U.S. Highway 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Volume I

U.S. HIGHWAY 101 PEDESTRIAN UNDERCROSSING AND BAIR ISLAND ROAD STORM DRAIN PUMP STATION PROJECT INITIAL STUDY AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION VOLUME I

AUGUST 21, 2013

Prepared for: Prepared by: City of Redwood City Point Impact Analysis and WRECO, Inc

U.S. HIGHWAY 101 PEDESTRIAN UNDERCROSSING AND BAIR ISLAND ROAD STORM DRAIN PUMP STATION PROJECT

This Initial Study and the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) assess the potential environmental impacts of the U.S. Highway 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project (US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project) for use in local planning and decision making. In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City of Redwood City (City) decided to prepare a MND for the proposed project because the Initial Study found that, with the incorporation of appropriate mitigation measures, all potential impacts related to the project would be less than significant.

PROJECT INFORMATION Project Title: U.S. Highway 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project

Lead Agency: City of Redwood City Community Development Department 1017 Middlefield Road Redwood City, CA 94064

Contact Person: Tanisha Werner, Project Engineer (650) 780-7366 [email protected]

Project Applicant: City of Redwood City

Project Location: Between Bair Island Road and Convention Way, Redwood City, CA

Existing General Plan Designation: Mixed Use-Corridor, Mixed Use-Waterfront Neighborhood

Existing Zoning: Planned Community District (P)

Description of Project: The City of Redwood City proposes to construct a joint-use path under the U.S. Highway 101 bridge at Redwood Creek. The proposed path, approximately 700 feet long, would connect a recently constructed bicycle path on Bair Island Road to the existing bicycle path on Convention Way. The physical link between the Bayfront development projects and the Downtown area would fulfill long-term planning goals. The proposed project also includes an extension of the pedestrian path to the City-owned parcel south of Convention Way and a scenic overlook. The City also proposes to construct the Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station adjacent to the proposed path. The new underground pumps, wet well, vault, enclosed emergency generator, and interconnecting pipelines would replace the existing pump station, which would be demolished. The new pumps would be capable of discharging the 32.4 cfs flow from the 22- acre drainage area during a 100-year storm event in, in compliance with City design criteria. The new pump station would discharge its flow through the existing 24-inch line into Redwood Creek.

Surrounding Land Uses: U.S. Highway 101, the waterfront development in the Bayfront areas east of the freeway including the One Marina development and an automobile dealership, and the commercial development on the west side of the freeway, open space, and recreational uses.

Other Agencies Whose Approval is Required: Bay Area Air Quality Management District, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Transportation. San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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INITIAL STUDY

U.S. HIGHWAY 101 PEDESTRIAN UNDERCROSSING AND BAIR ISLAND ROAD STORM DRAIN PUMP STATION PROJECT

City of Redwood City Community Development Department 1017 Middlefield Road Redwood City, CA 94063

August 21, 2013

This page intentionally left blank US 101 PEDESTRIAN UNDERCROSSING AND BAIR ISLAND STORM DRAIN PUMP STATION PROJECT TABLE OF CONTENTS

VOLUME I

Chapter Page 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1-1 1.1 Project Location ...... 1-1 1.2 Project Background...... 1-1 1.3 Purpose and Need ...... 1-3 1.4 Project Description ...... 1-4 1.5 Project Construction ...... 1-6 1.5.1 Construction Access ...... 1-6 1.5.2 Construction Activities ...... 1-6 1.5.3 Project Schedule ...... 1-8 1.5.4 Construction Equipment ...... 1-9 1.6 Other Agencies Whose Approval is Required ...... 1-11 1.7 List of Preparers ...... 1-11 1.8 References ...... 1-12 2 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ...... 2-1 2.1 Aesthetics ...... 2-1 2.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources ...... 2-6 2.3 Air Quality ...... 2-7 2.4 Biological Resources ...... 2-13 2.5 Cultural Resources ...... 2-24 2.6 Geology and Soils ...... 2-28 2.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions...... 2-33 2.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ...... 2-37 2.9 Hydrology and Water Quality ...... 2-41 2.10 Land Use and Planning ...... 2-48 2.11 Mineral Resources ...... 2-50 2.12 Noise ...... 2-51 2.13 Population and Housing ...... 2-56 2.14 Public Services ...... 2-57 2.15 Recreation ...... 2-58 2.16 Transportation and Traffic ...... 2-60 2.17 Utilities and Service Systems ...... 2-64 2.18 Mandatory Findings of Significance ...... 2-67

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iii US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project

LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Figure 1-1. Project Location ...... 1-2 Figure 2-1. View of Redwood Creek...... 2-2 Figure 2-2. View of Bair Island Road...... 2-2 Figure 2-3. View from Convention Way...... 2-3 Figure 2-4. Area of Potential Effect Map ...... 2-5

LIST OF TABLES Table Page Table 1. Proposed Project Construction ...... 1-9

VOLUME II

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan APPENDIX B: Project Design Drawings APPENDIX C: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Technical Report APPENDIX D: Biological Resources Study APPENDIX E: Cultural Resource Investigations APPENDIX F: Geotechnical Design Report APPENDIX G: Environmental Site Assessment APPENDIX H: Hydraulic Study Report APPENDIX I: Water Quality Report APPENDIX J: Noise Technical Report APPENDIX K: Utility and Service Systems Report

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iv US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

A/C Alameda Contra Costa Transportation District AAQS Ambient Air Quality Standards AB 32 Assembly Bill 32 ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments ADFW average dry weather flow AF/yr Acre-Feet per year AIA Air Impact Assessment ANSI American National Standards Institute APE Area of Potential Effect BAAQMD Bay Area Quality Management District BACT Best Available Control Technology BCC Bird of Conservation Concern BCDC San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission BMP Best Management Practices BRA Basin Research Associates, Inc. C/CAG City and County Association of Governments of San Mateo County CAA Clean Air Act CAAQS California Ambient Air Quality Standards CalEEMod California Emissions Estimator Model Caltrans California Department of Transportation CAP Clean Air Plan of 2010 CARB California Air Resources Board CBC California Building Code CBR California black rail CCC Central California coast steelhead CCR California clapper rail CCR California Code of Regulations CDC California Department of Conservation CDFG California Department of Fish and Game CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CE&G CAL Engineering & Geology, Inc. ______

v US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Water Pump Station Project CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 CERCLIS Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System CFR Code of Federal Regulations CGP California General Permit CIP 2005 City of Redwood City Water System Capital Improvement Program

CH4 methane CLT California least tern CLUCP Comprehensive Land Use Compatibility Plan CNDDB California Natural Diversity Data Base CNEL Community Noise Equivalent Level CNPS California Native Plant Society CO carbon monoxide

CO2 carbon dioxide

CO2 e Carbon Dioxide Equivalent CSSC California Species of Special Concern CWA Clean Water Act dB decibels dBA A-weighted decibels DESFNWR Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge DHS California Department of Health and Safety DIP Ductile iron pipe DOF California Department of Finance DOT Department of Transportation DPM diesel particulate matter DPW Department of Public Works DTSC Department of Toxic Substance Control DWR Department of Water Resources DWQ Division of Water Quality EFH Essential Fish Habitat EIR Environmental Impact Report ERP Emergency Response Plan ESA Endangered Species Act ______

vi US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Water Pump Station Project ESA Environmental Site Assessment FAR Federal Aviation Regulations FCMA Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act FESA Federally Endangered Species Act FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FHWA Federal Highway Works Administration FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map FMBTA Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act FMMP Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program fps feet per second FTA Federal Transit Administration GHG Greenhouse Gas gpd gallon per day GS green stugeon GWP Global Warming Potential

H2S hydrogen sulfide HDPE high-density polyethylene HAP Hazardous Air Pollutant HCP Habitat Conservation Plan HP horsepower HSWA Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 I-280 Interstate 280 IS Initial Study JPA Joint-Power Authority KPFF KPFF Consulting Engineers kW kilowatt

Ldn day/night noise level

Leq equivalent noise level

Lmax maximum noise level

Lmin minimum noise level LC California Department of Fish and Wildlife Least Concern Lnd equivalent noise level for a continuous 24-hour period LOS Level of Service LUST leaking underground storage tanks ______

vii US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Water Pump Station Project MHHW Mean Higher High Water Mark mgd million gallons per day MLD Most Likely Descendant MLLW Mean Lower Low Water Mark MMRP Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan MMT million metric tons

MMTCO2e million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent MND Mitigated Negative Declaration MRP Municipal Regional Permit msl mean sea level MWhr megawatt-hour NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards NAHC Native American Heritage Commission NAVD National American Vertical Datum NCCP Natural Community Conservation Plan NEHRP National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program NFIP National Flood Insurance Program NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service

NOx oxides of nitrogen NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System NPL National Priority List NRCS National Resource Conservation Service

N20 Nitrous Oxide

03 ozone OEHHA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment PCB polychlorinated biphenyls PFT Paint Filter Test PGA peak ground acceleration PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company PM particulate matter

PM2.5 fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter

PM10 respirable particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter ppm Parts Per Million PPV peak particulate velocity ______

viii US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Water Pump Station Project PRC Public Resources Code PVC polyvinyl chloride PWWF Peak Wet Weather Flow RCP reinforced concrete pipe RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ROG reactive organic gas RSP rock slope protection RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board SAA Streambed Alteration Agreement SamTrans San Mateo County Transit District SBSA South Bayside System Authority SBWMA South Bayside Waste Management Authority SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition SFBAAB San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin

SF6 sulfur hexafluoride SFRWQCB San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board SFPUC San Francisco Public Utilities Commission SHPO State Historic Preservation Office SIP State Implementation Plan SMCWPPP San Mateo County Water Pollution Prevention Program SMHM salt marsh harvest mouse SMWS salt marsh wandering shrew

SOx oxides sulfur

SO2 sulfur dioxide STLC Soluble Threshold Limit Concentration SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board SWPPP Stormwater Pollution and Prevention Plan TAC Toxic Air Contaminants TG tidewater goby tpy tons per year TTLC Total Threshold Limit Concentrations UBC Uniform Building Code USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service ______

ix US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Water Pump Station Project USGS United States Geological Survey VOC volatile organic compound WRECO WRECO, Inc. WSP western snowy plover

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x US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Water Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

US 101 PEDESTRIAN UNDERCROSSING AND BAIR ISLAND STORM DRAIN PUMP STATION PROJECT

This Initial Study and the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) assess the potential environmental impacts of the US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project for use in local planning and decision making. In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City of Redwood City (City) decided to prepare a MND for the proposed project because the Initial Study found that, with the incorporation of appropriate mitigation measures, all potential impacts related to the project would be less than significant.

