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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFiber Optic Installation Project Sauers Engineering, Inc. Civil & Environmental Engineers Memorandum August 15, 2002 TO: Board of Directors, and Peter L. Holzmeister, General Manager FROM: Keith Knibb, Consulting Enginee6 SUBJECT: FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATION PROJECT - CEQA REVIEW We have completed the proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study for the Fiber Optic Installation Project. These documents need to be circulated to the Nevada and Placer County Clerk's Offices, the State Clearinghouse, responsible and interested agencies, and made available for public review. The District also needs to schedule a public hearing to receive comments. Filing the documents with the county clerks and state clearinghouse will trigger a thirty day review period. RECOMMENDATION I recommend the Board take the following actions regarding the environmental review for the Fiber Optic Installation Project: 1. Authorize the filing of the proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study with the Offices of the Nevada County Clerk and Placer County Clerk. 2. Authorize the circulation of the proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Initial Study with responsible and interested agencies and with the State Clearinghouse. 1 Authorize publication of a Notice of Public Review Period and Public Hearing on the proposed Negative Declaration. 4. Schedule a public hearing for the proposed Negative Declaration at the regular Board Meeting on September 18, 2002. 440 Lower Grass Valley Road, Suite A. Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-8021 Fax (530)265-6834 NEGATIVE DECLARATION ( X ) Proposed ( ) Final NAME OF PROJECT: Fiber Optic Installation Project LOCATION: Truckee, California Entity or Person Undertaking Project: (XX) Truckee Donner Public Utility District 11570 Donner Pass Road P.O. Box 309 Truckee, CA 95959 Other( ) Name: Address: Phone: PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Construction and operation a network of fiber optic cables along with electronic equipment to provide broadband telecommunications services for the District's existing water and electric facilities and for residential, commercial, and public agency customers. Finding: It is hereby found that the above named project will not have a significant effect upon the environment. Initial An initial study of this project was undertaken and prepared in accordance with Article V Study: of the District's local environmental guidelines and Section 15063 of the EIR Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act for the purpose of ascertaining whether this project might have a significant effect upon the environment. A copy of such initial study is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Such initial study documents reasons to support the above finding. Mitigation The following mitigation measures have been included in the project to avoid potentially Measures: significant effects: None. Date: By: Peter L. Holzmeister, General Manager Truckee Donner Public Utility District ENVIRONMENTAL INITIAL STUDY (Prepared pursuant to Article V of the Environmental Guidelines of the District) This Environmental Initial Study is an update of a previous initial study titled "Truckee- Donner Public Utility District Fiber-Optic Installation Project" completed September 3, 1999. The previous initial study was based on a proposed project involving the construction of a 33 mile fiber optic backbone network with a hybrid fiber-coax system to provide SCADA communication for District electric and water system facilities. The project as currently proposed includes over 200 miles of fiber optic cable installation covering the District's entire existing service area with a "fiber to the home" system. Because of the change in scope of the proposed project, it was determined that an updated initial study would be appropriate to assure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 1. Project Title: Fiber Optic Installation Project 2. Lead Agency Name and Address: Truckee Donner Public Utility District 11570 Donner Pass Road P.O. Box 309 Truckee, CA 96160-0309 3. Contact Person and Phone Number: Peter L. Holzmeister, General Manager (530) 582-3916 4. Project Location: See Attachment A, "Project Location Map". The master plan update encompass all of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District's service area. This includes most of the Town of Truckee along with portions of unincorporated Nevada and Placer Counties. 5. Project Sponsor's Name and Address: Truckee Donner Public Utility District 11570 Donner Pass Road P.O. Box 309 Truckee, CA 96160-0309 6. General Plan Designation: General plan designations vary throughout the project study area. The general plan designations are based on the current general plans of the Town of Truckee, County of Nevada, and County of Placer. In areas of existing development,new fiber optic facilities are proposed to provide broadband telecommunication services to existing District customers and to anticipate accommodating infill development to the extent indicated in the appropriate general plan. 7. Zoning: Zoning varies throughout the project study area. This includes all town and county zoning districts within the District service area boundaries. 