6.0 Cumulative and Other CEQA Cumulative... · 1 6.0 Cumulative Impacts and Other CEQA...

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY RELIABILITY PROJECT

6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS AND OTHER CEQA CONSIDERATIONS

MAY 2015 6‐1 FINAL EIR

6.0 Cumulative Impacts and Other CEQA Considerations 12Thissectionaddressescumulativeimpactsandotherconsiderationsinaccordancewiththe3CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA),includinggrowth‐inducingimpacts,significantand4unavoidableadverseimpacts,andsignificantandirreversibleenvironmentalchanges,thatmay5occurasaresultoftheproposedproject.676.1 Cumulative Impacts 89InaccordancewithCEQA(CEQAGuidelinesSection15130etseq.)thisEIRanalyzesthecumulative10impactsoftheproposedprojectinconjunctionwithotherdevelopmentsthataffectorcouldaffect11theprojectarea.AccordingtoCEQA,acumulativeimpactreferstotwoormoreindividualeffects12thatareconsiderablewhentakentogether,orthatcompoundorincreaseotherenvironmental13impacts(CEQAGuidelinesSection15355).CEQArequiresthecumulativeimpactsdiscussionto14reflectthelikelihoodthattheimpactswouldoccurandtheirseverityiftheydidoccur,butallows15thediscussiontocontainlessdetailthanmustbeprovidedforindividualimpacts.Tocomplywith16CEQA,acumulativescenariohasbeendevelopedthatidentifiesandevaluatespast,present,and17reasonablyforeseeablefutureprojectswithinthecumulativestudyareathatwouldbeconstructed18orcommenceoperationduringthetimeframeofactivityassociatedwiththeproposedproject.19206.1.1 Methods 21Alistofdevelopmentprojectswithinthecumulativestudyareawereidentifiedandarepresented22inTable6‐1.Thelistincludespastprojects,projectsunderconstructionandapproved,andpending23projectsthatareanticipatedtobeeitherunderconstructionoroperationalbythetimeofthe24completionoftheproposedproject.Becausetheareawithinwhichacumulativeeffectcanoccur25variesbyresourcearea,forthepurposeofthisanalysis,thegeographicscopealsovariesaccording26totheresourcebeingevaluated.Forexample,trafficandnoiseimpactstendtobelocalizedwhileair27qualityandbiologicalresourcesimpactsaretypicallywidespread.Informationpertainingtopast,28present,andreasonablyforeseeablefutureprojectswasobtainedfromthePlanningDepartment29andDivisionwebsitesoftheCountyofSantaBarbara,theCountyofVentura,theCityofCarpinteria,30theCityofVentura,andtheUSForestService.Informationoncumulativeprojectswasalso31obtainedfromtheCaliforniaOfficeofPlanningandResearch(CEQANetDatabase)andSouthern32CaliforniaEdison.Figure6‐1depictsthelocationofeachproject.Eachofthelocationsarelabeled33withanumberthatcorrespondstothosepresentedinTable6‐1.Ininstanceswheretheanalysisin34Chapter4,“EnvironmentalAnalysis,”determinesthattheproposedprojectwouldresultinno35impact,theassociatedsignificancecriterionisdismissedfromthecumulativeimpactsanalysisin36Section6.1.3.3738Thistabledoesnotincludeallprojectsthatwouldcontributetocumulativeimpactsalongwiththe39proposedproject;rather,itincludesanumberofconcurrentprojectsintheareatodemonstratethe40scopeandnatureofdevelopmentinVenturaandSantaBarbaracounties.Whereconstruction41schedulesareunavailableoruncertain,thecumulativeimpactanalysisconservativelyassumesthat42constructionwouldoverlapwiththeproposedproject.43

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY RELIABILITY PROJECT 6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS AND OTHER CEQA CONSIDERATIONS


Table 6‐1 Cumulative Projects within Five Miles of the Proposed Project

Project Number Project Name Description of Project

Distance from Nearest Project Feature (mi) Project Status

County of Santa Barbara A1 BlackOpalRanch Agriculturaldevelopmentplanfordevelopmentover20,000

squarefeet.0.8 Applicationfiledon

September19,2010.EnvironmentalReviewnotyetcompleted.

A2 LaEstanciaSerenaEquestrianCenter

Commercialhorsetraining,breedingandboardingfacilityforupto45horsestogetherwithsiteimprovementsforthefacility,aswellasaresidentialremodel,newguesthouse,poolcabana,swimmingpool,andanewprivatedriveway.

3.1 EnvironmentaldocumentappealperiodexpiredonApril21,2014.

A3 CarpinteriaValleyFarms

Developmentplanforbuildingandstructuresinexcessof20,000squarefeet.

3.9 ApprovedonApril1,2009.GradingpermitissuedonAugust5,2013.

A4 HolaniFarmsHorseBoardingFacility

Commercialhorseboardingfacilityforupto23horses.20,805squarefeet.

3.9 ApplicationapprovedonJune2,2010.PreconstructionconditionmonitoringunderwayasofAugust29,2013.

A5 SummerlandCommunityPublicSafetyCenter

Constructionofanewfirestation,meetingroom,offices,kitchenbathrooms,sleepingrooms,8,545squarefeetofdevelopment.

4.6 EnvironmentalreviewcompletedonOctober18,2012.PermitcompliancereviewinprogressasofAugust22,2013.

A6 ArroyoParidaCreekBridgeReplacementProject

Caltransbridgereplacement.RelocationofSCECarpinteria‐Ortega‐SantaBarbara66kVsubtransmissionlineandSheffield16kVlinesduetoreplacementoftheArroyoParidaCreekBridgeinCarpinteria.

1.8 Constructionanticipatedin2014.

City of Carpinteria B1 CarpinteriaValley

ArtsCenterNew7,911squarefootcommunityartcenter. 0.7 Projectapprovedasof

January2014.B2 Ellinwood/Green

HeronSpringDemooneunit,construct30newcondos. 1.3 Projectapprovedasof

January2014.

B3 CasaDeLasFlores 43apartmentsandacommunitycenter. 1.2 Projectapprovedasof






January2014.B4 LagunitasMixedUse 37singlefamilydevelopments,36condos,85,000square

footoffice.0.8 Projectapprovedasof

January2014.B5 DorranceWaySingle

FamilyDevelopmentsConstructthreenewsinglefamilydevelopment. 0.9 Projectapprovedasof

January2014.B6 FifthStreetCottages Demoexistingunitandconstructtwonewunits. 0.8 Projectapprovedasof

January2014.B7 DamianiSingle

FamilyDevelopmentConstructonenewsinglefamilydevelopment. 0.6 Projectapprovedasof

January2014.B8 Gonzales

CondominiumsDemooneunit,constructfournewcondos. 0.9 Projectapprovedasof

January2014.B9 ParedonProject–

VenocoExtendedReachOil&GasDevelopment. 1.1 Projectproposedasof

January2014.B10 Gobuty

CondominiumsConstructtwonewunits,subdivideforcondos. 0.7 Projectproposedasof

January2014.B11 M3MixedUse

BuildingNew6,000squarefootcommercialbuilding&twoapartments.

0.6 ProjectapprovedasofJanuary2014.

B12 CarpinteriaValleyWaterDistrictWaterStorageTankProject

Theprojectconsistsofaspanbridgetoreplaceanexistingtemporaryrailcarbridgewiththenewbridge.Thenewbridgewillbea108‐footlongpre‐fabricatedsteeltrussbridgewithaconcretedeckandtheexistingranchroadwasalreadyrealignedtoprovideanadequateturningradius.BinwallshavebeeninstalledtoprotecttheroadbankfromstormflowsandseveralstormdrainoutletshavebeeninstalledonSantaMonicaCreekanditsephemeraltributaries.

0.7 NoticeofDeterminationfiledonOctober5,2012.

B13 LindenAve–CasitasPassInterchangesProject

ReplacementoftheLindenAveandCasitasPassRoadInterchangesincludingwideroverpasses,newrampconnections,andextensionofthefrontageroad(ViaReal).Relocationofapproximately20SCEdistributionpolesthatwillbeinconflictwithCaltranshighwayimprovements.

0.5 Constructionanticipated2013‐2016.SCEdistributionpolestoberelocatedin2014.

B14 RestorationofCarpinteriaCreek

TheCarpinteriaCreekWatershedCoalition(CCWC)isrestoringCarpinteriaCreektocreatenaturalandstablestreamsandvegetatedbankstosupportsteelheadtrout.CCWCisworkingonnumeroushabitatrestorationandsteelheadtroutrestorationprojects.CCWCalsopublishedCarpinteriaCreekWatershedAssessmentandManagement

0 Constructionactivitiesareon‐going.






PlaninMarch2005.B15 SchildknechtSFD Constructonenewsinglefamilydevelopment. 0.75 Projectproposedasof

January2014County of Ventura

C1 PL12‐0152 Developmentofacontractorserviceyardon7.7acresofa22acreparcel.

0.9 PreparingtheenvironmentaldocumentasofApril2,2014.

C2 PL12‐0131 EradicationofnoxiousweedsalongtheripariancorridorofRinconCreek.

0.2 PermitapplicationundergoingcompletenessreviewasofJuly1,2013.

C3 PL13‐0058 Newwirelesscommunicationfacilitydesignedasa65’tall‘faux’watertank.

2.7 AwaitingCUPapplicationresubmittalasofApril2,2014.

C4 PL12‐0136 Conversionofexistingcontractor’sserviceandstorageyardintoaClassIIOilfieldWasteDisposalFacility.ClassIIfluidsarewastestreamsassociatedwithoilandnaturalgasproductionoperationsandprimarilyinclude:producedwater,drillingmud,andtankbottoms.

4.9 AwaitingpermitapplicationresubmittalasofJuly1,2013.

C5 PL13‐0074 Constructionofa6,000squarefootindustrialbuilding. 2.6 PermitapprovedonJanuary27,2014

C6 PL12‐0151 Constructionofanewpackingandprocessingfacility. 3.7 AwaitingpermitapplicationresubmittalasofApril2,2014.

City of Ventura D1 1900SVictoria–

GhittermanNew2storyofficebuilding. 3.3 Underconstructionasof

April1,2014.D2 AlliedBeverage

Company134,797squarefootwarehouseandmaintenancebuilding. 3.9 Underconstructionasof

April1,2014.D3 CMH–NewHospital Constructionofnewhospitalbuilding(320,000squarefeet

and230beds),newstreetextensions,anewpublicplaza,andnewarealandscaping.

4.3 UnderconstructionasofApril1,2014.

D4 CanneryRowLLC MixedUse–Condominiums/Commercial. 4.9 UnderconstructionasofApril1,2014.

D5 LogueFamily MixedUse–Condominiums/Commercial. 3.6 ApprovedonFebruary7,2012.






D6 CastilloDelSol Affordablehousingforspecialneedsresidents,anon‐sitemanager’sunitandsupportiveservices.

4.4 ApprovedonJune26,2013

D7 ParklandsApartments

Apartmentswithcommunitybuilding. 1.5 ApprovedonSeptember5,2012

D8 HemlockApartments 23apartments. 4.7 ApprovedonMay11,2011.InplancheckasofAugust12,2013

D9 PROJ‐04691 7apartments 4.4 UnderconstructionasofApril1,2014.

