SAND HILL WIND REPOWERING PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL … · SAND HILL WIND REPOWERING PROJECT...
Transcript of SAND HILL WIND REPOWERING PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL … · SAND HILL WIND REPOWERING PROJECT...
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SAND HILL WIND REPOWERING PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
P R E P A R E D B Y :
AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency224W.WintonAvenue,Room111Hayward,CA94544Contact:AndrewYoung510.670.5400
W I T H T E C H N I C A L A S S I S T A N C E F R O M :
ICF630KStreet,Suite400Sacramento,CA95814Contact:BradSchafer916.737.3000
September2018
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AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentDepartment.2018.SandHillWindRepoweringProjectEnvironmentalAnalysis.September.(ICF00631.17.)Hayward,CA.WithtechnicalassistancefromICF,Sacramento,CA.
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Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
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Contents
List of Tables and Figures ...................................................................................................................... iii
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ...................................................................................................... iv
Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1‐1
1.1 Project Overview .............................................................................................................. 1‐1
1.2 Relationship to the PEIR ................................................................................................... 1‐1
1.3 Changes Relevant to the PEIR Analysis ............................................................................ 1‐2
1.4 Organization of this Document ........................................................................................ 1‐6
1.5 References Cited .............................................................................................................. 1‐6
Chapter 2 Project Description ................................................................................................... 2‐1
2.1 Project Location and Land Ownership ............................................................................. 2‐1
2.2 Project Need, Goals, and Objectives ................................................................................ 2‐2
2.3 Existing Facilities .............................................................................................................. 2‐2
2.4 Proposed Project Features ............................................................................................... 2‐3
2.5 Project Construction ...................................................................................................... 2‐10
2.6 Operation and Maintenance Activities .......................................................................... 2‐17
2.7 Post‐Project Decommissioning ...................................................................................... 2‐18
Chapter 3 Environmental Analysis ............................................................................................ 3‐1
3.1 Aesthetics and Visual Resources ................................................................................... 3.1‐1
3.2 Agricultural and Forestry Resources ............................................................................. 3.2‐1
3.3 Air Quality ..................................................................................................................... 3.3‐1
3.4 Biological Resources ..................................................................................................... 3.4‐1
3.5 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................ 3.5‐1
3.6 Geology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and Paleontological Resources ............................. 3.6‐1
3.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ........................................................................................... 3.7‐1
3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ................................................................................ 3.8‐1
3.9 Hydrology and Water Quality ....................................................................................... 3.9‐1
3.10 Land Use and Planning ................................................................................................ 3.10‐1
3.11 Noise ........................................................................................................................... 3.11‐1
3.12 Population and Housing .............................................................................................. 3.12‐1
3.13 Public Services ............................................................................................................. 3.13‐1
3.14 Recreation ................................................................................................................... 3.14‐1
3.15 Transportation/Traffic ................................................................................................ 3.15‐1
3.16 Utilities and Service Systems ...................................................................................... 3.16‐1
Chapter 4 List of Preparers ....................................................................................................... 4‐1
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Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
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Appendix A Air Quality Technical Memorandum
Appendix B Biological Resources Evaluation Report
Appendix C Cultural Resources Survey Report
Appendix D Sound Technical Report
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Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
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Tables and Figures
Table
1‐1 Turbine Specifications Contemplated in the PEIR and for Use with the Proposed Project .......... 1‐3
1‐2 Operational, Approved, or Foreseeable Projects in the APWRA .................................................. 1‐5
2‐1 Parcels and Proposed Uses ........................................................................................................... 2‐1
2‐2 Turbine Specifications ................................................................................................................... 2‐4
2‐3 Updated Alameda County Turbine Setback Requirements .......................................................... 2‐4
2‐4 Estimated Disturbance Associated with Project Construction (acres) ....................................... 2‐11
3.4‐1 Approximate Acreage of Land Cover Types ............................................................................... 3.4‐1
Figures appear at the end of the chapter or section in which they are referenced
1‐1 Project Location
2‐1 Parcel Boundaries
2‐2a Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project—Layout 1
2‐2b Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project—Layout 2
2‐2c Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project—Layout 3
3.1‐1 Visual Simulation Viewpoint Locations
3.1‐2 Viewpoint 1—Looking Southwest from California Aqueduct Bikeway at Bethany Reservoir
3.1‐3 Viewpoint 2—Looking East along Christensen Road near Bethany Reservoir Entrance Road
3.1‐4 Viewpoint 3—Looking South along Bruns Road from 0.15 mile South of Kelso Road
3.1‐5 Viewpoint 4—Looking Southwest along Mountain House Road from 1.4 miles South of Kelso
Road
3.1‐6 Viewpoint 5—Looking North by Northwest along Mountain House Road from North of West
Grant Line Road Intersection
3.1‐7 Viewpoint 6—Looking West by Northwest from California Aqueduct Bikeway at Grant Line
Road Crossing
3.1‐8 Viewpoint 7—Looking West by Northwest from Westbound I‐580 at the West Grant Line Road
Onramp
3.1‐9 Viewpoint 8—Looking Northeast from Altamont Pass Road at Unnamed Access Road
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
APE areaofpotentialeffectsAPLIC AvianPowerLineInteractionCommitteeAPWRA AltamontPassWindResourceAreaBMPs bestmanagementpracticesCDFW CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlifeCEQA CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActCNDDB CaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabaseCounty AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgencyCRHR CaliforniaRegisterofHistoricResourcesCUP conditionalusepermitCUPA CertifiedUnifiedProgramAgencydBA A‐weighteddecibelEACCS EastAlamedaCountyConservationStrategyECAP EastCountyAreaPlanEIR environmentalimpactreportFAA FederalAviationAdministrationgen‐tie generation‐tieGHG greenhousegasH&S HealthandSafetyHDD horizontaldirectionaldrillingHMBP HazardousMaterialsBusinessPlanI‐ InterstatekV kilovoltMW megawattNAHC NativeAmericanHeritageCommissionNRHP NationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesO&M Operations&MaintenancePG&E PacificGasandElectricCompanyPRD PermitRegistrationDocumentProjectorproposedProject SandHillWindRepoweringProjectQA/QC qualityassurance/qualitycontrolRPS RenewablesPortfolioStandardSandHill SandHillWind,LLCSF6 sulfurhexafluorideSMARTS StormwaterMultipleApplicationandReportTrackingSystemSPCC SpillPreventionControlandCountermeasuresSWPPP stormwaterpollutionpreventionplan
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Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Analysis
Draft
1‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Chapter 1 Introduction
InNovember2014,theAlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency(County)certifiedtheAltamontPassWindResourceAreaRepoweringFinalProgramEnvironmentalImpactReport(PEIR).ThePEIRincludesadetailedaccountofthehistoryandlegalactivitiesculminatinginpreparationofthePEIR,andprovidesaframeworkforconsiderationofsubsequentprojects,providedtheyareconsistentwiththePEIRandwouldbedevelopedtobeconsistentwiththeCounty’sgoals,objectives,andconditionsassetforththerein.ThisanalysishasbeenpreparedspecificallytoaddresstheSandHillWindRepoweringProject(Project),inaccordancewiththepurposesofthePEIR.
LeadAgencyContactInformation ProjectSponsorContactInformation
AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency SandHillWind,LLC
Mr.AndrewYoung,SeniorPlanner KorinaCassidy
224WestWintonAvenue,Room111 2180South1300East,Suite600
Hayward,CA94544 SaltLakeCity,UT84106
510.670.5400 415.692.7727
1.1 Project Overview SandHillWind,LLC(SandHill)isproposingtheSandHillWindRepoweringProject(Projectorpro‐posedProject)on15privatelyownedparcelsintheAltamontPassWindResourceArea(APWRA)(Figure1‐1).TheproposedProjectwouldentailinstallationofupto40newwindturbinesandisexpectedtoutilizeturbineswithgeneratingcapacitiesbetween2.3and4.0megawatts(MW),allgenerallysimilarinsizeandappearance,todevelopupto144.5MW.Threeconceptualalternativelayoutsareproposed,eachusingupto40windturbines.Thelayoutsaresubstantiallysimilar,mainlyvaryingaccordingtothelocationof11turbinesinthecenteroftheProjectarea,southandwestofBethanyReservoirandtheirrelativedistancefromtheprimaryaccessroadfortheProject.Thefinallayoutwouldbeselectedbasedonsiteconstraints(e.g.,aviansitingconsiderations),dataobtainedfrommeteorologicalmonitoringofthewindresources,andturbineavailability.Eachofthesefactorswouldbeconsideredwhenmicrositingturbines,withthefinallayoutreflectingoneorsomecombinationofthealternativelayouts.Existingroadswouldbeusedwherepossible,andtemporarywideningandsomenewroadswouldbenecessary.TheProjectwouldalsorequirethreegeneration‐tie(gen‐tie)linesconnectingtheProjecttotwosubstations.
1.2 Relationship to the PEIR TheCountyhaspreparedthisanalysisandtheassociatedchecklisttovalidatetheproposedProject’sconformancewiththeanalysisandmitigationpresentedinthePEIR,andtoensurethattheSandHillProjectisincompliancewithrequirementsoftheCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA).The
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Introduction
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
1‐2 September 2018
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summaryanalysisinthechecklistisintendedtoinformdecisionmakersandthepublicoftheProject’sconformitywiththeanalysisinthePEIRandtoidentifythespecificimpactsandmitigationmeasuresrelevanttotheProject.ThisanalysisandchecklistsupportthedecisionnottoprepareasubsequentEIRpursuanttoSection15168(c)(2)oftheStateCEQAGuidelines.Therelationshipofthechecklist(supportedbythisanalysis)tothePEIRisconsistentwiththeintentofaprogramEIRasestablishedinStateCEQAGuidelinesSection15168(d),whichcallsforuseofaninitialstudytodeterminewhetheralater,directlyrelated(ortiered)projectwouldhavenewordifferentenvironmentaleffectsthatwerenotdisclosedinthePEIRorthatwouldwarrantanewEIR.TheenvironmentalchecklistpreparedfortheproposedProjectconstitutesaninitialstudyforthepurposeofSection15063,includingitsprovisionforusewithapreviouslypreparedEIR(Section15063(b)(1)(B)).Moreover,anypublicnoticerequiredbyCountyordinancewillstate,asrequiredbyStateCEQAGuidelinesSection15168(e),thattheactivitiesassociatedwiththeSandHillProjectarewithinthescopeofthePEIRandthatthePEIRadequatelydescribedandassessedtheseactivities.
AsshowninChapter3,EnvironmentalAnalysis,despitethechangesmentionedinthenextsection,theproposedProjectwouldnotresultinanyimpactsnotaddressedinthePEIR,norwoulditresultinimpactsofgreaterseveritythanthosepresentedinthePEIR.
1.3 Changes Relevant to the PEIR Analysis SincepreparationofthePEIR,fivefactorsrelevanttothePEIRanalysishaveemerged.First,someoftheturbinesunderconsiderationfortheproposedProject,whilemostlywithinthedimensionalspecificationsoftheturbinesanalyzedinthePEIR,exceedtheindividualnameplatecapacityoftheturbinesanalyzedinthePEIRbyasmallmargin.Theconsequencesofthischangearetwo‐fold:fewerturbineswouldberequiredtoachievethesameProject‐levelgenerationcapacity,andthelargerturbineswouldhavealargerrotor‐sweptarea.
ThesecondfactorinvolvesquestionsregardingthereliabilityofestimatedavianmortalityratesaspresentedinthePEIR.ThisissueisaddressedbrieflybelowandindetailinSection3.4.2,Environ‐mentalImpactsandMitigationMeasures.
Third,thesizeoftheproposedProject—144.5MW—islargerthantheoriginallyproposedSandHillProjectasconsideredinthePEIR.WhiletheoriginallyproposedSandHillProjectwas34MW,itoccupiedasmallerareathanthecurrentProject.TheproposedProjectnowencompassestheoriginalareaaswellasadditionalareasthatwereconsideredfordevelopmentinthePEIR.Overall,themixofforeseeablefuturewindprojectshaschangedfromthatcontemplatedinthePEIR,buttheoveralllevelofanticipatedwinddevelopmentremainsthesame.
Fourth,whilethePEIRdidnotincludediscussionofOperationsandMaintenance(O&M)(Project‐levelanalysesdidincludeO&Mbuildings),SandHillproposestoinstallsuchafacility.
Finally,theCountyisawarethatinformationregardingnighttimelightingduringoperationoftheturbines,aswellasFAArequirements,mayinfactbedifferentfromtheinformationinthePEIR.ThesefiveissuesaredescribedandevaluatedindetailinthefollowingsubsectionsandinChapter3,EnvironmentalAnalysis,ofthisdocument.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Introduction
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
1‐3 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
1.3.1 Turbine Size
SandHillproposestwotypesofturbines:a2.3MWmodelanda3.6or3.8MWmodel.BecauseSandHillhasnotyetselectedthespecificturbinemodels,itretainstheoptionofusingturbinesupto4.0MW,dependingonproductavailabilityattimeofconstruction.However,regardlessoftheturbinemodelselected,theProjectwouldnotexceedtheproposed144.5MWcapacity,andtheoveralldimensionsofindividualturbineswouldnotexceedthosecurrentlyproposed.
ThePEIRanalyzedprojectswitharangeofturbinesizes.Table1‐1showsthemaximumdimensionsofthisrangeforcomparisonwiththelargestofthreeturbinetypesunderconsiderationfortheproposedProject.
Table 1‐1. Turbine Specifications Contemplated in the PEIR and for Use with the Proposed Project
TurbineModel PEIRMaximum—3.0MW GeneralElectric3.6MWa
Rotortype 3‐blade/horizontalaxis 3‐blade/horizontalaxis
Bladelength 62.5m(205ft) 67.2m(220ft)
Rotordiameter 125m(410ft) 137m(449ft)
Rotor‐sweptarea 12,259m2(131,955ft2) 14,741m²(158,671ft2)
Towertype Tubular Tubular
Tower(hub)height 96m(315ft) 83.6m(274ft)
Totalheight(fromgroundtotopofblade) 153m(502ft) 152m(499ft)
Bladeheight(fromgroundtobottomofblade)b 17.5m(57ft) 16.4m(54ft)aA3.8MWturbineandanas‐yet‐undeterminedturbinewithacapacityupto4.0MWhavealsobeenconsidered;however,the3.6MWturbineislargerinalldimensionsthanthe3.8MWandthe4.0MWturbines,andisthereforepresentedhereasthelargestoftheproposedturbinetypes.bThePEIRevaluatedhubheightsrangingfrom80to96metersandbladelengthsrangingfrom41.25to62.5meters.Measurementsassumingthelowestdistancefromthegroundsurfacetothebottomofthebladetiparepresentedhere.
Asshowninthetable,theproposedSandHillturbineswouldbewithinthespecificationsestablishedinthePEIRforrotortype,towertype,tower(hub)height,andtotalheight.However,bladelengthswouldbeupto15feet(approximately7%)longer,rotordiametersupto39feet(approximately9%)greater,androtor‐sweptareaupto2,482m2(approximately17%)larger.
BecausesomeoftheproposedProjectspecificationsexceedthosedescribedinthePEIR,additionalreviewofpotentiallyaffectedenvironmentalresourcesisprovidedinthisdocument.Largerturbinescouldaffectthreeresources:aesthetics(Section3.1),hazards(i.e.,setbacks)(Section3.8),andbiologicalresources(i.e.,birdsandbats)(Section3.4).Atthesametime,itshouldbeborneinmindthatwhilea3MWturbinewasthelargestconsideredinthePEIR,forpurposesoftheanalysisofavianmortality,theturbineusedasthebasisfordevelopingestimatesoffutureortypicalprojectimpactswastheVascoWinds2.3MWturbine.Theconsequenceoftheincreasednameplatecapacitytoa3.6,3.8oreven4.0MWturbine,however,wouldbelowerimpactsperMWforcertainenvironmentaltopicareas,becausea144.5MWprojectwouldrequire62turbinesofthecapacityoftheVascoWindsturbines,whereasthesame144.5MWcapacitywouldbeachievedwith40oftheturbinesproposedfortheSandHillProject.Thisdecreaseddensityofturbineswouldresultinproportionallylesserimpactsassociatedwithairqualityemissions,traffic,andgrounddisturbance.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Introduction
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
1‐4 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
1.3.2 Avian Mortality Estimates
SubsequenttocertificationofthePEIR,thefirstrepoweringproject,GoldenHills,wascompletedaspartoftheoverallAPWRArepoweringeffort.Inlate2017,H.T.Harvey&AssociatespreparedtheGoldenHillsWindEnergyCenterPostconstructionFatalityMonitoringReport:Year1,presentingtheresultsofthefirstyear’smonitoringeffortandanalysisofthoseresults.ThemonitoringeffortindicatedpotentiallyhighermortalityratesthanthoseestimatedinthePEIR(particularlyforgoldeneaglesandred‐tailedhawks).However,asexplainedindetailinthediscussionofImpactBIO‐11inSection3.4.2,EnvironmentalImpactsandMitigationMeasures,theseresultsdonotindicatenewormoreseveresignificanteffectsbeyondthoseanticipatedinthePEIR.ThePEIRanalyzedeffectsonavianandbatspeciesusinginformationonmultiplerepoweredprojectscollectedovermultipleyears,notingthat“…fatalityratesintheAPWRAarehighlyvariable(thatisbecausetheydifferacrossyears,turbinetypes,geographies,andtopographies…”).Consequently,thenewinformationonavianandbatfatalitiesfrom1yearofmonitoringasingleprojectduringanabnormallywetyearwithinthelargerAPWRA—andsuggestingmoresevereimpactsonbirdsandbats—cannotbeextrapolatedtoimplythattheSandHillProjectwouldresultinnewsignificanteffectsorasubstantialincreaseintheseverityofeffects.Abodyofinformationspanningmultipleprojectsandmultipleyearsofmonitoringarenecessarytoformconclusionsregardingeffects.
1.3.3 Megawatt Cap
ThePEIRidentifiedtwoalternativesforrepoweringtheAPWRA,analyzingbothatanequallevelofdetail.BecausetheCountyadoptedandcertifiedthePEIRwithoutidentifyingapreferredalterna‐tive,theCountymayauthorizeeitheralternative.Alternative2wasthelargeralternative,assumingamaximumcapacityof450MWfortheAPWRAatfullrepowering.ThePEIRalsoanalyzedtwoprojects,GoldenHillsandPattersonPass,andconsideredfourotherfutureprojects(Table1‐2).WhilethePEIRdidnotcontemplatethesequencingofprojectsconsideredinthefuture,CountystaffconsiderthatthefutureprojectsidentifiedinthePEIRshouldbeconsideredfirstinallocatingthetotalnameplatecapacity.Subsequentprojectswouldbereviewedonafirst‐come,first‐servedbasis.AsoutlinedinTable1‐2,thetotalcapacityofapproved,operational,orforeseeablefutureprojectsconsideredinthePEIRis316.5MW.TheSandHillProjectwouldincreasethattotalto425MW.Becausethisislessthanthe450MWcapestablishedbyAlternative2,theproposedProjectwouldnotconflictwiththePEIR.However,theRooneyRanchProjectsite(alsoknownastheSantaClarasite)isalsounderconsiderationforrepowering;thisprojectwouldhavea25.1MWnameplatecapacity.IftheRooneyRanchProjectwereauthorizedunderthePEIR,thetotalcapacityoftheprogramareawouldincreaseto450.1MW,a0.02%exceedanceofthe450MWcontemplatedinAlternative2ofthePEIR.Forallresources,thisminordifferencecannotrealisticallybemeasuredandiswithintheroundingalreadyusedinthePEIR;itwouldnotresultinnewsignificanteffectsorasubstantialincreaseintheseverityofeffectsalreadydescribedinthePEIR.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Introduction
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
1‐5 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Table 1‐2. Operational, Approved, or Foreseeable Projects in the APWRAa
Project Owner/Operator Status TotalMW
PattersonPassb EDF Approved(PEIR) 19.8
GoldenHillsc NextEra Operational(PEIR) 85.9
GoldenHillsNorth NextEra Operational 40.8
SandHilld Ogin(nowsPower) Foreseeable(PEIR) 36
MulqueenyRanch Brookfield Foreseeable(PEIR) 80
SummitWinde AWI(nowSalka,LLC) Approved 54
Subtotal 316.5
SandHill(additional)d sPower CUPApplicationSubmitted 108.5
RooneyRanchf sPower Foreseeable 25.1
Total 450.1aCountyplanningstaffhasreceivedinformationfromtwoadditionalcompanies,DunoAir‐AltamontandNRG,indicatingtheyaredevelopingprojectsintheAPWRA.BecausethenumberofMWstobedevelopedundertheseprojectsisnotyetknowntheyarenotlistedinthistable.ReviewoftheseprojectsunderthePEIR,ifultimatelyproposed,wouldoccuratalaterdate.
bCountyplanningstaffhasindicatedthatthePattersonPassProjectisundernewownershipandisnolongerownedbyEDF.
c GoldenHillswasidentifiedinthePEIRasupto88.4MWbut85.9MWwereultimatelyconstructed.dTheSandHillProjectwasidentifiedinthePEIRasupto34MW.Underadditionalreview,itwasultimatelyapprovedforupto36MW.sPower,thecurrentprojectowner,hasappliedtoexpandtheProjecttoatotalof144.5MW(36MW+108.5MW=144.5MW).
e TheSummitWindProjectwasidentifiedinthePEIRasupto95MWbutwasapprovedin2016foratotalof54MW.
f TheRooneyRanchProjectproposedbysPowerwouldbesubjecttoapprovalbytheCityofSantaClara.