8. Description of Project: (Describe the whole action involved, including but not limited to later phases of the project, and any secondary, support, or off-site features necessary for its implementation.) The I District intends to construct and operate a network of fiber optic cables along with electronic equipment to provide broadband telecommunications services for the District's existing water and electric facilities and for residential, commercial, and public agency customers. Generally speaking, the District will provide a"Fiber to the Home" system utilizing a passive optical network(PON) infrastructure to provide competitive data, video and voice services to residential, commercial and governmental consumers. In some cases the District will be the actual provider of the service,while for others, the District will make capacity available for others to provide the service. The District will provide a fiber optic cable system extending throughout the existing service area providing fiber optic connections at locations throughout the District. It is anticipated that the project will involve the installation of over 200 miles of fiber optic cable on existing overhead facilities and conduits. A fiber network will extend from the fiber backbone to provide service to individual customers. The District will also provide the electronic equipment necessary for the operation of the network Construction of the fiber optic backbone cable and fiber cable network will be similar in nature to the construction of other wire utilities such as electricity and phones. Fiber optic cables will be installed on existing poles where existing utilities are overhead and in buried conduit where existing utilities are underground. Customer service connections will also be similar to other utility connections with fiber optic cable installed to a connection at the customer's point of service. Facilities would also include a Network Operations Center(NOC)housing the electronic equipment needed to operate the network, and core sites and nodes which include equipment for branching off of the fiber backbone to individual customers. The Network Operations Center will be located in the District's existing office building on Donner Pass Road.. Because the project will utilize existing poles and conduit for fiber optic cable and the District's existing building facilities for the NOC, there is not expected to be any significant amount of ground disturbance associated with the project. 9. Other agencies whose approval is required (and permits needed): Other agencies whose approval are required include: Nevada County Local Agency Formation Commission (Activation of Latent Power) Town of Truckee(Cable Television Franchise) County of Nevada(Cable Television Franchise) County of Placer(Cable Television Franchise) Caltrans (Encroachment Permit) Federal Communications Commission (Cable Television License) 10. Environmental Setting of the Project: The Truckee Donner Public Utility District is located on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains approximately 100 miles east of Sacramento and 40 miles southwest of Reno,Nevada. The project area ranges in elevation from approximately 5,600 feet to approximately 7,600 feet above sea level. The area is a mix of residential subdivisions,commercial and retail centers, recreational facilities including skiing and golf, a regional airport, and large areas of undeveloped forest and rangeland. The Truckee River flows through the District in route from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake in Nevada. Tributaries include Donner Creek, Trout Creek, Martis Creek, Cold Creek, and Prosser Creek. Lakes in the area include Donner Lake, Prosser Creek Reservoir, Martis Creek Lake and Boca Reservoir. 2 The project area contains numerous cultural resources both prehistoric and historic. The project area contains portions of the overland emigrant trail,the Dutch Flat and Donner Lake Wagon Road, the transcontinental railroad and historic Old Highway 40. Old town Truckee contains over 160 historic structures. The project area also contains a number of prehistoric archaeological sites associated with Native American inhabitation of the region. The flora and fauna of the Truckee area are typical for mountainous regions of the east slope of the Sierras. The District can be generally characterized as lodgepole - fir belt, Jeffery pine belt and sagebrush belt(Storer et. al. 1963). 3 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected: The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a"Potentially Significant Impact' or"Potentially Significant Unless Mitigated,"as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. ❑ Land Use and Planning ❑ Transportation/Circulation ❑ Public Services ❑ Population and Housing ❑ Biological Resources ❑ Utilities and Service Systems ❑ Geophysical ❑ Energy and Mineral Resources ❑ Aesthetics ❑ Water ❑ Hazards ❑ Cultural Resources ❑ Air Quality ❑ Noise ❑ Recreation ❑ Mandatory Findings of Significance Determination. (To be completed by the Lead Agency.) On the basis of this initial evaluation: I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because the mitigation measures described on an attached sheet have been added to the project. A NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. ❑ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. ❑ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect(s) on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2)has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets, if