DRAFT Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Dollar General Retail Store April 2018

DRAFT Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration

Dollar General Retail Store

Lead Agency:

City of Yreka 701 Fourth Street Yreka, CA 96097

April 2018

DRAFT Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Dollar General Retail Store

April 2018

Lead Agency:

City of Yreka 701 Fourth Street Yreka, CA 96097

Prepared by:

55 Hanover Lane

Chico, CA 95973

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DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION DOLLAR GENERAL PROJECT

Lead Agency: City of Yreka

Project Proponent: Cross Development

Project Location: The Project is located on the north side of Montague Road / State Route 3 (SR 3) between N. Main Street and Deer Creek Way in the City of Yreka (see Figure 1. Project Vicinity). Interstate 5 (I-5) is 0.2 mile to the east. The site is bounded by existing commercial uses to the south, east and west, and the City’s corporate yard to the north (see Figure 2. Project Location). The site is located in Section 23 of Township 45 North, Range 07 West of the Mount Diablo Base and Meridian. The approximate center of the site is located at latitude 41º44’25” N and longitude 122º37”54” W.

Project Description: The Project consists of the development of a 9,100-square foot Dollar General store. The proposed Project is located on 0.925 acres of a 3.43-acre parcel (APN 053-591-380) within the City’s CT (Commercial Tourist) zoning district.

Mitigation Measures Incorporated into the Project to Avoid Significant Effects:

Air Quality

AQ-1: The following dust control measures shall be incorporated into the project to reduce short- term emissions resulting from construction. Depending on weather and site conditions, measures shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Use regular watering to control dust generation as described below.

2. When transporting soil and other dust-generating materials by truck during construction activities, cover materials and/or maintain 2 feet of freeboard.

3. Wash or wet-sweep paved streets adjacent to construction sites as necessary to remove accumulated dust.

4. During earth-moving operations, conduct watering as necessary to prevent visible emissions from extending beyond active areas.

5. Water all unpaved roads used for any vehicular traffic at least once per every two hours of active operations and restrict vehicle speed on unpaved roads to 15 miles per hour (mph), or as appropriate to reduce dust.

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6. Pave, maintain a wet surface, or apply dust suppressants on all unpaved access roads, parking areas, and staging areas.

7. Suspend land clearing, grading, earth-moving, or excavation activities when winds exceed 20 miles per hour.

8. Cover inactive storage piles of topsoil or landscape materials.

9. Post a publicly visible sign with the number and person to contact regarding dust complaints. This person shall have the authority and responsibility to respond and take corrective action within 24 hours.

10. No temporary asphalt or concrete batch plants will be allowed to operate onsite.

11. Construction staging areas should be located at a distance that would reduce odors and dust emissions from existing schools and residential areas.

Timing/Implementation: During construction activities Monitoring/Enforcement: Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District; City of Yreka Building Department

AQ-2: The following dust control measures shall be incorporated into the project to reduce the airborne entrainment of asbestos resulting from construction. Depending on weather and site conditions, measures shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Unpaved areas subject to vehicle traffic must be stabilized by being kept adequately wetted, treated with a chemical dust suppressant, or covered with material that contains less than 0.25 percent asbestos.

2. The speed of any vehicles and equipment traveling across unpaved areas must be no more than fifteen (15) miles per hour unless the road surface and surrounding area is sufficiently stabilized to prevent vehicles and equipment traveling more than 15 miles per hour from emitting dust that is visible crossing the project boundaries.

3. Storage piles and disturbed areas not subject to vehicular traffic must be stabilized by being kept adequately wetted, treated with a chemical dust suppressant, or covered with material that contains less than 0.25 percent asbestos.

4. Activities must be conducted so that no track-out from any road construction project is visible on any paved roadway open to the public.

5. Equipment must be washed down before moving from the property onto a paved public road.

Timing/Implementation: During construction activities Monitoring/Enforcement: Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District; City of Yreka Building Department

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Cultural Resources CUL-1: If, during the course of project construction and/or operations, cultural resources (i.e., prehistoric sites, historic features, isolated artifacts, and features such as concentrations of shell or glass) are discovered, work shall be halted immediately within 50 feet of the discovery, the City of Yreka Planning Department shall be immediately notified, and a professional archaeologist who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in prehistoric or historical archaeology shall be retained to determine the significance of the discovery. The City shall consider mitigation recommendations presented by a professional archaeologist and implement a measure or measures that the City deems feasible and appropriate. Such measures may include avoidance, preservation in place, excavation, documentation, curation, data recovery, or other appropriate measures.

Timing/Implementation: During ground-disturbing construction activities Monitoring/Enforcement: City of Yreka Building Department

CUL-2: If subsurface deposits believed to be of paleontological significance are discovered during construction, all work must halt within a 50-foot radius of the discovery. An on-site paleontological monitor, meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for paleontology, shall be retained by the project applicant and shall be afforded a reasonable amount of time to evaluate the significance of the find. Work cannot continue at the discovery site until the paleontologist conducts sufficient research and data collection to make a determination that the resource is either (1) not a paleontological resource or (2) not potentially significant. If a potentially eligible resource is encountered, the paleontologist, lead agency, and project applicant shall arrange for either (1) total avoidance of the resource, if possible, or (2) test excavations to evaluate eligibility and, if eligible, total data recovery as mitigation. The determination shall be formally documented in writing and submitted to the City, as verification that the provisions in CEQA for managing unanticipated discoveries have been met.

