ❑
habitat or other sensitive natural community
_ identified in local or regional plans, policies,
regulations or by the Califomia Department of Fish
and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service?
' c) Have a substantiaf adverse effect on federally ❑ ❑ � o
"�' protected wetiands as defined by Section 404 of .
the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to,
marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) Through direct
... I removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other
means?
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any c � ❑ ❑
„_ native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species
or with established native resident or migratory
wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native
wildlife nursery sites?
ie) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances ❑ � ❑ �
I protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
"' fl Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat ❑ o ❑ �
Conservation Plan, Natural Community
Conservation Plan, or other approved local,
,... regional, or state habitat conservation plan? �
� V. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Wou/d the projec�
,
' a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the ❑ o � o
�— � significance of a historical resource as defined in
ISection 15064.5?
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the � o � o
,..�, ' significance of an archaeological resource pursuant
to Section 15064.5? ,
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique ❑ o � ❑
,_, i paleontological resource or site or unique geologic
featu re?
d) DsstUrb any human remains, including those n o � ❑
...
interred outside of formal cemeteries?
VI. GEOLOGIC PROBLEMS. Would Lhe project: �
a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial
_ adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or
death involving:
i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as o ❑ � ❑
delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo
� Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the
State Geologist for the area or based on other
substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to
— Division of Mines and Geofogy Special
Publication 42.
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking. ❑ ❑ v ❑
� iii) Seismic related ground failure, including � � � ❑
liquefaction.
�
R�Pro�ectsNAottattU0�6\MND-0<2�CS Ooc 6 Mitigated Negative Declarat�on
PoRola Avenue 8ridge
_ . — PoteMla�h �l
Signiflarrt
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES P��nr unkss �es: Tnao
S(gniflcaM Miqgatlon Signiflcant No
_„ {See attachments for information sources) imPaa inco�oracea imP.ct �mpact
iv) Landslides. ❑ ❑ � �
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of ❑ o � �
�. topsoil?
' c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is ❑ � � ❑
unstable, or that would become unstable as a result
_ of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site
� landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence,
� liquefaction or collapse?
d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table � ❑ � ❑
— � 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994),
� creating substantial risk to life or property?
e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the ❑ o � o
" use of septic tanks or alternative waste water
disposal systems where sewers are not available
for the disposal of waste water?
� � VII. HAZARDS. Wou/d the project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the ❑ ❑ ❑ �
Ienvironment through the routine transport, use, or
-- disposal of hazardous materials?
� b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the � ❑ o �
i environment through reasonably foreseeable upset
.. and accident conditions involving the release of
I hazardous materials into the environment?
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or ❑ � o �
,^ acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste
' within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed
schoof?
d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of ❑ a a �
'� hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a
result, would it create a significant hazard to the
.... public or the environment?
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan ❑ � ❑ �
or, where such a pfan has not been adopted, within
� two miles of a public airport or public use airport,
would the project result in a safety hazard for
people residing or working in the project area?
� For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, ❑ ❑ o �
'�'� would the project result in a safety hazard for
people residing or working in the project area?
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with c ❑ ❑ �
"' an adopted emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan?
h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of ❑ ❑ ❑ �
— loss, yn}ury or death involving wifdland fires,
including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized
areas or where residences are intermixed with
�.
wildlands?
_ R IP�o�ectsNAoHattU016UNND-042�C5 doc 7 Mitigated Neqative Dec/aration
Portola Avenue Bridge
a
� ' Potent)aily -
SlgnHiesnt
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Pot�ndalfy un�ess Less rnan
SlgniNcarrt MitlgaUo� Significant No
^ (See attachments for information sources) impaa i�corporaced impacc impacc
Ylll. HYOROLOGY AND WATER 4UA�4TY. Would the project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste ❑ � e �
-. discharge requirements?
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or o � c � I
interfere substantially with groundwater recharge
^. such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer
volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table
level (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing
nearby wells would drop to a level which would not �
^ support existing land uses or planned uses for
which permits have been granted)?
c} Substantia4�y altes the existsng drainage pattern of n c n �
r- Ithe site or area, including through the alteration of
, the course of a stream or river, in a manner which
would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or
off-site?
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of o 0 0 �
the site or area, including through the alteration of
the course of a stream or river, or substantially
'"' increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a
manner which would result in flooding on- or off-
site?
-- e) Create or contribute runoff water which would ❑ ❑ ❑ �
� exceed the capacity of existing or planned storm
i water drainage systems or provide substantial
^ � additional sources of polluted runoff?
� Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? ❑ c ❑ �
g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area ❑ ❑ � �
„_. as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or
Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard
delineation map?
h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area ❑ c ❑ �
'— structures which would impede or redirect flood
flows?
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of ❑ c ❑ �
— loss, injury or death involving flooding, including
flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? ❑ ❑ ❑ �
� IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Wou/d the projeci:
a) Physically divide an established community? ❑ o ❑ �
_, b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or ❑ ❑ ❑ �'
regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the
project (including, but not limited to the general
plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning
~ ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect?
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation ❑ o � �'
— plan or natural community conservation plan?
_ R�Pro�eclsUNONattWOt6�MND-042�05ax 8 Mitigated Negative Declaration
�
�
�
C
�
0
�
�
�
...
...
��
._
Portola Avenue 8ridge
.. ... _ _ PotenWlly �
SlgnHicaM
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES P�antfally un��u �ess rn�n
SignHicant Mitfgatlon Signiflcant No
(See attachments for information sources) impacc ir,corPo►acea impaa impac�
' X. MINERA! RESOURCES. Would the proJect::
a) Result in the loss of avaifability of a known minerat o ❑ ❑ �`
resource that would be of value to the region and
the residents of the state?
I b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally- o ❑ o �
important mineral resource recovery site delineated
. on a local general plan, specific plan or other land
use plan?
� XI. NOISE. Wou/d the project resu/t in:
a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise o o � o
levels in excess of standards established in the
local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies?
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive o o � o
ground borne vibration or ground borne noise
; levels?
� c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise ❑ ❑ � o
levels in the project vicinity above levels existing
without the project?
d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in o o �� o
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above
levels existing without the project?
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan ❑ ❑ � ❑
or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within
two miles of a public airport or public use airport,
would the project expose people residing or
working in the project area to excessive noise
� levels?
fl For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, � � � ❑
would the project expose people residing or
working in the project area to excessive noise
levels?
XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Wou/d the project:
a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, o a ❑ �
either directly (for example, by proposing new
homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example,
through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, ❑ a o �
necessitating the construction of replacement
housing elsewhere?
c) Displace substantial numbers of people, � � o �
necessitating the construction of replacement
housing elsewhere?
� R �ProiectsU.lottattU0�6�MND•042105 tloc 9
M,tigated Negative Declaration
...
Portofa Avenue Bridqe
•�• ._ Fotenwt�y ,
Signiticarn ;
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Potsntlally umess �ess rnan :
SignlflcarK MldgaUon SigniflcaM No ;
,_ (See attachments for information sources) imPaa inc«poracea im��c impac: :
i XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the project: '
a) Result in substantial adverse physical impacts ❑ � � c
�— associated with the provision of new or physically
altered governmental facilities, need for new or
physically altered governmental facilities, the
construction of which could cause significant
�"' environmental impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response times or other
perFormance objectives for any of the following
— public services:
i) Fire protection? ❑ � � �
ii) Police pratection? ❑ � � o
"" iii) Schools? ❑ � � ❑
iv) Parks? ❑ o � o
v) Other public facilities? ❑ o � ❑
XIV. RECREATION. Would the project:
a) Increase the use of existing neighborhood and c o ❑ �
_ regional parks or other recreationat facilities such
that substantial physical deterioration of the facility
would occur or be accelerated?
� b) Include recreational facilities or require the ❑ ❑ � �
construction or expans9on of recreational facifities
which might have an adverse physical effect on the
environment?
'— XV. TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION. Would the project:
a) Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial in ❑ o ❑ J
relation to the existing traffic load and capacity of
"' the street system (i.e., result in a substantial
increase in either the number of vehicle trips, the
volume to capaciry ratio on roads, or congestion at
^, intersections)?
b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level c ❑ ❑ �
of service standard established by the county
congestion management agency for designated
roads or highways?
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including ❑ ❑ ❑ �
either an increase in traffic levels or a change in
" location that results in substantial safety risks?
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design ❑ o ❑ �
feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous
� intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm
equipment)?
e) Result in inadequate emergency access? ❑ ❑ � ❑
" � Result in inadequate parking capacity? ❑ � � �
g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs o ❑ ❑ J
supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus
� turnouts, bicycle racks)?
_ R�Pro�ectsNAoMattU076�MND-042105 Ooc 10 M�tigated Negative Declaration
Poriola Avenue Bridge
� Potenti�lly
Signiflcar�t
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Potent�a�ry un�ess �ess Than
Sfgniflu� Mitlgatlon SignfBcaM No
�, (See attachments for informatlon sources) imPacc ineorporated imPacc �mPacc I
. XVI. UTILlTIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the projec�
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the ❑ ❑ o �
— applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board?
b) Require or result in the construction of new water or ❑ o � �
wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of
,.. existing facilities, the construction of which could
i cause significant environmental effects?
c) Require or result in the construction of new storm ❑ o ❑ �
_ water drainage facilities or expansion of existing
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects?
d) Have su�cient water supplies available to serve o o ❑ �
" the project from existing entitlements and
resources, or are new or expanded entitlements
needed?
^� e) Result in a determination by the wastewater ❑ ❑ ❑ �
treatment provider which serves or may serve the
project that it has adequate capacity to serve the
� projecYs projected demand in addition to the
� I provider's existing commitments?
� Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted ❑ ❑ ❑ �
capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste
"` disposal needs?
g) Comply with federat, state, and local statutes and o � ❑ �
regulations related to solid waste?
� I XVI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE. Would ihe project:
a. Have the potential to degrade the quality of the � ❑ � ❑
environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a
'" fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self-sustaining levels,
. threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community,
..., ; reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or
� endangered plant or animal or eliminate important
. examples of the major periods of California h9story
�
or prehistory?
b. Have impacts that are individually limited, but o o � o
cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively
considerable" means that the incremental effects of
— a project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past projects, the
effects of other current projects, and the effects of
� probable future projects.)
c. Have environmental effects which will cause c ❑ y o
substantial adverse effects on human beings, either
�.
directly or indirectly?
� R�Proiects�MoHattU016UVIND-042t05Coc 11 Mitigated Negabve Declaration
�
Poriola Avenue Bridge
" 1. AESTHETICS. Would the project:
a) Affect a scenic vista or scenic highway?
�— b) Have a demonstrable negative aesthetic effect?
c) Create adverse light or glare effects?
— No Impact (Sections a, b, 8 c). Portola Avenue is a major thoroughfare which is designated
as a scenic roadway in the City of Palm Desert General Plan. According to the City's
Circulation Element, special setbacks and landscaping standards are required for scenic
.. roadways. Therefore, the proposed project is required to comply with these standards to ensure
that scenic resources, including natural scenic beauty and dramatic landforms, are visible from
the roadway. Major scenic resources include the San Jacinto, San Bernardino, and other
mountain ranges surrounding and encompassing the City of Palm Desert, as well as the desert
� floor. Portola Avenue is not designated as a State scenic highway; therefore, the proposed
project would neither substantially damage scenic resources within a State scenic highway nor
disrupt existing views of the surrounding environment and would not create a substantial
'— adverse effect on a scenic vista.
Nearby existing residential uses along Whitewater Channel have views of the existing dip
—� crossing. However, the proposed project would enhance the visual character of the site and
surroundings. As part of the proposed project design, the visual appeal of the roadway
improvement would be enhanced in embankment areas at the bridge approaches through the
--. use of landscaped roadway side slopes. The embankments would be finished with drought
resistant landscaping which would receive water from the extension of existing irrigation
systems. In addition, the bridge would include special aesthetic treatments for the belvederes
,,.. and barriers, as well as a minimum of 4.5-foot high railing to accommodate bicyclists.
