HomeMy WebLinkAbout5 Pipeline Replacement CEQA Agenda Item #
DONNER
Public Utility District 11,
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Neil Kaufman
Date: January 3, 2008
Subject: Adoption of 2008 Pipeline Replacement Project CEQA Mitigated Negative
Declaration CEQA
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
The District is proposing construction of the 2008 Pipeline Replacement Project. Prior to
starting construction activities, the District is required to complete an environmental review of
the proposed site in compliance with CEQA.
2. HISTORY
In 2005 and 2006, the Water Department made some presentations regarding the condition of
existing water pipelines and the need to pursue a pipeline replacement program. This pipeline
replacement program is part of the District's Objective No. 1 — Provide an adequate, reliable,
and high quality water supply and distribution system to meet current and future needs
and Objective No. 5 — Manage the District in an environmentally sound manner. Specific
goals under these objectives are Goal No. 1.4 — Provide effective and efficient maintenance
and replacement programs; Goal No. 5.4 — The District will conduct its business in an
environmentally lawful manner and Goal No. 5.6 — The District will seek to minimize any
negative impact of its operations on the environment.
The District subsequently issued a COP in 2006 and dedicated a portion of those funds for the
pipeline replacement program. Pipeline construction projects have been undertaken during
2006 and 2007 as part of this program. At the September 19, 2007 Board Meeting, Ed Taylor
made a presentation regarding planned Water Department Capital Expenditures for 2008. This
presentation included a discussion of the planned pipeline replacement projects.
The planned 2008 pipeline construction covers about 16,500 feet of pipeline. These pipeline
alignments are shown on Figure 1. A number of these pipeline alignments involve replacement
of the existing pipe with a new pipe of the same size. These pipelines are Categorically Exempt
from review under CEQA.
However, some of the existing pipelines are too small and need to be upsized. These pipelines
require a CEQA review. On October 3, 2007, the Board approved a contract with Inland
Ecosystems to perform this CEQA work. On December 5, 2007, the CEQA Initial Study was
presented to the Board and approved. On December 19, 2007, a public hearing regarding the
CEQA review was held. No comments were received at the public hearing.
3. NEW INFORMATION
The project is currently in the 30 day public review period is complete. The District did not
receive any comments regarding the project and there is no new information at this time.
The Water Department staff is finalizing the Bid Documents and will respond to any comments
that occur through the CEQA process.
4. SOURCE OF FUNDING
Funding of the CEQA preparation was addressed when the contract with Inland Ecosystems
was approved. Additional funding is not needed.
5. RECOMMENDATION
I recommend the Board take the following actions regarding the environmental review for the
2008 Pipeline Replacement Project.
1. Adopt the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration
2. Approve the project for purposes of CEQA.
3. Approve the Mitigated Monitoring Plan.
4. Authorize the filing of the Notice of Determination with the Office of the Nevada County
Clerk and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.
5. Adopt the De Minimis Impact Finding and authorize the filing of the Certificate of Fee
Exemption with the Nevada County Clerk.
6. Adopt a finding that the draft documents as circulated and the negative declaration
reflect the District' ' dependent judgment.
Ed Taylor, Water Utility Manager Jo n Ulric , Interim tiM