1.3.4 Operations and Maintenance Facility
ThePEIRdidnotaddressO&Mfacilitiesattheprogramlevel;however,thetwoindividualprojectsevaluatedinthatdocumentbothincludedO&Mfacilities,aswouldtheSandHillProject.WhilethePEIRstatedthatnosepticorotherwastewatertreatmentsystemswouldbepartofrepoweringprojects,SandHillproposestoinstallsuchasysteminconjunctionwithitsO&Mfacility.Inaccord‐ancewithlocalregulations,theinstallationofsuchasystemwouldbesubjecttoapprovalandpermittingbyAlamedaCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth.Ifpreconstructioninvestigationsindicatethatthesoilsonsitearenotsuitabletosupportsuchasystem,portabletoilets,suppliedandservicedbyacommercialvendor,wouldbeusedinstead.
1.3.5 Turbine Lighting
TheCountyhasnotedthatalthoughthePEIRstatedthatlightingforrepoweredturbineswouldbesimilartothelightingofpreviouslyexistingturbines,infactthenewturbineshaveFAA‐mandatedlightingthatdiffersobservablyfromthelightingusedonpreviouslyexistingturbines.TheFAA‐mandatedlightingismorenoticeabletothepublic.Theanalysisevaluatesandsupportsadetermination,however,thatthischangeisnotcauseforpreparationofaSupplementalEIRtoaddressthechange.Thischangeinobservableeffectsisnottheconsequenceofafeatureofthe
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Introduction
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
1‐6 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ProjectthatisdifferentfromtheanticipatedfeaturesdescribedinthePEIR,orinitscircumstances;itisinsteadsolelyachangeininformation.Inthiscase,CEQAprohibitsasupplementalreviewoftheissuebecausethecorrectinformationabouttherelativelightingimpactsofnewversusoldturbineswasreadilyavailableduringpreparationofthePEIR.Forexample,theVascoWindsProject,whichhasnighttimelighting,couldhavebeenobservedatthetimethePEIRwasprepared.Thus,CEQAprohibitstheCountyfrompreparingasupplementalEIRunderPublicResourcesCodeSection21166(c)andCaliforniaCodeofRegulationsTitle14Section15162(a)(3)onthebasisofthelightingissuebecauseitconstitutesinformationthatcouldhavebeenknownwiththeexerciseofreasonablediligenceatthetimethepreviousEIRwascertifiedascomplete.
AsdiscussedinSection3.1.2,SandHillhasagreedtoworkwiththeCountytotheextentpossibletoimplementlightmanagementtechniquesaspartoftheProject.Consequently,consideringtheanalysisaboveandwithSandHill’scooperation,thisanalysisconfirmsthattheProjectwouldnotresultinanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarebeyondthatdescribedinthePEIR.
1.4 Organization of this Document ThisanalysishasbeenstructuredtoparallelthePEIR;accordingly,allresourcetopicsareaddressed—eventhosethatclearlywouldfallwithintheanalysisandconclusionsinthePEIR.Followingthisintroductorychapter,theanalysiscomprisesthechaptersandappendiceslistedbelow.
Chapter2,ProjectDescription,describestheProjectfeatures,sequenceofconstruction,anddetailsofoperationsandmaintenance.
Chapter3,EnvironmentalAnalysis,providestheanalysisofeachresourcetopicconsideredinthePEIR,withaconclusionregardinganydivergencefromtheconclusionspresentedinthePEIR.
Chapter4,ListofPreparers,identifiesthepersonsinvolvedinthepreparationofthisdocument.
AppendixA,AirQualityTechnicalMemorandum,providestheassumptionsandmodelingresultsusedtosupporttheairqualityanalysisfortheproposedProject.
AppendixB,BiologicalResourcesEvaluationReport,istheProject‐specificreportdetailingbiologicalconditionsintheProjectarea.
AppendixC,CulturalResourcesSurveyReport,isthereportpreparedbyICFculturalresourcesstafffortheproposedProject.
AppendixD,SoundTechnicalReport,isthereportdetailingthenoiseanalysispreparedfortheproposedProject.
1.5 References Cited AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.2014.AltamontPassWindResourceArea
RepoweringFinalProgramEnvironmentalImpactReport.StateClearinghouse#2010082063.October.(ICF00323.08.)Hayward,CA.WithtechnicalassistancefromICFInternational,Sacramento,CA.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Introduction
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
1‐7 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
H.T.Harvey&Associates.2017.GoldenHillsWindEnergyCenterPostconstructionFatalityMonitoringReport:Year1.December15.PreparedforGoldenHillsWind,LLC,Livermore,CA.
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Livermore
Patterson Pass Rd
A l a m e d aA l a m e d aC o u n t yC o u n t y
C o n t r a C o s t aC o n t r a C o s t aC o u n t yC o u n t y
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Ames St
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W Byron Rd
N Vasco Rd
W Bethany Rd
Gree
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County Hwy J2
Mines Rd
Tesla Rd
W Grant Line Rd
Byron Hwy
Altamont Pass Rd
Vasco Rd
Figure 1-1 Project Location
Project Location
0 1 20.5Miles E
Imagery Source: ESRI/NAIP 2016
LegendProject Area
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Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Analysis
Draft
2‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Chapter 2 Project Description
2.1 Project Location and Land Ownership TheProjectareacomprises15parcels(Table2‐1andFigure2‐1),mostofwhichwerepreviouslyusedforwindproduction.LanduseintheProjectareaandthesurroundingAPWRAconsistslargelyofcattle‐grazedlandsupportingoperatingwindturbinesandancillaryfacilities.
Generallycharacterizedbyrollingfoothillsofannualgrassland,themostlytreelessregionissteeperonthewestandgraduallyflattertotheeastwhereitslopestowardtheflooroftheCentralValley.Elevationsinthearearangefromapproximately600to1,200feetabovesealevel.
SandHillhasleaseagreementswiththelandownerstoinstall,operate,andmaintaintherepoweredwindturbineswhilepermittingongoingagriculturalactivitiestocontinue.
Table 2‐1. Parcels and Proposed Usesa
Assessor’sParcelNumber Acreage ProposedUse
99B‐7750‐6 101 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐6325‐1‐4 69 Accessandsetback
99B‐6325‐1‐3 224 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐7375‐1‐7 314 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐7400‐1‐5 598 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐7300‐1‐5 443 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐7050‐4‐6 73 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐7050‐1‐9 82 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐7050‐4‐1 27 Accessandsetback
99B‐7350‐2‐1 2 Accessandsetback
99B‐7350‐2‐15 334 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐7350‐2‐5 57 Accessandsetback
99B‐7500‐3‐2 53 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐7500‐3‐1 113 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
99B‐7600‐1‐1 105 Windturbinesandassociatedfacilities
Total 2,595 aThegen‐tielinesandsubstationsarenotincludedinthislistbecausetheyareexistingfacilitiesthatwouldbeupgradedaspartoftheproposedProject.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
2.2 Project Need, Goals, and Objectives TheProjectobjectiveistorepowertheexistingwindProjectonprivatelyownedlandtodevelopa144.5MWcommerciallyviablewindenergyfacilitythatwoulddeliverrenewableenergytotheelectricalgrid.
2.3 Existing Facilities
2.3.1 Wind Turbines and Foundations
TheproposedProjectmayincludetheremovalofoldturbinefoundationswheretheyconflictwiththelocationofrepoweredProjectcomponents(e.g.,roadwaysandgroundequipment).
2.3.2 Access Roads
PrimaryaccesstotheProjectareaisthroughlockedgatesoffAltamontPassRoadandMountainHouseRoad.Onsiteroadsaregraveledandvaryinwidthfrom12to20feet.
2.3.3 Meteorological Towers
Four50‐meter(164‐foot)meteorologicaltowersarepresentonsite.Thesetowersmonitorandrecordmeteorologicaldatasuchaswindspeed,winddirection,andatmosphericpressure.
2.3.4 Power Collection System
ElectricitygeneratedbyaportionofthepreviousprojectwascollectedfromeachwindturbineandtransmittedtotheAMLandDyerRoadsubstations,wherethevoltagewasincreasedforinterconnectionwiththePacificGasandElectricCompany’s(PG&E’s)transmissionlines.Thecollectionsystemcomprisespad‐mountedtransformers,undergroundcables,overheadcablesonwoodenpoles,assortedcircuitbreakersandswitches,electricalmetering/protectiondevices,andthesubstations.
2.3.4.1 Substations
ThepointofinterconnectionattheDyerRoadsubstationhasbeenrelocatedtotheSantaClarasubstation.TheexistingAMLsubstationencompasses0.6acrenorthofAltamontPassRoad;theexistingSantaClarasubstationencompasses0.2acresouthofAltamontPassRoad.
2.3.4.2 Transmission Lines
SeveralPG&EtransmissionlinesbisecttheProjectparcels.
2.3.5 Cattle Handling and Staging Areas
SeveralcattlehandlingandstagingareasarelocatedintheProjectarea.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐3 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
2.4 Proposed Project Features TheproposedProjectcharacteristicsarelistedbelow,illustratedinFigures2‐2athrough2‐2c,anddiscussedingreaterdetailinthefollowingsubsections.
Atotalnameplategenerationcapacityofupto144.5MW.
RemovalofoldwindturbinefoundationswheretheyconflictwithnewProjectcomponents.
Installationofupto40newwindturbinegenerators,towers,foundations,andpad‐mountedtransformers.
DevelopmentofProjectroadsandinstallationofapowercollectionsystem.
Useofexistingroadstotheextentpossible.
Useofexistingsubstations(withupgradestotheequipment).
Constructionofanoperationsandmaintenance(O&M)facility.
Installationofthreepermanentmeteorologicaltowers.
2.4.1 Wind Turbines
MostoftheturbinesbeingrepoweredintheAPWRAwereinstalledinthe1980sandrepresentfirst‐andsecond‐generationutility‐gradecommercialwindturbinetechnology,nowconsideredoldtechnology.Thetermsfirst‐generation,second‐generation,third‐generation,andfourth‐generationareusedtogroupwindturbinetypeswithsimilartechnologiescurrentlyinstalledortobeinstalledintheprogramarea.Inthiscontext,first‐generationwindturbinesarethosedesignedandinstalledduringthe1980s.Second‐generationturbinesarethosedesignedandinstalledinthe1990s.Third‐generationturbinesarethoseinstalledinpreviousrepoweringprojectsthatusesimilardesigntoturbinesproposedfortheProjectbutthatareofsmallersize(i.e.,upto1MW).Fourth‐generationturbines—suchasthoseproposedforinstallation,arelarge,1.6–4MWturbines.
TheproposedrepoweringProjectwouldentailinstallationofupto40fourth‐generationturbinesintheProjectarea.ArangeofturbinesisbeingconsideredfortheproposedProject.Turbinesbeingconsideredrangeinnameplatecapacityfrom2.3to4.0MW,arotordiameterof90–140meters(295–459feet),towerheightof80–110meters(262–361feet),andamaximumtotalturbineheightof152meters(499feet).ThecurrentProjectlayoutassumestheuseofturbineswiththespecificationspresentedinTable2‐2.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐4 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Table 2‐2. Turbine Specificationsa
TurbineModel
TurbineCharacteristic GeneralElectric2.3‐116GeneralElectric3.6‐137
GeneralElectric3.8‐130
Rotortype 3‐blade/horizontalaxis 3‐blade/horizontalaxis
3‐blade/horizontalaxis
BladeLength 56.9m(187ft) 67.2m(220ft) 63.7m(209ft)
Rotordiameter 116m(381ft) 137m(449ft) 130m(427ft)
Rotor‐sweptarea 10,568m²(113,753ft2) 14,741m²(158,671ft2)
13,273m²(142,869ft2)
Rotationalspeed Variable:5.0–14.9rpm Variable:6.3–13.6rpm Variable:6.95–12.1rpm
Towertype Tubular Tubular Tubular
Tower(hub)height 80m(308ft) 83.6m(274ft) 85m(279ft)
Rotorheight(fromgroundtolowesttipofblade)
22m(72.2ft) 15.1m(49.5ft) 20m(65.6ft)
Totalheight(fromgroundtotopofblade)
138m(453ft) 152m(499ft) 150m(492ft)
aDependingonavailabilityatthetimeofconstruction,turbinesofupto4.0MWmaybeusedfortheproposedProject.TurbinedimensionswouldnotexceedthoseshowninthetableandtheProjectcapacitywouldnotexceed144.5MW.
2.4.1.1 Siting Requirements
SandHillwilladheretotherequirementsofAlamedaCountytomaintainconsistencywithregionalplanningthathasbeenconductedtodate.SetbackrequirementswereoriginallydevelopedforAlamedaCountywindfarmsinthe1980sand1990sinconsiderationofavarietyoffactors,suchasappropriatedistancebetweenupwindanddownwindturbinesforeffectivewindproduction,noiseeffectsonsensitivelanduses,visualimpactsresultingfromproximitytoresidencesandpossibleshadowflicker,concernswithtowercollapse,andbladethrowhazard(whereallorpartofarotorblademaybreakloosefromthenacelleandstrikeanoccupiedareaorinfrastructure).Setbackshavehistoricallybeendeterminedonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinaccordancewiththestandardconditionsofapprovalforaconditionalusepermit(CUP).However,whilethestandardconditionsappliedinthe1980sand1990swereappropriatefortheoldergenerationturbines,theymaynotsufficeforthefourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepowering.Accordingly,theCountyhasdevelopedasetofupdatedstandardstobeusedforproposedrepoweringprojects.TheseareshowninTable2‐3.
Table 2‐3. Updated Alameda County Turbine Setback Requirements
AffectedLandUseorCorridor
GeneralSetback
SetbackAdjustmentforTurbineElevationAboveorBelowAffectedUsea AlternativeMinimumb
AdjacentparcelwithapprovedwindenergyCUPc
1.1timesrotorlength
1%TTHaddedorsubtractedper10ftofturbineelevation,respectively,aboveorbelowaffectedparcel
50%ofgeneralsetback
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐5 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
AffectedLandUseorCorridor
GeneralSetback
SetbackAdjustmentforTurbineElevationAboveorBelowAffectedUsea AlternativeMinimumb
AdjacentparcelwithoutapprovedwindenergyCUP
1.25timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedparcel
1.1timesrotorlength
Adjacentdwellingunit 3timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedunit
50%ofgeneralorelevationdifferentialsetback
Publicroad(includingI‐580),trail,commercialorresidentialzoning
2.5timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedright‐of‐way
50%ofgeneralsetbackwithreportbyqualifiedprofessional,approvedbyPlanningDirector
Recreationareaorproperty
1.25timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowaffectedproperty
TTH
Transmissionlined 2timesTTH
1%TTHper10ftaboveorbelowpathofconductorlineatgroundlevel
50%ofgeneralsetbackwithreportbyqualifiedprofessional,approvedbyPlanningDirector
Note: TTH=totalturbineheight:theheighttothetopoftherotorat12:00position.Setbackdistancetobemeasuredhorizontallyfromcenteroftoweratgroundlevel.
a TheGeneralSetbackbasedonTTHwillbeincreasedorreduced,respectively,basedonwhole10‐ftincrementsinthegroundelevationoftheturbineaboveorbelowanaffectedparcel,dwellingunit,roadright‐of‐way,ortransmissioncorridorconductorline.Anyportionofa10‐ftincrementingroundelevationwillbedisregarded(orroundeddowntothenearest10‐ftinterval).
bAlternativeMinimumreferstoareducedsetbackstandard,includinganyadjustmentforelevation,allowedwithanotarizedagreementoraneasementontheaffectedproperty(ifapplicable),subjecttoapprovalofthePlanningDirector.
c CUP=conditionalusepermit.NosetbackfromparcellinesisrequiredwithinthesamewindenergyCUPboundary.KnowledgeofproposedwindenergyCUPsonadjacentparcelstobebasedonbestavailableinformationatthetimeofthesubjectapplication.
DMeasuredfromthecenteroftheconductorlinenearesttheturbine.
2.4.1.2 Wind Turbine Installation
Foundations
Thetypeofturbinefoundationuseddependsonterrain,windspeeds,andwindturbinetype.TwofoundationtypesmaybeusedinrepoweringAPWRAwindprojects:aninverted“T”slabfoundationoraconcretecylinderfoundation.AninvertedTslabfoundationisatypeofspreadfootingfoundation.Asingleconcretepadisplacedatgroundlevel,althoughpartofthepadmaybeplacedbelowgroundleveldependingontheslope.Atthecenterofthepadisacylindricalconcretepedestaltowhichthewindturbinetowerisbolted—hencethename,invertedT.
Aconcretecylinderfoundationisalargeconcretecylinderwithaconcretepedestalthatisslightlylargerthanthetowerbasediameter.Thesizeoftheconcretecylinderandpadisdeterminedbywindturbinesizeandsite‐specificconditions(e.g.,expectedmaximumwindspeeds,soilcharacteristics).Itsweightmustbesufficienttoholdthewindturbineinplace.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐6 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Eithertypeoffoundationistypicallyformedbyplacingconcreteinanexcavatedfootingwithreinforcedsteel.Thefoundationwouldbeinstalledimmediatelywithintheturbineworkareaadjacenttothecranepad.Whilethefoundationtypeisdeterminedbyterrain,windspeeds,andturbinetype,ingeneral,thefoundationisformedbyplacingconcreteinanexcavatedfootingwithreinforcedsteel.Asmallgraveledareawouldencircleeachfoundationtofacilitatemaintenanceaccess.ThetotaldiameterofthefinalProjectfootprintforeachturbine,includingthegraveledarea,wouldbeapproximately60feet.
Construction
Repoweredturbineconstructionentailsplacementofafoundation,newtower,rotor,nacelle,andtransformer.ConstructionandinstallationofrepoweredturbinesisregulatedbyCountyconditionsofapproval,buildingpermitrequirements,andgradingpermitrequirements.
Ateachturbinesite,alevelturbineworkareawouldbegradedtosupporttheconstructionoftowerfoundationsandtosupporttheuseoflargecranestolifttheturbinecomponentsintoplace.Theextentandshapeofgradingateachturbinesitewoulddependonlocaltopography;however,eachsitewouldrequireapproximately2.9acresofgradedareatosupporttheconstructionoffoundationsandinstallationofturbines.Acranepadwouldbeleveledandgradedwithintheturbineworkareaateachturbinesite.Thecranepad—aflat,level,andcompactedarea—wouldprovidethebasefromwhichthecranewouldworktoplacetheturbine.Mostwindturbineconstructionactivitieswouldtakeplacewithintheturbineworkarea.Followingconstruction,theturbineworkareawouldbereclaimed.
ConstructionandinstallationofturbinesinthisareaisregulatedbytheCounty’sconditionsofapproval,buildingpermitrequirements,andgradingpermitrequirements.Theturbinetowers,nacelles,andbladesaredeliveredtoeachturbinelocationintheorderofassembly,oncetheconcreteofthefoundationhasbeenpouredandhascuredsufficiently.Largecranesarebroughttoeachsitetoliftandassembletheturbinecomponents.First,thebasesectionofthetowerissecuredtothefoundationusinglargebolts.Theremainingtowersectionsarethenliftedwiththecraneandconnectedtothebasesection.Afterthenacelleandrotoraredeliveredtotheturbinesite,theturbinebladesareboltedtotherotorhub,andthenacelleandrotorareliftedbyacraneandconnectedtothemainshaft.
Excessrockgeneratedbyfoundationconstructionwouldbespreadonexistingroadsandmaintenanceareassurroundingtheturbines.Oldfoundationsfromthepreviouswindprojectonsitemayberemovediftheyarewithinproposedconstructionareas,ifremovalisnecessaryfortheinstallationofnewturbines,ortocomplywithlandowneragreementsorCountyrequirements;suchremovalswouldinvolveworkersdemolishingthefoundationsusingjackhammersorsimilartools.ThematerialfromoldturbinefoundationsmaybereusedforroadbaseorhauledoffsitetotheAltamontLandfill.
2.4.2 Site Preparation and Access Roads
Fourth‐generationturbinetowersandbladesaresignificantlylongerthanolderturbinecomponentsandrequirelargerandlongertrucksandcranesfortransportandinstallation.ThesevehiclesrequirewiderroadswithshallowerturnsandgradientsthanarecurrentlypresentintheProjectarea.Consequently,theexistingroadinfrastructuremustbeupgradedtoaccommodateconstructionoftheturbines.Roadinfrastructureupgradeswouldincludegrading,widening,andre‐gravelingof
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐7 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
theexistingroads.Existingroadwidthsvaryfrom12to20feet;futureroadsareexpectedtobeapproximately20feetwide.Newroadsmaybeneededinareaswhereexistingroadsdonotprovideaccesstoproposedturbinelocations.
