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CC Resolution 2018-010 CEQA Eisenhower Drive Rentention BasinRESOLUTION NO. 2018 - 010 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND ASSOCIATED MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2017-0014 PREPARED FOR THE EISENHOWER DRIVE RETENTION BASIN PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2017-0014 APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA APN: 658-170-015, 658-170-016, AND 658-170-031 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California did, on the 20th day of March, 2018, consider Environmental Assessment 2017-0014 prepared for the Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin project generally located at the northwest corner of Avenida Fernando and Eisenhower Drive; and, WHEREAS, said Environmental Assessment complies with the requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970" as amended (Resolution 83-63), in that the Planning Manager has conducted an Initial Study (Environmental Assessment 2017-0014) and has determined that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because mitigation measures for EA 2017-0014 will mitigate or reduce any potential impacts to a level of non -significance; and, WHEREAS, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said City Council did find the following facts, findings, and reasons to justify certification of said Environmental Assessment "Exhibit A": 1. That the Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared and processed in compliance with the State CEQA Guidelines and the City's implementation procedures, adequately describes and addresses the environmental effects of the Project, and based upon the Initial Study, the comments received thereon, and the entire record of proceeding for this Project, that there could be a significant environmental effect resulting from this project; however, the mitigation measures will reduce the impacts to less than significant. The mitigation measures identified in the Mitigated Negative Declaration have been incorporated into the Project and/or made part of the approval of the project and these measures will mitigate any potential significant effect. Resolution No. 2018-010 Environmental Assessment 2017-0014 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Adopted: March 20, 2018 Page 2 of 4 2. The proposed project will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of the community, either indirectly, or directly, in that no significant impacts or unmitigatable impacts were identified by Environmental Assessment 2017-0014. 3. The proposed project will not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of rare or endangered plants or animals or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. 4. There is no evidence before the City that the proposed project will have the potential for an adverse effect on wildlife resources or the habitat on which the wildlife depends. The property has not been identified as a habitat for any endangered or threatened wildlife. 5. The proposed project does not have the potential to achieve short-term environmental goals, to the disadvantage of long-term environmental goals, as no significant effects on environmental factors have been identified by the Environmental Assessment. 6. The proposed project will not result in impacts which are individually limited or cumulatively considerable when considering planned or proposed development in the immediate vicinity, as development patterns in the area will not be significantly affected by the proposed project. If the project is approved as proposed, it will be in compliance with the La Quinta General Plan and in conformance with surrounding development. 7. The proposed project will not have environmental effects that will adversely affect the human population, either directly or indirectly, as no significant impacts have been identified which would affect human health, risk potential or public services. 8. The City Council has considered Environmental Assessment 2017-0014 and said assessment reflects the independent judgment of the City. 9. The City has on the basis of substantial evidence; rebutted the presumption of adverse effect set forth in 14 CAL Code Regulations 753.5(d). Resolution No. 2018-010 Environmental Assessment 2017-0014 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Adopted: March 20, 2018 Page 3 of 4 10. The location and custodian of the City's records relating to this project is the Design and Development Department located at 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California, as follows: SECTION 1. That the above recitations are true and constitute the Findings of the City Council for this Environmental Assessment; SECTION 2. That the City Council certifies a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impact. Said determination is for the reasons set forth in this resolution and as stated in the Environmental Assessment Checklist, attached and on file in the Design and Development Department. SECTION 3. That Environmental Assessment 2017-0014 reflects the independent judgment of the City. PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council, held on this the 20th day of March, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Fitzpatrick, Pena, Radi, Mayor Evans NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Council Member Sanchez LINDA EVANS, Mayor City of La Quinta, California Resolution No. 2018-010 Environmental Assessment 2017-0014 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Adopted: March 20, 2018 Page 4 of 4 ATTEST: 7,�� SUSAN MAYSELS, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California (City Sea[) APPROVED AS TO FORM: WILLIAM IHRKE, City Attorney City of La Quinta, California EXHIBIT A Qu��,r� GEM of the DESERT — Project Title: Case No: Lead Agency Applicant: CITY OF LA QUINTA 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 Phone: (760) 777-7000 ENVIRONMENTAL INITIAL STUDY Contact Person: Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project EA 2017-0014 City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 (760) 777-7125 City of La Quinta (760) 777-7125 Cheri Flores Senior Planner City of La Quinta (760) 777-7125 Project Location: Immediately west of Eisenhower Drive between Coachella Drive to the north and Avenida Fernando to the south La Quinta, CA 92253 Riverside County APN: 658-170-015, 658-170-016, and 658-170-031 General Plan Designation: Tourist Commercial (CT) Zoning: Tourist Commercial (CT) Surrounding Land Uses: North: Multi -family residential (Legacy Villas) South: Hotel/Recreation (La Quinta Resort and Club) East: Single-family residential (La Quinta Golf Estates) West: Santa Rosa Mountains toe of slope, vacant Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Project Description: The City of La Quinta is proposing a ±10-acre flood control retention basin to be located at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The site is currently vacant and bounded by Coachella Drive to the north, Eisenhower Drive to the east, Avenida Fernando to the south, and the Santa Rosa Mountains to the west. The project site is relatively flat and consists predominately of desert saltbush scrub, which is a natural vegetation community under the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). Runoff water enters the site from the steep slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains forming short channels of varying lengths. The site is surrounded by a block wall on all downslope sides with no obvious outlet for accumulated water. The project is intended to correct this blockage by providing proper storm water outflow and storage during a flood event. At build out, project improvements will include the following: • Two 36" storm drains will be located within street rights -of -way (Eisenhower Drive) just north of the intersection of Eisenhower Drive and Coachella Drive. The westernmost storm drain will connect to a proposed 28' wide catch basin, and the easternmost storm drain will connect to a proposed 28' wide grated inlet, both located along Eisenhower Drive. The two storm drains will converge at the centerline and connect to a 48" storm drain (described further below); • A 48" storm drain located within the street rights -of -way (Eisenhower Drive centerline) that connects to the two 36" storm drains to the north, and extends south and west to the proposed retention basin. A proposed 18" storm drain branches off the 48" storm drain at the centerline and extends east to a proposed 7' wide grated inlet along Eisenhower Drive. The storm drain enters the retention basin site at the northwest corner via a proposed 7' wide catch basin. There is a proposed 18" storm drain that branches off the 48' storm drain from within the retention basin to connect (tie-in) to the existing 18" storm drain currently located along Eisenhower Drive; • A 48" bypass storm drain (overflow line) will be located at the northern portion of the retention basin just south of Coachella Drive; • A 24" storm drain will be located on the southern portion of the retention basin and will extend east across Eisenhower Drive via an 18" storm drain that connects to a 14' wide catch basin (western side of Eisenhower Drive) and a 14' grated inlet (eastern side of Eisenhower Drive). • The 10.02 acre retention basin will be designed to accommodate 150-year storm event flows. The basin will be landscaped with drought -tolerant native plants and keep the desert aesthetic intact. CEQA-Plus The project may be financed, in whole or in part, by a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is, therefore, subject to federal environmental review requirements. All applicants seeking HMGP financing must comply with CEQA and provide sufficient information so that FEMA can document compliance with federal environmental laws. This federal compliance process is referred to as "CEQA-Plus." 2 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 This Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) has been prepared to address CEQA-Plus requirements. These requirements include documentation of compliance with applicable federal regulations, including the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the federal Clean Air Act, Environmental Justice, Farmland Protection Policy Act, Flood Plain Management, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Protection of Wetlands/Clean Water Act (Section 404), and Safe Drinking Water Action, Sole Source Aquifer Protection. Project Location and Limits: The proposed flood control project is located immediately west of Eisenhower Drive between Coachella Drive to the north and Avenida Fernando to the south in Riverside County, California (see Exhibit 3 and 4). It is located within Section 36 of Township 5 South, Range 6 East of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5' La Quinta, Calif. Quadrangle. The project site is on three assessor's parcel numbers (APNs): 658-420-031-3, 658-170-015-7, and 658-170-016-8. Other Required Public Agencies Approval: None. I E MEXICO 1 A --Rive Desert Hot Springs Palm Springs. 'i•:i Cathedral City.. Rancho Mirage - Palm Desert = -Indio OcsnrCe,ae Indian Wells Coachella La Quinta. �,,; 4 Pyq Vndr RMRSIDE COUNTY r 1 Eisenhower Drive Flood Control Project Exhibit TERRA NOVA Regional Location Map 1 PLANNING,& RESEARCH, INC La Quinta, California ,u • ,' �.. il" urn- 9. , a Yuote V.IIry '. ' ya,t +,. mow le -i '.. _ by • •5fh �,��' ._ - •r � ••� � rja�' .. i'1 �r �_ �� •��.�'...a', ..�! leekA - ~f �' SkY VeRey - r - = �; JI �'',�-f•� ,,! t jolt err rwy w; 'I'sl $Qf11146 ✓e P�.' hdq Hille rrQ L"• l OWO Valk Vises Palm desert- ~� Project:xa r: x ouinl Site_ ip Crrnoak Hma f' r I CanWb � ' - 1�.. ' + Peron La�r,p y -311Q— 1. .1 �` ry' kaecko may_ /. - �' 9os axhnof C. ; �Jf- i •� sewn srore. ... Source: Google Maps, 2017 r I Eisenhower Drive Flood Control Project L J TERRA NOVA® Area Location Map PLANNING &RE3EARCH,INC. La Quinta, California Exhibit 2 9 J Google Earth, 2017 r L J TERRA NOVA PLANNING & RESEARCH, INC. 49� Ergo i JECT �, �. L Eisenhower Drive Flood Control Project Vicinity Map La Quinta, California �O Exhibit 3 •rr oo�kv 44 tv ' ~�� r of 1`'✓' y F s i 1 - - pt e �`:` w �W _ 14 on M_r _! Owl LAC OP jam.. A • PROPOSED RETENTION BASIN / 12' wluE w9E.M.70 yII/ ,41)ESIRIYi 1 1 BOT :32M EwDQIi L y .., BASIN STO EWMI AC.FT gg I I \ I ! I I `11 + I X ARESi ROti: Yinieu vle�ollm-n1.28' ' '� Peen •IaYelien �a.vs' P[pPLerr vo LIM y ,Yea �e�rne {>.�dl.el.al 1,3,,e7 a. m, r,I, {—elmlwe) iza Ev. Te. t 1 Nel �oi�nA iwael�eteel us.w3 a. ra.caln 1 f Source: Michael Baker r � L TERRA NOVA@ PLANNING & RESEARCH, INC. ! I — :�-'`r-�_�: ------------ -- T_�alax'wxlw I r. �>•7� .. PPOP. I5' i �� rc�.x AmIB r 3a f ti S I 1V T A 2017 �r Eisenhower Drive Flood Control Project Retention Basin Layout La Quinta, California Exhibit Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. ❑ Aesthetics ❑ Agriculture and Forestry Resources ❑ Air Quality ❑ Biological Resources ❑ Cultural Resources ❑ Geology /Soils ❑ Greenhouse Gas Emissions El Hazards & Hazardous Materials ❑ Hydrology /Water Quality ❑ Land Use / Planning ❑ Mineral Resources ❑ Noise ❑ Population / Housing ❑ Public Services ❑ Recreation ❑ Transportation/Traffic ❑ Tribal ces�al ❑ Utilities / Service Systems Mandatory Findings of ❑ ❑ Significance ❑ 6 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 DETERMINATION: (To be completed by the Lead Agency) On the basis of this initial evaluation: I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the X environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. I find that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant impact" or "potentially significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required. Nw,t - � 1 /31 /201 E Signature Date 10 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: 1) A brief explanation is required for all answers except "No Impact" answers that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses following each question. A "No Impact" answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A "No Impact" answer should be explained where it is based on project - specific factors as well as general standards (e.g., the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project -specific screening analysis). 2) All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off -site as well as on -site, cumulative as well as project -level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational impacts. 3) Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or less than significant. "Potentially Significant Impact" is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect may be significant. If there are one or more "Potentially Significant Impact" entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required. 4) "Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated" applies where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from "Potentially Significant Impact" to a "Less Than Significant Impact." The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level (mitigation measures from Section XVII, "Earlier Analyses," may be cross-referenced). 5) Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). In this case, a brief discussion should identify the following: a) Earlier Analysis Used. Identify and state where they are available for review. b) Impacts Adequately Addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis. c) Mitigation Measures. For effects that are "Less than Significant with Mitigation Measures Incorporated," describe the mitigation measures, which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site -specific conditions for the project. 6) Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for potential impacts (e.g., general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or outside document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the statement is substantiated. 7) Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached, and other sources used or individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion. 8) This is only a suggested form, and lead agencies are free to use different formats; however, lead agencies should normally address the questions from this checklist that are relevant to a project's environmental effects in whatever format is selected. 9) The explanation of each issue should identify: a) the significance criteria or threshold, if any, used to evaluate each question; and b) the mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significance. 11 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact I. AESTHETICS -- Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a X scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, X trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and X its surroundings? d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely X affect day or nighttime views in the area? Sources: 2035 General Plan; La Quinta Municipal Code; California Scenic Highway Mapping System, http://www.dot.ca. og v/hq/LandArch/16_livability/scenic_ highways/ accessed 10.4.17. Setting The proposed project site is situated in the southwestern region of the Coachella Valley within the City of La Quinta, which is surrounded by the San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Santa Rosa Mountain Ranges. The San Bernardino, Santa Rosa, and San Jacinto Mountain Ranges have a significant rise over the valley floor with elevations of 11,489 feet (3,502 meters), 8,716 feet (2,657 m), and 10,834 feet (3,302 m), respectively. The Santa Rosa foothills are immediately adjacent to the site, thus scenic mountain views are visible from all vantage points. Existing improvements to the site include five to six foot high decorative masonry walls along the north and easterly perimeters and evidence of rough grading in the southern end of the site, immediately north of Avenida Fernando. Sidewalks and maintained landscaping exist along Eisenhower Drive and Avenida Fernando. Trees, light poles, and underground utilities exist within the roadways. Discussion I. a) Less Than Significant Impact. Currently the subject site is vacant and surrounded by residential development to the north, south and east and the Santa Rosa foothills to the west and southwest. The surrounding properties enjoy views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, which are located immediately to the west of the proposed project site and considered a scenic vista for most of La Quinta and the surrounding communities (Exhibit 3). Residences located to the north and east would continue to enjoy the mountains vistas upon project completion. The proposed project would result in a 10.02 acre retention basin, which forms a 12 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 depression in the ground surface but creates no above -surface improvements that would obstruct views of the mountains. The project would preserve the views of the bedrock hills which are visible by pedestrians and vehicles traveling along Eisenhower Drive. Temporary construction equipment has a potential to obstruct these views but will not result in a long-term significant impact to the scenic vistas. For this reason, impacts will be less than significant. b) No Impact. The site is not located near an existing or proposed state scenic highway or historical buildings. Eisenhower Drive is designated as an Image Corridor in the City's 2035 General Plan and provides valuable visual character and resources to the City (General Plan; Exhibit II-4). Although the project site is immediately adjacent to the Santa Rosa foothills and rock outcroppings, all construction and grading activities will be restricted to the relatively flat portions of the site, as depicted in Exhibit 5. Construction of the project may temporarily obstruct views of the bedrock foothills but, upon completion, travelers and residents will continue to enjoy unobstructed views of the Santa Rosa foothills. No impact is expected to occur. c) No Impact. The project site is currently vacant with sparse desert brush like the open space to the west (Exhibit 4). The proposed infrastructure project will not substantially degrade the visual character of the area since it will result in a retention basin, which will be landscaped with drought - tolerant native plants and retain the desert aesthetic. Impacts related to the surrounding visual character will not occur. d) No Impact. The proposed infrastructure project does not propose the installation of new lighting fixtures, nor will construction occur during the nighttime. Thus, there will be no impacts related to light and glare to the existing environment. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None 13 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact II. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES: In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state's inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California Air Resources Board. Would the project: a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland X Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non- agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act X contract? c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section X 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production 14 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 (as defined by Government Code section 51104(g))? d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non -forest X use? e) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of X Farmland, to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non -forest use? Sources: 2035 General Plan; "California Department of Conservation, published January 2012", and Riverside County Important Farmland Map Sheet 2 of 3, 2016. Setting The project site is located within the City of La Quinta. There are no active agricultural lands located within the project vicinity. Discussion II. a-c) No Impact. The project site is designated as Tourist Commercial (CT) on the City's General Plan and Zoning Maps. According to the Riverside County Important Farmland 2010 map, this area is designated as "Other Land" and unsuitable for livestock grazing, confined livestock, or poultry. The subject site is not designated as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide or Local Importance by the California Department of Conservation. Furthermore, there is no suitable land for agriculture within the project site's vicinity. Residential developments, a resort development, and an arterial roadway are located to the immediate north, east, and south, and mountainous terrain is to the immediate west. The proposed project will not conflict with zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract. There will be no impacts on agricultural resources as a result of the proposed project. d-e) No Impact. The subject site does not contain forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned as Timberland Production. The slopes of the adjacent Santa Rosa mountains are sparsely vegetated and do not contain forest lands. The proposed project will not result in the loss or conversion of forestland to non -forest use. No impacts will occur. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None 15 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact III. AIR QUALITY: Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air X quality plan? b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or X projected air quality violation? c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non -attainment under an applicable federal or state X ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? d) Expose sensitive receptors to X substantial pollutant concentrations? e) Create objectionable odors affecting a X substantial number of people? Source: 2035 La Quinta General Plan, SCAQMD CEQA Handbook; 2003 PM10 Plan for the Coachella Valley, SCAQMD 2016 Air Quality Management Plan; CaIEEMod Version 2016.3.1; project materials. Setting The subject site is located in the Salton Sea Air Basin (SSAB), which is under the jurisdiction of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). All development within the SSAB is subject to SCAQMD's 2016 Air Quality Management Plan (2016 AQMD) and the 2003 Coachella Valley PMio State Implementation Plan (2003 CV PMio SIP). The SCAQMD operates and maintains regional air quality monitoring stations in Palm Springs, Indio, and Mecca. The Indio station has been operational since 1985 and the Palm Springs station since 1987. SCAQMD installed PMio and H2S air monitors at Mecca (Saul Martinez Elementary School) and the Imperial Irrigation District's Torrez-Martinez site near the lakeshore in 2011 to monitor nuisance pollutants that are released from the Salton Sea. 16 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Criteria air pollutants are contaminants for which the state and federal air quality standards have been established. The Salton Sea Air Basin exceeds state and federal standards for fugitive dust (PMIo) and ozone (03). Ambient air quality in the SSAB, including the project site, does not exceed state and federal standards for carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxides, sulfur dioxide, lead, sulfates, hydrogen sulfide, or vinyl chloride. The proposed infrastructure project will contribute to an incremental increase in regional ozone and PMIo emissions. However, given its limited size and scope, cumulative impacts are not expected to be considerable. Project construction and operation emissions will not exceed SCAQMD threshold for PMIo or ozone precursors (NOx). Discussion a) No Impact. The project site is located in the Salton Sea Air Basin (SSAB) and will be subject to SCAQMD's 2016 Air Quality Management Plan (2016 AQMP) and the 2003 Coachella Valley PMIo State Implementation Plan (2003 CV PMIo SIP). The AQMP is based, in part, on the land use plans of the jurisdictions in the region. The AQMP is a comprehensive plan that establishes control strategies and guidance on regional emission reductions for air pollutants. The proposed project will be consistent with, if not less intense than, the City of La Quinta land use designations assigned to the subject property. Therefore, the proposed project will also be consistent with the intent of the AQMP and will not conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan. No impacts associated with compliance with applicable management plans are expected. b) Less Than Significant Impact. The California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) Version 2016.3.1 was used to project air quality emissions that will be generated by the proposed project. Criteria air pollutants will be released during both the construction and operation of the proposed project, as summarized below. Construction Emissions The construction phase will be limited to site grading, material hauling, and removal and re -paving of the portions of Eisenhower Drive for installation of proposed storm drains. For analysis purposes, it is assumed that construction will occur over a six-month period starting in 2018. As shown in Table 1, emissions generated by construction activities will not exceed SCAQMD thresholds for any criteria pollutant. The data reflect average daily unmitigated emissions over the six-month construction period, including summer and winter weather conditions. The analysis assumes 115,043 cubic yards of material/soils will be exported from the project site during the site preparation and grading phase. Applicable standard requirements and best management practices include, but are not limited to, the implementation of a dust control and management plan required by the City and in conformance with SCQQMD Rule 403, and proper maintenance and limited idling of heavy equipment. Although construction -related emission impacts are considered less than significant with minimization measures, adherence to these standard requirements will further reduce construction related emission impacts. 17 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Table 1 Maximum Daily Construction -Related Emissions Summary (pounds per day) Construction Emissions* CO NOX ROG S02 PMIo PM2.5 2018 40.97 89.61 6.11 0.17 7.94 4.60 SCAQMD Thresholds 550 100 75.00 150.00 150 55 Exceeds? No No No No No No * Average of winter and summer emissions. Source: CalEEMod model, version 2016.3.1. PMio and PM2.5 show emissions after adherence to required dust control measures. Operational Emissions Operational emissions are ongoing emissions that will occur over the life of the project. They include area source emissions, emissions from energy demand (electricity), and mobile source (vehicle) emissions. Buildout of the project will result in a storm water retention basin and associated infrastructure improvements. Operational activities will be limited to occasional landscaping maintenance; the project will generate no ongoing demand for electricity, vehicle trips, or other operational emissions and, therefore, impacts associated with operational emissions are considered negligible. Operational emissions will not exceed SCAQMD thresholds of significance for any criteria pollutants. c) Less Than Significant Impact. The project site is located in the Coachella Valley portion of the Salton Sea Air Basin, which is classified as a "non -attainment" area for PMIo and ozone. In order to achieve attainment in the region, the 2003 Coachella Valley PMIo Management Plan was adopted, which established strict standards for dust management for development proposals. The proposed project will contribute to an incremental increase in regional PMIo and ozone emissions. However, given its limited size and scope, cumulative impacts are not expected to be considerable. Project construction and operation emissions will not exceed SCAQMD thresholds for PMIo or ozone precursors (NOx and CO). The project will not conflict with any attainment plans and will result in less than significant impacts. d) Less Than Significant Impact. The nearest sensitive receptors are single-family residences located within 25 meters north and east of the project site. To determine if the proposed project has the potential to generate significant adverse localized air quality impacts, the mass rate Localized Significance Threshold (LST) Look -Up Table was used. The City of La Quinta and the project property are located within Source Receptor Area 30 (Coachella Valley). Based on the project's size and proximity to existing housing, the 5-acrel site tables at a distance of 25 meters were used for air quality analysis. Table 2 shows on -site emission concentrations for project construction and the associated LST. ' The project site is approximately 10 acres; however; it is assumed that no more than 5 acres of site disturbance will occur in one day. Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 As shown in Table 2, LSTs will not be exceeded under unmitigated conditions for all criteria pollutants. Therefore, air quality impacts to nearby sensitive receptors during construction will be less than significant. Table 2 Localized Significance Thresholds (lbs/day) CO NOx PMto PM2.5 Construction 40.97 89.61 7.94 4.60 LST Threshold 21292 304 14 8 Exceed? No No No No Emission Source: CalEEMod model, version 2016.3.1. LST Threshold Source: LST Mass Rate Look -up Table, SCAQMD. e) Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project will operate as a retention basin for flood control purposes and is not expected to generate objectionable odors during any phase of construction or at project buildout. Any construction -related odors would be temporary and quickly dispersed below detectable levels as distance from the construction site increases. Therefore, impacts from objectionable odors are expected to be less than significant. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None 19 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local X or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional X plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service? c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, X vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with X established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, X such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or X other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? Source: 2035 General Plan; "La Quinta Retention Basin Project, Biological Resources Assessment and Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Compliance Report," prepared by AMEC September 29, 2017. 20 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Setting The subject site is located adjacent to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Conservation Area designated by the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP), and edges of the conservation area extend into the site along its western edge. Therefore, development of the site will be required to comply with the provisions of the CVMSHCP. The project site is primarily a vacant lot with minimal vegetation. Most of its westerly boundary is adjacent to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Conservation Area, and a limited portion of the westerly project site is within the conservation area. The existing vegetation on the site is typical of the desert saltbush scrub community. Allscale saltbush (Atriplex polycarpa) is found throughout the majority of the project area, while non-native ornamental landscaping occurs along the eastern border of the site, adjacent to Eisenhower Drive. A complete list of the plant species that were detected during the field visit, including common and scientific names, is included in the biological resource assessment (Appendix B). The subject site is surrounded on three sides by residential developments, resort developments, and Eisenhower Drive. Amec Foster Wheeler prepared a biological resource assessment for the project area in September 2017. Field reconnaissance was conducted on September 18, 2017, and habitat was assessed based on the presence or absence of habitat components characteristic of the potentially occurring special -status biological resources determined by a literature review. Pedestrian transects were walked around the entire site. All flora and fauna observed or otherwise detected during the course of the assessment were recorded in field notes and are included in Appendix B. Discussion IV. a) Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation The project site contains native vegetation typical of the desert saltbush habitat found on the Valley floor. The site has been disturbed, as evidenced by tire tracks and non -vegetated areas, particularly in the southern portion of the site. The on -site investigation found a total of 22 wildlife species, including one reptile, 16 bird species and five mammals. The reptile identified was the common side -blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana), but other common species would be expected to occur on the site. Rock pigeon (Columba livia) was the only non-native bird species observed on the site, but other common species would be expected to occur. Common native species including American kestrel (Falco sparverius), common raven (Corvus corax), and verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) were found, and others are expected to occur. Common mammals identified in the field survey include Audubon's cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), coyote, (Canis latrans), bobcat (Lynx rufus), and other small mammals are expected to occur. The biological resources analysis also considered special status species. Of the 42 special -status species with the potential to occur in the site vicinity, 25 were determined to be absent. Of the remaining 17 species which have some occurrence potential, three are fully covered through participation in the CVMSHCP (outside of the Conservation Area): Coachella giant sand treader cricket, western yellow bat, and Coachella Valley (Palm Springs) round -tailed ground squirrel. 21 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Special status species not covered by the CVMSHCP and the potential impacts on them as a result of the project are: • Red diamond rattlesnake has a slight chance of occurring in the rocks of the slopes on the west end of the project, and is unlikely to be disturbed by project activities. If observed during construction, it should be avoided and allowed to return to the rocks. • The Burrowing Owl (BUOW) is a covered species under the CVMSHCP, but the federal permit for the CVMSHCP does not allow take of this species under the MBTA. This species nests and roosts underground, and is thus particularly vulnerable to ground disturbing activities. Marginal habitat is present onsite for the owl, but the isolated nature of the site makes the possibility of occurrence low. To avoid take of the burrowing owl the CDFW recommends two take avoidance surveys. The first should occur between 14 and 30 days prior to ground disturbance and the second within 24 hours of ground disturbance. Project -related impacts will less than significant with the implementation of mitigation measure BIO-3. • Caspian Tern was observed overhead, but no nesting or foraging habitat occurs on site. No action is required for this species, as it is not expected to occur. • Costa's hummingbird, prairie falcon, vermillion flycatcher and black -tailed gnatcatcher may nest on the project site. All four species are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (see below), and impacts to these species would be mitigated to less than significant levels by compliance to the requirements of the MBTA, as provided in mitigation measure BIO-2. • The pocketed free -tailed bat could roost in the slopes above the site, and forage on the site. Because the proposed project will not disturb the toe of slope, and will result in a retention basin landscaped with native vegetation which will preserve the species' foraging areas, no action is necessary and impacts will be less than significant. • The Peninsular bighorn sheep occur in the Santa Rosa Mountains, and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Conservation Area, which occurs immediately adjacent to the project site and encroaches slightly into the project site at its western boundary, provides essential habitat for the species. To avoid impacts to the species, the CVMSHCP requires that where development is proposed on lands within or adjacent to conservation areas with bighorn sheep habitat, the local permittee shall require construction of an eight -foot fence or functional equivalent, or grant an easement to CVCC for future installation of a barrier separating the development from adjoining habitat, if (i) bighorn sheep are documented to begin foraging or watering on the project site, or (ii) unauthorized trails, paths, routes, or ways (trails) are documented to proliferate from the project site into adjoining habitat. The City is a permittee in the CVMSHCP and is therefore required to implement the requirements of the Plan. This standard requirement will assure that impacts to bighorn sheep remain less than significant. 