Therefore, the proposed project improvements would not result in a negative aesthetic effect on
nearby residences or automobiles and pedestrians traveling on the scenic roadway. No impacts
�
are anticipated and no mitigation is required.
None of the project or landscaping features would include reflective surfaces that could create a
source of glare. The current street lighting would be replaced by a new street lighting system as
"' a project component. The new street lighting system would be in compliance with City of Palm
Desert Department of Public Works design standards. In accordance with the City of Palm
Desert Municipal Code, street lighting would be fully shielded to direct light directly onto the road
— surface and prevent lighting spillover into adjacent residences. Therefore, proposed street
lighting would not be expected to impact nighttime views of the area. No mitigation is required.
�. II. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance
,,,,, (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and
Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract?
c) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or
� nature, could result in conversion of farmland, to non-agricultural use?
No Impact (Sections a, b, 8 c). The proposed project is not located on or in the vicinity of
"' property considered Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance
as mapped by the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources
Agency. Additionally, the project would not conflict with existing zoning or a Williamson Act
— Contract, or result in conversion of farmland to non-agricultural use. No impacts would occur
and no mitigation is required.
� R �Pro�eclslMottat1U016WIND-042705 aoc 12 Mitigated Negative Declaration
Portola Avenue Bridge
" III. AIR QUALITY. Would the project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan?
— b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute to an existing or projected air quality
violation?
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which
.-. the project region is non-attainment under tan applicable federal or state ambient air
quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds
for ozone precursors)?
r„ d) Expose sensitive receptors to pollutant?
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people?
Less Than Significant Impact (Sections a, c, d, 8 e), Potentially Significant Unless
� Mitigation Incorporated (Section b). California is divided by the California Air Resources
Board (CARB) into air basins which share similar meteorological and topographical features.
The City of Palm Desert is in the Coachella Valley, a portion of the Salton Sea Air Basin (SSAB)
� which includes eastern Riverside and Imperial counties. The SSAB's climate and topography,
high winds, and fine sandy soils are conducive to the formation of high concentrations of
airbome particulate matter. Additionally, the predominantly westerly winds transport pollutants
— from the adjacent South Coast Air Basin (SCAB) into the SSAB.
The Riverside portion of the SSAB is under the jurisdiction of the South Coast Air Quality
... Management District (SCAQMD). The pollutants for which the eastern Riverside portion of the
SSAB is designated a non-attainment area for national ambient standards are ozone (03) and
fine particulate matter (PM,o). 03 is a colorless, odorless pollutant formed by a chemical
,,,, reaction between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) in the
presence of sunlight. The primary sources of VOCs and NOX are mobile, including cars, trucks,
buses, and agricultural and construction equipment. PM,o is borne by fugitive dust caused by
soil disturbances such as construction grading. PM,o causes a greater health risk than
"— larger-sized particles because these fine particles can be inhaled more easily and irritate the
lungs by themselves and in combination with gases.
" Air quality modeling has shown that 03 in the Coachella Valley originates in the SCAB and is
transported into the SSAB by the predominantly westerly winds. The pollutant transport
pathway from the SCAB to the SSAB is through the Banning Pass to the Coachella Valley.
-� Downwind of the source region, exceedances occur later in the day as the ozone cloud is
transported downwind. If the peak were locally generated, it would occur near mid-day and not
in the late afternoon or early evening. As a result, the SCAQMD is focusing regulation of 03 on
... the SCAB.
Between 1999 and 2001, the Coachella Valley exceeded the federal annual average PM,o
,,,_ national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) numerous times. Because the Coachella Valley
was unable to demonstrate attainment of the NAAQS by the 2001 attainment year, SCAQMD
prepared the 2002 Coachella Valley PM,o State fmplementation Plan (CVSIP). The CVSIP
includes control program enhancements that meet the Most Stringent Measure (MSM)
�' requirements and a request for extension of the PM,o attainment date. Jurisdictions within the
Coachella Valley are required to adhere to the requirements outlined in the CVSIP, including
preparation of a fugitive dust control plan prior to issuance of grading permits.
A projecYs air quality impacts can be separated into short-term impacts from construction and
long-term permanent impacts from project operations. Construction impacts include airborne
— dust from grading, demolition, and dirt hauling, and gaseous emissions from heavy equipment,
delivery and dirt hauling trucks, employee vehicles, and paints and coatings.
'^ R tPro�ects�MoHattU016Vv1ND-042� OS doc 13 Mitigated Negative Declaration
^
Portola Avenue 8ridge
"' The project would not generate new long-term traffic and it would not result in any long-term
regional or local air quality impacts. Although the primary objective of the proposed roadway
improvements is to eliminate road closures during storm and high water periods, it will also
— eliminate steep grades and, thereby, reduce vehicle gearing, which will have a slightly positive
impact on air quality. Because the proposed project is not considered a traffic-generating use,
the air quality analysis focuses on the short-term construction impacts of the proposed project.
�
To determine whether emissions resulting from project-related construction are significant, the
SCAQMD recommends significance thresholds in its CEQA Air Quality Handbook. These
_,,, thresholds were applied to the proposed project in order to assure regional consistency and
because they are based on the best available scientific information. The pollutants addressed
by the SCAQMD thresholds include carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxides
(NOX), particulate matter (PM,o), and reactive organic compounds (ROC). The daily thresholds
� for each of the criteria pollutants are presented in Table 1.
Table 1 also presents estimated project emissions. Project demolition, grading, and
" construction emissions were calculated using the URBEMIS 2002 Model developed by the
SCAQMD (Appendix A). Construction emissions were calculated for the following construction
equipment:
....
• Demolition - one front loader, two concrete saws, and two haul trucks
• Grading - one grader, one backhoe, two dump trucks
— • Construction - one crane, one crawler tractor, two concrete mixers, one concrete pump,
one roller, two dump trucks
_. Estimates of employee vehicle traffic and earth/debris export and import were also included in
the air quality modeling effort. Employee vehicle traffic was assumed to add a maximum of
80 vehicle trips/day based on an expected maximum of 20 construction employees on the
_ busiest construction day. An estimated 15,000 cubic yards of earth and debris would be
exported from the site during demolition. During construction, approximately 45,000 cubic yards
of earth would be imported to the site.
"` TABLE 1
PROJECT EMISSIONS
(MAXIMUM POUNDSIDAY)
CO ROC NOx PM�o
Demolition Emissions 95.20 13.33 127.65 22.63
�
�
Grading Emissions 85.29 10.97 86.23 62.18
Construction Emissions 135.59 17.58 125.57 5.23
SCAQMD Daily Thresholds 550 75 100 150
Source: Urbemis 2002 for Windows 7.5.0
As illustrated in Table 1, project-related emission levels for CO, ROC and PM,o would not
r
exceed SCAQMD's daily thresholds and would, thus, result in a less than significant impact.
Emissions of NOX would exceed the SCAQMD daily threshold by approximately 26 pounds/day.
The generation of ROC and NOX emissions is almost entirely due to engine combustion in
` construction equipment and employee commuting. The mitigation program described below
would address these emissions. Implementation of MM 1 would reduce NOX emissions to
100.70 pounds/day. Implementation of MM 2, 3 and 4 would further reduce NOX emissions. As
� a result, the proposed project would not violate any air quality standards.
�
Portola Avenue Bndge
r••
PoRola Avenue Bridge
^ Portola Avenue would operate as a two-lane roadway (rather than four-lane roadway) during
construction. Therefore, traffic delays can be expected. Increased vehicle idling could result in
increased pollutant emissions. However, implementation of the Traffic Control Plan referenced
� in MM 3 would minimize vehicular delays and, consequently, reduce potential emission
increases.
., Temporary construction vehicle emissions may potentially emit odors that would be considered
a nuisance to nearby residents. However, these impacts would be considered less than
�" significant given their temporary nature. Implementation of MM 2 would minimize potential daily
,,� emissions and the nuisance odors associated with them from active grading operations.
Although daily project-related PM,o emissions would be below the SCAQMD threshold of
significance, dust suppression measures are recommended because the project would occur in
"" an area designated as non-attainment for PM,o. Implementation of MM 3 would minimize dust
(particulate matter) impacts resulting from project-related construction activities.
'" MM 3-1 All diesel fuel brought on-site for use by construction equipment shall be low sulfur
�, diesel fuel. The use of low sulfur diesel fuel is required for stationary construction
equipment by SCAQMD Rules 431.1 and 431.2.
�
MM 3-2 All construction vehicles and equipment brought on-site shall be equipped with
diesel particulate filters.
.,
• MM 3-3 Further reduce construction equipment emissions by implementing the following
�' measures to the greatest extent feasible. Some additional gains in emission
� control will be realized from the implementation of these measures.
� • Maintain construction equipment engines consistent with manufacturers'
recommendations.
� • Turn construction equipment off when not in use.
' • Use cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for operating equipment.
• Utilize post-combustion controls in combustion engine construction equipment.
� • Configure construction parking to minimize traffic interference.
' • Schedule construction operations affecting traffic for off-peak hours.
• Develop a Traffic Control Plan to minimize traffic flow interference from
�" construction activities.
r
-� • Utilize existing power sources (i.e., power poles) when feasible. This measure
would minimize the use of higher polluting gas or diesel generators.
"' • Use low emission mobile construction equipment. To the greatest extent
practicable, California Air Resources Board (CARB)-certified equipment should
be used for construction activities. A fraction of all of the active construction
!� equipment is CARB certified. Depending on regional construction activities
some or all of the CARB certified construction equipment may be utilized on
other projects. When available CARB-certified construction equipment shall be
.� utilized prior to non-CARB certified equipment.
; • Consider the use of alternative diesel fuel formulations such as PuriNOXT'''' and
Amber 363 to the extent feasible.
,. • Encourage the use of low sulfur diesel fuel for vehicles not fueled on site
including haul trucks.
'„� MM 3-4 The contractor shall be required to submit a Dust Control Plan to the Public Works
-. Department for review and approval prior to issuance of a demolition or grading
• permit. This requirement shall be placed on the cover of the grading plans. The
� R �Pro7ectslMoHanU0161MND-042t05 doc 15 Mrtigated Negative Dec/aratron
r
Portola Avenue 8ridge
^ Dust Control Plan shall be consistent with the Coachella Valley State
' Implementation Plan (CVSIP) and Public Works Department's existing policies and
standards and, at a minimum, will incorporate the following measures:
�
, • All construction contractors shall comply with the Dust Control Plan and
applicable SCAQMD regulations. To ensure that the project is in full
� compliance and that there are no nuisance impacts off-site, the contractor shall
� implement the following:
.,
�
1. Cease all dust generating demolition, grading andlor construction
operations during winds in excess of 25 miles per hour.
2. Maintain a vehicular speed of not more than 15 miles per hour on unpaved
roads.
...
3. Moisten soil not more than 15 minutes prior to moving it.
. 4. Water exposed surfaces at least twice a day under calm conditions and as
often as needed on windy days or during very dry weather in order to
"" maintain a surface crust and prevent the release of visible emissions from
the construction site.
•�+ 5. Apply soil stabilizers to inactive areas.
�
6. Provide for street sweeping, as needed, on adjacent roadways to remove
,., dirt dropped by construction vehicles or mud which would otherwise be
� carried off by trucks departing project sites.
�„� 7. All trucks entering or leaving the site with material shall use tarps to
� minimize fugitive dust or materials release during transit.
8. All stockpiles of earth at the construction site shall be covered with tarps to
"' minimize fugitive dust release.
Implementation of Mitigation Measures 3-1 through 3-4 would reduce project-related air quality
� impacts to a level considered less than significant.
� IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
.»
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on
any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or
^ regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and
Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the
.'� California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service?
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool,
!"' coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other
` means?
