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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY RELIABILITY PROJECT 6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS AND OTHER CEQA CONSIDERATIONS MAY 2015 61 FINAL EIR 6.0 Cumulative Impacts and Other CEQA Considerations 1 2 This section addresses cumulative impacts and other considerations in accordance with the 3 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including growth‐inducing impacts, significant and 4 unavoidable adverse impacts, and significant and irreversible environmental changes, that may 5 occur as a result of the proposed project. 6 7 6.1 Cumulative Impacts 8 9 In accordance with CEQA (CEQA Guidelines Section 15130 et seq.) this EIR analyzes the cumulative 10 impacts of the proposed project in conjunction with other developments that affect or could affect 11 the project area. According to CEQA, a cumulative impact refers to two or more individual effects 12 that are considerable when taken together, or that compound or increase other environmental 13 impacts (CEQA Guidelines Section 15355). CEQA requires the cumulative impacts discussion to 14 reflect the likelihood that the impacts would occur and their severity if they did occur, but allows 15 the discussion to contain less detail than must be provided for individual impacts. To comply with 16 CEQA, a cumulative scenario has been developed that identifies and evaluates past, present, and 17 reasonably foreseeable future projects within the cumulative study area that would be constructed 18 or commence operation during the timeframe of activity associated with the proposed project. 19 20 6.1.1 Methods 21 A list of development projects within the cumulative study area were identified and are presented 22 in Table 6‐1. The list includes past projects, projects under construction and approved, and pending 23 projects that are anticipated to be either under construction or operational by the time of the 24 completion of the proposed project. Because the area within which a cumulative effect can occur 25 varies by resource area, for the purpose of this analysis, the geographic scope also varies according 26 to the resource being evaluated. For example, traffic and noise impacts tend to be localized while air 27 quality and biological resources impacts are typically widespread. Information pertaining to past, 28 present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects was obtained from the Planning Department 29 and Division websites of the County of Santa Barbara, the County of Ventura, the City of Carpinteria, 30 the City of Ventura, and the US Forest Service. Information on cumulative projects was also 31 obtained from the California Office of Planning and Research (CEQANet Database) and Southern 32 California Edison. Figure 6‐1 depicts the location of each project. Each of the locations are labeled 33 with a number that corresponds to those presented in Table 6‐1. In instances where the analysis in 34 Chapter 4, “Environmental Analysis,” determines that the proposed project would result in no 35 impact, the associated significance criterion is dismissed from the cumulative impacts analysis in 36 Section 6.1.3. 37 38 This table does not include all projects that would contribute to cumulative impacts along with the 39 proposed project; rather, it includes a number of concurrent projects in the area to demonstrate the 40 scope and nature of development in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Where construction 41 schedules are unavailable or uncertain, the cumulative impact analysis conservatively assumes that 42 construction would overlap with the proposed project. 43

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

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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

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

 

MAY 2015  6‐2  FINAL EIR 

 

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

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

 

MAY 2015  6‐3  FINAL EIR 

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 

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.

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

 

MAY 2015  6‐4  FINAL EIR 

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 

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.

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

 

MAY 2015  6‐5  FINAL EIR 

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 

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.

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

 

MAY 2015  6‐6  FINAL EIR 

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 

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

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

 

MAY 2015  6‐7  FINAL EIR 

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 

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

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 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY RELIABILITY PROJECT 

6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS AND OTHER CEQA CONSIDERATIONS 

 

 

MAY 2015  6‐11  FINAL EIR 

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

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 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY RELIABILITY PROJECT 

6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS AND OTHER CEQA CONSIDERATIONS 

 

 

MAY 2015  6‐12  FINAL EIR 

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

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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

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‐ 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

50

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