MostroadsintheportionoftheProjectareawherenewturbineswouldbeinstalledwouldbetemporarilywidenedtoapproximately40feettoaccommodatelargertowersaswellasthelargerequipmentnecessarytoinstallthem.Itislikelythatthelocationswhereroadscurveastheyclimbhillstotheridgetopswouldrequiremoreroadworkandwouldbewidenedtomorethan40feetinsomespotstosafelyaccommodatethelargerequipment.Inaddition,accessroadentrancesfrommainroadsontotheProjectsitewouldneedtobewidenedtoprovidesufficientspacefortheminimumturningradiusofconstructioncranesandotherflatbeddeliverytrucks.Landssubjecttotemporaryroadwideningbeyonda20‐footpermanentwidthwouldbereclaimedafterconstruction.
Culverts aregenerally installedaspartof the roaddrainage systemon slopes, although someareinstalledatsmallstreamcrossings.Existingculvertsmayneedtobereplacedwithlargerculvertsorreinforcedtoprovideadequatesizeandstrengthforconstructionvehicles.
2.4.3 Staging Areas
Sevenstagingareasofvarioussizes,totalingupto34acres,wouldbeestablishedintheProjectarea.Theseareaswouldbeusedforthestorageofturbinecomponents,constructionequipment,watertanks,officetrailers,andothersuppliesneededforProjectconstruction.Thetrailerswouldbeusedtosupportworkforceneedsandsitesecurity,andwouldalsohouseafirstaidstation,emergencyshelter,andhandtoolstorageareafortheconstructionworkforce.Parkingareaswouldbelocatednearthetrailers.Vegetationwouldbeclearedandthestagingareaswouldbegradedlevel.Theseareaswouldusenativematerial,supplementedwithgravelorsoilstabilizer,ifneeded,andappropriateerosioncontroldevices(e.g.,earthberm,siltfences,strawbales)wouldbeinstalledtomanagewaterrunoff.Diversionditcheswouldbeinstalled,asnecessary,topreventstormwaterfromrunningontothesitefromsurroundingareas.Followingcompletionofconstructionactivities,thecontractorwouldrestorethetemporarystagingareas.Thegravelsurfacewouldberemoved,andtheareaswouldbecontourgraded(ifnecessaryandifenvironmentallybeneficial)toconformwiththenaturaltopography.Stockpiledtopsoilwouldbereplaced,andtheareawouldbestabilizedandreseededwithanappropriateseedmixture.
2.4.4 Meteorological Towers
Threepermanentmeteorologicaltowerswouldbeinstalledinstrategiclocationsonsitetomonitorwindspeedsandtocalibrateturbines.Thepermanentmeteorologicaltowerswouldbeafreestandingtowerdesignwithoutguywires,approximately80meterstall.Thepermanentmeteorologicaltowerswouldeachrequireasmallconcretefoundationandgraveledareaaroundthetower,aswellasanaccessroadtofacilitatemaintenanceactivities.Thesmallfoundationandgraveledareawouldbeapproximately30feetindiameter.
2.4.5 Power Collection System
Eachnewwindturbinemustbeconnectedtothemedium‐voltageelectricalcollectionsystemviaapad‐mountedtransformer.Thecollectionsystemcarrieselectricitygeneratedbytheturbinestoasubstation,wherethevoltagelevelofthecollectionsystemissteppeduptothatofthepowergrid.Fromthesubstation,electricityiscarriedthroughaninterconnectionpointtothetransmissionlines
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐8 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
thatdistributeelectricitytothepowergrid.TransmissionlinesintheProjectvicinityaremaintainedbyPG&E.Eachofthecollectionsystemcomponentsisdiscussedbelow.
2.4.5.1 Collection Lines
Medium‐voltagecollectionlineswouldcollectpowerfromeachturbineforconveyancetothesubstation.Medium‐voltagelinesarenormallyupto35kilovolts(kV).Thenewmedium‐voltagecollectionlineswouldbeinstalledundergroundasclosetoProjectroadsaspossibletominimizegrounddisturbanceaswellastofacilitateaccessforanynecessaryO&Mactivitiesonthelines.
Installationofundergroundmedium‐voltagelinesisaccomplishedinmostcasesusingacut‐and‐coverconstructionmethod.Adisturbancewidthof20feetisgenerallystandardtoallowforthetrenchexcavationandequipment,butthiswidthmayvarydependingonthetopographyandsoiltype.Typically,thetopsoilisseparatedfromthesubsurfacesoilforlaterreplacement.A3‐foot‐widetrenchisthenplowedusingaspecialbulldozerattachmentthatburiesthelineinthesamepassinwhichitdigsthetrench.Oncethecollectionlinesareinplace,thetrenchispartiallybackfilledwithsubsurfacesoil.Typically,communicationlinesarethenplacedinthetrench.Thetrenchisthenbackfilledwiththeremainingsubsurfacesoil,compacted,andcoveredwiththereservedtopsoil.
Tominimizesurfacedisturbancewithinwetlandsandstreams,collectionlinesmaybeinstalledunderwetlandsandotherwatersusinghorizontaldirectionaldrilling(HDD)techniques,wherefeasible.HDDinvolvestheuseofasteereddrillinghead,whichallowstheboremachinetositatgroundlevel,boredownalongonthecollectionlineroute,andtodirecttheborebackuptothesurfaceatadistantpoint.Theboremachineusesadrillingfluidintheprocess,typicallyamixtureoffineclay(suchasbentonite)andfreshwater.Theclayandwatermixturecoatsthewalloftheboreholetohelpholditopenandtoprovidelubricationforthedrillstemandconduitbeinginstalled.Excessdrillingfluidistypicallycapturedusingavacuumtruck.
Collectionlineswouldterminateneartheedgeofthepropertywherepowerwouldbeconveyedoffsitetothesubstationsthroughgen‐tielines.Thegen‐tielineswouldbeinstalledundergroundoroverhead,makinguseofexistingoverheadpowerpoleswherepossible.Ifgen‐tielinesarecarriedonexistingpoles,theselineswouldneedtobestrungwithnewconductingwire(i.e.,reconductored),requiringworkareas(i.e.,pullsites)tostringtheupgradedpowerline.Additionally,somepowerpolesmayneedtobereplaced.Ifnewoverheadcollectionorgen‐tielinefacilitiesarerequired,theywouldbecompletedincompliancewiththelatestrecommendationsoftheAvianPowerLineInteractionCommittee(APLIC).
Threeoffsitegen‐tiecorridorswouldbeusedfortheProjectaslistedbelowandshowninFiguresFigure2‐2athrough2‐2c.
Gen‐tie1—HeadingwestfromtheProjectareaapproximately3.4milesadjacenttoAltamontPassRoad,0.14milesouthalongaprivateroad,intotheSantaClarasubstation.
Gen‐tie2—HeadingeastfromtheProjectareaapproximately1mileadjacenttoAltamontPassRoad,0.5milenorthandwestonprivateland,intotheAMLsubstation.
Gen‐tie3—HeadingsouthfromtheProjectareaapproximately0.4mileadjacenttoMountainHouseRoad,0.8milesouthwestadjacenttoGrantLineRoad,0.6milewestadjacenttoAltamontPassRoad,0.5milenorthandwestonprivateland,intotheAMLsubstation.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐9 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Gen‐tie3maynotbeneededifcollectionlinesfromthenorthernandeasternparcelsarerouteddirectlyacrosstheCaliforniaAqueductwhereitbisectstheplanareaasopposedtothealignmentsdescribedabove.
2.4.5.2 Transformers and Power Poles
Transformersboostthevoltageoftheelectricityproducedbytheturbinestothevoltageofthecollectionsystem.Eachturbinewouldhaveitsowntransformeradjacenttoorwithintheturbine,eithermountedonasmallpadadjacenttotheturbineorwithinthetower.
Theinstallationofoverheadpowerlinesandpolesonsitewouldbelimitedtolocationswhereundergroundlinesareinfeasibleandlocationsimmediatelyoutsidethesubstationswhereundergroundmedium‐voltagelinescomeabovegroundtoconnecttothesubstations.
Toinstallpowerpoles,alaydownareaisrequired.Tomountthemedium‐voltagelinesonapowerpole,apullsiteandatensionsitearerequired.Polesites,pullsites,tensionsites,accessroads,andlaydownareasarecleared(i.e.,mowed)ifnecessary.Poleholesandanynecessaryanchorholesareexcavated.Wherepossible,amachineaugerisusedtoinstallpoles.Thewidthanddepthofthesettingholedependsonthesizeofthepole,soiltype,span,andwindloading.
Powerpolesareframed,devicesinstalled,andanyanchorsandguywiresareinstalledbeforethepoleisset.Anchorsandguywiresinstalledduringconstructionareleftinplace.Aftersettingthepole,conductorsarestrung.
2.4.5.3 Substations
Themainfunctionsofacollectorsubstationaretostepupthevoltagefromtheturbinecollectionlinestothetransmissionlevelandtoprovidefaultprotection.Thebasicelementsofthesubstationfacilitiesareacontrolhouse,abankofoneortwomaintransformers,outdoorbreakers,capacitorbanks,relayingequipment,high‐voltagebuswork,steelsupportstructures,anundergroundgroundinggrid,andoverheadlightning‐suppressionconductors.Themainoutdoorelectricalequipmentandcontrolhouseareinstalledonaconcretefoundation.TheProjectwouldconnecttotwoexistingsubstationsasdescribedbelow.
TheAMLsubstationservedasthecollectorsubstationforaportionofthepreviouswindproject.TheAMLsubstationconsistsofagraveledfootprintareaofapproximately0.6acre,a12‐footchain‐linkperimeterfence,andanoutdoorlightingsystem.TheAMLsubstationwouldnotbeexpanded;however,equipmentwithintheexistingfencemaybeupgradedfortherepoweringProject.Anynewlightswouldbeshieldedordirecteddownwardtoreduceglare.Theupgradedsubstationwouldremainfencedinkeepingwiththefencingaroundtheexistingsubstation(i.e.,12‐footchainlinkperimeterfencing).
TheSantaClarasubstationconsistsofagraveledfootprintareaofapproximately0.2acre,a12‐footchain‐linkperimeterfence,andanoutdoorlightingsystem.TheSantaClarasubstationwouldnotbeexpanded;however,equipmentwithintheexistingfencemaybeupgradedfortherepoweringProject.1Anynewlightswouldbeshieldedordirecteddownwardtoreduceglare.Theupgraded
1TheSantaClarasubstationistheconnectionpointfortheRooneyRanchWindRepoweringProject,proposedbythesamedeveloper.IftheRooneyRanchWindRepoweringProjectisconstructed,itwouldincludeanexpansionofthesubstationtoa0.3‐acrefootprint.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐10 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
substationwouldbefencedinkeepingwiththefencingaroundtheexistingsubstation(i.e.,12‐footchainlinkperimeterfencing).
2.4.6 Operations and Maintenance Facility
AnO&Mbuildingwouldbeconstructedonsite.Operations,storage,andrepairswouldtakeplaceatthefacility.Uponcompletionofconstruction,theO&MfacilitywouldreceivepowerfromtappingintotheexistingPG&Epowerlines.Thelinetapwouldbeundergroundedalongproposedaccessroads.Portablerestroomswouldbeusedduringtheconstructionphase,andtheO&Mbuildingrestroomfacilitieswouldbeusedduringoperation.AnonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemwouldberequiredforthepermanentrestroomfacilitiesandwouldbesubjecttopermittingbytheAlamedaCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth.Ifanonsitewastewatertreatmentsystemisdeterminedtobeinfeasible,portabletoilets,servicedbyacontractor,wouldbeusedinstead.TheO&Mbuilding,parking,andequipmentstoragecouldoccupyapproximately2acres;thebuildingorbuildingswouldhavefloorspacenogreaterthan10,000squarefeet.TwolocationsarebeingconsideredfortheO&Mbuilding(Figures2‐2athrough2‐2c),referredtoasO&MOptionAandO&MOptionB.ThefinallocationwouldbeselectedbySandHillbasedonsiteconditionsandfinalleaseagreements.
2.5 Project Construction TurbineswouldbedeliveredtothesitefromthePortofStocktonorothernearbyportorrailtransferlocations.Towerassemblyrequirestheuseofonelargetrack‐mountedcraneandtwosmallcranes.Theturbinetowers,nacelles,androtorbladeswouldbedeliveredtoeachfoundationsiteandunloadedbycrane.Alargetrack‐mountedcranewouldbeusedtohoistthebasetowersectionverticallythenloweritoverthethreadedfoundationbolts.Thelargecranewouldthenraiseeachadditionaltowersectiontobeboltedthroughtheattachedflangestothetowersectionbelow.Thecranethenwouldraisethenacelle,rotorhub,andbladestobeinstalledatopthetower.Twosmallerwheeledcraneswouldbeusedtooffloadturbinecomponentsfromtrucksandtoassistintheprecisealignmentofthetowersections.EstimateddisturbanceareasassociatedwithProjectconstructionandwerecalculatedbyestimatingdisturbanceassociatedwitheachalternativelayout,andusingthescenariothatwouldresultinthemostextensiveimpacts(Table2‐4).
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐11 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Table 2‐4. Estimated Disturbance Associated with Project Construction (acres)a
ProjectComponent/Activity PermanentImpacts TemporaryImpacts
Powercollectionsysteminstallation 0.0 31.5
Gen‐tieinstallation 0.0 15.0
Stagingareasinstallation 0.0 34.5
O&Mfacilityinstallation 2.0 3.0
Newaccessroads 10.6 7.6
Accessroadexpansionb 7.9 24.3
Turbinefoundationinstallation 2.6 107.0
Meteorologicaltowerinstallation 0.2 0.6
Total 23.3 223.5a Threealternativelayoutsareproposed;theestimateddisturbancereflectsthelayoutwiththemostextensiveimpacts.
b Existingaccessroadswouldbereusedtotheextentpossible;however,somesectionsofnewaccessroadwouldberequired.
2.5.1 Schedule
Projectconstructionwouldproceedafterallconstruction‐relatedpermitsareissued.Theseactivitiesareanticipatedtoproceedaccordingtothesequencedescribedbelow.Construction‐relatedbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)wouldbeimplementedduringtheNovember–Aprilwetseason.ThefinalapprovedworkhourswouldbespecifiedintheproposedProject’sCUP.Ifextendedhoursarenecessaryordesired,theappropriateapprovalswouldbesought.
2.5.2 Construction Sequence
Typicalconstructionstepsarelistedbelow.
Demarcationofconstructionareasandanysensitivebiological,cultural,orotherresourcesneedingprotection.
Constructionoftemporarystagingareas.
Roadinfrastructureupgrades.
Erosionandsedimentcontrol.
Windturbineconstruction.
Finalsitepreparation.
Cranepadconstruction.
Foundationexcavationandconstruction.
Towerassembly.
Installationofnacelleandrotor.
Powercollectionsystemandcommunicationlineinstallation.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐12 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Gen‐tieinstallation
Upgradestothesubstation.
Permanentmeteorologicaltowerinstallation.
Finalcleanupandrestoration.
ConstructionoftheO&MbuildingwouldnotdependonthesequenceofconstructionfortherestoftheProject.
TheconstructioncontractorswouldpreparetheProjectarea,deliverandinstalltheProjectfacilities,overseeconstruction,andcompletefinalcleanupandrestorationoftheconstructionsites.SandHillwouldimplementBMPsconsistentwithstandardpracticeandwiththerequirementsofthePEIRaswellasanystateorfederalpermitstominimizesoilerosion,sedimentationofdrainagesdownslopeoftheProjectarea,andanyotherenvironmentalimpacts.Examplesoflikelyerosioncontrolmeasuresarelistedbelow.
Useofstrawwattles,siltfences/strawbaledikes,andstrawbalestominimizeerosionandcollectsediment(toprotectwildlife,nomonofilament‐coveredsedimentcontrolmeasureswouldbeused).
Reseedingandrestorationofthesite.
Maintenanceoferosioncontrolmeasures.
Regularinspectionandmaintenanceoferosioncontrolmeasures.
Theconstructionactivitiesandtheapproximatedurationofeacharelistedbelow.
Stagingareas:2weeks.
Roadconstruction:8weeks.
Foundations/electrical:8weeks.
Turbinedeliveryandinstallation:12weeks.
Electricaltrenchingandsubstationupgrades:12weeks.
Cleanup:12weeks.
2.5.3 Demarcation of Sensitive Resources
Sensitiveresourcesinandadjacenttoconstructionareaswouldbemarkedtoensureadequateavoidance.Sensitiveareasidentifiedthroughtheenvironmentalapprovalandpermittingprocesseswouldbestakedandflagged.Priortoconstruction,theconstructioncontractorandanysubcontractorswouldconductawalk‐throughofareastobeaffected,orpotentiallyaffected,byconstructionactivities.Thepreconstructionwalk‐throughswouldbeconductedregularlytoidentifysensitiveresourcestobeavoided,limitsofclearing,locationofdrainagefeatures,andthelayoutforsedimentationanderosioncontrolmeasures.Followingidentificationofthesefeatures,specificconstructionmeasureswouldbereviewed,andanymodificationstoconstructionmethodsorlocationswouldbeagreeduponbeforeconstructioncouldbegin.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐13 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
2.5.4 Workforce
Basedondataprovided for typicalwindenergyprojectsof similarsize,anaverageof75workerswouldbeemployedduringconstruction,withapeakworkforceof150workers.Craftworkerswouldincludemillwrights,ironworkers,electricians,equipmentoperators,carpenters,laborers,andtruckdrivers.Localconstructioncontractorsandsupplierswouldbeusedtotheextentpossible.
2.5.5 Construction Equipment
Equipmentusedforconstructionofrepoweringactivitiesoftenincludesthetypeslistedbelow.
Cranes
Lowboys/trucks/trailers
Flatbedtrucks
Servicetrucks(e.g.,pickuptrucks)
Backhoes
Bulldozers
Excavators
Graders
Dumptrucks
Track‐typedozers
Rockcrushers
Watertrucks
Compactors
Loaders
Rollers
Drillrigs
Trenchingcable‐layingvehicles
Cementtrucks
Concretetrucksandpumps
Smallhydrauliccranes
Heavyandintermediatecranes
Forklifts
Generators
2.5.6 Hazardous Materials Storage
Hazardousmaterials(e.g,fuel,lubricants,otheroils)wouldbestoredatthestagingarea(useofextremelyhazardousmaterialsisnotanticipated).Tominimizethepotentialforharmfulreleasesof
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐14 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
hazardousmaterialsthroughspillsorcontaminatedrunoff,thesesubstanceswouldbestoredwithinsecondarycontainmentareasinaccordancewithfederal,state,andlocalrequirementsandpermitconditions.Storagefacilitiesforpetroleumproductswouldbeconstructed,operated,andmaintainedinaccordancewiththeSpillPreventionControlandCountermeasures(SPCC)PlanthatwouldbepreparedandimplementedfortheproposedProject(Title40CodeofFederalRegulationsPart112).TheSPCCPlanwouldspecifyengineeringstandards(forexample,secondarycontainment);administrativestandards(forexample,trainingwithspecialemphasisonspillprevention,standardoperatingprocedures,inspections);andBMPs.
AHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlan(HMBP)wouldbedevelopedfortheproposedProject.TheHMBPwouldcontainspecificinformationregardingthetypesandquantitiesofhazardousmaterials,aswellastheirproduction,use,storage,spillresponse,transport,anddisposal.
2.5.7 Traffic and Parking
ConstructiontrafficroutingwouldbeestablishedinaConstructionTrafficPlan,whichwouldincludeatrafficsafetyandsigningplanpreparedbySandHillincoordinationwiththeCountyandotherrelevantagencies.Theplanwoulddefinehours,routes,andsafetyandmanagementrequirements.
Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporaryroadwayconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.OnsiteconstructiontrafficwouldberestrictedtotheroadsdevelopedfortheproposedProject.Useofexistingunimprovedroadswouldberestrictedtoemergencysituations.
Vehicletripstothesiteduringconstructionwouldincludeoversizedvehiclesdeliveringwindturbinegeneratorandsubstationmaterials,heavyequipment,andotherconstruction‐relatedmaterials.ConstructionoftheproposedProjectcomponents(roads,turbines,substation,andelectrical/communicationlines)wouldtakeplaceconcurrently,usingindividualvehiclesformultipletasks.Therewouldalsobedailyroundtripsofvehiclestransportingconstructionpersonneltothesite.ThetotalnumberoftripswouldbeestimatedtosupportsubsequentanalysisbytheCounty.
Construction‐relatedparkingwouldbedirectedtotheconstructionstagingareas.Carpoolingwouldbeusedwheneverpossible.
Afterconstruction,O&MoftheproposedProjectwouldrequirefewertrips,consistingmostlyofpickupsorotherlight‐dutytrucks.
2.5.8 Water and Wastewater Needs
Waterforconstructionactivitieswouldbeprovidedthroughanagreementwithmunicipalorprivatesuppliers.Temporaryonsitewatertanksandwatertruckswouldbemadeavailableforfirewatersupport,dustsuppression,andconstructionneeds.Dailywaterusewouldvary,dependingontheweatherconditionsandtimeofyear,bothofwhichaffecttheneedfordustcontrol.Hot,dry,windyconditionswouldnecessitategreateramountsofwater.Tankertruckswouldapplywatertoconstructionareaswhereneededtoaidinroadcompactionandreduceconstruction‐generated
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐15 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
dust.Aminimalamountofwaterwouldberequiredforconstructionworkerneeds(drinkingwater,sanitationfacilities).Thiswaterwouldbetruckedinordeliveredasbottleddrinkingwater.Alocalsanitationcompanywouldprovideandmaintainappropriateconstructionsanitationfacilities.Portabletoiletswouldbeplacedateachofthestagingareas.Whennecessary,additionalfacilitieswouldbeplacedatspecificconstructionlocations.AppropriateBMPtrainingwouldbeprovidedtotruckoperatorstopreventrunofffromdustsuppressionandcontrolactivities.Waterusedforcementmixingandtruckwashingwouldbemanagedinaccordancewithapplicablepermitconditions(andBMPs).