Timing/Implementation: During ground-disturbing construction activities Monitoring/Enforcement: City of Yreka Building Department

CUL-3: If, during the course of project implementation, human remains are discovered, all work shall be halted immediately within 50 feet of the discovery, the City of Yreka Building Department shall be immediately notified, and the County Coroner must be notified, according to Section 5097.98 of the California Public Resources Code and Section 7050.5 of the California Health and Safety Code. If the remains are determined to be Native American, the coroner will notify the Native American Heritage Commission, and the procedures outlined in California Code of Regulations Section 15064.5(d) and (e) shall be followed.

Timing/Implementation: During ground-disturbing construction activities Monitoring/Enforcement: City of Yreka Building Department

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CONTENTS

Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration – Yreka Dollar General Project ...... 1

Mitigation Measures Incorporated into the Project to Avoid Significant Effects ...... 2

SECTION 1.0 Background ...... 1-1 1.1 Summary ...... 1-1 1.2 Introduction ...... 1-1 1.3 Lead Agency ...... 1-2 1.4 Purpose and Document Organization ...... 1-2 1.5 Project Location ...... 1-3 1.6 Surrounding Land Uses/Environmental Setting ...... 1-3

SECTION 2.0 Project Description ...... 2-1 2.1 Project Setting ...... 2-1 2.2 Project Overview ...... 2-1 2.3 Project Approvals ...... 2-2 2.4 Relationship of Project to Other Plans ...... 2-3 2.5 Consultation with California Native American Tribe(s) ...... 2-4

SECTION 3.0 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected and Determination ...... 3-1 3.1 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected ...... 3-1

SECTION 4.0 Environmental Checklist and Discussion ...... 4-1 4.1 Aesthetics ...... 4-1 4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources ...... 4-3 4.3 Air Quality ...... 4-5 4.4 Biological Resources...... 4-13 4.5 Cultural Resources ...... 4-19 4.6 Geology and Soils ...... 4-24 4.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...... 4-29 4.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ...... 4-31 4.9 Hydrology and Water Quality...... 4-35 4.10 Land Use and Planning ...... 4-40 4.11 Mineral Resources ...... 4-41 4.12 Noise ...... 4-42 4.13 Population and Housing ...... 4-48

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4.14 Public Services ...... 4-49 4.15 Recreation ...... 4-51 4.16 Transportation/Traffic ...... 4-52 4.17 Tribal Cultural Resources ...... 4-55 4.18 Utilities and Service Systems ...... 4-56 4.19 Mandatory Findings of Significance ...... 4-61

SECTION 5.0 List of Preparers ...... 5-1 5.1 Lead Agency Name ...... 5-1 5.2 ECORP Consulting, Inc...... 5-1

SECTION 6.0 Bibliography ...... 6-1

SECTION 7.0 List of Appendices ...... 7-1

Appendix A – Air Quality Modeling Outputs Appendix B – Biological Resources Assessment Appendix C – Cultural Resources Records Search & Literature Review (CONFIDENTIAL) Appendix D – Geotechnical Engineering Investigation Appendix E – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Modeling Outputs Appendix F – Roadway Noise Calculations

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.3-1. NCUAQMD Thresholds of Significance (Proxy Thresholds for Analysis Purposes) ...... 4-7 Table 4.3-2. Project-Related Criteria Air Pollutants ...... 4-8 Table 4.5-1. Previous Cultural Studies within 0.5 Mile of the Project Site ...... 4-21 Table 4.12-1. Typical Noise Levels from Construction Equipment ...... 4-44 Table 4.12-2. Typical Construction Equipment Vibration Levels ...... 4-46

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Project Vicinity ...... 1-5 Figure 2. Project Location ...... 1-7 Figure 3. Site Plan ...... 1-9

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS A.D. Anno Domini AB Assembly Bill ADWF Average dry weather flow AF Acre-feet APE Area of Potential Effects APN Accessor Parcel Number AQMP Air Quality Management Plan B.P. Before present BMPs Best Management Practices BP Business Professional BRA Biological Resource Assessment BRM Bedrock mortar C Commercial CalEEMod California Emissions Estimator Model Caltrans California Department of Transportation CARB California Air Resources Board CCR California Code of Regulations CCTS Central California Taxonomic System CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CEQA California Environmental Quality Act

CH4 Methane CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database CNPS California Native Plant Society CO Carbon Monoxide

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

CO2e Carbon Dioxide Equivalent CRHR California Register of Historic Places CRPR California Rare Plant Rank CT Commercial Tourist CWA Clean Water Act DOC California Department of Conservation DTSC Department of Toxic Substances Control EIR Environmental Impact Report EPA Environmental Protection Agency FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FGC Fish and Game Code FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map FMMP Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program GC General Commercial GHGs Greenhouse Gases

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS gpd Gallons per day LSTs Localized Significance Thresholds mg Million gallon mgd Million gallons per day MLD Most Likely Descendent MMT Million Metric Tons MND Mitigated Negative Declaration MSHCP Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan MSL Mean sea level MTBA Migratory Bird Treaty Act

MTCO2eq Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent

N2O Nitrous Oxide NAHC Native American Heritage Commission NCIC North Central Information Center ND Negative Declaration NEAB Northeast Plateau Air Basin NHPA National Historic Preservation Act

NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide

NOx Nitrogen Oxides NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NRCS Natural Resource Conservation Service NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service NRHP National Register of Historic Places

O3 Ozone OHP California Office of Historic Preservation OHV Off-Highway Vehicle OPR California Office of Planning and Research OS Open Space OS-C Open Space-Conservation PF Public Facilities

PM10 and PM2.5 Particulate Matter PUB Public PWWF Peak wet weather flow RCPG Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide ROG Reactive Organic Gases RTP Regional Transportation Plan RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board SAA Streambed Alteration Agreement SCH State Clearinghouse SIP State Implementation Plan

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS SR State Route SRA Sensitive Receptor Area SSC Species of special concern SWPPP Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board UCMP California Museum of Paleontology USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service WWTRF Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility

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SECTION 1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 SUMMARY

Project Title: Yreka Dollar General

Lead Agency Name and Address: City of Yreka 701 Fourth Street Yreka, CA 96097 Contact Person and Phone Number: Liz Casson, City Clerk (530) 841-2324

Project Location: The Project is located on the north side of Montague Road / State Route 3 between N. Main Street and Deer Creek Way in the City of Yreka. Interstate 5 is 0.2 mile to the east. The site is located in Section 23 of Township 45 North, Range 07 West of the Mount Diablo Base and Meridian. The approximate center of the site is located at latitude 41º44’25” N and longitude 122º37”54” W.