the effect is a "potentially significant impact'or"potentially significant unless mitigated." An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. ❑ Signature Date Peter L. Holzmeister, General Manager Truckee Donner Public Utility District Printed Name For 4 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts: 1) A brief explanation is required for all answers except "No Impact"answers that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses following each question. A"No Impact"answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved(e.g. the project Falls outside a fault rupture zone). A"No Impact"answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards(e.g.the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants,based on a project-specific screening analysis). 2) All answers must take account of the whole action involved,including off-site as well as on-site, cumulative as well as project-level,indirect as well as direct,and construction as well as operational impacts. 3) "Potentially Significant Impact"is appropriate if an effect is significant or potentially significant,or if the lead agency lacks information to make a finding of insignificance. If there are one or more"Potentially Significant Impact"entries when the determination is made,EIR is required. 4) "Potentially Significant Unless Mitigated"applies where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from"Potentially Significant Impact"to a"Less than Significant Impact". The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures,and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level (mitigation measures from Section XVII,"Earlier Analyses", may be cross-referenced). 5) Earlier analyses may be used where,pursuant to the tiering,program EIR,or other CEQA process,an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). Earlier analyses are discussed in Section XVII at the end of the checklist. 6) Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for potential impacts(e.g. general plans,zoning ordinances). See the sample question below. A source list should be attached,and other sources used or individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion. 7) This is only a suggested form,and lead agencies are free to use different ones. Sample Question: Potentially Potentially Significant Less Than Significant Unless Significant No Issues(and Supporting Information Sources) Impact Mitigated Impact Impact Would the proposal result in potential impacts involving: Landslides or mudslides? (1,6) LJ0 (Attached source list explains that 1 is the general plan, and 6 is a USGS topo map. This answer would probably not need further explanation.) I. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the proposal: a) Conflict with general plan designation or zoning? ❑ ❑ ❑ (source#(s): ) b) Conflict with applicable environmental plans or policies adopted by agencies with jurisdiction over the project? ( ) J 0 21 c) Affect agricultural resources or operations(e.g. impacts to soils or farmlands, or impacts from incompatible land uses)? LJ J L 5 Potentially Potentially Significant Less Than Significant Unless Significant No '....... Impact Mitigated Impact Impact II. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the proposal: a) Cumulatively exceed official regional or local population projections? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ b) Induce substantial growth in an area either directly or indirectly (e.g.through projects in an undeveloped area or extension of major infrastructure)? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ c) Displace existing housing,especially affordable ❑ ❑ housing? ( ) ❑ III. GEOPHYSICAL. Would the proposal result in or expose people to potential impacts involving: a) Seismicity: fault rupture? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ b) Seismicity: ground shaking or liquefaction? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ c) Seismicity: seiche or tsunami? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ d) Landslides or mudslides? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ ul e) Erosion,changes in topography or unstable soil conditions from excavation, grading or fill? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ f) Subsidence of the land? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ g) Expansive soils? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ UJ h) Unique geologic or physical features?{ ) ❑ ❑ ❑ IV. WATER. Would the proposal result in: a) Changes in absorption rates,drainage patterns,or ❑ ❑ ❑ the rate and amount of surface runoff? ( ) UJ b) Exposure of people or property to water related hazards such as flooding? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ c) Discharge into surface waters or other alteration of surface water quality(e.g.temperature, dissolved oxygen or turbidity)? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ d) Changes in the amount of surface water in any water body? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ e) Changes in currents, or the course or direction of water movements? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ f) Change in the quantity of ground waters, either through direct additions or withdrawals,or through interception of an aquifer by cuts or excavations? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ g) Altered direction or rate of flow of groundwater? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ h) Impacts to groundwater quality? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ V. AIR QUALITY. Would theproposal: a) Violate any air quality standard or contribute to an existing or projected air quality violation? ( ) ❑ ❑ b) Expose sensitive receptors to pollutants? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ c) Alter air movement,moisture, or temperature,or ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ cause any change in climate? { ) 6 Potentially Potentially Significant Less Than - Significant Unless Significant No Impact Mitigated Impact Impact d) Create objectionable odors? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ VI. TRANSPORTATIONICIRCULATION. Would the proposal result in: a) Increased vehicle trips or traffic congestion? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ b) Hazards to safety from design features(e.g. sharp curves or dangerous intersections)or incompatible uses(e.g. farm equipment)?( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ c) Inadequate emergency access or access to nearby uses? ( ) d) Insufficient parking capacity on-site or off-site? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ e) Hazards or barriers for pedestrians or bicyclists?( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ f) Conflicts with adopted policies supporting alternative transportation(e.g.bus turnouts,bicycle racks)? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ M g) Rail,waterborne or air traffic impacts? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ UJ VIL BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the proposal result in impacts to: a) Endangered,threatened or rare species or their habitat(including but not limited to plants,fish, insects, animals,and birds)? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ b) Locally designated species(e.g.heritage trees)? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ c) Locally designated natural communities(e.g. oak forest,costal habitat, etc.)? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ d) Wetland habitat(e.g.marsh,riparian and vernal Pool)? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ e) Wildlife dispersal or migration corridors? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ VIII. ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES Wound the proposal: a) Conflict with adopted energy conservation plans? O ❑ ❑ ❑ b) Use non-renewable resources in a wasteful and inefficient manner? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ IX. HAZARDS. Would the proposal involve: a) A risk of accidental explosion or release of hazardous substances(including,but not limited to: oil,pesticides,chemicals or radiation)? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ b) Possible interference with an emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? ( ) ❑ c) The creation of any health hazard or potential health hazard? ( ) ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ 7 Potentially Potentially Significant Less Than Significant Unless Significant No Impact Mitigated Impact Impact d) Exposure of people to existing sources of potential health hazards? ( ) e) Increased fire hazard in areas with flammable brush, grass, or trees? ( ) X. NOISE. Would the proposal result in: a) Increases in existing noise levels? ( ) b) Exposure of people to severe noise levels? ( ) XL PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the proposal have an effect upon, or result in a need far new or altered government services in any of the following areas. a) Fire protection? ( ) J ul b) Police protection? ( ) c) Schools? ( ) d) Maintenance of public facilities,including roads?O Lj O J e) Other governmental services? ( ) XH. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the proposal result in a need for new systems, or substantial alterations to the following utilities: a) Power or natural gas? ( ) 0 O L b) Communications systems? ( ) c) Local or regional water treatment or distribution facilities? ( ) 12 d) Sewer or septic tanks? ( ) �j e) Storm water drainage?( ) 0 0 �2 f) Solid waste disposal? ( ) � Uj XIII.AESTHETICS. Would the proposal: a) Affect a scenic vista or scenic highway? ( ) b) Have a demonstrable negative aesthetic effect? ( ) j c) Create light or glare? ( ) 0 L) 0 XIV. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the proposal: a) Disturb paleontological resources? ( ) F-I b) Disturb archaeological resources? ( ) ❑ c) Affect historical resources? ( ) d) Have the potential to cause a physical change which would affect unique ethnic culture values?( ) j 0 Ll e) Restrict existing religious or sacred uses within the potential impact area?( ) 0 O J 21 8 Potentially Potentially Significant Less Than Significant Unless Significant No Impact Mitigated Impact Impact XV. RECREATION. Would the proposal: a) Increase the demand for neighborhood or regional parks or other recreational facilities? ( ) b) Affect existing recreational opportunities?