WhiletheproposedProjectwouldrequireonlyaminimalamountofwateronatemporarybasisduringconstruction,andanevensmalleramountofwaterduringoperationsfortheO&Mbuilding,SandHillhasvoluntarilypreparedawatersupplyassessment(WSA)forthepurposeofensuringthatsufficientwatersupplyisavailablefortheproposedProject.Waterforconstruction(primarilyfordustcontrol)wouldbeobtainedfromZone7WaterAgency,Byron‐BethanyIrrigationDistrict,theCityofLivermore,orotherapprovedwaterdistrictoragencyifavailable.Waterforoperationswouldbeobtainedfromagroundwatersourcebyinstallinganonsitewell.TheWSAconcludesthatthereisanadequatewatersupplyavailabletomeettheneedsoftheproposedProjectforbothconstructionactivitiesandoperations.
2.5.9 Inspection and Startup Testing
Priortooperation,eachcompletedturbinewouldbeinspectedandcheckedformechanical,electrical,andcontrolfunctionsinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sspecificationsbeforebeingreleasedforstartuptesting.Aseriesofstartupprocedureswouldthenbeperformedbythemanufacturer’stechnicians.Electricaltestsonthetransformers,undergroundpowerlines,andcollectorsubstationswouldbeperformedbyqualifiedengineers,electricians,andtestpersonneltoensurethatelectricalequipmentisoperatingwithintolerancesandthattheequipmenthasbeeninstalledinaccordancewithdesignspecifications.TheabovegroundpowerlinesinterconnectingtothePG&Esystemwouldbetestedandinspectedasrequired.
2.5.10 Restoration
Clearinganddisposingoftrash,debris,andscrubonthoseportionsofthesitewhereconstructionwouldoccurwouldbeperformedattheendofeachworkdaythroughallstagesofconstruction.Existingvegetationwouldbeclearedonlywherenecessary.Allexcavationswouldbebackfilledwithcompactedearthandaggregateassoonascableinfrastructureistested.Disposalofcuttingsanddebriswouldbeinanapprovedfacilitydesignedtohandlethewaste.
Beforeconstructioniscomplete,allremainingtrashanddebriswouldberemovedfromthesite.AnydebriswouldbeproperlydisposedofoffsiteconsistentwithrestorationrequirementsfornearbyprojectsanddescribedinaReclamationPlan,whichwouldbedevelopedpriortoconstructionaspartoftheconstructionplanningandpermittingprocess.Anymaterialplacedintheareasofthefoundationsorroadswouldbecompactedasrequiredforsoilstability.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐16 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
2.5.11 Safety and Environmental Compliance Programs
2.5.11.1 Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Aqualityassurance/qualitycontrol(QA/QC)programwouldbeimplementedtoensurethatconstructionandstartupofthefacilityarecompletedasspecified.SandHillwouldberesponsibleforensuringimplementationoftheQA/QCprogrampriortoconstruction.TheprogramwouldspecifyimplementingandmaintainingQA/QCprocedures,environmentalcomplianceprogramsandprocedures,andhealthandsafetycomplianceprogramsandprocedures,andwouldintegrateSandHill’sactivitieswiththecontractorsduringProjectconstruction.Theengineeringprocurementandconstructioncontractorandturbinesupplierwouldberesponsibleforenforcingcompliancewiththeconstructionproceduresprogramforalloftheirsubcontractors.
2.5.11.2 Environmental Compliance
OrientationofconstructionstaffwouldincludeeducationonthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsofProjectconstruction.Theconstructionmanagerwouldestablishproceduresforstafftoformallyreportanyissuesassociatedwiththeenvironmentalimpacts,tokeepmanagementinformed,andtofacilitaterapidresponse.
2.5.11.3 Stormwater Control
BecausetheProjectwoulddisturbmorethan1acre,itwouldrequirecoverageunderthestate’sGeneralPermitforStormWaterDischargesAssociatedwithConstructionandLandDisturbanceActivities(Order2010‐0014‐DWQ)(ConstructionGeneralPermit).Permitcoveragewouldbeobtainedbysubmittingpermitregistrationdocuments(PRDs)totheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardthroughitsStormwaterMultipleApplicationandReportTrackingSystem(SMARTS)website.ThePRDsincludeanoticeofintent,sitemaps,astormwaterpollutionpreventionplan(SWPPP),arisklevelassessment,andothermaterials.TheSWPPPwouldincludetheelementsdescribedinSectionAoftheConstructionGeneralPermitandmapsthatshowthelocationandtypeoferosioncontrol,sedimentcontrol,andnon‐stormwaterBMPs,allofwhichareintendedtopreventsignificantwaterqualityimpactsonreceivingwaters.TheSWPPPwouldalsodescribesiteinspection,monitoring,andBMPmaintenanceproceduresandschedules.
2.5.11.4 Safety Compliance
SandHillanditsconstructioncontractorsandsubcontractorswouldberesponsibleforconstructionhealthandsafetyissues.Thecontractorwouldprovideahealthandsafety(H&S)coordinator,whowouldensurethatapplicablelaws,regulations,ordinances,andstandardsconcerninghealthandsafetyarefollowedandthatanyidentifieddeficienciesarecorrectedasquicklyaspossible.TheH&Scoordinatorwouldconductonsiteorientationandsafetytrainingforcontractandsubcontractemployeesandwouldreportbacktotheonsiteconstructionmanager.Uponidentificationofahealthandsafetyissue,theH&Scoordinatorwouldworkwiththeconstructionmanagerandresponsiblesubcontractorordirecthireworkerstocorrecttheviolation.
2.5.11.5 Emergency Situations
Ifseverestormsresultinadownedpowerline,standardO&Mprocedureswouldbeapplied.Theturbineswouldbeequippedwithinternalprotectivecontrolmechanismstosafelyshutthemdown
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐17 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
intheeventofahigh‐voltagegridoutageoraturbinefailurerelatedtofireormechanicalproblems.Aseparatelow‐voltagedistributionservicefeedmightbeconnectedtothelow‐voltagesideofthecollectorsubstationsasabackupsystemtoprovideauxiliarypowertoProjectfacilitiesincaseofoutages.Forsafety,thecollectorsubstationswouldbefenced,locked,andproperlysignedtopreventaccesstohigh‐voltageequipment.Safetysignagewouldbepostedaroundturbines,transformers,andotherhigh‐voltagefacilitiesandalongroads,asrequired.
2.5.11.6 Public Access and Security
TheProjectwouldbelocatedentirelyonpropertieswithrestrictedpublicaccess.OnlyauthorizedaccesstotheProjectsitewouldbeallowed.Thesiteisfencedandthecollectorsubstationswouldbefencedwithanadditional12‐foot‐highchain‐linkfencetopreventpublicandwildlifeaccesstohigh‐voltageequipment.Safetysignswouldbepostedinconformancewithapplicablestateandfederalregulationsaroundallturbines,transformers,andotherhigh‐voltagefacilitiesandalongaccessroads.VegetationclearancewouldbemaintainedadjacenttoProjectingressandegresspointsandaroundthecollectorsubstations,transformers,andinterconnectionriserpoles.
2.5.11.7 Hazardous Materials Storage and Handling
TheCounty’sHazardousMaterialsProgramDivisionistheCertifiedUnifiedProgramAgency(CUPA)forallareasofAlamedaCounty.ManagementofhazardousmaterialswouldbeconductedinaccordancewithaCounty‐approvedHMBPdevelopedfortheproposedProjectpursuanttotherequirementsoftheCUPA.HazardousmaterialsusedduringO&MactivitieswouldbestoredwithintheproposedO&MbuildinginabovegroundcontainerswithappropriatespillcontainmentfeaturesasprescribedbythelocalfirecodeortheSPCCPlanfortheO&Mbuildingasstipulatedbytheappropriateregulatoryauthority.SuchmaterialswouldbesimilarintypeandamounttothosecurrentlystoredandusedforO&Mfortheexistingfacility.
Lubricantsusedintheturbinegearboxarepotentiallyhazardous.Thegearboxwouldbesealedtopreventlubricantleakage.Thegearboxlubricantwouldbesampledperiodicallyandtestedtoconfirmthatitretainsadequatelubricatingproperties.Whenthelubricantshavedegradedtothepointwheretheyarenolongeradequate,thegearboxwouldbedrained,newlubricantadded,andtheusedlubricantsdisposedofatanappropriatefacilityinaccordancewithallapplicablelawsandregulations.
Transformerscontainoilforheatdissipation.Thetransformersaresealedandcontainnopolychlorinatedbiphenylsormovingparts.Thetransformeroilwouldnotbesubjecttoperiodicinspectionanddoesnotneedreplacement.
O&Mvehicleswouldbeproperlymaintainedtominimizeleaksofmotoroil,hydraulicfluid,andfuel.Duringoperation,O&MvehicleswouldbeservicedandfueledattheproposedO&Mbuilding(usingmobilefueltanks)oratanoffsitelocation.Nostoragetanksarelocatedattheexistingproject,andnoneareproposed.
2.6 Operation and Maintenance Activities Maintenanceofturbinesandassociatedinfrastructureincludesawidevarietyofactivities.Routinemaintenanceinvolvesactivitiessuchascheckingtorqueontowerboltsandanchors;checkingfor
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Project Description
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
2‐18 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
cracksandothersignsofstressontheturbinemainframeandotherturbinecomponents;inspectingforleakageoflubricants,hydraulicfluids,andotherhazardousmaterialsandreplacingthemasnecessary;inspectingthegroundingcables,wireropesandclips,andsurgearrestors;cleaning;andrepainting.Mostroutinemaintenanceactivitiesoccurinandaroundthetowerandthenacelle.CleanupfromroutinemaintenanceactivitieswouldbeconductedatthetimemaintenanceisperformedbytheO&Mpersonnel.Whileperformingmostroutinemaintenanceactivities,O&Mstaffwouldtravelbypickuporotherlight‐dutytrucks.Inaddition,nonroutinemaintenancesuchasrepairorreplacementofrotorsorothermajorcomponentscouldbenecessary.Suchmaintenancewouldinvolveuseofoneormorecranesandequipmenttransportvehicles.
MonitoringofProjectoperationswouldbecomputer‐based;computersinthebaseofeachturbinetowerwouldbeconnectedtotheO&Mfacilitythroughfiber‐opticorwirelesstelecommunicationlinks.
TheO&Mworkforcewouldconsistofturbinetechnicians,operationspersonnel,administrativepersonnel,andmanagementstaff.O&Mstaffwouldmonitorturbineandsystemoperation,performroutinemaintenance,shutdownandrestartturbineswhennecessary,andprovidesecurity.AllO&MstaffwouldbetrainedregularlytoobserveBMPs.Approximatelyfourtosixfull‐timestaffwouldberequiredtoconductO&Mactivities.
2.7 Post‐Project Decommissioning Theanticipatedlifeofthewindfarmismorethan30years,asupgradingandreplacingequipmentcouldextendtheoperatinglifeindefinitelywithappropriatepermitapprovals.However,thelifeoftheProjectforCEQApurposeswouldbe35years.
Decommissioningwouldinvolveremovingtheturbines,transformers,andrelatedinfrastructureinaccordancewithlandowneragreements.Substationsandmettowersmayberemovedandthesitesreclaimed;alternatively,thesitescouldberetainedforcontinueduse.Asinglelargecranewouldbeusedtodisassembletheturbines,andsmallercraneswouldliftthepartsontotruckstobehauledaway.Generally,turbines,electricalcomponents,andtowerswouldeitherberefurbishedandresoldorrecycledforscrap.Allunsalvageablematerialswouldbedisposedofatauthorizedsitesinaccordancewithfederal,state,andlocallaws,regulations,ordinances,andadoptedpoliciesineffectatthetimeoffinaldecommissioning.Existingserviceroadswouldbeused.Roadreclamationwouldbeaccomplishedusingscrapersandgraveltrucks.Sitereclamationafterdecommissioningwouldbesubjecttoalocallyapprovedreclamationplan.Basedonsite‐specificrequirements,thereclamationplanwouldincluderegrading,spotreplacementoftopsoil,andrevegetationofdisturbedareaswithanapprovedseedmix.
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Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Analysis
Draft
3‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Chapter 3 Environmental Analysis
AsdiscussedinChapter1,Introduction,theanalysisinthisdocumentparallelstheorganizationofthePEIR.Whilesomeresourcetopicsmighthavebeensummarilydismissed,itwasdeemedpreferabletoprovideabriefargumentsupportingthedecisiontoomitamoredetailedanalysis.
Theresourcediscussionsareorganizedasshownbelow.Wherereferencesarecited,theyareprovidedattheendofeachsection.
Section3.1—AestheticsandVisualResources
Section3.2—AgriculturalandForestryResources
Section3.3—AirQuality
Section3.4—BiologicalResources
Section3.5—CulturalResources
Section3.6—Geology,Soils,MineralResources,andPaleontologicalResources
Section3.7—GreenhouseGasEmissions
Section3.8—HazardsandHazardousMaterials
Section3.9—HydrologyandWaterQuality
Section3.10—LandUseandPlanning
Section3.11—Noise
Section3.12—PopulationandHousing
Section3.13—PublicServices
Section3.14—Recreation
Section3.15—Transportation/Traffic
Section3.16—UtilitiesandServiceSystems
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Agricultural and Forestry Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.1‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.1 Aesthetics and Visual Resources ThePEIRpresentedabroadandthoroughanalysisoftheimpactsonaestheticsandvisualresourcesthatwouldresultfromrepoweringtheprogramarea,selectingkeyviewpointstodevelopphotosimulationscomparingtheviewunderexistingconditionswiththesameviewunderrepoweredconditions.ToconducttheProject‐levelanalysis,analystsselectedeightProject‐specificviewpointstocharacterizevisualchangesthatwouldresultfromProjectimplementation(Figure3.1‐1).
Viewpoint1—LookingsouthwestfromtheCaliforniaAqueductBikewayonthenorthshoreofBethanyReservoir.
Viewpoint2—LookingeastalongChristensenRoadneartheBethanyReservoirentranceroad.
Viewpoint3—LookingsouthalongBrunsRoadfrom0.15milesouthoftheKelsoRoadintersection.
Viewpoint4—LookingsouthwestalongMountainHouseRoadfrom1.4milessouthoftheKelsoRoadintersection.
Viewpoint5—LookingnorthbynorthwestalongMountainHouseRoadfromjustnorthoftheGrantLineRoadintersection.
Viewpoint6—LookingwestbynorthwestfromtheCaliforniaAqueductBikewayattheGrantLineRoadcrossingoftheCaliforniaAqueduct.
Viewpoint7—LookingwestbynorthwestfromwestboundInterstate(I‐)580attheWestGrantLineRoadonramp.
Viewpoint8—LookingnortheastfromAltamontPassRoadatanunnamedaccessroad.
Areviewofeachofthealternativelayoutswasconductedtodetermineifanyparticularlayoutwassubstantiallydifferentfromavisualanalysisperspective.Theresultsofthatreviewindicatedthatthelayoutswerenotsubstantiallydifferent;Layout2wasselectedforthevisualsimulations(thelayoutwiththe“middle”groupofturbines).Asnotedpreviously,the“middle”groupof11turbineslocatedsouthofBethanyReservoirhavedifferentlocationsineachofthethreelayouts.Visualsimulationswerepreparedforeachviewpointusingthelargestandtallestturbinesconsideredtoensurethatthemostseverevisualimpactswouldbeconsidered.
3.1.1 Existing Conditions
AsdescribedinthePEIR,theProjectvicinity,inthenortheasternportionoftheAWPRA,ismostlycharacterizedbygrass‐covered,rollinghills,withroadcutstoaccommodateruralroadsandI‐580.Stringsofturbines,powerlines,transformers,accessroads,andsubstationsarethemostvisuallydistinctartificialfeaturesthroughoutmostthevicinity.Ruralresidencesdotthevicinitysurround‐ingtheProjectarea,butonlyasingleresidenceiswithinit.TheCaliforniaAqueduct,theCaliforniaAqueductBikeway,andBethanyReservoirliebetweentheeasternandwesternportionsoftheProjectarea.TheeasternterminusoftheBrushyPeakRegionalPreservetoBethanyReservoirregionalmultiusetrailisimmediatelyoutsidethenorthwesternboundaryoftheProjectarea.
MountainHouseRoad,aCounty‐designatedscenicroadway,passesthroughtheeasternportionoftheProjectarea(Figure3.1‐1).Theareanorthwestoftheroadiscurrentlyundeveloped,althoughit
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Agricultural and Forestry Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.1‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
supportedwindturbinesinthepast.Numerousoldergenerationturbinesarepresentonthesoutheastsideoftheroad.
3.1.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
TheProject‐levelanalysiswasbasedonreviewofthePEIRandonthevisualphotosimulationslistedabove.ThesephotosimulationsarepresentedinFigures3.1‐2through3.1‐9.
ThePEIRreliedonaqualitativeevaluationofthevisualimpactsofrepoweringtheprogramareaoverall.Ingeneral,thePEIRcharacterizedthenewrepoweredturbinesacrosstheprogramareaincomparisonwiththeexistingold‐generationturbines.TheSandHillProject’sturbineswouldhaveaslightlylongerbladelength(i.e.,15feet)androtor‐sweptareathantheturbinesevaluatedinthePEIR,buttheProjectwouldrequirefewerturbinesbecauseeachwouldhaveahighercapacitythanthosecontemplatedinthePEIR.ThelongerbladelengthisnotexpectedtobevisuallynoticeablefromnearbyroadsorresidencesbecausetheproposedturbinesareconsistentwiththeoveralldimensionsofthoseevaluatedinthePEIR;consequently,theanalysisinthePEIRisrelevantandappropriatefortheProject.Accordingly,theapplicant’sproposaltouseslightlylargerturbineswouldnotconstituteanewsignificanteffectorasubstantialincreaseintheseverityofeffectsonvisualresourcescomparedtothosedescribedinthePEIR.AdditionalanalysisspecifictotheProjectisprovidedbelow.
ImpactAES‐1:Temporaryvisualimpactscausedbyconstructionactivities(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatconstructionactivitiescouldresultinasignificantimpact,particularlyforhighlysensitiveviewerssuchasresidentsandrecreationists.TheanalysisspecificallycalledoutBethanyReservoir,whichissurroundedbytheSandHillProjectarea,aswellasscenicroadwaysandrecreationaltrails.Accordingly,thepotentialvisualimpactsassociatedwithconstructionasaddressedinthePEIRwouldapplytotheProject;asconcludedinthePEIR,implementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐1,Limitconstructiontodaylighthours,wouldreducetheseimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactAES‐2:Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatwhilethenew,largeturbinesmaybemorevisuallyevidentthantheolder,smallerturbines,theirwidespacingonthelandscapewouldbelessdisruptiveofthelandscapefeatures.Theprogram‐levelanalysisraisedthegreatestconcernforareaswithoutturbines;intheProjectarea,suchconditionsexistonlyoncertainparcelseastandsouthofBethanyReservoir.MitigationMeasureAES‐2a,Requiresitedevelopmentreview,specificallystates:
Newturbinesalongridgelinesorhilltopsthathavenotpreviouslybeendevelopedwithcommercial‐scalewindturbineswillnotbeallowed,unlessaseparateSiteDevelopmentReviewiscompletedthatdeterminesthatthevisualeffectswillbesubstantiallyavoidedbydistancefrompublicviewpoints(e.g.,morethan2,000feet),interveningterrain,screeninglandscaping,orcompensatoryimprovementstoequivalentandnearby(radiusof1mile)scenicfeatures,asapprovedbythePlanningDirector.
Accordingly,whileaportionoftherepoweringProjectisbeingplannedinanareathatwaspreviouslydevelopedwithwindturbines,thoseturbineswereremovedpriortoissuanceofthe
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Agricultural and Forestry Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.1‐3 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
NoticeofPreparationforthePEIRin2010.TheProjectwouldintroducesubstantialchangestocurrentviewswithinandoftheProjectareaalongMountainHouseRoadbyconstructingnewturbineswherenonehavebeensincebefore2010.Forthepurposesoffullandconservativedisclosure,anddespitethefactthattheareawasdevelopedwithwindturbinesinthepast,theconstructionofturbinesinthisareacouldhaveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista;thisimpactisconsideredpotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐2a,Requiresitedevelopmentreview,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.VisualimpactsfromotherareasoftheProjectarealsoconsideredpotentiallysignificantforthereasonscommontootherwindrepoweringprojects—specifically,theappearanceofmultiplepiecesofconstructionequipment.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2b,Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways,andAES‐2c,Screensurpluspartsandmaterials,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.TheseconclusionsareconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddresstheseimpacts.
ImpactAES‐3:Substantiallydamagescenicresources,includingbutnotlimitedtotrees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingsalongascenichighway(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Asdescribedabove,MountainHouseRoadintheeasternportionoftheProjectareaisaCounty‐designatedscenicroadway.AsstatedinthePEIR:
TherearealsoportionsofI‐580,AltamontPassRoad,FlynnRoad,MountainHouseRoad,PattersonPassRoad,andtheproposedRoute239Freeway…wherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,butmotoristsontheseroadsareaccustomedtoseeingwindturbinesalongtheroute,sotheywouldnotbeadverselyaffected.
AlthoughtheareanorthwestofMountainHouseRoaddoesnotcurrentlysupportturbinedevelopment,ithasdonesointhepast.Moreover,theoppositesideoftheroadwayisheavilydevelopedwitholdergenerationturbines,whichwillberemovedin2018.Althoughtheseconsiderationsservetominimizetheseverityofthisimpact,thePEIRconcludedthatitwaslessthansignificantwithmitigation.Accordingly,thisanalysisconcludesthatimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2bandAES‐2cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactAES‐4:Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthat,ingeneral,replacingnumeroussmallturbineswithfewer,muchlargerturbineswouldnotdegradetheexistingvisualcharacteroftheareabutratherwouldimprovethevisualquality.Theanalysisraisedconcernsaboutareaswhereturbinesdonotcurrentlyexist,butasdisclosedinthediscussionofImpactAES‐3,theareanorthwestofMountainHouseRoadwasconsideredtohavepotentiallysignificantimpactstriggeringsitedevelopmentreviewunderMitigationMeasureAES‐2a.WhileitmightbearguedthatthisimpactasitpertainstotheSandHillProjectmightbeconsideredlessthansignificantbecausetheareawasdevelopedwithwindturbinesinthepast(priortodevelopmentofthePEIR),forpurposesoffullandconservativedisclosure,thisimpactisconsideredpotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2bandAES‐2wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Agricultural and Forestry Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.1‐4 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ImpactAES‐5:Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdaytimeornighttimeviewsinthearea(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatlightingrequiredbytheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)intheProjectareaandvicinityandlightingassociatedwiththesubstationswouldbeshieldedanddirecteddownwardtoreduceglare,andthatthecolorofnewtowersandrotorswouldbeneutralandnon‐reflective.SincethepreparationofthePEIR,theCountyhasnotedthatlightingassociatedwiththeturbinesmayhaveeffectsbeyondthosedescribedinthePEIR.However,asdiscussedinSection1.3.5,TurbineLighting,theseeffectscouldhavebeenknownwhenthePEIRwasprepared.Consequently,thisanalysisconfirmsthattheProjectwouldnotresultinanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarebeyondwhatisdescribedinthePEIR.
However,thePEIRalsoconcludedthatshadowflicker—causedbybladerotation—couldcreateadisruptivevisualintrusiontoresidentswhoareexposedtotheconditionforextendedperiods:morethan30minutesinagivendayor30hoursinagivenyear.InaccordancewithMitigationMeasureAES‐5,Analyzeshadowflickerdistanceandmitigateeffectsorincorporatechangesintoprojectdesigntoaddressshadowflicker,SandHillwillretainaqualifiedengineeringfirmtoconductashadowflickeranalysis.ThetermsofthemitigationmeasurerequirethatSandHillimplementmeasurestominimizetheeffectinconsultationwiththeowneroftheaffectedresidence.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactAES‐6:Consistencywithstateandlocalpolicies(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
AsdisclosedinthePEIR,theCountywouldbeobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthtoprotectvisualresourcesalongscenicroadwaysandopenspaceareasidentifiedforprotection,asdetailedintheScenicRouteandOpenSpaceElementsoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan(AlamedaCounty1966).Inaddition,theCountyisobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthintheEastCountyAreaPlan(ECAP)toprotectvisualresourcessuchassensitiveviewsheds,streetsandhighways,scenichighways,andareasaffectedbywindfarms(AlamedaCounty2000).TheproposedProjectissimilarlysubjecttotheserequirements.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2b,AES‐2c,AES‐3,andAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
3.1.3 References Cited
AlamedaCounty.1966.ScenicRouteElementoftheGeneralPlan.May.ReprintedJune1974,AmendedMay5,1994.
———.2000.EastCountyAreaPlan.AdoptedMay1994.ModifiedbypassageofMeasureD,effectiveDecember22,2000.Oakland,CA.
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Figure 3.1-2Viewpoint 1—Looking Southwest from California Aqueduct Bikeway
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Figure 3.1-3Viewpoint 2—Looking East along Christensen Road
near Bethany Reservoir Entrance Road
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Figure 3.1-4Viewpoint 3—Looking South along Bruns Road
from 0.15 mile South of Kelso Road
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Figure 3.1-5Viewpoint 4—Looking Southwest along Mountain House Road
from 1.4 miles South of Kelso Road
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Figure 3.1-6Viewpoint 5—Looking North by Northwest along Mountain House Road
from North of West Grant Line Road Intersection
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Figure 3.1-7Viewpoint 6—Looking West by Northwest from California Aqueduct Bikeway
at Grant Line Road Crossing
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Figure 3.1-8Viewpoint 7—Looking West by Northwest from Westbound I-580
at the West Grant Line Road Onramp
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Simulation
Image source: Google Street View, 10/2017.
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Figure 3.1-9Viewpoint 8—Looking Northeast from Altamont Pass Road
at Unnamed Access Road
Existing View
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Image source: Google Street View, 8/2015.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Agricultural and Forestry Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.2‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.2 Agricultural and Forestry Resources ThePEIRidentifiedapproximately24acresofPrimeFarmlandintheextremenortheastcorneroftheprogramareaandfoundthatconversionofthisagriculturallandwouldconstituteasignificantimpact,whichcouldbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.However,becausethePrimeFarmlandisoutsidetheSandHillProjectarea,therewouldbenoimpact.Similarly,thePEIRfoundthatbecausewindturbinesareaconditionallypermitteduseongrazinglandunderWilliamsonActcontract,therewouldbenoimpactpertainingtoconflictswithexistingzoning.Finally,thereisnoforestlandintheprogramarea.Accordingly,agriculturalandforestryresourcesarenotdiscussedfurtherinthisanalysis.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Air Quality
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.3‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.3 Air Quality ThePEIRevaluatedimpactsassociatedwithdevelopmentofupto450MWincombinednameplatecapacitywithintheprogramarea.Project‐levelcriteriapollutantemissionsandassociatedairqualityimpactswereassessedusingmanyofthesamemethodsandmodelsasdescribedinthePEIR.Specifically,analystsestimatedcombustionexhaustandfugitivedustbasedonProject‐specificconstructionandoperatingdata(e.g.,schedule,equipment,truckvolumes)providedbytheProjectengineerandacombinationofemissionfactorsandmethodologiesfromCalEEMod,version2016.3.2;CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard’s(ARB’s)EMFAC2017model;theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency’s(EPA’s)AP‐42CompilationofAirPollutantEmissionFactors,andseveralotherindustry‐acceptedtools.AppendixAprovidesadditionalmodelingdetail,includingequipmentandvehicleassumptions.
3.3.1 Existing Conditions
AsdescribedinthePEIR,theproposedProjectislocatedinAlamedaCounty,whichisintheBayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict(BAAQMD).Concentrationsofozone,carbonmonoxide(CO),nitrogendioxide(NO2),sulfurdioxide(SO2),lead(Pb),andparticulatematter(PM10andPM2.5)arecommonlyusedasindicatorsofambientairqualityconditions.ThesepollutantsareknownascriteriapollutantsandareregulatedbyEPAandARBthroughnationalandCaliforniaambientairqualitystandards(NAAQSandCAAQS),respectively.TheNAAQSandCAAQSestablishlimitsofcriteriapollutantconcentrationstoprotecthumanhealthandpreventenvironmentalandpropertydamage.OtherpollutantsofconcernintheProjectareaarenitrogenoxides(NOX)andreactiveorganicgases(ROG),whichareprecursorstoozone,anddieselparticulatematter(DPM),whichcancausecancerandotherhumanhealthailments.Ingeneral,theProjectareaisgenerallywellventilatedbywinds,resultinginrelativelygoodambientairqualityconditions.
3.3.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
ConstructionemissionswouldprimarilyoccurintheProjectareaintheBAAQMD.However,someequipmentandmaterialswouldoriginatefromthePortofStocktonandthecityofTracy,bothofwhicharewithintheSanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict(SJVAPCD).Accordingly,heavy‐dutytrucktripexhaustemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVAPCDhavebeenquantifiedandincludedintheconstructionanalysis.OperationalemissionswouldoccurexclusivelyintheBAAQMD.ConsistentwiththePEIR,thresholdsdevelopedbytheBAAQMDandSJVAPCDareusedtoevaluatethesignificanceoftheProject’semissionsandassociatedairqualityimpacts(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2015;BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict2017).
ImpactAQ‐1:Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRconcludedthatrepoweringprojectsunderbothalternativeswouldnotconflictwiththegoalsofBAAQMD’sCleanAirPlanorSJVAPCD’sairqualityattainmentplans.Accordingly,becausetheSandHillProjectisconsistentwiththeassumptionsusedinthePEIR,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Air Quality
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.3‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ImpactAQ‐2:Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation(significantandunavoidable)
ThePEIRconcludedthatmaximumdailyunmitigatedROGandNOXfromconstructionofrepoweringprojectswouldexceedBAAQMD’ssignificancethresholds,resultinginasignificantimpact.FugitivedustwouldalsoconstituteasignificantimpactwithoutapplicationofBMPs.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2a,Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingapplicableBAAQMDBasicConstructionMitigationMeasures,andAQ‐2b,Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingmeasuresbasedonBAAQMD’sAdditionalConstructionMitigationMeasures,wouldensurethatimpactsrelatedtofugitivedustwouldbelessthansignificant.However,implementationofthesemeasureswouldnotreduceROGorNOXemissionstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Accordingly,theimpactofconstruction‐relatedROGandNOXemissionswouldbesignificantandunavoidableintheBAAQMD.Neitherlong‐termoperationoftheProjectnormaterialhaulinginSJVAPCDduringconstructionwouldexceedanyairdistrictthresholds,andimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.TheseconclusionsareconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactAQ‐3:Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisanonattainmentareaforanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)(significantandunavoidableforconstructionandlessthansignificantforoperation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatconstructionofrepoweringprojectswouldexceedBAAQMD’sROGandNOXthresholdsevenafterimplementationoffeasiblemitigation.Accordingly,thePEIRdeterminedthatcumulativeconstructionimpactsintheBAAQMDwouldbesignificantandunavoidable.Long‐termoperationoftherepoweredprojectswasfoundtohavealess‐than‐significantcumulativeairqualityimpact.
AsdiscussedunderImpactAQ‐2,neitherlong‐termoperationoftheproposedProjectnormaterialhaulinginSJVAPCDduringconstructionwouldexceedairdistrictthresholds.Accordingly,cumulativeimpactsduringconstructionintheSJVAPCDandduringoperationintheBAAQMDwouldbelessthansignificant.Construction‐relatedNOxandPMemissionsintheBAAQMDwouldexceedtheairdistrict’sthresholds,resultinginapotentiallysignificantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldensurethatimpactsrelatedtofugitivedustwouldbelessthansignificant.However,NOXemissionswouldremainsignificantandunavoidableandcumulativelyconsiderable.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactAQ‐4:Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatreceptorexposuretoDPMfromconstructionoftherepoweringprojectswouldbelessthansignificantwithimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,whichwouldreducebothcriteriapollutantsandDPMemissions.
Long‐termoperationoftheproposedProjectwouldnotresultinasignificantnewsourceofemissions.Offsitetrucktripsduringconstructionwouldbetransitory,usingmultipleroadsoverawidespreadarea,therebyhelpingtodispersetoxicpollutantsandminimizeexposure.OnsiteconstructionactivitieswouldgenerateDPM,butthesewouldoccuroverarelativelyshortperiod—approximately1year,farlessthantheexposuredurationof30yearsthatistypicallyassociated
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Air Quality
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.3‐3 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
withchroniccancerrisk(OfficeofEnvironmentalHealthHazardAssessment2015).EmissionswouldalsobespatiallydispersedthroughouttheProjectareaandatmultipleturbinelocations.
WhileexposuretoDPMemissionswouldbeofshortduration,tworeceptorsarewithin1,000feetofturbineworkareas.Thesereceptorsmaybeexposedtoincreasedhealthrisksduringconstructionattheseindividuallocations.Accordingly,thisimpactisconservativelyconcludedtobepotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwouldreduceDPMemissionsandassociatedhealthriskstosensitivereceptors.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificantwithmitigation.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactAQ‐5:Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRconcludedthatneitherconstructionnoroperationoftherepoweringprojectswouldresultinsignificantodorimpacts.OdoremissionsundertheproposedProjectwouldbesimilartothoseevaluatedattheprogramlevel;theywouldbeprimarilylimitedtotheconstructionperiod.Sourcesofodorsduringconstructionwouldbediesel‐poweredtrucksandvehicles.Potentialodorsfromthesesourceswouldbetemporary(1year)andspatiallydispersedovertheProjectarea.Accordingly,theproposedProjectisnotanticipatedtocreateobjectionableodorsthatwouldviolateairdistrictnuisancerules.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
3.3.3 References Cited
BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict.2017.AirQualityGuidelines.May.
OfficeofEnvironmentalHealthHazardAssessment.2015.AirToxicsHotSpotProgramRiskAssessmentGuidelinesGuidanceManualforPreparationofHealthRiskAssessments.February.
SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict.2015.GuidanceforAssessingandMitigatingAirQualityImpacts.March.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.4 Biological Resources ToevaluatethepotentialProject‐specificimpactsonbiologicalresources,ICFpreparedtheBiologicalResourcesEvaluationfortheSandHillWindRepoweringProject(AppendixB).InadditiontoreviewingpreviousworkconductedinsupportofthePEIRandtheEastAlamedaConservationStrategy(EACCS),aswellassurveysconductedinportionsoftheProjectareaforanearlierwindproject,ICFbiologistssearchedtheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife’s(CDFW’s)CaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase(CNDDB)(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife2018)andtheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceIPaCTrustResourceReportspecieslistfortheProjectarea(U.S.FishandWildlifeService2018).
Inaddition,ICFbotanists/wetlandecologistsconductedaquaticresourcedelineationsurveysinOctoberandNovember2017andJanuary2018.ThesewereformaldelineationsundertakenwiththepurposeofcharacterizingpotentialwatersoftheUnitedStates,includingwetlands,intheProjectarea.
Biologistsconductedhabitatsurveysofthebiologicalstudyarea(i.e.,theProjectareaplusa1.24‐milebufferaroundittoaccountforthepossibledispersaldistanceofCaliforniatigersalamandersfromaquaticbreedinghabitat).ICFalsoconductedasiteassessmentforCaliforniatigersalamanderandCaliforniared‐leggedfrog.
3.4.1 Existing Conditions
3.4.1.1 Land Cover Types
NotallthelandcovertypesdescribedinthePEIRwerefoundtobepresentintheProjectarea.ThelandcovertypesandtheextentofeachidentifiedthroughthesurveyeffortsareshowninTable3.4‐1.
Table 3.4‐1. Approximate Acreage of Land Cover Types
LandCover/HabitatType Acres
Nonnativeannualgrassland 2,604.7
Alkaliwetland/drainage 20.1
Vernalpool 0.3
Perennialwetlanddrainage 9.7
Pond 6.3
Ephemeraldrainage 3.7
Canal(aqueducts) 1.0
Developed/existinginfrastructure 54.7
Total 2,700.5
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.4.1.2 Special‐Status Plants
AccordingtotheBiologicalResourcesEvaluation,the10special‐statusplantspecieslistedbelowhavebeenidentifiedashavingthepotentialtooccurintheProjectarea.AllthesespecieswereconsideredinthePEIR,althoughadditionalspeciesthatcouldoccurintheprogramareaweredeterminednottooccurintheProjectareaduetomicrohabitatconditionsorrangeconstraints.
Large‐floweredfiddleneck(Amsinckiagrandiflora)—state‐andfederallylistedasendangered.
SanJoaquinspearscale(Atriplexjoaquiniana)—CRPR1B.2.2
Bigtarplant(Blepharizoniaplumosa)—CRPR1B.11.
Round‐leavedfilaree(Californiamacrophylla)—CRPR1B.11.
Lemmon’sjewelflower(Caulanthuslemmonii)—CRPR1B.21.
Recurvedlarkspur(Delphiniumrecurvatum)—CRPR1B.21.
Diamond‐petaledCaliforniapoppy(Eschscholziarhombipetala)—CRPR1B.11.
Shiningnavarretia(Navarretianigelliformisssp.radians)—CRPR1B.21.
Raylessragwort(Senecioaphanactis)—CRPR2.21.
Caper‐fruitedtropidocarpum(Tropidocarpumcapparideum)—CRPR1B.11.
Fourofthesespecies—SanJoaquinspearscale,caper‐fruitedtropidocarpum,round‐leavedfilaree,anddiamond‐petaledCaliforniapoppy—havebeenpreviouslydocumentedwithinoradjacenttothestudyarea.
3.4.1.3 Special‐Status Wildlife
AccordingtotheBiologicalResourcesEvaluation,thespecial‐statuswildlifespecieslistedbelowhavebeenidentifiedashavingthepotentialtooccurintheProjectarea.AllthesespecieswereconsideredinthePEIR,althoughadditionalspeciesthatcouldoccurintheprogramareaweredeterminednottooccurintheProjectareaduetomicrohabitatconditionsorrangeconstraints.
Vernalpoolfairyshrimp(Branchinectalynchi)—federallylistedasthreatened.
Vernalpooltadpoleshrimp(Lepiduruspackardi)—federallylistedasendangered.
Californiatigersalamander(Ambystomacaliforniense)—state‐andfederallylistedasthreatened.
Californiared‐leggedfrog(Ranadraytonii)—federallylistedasthreatened.
Westernspadefoot(Speahammondii)—CDFWspeciesofspecialconcern.
Westernpondturtle(Actinemysmarmorata)—CDFWspeciesofspecialconcern.
SanJoaquincoachwhip(Masticophisflagellumruddocki)—CDFWspeciesofspecialconcern.
2CRPR = CaliforniaRarePlantRank. 1B.1= rare,threatenedorendangeredinCaliforniaandelsewhere,seriouslyendangeredinCalifornia. 1B.2= rare,threatenedorendangeredinCaliforniaandelsewhere,fairlyendangeredinCalifornia. 2.2 = rare,threatenedorendangeredinCalifornia,butmorecommonelsewhere,fairlyendangeredin
California.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐3 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Blainville’shornedlizard(Phyrnosomablainvillii)—CDFWspeciesofspecialconcern.
White‐tailedkite(Elanusleucurus)—Californiafullyprotected.
Northernharrier(Circuscyaneus)—CDFWspeciesofspecialconcern.
Baldeagle(Haliaeetusleucocephalus)—federallyde‐listed;state‐listedasendangered,fullyprotected.
Goldeneagle(Aquilachrysaetos)—Californiafullyprotected.
Swainson’shawk(Buteoswainsoni)—state‐listedasthreatened.
Westernburrowingowl—CDFWspeciesofspecialconcern.
Loggerheadshrike(Laniusludovicianus)—CDFWspeciesofspecialconcern.
Tricoloredblackbird(Agelaiustricolor)—state‐listedasthreatened.
Americanbadger(Taxideataxus)—CDFWspeciesofspecialconcern.
SanJoaquinkitfox(Vulpesmacrotismutica)—state‐listedasthreatened;federallylistedasendangered.
Californiared‐leggedfrog,burrowingowls,andforaginggoldeneagleswereobservedinthestudyareaduringtheOctober2017surveysaswellasduring2012surveyspreviouslyconductedforanotherwindproject(ICFInternational2013).
3.4.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
ImpactBIO‐1:Potentialforground‐disturbingactivitiestoresultinadverseeffectsonspecial‐statusplantsorhabitatoccupiedbyspecial‐statusplants(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatground‐disturbingactivitiesassociatedwithProjectconstructioncouldresultinadverseimpactsonspecial‐statusplantsandtheirhabitat.BecausetheactivitiesassociatedwiththeSandHillProjectandthespecial‐statusplantspecieswithpotentialtooccurintheProjectareaareunchangedfromthosecontemplatedinthePEIR,theimpactwouldbecomparabletothatpresentedinthePEIR,andthesamemitigationmeasureswouldapply.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1a,Conductsurveystodeterminethepresenceorabsenceofspecial‐statusplantspecies;BIO‐1b,Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies;BIO‐1c,Avoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspeciesbyestablishingactivityexclusionzones;BIO‐1d,Compensateforimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspecies;andBIO‐1e,Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐thansignificantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐2:Adverseeffectsonspecial‐statusplantsandnaturalcommunitiesresultingfromtheintroductionandspreadofinvasiveplantspecies(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThepotentialfortheintroductionandspreadofinvasiveplantspeciesintheProjectareaasaresultofconstructionactivitieswouldbethesameasdescribedinthePEIRforrepoweringprojects
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐4 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
overall.Theintroductionofinvasivenonnativeplantspecieswouldconstituteasignificantindirectimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b;BIO‐2,Preventintroduction,spread,andestablishmentofinvasiveplantspecies;BIO‐5c,Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands;andWQ‐1,ComplywithNPDESrequirements,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐3:Potentialmortalityoforlossofhabitatforvernalpoolbranchiopodsandcurved‐footedhygrotusdivingbeetle(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatrepoweringprojectscouldresultinhabitatlossforanddirectmortalityofindividualvernalpoolbranchiopodaswellascurved‐footedhygrotusdivingbeetles(Hygrotuscurvipes).TheBiologicalResourcesEvaluationdeterminedthatnopotentialhabitatforlonghornfairyshrimp(Branchinectalongiantenna)ispresentintheProjectarea.However,becausepotentialhabitatforvernalpoolfairyshrimp,vernalpooltadpoleshrimp,andcurved‐footedhygrotusdivingbeetleispresentinandneartheProjectarea,mortalityandhabitatlossarepotentiallysignificantimpacts.ThePEIRconcludedthatimplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b;BIO‐1e;BIO‐3a,Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecial‐statuswildlifespecies;andBIO‐3b,Implementmeasurestoavoid,minimize,andmitigateimpactsonvernalpoolbranchiopodsandcurved‐footedhygrotusdivingbeetle,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐4:Potentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle(noimpact)
AlthoughthePEIRidentifiedthepotentialforimpactsonvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle(Desmoceruscalifornicus)inportionsoftheprogramarea,noelderberryshrubs(thespecies’hostplant)havebeenidentifiedintheProjectarea;accordingly,therewouldbenoimpactandnomitigationwouldberequired.