General Plan Designation: GC (General Commercial)

Zoning: CT (Commercial Tourist)

1.2 INTRODUCTION

The City of Yreka (City) is the Lead Agency for this Initial Study. The Initial Study has been prepared to identify and assess the anticipated environmental impacts of the Yreka Dollar General Project (Project or proposed Project). This document has been prepared to satisfy the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Res. Code, Section 21000 et seq.) and State CEQA Guidelines (14 CCR 15000 et seq.). CEQA requires that all state and local government agencies consider the environmental consequences of Projects over which they have discretionary authority before acting on those Projects. A CEQA Initial Study is generally used to determine which CEQA document is appropriate for a Project (Negative Declaration [ND], Mitigated Negative Declaration [MND], or Environmental Impact Report [EIR]).

In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15063, an environmental impact report (EIR) must be prepared if an initial study indicates that the proposed project under review may have a potentially significant impact on the environment that cannot be initially avoided or mitigated to a level that is

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Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Dollar General Retail Store less than significant. A negative declaration may be prepared if the lead agency also prepares a written statement describing the reasons why the proposed project would not have a significant effect on the environment and therefore why it does not require the preparation of an EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15371). According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15070, a negative declaration shall be prepared for a project subject to CEQA when either:

a) The initial study shows there is no substantial evidence, in light of the whole record before the agency, that the proposed project may have a significant effect on the environment, or

b) The initial study identifies potentially significant effects, but:

(1) Revisions in the project plans or proposals made by or agreed to by the applicant before the proposed negative declaration is released for public review would avoid the effects or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly no significant effects would occur; and

(2) There is no substantial evidence, in light of the whole record before the agency, that the proposed project as revised may have a significant effect on the environment.

If revisions are adopted in the proposed project in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15070(b), including the adoption of mitigation measures included in this document, a mitigated negative declaration is prepared.

This Initial Study document, with supporting analysis, concludes that a MND is the appropriate CEQA document for the Yreka Dollar General Project.

1.3 LEAD AGENCY

The lead agency is the public agency with primary responsibility over a proposed project. Where two or more public agencies will be involved with a project, CEQA Guidelines Section 15051 provides criteria for identifying the lead agency. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15051(b)(1), “the lead agency will normally be the agency with general governmental powers, such as a city or county, rather than an agency with a single or limited purpose.” Based on the criteria above, the City of Yreka (City) is the lead agency for the proposed Yreka Dollar General Project.

1.4 PURPOSE AND DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION

The purpose of this Initial Study is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Yreka Dollar General Project. This document is divided into the following sections:

1.0 Introduction – This section provides an introduction and describes the purpose and organization of the document. This section provides general information regarding the Project, including the Project title, lead agency and address, contact person, brief description of the Project location, General Plan land use designation, zoning district, identification of surrounding land uses.

2.0 Project Description – This section provides a detailed description of the proposed Project, as well as the identification of other public agencies whose review, approval, and/or permits may be

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Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Dollar General Retail Store required. Also listed in this section is a checklist of the environmental factors that are potentially affected by the Project.

3.0 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected and Determinations – This section is a summary of the environmental topic areas that were found to potentially impact the environment.

4.0 Environmental Checklist and Discussion – This section describes the environmental setting and overview for each of the environmental subject areas, evaluates a range of impacts classified as “no impact,” “less than significant impact,” “less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated,” and “potentially significant impact” in response to the environmental checklist.

5.0 List of Preparers – This section lists the names of documents preparers.

6.0 Bibliography – This section identifies documents, websites, people, and other sources consulted during the preparation of this Initial Study.

7.0 List of Appendices – This section provides a list of document appendices

1.5 PROJECT LOCATION

As illustrated in Figure 1. Project Vicinity and Figure 2. Location Map, the proposed Yreka Dollar General is located on the north side of Montague Road / State Route (SR) 3 between N. Main Street and Deer Creek Way in the City of Yreka. Interstate 5 (I-5) is 0.2 mile to the east.

1.6 SURROUNDING LAND USES/ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

The proposed Project is located in the northern portion of the City of Yreka. The site is vacant of structures and relatively flat, gently sloping from west to east. There are two existing mature trees on-site. The northern portion of the site contains an intermittent stream/riparian corridor which serves to drain stormwater originating in the hills to the west of Yreka, through northern Yreka, until its connection to Yreka Creek.

This intermittent stream meanders through the northern part of Yreka through a series of underground culverts, channelized drainage canals, and fragmented natural stream segments. It enters the Project site from the property adjacent to the west from an underground culvert. The upper 15-25 feet of the portion of this stream traversing the Project site has been recently disturbed (filled) and the associated riparian vegetation largely removed. The filled streambed contains a recently positioned pipe intended to be permanently installed in a manner to accommodate development on the Project site.