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or
t-� wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or
impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?
^ R 1Pro�ects�MottattU0161MND-0e2t05 Coc 16 Mitrgated Negative Dec/aration
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e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as
a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
fl Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan?
� Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated (Sections a& d); Less Than
, Significant Impact (Sections b 8� c); No Impact (e � fl. The following analysis is based on a
Biological Resources Assessment prepared by BonTerra Consulting on December 10, 2004.
,., Information on wetlands resources is based on a Jurisdictional Delineation also prepared by
BonTerra Consulting on December 10, 2004. The full reports are available in Appendices B
and C, respectively.
.•
Vegetation on the project site consists of four types: ruderal, omamental, disturbed desert
saltbush scrub, and open water. In addition to these vegetation types, developed and disturbed
areas occur on the project site. These vegetation types consist primarily of non-native plant
� species that provide low quality habitat for native wildlife species. Portions of the project site will
be directly impacted during construction. Most will be temporarily impacted by construction
activities; however, permanent impacts will result from the installation of the bridge footings. It
'" should be noted that there will be a net gain of vacant land in the Whitewater River resulting
from the removal of the existing roadway dip-crossing. Vegetation type impact acreages are
presented in Table 2 and shown graphically on Exhibit 4.
..
� TABLE 2
VEGETATION TYPE IMPACTS
., (Acres)
Vegetation Type ^ Temporary Impacts Permanent Impacts
r., Developed 2.67 0.25
I Ruderal 1.29 0.07
,..
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Omamental
Disturbed
Open Water
Disturbed Saltbush Scrub
Total
Speciat Status Species
0.09 0.09
0.02 0.09
0.08 0.00
0.01 0.00
4.16 0.50
�
BonTerra Consulting conducted a literature search to identify special status plants, wildlife, and
� habitats known to occur in the project region. Special status biological resources include plant
r, and wildlife species, and habitats that have been afforded special status and/or recognition by
federal and/or state resource agencies, as well as local agencies or private conservation
organizations. In general, the principal reason an individual taxon (e.g., species, subspecies, or
variety) is given such recognition is the documented or perceived decline or limitation of its
�" population size, or geographic range, and/or distribution resulting in most cases from habitat
• loss.
^ Of the plant species that occur in the vicinity of the City of Palm Desert, 11 species that are
� listed or proposed for listing as Endangered or Threatened by the CDFG and/or the USFVVS, or
are considered List 1 B or List 2 species by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) are
r. known to occur. These species, along with their listing status and potential for occurrence on
the project site, are presented on Table 3.
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TABLE 3
SPECIAL STATUS PLANT SPECIES KNOWN
TO OCCUR IN THE VICINITY'
Species
status �
FederallState CNPS � Potential For Occurrence
Antirrhinum cyathiferum None
Deep Canyon snapdragon
Astragalus lentifinosus var. coacheJlae FE
Coachella Valley milk-vetch
Ayenia compacta None
ayenia
Chamaesyce arizonica None
Arizona spurge
Chamaesyce playtsperma None
flat-seeded spurge
Ditaxis claryana
glandular ditaxis None
Linanthus maculafus None
little San Bemardino Mountains linanthus
Matelea parvifolia None
spearfeaf
Nemacaulis denudata var. gracilis
slender woolly-heads None
Stemodia durantifolia None
purple stemodia
Xylorfiiza cognata None
Mecca-aster
Federal DesiQnations�
FE = L�sted by the federal government as an Endangered species.
2 Not expected to occur; lack of
suitable habitat
� B Low; marginally suitable habitat
present
2 Not expected to occur; lack of
suitable habitat
2 Low; marginally suitable habitat
present
�B Low; marginally suitable habitat
present
2 None; lack of suitable habitat, well
below known elevation range
2 None; lack of suitable habitat, well
below known elevation range
2 I None; lack of suitable habitat, well
below known elevation range
2 Low; marginally suitable habitat
present
2 None; lack of suitable habitat, well
below known elevation range
� B ILow; marginally suitable habitat
present
Calitomia Native Plant Societv (CNPS):
CNPS 1 B = Plants considered Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and elsewhere.
CNPS 2 = Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California but more common elsewhere.
' The project vicinity is defined as an approximately 250-square-mile area as shown on the La Quinia, Myoma, Rancho Mirage,
and Cathedral City 7.5-minute California Quadrangle maps.
Source: BonTerra Consulting, February 2005
Of the wildlife species that occur in the vicinity of the City of Palm Desert, 17 species that are
listed as Threatened and/or Endangered or considered Species of Special Concern by the
CDFG are known to occur in the project region. These species, along with their listing status
and potential for occurrence on the project site, are presented on Table 4.
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TABLE 4
SPECIAL STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES KNOWN
TO OCCUR IN THE PROJECT VICINITY'
Species �
Invertebrates
, Macrobaetes valgum
Coachella giant sand-treader cricket
Oliarces clara
' cheeseweed owlfly
i Stenopelmafus cahuilaensis
Coachella Valley Jerusalem cricket
� Fish
I Cyprinodon maculari�s I
desert pupfish
� Reptiles
� Crotalus ruber ruber
i northem red-diamond rattlesnake
� Phrynosoma mcallii
flat-tailed homed lizard
; Uma inomata
� Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard
i Birds
JFalco mexicanus
prairie falcon
i Poliopfila melanura
black-tailed gnatcatcher
I Pyrocephalus rubinus I
vermillion flycatcher
I Speotyto cunicularia
burrowing owl
! Toxostoma crissale
� Crissal thrasher
Toxostoma lecontei
i LeConte's thrasher
� Mammals
! Neotoma albigula venusta
� Colorado Valley woodrat
I Ovis canadensis nelsonr DPS
Peninsular bighom sheep
� Perognathus longimembris 6angsi
� Palm Springs pocket mouse
I Spem�ophilus tereticaudus chlorus
� Palm Springs round-tailed ground squirrel
LEGEND
status
Federal I State
None I SA
None J SA
None ( SA
FE i SE
None SSC
PT SSC/P
FT SE
None
None
None
None
None
None
SSC
SA
SSC
SSC
SSC
SSC
None SA
FE STlFP
None SSC
C SSC
Potential For Occurrence
None; lack of suitable habitat
None; lack of suitable habitat
None; lack of suitable habitat
INone; lack of suitable habitat
INone; lack of suitable habitat
None; lack of suitable habitat
None; lack of suitable habitat
Moderate potential for foraging; ,
No �otential for nesting
None; (ack of suitable habitat
None; lack of suitable habitat
None; no suitable burrows
observed
None; lack of suitable habitat
None; lack of suitable habitat
None; lack of suitable habitat
and distance from known
populations
None; lack of suitable habitat
and distance from known
populations
None; lack of suitable habitat
None; no suitable burrows
observed
Federal (USFV1fS) State (CDFG►
FE Endangered SE Endangered
° FT Threatened ST Threatened
I PT Proposed Threatened SSC Species of Special Concern
C Candidate Species FP Fully Protected
P Protected
SA Special Animal°
' The project vicinity is defined as an approximately 250-square-mile area as shown on the Cathedral City, Rancho
Mirage, La Quinta and Myoma 7.5-minute California Quadrangle maps.
° This designation �s a general term that refers to all of the taxa the CNDDB is interested in tracking, regardless of their
legal or protection status.
Source: BonTerra Consulting, February 2005
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"' As shown on Table 3, five special status plant species have potential to occur on the project
site, including one federally-listed Endangered species (i.e., the Coachella Valley milk-vetch). If
present on the project site, impacts on the Coachella Valley mi(k-vetch would be considered
— sign�cant. Potential impacts on the CNPS List 1 B and 2 species (i.e., Arizona spure, flat-
seeded spurge, slender woolly-heads, and Mecca aster) may result in a finding of significance in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines 15065(a), if a population is found and if the size and the
— status of that population warrant a finding of significance. Implementation of Mitigation Measure
4-1 (MM 4-1) would reduce impacts to a level considered less than significant.
„ As shown on Table 4, no speciai status wildlife species have potential to occur on the project
site. Therefore, no impacts relating to special status wildlife are anticipated and no mitigation is
required.
^ The ornamental vegetation types on and adjacent to the project site have potential to be used
for nesting by raptors (i.e., birds of prey). CDFG regulations prohibit activities having the
potential to disturb active raptor nests. This protection generally ceases once nesiing activity is
"' completed. Implementation of Mitigation Measure 4-2 (MM 4-2) would avoid potential impacts
to nesting raptors.
— Wildlife Movement
Evidence (i.e., tracks) of larger mamma! species, including bobcat, coyote, and desert kit fox
� was observed on the project site during the survey. These species likely use the project site as
a movement corridor between open space areas to the east and west of the Portola Avenue dip
crossing. Inhibition of wildlife movement through the project site and wildlife mortality resulting
,.,,, from unprotected trenches or other excavation would result in a significant impact.
Implementation of Mitigation Measure 4-3 (MM 4-3) would avoid potential impacts to terrestrial
wildlife and their use of the Whitewater River as a movement corridor.
'� Wetlands
The ACOE takes jurisdiction over areas considered "waters of the U.S." and wettands.
"" Jurisdictional waters are typically defined by the ordinary high water mark and other specific
criteria. Wetlands, a subset of jurisdictional waters, are defined as those that possess the
following three parameters: (1) hydrology providing permanent or periodic inundation by
-- groundwater or surface water, (2) hydric soils, and (3) hydrophytic vegetation. Jurisdictional
limits of the CDFG are similar to the jurisdiction of ACOE, but include riparian habitat supported
by a river, stream, or lake regardless of the presence or absence of hydric soils and saturated
.., soil conditions. The limits of CDFG jurisdiction are often defined by riparian vegetation. In
addition, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is the primary agency responsible
for protecting water quality within California through the regulation of discharges to surface
^ waters under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the California Porter-Cologne Water Quality
Control Act (Porter-Cologne). The RWQCB's jurisdiction extends to all waters of the State and
to all waters of the United States, including wetlands (isolated and non isolated). Section 401 of
the CWA provides the authority for the RWQCB to regulate through a Water Quality Certification
"" any proposed federally-permitted activity, which may affect water quality. Among such activities
area discharges of dredged or fill material permitted by the ACOE pursuant to Section 404 of
the CWA. Section 401 requires the RWQCB to provide "certification that there is reasonable
� assurance that an activity which may result in the discharge to waters of the United States will
not violate water quality standards." Water Quality Certification must be based on a finding that
the proposed discharge will comply with water quatity standards, of which are found as numeric
-- and narrative objectives in each of the nine Regional Board's Basin Plan.
_ R�Pro�ectsVvloHattU0161MND-042105 tloc 20 Mitigated Negative Dec/aration
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Based on the results of the field investigation (Appendix C), it was determined that the project
site does not contain the three parameters required for a wetlands designation. Therefore, no
portion of the project site would be considered a wetland under the jurisdictional authority of the
ACOE. However, areas within the project site exhibited water flow and evidence of hydrology
sufficient to document that the ordinary high water mark mests the criteria for ACOE
jurisdictional waters (i.e., non-wetland waters of the U.S.). Based on the field investigation and
data collection, 1.60 acres of ACOE jurisdictional waters would be impacted by the proposed
project. Approximately 0.14 acres of ACOE jurisdictional waters would be permanently
impacted and 1.46 acres temporarily impacted. Table 5 and Exhibit 5 present the findings of the
jurisdictional delineation.
No isolated conditions were observed within the boundaries of the project study area. As such,
the RWQCB jurisdictional boundaries will be defined as those determined for the ACOE under
"waters of the U.S.�
TABZE 5
JURISDICTIONAL IMPACTS
(Acres)
Jurisdiction
ACOE
RWQCB
CpFG
Temporary Impacts
1.46
1.46
2.67
Permanent Impacts
0.14
0.14
0.26
Within the Whitewater River Channel, the CDFG jurisdiction extends from bank top to bank top
�' and includes areas containing riparian vegetation to the outer drip line. Based on the results of
the field investigations and data collection, 2.93 acres of CDFG jurisdiction would be impacted
by the proposed project. Approximately 0.26 acres of ACOE jurisdictional waters would be
^ permanently impacted and 2.67 acres temporarily impacted.