ImpactBIO‐5:PotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforCaliforniatigersalamander,westernspadefoot,Californiared‐leggedfrog,andfoothillyellow‐leggedfrog(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatconstructionaswellasoperationandmaintenanceactivitiescouldresultinhabitatlossforCaliforniatigersalamander,westernspadefoot,Californiared‐leggedfrog,andfoothillyellow‐leggedfrog,aswellasmortalityofindividuals.SiteassessmentsconductedfortheBiologicalResourcesEvaluationfoundnosuitablehabitatforfoothillyellow‐leggedfrog;however,becausesuitablehabitatfortheotherthreespeciesispresentintheProjectarea,theProjectcouldresultinsignificantimpacts.ThePEIRconcludedthatimplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b;BIO‐1e;BIO‐3c;BIO‐5a,Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusamphibians;BIO‐5b,Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians;andBIO‐5cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐5 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ImpactBIO‐6:Potentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforwesternpondturtle(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatconstructionactivitiescouldresultindirecteffectsonwesternpondturtlesandtheirhabitat.BecausetheBiologicalResourcesEvaluationidentifiedsuitablehabitatforthisspeciesintheProjectarea,suchimpactscouldresultfromProjectconstruction.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b;BIO‐1e;BIO‐3a;andBIO‐6,Conductpreconstructionsurveysforwesternpondturtleandmonitorconstructionactivitiesifturtlesareobserved,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐7:PotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforBlainville’shornedlizard,Alamedawhipsnake,andSanJoaquincoachwhip(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatconstructionactivitiesand,toalesserextent,operationandmaintenanceactivitiescouldresultinhabitatlossforandindividualfatalitiesofBlainville’shornedlizard,Alamedawhipsnake,andSanJoaquincoachwhip.TheBiologicalResourcesEvaluationfoundthatAlamedawhipsnakehadlittletonolikelihoodtooccurintheProjectarea;however,thepotentialremainsfordirectimpactsontheothertwospeciesofspecial‐statusreptiles.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b;BIO‐1e;BIO‐3a;BIO‐5c;BIO‐7a,Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusreptiles;andBIO‐7b,Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusreptiles,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐8:Potentialconstruction‐relateddisturbanceormortalityofspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusmigratorybirds(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatconstructionactivitiesduringthenestingseasonofwhite‐tailedkite,baldeagle,northernharrier,Swainson’shawk,goldeneagle,westernburrowingowl,loggerheadshrike,andtricoloredblackbirdcouldresultindirecteffectsonthesespecies,aswellasonnon–special‐statusmigratorybirds,iftheyarenestingintheprogramarea.BecauseofthescarcityoftreesintheProjectarea,particularlynearproposedturbinesitesandroadways,thereislimitedpotentialforconstructionactivitiestoaffectnestingeaglesortree‐nestspecies(e.g.,Swainson’shawks,goldeneagles,kites).However,shrub‐andground‐nestingspecies(e.g.,tricoloredblackbird,westernburrowingowl)couldbeaffectedbyconstructionactivities.BecauseconstructionactivitiesdescribedinthePEIRarethesameasthoseanticipatedfortheSandHillProject,theimpactswouldbethesame.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b;BIO‐1e;BIO‐3a;BIO‐5c;BIO‐8a,Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusnestingbirds;andBIO‐8b,Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonwesternburrowingowl,wouldreducetheseimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐9:Permanentandtemporarylossofoccupiedhabitatforwesternburrowingowlandforaginghabitatfortricoloredblackbirdandotherspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusbirds(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐6 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ThePEIRconcludedthatrepoweringprojectswouldresultinthetemporaryandpermanentlossofgrasslandthatissuitableforaginghabitatforburrowingowlsandotherspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusmigratorybirds.However,thePEIRelectednottoproposecompensatorymitigationforlossofSwainson’shawkforaginghabitat,becausethatspeciesrarelyusesgrasslandintheprogramarea.BecausegrasslandhabitatintheProjectareaisconsistentwiththatthroughouttheprogramarea,thesameimpactswouldapply.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐5b;BIO‐5c;andBIO‐9,Compensateforthepermanentlossofoccupiedhabitatforwesternburrowingowl,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐10:PotentialinjuryormortalityofandlossofhabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatrepoweringprojectscouldresultintemporaryandpermanentlossofgrasslandhabitatthatcouldsupportSanJoaquinkitfoxesandAmericanbadgers,aswellasindirectmortalityofindividuals.TheBiologicalResourcesEvaluationconcludedthatbadgershaveahighlikelihoodtooccurintheProjectarea,whileSanJoaquinkitfoxesareunlikelytousetheareabuthaveaslightlikelihoodofmovingthroughitbetweenothermoresuitableareas.Becauseofdeclinesinbothspecies,anyimpactswouldbesignificant,especiallyiftheyresultinfatalities.BecauseProjectactivitiesandProjectareaconditionsareconsistentwiththosecontemplatedinthePEIR,theimpactswouldbethesame.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b;BIO‐1e;BIO‐3a;BIO‐5c;BIO‐10a,ImplementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger;andBIO‐10b,CompensateforlossofsuitablehabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐11:Avianmortalityresultingfrominteractionwithwindenergyfacilities(significantandunavoidable)
ThePEIRconcludedthatrepoweringwouldresultinsignificantandunavoidableimpactsassociatedwithavianmortality,althoughitanticipatedthatmortalityrateswoulddecreasewiththetransitionfromold‐generationtonew‐generationturbines.ThisexpectationwasbasedoncombinedestimatesofavianmortalityfromthreedifferentrepoweringprojectsintheAPWRA,givenasarateofxnumberofbirddeathsperMWperyear,invariouscombinationsofspecies(allraptorspecies,eachofeightindividualraptorspecies,andallnativenon‐raptorspecies).Theseestimatesindicatedreductionsof32–83%inraptorfatalities(e.g.,31–79%fewerAmericankestrelfatalitiesforbuildoutof450MWintheAPWRA.ThePEIRacknowledged,however,thattheavianmortalityestimateswereuncertain,statingthat(AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency2014:3.4‐103):
…whilerepoweringisintendedtoreducefatalities,enoughuncertaintyremainsinlightofproject‐andsite‐specificdatatowarrantaconservativeapproachintheimpactanalysis.Accordingly,thecontinuedorincreasedlossofbirds(includingspecial‐statusspecies)ataratepotentiallygreaterthantheexistingbaselinefatalityratesisconsideredasignificantandunavoidableimpact[emphasisadded].3
3SimilarstatementsarerepeatedthroughoutthePEIR;seepage3.4‐121:
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐7 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
AsnotedinSection1.3.2,AvianMortalityEstimates,ofthisanalysis,earlymonitoringresultsfromtheGoldenHillsrepoweringprojectthatbeganoperationsinDecember2015,numerousvariablesandinconsistenciesinthemethodsofpreviousmonitoringeffortsintheAPWRAraisequestionsregardingtheaccuracyoftheavianmortalityestimatespresentedinthePEIR.
TheGoldenHillsdatareflectasingleyearofmonitoringduringnorthernCalifornia’swettestyearonrecord,usingsearchmethods(i.e.,searchdogsandshorter,7‐daysearchintervals)thatwerenotusedformostofthebaseline(andrepower)mortalityestimatespresentedinthePEIR.Theshort,1‐yeardurationduringunusuallyhighrainfallconditionsandtheuseofdifferentsearchmethodsmakecomparisonwiththePEIR’sbaselinedatadifficult(H.T.Harvey&Associates2017:51–52).Whiletheinformationinthereportisrelevant,itdoesnotchangethefindingsorconclusionsofthePEIRwithrespecttoavianandbatfatalities—namely,thatimpactswillbesignificantandunavoidableaftermitigation—forthereasonsdiscussedbelow.
TheGoldenHillsestimatedmortalityrateforallraptorscombined(theprimarycriterionforAPWRAavianimpactmeasurement)wassignificantlylowerthanthepre‐repoweringaveragefromtheAPWRA‐wideavianmonitoringstudy(whichalreadyreflectedsignificantmortalityreductionsresultingfromseasonalshutdownandtheremovalofhigh‐riskturbinesinaccordancewiththe2007agreement)(H.T.Harvey&Associates2017:51).APWRA‐widenonrepoweredaveragemortalityratesforallraptorscombinedwas2.43/MW/year.Theall‐raptorscombinedmortalityrateforGoldenHillsinitsfirstyearofoperationwas1.56/MW/year,36%lessthantheaverageAPWRA‐widerateeventhoughthelatterincludedseasonalshutdownsandhigh‐riskturbineremovals.
TheprimarymortalitymodelusedintheH.T.Harveyreportestimatedhighergoldeneaglemortalityratesthanbaseline,nonrepoweredconditions(H.T.Harvey&Associates2017:50).However,theauthorsexplainedthatthemodel“inflate[d]theestimatebyincorporatingsearcherefficiencyandcarcasspersistenceparametersthatrepresentmedium/largebirdsasagroupratherthaneaglesspecifically.”OthermodelsusedintheH.T.Harveyreportthatdidnotincorporatetheseparametersyieldedresultsthatwere“closertoreality.”Thosemodelsestimatedgoldeneaglemortalityratesnearlymatching(0.09/MW/year)orslightlybelow(0.07/MW/year)baselineconditions(0.08/MW/year)(H.T.Harvey&Associates2017:50).AlltheseratesarehigherthantheratesofthethreerepoweredprojectsusedtogenerateestimatesinthePEIR.ButthereportobservedthatallofitsgoldeneaglemortalityratesmaybeoverstatedasaconsequenceofbiasattributabletothepresenceofoldturbinesneartheGoldenHillssitethatprovidedperchingandnestingopportunitiesforraptors,includinggoldeneagles,seenperchingonthemonseveraloccasions(H.T.Harvey&Associates2017:46,50).
Red‐tailedhawkmortalityratesobservedinthefirst‐yearstudybyH.T.HarveyalsoexceededboththeratesofthethreerepoweringprojectsusedtogeneratethePEIR’sestimatesforGoldenHillsand
Asdescribedabove,forallavianfocalspeciesanalyzed,afullyrepoweredprogramareawouldbeexpectedtoreduceestimatedfatalityrates.However,fatalitieswouldstillbeexpectedtoresultfromtheoperationoftherepoweredturbines,anduncertaintysurroundingtheaccuracyoftheestimatedfatalityratesandthetypesofspeciespotentiallyaffectedremains.Consideringthisinformation,anddespitetheanticipatedreductionsinavianimpactscomparedtothebaselinerates,theCountyhasdeterminedtouseaconservativeapproachfortheimpactassessment,concludingthatturbinerelatedfatalitiescouldconstituteasubstantialadverseeffectonavianspeciesbecausetheratesforsomeorallofthespeciescouldbegreaterthanthebaselinerates.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐11athroughBIO‐11iwouldreducethisimpact,butnottoaless‐than‐significantlevel;accordingly,thisimpactisconsideredsignificantandunavoidable.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐8 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
theAPWRA‐wideestimates,buttheH.T.Harveyreportobservedthatadditionalyearsofstudywouldbeneededtodeterminewhetherthiswasananomalyorastandardpattern(H.T.Harvey&Associates2017:50).Asstatedinthereport,red‐tailedhawkresultsmayalsohavebeenskewedbyperchingandnestingopportunitiescreatedbynearbyoldturbines,theremovalofwhichwouldlikelyreducefatalityrates.TheotherraptorspeciesanalyzedintheH.T.Harveyreport,Americankestrelandburrowingowl,revealedsignificantlylowermortalityratesthanwereestimatedinthePEIR(H.T.Harvey&Associates2017:50).
Batfatalities(499.2at5.81/MW/year)werehigherthanestimatedforGoldenHillsinthePEIR(from148at1.68/MW/yearto347at3.9/MW/year),but,asexplainedintheH.T.Harveyreport,thePEIR’sestimateswerefaultybecauseVascoWind’sbatmortalityratesinthefirstandsecondyearswereinfact5.76/MW/yearand6.69/MW/year,not1.68/MW/year;accordingly,GoldenHills’batmortalityratesforthefirstyearwereinlinewiththecorrectmortalityratesatVascoWinds(H.T.Harvey&Associates2017:52).
ThedifferencesbetweentheH.T.HarveyreportandthemortalityestimatesofthePEIRdonotindicateanewormoreintensesignificantimpactbeyondthescopeofthePEIR.ThePEIRrecognizedtheuncertaintyofitsavianmortalityestimatesandconcludedthatmortalityratesunderthe450MWrepoweringprogramcouldexceedbaseline,nonrepoweredmortalityrates(AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency2014).Morespecifically,whilethePEIRusedthe“bestavailable”datafromthreerepoweringprojectstoestimateapossiblereductionoffatalitiesundertherepoweringprogram,thePEIR’simpactconclusionforthe450MWrepoweringprogramexpresslyacknowledgedtheuncertaintyinherentinsuchdata.
Thus,whilethePEIRpresentedmortalityestimatesthatlookedpromising,thoseestimateswereuncertainandultimatelywerenotrelieduponasthebasisforitsimpactconclusion.LiketheH.T.Harveyreport,thePEIRconcludedthatmoredatawereneeded:“[p]ostconstructionmonitoring,oncetheturbinesareinoperation,willprovidedatatoquantifytheactualextentofchangeinavianfatalitiesfromrepoweringandtheextentofavianfatalityforprojectsintheprogramarea…”(AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency2014:3.4‐119).Inlightofthisuncertainty,thePEIRrequiresadaptivemanagementforanyrepoweringprojectwhere“…fatalitymonitoring…resultsinanestimatethatexceedsthepreconstructionbaselinefatalityestimates(i.e.,estimatesatthenonrepoweredturbinesasdescribedinthisPEIR)…toensurethatthebestavailablescienceisusedtominimizeimpactstobelowbaseline”(AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency2014:3.4‐116).ThePEIRdrewasimilarconclusionandrequiredasimilaradaptivemanagementprogramforimpactsonbats(AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency2014:3.4‐133,3.4‐136).Therefore,eventhoughsomeofthefirst‐yearresultsfromtheGoldenHillsprojectexceedthemortalityestimatesofthePEIR,thoseimpactsarestillwithinthescopeofthePEIR’simpactconclusionsandassociatedmitigationmeasures.
WhilethePEIRsetforthmultiplemeasurestoaddressavianmortality,itconcludedthatthesemeasureswouldnotreducetheimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionholdstruefortheSandHillProject,andalthoughitremainsdifficulttoestimatemortalityrateswithcertainty,continuedmonitoringwillcontributetothebodyofknowledgeinformingthiseffort.ImplementationofthecombinedprogramofMitigationMeasures,BIO‐11a,Prepareaproject‐specificavianprotectionplan;BIO‐11b,Siteturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbirds;BIO‐11c,Useturbinedesignsthatreduceavianimpacts;BIO‐11d,Incorporateavian‐safepracticesintodesignofturbine‐relatedinfrastructure;BIO‐11e,Retrofitexistinginfrastructuretominimizerisktoraptors;BIO‐11f,Discouragepreyforraptors;BIO‐11g,Implementpostconstructionavianfatalitymonitoring
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐9 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
forallrepoweringprojects;BIO‐11h,Compensateforthelossofraptorsandotheravianspecies,includinggoldeneagles,bycontributingtoconservationefforts;andBIO‐11i,Implementanavianadaptivemanagementprogram,wouldreducethisimpactbutnottoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐12:Potentialmortalityordisturbanceofbatsfromroostremovalordisturbance(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRidentifiedtwospecial‐statusbatspecies—pallidbat(Antrozouspallidus)andTownsend’sbig‐earedbat(Corynorhinustownsendii)—ashavingthepotentialtoroostintheprogramarea.However,theBiologicalResourcesEvaluationfoundthatnosuitableroostinghabitatispresentintheProjectarea.Accordingly,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.
ImpactBIO‐13:Potentialforconstructionactivitiestotemporarilyremoveoralterbatforaginghabitat(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRconcludedthatwhileconstructionactivitiescoulddegradeforaginghabitat,theoverallrepoweringeffort,bydecommissioningnumerousold‐generationturbines,wouldoffsetthelossofhabitatassociatedwithinstallationofnewturbinesandinfrastructure.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactBIO‐14:Turbine‐relatedfatalitiesofspecial‐statusandotherbats(significantandunavoidable)
ThePEIRconcludedthatrepoweringwouldresultinturbine‐relatedfatalitiesofspecial‐statusandotherbats.WhiletheBiologicalResourcesEvaluationfoundthattheProjectareadidnotsupportroostinghabitatforspecial‐statusbats,special‐statusandotherbatsareassumedtomigrateandforageintheProjectareaastheydothroughouttheprogramarea.
ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐14a,Siteandselectturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbats;BIO‐14b,Implementpostconstructionbatfatalitymonitoringprogramforallrepoweringprojects;BIO‐14c,PrepareandpublishannualmonitoringreportsonthefindingsofbatuseoftheProjectareaandfatalitymonitoringresults;BIO‐14d,Developandimplementabatadaptivemanagementplan;andBIO‐14e,Compensateforexpensesincurredbyrehabilitatinginjuredbats,wouldreducetheseverityofthisimpact,butnottoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐15:Potentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonalkalimeadow(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatroadinfrastructureupgrades—especiallythoseinvolvingcrossings—couldresultinadverseeffectsonalkalimeadow.TheaquaticresourcesdelineationsurveysconductedinsupportoftheProjectidentifiedatotalof20.1acresofalkalimeadowinthestudyarea;Projectroadswouldcrosssomeoftheseareas.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureBIO‐15,Compensateforthelossofalkalimeadowhabitat,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.This
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐10 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
conclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐16:Potentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonriparianhabitat(noimpact)
WhilethePEIRidentifiedseveralcategoriesofriparianhabitatintheprogramarea,thesurveysconductedinsupportoftheBiologicalResourcesEvaluationidentifiednoriparianhabitatintheProjectarea.Therewouldbenoimpact,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactBIO‐17:Potentialforground‐disturbingactivitiestoresultindirectadverseeffectsoncommonhabitats(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRconcludedthatground‐disturbingactivitieswouldresultinthepermanentandtemporarylossofcommonhabitats—primarilyannualgrasslands.However,becauseoftheextentofthesehabitatsregionallyavailableandthereclamationactivitiesthatarepartoftheProject,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactBIO‐18:Potentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonwetlands(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatroadinfrastructureupgradeswouldresultinplacementoffillatcrossings,aswellaspossiblehydrologicalteration.ThisconclusionistrueoftheSandHillProjectaswell,particularlyinassociationwiththeaquaticresourcesdiscussedinImpactBIO‐15.Thiswouldbeasignificantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureBIO‐18,Compensateforthelossofwetlands,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐19:Potentialimpactonthemovementofanynativeresidentormigratorywildlifespeciesorestablishednativeresidentormigratorywildlifecorridors,andtheuseofnativewildlifenurserysites(significantandunavoidable)
ThePEIRconcludedthatconstructionactivitiescouldinterferewithwildlifemovementthroughintroductionofbarrierstopassage;moreover,asdiscussedinImpactsBIO‐11andBIO‐14,turbineoperationscouldinterferewithmovementofbirdsandbatsthroughturbine‐relatedmortality.Thiswouldconstituteasignificantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐4a,BIO‐5a,BIO‐5c,BIO‐7a,BIO‐8a,BIO‐8b,BIO‐10a,BIO‐11b,BIO‐11c,BIO‐11d,BIO‐11e,BIO‐11i,BIO‐12a,BIO‐12b,BIO‐14a,andBIO‐14dwouldreducethisimpactbutnottoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐20:Conflictwithlocalplansorpolicies(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
AsdescribedinthePEIR,theECAPhasseveralpoliciesrelatedtowindfarms,includingestablishingamitigationprogramtominimizetheimpactsofwindturbineoperationsonbirdpopulations.Lossofspecial‐statusspeciesandtheirhabitat,lossofalkalimeadow,lossofriparianhabitat,andlossofexistingwetlandsasaresultofimplementingtheprogramwouldbeinconflictwiththesepolicies.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Biological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.4‐11 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
BecausetheconditionsintheProjectareaandfeaturesandcharacteristicsoftheSandHillProjectareconsistentwiththosecontemplatedinthePEIR,theimpactwouldbethesame,exceptthatriparianhabitatisnotpresentintheProjectarea.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant;however,implementationofMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1athroughBIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐4a,BIO‐4b,BIO5athrough5c,BIO‐7a,BIO‐7b,BIO‐8a,BIO‐8b,BIO‐9,BIO10a,BIO‐10b,BIO‐15,BIO‐16,andBIO‐18wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactBIO‐21:ConflictwithprovisionsofanadoptedHCP/NCCPorotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplan(noimpact)
BecausetherearenoadoptedHCP/NCCPsfortheprogramareaandtheprogramwouldnotconflictwiththeEACCS,therewouldbenoimpact.ThesameistruefortheProjectarea.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
3.4.3 References Cited
CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife.2018.CaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase,RareFind5,July2018.SearchoftheMidwayandCliftonCourtForebayUSGS7.5‐minuteQuadranglesand10surroundingquadrangles.Sacramento,CA.