D10 IslandViewApartments

154‐unitapartmentcomplex. 3.3 ApprovedonNovember19,2012

D11 EastVillageResidential

50‐unitlowincomeapartmentcomplex. 2.3 ApprovedonDecember10,2012

Southern California Edison E1 SantaClara‐Colonia

66‐kVSubtransmissionLineReconductorProject

Reconductorapproximately11milesof66‐kVsubtransmissionlinetocorrectapotentialN‐1conditionifexisting3rdpartygeneratorsdonotrenewtheircontracts.

0 Constructionanticipatedin2018.

E2 Moorpark‐SantaClaraNo.1&No.2220kV–M3‐T3

Repairorreplaceretainingwallin220kV(ROW). 2.8 ConstructioncompletedNovember2013

E3 SantaClara‐GoletaNo.1&No.2220kV–M2‐T1

Repairorreplaceretainingwallin220kVROW. 0 ConstructionanticipatedJuly–August2014

E4 SantaClara‐Wakefield#1&#266kV–M35‐T1

Repairorreplaceretainingwallin66kVROW. 3.5 ConstructiondateTBD.Mayoccurinlate2014or2015.

E5 DeterioratedPoleReplacementProgram(DPRP)

TheDeterioratedPoleReplacementProgramisanongoinginspectionandmaintenanceprogramthroughwhichdeterioratedwoodpolesareidentifiedforreplacementconsistentwithCPUCGeneralOrders95and165.

VariouslocationsinSantaBarbaraCountyandwithinthecitiesofSantaBarbara,CarpinteriaandGoleta.NearestislessthanonemilefromSegment4.

Ongoingpolereplacementactivitiesanticipatedtotakeplace2013‐2018.






E6 TransmissionLineRatingandRemediation(TLRR)Program

TheTLRRProgramfocusisontheevaluationandremediationofspansonSCE’stransmissionsystemthatareinquestionofmeetingCPUCGO95clearancecriteria.Examplesofremediationworktypicallymayincluderelocatingdistributionlinesandstreetlightsfromundertransmissionlines,modifyingpoleheadconfigurationsortighteninginsulatorsorconductors,gradingunderlyingareastoremediateclearanceconcerns,modifyingorreplacingtowers/poles,orinstallingintersecttowers/poles.Withinthecumulativestudyareathereare14locationsthathavebeenidentifiedasworklocationsundertheprogram.

VariouslocationsinVenturaCounty.NearestislessthanonemilefromSantaClaraSubstationandSegment1.

Constructionanticipated2015‐2018.

E7 Carpinteria‐VenturaFiberOpticCableProject

InstallationofnewfiberopticcableprimarilyonexistingdistributionfacilitiesorundergroundprimarilyinexistingROWorfranchise.

0 Constructionanticipated4thQuarter2014.5duetopermittingdelaysandroutealternativesrequestedbyCaltrans.

E8 PastWorkinProjectArea

SubstationmodificationsatCarpinteria,Goleta,IslaVista,Ortega,andSantaClarasubstations.Newsubtransmissionstructuresand66kilovolts(kV)conductorwereinstalledinSegment1fromSantaClaraSubstationtoCasitasSubstation,andexisting66‐kVconductorwasremoved.Newsubtransmissionstructuresand66kVconductorwereinstalledinSegment2fromCasitasSubstationtothe‘Y’locatednearCasitasPassjustwestofLakeCasitasinVenturaCounty,andexisting66kVconductorwasremoved.Newsubtransmissionstructuresand66‐kVconductorswereinstalledinSegment3AfromCarpinteriaSubstationtotheSantaBarbara/VenturaCountyline,andexistingwoodsubtransmissionstructureswereremovedortopped.SubtransmissionstructuresinSegments1and2werepartiallyremoved.PartialworkwascompletedattheGettyTap.

0 Constructioncompletedbetween1999and2004

E9 EmergencyMaintenancealongCasitasPassRoad

EmergencyrepairstoreplacedamagedconductorandonewoodpolealongCasitasPassRoadduetoasmallelectricalfire.Lessthanhalfamileofconductorwasreplaced.

Segment3AalongCasitasPassRoad

Completedin2012

Sources:CityofCarpinteria2014;CityofVentura2014;CountyofSantaBarbara2012;CountyofVentura2014a,b,c,;SCE2014,FehrandPeersTransportationConsultants2007






Key:CPUC=CaliforniaPublicUtilitiesCommission DPRP=DeterioratedPoleReplacementProgramkV=kilovolt SCE=SouthernCaliforniaEdisonTLRR=TransmissionLineRatingandRemediationProgram

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6.1.2 Cumulative Scenario 12TheproposedprojectwouldbelocatedwithinthefoothillsoftheSantaYnezMountains,asub‐3rangeoftheTransverseRanges.Theproposedprojectwouldprimarilyoccupyexistingrights‐of‐4waycharacterizedbyopengrazinglands,orchards,greenhouses,low‐densityresidential5development,andchaparral‐coveredmountainslopes.Mostareasintheimmediatevicinityofthe6proposedprojectaresparselypopulated,withtheexceptionofthewesternportionsofSegments73Aand4,whichpassthroughresidentialareasattheedgeofsuburbanCarpinteria.Giventhe8remotelocationsofthemajorityoftheproposedprojectcomponents,thevastmajorityof9reasonablyforeseeableprojectswithinthe5‐milecumulativestudyareaarelocatedwithinthe10urbanareasinthevalleystothewest(i.e.,CityofCarpinteria)andsoutheast(i.e.,CityofVentura)of11theproposedproject.A5‐milecumulativestudyareawasusedtoidentifyreasonablyforeseeable12projectsbecauseitwassufficientlylargetocaptureadditionalprojectsthathavethepotentialto13contributetocumulativeimpactsandcapturedallofthevariouslandscapesandresourceareasthat14theprojecttransverses.1516Residential Projects 17

Anumberofresidentialprojectshavebeenproposedwithin5milesoftheproposedprojectinthe18citiesofCarpinteriaandVentura.Theseprojectsareinvariousstagesofdevelopment;somehave19beenpartiallyconstructed,andsomemaybeconstructedsimultaneouslywiththeproposedproject,20dependingonwhenpermitsareapproved.Allresidentialdevelopmentswouldhavethesametype21ofimpacts,suchastemporaryandpermanentincreasesintraffic,airemissions,andchangesinthe22visuallandscape.2324Commercial and Retail Developments 25

Theproposedprojectcomponentsarelocatedwithin5milesofnumerouscommercialandretail26developmentsinthecitiesofCarpinteriaandVentura.Theseprojectsareinvariousstagesof27development;twomixeduseprojectsintheCityofCarpinteriahavebeenapprovedthatinclude2885,000squarefeetofofficespaceanda6,000‐square‐footcommercialbuilding.WithintheCityof29Ventura,onemixeduseprojectandatwo‐storyofficebuildingprojectarecurrentlyunder30construction,andanothermixeduseprojecthasbeenapproved.Theseprojectswouldallresultin31similarimpacts,suchastemporaryandpermanentincreasesintraffic,airemissions,andchangesin32thevisuallandscape.3334Industrial Projects 35

AnumberofindustrialprojectsareinvariousstagesofdevelopmentwithinVenturaCountyandthe36CityofVentura.ThreeprojectsarecurrentlyawaitingpermitapplicationresubmittalinVentura37Countyincluding:aprojecttodevelopacontractorserviceyardon7.7acresofa22acreparcel,38conversionofanexistingcontractor’sserviceyardintoaClassIIOilfieldWasteDisposalFacility,39andconstructionofanewpackingandprocessingfacility.AnotherprojectinVenturaCounty,a406,000squarefootindustrialbuilding,iscurrentlyundergoingapplicationcompletenessreview.41WithintheCityofVentura,a134,797squarefootwarehouseandmaintenancebuildingiscurrently42underconstruction.Theseprojectswouldallresultinsimilarimpactsasthoseassociatedwith43residentialprojectsandcommercialandretaildevelopments:temporaryandpermanentincreases44intraffic,airemissions,andchangesinthevisuallandscape.4546




Agricultural Projects 1

Withinthecumulativestudyarea,fouragriculturalprojectsareinvariousstagesofdevelopment–2allwithinunincorporatedSantaBarbaraCounty.Applicationshavebeenfiledfora20,000square3footagriculturaldevelopmentandforacommercialhorsetraining,breeding,andboardingfacility.4Environmentalreviewhasnotyetbeencompletedforeitheroftheseprojects.Twoagricultural5projectshavebeenapproved:theCarpinteriaValleyFarmsProject,whichincludesadevelopment6planforbuildingsandstructuresinexcessof20,000squarefeet,andtheHolaniFarmsHorse7BoardingFacility,a20,805squarefootcommercialhorseboardingfacility.89Public Services Projects 10

Therearetworeasonablyforeseeablepublicservicesprojectswithinthecumulativestudyarea.11TheSummerlandCommunityPublicSafetyCenterwouldbelocatedinunincorporatedSanta12BarbaraCountyandincludesconstructionofanewfirestationandassociatedfacilities.13EnvironmentalreviewfortheprojectwascompletedinOctober2012,anditiscurrently14undergoingpermitcompliancereview.Anew320,000squarefoothospitaliscurrentlyunder15constructionintheCityofVentura.1617Infrastructure Projects 18

Infrastructureprojectswithinthecumulativestudyareaincludebridgereplacementprojects,road19widening,interchangeexpansion,androadextensionprojects,andnewwirelesscommunication20facilityprojects.Twooftheseprojects,theArroyoParidaBridgeReplacementProjectin21unincorporatedSantaBarbaraCountyandtheLindenAvenue‐CasitasPassInterchangesProjectin22theCityofCarpinteria,wouldinvolverelocationofSouthernCaliforniaEdison(SCE)23subtransmissionanddistributionlines.Inaddition,anumberofSCEprojectsarescheduledor24proposedtotakeplacewithinthecumulativestudyareaincluding:substationmodification25projects,reconductoringan11milesegmentofa66‐kVsubtransmissionline,repairorreplacement26ofretainingwallsinthreelocations,afiberopticcableproject,andthreeinfrastructure27replacement/remediationprograms.2829Substation Modification Projects 30

SCEisplanningsubstationmodificationsattheVentura,Casitas,Carpinteria,SanMiguel,andSanta31Clarasubstations.Constructionofthesemodificationsisanticipatedtotakeplacebetween201432and2017.Modificationsateachofthesubstationswouldtakeplacewithintheexistingsubstation33wallorfencewouldnotresultinanincreaseofthevoltageratingofanyofthesubstations.The34modificationsmayentailreplacementofbanksandmiscellaneousequipmentadditionsand35replacements.Theworktobeconductedateachofthesesubstationswouldoccurinareaswithno36publicviewpointandwouldhavenoimpactonanyresourceareas.Therefore,thesemodification37projectsarenotconsideredfurtherinthecumulativeimpactanalysis.3839Santa Clara‐Colonia 66‐kV Subtransmission Line Reconductor Project 40

TheSantaClara‐Colonia66‐kVSubtransmissionLineReconductorProjectwouldinvolvereplacing41theconductorsonanapproximately11milesegmentofa66‐kVsubtransmissionline.Construction42oftheprojectisanticipatedtobeginin2018.4344