( ) XVI.MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE. a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment,substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species,cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels,threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community,reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have the potential to achieve short- term,to the disadvantage of long-term, environmental goals? c) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited,but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable"means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects,the effects of other current projects,and the effects of probable future projects.) Ll d) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? XVIL EARLIER ANALYSIS. Earlier analyses may be used where,pursuant to the tiering,program EIR, or other CEQA process,one or more effects have been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). In this case a discussion should identify the following on attached sheets: a) Earlier analyses used. Identify earlier analyses and state where they are available for review. b) Impacts adequately addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed by the earlier document. c) Mitigation measures. For effects that are"potentially significant'or`potentially significant unless mitigated",describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project. No earlier analysis were used in preparation of this Initial Study. 9 Explanations for Checklist Answers: I. LAND USE AND PLANNING. a,b - Fiber optic cable and broadband telecommunication services will be extended throughout the existing developed areas of the District's service territory. This will include all land use designations. Service will be made available to accommodate new development similar to water and electric service. Construction of the fiber optic system and provision of broadband telecommunication services is not expected to have any effect on any environmental plans or policies. c- There are no notable agricultural resources in the District or master plan study area. II. POPULATION AND HOUSING. a - Fiber optic cable and telecommunication services will be made available to virtually all of the existing housing in the District's service territory. New service will be made available based on accommodating the actual number of future housing units constructed. The project is, therefore, not expected to exceed any population projections. b - By making broadband telecommunication services available to all areas within the District's service territory, the project will not influence the growth of any particular area. c - The project is not expected to have any effect on existing housing. IH. GEOPHYSICAL a, b,c, d, - Construction of the fiber optic facilities will not involve any of the listed geophysical e, f, g,h impacts. The majority of fiber optic cable will be installed on existing utility poles and in existing conduit and will not involve the disturbance of geophysical resources. There may be some incidental trenching of new conduit adjacent to existing roads for services or connections to occasional field installed electronic equipment. This work is not expected to have any geophysical impacts. IV. WATER a, b,c, d, Construction of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication e - services is not expected to have any effect on any of the listed water resources. V. AIR QUALITY a,b, c, d - Construction and operation of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication services is not expected to impact air quality resources. VI. TRANSPORTATIONICIRCULATION a, b, c, d, - Operation of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication e, f, g services will not impact transportation or circulation. During construction of the fiber optic cable system, crews will be working on existing utility lines along roadways, however there are not expected to be any impacts to traffic circulation. VIL BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES a,b, c, d,- Construction of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication e, services is not expected to have any effect on any of the listed biological resources. VIII. ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES a, b - There are no adopted energy conservation plans affected by the construction and operation of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication services. IX. HAZARDS 10 a, b, c, d, - There are no risks of hazards associated with the construction and operation of the fiber optic e, cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication services. X. NOISE a,b- Except for short term increases in noise associated with construction of the fiber optic cable system, there will be no noise impacts. XI. PUBLIC SERVICES a,b, c, d,- Construction of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication e services will not affect the listed public services. All of the listed public services may benefit from the provision of broadband telecommunication services should they choose to take advantage of the services. XIL UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS a, c, d, e, Construction of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication f- services will not affect the listed utilities. b - Implementation of the project will result in an increase in available communications services. This is considered a benefit to the communication systems in the Truckee area. XIIL AESTHETICS a,b, c- Although some fiber cable facilities such overhead wire and electronic equipment may be visible to the public, they will be installed along existing overhead wire facilities and,are not considered aesthetically offensive or have negative aesthetic impact. XIV. CULTURAL RESOURCES a,b, c, d, - Because the construction of the fiber optic cable system will utilize existing overhead e, facilities and conduits, implementation of the project is not expected to affect cultural resources. XV. RECREATION a,b - Construction of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication services will not affect recreational opportunities. XVI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE a- As discussed in the explanations to checklist items, construction of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication services is not expected to have an affect on the listed resources. b - Construction of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication services is not expected to have any affect on the short term or long term environmental goals adopted by the agencies responsible for land use and environmental planning. c - Fiber optic cable facilities will initially be installed in existing developed areas making broadband telecommunication services available to the District's existing water and electric facilities and for residential, commercial, and public agency customers. The District will make the services available to accommodate new development only after such development has obtained all necessary approvals form the appropriate planning agencies. Issues related to growth and development including intensity, density, location, and timing, among others, are the responsibility of the appropriate planning agency, in this case either the Town of Truckee,Nevada County, or Placer County. Similarly any impacts associated with the growth and development of the Truckee area are also the responsibility of the appropriate agencies and are addressed in the various land use and environmental plans adopted by those agencies. The provision of broadband telecommunication services is not considered a 11 significant contribution towards impacts which may be associated with the continued growth and development of the Truckee area as defined by the appropriate planning agency. d- Construction of the fiber optic cable system and provision of broadband telecommunication services will allow the District to provide enhanced communication services for the operation of District facilities and for residential, commercial, and public agency customers. Provision of a higher level of communication services is considered to have a beneficial effect on human beings. INITIAL STUDY PREPARERS This Initial Study was prepared for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District by Sauers Engineering, Inc. The report was primarily authored by Keith Knibb,P.E. 12 REFERENCES These references are available for review at the Truckee Donner Public Utility District office, 11570 Donner Pass Road,Truckee, California. 1. Negative Declaration and Environmental Checklist for"Truckee-Donner Public Utility District Fiber-Optic Installation Project", Truckee Donner Public Utility District, September 3, 1999. 2. Storer and Usinger, Sierra Nevada Natural History,University of California Press. 1963. 13 TRUCKEE DONNER Public Utility District Staff Report To: Board of Directors From: Kathy Neus,Support Services Manager Date: August 16, 2002 Monthly Activity Report Vehicle Maintenance Chris continues completing BITS and service inspections. It has been a relative quiet summer, no emergency field repairs and no major breakdowns. The District had purchased three new service trucks that have been outfitted and are on the road being used. Building and Grounds Brad has also been our resident mover, consolidating and moving people and equipment. Brad has also been helping with the delivery of materials to Donner Lake and filling in at the warehouse when Sam is out. The warehouse roof recoat and maintenance has been completed and so has the emergency repair of the roof out front, bring on the wet weatherl Purchasing and Warehousing The construction season is still in full swing. Multiple deliveries to various work sights; pipe, concrete boxes, junction enclosures and more. Sam Re is delivering material to job sights daily. 0 Page 1 ter,` :, •� � �.! � Monthly Activity Report To: Board of Directors From: Mark Thomas, Water Superintendent Date: June and July 2002 Water Distribution Division These two months have been very busy. The distribution crew sent three people full time to do inspections. Two went full time to the Donner Lake water line projects, and one full time to all the developer and Tahoe Donner projects. We also have repaired 56 main line and service line leaks, installed 20 open trenches and have spent 420 hours marking out USA tickets. Water Operations Division We finished the Northside pump station upgrade which helped out greatly on the long 4Th of July weekend. In June and July, Wells 17 and 11 in Glenshire failed; the pumps were pulled and the motors were replaced. The Nirschdale Well also failed in the end of July and was repaired in 5 days because. this is Nirschdale's only well. During the repair period, we used water trucks to fill the water tank when it got low. We were able to keep Donner Lake in water over the 4th of July weekend for the first time in many years due to the upgrades that were made to that system over the last year. Id Staff Report To: Board of Directors From: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunication Services Subject: Staff Activity Report; July 102 Date: August 159 2002 During the month of July 2002, 1 focused my attention on