HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem L October 25, 1999
STAFF REPORT
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
Attention: Keith R. Till, City Manager
From: Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services
Subject: RECEIPT OF "RESPONSE TO DRAFT
PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY
SANITATION DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN"
SUMMARY OF REQUEST
Receive and File Report, and instruct staff to forward to the EQCB for information purposes.
DISCUSSION
On July 28, 1999 the EQCB reviewed and approved a comment letter on the above-referenced
environmental document. The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) has released the Final
EIR for the project, including the "Response to Comment" section. Staff is providing the EQCB-
approved comment letter and the response from the OCSD for the information of the City Council
as Attachment 1.
Overview of Proposed Project:
The City has received a copy of the "Response to Comment" document,,which, in conjunction
with the "Draft Program Environmental Impact Report for the Orange County Sanitation District
Strategic Plan", constitutes the "Final EIR" for this project. The documents were prepared for
the Orange County Sanitation District (UCSD) by the consulting firms of Environmental
Science Associates (ESA) in association with MEC Analytical Systems, Inc., and KP
Lindstrom, Inc. These documents evaluate the areas of potential environmental impacts of the
proposed adoption of the 1999 Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan identifies proposed projects
needed to accommodate projected population increases through the year 2020. OCSD collects
wastewater through an extensive system of sewers and pump stations in Orange County.
AGENDA ITEM L
C:\My Documents\CEQA\OCSD Strategic Plan FEIR.CC Staff Report.doc\LW\1O-1499.
Receipt of Responses to Comments re:Draft Program EIR for the
Orange County Sanitation District 1999 Strategic Plan
City Council Staff Report
October 25, 1999
Wastewater is treated at two treatment facilities, Reclamation Plant No. 1 in Fountain Valley
and Plant No. 2 in Huntington Beach. Treated wastewater is reclaimed or disposed through a
deep-ocean outfall system. OCSD provides wastewater services for 21 cities and 3 special
districts, serving the 2.2 million customers located in central and northern Orange County.
The objectives of the Strategic Plan are:
o To plan for wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal facilities to serve the needs
of the OCSD service area through 2020;
o To ensure compliance with existing and anticipated ocean discharge permit conditions,
including the requirements of the 301(b) modified (secondary treatment waiver)
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharge (the
largest waiver permitted in the U.S. and one of four waiver holders in California);
o To recommend projects that meet the community's needs, protect public health, are
technically feasible, and are cost effective and environmentally responsible; and
o To maximize the use of treated effluent for water recycling.
There are six treatment scenarios identified in the Strategic Plan and evaluated in this DEIR at
an equal level of detail. These six treatment scenarios are combinations of three treatment
level options with and without implementation of the Groundwater Replenishment (GWR)
System project. The GWR is an ambitious water reclamation project planned cooperatively
with the Orange County Water District (OCWD), which is the subject of a previously certified
EIR (Program EIR/Tier 1 EIS, Groundwater Replenishment System, OCWD and OCSD,
November 1998).
OCSD has identified Scenario 2 as the environmentally superior alternative. This scenario is
generally described as follows:
Scenario 2: NPDES Permit Compliance with GWR System Project.
Provide the level of treatment necessary to meet the NPDES permit conditions
and the California Ocean Plan. All wastewater would receive advanced primary
treatment with a percentage also receiving secondary treatment prior to ocean
discharge. In coordination with OCWD, 50-60 mgd daily flow and up to 100
mgd peak wet weather flow of secondary effluent would be diverted from
OCSD to the GWR System. The amount of secondary treatment in the ocean
discharge would be governed by the needs of the GWR System and by the
NPDES permit limits.
Given the countywide scope of the proposed project, staff focused its review of the Draft EIR
to those issues of a local concern. The OCSD is proposing pipeline improvements to the
"West Side Relief Interceptor" between 2006 and 2010. Provided as Attachment 3 to the July
OCSD Strategic Plan FEIR.CC Staff Report 2
Receipt of Responses to Comments re:Draft Program EIR for the
Orange County Sanitation District 1999 Strategic Plan
City Council Staff Report
October 25, 1999
EQCB Staff Report was information regarding this improvement project from various sections
of the DEIR document, for the convenience of the Board. The project is basically a
replacement project of an existing line, expanding the pipe size to between 42 and 60 inches. •
Additional improvements are also proposed as set forth below.