Carpinteria‐Ventura Fiber Optic Cable Project 1

SCE’sEdisonCarrierSolutionshasproposedtheCarpinteria‐VenturaFiberOpticCableProjectto2improvethereliabilityoftheSCEcommunicationsnetworkbetweenVenturaandSantaBarbara.3Theprojectwouldinvolveinstallingnewfiberopticcable,primarilyonexistingdistribution4facilities.Inlocationswhereexistingdistributionpolesarenotavailable,thecablewouldbeplaced5inexistingornewundergroundconduit.Theundergroundingwouldoccurprimarilywithinexisting6publicrights‐of‐way.78Deteriorated Pole Replacement Program 9

TheDeterioratedPoleReplacementProgram(DPRP)isanongoinginspectionandmaintenance10programthroughwhichdeterioratedwoodpolesareidentifiedandreplacedtomeetsafety11requirements.Withinthecumulativestudyarea146woodpoleshavebeenidentifiedfor12replacement.Ongoingpolereplacementactivitiesareanticipatedtotakeplacebetween2013and132018.1415Transmission Line Rating and Remediation Program 16

TheTransmissionLineRatingandRemediationProgram(TLRR)focusesonevaluatingand17remediatingspansofSCE’stransmissionsysteminordertomeetclearancecriteriaestablishedby18theCaliforniaPublicUtilitiesCommission(CPUC).Theremediationworkmayincluderelocating19distributionlinesandstreetlightsfromundertransmissionlines,modifyingpolehead20configurations,tighteninginsulatorsorconductors,gradingunderlyingareastoremediate21clearanceconcerns,modifyingorreplacingtowers/poles,orinstallingintersecttowers/poles.22Withinthecumulativestudyareathereare14locationsthathavebeenidentifiedasworklocations23undertheprogram.Theconstructionworkattheselocationsisanticipatedtooccurbetween201724and2018.2526Past Work in Project Area 27

AsdiscussedinChapter1,“Introduction,”SCEconductedthefollowingunpermittedactivitieson28Segments1,2,and3Aandseveralsurroundingsubstationsbetween1999and2004:29 30

Segment1/GettyTap31

‐ Fortylatticesteeltowers(LSTs)andonewoodH‐framestructurewereremoved,32althoughsomefoundationmaterialforthepreviousLSTswasnotremovedandremains33inplace.34

‐ Thirty‐seventubularsteelpoles(TSPs)and3LSTswereconstructedinlinewiththe35removedstructures.36

‐ Twocircuits,eachtotalingapproximately47,500feetinlength,of954stranded37aluminumconductor(SAC)wereinstalled,replacing653aluminumconductorsteel‐38reinforced(ACSR)conductor.39

‐ TwofootingsforTSPs,twolightweightsteel(LWS)H‐frames,oneLWSpole,andtwo40switchesattheGettyTaplocationwereinstalled,andtwowoodH‐framesandonewood41polewereremoved.42

Segment 2 43

‐ TwentyLSTswereremoved,althoughsomefoundationmaterialfortheLSTswasnot44removedandremainsinplace.45




‐ SixteenTSPsand2newLSTswereconstructedwithinthealignmentoftheremoved1structures.2

‐ Twocircuits,eachtotalingapproximately21,500feetinlength,of954SACwere3installed,replacing653ACSRconductor.4

Segment 3A 5

‐ Approximately32existingwoodpolesalongSegment3Awerenotreplaced;the6conditionofthesepoleswasdeterminedtobesufficienttosupportthenewconductor,7andtheonlyworkconductedonthesepoleswastheinstallationofnewconductor.8

‐ Forty‐ninenewLWSpoleswereinstalledtoreplaceapproximately49wood9subtransmissionpolesthatpreviouslysupported66kVfacilities.Workonthesepoles10includedtheinstallationofnewconductorandthetransferofdistributioncircuits.11

‐ Withrespecttothepre‐existing49woodsubtransmissionpoles,34ofthesewood12subtransmissionpoleswereremovedentirely,and15ofthewoodpoleswere‘topped’13byremovingtheupperportionofthepole,thusleavingshorterpolesinplaceonwhich1416kVdistributioncircuitsandthird‐partytelecommunicationsfacilitiesremain.15

‐ Approximately19,500feetofsingle‐circuit954SACwasinstalled,replacing653ACSR16conductor.17

‐ OneTSPwasinstalledattheeasternterminusofSegment3A;thisTSPreplacedan18existingwoodpole.19

‐ Approximatelyfivewoodguystubswithheightsbetween20and30feetwerereplaced20withfivenewwoodguystubswithheightsbetween25and40feet.21

22SubstationmodificationsatCarpinteriaSubstation,GoletaSubstation,IslaVistaSubstation,Ortega23Substation,andSantaClaraSubstationalsooccurredaspartofthepreviousworkperformedinthe24projectarea.25266.1.3 Resource Areas 27286.1.3.1 Aesthetics 2930Scope and Geographic Extent 31

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativeimpactstoaestheticsincludesanyprojectthatwouldcreate32impactssimilartothoseassociatedwiththeproposedproject,thatis,anyprojectthatwouldaffect33existingvisualcharacterorqualityinthevicinityoftheproposedprojectcomponents.The34geographicextentforconsideringcumulativeimpactstoaestheticsincludesallprojectswithin235milesoftheproposedprojectcomponents,whichisaconservativeestimateofthelikelymaximum36distancefromwhichprojectcomponentswouldbevisible,particularlyconsideringtheterrainof37theprojectarea.3839Existing Cumulative Conditions 40

Thelandscapesintheprojectcomponentareasarecharacterizedbychaparral‐coveredmountain41slopes,agriculturallanduses,andlowdensityresidentialdevelopment.TheviewshedofLake42CasitasandtheridgelinesandothersensitivelandscapefeaturessurroundingLakeCasitasarethe43




onlydesignatedscenicareasinthecumulativestudyarea.TherearenoDesignatedStateScenic1Highwaysintheprojectvicinity;however,SR150isanEligibleStateScenicHighway.23Cumulative Impact Analysis 4

Cumulativeprojectsthatarewithinthegeographicextentforcumulativeimpactsrelatedto5aestheticsincluderesidential,commercial,industrial,andinfrastructureprojects.However,thevast6majorityofprojectswithintwomilesoftheprojectcomponentsarelocatedwithintheCityof7Carpinteria.Neithertheprojectcomponentsthemselvesnorthereasonablyforeseeable8developmentprojectsinthisareadiffersubstantiallyfromsurroundinglanduses.910ThePastWorkinProjectArea(E8)alongSegments1,2,and3Aistheonlycumulativeproject11locatedoutsideoftheCityofCarpinteriabutwithinthesameviewshedastheproposedproject.12AlthoughthePastWorkintheProjectArearesultedinchangesinthevisualcharacterorquality13thatarevisibletosensitiveviewersintheShepardMesaareaandmotoristsandbicyclistsinthe14vicinity(Segment3A),theproposedprojectdoesnotcontributetothatimpact.Theproposed15projectincludesonlytheadditionoffaultreturnconductor,whichwouldnotresultinasignificant16visualimpactandthereforedoesnotcontributetotheexistinglong‐termvisualimpactthatresulted17fromthepastwork.AdiscussionofhowthePastWorkintheProjectArea(E8)alongSegment3A18resultedinsignificantlong‐termaestheticimpactsisincludedinChapter7.1920Becausetheproposedprojectdoesnotcontributetheexistingvisualimpact,constructionofthe21proposedprojectwouldnotresultinaconsiderablecontributiontocumulativeimpactson22aestheticresourcesintheprojectarea.23246.1.3.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources 2526Scope and Geographic Extent 27

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativeimpactstoagriculturalandforestryresourcesincludesany28projectthatwouldimpactstate‐designated,importantfarmland(PrimeFarmland,Unique29Farmland,and/orFarmlandofStatewideImportance),conflictwithexistingzoningfor,orcause30rezoningof,forestland,timberland,ortimberlandproductionzones,orresultinthelossofforest31land.ThegeographicextentforcumulativeimpactstoagricultureisSantaBarbaraandVentura32countiesbecausecumulativeimpactsonimportantfarmlandarerecordedatthecountylevel.As33discussedinSection4.2,“AgricultureandForestryResources,”theproposedprojectwouldnot34conflictwithexistingzoningforforestland,landzonedfortimberlandproduction,orresultinthe35lossorconversionofforestlandtonon‐forestuse.Therefore,potentialcumulativeimpactson36forestryresourcesarenotdiscussedfurtherinthissection.3738Existing Cumulative Conditions 39

InSantaBarbaraandVenturaCounties,urbanandsuburbanusescanencroachonfarmland,40resultinginalossofimportantfarmlandwhenlandwithagriculturalusesordesignationis41convertedtoresidential,commercial,industrial,andotherdevelopment.Urbanencroachmenton42farmlandcanalsoresultinindirectimpacts,includingrestrictionsontypicalfarmactivities,suchas43heavyequipmentoperation,andreductionsintheproductivityofcropsrelatedtoairquality44impacts.4546Approximately12percentofthetotalacreageofSantaBarbaraCounty(125,112acres)and2047percentofthetotalacreageofVenturaCounty(119,683acres)isclassifiedasPrimeFarmland,48




FarmlandofStatewideImportance,UniqueFarmland,orFarmlandofLocalImportance(Important1Farmland)(CDC2010a,2010b).23Cumulative Impact Analysis 4

AlthoughsomeongoingdevelopmentinSantaBarbaraandVenturaCountieswouldresultin5impactsonfarmlandandlanddesignatedforagriculturaluses,thistypeofdevelopmenttendsto6occuradjacenttoornearareasdevelopedwithurban,suburban,andothernon‐agriculturaluses,or7asurbaninfill.ThePastWorkinProjectArea(E8) resulted in one structure on active Unique 8Farmland in the Shepard Mesa area. The structure is immediately adjacent to the new LWS 9pole within the right-of-way (ROW). Therefore, the placement of the new LWS pole resulted in 10less than 0.001 acres of long-term disturbance on Unique Farmland. The placement of new 11TSPs in Segments 1 and 2 resulted in less than 0.007 acres of long-term disturbance to 12Grazing Land. Moreover,SantaBarbaraandVenturaCountiesimplementpoliciestoaddress13potentialimpactsonagriculturalusesintheirGeneralPlans,includingpoliciestoprotectfarmland14andreviewdevelopmentinruralareasthatcouldimpactagriculturaluses.Therefore,anyimpact15fromthecumulativeprojectsonagriculturalresourceswithintheareaofcumulativeeffectwould16belessthansignificant.1718WorkinSegments3A,3B,and4oftheproposedprojectwouldtemporarilydisturbupto28acresof19UniqueFarmlandand3.7acresofPrimeFarmland.Attheconclusionofconstruction,themajority20ofthedisturbedareaswouldbereturnedtoasclosetopre‐constructionconditionsasfeasible,orto21conditionsagreeduponbythelandownerandSCE.Constructionandoperationoftheprojectwould22resultinthepermanentconversionofapproximately12.30acresoflandsidentifiedasimportant23farmland,whichrepresentsalossof0.005percentoftheImportantFarmlandsinventoryinSanta24BarbaraandVenturaCounties.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinaconsiderable25contributiontocumulativeimpactsonstate‐designatedimportantfarmlandSantaBarbaraand26VenturaCounties.27286.1.3.3 Air Quality 2930Scope and Geographic Extent 31