The Project site is zoned CT (Commercial Tourist) and surrounded by lands zoned the same. West of the Project site is commercial and office buildings with N. Main Street, a commercial hotel, and Yreka High School beyond. To the east of the site is a commercial hotel with open space and I-5 beyond. To the north of the site lays vacant, disturbed lands (City Corporation Yard) and to the south is a commercial shopping center anchored by a grocery store.

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SECTION 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 PROJECT SETTING

The proposed Project is located in Yreka in Siskiyou County, California. Yreka is located approximately 21 miles south of the California-Oregon border. I-5, SR 3, and SR 263 pass through and provide regional access to the City. The Project site is located in northern Yreka on 0.925 acres of a 3.43-acre parcel (APN 053-591-380), on the north side of Montague Road / SR 3 between N. Main Street and Deer Creek Way. I-5 is 0.2 mile to the east.

As previously described, the site is vacant of structures and relatively flat, gently sloping from west to east. The northern portion of the site contains a previously disturbed intermittent stream and riparian corridor. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) defines riparian habitat as “lands which contain habitat which grows close to and which depends upon soil moisture from a nearby freshwater source.” This portion of the Project site is subject to CDFW jurisdiction. Representative riparian species within this disturbed riparian community include few-seeded bittercress, curly dock, wooly mullein, and poison hemlock. There are two mature trees on-site (box elder trees), existing on the western boundary near the southwest corner of the site. Ruderal grassland occurs throughout the remainder of the Project site and is represented by yellow starthistle, red-stemmed filaree, rabbitbrush, cleavers, whitlow grass, medusahead, and bulbous bluegrass.

The Project’s surrounding vicinity is urban and consists of vacant lands and commercial buildings.

The Project site has a City General Plan designation of General Commercial, which as defined by the General Plan, is a designation to accommodate larger commercial buildings located on parcels that can accommodate parking. Buildings are typically stand-alone and oriented more to vehicles than pedestrians. The Project site is zoned Commercial Tourist. This zone district is intended to serve and accommodate the needs of the traveling public and is primarily located at or near freeway interchanges. This zone district provides a variety of commercial uses, and is consistent with the General Commercial Land Use Designation.

2.2 PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Project consists of the development of a 9,100-square foot Dollar General retail store on 0.925 acres of a 3.43-acre parcel (see Figure 3. Project Site Plan). The retail store would reach a maximum 21.5 feet in height and include 7,343 square feet of retail sales area, a 190-square foot loading area, with a storage area constituting the remaining square footage. In addition to the retail store building, the Project proposes a 17,583-square foot parking lot with 36 parking spaces. There would also be 4 bicycle parking facilities. The Project would include 11,570 square feet of landscaped areas and proposes to plant seven trees on-site. A 3.5-foot high retaining wall would be constructed on the eastern boundary of the site while the existing retaining wall and fence spanning the western

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Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Dollar General Retail Store boundary are proposed to remain. Stormwater retention areas would be located along the southern portion of the Project site.

The store would operate between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily with four employees staffed during the largest shift. The Project applicant anticipates a total staff of 6 – 8 employees.

For the purposes of this analysis, it is assumed that construction will begin during the 2018 construction year and be completed by 2019. However, construction can be accelerated or delayed based on design progress, environmental conditions, available funding, weather, or other factors.

2.3 PROJECT APPROVALS

The City of Yreka is the lead agency for this project. In order to approve the proposed Project, the City of Yreka must first adopt the IS/MND, approve the proposed Project, and file a Notice of Determination (NOD) within five working days. The City Council will consider the information contained in the IS/MND in making its decision to approve or deny the proposed Project. The IS/MND is intended to disclose to the public the proposed Project’s details, analyses of the proposed Project’s potential environment impacts, and identification of feasible mitigation that will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant levels.

In addition, permits and/or approvals would be required from the following agencies:

North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)

The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) typically requires that a Construction General Permit be obtained for projects that disturb more than 1 acre of soil. Typical conditions issued with such a permit include the submittal of and adherence to a stormwater pollution and prevention plan (SWPPP), as well as prohibitions on the release of oils, grease, or other hazardous materials.

Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District (SCAPCD)

The proposed Project is located in an area falling under the jurisdiction of the Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District. The Project applicant will be required to obtain approval of a dust control plan from the District prior to any soil disturbing activities on the site.

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

A portion of the proposed Project would be located within a California Department of Transportation right-of-way for SR 3 (Montague Road). The Project applicant will be required to obtain an encroachment permit from Caltrans prior to any work within the Caltrans right-of-way.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

As previously stated, the northern portion of the site contains a previously disturbed intermittent stream and riparian corridor. Specifically, the upper 15-25 feet of the portion of this stream

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Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Dollar General Retail Store traversing the Project site has been recently filled and the associated riparian vegetation largely removed. The proposed Project will need to obtain the proper CDFW permits for this action before moving forward with Project construction. Sections 1601 to 1606 of the Fish and Game Code (FGC) require that a Streambed Alteration Application be submitted to the CDFW for “any activity that may substantially divert or obstruct the natural flow or substantially change the bed, channel, or bank of any river, stream, or lake.” The CDFW reviews the proposed actions and, if necessary, submits to the applicant a proposal for measures to protect affected fish and wildlife resources. The final proposal that is mutually agreed upon by the CDFW and the applicant is the Streambed Alteration Agreement. Projects that require a Streambed Alteration Agreement may also require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). In these instances, the conditions of the Section 404 permit and the Streambed Alteration Agreement may overlap.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The northern portion of the site contains a previously disturbed intermittent stream. The stream has been partially filled and contains a recently positioned pipe intended to be permanently installed in a manner to accommodate development on the Project site. The proposed Project will need to obtain the proper USACE permits for this action before moving forward with Project construction. Section 401 of the Clean Water Act requires any applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct any activity that may result in a discharge of a pollutant into waters of the United States to obtain certification that the discharge will comply with the applicable effluent limitations and water quality standards. The appropriate RWQCB (in California) regulates Section 401 requirements. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into “waters of the United States” without a permit from the USACE. The USACE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administer the act. In addition to streams with a defined bed and bank, the definition of waters of the U.S. includes wetland areas “that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions” (33 CFR 328.3 7b).