ICFInternational.2013.BiologicalResourcesTechnicalReportfortheSandHillProject.February.(ICF00456.12.)Sacramento,CA.PreparedforFloDesignWindTurbineCorporation,Waltham,MA.
U.S.FishandWildlifeService.2018.IPaCTrustResourceReport.ListofFederalEndangeredandThreatenedSpeciesThatOccurinorMayBeAffectedbytheProject.Available:http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Lists/es_species_lists.cfm.Accessed:January2018.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Cultural Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.5‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.5 Cultural Resources ThefollowinganalysisisbasedonculturalresourcesinvestigationsconductedfortheproposedProject(AppendixC).ImpactsrelativetoculturalresourcesdependprimarilyonProjectscopeandarea.ThefootprintofindividualturbineswouldbethesameasdescribedinthePEIR.
3.5.1 Existing Conditions
AsdirectedbyMitigationMeasureCUL‐2a,Conductapreconstructionculturalfieldsurveyandculturalresourcesinventoryandevaluation,inthePEIR,investigationswereconductedfortheproposedProject.Theseinvestigationsidentifiedthreepreviouslydocumentedresourceswithintheareaofpotentialeffects(APE).
P‐01‐010613—AsegmentofGrantLineRoad(P‐01‐010613)alongtherouteoftheoriginalLincolnHighway,thefirstpavedtranscontinentalroad,constructedaround1870.
P‐01‐010947—ThePittsburg‐Tesla230kVtransmissionlineconstructedbyPG&Ein1959–1960.
P‐01‐011395—A6‐milesegmentofthePG&ETracy–Tesla230kVtransmissionlinebuiltbetween1949and1953.
Resourceslocatedwithin0.25mileoftheAPEincludeahistoric‐periodranchcomplex,apossibleboundarymarker/fence,andtwosandstonemillingstations.
AportionoftheCaliforniaAqueductmainlineintersectswiththeProjectAPEattwolocationssouthofBethanyReservoir.SegmentsoftheCaliforniaAqueductinotherlocationshavebeenevaluatedforeligibilityforinclusionintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces(NRHP)/CaliforniaRegisterofHistoricResources(CRHR),andthefullextentoftheaqueducthasbeendeterminedeligibleforlistingintheNRHPandCRHR.
Reviewofhistoricliteratureandmapsrevealsthat,withtheexceptionofconstructionoftheCaliforniaAqueductandwindturbines,limiteddevelopmenthasoccurredintheAPE;rather,thevicinityhasbeenusedprimarilyascattlerangeland.WiththeexceptionoftheCaliforniaAqueduct—whichwouldnotbeaffectedbytheProject—theAPEisnotexpectedtocontainhistoricbuiltresources.
TheNativeAmericanHeritageCommission(NAHC)wascontactedthreetimesinJanuaryandFebruary2018torequestasacredlandsfiledatabasesearchandtosolicitanynewinformationsincethePEIRculturalresourcesinvestigationswereconducted.Todate,noresponsehasbeenreceived.
3.5.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
ImpactCUL‐1:Causeasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofahistoricalresource(noimpact)
ThePEIRidentified19historicarchitecturalculturalresourcesintheprogramarea,andconcludedthatrepoweringprojectscouldresultinanadversechangeonsuchresourcesintheprogramarea.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Cultural Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.5‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ThreehistoricresourceswereidentifiedwithintheProjectarea:P‐01‐010613(GrantLineRoad)andP‐01‐010947andP‐01‐011395(bothhistorictransmissionlines).TheseresourceswerenotformallyevaluatedforeligibilityineithertheNRHPortheCRHR.However,GrantLineRoadisanactivelyusedroadwayandthetransmissionlinesconsistofoverheadpowerlines,noneofwhichwouldbeaffectedbyProjectactivities.Similarly,whileasegmentoftheCaliforniaAqueductintersectswiththeAPE,Project‐relatedactivitiesarenotanticipatedtodisturbtheseresources.TheProjectwouldnotchangeormodifytheaqueduct.TheProjectwouldincludeagen‐tielinethatwouldcrossovertheaqueductusinganoverheadelectricallineonpolesorconnectingconduittoanexistingbridge,oritwouldcrossundertheaqueductusingdirectionalboring.Directionalboringwouldnotaffecttheaqueduct.Attachingconduittoanexistingbridgewouldnotchangethefunctionordesignofthebridgeandthereforewouldnotaffecttheintegrityoftheoverallaqueduct.Becauseanoverheadelectricallineisalreadypresent,thegen‐tielinewouldnotchangetheexistingconditionsandwouldnotchangetheintegrityoftheoverallaqueduct.Accordingly,theProjectwouldnotcauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofahistoricalresource.Therewouldbenoimpact,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactCUL‐2:Causeasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresource(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
OfthefourpreviouslydocumentedresourceslocatedneartheAPE,two—P‐01‐000163(ranchcomplex)andP‐01‐011596(millingstation)—weredocumentedasbeinglocateddirectlyadjacenttotheAPE.PedestriansurveyrelocatedbothresourcesoutsidetheAPE,andtheywouldnotbeaffectedbytheProject.NopreviouslyundocumentedarchaeologicalresourceswereidentifiedwithintheAPEduringthepedestriansurvey.
AlthoughtheAPEandvicinitywereusedbyprehistoricpeoples,thenatureofthislandusewouldprimarilyhavebeenresourcecollection.Consequently,theexpectedrangeofprehistoricartifactandfeaturetypesintheAPEwouldincludeprojectilepointsandlithictools,lithicdebitage,bedrockmortars,andgrindingstones.Althoughtheareacouldhavebeenusedforuplandresourcecollectionactivities,theAPEislocatedfarfrompermanentwatersourcesandis,therefore,expectedtohavemoderatetolowpotentialtocontainprehistoricarchaeologicalresources.
IntheeventthatarchaeologicalresourcesareinadvertentlyuncoveredduringProjectconstruction,implementationofMitigationMeasuresCUL‐2b,Developatreatmentplanforanyidentifiedsignificantculturalresources;CUL‐2c,Conductworkerawarenesstrainingforarchaeologicalresourcespriortoconstruction;andCUL‐2d,Stopworkifculturalresourcesareencounteredduringground‐disturbingactivities,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactCUL‐3:Disturbanyhumanremains,includingthoseinterredoutsideofformalcemeteries(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatalthoughthereisnoindicationthattheprogramareahasbeenusedforhumanburials,becauseprehistoricsitesareknowntobepresentintheprogramarea,thepossibilitycannotbediscountedentirely.IntheunanticipatedeventthathumanremainsareencounteredduringProjectconstruction,implementationofMitigationMeasureCUL‐3,Stopworkifhumanremainsareencounteredduringground‐disturbingactivities,wouldreducethisimpacttoa
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Cultural Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.5‐3 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
less‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency
Environmental AnalysisGeology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and
Paleontological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.6‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.6 Geology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and Paleontological Resources
AsdescribedinthePEIR,therearenoknownmineralresourcesintheprogramareaanditwasconcludedthattheprogramwouldnotaffectmineralresources.Accordingly,mineralresourcesarenotfurtherconsideredinthisanalysis.
3.6.1 Existing Conditions
AsdescribedinthePEIR,theprogramarea,knownforthefrequentoccurrenceofearthquakesandpotentialgroundshaking,containstwoactivefaults,whicharezonedundertheAlquist‐PrioloAct.Theprogramareaisinsteep,hillyterrainknowntobesusceptibletoearthquake‐inducedlandsliding.Althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisnotknown.Expansivesoilsoccurinmuchoftheprogramarea,particularlyintheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation,whichcharacterizestheSandHillProjectarea.Geologicunitsintheprogramareahavethepotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresources;however,mostoftheProjectareaisnotwithintheNerolyFormation,ageologicunitparticularlysensitiveforfossilmaterial.
3.6.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
AsdisclosedinSection1.3.4,OperationsandMaintenanceFacility,thePEIRdidnotaddressO&Mfacilitiesattheprogramlevel,andthetwoProject‐levelanalysesassumedthatnosepticorotherwastewatertreatmentsystemwouldbenecessary.However,SandHillproposestoinstallsuchasysteminconjunctionwithitsO&Mfacility.Inaccordancewithlocalregulations,theinstallationofsuchasystemwouldbesubjecttoapprovalandpermittingbyAlamedaCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth.Ifpreconstructioninvestigationsindicatethatthesoilsonsitearenotsuitabletosupportsuchasystem,portabletoilets,suppliedandservicedbyacommercialvendor,wouldbeusedinstead.BecausethisimpactwasdismissedinthePEIR,nonewimpactnumberhasbeenintroducedforthisanalysis;moreover,becauseasystemwouldonlybeinstalledifitcomplieswithlocalregulations,itwouldnotpresentanewsignificantimpact.Inaddition,theuseofportabletoiletswouldnotconstituteasignificantimpactinthecontextofsoilsbecauseoftheirownregulatoryrequirements.Accordingly,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificantandwouldnotentailanewsignificantimpactoroneofgreaterseveritythanwasdisclosedinthePEIR.
ImpactGEO‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRidentifiedthreeactivefaultsintheprogramarea;however,onlyasmallportionoftheMidwayfault,designatedaspotentiallyactive,approachestheProjectarea.Ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.However,becausetheProjectareaismoreremovedfromidentified
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Alameda County Community Development Agency
Environmental AnalysisGeology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and
Paleontological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.6‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
faultsthanmuchoftheprogramarea,noimpactsbeyondthoseidentifiedinthePEIRwouldresult.ImplementationofMitigationmeasureGEO‐1,Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactGEO‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
AsdisclosedinthePEIR,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswiththepotentialtoexperiencestronggroundshakingcouldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelordamagepropertyintheimmediatearea.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactGEO‐3:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
AsdisclosedinthePEIR,ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemsarenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentintheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.Althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementwouldbeasignificantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactGEO‐4:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
AsdisclosedinthePEIR,inadditiontoseismic‐relatedgroundfailurediscussedinprecedingimpacts,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenon‐seismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Damageorcollapseresultingfromlandslidingcouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
WhiletheProjectmustcomplywithexistingregulatoryrequirements(buildingsafetyrequirements),theserequirementsmaynotaddressallgroundfailureissues.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency
Environmental AnalysisGeology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and
Paleontological Resources
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.6‐3 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ImpactGEO‐5:Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil(lessthansignificant)
AsdisclosedinthePEIR,decommissioningandProjectconstructioncouldcausesurfacedisturbanceandvegetationremovalresultinginsoilerosion.However,compliancewithfederalandlocalerosion‐relatedregulations(e.g.,theSWPPPdevelopedfortheProject,requirementsofthecounty’sStormwaterQualityManagementPlan)wouldensurethatground‐disturbingactivitiesdonotresultinsignificanterosion.Moreover,thePEIRrequiresareclamationplanwithspecificmeasurestakentoensurethatrepoweringsitesareregradedandseededtopre‐Projectconditions.Theserequirementswouldensurethatpotentialimpactsofsoilerosionwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactGEO‐6:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRdisclosedthatexpansivesoilsoccurinmuchoftheprogramarea,particularlyintheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation,whichcharacterizestheProjectarea.Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheshrinkandswellofthesesoils,whichcoulddamagestructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocalbuildingcodes.CompliancewiththesecodesandimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactGEO‐7:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
AccordingtothePEIR,sedimentaryrocks—geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresources—includemostunitsintheprogramarea.Becausemostoftheprogramareaischaracterizedbygeologicunitsconsideredtobesensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,thisanalysisassumesthesametobetrueoftheProjectarea.Substantialdamagetoordestructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourceswouldbeasignificantimpact.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresGEO‐7a,Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities;GEO‐7b,MitigationMeasureGEO‐1g:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities;andGEO‐7c,Stopworkifsubstantialfossilremainsareencounteredduringconstruction,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.7‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions TheproposedProjectisasubsetoftheAPWRA‐widerepoweringevaluatedinthePEIR.Project‐levelgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsandassociatedimpactswereassessedusingthesamemethodsasdescribedaboveinSection3.3,AirQuality.RefertoAppendixAforadditionalmodelingdetail,includingequipmentandvehicleassumptions.
3.7.1 Existing Conditions
BecauseGHGemissionsresultinglobalimpacts,andbecauseProject‐specificactivitiesarecommensuratewiththoseevaluatedinthePEIR,thedescriptionofexistingconditionspresentedinthePEIRisincorporatedherebyreference.NotethatsincepublicationofthePEIR,thestatehasadoptedSenateBill(SB)32,whichrequiresARBtoensurethatstatewideGHGemissionsarereducedtoatleast40percentbelow1990levelsby2030.The2017ClimateChangeScopingPlanpresentsmeasuresthestatewillimplementtoachievethisgoal,includingfurtheringtherenewablesportfoliostandard(RPS)torequirethat50%ofretailelectricitysalesoriginatefromrenewableresourcesby2030.
3.7.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
ImpactGHG‐1:Generategreenhousegasemissions,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,thatmayhaveasignificantimpactontheenvironment(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRconcludedthatwhilerepoweringtheAPWRA(anaggregateofalltheanticipatedrepoweringprojectsproposedwithintheprogramarea)wouldresultinshort‐termemissionsofGHGs,primarilyassociatedwithconstructionactivities,andthepotentialoperationalemissionofsulfurhexafluoride(SF6),therepoweringprojectscollectivelywouldresultinanannualnetreductionofmorethan100,000tonsofcarbondioxideequivalentemissions(CO2e).Thisbeneficialimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.
AsdetailedinAppendixA,thewindenergygeneratedbytheproposedProjectwouldreduceGHGemissionsbyapproximately50,000metrictonsCO2eperyear.ThiswouldmorethanoffsetemissionsgeneratedbyProjectconstructionandO&M.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactGHG‐2:Conflictwithanapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegases(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRevaluatedtherepoweringoftheprogramareaforconsistencywiththefollowingmeasuresrelevanttoGHGemissions.
AssemblyBill(AB)32ScopingPlanMeasureT‐7:Heavy‐DutyVehicleGHGEmissionReduction(AerodynamicEfficiency)—DiscreteEarlyAction.
AB32ScopingPlanMeasureE‐3:RenewablesPortfolioStandard(RPS)
AB32ScopingPlanMeasureH‐6:HighGlobalWarmingPotentialGasReductionsfromStationarySources–SF6LeakReductionandRecyclinginElectricalApplications.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.7‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
AlamedaCountyClimateActionPlan(CAP)MeasureE‐10:Requirenewconstructiontousebuildingmaterialscontainingrecycledcontent.
AlamedaCountyCAPMeasureWS‐2:StrengthentheConstructionandDemolitionDebrisManagementOrdinance.
WiththeexceptionofScopingPlanMeasureE‐3,thePEIRconcludedthattherepoweringprojectscouldpotentiallyconflictwithallthesemeasures.However,implementationofMitigationMeasuresGHG‐2a,Implementbestavailablecontroltechnologyforheavy‐dutyvehicles;GHG‐2b,InstalllowSF6leakratecircuitbreakersandmonitoring;GHG‐2c,Requirenewconstructiontousebuildingmaterialscontainingrecycledcontent;andGHG‐2d,Complywithconstructionanddemolitiondebrismanagementordinance,wouldreducethispotentialimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
Inconcept,theproposedProjectisbeingpursuedtopromotesustainabilityandfurtheralternativeenergy.AlthoughthemeasuresincludedintheAB32ScopingPlan,2017ClimateChangeScopingPlan,andAlamedaCountyCAParenecessarilybroad,theproposedProjectisgenerallyconsistentwiththegoalsanddesiredoutcomesoftheplans.TheadditionalwindenergygeneratedbytheProjectwilldirectlysupportthedecarbonizationoftheelectricpowersector,helpingCaliforniatomeetitsGHGgoalsinSB32andExecutiveOrderS‐3‐05.4Nevertheless,emissionsgeneratedbytheProjectcouldpotentiallyconflictwithapplicablemeasuresintheAB32ScopingPlan,2017ClimateChangeScopingPlan,andAlamedaCountyCAP.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
4CaliforniaEOS‐03‐05seekstoreduceemissionstoatleast80percentbelow1990levelsby2050.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.8‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ThePEIRevaluatedthepotentialforimpactsrelatingtohazardsandhazardousmaterials.BecausethecharacteristicsoftheProjectareaandtheactivitiesassociatedwithProjectconstructionandoperationarethesameasthosecontemplatedinthePEIR,existinghazardsandhazardousconditionsintheProjectareaaregenerallythesameasthoseanalyzedinthePEIR.TheuseofhazardousmaterialsduringProjectconstruction,operations,andmaintenanceactivitieswouldbesimilar.IssuesrelatedtotheProject’sproximitytoschoolsandairportsarecoveredunderthePEIRasarewildlandfirerequirements.DuetothelargergenerationcapacityoftheProject’sproposedturbines,fewerturbineswouldberequired.However,theywouldbelargerandwould,likeallrepoweringprojects,besubjecttoCountyreview.
3.8.1 Existing Conditions
TheProjectareaisinthenortheastportionoftheprogramareanorthofI‐580neartheTownofByron.TheconditionsdescribedinthePEIRalsopertaintotheProjectarea.ThecharacteristicsoftheProjectregardingthetypeofpotentialhazardsintheareaandthetypeanduseofhazardousmaterialswouldnotdifferfromthoseaddressedinthePEIR.Thepotentialforandtypeofbladethrow,addressedinthediscussionofImpactHAZ‐9,wouldnotdifferfromthosehazardsconsideredinthePEIR;however,discussionofthelargerturbinesisincludedforpurposesoffulldisclosure.