1 INTRODUCTION The proposed US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project would connect the Bayfront and Downtown areas of the City with a joint-use path dedicated to bicycles and pedestrians under the U.S. Highway 101 (US 101) bridge at Redwood Creek. The paved path would follow an existing unpaved trail adjacent to the creek and provide a safe, efficient connection between waterfront development on Bair Island Road northeast of US 101 and the existing commercial facilities along Convention Way and Main Street southwest of US 101. The upgrade and replacement of the nearby stormwater pump station on Bair Island Road would enable the station to handle the 100-year storm event in the area. The proposed project also includes landscaping improvements to the City-owned parcel south of Convention Way.

1.1 PROJECT LOCATION The proposed project is located adjacent to US 101 in the eastern portion of the City. The City is in San Mateo County on the San Francisco peninsula in northern California, approximately 27 miles south of San Francisco and 24 miles north of San Jose. Within the City, the Bayfront area and Bair Island Road are north and east of the project location, and the commercial developments on Convention Way and Main Street are south and west of the proposed location. The City’s Downtown area is approximately 0.3 miles south of the project. Figure 1-1 shows a regional map of the project location.

1.2 PROJECT BACKGROUND With an increase in development of the waterfront areas east of US 101, the City plans to improve pedestrian and bicycling connections between the Bayfront and Downtown areas. An existing narrow foot trail crosses under the US 101 freeway bridge at Redwood Creek, but does not provide sufficient headroom and access for bicyclists. Upgrading this existing path to a joint-use pedestrian and bicycle path would connect the One Marina development and other potential Bayfront development projects on Bair Island Road with Convention Way and Main Street and provide access to the Downtown areas.

1-1 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project Bay Trail Project Location

Bair Island Road

101 ¨¦§ Redwood Creek

Convention Way Legend

Main Street Proposed Project Area Existing Bikeways

Peninsula Park Precise Plan Boundary Class I

North Main Street Precise Plan Boundary Class II

Downtown Class III

Veterans Blvd Pete's Harbor Proposed Bikeways

Class I Bayfront

Class II Bair Island

Class II or III Centennial

Commercial, Mixed Use, Public Land uses

Source: City of Redwood City General Plan, North Main Street Precise Plan, Peninusla Park Precise Plan, Google Earth Figure 1-1 Miles PROJECT LOCATION 0 0.25 0.5 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and ± Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

The proposed project would provide residents and workers in the Bayfront area with non-vehicular access to the various retail, restaurant, entertainment, and government establishments in the City’s Downtown areas as well as its public transportation networks. The joint-use path would also provide residents and visitors in the Downtown areas with pedestrian and bicycle access to the San Francisco Bay Trail and other open space and recreational opportunities in the Bayfront area.

The proposed joint-use path was identified in the 2008 Peninsula Park Precise Plan, which contains land use, design, and circulation policies for creating a distinctive, water-oriented, urban residential community for the area east of US 101. The Peninsula Park Precise Plan covers 33 acres north of the project area on the bay side of US 101(City of Redwood City, 2008). The Peninsula Park Precise Plan consists of the One Marina development project, which is currently under construction and includes 231 residential units, three community parks, a 14-acre marina basin, a waterfront esplanade along Redwood Creek, an inner village walk, and a site for up to 200 hotel rooms and 10,000 square feet of retail space. To the north, the Pete’s Harbor redevelopment project, which is currently under review, would consist of a public marina, 411 new multi-family residential units, and a publicly accessible pathway along Smith Slough.

The proposed project also includes an extension of the pedestrian path west of Convention Way within the adjacent City-owned parcel and would have a scenic overlook of Redwood Creek. These improvements were identified in Chapter 1, page 1of the 2008 North Main Street Precise Plan. The 2008 North Main Street Precise Plan provides for increased-density infill development of residential and office uses and limited, locally-oriented commercial space. The North Main Street Precise Plan includes frontage streetscape improvements where the joint-use path would extend to Convention Way and a publically-accessible trail segment along Redwood Creek.

As part of the proposed project, the City would upgrade the existing storm drain pump station on Bair Island Road, adjacent to the joint-use path. The upgraded Bair Island storm drain pump station would provide the capacity to handle the flow from the expected 100-year storm event, which is approximately 32.40 cubic feet per second (cfs). The existing pump station has a capacity of 13.37 cfs and is inadequate for the 100-year storm event. The new pump station would include a 2,900-cubic foot wet well for collecting runoff during peak storm conditions. The discharge from the new pump station would connect to the existing discharge line to Redwood Creek.

1.3 PURPOSE AND NEED Creating a strong physical link between the Bayfront and Downtown areas has been a long-term planning goal in the City. The proposed pedestrian and bicycle path under US 101 has been included as an important planning or circulation feature in the four recent planning documents applicable to the project area and its surrounding neighborhoods.

 The North Main Street Precise Plan identifies the Downtown-to-Bayfront Link as its first development issue and goal and states, “A key objective of this Precise Plan is that infill development along North Main Street creates a land use and circulation link between these two areas of future development” (North Main Street Precise Plan, January 2008, page 3).

1-3 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

 The Peninsula Park Precise Plan includes the US 101 undercrossing as part of its Circulation Policy D, Pedestrian and Bicycle Linkages to Adjacent Areas and states, “A pedestrian and bicycle undercrossing of US 101 should be constructed to link the Precise Plan Area and Downtown along Redwood Creek” (Peninsula Park Precise Plan, January 2008, page 55).  The City’s General Plan, which includes linking the Downtown core to the Bayfront neighbors as part of its vision for the City in 2030 (page BE-7), calls for a master plan for the Redwood Creek/Harbor Center (page BE-36) and contains “Policy BE‐10.7: Improve pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and automobile linkages between the Bayfront and the areas west of U.S. 101” (page BE-67) as part of its goal for encouraging the development of pedestrian and water‐oriented mixed‐use communities in the waterfront neighborhoods (Redwood City General Plan, October 2010).  The Downtown Precise Plan, which notes the proximity between the Downtown and the wetlands, marinas, offices, and emerging neighborhoods along Redwood Creek, includes connectivity to the Inner Harbor as a potential public improvement, and it recommends “That the City identify ways to form a strong walkable connection along Redwood Creek between Downtown and the Inner Harbor in order to create a dynamic synergy between these two districts” (The Downtown Precise Plan, January 2011 and amended September 2012, page 154).

Within the project limits, the existing pathway between these areas has accessibility and safety issues. The proposed joint-use path would provide a safe way to meet the connectivity objectives of the City’s adopted plans.

The upgraded Bair Island storm drain pump station would provide sufficient capacity to handle a 100-year storm event, consistent with the City’s Storm Drain Design Criteria, which requires that drainage systems be sized for the 100-year storm event. The replacement pump station would be able to handle the 100-year flow from the drainage systems in the 22.28-acre Bair Island storm drain watershed area and 4.94 acres of the Peninsula Park development.

1.4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Water Pump Station Project consists of a joint-use pedestrian and bicycle path under the US 101 freeway bridge at Redwood Creek and the replacement of and upgrade to the nearby stormwater pump station on Bair Island Road. Appendix A provides a layout of the elements of the proposed project and identifies the limits of the proposed construction activity.

The proposed joint-use path would meet Class I bicycle path criteria, which are defined in the Built Environment – Circulation element as a “completely separate facility designated for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians, with vehicle and pedestrian cross‐flow minimized” (City of Redwood City, 2010, page BE-105). The 14-foot wide path would contain the design features shown in Figure BE-11, Bikeway Classifications (City of Redwood City, 2010, page BE-107) and would be dedicated for use by both bicyclists and pedestrians. The joint-use path would be

1-4 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description approximately 700 feet long and would pass under the US 101 freeway bridge between the northern bridge abutment and Redwood Creek. The joint-use path would connect the recently completed Class I and II bike paths on Bair Island Road to the existing Class II bike path on Main Street.

There would be approximately 9 to10 feet of headspace between the path and the soffit of the bridge. A battered tieback wall would be implemented on the abutment side, and a cantilevered retaining wall would be installed on the creek side of the path. The top portion of the wall between the path and the creek would utilize a 1-foot high metal railing, which would allow passing pedestrians and bicyclists to have views of the creek. Landscaped retaining walls would extend beyond both entrances to the path under US 101. The base of the path would slope from an elevation of 6.9 feet on the east end to 5.8 feet on the west end under US 101. A drainage system would capture and detain stormwater as needed prior to discharge to Redwood Creek through one 24-inch drain pipe.