Presented below is a summary of the various projects within the OCSD 1999 Strategic Plan
which impact the City of Seal Beach:
Collection System Pipeline Improvements: (Table 3-19)
West Side Relief Seal Beach Blvd. Completion $ 3,413,000
Interceptor between Bradbury 2010
Improvements and Lampson
Rehabilitation Projects: (Table 3-20)
Seal Beach Interceptor Seal Beach Blvd Completion $ 367,000
Sewer Rehabilitation 2001
West Side Relief I-405 Completion $ 662,000
Alamitos MH Seal Beach Blvd. 2012
Rehabilitation
Pump Station Improvements: (Table 3-21)
Edinger PS Seal Beach Completion $ 1,439,000
Improvements 2010
In addition, provided as Attachment 5 to that July EQCB Staff Report was a "Summary of
Comments and Responses to Notice of Preparation and Scoping Session" prepared by the
OCSD for the information of the Board. This provided an overview of all of the comments
received on the Notice of Preparation for the subject DEIR.
Public Availability:
A copy of the "Response to Comment" document is available at the Department of Development
Services for review. The Final EIR also indicates a copy is available for viewing at the majority of
public libraries throughout northern and central Orange County. The Final EIR is also available for
inspection at OCSD's Administrative Offices - Engineering Department at the Fountain Valley
address below.
OCSD Strategic Plan Fait.CC Staff Report 3
Receipt of Responses to Comments re:Draft Program EIR for the
Orange County Sanitation District 1999 Strategic Plan
City Council Staff Report
October 25, 1999
Future Sanitation District Actions:
The OC Sanitation District Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, October 27, 1999 at 7:00
p.m. to certify the final EIR, adopt the 1999 Strategic Plan, and implement the preferred alternative
(Scenario 2). The meeting will be held at the OCSD Administrative Office—Board Room, 10844
Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley.
FISCAL IMPACT
Some potential impacts due to proposed project, the staff-prepared comment letter addresses those
issues identified by staff.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and File Report, and instruct staff to forward to the EQCB for information purposes.
NOTED AND APPROVED
IL&Iccil--€
♦! Whine •-rg, Director Keith R. Till
Development Services Department City Manager
Attachments: (1)
Attachment 1: City Comment Letter and OCSD Responses re: "Draft Program
Environmental Impact Report for the Orange County Sanitation District
Strategic Plan"
OCSD Strategic Plan FEIR.CC Staff Report 4
Receipt of Responses to Comments re:Draft Program EIR for the
Orange County Sanitation District 1999 Strategic Plan
City Council Staff Report
October 25, 1999
ATTACHMENT 1
CITY COMMENT LETTER AND OCSD
RESPONSES RE: "DRAFT PROGRAM
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE
ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT
STRATEGIC PLAN"
OCSD Strategic Plan FEIR.CC Staff Report 5
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July 29, 1999
4
Orange County Sanitation District
Attn:James Herberg
10844 Ellis Avenue ‘z,:-.-i -
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
SUBJECT: City of Seal Beach Comments re: "Draft Program
Environmental Impact Report for . the Orange County
Sanitation District Strategic Plan"
Dear Mr.Herberg:
The City of Seal Beach has reviewed the, above referenced Draft Program
Environmental Impact Report(DPEIR) and has several comments relative to the document.
The proposed project document evaluates the areas of potential environmental impacts of
the proposed adoption of the 1999 Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan identifies proposed
projects needed to accommodate projected population increases within Orange County
through the year 2020: .
OCSD has identified Scenario 2 as the environmentally superior alternative. This
scenario is generally described as follows:
Scenario 2: NPDES Permit Compliance with GWR System Project.
Provide the level of treatment necessary to meet the NPDES permit
conditions and the California Ocean Plan. All wastewater would receive
advanced primary treatment with a percentage also receiving secondary
treatment prior to ocean discharge. In coordination with OCWD, 50-60
mgd daily flow and up to 100 mgd peak wet weather flow of secondary
- effluent would be diverted from OCSD to the GWR System. The amount
of secondary treatment in the ocean discharge would be governed by the
needs of the GWR System and by the NPDES permit limits.