five (5) distinct areas: Fiber to the Home Implementation; Financin ; Broadband Technology education; Public Relations & Marketing and Legislative Requirements. ***** During the month of July I began working with specific electronic and fiber optic cable venders for the implementation of a FTTH Pilot Project. Staffs report pertaining to the proposed Pilot project is forthcoming. ***** Aggregate Networks and I have been in contact virtually on a daily basis. We have been in contact with potential Anchor Subscribers to the FTTH system and are in the process of preparing a Letter of Intent for their signatures. Charter sign up forms are also being prepared in order to pre-commit residential customers. In addition a complete financial package is being prepared for submission to possible lenders. ***** I continue to communicate with District Customers to ensure that misconceptions' regarding the District's proposed Broadband plans are kept to a minimum. A public forum covering technology is scheduled for Saturday August 10. I have contracted with Pettit Gilwee Public Relations to prepare a broadband public relations campaign, which will be brought before the Board in August. This campaign will, in part, include print advertising, public forums,and scheduled talks with local service clubs, businesses and residential associations. I have contracted with Keith Nib of Sauyers Engineering to prepare an update of the District's Broadband CEQA and the Broadband Business Unit's Master Services, required by Nevada County LAFCO. The updated CEQA document will come before the Board in August, while the Master Services will be submitted in September. 0 Page 1 Staff Report To: Board of Directors From: Scott Terrell Date: August 14, 2002 Note: Since most of these projects are ongoing, Staff continues to report the basic information and highlights the activities that have occurred during the reporting month. When a project/activity is completed it is reported, then deleted from this report. Strategic Planning/District $Savings Key Accounts Program- TDPUD has received a total of $120,000 in SB5X grant monies from the California Energy Commission. This funding supports Truckee non-profits including Special Districts energy-efficiency and load reduction projects. TDPUD Building High Efficiency Lighting proposal- Staff with Planergy's assistance has prepared a proposal to retrofit the PUD offices and warehouse areas with high efficiency lighting using SB5X monies to help pay for the retrofit. Staff is planning to bring this proposal to the Board this Summer after having performed in-depth analysis on the cost and economics of the project. TDPUD Water Department High Efficiency Motors- Public Benefits money and funding through a California Energy Commission grant will help pay for several motor upgrades to high efficiency this year. Conservation/DSM/Economic Development/Public Benefits Solar Home Tour- The planning for the annual solar/geothermal heat pump/high energy efficiency home tour has begun. The date for the tour has yet to be determined. Public Benefits Program- TDPUD has processed about 300 Conservation Cash Rebate program applications to date. New Truckee Middle School- Plans are currently underway to build a new Middle School in Truckee. The School District has been awarded a $250,000 grant for the new middle school under the California Energy Commission's High Performance School's program. They plan on using a ground source heat pump for providing all its heating and cooling needs. The ground source heat pump will largely be responsible for the school meeting its energy efficiency requirements for the grant money. The ground loops for the new Middle School are currently being installed. The project calls for 288 loops. Schools Energy & Water Conservation Education Program- This program is designed to teach both energy and water conservation education to 71h grade children and includes energy and water conservation measures the kids can install in their parent's homes. So far the Living Wise program has been well received. Sue Mock is responsible for running this program for the School District. Staff will giving presentations to this class when schools resumes in Fall. Ground Source Heat Pump Program- Staff is currently looking into new ideas on how to educate and promote this technology to our customers. Staff has been contacted by several developers, architects and building engineers, etc, due to their interest in possibly pursuing GSHPs for projects they will be building. The Sierra Business Council will be "remodeling" their building on Donner Pass Road this Summer and is planning for the use of GSHP. GSHP Pilot Project, Phase 2- Davis Energy Group was the engineering group responsible for the major logistics of the project. There was a strong energy efficiency component in the project that strived to optimize the high efficiency GSHP system with the building's efficiency features. Energy measures being considered included insulation, air leakage in the building envelope and distribution system, single to double-pane windows, etc. This information is very valuable to California's consumers and heating and cooling contractors, building engineers, etc. It would be appropriate to write and send a press release to the Sun discussing the research in Truckee along with information derived from the study that may be beneficial to our customers. Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership- The Truckee Donner PUD/Sierra College Partnership project is designed to encourage local groups, clubs and individuals to tour the energy and water- efficient Sierra College facility. TDPUD uses the grounds as a demonstration of low-water using plant types and water conserving irrigation systems. Sierra College will be vacating this facility and moving to another location this Fall. I will be in touch with the owners of this building to find out what their future plans for the building may be. TDPUD Staff is available for guided tours. Energy Surveys/High Bill Assistance- Staff completed 0 commercial and 2 residential energy- use analyses and/or energy survey(s)this month. Staff also responded on-site to 2 residential "high" bill complaint(s). There are currently several customers Staff is working with to help them understand and control their energy costs. Communications/Public Relations/Education TDPUD's 751h Anniversary-TDPUD just participated in the July 4th parade. The next major celebration activity will be the TDPUD Customer Beach Day planned for September 15th. Chamber July 4`h Parade-TDPUD participated in the Chamber organized Truckee July 4th Parade. There were two TDPUD trucks along with 12 TDPUD employees and family members. TDPUD Beach Day Celebration-TDPUD staff is currently working on plans to organize a "Customer Day at the Beach" TDPUD 75'h Anniversary Celebration. The plans include free food and non-alcoholic beverages, a band(Deckheads) and games for the kids. The Recreation & Parks District will be involved in helping organize the event. This event is being marketed in the TDPUD Anniversary edition newsletter. The event is currently planned for September 15`h. Public Power Week-TDPUD plans to celebrate this event in October as part of the 75`h Anniversary. Newsletter- The next newsletter is planned to focus on TDPUD's 75th Anniversary and is planned to be distributed in the August bills. This edition will feature the May 9ch Celebration and the September 151h "Beach Day. This will be the only newsletter in 2002. Community Event Marketing- Local organizations have been in contact TDPUD staff regarding helping them market their 2002 activities. Recent bill stuffers include: Truckee Home Show, Nevada County Bill Payment Assistance, Music Festival, July 4th at West End Beach, Nevada County Fair, Railroad Days, Solar Home Tour, Donner Party Hike, etc. There will be several bill stuffers used for marketing TDPUD's 75"'Anniversary activities. Power Content Label- State law requires that all California public and private utilities supply their customers with a Power Content Label quarterly. The next quarterly Power Content Label will be mailed out with the October bills. Water Bottle- The new TDPUD water bottle is getting a lot of attention. There have been requests for bottles to take to meetings and other events. TDPUD will have these water bottles available at the Beach Day. If you have a meeting or event you would like to take water bottles to give me a call. Kidzone Project- Staff has been working with a group of organizations in Truckee to develop the Kidzone project. Kidzone participants have partnered with TDPUD due to TDPUD Board's approval to partially fund the ground source heat pump hydronic heating system installation. The Kidzone has been open since the June 4`h Dragonfly restaurant fundraiser. Community/Statewide Involvement Truckee River Watershed Council- Staff is currently serving on this committee to see how TDPUD fits into their overall effort. There are opportunities to work cooperatively with this group that may be beneficial to many organizations. Many Truckee area watershed remediation projects are being considered by this group. Staff was unable to attend the July meeting. California Municipal Utilities Association Energy Services, Marketing and Legislative Committees- Committee are working on projects and programs to help CMUA member utilities. Public Renewable Partnership(PRP)- Western Area Power Administration Staff formed a group now called the Public Renewable Partnership made up of about 15-20 publically-owned electric utilities throughout the State. PRP applied and received $6,000,000 in grant funding from the California Energy Commission. The grant money includes funding an assessment of whether a biomass plant could be built in the Tahoe-Truckee area that could provide a reliable supply of economical electric generation for any interested utility. The next meeting is scheduled for August 22 in South Lake Tahoe. Association for Efficient Environmental Energy Systems- Staff participates in quarterly meetings of the newly formed AEEES, formerly the Geothermal Energy Association. This California Collaborative was formed to oversee the development and promotion of the GSHP industry in California. AEEES is expanding to include training and education in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy and distributed generation. Staff participates as a Board member and Membership Chair for AEEES. The next meeting will be scheduled in late-September. Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee-The next UEF Conference is scheduled for May, 2002 in Granlibakken. Staff participated in the July 9 conference call to plan the next conference. Staff asked the LIEF Group to find a new Chairperson after serving the committee in that capacity for 5 years. Staff will maintain the position of President of the LIEF.