2.4 RELATIONSHIP OF PROJECT TO OTHER PLANS

City of Yreka General Plan

The proposed Project would be located in Yreka. The City of Yreka General Plan was updated in 2002–2003 and adopted by the City Council on December 18, 2003. The General Plan is the fundamental document governing land use development in the incorporated areas of the City. It includes numerous goals and policies pertaining to land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, parks and recreation, noise, public health and safety, and public facilities. The proposed Project will be required to abide by all applicable goals and policies included in the adopted General Plan.

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City of Yreka Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

The Project will not be subject to the City’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 11.34), which regulates improvements in flood zones. Chapter 11.34 applies to special flood hazard areas, which are defined as areas having special flood or flood-related erosion hazards and shown on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) or Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as Zone A, AO, A1-30, AE, A99, or AH. The Project site is shown on FEMA FIRM Map 06093C1557D. The proposed Project site is located in Flood Zone X, meaning that no portion of the site is located within the 100- year floodplain (FEMA 2011). Therefore, the Project is not subject to the requirements of Chapter 11.34.

City of Yreka Stormwater Quality Management & Discharge Control Ordinance

The Project will be subject to the City’s Stormwater Quality Management & Discharge Control Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 12.40). The City of Yreka is a Phase II, Small MS4 permittee under the "Waste Discharge Requirements for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Discharges". The purpose and intent of this ordinance is to comply with the requirements imposed upon the City in the Phase II Small MS4 permit and to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of citizens, and protect and enhance the water quality of watercourses, water bodies, and wetlands in a manner pursuant to and consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.), and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (California Water Code Section 13000 et seq.), so that, to the maximum extent practicable, stormwater will not cause or contribute to any exceedances of water quality standards contained in the statewide Water Quality Control Plan, the California Toxics Rule, or in the North Coast RWQCB Basin Plan amended and supplanted, and by prohibiting non-stormwater discharges to the storm drain system, excepting non-significant non- stormwater contributors.

2.5 CONSULTATION WITH CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE(S)

Native American consultation letters were sent to the recognized Tribes in Siskiyou County. No cultural concerns with the Project were received. Further information on potential Tribal Cultural Resources in the Project area is provided in Section 4.17 of this Initial Study.

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SECTION 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED AND DETERMINATION

3.1 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” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.

Aesthetics Hazards/Hazardous Materials Public Services

Agriculture and Forestry Resources Hydrology/Water Quality Recreation

Air Quality Land Use and Planning Transportation/Traffic

Biological Resources Mineral Resources Tribal Cultural Resources

Cultural Resources Noise Utilities and Service Systems

Geology and Soils Paleontological Resources Mandatory Findings of Significance

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Population and Housing

Determination

On the basis of this initial evaluation:

I find that the Project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE

DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the Project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the Project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT REPORT is required. I find that the Project MAY have a “potentially significant impact” or “potentially significant unless mitigated” impact 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. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. I find that although the Project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the Project, nothing further is required.

Steve Baker Date City Manager

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SECTION 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Aesthetics

4.1.1 Environmental Setting

Yreka is in an area considered to have high scenic value, located in a valley surrounded by mountains in the Klamath National Forest on the north and west, Shasta Valley to the east, and the Kilgore Hills to the southeast. Nearby mountains rise 300 to 4,000 feet above Yreka and provide an attractive backdrop. Some areas of the City have longer views to the Siskiyou and Cascade ranges to the north and east, with Mount Shasta as the prominent feature to the southeast. Mount Shasta is a dormant volcano, 14,179 feet in elevation. The near mountain ranges are covered with pine forests and oak trees. Winter brings snows to the higher elevations, while spring brings green hills and the fresh foliage of deciduous trees. Fall color in the oaks brings a bright gold, which contrasts with the green of pines. These views are readily seen from most residential areas and are visible from major highways traversing the City (i.e., I-5, SR 3, and SR 263).

While a segment of I-5 (SR 3 near Yreka/Oregon State Line near Hilt) is listed as an eligible scenic highway, there are no locally designated or state scenic highways adjacent to or within the vicinity of the Project site (DOT 2017).

The Project site is devoid of any topographical features and does not contain any feature or element that could be considered scenic or that is designated as scenic by the City or the State. Additionally, I-5 is located 0.2 miles east of the Project. As such, the Proposed Project will not obstruct or otherwise interfere with any views from off-site roadway vantage points.

4.1.2 Aesthetics (I) Environmental Checklist and Discussion

Less than Potentially Significant with Less than Significant Mitigation Significant No Would the Project: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic

vista?

A scenic vista is a viewpoint that provides expansive views of a highly valued landscape for the benefit of the general public. As previously described, Yreka is distinguished with its views of the Siskiyou and Cascade ranges to the north and east and Mount Shasta to the southeast.