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The proposed p�oject would involve the removal of a dip-crossing type roadway structure and
reptacement with a bridge structure would expose areas of Whitewater River that �ad previous�y
been covered by the roadway. Therefore, the recovery of the river bottom should represent a
"self-mitigating" design element which offsets project impacts. However, implementation of
Mitigation Measure 4-4 would ensure that impacts to jurisdictional waters would be mitigated to
a level considered less than significant.
MM 4-1 Focused surveys for the Coachella Valley milk-vetch will be conducted by a
qualified botanist during Spring of 2005, assuming appropriate weather conditions
occur (i.e., appropriate rainfall), to determine the size of the population present on
the proposed project site in accordance with the California Department of Fish and
Game special status plant survey guidelines. If found on-site, the surveys will
rnclude a detaifed map and GPS locations of each plant and the boundaries of
each separate location. If the size of the population incurs a finding of significant
impact, then appropriate measures will be implemented to reduce impacts to a
level considered less than significant. Potential measures may include but are not
limited to avoidance, relocation, purchase of off-site habitat known to be occupied
by the Coachella Valley milk-vetch, and trash/weed removal.
MM 4-2 If construction is scheduled to proceed between March 1 and August 31, no more
,., than seven days prior to the onset of construction activities (e.g., vegetation
clearing or grading), a qualified biologist will conduct a pre-construction nesting
R�Pro�eGSV.tonattU0761MND•Oa2105 tloc 21 Mitrgated Negative Dec/aration
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— raptor survey within the limits of project disturbance and adjacent areas for the
presence of any active raptor nests.
�— If a raptor nest is found, the following restrictions on const�-uction will be required
between March 1 and August 31 (or untif nests are no longer active as determined
by a qualified biologist): 1) clearing limits will be established with a minimum of
— 500 feet, in any direction from any occupied raptor nest exhibiting nesting activity;
and 2) access and surveying will not be allowed within 100 feet of any raptor nest
exhibiting nesting activity, or as othervvise determined by a qualified biologist. Any
,.. encroachment into the 500/100-foot buffer area around the known nest is allowed
only if it is determined by a qualified biologist that the proposed activity shall not
disturb the nest occupants.
�
MM 4-3 During excavation or drilling in the Whitewater River Channel, the contractor shall
ensure that all trenches or holes associated with the installation of the bridge piles
or other project construction are fenced or completely covered to exclude native
"' wildlife. Fencing should include silt fencing at the base to prevent small mammals
or reptiles from being entrapped.
'� MM 4-4 Prior to impacts to jurisdictional "waters of the U.S. and State" on-site, the applicant
shall obtain a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit, California
Department of Fish and Game Section 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement, and
— a Regional Water Quality Control Board Section 401 Water Quality Certification. In
this case, the removal of a dip-crossing type roadway structure and replacement
with a bridge structure would expose areas of Whitewater River that had previously
_ been covered by the roadway. Therefore, the recovery of the river bottom should
represent a"seff-mitigating" design element which offsets project impacts.
�
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as
defined in Section 15064.5?
' b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological
resource pursuant to Section 15064.5?
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique
^ geologic feature?
d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?
.— Less Than Significant Impact (Sections a, b, c, 8� d). The following section is based on a
cultural resources records search conducted on December 9, 2004 by the Eastern Information
Center (EIC) at University of California, Riverside. The EIC is the state-designated repository
_ for records concerning archaeological and historical resources in Riverside County. The
records search provided information on known resources and related studies within a one-mile
radius of the project area. The findings of the records search and literature review are provided
^
in Appendix D.
The results of the records search show that one archaeological site has been recorded within a
one-mile radius of the project, but it is not located within or adjacent to the Portola Avenue
" project site. The archaeological site contains prehistoric resources represented by
approximately 50 to 55 pieces of aboriginal pottery scattered over the site surface. This site
was heavily impacted by agricultural operations and soil borrow/dumping. The results of the
� records search also note that five built-environment historic properties (buildings, structures,
^ R�Prc�ects�MoHattU0t6tMND-042t05 Coc 22 M,tigated Negative Dec/aration
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and other constructed features) constructed between 1935 and 1957are located within a one-
mile radius of the project site. None are located within or adjacent to the project site.
'— The EIC reported that at least three cultural resources investigations have previously been
conducted within a one-mile radius oi the project site. None of these studies involved portions
of the project site. The relative scarcity of recorded cultural resources sites in the vicinity of the
— project site indicates that the potential for archaeological materials to be present is considered
low. Additionally, given that the project site is located within a river, the likelihood that cultu�al
resources may persist intact is substantially reduced. Mitigation Measures 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3 are
... provided to ensure that potential impacts to resources.
The project site is located upon alluvial and aeolian sediments deposited above the shoreline of
� ancient Lake Cahuilla. Lake Cahuilla occurred intermittently from as recently as 400 years ago
to as long as 6,000 years ago. The fluvial sediments of Lake Cahuilla are referred to as Lake
Cahuilla Beds and have a high potential for fossilized freshwater diatoms, land plants, sponges,
ostracods, mollusks, fish, and small terrestrial vertebrates. The project site would not be
^ expected to contain these resources given that it is located above the known shoreline of Lake
Cahuilla.
— Other sources of fossil material in the project vicinity include the surrounding mountain ranges
and foothills, including the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains to the south, and the Little
San Bernardino Mountains and Indio Hills to the north. The Coachella Valley floor is composed
-- of eroded materials from these surrounding mountain ranges and the likelihood that fossil
materials could survive the depositional and erosive processes of sand transport in the
Coachella Valley is considered very low. Additionally, the project site is within the Whitewater
... River and on-site soils have been subject to disturbance by storm water flows and channel
maintenance. Therefore, it is expected that drilling, grading, and trenching of the project site
associated with project construction would not be likely to result in a significant impact to
�
paleontological resources. Mitigation Measure 5-2 would further reduce the likelihood of
impacts to paleontological resources.
MM 5-1 A County of Riverside-certified archaeologist shall carefully inspect the area to
'�' assess the potential for significant prehistoric or historic resources. If a site is
uncovered, then a subsurface evaluation may be needed to assess the resource
before construction is allowed to proceed. Further subsurface investigation may be
� needed if the site is determined unique/important for its prehistoric information.
MM 5-2 During drilling and/or grading activities, a County of Riverside-certified
�-- archaeologist shall be present during ground disturbance and shall have the
authority to temporarily divert or redirect earthmoving to allow time to evaluate any
exposed prehistoric or historic material, including paleontological resources. Any
_ recovered prehistoric or historic artifacts shall be catalogued by a qual�ed
archaeologist or paleontologist. For non-tribal resources, the City of Palm Desert
would retain any resources discovered during grading for display in public facilities
�
or for educational purposes following cataloguing.
MM 5-3 In accordance with Public Resources Code 5097.94, if human remains are found,
the Riverside County coroner must be notified within 24 hours of the discovery. If
"` the coroner determines fhat the remains are not recent, ihe coroner will notify the
Native American Heritage Commission in Sacramento to determine the most likely
descendent for the area. The designated Native American representative then
� determines in consultation with the property owner the disposition of the human
remains.
� R�Prqects�MOHattU0t6NANp�p42105 doc 23 M;tigated Negative Dec/aration
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Poriofa Avenue Bridge
— With implementation of the above mitigation measures impacts are expected to be reduced to a
less than significant level.
� VI. GEOLOGIC PROBLEMS. Would the project:
a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk
—� of loss, injury, or death involving:
i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-
Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or
„_, based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines
and Geology Special Publication 42.
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking.
�
iii) Seismic related ground faiture, including liquefaction.
iv) Landslides.
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil?
c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable
'— as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral
spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building
�- Code (1994), creating substantial risk to life or property?
e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative
waste water disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of
— waste water?
Less Than Significant Impact (Sections a, b, c, d 8� e). The project site is underlain by
.,,. Quaternary Alluvium (Qal) which is primarily distributed at the mouths of drainages in the Santa
Rosa Mountains and in the eastern portion of the Coachella Valley. These deposits may have
accumulated rapidly, without being saturated, and may be subject to wind erosion or collapse
� upon saturation (hydroconsolidation).
There are no known active or potentially active faults that traverse the project site. According to
the Palm Desert Planning Area Map in the Geotechnical Element of the City of Palm Desert
"' General Plan, the project site is not located in the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone.
Exhibit 6, Regional Faults, shows the proximity of the project site to existing faults that have the
potential to affect the roadway improvement. The closest known active fault is the San Andreas
— Fault (right-lateral transform fault) which passes through the northern portion of Palm Desert
approximately 7.5 miles north of the proposed project site and extends for more than 600 miles
from the Salton Sea to Cape Mendocino. Another nearby active fault is the San Jacinto Fault
�, (right-lateral strike-slip fault) located approximately 20 miles southwest of the proposed project
site. It extends for approximately 175 miles and is capable of producing magnitude 6.5 to 7.5
earthquakes. This fault has historically produced more large earthquakes than any other fault in
,_ Ca(ifomia; however, it has not produced any particulariy damaging quakes in recent history.
Located 45 miles southwest of the proposed project site, the next closest major fault zone is the
Elsinore Fault, one of the largest but least active faults in southern California. It extends more
�
than 140 miles in length and is capable of generating magnitude 6.5 to 7.5 earthquakes.
Given the City's proximity of the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults, the City of Palm Desert
has the potential to experience extremely high seismically-induced ground shaking. The effects
" of ground motion on structures can be lessened to ensure structural seismic safety through the
adherence of the Uniform Building Code, California Building Code, and Unreinforced Masonry
Law. No habitable structures are proposed with project implementation; therefore risks to
-- people and private property would be negligible. The proposed bridge would use pre-cast
Cafifornia "I" girders which meet seismic requirements. Pilings for the bridge would be cast-in-
R\Pro�ectslMottatt�J0761MND-0a2105 tloc 24 Mitigated Neqative Dec/aration
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Portola Avenue Bridge
'" drilled-hole (CIDH) concrete piles constructed by pre-drilling a hole through the concrete lining
of the Whitewater River Channel for the full depth of the pile. Steel reinforcement would be then
placed in the hole prior to pouring the concrete. The size and depth of the pile would be
" engineered to support the forces caused by the superstructure of the bridge, including forces
caused by seismic activity. Pife caps at the top of the CIDH piles join the bridge superstructure
to the piles. No significant impacts are anticipated and no mitigation is required.
�
Liquefaction is a seismic phenomenon in which loose, saturated, fine-grained granular soils
behave similarly to a fluid when subjected to high-intensity ground shaking. Liquefaction
� typically occurs where the groundwater table is within 50 feet of the ground surface. According
to the Liquefaction Susceptibility in the Palm Desert Planning Area Map in the Geotechnical
� Element of the City of Palm Desert General Plan, the project site is located in an area of low
i„s susceptibility which contains fine-grained sediments with a groundwater depth of greater than
! 100 feet. Therefore, the proposed project would not be affected by liquefaction and no
mitigation is required.
�" Seiches refers to seismically-induced oscillation or sloshing of water contained in reservoirs,
lakes, ponds, swimming pools, and other enclosed bodies of water. In the event of strong
ground shaking, the degree of damage to small bodies of water, such as swimming pools, in the
r' City of Palm Desert would likely be minor. However, seiching could result in the failure of larger
bodies of water, including water tanks, retention basins, recharge basins, and other water
storage structures, and could result in the inundation of land and structures downgradient. The
�- Colorado River Aqueduct extends across the northerly boundary of the City of Palm Desert,
near the base of the Little San Bernardino Mountains and is situated adjacent to segments of
the San Andreas fault. A surface rupturing earthquake on one of these segments could damage
,.,, the aqueduct and release large volumes of water. The proposed project consists of roadway
anci bridge improvements and would decrease the potential inundation of the Whitewater River
crossing at Portola Avenue; therefore, the proposed project would not result in impacts from
� seiches. No mitigation is required.