Projectsincludedinthecumulativeanalysisforairqualityimpactsarelimitedtoexistingand32reasonablyforeseeableprojectswithin5milesoftheproposedprojectcomponents.3334Existing Cumulative Conditions 35

Existingsourcesofairpollutantsinthecumulativestudyarea(SantaBarbaraCountyandVentura36counties)includecommercialandindustrialareasources,non‐roadmobilesources(e.g.,off‐37highwayequipment),on‐roadmobilesources,andaircraftemissions.Theproposedprojectisinan38areaunderthejurisdictionoftheSantaBarbaraCountyAirPollutionControlDistrict(SBCAPCD)39andtheVenturaCountyAirPollutionControlDistrict(VCAPCD)andislocatedwithintheSouth40CentralCoastAirBasin.Theportionoftheairbasinwheretheproposedprojectwouldbelocatedis41designatedasnonattainmentforozoneandPM10withrespecttoNationalAmbientAirQuality42StandardsandCaliforniaAmbientAirQualityStandards.4344Cumulative Impact Analysis 45

CumulativeprojectsidentifiedinTable6‐1wouldcontributetocumulativeairemissions.The46contributionofadditionalemissionsofozoneprecursors(i.e.,NOx,CO,andReactiveOrganicGases47[ROGs]),PM2.5andPM10couldresultinasignificantimpacttoairquality.However,likethe48




proposedproject,cumulativeprojectswouldberequiredtocomplywithapplicableVCAPCDand1SBCAPCDregulations,aswellaswithadditionalcounty‐specificrequirementstomitigateimpacts2associatedwithconstructionemissions.34AsdescribedinSection4.3,“AirQuality,”theCPUChasoptedtousetheSouthCoastAirQuality5ManagementDistrict(SCAQMD)AirQualitySignificanceThresholdsforConstructionforthe6purposeofthisEIRanalysisduetotheabsenceofquantitativethresholdsofsignificanceforshort‐7termconstructionemissionsfromSBCAPCDandVCAPCD.AftertheimplementationofVCAPCDand8SBCAPCDregulations(APMAQ‐1andAPMAQ‐2)andMMAQ‐1,theproposedprojectwould9nonethelessresultinsignificantROG,NOx,PM2.5,andPM10emissionsduringthefirstyearof10construction.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldresultinacumulativelyconsiderableimpactin11relationtoairqualityduringthefirstyearofconstruction.1213Duringthesecondyearofconstruction,ROG,NOx,PM2.5,andPM10emissionswouldbewellbelow14SCAQMDconstructionthreshold(Table4.3‐12).Theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwith15VCAPCDandSBCAPCDairqualityplans.Thereforecumulativelyconsiderableimpactsinrelationto16airqualitywouldnotoccurduringthesecondyearofconstruction.1718Operationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotdifferinscopeorscalefromcurrentoperationsand19maintenanceactivitiesalongthe66kVsubtransmissionlinesoratthesubstations.Theemissions20associatedwithcurrentandfutureprojectoperationswouldrepresentaverysmallfractionofthe21regionalemissioninventoriesandwouldnotbecontributetoanycumulativelyconsiderable22impactstoairquality.23246.1.3.4 Biological Resources 2526Scope and Geographic Extent 27

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativeimpactsonbiologicalresourcesincludescumulativeprojects28thatcouldhaveanadverseeffectonspecialstatusspecies,U.S.FishandWildlifeService(USFWS)‐29designatedcriticalhabitat,wetlandsandriparianareas,andsensitivevegetationcommunitiesas30discussedinSection4.4,“BiologicalResources.”Thegeographicextentforconsideringproject‐31relatedcumulativeimpactsonbiologicalresourcesincludesprojectswithin5‐milesofproposed32projectcomponentsbecausethisdistanceencompassesareasonablerepresentativerangefor33populationsofthesensitivespecies,suchasnestingbirds,identifiedintheindividualimpact34analysisfortheproposedproject.3536Existing Cumulative Conditions 37

Mostareasintheimmediatevicinityoftheproposedprojectaresparselypopulated,withthe38exceptionofthewesternportionsofSegments3Aand4,whichpassthroughresidentialareasatthe39edgeofsuburbanCarpinteria.Theareasurroundingtheprojectareaincludesvariousnativecoastal,40chaparral,andwoodlandvegetationtypes.Numerouswildlifespeciesareknownoccurwithinthe41projectvicinity,includingfish,reptile,amphibian,bird,andmammalspecies.4243Cumulative Impact Analysis 44

ThemajorityofthecumulativeprojectslistedinTable6‐1areplannedtobeconstructedin45disturbedurbanareasinthelowerelevationsonthecoastalplain.Mostoftheseprojectsare46residentialorcommercial/retailprojects,typicalofurbaninfilldevelopment,atlowerelevationson47thecoastalplainandarethereforelesslikelytoimpactspecialstatusplantandwildlifespecies.48




Withintheimmediatevicinity(lessthan0.5miles)oftheproposedprojectcomponents,allbuttwo1ofthecumulativeprojectsareotherutility‐relatedprojects(e.g.,installingfiberopticcables,2repairingretainingwalls,replacingdeteriorateddistributionsystempoles)plannedbySCE.34ThePreviousWorkPerformedinProjectArea(E8)couldhaveimpactedsimilarbiological5resourcesastheproposedprojectalongSegments1,2,and3A.ThePreviousWorkPerformedin6ProjectArearesultedinlessthanoneacreoflong‐termdisturbancealongSegment3A.This7segmentdoesnotcontainhighqualityhabitatforspecialstatusspecies.Muchofthelandalong8Segment1hasbeenhistoricallyusedforgrazingactivitiesandisconsistentlydisturbed.Theaccess9roadpreviouslyusedforconstructioncrossesCañadaLargastreamanddoesnotcontainacrossing10structure. This stream contains special status species and is designated critical habitat for 11Southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchusmykissirideus). Segment2ispredominantly12CaliforniacoastalliveoakwoodlandandhasmoredensetreecoveragethanSegments1and3A.13Segment2sharesaROWwithandislocatedbetweentwoexistingtransmissionlines,soitis14assumedthattheareaintheimmediatevicinityoftheSegment2towerswasalreadydisturbedat15thetimeofconstructionduetooperationsandmaintenanceactivitieswithintheROW.1617Constructionoftheproposedprojectcouldaffectseveralspecialstatusplantandwildlifespecies.18Theproposedprojectwouldalsoberequiredtocomplywithallapplicablelawsandregulations19relatedtospecialstatusplantandwildlifespecies.Moreover,theproposedprojectwould20implementAPMsandmitigationmeasures,asdescribedinSection4.4,“BiologicalResources,”to21ensurethatimpactstospecialstatusplantsandwildlifearelessthansignificant.Duetothephysical22distancebetweencumulativeprojectconstructionsites,andtheshort‐termnatureofconstruction23activities,theproposedproject’scontributiontoanycumulativeimpactsrelatedtospecialstatus24plantandwildlifewouldnotbecumulativelyconsiderable.2526ProjectconstructioncouldaffectriparianhabitatsinSegment4asaresultofwaterbodycrossings.27CumulativeprojectsinvolvingwaterwaycrossingsincludetheArroyoParidaBridgeReplacement28Project(A6)inSantaBarbaraCounty,theCarpinteriaValleyWaterDistrictWaterStorageTank29Project(B12)andRestorationofCarpinteriaCreek(B14)intheCityofCarpinteria,andSCE’s30PreviousWorkPerformedinProjectArea(E8).However,theproposedprojectandallcumulative31projectswouldberequiredtocomplywithCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildliferegulations32andpermitsregardingstreambedalteration.Therefore,theproposedproject’scontributiontoany33cumulativeimpactsrelatedtoriparianhabitatswouldnotbecumulativelyconsiderable.3435ConstructionandoperationoftheProjectwouldhavelessthansignificantimpactsonspecialstatus36naturalcommunities,includingSouthernCaliforniaBlackWalnutWoodlandandSouthernCoast37LiveOakRiparianForest,afterincorporationofAPMsandmitigationmeasuresasdescribedin38Section4.4,“BiologicalResources.”WorkwouldcomplywithVenturaCountyandSantaBarbara39Countytreeordinancesandapplicablepermits.Cumulativeprojectswouldberequiredtocomply40withlocaltreeordinancesaswell.Therefore,theproposedproject’scontributiontoanycumulative41impactsrelatedtospecialstatusnaturalcommunitieswouldnotbecumulativelyconsiderable.4243ProjectconstructionandoperationcouldhavedirectimpactsonwetlandsasdefinedbySection40444oftheCleanWaterActasaresultofaccessroadconstruction,rehabilitation,andmaintenance.45HowevertheprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywithallapplicablesectionsoftheCleanWater46ActaswellaswithStateandlocalstreambedandstormwaterregulationsandapplicablepermit47conditions.Otherprojectsinthecumulativescenariowouldalsoberequiredtocomplywith48




applicablelaws,regulations,andpermitconditions.Therefore,theproposedproject’scontribution1toanycumulativeimpactsrelatedtowetlandswouldnotbecumulativelyconsiderable.23Constructionandoperationactivitiesmayresultintemporarychangesinwildlifemovementdueto4constructionnoiseandhumanpresence.However,theseimpactswouldbelocalized,temporary,5andlessthansignificant.AllofthecumulativeprojectslistedinTable6‐1wouldhavelocalized6footprintsandwouldalsonotbeexpectedtoaffectspeciesmigration.Forexample,nonew7highways,levees,orothermajorinfrastructureisplanned.Therefore,theproposedproject’s8contributiontoanycumulativeimpactsrelatedtochangesinwildlifemovementwouldnotbe9cumulativelyconsiderable.1011AfterimplementationofAPMsandmitigationmeasures,asdescribedinSection4.4,“Biological12Resources,”constructionandoperationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanylocal13policiesorordinancesprotectingbiologicalresources,includingtrees.Liketheproposedproject,14cumulativeprojectswouldbeexpectedtocomplywithallapplicablelaws,ordinances,regulations,15andtheconditionsofapplicablepermits.Moreover,project‐relatedimpactsassociatedwithtree16trimmingorremovalwouldbelocalized,andwouldnotoverlapwithimpactsassociatedwithany17cumulativeproject.Therefore,theproposedproject’scontributiontoanycumulativeimpacts18relatedtolocalpoliciesorordinancesprotectingbiologicalresourceswouldnotbecumulatively19considerable.2021NoHabitatConservationPlans,NaturalCommunityConservationPlans,orotherapprovedlocal,22regional,orStatehabitatconservationplansexistfortheproposedprojectarea.Therefore,the23proposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativeimpactinvolvingconflictswithadopted24naturalresourceplans.25266.1.3.5 Cultural and Paleontological Resources 2728Scope and Geographic Extent 29

