HomeMy WebLinkAbout4 CEQA District Pipeline ............. ....
Agenda Item # -7
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Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Neil Kaufman
Date: February 23, 2006
Subject: CEQA Review of the District Pipeline Replacement—2006 project
1. Why this matter is before the board:
Board authorization is required to approve a CEQA Initial Study and direct that it be circulated.
2. History:
In January 2006, the Board approved a contract with Inland Ecosystems to prepare an Initial Study
associated with the CEQA review of the District Pipeline Replacement—2006 project.
The overall project includes about 17,200 feet of pipeline, all located in the Tahoe Donner area. For
Bidding and construction purposes, the project has been broken into two contracts (Contract A and
Contract B). The attached figure shows the planned project.
As with all Water Department construction projects, it is necessary for the District to complete a
CEQA review of the project. Since 1999, (when I began working at the District) all of the pipeline
replacement projects have qualified for a Categorical Exemption under the CEQA process. The
documentation for the Categorical Exemption has been completed by Staff and filed with appropriate
agencies.
For the 2006 project, there are two components that do not qualify for the Categorical Exemption.
The replacement pipelines along portions of Chalet Road and Swiss Lane are planned as 12-inch
pipe and total about 5,300 feet in length. This 12-inch pipe is needed to serve as backbone pipelines
in the Tahoe Donner area to ensure that adequate quantities of water can be transferred under high
demand conditions. All other pipelines in the 2006 project are planned as 8-inch pipe.
3. New information:
The CEQA Initial Study has been completed and is ready for circulation, review and public comment.
The plans and specifications for the project are complete. The current project schedule is given
below:
March 1, 2006—Board Approval of CEQA Initial Study
March 15, 2006—Public Hearing on CEQA Initial Study
.......... ...........
March 15, 2006—Public Hearing on CEQA Initial Study
March 15, 2006— Board Authorization to Begin Advertising for Bids
April 5, 2006—Adoption of Final CEQA Document
April 13, 2006—Bid Opening
April 19, 2006—Award of Contract
May 1, 2006—Begin Construction
4. Recommendation:
1 recommend that the Board:
a) Authorize staff to file the proposed negative declaration and environmental initial study
with the Office of the Nevada County Clerk
b) Authorize staff to file the proposed negative declaration and environmental study with
responsible and interested agencies and with the State Clearinghouse
c) Authorizing staff to publish a notice of public review period and public hearing on the
proposed negative declaration.
d) Authorizing staff to set a public hearing date of March 15, 2006
Attachments:
Figure 1
CEQA Initial Study