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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5433(014) Approved CE 1.17.18CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION/CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FORM 08-Riv- La Quinta N/A N/A BRLKS 5433(014) Dist.-Co.-Rte. or Local Agency) P.M./P.M. EA/Project No. Federal -Aid Project No. (Local Project)/Project No. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: (Briefly describe project including need, purpose, location, limits, right-of-way requirements, and activities involved in this box. Use Continuation Sheet, if necessary.) Dune Palms Road serves as a vital north/south linkage and provides connectivity within the city of La Quinta north and south of the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel within the County of Riverside. Dune Palms Road at the Channel is currently a low-water crossing and experiences flooding during minor rain events and results in full street closures. To maintain connectivity and provide for safe access, the City of La Quinta proposes to replace the existing low-water crossing spanning the Channel with a 480 feet long and 86 feet wide four -span bridge. The project includes reconstruction of the north and south bridge approaches to accommodate the new roadway profile, slope protection at the northeast and southeast corners of the bridge, bridge railing architectural treatment, slope construction to allow for future integration of the regional active transportation corridor (CV Link), Utility relocation, and existing roadway modification to construct a temporary construction bypass road. The project would require right-of-way acquisitions on the northeast and southeast corners of the proposed bride. CEQA COMPLIANCE (for state Projects only) Based on an examination of this proposal and supporting information, the following statements are true and exceptions do not apply (See 14 CCR 15300 et seq.): • If this project falls within exempt class 3, 4, 5, 6 or 11, it does not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law. • There will not be a significant cumulative effect by this project and successive projects of the same type in the same place, over time. • There is not a reasonable possibility that the project will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. • This project does not damage a scenic resource within an officially designated state scenic highway. • This project is not located on a site included on any list compiled pursuant to Govt. Code § 65962.5 ("Cortese List"). • This project does not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. CALTRANS CEQA DETERMINATION (Check one) ® Not Applicable — Caltrans is not the CEQA Lead Agency ❑ Not Applicable — Caltrans has prepared an Initial Study or Environmental Impact Report under CEQA ❑ Exempt by Statute. (PRC 21080[b]; 14 CCR 15260 et seq.) Based on an examination of this proposal, supporting information, and the above statements, the project is: ❑ Categorically Exempt. Class . (PRC 21084; 14 CCR 15300 et seq.) ❑ Categorically Exempt. General Rule exemption. [This project does not fall within an exempt class, but it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment (CCR 15061 [b][3].) N/A N/A Print Name: Senior Environmental Planner or Print Name: Project Manager Environmental Branch Chief NIA N�i4 Signature Date Signature Date NEPA COMPLIANCE In accordance with 23 CFR 771.117, and based on an examination of this proposal and supporting information, the State has determined that this project: • does not individually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the environment as defined by NEPA, and is excluded from the requirements to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and • has considered unusual circumstances pursuant to 23 CFR 771.117(b). CALTRANS NEPA DETERMINATION (Check one) IN 23 USC 326: The State has determined that this project has no significant impacts on the environment as defined by NEPA, and that there are no unusual circumstances as described in 23 CFR 771.117(b). As such, the project is categorically excluded from the requirements to prepare an EA or EIS under the National Environmental Policy Act. The State has been assigned, and hereby certifies that it has carried out the responsibility to make this determination pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 23, United States Code, Section 326 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 31, 2016, executed between the FHWA and the State. The State has determined that the project is a Categorical Exclusion under: ® 23 CFR 771.117(c): activity (c)(26) ❑ 23 CFR 771.117(d): activity (d)(_) ❑ Activity _ listed in Appendix A of the MOU between FHWA and the State ❑ 23 USC 327: Based on an examination of this proposal and supporting information, the State has determined that the project is a Categorical Exclusion under 23 USC 327. The environmental review, consultation, and any other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by Caltrans pursuant to 23 USC 327 and the Memorandum of Understanding dated December 23, 2016 and executed by FHWA and Caltrans. Aaron P. Burton David Lee Print Name: Senior