22 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Migratory Bird Treaty Act Avoidance of impacts to nesting migratory and resident birds under the provisions of the MBTA is a requirement of the CVMSHCP. In order to avoid impacting nesting birds, either avoidance of project -related disturbance during the nesting season (generally from approximately February 1 to August 31 every year) or nesting bird surveys conducted by a qualified ornithologist or biologist immediately prior to site disturbance during the nesting season would be required. If nesting birds are present, no work would be permitted near the nest until young have fledged. Project -related impacts will be less than significant with the incorporation of mitigation measure BIO-2. b-c) No Impact. The biological resources survey determined that although water flows through the site in rain events, no jurisdictional waters were identified on the property. There are no riparian habitats or wetlands located on the site, and, no impact is expected on riparian species or habitat, wetlands or other sensitive natural communities, including marshes or vernal pools, or through direct removal, filling, and/or hydrological interruption of a natural drainage. d) No Impact. No wildlife corridors or biological linkages are mapped, known, or expected onsite, so there will be no effects to them. The subject property is located in an urban area and in close proximity to roadways and residential development to the east, south, and north. No project -related impacts will occur. e) No Impact. The City has no local policy or ordinance protecting biological resources. The City's Zoning Ordinance includes a Hillside protection overlay, and the slopes surrounding the site would be subject to its requirements. However, the proposed project will not occur on these slopes, and the project will not impact these slopes. There will be no impacts to local policies or ordinances. f) Less Than Significant Impact With Mitigation. The westerly boundary of the subject property is adjacent to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Conservation Area, and a limited portion of the site is within the conservation area. Project activities will not encroach into the Conservation Area. However, in order to assure that the proposed project is consistent with all CVMSHCP provisions, it will be subject to the Land Use Adjacency Guidelines, and will be required to comply with these guidelines, as described in mitigation measure BIO-1. The purpose of these Land Use Adjacency Guidelines is to avoid or minimize indirect effects from Development adjacent to or within the Conservation Areas. Adjacent means sharing a common boundary with any parcel in a Conservation Area. Such indirect effects are commonly referred to as edge effects and may include noise, lighting, drainage, intrusion of people, and the introduction of non-native plants and non- native predators such as dogs and cats. The project is subject to payment of the Local Development Mitigation Fee (LDMF) and Land Use Adjacency Guidelines of the CV MSHCP, which will mitigate potential impacts to covered species. Project -related impacts will less than significant with the implementation of mitigation measure BIO-1. 23 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Mitigation Measures: BIO-1 Land Use Adjacency Guidelines Section 4.5 Proximity of the project site to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Conservation Area could result in edge effects. One of the conservation objectives for the conservation area is to ensure that edge effects are minimized. Section 4.5 of the CVMSHCP contains guidelines for the prevention of edge effects. The following Land Use Adjacency Guidelines of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan shall be incorporated in to the proposed project to minimize associated impacts. a) Drainage: Proposed development adjacent to or within a conservation area shall incorporate plans to ensure that the quantity and quality of runoff discharged to the adjacent conservation area is not altered in an adverse way when compared with existing conditions. Stormwater systems shall be designed to prevent the release of toxins, chemicals, petroleum products, exotic plant materials or other elements that might degrade or harm biological resources or ecosystem processes within the adjacent conservation area. b) Toxics: Land uses proposed adjacent to or within a conservation area that use chemicals or generate bioproducts such as manure that are potentially toxic or may adversely affect wildlife and plant species, habitat, or water quality shall incorporate measures to ensure that application of such chemicals does not result in any discharge to the adjacent conservation area. c) Lighting: For proposed development adjacent to or within a conservation area, lighting shall be shielded and directed toward the developed area. Landscape shielding or other appropriate methods shall be incorporated in project designs to minimize the effects of lighting adjacent to or within the adjacent conservation area in accordance with the guidelines to be included in the implementation manual. d) Noise: Proposed development adjacent to or within a conservation area that generates noise in excess of 75 dBA Leq hourly shall incorporate setbacks, berms, or walls, as appropriate, to minimize the effects of noise on the adjacent conservation area in accordance with the guidelines to be included in the implementation manual. e) Invasives: Invasive, non-native plant species shall not be incorporated in the landscape for land uses adjacent to or within a conservation area. Landscape treatments within or adjacent to a conservation area shall incorporate native plant materials to the maximum extent feasible. The landscape plans for the project shall conform to the recommended and prohibited plant lists found in the CVMSHCP. The existing oleanders (Nerium oleander) and non-native species of acacia already planted on the site periphery must be removed. f) Barriers: Land uses adjacent to or within a conservation area shall incorporate barriers in individual project designs to minimize unauthorized public access, domestic animal predation, illegal trespass, or dumping in a conservation area. Such barriers may include native landscaping, rocks/boulders, fencing, walls and/or signage. g) Grading/Land Development: Manufactured slopes associated with site development shall not extend into adjacent land in a conservation area. 24 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 BIO-2 MBTA In the event that ground disturbing activity begins during nesting bird season (February 1 to August 31), a nesting bird survey shall be conducted by a qualified ornithologist or biologist immediately prior to site disturbance. If nesting birds are present, no work would be permitted near the nest until young have fledged. While there is no established protocol for nest avoidance, when consulted, the CDFW generally recommends avoidance buffers of about 500 feet for birds -of -prey, and 100 — 300 feet for songbirds. BIO-3 Burrowing Owl To avoid take of the burrowing owl, the City shall complete two take avoidance surveys prior to ground disturbance, consistent with CDFW recommendations. The first shall occur between 14 and 30 days prior to ground disturbance and the second within 24 hours of ground disturbance. Monitoring: BIO-A The City shall review project plans with CVCC prior to initiation of ground disturbing activities. The purpose of the consultation with CVCC shall be to assure that land use adjacency guidelines have been complied with, and to demonstrate that no project activity conflicts with the Conservation Area. Responsible Party: City Engineer, Project Biologist, Landscape Architect BIO-B MBTA and Burrowing Owl survey reports shall be provided by the project biologist to the City prior to the initiation of any ground disturbing activity. Responsible Party: City Engineer, Project Biologist 25 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact V. CULTURAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as X defined in ' 15064.5? b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological X resource pursuant to ' 15064.5? c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique X geologic feature? d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal X cemeteries? Source: Source: 2035 General Plan; "Draft Phase I Paleontological Resources Inventory" prepared by the U1traSystems Environmental Inc. in May 2016; "Identification and Evaluation of Historic Properties — La Quinta Retention Basin Project" prepared by CRM TECH in October 2017. Setting The City of La Quinta is located along the shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla which was a source of water for Native Americans, the Cahuilla, for centuries. It is believed that an early settlement was located in the area around 1000 BC. The descendants of the Pass and Desert Cahuilla are now associated with several of the local tribal reservations, including the Torres Martinez, Cabazon, and Augustine. The City also contains paleontological resources due to the presence of ancient Lake Cahuilla. Freshwater shells from the last stand of the lake in the 171 century have been documented. Discussion V. a-b) Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation. CRM Tech prepared a cultural resources report for the proposed project in October 2017 (see Appendix Q. The findings are based on a comprehensive records search, historical research, consultation with Native American representatives, and on -site field surveys. More than 50 previous studies have been completed on various tracts of land within a one -mile radius of the subject property. They resulted in the identification of 50 historical/archaeological sites and 13 isolates (localities with fewer than three artifacts). However, none of them were located within or immediately adjacent to the subject site. The subject site was previously included in a Phase I cultural survey that was completed in 1999 and covered a total of 105.9 acres. The study identified a variety of archaeological sites of both prehistoric and historic period origins in cove areas to the north of the project location, but no cultural resources in the immediate vicinity of the site. 26 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 An intensive cultural resources survey of the project site was conducted on September 19, 2017. The ground surface in portions of the project area was observed to have been disturbed during construction activities on nearby properties and may have been used as staging areas. The field survey produced negative results for potential cultural resources, and no buildings, structures, objects, sites, features, or artifacts more than 50 years of age were encountered within or adjacent to the subject site. Native American input during the study did not identify any sites of traditional cultural value in the vicinity. However, tribal representatives of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, and Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians requested monitoring of the project undertaking by their representatives, and the Torres Martinez requested formal consultation with the lead agency. Given its location along the shoreline of Holocene Lake Cahuilla and past archaeological discoveries in the surrounding area, the possibility of encountering buried prehistoric cultural remains during the undertaking cannot be ruled out. For this reason, mitigation measures listed below will reduce potential impacts to less than significant levels. c) Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation. The project site is composed of Quartz Diorite (qd), Quaternary Alluvium (Qa), Quaternary Lake Deposits (QI), and Quaternary Aeolian Dune Sand (Qs). Unit qd in the southwest corner of the project site have no potential to contain any fossil record. Units Qa and Qs have low potential to yield any significant fossil. However, "Lake Cahuilla Beds" associated with Qs have a high potential to yield significant fossils. These deposits may date prior to 20,000 years (BP). The destruction of these resources during project construction would represent a potentially significant impact. Therefore, earthmoving activities for the proposed project in areas where the Lake Cahuilla sediments are present must be monitored for paleontological resources. With the incorporation of the paleontological mitigation measures, the construction of the proposed project, a retention basin, will result in less than significant impacts on paleontological resources. d) No Impact. No cemeteries or human remains are known to occur on -site and it is unlikely that human remains will be uncovered during project development. No project -related impact is expected; however, a mitigation measure (CUL-1 iv.) is provided below to address necessary action in the event they are discovered. Mitigation Measures: CUL-1 An archaeological monitoring program should be implemented in order to ensure the proper and timely evaluation and treatment of any subsurface cultural materials unearthed. The monitoring program should consist of, at a minimum, the following: i. All grading, trenching, excavations, and other earth -moving activities reaching beyond the disturbed surface soil should be monitored by a qualified archaeologist. Whenever cultural materials more than 50 years of age are discovered, they need to be field -recorded and evaluated. 27 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 ii. The monitor should be prepared to quickly recover any artifacts as they are unearthed to avoid construction delays. If a substantial cultural deposit is encountered, however, the monitor must have the power to temporarily halt or divert construction activities in that area to allow for controlled removal. iii. On -site monitoring should be coordinated with interested Native American groups who may wish to participate, including the Agua Caliente and Torres Martinez who have already requested to be involved in monitoring (see Appendix C.) iv. If human remains or possible human remains are encountered, construction activities in the immediate vicinity should be halted temporarily, and the Riverside County Coroner's Office should be notified immediately pursuant to state law. v. Collected artifacts should be cleaned, identified, catalogued, analyzed, and prepared for curation at an appropriate repository with permanent retrievable storage that would allow for additional research in the future. vi. Site record forms that incorporate the artifacts encountered during monitoring should be prepared and submitted to the EIC as a permanent record of the discovery. vii. A report that documents the methods and results of the monitoring program should be prepared upon completion of the fieldwork. The report should include an interpretation of the cultural activities represented by the archaeological remains and a discussion of the significance of all recovered cultural material. viii. It is anticipated that no other cultural resources investigation will be necessary for this undertaking, but the final determination on the necessity will depend on field observations during the monitoring program. CUL-2 Prior to construction, the City of La Quinta shall retain a qualified paleontologist's services for the proposed project. i. A qualified paleontologist shall monitor site -disturbing activities for excavations in the Quaternary alluvium and Quaternary lake deposits (i.e. Lake Cahuilla beds). ii. Monitoring shall consist of visually inspecting fresh exposures of rock for larger fossil remains and where appropriate, collecting wet or dry screened sediment samples of promising horizons for smaller fossils. The frequency of monitoring inspections shall be based on the rate of excavation and grading activities, the materials being excavated, and the depth of the excavation, and if found, the abundance and type of fossils encountered. iii. If fossils are found, the paleontologist shall be allowed to temporarily divert and redirect grading and excavation activities in the area of the exposed fossil find to facilitate evaluation, and if necessary, salvage. iv. To reduce construction delays, the grading and excavation contractor shall be allowed to assist in removing rock samples for initial processing at the paleontologist's discretion. V. Any fossils encountered and recovered shall be identified and catalogued before they are donated to the Western Science Center. Where appropriate, stratigraphic sections shall be measured. Also, if datable fossils are found, C-14 dates shall be a part of the fossil treatment. vi. Any fossil collected shall be donated to a public, non-profit institution with a research interest in the materials, such as the Riverside County designated repository, the Western Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Science Center. Accompanying notes, maps, and photographs should also be filed at the repository. vii. If fossils are found, following the completion of the above tasks, the paleontologist shall prepare a report summarizing the results of the monitoring and salvaging efforts, methodology used in these efforts, as well as a description of the fossils collected and their significance. Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program: CUL-A The paleontological monitor shall provide the City with a written report of findings during monitoring activities within 30 days of the completion of monitoring on the site. Responsible Parties: Monitor, Planning Division 29 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Significant Less Than No Significant w� Significant Impact p Impact Mitigation Impact VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS -- Would the project: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving: i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist- Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map X issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? ii) Strong seismic ground shaking? X iii) Seismic -related ground failure, X including liquefaction? iv) Landslides? X b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the X loss of topsoil? c) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform X Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property? d) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems X where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste water? Sources: 2035 General Plan; "Soil Survey of Riverside County, California, Coachella Valley Area," U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, 1980; "Geotechnical Engineering Report," Earth Systems Southwest, October 2015. Setting The Coachella Valley is located in the northwestern portion of the Salton Trough, a tectonic depression roughly 130 miles long and 70 miles wide that extends from the San Gorgonio Pass to the Gulf of Mexico. The valley is bounded by the San Bernardino Mountains on the northwest, San Jacinto Mountains on the west, Santa Rosa Mountains on the south, and the Little San Bernardino Mountains and Indio Hills on the north. The Salton Sea is located to the southeast. The 30 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 valley's geologic composition is directly related to its proximity to the San Andreas fault, which passes through the northeasterly portion of the valley, and other active faults. The region is susceptible to a range of geologic hazards, including ground rupture, major ground shaking, slope instability, and collapsible and expansive soils. Episodic flooding of major regional drainages, including the Whitewater River, results in the deposition of sand and gravel on the valley floor. Strong sustained winds emanating from the San Gorgonio Pass cause wind erosion and transport and deposit dry, finely granulated sandy soils on the central valley floor. Regional soils range from rocky outcrops within the mountains bordering the valley to coarse gravels of mountain canyons to recently laid fine- and medium -grained alluvial (stream deposited) and aeolian (wind deposited) sediments on the central valley floor. Earth Systems Southwest prepared a geotechnical engineering report for the project site on October 2, 2015. The exploration and testing methods included literature review, field exploration, and laboratory testing of the site. Results of the assessment are as follows: Soil Conditions The site predominantly consists of interbedded silty sand, silty clay, and expansive clay. The dune sands are typically located in the western portion of the site at the toe of the hillside. Alluvial fan deposits exist in the northwestern portion of the site. Lacustrine deposits associated with ancient Lake Cahuilla underlie the bulk of the site. The foothills located immediately west of the site are composed of granitic bedrock. Geologically, the site has been mapped as a mix of fill, alluvial deposits, lake bed deposits, and sand dune deposits. Some artificial soils are present, predominantly as an undocumented fill pad in the southern portion of the site. Evidence of scattered debris, decorative pebbles, and riprap were also identified. Groundwater Free groundwater was not encountered in the borings which extended to a depth of 71 feet below the ground surface. Historic groundwater levels in the immediate area are greater than 75 feet below the ground level. Even though zones of increased moisture content were found onsite, there were no perched zones of free water. Collapse/Consolidation Potential The geotechnical investigation identified a potential for collapsible soils on the site. Collapse potential tests were performed, and the results showed there is a moderate collapse potential (0.2 to 4.2%). The majority of the collapsible soils were observed in the upper 15 feet, although isolated deeper layers of clay were also observed at the depths below 15 