3.8.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
ImpactHAZ‐1:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRconcludedthatProjectconstructionwouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.TheProjectwouldimplementstandardconstructionBMPs,asrequiredbytheSWPPP,toreducepollutantemissionsduringconstruction.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactHAZ‐2:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment(lessthansignificant)
TheProjectwouldnotinvolveactivitiesormaterialsbeyondthosedescribedinthePEIR.Further,theProjectwouldnotcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetoraccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.8‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ImpactHAZ‐3:Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool(noimpact)
TherearenopublicorprivateK–12schoolswithin0.25mileoftheProjectarea.Thenearestschool,MountainHouseElementarySchool,isapproximately0.54mileeastofthenearestProjectfacilitiesanditisunlikelythathazardousmaterialswouldbeemittedorreleasedwithin0.25mileofanyschools.Therewouldbenoimpact,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactHAZ‐4:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
TheProjectwouldinvolvesoildisturbanceand,asoutlinedinthePEIR,forallprojectsrequiringaCUP,theCountywouldrequirethataPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessment(andremediation,ifnecessary)beconductedpriortoconstructionactivitiesasastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.Accordingly,implementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4,PerformaPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentpriortoconstructionactivitiesandremediateifnecessary,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactHAZ‐5:Locationwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,within2milesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
TheclosestpublicairporttotheProjectareaistheByronAirport,approximately2.7milesnorthoftheProjectarea.LivermoreMunicipalAirportisapproximately11.4milessouthwestoftheProjectarea,andTracyMunicipalAirportisapproximately8milessoutheastoftheProjectarea.BecausetheProjectareaisnotwithin2milesofapublicairport,implementationoftheProjectwouldnotnormallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheProjectarea.However,accordingtothePEIR,projectswithfacilitiesintheinfluenceareazonesoflocalairportsarerequiredtosubmitaNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlterationformtotheFAAforreviewandtoimplementallFAArequirementstoreducepotentialaviationimpacts.AreviewoftheByronAirportinfluenceareazoneindicatesthattheProjectisoutsideallinfluenceareazones.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐5,CoordinatewiththeContraCostaALUC[AirportLandUseCommission]priortofinaldesign,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactHAZ‐6:Locationwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea(lessthansignificant)
TheclosestprivateairportisMeadowlarkAirfield,6.25milessouthwestoftheProjectarea.BecausetheProjectareaisnotwithin2milesofaprivateairport,implementationoftheProjectwouldnotresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheProjectarea.AdherencetotherequirementsdescribedinImpactHAZ‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.8‐3 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ImpactHAZ‐7:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatimpactsassociatedwithemergencyresponseplanswouldbetemporary,occurringprimarilyduringconstruction,withthepotentialtocauseasubstantialtrafficincreaseonlocalcountyroads.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1,Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactHAZ‐8:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRconcludedthatwhilewindturbinescancausefireignitions,sufficientfireresponseprovidersarealreadyinplace.Moreover,fewerturbinesandtheimprovedsafetyofnewermodelsassociatedwithrepoweredprojectsareanticipatedtoresultinareductionofpotentialfireignitions.ThePEIRconcludedthatthefire‐relatedimpactofindividualrepoweringprojectswouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactHAZ‐9:Duringnormaloperation,theeffectsofbendingandstressonrotorbladesovertimecouldleadtobladefailureandbecomeapotentialbladethrowhazard(lessthansignificant)
BladethrowimpactsasassessedinthePEIRrelylargelyontheUpdatedAlamedaCountyTurbineSetbackRequirements(Table2‐3),whicharecalculatedbasedonrotor(blade)length,totalturbineheight,orapercentageofthegeneralsetback,withsomesetbacksalsoadjustedforelevation.TheproposedturbineswouldbewithinthePEIRspecificationsforrotortype,towertype,tower(hub)height,andtotalturbineheight.However,bladelengthswouldbeupto15feetlongerthanthebladescontemplatedinthePEIR.Thegeneralandalternativeminimumsetbacksthatuserotorlengthtoapplyasetbackstandardwouldonlyapplytoadjacentparcels(withorwithoutapprovedwindenergyCUPs).Sincethebladelengthsonlydifferby15feet,thischangewouldaddanadditionalsetbackdistanceof16.5feet(1.1timesbladelength)whenapplyingthesetbackrequirements—agreater(i.e.,moreprotective)setbackthanthatbasedonthebladelengthsenvisionedinthePEIR.PriortofinalProjectdesign,theCountywouldensurethatallsetbackrequirements,whethergeneraloralternativeminimum,aremet.SandHillwouldberequiredtoeithermeettheCounty’sgeneralsetbacksormeettheconditionsrequiredtoimplementalternativeminimumsetbacks.AdherencetoCountyrequirementswouldensurethatimpactsrelatedtobladethrowaremaintainedataless‐than‐significantlevel,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.Thus,thechangetoalargerturbinewouldhavenochangetotheapproachorfindingsregardingsetbacksandhazards.Therewouldbenonewsignificanteffectsorsubstantialincreaseintheseverityofeffectsforhazards.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Hydrology and Water Quality
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.9‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.9 Hydrology and Water Quality ThePEIRcontemplatedtheimpactsonhydrologyandwaterqualitythatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationofwindrepoweringprojectsthroughouttheprogramarea.TheonlychangerelevanttothisresourcetopicfromtheprojectsconsideredinthePEIRisthelargercapacityoftheturbinesproposedforuseintheSandHillProject:3.6–3.8MWturbinescontrastedwithamaximumof3MWconsideredinthePEIR.TheconsequenceofthischangewouldbeatleasteightfewerturbinesundertheSandHillProjectthanwouldhavebeennecessarytoachievethesamenameplatecapacity(i.e.,144.5MW)undertheturbinespecificationsconsideredinthePEIR.DespitethelargergenerativecapacityoftheSandHillturbines,theiroveralldimensionswouldbewithintheparametersestablishedinthePEIR—mostimportantly(pertainingtotheintroductionofimpervioussurfaces),thefootprintofindividualturbineswouldbethesameasdescribedinthePEIR.
3.9.1 Existing Conditions
AsdisclosedinthePEIR,theProjectareaissouthwestoftheSanJoaquin–SacramentoDeltaintheCliftonCourtForebaywatershed,andisintheTracygroundwatersubbasin.TheconditionsdescribedinthePEIRpertaintotheProjectarea.
3.9.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
ImpactWQ‐1:Violateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirements(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
TheProjectwouldentailthesametypesofconstructionactivitiesasdisclosedinthePEIR,andtheseactivitieswouldpotentiallyresultinthesamerangeofimpacts.Trenchingandsitepreparationcreateareasofbaresoilthatcanincreasesedimentdischargetoreceivingwaters.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1,ComplywithNPDESrequirements,(e.g.,erosioncontrolBMPs,implementationofastormwaterpollutionpreventionplan[SWPPP]),wouldreducetheseimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactWQ‐2:Substantiallydepletegroundwatersuppliesorinterferesubstantiallywithgroundwaterrecharge,resultinginanetdeficitinaquifervolumeoraloweringofthelocalgroundwatertablelevel(e.g.,theproductionrateofpre‐existingnearbywellswoulddroptoalevelthatwouldnotsupportexistinglandusesorplannedusesforwhichpermitshavebeengranted)(lessthansignificant)
AsdisclosedinthePEIR,ProjectconstructionandoperationwouldentailminimaluseofwaterbeyondstandardBMPssuchasroadandworksitedustcontrolmeasures.Accordingly,demandongroundwatersupplieswouldbenegligible.ThePEIRalsoconcludedthattherelativelysmallfootprints(approximately2.6acresforthe40turbinesoftheSandHillProject)ofthewindturbineswouldnotinterferewithgroundwaterinfiltration.Moreover,whilethePEIRassumedamaximumindividualturbinecapacityof3MW,theSandHillProjectcontemplates3.8MWturbines,requiring40turbinestoachievetheProject’s144.5MWcapacitycomparedtothe48turbinesthatwouldhave
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Hydrology and Water Quality
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.9‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
beenrequiredunderthePEIRassumptions.Thedecreaseofeightturbineswouldequatetoapproximately0.5acrelessofimpermeablesurfacethanthatconsideredinthePEIR.Theimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactWQ‐3:Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamannerthatwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationonsiteoroffsite(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
AsdisclosedinthePEIR,noturbineswouldbeconstructedwithinexistingdrainageareas,andProjectfacilitieswouldbedesignedtoavoidanydownstreamerosionduringtherainyseason.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1wouldensurethatprogram‐relatedstormwaterrunoffwouldnotresultinsubstantialerosionordownstreamsiltation.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactWQ‐4:Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,orsubstantiallyincreasetherateoramountofsurfacerunoffinamannerthatwouldresultinfloodingonsiteoroffsite(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
TheanalysisinthePEIRconcludedthatthemostextensiveincreaseinimpervioussurfaceswouldresultfromroadimprovementsnecessarytoaccommodatethenew,largerturbines.However,asdisclosedinthePEIR,thesoilsunderlyingtheprogramareaoverallarehighrunoffsoils,witharunoffpotentialcomparabletothatofcompactedgravelroads.Becausetheroadsthemselveswouldnotconsequentlyentailintroductionofnewimpervioussurfaces,andbecausetheNPDESstormwaterConstructionGeneralPermitrequirespostconstructionrunoffmanagementmeasuresbeimplementediftheSWPPPdeterminesthattheProjectcouldcauseanincreaseinpeakrunoffflows,implementationofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactWQ‐5:Createorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
AsestablishedinthePEIR,theprogramareadoesnotcurrentlyhaveexistingorplannedstorm‐waterdrainagefacilities;accordingly,theProjectwouldnotexceedcapacitiesofsuchfacilities.Moreover,aspreviouslydiscussed,implementationofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1wouldensurethattherewouldbenoincreaseintherateofpollutedrunoff.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactWQ‐6:Otherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterquality(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Because,asdisclosedinthePEIR,theprogramareadoesnotcurrentlyhaveanysubstantialwaterqualityissuesordrainagesthatcouldcarryasubstantialamountofpollutedrunofftoreceivingwaters,Projectconstructionisnotanticipatedtosubstantiallydegradewaterquality.Moreover,Projectoperationwouldnotresultinasubstantialamountofadditionalrunoff.Implementationof
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Hydrology and Water Quality
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.9‐3 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
MitigationMeasureWQ‐1wouldreducethepotentialimpactsofconstruction‐relateddischargestoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactWQ‐7:Placehousingwithina100‐yearfloodhazardarea,asmappedonafederalFloodHazardBoundaryorFloodInsuranceRateMaporotherfloodhazarddelineationmap(noimpact)
NoportionoftheProjectareaiswithina100‐yearfloodhazardarea.
ImpactWQ‐8:Placewithina100‐yearfloodhazardareastructuresthatwouldimpedeorredirectfloodflows(noimpact)
NoportionoftheProjectareaiswithina100‐yearfloodhazardarea.
ImpactWQ‐9:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingflooding,includingfloodingasaresultofthefailureofaleveeordam(lessthansignificant)
AsdisclosedinthePEIR,becausetheProjectareaisinrollinghillsandthereareno100‐yearfloodplains,thelikelihoodofafloodeventintheareaisconsideredminimal.Inaddition,becausetheProjectwouldnotinvolveconstructionofhousing,ifBethanyReservoirDamweretofail,thelikelihoodofsignificantriskorlossisconsideredminimal.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactWQ‐10:Contributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
AsthePEIRconcluded,thelikelihoodofseicheortsunamiisconsideredminimal.Amudflowisalsohighlyunlikely,butsuchaneventcouldbepossibleinrollinghillsifproperBMPsarenotusedduringtheconstructionprocess.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1wouldensurethatProject‐relatedstormwaterrunoffwouldbeproperlycontainedandwoulddrainappropriatelytoprecludebuilduportocauserillsandsedimentationthatcouldresultinthepotentialforamudflow.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental AnalysisLand Use and Planning
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.10‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.10 Land Use and Planning Becausetherearenoestablishedcommunitiesintheprogramareathatwouldbebisectedbyanyproposedrepoweringproject,windenergyproductionisanestablishedandpermittedusethroughouttheAPWRA,andtheprogramareaisnotwithinanHCPorNCCParea,thePEIRconcludedthattherewouldbenoimpactsonlanduseandplanningassociatedwithrepoweringprojectswithintheprogramarea.BecausetheProjectareaisasubsetoftheprogramarea,theanalysisremainsvalid.Accordingly,thisresourcetopicisnotaddressedfurtherinthisanalysis.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Noise
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.11‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.11 Noise ICFconductedshort‐andlong‐termnoisemonitoringnearresidentialusesinsupportofapreviousProjectinportionsoftheProjectareainJanuary2016(ICFInternational2016).TheresultsoftheanalysisconductedforthecurrentSandHillProjectarepresentedinSoundTechnicalReportfortheSandHillWindRepoweringProject,AlamedaCounty,California(SoundTechnicalReport)(AppendixD).
3.11.1 Existing Conditions
TheProjectvicinityisprimarilyagriculturalwithsomescatteredruralresidences.SoundsourcesintheProjectareaareprimarilytrafficonlocalanddistantroadwaysandnaturalsourcessuchasbirdsandwindblowingthroughtallgrass.TheolderexistingturbinesintheProjectareahaveeitherbeenremovedorarenonoperational.NewturbinesthathavebeeninstalledonadjacentpropertiesareasourceofsoundbutarenotdominantinthesoundenvironmentoftheProjectarea.
3.11.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
ImpactNOI‐1:Exposureofresidencestonoisefromnewwindturbines(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
TheSoundTechnicalReportidentifiedtwosensitivereceptorsthatwouldbeexposedtonoiselevelsinexceedanceofthe55A‐weighteddecibel(dBA)thresholdestablishedbytheCounty:oneonAltamontPassRoadinthesouthernportionoftheProjectarea,andoneonMountainHouseRoadintheeasternportion.ThePEIRconcludedthatsuchexceedanceswouldbepossibleasprojectsaredesignedandconstructed,andthatsuchexceedanceswouldconstituteasignificantimpact.Accordingly,thefindingsoftheSoundTechnicalReportareconsistentwiththeconclusionsofthePEIR.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureNOI‐1,Performproject‐specificnoisestudiesandimplementmeasurestocomplywithCountynoisestandards,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactNOI‐2:Exposureofresidencestonoiseduringdecommissioningandnewturbineconstruction(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatsomeresidencesintheprogramareawouldbewithindistancesofconstructionactivitiesthatcouldexposethemtonoiselevelsinexceedanceofAlamedaCountynoiseordinancestandards.ThereceptoridentifiedasR1intheSoundTechnicalreportiswithin550feetofalaydownareaandwithin1,000feetofthenearestturbine;R3iswithin1,000feetofthenearestturbine.ThenoiselevelstowhichthesereceptorscouldbeexposedduringremovalofsomeoldturbinefoundationsandconstructionofProjectfacilitiesandinfrastructurewouldconstituteasignificantimpact.AsdisclosedinthePEIR,implementationofMitigationMeasureNOI‐2,Employnoise‐reducingpracticesduringdecommissioningandnewturbineconstruction,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Noise
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.11‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.11.3 References Cited
ICFInternational.2016.SoundTechnicalReportfortheSandHillProposedWindProject,AlamedaCounty,California.March.(ICF00716.15.)Sacramento,CA.PreparedforOgin,Inc.,Waltham,MA.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental AnalysisPopulation and Housing
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.12‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.12 Population and Housing ThePEIRanticipatedcontinuinggrowthinAlamedaCounty.However,itconcludedthattherepoweringprojectsconstitutingtheoverallAPWRArepoweringeffortwouldnotinducepopulationgrowtheitherdirectlyorindirectly.BecausetheProjectisasubsetofthisanalysis,theanalysisremainsvalid.TheProjectwouldnotinvolvecreationofanyhousingunits,norwoulditdisplaceanyexistinghousingunitsorpeople.Therewouldbenoimpactandnomitigationisrequired;accordingly,thisresourcetopicisnotaddressedfurtherinthisanalysis.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Public Services
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.13‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.13 Public Services ThePEIRconcludedthattherewouldbenoimpactsonpublicservices.Becausethereductioninthenumberofturbinesandtheimprovedsafetyofnewermodelswouldresultinareductionofpotentialfireignitions,therewouldbenoincreaseinthedemandforfireprotectionservices.Policeprotectionfacilitiesandinfrastructurerequiredtoprotecttheprogramareaarealreadyinplacetoprotecttheexistingwindenergyfacilities.Noresidenceswouldbeconstructed,noschoolsarepresentintheProjectarea,andbecausethePEIRconcludedthatrepoweringtheAPWRAwouldnotinducegrowth,therewouldbenoincreaseddemandonschoolsorrecreationalfacilities.Therewouldbenoimpactandnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.BecausetheProjectareaisasubsetoftheprogramarea,theanalysisremainsvalid.Accordingly,thisresourcetopicisnotaddressedfurtherinthisanalysis.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Recreation
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.14‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.14 Recreation Becausetherearenorecreationalfacilitiesintheentireprogramareaandbecausetherepoweringprogramoverallwouldnotleadtoanincreaseinuseofnearbyfacilities,thePEIRfoundthattherewouldbenoimpactonrecreationalfacilitiesandnomitigationisrequired.BecausetheProjectareaisasubsetoftheprogramarea,theanalysisremainsvalid.Accordingly,recreationisnotfurtherconsideredinthisanalysis.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental AnalysisTransportation/Traffic
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.15‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.15 Transportation/Traffic ThePEIRevaluatedtrafficimpactsforageneric80MWprojectaswellasfortwospecificprojectsintheprogramarea.NoProject‐specifictrafficanalysiswasnecessaryfortheSandHillProjectbecausetheimpactsidentifiedaspotentiallysignificantinthePEIR(e.g.,increasedtrafficcongestionandtraffichazards)wouldalsoapplytotheProject,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthoseimpacts.
3.15.1 Existing Conditions
TheroadnetworkandotherexistingconditionspertainingtotrafficandtransportationwasdescribedinthePEIRfortheentireprogramarea,ofwhichtheProjectareaisasubset.MostoftheProjectareawouldbeaccessedusingroadsasdescribedinthePEIR(e.g.,I‐580,AltamontPassRoad),butsomeoftheturbinesontheeastsideofBethanyReservoirandtheCaliforniaAqueductwouldbeaccessedfromMountainHouseRoad,whichwasnotspecificallyaddressedinthePEIR.However,theprogram‐levelanalysisadequatelydisclosesthepotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeproposedProject.
3.15.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
ImpactTRA‐1:Conflictwithanapplicableplan,ordinance,orpolicyestablishingmeasuresofeffectivenessfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystem,takingintoaccountallmodesoftransportation,includingmasstransitandnon‐motorizedtravelandrelevantcomponentsofthecirculationsystem,including,butnotlimitedto,intersections,streets,highwaysandfreeways,pedestrianandbicyclepaths,andmasstransitorconflictwithanapplicablecongestionmanagementprogram,including,butnotlimitedto,level‐of‐servicestandardsandtraveldemandmeasuresorotherstandardsestablishedbythecountycongestionmanagementagencyfordesignatedroadsorhighways(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatconstructionactivitiescouldcauseasubstantialtrafficincreaseonlocalcountyroadsthatprovidedirectaccesstoProjectconstructionsites,becausetheseroadsgenerallyhavelowtrafficvolumes.However,theseincreases,whiletheycoulddegradetrafficoperations,wouldbeoftemporaryduration.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1,Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactTRA‐2:Conflictwithanapplicablecongestionmanagementprogram,including,butnotlimitedto,level‐of‐servicestandardsandtraveldemandmeasuresorotherstandardsestablishedbythecountycongestionmanagementagencyfordesignatedroadsorhighways(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRconcludedthatProject‐relatedtrafficwouldnotsubstantiallydegradethelevelofserviceonacongestionmanagementprogram–designatedroadway(i.e.,I‐580)becauseitwouldcontributesuchasmallpercentageoftotaltraffic.Accordingly,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental AnalysisTransportation/Traffic
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.15‐2 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
ImpactTRA‐3:Resultinachangeinairtrafficpatterns,includingeitheranincreaseintrafficlevelsorachangeinlocationthatresultsinsubstantialsafetyrisks(lessthansignificant)
ThePEIRconcludedthatrepoweringintheprogramareawouldnotresultinachangeinairtrafficpatternsoranyincreaseinrelatedsafetyrisks.BecausetheProjectwouldbewithintheareaanalyzed,theProject‐levelimpactwouldalsobelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.
ImpactTRA‐4:Substantiallyincreasehazardsbecauseofadesignfeature(e.g.,sharpcurvesordangerousintersections)orincompatibleuses(e.g.,farmequipment)duetoconstruction‐generatedtraffic(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatthepresenceoflarge,slow‐movingconstructionanddeliveryvehiclescouldincreasetrafficsafetyhazards.Additionally,someofthesevehiclescouldexceedroadwayloadandsizelimits.PermitsfromCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportationDistrict4andotherrelevantjurisdictionswouldberequiredforsuchvehicles.CompliancewithpermitrequirementsandimplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactTRA‐5:Resultininadequateemergencyaccessduetoconstruction‐generatedtraffic(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Large,slow‐movingconstructionanddeliveryvehiclesandtemporaryroadandlaneclosurescoulddelayorobstructthemovementofemergencyvehicles,asdisclosedinthePEIR.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
ImpactTRA‐6:Conflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprogramsregardingpublictransit,bicycleorpedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuchfacilities(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
ThePEIRconcludedthatnopublictransitservicesorpedestrianfacilitiesarepresentontheProjectaccessroutesintheprogramarea.However,oversizedconstructionvehiclescouldpotentiallydisruptthemovementofbicyclestravelingontheshouldersofsomelocalaccessroads(e.g.,AltamontPassRoad,WestGrantLineRoad,MountainHouseRoad),andlaneorroadclosuresassociatedwithmaterialdeliveriescouldtemporarilydisruptbicycleaccess.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR,andthemitigationmeasuressetforthinthePEIRwouldadequatelyaddressthisimpact.
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Alameda County Community Development Agency Environmental Analysis
Utilities and Service Systems
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
3.16‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
3.16 Utilities and Service Systems ThePEIRanalyzedpotentialimpactsonutilitiesandservicesystemsanddeterminedthattherewouldbenoimpactsorthatimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.Similarly,asdescribedinthePEIRwastewatergenerationanddrainagefortheProjectwouldnotaffectcapacityofawaterorwastewatertreatmentfacility.Becauseofthereducednumberofturbines,waterneedsfortheProjectwouldbeequaltoorlessthanthoseanalyzedforthePEIR.Waterforconstructionactivitieswouldbeprovidedthroughanagreementwithmunicipalorprivatesuppliersandwouldthereforenotaffectanywatersupplyorrequireexpandedentitlements.SolidwastewouldbegeneratedprimarilyduringProjectconstructionandwouldnotexceedthecapacityoflandfills.TheProjectwouldberequiredtocomplywithlocal,state,andfederalsolidwasteregulations.Therewouldbenoimpactandnomitigationisrequired.ThisconclusionisconsistentwiththeanalysispresentedinthePEIR.Accordingly,thisresourcetopicisnotaddressedfurtherinthisanalysis.
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Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Environmental Analysis
4‐1 September 2018
ICF 00631.17
Chapter 4 List of Preparers
Thefollowingindividualsparticipatedinthepreparationofthisanalysis.
Lead Agency (Alameda County Community Development Agency)
AndrewYoung,SeniorPlanner
SandiRivera,DeputyDirector
Technical Assistance (ICF)
AngelaAlcala,Biologist
LarryGoral,TechnicalWriter
TimMessick,GraphicArtist
BradNorton,ProjectDirector
BradSchafer,ProjectManager
DanSchiff,GISanalyst
TinaSorvari,EnvironmentalPlanner
SusanSwift,SeniorReviewer
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Appendix A Air Quality Technical Memorandum
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Appendix B Biological Resources Evaluation Report
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Appendix C Cultural Resources Survey Report
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Appendix D Sound Technical Report