HomeMy WebLinkAbout7 CEQA Alder Drive Station 7 Agenda Item #
Public Utility District
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Neil Kaufman
Date: February 12, 2007
Subject: CEQA Review of the Alder Drive Pump Station 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:
The 2004 Water Master Plan identified a planned pump station on the northwest corner of Alder
Drive and Comstock Drive. The purpose of this pump station is to pump water into the Prosser
Heights area from Gray's Crossing and the 6170 Pressure Zone. The District acquired an easement
from East-West Partners at this location as part of the Gray's Crossing project.
The project involves construction of the pump station building along with the associated site piping
and electrical service.
In November 2006, the Board approved a contract with Inland Ecosystems to prepare an Initial Study
associated with the CEQA review of the Alder Drive Pump Station project.
At the January 17 meeting, the Board of Directors approved the initial study and directed that it
be circulated. A public hearing regarding the Alder Drive Pump Station was held on February 7.
No comments were received at the public hearing.
3. New information:
On January 18, the District mailed the Initial Studies for both the Alder Drive Pump Station and
Fibreboard Well projects to the State Clearinghouse. The State Clearinghouse received and posted
the Initial Study for the Fibreboard Well on January 22. However, it appears that the Initial Study
for the Alder Drive Pump Station was misplaced by the State Clearinghouse and not posted. This
problem was discovered on February 9. A new copy of the Initial Study was sent to the State
Clearinghouse the same day.
Considering that the Initial Study was not posted by the State Clearinghouse until February 9, it will
be necessary to extend the review and comment period for an additional 30 days. As required by
CEQA, the Board held a public hearing on February 7. However, it is possible that some interested
parties did not receive notice of the project from the State Clearinghouse. Therefore, it is prudent to
schedule a second public hearing now that the project has been posted by the State Clearinghouse.
The Water Department does plan on beginning construction of this project until May of 2007, so the
additional 30 days required for the CEQA process should not impact construction of the project. The
current project schedule is:
November 15, 2006—Board Approval of Inland Ecosystems Contract
January 17, 2007—Board Approval of CEQA Initial Study
February 7, 2007—First Public Hearing on CEQA Initial Study
March 7, 2007—Second Public Hearing on CEQA Initial Study
March 21, 2007—Adoption of Final CEQA Document
May 2007—Begin Construction
4. Recommendation:
1) A second public hearing regarding the Alder Drive Pump Station should be scheduled for
March 7, and a notice of the new hearing should be posted in the Sierra Sun.
2) The public comment period should be extended until March 12, 2007.