feet. 31 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Expansive Soils Expansive soils are characterized by their ability to shrink or swell due to variations in moisture content. Based on laboratory testing performed by Earth Systems in 2015, the Expansion Index of the onsite soils ranged from "low" to "high." Corrosivity In 2015, soil samples were tested to determine the potential for corrosion of concrete and ferrous metals. The results indicated that corrosion values from the soil tested are normally considered as possessing a "negligible" exposure to sulfate attack for concrete, as defined in American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318, Section 4.3, and very severely corrosive to metallic elements per ASTM STP 1013. Geologic Hazards The subject site is located in an active seismic area that has experienced numerous strong earthquakes. Although no active faults are mapped in the immediate vicinity of the project site, segments of the San Andreas fault are located approximately 7.2 miles northeast of the project site. Other regional faults, including the San Jacinto fault located about 18 miles southwest of the site and the many active faults within the Mojave Desert to the north, also can generate significant earthquake motions within the area. Soil Liquefaction Liquefaction is the loss of soil strength from sudden shock, typically associated with earthquake shaking, causing the soil to become a fluid mass. Generally, for this phenomenon to occur, groundwater levels must be within 50 feet of the ground surface. Since groundwater is located beyond a depth of 75 feet on the subject property, the potential for liquefaction is considered very low. Additionally, according to the city's General Plan (Exhibit IV-3), the subject site is located in an area with no susceptibility to liquefaction. Subsidence As designated by the United States Geological Service (USGS), the site is located within an "active subsidence zone." Subsidence is typically related to groundwater withdrawal -induced soil compaction that can cause stresses, cracking, and fissures at the ground surface. Earth Systems' onsite observation reveals that the garden wall on the north property line exhibited over one inch of stress and appears to have been repaired. For this reason, the potential for subsidence -related distress at the project site is "very high." Slope Instability The subject site is relatively flat; however, the hillsides to the west of the site are steep and thus are subject to rolling/falling rock hazards. Erosion Potential The subject site is located in an area that experiences seasonal rainfall, and runoff can be intense. Shallow exposed soils are moderately to highly susceptible to erosion. Typically, in areas where ground cracking occurs due to subsidence, erosion within these cracks has resulted in the manifestation of sinkholes and surface fissures. Sinkholes have been observed on the site, and erosion depth could be up to 10 feet in depth. According to the La Quinta General Plan (Exhibit IV-5), the proposed project occurs in an area of "high" susceptibility for wind erosion. 32 Discussion V I. a) Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 i.) No Impact. The project area is not located within an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. As mentioned above, the nearest active earthquake fault is the San Andreas Fault (southern segment) located approximately 7 miles northeast, which is capable of generating significant earthquakes. Even so, fault rupture is not expected to occur on the project site. No impact will occur. ii.) Less Than Significant Impact. The project site is located in a seismically active region where earthquakes originating on local and regional seismic faults can produce severe ground shaking. There are no permanent structures proposed on the subject site, but the proposed project includes storm drains and other structures that could be damaged during a strong earthquake. The City will implement all current standards for construction of these facilities in seismic zones. These standards are designed to reduce the impacts of ground shaking to less than significant levels and minimize failure. Therefore, standard requirements will assure that project -related impacts associated with seismic ground shaking are less than significant. iii.) No Impact. Onsite soils consist of a mix of silty sand, silty clay, and sandy silt, which could be susceptible to liquefaction. Additionally, according to the city's General Plan, the subject site is located in an area with no susceptibility to liquefaction. However, for liquefaction to occur, groundwater must be within 50 feet of the ground surface, and groundwater within the project site occurs at a depth greater than 75 feet. No impact associated with liquefaction is expected to occur. iv.) No Impact. Most of the site consists of relatively flat or gently sloping terrain. Elevations range from 43 to 65 feet above mean sea level. However, the site is located at the margin of the easterly foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, and steep ascending hillsides border the western portion of the site. Slope instability could occur adjacent to the toe of the ascending hillsides; however, the project does not propose the construction of habitable structures such that it could result in loss, injury, or death. No project -related impacts will occur. b) Less Than Significant Impact. The subject site is located within an area that has a high potential for wind erosion which can cause an air quality hazard in the event that dust is blowing. The city requires the preparation and implementation of a dust management plan as a part of the grading permit process for the project site. This plan will include wind erosion best management practices, as detailed by the Southern California Air Quality Management District. The City will also implement its standards relating to erosion caused by water, insofar as the basin will be stabilized and landscaped when complete. In addition, the project will be subject to the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System 33 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 (NPDES), which requires the protection of surface waters from pollution during both the construction and long-term operation of all projects. The City will implement best management practices, as required by NPDES, to prevent the erosion of soil and its transport to surface waters. As such, project -related impacts associated with wind and water erosion would be less than significant. c) Less Than Significant Impact. Expansive soils typically contain large amounts of clay that expand when water is absorbed and shrink when the soils dry. The project site's underlying soils consist of interbedded silty sand, silty clay, expansive clay, which have a low -moderate shrink -swell potential and are designated "low" to "high" on the Expansion Index. The City will prepare a project -specific geotechnical analysis that will include requirements for over -excavation, replacement of unsuitable soils, and over -compaction specific to the storm drains and catch basins proposed for the project. These standard requirements will assure that the proposed retention basin and its associated facilities will not be significantly impacted by expansive soils. d) No Impact. The proposed infrastructure project will not result in the construction of a wastewater disposal system. No septic tanks or wastewater disposal systems are proposed. No adverse impacts associated with wastewater disposal system will occur. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None 34 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No VII. GREENHOUSE GAS Significant Significant Significant Impact EMISSIONS -- Would the project: Impact w/ Impact Mitigation a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may X have a significant impact on the environment? b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the X purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhousegases? Source: La Quinta General Plan, 2035; SCAQMD 2016 Air Quality Management Plan; CalEEMod Version 2016.3.1; project materials. Setting Greenhouse gas emissions are generated by both moving and stationary sources, including vehicles, the production of electricity and natural gas, water pumping, and fertilizers. Principal GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), Ozone (03), and water vapor (H2O). Some GHGs, such as CO2, CH4, and N2O, occur naturally and are emitted into the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities. Of these gases, CO2 and CH4 are emitted in the greatest quantities from human activities. Emissions of CO2 are largely byproducts of fossil fuel combustion, whereas CH4 results mostly from off -gassing associated with agricultural practices and landfills. Man-made GHGs, which have a much greater heat -absorption potential than CO2, include fluorinated gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), which are associated with certain industrial products and processes. State law mandates that all cities decrease their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. The SCAQMD has established a threshold of 10,000 metric tons of CO2e for industrial operations. This threshold was used in determining the potential significance of impacts associated with the proposed project. Discussion VII. a-b) Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project will produce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the construction of the retention basin and storm drain infrastructure. The CalEEMod model was utilized to quantify air quality emission projections, which include GHG emissions. Determinations of significance for construction -related and operational greenhouse gas emissions were based on the comparison of project -generated emissions to applicable SCAQMD thresholds. 35 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 On December 5, 2008, the SCAQMD formally adopted a greenhouse gas significance threshold of 10,000 MTCO2e/year that only applies to stationary sources (industrial uses) where SCAQMD is the lead agency (SCAQMD Resolution No. 08-35). This threshold was adopted based upon an October 2008 staff report and draft interim guidance document that also recommended a threshold for all projects using a tiered approach. It was recommended by SCAQMD staff that a project's greenhouse gas emissions would be considered significant if it could not comply with at least one of the following "tiered" tests: • Tier 1: Is there an applicable exemption? • Tier 2: Is the project compliant with a greenhouse gas reduction plan that is, at a minimum, consistent with the goals of AB 32? • Tier 3: Is the project below an absolute threshold (10,000 MTCO2e/year for industrial projects; 3,000 MTCO2e/year for residential and commercial projects)? • Tier 4: Is the project below a (yet to be set) performance threshold? • Tier 5: Would the project achieve a screening level with off -site mitigation? Because the project includes industrial -type storm drain facilities, project -related operational greenhouse gas emissions were compared to the SCAQMD threshold of 10,000 metric tons per year of CO2e. The significance of construction -related GHG impacts are also based on the SCAQMD threshold of 10,000 metric tons per year of CO2e, along with the project's consistency with adopted State and local GHG reduction measures. Further, SCAQMD recommends that construction emissions be amortized over a 30-year project lifetime so that GHG reduction measures would address construction GHG emissions as part of the operational GHG reduction targets. All construction related GHG emissions will be temporary and will end once the project is completed, and have been amortized over a 30-year period as shown in the table below. Operational emissions associated with the retention basin will be limited to water delivery to the site for landscaping. Table 3 Construction GHG Emissions Summary (Metric Tons/Year) CO2 CH4 N20 CO2e Construction Activities 884.14 0.13 0.00 887.44 Operation (Amortized 30-years) 65.55 0.00 0.00 65.73 SCAQMD Threshold (per year) 10,000 Significant Impact? No CalEEMod model, version 2016.3.1 Values shown represent the total annual, unmitigated GHG emission projections for construction of the proposed project. Construction GHG emissions = 887.44 MT CO2e/year. Amortized over 30 years = 29.58 MT CO2e/vear. All components of construction, including equipment, fuels, materials, and management practices, would be subject to current and future SCAQMD rules and regulations related to greenhouse gases. 36 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Applicable SCAQMD rules include, but are not limited to, source specific standards that reduce the greenhouse gas content in engines and limit equipment idling durations. In addition, total project construction GHG emissions would be well below the adopted SCAQMD operational threshold of 10,000 metric tons of CO2e per year. Therefore, since construction -related and operational GHG emissions are below established SCAQMD thresholds, this GHG impact would be less than significant. It is recognized that GHG impacts are intrinsically cumulative. Project construction will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with applicable rules and regulation pertaining to the release and generation of GHGs. The emission of GHGs generated as a result of the proposed project will have a less than significant impact on the environment and will not conflict with any applicable GHG plans, policies, or regulations. The City of La Quinta has prepared a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan with its General Plan to set greenhouse reduction goals. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan includes a comprehensive inventory of greenhouse gas emissions generated City-wide along with future greenhouse emission projections, reduction targets, and policies and programs. To meet AB 32 and executive order S- 3-05 goals, the City's reduction target is to achieve 1990 level emissions by 2020, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The City will also comply with statewide efforts and act locally to monitor, evaluate, and amend local policies and programs in order to achieve mandated emission reductions. The proposed project will be developed in accordance with the City's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan and its GHG reduction strategies. Impacts associated with GHG emissions are expected to be less than significant. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None 37 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact VIII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS --Would the roject: a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the X routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident X conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, X substances, or waste within one -quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code X Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would X the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in X a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency X response plan or emergency evacuation plan? Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where X wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? Source: 2035 General Plan, General Plan EIR; California Department of Toxic Substances Control Hazardous Waste, https://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/, accessed 10.6.17, State Water Resources Control Board, http://fzeotracker.waterboards.ca. og v/map/?CMD=runrgport&myaddress=palm+desert; accessed 10.6.17. Setting Within La Quinta, the transport, storage, and use of hazardous materials is strictly regulated for large quantity users, such as industrial processing plants and commercial dry cleaners. The City implements the General Plan's Hazardous Materials element through regular consultation with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and Department of Environmental Health. The City also monitors and regulates industrial plants and commercial areas through the element's goals, policies, and programs. The City has adopted the County's Hazardous Waste Management Plan (HWMP) and implements it at the local level. The State Water Resources Control Board's online database (Geo Tracker) indicates that the City of La Quinta contains 22 sites that are either listed or permitted as hazardous material sites under the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). The majority of these sites are located along Washington Street, Madison Street, and Avenue 52. According to GeoTracker, two LUST Cleanup sites, related to gasoline leaks, are located on the southern side of Avenida Fernando, at 49499 Eisenhower Drive (T0606500971 and T0606500967). Both sites were closed in 1992, indicating that the hazards were mitigated. Discussion VIII. a), b) Less Than Significant Impact. Limited quantities of gasoline and diesel, and similar agents will be transported to and used on the subject site during the construction period. The proposed project will be required to adhere to applicable local, state, and federal laws pertaining to use the onsite construction chemicals. These regulations are designed to reduce impacts associated with use, storage and spills of hazardous materials. The types of oils and chemicals, and the quantities used will not result in a significant increase in risk to the public from an accidental discharge of these products. Impacts will be less than significant. The proposed project consists of a retention basin and drainage infrastructure. When complete, the project will not generate or require hazardous materials. The retention basin will be designed to include filtration mechanisms to eliminate any hazardous material that might be transported to it during a storm, consistent with the requirements of the NPDES. These requirements assure that no hazardous materials will impact the project site, or groundwater, during the life of the basin. 39 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 c) No Impact. There are no schools located within a 0.25 mile radius of the project site. The nearest school is Benjamin Franklin Elementary School which is located approximately 0.70 miles southeast of the project site. The construction of the retention basin and related infrastructure will not place hazardous materials at the site. There will be no hazardous materials related impacts to schools. d) No Impact. The subject property is not included on a list compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.3. The proposed project will not create a significant hazard to the public or environment. e-t) No Impact. The Bermuda Dunes Airport is located approximately 4 miles northeast of the project site. The subject site is not located within the boundaries of the airport's land use compatibility plan. The site is not located in the vicinity of a private airstrip. The project will not result in safety hazards for people living or working in the area. g) Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project will not significantly alter the existing circulation pattern in the project area or adversely impact evacuation plans. The project site will require only periodic access for maintenance purposes, which is likely to be from Avenida Fernando, where the project access road abuts the roadway, and which is currently fully developed. A construction plan will be required by the City to assure that the project does not interfere with emergency access during development, including truck routes during soil export activities. The site does not conflict with access to surrounding developments, which will remain unaffected by the construction of the retention basin. These standard requirements will assure that impacts associated with emergency response remain less than significant. h) No Impact. The project site is not located in a wildland fire hazard zone and is not susceptible to wildfires. Therefore, the proposed project will not expose people or structures to significant risks associated with wildfires. No impacts are expected. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None M Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact IX. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -- Would the project: a) Violate any water quality standards or X waste discharge requirements? b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level X (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or X river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off - site? d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or X river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off -site? e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or X provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? X g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate X Map or other flood hazard delineation map? 41 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 g) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which would impede or redirect X flood flows? h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which would impede or redirect X flood flows? i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death X involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam? j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or X mudflow? Source: "Eisenhower Drive Drainage Improvements Report," prepared by Michael Baker International, June 2017; La Quinta Drainage Master Plan, 2009. Setting Domestic Water The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) provides domestic water and irrigation water to the City of La Quinta, including the subject site. Its primary source of fresh water is groundwater extracted by deep wells from the Whitewater River Subbasin. The Whitewater River Subbasin water resource consists of a combination of natural runoff, imported water, and inflows from adjacent basins. It is artificially recharged through imported State Water Project Exchange and Colorado River water. There are three recharge facilities in the Valley: one located northwest of Palm Springs, one located southeast of La Quinta in Martinez Canyon, and one located in La Quinta, south of Avenue 58 and west of Madison Street. The total storage capacity of the Whitewater River Subbasin is approximately 28.8 million acre feet and it currently contains approximately 25 million acre feet (CVWD Engineer's Report, 2016). It is capable of meeting the water demands of the Coachella Valley, including the City of La Quinta, for extended normal and drought periods. CVWD's domestic water system includes 50 wells with an average depth of 900 feet to serve the City of La Quinta and its wider customer base. CVWD has a total of 27 water reservoirs, with an average capacity of 1.8 million gallons. Wastewater CVWD also provides wastewater collection and treatment services to the City of La Quinta. CVWD has two wastewater treatment plants — Water Reclamation Plant 7 (WRP-7) and Water Reclamation Plant 4 (WRP-4) — that serve the City of La Quinta. The plant capacity for WRP-7 and WRP-4 are 5 and 9 million gallons per day. WRP-7 has a tertiary treatment capacity of 2.5 million gallon per day, while no tertiary treatment is currently available at WRP-4 (CVWD Development Design Manual 2017 Table 6.1). 42 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 CVWD's wastewater collection system includes over 1,000 miles of buried pipelines and over 150 miles of pressurized force mains receiving sewage from 34 lift stations (CVWD Development Design Manual 2017). CVWD continually increases the capacity of its wastewater reclamation facilities by constructing new treatment ponds, aeration, and other structures. CVWD implements all requirement of the Regional Water Quality Control Board pertaining to water quality and wastewater discharge. Flood Hazards in the City of La Quinta There are no perennial rivers or streams in the City. The City is bordered by the Santa Rosa Mountains, which are composed of impervious rocks, on the south and west. Due to low porosity, little percolation occurs, and waters collect and flow rapidly into channels on the valley floor. These flows can convey large amounts of debris, including mud, sand, and rock. The flooding that occurs in the City often occurs as flash floods (within natural or man-made channels such as Whitewater River Stormwater Channel and La Quinta Evacuation Channel) and sheet flows (along the mountain foothills). Rainfall in the surrounding mountains averages over 25 inches annually. The City recently experienced two extreme storm events that resulted in localized flooding and damage in parts of the City. On September 8, 2014, a storm event produced rainfall depths of almost 3 inches in one hour over parts of the City. It exceeded a 500-year return frequency. In August 2013, a similar short -duration, high intensity storm produced flooding and storm damage in the City. Flood Control and Drainage Plan The dominant drainage/surface water feature in the Coachella Valley is the Whitewater River. The downstream extension of the Whitewater River channel, known as the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel, serves as drainage for irrigation return flows, treated community wastewater, and storm runoff. Regional drainage and flood control in the City is managed primarily by the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD). The City updated its Master Drainage Plan in 2009. It recommends minor improvements along Calle Tampico in the reach between Eisenhower Drive and Desert Club Drive to minimize street drainage flooding (Master Drainage Plan, 2009). Surface Water Quality The quality of regional surface waters is largely dependent upon land uses that affect runoff, such as agriculture, urban development, and industrial land uses. Runoff from storm water and agricultural irrigation can transport pollutants that collect on the ground surface and affect water quality of receiving streams, rivers, and channels. In the City of La Quinta, the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel and La Quinta Evacuation Channel are the major receiving water bodies which drain into the Salton Sea. 43 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Discussion a) No Impact. The project site is located in the Whitewater River watershed. All water providers in the watershed are required to comply with Regional Water Quality Control Board standards for the protection of water quality, including the preparation of site -specific Water Quality Management Plans for surface waters. As a result of recent extreme storm events in La Quinta, the City has elected to provide protection above and beyond the current City criteria by developing a storm drain system sized to accommodate the 150-year storm. The proposed project will reduce flood depths associated with a 150-year storm return frequency and facilitate emergency access along Eisenhower Drive. It will receive water runoff from the adjacent foothills and surrounding urban development. As such, the project will not generate demand for domestic water or wastewater treatment. The design, construction and operation of the retention basin and associated drainage improvements is governed by local, state and federal regulations, including the protection of surface waters from polluted runoff. The proposed project is required to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations, which will minimize the pollutant load associated with urban runoff into the storm drain system, including the preparation of stormwater pollution prevention plans and water quality management plans, which include best management practices. The adherence to local, state and federal requirements will assure that impacts associated with water quality standards are less than significant. b) No Impact. The proposed project will require minimal water for site watering during construction, but otherwise would not interfere with local groundwater recharge and supply. The project would capture and convey the surface runoff from the Eisenhower Mountain foothills and surrounding areas along Eisenhower Drive and Coachella Drive, and into a retention basin that will result in percolation of storm water into the ground, and ultimate recharge of the groundwater basin. The proposed project would not cause an increase in domestic water demand. No impact will occur. c-e) Less Than Significant Impact. The subject site contains no rivers or streams, and the project would not alter the course of a stream or river. It would, however, alter existing onsite drainage patterns for the specific purpose of accommodating 150-year storm events. It will result in the removal and re -contouring of surface soils to form the retention basin and connect it to a system of catch basins, drains, and inlets. Improvements are designed such that they will not result in siltation, erosion, or increased surface runoff. The subject site is located close to the foothills and receives large amounts of downstream flows during the rainy season. Michael Baker International prepared the "Eisenhower Drive Drainage Improvements Plan" for the subject site on June 22, 2017 and proposed three alternatives to maximize the storm drain system capacity and efficiency during a 150-year return frequency storm. Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 All three alternatives are designed to accommodate the 150-year storm event onsite. They also consider the required improvements to maintain emergency vehicle access within Eisenhower Drive. The recommended alternative, and the alternative planned for development for this project, is Alternative 1. All three proposed alternatives are described below. Storm Drain System Alternatives Alternative 1: Alternative 1 consists of two phases. Phase I includes construction of four catch basins within the intersection of Eisenhower Drive and Coachella Drive. These catch basins drain into a 43 acre-foot retention basin on the project site via a 48" reinforced concrete pipe (RCP). It will decrease the ponding within Eisenhower Drive and prevent overflow from continuing south towards Avenue 50. To prevent flows from Legacy Villas from continuing southeast into the low point in Eisenhower Drive, an overflow storm drain line within Coachella Drive northwest of Eisenhower Drive will be designed as part of Phase I. The flows from this overflow line will drain into the proposed retention basin and reduce flood depths at the intersection of Coachella Drive and Eisenhower Drive. Two additional catch basins will be located at the intersection of Avenida Fernando and Eisenhower Drive to capture overflow from the proposed catch basins to the north and from the La Quinta Golf Estates to the east. These catch basins will also drain into the retention basin on the project site. These catch basins will reduce flows that would continue south and pond in Avenue 50 (Exhibit 6). Phase II consists of extending the storm drain in the intersection of Coachella Drive and Eisenhower Drive north along Eisenhower Drive approximately 1,800 feet, and adding two catch basins west of the entrance to Laguna de la Paz, two catch basins southwest of the entrance to Hidden Canyon, and two catch basins 600 feet north of Coachella Drive. This phase will increase the amount of flow captured along Eisenhower Drive and remove floodwaters from the street surface where it would otherwise pond (Exhibit 7). Phase II will also include a separate system of two catch basins and 800 feet of storm drain at Eisenhower Drive and Avenue 50 that outfall into the La Quinta Golf Estates driving range. Flooding issues within the intersection will be improved by draining flows from the north along Eisenhower before they can reach Avenue 50. Alternative 2: Alternative 2 would provide 4,000 feet of new storm drain within Eisenhower Drive from Santa Ursula Street to south of Coachella Drive. The system would extend south along Eisenhower Drive to a proposed storage area on the La Quinta Country Club golf course. A total of 14 catch basins located within Eisenhower Drive would capture surface flows from the Legacy Villas, Hidden Canyon, and Laguna de la Paz developments. Catch basins would be located adjacent to the entrances of the developments to capture flows before they can flood Eisenhower Drive (Exhibit 8). Alternative 2 also includes the same storm drain system near the intersection of Eisenhower Drive and Avenue 50 from Phase II of Alternative 1, discussed above. No additional grading within the driving range would be required. 45 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Alternative 3: Alternative 3 functions similar to Alternative 2, but is routed to the south along Coachella Drive, through the existing residential development to the La Quinta Country Club storage area. The storm drain along Eisenhower proposes 12 of the 14 catch basins included in Alternative 2, removing the two catch basins south of Coachella Drive. An additional line located along Avenida Fernando within the La Quinta Golf Estates development would capture flows before they can reach Eisenhower Drive (Exhibit 9). In addition, Alternative 3 includes the same storm drain system near the intersection of Eisenhower Drive and Avenue 50 from Phase II of Alternative 1. Summary: All three proposed alternatives are sufficient to accommodate 150-year storm event; however, Alternative 1 is the preferred project because it is more cost efficient. In addition, Alternative 1 has the least length of storm drain within Eisenhower Drive and it can be constructed with the least disturbance to traffic flow along Eisenhower. f) Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project will be required to comply with all applicable water quality standards, and will implement a Water Quality Management Plan approved by the City and the Regional Water Quality Control Board for both construction activities and long-term operation of the site. Adherence to the City's standard requirements related to water quality will ensure impacts will be less than significant. g, h, i) No Impact. The project site is not located in the 100-year floodplain and will not place housing or other structures in an area that would impede or redirect flows (General Plan; Exhibit IV-6). According to Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the site is located in Zone X, which represents "areas outside of 0.2% annual chance flood." (FIRM Panel No. 2233G, November 09, 2016) The project will have positive impacts on flooding in the project vicinity. The intersection of Eisenhower Drive and Coachella Drive is a local sump. There are currently only catch basins linked to dry wells, and once the dry wells reach their volumetric capacity, they offer no additional drainage capacity. These dry well systems are typically sized for smaller storms and not the traditional 100-year City design standard. In order to improve ponding issues, a traditional storm drain conveyance system is required. The proposed project will redirect the flood flows from the surrounding areas towards the proposed storm drain system and retain the 150-year storm runoff. The project will decrease the flood hazard and protect housing and people during flooding without degrading water quality. j) No Impact. As noted above, the proposed project is located outside a FEMA or regionally designated floodplain. Given the distance from the Pacific Ocean, the region is not subject to tsunami hazards. However, the Oleander Reservoir, which could be subject to seiche during strong seismic events, is located approximately at 0.42 miles southwest of the project site. Seiche related impacts are typically contained to the immediate vicinity of a body of water. The subject site is located nearly a half a mile away from the reservoir, and will not experience impacts related to seiche events. The project will not increase hazards associated with tsunami, mud flow, or seiches, but will offer greater flood protection to structures and residents in the project vicinity. M Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 47 i rip; qr J; 4b 40- 4&6 -�- W -!ts 1wr 16 4'1 01 4trr*'. , 9LUK- "V�f 74 X�w -or lit 4;V L "NoPOLO lk Aid tr -4 Ll qF , 4L m ff.1 rl Alk 6 rti Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact X. LAND USE AND PLANNING - Would the project: a) Physically divide an established X community? b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general X plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community X conservation plan? Source: 2035 General Plan; City of La Quinta Municipal Code. Setting The subject site is located in an area designated as Tourist Commercial (CT) by the City of La Quinta General Plan and Zoning Map. Surrounding properties include the La Quinta Resort and Club, single-family residences, urban roadways, and mountain foothills. Discussion X. a) No Impact. The subject site is vacant and adjacent to an arterial roadway, residential and resort development, and mountain open space. The proposed infrastructure project will not divide an established community and therefore, no impacts will occur. b) No Impact. The City of La Quinta General Plan and Zoning Code designate the subject site as Tourist Commercial (CT). The Tourist Commercial zone is intended for resort hotels, resort commercial developments, and resort -supporting retail and services. The development of an infrastructure project such as public flood control facilities and devices are permitted within this zone by the City of La Quinta's Municipal Code. No impact will occur. c) Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated. As mentioned in Section IV, Biological Resources, the subject site is located adjacent to, and partially within, the CVMSHCP Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Conservation Area. Section IV evaluates the project as it relates to CVMHSCP guidelines and the minimization of edge effects. With implementation of the mitigation measures listed in Section IV, the proposed project will result in a less than significant impact to the CVMSHCP. 52 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Mitigation Measures: See Biological Resources, Section IV. Monitoring: See Biological Resources, Section IV. 53 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XI. MINERAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of X value to the region and the residents of the state? b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally -important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local X general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? Sources: 2035 La Quinta General Plan. Setting Wind and rain have transported mineral resources, such as sand and gravel, throughout the Coachella Valley. The California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, has mapped the region's resources and has identified three Mineral Resource Zones (MRZs) in the City: MRZ-1, MRZ-2, and MRZ-3. There are no mining, sand, or gravel operations within the vicinity of the subject property. Discussion XI. a-b) Less Than Significant Impact. The subject site is located within an area designated as MRZ-3, which is defined as "areas containing known or inferred mineral occurrences of undetermined mineral resources significance." As mentioned in Section VI, Geological Resources, the project site is primarily composed of quaternary lake deposits and alluvial deposits (QI/QaI), and Quaternary dune sand, which could potentially constitute valuable mineral resources. However, the site is designated for urban (Tourist Commercial) uses in the General Plan, and due to the size of the site, proximity to urban development, and isolated nature, it is not suitable for mining activities. Therefore, impacts to mineral resources will be less than significant. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None 54 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XII. NOISE - Would the project result in: a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or X noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or X groundborne noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project X vicinity above levels existing without the project? d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the X project vicinity above levels existing without the project? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, X would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose X people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? Source: 2035 General Plan; Municipal Code. Setting The project site is located on Eisenhower Drive, Coachella Drive, and Avenida Fernando. Eisenhower Drive is designated a "Primary Arterial" roadway in the City's General Plan Circulation Element. Noise levels on these roadways can be expected to be greater than would be typical of local streets. Primary sources of noise in the City of La Quinta include traffic, commercial activities including air compressors and commercial compactors, and landscaping maintenance equipment. 55 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Discussion XII. a, c, d) Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation. The City of La Quinta Noise Element of the General Plan provides guidelines for community noise impacts per land use designation. Presently, the City's noise standards allow noise levels of 60 dBA from lam to 1 Opm, and 50 dBA from IOpm to lam. The primary source of noise in the City and project area is traffic. Eisenhower Drive is the primary source of off -site exterior noise impacting the project area. Tables IV-1 of the Noise Element provides existing 24-hour noise levels of various locations throughout the City. The daily noise level just north of the intersection of Coachella Drive and Eisenhower Drive (at Legacy Villas) is 59.3 dBA CNEL. Noise levels on the subject property may be lower given the noise reduction effects the existing perimeter wall along the easterly property boundary. Construction Noise The proposed project is located in proximity to residential land uses to the immediate north, south, and east. The nearest residence to the north is approximately 70 feet from the northerly property boundary; the nearest residence to the south is approximately 95 feet south of the southerly property boundary; and the residences to the east are approximately 150 feet east of the easterly boundary (east of Eisenhower Drive). City standards list residential land uses as "noise sensitive" thereby restricting allowable noise levels within the planning area. The City requires that exterior noise levels not exceed 65 dBA CNEL in outdoor living areas, and interior noise levels not to exceed 45 dBA CNEL in all habitable rooms. The development of the proposed project will result in temporary elevated noise levels. Typically, the peak noise level for most construction equipment that would be utilized on the subject site ranges from 70 to 95 dBA at a distance of 50 feet. Existing residences to the east and north can be expected to experience noise levels in this range for short periods of time. The City's Municipal Code requires construction activities to occur during daytime hours, which helps to reduce potential impacts. Chapter 6.08.050 (Disturbances by Construction Noises) limits the time periods that construction activities may occur. Construction activities on -site shall occur only between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays between October 1st and April 301; and 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays between May 1st and September 30th, excluding federal holidays. Noise from construction vehicles and machinery will be temporary and will end once construction is complete. Mitigation Measures N-1 through N-6 are provided to assure impacts remain at less than significant levels. Operational Noise Once construction is complete, the project will generate no noise, other than occasional landscaping or maintenance activities. Impacts will be less than significant. b) Less than Significant Impact. Project construction will involve the operation of heavy machinery and vehicles, including bulldozers, backhoes, graders, and dump trucks, that could generate temporary groundborne vibration and noise. However, once the construction phase ends, there will be no groundborne vibration or groundborne noise. Impacts are, therefore, expected to be less than significant. 56 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 e-f) No Impact. The subject property is located approximately 8 miles northwest of the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, and approximately 4 miles southwest of the Bermuda Dunes Airport. There are no private airstrips in the vicinity. Therefore, there will be no impact associated with airport noise. Mitigation Measures: N-1 Construction activities on -site shall occur only between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays during October 1st through April 301 and 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays during May 1st through September 301, excluding federal holidays. N-2 All construction equipment shall be in proper working order and maintained in a proper state of tune to reduce backfires. N-3 Stockpiling and vehicle staging areas shall be located as far as 50 feet from the surrounding residential development. N-4 Parking, refueling, and servicing operations for all heavy equipment shall be within project site boundaries and located as far from residences as possible/reasonable. N-5 All construction equipment, fixed or mobile, shall be equipped with property operating and maintained mufflers and the engines shall be equipped with covers. N-6 Stationary equipment shall be placed such that emitted noise is directed away from noise - sensitive receptors. Monitoring: N-A The City Engineer shall monitor construction activities to assure that they implement the mitigation measures. Responsible Party: City Engineer, Project contractor 57 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XIII. POPULATION AND HOUSING Would the project: a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) X or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)? b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the X construction of replacement housing elsewhere? c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of X replacement housing elsewhere? Source: 2035 La Quinta General Plan; California Department of Finance, http://www.dof.ca.fzov/research/demographic/reports/estimates/e-1/view.php, accessed on 10.4.2017. Setting The City of La Quinta has a population of 39,977 (2016), with an average household size of 2.85 persons (General Plan; Table II-33). The vast majority (90.9%) of residences are single-family homes (General Plan; Table II-33). The proposed project site is located to the west and south of single-family residences. Discussion XIII. a) No Impact. Upon project completion, there will be an approximately 10-acre retention basin for flood control purposes. The project will not induce population growth as it will not create new housing or result in the extension of roadways or utilities. Construction jobs are expected to be filled by the existing labor pool and are not expected to attract additional residents to the area. No existing housing will be displaced, and no replacement housing will be built. No population or housing impacts are expected to occur as a result of the proposed project. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XIV. PUBLIC SERVICES a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Fire protection? X Police protection? X Schools? X Parks? X Other public facilities? X Source: 2035 General Plan. Setting Fire Protection The City of La Quinta contracts with the County of Riverside Fire Department (RCFD) for fire protection services. The nearest fire station to the project area is Station No. 32, located 1.2 miles southeast at 78-111 Avenue 52. Fire services within the City are based on delivering a minimum of 3 personnel in 5 minutes or less 90% of the time. Police Protection The City of La Quinta contracts with the Riverside County Sheriffs Department for police protection services. The nearest station is located approximately 2.0 miles northeast of the project site at 79-440 Corporate Center Drive. The police department consists of 51 sworn officers and 5 community service officers. The average response time for the highest priority emergency calls is 5 minutes. 59 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Schools Two school districts provide school services to the City of La Quinta: Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD) and Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD). Residents located west of Jefferson Street and north of Avenue 48 are served by DSUSD. CVUSD serves residents located east of Jefferson Street and south of Avenue 48. The nearest school is Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, approximately 0.7 miles southeast of the proposed site. Parks A total of 5,259.2 acres in the City are dedicated for open space and recreation (General Plan Table II-3), including golf courses and parks. The three types of parks serving the La Quinta area are community, neighborhood, and mini/pocket parks. The nearest park to the project site is La Quinta Community Park, approximately 1 mile southeast. Other Services The La Quinta City Library, a branch of the County of Riverside Library System, is located approximately 1 mile southeast of the project site at 78275 Calle Tampico. Discussion XIV. a) No Impact. The proposed project is a retention basin for flood control purposes. The project will not generate any additional need for fire protection, police protection, school facilities, parks, or other public facilities since it will not generate new population or structures requiring protection or services. No impact will occur. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XV. RECREATION -- a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that X substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which X might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? Sources: 2035 General Plan. Setting Within the City of La Quinta, there are several mini, neighborhood, community, and school parks, as well as the Civic Center Campus, nature preserve areas, a community center, Community Health and Wellness Center, senior center, museum, and golf courses. Discussion XV. a-b) No Impact. The proposed project is an infrastructure improvement project, as such there will not be an increase in the local population. For this reason, there will not be an increase use of existing parks or recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of new facilities. No impacts related to the physical deterioration of parks or recreational facilities will occur. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None 61 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XVI. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC -- Would the project: a) Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial in relation to the existing traffic load and capacity of the street system (i.e., result in a substantial X increase in either the number of vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio on roads, or congestion at intersections)? b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service standard established by the county congestion X management agency for designated roads or highways? c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in X traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or X dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? e) Result in inadequate emergency X access? f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative X transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks)? Source: 2035 General Plan. Setting The project area is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Avenida Fernando and Eisenhower Drive. Construction and subsequent maintenance crew access will be provided via Coachella Drive. Eisenhower Drive borders the subject site on the east and is designated as a Primary Arterial in the General Plan. 62 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Discussion XVI. a-b) Less Than Significant Impact. The site is currently undeveloped. Existing major roadways in the project vicinity include Eisenhower Drive, Avenue 50, and Washington Street. Eisenhower Drive and Avenue 50 are classified as "Primary Arterials," while Washington Street is classified as a "Major Arterial" in the General Plan. Based on the General Plan's 2010 analysis, these roadways carry approximately 15,000 (avg.), 12,013 (avg.), and 31,500 (avg.) vehicles per day, respectively. General Plan conditions and traffic analysis indicate that Washington Street at Eisenhower Drive and Avenue 50, the two closest intersections to the proposed project, operates at LOS C (General Plan; Table II-9). At General Plan buildout (year 2035), these roadways have the capacity to handle 61,000 (avg.) and 42,600 (avg.). Coachella Drive and Avenida Fernando are local roads that are not designated in the General Plan. There will be a temporary, minor increase in traffic during the construction phase of the proposed project associated with worker trips and the hauling of soil off -site, as described in the Air Quality section above. Once construction is complete, the proposed project will not generate additional traffic. The current level of service standard will be maintained since the project will not add permanently to traffic levels. c) No Impact. The Bermuda Dunes Airport is situated approximately 4 miles northeast of the subject property. The development of the proposed project will have no impact on the facilities or operations of regional airports, and will not result in a change in air traffic patterns, including an increase in traffic levels. It will not create substantial safety risks. No project related impacts are expected. d) Less Than Significant Impact. Project construction will result in temporary increases in traffic volumes. Construction vehicles and equipment will temporarily access the site, which could pose minor inconveniences, such as traffic delays or lane closures, for the standard vehicle mix. However, construction will be temporary, and the City will be required to prepare construction access, parking, and staging plans in advance. Project -related impacts will be less than significant. e) Less Than Significant Impact. Access to the project site will be provided by a driveway at Coachella Drive. No new access points will be provided on Avenida Fernando or Eisenhower Drive. No geometric modifications to Eisenhower Drive are required as a result of this project. Prior to site disturbance, both the Fire Department and Police Department will review the project site plan and construction staging areas to ensure safety measures are addressed. Impacts will be less than significant. f) No Impact. SunLine Transit operates bus Line 70 along Washington Street, approximately 0.75 miles east of the subject property. There are no transit facilities on or adjacent to the site. The project design will not conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such facilities. No impact is anticipated. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None 63 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XVII. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES-- Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is: a) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of X historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code section 5020.i(k), or b) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code X 5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1, the agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe. Source: 2035 General Plan; County of Riverside General Plan (2014) "Identification and Evaluation of Historic Properties — La Quinta Retention Basin Project" prepared by CRM TECH in October 2017. Setting Most of the archaeological resources in the City of La Quinta are associated with ancient Lake Cahuilla. The oldest cultural resources have been identified from the western portion of the City and date back about 2,700 years. Since 1980, a number of historical buildings and artifacts have been identified and preserved within the city's boundaries by the City of La Quinta. Some descendants of the Pass and Desert Cahuilla Native American tribes still live in the region and are now associated with local reservations, including the Torres Martinez, Cabazon, and Augustine to the east and south of the City, and the Agua Caliente and Morongo to the west. None of the tribal reservations are in the City's boundaries. Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Discussion XVII. a-b) Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation. As discussed in Section V, Cultural Resources, CRM TECH prepared a cultural resources survey for the project site to evaluate the presence of cultural resources. No cultural resources or buildings, structures, objects, sites, features, or artifacts more than 50 years of age were encountered onsite. CRM Tech contacted the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) for a records search in its sacred lands file, and contacted 37 tribal representatives in the region for information on potential Native American cultural resources in the project vicinity. CRM Tech also invited tribal participation in onsite field work. None of those contacted indicated that there are tribal cultural resources onsite. No tribal cultural resource listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k), and/or Public Resources Code Section 5024.1 exists on site. No impacts are anticipated. Nonetheless, given the proximity of the subject property to ancient Lake Cahuilla and the presence of cultural resources identified in the project vicinity, it is possible that cultural resources could be uncovered during earth -moving activities. In addition, tribal representatives of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians requested monitoring of the project undertaking by their representatives, and the Torres Martinez requested formal consultation with the lead agency. The City conducted Tribal consultation under the requirements of AB 52. During Tribal consultation, the Torres Martinez tribe did not respond to the City's request for formal consultation. The Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians stated that in addition to the recommended archaeological monitor, they request that an approved Native American Monitor(s) from the Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians be present during all ground disturbing activities. To further mitigate potential impacts the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) requests to be consulted during the development of any archaeological monitoring plan for this project and continued consultation throughout the project. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians requested copies of the cultural resources documentation to review and the presence of an approved Agua Caliente Native American Cultural Resource Monitor(s) during any ground disturbing activities (including archaeological testing and surveys). Should buried cultural deposits be encountered, the Monitor may request that destructive construction halt and the Monitor shall notify a Qualified Archaeologist (Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines) to investigate and, if necessary, prepare a mitigation plan for submission to the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Agua Caliente Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Adherence to mitigation measures presented in Section V, Cultural Resources and the measures listed below, will ensure that impacts to Tribal Resources are less than significant. 65 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Mitigation Measures: TC-1 Prior to construction, the City of La Quinta shall retain a qualified Native American Monitor(s) from the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians to be present during all ground distributing activities. TC-2 Prior to construction, the City of La Quinta shall retain a qualified Native American Monitor(s) from the Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians to be present during all ground distributing activities. TC-3 The Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians THPO shall be consulted during the development of the proposed project's archaeological monitoring plan. TC-4 Prior to construction, the City of La Quinta shall retain an approved Agua Caliente Native American Cultural Resource Monitor(s) to be present during all ground distributing activities. Monitoring: TC-A The City of Quinta shall coordinate with the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians to retain the necessary personnel and continue consultation. Responsible Parties: Planning Division. TC-B The City of Quinta shall coordinate with the Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians to retain the necessary personnel and continue consultation. Responsible Parties: Planning Division. TC-C The City of Quinta shall coordinate with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to retain the necessary personnel and continue consultation. Responsible Parties: Planning Division. Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XVIII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the project: a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional X Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing X facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the X construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or X are new or expanded entitlements needed? e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider that serves or may serve the project that it has X adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the X project's solid waste disposal needs? g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid X waste? Source: 2035 General Plan; 2010 Coachella Valley Water Management Plan Update. 67 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Setting Wastewater The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) provides wastewater collection and treatment services to the City of La Quinta. CVWD has two wastewater treatment plants — Water Reclamation Plant 7 (WRP-7) and Water Reclamation Plant 4 (WRP-4) — that serve the City of La Quinta. The plant capacity for WRP-7 and WRP-4 are 5 and 9 million gallons per day. WRP-7 has a tertiary treatment capacity of 2.5 million gallon per day, while no tertiary treatment is currently available at WRP-4 (CVWD Development Design Manual 2017 Table 6.1). CVWD's wastewater collection system includes over 1,000 miles of buried pipelines and over 150 miles of pressurized force mains receiving sewage from 34 lift stations (CVWD Development Design Manual 2017). CVWD continually increases the capacity of its wastewater reclamation facilities by constructing new treatment ponds, aeration, and other structures throughout the Coachella Valley. CVWD implements all requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board pertaining to water quality and wastewater discharge. Domestic Water The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) provides domestic water and irrigation water to the City of La Quinta, including the subject site. Its primary source of fresh water is groundwater extracted by deep wells from the Whitewater River Subbasin. The Whitewater River Subbasin water resource consists of a combination of natural runoff, imported water, and inflows from adjacent basins. It is artificially recharged through imported State Water Project Exchange and Colorado River water. There are three recharge facilities in the Valley: one located northwest of Palm Spring, one located southeast of La Quinta in Martinez Canyon, and one located in La Quinta, south of Avenue 58 and west of Madison Street. The total storage capacity of the Whitewater River Subbasin is approximately 28.8 million acre feet and it currently contains approximately 25 million acre feet (CVWD Engineer's Report, 2016). It is capable of meeting the water demands of the Coachella Valley, including the City of La Quinta, for extended normal and drought periods. CVWD's domestic water system includes 50 wells with an average depth of 900 feet to serve the City of La Quinta and its wider customer base. CVWD has a total of 27 water reservoirs, with an average capacity of 1.8 million gallons. Stormwater Management Storm water drainage infrastructure within the City consists of a network of regional and local drainage systems that include natural and improved streams, storm drains, storm channels, and catch basins that manage stormwater flows. The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), Riverside County Flood Control District, and City of La Quinta manage these drainage systems. The "La Quinta Master Drainage Plan" was prepared to manage stormwater runoff within the City. Detention and retention basin are utilized to temporary contain runoff storms and landscape irrigation. The City requires new developments to have sufficient sized basins to manage surface water flows. Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Solid Waste Solid waste disposal is provided by Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services, LLC under a franchise agreement with the City. Burrtec collects solid waste and transports it to the Edom Hill Transfer Station, which has a permitted capacity of 3,500 tons per day, located in the City of Cathedral City. From the transfer station, waste is transferred to one of the regional landfills: Lamb Canyon, Badlands, or El Sobrante. The County of Riverside operates these facilities. Discussion XVIII. a) No Impact. The proposed project will result in the construction of a retention basin and related improvements for flood control purposes. It will not generate wastewater, require connection to a wastewater treatment system, or exceed wastewater treatment requirements. No impact will occur. b, d) Less than Significant Impact. The project will not require the construction or expansion of existing water or wastewater facilities. The project will be required to connect to existing water lines in adjacent roadways to supply water for landscaping, which is estimated to generate a demand for 17.29 acre feet per year and accounts for 0.008 percent of the total projected water demands presented in the 2010 Coachella Valley Water Management Plan Update for 2040 (194,300 acre feet).2 The proposed project will be responsible for the connections necessary to tie into existing water lines to the standards set by the City and CVWD. The City's and CVWD's standards and requirements will assure that impacts associated with water conveyance and water supply will be less than significant. The total storage capacity of the Whitewater River Subbasin is approximately 28.8 million acre feet and it currently contains approximately 25 million acre feet (CVWD Engineer's Report, 2016). It is capable of meeting the water demands of the Coachella Valley, including the City of La Quinta, for extended normal and drought periods. The project landscaping water demand of 17.29 acre feet per year accounts for a fraction of a percent of the Subbasin's total storage. Therefore, sufficient water supplies are available to serve the proposed project from existing entitlements. No new or expanded entitlements or infrastructure is required. Impacts will be less than significant. c) Less Than Significant Impact. The project proposes the development of a retention basin and storm drain system sized to accommodate a 150-year storm return frequency in response to recent flooding events in the City of La Quinta. The proposed project will reduce flood depths and facilitate emergency access along Eisenhower Drive. Impacts are expected to be less than significant because the project will be enhancing storm protection and expanding storm water drainage facilities in the project area. e) No Impact. The proposed project will result in the construction of a retention basin and related improvements for flood control purposes. It will not generate wastewater, require connection to a wastewater treatment system, or exceed wastewater treatment requirements. The project will have no impact on the CVWD's ability to provide such services. No impact will occur. 2 Landscaping water demand is based on CVWD's Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU) equation for drought tolerant plants; which is 1.729 acre-feet per acre per year. The site is 10 acres, resulting in 17.29 acre-feet per year. Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 f-g) Less Than Significant Impact. Burrtec Waste Industries provides solid waste collection and disposal services to the City of La Quinta. Burrtec is required to meet all local, regional, State and federal standards for solid waste disposal. Once collected, solid waste is taken to the Edom Hill recycling transfer station located in Cathedral City, which is an 8-acre facility operated by Burrtec. The Edom Hill transfer station is permitted to receive 3,500 tons of waste per day, and an additional 500 tons of green waste (compost). Solid waste from the transfer station is disposed of at one of three landfills, including Lambs Canyon, Badlands, and Sobrante landfills. Lambs Canyon has a remaining capacity of 18,955,000 cubic yards (2009) and estimated closing date 2021. The Badlands Landfill near Moreno Valley, with a remaining capacity of 14,730,025 cubic yards (2010), has an estimated closing date of 2024. El Sobrante Landfill near Corona has a permitted capacity of 184,930,000 tons and has a remaining capacity of 145,530,000 tons (2009). From there solid waste is taken to the Lambs Canyon landfill in Beaumont. The generation of solid waste in association with the construction of the proposed retention basin and flood control infrastructure improvements is expected to be limited. Construction waste will be limited to waste concrete and other street construction materials removed from Eisenhower Drive during construction of the in -street storm drain improvements. There will be no operational waste associated with the retention basin. Therefore, the project will have no impact on federal, state or local regulations related to solid waste. Impacts will be less than significant. Mitigation Measures: None Monitoring: None 70 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant w/ Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact XVIV. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self- sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a X plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when X viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)? c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial X adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? XVIV. a) Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated. Biological Resources The subject site is located partially within and adjacent to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Conservation Area, as designated by the. Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CV MSHCP). As such, it is subject to land use adjacency guidelines pertaining to drainage, lighting, noise, invasive plants, grading, and barriers to protect ecological resources. With implementation of the mitigation measures described in Section IV, Biological Resources, the proposed project will not significantly reduce fish or wildlife habitat or otherwise adversely impact a fish or wildlife species. 71 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project January 2018 Cultural Resources No archaeological, historic, or paleontological resources have been identified onsite. However, given the proximity of the site to ancient Lake Cahuilla and the presence of cultural resources found in the broader region, mitigation measures have been included in Section V, Cultural Resources, to assure that impacts associated with cultural resources remain less than significant. b) Less Than Significant Impact. Although project construction will not individually exceed adopted air pollutant thresholds, it will contribute to incremental increases in local and regional air pollution. Impacts will occur only during the construction phase and are expected to be less than significant. c) Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated. The proposed project will provide enhanced flood protection to surrounding properties and residents. The construction of the project will result in temporary noise levels that could impact adjacent residents to the north. The mitigation measures included in this document, however, will reduce these impacts to less than significant levels. 72 RESPONSES TO COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING PUBLIC REVIEW taQwkr�, GEM ofthe DESERT f — Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Initial Study Response to Comments The City received 5 comment letters during the public comment period for the Initial Study. The following provides responses to these comments. The commenter's statement is first provided verbatim, and followed by the City's response. The letters received are appended to this Response to Comments. A. Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Jim Sullivan 2/13/18 Comment A-1: Your Environmental Initial Study on Eisenhower Drive Flood Control Project did not mention payment of the Local Development Mitigation Fee (LDMF) so I want to make it clear that there is no exemption for city projects and the LDMF must be paid by the city. Response A-1: Please see page 23 of the Initial Study, under Biological Resources, which states "The project is subject to payment of the Local Development Miti ag tion Fee (LDMF) and Land Use Adjacency Guidelines of the CVMSHCP, which will mitigate potential impacts to covered species." (emphasis added). The City is aware that it is subject to the payment of the LDMF. B. SunLine Transit Agency, Anita Petke 2/9/18 Comment B-1: Sunline staffs assessment concludes the proposed annexation will have no impact on transit services. Please keep staff informed of any approvals and/or future changes to the proposed annexation so we can keep all existing bus stops and services routes current. Additionally, if there is a need for transit service and/or transit amenities in the future, Sunline staff will coordinate it with the City of La Quinta. Response B-1: The City thanks SunLine for its comment, notes that no action is necessary, and wishes to inform SunLine that the Retention Basin Project does not involve an annexation. Further, as the project will not result in new buildings, the City does not expect future need for transit services at this location. C. Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, Anthony Madrigal 2/16/18 Comment C-1: This letter is in regards to continued consultation in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), for the Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project. As stated in our letter sent November 17, 2017, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) was aware of numerous sites and isolates within one -mile of the project area from our internal database and I Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Response to Comments March 2017 correspondence from CRM Tech. After review of the Identification and Evaluation of Historic Properties for the Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin, there were 26 known prehistoric sites and 12 isolates located within the study area. For this reason, the project may have the possibility of significant impacts to cultural resources that concern the THPO. There is an increased possibility of encountering cultural resources during the construction processes that may take place because there is evidence cultural resources in the vicinity of the project area. Avoidance, if feasible, would negate adverse effects on the project. In addition to the recommendations of an archaeological monitor by CRM Tech, the Tribe continues to request that approved Native American Monitor(s) from the Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians be present during any ground disturbing activities during the project. It should be noted that the Tribe requests to be consulted on the on - site monitoring as stated in CUL-Iiii. To mitigate concerns, the THPO request to be consulted during the development of any archaeological monitoring plan for this project (CUL-1 vii). While these stipulations would address our concerns, the Tribe requests to be consulted throughout the project. Response C-1: The City thanks the Tribe for its continued participation in the consultation process for this project. The commenter correctly identified mitigation measure CUL-1 as providing for Tribal monitoring during ground disturbing activities. The commenter is directed to page 66 of the Initial Study, under Tribal Cultural Resources, mitigation measure TC-2, which reads "Prior to construction, the City of La Quinta shall retain a qualified Native American Monitor(s) from the Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians to be present during all ground distributing activities." This mitigation measure addresses the commenter's concern regarding the presence of a Monitor approved by the Tribe. In addition, on the same page, please see mitigation measure TC-3, which reads "The Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians THPO shall be consulted during the development of the proposed project's archaeological monitoring plan." This mitigation measure addresses the commenter's second concern regarding the Tribe's participation in the archaeological monitoring plan. D. Imperial Irrigation District, Donald Vargas 3/1/18 Comment D-1: Based on the information provided, IID has performed a preliminary assessment of the project and found that an existing underground corridor of energized electrical distribution lines run along the west side of Eisenhower Drive; this infrastructure should be protected in place. Once the City provides 2 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Response to Comments March 2017 the district with electronic CAD files of the project's detailed improvement plans and project timelines, IID can carry out a more thorough assessment to determine if other district facilities are impacted. For additional information on this matter, contact the IID Energy - La Quinta Division Customer Operations, 81-600 Avenue 58 La Quinta, CA 92253, at (760) 398-5841 and speak with the area's project manager, Travis Maston. Mr. Maston can also be reached (760) 398-5871 or by email at tnmaston@IID.com . Response D-1: The comment is noted. It is the City's standard practice to consult with all utility providers having facilities in City streets as part of the design of City facilities. The City will coordinate with IID throughout the final design process. Comment D-2: Any construction or operation on IID property or within its existing and proposed right of way or easements including but not limited to: surface improvements such as proposed new streets, driveways, parking lots, landscape; and all water, sewer, storm water, or any other above ground or underground utilities; will require an encroachment permit, or encroachment agreement (depending on the circumstances). A copy of the IID encroachment permit application and instructions for its completion are available at http://www.iid.com/departments/real-estate. The IID Real Estate Section should be contacted at (760) 339-9239 for additional information regarding encroachment permits or agreements. Response D-2: The City will not impact IID property. Should encroachment into IID easements by required, as stated in Response D-1, the City will consult with the District during the final design process. Comment D-3: Relocation of existing IID facilities to accommodate project or street widening improvements imposed by the governing body for the project will be the City's responsibility. The City will be requested to bear the cost of such relocation and provide IID with suitable replacement rights. IID reserves the right to make future evaluations for impacts to its system. Response D-3: No relocation of IID facilities is anticipated. Please see Response D-1. Comment D-4: Public utility easements over all private and public roads and an additional ten (10) feet in width on both sides of the private and public roads shall be dedicated to IID for the construction, operation, and maintenance of its electrical infrastructure. Response D-4: The project consists of a retention basin. No additional IID facilities are anticipated. Please see Response D-1. 