According to the Seismically Induced Rock Falls and Landslide Susceptibility Map in the
Geotechnical Element of the City of Palm Desert General Plan, the project site is in an area of
'"'` shallow topographic gradient underlain by young unconsolidated sediments, with a low to none
� susceptibility of being impacted by rock falls or landslides. The topography of the project site is
flat and would not be substantially altered with implementation of the proposed project. No new
� slope or bare areas would be created with implementation of the proposed project. Therefore,
; the potential for landslides is considered very low. No mitigation is required.
., Wind erosion occurs on dry, sandy, finely granulated soils and involves the removal of soil from
f one place in its deposition to another. In the Coachella Valley, the prevailing winds originate
from the San Gorgonio Pass to the west, and follow the central axis of the valley in a
� southeasterly direction. Most of the developed portion of the City of Palm Desert is highly
susceptible to wind erosion. According to the Wind Erosion Hazard Zones in the Palm Desert
Planning Area Map in the Geotechnical Element of the City of Palm Desert General Plan, the
project site is in a Severe Wind Erosion Hazard area which is exposed to erosive winds where
� soils show distinct evidence of wind removal and/or accumulation in hummocks 24 to 48 inches
� high. Increases in the amount of windblown sand in the City of Palm Desert are related to
episodic flooding of the Whitewater River floodplain and other major drainages to the west. The
r"' composition of the Whitewater River floor consists of typically course sands, gravels, and
�
•� cobble. However, during major flood events, large quantities of sand and gravel are deposited
on the river floor and are exposed within the floodplains. The proposed project would allow for
r roadway and bridge improvements in the existing Portola Avenue alignment and would not
. increase the amount of wind erosion in the City of Palm Desert which may settle in the
� R�P•o�euslMoHanWOt6�MND-0a2i05 doc 25 Mitigated lVegative Declaration
r
PoRo/a Avenue Bridge
"" Whitewater Channel. In fact, the proposed project would result in an increased flow capacity at
� the Portola Avenue crossing over Whitewater Channel and decrease the potential for sediment
accumulation. The proposed project would replace the existing dip crossing with an elevated
�"" all-weather crossing. The channel would be graded and lined to match the channel upstream
. and downstream from the bridge improvement with landscaping to a�or�g the slope of the
channel to decrease erosion. Potential erosion impacts would be further discussed under the
� Hydrology section below. No impacts are anticipated and no mitigation is required.
According to the Seismically Induced Settlement in the Palm Desert Planning Area Map in the
.. Geotechnical Element of the City of Palm Desert General Plan, the project site is in an area with
a high susceptibility to seismically-induced settlement; underlain by young, unconsolidated
deposits, especially near the base of the mountains. Risks associated with land subsidence or
�,,,, soil expansion are considered low due to the minimal amount of grading required for the project
and the lack of subsidence because construction would occur in the origina! alignment. In
accordance with City of Palm Desert Public Works standard requirements, the Contractor would
prepare a soils study. Appropriate design standards and standard engineering practices wou�d
~ be applied during construction of the project. The proposed project would not involve the use of
. septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems. No significant impacts are anticipated
and no mitigation is required.
w•
VII. HAZARDS. Would the project:
•- a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials?
b} Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably
„� foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous
� materials into the environment?
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school?
r d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a
significant hazard to the public or the environment?
�' e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not
., been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the
project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area?
� f} For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety
� hazard for people residing or working in the project area?
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response
.. plan or emergency evacuation plan?
;; h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving
'' wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where
,,,� residences are intermixed with wildlands?
• No Impact (Sections a, b, c, d, e, f, g, 8� h). The proposed project is a roadway and bridge
improvement of an existing City roadway and would not create a significant hazard to the public
� or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials or
.- reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous
materials into the environment. Abraham Elementary School and Palm Desert Middle School
^ are located within one-quarter mile from the project site an the southwest corner of the
intersection of Portola Avenue and Magnesia Falls Drive. However, as mentioned above, the
proposed project would not emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely
r hazardous materials, substances, or waste.
...
R�Pro�ectslMoHanU016WIN0-042t 05 ooc 26 Mitigated Negative Dec/aration
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Portola Avenue Bndge
:" A Phase I hazardous materials/substances site records search was completed for the project
`, site and immediate vicinity (EDR, 2004). No sites were identified in the area affected by the
proposed project. The closest site is located within 1/8-mile to the north of the existing
^. Whitewater River Channel crossing at Portola Avenue on the Portola Country Club property and
was identified by the following databases: Leaking Underground Storage Tank Incident Reports
(LUST), State Water Resources Control Board's Hazardous Substance Storage Container
.� database - Underground Storage Tanks (UST}, State Water Resource Control Board - Facility
� Inventory Database (CA F1D), California Water Resources Control Board — Water Discharge
System (WDS), and Department of Toxic Substance Control - HAZNET. These site records
.. involve a gasoline leak from an underground storage tank into the soil which has been closed,
�' an active underground storage tank containing waste oil and mixed oil which has been sent to a
'" transfer station and a recycler, and minor threats to water quality involving the continuous or
,,,, seasonal discharge of wastes from dewatering, recreational lake overflow, swimming pool
' wastes, water ride wastewater, groundwater seepage, other wastes of this type,
designated/influent or solid wastes, and manageable hazardous wastes. The Portola Country
Cfub property would not be affected by project grading or construction. No impacts are
'� anticipated and no mitigation is required.
The proposed project is not located within an airport land use plan within two miles of a public
^ airport or public use airport; therefore, the project would not result in a safety hazard for people
residing or working in the project area. However, a private airport is located near the
termination of Po►tola Avenue near Interstate 10. The Bermuda Dunes Airport is used for
� approximately 25,000 flights annually. However, the orientation of the airport requires flight
� paths to be east-west trending approximately 4.5 mi{es north of the project site. Therefore, the
proposed project would not result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project
�,,� area as a result of the private airstrip.
The City of Palm Desert has established a Multi-Hazard Functional Plan (MHFP) with planned
responses to natural and technological emergency situations. The MHFP includes emergency
� response or evacuation plans that would be implemented during various emergency situations.
The Cove Communities Commission, comprised of various city officials from the cities of Palm
Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells, is the decision-making entity for emergency and
'� related services issues with the contracted Riverside County Sheriff and Fire Departments.
�
. Palm Desert's three fire stations, #33 (Town Center Drive and Highway 111), #71 (Portola and
Country Club Drive), and #67 (Mesa View and Portola Avenue), share the capacity of authority
� as a First Response Team. The agency responsible for the Hazardous Response Plan (HRP)
• addressing hazardous and toxic materials is the County of Riverside Health Hazardous
Materials Division and/or the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The proposed project
.• would not be expected to impede the implementation of the MHFP or HRP as it would allow
• through-traffic during construction. Therefore, no impacts are anticipated and no mitigation is
required.
�
In addition, the proposed is a bridge improvement across a rivec channel and is surrounded by
urban development; therefore, the proposed project would not expose people or structures to a
significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are
� ad}acent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands. No mitigation is
�.
. required.
^ Vllf. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY. Would the project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements?
,+-� b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interFere substantially with
groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a
� R �Pro�ectslMoHa!tU076�MND-Oa2�05 doc 27 Mitigated Negative Declaration
.,.
Portola Ave»ue Bridge
"' lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing
nearby wells would drop to a levei which would not support existing land uses or
planned uses for which permits have been granted)?
^ c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through
the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in
substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site?
�- d) Substantially after the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through
� the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or
' amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site?
... e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or
� planned storm water drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of
� • polluted runoff?
� fl Othenrvise substantially degrade water quality?
g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood
Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation
map?
"` h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which would impede or redirect
flood flows?
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving
� flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?
•— No Impact (Sections a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, 8� j). The Federal Clean Water Act establishes a
framework for regulating potential water quality impacts from construction activities through the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
n (NPDES) program. Municipalities within the Coachella Valley that conduct public improvement
projects invalving more than one acre of grading are required to submit a Noiice of Intent (NOI)
to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to obtain coverage under the Areawide
Urban Storm Water Runoff Permit (MS4) for the Coachella Valley (Order No. 01-077). The
'~ Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) oversees the implementation and enforcement
- of the MS4 permit. Because it would involve grading on more than one acre, the proposed
project would be required to submit a NOI to the SWRCB.
� The Coachella Valley is underlain by several large subsurface aquifers, or sub-basins. The
Whitewater River sub-basin encompasses 400 square miles and underlies the City of Palm
� Desert and a substantia! portion of the valley floor; it is the largest groundwater repository for
� the Coachella Valley. The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) provides domestic water
services to Palm Desert using wells to extract groundwater from the Whitewater River sub-
.- basin. The sub-basin is artificially recharged with imported Colorado River water carried via the
Metropolitan Water District Aqueduct. It is also recharged naturally with runoff from the San
'' Jacinto, Santa Rosa, and San Bernardino mountains. The proposed project would not result in
,,,, any impact to groundwater supply or groundwater recharge.
- The proposed project would alter the drainage pattern in the project area by removing the
existing crossing, installing bridge support columns in the channel, extending the channel lining
'� just upstream of the bridge, and transitioning to join the 96-inch storm drain outlets just
-- downstream of the bridge. The project would result in a decrease in impervious surface.
Therefore, the proposed project would not increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a
'" manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site. The proposed project would allow
� unobstructed flows within the Whitewater Channel and would not result in substantial erosion or
siltation on- or off-site. The proposed project would not create or contribute runoff water beyond
^� the existing condition and would therefore not result in f(ows that wou(d exceed the existing or
planned storm water drainage system capacity or provide substantial additional sources of
�
R 1Pro�ects�MottattU016NAN0-042105 doc 28 Mitigated Negative Declaration
.�*
Porto/a Avenue Bridge
"'' polluted runoff. An encroachment permit frnm the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) will
be required prior to the commencement of any project-related work within the Whitewater
Channel.
�.
Construction activities such as grading, excavation, and trenching for site improvements would
result in disturbance of soils on the project site. Runoff from the project site during construction
•- could transport soils and sediments from these activities. Spills or leaks from heavy equipment
and machinery, staging areas, or buiiding sites could also enter runoff. Typicat poliutants could
include petroleum products and heavy metals from equipment and products such as paints,
,. solvents, and cleaning agents that could contain hazardous constituents. Potentially significant
short-term water quality impacts could result if polluted runoff enters the Whitewater Channel
' and downstream receiving waters. Potential erosion, siltation, and other water quality impacts
,., during construction of the proposed project would be managed through the preparation of a
� Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). This plan would be a joint effort of the City and
contractor. The plan would describe the measures or practices to control pollutants during both
the construction and post-construction phases of the project. A SWPPP typically contains a list
"" of target structural and non-structural best management practices (BMPs), which would be used
� to control, prevent, remove or reduce pollution. BMPs that are most often used during
construction include gravel bags, temporary de-silting basins, and the timing of grading to avoid
+''° the rainy season (November through April). The SWPPP would contain BMPs that address the
following areas during construction, as defined by the California Storm Water Best Management
Practice Handbook: control internal erosion, good housekeeping practices, contain waste,
�-. minimize disturbed areas, stabilize disturbed areas, and control perimeter of site. In addition to
the requirements of the NPDES program, provisions of the Uniform Building Code include
elements that also require reduction of erosion and sedimentation impacts. Full compliance
,,,., with applicable local, state, and federal water quality standards by the applicant would avoid
� water quality impacts.