In addition to the 14-foot wide joint-use path, the project also includes enhancements on the City- owned parcel south of Convention Way including a 12-foot wide sidewalk, pedestrian lights, landscaping trees along the south side of Convention Way, and a scenic overlook with decorative seating looking toward Redwood Creek. The path would have security access gates at each entrance to the path and call boxes linked to City dispatch or 911 at the west and east ends of the underpass. City maintenance staff would close the gates to the path during unsafe conditions, such as high water levels or seismic events.

The proposed storm drain pump station would consist of two 90-hp submersible pumps and a low flow pump in a wet well, a concrete vault, an emergency generator, and interconnecting piping. The 2,900-cubic foot wet well would be approximately 12 feet in diameter and approximately 26-feet deep with a concrete base atop one foot of compacted drain rock. The wet well would collect the water from the Bair Island drainage area, and the variable speed pumps would be able to discharge a peak flow up to 32.4 cfs. The 5-foot deep concrete vault would contain valves for controlling the flow from each pump. The 250-kW emergency generator would be housed on an 8 foot by 10 foot generator pad. A 500-gallon diesel storage tank would store at least a 24-hour fuel supply for the standby generator. The pump station would have electrical service and an Advanced Digital Network for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor the operation of the pump station system. Ground level access hatches would cover the underground wet well and vault.

The pump station would be located approximately 130 feet east of the traffic circle on Bair Island Road, north of the alignment for the planned Blomquist Street extension. A paved driveway from Bair Island Road to the new pump station would also be installed. Approximately 35 linear feet of new 42-inch storm drain ductile iron pipe (DIP) would be required to redirect the flow from the existing storm drain system within the 22.28-acre Bair Island Road area to the new pump station. Approximately 100 linear feet of 24-inch DIP would be used to convey the flow from the new pump station to the existing 24-inch pipe outfall that discharges into Redwood Creek. The point of connection with the existing drain line would depend on the condition of the existing 24-inch pipe.

1-5 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

This connection point would be at least 15 feet from the bank of Redwood Creek. The project also includes the demolition of the existing pump station.

1.5 PROJECT CONSTRUCTION The area of potential effects (APE) for construction of the project would be within rights-of-way held by the City and state (California Department of Transportation). The APE includes all areas subject to disturbance from construction activities, including designated staging areas, construction personnel parking areas, and areas for laydown and storage. Access to the project construction areas would consist of existing paved roads and pathways.

1.5.1 Construction Access Existing paved surfaces would provide access to the project construction areas. Bair Island Road would provide construction access for work on the east side of US 101 and the staging areas for the project. Convention Way would provide construction access on the west side of US 101. Access to the City-owned parcel would be via Main Street.

An estimated 6 to 12 workers would travel to and from the project site each day. Construction workers would park in designated areas within the APE or along Main Street.

Trucks would access the site to remove an estimated 230 truckloads of excess soil and other debris from trenching and excavation and transport these materials to an appropriate disposal site such as the Ox Mountain Landfill in western San Mateo County. Approximately 32 truck deliveries would be needed for the wet well, drainage pipes, and pump equipment for the pump station project, and another estimated 95 truck deliveries for concrete, equipment, lighting, landscape trees, and other site improvement materials for construction of the joint-use path.

1.5.2 Construction Activities The first stage of construction would consist of construction planning and installing exclusionary fencing and temporary erosion control measures at the proposed laydown areas and the construction site. The contractor would install a wash down area at the construction entrance using potable water. Once these systems are installed, crews would then begin clearing areas to make way for construction activities and assembling equipment and materials.

Pump Station Construction Construction of the stormwater pump station on Bair Island Road would precede the work of the joint-use path undercrossing. The new pump station would require excavation to install the pre- fabricated 2,900-cubic foot wet well. Pile drivers would be needed to install the temporary shoring for the installation of the wet well. Trenching would be needed for the 42-inch DIP pipe to connect the Bair Island Road storm drains to the new pump station site and to tie the 24-inch pipe into the existing discharge pipe. Excavation for the storm drain pump station would require removal of up to 400 cubic yards of materials. Assuming the use of 12-cubic yard dump trucks, the removal of

1-6 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description excavated materials associated with pump station construction would result in over 35 truck trips at an average of 4 daily truck trips during this phase of the project.

The water table in the area has been measured at approximate elevations between 2.0 and 4.0 feet. Dewatering would be needed for the wet well excavation and may be required for the storm drain trenches. Discharges from dewatering would be pumped to the nearest sewer manhole as recommended by the City.

When excavation is complete, workers would install the concrete support pad for the wet well, the vault, and the pad for the emergency generators. Crews would then install the submersible pumps and appurtenances including electrical and telephone service connections. The existing pump station would then be demolished and removed. The pump station site would be backfilled and graded to conform to adjacent elevations. Installation of the pump station and related facilities would not require any work within Redwood Creek.

US 101 Undercrossing Construction Construction activities for the joint-use path crossing beneath US 101 would begin with rerouting the existing utilities within the limits of the proposed path.

The contractor would install a cofferdam along the first row of piers under the US 101 bridge before excavating for the tieback and creek-side walls. The approximately 8-foot high cofferdam, designed by the contractor, would isolate an area approximately 175-feet long and 15-feet wide. The cofferdam area would be dewatered as needed to maintain dry conditions for installation of the retaining walls and bottom slab of the path.

Dewatering consists of discharging accumulated groundwater, stormwater, or surface water from excavations or temporary containment facilities. Dewatering can be handled in four ways, depending on the quality and quantity of discharge. These options include: 1) on-site reuse; 2) treatment through the use of an active treatment system (ATS); 3) directly discharging to nearby surface waters; or, 4) discharging or trucking the water to a local publicly-owned treatment system. Prior to reuse or discharge, the water must be sampled to determine the types and levels of contaminants present, per applicable regulatory requirements. The contract documents would include dewatering best management practices and provide details and specifications for the handling and sampling of water from dewatering operations. The Contractor would develop work plans to handle the collection, treatment, and monitoring for dewatering operations. An agreement or permit would be obtained from the South Bayside System Authority if the water is discharged to the publicly-owned treatment system.

Most elements of the joint-use path would require excavation to a depth of approximately 12-18 inches. Beneath the US 101 bridge at Redwood Creek, construction of the joint-use path would require approximately eight feet of excavation for the retaining wall on the north side of the path in front of the existing bridge abutment and the joint-use path itself. Excavation for the undercrossing would require removal of approximately 2,350 cubic yards of material using a small backhoe,

1-7 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description bulldozer, and a small truck. Assuming the use of 12-cubic yard dump trucks, the removal of excavated materials associated with the pedestrian undercrossing would result in over 196 truck trips, at an average of 20 daily truck trips during this phase of the project. Preliminary testing indicates that the soils can be classified as Class II “designated” nonhazardous wastes, which can be disposed of at landfills permitted to accept these wastes. Soils within the project area consist primarily of Young and Old Bay Mud. Prior to disposal of the excavated soil, additional soil sampling and testing would occur to determine if liquid concentrations would be released during disposal. When necessary, the contractor would spread Bay Mud soils in rows to dry or mixed them with other excavated soils on site so that the transported materials would meet the landfill disposal criteria.

A tieback retaining wall would be installed along the face of the existing north side abutment in order to maintain the integrity of the bridge support and roadway embankment. This tieback retaining wall would utilize horizontal tiebacks approximately 30-feet long that would be supported by tieback anchors located between the existing abutment piles. Crews would use a small drill machine to install the tiebacks because of the limited headroom and working space. Spoils from the drilling operation would be removed and disposed of off-site. The drilled holes would be filled with cement grout. Approximately 80 cubic yards of shotcrete would be needed for the tieback wall.

After installation of the tie-back retaining wall, crews would excavate the creek bank and drive in micro-piles to support the concrete path along with the creek-side retaining wall. Approximately 44 micro-piles extending up to 30-feet deep may be needed to provide vertical support of the path. Once the micro-piles are in place, detention drainage pipes, drain inlets, and discharge pipes to the creek would be installed. Finally, the slab footing of the path would be constructed along with the creek-side wall.

Crews would perform electrical work for the pedestrian lighting and installation of the access gates and call boxes after the concrete work under the bridge is complete. Landscape walls and the pedestrian sidewalk would be constructed, and all landscaping can be done to restore the area near the bridge.

The work in the City-owned parcel would involve minimal clearing and grubbing as well as some rough grading. The sidewalk and joint-use path would be installed along with the landscape trees, pedestrian streetlights, and the scenic overlook area. Minimal landscaping would be needed to restore the site.

1.5.3 Project Schedule Construction of the storm drain pump station would take approximately 120 working days, from January 2014 to June 2014. Construction of the US 101 pedestrian undercrossing would take approximately 150 working days, from June 2014 to December 2014. Weekday construction hours would be limited to 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding City-recognized holidays.