The Project site is located just west of I-5 in the northern portion of Yreka within a cluster of small- scale commercial operations. The Project’s surrounding vicinity is urban. The Project site does not contain unique visual features that would distinguish it from surrounding areas nor is it located within a designated scenic vista. In addition, there are no distinct or distinguishing rock features on the Project site. The Project proposes a single-story building with a maximum building height of 21.5

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Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Dollar General Retail Store feet. The 9,100-square foot store would not be visually prominent as it would be consistent with the scale and style of the existing commercial structures surrounding the site. Therefore, the proposed Project is not considered an impediment to views of distant surrounding mountains. Furthermore, the Project site is not located in an area identified as a scenic vista in the Yreka General Plan. For these reasons, the Project would have no impact on scenic vistas.

Less than Potentially Significant with Less than Significant Mitigation Significant No Would the Project: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway?

While a segment of I-5 (SR 3 near Yreka/Oregon State Line near Hilt) is listed as an eligible scenic highway, it has not been formally designated as such. Furthermore, there are no locally designated or state scenic highways adjacent to or within the vicinity of the Project site. No impact would occur.

Less than Potentially Significant with Less than Significant Mitigation Significant No Would the Project: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings?

The Project site is located in the northern portion of the City and is bounded by a combination of vacant lands and a scattering of commercial buildings. The Project site is a vacant lot and as previously stated, the northern portion of the site contains a previously disturbed riparian corridor.

The proposed Project would result in the construction of a new 9,100-square foot retail store. Parking facilities are also a part of the Project. These Project elements may result in a change to the visual character of the site by increasing the number of urban structures on otherwise vacant land. However, the site is designated and zoned for commercial land uses and therefore intended to accommodate commercial development under the Yreka General Plan. The proposed Project would be required to comply with development review guidelines mandated under City Municipal Code Chapter 15.32, Design Standards and Required Improvements, which would ensure that the proposed Project would be constructed consistent with the surrounding commercial neighborhood. Therefore, construction of the Project would not substantially degrade the character of the site or its surroundings, as the new retail store building would be consistent with existing development in the area. This impact is less than significant.

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Less than Potentially Significant with Less than Significant Mitigation Significant No Would the Project: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact d) Would the project create a new source of substantial light or glare, which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?

The proposed Project would result in a new building and parking area, both of which may result in an increase of artificial light and glare into the existing environment. Potential sources of light and glare include external building lighting, parking lot lighting, an illuminated sign, security lighting, building windows, and reflective building materials. The introduction of new sources of light and glare may contribute to nighttime light pollution and result in impacts to nighttime views in the area.

Adherence to City Municipal Code Chapter 13.10, General Standards, requires that all electric signs and outline lighting in Yreka comply with Article 600 of the current edition of the California Building Code. Therefore, all new lighting from the Project will be required to be shielded and directed so as to not allow light to penetrate off-site.

The new building would be painted in a manner that precludes bare metal surfaces, a potential source of glare. The roof would be constructed of non-reflective material. The proposed windows are scattered, and no single large bank of windows is included. This design would reduce the potential for window glare.

The proposed Project would be required to comply with development review guidelines mandated under City Municipal Code Chapter 15.32, Design Standards and Required Improvements, which would ensure that the proposed Project would be constructed consistent to City of Yreka standards. Specifically, the Project will be required to obtain a building permit and approval from the Yreka Building Official prior to the installation of any electrical sign or outdoor lighting. The impact would be less than significant.

4.1.3 Mitigation Measures

No significant impacts were identified, and no mitigation measures are required.

4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources

4.2.1 Environmental Setting

The California Department of Conservation manages a Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP), which identifies and maps significant farmland. The classification of farmland as Important Farmland (i.e., Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, and Farmland of Statewide Importance) is based on the suitability of soils for agricultural production, as determined by a soil survey conducted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). An FMMP map has been prepared for Siskiyou

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County that includes the Project area. The Siskiyou County FMMP map classifies these areas of the Project site as Urban and Built-Up Land (DOC 2017). Furthermore, the Project site is zoned for commercial uses. There are no Williamson Act or Timber Preserve contracted lands within or adjacent to the project site (DOC 2016).

4.2.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources (II) Environmental Checklist and Discussion

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the Project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the

Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to nonagricultural use?

The Siskiyou County FMMP map classifies the Project site as Urban and Built-Up Land (DOC 2017). Therefore, the proposed Project would not result in the loss of Important Farmland as defined by the California Department of Conservation. No impact would occur.

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the Project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use,

or a Williamson Act contract?

The Project site is not under a Williamson Act contract, nor are any lands near the Project site subject to a Williamson Act contract (DOC 2016). Additionally, the Project site is zoned Commercial Tourist. As such, the proposed Project would not conflict with any existing Williamson Act contract lands. No impact would occur.

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the Project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(g)), timberland (as

defined by Public Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section 51104(g))?

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The Project site does not contain any forest resources, nor is it zoned for forest use. No impact would occur.

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of

forest land to non-forest use?

No forest lands exist on the Project site or within the vicinity of the Project. The Project would have no impact in this area.

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact e) Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use?

The proposed Project site and surrounding land is identified as Urban and Built-Up Land by the DOC. No existing agricultural uses or forest land exist within the Project vicinity. The Project would have no impact in this area.

4.2.3 Mitigation Measures

No significant impacts were identified, and no mitigation measures are required.

4.3 Air Quality

4.3.1 Environmental Setting

Yreka and the Project site are located in a region identified as the Northeast Plateau Air Basin (NPAB), which principally includes Siskiyou, Modoc, and Lassen counties. This larger air basin is divided into local air districts, which are charged with the responsibility of implementing air quality programs. The local air quality agency affecting Yreka is the Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District (SCAPCD). Within the SCAPCD, the primary sources of air pollution are wood-burning stoves, wildfires, farming operations, unpaved road dust, managed burning and disposal, and motor vehicles. The Project site is currently vacant.