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativeimpactsonculturalandpaleontologicalresourcesincludes30projectsthatwouldpotentiallydisturbunidentifiedsubsurfacehumanremainsorhistoric,31archaeological,orpaleontologicalresourcesthroughgrounddisturbance,asthesewerethetypeof32potentialimpactsidentifiedfortheproposedproject.Noidentifiedculturalorpaleontological33resourceswouldbeimpactedbytheproposedproject.Therefore,thegeographicextentofthe34analysisofcumulativeimpactsonculturalresourcesislimitedtoconstructionimpactson35previouslyunidentifiedculturalandpaleontologicalresourcesthatcouldoccurasaresultofthe36proposedproject,andwherethesameunidentifiedresourcescouldalsobeaffectedbyconstruction37ofotherprojects(i.e.,withinthefootprintoftheproposedprojectandwithinapproximately10038feetofthisfootprint).3940Existing Cumulative Conditions 41

Themajorityofprojectsinthecumulativescenarioarelocatedinoraroundthedisturbedurban42areasonthecoastalplain.Ground‐disturbingactivities,suchasthosethatwouldtakeplaceaspart43oftheproposedproject,coulddisturbunknownculturalandpaleontologicalresources.However,44mostoftheseprojectsarelocatedmorethan100feetawayfromtheproposedprojectfootprintand45donothavethepotentialtoimpactthesameunidentifiedculturalresourcesastheproposed46project.SCE’sPreviousWorkPerformedinProjectArea(E8)iswithinthegeographicextentfor47cumulativeimpacts.However,noculturalresourceswerereportedtobedamagedfromground‐48




disturbanceactivities.TherearefivereasonablyforeseeableSCEprojectsthathavethepotentialto1impactthesameunidentifiedresourcesastheproposedproject:SantaClara‐Colonia66kV2SubtransmissionLineReconductorProject(E1),repairorreplacementofanexistingretainingwall3(E3),theDPRP(E5),theTLRR(E6),andtheCarpinteria‐VenturaFiberOpticCableProject(E7).45Cumulative Impact Analysis 6

AsdiscussedinSection4.5,“CulturalResources,”theproposedprojectcoulddisturbunknown7subsurfacehumanremainsorhistoric,archaeological,orpaleontologicalresourcesthrough8excavationandgrounddisturbance.Severalotherprojectsinthecumulativescenariocouldtake9placeinthesamelocationorwithin100feetoftheproposedprojectcomponents;thereissome10potentialthattheproposedprojectandanotherprojectcouldaffectthesameunknownresourceor11resultincumulativelysignificantimpactsonunknownresources.However,itisreasonableto12assumethat,similartotheproposedproject,potentialimpactsonunknownculturalor13paleontologicalresourcesassociatedwithotherprojectsintheimmediatevicinity,aswellaswith14otherdevelopmentprojectsinthearea,wouldbeappropriatelymitigatedbyconstruction15monitoringandotherstandardmitigationmeasures(includingrecordation,avoidance,and16relocation),asappropriate.NumerousCalifornialawsandpolicies,aswellasSantaBarbaraand17VenturaCountypolicies,areinplacethatrequiremeasurestoavoid,reduce,orminimizeimpactsto18culturalandpaleontologicalresources.Moreover,allofthereasonablyforeseeableprojectsinthe19vicinityoftheproposedprojectareotherSCEprojectsandwouldbesubjecttoSCE’sstandardbest20managementpracticesfordealingwithunanticipatedculturalorpaleontologicalresource21discoveries(e.g.,SCE’sCulturalResourcesUnanticipatedDiscoveryPlan).Therefore,thetotal22impactofdevelopmentprojectsonunknownculturalresourceswithintheculturalresources23cumulativestudyarea(i.e.,within100feetoftheproposedprojectfootprint)wouldnotresulttobe24cumulativelyconsiderable.25266.1.3.6 Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources 2728Scope and Geographic Extent 29

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativeimpactsongeology,soils,andmineralresourcesincludes30projectsthathavethepotentialtoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverse31effects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingruptureofaknownearthquakefault,32strongseismicgroundshaking,orseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includingliquefaction;projects33thatwouldresultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil;projectsthatwouldbelocatedon34ageologicunitorsoilthatisunstable,orthatwouldbecomeunstableasaresultoftheproposed35project,andpotentiallyresultinanonsiteoroffsitelandslide,lateralspreading,subsidence,36liquefaction,orcollapse;orprojectsthatwouldbelocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantial37riskstolifeorproperty.Thegeographicextentforconsideringcumulativeimpactstogeology,soils,38andmineralsisa0.5‐mileradiusfromthefootprintoftheproposedprojectcomponentsbecause39geologichazardsaregenerallydependentonlocalizedgeologicandsoilconditions.Asdiscussedin40Section4.6,“Geology,Soil,andMineralResources,”theproposedprojectwouldhavenoimpacton41mineralresources.Therefore,potentialcumulativeimpactsonmineralresourcesarenotdiscussed42furtherinthissection.4344Existing Cumulative Conditions 45

Theproposedprojectcomponents,andprojectsinthecumulativescenariothatarewithinthe46geographicextentforconsideringcumulativeimpactsrelatedtogeologyandsoils,arelocated47withinaseismicallyactiveareaincloseproximitytoanumberofactiveandpotentiallyactivefaults.48




Areasinthecumulativestudyareaforgeologyandsoilresourcesrangefromlow‐lyingareas,with1potentialforliquefaction,toareaswithruggedtopography,steepslopes,andunstablebedrockwith2potentialforsoilerosionandlandslides.Inadditionsomeofthesoilsintheareahaveaveryhigh3potentialforerosion.45Projectswithinthegeographicextentforconsideringcumulativeimpactsrelatedtogeologyand6soilsincludeaprojectthatwouldinvolvetheeradicationofnoxiousweedsalongRinconCreekand7severalotherplannedSCEprojectsincluding:theSantaClara‐Colonia66‐kVSubtransmissionLine8ReconductorProject(E1),repairorreplacementofanexistingretainingwall(E2throughE4),the9DPRP(E5),theTLRR(E6),theCarpinteria‐VenturaFiberOpticCableProject,andSCE’sPastWork10intheProjectArea(E8).1112Cumulative Impact Analysis 13

AsdiscussedinSection4.6,“Geology,Soils,andMineralResources,”theproposedproject14componentareasarelocatedinaseismicallyactiveregionandactivefaultsintheareaarecapable15ofcausingdamagetoproposedprojectstructures.Inaddition,thereisthepotentialforsoil16instability‐relatedimpactssuchassoilerosion,landslides,andliquefaction.Theproposedproject17wouldresultinthereplacementofolderstructuresthataremoresusceptibletoseismiceventsand18relocatingorremovingsubtransmissionstructuresthatareinareassusceptibletolandslides.The19areasoftheproposedprojectmostsusceptibletolandslidesarethehigherelevationareas,which20tendtobesparselypopulated.Areaswithpotentialforliquefactionpotentialwouldbeavoidedor21projectcomponentswouldbedesignedtominimizethepotentialforliquefactionandincorporate22groundimprovementsinliquefiablezones.Furthermore,implementationofAPMsandmitigation23measures,implementationoferosionandsedimentationcontrolmeasuresrequiredinthe24StormwaterPollutionPreventionPlan(SWPPP),andtheapplicationofappropriateandrequired25engineeringdesign,includingcompliancewithcurrentbuildingcodesandregulationsasrequired26bylocaljurisdictions,wouldreduceanypotentialimpactsrelatedtogeologyandsoilstoalessthan27significantlevel.2829Similartotheproposedproject,anynewdevelopmentintheregionwouldalsoberequiredtobe30constructedinaseismicallysoundmanner,incompliancewiththeCaliforniaBuildingCodeand31applicablelocalregulations.Projectsthatwouldresultinmorethanoneacreofgrounddisturbance32wouldalsoberequiredprepareaSWPPPaspartofcomplyingwiththeNationalPollutionDischarge33EliminationSystemConstructionStormwaterGeneralPermit,whichwouldreducethepotentialfor34soilerosionandlossoftopsoil.Thecumulativeprojectswouldincludeappropriategeotechnical35engineering,designmeasures,andBMPsthatwouldreduceanypotentialimpactsrelatedtogeology36andsoilstoalessthansignificantlevel.3738Therefore,anycumulativeimpactrelatedtogeologyandsoilswouldbelessthansignificant,and39theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinaconsiderablecontributiontocumulativeimpactsrelated40togeologyandsoils.41426.1.3.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions 4344Scope and Geographic Extent 45

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativeimpactsrelatedtoemissionsofgreenhousegases(GHGs)46includesprojectsthathavethepotentialtogenerateGHGemissionsduringconstructionor47operation.BecauseimpactsrelatedtoGHGemissionsareinherentlyglobalinnature(thoughthey48




tendtoberegulatedonaregionalorstatelevel),thegeographicextentforconsideringcumulative1impactsrelatedtoGHGsislikewiseglobal.23Existing Cumulative Conditions 4

Regionalandglobaldevelopmentpatternscontinuetorelyonmethodsandpracticesthat5contributelargevolumesofGHGstotheatmosphere,andimpactsrelatedtoGHGshavewidespread6andpotentiallyharmfulconsequences.TheincreaseinGHGsintheatmosphere,causedinlargepart7byhumanactivity,isnowconsideredoneofthekeycausesofglobalclimatechange.Current8scientificresearchindicatesthatpotentialeffectsofclimatechangeincludevariationsin9temperatureandprecipitation,sea‐levelrise,impactsonbiodiversityandhabitat,impactson10agricultureandforestry,andhumanhealthandsocialimpacts(CNRA2009).Asdescribedinthe11state’sClimateChangeScopingPlanof2008(CARB2008),GHGsourcesinthestatecollectively12resultinemissionsthatarehigherthanthetargetsestablishedbyAssemblyBill32,whichindicates13thatGHGemissionsinthestatecontinuetocontributetoatotalsignificant,state‐widecumulative14impact.1516AllprojectsincludedinthecumulativescenariowouldgenerateGHGsduringconstruction17(equipmentemissions)andoperations(increasedtraffictripstonewdevelopment).1819Cumulative Impact Analysis 20

The CEQA Guidelines include provisions for assessing the cumulative impacts of projects with GHG 21emissions. According to the guidelines, the lead agency “may determine that a project’s incremental 22contribution to a cumulative effect is not cumulatively considerable if the project will comply with the 23requirements in a previously approved plan or mitigation program (including, but not limited to, … plans 24or regulations for the reduction of GHG emissions) which provides specific requirements that will avoid 25or substantially lessen the cumulative problem” (Section 15064[h][3]). According to this section, if an 26adopted plan or program adequately addresses cumulative GHG emissions and would apply to proposed 27development, the determination may be made that the development would not result in a cumulatively 28considerable impact, as long as the plan or mitigation program being relied upon imposes requirements 29that adequately address cumulative GHG emissions. In addition, in order to appropriately determine and 30mitigate GHG impacts, the plan or mitigation program must provide specific requirements that will avoid 31or substantially lessen the cumulative impact, must be specified in law or adopted through a public review 32process, and must be enforceable. 33 34TheproposedprojectwouldgeneratedirectemissionsofGHGsfromequipment/vehicleusage35duringconstructionandoperationandfrompotentialsulfurhexafluoride(SF6)leakagefrom36electricalequipment.TheSantaBarbaraCountyAirPollutionControlDistricthasnotestablished37significancecriteriaforGHGemissions(SBCAPCD2011).TheVenturaCountyAirPollutionControl38District(VCAPCD)isconsideringatieredapproachtoassessingGHGemissionswiththemain39componentsinvolvingconsistencywithalocallyadoptedGHGreductionplan,followedbyabright‐40linethresholdforsomeprojects(VCAPCD2011).GiventhattheVCAPCDhasnotyetformally41adoptedGHGemissionsthresholds,theyarecurrentlydeferringtotheinterimsignificance42thresholdsestablishedbytheSouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict(theadjacentairquality43jurisdiction).ThenetGHGemissionchangeassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedproject44wouldbelessthantheSCAQMDinterimGHGsignificancethresholdof10,000metrictonsofcarbon45dioxideequivalency(CO2e)peryear.Itisestimatedthattheproposedprojectwouldresultinan46increaseof8,458metrictonsofCO2eduringconstructionandthatoperationalemissionswould47remainunchanged,asdiscussedinSection4.7,“GreenhouseGasEmissions.”48 49