1-8 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

The order of work and estimated durations for the construction tasks for the storm drain pump station are as listed as follows:

• Mobilization: 3 days • Clearing and grubbing: 5 days • Installation of best management practices (BMPs): 5 days • Installation of shoring system for wet well construction: 10 days • Installation of wet well and pumps: 40 days • Installation of valve vault, equipment, and communication facilities: 30 days • Installation of drainage pipes: 10 days • Demolition and removal of existing pump station: 5 days • Construction of maintenance driveway: 5 days • Restoration of site: 5 days The order of work and estimated durations for the construction tasks for the US 101 undercrossing are below:

• Mobilization: 5 days • Clearing and grubbing: 5 days • Installation of BMPs: 5 days • Installation of temporary cofferdam: 10 days • Excavation for wall work under US 101: 10 days • Installation of tie backs/shotcrete: 20 days • Preparation and construction of bottom slab for path: 15 days • Construction of creek-side retaining wall: 10 days • Construction of second face of tieback wall: 10 days • Construction of retaining walls and sidewalks beyond path under US 101: 20 days • Installation of railing, lighting, call boxes, and miscellaneous path items: 10 days • Construction of sidewalk, street trees, and pedestrian lights in City-owned parcel: 15 days • Construction of scenic overlook: 5 days • Landscaping: 5 days • Site restoration: 5 days

1.5.4 Construction Equipment Table 1-1 shows the equipment needed for the construction of the proposed project. Construction of the storm drain pump station would require the following equipment:

1-9 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

Table 1 PROPOSED PROJECT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

Storm Drain Pump Station Joint-Use Path 1. Sheet pile driver/crane 110-hp crane

2. 135-hp track-mounted excavator 335-hp dozer

335-hp dozer 90-hp backhoe 3. 90-hp backhoe 75-hp skid steer loader

4. 250-hp delivery truck 250-hp delivery truck

5. 400-hp, 12-cubic yard dump truck 400-hp, 12-cubic yard dump truck

100-hp forklift 100-hp forklift

50-hp concrete pump truck 50-hp concrete pump truck

50-hp paver 20-hp portable tieback drilling machine

24-hp generator 10-hp grout mixing machine

1-hp portable sump pump 10-hp shotcrete machine

1-hp portable sump pump 24-hp generator

1-10 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

1.6 OTHER AGENCIES WHOSE APPROVAL IS REQUIRED In addition to the City, the US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project would require approvals from the following agencies:

Agency Approval Pump Station Facilities Bay Area Air Quality Management District Authority to Construct for emergency generator (BAAQMD) Pedestrian Undercrossing Facilities California Department of Fish and Wildlife Streambed Alteration Agreement (CDFW) California Department of Transportation Encroachment Permit (Caltrans) San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Section 401 Certification Control Board (SFRWQCB) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 Nationwide Permit (NWP)

The City would apply to the USACE for a NWP 14 (Linear Transportation Projects) for excavation and installation of the joint-use path facilities below the mean high tide elevation of Redwood Creek and for a NWP 33 (Temporary Construction, Access, and Dewatering) for the construction activities including the cofferdam in this area. The USACE would consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the US Fish and Wildlife Service prior to issuing its approval for the project.

In addition, the project would file a Notice of Intention to comply with the California General Storm Water Construction Permit (Order No. 2012-006-DWQ) and would submit a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to the SFRWQCB.

If the contractor decides to truck or discharge dewatering to the publically-owned treatment system, the City would obtain an agreement or permit from the South Bayside System Authority (SBSA).

1.7 LIST OF PREPARERS Redwood City Staff  Tanisha Werner, Project Engineer  Michelle Littlefield, Associate Planner  Grace Le, Senior Civil Engineer  Jimmy Tan, Senior Civil Engineer

1-11 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

Consultants to City  WRECO – Project engineer, biological resources, hydrology and water quality, utilities o Andrew Sekioka, Project Manager o Irene Liu o Erica Cruz o Jared Elia o Grant Wilcox o Diane Wang  Point Impact Analysis, LLC – CEQA consultant, aesthetics, air quality, hazards, greenhouse gases, land use, noise, population and housing, public services, traffic o Stu Russell, CEQA Project Manager o Brian Koo o Sean Poirier  Basin Research Associates – Cultural resources consultants o Colin Busby o Chris Canzonieri  Cal Engineering and Geology – Geotechnical design

1.8 REFERENCES Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Best Available Control Technology Guidelines, IC Engine-Compression Ignition: Stationary Emergency, non-Agricultural, non-direct drive fire pump. December 22, 2010.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District. California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Updated May 2010.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District. California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Updated May 2012.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Screening Tables for Air Toxics Evaluation during Construction. Version. 1.0, May 2010-2.

California Department of Conservation. Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program. 2010. Accessed online on January 15, 2013 at: ftp://ftp.cons.ca.gov/publ/dllrp/FMMP.pdf

California Department of Conservation. Data and Maps. Bay and Central Coast Regions. Accessed online on Jan. 15, 2013 at: ftp://ftp.cons.ca.gov/publ/dllrp/wa/

California Department of Transportation, Environmental Program. Environmental Engineering. Transportation- and Construction-Induced Vibration Guidance Manual. .Prepared by Jones & Stokes. June 2004

1-12 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

California Department of Toxic Substances and Control. Hazardous Waste Substances Site List, 2007. Accessed online January 17, 2013 at: http://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/search.asp?

CAL Engineering & Geology, Inc. Geotechnical Design Report. March 2013

City of Redwood City. Community Action Plan. Undated.

City of Redwood City. Peninsula Park Project. Addendum to the 2003 Environmental Impact Report for the One Marina Village Shores Project. October 2007.

City of Redwood City. Marina Shores Village Precise Plan. June 2004.

City of Redwood City. Marina Shores Village Project. Draft Environmental Impact Report. February 2003.

City of Redwood City. Municipal Code. Chapter 35, Tree Preservation. Accessed online at: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=16574.

City of Redwood City. North Main Street Precise Plan. January 2008.

City of Redwood City. North Main Street Precise Plan Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration. February 2007.

City of Redwood City, Peninsula Park Precise Plan. January 2008.

City of Redwood City. Redwood City 2030 General Plan Environmental Impact Report. August , 2010.

City of Redwood City. Redwood City 2030 General Plan. October 11, 2010.

Department of Finance. E-1 Population Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State- January 1-2011 to January 2012. Accessed online at: http://www.dof.ca.gov/research/demographic/reports/estimates/e-1/view.php.

Department of Water Resources. Climate Change Handbook for Regional Water Planning. November 2011.

Kohler Power Systems. Tier 3 EPA-Certified for Stationary Emergency Applications Model 300REOZJ. Standard Features. Emissions Data Sheet.

KPFF Consulting Engineers. Bair Island Road Reconstruction. Storm Drainage Report. December 19, 2008.

Redwood City Zoning Ordinance. Article 53. Mixed Use Corridor Zoning District. Accessed online at: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=16091.

1-13 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 1 Project Description

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. San Francisco Bay Scenarios for Sea Level Rise Maps. Shoreline Areas Potentially Exposed to Sea Level Rise: Central Bay South. USGS. 2002.

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Sea Level Rise Policies Fact Sheet. http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/planning/climate_change/SLRfactSheet.shtml.

San Francisco Bay Trail Project. Gap Analysis Study: A Report on Closing the Gaps in the 500-mile Regional Trail System Encircling San Francisco Bay. September 2005

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Transportation Impact Analysis Guidelines. Congestion Management Program. March 2009.

State Water Resources Control Board. Leaking Underground Storage Tank Database. GEIMS/Geotracker. Accessed online at: http://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/map/?CMD=runreport&myaddress=333+Main+Stre et%2C+Redwood+City%2C+CA

United Stated Department of Transportation. Federal Transit Administration. Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment. May 2006

United States Fish & Wildlife Service. Region 8 and 9 Habitat Conservation Plans. Accessed online At: http://ecos.fws.gov/conserv_plans/public.jsp

WRECO Inc. Bair Island Road US 101 Undercrossing and Pump Station Project. Draft Limited Environmental Site Assessment. March 2013.

WRECO Inc. Bair Island Road US 101 Undercrossing and Pump Station Project. Draft Location Hydraulic Study Report. March 2013

WRECO Inc. Bair Island Road US 101 Undercrossing and Pump Station Project. Draft Water Quality Report. March 2013.

WRECO Inc. Bair Island Road US 101 Undercrossing and Pump Station Project. Draft Utilities and Service Systems Impact Report. March 2013

1-14 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

2 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

This section contains the environmental analysis of the US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project, as described in Section 1 of this document. The analysis addresses items in Appendix G of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Each analysis includes a brief discussion of the environmental setting and the regulatory requirements for each aspect of the environment in the CEQA Checklist and provides a copy of the checklist, with the items checked either “Potentially Significant Impact,” “Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation,” “Less than Significant Impact,” or “No Impact.” The analysis includes an explanation for each finding presented in the CEQA Checklist.

2.1 AESTHETICS/ VISUAL RESOURCES The proposed US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project, which would be located along the western bank of Redwood Creek, is an important visual resource for the Downtown and Bayfront neighborhoods of the City of Redwood City (City). The U.S. Highway 101 (US 101) undercrossing, a joint-use bicycle and pedestrian path, would follow an existing path under the US 101 bridge at Redwood Creek. Although the bridge and support pilings affect the immediate views under the freeway, the entrances to the path and the extension along the City-owned parcel have unobstructed long-range views of the creek. Figure 2-1 shows the existing view of Redwood Creek, at the eastern entrance to the US 101 undercrossing, looking east toward the marina and waterfront development areas of the Bayfront neighborhood on the northeast side of the freeway.

Redwood Creek provides open views of natural waterways and vegetated marshland in close proximity to urban offices, commercial buildings, and residential development. Figure 2-2 shows the existing commercial development, a car dealership, which is adjacent to the project area on the eastern side of US 101. The proposed location for the Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station would be located near the foreground seen in Figure 2-2. Figure 2-2 also shows the existing Class II bike lane on Bair Island Road, which would connect to the proposed joint-use path near the One Marina development currently under construction.

On the south side of US 101, commercial development along Convention Way and offices along Main Street are immediately east and west of the project area. Figure 2-3 shows the San Mateo Credit Union and other commercial development along Convention Way, adjacent to the proposed location of the path along Redwood Creek. The 333 Main Street residential development, part of the 2007 North Main Street Precise Plan, is south of the project area.

As shown in Figure 2-3, a narrow footpath runs along the northern bank of Redwood Creek. This portion of Redwood Creek has limited public access. The adjacent development, parking, and service areas have restricted existing public views of the creek in the proposed project area.

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2-1 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

Figure 2-1 Existing view of Redwood Creek, looking east, at the eastern entrance to the US 101 Undercrossing, near the proposed Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station location.

Figure 2-2 Existing view near Bair Island Road, looking west from near the proposed Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station location.

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2-2 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

Figure 2-3 Existing views of the project area southwest of US 101, looking north from Convention Way Bridge. An existing foot trail runs along the bank of the Redwood Creek.

I. AESTHETICS -- Would the project: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?

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2-3 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?

The proposed project would have little effect on the scenic vistas in the area. The expanse of marsh grassland and natural features that provide most of the scenic values to this area are on the east side of the creek opposite the proposed path and the City-owned parcel (see Figure 2-1). The area where the joint-use path would be located is on the western bank and consists primarily of disturbed grassland or exposed creek bank. Figure 2-4 shows the location of the proposed facilities with respect to the surrounding natural features and development areas. Project construction for the joint-use path and pump station would not affect the salt marsh vegetation or intrude into the center of the creek and would have little effect on views from other locations. The replacement pump station and emergency generator would not be visible from the creek area. The joint-use path would include a 1-foot high metal railing along the top of the creek-side wall under the bridge and a scenic overlook oriented towards Redwood Creek, elements that would provide improved access and views of the creek. The proposed landscaping features would complement the scenic vistas in the area. (Less than Significant Impact) b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway?

The proposed project is not located within, in the vicinity of, or adjacent to a designated scenic vista or a state scenic highway. The closest state scenic highway is Interstate 280 (I-280), approximately 4.1 miles away (City of Redwood City, 2011). The proposed project facilities would not be visible from I-280 and would not affect any features adjacent to I-280. Therefore, the proposed project would not impact a scenic highway or natural features or buildings near it. (No Impact) c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings?

The proposed project would include engineered features that would change the visual appearance of the immediate project area. Many of these features would improve the visual character of the Redwood Creek visual corridor. The tieback retaining wall would have a battered finish with aesthetic treatments, and metal railing on the creek-side wall would have decorative elements. The project would include new landscaping, including trees, pedestrian lights, landscaped retaining walls, and a scenic overlook area located within the City-owned parcel that would enhance the visual quality of the site. The landscape improvements would comply with the Urban Design Guidelines in the 2010 General Plan. The landscaping and lighting on the west side of the project would be consistent with the North Main Street Precise Plan (North Main Street Precise Plan, 2007), and the improvements on the east side of the project would be consistent with the Peninsula Park Precise Plan. The new pump station, wet well, and vault would be underground. The enclosed generator and control cabinet would be painted green, and the area landscaped. The landscaping would enhance the existing visual character of the area near the traffic circle on Bair Island Road. The proposed project would improve the overall visual qualities of the area, and the impacts to the visual character of the site would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact)

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2 Environmental Analysis

d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?

The joint-use path would include pedestrian lighting for nighttime safety. The proposed lighting structures would comply with the design guidelines in Article 53 of the Redwood City Zoning Ordinance and would be mounted low and casted downward to reduce the effect on adjacent properties (City of Redwood City Zoning Ordinance, 2011). None of the project features would be a source of glare or reflective sunlight. Therefore, the proposed project would not include a substantial source of lighting or glare that would adversely affect daytime or nighttime view in the project area. (Less than Significant Impact)

2.2 AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY RESOURCES The project area would be located in a highly developed area within the City. The City General Plan Land Use map designates the project area south of the US 101 freeway as Mixed Use Corridor, and the area north of the US 101 freeway as Mixed Use-Waterfront Neighborhood. The parcels bordering the project area to the west are designated as Commercial-Regional and Commercial- Office Professional (City of Redwood City, 2010). The project area is zoned as (P) Planned Community District both north and south of the US 101 highway. The surrounding parcels to the north are zoned General Commercial (CG), and the parcels to the west of the project area are zoned as Industrial Park-Vehicular (IP-V) (City of Redwood City, 2011). The project area does not contain any lands designated as Prime, Statewide Important, Local, or Unique Farmland or parcels under Williamson Act contracts (CDC, 2010). The area does not contain any forested areas or parcels zoned for timberland production. Therefore, there would be no impacts to agricultural or forestry resources.

II. AGRICULTURE AND Potentially Less Than Less Than No FORESTRY RESOURCES -- Would Significant Significant Significant Impact the project: Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation 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 non- agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract?

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2-6 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis 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))? d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? 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?

2.3 AIR QUALITY The US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Report describes the air quality conditions in the Bay Area, summarizes the applicable regulations, evaluates the air quality impacts of the proposed project, and identifies mitigation measures for potentially significant impacts (see Appendix C).

The air quality in the San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin has improved in recent years and meets most federal ambient air quality standards (AAQS) adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and most state AAQS adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Nevertheless, the air quality in the basin periodically exceeds federal and state ambient standards for ozone and particulate matter.

In addition to setting national AAQS, the EPA requires that each state submit a State Implementation Plan (SIP) that identifies rules and policies to attain compliance with the federal AAQS. EPA also oversees the implementation of federal programs for permitting major new stationary sources, controlling toxic air contaminants (TACs), and reducing emissions from mobile sources. EPA’s increasingly stringent regulations on diesel emissions apply to the manufacture and sale of diesel equipment nationally, including the off-road construction equipment and emergency generators.

CARB is the primary administrator of the California Clean Air Act and coordinates preparation of the California SIP. CARB also enforces the state’s motor vehicle pollution control program. CARB

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2-7 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis regulations set fuel standards, impose limits on idling for construction equipment, and limit emissions from diesel engines, including construction equipment. The CARB Off-Road regulations require reporting individual equipment and engine information and set declining fleet-wide emissions limits for contractors beginning in 2014.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) formulates policies and adopts regulations for the control of air pollution within the nine counties that surround San Francisco Bay, including San Mateo County: The BAAQMD Bay Area 2010 Clean Air Plan (CAP) provides a control strategy to reduce ozone, particulate matter, air toxics, and greenhouse gases to achieve state standards. The BAAQMD also permits stationary sources, develops emission inventories, and collects air-monitoring data.

BAAQMD has adopted air quality guidelines that assist lead agencies in evaluating the significance of projects in the San Francisco Bay Air Basin under CEQA. The BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines include significance thresholds, assessment methodologies, and mitigation strategies for criteria pollutants, air toxics, odors, and greenhouse gas emissions, based upon the scientific and other factual data prepared in developing these guidelines. On March 5, 2012, the Superior Court of Alameda County issued a judgment finding that the air district had failed to comply with CEQA when it adopted the new thresholds in 2010 and ordered the BAAQMD to cease dissemination of the threshold until it had complied with CEQA. The City notes that the court ruling did not address the merits of the 2010 thresholds or the factual and scientific information used to develop the guidelines. The City has carefully considered the thresholds prepared by BAAQMD and regards them as the best information available for the air basin. Therefore, the analyses in this Initial Study are based upon the methodologies in the 2010 BAAQMD CEQA Air Quality Guidelines, and the City exercises its discretion to use these thresholds for determining the significance of air quality impacts from the proposed project.

The BAAQMD defines sensitive receptors 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” (BAAQMD, 2010). Nearby sensitive receptors include the residences at One Marina, approximately 400 feet northeast of the pump station area, and the residential mixed-use units in the North Main Street Specific Plan area, approximately 450 feet south of the Main Street portion of the project area. Both projects are currently under construction and are expected to be partially occupied during construction activities. Other sensitive receptors within 1,000 feet of the project are the houseboats along Redwood Creek, approximately 675 feet east of the project, and the Marina Points neighborhood at the end of Bair Island Road, more than 900 feet from the project. The residential areas along Brewster Avenue in the Centennial neighborhood are more than 1,500 feet from the project.

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2-8 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

III. AIR QUALITY -- Where available, Potentially Less Than Less Than No the significance criteria established by the Significant Significant Significant Impact applicable air quality management or air Impacts with Impact pollution control district may be relied Mitigation upon to make the following Incorporation determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation? 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)? d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people?

The proposed pump station and US 101 undercrossing would result in temporary construction emissions from earthmoving and other construction activities. The only emissions during operation would be from the testing of the emergency generator and maintenance of landscaping. The joint bicycle and pedestrian path under US 101 would encourage use of alternative transportation sources and result in a net reduction in emissions of criteria pollutants in the area.

Construction Emissions. Construction emissions consist of the short-term emissions of criteria pollutants from construction equipment, earthmoving, worker commutes, and transportation of materials to and from the project site. Point Impact Analysis identified the emissions from the construction of the replacement pump station work and the joint-use path, using CalEEMod version 2011.1.1 and the proposed equipment lists, the durations of equipment use, and construction schedule to identify the maximum potential daily emissions (see

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Appendix C for more detail). The modeling analysis found that the average daily construction emissions would be well below the BAAQMD significance thresholds.

Average Daily Emissions (lbs/day) Project Construction BAAQMD Significance Emissions Threshold for Construction Reactive Organic Gases (ROG) 1.4 54

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) 9.8 54

PM10 (exhaust) 0.6 82

PM2.5 (exhaust) 0.6 54

PM10 – respirable particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter

PM2.5 – fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter

The BAAQMD considers emissions of PM10 and PM 2.5 less than significant if emissions from mobile sources are less than the significance levels and identifies Best Management Practices as the significance threshold for control of fugitive dust (see Appendix C).

Operational Emissions. Once construction is complete, the operation of both the replacement pump station and the joint-use path would have no regular emissions of criteria or toxic pollutants, except for the testing of the emergency diesel generator up to 50 hours per year and occasional maintenance and landscaping. The estimated emissions from landscaping and maintenance and the proposed 250-kW Tier 3 diesel generator for 50 hours per year with particulate emissions of 0.13 grams/brake horsepower (bhp) hour are more than 100 times lower than the average daily and annual significance levels for ozone precursors and particulates (see Appendix C).

The proposed joint-use path would enable residents of approved and proposed Bayfront development projects to have shorter, more direct non-vehicular access to the Downtown area. Residents would be able to walk or ride bicycles to jobs and retail and entertainment destinations as well as have shorter access to public transportation networks. Currently, the driving distance from One Marina to the center of Downtown is 1.5 miles. The proposed joint-use path would reduce the walking and biking distance to 0.75 miles, a 15-20 minute walk. The path would reduce the distance to the Caltrain station from 1.6 miles to 0.9 miles.

Point Impact Analysis modeled the mobile source emissions from traffic at One Marina development, with and without the proposed path, using CalEEMod 211.1.1, assuming 231 residential units, three parks, a 14-acre marina, the waterfront esplanade and village walkway, 200 hotel rooms, and 10,000 square feet of retail space. The modeling shows that with the addition of the joint-use path, the improved pedestrian network and the shorter walking distances would result in at least a 2.4 percent reduction in mobile source emissions. This estimate does not take credit for future development in the Bayfront, including Pete’s Harbor, or the shorter distances to destinations on Convention Way and Main Street. The analysis assigns

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the 18 percent reduction allowable for the One Marina current location to the existing condition, even through residents are not likely to walk or bike to Downtown without the proposed path. Based on the CalEEMOD modeling, the joint use path would result in reductions that would offset the emissions of criteria pollutants from other project operations and result in a net

reduction in emissions of ozone precursors and particulates in the air basin, except for NOx.

The net increase in NOx would still be more than 100 times below the average daily and annual significance levels (see Appendix C). a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan?

The proposed project would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of the BAAQMD 2010 CAP. The proposed Caterpillar 250-kW Tier 3 emergency generator, the only new stationary source associated with the project, would meet the BAAQMD requirement for Best Available Control Technology (BACT). The construction contractors would use equipment certified to EPA requirements and would have to comply with the CARB regulations for off-road engines and equipment. Construction and operation of the project would comply with all applicable BAAQMD regulations. The project would also be consistent with applicable Redwood City General Plan policies regarding reduction of vehicle emissions, mitigation of significant impacts, potential to generate hazardous air pollutants, and review of projects for consistency with other agencies. (No Impact) b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation?

The proposed project would not violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation. The emissions of particulates and ozone precursors (ROG and NOx) during construction would contribute to existing non-attainment levels of PM10, PM2.5, and ozone, but the contribution would not be substantial. Average daily emissions from the proposed construction activities would be less than the BAAQMD significance levels, and the City has incorporated the basic construction measures to reduce fugitive dust that the BAAQMD recommends for all proposed projects as a mitigation measure, which includes Best Management Practices for fugitive dust. The combined operational emission from the proposed joint-use path and pump station would result in a net reduction in emissions of criteria pollutants.

The following mitigation measures would reduce fugitive dust and emissions from construction equipment from the proposed project:

Mitigation Measure AIR 1: Basic Construction Mitigation Measures The City shall have the Contractor implement the following measures to reduce dust and exhaust emissions from construction activities:

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2-11 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

 All exposed surfaces (e.g., staging areas, soil piles, graded areas, and unpaved access roads) shall be watered two times per day. Watering shall not be required for storage and treatment of saturated Bay Mud prior to mixing and disposal.  All haul trucks transporting soil, sand, or other loose material off-site shall be covered.  Contractors shall wash down all vehicles prior to leaving the site to prevent mud or dirt from being tracked-out onto public roads. All visible mud or dirt tracked onto adjacent public roads shall be removed using wet power vacuum street sweepers at least once per day. Dry power sweeping equipment shall not be used for tracked mud or dirt near the project entrance. Wash down water shall be collected onsite and directed away from the storm drain system and the creek. Gravel-filled bags shall be used to prevent runoff from vacuum sweeping from entering the storm drain system. Wash water may be picked up by the vacuum unit.  All vehicle speeds on unpaved roads shall be limited to 15 mph.  All roadways, driveways, and sidewalks to be paved shall be completed as soon as possible. Foundations for the pump station, retaining walls, and pedestrian path shall be laid as soon as possible after grading unless seeding or soil binders are used.  Idling times shall be minimized either by shutting equipment off when not in use or by reducing the maximum idling time to 5 minutes, as required by the California airborne toxics control measure Title 13, Section 2485 of California Code of Regulation. Clear signage regarding idling time requirements shall be provided for construction workers at all access points.  All construction equipment shall be maintained and properly tuned in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. All equipment shall be checked by a certified visible emissions evaluator.  The Contractor shall post a publicly visible sign with the telephone number and person to contact at the lead agency regarding dust complaints. This person shall respond and take corrective action within 48 hours. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s phone number shall also be visible to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. With the inclusion of these mitigation measures, the impact of the proposed project on air quality would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) 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)?

Emissions from the proposed project would not result in a cumulatively considerable net increase in non-attainment pollutants. In developing the significance levels for individual projects, BAAQMD considered the level at which a project’s emissions would become cumulative considerable. Thus, if the project’s individual emissions are less than significant, the cumulative impacts are also less than significant. The proposed project emissions are less than significant with the incorporation of Best

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Management Practices for fugitive dust as a mitigation measure. See Mitigation Measure AIR 1. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations?

Diesel-fueled equipment used during construction would emit diesel particulate matter (DPM), a toxic air contaminant (TAC). Based on BAAQMD screening tables for evaluating toxic emissions during construction (May 2010), a one-acre project needs an offset distance of more than 100 meters (382 feet) to ensure that a sensitive receptor would not have a significant health risk. The proposed project activities would be more than 400 feet from the closest sensitive receptors. Thus, the diesel emissions from the proposed construction activities would not result in a significant increase in the risk from TACs. (Less than Significant Impact) e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people?

Other than diesel exhaust during construction, the proposed project would not result in any objectionable odors. Diesel odors would be undetectable beyond the immediate construction areas and would not affect the sensitive receptors. The nearest receptors are approximately 400 feet from the project. (Less than Significant Impact)

2.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES The Biological Resource Study (BRS) for the proposed project describes the project area and evaluates project impacts to special-status plant and animal species, habitat, natural communities, and jurisdictional waters and wetlands regulated by federal, state, and local agencies (see Appendix D for Biological Resource Study). The analysis also contains the results of database searches including the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), Wildlife Habitat Relation System, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) online database (WRECO, 2013). WRECO biologists conducted a vegetation survey and reconnaissance level wildlife habitat assessment of the proposed project site and surrounding study area on February 22, 2013.

Most of the study area consists of native and non-native ruderal vegetation adjacent to an existing footpath along the creek bank. Of the approximately one acre that would be disturbed by the project construction, 0.3 acres is barren due to frequent disturbance, right-of-way maintenance, and highly compacted soils. Soil types are urban land-Orthents, reclaimed complex, with 0 to 2 percent slopes, hydric soils typically found along tidal flats throughout the San Francisco Bay. Adjacent areas include grasslands and salt marsh along the eastern and western banks of the creek.

The project area is approximately 0.25 miles from the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (DESFNWR) on Bair Island. The DESFNWR consists of 23,000 acres of open bay, salt marshes, vernal pools, and mud flats. It is home to a variety of migratory birds and endangered species (City of Redwood City, 2011).

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Habitat Types: Land cover types in the project area include ruderal vegetation such as wild radish (Raphanus sativus), black mustard (Brassica nigra), and common mallow (Malva neglecta), and a mixture of native and non-native vegetation including salt grass (Distichlis sipcata), gumplant (Grinelia stricta), curly dock (Rumex crispus), and pickleweed (Salincornia virginica). Salt marsh wetland vegetation consists primarily of modified marsh and estuarine habitat, such as pickelweed, cordgrass, and salt grass that are tidally influenced by the creek. The salt marsh wetland vegetation along Redwood Creek and supports a variety of fish, aquatic organisms, and wildlife species. Approximately 0.01 acres of salt- marsh vegetation exist along the creek banks of Redwood Creek within the project area. (WRECO, 2013).

Regulatory Setting. The project is subject to the U.S. Endangered Species Act (FESA), administered by the USFWS, and the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Both acts provide protection for listed species from an act of “taking,” which the FESA defines as actions that “harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, capture, or collect a federally listed endangered species, endangered species of wildlife, or attempt to engage in any such conduct.” The CDFW also maintains the plants and animals listed on the California Native Plant Protection Act (CNPP) and the California Species of Special Concern (CSSC) list. The CSSC serves a “watch list” for species that are currently at risk of becoming listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. The CDFW also enforces the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (FMBTA), which protects and regulates the “take” of migratory birds.

