HomeMy WebLinkAbout5 CEQA Initial Study Electric Agenda Item #
TRUCKEE DONNER
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Joe Horvath, Electric System Engineer
Date: January 15, 2008
Subject: Adoption of the CEQA Initial Study/ Mitigated Negative Declaration for Electric
System Distribution Projects
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
Board authorization is required to adopt the Final CEQA Initial Study/Mitigated Negative
Declaration and approve the project for purposes of CEQA.
Objectives:
2. Provide an adequate, reliable and high quality electric supply and distribution system
to meet current and future needs.
Goals:
2.2 Maintain and implement an Electric System Master Plan, including the required
facilities to meet the current and future demand and reliable supply.
2.3 Provide effective and efficient maintenance and replacement programs.
2. HISTORY
On August 15, 2007 the Board approved a contract with our environmental consultant, Inland
Ecosystems, to prepare an Initial Study associated with the CEQA review of the Electric
Department's proposed capital improvement projects. These projects include three major
components:
• The complete rebuild of the Donner Lake Substation;
• Installation of 12,000 feet of new distribution feeder to be under built on an existing
transmission line that connects Donner Lake and Tahoe Donner Substations and;
• The replacement of high voltage fuses with a circuit switcher and associated relay
protection at the Tahoe Donner Substation.
On December 5, the Board authorized staff to file the CEQA Initial Study/Mitigated Negative
Declaration with the appropriate state and local agencies and initiate a 30 day public review
period, with a public hearing date of December 19, 2007.
3. NEW INFORMATION
The 30 day public review period was completed on January 7, 2008. The District did not receive
any comments at the public hearing or written comments from the public during the review
period. The District did receive written comments from Sierra Pacific, Caltrans, and the
California Department of Forestry(CDF)which have been incorporated into the Final Mitigated
Negative Declaration. Caltrans will require the District to apply for an Encroachment permit to
cross Interstate 80 with our new distribution feeder. CDF will require the District to file a Public
Utility Right of Way Exemption form within 12 months of the start of construction at Donner Lake
Substation. The District will comply in a timely manner with these requirements.
After the Board adopts the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration, Inland Ecosystems will prepare
and file the following permits for the District as identified in the CEQA document:
• California Department of Fish and Game - Streambed Alteration Agreement
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Clean Water Act(CWA) Section 404 Nationwide Permit
• Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board—CWA Section 401 Water Quality
Certification
In approving these permits, these agencies may require that the District perform other mitigation
measures to offset environmental impacts. Any such mitigation requirements will be presented
to the Board for approval prior to implementation.
4. SOURCE OF FUNDING
The source of funding for the Donner Lake Substation Rebuild and the new Donner Lake Circuit
No. 3 feeder is Facilities Fees as these are approved Electric System Master Plan Projects. The
source of funding for the Tahoe Donner Substation Upgrade is Rates.
5. RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the Board:
a) Incorporate the 3 comment letters received, as part of the public record, into the
Final Mitigated Negative Declaration.
b) Adopt the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration.
c) Approve the projects for purposes of CEQA.
d) Approve the Mitigated Monitoring Plan.
d) Authorize staff to file the Notice of Determination with the Office of the Nevada
County Clerk and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.
e) Adopt a finding that the draft documents as circulated and the Mitigated Negative
Declaration reflect the District's independent judgment.
f) Approve the issuance of a new Task Order with Inland Ecosystems to prepare
and file 3 permits for the District for an amount not to exceed $3,750.
&i"l 005-
Steve ollaba gh, Electri Utility Manager Michael D. Holley, General Manager
INLAND ECOSYSTEMS
1000 Bible Way, Suite 16
Reno,NV. 89502
INLAND. Phone: (775) 786-3223
ECOSYSTEMSEmail: amerronAiniandecosystems.com
January 30, 2008
Mr. Joe Horvath, P.E.
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
11570 Donner Pass Road
Truckee, CA 96160
Subject: Task Order to Prepare Environmental Permits for the Electric
System Distribution Project
Dear Mr. Horvath:
Inland Ecosystems is pleased to submit this task order to assist the Truckee Donner
Public Utility District (District) with preparation and circulation of the following permits
for the Electric System Distribution Project:
1) A California Department of Fish and Game Streambed Alteration Agreement
2) A Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board Clean Water Act Section 401
Water Quality Certification
3) A US Army Corps of Engineers Clean Water Act Section 404 "wetlands"permit
The cost for the preparation of the environmental permits is a contract amount of$3,750.
Our goal is to ensure that the District is provided with an exceptionally high quality of
documentation to ensure that the culvert installation project is carried out with the least
amount of environmental disturbance.
Should you have any questions please contact me at (775) 786-3223. We look forward to
assisting the District with this important project.
Sincerely,
Glenn S. Merron, Ph.D.
WORK AUTHORIZATION ORDER
January 30, 2008
This Work Authorization Order confirms the agreement between the Truckee
Donner Public Utility District ("District") and Inland Ecosystems ("Contractor"), that
Company is engaging Contractor to provide certain services (the "Work," as further
defined below). This Work Authorization Order is being provided in accordance with the
Scope of Services described below.
(i) Description of the Work
1) A California Department of Fish and Game Streambed Alteration Agreement
2) A Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board Clean Water Act Section 401
Water Quality Certification
3) A US Army Corps of Engineers Clean Water Act Section 404 "wetlands" permit
(ii) Completion Date(period for performance of the Work):
February 14, 2008
(iii) Compensation
a. The fee for Work performed by Contractor pursuant to this Work Authorization
Order shall be $3,750.
(iv) Other:
Tasks, costs and schedules described herein are subject to unforeseen changes in scope
and schedule.
ACCEPTED:
Truckee Donner Public Uf ' y District Inland Ecosystems, Inc.
By: �- By:
Title: President of LMoard Title:
Date: January 30, 2008 Date:
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