The proposed project consists of roadway and bridge improvements and no new housing is
� proposed. The proposed project is within a 100-year floodplain and is being undertaken for the
� specific purpose of raising the roadway to take it out of the floodplain. Roadway elevation would
eliminate the need for road closures during periods of high water and flooding. Because no
'"'' habitable structures would be placed within the 100-year flood hazard area, the proposed
_, roadway and bridge improvements would not expose people or structures to a significant risk of
loss, injury, or death involving flooding. No significant impacts are anticipated and no mitigation
� is required.
The proposed project woufd result in a reduction of paving in the Whitewater Wash. The
.. decrease in impervious surface would be considered a beneficial effect. Furthermore, flows
. would be conveyed from storm drains to the Whitewater River channel where they would be
`" allowed to percolate into the substrate.
�
No large water bodies are located in the vicinity of the project site. Therefore, the proposed
� project would not expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death
involving flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam, or inundation by seiche, tsunami,
'" or mudflow. �
1 ..
� .
IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the project:
�
� a) Physically divide an established community?
b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with
r jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific
� R �PrqectslMoflauU016WIND-042� OS doc 29 Mitrgated Negative Declaration
r-�
Portola Avenue Bridge
^ plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding
' or mitigating an environmental effect?
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community
� conservation plan?
No Impact (Sections a, b, & c). The proposed project would allow for roadway and bridge
.• improvement in City-owned right-of-way; therefore, the project would not physically divide an
established community. The proposed project is consistent with the City of Palm Desert
Circulation Element and it would not conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or
'.,, regulation, including habitat conservation plans or natural community conservation plans. No
r' land use or planning impacts would result from implementation of the proposed project. No
' mitigation is required.
� An encroachment permit from the Coachella Valley Water District (CWVD) would be required to
construct the bridge pilings in CVWD flood control easement. In addition, the proposed project
may require the construction of an access road from one side of the bridge to ihe channel
�" bottom for CVWD maintenance activities. No private structures would be directly or indirectly
impacted by the proposed project.
� X. MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to
., the region and the residents of the state?
b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan?
� No Impact (Sections a 8� b). The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA)
mandated the initiation of mineral land classification by the State Geologist in order to help
identify and protect mineral resources in areas within the State subject to urban expansion or
�" other irreversible land uses which would preclude mineral extraction. SMARA also allowed the
. State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB) to designate lands containing mineral deposits of
regional or statewide significance in accordance with classification criteria from the State
'' Geologist. The project site is located on land that is designated MRZ-3 on California Division of
', Mines and Geology mineral resources maps, indicating an area which contains mineral
deposits, the significance of which cannot be evaluated from available data.
r-�
�� The proposed project would result in less permanent development in the channel bottom than
the existing conciition. Therefore, the bridge improvement would not cause additionai land to be
,. precluded from future mineral extraction in the Whitewater River. Therefore, implementation of
• the proposed project would not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that
would be of value to the region and the residents of the state nor a locally important mineral
� resource recovery site delineated on a Iocal general plan, specific plan, or other land use. No
impacts would occur and no mitigation is required.
�
XI. NOISE. Would the project result in:
. a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards
established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of
r* other agencies?
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive ground borne vibration or ground
borne noise levels?
-. c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise �evels in the project vicinity above
levels existing without the project?
� R�Pro�ecls�MoNattU016�MND-042105 doc 30 Mrtigafed Negative Declaratron
e�►
PortoJa Avenue Bridge
^ d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project
vicinity above levels existing without the project?
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not
r been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the
project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise
� levels?
.. fl For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people
- residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
,,,,� Less Than Significant Impact (Sections a, b, c, d, e, 8� f�. Potential noise impacts are divided
into two analyses: short-term and long-term. Short-term impacts are usually associated with
`• noise generated by construction activities. Long-term impacts are further divided into impacts
on surrounding land uses generated by a project and those impacts which occur at a project
�, site.
Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) is a description of the noise levels that occur over a
"" 24-hour period. CNEL is the sound level, in decibels (dB) usually measured with an A-weighting
scale and denoted as dBA, that corresponds to the average energy content of sounds (or noise)
measured over a 24-hour period. Certain periods within the 24-hour cycle are weighted to
� account for the sensitivities of humans to noise events in the evening hours: a 5 dB weighting is
: assigned for the period of 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and a 10 d6 weighting is assigned for noise that
occur during the period 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
�
The City of Palm Desert Noise Ordinance establishes 55 decibels (dBA) as the one-hour
average noise standard for residential areas between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The
,,, nighttime standard (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) is 45 dBA. However, temporary construction noise is
'' exempt from these noise standards befinreen the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on weekdays
from October 1 to April 30 and between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays from
May 1 to September 30, as well as from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays year-round.
'� Violations of the noise standard are not permitted on Sundays or government holidays.
The closest homes to the project are within 50 feet of the limits of disturbance to the southeast
�'' of the project site. Noise measurements were conducted at residences to the northwest and
� southeast of the proposed project during a 24-hour period on December 8 and 9, 2004. Noise
levels at the properties to the southeast ranged from approximately 58.1 to 69.5 d6(A) resulting
r-� in a CNEL of 68.6. Noise levels at the properties to the northwest ranged from approximately
', 51.8 to 61.9 resulting in a CNEL of 62.0. Both properties currently exceed the� City's noise
standards for single-family residential uses.
.�.
, Project-related construction activity would result in a temporary increase in ambient noise levels
` at these residences and in the project vicinity that would cease once construction is completed.
� Noise levels may exceed outdoor noise standards for the land uses in the immediate vicinity of
the project site during construction which is expected to last approximately 24 months.
Although construction noise may be considered adverse, it is not considered significant. The
'" annoyance of construction noise can be limited with the implementation of standard noise
control measures. As a standard condition of approval, a contract specification shall require the
contractors to place construction and support equipment in the least-disruptive area away from
" nearby residential units and to be approved by ihe City Engineer. In addition to limiting the
, hours of construction per the City Noise Ordinance, these requirements will be placed on the
covers of the grading and construction plans.
�
� R�Prciects�Mottattu0t6Vv1ND-0t2�05 doc 31 Mitigated Negative Declaratron
^
Portola Avenue Bridge
"'� Project implementation would not be expected to generate long-term, excessive groundborne
' vibration or noise beyond the existing condition. The potential exists for short-term temporary
groundborne vibration impacts during construction, particularly during drilling for the pilings,
� roadway pavement, and asphalt ripping. Due to the short duration of construction activities and
because construction activities would be conducted within the parameters of the City of Palm
Desert Noise Ordinance, potential impacts associated with ground-borne vibration are
r. considered less than significant.
Although the proposed project would elevate Portofa Avenue to the same level as surrounding
r,,, residential units, the proposed project would eliminate steep grades and, thereby, reduce
�- vehicle gearing and revving noise which is currently experienced in the project area.
' Additionally, the completed bridge deck would be overlaid with rubberized asphalt to minimize
�
traffic noise.
The proposed project site is located approximately one mile from the Bermuda Dunes Airport, a
general aviation facility which currently accommodates approximately 25,300 annual operations.
r"" The proposed project is a roadway improvement and, as such, would not expose people
residing in the vicinity of the airport to excessive noise associated with airport operations.
� The following standard conditions of approval would apply to the proposed project:
�
SCA 11-1 Construction activities will be limited to weekdays between the hours of 7:00 a.m.
�.. and 5:30 p.m. from October 1 to April 30 and 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from May 1
to September 30. Construction activities will be prohibited on government
holidays and Sundays.
� SCA 11-2 Prior to the initiation of construction, a construction traffic plan, equipment
� staging plan, and construction employee parking area program shall be
submitted by the contractor to the City of Palm Desert Director of Public Works to
r" ensure that construction noise impacts from these sources are kept to a
minimum.
� XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the project:
a) lnduce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by
.. proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension
'� of roads or other infrastructure)?
b} Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of
,,,� replacement housing elsewhere?
� c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of
� � replacement housing elsewhere?
�` No Impact (Sections a, b, 8� c). The proposed project is a street and bridge improvement
- project that does not provide access to previously inaccessible areas, and therefore, would not
have growth-inducing effects. As the proposed project would be situated within the existing
f"' Portola Avenue alignment, the roadway improvement would not increase circulation capacity;
• therefore, the proposed project is in compliance with adopted traffic policies and forecasts and
would be considered consistent with the Circulation Element of the City of Palm Desert General
� P{an and the County of Riverside Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH). The project would not
� result in direct or indirect population growth impacts and no mitigation is required.
r�+
�. R\Pro�edslMoNattU0�6�MNDA42105 tloc 32 Mitigated Negative Declaration
�
Porto/a Avenue Bridge
" The proposed project is a roadway and bridge improvement project. Land uses proximate to the
' project site include residential uses; however, project implementation would not displace
existing homes or people. No mitigation is required.
r.
. XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the project:
.,, a) Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new
' or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered
'' governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant
,�,,,, environmentai impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response
- times or other performance objectives for any of the following public services:
� i) Fire protection?
ii) Police protection?
•'^. iii) Schools?
iv} Parks?
v) Other public facilities?
r
. Less Than Significant Impact (Section a). The proposed project is a street and bridge
improvement project and would not directly affect emergency police or fire services. When the
.- proposed project is completed, the roadway improvement would expedite traffic during storm
. and high water events by eliminating roadway closures that have been experienced in the
recent past. Short-term traffic de{ays may occur during construction. However, this short-term
..., impact would not be considered significant because the bridge and road would remain open
�' during construction. Additionally, a Traffic Control Plan (TCP) would be prepared to address
� construction work hours, maintenance of pedestrian facilities, and emergency vehicle access
r„ (See the Transportation and Traffic Section of this Initial Study regarding the TCP). The
proposed project would not affect any schools or park facilities.
Local school buses use Portola Avenue as a travel route and may be delayed by construction
.'�" activities. As with other traffic in the area, the delays would not be substantial and construction
would be of a short duration. While the Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD) may
choose to re-route their school buses during the construction phase of this project as a result of
r"" time constraints, this impact is temporary and wou{d be considered less than significant. The
following mitigation measure would reduce the nuisance impact of construction of the proposed
project on public services.
. MM 12-1 No less than four weeks prior to commencement of roadway demolition and
grading activities, the City of Palm Desert will provide notice to ihe County of
,.,,, Riverside Fire Department, County of Riverside Sheriff's Department, and the
� Desert Sands Unified School District indicating that they may experience delays
�' on the project roadway segment. Such notice will provide a schedule with the
..
expected duration of each construction task.
XIV. RECREAT{ON. Would the project:
r" a) Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational
facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be
accelerated?
+�^ b) fnclude recreationai facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational
; facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment?
� No Impact (Sections a 8� b). The proposed project would neither generate an increase in
population nor increase the demand for local or regional parks or other recreational facilities.
� R�Pro�ects�MoHattU0t6WIND-042105 Coc 33 Mitigated Negative Dec/aration
..
Portola Avenue Bridge
�" Furthermore, the proposed project does not include recreational facilities or require the
� construction or expansion of any recreational facilities. No mitigation is required.
!� XV. TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION. Would the project:
a) Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial in relation to the existing tra�c load
.�•� and capacity of the street system (i.e., result in a substantial increase in either the
number of vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio on roads, or congestion at
� intersections)?
r,,, b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service standard established by
the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways?
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels
or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks?
� ci) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or
dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
e) Result in inadequate emergency access?
r' fl Result in inadequate parking capacity?
g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative
transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks)?
r�
No Impact (Sections a, b, c, d, f, 8 g), Less Than Significant Impact (Section e). Portola
Avenue is an existing north-south roadway designated as a"Major Thoroughfare" (100- to
.., 120-foot-wide right-of-way), in the City of Palm Desert General Plan. In the vicinity of the
proposed project, Portola Avenue currently experiences approximately 9,600 average daily trips
(ADTs) and operates at leve! of service (LOS) A. The City of Palm Desert has established LOS
,,,� "D" as LOS standard for major arterials. Portola Avenue is used by school buses and by
- emergency vehicles as necessary to respond to emergency cal(s.