3 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Response to Comments March 2017 Comment D-5: Any new, relocated, modified or reconstructed IID facilities required for and by the project (which can include but is not limited to electrical utility substations, electrical transmission and distribution lines, etc.) need to be included as part of the project's CEQA and/or NEPA documentation, environmental impact analysis and mitigation. Failure to do so will result in postponement of any construction and/or modification of IID facilities until such time as the environmental documentation is amended and environmental impacts are fully mitigated. Any mitigation necessary as a result of the construction, relocation and/or upgrade of IID facilities is the responsibility of the project proponent. Response D-5: Please see Response D-4 and Response D-1. Comment D-6: Applicant should be advised that landscaping can be dangerous if items are planted too close to IID's electrical equipment. In the event of an outage, or equipment failure, it is vital that IID personnel have immediate and safe access to its equipment to make the needed repairs. For public safety, and that of the electrical workers, it is important to adhere to standards that limit landscaping around electrical facilities. Landscape safety guidelines are available at http://www.iid.com/energy/safety/landscape-guidelines. Response D-6: The retention basin will be landscaped, but does not require IID electrical equipment. Therefore, no equipment failure would be expected. Please see Response D-1. E. Department of Toxic Substances Control, Johnson Abraham 2/28/18 Comment E-1: The ND should identify and determine whether current or historic uses at the project site may have resulted in any release of hazardous wastes/substances. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment may be appropriate to identify any recognized environmental conditions. Response E-1: As clearly stated in the Initial Study, the site consists of vacant desert land. No development beyond an existing retaining wall exists on the property. There is no potential for release of hazardous wastes/substances in the past. No Phase I ESA is required. Comment E-2: If there are any recognized environmental conditions in the project area, then proper investigation, sampling and remedial actions overseen by the appropriate regulatory agencies should be conducted prior to the new development or any construction. Response E-2: See Response E-1. There are no recognized environmental conditions on the property. No further action is necessary. 0 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Response to Comments March 2017 Comment E-3: If the project plans include discharging wastewater to a storm drain, you may be required to obtain an NPDES permit from the overseeing Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). Response E-3: As clearly stated in the Initial Study, the project consists of a retention basin to control flooding. There will be no wastewater involved in the project. Comment E-4: If the site was used for agricultural or related activities, residual pesticides may be present in onsite soil. DTSC recommends investigation and mitigation, as necessary, to address potential impact to human health and environment from residual pesticides. Response E-4: See Response E-1. Comment E-5: If planned activities include building modifications/demolitions, lead -based paints or products, mercury, and asbestos containing materials (ACMs) should be investigated and mitigated/disposed of in accordance with all applicable and relevant laws and regulations. In addition, evaluate whether polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) containing materials is present in onsite buildings and address as necessary to protect human health and the environment. Response E-5: See Response E-1. The site consists of vacant desert land. There are no buildings on the site that could be modified or demolished. Comment E-6: DTSC recommends evaluation, proper investigation and mitigation, if necessary, on onsite areas with current or historic PCB -containing transformers. Response E-6: See Response E-1. The site consists of vacant desert lands. There are no transformers on the site. Comment E-7: If soil contamination is suspected or observed in the project area, then excavated soil should be sampled prior to export/disposal. If the soil is contaminated, it should be disposed of properly in accordance with all applicable and relevant laws and regulations . In addition, if the project proposes to import soil to backfill the excavated areas, proper evaluation and/or sampling should be conducted to make sure that the imported soil is free of contamination. Response E-7: See Response E-1 and E-2. There is no evidence of contamination of soil on the site. Comment E-8: If during construction/demolition of the project, soil and/or groundwater. contamination is suspected, construction/demolition in the area should cease 5 Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Response to Comments March 2017 and appropriate health and safety procedures should be implemented. If it is determined that contaminated soil and/or groundwater exist, the ND should identify how any required investigation and/or remediation will be conducted, and the appropriate government agency to provide regulatory oversight. Response E-8: As stated in the Initial Study, page 39 under Hazards and Hazardous materials, the City is required to adhere to all local, regional and State laws relating to the accidental spill of the limited oils and chemicals that will be used during the construction of the retention basin. Adherence to these laws includes appropriate health and safety procedures. As previously stated, no contaminated soil or groundwater occurs at the site, as it is vacant desert land. 0 LETTER A From: Cheri Flores Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2018 8:51 AM To: Bryan McKinney Subject: FW: CVMSHCP Fee Required for Eisenhower Drive Flood Control Project FYI Comment from CVAG on the Eisenhower Project. Cheri L. Flores I Senior Planner City of La Quinta 78495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 ,Ccv Qa�&(v Ph. 760-777-7067 Website I Map GEM o fthe DESEKF _ clflores@la-uinto.orq ©— %,u© From: Jim Sullivan [mailto:isullivan@cvag.org] Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 10:05 AM To: Gabriel Perez <gPerez@la-quinta.org>; Cheri Flores <clflores@la-quinta.org> Cc: Katie Barrows <kbarrows@cvag.org> Subject: CVMSHCP Fee Required for Eisenhower Drive Flood Control Project Your Environmental Initial Study on Eisenhower Drive Flood Control Project did not mention payment of the Local Development Mitigation Fee (LDMF) so I want to make it clear that there is no exemption for city projects and the LDMF must be paid by the city. Jim Sullivan Jim Sullivan AICP GIS Program Diredkor ,." I Coachella Valley Association of Governments 760-346-1127 CVAG SHRIIH9LETTER B TRANS / T A C f N C V MEMBERS: Desert Hot Springs Palm Springs Cathedral City Rancho Mirage Palm Desert Indian Wells La Quints Indio Coachella Riverside County A Public Agency February 9, 2018 Cheri Flores, Senior Planner City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 RE: Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project Dear Cheri Flores: This letter responds to your request for comments regarding the proposed Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project located by Coachella Drive to the north, Eisenhower Drive to the east, Avenida Fernando to the south and the Santa Rosa Mountains to the west within the La Quinta. The SunLine Transit Agency (SunLine) staff has reviewed the project and offers the following comments. SunLine staffs assessment concludes the proposed annexation will have no impact on transit services. Please keep staff informed of any approvals and/or future changes to the proposed annexation so we can keep all existing bus stops and services routes current. Additionally, if there is a need for transit service and/or transit amenities in the future, SunLine staff will coordinate it with the City of La Quinta. Should you have questions or concerns regarding this letter, please contact me at 760-343- 3456, ext. 1603. Sincerely, - Anita M. Petke Transit Communications Service Specialist cc: Lauren Skiver, General Manager Stephanie Buriel, Deputy Chief of Administration 32-505 Harry Oliver Trail, Thousand Palms, California 92276 Phone 760-343-3456 Fax 760-343-1986 www.sunline.org LETTER C Aa. MN _ TWENTY-NINE PALMS BAND OF MISSION INDIANS _ 46-200 Harrison Place. Coachella, California. 92236. Ph. 760.863.2444. Fax: 760.863,2449 February 16, 2018 CERTIFIED MAIL # 7016 0910 000173918100 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Cheri L. Flores, Senior Planner City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 RE: EISENHOWER DRIVE RETENTION BASIN Environmental Assessment 2017-0014 Dear Ms. Flores, This letter is in regards to continued consultation in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), for the Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project. As stated in our letter sent November 17, 2017, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) was aware of numerous sites and isolates within one -mile of the project area from our internal database and correspondence from CRM Tech. After review of the Identification and Evaluation of Historic Properties for the Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin, there were 26 known prehistoric sites and 12 isolates located within the study area. For this reason, the project may have the possibility of significant impacts to cultural resources that concern the THPO. There is an increased possibility of encountering cultural resources during the construction processes that may take place because there is evidence cultural resources in the vicinity of the project area. Avoidance, if feasible, would negate adverse effects on the project. In addition to the recommendations of an archaeological monitor by CRM Tech, the Tribe continues to request that approved Native American Monitor(s) from the Twenty -Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians be present during any ground disturbing activities during the project. It should be noted that the Tribe requests to be consulted on the on -site monitoring as stated in CUL-1 iii. To mitigate concerns, the THPO request to be consulted during the development of any archaeological monitoring plan for this project (CUL-1 vii). While these stipulations would address our concerns, the Tribe requests to be consulted throughout the project. The Tribe and THPO look forward to continuing working with the City of La Quinta on this project. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Tribal Historic Preservation Office at (760) 775-3259 or by email: TNPConsultation@29paimsbomi-nsn.gov. Sincerely, Anthon a gal, Jr. Tribal i�toric Preservation Officer cc: Darrell Mike, Twenty -Nine Palms Tribal Chairman Sarah Bliss, Twenty -Nine Palms Tribal Cultural Specialist LETTER D 11D A century of service. March 1, 2018 Ms. Cheri Flores Senior Planner Design and Development Department City of La Quinta 78495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, California 92253 www.iid.com Since 1911 SUBJECT: NOI to Adopt a MND Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin Project in La Quinta, CA Dear Ms. Flores: Pursuant to the City of La Quinta's Notice of Intent to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Eisenhower Drive Retention Basin project, where the City is proposing a 10-acre flood control retention basin at a vacant site bounded by Coachella Drive to the north, Eisenhower Drive to the east, Avenida Fernando to the south, and the Santa Rosa Mountains to the west in La Quinta, CA; the Imperial Irrigation District has reviewed the Intial Study and draft MND and has the following comments: Based on the information provided, IID has performed a preliminary assessment of the project and found that an existing underground corridor of energized electrical distribution lines run along the west side of Eisenhower Drive; this infrastructure should be protected in place. Once the City provides the district with electronic CAD files of the project's detailed improvement plans and project timelines, IID can carry out a more thorough assessment to determine if other district facilities are impacted. For additional information on this matter, contact the IID Energy - La Quinta Division Customer Operations, 81-600 Avenue 58 La Quinta, CA 92253, at (760) 398-5841 and speak with the area's project manager, Travis Maston. Mr. Maston can also be reached (760) 398-5871 or by email at tnmastong- ID.com. 2. Any construction or operation on IID property or within its existing and proposed right of way or easements including but not limited to: surface improvements such as proposed new streets, driveways, parking lots, landscape; and all water, sewer, storm water, or any other above ground or underground utilities; will require an encroachment permit, or encroachment agreement (depending on the circumstances). A copy of the IID encroachment permit application and instructions for its completion are available at http://www.iid.com/departments/real-estate. The IID Real Estate Section should be contacted at (760) 339-9239 for additional information regarding encroachment permits or agreements. 3. Relocation of existing IID facilities to accommodate project or street widening improvements imposed by the governing body for the project will be the City's responsibility. The City will be requested to bear the cost of such relocation and provide IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT • P.O. BOX 937 • IMPERIAL, CA 92251 Cheri Flores March 1, 2018 Page 2 IID with suitable replacement rights. IID reserves the right to make future evaluations for impacts to its system. 4. Public utility easements overall private and public roads and an additional ten (10) feet in width on both sides of the private and public roads shall be dedicated to IID for the construction, operation, and maintenance of its electrical infrastructure. 5. Any new, relocated, modified or reconstructed IID facilities required for and by the project (which can include but is not limited to electrical utility substations, electrical transmission and distribution lines, etc.) need to be included as part of the project's CEQA and/or NEPA documentation, environmental impact analysis and mitigation. Failure to do so will result in postponement of any construction and/or modification of IID facilities until such time as the environmental documentation is amended and environmental impacts are fully mitigated. Any mitigation necessary as a result of the construction, relocation and/or upgrade of IID facilities is the responsibility of the project proponent. 6. Applicant should be advised that landscaping can be dangerous if items are planted too close to IID's electrical equipment. In the event of an outage, or equipment failure, it is vital that IID personnel have immediate and safe access to its equipment to make the needed repairs. For public safety, and that of the electrical workers, it is important to adhere to standards that limit landscaping around electrical facilities. Landscape safety guidelines are available at http://www,iid.com/enerci/safetv/landscar)e-ciujdelines. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (760) 482-3609 or at dvargas@iid.com. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this matter. Resp ully, D ald Vargas �- Compliance Administrator II Kevin Kelley - General Manager Mike Pacheco - Manager, Water Dept. Vicken Kasarjian - Manager, Energy Dept. Charles Allegranza - Manager, Energy Dept., Operations Jamie Asbury - Deputy Manager, Energy Dept., Operations Vance Taylor -Asst. General Counsel Robert Laurie -Asst General Counsel Carlos Vasquez - Deputy Manager, Energy Dept. Planning and Engineering Enrique De Leon -Asst. Mgr.. Energy Dept., Distr., Planning, Eng. & Customer Service Michael P. Kemp - Superintendent, Regulatory & Environmental Compilance Harold Walk Jr, - Supervisor, Real Estate Randy Gray - ROW Agent, Real Estate Randy Gray - ROW Agent, Real Estate LETTER E Department of Toxic Substances Control Matthew Rodriquez Secretary for Environmental Protection February 28, 2018 Ms. Cheri Flores Senior Planner City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, California 92253 cifores la- uinta.com Barbara A. Lee, Director 5796 Corporate Avenue Cypress, California 90630 c_I Edmund G. Brown Jr. Governor af 40 r V MAR 0 "t 7918 r� AT : EVIELOPMENT INITIAL STUDY AND PROPOSED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (ND) FOR THE EISENHOWER DRIVE RETENTION BASIN PROJECT (SCH# 2018021003) Dear Ms. Flores: The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has reviewed the subject ND. The following project description is stated in the ND: "The City of La Quinta is proposing a ±10-acre flood control retention basin to be located at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The site is currently vacant and bounded by Coachella Drive to the north, Eisenhower Drive to the east, Avenida Fernando to the south, and the Santa Rosa Mountains to the west. The project site is relatively flat and consists predominately of desert saltbush scrub, which is a natural vegetation community under the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP)." Based on the review of the submitted document DTSC has the following comments: 1. The ND should identify and determine whether current or historic uses at the project site may have resulted in any release of hazardous wastes/substances. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment may be appropriate to identify any recognized environmental conditions. 2. If there are any recognized environmental conditions in the project area, then proper investigation, sampling and remedial actions overseen by the appropriate regulatory agencies should be conducted prior to the new development or any construction. 3. If the project plans include discharging wastewater to a storm drain, you may be required to obtain an NPDES permit from the overseeing Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). l:'F i R < on � ;,, "GO.'a I'>,:�;:, Ms. Cheri Flores February 28, 2018 Page 2 4. If the site was used for agricultural or related activities, residual pesticides may be present in onsite soil. DTSC recommends investigation and mitigation, as necessary, to address potential impact to human health and environment from residual pesticides. 5. If planned activities include building modifications/demolitions, lead -based paints or products, mercury, and asbestos containing materials (ACMs) should be investigated and mitigated/disposed of in accordance with all applicable and relevant laws and regulations. In addition, evaluate whether polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) containing materials is present in onsite buildings and address as necessary to protect human health and the environment. 6. DTSC recommends evaluation, proper investigation and mitigation, if necessary, on onsite areas with current or historic PCB -containing transformers. 7. If soil contamination is suspected or observed in the project area, then excavated soil should be sampled prior to export/disposal. If the soil is contaminated, it should be disposed of properly in accordance with all applicable and relevant laws and regulations. In addition, if the project proposes to import soil to backfill the excavated areas, proper evaluation and/or sampling should be conducted to make sure that the imported soil is free of contamination. 8. If during construction/demolition of the project, soil and/or groundwater contamination is suspected, construction/demolition in the area should cease and appropriate health and safety procedures should be implemented. If it is determined that contaminated soil and/or groundwater exist, the ND should identify how any required investigation and/or remediation will be conducted, and the appropriate government agency to provide regulatory oversight. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at (714) 484-5380 or email at Johnson.Abraham dtsc.ca. ov. '1111soll P. Abraham Project Manager Brownfields Restoration and School Evaluation Branch Brownfields and Environmental Restoration Program - Cypress kl/sh/ja cc: See next page. Ms. Cheri Flores February 28, 2018 Page 3 cc: Governor's Office of Planning and Research (via e-mail) State Clearinghouse P.O. Box 3044 Sacramento, California 95812-3044 State. clea ri nghouse(Woor. ca .gov Mr. Dave Kereazis (via e-mail) Office of Planning & Environmental Analysis Department of Toxic Substances Control Dave.Kereazis@dtsc.ca.gov Mr. Shahir Haddad, Chief (via e-mail) Schools Evaluation and Brownfields Cleanup Brownfields and Environmental Restoration Program - Cypress S ha h ir. Haddada-dtsc. ca.gov CEQA# 2018021003