DATE: January 29, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Delta Mendota Canal Bridge Replacement Project - Initial Study Application No. 7218, State Clearinghouse No. 2018121023
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the Delta Mendota Canal Bridge Replacement Project on Nees Avenue, east of Douglas Avenue, near the City of Firebaugh (Initial Study Application No. 7218, State Clearinghouse No. 2018121023).
REPORT
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Department of Public Works and Planning, Development Services Division, prepared an Initial Study, which determined that mitigation measures are required to reduce project impacts on the environment to a less than significant level, see Exhibit A. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) have been prepared for the project, see Exhibits B and C. This item pertains to a location in District 1.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to adopt the MND if determined that a significant environmental impact may result from the project then direct the Department to modify the MMRP or prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The project is eligible for 88.53% reimbursement under the Highway Bridge Program. Local matching funds will be paid by Road Fund 0010. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Roads Org 4510 FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15063(c), the purpose of an Initial Study is to provide a preliminary analysis of a proposed action to determine whether a Negative Declaration or an EIR should be prepared. An Initial Study also enables the County to modify a project, mitigating adverse impacts in lieu of preparing an EIR, thereby potentially enabling the project to qualify for a MND. If mitigation measures are required to reduce impacts to a less than significant level, a MND and an accompanying MMRP are prepared. The EIR is required if the Initial Study determines the project may have a significant impact on the environment that cannot be reduced to a less than significant level.
The Initial Study prepared for the Delta Mendota Canal Bridge Replacement Project concluded that mitigation measures are necessary to address potential impacts and a MND and accompanying MMRP is required. The recommended action consists of the adoption of the MND in conformance with the provisions of CEQA.
The proposed project consists of replacing the Delta Mendota Canal Bridge on Nees Avenue, east of Douglas Avenue, near City of Firebaugh. The existing functionally obsolete, two-lane bridge would be replaced with a new two-lane bridge that meets current standards. A detour could be constructed on-site, or an on off-site detour could be used to move traffic around the construction project. If an off-site detour route is used by way of N. Fairfax Avenue, W. Bullard Avenue and N. Washoe Avenue, an asphalt concrete overlay or asphalt patching with placement of either shoulder backing or a shoulder treatment could be required.
Initial Study Application No. 7218 indicates that impacts from the project, when the mitigation measures in the attached MMRP are incorporated, will not exceed significance thresholds established by regulatory agencies. The MMRP includes mitigation measures to address potential impacts to Biological Resources.
Based on the Initial Study, the Department has concluded that preparation of an EIR is not required for the project, and recommends adoption of the MND based on the findings of Initial Study No. 7218. A Notice of Intent to adopt a MND for the project was published in the Fresno Business Journal on December 12, 2018.
With your Board’s approval, the MND will be adopted for the Delta Mendota Canal Bridge Replacement Project.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Development of this project was coordinated with Caltrans and Caltrans provides oversight on local projects where Federal funds are allocated.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Maps
Exhibits A - C
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa