IV. Environmental Impact Analysis D. Geology and Soils

1. Introduction

This section of the Draft EIR provides an analysis of the proposed Project’s potential impacts with regard to geology and soils, including fault rupture, ground shaking, ground failure (e.g., liquefaction), expansive soils, and sedimentation and erosion. The analysis is based on the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation for the Paramount Pictures Master Plan, 5555 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California, 90038 (hereinafter the “Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation”), prepared by Geotechnologies, Inc. (April 2015), and included as Appendix H of this Draft EIR.

2. Environmental Setting a. Regulatory Framework

(1) State of California

(a) Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act

The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (Public Resources Code Section 2621) was enacted by the State of California in 1972 to address the hazard of surface faulting to structures for human occupancy.1 The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act was a direct result of the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, which was associated with extensive surface fault ruptures that damaged homes, commercial buildings, and other structures. The primary purpose of the Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act is to prevent the construction of buildings intended for human occupancy on the surface traces of active faults. The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act is also intended to provide citizens with increased safety and minimize the loss of life during and immediately following earthquakes by facilitating seismic retrofitting to strengthen buildings against ground shaking. The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act requires the State Geologist to establish regulatory zones, known as “earthquake fault zones,” around the surface traces of active faults and to issue appropriate maps to assist cities and counties in planning,

1 The Act was originally entitled the Alquist–Priolo Geologic Hazards Zone Act.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-1

IV.D Geology and Soils zoning, and building regulation functions. Maps are distributed to all affected cities and counties for the controlling of new or renewed construction and are required to sufficiently define potential surface rupture or fault creep. The State Geologist is charged with continually reviewing new geologic and seismic data, and revising existing zones and delineating additional earthquake fault zones when warranted by new information. Local agencies must enforce the Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act in the development permit process, where applicable, and may be more restrictive than State law requires. According to the Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, before a project can be permitted, cities and counties shall require a geologic investigation, prepared by a licensed geologist, to demonstrate that buildings will not be constructed across active faults. If an active fault is found, a structure for human occupancy cannot be placed over the trace of the fault and must be set back. Although setback distances may vary, a minimum 50-foot setback is required. The Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act and its regulations are presented in California Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey, Special Publication 42, Fault-Rupture Hazard Zones in California.

(b) Seismic Safety Act

The California Seismic Safety Commission was established by the Seismic Safety Act in 1975 with the intent of providing oversight, review, and recommendations to the Governor and State Legislature regarding seismic issues. The commission’s name was changed to Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission in 2006. Since then, the Commission has adopted several documents based on recorded earthquakes, including:2

 Research and Implementation Plan for Earthquake Risk Reduction in California 1995 to 2000, report dated December 1994;

 Seismic Safety in California’s Schools, “Findings and Recommendations on Seismic Safety Policies and Requirements for Public, Private, and Charter Schools”, report dated December 2004;

 Findings and Recommendations on Hospital Seismic Safety, report dated November 2001; and

 Commercial Property Owner’s Guide to Earthquakes Safety, report dated October 2006.

2 Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, Publications, www.seismic.ca.gov/pub.html, accessed March 2, 2015.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-2

IV.D Geology and Soils

In order to address the effects of strong ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, and other ground failures due to seismic events, the State of California passed the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act of 1990 (Public Resources Code Sections 2690–2699). Under the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, the State Geologist is required to delineate “seismic hazard zones.” Cities and counties must regulate certain development projects within these zones until the geologic and soil conditions of the project site are investigated and appropriate mitigation measures, if any, are incorporated into development plans. The State Mining and Geology Board provides additional regulations and policies to assist municipalities in preparing the Safety Element of their General Plan and encourage land use management policies and regulations to reduce and mitigate those hazards to protect public health and safety. Under Public Resources Code Section 2697, cities and counties shall require, prior to the approval of a project located in a seismic hazard zone, a geotechnical report defining and delineating any seismic hazard. Each city or county shall submit one copy of each geotechnical report, including mitigation measures, to the State Geologist within 30 days of its approval. Public Resources Code Section 2698 does not prevent cities and counties from establishing policies and criteria which are stricter than those established by the Mining and Geology Board.

State publications supporting the requirements of the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act include the California Geological Survey Special Publication 117, Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California, and the Special Publication 118, Recommended Criteria for Delineating Seismic Hazard Zones in California. The objectives of Special Publication 117 are to assist in the evaluation and mitigation of earthquake- related hazards for projects within designated zones of required investigations and to promote uniform and effective statewide implementation of the evaluation and mitigation elements of the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act. Special Publication 118 implements the requirements of the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act in the production of Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Maps for the State.

(d) California Building Code

The California Building Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24) is a compilation of building standards, including seismic safety standards for new buildings. California Building Code standards are based on building standards that have been adopted by State agencies without change from a national model code; building standards based on a national model code that have been changed to address particular California conditions; and building standards authorized by the California legislature but not covered by the national model code. Given the State’s susceptibility to seismic events, the seismic standards within the California Building Code are among the strictest in the world. The California Building Code includes provisions for demolition and construction as well as

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-3

IV.D Geology and Soils regulations regarding building foundations and soil types. The California Building Code applies to all occupancies in California, except where stricter standards have been adopted by local agencies. The California Building Code is published on a triennial basis, and supplements and errata can be issued throughout the cycle. The current edition of the California Building Code is the 2013 edition, which became effective on January 1, 2014.3 The 2013 California Building Code incorporates the latest seismic design standards for structural loads and materials as well as provisions from the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program to mitigate losses from an earthquake and provide for the latest in earthquake safety.

As discussed below, specific California Building Code building and seismic safety regulations have been incorporated by reference in the Los Angeles Building Code with local amendments. As such, the California Building Code forms the basis of the Los Angeles Building Code.

(2) City of Los Angeles

(a) Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element

The City of Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element, which was adopted in 1996, addresses public safety risks due to natural disasters including seismic events and geologic conditions, and sets forth guidance for emergency response during such disasters. The Safety Element also provides maps of designated areas within the City that are considered susceptible to earthquake-induced hazards such as fault rupture and liquefaction.

(b) Los Angeles Building Code

Earthwork activities, including grading, are governed by the Los Angeles Building Code, which is contained in Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC), Chapter IX, Article 1. Specifically, Section 91.7006.7 includes requirements regarding import and export of material; Section 91.7010 includes regulations pertaining to excavations; Section 91.7011 includes requirements for fill materials; Section 91.7013 includes regulations pertaining to erosion control and drainage devices; Section 91.7014 includes general construction requirements as well as requirements regarding flood and mudflow protection; and Section 91.7016 includes regulations for areas that are subject to slides and unstable soils. Additionally, the Los Angeles Building Code includes specific requirements addressing seismic design, grading, foundation design, geologic investigations and reports, soil and

3 California Department of General Services, Title 24 Overview, www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/ progCodes/title24.aspx, accessed March 2, 2015.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-4

IV.D Geology and Soils rock testing, and groundwater. The Los Angeles Building Code incorporates by reference the California Building Code, with City amendments for additional requirements. The City Department of Building and Safety is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Los Angeles Building Code.

Division 71 of the Los Angeles Building Code, also known as the Methane Seepage Regulations, sets forth minimum requirements to control potential methane hazards in new construction located in a designated Methane Zone or Methane Buffer Zone in the City of Los Angeles. Requirements for new construction within such zones may include site testing for methane gas, installing a barrier (i.e., a membrane shield) between the building and underlying earth, installing a vent system(s) beneath the barrier and/or within the building, and/or installing a gas (methane) detection system. The locations of the City’s Methane and Methane Buffer Zones are shown in the City of Los Angeles “Methane and Methane Buffer Zones” map, also known as Citywide Methane Ordinance Map A-20960.4

b. Existing Conditions

(1) Regional Geology

The Project Site is located in the northern portion of the Peninsular Ranges Geomorphic Province. The Peninsular Ranges are characterized by northwest-trending blocks of mountain ridges and sediment-floored valleys. The dominant geologic structural features are northwest trending fault zones that either die out to the northwest or terminate at east-trending reverse faults that form the southern margin of the Transverse Ranges.

The Los Angeles Basin is located at the northern end of the Peninsular Ranges Geomorphic Province. The basin is bounded to the east and southeast by the Santa Ana Mountains and San Joaquin Hills and to the northwest by the Santa Monica Mountains. Over 22 million years ago the Los Angeles basin was a deep marine basin formed by tectonic forces between the North American and Pacific plates. Since that time, over 5 miles of marine and non-marine sedimentary rock as well as intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks have filled the basin. During the last two million years, defined by the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs, the Los Angeles basin and surrounding mountain ranges have been uplifted to form the present day landscape. Erosion of the surrounding

4 Information for individual sites is also available on City websites, including NavigateLA (http://navigatela. lacity.org/index.cfm) and the City of Los Angeles Zone Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS) (http://zimas.lacity.org/).

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-5

IV.D Geology and Soils mountains has resulted in deposition of unconsolidated sediments in low-lying areas by rivers such as the Los Angeles River. Areas that have experienced subtle uplift have been eroded with gullies.

(2) Faulting and Seismicity

Southern California is crossed by numerous active and potentially active faults, and is underlain by several blind thrust faults. As such, the region is susceptible to strong seismic groundshaking. Active faults are those which show evidence of surface displacement within the last 11,000 years (Holocene-age). Potentially active faults are those that show evidence of most recent surface displacement within the last 1.6 million years (Quaternary-age). Blind or buried thrust faults are faults that do not show surface expression but are significant sources of seismic activity. Faults showing no evidence of seismic activity within the last 1.6 million years are considered inactive for most purposes, with the exception of the design of some critical structures. The locations of significant active and potentially active faults in the Southern California region and in the vicinity of the Project Site are discussed below.

As discussed above, the Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act requires the State Geologist to establish earthquake fault zones around the surface traces of active faults and to issue appropriate maps to assist cities and counties in planning, zoning, and building regulation functions. These zones, which generally extend from 200 to 500 feet on each side of the known active fault, identify areas where potential surface rupture along an active fault could prove hazardous and identify where special studies are required to characterize hazards to habitable structures. In addition, the City of Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element designates fault rupture study areas extending along each side of active and potentially active faults to establish areas of hazard potential due to fault rupture. As shown in Figure IV.D-1 on page IV.D-7, the Project Site is not located within a State-designated Alquist–Priolo special study zone or within a City-designated fault rupture study area.

(a) Fault Locations

The locations of significant active and potentially active faults in the Southern California region are shown on the Southern California Fault Map illustrated in Figure IV.D-2 on page IV.D-8. Table IV.D-1 on page IV.D-9 lists the approximately 40 faults that are located within a 60-mile radius of the Project Site and indicates the significant active and potentially active faults in the vicinity of the Project Site, which are further discussed below.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-6

Page _

Project Site

Source: City of Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element, Exhibit A, 2008.

N Figure IV.D-1 Alquist-Priolo Special Study 0 2 4 Miles Fault Zones and Fault Rupture Study Areas Source: Geotechnologies, Inc. 2015.

Figure IV.D-2 Southern California Fault Map IV.D Geology and Soils

Table IV.D-1 Major Faults in the Vicinity of the Project Site

Maximum Approximate Credible Distance from Earthquake Project Site Magnitudea Slip Rateb Abbreviated Fault Name (miles) (Mw) (mm/y) Active Faults Hollywood 1.25 7.4 0.33–0.75 San Andreas 34 8.0 20.0–35.0 San Gabriel 16 7.3 1.0–5.0 Whittier 17 7.2 2.5–3.0 Newport-Inglewood 5 7.4 0.60 Sierra Madre 13 7.0 0.36–4.0 Raymond 6 7.0 0.10–0.22 Verdugo 7 6.8 0.5 Potentially Active Fault Malibu Coast–Santa Monicac 5.2 7.0 0.30–0.39 Blind Thrust Faults Elysian Park Thrust 2 6.7 0.80–2.2 Puente Hills Thrust 4 7.5 0.44–1.7 Northridge (Pico) Thrust 16 7.5 3.5–6.0

a Moment magnitude scale (denoted as Mw) is a logarithmic scale of 1 to 10 that enables seismologists to compare the energy released by different earthquakes on the basis of the area of the geological fault that ruptured in the quake. Developed after the commonly known Richter scale, the moment magnitude scale retains the familiar continuum of magnitude values defined by the Richter scale, and is the scale used to estimate magnitudes for all modern large earthquakes by the United States Geological Survey. b Slip rate (denoted as millimeter per year [mm/y]) is how fast two sides of a fault are slipping relative to one another, from offset man-made structures, or from offset geological features whose age can be estimated, according to the United States Geological Survey. c Part of the Malibu Coast fault has shown evidence of Holocene-age displacement. The remaining portion of the Malibu Coast fault and the Santa Monica fault have shown late Quaternary-age rupture. Source: Geotechnologies, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, 2015.

(b) Active Faults

As discussed above, active faults are those which show evidence of surface displacement within the last 11,000 years (Holocene-age). The active faults in the Project Site vicinity are discussed below. No known active fault crosses the Project Site.

(i) Hollywood Fault

The Hollywood fault is part of a 200-kilometer-long, east-west trending line of oblique, reverse, and left lateral faults. The Hollywood fault trends along the base of the City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-9

IV.D Geology and Soils

Hollywood Hills to the north of the Project Site and is thought to connect with the Raymond fault to the east and the Santa Monica fault to the west.

The Hollywood fault is a reverse, north-dipping fault located along the southern edge of the eastern Santa Monica Mountains. The fault juxtaposes Miocene sedimentary rocks over Pleistocene and Holocene alluvium. In the Hollywood area, several geologic features that are believed to be fault scarps have been identified by the scientific community. Based on charcoal samples from recent trenching, the most recent rupture along the Hollywood Fault occurred between a maximum of 20,000 years ago and as recently as 4,000 years ago.

Based on recent work by several geotechnical engineering consultants and information compiled by the California Geological Survey, the Hollywood fault has been found to be sufficiently active and well-defined based on the criteria established by the California Geological Survey. In 2014, the California Geological Survey published “Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation Hollywood Quadrangle,” which included an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Map showing the Hollywood fault and attendant special study zones. According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, the Hollywood fault is capable of producing a 7.4 magnitude earthquake. The new map shows the Hollywood fault to be 1.25 miles north of the Project Site. A copy of the 2014 Earthquake Fault Map for the Hollywood Quadrangle is included in the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation included in Appendix H of this Draft EIR.

(ii) San Andreas Fault System

The San Andreas fault system forms a major plate tectonic boundary along the western portion of North America. The system is predominantly a series of northwest trending faults characterized by a predominant right lateral sense of movement. At its closest point the fault system is located approximately 34 miles to the northeast of the Project Site.

The San Andreas and associated faults have had a long history of inferred and historic earthquakes. Cumulative displacement along the system exceeds 150 miles in the past 25 million years. Large historic earthquakes have occurred at Fort Tejon in 1857, at Point Reyes in 1906, and at Loma Prieta in 1989. Based on single-event rupture length, the maximum Richter magnitude earthquake is expected to be approximately 8.25.5 The

5 The Richter scale is an open-ended logarithmic scale for expressing the magnitude of a seismic disturbance in terms of the energy dissipated in it, with 1.5 indicating the smallest earthquake that can be felt, 4.5 indicating an earthquake causing slight damage, and 8.5 indicating a very devastating earthquake.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-10

IV.D Geology and Soils recurrence interval for large earthquakes on the southern portion of the fault system is on the order of 100 to 200 years. According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center the San Andreas fault is capable of producing an 8.0 magnitude earthquake.

(iii) San Gabriel Fault System

The San Gabriel fault system is located approximately 16 miles northeast of the Project Site. The San Gabriel fault system comprises a series of subparallel, steeply north- dipping faults trending approximately north 40 degrees west with a right-lateral sense of displacement. There is also a small component of vertical dip-slip separation. The fault system exhibits a strong topographic expression and extends approximately 90 miles from San Antonio Canyon on the southeast to Frazier Mountain on the northwest. The estimated right lateral displacement on the fault varies from 34 miles to 40 miles to 10 miles. Most scholars accept the larger displacement values and place the majority of activity between the Late Miocene and Late Pliocene Epochs of the Tertiary Era (65 to 1.8 million years before present).

Recent seismic exploration in the Valencia area has established Holocene offset within the San Gabriel fault system. Radiocarbon data indicate that faulting in the Valencia area occurred between 3,500 and 1,500 years before present. It is hypothesized that the Holocene offset on the San Gabriel fault system is due to sympathetic (passive) movement as a result of north-south compression of the upper Santa Susana thrust sheet. Seismic evidence indicates that the San Gabriel fault system is truncated at depth by the younger, north-dipping Santa Susana-Sierra Madre faults. According to the United States Geological Survey6 the San Gabriel fault system is capable of producing a 7.3 magnitude earthquake.

(iv) Whittier Fault

The Whittier fault is located approximately 17 miles to the east of the Project Site. The Whittier fault, together with the Chino fault, comprises the northernmost extension of the northwest trending Elsinore fault system. The mapped surface of the Whittier fault extends in a west-northwest direction for a distance of 20 miles from the Santa Ana River to the terminus of the Puente Hills. The Whittier fault is essentially a strike-slip, northeast dipping fault zone that also exhibits evidence of reverse movement along with en echelon7 fault segments, en echelon folds, and braided fault segments. Right-lateral offsets of stream drainages of up to 8,800 feet and vertical separation of the basement complex of

6 2008 National Seismic Hazards Maps—Source Parameters. 7 En echelon refers to closely-spaced, parallel or subparallel, overlapping or step-like minor structural features.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-11

IV.D Geology and Soils

6,000 to 12,000 feet have been documented. According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, the Whittier fault is capable of producing a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

(v) Newport–Inglewood Fault System

The Newport–Inglewood fault system is located approximately 5 miles to the southwest of the Project Site. The Newport–Inglewood fault zone is a broad zone of discontinuous north to northwest en echelon faults and northwest to west trending folds. The fault zone extends southeastward from West Los Angeles, across the Los Angeles Basin, to Newport Beach and possibly offshore beyond San Diego.

The onshore segment of the Newport–Inglewood fault zone extends for about 37 miles from the Santa Ana River to the Santa Monica Mountains. Here it is overridden by, or merges with, the east-west trending Santa Monica zone of reverse faults.

The surface expression of the Newport–Inglewood fault zone is made up of a strikingly linear alignment of domal hills and mesas that rise as much as 400 feet above the surrounding plains. From the northern end to its southernmost onshore expression, the Newport–Inglewood fault zone is made up of: Cheviot Hills, Baldwin Hills, Rosecrans Hills, Dominguez Hills, Signal Hill, Reservoir Hill, Alamitos Heights, Landing Hill, Bolsa Chica Mesa, Huntington Beach Mesa, and Newport Mesa. Several single and multiple fault strands, arranged in a roughly left stepping en echelon arrangement, make up the fault zone and account for the uplifted mesas.

The most significant earthquake associated with the Newport–Inglewood fault system was the Long Beach earthquake of 1933 with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale. It is believed that the Newport–Inglewood fault zone is capable of producing a 7.4 magnitude earthquake.

(vi) Sierra Madre Fault Zone

The Sierra Madre fault forms the southern tectonic boundary of the San Gabriel Mountains in the northern San Fernando Valley. It consists of a system of faults approximately 75 miles in length. The individual segments of the Sierra Madre fault system range up to 16 miles in length and display a reverse sense of displacement and dip to the north. The most recently active portions of the zone include the Mission Hills, Sylmar, and Lakeview segments, which produced an earthquake in 1971 of magnitude 6.4. Tectonic rupture along the Lakeview Segment during the San Fernando Earthquake of 1971 produced displacements of approximately 2.5 to 4 feet upward and southwestward.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-12

IV.D Geology and Soils

According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, the Sierra Madre fault zone is capable of producing a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. The closest trace of the fault is 13 miles northeast of the Project Site.

(vii) Raymond Fault

The Raymond fault is located approximately 6 miles to the northeast of the Project Site. The Raymond fault is an effective groundwater barrier which divides the San Gabriel Valley into groundwater sub-basins. Much of the geomorphic evidence for the Raymond fault has been obliterated by urbanization of the San Gabriel Valley; however, a discontinuous escarpment can be traced from Monrovia to the Arroyo Seco in South Pasadena. The very bold, “knife edge” escarpment in Monrovia parallel to Scenic Drive is believed to be a fault scarp of the Raymond fault. Trenching of the Raymond fault is reported to have revealed Holocene movement.

The recurrence interval for the Raymond fault is believed to be slightly less than 3,000 years, with the most recent documented event occurring approximately 1,600 years ago. However, historical accounts of an earthquake that occurred in July 1855 place the epicenter of a Richter Magnitude 6 earthquake within the Raymond fault. According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, the Raymond fault is capable of producing a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

(viii) Verdugo Fault

The Verdugo Fault is located approximately 7 miles to the northeast of the Project Site. The Verdugo Fault runs along the southwest edge of the Verdugo Mountains. The fault displays a reverse motion. Two- to three-meter-high scarps were identified in alluvial fan deposits in the Burbank and Glendale areas. Further to the northeast, in Sun Valley, faults were reportedly identified at a depth of 40 feet in a sand and gravel pit. According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, the Verdugo fault is capable of producing a 6.8 magnitude earthquake.

As discussed above, potentially active faults are those that show evidence of most recent surface displacement within the last 1.6 million years (Quaternary-age). The potentially active fault in the Project vicinity is discussed below.

(i) Malibu Coast–Santa Monica Fault System

The Malibu Coast fault displays both reverse and left lateral displacement and forms a major tectonic boundary between the Transverse Ranges and the Peninsular Ranges

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-13

IV.D Geology and Soils provinces. Late Quaternary movement has been documented in excavations south of Pepperdine University. The Santa Monica fault forms the onshore concealed extension of the Malibu Coast fault. The Santa Monica fault is located approximately 5.2 miles west of the Project Site.

Further to the east, the Santa Monica fault joins the Hollywood fault along the southern foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. As discussed above, the Hollywood fault has been found to be sufficiently active and well-defined based on the criteria established by the California Geological Survey. To the east, the Hollywood fault forms a tenuous junction with the Raymond fault. Based upon offset alluvial sediments and geomorphic evidence, the Malibu Coast–Santa Monica fault system is judged to have been active during very late Quaternary time. According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, the Malibu Coast-Santa Monica fault system is capable of producing a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

(d) Blind Thrust Faults

As discussed above, blind or buried thrust faults are faults that do not show surface expression but are significant sources of seismic activity. Blind thrust faults are typically broadly defined based on the analysis of seismic wave recordings of hundreds of small and large earthquakes in the Southern California area. Due to the buried nature of blind thrust faults, their existence is sometimes not known until they produce an earthquake. Two blind thrust faults in the Los Angeles metropolitan area are the Puente Hills blind thrust, located east of downtown, and the Elysian Park blind thrust, located just north of downtown. An additional blind thrust fault is the Northridge fault, located in the northwestern portion of the San Fernando Valley.

The Puente Hills blind thrust is reported to have produced at least four large earthquakes in the last 11,000 years. The magnitude 5.9 Whittier Earthquake of 1987 has been attributed to the Puente Hills blind thrust in recent studies by many researchers. The Puente Hills blind thrust is located just under 4 miles northeast of the Project Site. According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center the Puente Hills blind thrust is capable of producing a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

The Elysian Park anticline is thought to overlie the Elysian Park blind thrust. This fault has been estimated to cause an earthquake every 500 to 1,300 years in the magnitude range 6.2 to 6.7. The Elysian Park anticline is approximately 2 miles northeast of the Project Site.

The magnitude 6.7 Northridge Earthquake that occurred in 1994 was caused by a sudden rupture of a previously unknown blind thrust fault. This fault has since been named

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-14

IV.D Geology and Soils the Northridge thrust. However, it is also known as the Pico thrust. It has been assigned a maximum magnitude of 6.5 to 7.5 and a 1,500-to 1,800-year recurrence interval. The Northridge thrust is the eastern extension of the Oak Ridge fault which appears to be over thrust by the Santa Susana fault. The Northridge Thrust is located just under 16 miles northwest of the Project Site. According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center the Northridge thrust is capable of producing a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

The risk for surface rupture potential of these blind thrust faults is inferred to be low. However, the seismic risk of these buried structures in terms of recurrence and maximum potential magnitude is not well established. Therefore, the potential for surface rupture on these surface-verging splays at magnitudes higher than 6.0 cannot be precluded.

(3) Local Geology

(a) Soil Conditions

Based on previous on-site geotechnical investigations, the maximum depth of fill encountered at the Project Site was 9 feet. Most fill materials encountered varied between 0 and 5 feet in depth. It is anticipated that on-site fill includes non-engineered fill materials.

As shown in Figure IV.D-3 on page IV.D-16, the soils underlying the Project Site consist of older alluvial deposits. The alluvium consists of clays, silts, silty sands, and sands. The soils are generally moist to very moist, and medium dense to very dense. Project Site soils generally display moderate strength and expansion potential.

(b) Liquefaction

Liquefaction is a phenomenon in which saturated silty to cohesionless soils below the groundwater table are subject to temporary loss of strength due to the buildup of excess pore pressure during cyclic loading conditions such as those induced by an earthquake. Liquefaction-related effects include loss of bearing strength, amplified ground oscillations, lateral spreading, and flow failures.

As discussed above, the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act requires the State Geologist to delineate seismic hazard zones in areas where the potential for strong ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, and other ground failures due to seismic events are likely to occur. Cities and counties must regulate certain development projects within these zones until the geologic and soil conditions of the project site are investigated and appropriate mitigation measures, if any, are incorporated into development plans. The Project Site is not located

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-15

Source: Geotechnologies, Inc. 2015.

Figure IV.D-3 Local Geologic Map IV.D Geology and Soils within a State-designated seismic hazard zone for liquefaction potential.8 This determination is based on groundwater depth records, soil type, and distance to a fault capable of producing a substantial earthquake. In addition, the City of Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element designates areas susceptible to liquefaction. The Project Site is not located within a City-designated liquefiable area.9 Also, geotechnical investigations for previous projects on the Project Site that were reviewed as part of the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation did not find soils that were subject to liquefaction.

Based on a review of the California Geologic Survey Seismic Hazard Evaluation Report 026 Plate 1.2 entitled “Historically Highest Groundwater Contours,” the historically highest groundwater level is approximately 20 feet below ground surface (bgs) throughout the Project Site. A copy of this map is included in the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation included in Appendix H of this Draft EIR. Additional historic data on groundwater depth are provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Water Well 2671A, a monitoring well located two blocks west of the Project Site. Well 2671A has been monitored since 1941. The deepest depth to water was recorded on April 22, 1942, at 23.5 feet. The shallowest depth to water was recorded on February 14, 1969, at 16.3 feet. The most recent measurement was taken July 29, 2001, and the depth to water was recorded as 20.2 feet. The records of the monitoring and the locations of the well are included in the appendix of the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation provided in Appendix H of this Draft EIR.

The Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation also included a review of previous on-site geotechnical investigations. These previous investigations encountered groundwater at depths of approximately 8 to 25 feet bgs in most borings within the Project Site.10 As discussed in Section IV.F.2, Groundwater, of this Draft EIR, other recent groundwater monitoring data collected within the Main Lot indicate that the current depth to shallow groundwater ranges from approximately 12 to 27 feet bgs.11 The observed groundwater levels are reflective of perched groundwater conditions, as discussed in Section IV.F.2, Groundwater, of this Draft EIR. Perched groundwater conditions are attributable to the differences in permeability within the soils underlying the Project Site, rather than a static

8 Geotechnologies, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, April 2015. 9 City of Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element, Exhibit B, adopted by the City Council, November 26, 1996. 10 Geotechnologies, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, April 2015. 11 CDM Smith, Groundwater Technical Report for the Paramount Pictures Master Plan, August 2015. See Appendix M of this Draft EIR.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-17

IV.D Geology and Soils groundwater table. Varying quantities of groundwater can be encountered in random locations and depths due to these variations. Such a condition would yield a finite amount of water requiring pumping until the supply of water is exhausted. Groundwater conditions on the Project Site are further discussed in Section IV.F.2, Groundwater, of this Draft EIR.

(d) Subsurface Oil and Gas

The Project Site is not located within a City-designated oil field or an oil drilling area.12 One abandoned oil well may exist in the northeast corner of the Project Site. Records from the California State Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources indicate that this well was dry and 5,339 feet in depth and was plugged and abandoned in 1958.13

The Waring Lot, Gregory Lot, Camerford Lot, and Windsor Lot, and portions of the Main Lot are currently located within a City-designated Methane Buffer Zone.

(e) Other Geologic Conditions

The Project Site is relatively flat with approximately 25 feet of elevation change over 1,000 feet.14 Based on the topography, drainage across the Project Site is by sheetflow in a generally southerly direction. As discussed in the Initial Study included as Appendix A.1 of this Draft EIR, the Project Site is not located within a City-designated landslide inventory area, nor within an area identified as having potential for slope instability.15 No distinct or prominent geologic or topographic features are located at the Project Site such as hilltops, ridges, hillslopes, canyons, ravines, rock outcrops, water bodies, streambeds, or wetlands.

3. Environmental Impacts a. Methodology

To evaluate potential impacts relative to geology and soils, the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation was prepared for the Project Site. The Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation included a review of published geologic data and a review of available geotechnical engineering information, including previous exploratory borings conducted at

12 City of Los Angeles, General Plan Safety Element, Exhibit E, adopted by the City Council, November 26, 1996. 13 Geotechnologies, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, April 2015. 14 Ibid. 15 City of Los Angeles, General Plan Safety Element, Exhibit C, adopted by the City Council, November 26, 1996.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-18

IV.D Geology and Soils the Project Site. Recommendations regarding the design and construction of the proposed Project are based on these results. The Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation is provided in Appendix H of this Draft EIR.

b. Thresholds of Significance

Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines provides a set of sample questions that address impacts with regard to geology and soils. These questions are as follows:

Would the project:

 Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving:

– Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology16 Special Publication 42.

– Strong seismic ground shaking?

– Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction?

– Landslides?

 Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil?

 Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse?

 Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property?

 Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste water?

In the context of these questions from the CEQA Guidelines, the City of Los Angeles CEQA Thresholds Guide states that a project would normally have a significant geology and soils impact if the project would:

16 Now the California Geological Survey.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-19

IV.D Geology and Soils

(1) Geologic Hazards

 Cause or accelerate geologic hazards, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, or expose people to substantial risk of injury.

(2) Sedimentation and Erosion

 Constitute a geologic hazard to other properties by causing or accelerating instability from erosion; or

 Accelerate natural processes of wind and water erosion and sedimentation, resulting in sediment runoff or deposition which would not be contained or controlled on-site.

(3) Landform Alteration

 One or more distinct and prominent geologic or topographic features would be destroyed, permanently covered, or materially and adversely modified as a result of the project. Such features may include, but are not limited to, hilltops, ridges, hillslopes, canyons, ravines, rock outcrops, water bodies, streambeds, and wetlands.

c. Project Design Features

No project design features are proposed with regard to geology and soils.

d. Project Impacts

Construction of the proposed Project would be implemented over a number of years extending to 2038. Construction activities would include demolition of existing uses, grading and excavation, and construction of new structures and related infrastructure. It is anticipated that the proposed Project would result in the excavation of approximately 504,000 cubic yards of soil, of which approximately 84,000 cubic yards would be used for fill on-site and the remaining 420,000 cubic yards would be exported off-site. The anticipated depth of excavation for Project development that includes subsurface structures is approximately 14 to 25 feet bgs, with excavation up to 47 feet bgs in limited locations.

(1) Geologic Hazards

The following discussion includes an analysis of whether the proposed Project would cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to seismic hazards (including seismic-related ground failure), soil stability, expansive and corrosive soils, groundwater, subsurface oil and gas, and subsidence. City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-20

IV.D Geology and Soils

(a) Seismic Hazards

(i) Fault Rupture

Fault rupture is defined as surface displacement which occurs along the surface trace of the causative fault during an earthquake. As discussed previously, no known active or potentially active faults underlie the Project Site. In addition, the Project Site is not located within an Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. Based on these considerations, the risk of fault rupture at the Project Site is considered negligible. Therefore, the proposed Project would not cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to fault rupture, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, or expose people to substantial risk of injury. Impacts related to fault rupture would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required.

(ii) Strong Seismic Ground Shaking

The Project Site is located in the seismically active region of Southern California and 40 known faults are located within 60 miles of the Project Site. Thus, the Project Site would be subject to strong seismic groundshaking, typical of areas within Southern California. The seismic exposure for the Project Site was analyzed in the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation. Based on information from the California Geological Survey, there is a 10-percent probability that peak ground acceleration of 0.51 g (0.51 times the acceleration of gravity) would be exceeded in 50 years in the Project area. In addition, the predominant earthquake, which contributes the most to this hazard assessment, has a moment magnitude of 6.4.17 As such, the Project Site is not exposed to a greater than normal seismic risk compared to other areas of Southern California. This level of shaking is within the anticipated parameters for a well-designed structure.

As with any new development in the State of California, building design and construction for the proposed Project would be required to conform to the current seismic design provisions of the California Building Code. The 2013 California Building Code incorporates the latest seismic design standards for structural loads and materials as well as provisions from the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program to mitigate losses from an earthquake and provide for the latest in earthquake safety. These standards are among the strictest standards in the world. Additionally, construction of the proposed Project would be required to adhere to the seismic safety requirements contained in the Los Angeles Building Code, which incorporates the California Building Code with City amendments for additional requirements.

17 Geotechnologies, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, April 2015.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-21

IV.D Geology and Soils

In accordance with Mitigation Measure D-1, individual development projects that require new building permits within the Project Site would be required to prepare site- specific geotechnical reports that include detailed geotechnical recommendations to address the site-specific conditions and construction and design requirements for the proposed buildings, including applicable seismic design parameters, which are referenced above. With implementation of Mitigation Measure D-1, the proposed Project would not cause nor accelerate geologic hazards related to strong seismic ground shaking which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, or expose people to substantial risk of injury, and impacts associated with strong seismic ground shaking would be less than significant.

(iii) Liquefaction

As discussed previously, the Project Site is not located within a State-designated seismic hazard zone for liquefaction potential18 or a City-designated liquefiable area.19 Furthermore, previous geotechnical data for specific on-site projects indicate that soils subject to liquefaction are not present on the Project Site. Based on these considerations, the potential for liquefaction occurring at the Project Site is considered remote. Therefore, the proposed Project would not cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to liquefaction, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, or expose people to substantial risk of injury. Impacts related to liquefaction would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required.

(iv) Settlement

Seismically induced settlement or compaction of dry or moist, cohesionless soils can result from earthquake ground motion. Such settlements are typically most damaging when the settlements are differential in nature across the length of structures. Some seismically induced settlement of structures within the Project Site should be expected as a result of strong ground-shaking. However, due to the uniform nature of the underlying earth materials, excessive differential settlements are not expected. Therefore, the proposed Project would not cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to seismically induced settlement, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, nor expose people to substantial risk of injury. Impacts related to seismically-induced settlement would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required.

18 Geotechnologies, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, April 2015. 19 City of Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element, Exhibit B, adopted by the City Council, November 26, 1996.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-22

IV.D Geology and Soils

(v) Tsunamis and Seiches

Tsunamis are large ocean waves generated by sudden water displacement caused by a submarine earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. The Project Site is located approximately 12 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. The Project Site is not located within an area that is designated by the City as having the potential to be impacted by a tsunami.20 Therefore, the proposed Project would not cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to seismically induced tsunamis, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, nor expose people to substantial risk of injury. Impacts related to tsunamis would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required.

Seiches are oscillations generated in enclosed bodies of water which can be caused by ground shaking associated with an earthquake. The Project Site is located within the City-designated inundation area for the Hollywood Reservoir.21 The Hollywood Reservoir is a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reservoir located in the Hollywood Hills over 2 miles from the Project Site. The Hollywood Reservoir was built in 1924 and designed to hold 2.5 billion gallons of water. Pursuant to the California Water Code, the California Division of Safety of Dams oversees the design and construction of dams and conducts yearly inspections to insure that the dams are performing and being maintained in a safe manner. Correspondence with the Chief of the California Division of Safety of Dams that was conducted as part of the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation confirmed that the Hollywood Reservoir is regularly inspected and meets current safety regulations.22 In addition, the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, adopted July 2011, provides a list of existing programs, proposed activities, and specific projects that may assist the City of Los Angeles in reducing risks and injury from natural and human-made hazards, including dam failure.23 Mitigation measures include a broad range of approaches to hazard mitigation including retrofit/relocation, code enforcement, development of new regulations, public education, surveillance and security, and development of redundant facilities. Given the distance of the Hollywood Reservoir to the Project Site, the oversight by the Division of Safety of Dams, including regular inspections, and the City’s emergency response program, the risk of inundation by a seiche or dam failure at the Project Site is low, and the Project would not affect the dam. Therefore, the proposed Project would not cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to seismically induced seiches, which would

20 City of Los Angeles General Plan Safety Element, Exhibit G, adopted by the City Council, November 26, 1996. 21 Ibid. 22 Geotechnologies, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, April 2015. 23 City of Los Angeles, Hazard Mitigation Plan, adopted July 2011, http://emergency.lacity.org/stellent/ groups/departments/@emd_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacityp_019906.pdf, accessed March 2, 2015.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-23

IV.D Geology and Soils result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, or expose people to substantial risk of injury. Impacts related to seiches would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required.

(vi) Landsliding

As previously discussed, the Project Site is relatively flat with approximately 25 feet of elevation change in over 1,000 feet. In addition, the vicinity of the Project Site is relatively flat. The probability of seismically induced landslides occurring is considered to be negligible due to the general lack of substantive elevation difference across or adjacent to the Project Site. Additionally, as discussed in the Initial Study included as Appendix A.1 of this Draft EIR, the Project Site is not located within a City-designated landslide inventory area, or within an area identified as having potential for slope instability.24 Therefore, the proposed Project would not cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to landsliding, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, nor expose people to substantial risk of injury. Impacts related to landsliding would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required.

(b) Soil Stability

The soils underlying the Project Site consist of older alluvial deposits. The alluvium consists of clays, silts, silty sands, and sands. The soils are generally moist to very moist, and medium dense to very dense. These soils are of moderate strength and will provide adequate bearing for support of most structures.

As previously discussed, based on previous on-site investigations, the maximum depth of fill encountered on the Project Site was nine feet, with most fills encountered between zero and five feet in depth. During ground-disturbing construction activities, deeper fill deposits may be discovered adjacent to existing structures with basements. The anticipated depth of excavation for proposed Project development that includes subsurface structures is approximately 14 to 25 feet bgs, with excavation up to 47 feet bgs in limited locations.

It is anticipated that on-site fill includes non-engineered fill materials. Non- engineered fills are not suitable for support of new fills, foundations, concrete slabs, or paving. Therefore, mitigation is required. In accordance with Mitigation Measure D-2, for at-grade building foundations, existing non-engineered fill materials would be removed and

24 City of Los Angeles, General Plan Safety Element, Exhibit C, adopted by the City Council, November 26, 1996.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-24

IV.D Geology and Soils recompacted or excavated. For structures with below-grade parking or basements, the fill material would be removed by the proposed excavations. With implementation of Mitigation Measure D-2, the proposed Project would not cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to unstable soils, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, nor expose people to substantial risk of injury, and impacts associated with expansive soils would be less than significant.

The earth materials underlying the Project Site have yielded test results from the very low to the very high expansion potential ranges. The test data indicate that the majority of the testing falls in the moderate expansion potential range. Expansive soils are typically addressed through drainage control and increased reinforcing for foundations and concrete slabs-on-grade. The City of Los Angeles Building Code has specific minimum drainage and reinforcing requirements for all projects. Compliance with minimum code requirements, in accordance with Mitigation Measure D-1, would result in minimal risk of damage to structures due to expansive soils. Therefore, the proposed Project would not cause nor accelerate geologic hazards related to expansive soils, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, nor expose people to substantial risk of injury. Impacts related to expansive soils would be less than significant and no further mitigation measures are required.

The majority of reported testing indicates that soils within the Project Site are classified as corrosive to ferrous metals. Results ranged from mildly corrosive to severely corrosive. Hazards related to corrosive soils are addressed through the use of specific types of pipe, insulation, coatings, and cathodic protection to avoid corrosion of buried metal and concrete structures in direct contact with the soils. As specified in Mitigation Measure D-3, corrosion testing and possible protective methods would be put in place to reduce the risk of corrosion damage to underground utilities. With implementation of Mitigation Measure D-3, the proposed Project would not cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to corrosive soils, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, or expose people to substantial risk of injury, and impacts associated with corrosive soils would be less than significant.

(d) Groundwater

As previously discussed, shallow groundwater has been encountered on the Project Site as close to the surface as approximately 8 to 12 feet bgs. The anticipated depth of excavation for Project development that includes subsurface structures is approximately 14 to 25 feet bgs, with excavation up to 47 feet bgs in limited locations. As such, groundwater could be encountered in random locations and depths during excavation activities. Therefore, dewatering during construction and/or operation may be required. Impacts

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-25

IV.D Geology and Soils related to groundwater, including mitigation measures, are addressed in Section IV.F.2, Groundwater, of this Draft EIR.

(e) Subsurface Oil and Gas

One abandoned oil well may exist in the northeast corner of the Project Site. Records from the California State Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources indicate that this well was dry and 5,339 feet in depth and was plugged and abandoned in 1958.25 Where construction is proposed over the existing abandoned well, applicable Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources requirements would be followed in accordance with Mitigation Measure E-2 in Section IV.E, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, of this Draft EIR. With implementation of Mitigation Measure E-2, the proposed Project would not cause or accelerate geologic hazards related to subsurface oil, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, nor expose people to substantial risk of injury, and impacts associated with oil would be less than significant.

As noted above, portions of the Project Site are located within a City-designated Methane Buffer Zone. As specified in Mitigation Measure D-4, the proposed Project would comply with the Los Angeles Methane Seepage Regulations, as applicable, including requirements for site testing. With implementation of Mitigation Measure D-4, the proposed Project would not cause nor accelerate geologic hazards related to subsurface methane, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, nor expose people to substantial risk of injury, and impacts associated with methane would be less than significant.

(f) Subsidence

The Project Site is not located within an area of known subsidence (ground surface settlement) associated with fluid withdrawal, peat oxidation, or hydrocompaction. As previously discussed, shallow groundwater has been encountered as close to the surface as approximately 8 to 12 feet bgs. Temporary or permanent dewatering of a soil reduces buoyancy and results in an increase in the effective stress within the soil system. Dewatering references indicate that such an increase in effective stress would not cause settlement in most soils.26 Only compressible silts and clays or loose sands would be subject to settlement due to this type of dewatering. There were no compressible silts and clays or loose sands indicated on the boring logs reviewed as part of the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation. Further, if dewatering is required during construction or operation

25 Geotechnologies, Inc., Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation, April 2015. 26 Powers, J Patrick. Construction Dewatering. A Guide to Theory and Practice. 1981.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-26

IV.D Geology and Soils of the proposed Project, dewatering is not anticipated to lower groundwater across any substantial distance, and any related settlement would occur quickly and be completed shortly after completion of the excavation. Any potential settlement related to long-term dewatering for building operation would be less than, and already accounted for in, the construction dewatering settlement. Therefore, the proposed Project would not cause nor accelerate geologic hazards related to subsidence, which would result in substantial damage to structures or infrastructure, nor expose people to substantial risk of injury. Impacts related to subsidence would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required.

(2) Sedimentation and Erosion

As discussed above, it is anticipated that the proposed Project would result in the excavation of approximately 504,000 cubic yards of soil, of which approximately 84,000 cubic yards would be used for fill on-site and the remaining 420,000 cubic yards would be exported off-site. Sedimentation and erosion could potentially occur from exposed soils during Project construction. However, construction activities would occur in accordance with erosion control requirements, including grading and dust control measures, imposed by the City pursuant to grading permit regulations. Specifically, Project construction would comply with LAMC Chapter IX, which requires necessary permits, plans, plan checks, and inspections to ensure that the proposed Project would reduce the sedimentation and erosion effects. In addition, pursuant to Project Design Feature F.1-2 in Section IV.F.1, Hydrology and Surface Water Quality, of this Draft EIR, the proposed Project would be required to have a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) pursuant to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. As part of the SWPPP, Best Management Practices (BMPs) would be implemented during construction to reduce sedimentation and erosion levels to the maximum extent possible. In addition, Project construction contractors would be required to comply with City grading permit regulations, which require necessary measures, plans, and inspections to reduce sedimentation and erosion. With preparation and implementation of a SWPPP and compliance with applicable City grading regulations, Project construction would not constitute a geologic hazard to other properties by causing or accelerating instability from erosion, nor accelerate natural processes of wind and water erosion and sedimentation, resulting in sediment runoff or deposition which would not be contained or controlled on-site, and impacts related to sedimentation and erosion would be less than significant during construction.

Please refer to Section IV.F.1, Hydrology and Surface Water Quality, of this Draft EIR for additional analysis regarding erosion and sedimentation effects during construction and operation of the proposed Project.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-27

IV.D Geology and Soils

(3) Landform Alteration

There are no hilltops, ridges, hillslopes, canyons, ravines, rock outcrops, water bodies, streambeds, wetlands, or other geologic or topographic features on the Project Site. Therefore, the proposed Project would not destroy, permanently cover, or materially and adversely modify any distinct and prominent geologic or topographic features. No impacts associated with landform alteration would occur, and no mitigation measures are required.

(4) Interim Projects

As part of ongoing operations at the Project Site, additions and changes to the Project Site occur on a continuous basis, including interior and exterior improvements. It is expected that such activities will continue during the time period the proposed Project is under consideration by the City. During the review process for the proposed Project, it is anticipated that approximately 50,000 square feet of new floor area would be constructed as part of ongoing business activities. These additional facilities are referred to as “interim projects.” The interim projects are anticipated to consist of new office, stage, production office, and/or support uses. These interim projects would be subject to established guidelines and regulations pertaining to building design and seismic safety, including those set forth in the California Building Code and the Los Angeles Building Code. Furthermore, any interim project requiring a building permit for new construction would be required to prepare a design-level, site-specific geotechnical investigation report subject to approval by the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. Thus, development of the interim projects would not substantially alter existing conditions on the Project Site and would have no substantial effect on the proposed Project’s impacts related to geology and soils.

4. Cumulative Impacts

Due to the site-specific nature of geological conditions (i.e., soils, geological features, subsurface features, seismic features, etc.), geology impacts are typically assessed on a project-by-project basis rather than on a cumulative basis. Nonetheless, cumulative growth in the Project area through 2038, which includes specific known development projects as well as general ambient growth projected to occur (as described in Section III, Environmental Setting, of this Draft EIR) would expose a greater number of people to seismic hazards. However, as with the proposed Project, interim projects, related projects, and other future development projects would be subject to established guidelines and regulations pertaining to building design and seismic safety, including those set forth in the California Building Code and the Los Angeles Building Code. With adherence to such regulations, cumulative impacts with regard to geology and soils would be less than significant. City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-28

IV.D Geology and Soils 5. Mitigation Measures

Mitigation Measure D-1: A final site-specific, design-level geotechnical, geologic, and seismic hazard investigation report that complies with all applicable state and local code requirements shall be prepared by a qualified geotechnical engineer and certified engineering geologist and submitted to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety for each individual building project, consistent with City of Los Angeles requirements (see 2008 Los Angeles Building Code Section 1802.1). The site-specific, design-level geotechnical reports shall address each of the potential geologic hazards addressed in the Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation for the Paramount Pictures Master Plan, 5555 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California, 90038 prepared by Geotechnologies, Inc., April 2015. The site-specific, design-level geotechnical reports shall include recommendations for each specific building location and building design, including recommendations pertaining to site preparation, fills and compaction, and foundations, and shall include the applicable recommendations set forth in Mitigation Measures D-2 through D-4, below. Additionally, all such recommendations shall comply with applicable provisions and standards set forth in or established by: (a) California Geological Survey’s “Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California, Special Publication No. 117” (Special Publication 117); (b) The version of the Uniform Building Code, as adopted and amended by the City of Los Angeles, in effect at the time of approval of each site-specific, design-level geotechnical report; (c) Relevant State, County, and City laws, ordinances, and Code requirements; and (d) Current standards of practice designed to minimize potential geologic, geotechnical, and related impacts. The site-specific, design-level geotechnical reports shall be reviewed and approved by the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. Mitigation Measure D-2: During construction, encountered non-engineered fills shall be excavated and replaced as compacted fill properly bunched into suitable materials in accordance with City of Los Angeles requirements, or removed. The suitability of the excavated material for reuse in the compacted fills shall be confirmed during each final site-specific, design-level geotechnical investigation in accordance with the applicable provisions and standards detailed in Mitigation Measure D-1.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-29

IV.D Geology and Soils

Mitigation Measure D-3: As part of the site-specific geotechnical report provided for in Mitigation Measure D-1, corrosion testing of Project Site soils, including pH levels, resistivity, sulfate content, chloride content, and other major anions and cations, shall be performed to the extent necessary. Where the evaluation indicates corrosive soil, specific types of pipe, insulation, coatings, and cathodic protection shall be selected in accordance with the applicable provisions and standards detailed in Mitigation Measure D-1 in order to reduce the risk of corrosion damage to underground utilities. Mitigation Measure D-4: The design and construction of the proposed Project shall comply with the Los Angeles Methane Seepage Regulations (Los Angeles Municipal Code, Chapter IX, Article 1, Division 71), as applicable, including requirements for site testing.

6. Level of Significance After Mitigation

With implementation of the mitigation measures above, Project-level and cumulative impacts related to geology and soils would be reduced to a less-than-significant level.

City of Los Angeles Paramount Pictures Master Plan Project SCH. No. 2011101035 September 2015

Page IV.D-30