The primary objective of the proposed project is to expedite traffic flow and eliminate roadway
� closures during storm and high water periods by elevating an 1,100-foot section of the roadway.
Approximately 437 feet of the improved roadway would be on a bridge structure. The project
would also provide an 8-foot-wide sidewalk along both sides of the bridge as well as along the
'"'` east side of Portola Avenue from Magnesia Falls Drive to the south end of the bridge and from
the north end of the bridge to Quicksilver Drive. Additional project-related roadway
improvements include a slightly longer queuing distance for vehicles entering the Portola
� Country Club, and a longer queuing distance and improved profile for left turns from southbound
, Portola Avenue to eastbound Magnesia Falls Drive. The proposed project would not directly
' result in increased long-term traffic on Portola Avenue nor woufd it result in traffic volumes that
,.., would exceed the capacity of the street system or LOS standards established by the City of
' Palm Desert.
�,., To maintain existing traffic flow, the bridge would be constructed in two stages. Traffic will be
• limited to one lane in each direction during construction. Consequently, construction operations
may result in traffic delays on Portola Avenue. Construction employee traffic would add up to
80 peak hour trips per day. Construction vehicles (delivery and haul trucks) would add up to an
'" estimated 40 additional trips per day. The contractor will submit a Traffic Control Plan to the
�. . Public Works Department for review and approval (see SCA 11-2). This plan would address
construction hours, maintenance of pedestrian facilities, and emergency vehicle measures, as
r""' well as include measures to minimize potential traffic delays. The Traffic Control Plan would be
,. submitted and approved by the City prior to issuance of either grading or construction pennits,
whichever occurs first. No mitigation is required.
..,
^. R�Pro�ects�MoHatfU016V�AN0-Oa21p5 doc 34 Mitigated Negatrve Declaration
�
PoRola Avenue Bridge
'"" The proposed project site is located approximately one mile from the Bermuda Dunes Airport, a
general aviation facility which currently accommodates approximately 25,300 annual operations.
The proposed project is a roadway improvement and would not affect air traffic pattems or
R^ levels. The current roadway configuration has no parking and none is proposed with the
project.
.�► The project has been designed to incorporate specific features (e.g., visibility, access,
; necessary lanes) to ensure safety. The project would eliminate sharp grades and provide a
safer pedestrian crossing with the construction of eight-foot-wide sidewalks. The roadway
r., design does not contain any sharp curves. Furthermore, no land uses adjacent to the proposed
project site are incompatible with, nor would they become incompatible with one another as a
' result of, the proposed project.
^ The proposed project promotes the use of alternative transportation by providing sidewalks and
bike lanes in both directions of travel. Additionally, no bus stops or turnouts would be impacted
by project implementation. The project woufd be in compliance with the Traffic and Circulation
r"' Element of the Palm Desert General Plan and County of Riverside Master Plan of Arterial
Highways. No impacts are anticipated and no mitigation is required.
!^ Portola Avenue would be limited to one lane in each direction during construction. Therefore,
the proposed project could result in constraints to local or regional emergency access. The
Traffic Control Plan will include specific measures for notifying emergency service providers
r-, about roadway constraints during construction. Likewise, the Traffic Control Plan wil! include
� specific provisions relating to communications with the Desert Sands Unified School District
about construction-related roadway constraints.
.,
' XVI. UTILtTIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the project:
� a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality
Control Board?
. b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or
expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant
^ environmental effects?
c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or
expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant
!� environmental effects?
� d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing
entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitfements needed?
,..� e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may
� serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected
demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments?
A fl Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the
, project's solid waste disposal needs?
g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
•"" No Impact (Sections a, b, c, d, e, f, 8� g). The proposed project is a roadway and bridge
� improvement and would not result in the need for new electrical or natural gas facilities,
communication systems, local or regional water, or wastewater treatment and distribution
^ facilities, stormwater drainage facilities, long-term water supplies, or long-term solid waste
, services. In addition, it would not result in impacts that would exceed wastewater treatment
requirements. However, the relocation and extension of existing utilities and service systems
�•�• would be required. The utility relocations involving telephone, cable TV, and water lines and
� adjustments to Southern California Edison (SCE) vaults would be performed by the individual
^ R\Pro�eclsV�AottanU016UNND-042105 doc 35 M;tigated Negative Dec/aration
..�
Poriola Avenue 8ridge
"" utility companies. The coordination of the required relocation and extension of facilities would
be completed in advance between the appropriate contractor and service providers and
agencies. The existing Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) water lines along the west side
^ of Portola Avenue would be relocated at the bridge approaches. Portions of the bridge
abutments will be located above the storm drains along the east side of Portola Avenue. The
abutments would be situated on piles located to achieve a horizontal clearance to the storm
r- drain of at least three feet and the 96-inch storm drains both north and south of the channel will
, remain in place unaffected. These relocations and extensions of existing service systems as a
result of the proposed project would not be considered significant impacts. No mitigation is
,. required.
The construction contractor will be responsible for demolition and construction debris waste
^ disposal for the proposed project. Demolition and construction debris, including asphalt and
concrete from the existing roadway, would be recycled at the Granite Construction Company in
the City of Palm Desert. Additional, non-recyclable construction debris would be disposed of at
the Edom Hifl Landfiil or other operating landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to
'� accommodate the projecYs needs, including, but not limited to, the Badlands Landfill in the City
of Moreno. The proposed project would comply with federal, state, and local statutes and
regulations related to solid waste. No impacts are anticipated and no mitigation is required.
�
XVI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE. Would the project:
.. a. Have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the
` habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below
self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the
�„ number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate
' important examples of the major periods of Calrfornia history or prehistory?
b. Have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable?
("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incrementat effects of a project are
� considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects
of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.)
c. Have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human
" beings, either directly or indirectly?
Less Than Significant (Sections a, b, 8� c). As identified in Section 4, the proposed project
r may result in impacts on rare plants, including the Federally-listed Endangered Coachella
� Valley milk-vetch. However, potential impacts on rare plant species are limited in extent and
wouid not be expected to tf�reaten to eliminate a plant community or restrict its range.
,. Additionally, implementation of Mitigation Measure 4-1 would reduce potential impacts to a
, level considered less than significant.
„_, The proposed project is an infrastructure improvement that would provide benefits for a
number of the disciplines addressed in this initial study, including, but not limited to,
aesthetics, air quality, hazards, hydrology and water quality, noise, and traffic and
�
transportatiori. None of the identified impacts would be considered cumulatively considerable.
: As discussed in Sections 3 and 11, the proposed project may result in adverse effects on
human beings resulting from temporary construction-related air quality and noise impacts.
^ However, impfementation of Mitigation Measures 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4 and Standard
�. Conditions of Approval 11-1 and 11-2 would reduce these impacts to a level considered less
than significant.
�
�
� R�Pro;ectsUAoHatt\J016�MND-042105 tloc 36 Mitigated Negative Declaration
A
Poriola Avenue Bridge
�" XVII. REFERENCES
California lntegrated Waste Management Board Solid Waste information System (SWIS)
r- www.ciwmb.ca.gov/SVVIS/.
City of Palm Desert. March 2004. Final General Plan.
.,
City of Palm Desert. Municipal Code Title 25 — Zoning: www.codemanage.com/palmdesert
l,,,, CVAG Department of Finance. 2001. Regional Housing Needs Assessment.
Department of Mines and Geology. 2000, Seismic Hazards Maps.
� Environmental Data Resources Inc. December 10, 2004. EDR Radius Map with Geocheck,
Portola Avenue Bridge, Palm Desert, CA 92260.
'^ Matey, Ben (Senior Civil Engineer). September 23, 2004. Personal Communication. Riverside
County Waste Management Department.
� Southern California Air Quality Management District. 1999. CEQA Handbook.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1979. Soil Survey of
.., Riverside County, Califomia, Coachella Valley Area.
�.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2000), Watershed Assessment Database
� www.epa.gov/surf3/states/CA.
�
..
.,
�
r
�
�..
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� R tPro,ectslMo'�att\JOt 6Vu1N0-0<2105 tloc 37 Mrtigated Negatrve Declaratron
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R
MITIGATION MONITORING AND
REPORTING PROGRAM
FOR P�RTOLA AVENUE BRIDGE.
01fER WHITEWATER CHANNEL
. PALM DESERT,� CALIFORNIA
� �
.
.
.
.
.\
Prepare�d For: , •
. �
City of Patm Desert
Palm Desert Civic Center
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Contact: Mark Errante
(760) 34fi-Ofi11 .
. Prepared by:
BonTerra Consulting
151 Kalmus Drive, Suite E-200
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 444-9199
Contact: Dana Privitt
Associate Principal, Environmental/
. , Planning Services
• - April 21, 2005
PoRola Avenue Bridge
�
PORTOLA AVENUE BRIDGE
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
"' 1.0 INTRODUCTION
California Public Resources Code §21081.6 requires that a lead or responsible agency adopt a
�- mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP) when approving or carrying out a project
where an environmental document, either an environmental impact report (EIR) or a mitigated
negative declaration (MND), has ident�ed measures to reduce potential adverse environmental
^ impacts. The City of Palm Desert is the lead agency for the Portola Avenue Bridge project and,
therefore, is responsible for implementation of the MMRP. A MND has been prepared for this
project which addresses the potential environmental impacts and, where appropriate,
,,,,, recommends measures to mitigate these impacts. An MMRP is therefore required to ensure
that adopted mitigation measures are successfully implemented. Therefore, the City Council of
the City of Palm Desert adopts this MMRP in its capacity as the lead agency in accordance with
the provisions of the Cafifornia Environmental Quality Act {CEQA) (Cal.Pub.Res.Code Section
"" 21000, et seq.) and its implementing guidelines (14 Cal.Code Regs. Section 15000, et seq.) (the
CEQA Guidelines).
-� The principal purpose of the MMRP is to ensure that the Council-approved mitigation measures
for the approved project are implemented and monitored for compliance during project
implementation. The MMRP for the Portola Avenue Bridge project will be active through all
— phases of the project, including design, construction, and operation. In general, the City of Palm
Desert is responsible for overseeing implementation and completion of the adopted mitigation
measures. This includes the review of all monitoring reports, enforcemeni actions, and
,_ document disposition, unless otherwise noted in the attached MMRP table. If an adopted
mitigation measure is not being properly implemented, the designated monitoring personnel
shall require corrective actions to ensure adequate implementation.
^" 2.0 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
The Portola Avenue Bridge project MMRP is provided in tabular format to facilitate effective
— tracking and documentation of the status of mitigation measures. The attached MMRP table
provides the following monitoring information:
�— • Mitigation Measure-A list or inventory of all the adopted mitigation measures (inclusive
of Standard Conditions of Approval (SCA) and Mitigation Measures (MM) for the project.
,_ Standard Conditions and Requirements are based on local, state, or federal regulations
or laws that are frequently required independently of CEQA review, but can also serve to
offset or prevent specific impacts. Typical standard conditions and requirements include
�
compliance with the Uniform Building Code, Air Pollution Control District permit
requirements, etc. Additional conditions may be imposed on the project by government
agencies during the approval process, as appropriate. The applicability of many of the
standard conditions and requirements to the project would be finally determined at later
"�' phases of project approval in association with subsequent discretionary and
administrative approvals.
— Where a potentially significant environmental effect has been identified and is not
reduced to a level considered less than significant through the application of Standard
Conditions and Requirements, project-specific mitigation measures have been identified.
• Timing of Mitigation Implementation-The appropriate time or phase for the
implementation of each mitigation measure.
�
R 1Pro�ects\MoHattW0161MMRP�pc2105 tloc 1 Mitigation Monitonng and Reportrng Program
Portola Avenue Bridge
r
� Responsib/e Party-The City department or departments responsible for overseeing the
implementation and completion of each mitigation measure. Where consultation with
other agencies is required, this requirement is noted. However, the responsibility to
'-' determine compliance with the mitigation measure lies with the City of Palm Desert, as
the lead agency for the project.