ThetotalimpactofdevelopmentprojectsrelatedtoGHGswithincumulativestudyareawouldbe1significant.However,theproposedprojectwouldincludeAPMs,airqualityandlocalagencypermit2conditions,andmitigationmeasuresthatwouldaddressandreducethegenerationofGHGsduring3construction,andprojectconstructionemissionswouldbewellbelowSCAQMD’sinterimGHG4significancethresholdof10,000metrictonsofCO2eperyear.Inaddition,projectoperationwould5notresultinanychangestoGHGemissionsfromcurrentlevels.Althoughtheoverallcumulative6contextforGHGemissionsinthestateindicatesasignificanttotalcumulativeimpact,theproposed7projectwouldnotresultinaconsiderablecontributiontocumulativeimpactsrelatedtoGHGs.896.1.3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials 1011Scope and Geographic Extent 12

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativeimpactsrelatedtohazardsandhazardousmaterialsincludes13anyprojectthatwouldhavethepotentialtocauseanaccidentalreleasetothepublicor14environmentduringtransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials,anyprojectthatwould15potentiallyexposesensitivereceptorstoanaccidentalreleaseofhazardousmaterials,andany16projectthatcouldexposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolving17wildlandfires.Thegeographicextentforconsideringproject‐relatedcumulativeimpactsrelatedto18hazardsandhazardousmaterialswouldbeprojectswithin5milesoftheproposedproject19componentsbecausethisdistancecapturesmostoftheareaofthesub‐watershedsthattheproject20crosses(includingallofthedowngradientdrainagesthatcouldbeimpactedbytheproposed21project)andincludesareassubjecttowildlandfires.2223Theproposedprojectwouldnotbeconstructedoroperatedonorwithin1,000feetofanysitelisted24ashazardousmaterialssitepursuanttoStateofCaliforniaGovernmentCodeSection65962.5(i.e.,25the“CorteseList”),withinanairportlanduseplanarea,orwithin2milesofapublicairport,public26useairport,orprivateairstrip.Theproposedprojectwouldalsonotinterferewithanadopted27emergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnot28contributetoanycumulativeimpactsrelatedtohazardousmaterialssites,safetyhazardsrelatedto29peopleresidingand/orworkinginornearairports,orinterferewithanadoptedemergency30responseorevacuationplan.3132Existing Cumulative Conditions 33

Constructionactivitiesassociatedwiththeproposedprojectwouldinvolvetransport,use,and34disposalofhazardousmaterials.Thiswouldincludetheuseofhazardousmaterialstypicallyused35byconstructionvehiclesandheavyequipment(e.g.,gasoline,dieselfuel,transmissionfluid,brake36fluid,hydraulicfluid,solvents,motoroils,andlubricatinggrease).Mostoftheprojectsinthe37cumulativescenariowouldalsorequiretheuseofvehicleandheavymachineryandwouldlikewise38requiretheuseofhazardousmaterials.Inadditiontothesetypicalhazardousmaterials,the39proposedprojectwouldalsorequiretheuseofotherhazardousmaterialsincluding:welding40materials,propane,cannedspraypaint,paintthinner,batteryacid,andinsectrepellent,albeitona41temporarybasisduringconstruction.Alloftheprojectsinthecumulativescenariointheimmediate42vicinityoftheproposedprojectcomponentsareotherSCEprojectsthatareofasimilartypeasthe43proposedproject(e.g.,subtransmissionlinereconductoring,installinganewfiberopticcable,44replacingdeterioratedwoodpoles,modifyingorreplacingstructures,relocatingdistributionlines,45etc.),andmaylikewiserequiretheuseofsimilaradditionalhazardousmaterialsonatemporary46basis.SCE’sPreviousWorkPerformedinProjectArea(E8)iswithinthegeographicextentfor47cumulativeimpacts.However,impactsfromhazardousmaterialswerereported.48




1Therearefourschoolswithin0.25milesofproposedprojectcomponents,allwithintheCityof2Carpinteria.However,onlythreeoftheschoolshavearewithin0.25milesofotherprojectsinthe3cumulativescenario(inadditiontotheproposedproject).CarpinteriaHighSchoolisadjacenttothe4CarpinteriaSubstationandSegment4oftheproposedprojectandisalsolessthan0.25milesfrom5theCarpinteria‐VenturaFiberOpticCableProject.CanalinoElementarySchoolis0.22milessouthof6Segment3Aandlessthan0.25milesfromtheCarpinteria‐VenturaFiberOpticCableProjectandthe7LindenAve–CasitasPassInterchangesProject.HowardCardenSchoolis0.03milessouthof8Segment3Aandlessthanlessthan0.25milessouthoftheCarpinteria‐VenturaFiberOpticCable9Project.1011MuchofthecumulativestudyareaoverlapswithareasthathavebeenidentifiedbyCALFIREas12VeryHighFireHazardSeverityZones(seeFigure4.8‐1)duetoflammablenativevegetation,dry13weatherconditions,andhighwinds.However,mostoftheprojectsinthecumulativescenarioare14plannedatlowerelevationsonthecoastalplainindisturbedurbanareasandwouldbeunlikelyto15poseasignificantriskofignitingvegetation.1617Cumulative Impact Analysis 18

AsdiscussedinSection4.8,“HazardsandHazardousMaterials,”projectconstructionwouldresult19inlessthansignificantimpactsassociatedwiththetransport,use,disposal,orforeseeableupsetof,20oraccidentsinvolvinghazardousmaterialsduringconstruction.Theapplicantwouldcomplywith21allapplicablelawsandregulationsregardingroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardous22materials.TheapplicantwouldalsoimplementAPMs,plans,andmeasuresaddressingsafetyand23hazardousmaterials.Althoughthereispotentialforanaccidentalreleaseofhazardousmaterials24fromtheproposedprojectandotherprojectsinthecumulativescenariotocontributetoa25cumulativelyconsiderableimpactrelatedtotheaccidentalreleaseofhazardousmaterialsintothe26environment,especiallyifthehazardousmaterialsweretransportedoffsiteinwaterorair,projects27inthecumulativescenariowouldalsoberequiredtoimplementBMPsandadheretoallapplicable28lawsandregulationsassociatedwithhazardousmaterials.Therefore,theproposedproject’s29potentialtocontributetocumulativeimpactsrelatedtohazardousmaterialswouldbelessthan30considerable.3132Threeschoolsarewithin0.25milesoftheproposedprojectandotherprojectsinthecumulative33scenario.Constructionoftheproposedprojectwouldinvolvethelimitedtransportofhazardous34liquids(e.g.,gasoline,solvents,andlubricatingfluids),whicharecommonlyusedduring35constructionactivitiesassociatedwithcommercial,residential,andindustrialprojects.Compliance36withfederal,state,andlocalregulations,aswellasimplementationofAPMGEN‐1,whichrequires37thatallproposedprojectworkersreceivetrainingthatincludessafetyelementsandinstructionsfor38dealingwithhazardousmaterials,wouldensurethatimpactsrelatedtohazardousmaterialsand39schoolsarelessthansignificant.Otherprojectsinthecumulativescenariowouldalsoberequiredto40complywithapplicablefederal,state,andlocalregulationsrelatedtothetransportanduseof41hazardousmaterials.Therefore,theproposedproject’scontributiontocumulativeimpactsrelated42tohazardousmaterialsandschoolswouldbelessthanconsiderable.4344ThemajorityoftheproposedprojectcomponentsarelocatedinareasidentifiedbyCALFIREas45VeryHighFireHazardSeverityZones(CALFIRE2007a,2007b,2008,2010).Construction,46operation,andmaintenanceactivitiesassociatedwiththeproposedprojectwouldincreasefirerisk47duringrefueling,vehicleandequipmentuse,welding,vegetationclearing,andotheractivities.48However,theprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywithapplicablelawsandregulationsregarding49




firesafetysuchasCaliforniaPublicResourcesCodeSections4291through4299,whichregulate1vegetationmanagement,andCPUCGeneralOrders95and165relatedtosubtransmissionline2construction.TheapplicantwouldalsoberequiredtodevelopaFireControlandEmergency3ResponsePlan,incoordinationwithlocalfiredepartments,toidentifyfirepreventionmeasuresand4responseandcommunicationprotocols.Althoughmostoftheprojectsinthecumulativescenario5areplannedindisturbedurbanareasthatarelesssusceptibletofire,anumberofadditionalSCE6projectsareplannedintheimmediatevicinityoftheproposedprojectthatposeasimilarriskof7wildlandfire.However,theseprojectswouldalsoberequiredtocomplywithapplicablefederal,8state,andlocallawsrelatedtofireprevention,designfeatures,andoperationalmeasures.Impacts9relatedtofirewouldbeaddressedbytheproposedprojectandotherprojectsinthecumulative10scenarioonaproject‐specificbasis,andtheoverallcumulativeimpactwouldnotbesignificant.11Therefore,theproposedproject’scontributiontocumulativeimpactsrelatedtofirehazardswould12belessthanconsiderable.13146.1.3.9 Hydrology and Water Quality 1516Scope and Geographic Extent 17

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativeimpactsrelatedtohydrologyandwaterqualityisanyproject18thatcouldviolatewaterqualitystandards,impactgroundwatersupplies,alterexistingdrainage19patternsinamannerthatwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationorresultinflooding,20impedeorredirectfloodflowsorotherwisecontributetoariskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolving21water‐relatedhazards.Thegeographicextentforconsideringproject‐relatedcumulativeimpactson22hydrologyandwaterqualityincludesprojectswithin5‐milesofproposedprojectcomponents23becausethisdistanceencompassesthemajorityoftheareasofthesub‐watershedsthattheproject24crosses.2526Existing Cumulative Conditions 27