The SCAPCD adopts and enforces controls on stationary sources of air pollutants through its permit and inspection programs and regulates agricultural and nonagricultural burning. Other district

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Ambient Air Quality Standards

Air quality standards are set at both the federal and state levels of government. The federal Clean Air Act requires the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish ambient air quality standards for six criteria air pollutants: ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), lead, coarse particulate matter (PM10), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The California Clean Air Act also sets ambient air quality standards. The state standards are more stringent than the federal standards, and they include other pollutants in addition to those regulated by the federal standards. When the concentrations of pollutants are below the maximum allowed standards in an area, that area is considered to be in attainment of the standards. Yreka has been designated as an attainment area for all six criteria air pollutants, as the air quality meets all state and federal standards.

4.3.2 Air Quality (III) Environmental Checklist and Discussion

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the Project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the

applicable air quality plan?

The Project site lies within the boundaries of the NPAB. While the other counties in the air basin are identified as currently being in nonattainment for exceeding state criteria pollutant levels for particulate matter, Siskiyou County and Yreka are identified as being in attainment or unclassified for all federal and state air quality standards (CARB 2017). As such, Siskiyou County is not subject to an air quality plan. No impact would occur.

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the Project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation?

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As noted above, Siskiyou County and Yreka are in attainment or unclassified for federal and state air quality standards. However, the proposed Project could result in air quality impacts during construction and operation.

Construction Impacts

The proposed Project would result in short-term emissions from construction activities. Construction- generated emissions are short term and of temporary duration, lasting only as long as construction activities occur. Emissions commonly associated with construction activities include fugitive dust from soil disturbance. During construction, fugitive dust, the dominant source of particulate matter emissions, is generated when wheels or blades disturb surface materials. Uncontrolled dust from construction can become a nuisance and potential health hazard to those living and working nearby. Emissions of airborne particulate matter are largely dependent on the amount of ground disturbance associated with site preparation activities.

While some particulate matter (i.e., dust) may be generated as a result of construction activities, implementation of mitigation measure MM AQ-1 addresses construction-related dust control measures consistent with SCAQMD recommendations and would reduce this impact to a level that is less than significant.

Long-Term Operational Impacts

Operational air quality impacts would include emissions from Project-generated vehicle traffic and facility operations, including energy usage and landscape maintenance equipment. Thresholds of significance illustrate the extent of an impact and are a basis from which to apply mitigation measures. Because the SCAPCD has no established thresholds under CEQA for the assessment of air quality impacts, the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District’s (NCUAQMD) thresholds of significance will be used for the evaluation of operational air quality impacts for the purpose of this analysis. These thresholds are consistent with the New Source Review Rule 110 adopted by the Air Quality Management District as required by the California Clean Air Act. The thresholds of significance are summarized in Table 4.3-1.

Table 4.3-1. NCUAQMD Thresholds of Significance (Proxy Thresholds for Analysis Purposes) Emissions (Maximum Pounds/ Day) Threshold ROG NOx CO PM10 PM2.5 Significance Thresholds 50 50 500 80 50 Source: NCUAQMD 2010 Note: The SCAPCD does not have adopted thresholds of significance. Proxy thresholds from the North Coast Unified AQMD were used to facilitate the analysis for this section as described above.

The predicted maximum daily emissions associated with Project operations are summarized in Table 4.3-2. The projected criteria pollutant emissions were estimated by ECORP Consulting, Inc. using the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) version 2016.3.2. Modeling details are included in Appendix A.

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Table 4.3-2. Project-Related Criteria Air Pollutants Pollutant (Maximum Pounds/ Day) Threshold ROG NOx CO PM10 PM2.5 Summer Emissions Area Source 0.27 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 Energy Source 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 Mobile Source 1.99 15.11 16.32 2.24 0.64 Total 2.26 15.13 16.34 2.24 0.64 NCUAQMD Significance Thresholds 50 50 500 80 50 Exceed NCUAQMD Thresholds? No No No No No Winter Emissions Area Source 0.27 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 Energy Source 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 Mobile Source 1.99 15.64 20.51 2.24 0.65 Total 2.26 15.66 20.53 2.24 0.65 NCUAQMD Significance Thresholds 50 50 500 80 50 Exceed NCUAQMD Thresholds? No No No No No Source: Emissions were calculated by ECORP Consulting using CalEEMod 2016.3.2. Refer to Appendix A for Model Data Outputs.

As shown, all criteria pollutant emissions would remain below their respective thresholds during Project operations. Operational air quality impacts are less than significant.

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the Project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable

federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)?

Siskiyou County is in attainment or is identified as unclassified for all monitored air quality standards. In addition, as demonstrated under Response 4.3(b) Long-Term Operational Impacts above, significance thresholds would not be surpassed. Therefore, no cumulative considerable net increase of criteria pollutants will result from the Project. A less than significant impact would occur.

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the Project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial

pollutant concentrations?

Sensitive receptors are defined as facilities or land uses that include members of the population that are particularly sensitive to the effects of air pollutants, such as children, the elderly, and people with illnesses. Examples of these sensitive receptors are residences, schools, hospitals, and daycare

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Construction Impacts

Diesel Particulate Matter

Construction-related activities would result in temporary, short-term Project-generated emissions of diesel particulate matter (DPM) from the exhaust of off-road, heavy-duty diesel equipment for site preparation (e.g., clearing, grading); paving; application of architectural coatings; and other miscellaneous activities. For construction activity, DPM is the primary toxic air contaminant (TAC) of concern. Particulate exhaust emissions from diesel-fueled engines (i.e., DPM) were identified as a TAC by CARB in 1998. The potential cancer risk from the inhalation of DPM, as discussed below, outweighs the potential for all other health impacts (i.e., non-cancer chronic risk, short-term acute risk) and health impacts from other TACs. Accordingly, DPM is the focus of this discussion.