Environmental Planner or PrZName-jectManager/DLA Planner Environmental Bra Chief -17-2018 (� ignature Date Signa Date Date of Categorical Exclusion Checklist completion: 1/17/2018 Date of EC or equivalent: 1/17/2018 Briefly list environmental commitments on continuation sheet. Reference additional information, as appropriate (e.g., CE checklist, additional studies and design conditions). Page 1 of 5 September 8, 2017 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION/CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FORM Continuation Sheet Continued from page 1: The following studies, checklists and exemptions were prepared or determined during the environmental phase of the project: • PES: approved 2/13/15 • Traffic memo: approved 2/8116 • NSR: approved 10/27/16 • AQR: approved 5/17/16 • AQCA: approved 7/28/16 • ISA: approved 10/1/15 • WQAR: approved 2/9116 • LHS: approved 8/18/15 • SFER: approved 8/18/15 • NES(MI): approved 2/29/16 • JD: approved 2/29/16 • VIA memo: approved 4/30/15 • RIM: approved 9/1/2015 • APE: approved 12/1/2017 • HPSR: approved 12/1/2017 • ASR: approved 12/1/2017 • HRER: approved 12/1/2017 • XP1: approved 12/1/2017 • SHPO: concurrence 1/16/18 • Prepare a Relocation Assistance Plan to determine the need to replace the mobile homes and single housing unit affected by the project based on current market conditions, and provide relocation assistance benefits according to the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 as amended. Pre -Construction: • The Project Engineer and Project Archaeologist will ensure that the boundaries of the ESA are clearly described and illustrated in the Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) package. • A pre -construction meeting with the Construction Supervisor and construction personnel will be held to discuss the ESAs, including access restrictions and maintenance of fencing for protective measures. • The Project Engineer will notify the Project Archaeologist at least three weeks prior to start of construction to allow for a field review of ESA locations and arrangements for monitoring of fence installation. • Review ESA locations in the field one week prior to start of construction. During Construction: • Install temporary orange plastic fencing along ESA boundary at least one week prior to initiating construction, under the supervision of the Project Engineer and the Project Archaeologist. • Conduct monitoring of ground -disturbing activities in the AD[ south of the Stormwater Channel by an archaeologist and a Native American. • Conduct spot monitoring and photo -documentation at various times throughout Project construction to ensure the integrity of the ESAs. • In the event that human remains are found, the county coroner shall be notified and ALL construction activities within 60 feet of the discovery shall stop. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 5097.98, if the remains are thought to be Native American, the coroner will notify the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) who will then notify the Most Likely Descendent (MLD). The person who discovered the remains will contact the District 8 Division of Environmental Planning; Andrew Walters, DEBC: (909)383-2647 and Gary Jones, DNAC: (909)383-7505. Further provisions of PRC 5097.98 are to be followed as applicable. Page 2 of 5 September 8, 2017 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION/CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FORM Continuation Sheet • If buried cultural resources are encountered during Project Activities, it is Caltrans policy that work stop in that area until a qualified archaeologist can evaluate the nature and significance of the find. Post -construction: • The Construction Supervisor will notify the Project Archaeologist when construction is completed in the vicinity of each site, so that the temporary fencing can be removed. • The Project Archaeologist will oversee the removal of the fencing by the construction personnel. • The existing roadway will be modified to operate as a temporary bypass road in order to allow for maintaining vehicle and pedestrian access at all times. • Short term and temporary access control will be coordination with property owners, the public, and other stakeholders. Noise: • All construction activities shall occur in compliance with the construction hours allowed by the Municipal Code. • Equip internal combustion engine with the manufacturer -recommended muffler. Do not operate an internal combustion engine on the job site without the appropriate muffler. Water Quality: The City of La Quinta (City) will comply with the provisions of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharge from Construction and Land Disturbance Activities as they relate to construction activities for the project (NPDES No. CAS617002). This will include submission of the Permit Registration Documents, including a Notice of Intent (NOI), site map, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), annual fee, and signed certification statement to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) at least 14 days prior to the start of construction. The SWPPP will meet the requirements of the Construction