Theregionalwatershedsinthecumulativestudyareaincludecoastalcreeksassociatedwith28perennialsprings,seeps,andstormwaterrunoff.Majorwaterwaysinthecumulativeprojectarea29includeFranklinCreek,CarpinteriaCreek,RinconCreekandtheVenturaRiver.Surfacewater30qualityinthecumulativeprojectareaisaffectedbyagriculture,urbanrunoff,andland31development.FederalEmergencyManagementAgency‐designatedFloodHazardZonesarepresent32throughouttheproposedprojectregion.3334Thereasonablyforeseeableprojectsincludedinthecumulativescenario(Table6‐1)wouldinvolve35constructionprojectsthatwouldresultinincreasedimpervioussurfaces,excavationandgrading36activities,andconstructionofbuildings,homes,andotherstructureswhichcouldaffecthydrology37andwaterqualityinthecumulativestudyarea.3839Cumulative Impact Analysis 40

AsdiscussedinSection4.9,“HydrologyandWaterQuality,”impactsonhydrologyandwaterquality41wouldbelessthansignificantafterapplicationofAPMs,andcompliancewithNationalPollutant42DischargeEliminationSystempermittingrequirements,CleanWaterActpermittingrequirements,43CaliforniaFishandGameCodeSection1600requirements,andapplicablelocalregulationssuchas44floodcontrolordinancesandgradingpermits.Activitiesrelatedtocumulativeprojectswould45likewisebelessthansignificant,becausetheprojectdeveloperswouldberequiredtoimplement46similarmeasures;therefore,theproject’spotentialimpactsonhydrologyandwaterresources47wouldnotbecumulativelyconsiderable.48

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6.1.3.10 Land Use and Planning 12AsdiscussedinSection4.10,“LandUseandPlanning,”theproposedprojectwouldnotphysically3divideanestablishedcommunity,conflictwithanyapplicablelanduseplan,policy,orregulationof4anagencywithjurisdictionovertheprojectadoptedforthepurposeofavoidingormitigatingan5environmentaleffect,orconflictwithanyapplicableHabitatConservationPlanorNatural6CommunityConservationPlan.Giventhattheproposedproject’simpactonthisresourcearea7wouldbeminoratmost,theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinacumulativelyconsiderable8impactrelatedtolanduseandplanning.9106.1.3.11 Noise 1112Scope and Geographic Extent 13

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativenoiseimpactsincludesanyprojectthatwouldresultinan14increaseinambientdaytimenoiselevels.Thegeographicextentforconsideringcumulativenoise15impactsisanyprojectwithin0.5milesoftheprojectcomponentareas,becauseanyproject16operatingwithinthenoisestandardsestablishedbytheapplicablelocaljurisdictionsatthis17distancewouldnotcontributetoincreasesinambientnoiselevelsatthenearestsensitivereceptors18totheproposedprojectcomponentareas.1920Existing Cumulative Conditions 21

Theambientnoisesurveyconductedbytheapplicantatseverallocationsoftheproposedproject22components,includingthreelocationsalongSegment3B,twolocationsalongSegment4,oneatthe23SantaClaraSubstation,oneattheCasitasSubstation,andoneattheCarpinteriaSubstation,24indicatedambientnoiselevelsbetween38and64dBALeq(ARCADIS2012),asdiscussedinSection254.11,“Noise.”2627Theonlyotherprojectslocatedwithinthegeographicextentforconsideringcumulativenoise28impactsareotherSCEprojects.ItisnotanticipatedthatworkonanyoftheSCEprojectsinthe29cumulativescenariowilltakeplaceatthesametimeandwithin0.5milesofworkbeingconducted30ontheproposedproject.3132Cumulative Impact Analysis 33

AsdiscussedinSection4.11,“Noise,”theproposedprojectcouldresultinshort‐termincreasesin34noiselevelsduringconstruction.ImplementationofAPMsandappropriatemitigationwouldensure35thattheseimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.3637Otherprojectswithinthecumulativestudyareawouldalsocontributetoincreasesinnoiselevels38duringtheirconstructionperiods,whichmayoverlap;suchincreaseswouldtakeplacein39compliancewithpoliciesandregulationsofapplicablelocaljurisdictionsfornoisefromsuch40sources.Becausethecontributionoftheproposedprojecttoambientnoiselevelsatthenearest41sensitivereceptorwouldbelessthansignificant,andbecauseallsuchnoiseimpactsfromother42projectswithinthecumulativeanalysisareawouldberequiredtocomplywithpoliciesand43regulationsofapplicablelocaljurisdictions,theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinacumulatively44considerableimpactinrelationtonoise.4546

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6.1.3.12 Population and Housing 12AsdiscussedinSection4.12,“PopulationandHousing,”althoughsomeconstructionworkersmay3traveltotheregionduringtheconstructionperiod,theproposedprojectwouldnotinduce4populationgrowthinthearea,eitherdirectlyorindirectly.Itwouldalsonotdisplaceanyexisting5housingorpeople,necessitatingtheconstructionofreplacementhousingelsewhere,anditwould6notdisruptthebalancebetweenemploymentopportunitiesandavailablehousinginthearea.Given7thattheproposedproject’simpactonthisresourceareawouldbetemporarilyandnegligibleat8most,theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinaconsiderablecontributiontocumulativeimpacts9relatedtopopulationandhousing.10116.1.3.13 Public Services and Utilities 1213AsdiscussedinSection4.13,“PublicServicesandUtilities,”theproposedprojectisnotexpectedto14resultinadditionaluseofpublicservicesinlocaljurisdictionsthatwouldnotresultinsubstantial15adversephysicalimpactsassociatedwithprovisionofneworphysicallyalteredpublicservice16facilities.Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultintheneedforneworphysicallyalteredpublic17servicefacilitiesinordertomaintainacceptableserviceratios,responsetimes,orother18performanceobjectivesforanyofthepublicservices.Giventhattheproposedproject’simpacton19thisresourceareawouldbeminoratmost,theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinaconsiderable20contributiontocumulativeimpactsrelatedtopublicservicesandutilities.21226.1.3.14 Recreation 2324AsdiscussedinSection4.14,“Recreation,”theapplicantwouldusealocalworkforcetoconstruct25theproposedproject.Intheeventthatanon‐localcontractorishiredforconstructionofthe26proposedproject,itispossiblethatupto105workerswouldtemporarilyrelocatetotheproposed27projectareaforthedurationofconstruction.Therelocatedworkerswouldhaveatemporary28negligibleimpactontheuseofexistingrecreationalfacilitiesduringconstruction.Therefore,the29proposedprojectwouldnotresultinaconsiderablecontributiontocumulativeimpactsrelatedto30recreationresources.31326.1.1.15 Transportation and Traffic 3334Scope and Geographic Extent 35

Thescopeforconsideringcumulativeimpactsrelatedtotrafficandtransportationincludesany36projectthatwould,alongwiththeproposedproject,conflictwithanapplicableplan,ordinance,or37policyestablishingmeasuresfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystem,conflictwithan38applicablecongestionmanagementprogram,resultinchangeinairtrafficpatterns,substantially39increasehazardsduetodesignfeaturesorincompatibleuses,resultininadequateemergency40access,orconflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprograms,regardingpublictransit,bicycle,or41pedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuchfacilities..Therefore,42thegeographicandtemporalextentforconsideringcumulativeimpactsrelatedtotrafficand43transportationincludesallregionalandlocalroadwaysthatmaybeusedtoaccesstheproposed44projectorthatcouldotherwisebeimpactedbytheproposedprojectduringconstruction.4546




Existing Cumulative Conditions 1

Theoperationalefficiencyoftrafficistypicallymeasuredbylevelofservice(LOS),atraffic2performancemetricestablishedbytheTransportationResearchBoard’sHighwayCapacityManual.3LOSisbasedonvolume‐to‐capacityratio,whichcomparesroadwaycapacitytoleveloftraffic4duringpeakhours.Roadwaysandintersectionsthatareatornearcapacityexperiencegreater5congestionandcorrespondingtrafficdelay.Thehighestrankedroadwaysaredesignated“LOSA,”6representingfree‐flowingtraffic,andthelowestrankedroadwaysaredesignated“LOSF,”7representingextremecongestion.Theroadwaysthatmaybeusedduringconstructionand8operationoftheproposedprojectoperateatLOSAthroughLOSDduringtheAMandPMpeak9hours,dependingontheparticularsegmentofroadwayanddirectionoftravel(seeTable4.15‐4)10(SBCAG2009).Mostoftheintersectionsthatmaybeusedduringconstructionandoperationofthe11proposedprojectoperatebetweenLOSAandLOSC,althoughtheUS‐101northboundoff‐ramto12CasitasPassRoadoperatesatLOSFduringtheAMpeak(seeTable4.15‐5)(FehrandPeers13TransportationConsultants2007;CityofVentura2005).1415Therearethreepublicairportswithinthevicinityoftheproposedprojectandoneprivateairport16locatedinSantaPaulaeastoftheSantaClaraSubstation.Helicopterswouldbeusedduring17constructionoftheproposedproject,buthelicopterfuelingandlandingareaswouldbelimitedto18accessandspurroadlocationsand14helicopterlandingareasalongSegments1,2,and4.1920Cumulative Impact Analysis 21

Trafficandtransportationrelatedimpactsareinherentlycumulativeinnaturebecauseimpactsto22theoperationalefficiency,orstructuralintegrity,ofthecirculationsystemresultfromvehicles23originatingfromavarietyofsources.Althoughalloftheprojectsinthecumulativescenariohave24potentialtoaddvehicletripstothesamesegmentsofroadsand/orintersectionsthatmaybe25affectedbytheproposedproject,itisimpossibletoquantitativelyassesswhethertheprojects26wouldresultinacumulativelyconsiderableimpactwithoutadditionaldata(e.g.,wherevehicletrips27originatefrom,howmanyvehicletripsareneededtosupportaparticularproject,whenthevehicle28tripsoccur).Toassistindeterminingwhethertrafficresultingfromaproposedprojectwouldresult29inasignificantimpactrelatedtotrafficandtransportation,manyjurisdictionsdevelopsignificance30thresholds.Significancethresholdsmaybebasedonaproject’spotentialto:increasethevolume‐to‐31capacityofaroadwayorintersectionbyasetamount,resultinachangeintheLOSratingofa32roadwayorintersection,createaneedforroadwayimprovements,oraddaveragedailytripstoa33roadwaywheretheEstimatedFutureVolumeexceedsasetpolicycapacity.Projectsthatexceeda34significancethresholdmayberequiredtomitigatetheincreasedtrafficasaconditionofreceiving35discretionaryapproval.Managingincreasedtrafficonaproject‐by‐projectbasisreducesthe36potentialforanindividualprojecttoresultinacumulativelyconsiderableimpactrelatedtotraffic37andtransportation.3839AsdiscussedinSection4.15,“TrafficandTransportation,”theproposedprojectwouldnotconflict40withtheCityofCarpinteriaEnvironmentalReviewGuidelines,theCityofVenturaGeneralPlan,the41SantaBarbaraCountyComprehensivePlan,theSantaBarbaraCountyEnvironmentalThresholds42andGuidelinesManual,ortheVenturaCountyGeneralPlan.TheCityofCarpinteriaGeneralPlan43statesthatnoprojectshallcontributefiveormorepeakhourtripstoanintersectionoperatingatan44estimatedfutureLOSF,andtheprojectplanstouseUS‐101northboundoff‐ramtoCasitasPass45Roadintersection,whichoperatesatLOSFduringtheAMpeak.However,implementationofthe46trafficcontrolplan(MMTT‐1)andCommuterPlan(MMTT‐2)wouldensurethatAMpeakhouruse47oftheUS‐101northboundoff‐ramptoCasitasPassRoadintersectionisavoided.Thereforethe48




proposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanapplicableplan,ordinance,orpolicyestablishing1measuresofeffectivenessfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystem.23Liketheproposedproject,otherprojectsinthecumulativescenariowouldberequiredtocomply4withallapplicableplans,ordinances,andpoliciesthatestablishmeasuresofeffectivenessforthe5performanceofthecirculationsystem.Therefore,anyimpactsunderthiscriterionresultingfrom6theproposedprojectandotherprojectsinthecumulativescenariowouldbelessthansignificant,7andincreasedtrafficresultingfromtheproposedprojectwouldbelessthancumulatively8considerable.910Theproposedprojectwouldusehelicoptersforconstructionworkassociatedwithtransportation11ofconstructionworks,deliveryofequipmentandmaterialstostructuresites,structureplacement,12hardwareinstallation,conductorandtelecommunicationsstringingoperations,andinstallationof13markerballs.HelicopteroperationswouldbeconductedinaccordancewithapplicableFAA14regulationsandOSHArequirements.Helicopterswouldonlybeusedonatemporarybasisduring15construction.Theonlyprojectsinthecumulativescenariothatarelikelytorequiretheuseof16helicoptersareotherSCEprojects,suchastheCarpinteria‐VenturaFiberOpticCableProjectand17theSantaClara‐Colonia66‐kVSubtransmissionLineReconductorProject.Helicopteruseforthese18projectsisnotexpectedtooverlapwithhelicopterusefortheproposedproject.Therefore,the19projectwouldnotresultincumulativeimpactstoairtrafficpatterns,andtheproject’scontribution20tochangesinairtrafficpatternswouldbelessthancumulativelyconsiderable.21226.2 Growth‐inducing Impacts 2324Aprojectcouldinducegrowthifitresultsinadditionaldevelopment,suchasanincreasein25population,employmentand/orhousingaboveandbeyondwhatisalreadyassumedwilloccurin26localandregionallanduseplansorinprojectionsmadebyregionalplanningauthorities,27irrespectiveoftheproposedproject.UnderCEQA(Section15126.2[d]),aprojectwouldbegrowth28inducingifit:2930

Directlyorindirectlyfosterseconomicorpopulationgrowthortheconstructionof31additionalhousing;32

Taxescommunityfacilitiestotheextentthattheconstructionofnewfacilitieswouldbe33necessary;34

Removesobstaclestopopulationgrowth;or35

Encouragesorfacilitatesotheractivitiesthatcausesignificantenvironmentaleffects.3637Typicalgrowth‐inducingfactorsmightincludetheextensionofurbanservicesortransportation38infrastructuretoapreviouslyunservedorunder‐servedareaortheremovalofmajorbarriersto39development.Thissectionevaluatestheproposedproject’spotentialtocreatesuchgrowth40inducements.Growthinducementcanbepositiveornegativedependingontheresultingeffectsand41thedevelopmentobjectivesoftheplanningauthoritiesintheproposedprojectarea.Negative42impactsassociatedwithgrowthinducementwouldoccuronlywheregrowthassociatedwiththe43proposedprojectwouldresultinsignificant/adverseenvironmentalimpacts.4445Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinpopulationgrowththroughdirectorindirectemployment46ofworkersneededtoconstructandoperatethefacilities.Constructionlabordemandswouldbe47




metbytheapplicant’sexistingemployeesorbyhiringasmallnumberofspecializedelectrical1transmissioncontractors.Thesmallnumberofpositionsrequiredduringtheconstructionphase2wouldnotdirectlyorindirectlyinduceanypopulationgrowthinthearea.O&Mactivitieswouldbe3carriedoutbytheapplicant’sexistingemployeesandwouldnotrequireanyadditionalhiringof4operationpersonnel.Exceptforroutinemaintenance,theproposedprojectinfrastructurewouldbe5unmannedduringoperation.Therefore,neitherconstructionnoroperationoftheproposedproject6woulddirectlyorindirectlyinducepopulationgrowthinthearea.78Thelocalcommunitiesinthevicinityoftheproposedprojecthaveadequateinfrastructureand9servicestomeettheneedsoftemporaryworkers,includinganumberofhotelsandmotels(Cityof10Carpinteria2013b;VenturaVisitorsandConventionBureau2013).Accordingtothe2010Census,11theCityofVenturahadarentalvacancyrateof5.5percent,whichindicatesanadequatesupplyof12rentalhousinginVentura(CityofVentura2013).TherentalvacancyrateintheCityofCarpinteria13was12.3percentasofJune,2012,alsosuggestingthatthereisanadequatesupplyofrentalhousing14inCarpinteria(Sperling’sBestPlaces2013).Inaddition,theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinor15requireconstructionofanyneworupgradedcommunityfacilities,wouldnotbuildpublicroads16thatwouldprovidenewaccesstoundevelopedorunderdevelopedareas,andwouldnotextend17publicservicestonewareas.Theapplicant’soperationalstafflevelswouldremainthesameas18requiredforcurrentO&Mactivities,andoperationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotcreatelong‐19termdemandsforemergencyresponseservices,schools,drinkingwater,parks,libraries,hospitals,20orsolidwasteandwastewaterfacilitiesthatcouldnotbemetbyexistingservicesandfacilities(see21Section4.13,“PublicServicesandUtilities”).Therefore,constructionandoperationoftheproposed22Projectwouldnottaxcommunityfacilitiestotheextentthattheconstructionofnewfacilitieswould23benecessary.2425Thepurposeoftheproposedprojectistoensuretheavailabilityofsafeandreliableelectricservice26tomeetcustomerdemandintheElectricalNeedsArea(ENA)duringemergencyconditions.The27proposedprojectwouldnotprovidenewelectricalservicethatmightinduceeconomicor28populationgrowthandhasnotbeendesignedtoprovidenewelectricalservicetoareasthatare29currentlyunservedorunder‐served.Electricaldemandisnotanticipatedtoexceedthecurrent30capacityundernormaloperatingconditionsintheENAwithinthecurrent10‐yearplanningperiod.31GrowthinSantaBarbaraCounty,VenturaCounty,andlocalcommunitiesisplannedandregulated32byapplicablelocalgeneralplansandzoningordinances.Theprovisionofelectricityisgenerallynot33consideredanobstacletogrowth,andtheavailabilityofelectricalcapacitybyitselfdoesnot34normallyencouragegrowth.Otherfactorssuchaseconomicconditions,landandwatersupply35availability,andlocalplanningpolicieshaveamoredirecteffectongrowth.Therefore,theproposed36projectwouldnotremoveobstaclestopopulationgrowth.3738Theproposedprojectwouldreducetheriskofprolongedelectricaloutagesduringemergency39conditions.Itwouldnotencouragepopulationgrowthornewresidential,commercial,industrial,or40agriculturalconstruction.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldnotencourageorfacilitateother41activitiesthatcouldsignificantlyaffecttheenvironment.4243Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinincreasesinemployment,housing,ordemandsfor44communityfacilitiesandservicesnorresultintheremovalofexistingconstraintstogrowthorthe45creationoffactorsthatencourageorfacilitatedevelopmentthatwouldnototherwisehave46occurred.Therefore,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotresultinanygrowth‐47inductingimpacts.4849




6.3 Significant and Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 12AsfurtherdiscussedinSection4.3,“AirQuality,”theproposedprojectwouldresultinROG,NOx,3PM10,andPM2.5emissionsduringthefirstyearofconstructionthatwouldexceedtheapplicable4constructionemissionthresholds.Impactsonairqualitystandardswouldbesignificantand5unavoidableduringthefirstyearofconstructionaftertheimplementationofallfeasiblemitigation.6Additionally,thefirstyearofconstructionwouldresultinincreasedROG,NOx,andPM10emissions7inSBCAPCD,whichisdesignatedasnonattainmentforNOx,ROG,andPM10withrespecttoCAAQS,8andwouldbecumulativelyconsiderableaftertheimplementationofallfeasiblemitigation.9AsdiscussedinSection6.1.3.3,thefirstyearofconstructionwouldresultinROG,NOx,PM10,and10PM2.5duringthefirstyearofconstructionthatwouldexceedtheapplicableconstructionemission11thresholdsandwouldsignificantlycontributetoacumulativeimpactonairqualityafterthe12implementationofallfeasiblemitigation.1314CEQAGuidelinesSection15093allowsthedecision‐makingagencytodetermineifthebenefitsofa15projectmayoutweighitsunavoidableadverseenvironmentalimpacts.TheCaliforniaPublic16UtilitiesCommissionmayprepareaStatementofOverridingConsiderationstoapproveaproject17withunavoidableadverseimpactsifitsetsforththespecificreasonsformakingsuchajudgment.18196.4 Significant and Irreversible Environmental Changes 2021CEQAGuidelines(Section15126.2[c])requirethatanEIRidentifysignificantirreversible22environmentalchangesthatwouldbecausedbytheproposedproject.Thesechangesmayinclude,23forexample,usesofnonrenewableresources,provisionofaccesstopreviouslyinaccessibleareas,24oraccidentsthatcouldchangetheenvironmentinthelongterm.Significantirreversiblechangesto25andirretrievablecommitmentsofresourcescouldoccurfromconstructionandoperationofthe26proposedprojectasaresultofenergyandmaterialsconsumption,damagefromfire,land27disturbance(andassociatedhabitatlossforsensitivebiologicalresources),anddamagetoorthe28lossofculturalorpaleontologicalresources.2930Constructionoftheproposedprojectwouldrequireapermanentcommitmentofnaturalresources31fromthedirectconsumptionoffossilfuels,constructionmaterials,andenergyrequiredforthe32productionofmaterialsaswellasthemanufactureofnewcomponentsthatlargelycannotbe33recycledattheendoftheproject’susefullifetime(seeChapter2,ProjectDescription).Asdiscussed34inSection4.2,AgricultureandForestryResources,constructionoftheproposedprojectwouldresult35inthepermanentconversionoflandsidentifiedasimportantfarmland.Duringconstructionand36operationthereisalsotheriskofimpactsonundiscoveredculturaland/orpaleontological37resources.Theproposedprojectswouldalsoresultinirreversibleimpactsonairqualitydueto38emissionsofNOx,ROG,andotherpollutantsandgreenhousegasesduringconstruction.3940Accidents,suchasthereleaseofhazardousmaterials,cantriggerirreversibleenvironmental41damage.AsdiscussedinSection4.8,HazardsandHazardousMaterials,constructionandoperation42oftheproposedprojectwouldinvolvetheuseofsmallquantitiesofhazardousmaterialssuchas43gasoline,dieselfuel,transmissionfluid,brakefluid,hydraulicfluid,solvents,motoroils,and44lubricatinggrease.Anaccidentalspillofanyofthesesubstancescouldimpactwaterquality,45biologicalresources,andcouldposeahazardtopeopleifalargespillweretooccur.However,given46thesmallvolumesofthesematerialsandmandatorycompliancewithapplicableregulations(as47describedinSection4.8)aimedatpreventingspills,orreducingtheseverityofaspillshouldit48occur,accidentsresultinginsignificantenvironmentalorhealtheffectsareunlikely.49

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