Based on the emission modeling conducted, the maximum construction-related daily emissions of exhaust PM2.5, considered a surrogate for DPM, would be 1.29 pounds/day during construction activity (see Appendix A). (PM2.5 exhaust is considered a surrogate for DPM because more than 90 percent of DPM is less than 1 microgram in diameter and therefore is a subset of particulate matter under 2.5 microns in diameter (i.e., PM2.5), according to CARB. Most PM2.5 derives from combustion, such as use of gasoline and diesel fuels by motor vehicles.) Even during the most intense month of construction, emissions of DPM would be generated from different locations on the Project site, rather than a single location, because different types of construction activities (e.g., site preparation, building construction) would not occur at the same place at the same time.

The dose to which receptors are exposed is the primary factor used to determine health risk (i.e., potential exposure to TAC emission levels that exceed applicable standards). Dose is a function of the concentration of a substance or substances in the environment and the duration of exposure to the substance. Dose is positively correlated with time, meaning that a longer exposure period would result in a higher exposure level for any exposed receptor. Thus, the risks estimated for an exposed individual are higher if a fixed exposure occurs over a longer period of time. According to the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), health risk assessments, which determine the exposure of sensitive receptors to TAC emissions, should be based on a 70- or 30-year exposure period; however, such assessments should be limited to the period/duration of activities associated with the proposed Project. Consequently, an important consideration is that the use of off-road heavy-duty diesel equipment would be limited to the periods of construction, for which most diesel- powered off-road equipment use would occur over approximately a 5-month period. Therefore, considering the relatively low mass of DPM emissions that would be generated during even the most intense season of construction, the relatively short duration of construction activities (5 months), and

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Naturally Occurring Asbestos

Another potential air quality issue associated with construction-related activities is the airborne entrainment of asbestos due to the disturbance of naturally-occurring asbestos-containing soils. The proposed Project is located within an area designated by the State of California as likely to contain naturally-occurring asbestos (DOC 2000). As a result, mitigation measure MM AQ-2 is required during construction-related activities in order to reduce exposure of sensitive land uses to asbestos to a less than significant level.

Long-Term Operational Impacts

Carbon Monoxide Hot Spots

It has long been recognized that CO exceedances are caused by vehicular emissions, primarily when idling at intersections. Concentrations of CO are a direct function of the number of vehicles, length of delay, and traffic flow conditions. Under certain meteorological conditions, CO concentrations close to congested intersections that experience high levels of traffic and elevated background concentrations may reach unhealthy levels, affecting nearby sensitive receptors. Given the high traffic volume potential, areas of high CO concentrations, or “hot spots,” are typically associated with intersections that are projected to operate at unacceptable levels of service during the peak commute hours. However, transport of this criteria pollutant is extremely limited, and CO disperses rapidly with distance from the source under normal meteorological conditions. Furthermore, vehicle emissions standards have become increasingly more stringent in the last 20 years. Currently, the CO standard in California is a maximum of 3.4 grams per mile for passenger cars (requirements for certain vehicles are more stringent). With the turnover of older vehicles, introduction of cleaner fuels, and implementation of control technology on industrial facilities, CO concentrations in the Project vicinity have steadily declined.

Accordingly, with the steadily decreasing CO emissions from vehicles, even very busy intersections do not result in exceedances of the CO standard. The analysis prepared for CO attainment in the South Coast Air Quality Management District 1992 Federal Attainment Plan for Carbon Monoxide (SCAQMD 1992) in Southern California can be used to demonstrate the potential for CO exceedances. The South Coast CO hot spot analysis was conducted for four busy intersections in Los Angeles County during the peak morning and afternoon time periods. The intersections evaluated included Long Beach Boulevard and Imperial Highway (Lynwood), Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue (Westwood), Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue (Hollywood), and La Cienega Boulevard and Century Boulevard (Inglewood). The busiest intersection evaluated was at Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue, which has a traffic volume of approximately 100,000 vehicles per day. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority evaluated the level of service in the vicinity of the Wilshire Boulevard/Veteran Avenue intersection and found it to be level of service (LOS) E at

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Because the proposed Project would not increase traffic volumes at any intersection to more than 100,000 vehicles per day, there is no likelihood of the Project traffic exceeding CO values. The impact is less than significant.

Less than Significant Potentially With Less than Would the Project: Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial

number of people?

Offensive odors rarely cause any physical harm; however, they still can be very unpleasant, leading to considerable distress among the public and often generating citizen complaints to local governments and regulatory agencies. Odor impacts on residential areas and other sensitive receptors, such as daycare centers and schools, are of particular concern.

Construction Impacts

The Project may result in temporary and localized odors associated with diesel-powered equipment during construction. However, any such odors would be temporary and would not be in sufficiently high concentrations to affect nearby land uses. The construction impact is less than significant.

Long-Term Operational Impacts

Major operational sources of odor-related complaints by the general public commonly include wastewater treatment facilities, landfill disposal facilities, food processing facilities, agricultural activities, and various industrial activities such as petroleum refineries, chemical and fiberglass manufacturing, painting/coating operations, feedlots/dairies, composting facilities, landfills, and transfer stations. The Project does not include any of these land uses or similar land uses. The operational impact is less than significant.

4.3.3 Mitigation Measures

1. Use regular watering to control dust generation as described below.

2. When transporting soil and other dust-generating materials by truck during construction activities, cover materials and/or maintain 2 feet of freeboard.

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