General Permit (No. CA000002) and will identify potential pollutant sources associated with construction activities; identify non -storm water discharges; and identify, implement, and maintain Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce or eliminate pollutants associated with the construction site. A Notice of Termination (NOT) will be submitted to the SWRCB upon completion of construction and stabilization of the site. The proposed project will install a two -chambered drywell system to all existing and proposed drainage system outletting into the CVSC to address nuisance water flows as well as to capture sediment from the initial first flush flows from storm events. Stormwater BMPs strategies will be coordinated with RWQCB, and will comply with 401 permit requirements. following measures are related to PM10 and/or PM2.5 during construction activities: • The Contractor must comply with the Department's Standard Specifications in Section 14-9 (2010). • Section 14-9.02 specifically requires compliance by the contractor with all applicable laws and regulations related to air quality, including air pollution control district and air quality management district regulations and local ordinances. • Section 14-9.03 is directed at controlling dust. If dust palliative materials other than water are to be used, material specifications are described in Section 18. • Water or dust palliative will be applied to the site and equipment as often as necessary to control fugitive dust emissions. Fugitive emissions generally must meet a "no visible dust' criterion either at the point of emissions or at the right-of-way line depending on local regulations. • Soil binder will be spread on any unpaved roads used for construction purposes, and on all project construction parking areas. • Trucks will be washed as they leave the right-of-way as necessary to control fugitive dust emissions. • Construction equipment and vehicles will be properly tuned and maintained. All construction equipment will use low sulfur fuel as required by CA Code of Regulations Title 17, Section 93114. Page 3 of 5 September 8, 2017 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION/CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FORM Continuation Sheet • A dust control plan will be developed documenting sprinkling, temporary paving, speed limits, and timely revegetation of disturbed slopes as needed to minimize construction impacts to existing communities. • Equipment and materials storage sites will be located as far away from residential and park uses as practicable. Construction areas will be kept clean and orderly. • ESA (Environmentally Sensitive Area) -like areas or their equivalent will be established near sensitive air receptors. Within these areas construction activities involving the extended idling of diesel equipment or vehicles will be prohibited, to the extent feasible. • Track -out reduction measures, such as gravel pads at project access points to minimize dust and mud deposits on roads affected by construction traffic, will be used. • All transported loads of soils and wet materials will be covered before transport, or adequate freeboard (space from the top of the material to the top of the truck) will be provided to minimize emission of dust (particulate matter) during transportation. • Dust and mud that are deposited on paved, public roads due to construction activity and traffic will be promptly and regularly removed to decrease particulate matter. • To the extent feasible, construction traffic will be scheduled and routed to reduce congestion and related air quality impacts caused by idling vehicles along local roads during peak travel times. • Mulch will be installed or vegetation planted as soon as practical after grading to reduce windblown particulate in the area. Be aware that certain methods of mulch placement, such as straw blowing, may themselves cause dust and visible emission issues and may need to use controls such as dampened straw. • ADL evaluation shall be conducted in soils adjacent to the roadway prior to beginning of construction • Any structure that would be demolished as part of construction shall be evaluated for ACM and LBP prior to demolition activities and a Lead and Asbestos Report shall be completed. • Pavement marking paint shall be evaluated for LBP to determine proper handling and disposal requirements. • A parcel -specific Phase I. ESA on the acquisition properties shall be conducted as part of the City's environmental due diligence to help establish potential environmental liability protection. • If unanticipated contaminated soil and/or groundwater is encountered during construction activities, the impacted material shall be properly managed, handled, and disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. • Potential impacts from construction -related hazardous waste and materials would be addressed through implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and implementation of Best Management Practices in compliance with rules and regulations to address potential impacts related' to the use and potential discharge of construction -related hazardous waste and materials. Biological Resources: Jurisdictional Waters: Project construction activities are anticipated to occur through the rainy season. Should surface water flow occur through the project area at any point, the contractor will implement appropriate BMPs. Construction activities within the CVSC will be designed/conducted to maintain downstream flow conditions. Construction materials and debris will not be stored in drainages to prevent spills/runoff from entering jurisdictional areas. ESAs will be incorporated into the plans and specifications for the project so that the contractor is aware of the limits of allowable site access and disturbance. All drainages temporarily impacted during construction will be returned to their original contours at the end of project activities. Sensitive Plant Species: • If construction of the Project is delayed more than one (1) year from the time of the current botanical survey, a botanical reassessment survey focused on CNPS species within the proposed construction disturbance areas shall be conducted by a qualified botanist during the appropriate flowering season(s) at least 1-year prior to initiation of construction activities. If CNPS species are observed during the reassessment survey, then plant specimens shall be flagged and the City will Page 4 of 5 September 8, 2017 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION/CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FORM Continuation Sheet 08-Riv- La Quinta N/A N/A BRLKS 5433(014) Dist.-Co.-Rte. or Local Agency) P.M./P.M. E.A/Project No. Federal -Aid Project No. Local Project)/Project No. be notified. Ground -disturbing activities will not occur within 100 ft. of the location for 30 days to allow the City to coordinate with CDFW regarding collection or relocation, as applicable, in accordance with California Fish and Game Code Sections 1900-1913. Nesting Birds: • Vegetation removals should occur outside of the nesting bird season (i.e., February 15—August 31) to the maximum extent practicable. In the event that vegetation clearing is necessary during the nesting season, the contractor will have a qualified biologist conduct a preconstruction survey within 300 ft. of construction areas no more than 30 days prior to construction at the location to identify the locations of nests (if any). A qualified biologist is one that has surveyed for nesting bird species within the Coachella Valley previously and has at least two years of prior nesting bird survey experience. • Should nesting birds be found, an exclusionary buffer will be established by the qualified biologist around each nest site. This buffer will be a distance from the construction activity based on the nest location, surrounding existing disturbances and the species of bird that is nesting. The buffer will be clearly marked in the field by construction personnel under guidance of the contractor's qualified biologist, and construction or clearing will not be conducted within this zone until the qualified biologist determines that the young have fledged or the nest is no longer active. The qualified biologist will monitor the nests on a weekly basis to ensure that construction activities do not disturb or disrupt nesting activities. If the qualified biologist determines that construction activities are disturbing or disrupting nesting activities, then the biologist will notify the City. Responses may include, but are not limited to, increasing the size of the exclusionary buffer, curtailing nearby work activities, turning off vehicle engines and other equipment whenever possible to reduce noise, installing a protective noise barrier between the nest and the construction activities, and/or working in other areas until the young have fledged. Burrowing Owl: • The contractor will be required to have preconstruction burrowing owl surveys conducted by a qualified biologist within 30 days prior to any phase of construction, including staging, in the areas identified as potential burrowing owl habitat. If any of the preconstruction surveys determine that burrowing owls are present, one or more of the following may be required: • Avoidance of active nests/burrows and surrounding buffer area during construction activities; ■ Passive relocation of individual owls; and ■ Preservation of on -site habitat with long-term conservation value for the owl. • Measures must be developed by the contractor's qualified biologist and the City in concert with CDFW. Invasive Species: • Landscaping and erosion control, if any may be included in the project, shall not include species listed on either the Federal or the State of California Noxious Weed List. • In areas of particular sensitivity (i.e., near or adjacent to drainages) extra precautions shall be taken if invasive species are found in or adjacent to these areas. This would include the inspection and cleaning of construction equipment and eradication strategies, as needed. Permits: The project requires the following permits: • Streambed Alteration Agreement pursuant to California Fish and Game Code Section 1602 • USACE Nationwide Permit pursuant to Clean Water Act Section 404 • RWQCB 401 Water Quality Certification pursuant to Clean Water Act Section 401 Page 5 of 5 September 8, 2017