-` • Monitoring Action-Identifies the method by which the adopted measure will be initiated
by the applicant. Satisfactory completion of the measure will be verified by the
Responsible Party.
�
• Date Comp/eted-The last column of the MMRP table will be used by the compliance
monitor to document when implementation of the measure has been completed.
...
This MMRP will be supplemented by documentation, as required, to address mitigation
compliance for each phase of project development. The ongoing documentationlmonitoring of
, mitigation compliance will be completed by the City of Palm Desert. The completed MMRP and
supplemental documents will be kept on file at the City of Palm Desert Planning Department.
�
^
�
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�
�
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R �Pro�ects�MOHanU0161MMRP-042t05 doc 2 Mitrgation Monilorrng and Reporting Program
} 1 i I 1 1 � 1 1 f 1 I 1 i 1 1 1 1 1
Portola Avenue Bridge
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
..... _._ _ _..._._�..---._.... -----
Timing of Mitigation
Mitigation Measure Implementatfon Monitoring Action
MM 3-1: All diesel fuel broughl on-site for use by construction During all grading and Observation of grading
equipment shall be low sulfur diesel fuel. The use of low sulfur construction activities and construction
diesel fuel is required for stationary construction equipment by activities
SCAQMD Rules 431.1 and 431.2.
MM 3-2: All construction vehicles and equipment brought on-site During all grading and Observation of grading
shall be equipped with diesel particulate filters. construction activities and construction
activities
MM 3-3: Further reduce construction equipment emissions by During all grading and Observation of grading
implementing the following measures to the greatest extent construction activities and construction
feasible. Some additional gains in emission control will be activities
Responsible Party(ies)
City Construction Engineer;
Construction Manager
City Construction Engineer;
Construction Manager
Ciry Construction Engineer;
Construction Manager
Date
Com pleted
realized from the implementation of these measures.
• Maintain construction equipment engines consistent with
manufacturers' recommendations.
• Turn construction equipment off when not in use.
• Use cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for operating
equipment.
• Utilize post-combustion controls in combustion engine
construction equipment.
• Configure construction parking to minimize traffic interference.
• Schedule construction operations affecting tra�c for off-peak
hours.
. Develop a Traffic Control Plan to minimize traffic flow
interference from construction activities.
• Utilize existing power sources (i.e., power poles) when
feasible. This measure would minimize the use of higher
polluting gas or diesel generators.
• Use low emission mobile construction equipment. To the
greatest extent practicable, California Air Resources Board
(CARB)-certified equipment should be used for construction
activities. A fraction of all of the active construction equipment
is CARB certified. Depending on regional construction
activities some or all of the CARB certified construction
equipment may be utilized on other projects. When available
CARB-certified construction equipment shall be utilized prior to
non-CARB certified equipment.
• Consider the use of alternative diesel fuel formulations such as
PuriNOxT"' and Amber 363 to the extent feasible.
Encourage the use of low sulfur diesel fuel for vehicles not fueled
on site inctuding haul trucks.
R�Pro�s�MonanU0161MMRP-042105 aa 3 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Progrgm
I r 1 i 1 l l ) t t t i l 1 f 1 l i 1
Portola Avenue 8ridge
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM (Continued)
.. ._..-�---� - �---- — .. .. ....._._..._..._.
Timing of Mitigation Date
Mitigation Measure Implementation Monitoring Action Responsfbie Party(ies) Completed
MM 3-4: The contractor shall be required to submit a Dust Dust Control Plan: Dust Control Plan: Ciry Construction Engineer;
Control Plan to the Public Worics Department for review and Prior to issuance of Review and approval of Construction Manager
approval prior to issuance of a demolition or grading permit. This first demolition or Dust Control Plan
requirement shall be placed on the cover of the grading plans. grading permit.
The Dust Control Plan shall be consistent with the Coachella
Valley State Implementation Plan (CVSIP) and Public Works Compliance Compliance: Observation
DepartmenYs existing policies and standards and, at a minimum, measures: During all of grading and
will incorporate the following measures: grading and construction activities
construction activities
• All construction contractors shall comply with the Dust Control
Plan and applicable SCAQMD regulations. To ensure that the
project is in full compliance and that there are no nuisance
impacts off-site, the contractor shall implement the following:
1. Cease all dust generating demolition, grading and/or
construction operations during winds in excess of 25 miles
per hour.
2. Maintain a vehicular speed of not more than 15 miles per
hour on unpaved roads.
3. Moisten soil not more than 15 minutes prior to moving it.
4. Water exposed surtaces at least twice a day under calm
conditions and as often as needed on windy days or during
very dry weather in order to maintain a surface crust and
prevent the release of visible emissions from the
construction site.
5. Apply soil stabilizers to inactive areas.
6. Provide for street sweeping, as needed, on adjacent
roadways to remove dirt dropped by construction vehicles or
mud which would otherwise be carried off by trucks
departing project sites.
7. All trucks entering or leaving the site with material shall use
tarps to minimize fugitive dust or materials release during
transit.
All stockpiles of earth at the construction site shall be
covered with tarps to minimize fugitive dust release.
R 1Pro�eGslMoflattU0161MMRP-012105 Ex 4 Mitigation Monitoring and RepoRing Proqram
Portola Avenue Bridge
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM (Continued)
Timing of Mitigation Date
Mitigation Measure Implementation MonitoHng Action Responsible Party(ies) Completed
MM 4-1: Focused surveys for the Coachella Valley milk-vetch will
be conducted by a qualified botanist during Spring of 2005,
assuming appropriate weather conditions occur (i.e., appropriate
rainfall), to determine the size of the population present on the
proposed project site in accordance with the California
Department of Fish and Game special status plant survey
guidelines. If found on-site, the surveys will include a detailed
map and GPS locations of each plant and the boundaries of each
separate location. If the size of the population incurs a finding of
significant impact, then appropriate measures will be implemented
to reduce impacts to a level considered less ihan significant.
Potential measures may include but are not limited to avoidance,
relocation, purchase of off-site habitat known to be occupied by
the Coachella Valley milk-vetch, and trash/weed removal.
MM 4-2: If construction is scheduled to proceed between March 1
and August 31, no more than seven days prior to the onset of
construction activities (e.g., vegetation clearing or grading), a
qualified biologist will conduct a pre-construction nesting raptor
survey within the limits of project disturbance and adjacent areas
for the presence of any active raptor nests.
If a raptor nest is found, the following restrictions on construction
will be required between March 1 and August 31 (or until nests
are no longer active as determined by a qualified biologist):
1) clearing limits will be established with a minimum of 500 feet, in
any direction from any occupied raptor nest exhibiting nesting
activiry; and 2) access and surveying will not be allowed within
100 feet of any raptor nest exhibiting nesting activiry, or as
otherwise determined by a qualified biologist. Any encroachment
into the 500-/100-foot buffer area around the known nest is
allowed only if it is determined by a qualified biologist that the
proposed activity shall not disturb the nest occupants.
Survey: During the
spring prior to the
initiation of demolition
or grading
Mitigation
Implementation: Prior
to the initiation of
demolition or grading
Survey: No more than
seven days prior to
the construction
activities if scheduled
to proceed between
March 1 and August
31
Receipt and acceptance
of survey report
Mitigation
Implementation: As set
forth in MM 4-1
Review of survey, further
action if necessary and
as set forth in mitigation
measure
Applicant, Qualified Biologist,
Planning Director
Applicant, Planning Director,
�ualified Botanist
MM 4-3: During excavation or drilling in the Whitewater River Prior to initiation of Visual inspection by City Ciry Construction Engineer
Channel, the contractor shall ensure that all trenches or holes excavation or drilling Construction Engineer
associated with the installation of the bridge piles or other project in the Whitewater
construction are fenced or completely covered to exclude native River Channel
wildlife. Fencing should include silt fencing at the base to prevent
small mammals or reptiles from being entrapped.
MM 4-4: Prior to impacts to jurisdictional "waters of the U.S. and Prior to the initiation of Receipt of applicable
State" on-site, the applicant shall obtain a U.S. Army Corps of demolition or grading permits
Engineers Section 404 Permit, Califomia Department of Fish and
Applicant, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Regional Water
Quality Control Board,
R\PropdsUAoffatlU0161MMRP-042105 dx 5 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Portola Avenue Bndge
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM (Continued)
...-- ----.._.. _�_.._.. _._._... .. . - -
Timing of Mitigation Date
Mitigation Measure Implementation Monitoring Action Responsible Party(ies) Completed
Game Section 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement, and a
Regional Water Quality Control Board Section 401 Water Quality
Certification. In this case, the removal of a dip-crossing type
roadway structure and replacement with a bridge structure would
expose areas of Whitewater River that had previously been
covered by the roadway. Therefore, the recovery of the river
bottom should represent a"self-mitigating" design element which
offsets project impacts.
MM 5-1: A County of Riverside-certified archaeologist shall
carefully inspect the area to assess the potential for significant
prehistoric or historic resources. If a site is uncovered, then a
subsurface evaluation may be needed to assess the resource
before construction is allowed to proceed. Further subsurface
investigation may be needed if the site is determined
unique/important for its prehistoric information.
Retention of
Archaeologist: Prior to
all earthmoving
activities in the vicinity
of archaeological
resources.
Compliance with and
successful
implementation of
measure(s) will be
determined by the
regulatory agencies
Califomia Department of Fish
and Game, Regional Water
Quality Control Board, Planning
Director
MM 5-2: During drilling and/or grading activities, a County of
Riverside-certified archaeologist shall be present during ground
disturbance and shall have the authority to temporarily divert or
redirect earthmoving to allow time to evaluate any exposed
prehistoric or historic material, including paleontological
resources. Any recovered prehistoric or historic artifacts shall be
catalogued by a qualified archaeologist or paleontologist. For
non-tribal resources, the City of Palm Desert would retain any
resources discovered during grading for display in public facilities
or for educational purposes following cataloguing.
MM 5-3: In accordance with Public Resources Code 5097.94, if
human remains are found, the Riverside County coroner must be
notified within 24 hours of the discovery. If the coroner
determines that the remains are not recent, the coroner will notify
the Native American Heritage Commission in Sacramento to
determine the most likely descendent for the area. The
designated Native American representative then determines in
consultation with the property owner the disposition of the human
remains.
Site inspection: Prior
to the initiation of
demolition or grading
Monitoring during
drilling and/or grading
activities
Within 24 hours of
discovery
Receipt of proof of Riverside County-certified
retention of archaeologist archaeologist; Planning Director
Site inspection: Visual
inspection by certified
archaeologist
Observation by certified Riverside County-certified
archaeologist archaeologist; Ptanning Director
Notification of Riverside Riverside County-certified
Counry coroner archaeologist; Riverside County
coroner
R 1Pro�edslMoHattU0161MMRP-042105 Aoc 6 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
1 1 1 1 1 1 ) ) 1 l i 1 I I 1 ) 1 1 1
Portola Avenue Bridge
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM (Continued)
Timing of Mitigation Date
Mitigation Measure implementation Monitoring Action Responsible Party(ies) Completed
SCA 11-1: Construction activities will be limited to weekdays During all grading and Observation of grading City Construction Engineer;
between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from October 1 to construction activities and construciion Construction Manager
April 30, and 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from May 1 to September 30. activities
Construction activities will be prohibited on government holidays
and Sundays.
SCA 11-2: Prior to the initiation of construction, a construction Construction Traffic Receipt and acceptance Director of Public Works;
traffic plan, equipment staging plan, and construction employee Plan: Prior to initiation of Construction Traffic Applicant
parking area program shall be submitted by the contractor to the of grading Plan; observation of
Ciry of Palm Desert Director of Public Works to ensure that grading and construction
construction noise impacts from these sources are kept to a activities
minimum.
R 1Pro�edslMoHattU0161MMRP-042105 doc 7 Mifigation Monitoring and Reportrng Program