The City of Seal Beach concurs with the determination of OCSD that Scenario 2 is the
environmentally superior alternative and.urges the District to approve this scenario as the S11-1
environmentally superior alternative in its certification process of the Final Program EIR,
C:IEQCBIOCSD Strategic Plan DEIREQCB L.etter.doc1I-W107..22.99
3-71
City ofSeal Beach Comment Letter re:
Draft Program EIR—1999 Strategic Plan
July 29, 1999
and adopt this scenario as the approved project upon completion of the environmental
review process.
Although the City supports the proposed plan, it is requested that a discussion regarding
the future consideration of the treatment of drainage waters during the dry season be
added to the DER. The future countywide compliance of NPDES requirements will SB-2
ultimately require us to investigate the treatment of drainage waters. This future potential
need further supports the strategic plan to utilize a regional Groundwater Replenishment
System and provide the best possible coastal water quality.
Given the countywide scope of the proposed project, Seal Beach has focused its review to
those issues of a local concern. The OCSD is proposing pipeline improvements to the
"West Side Relief Interceptor" (Project 23) between 2006 and 2010. In reviewing this
proposal and the identified environmental impacts of this project, along with the
appropriate "Mitigation Measure" as set forth in Table S-4, please find below the
comments of the City of Seal Beach on several issues identified within the Draft Program
EIR and the proposed Mitigation Measures.
o Traffic—Impact 7.2-1 —Impact on traffic circulation during construction period
The City concurs with the determination regarding evaluation within the ElR
regarding construction or project operational impacts upon traffic circulation. The SB-3
City appreciates the cooperative position of OCSD in working with local
jurisdictions in the formulation and approval of the required traffic control plans.
o Air Quality—Impact 7.5-1—Dust suppression
The City concurs with the determination regarding evaluation within the EIR
regarding dust suppression programs. It is suggested, given the time frame over
which this mitigation measure might apply, that language be added indicating the SB-4
intent of this mitigation measure is to comply with Rule 403 of the South Coast Air
Quality Management District, as that rule is in effect at the time of any specific
project initiation.
o Cultural Resources—Impact 7.10-2-Archaeological Resources
The City of Seal Beach has an adopted "Archaeological and Historical Element" of
the General Plan (provided as Attachment 1 to this letter), and requests compliance
with the goals and standards set forth within that document for cultural resource
impacts within the City. In relation to the "West Side Relief-Interceptor
Improvements (Project 23), the City does not concur with proposed Mitigation SB-5
Measure 7.10-2a. The City requests a full-time archaeological and Native
American monitor(s) during all excavation stages of this project within the City of
Seal Beach. The City has recently received a copy of"Archaeological Survey and
Testing at Bixby Old Ranch Towne Center Seal Beach, Orange County,
California" prepared by KEA Environmental and "Revised Draft Historic
3-72
MCT.N..�.....at...nein rev,'"r...�
City ofSeal Beach Comment Letter re:
Draft Program FIR—1999 Strategic Plan
July 29, 1999
Properties Evaluation Plan for Sites 30-00150, 30-001503, and 30-001504, Naval
Weapons Support Station, Seal Beach, California", prepared by Mooney &
Associates of San Diego (Documents provided as Attachments 2 and 3). Given
the information within these documents, and additional information regarding the
Bixby Old Ranch Towne Center area which has been provided based on
excavation activities related to site preparation for a golf course on the Bixby
Ranch properties, the requested full-time archaeological and Native American
monitor(s) should be required, at a minimum. The potential for unknown cultural SB-5
resource sites to exist at buried locations within this portion of Seal Beach appear (Cont'd)
to be very high, given the information in the.above referenced reports.
In addition, the Initial Study indicates the proposed pipeline would pass through a
recorded archaeological site on.the Bolsa Chica Mesa (CA-ORA-83). The EIR
should evaluate the impacts to this recorded archaeological site, which has been
determined to be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places,
and especially evaluate alternative alignments within this impact area to avoid
CA-ORA-83 entirely.
The Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB) considered and discussed the
Draft EJR document on July 28, 1999. The EQCB authorized the Chairman to sign this
letter indicating the official comments ofthe City of Seal Beach.
Upon the preparation of the Draft EIR for this project, please send two (2) copies to
Mr. Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services, City Hall, 211 Eighth Street, Seal
Beach, 90740. Thank you for your consideration of the comments of the City of Seal
Beach. If you have questions concerning this matter, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. SB-6
Whittenberg at (562) 431-2527, extension 313. He will be most happy to provide any
additional information or to provide clarification of the matters discussed in this comment
letter
Sincerely,
•
et. _
William Hurley
Vice-Chairperson,Environmental Quality Control Board
City of Seal Beach
Attachments: (3)
•
Attachment 1: "Archaeological and Historical Element', City of Seal Beach
General Plan, August 1992
Attachment 2: "Archaeological Survey and Testing at Bixby Old Ranch
Towne Center Seal Beach, Orange County, California"
prepared by KEA Environmental, Inc., dated June 1999
3-73
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•
City ofSeal Beach Comment Letter re:
Draft Program EJR—1999 Strategic Plan
July 29, 1999
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Attachment 3: "Revised Draft Historic Properties Evaluation Plan for
Sites 30-00150, 30-001503, and 30-001504, Naval
•
Weapons Support Station, Seal Beach, California",
•
prepared by Mooney & Associates of San Diego, dated
• June 1, 1999
•
Distribution:
•
Seal Beach City Council • Seal Beach Planning Commission
City Manager Director of Development Services
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3-74
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3.0 RESPONSE TO COMMENTS
M CITY OF SEAL BEACH
SB-1 The comment urges the District to approve the environmentally superior alternative
(Scenario 2). Comment acknowledged.
SB-2 The comment requests future consideration of the treatment of drainage waters
during the dry season. This comment is assumed to be referring to storm drain
flows. At this time,the District has no definite plan to treat dry weather storm
drain flows. However,the District remains open to suggestions and proposals. See
Response to Comment FWS-13. •
•
SB-3 The comment supports the cooperative position of the District in working with
local jurisdictions in the formulation and approval of the required traffic control
plans. Comment acknowledged.
SB-4 The comment suggests incorporating language that specifies compliance with Rule
403 of the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The last sentence on
Draft PEIR page 7.5-8(above heading `E R-Identified Mitigation")is revised as
follows:
The mitigation measures identified below is intended to comply with Rule 403 of
the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and would reduce emissions I
associated with construction activities to a less-than-significant level.
SB-5 The comment presents data on an archaeological site in Seal Beach. The City
requests that the District comply with the goals and standards set forth within the
General Plan regarding archaeological and historic resources and suggests
changing the language of Measure 7.10-2a. Only one project(Project 23—West
Side Relief Interceptor)passes through Seal Beach. Map A9(Draft PEIR Map
Appendix A)shows the detailed location of Project 23. As noted in Table 7.10-2
(Draft PEIR page 7.10-18),the likelihood of occurrence of cultural resources
within Project 23 is considered"high". The"Revised Draft Historic Properties
Evaluation Plan for Sites 30-00150,30-001503,and 30-001504,Naval Weapons
Support Station,Seal Beach,California"confirms the high probability of cultural
resources in this general area. The District is committed to abiding by the
regulations of the"Archaeological and Historical Element"of the City of Seal
Beach General Plan and recommends that a preconstruction,cultural resources site
survey be conducted by an archaeological consultant prior to excavation for
projects with high probability to impact known cultural resources. Table 7.10-1
lists the projects of high probability requiring a pre-construction cultural resources
survey. The West Side Relief Interceptor is included in Table 7.10-1.
OCSD strategic Plan 3-75 ESA/960436
Final Program Environmental Impact Report
octcterI999
3.0 RESPONSE TO COMMENTS
SB-6 The City requests two copies of the Draft EIR(presumably the Final PEIR)upon
completion. The District will ensure that copies of the Final PEIR are sent to the
City of Seal Beach.
•
•
OCSD Strategic Plan 3-76 ESA/960436
Final Program Environmental Impact Report
October 1999