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (FCMA), enforced by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), requires agency consultation for any activities involving potentially adverse effects to Essential Fish Habitat ( EFH)_for federally managed marine and anadromous fish species. Redwood Creek leads to San Francisco Bay and is classified as EFH.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulates the jurisdictional water of the U.S., including Redwood Creek, under the Section 404 permit process of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Jurisdictional waters of the U.S. include wetlands and wetland drainages supporting wetland vegetation, tidal and non-tidal waters, ponds, vernal pools, and territorial seas. The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Board (SFRWQCB) has jurisdictional authority to regulate the water quality of Redwood Creek under Section 401 of the Water Quality Certificate permit process of the CWA.

Tree Ordinance. Chapter 35 (Ordinance 1536) of the City of Redwood City Code establishes that the Park and Recreation Commission has the authority to enforce the protection and preservation of any “heritage” trees. The City of Redwood City Parks and Recreation Commission has jurisdiction over the preservation of any heritage trees with historical significance or is dependent on other tress for survival (City of Redwood City, 2013).

Endangered and Special Status Wildlife Species. The BRS site assessment identified 11 species listed under the FESA or CESA or included in the CDFW list of special status species (CSSC) that have the potential to occur in the project area, based on a search of the CNDDB and a biological

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2-14 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis review of the historical range of the species, suitable habitat in the action area, and the absence of barriers that would prevent passage of these species into or through the area (see Appendix D for a discussion of the selection criteria). The site assessment conducted for the BRS found no evidence of any of these endangered and special status species in the project area.

 Central California coast steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss iridieus). The central California coast steelhead (CCC) has been federally listed as threatened. Critical habitat for CCC includes estuarine waters. Wildlife corridors are routes that animals regularly and predictably follow during seasonal migration, dispersal from native ranges, daily travel within home ranges, and inter-population movements. While CCC could forage or rest in the area, Redwood Creek is not classified as spawning habitat. A survey was conducted along Redwood creek in August 1981 as part of a fish distribution study for the presence of steelhead trout. Neither the north branch nor the south branch site contained steelhead (Leidy 2005). The CCC was not observed during the site assessment and has a low potential of occurring within the project area.  Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris). The green sturgeon (GS) is listed as federally threatened by the NMFS. GS are commonly found in estuarine areas throughout the San Francisco Bay and are considered year round residents within the San Francisco Bay. The areas below the ordinary high water mark, including Redwood Creek, are designated as critical habitat. GS would migrate in and out of the area with the tides. Biologists determined that the likelihood for GS to occur within the immediate vicinity of the project is low.  Tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi). The tidewater goby (TG) is listed as a federally endangered species by the USFWS. TG was not observed during the site assessment. Typically, the TG is typically found in marshes, estuaries, and lagoons where water is still, but not stagnant. Redwood Creek is tidally influenced and receives stormwater runoff. The TG has a low potential occur within or near the project area.  California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis cotimuculus). The California black rail (CBR) has been designated by the CDFW as threatened and fully protected. Tall grasses and dense areas of pickleweed near the tidal flooding zone of the creek provide suitable nesting habitat. CBR was not observed during the site assessment, and no suitable habitat was found within the proposed project area. The presence of adjacent suitable habitat suggests that CBR may occur within or near the project area.  California clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus). The California clapper rail (CCR) is listed as an endangered species by both the CDFW and USFWS. CCR was not observed during the site assessment, and no suitable habitat was found within the project area. However, areas surrounding the project area contain suitable habitat for the CCR. The CCR may be present within or near the project area.  California least tern (Stemula antillarum browni). The California least tern (CLT) is listed by the USFWS as endangered due to the loss of foraging and coastal habitat. No CLT were

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2-15 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

observed within or adjacent to the proposed project area. However, four previous documented occurrences of CLT nesting sites in the vicinity of the project were reported in 1970. The closest reported occurrence of CLT nesting sites was on Bair Island. The CLT is considered likely to occur within the project area.  Alameda song sparrow (Melospiza melodia pusillula). The Alameda song sparrow is listed as a special-status species. Coastal salt marsh found along channels and creeks is their primary habitat. Five occurrences of the Alameda song sparrow have been documented within a five-mile radius of the project area. The most recent occurrence was in 2004 on Bair Island. No Alameda song sparrows were observed during the site assessment. The presence of suitable north coast salt marsh habitat within Redwood Creek suggests that Alameda song sparrow may occur within or near the project area.  Western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrines rivosus). The western snowy plover (WSP) is listed as threatened by the USFWS. No suitable habitat was found during the site assessment within or adjacent to the proposed project area. No other occurrences of WSP within or adjacent to the proposed project area were documented. The WSP has a low potential to occur within the project area.  Salt marsh common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas sinuosa). The salt marsh common yellowthroat is a non-migratory bird that is a state-listed special-status species. The optimal habitat for the salt marsh common yellowthroat includes dense woody vegetation. Salt marsh common yellowthroat was not observed during the site assessment, and no occurrences of have been documented within a five-mile radius of the project area. However, due to the presence of suitable habitat in areas adjacent to the project area, the salt marsh common yellowthroat may occur within or near the project area.  Salt marsh wandering shrew (Sorex vagrans halicoetes). The salt marsh wandering shrew (SMWS) is a state-listed species of special concern. One occurrence within a five-mile radius of the project area was documented in 1985. The SMWS was not observed during the site assessment. However, suitable habitat is adjacent to the project, and the SMWS may occur within or near the project area.  Salt-marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris). The salt- marsh harvest mouse (SMHM) is listed as a federally and state endangered species. The SMHM is confined to salty marsh habitat within the San Francisco Bay estuaries. SMHM depend heavily on dense vegetation, especially pickleweed, within marsh-like habitat. No SMHM were observed during the site assessment. However, due to presence of suitable habitat in areas adjacent to the project, the SMHM may occur in the project area.

Special Status Plant Species and Communities. The reconnaissance levels survey for special- status species and endangered plants included searching of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), the USFWS, and the CDFW databases. Based on suitable habitat in the project area, three special-status plant species were identified as having potential to occur in the area. These include the species listed below:

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2-16 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

 California seabitle (Suaeda califnrinica). The California seabitle is listed on the CNPS as endangered (1B.1). No California seabitle was observed during the site assessment, and no reported occurrences of California seabitle have been documented within or adjacent to the proposed project area. The California seabitle has a low potential to occur within the project area.  Coastal marsh milk vetch (Astragulus pycnostachyus var.pychnostachyus). The Coastal marsh milk vetch is listed as endangered on the CNPS inventory (1B.2). No Coastal salt marsh milk vetch was observed during the site assessment, and there have been no documented occurrences within or near the project area. The potential for Coastal marsh milk vetch to occur within the project area is low.  Point Reyes bird’s beak (Chlorpyron maritimum ssp. Palustre). The Point Reyes bird’s beak is listed on the CNPS inventory as endangered (1B.2). No Point Reyes bird’s beak was observed during the site assessment, and there have been no documented occurrences of Point Reyes bird’s beak within or near the project area. However, suitable habitat surrounds the project area making the potential for Point Reyes bird’s beak to occur within the project area low.

The site assessment conducted for the BRS found no evidence of any of these special status plants in the project area.

Migratory Birds. No migratory birds or nests were found in the project area during the site assessment. However, migratory bird species have the potential to occur in the project area. Four migratory birds were identified to have the potential to occur within the project area (WRECO, 2013). These include the following:

 American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrines anatum). The American peregrine falcon has been delisted from both the federal and state ESA. However, the American peregrine falcon is still fully-protected by the CDFW as a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC). The American peregrine falcon has a low potential to occur due to potential foraging habitat in areas adjacent to the project area.  White-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus). The white-tailed kite is fully-protected under the CDFW as Least Concern (LC). The white-tailed kite has a low potential to occur within the project area due to the presence of foraging habitat in areas adjacent to the project area.  Tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor). The tricolored blackbird is listed as a species of special concern. The tricolored blackbird has a low potential to occur within the project area due to potential foraging and nesting habitat that is present in areas adjacent to the project area.

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2-17 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

 Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus). The northern harrier is listed as a species of special concern. The northern harrier has a low potential to occur due to the presence of potential foraging habitat present in areas adjacent to the project area.

Roosting Bats. Special-status bat species that have the potential to occur within the project area include the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscas), Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasilinesis), and the Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanesis). Mines, bridges, caves, rock outcrops, and trees have are suitable habitat for roosting bats. The Convention Way bridge spanning Redwood Creek and the US 101 bridge overpass are both considered suitable night-roosting habitat. No roosting bats were observed during the reconnaissance level survey.

EFH Fish Species. The southern portion of San Francisco Bay is classified as EFH under the FCMA. Of the 22 classified fish, seven species under the FCMA were identified as having low potential to occur in or near the project area including the big skate, rex sole, California skate, English sole, leopard shark, starry flounder, and the sand sole. The site assessment conducted for the BRS found no evidence of any of these EFH fish species in the project area. Consultation with NMFS would occur for EFH habitat prior to issuing approval for the Project.

IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES -- Would Potentially Less Than Less Than No the project: Significant Significant Significant Impac Impact with Impact t Mitigation Incorporation a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service? c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including,

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2-18 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

The proposed construction activities would disturb approximately 1.2 acres of land that mostly consists of highly disturbed vegetation and compacted soils. The City would file of Notice of Intent (NOI) to comply with the General Storm Water Construction Permit and submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (SFRQWCB) prior to project commencement. The project activities would include excavation of the creek bank under the US 101 bridge and along the approaches from Bair Island Road and Main Street. The joint-use path would be located along the portion of the creek bank above the mean higher high water (MHHW), but the path would be below grade and include a creek-side retaining wall (see Appendix B, Project Design Drawings). Construction of the path underneath the bridge would require a temporary 175-foot cofferdam between the creek bank and the first set of bridge piers and dewatering a 15-foot area between the cofferdam and the creek bank. Most, if not all, of the dewatered area is subject to tidal fluctuation. Final grade would restore the original contours of the creek bank below the 7.4-foot MHHW. The project would also include excavation for the wet well and underground pump station approximately 100 feet from the creek.

The following mitigation measures would be implemented to reduce the potential impacts to these endangered or special-status plant and animal species that may in or near the project area:

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2-19 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

Mitigation Measure BIO 1: Construction Scheduling The contractor shall install a temporary cofferdam during low tide to reduce impacts to water quality and aquatic species. The Contractor shall schedule other construction actions to avoid effects to listed species and habitats, to the extent practical.

Mitigation Measure BIO 2: Pre-Construction Surveys and Buffers The City shall have a qualified biologist conduct pre-construction surveys for any endangered, special-status plant and animal species or migratory birds 72 hours prior to the commencement of pump station construction and again prior to the commencement of construction of the US 101 undercrossing project. If any migratory bird nests are detected, the City shall establish a buffer around the nest unless the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) approves alternative measures. Typically a 50-foot buffer shall be set around any passerine/or non-passerine nests, and a 250-foot buffer shall be set around any raptor nest.

Mitigation Measure BIO 3: Pre-Construction Surveys for Roosting Bats The City shall have a qualified biologist conduct pre-construction surveys for any roosting bats prior to the commencement of any construction activities under or within 100 feet of US 101 and Convention Way bridges. If any roosting bats are found under a bridge or within trees in the project area during pre-construction surveys, the City shall contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or CDFW to determine how to proceed. Typically, the City shall passively exclude or evict the roost site for two consecutive days. If there is a period without construction activity within 100 feet of the bridges during the bat roosting season, an additional bat pre-construction survey shall be conducted.

Mitigation Measure BIO 4: Install Exclusionary Fencing Prior to the onset of construction within 100 feet of Redwood Creek, the Contractor shall install exclusionary fencing around the project area limits to prevent special-status species from entering the project area. During the installation of wildlife exclusionary fencing, a qualified biologist shall monitor the area for any potential presence of endangered or special- status species. In the case an endangered or special-status species is found, the CDFW or USFWS shall be contacted for the appropriate procedures to follow for the protection of the species.

Mitigation Measure BIO 5: Employee Education and Awareness Training Prior to construction of the pump station and US 101 undercrossing, a professional biologist shall conduct an educational program for construction personnel. This program shall include the following:

 Information on protected species and their habitats that are likely to be found on site;  Federal and state law requirements pertaining to these species;

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2-20 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

 Identification measures to be implemented to conserve the potential species and habitats within the project area; and  Distribution of an informative fact sheet to personnel who may enter the project area.

Mitigation Measure BIO 6: Construction Monitoring A qualified biologist shall be present during vegetation clearing and initial ground disturbance adjacent to the banks of Redwood Creek and during installation of the cofferdam for the US 101 undercrossing. If any occupied nests, roosting bats, or endangered species are encountered during construction, the City shall consult with the CDFW or USFWS to develop appropriate measures to be taken to avoid disturbance to nesting birds or any endangered species.

Mitigation Measure BIO 7: Site Construction Management Practices The following site management practices shall be implemented during construction of the pump station and US 101 undercrossing project:  Existing access routes, staging areas, and work areas shall be limited to existing paved or disturbed surfaces.  All food and food-related items shall be enclosed in sealed trash containers and completely removed from the site at the end of each day.  All equipment shall be properly maintained to prevent leaks such as gasoline, oil, and solvents, and a Spill Response Plan shall be prepared.  The Contractor shall store all hazardous substances and materials in sealable storage containers in designated locations on paved surfaces and at least 100 feet from aquatic habitats.  Vehicle equipment fueling and maintenances shall occur at commercial gas stations or within designated staging areas that are at least 100 feet from aquatic habitat.  Biodegradable coir rolls, straw wattles, or silt fences will be installed at appropriate locations along the base of slopes during construction to capture sediment.

Mitigation Measure BIO 8: Revegetation of Disturbed Areas The Contractor shall restore all unpaved areas temporarily affected by the project construction to their original or improved conditions. The Contractor shall hydroseed the disturbed areas along the creek bank with a native plant mix.

With the implementation of these mitigation measures, the potential impacts to endangered and special status species would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service?

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2-21 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

Most of the proposed construction activity would occur adjacent to Redwood Creek, in areas of disturbed ruderal vegetation and compacted soils. The area beneath the US 101 bridge is barren with no riparian vegetation. Construction would avoid wetland vegetation along Redwood Creek except for approximately 0.01 acres of fragmented tidal salt marsh vegetation at either end of the US 101 undercrossing. Construction would also require dewatering a 175-foot by 15-foot area below the MHHW level under the bridge. The contractor would install a temporary cofferdam surrounding the dewatered area in Redwood Creek, which would prevent construction activity from affecting the nearby tidal marsh, a sensitive natural community. The City would also implement Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to reduce erosion and sedimentation impacts to Redwood Creek and the tidal marshes (see the City’s NPDES Compliance Checklist Appendix I). The BMPs listed above in Mitigation Measure BIO 7 include site management practices, restrictions on refueling and use hazardous materials, and erosion control measures, which would also reduce the potential for project impacts to tidal salt marsh to less than significant levels. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means?

The project would have temporary and permanent impacts to a small area subject to USACE jurisdictional as waters of the U.S. The joint-use path and retaining wall would be located on the creek bank above the ordinary high water mark, and the only permanent facilities within jurisdictional waters would be one 24-inch pipe for discharge stormwater, either polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or high- density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, from the joint-use path and rock slope protection (RSP) below this pipe. Construction of the project, however, would require access to the bank slope below the ordinary high water line. The temporary cofferdam would confine the impacts to a small area and prevent them from affecting the surrounding waters. The location and extent of the temporary and potential impacts of the project to jurisdictional waters are as follows:

Type of Square Volume Linear Activity Excavated/ Location Feet (cy) Feet (lf) Fill Material (sq ft)

Temporary Fill/ gravel Creek bank below US 101 875 260 175 cofferdam bags overcrossing One permanent Excavation Creek bank below US 101 47 10 14 stormwater and fill/bank overcrossing discharge pipe soils One permanent Fill/ PVC or Creek bank below US 101 2 2 13 stormwater HDPE pipe overcrossing discharge pipe

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2-22 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

Type of Square Volume Linear Activity Excavated/ Location Feet (cy) Feet (lf) Fill Material (sq ft)

Install RSP for Fill/ RSP Creek bank below stormwater 32 2 4 stormwater outflow pipes, under the US 101 discharge pipes overcrossing Install retaining Excavation/ Creek bank below US 101 146 10 120 wall bank soil overcrossing Install retaining Fill/ bank soil Creek bank below US 101 0.03 170 175 wall overcrossing

The new pump station would have an outflow discharge rate of 32.40 cfs through the existing 24- inch storm drain leading into Redwood Creek. The peak outflow discharge rate would increase from 4.3 feet per second (fps) to 10.3 fps, during extreme storm events. Because of the length of the existing outflow pipe, there would not be any impacts to the bed and bank of Redwood Creek associated with the increased flow.

The proposed cofferdam in Mitigation Measure BIO 1 and the erosion control measures in Mitigation Measure BIO 7 would avoid or reduce the potential for construction activity to affect wetlands and jurisdictional waters. With the implementation of the proposed BMPs and mitigation measures, the activities would not have a substantial adverse impact to protected wetlands and jurisdictional waters. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?

The proposed activities would not interfere with the movement of migratory fish or animal species. The creek bank is barren and subject to human disturbance. Redwood Creek is not a migratory route for steelhead. The area of temporary dewatering is tidal and typically exposed during daily low tides. The temporary cofferdam would minimize the hydroacoustic effects to EFH and fish species that have a potential to occur in the adjacent areas of the creek (see Mitigation Measure BIO 1).

The increase in the discharge from the pump station would occur during peak storm events when there are high flows in the creek. Under these conditions, the proposed increase would not have a significant effect on resident or migratory fish species. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation)

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2-23 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?

The proposed project would require removing one dead tree within the project area. The contractor would comply with the guidelines contained in the Chapter 35 of the Redwood City Code, and the impact would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact) f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan?

The proposed project area is not within any Habitat Conservation Plan (USFWS, 2013). The proposed project would be approximately 0.25 miles away from the DESFBWR on Bair Island Road and would not interfere with or have any adverse effect on the existing conditions or restoration efforts of the reserve. (No Impact)

2.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES Basin Research Associates, Inc. (Basin) conducted an archaeological and historical resource survey for the proposed project (see Appendix E). The Basin survey included a cultural resources records search and limited review of pertinent literature, consultation with the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), an archaeological field inventory to determine the presence or absence of significant historical (cultural) resources, and an evaluation of resources in accordance with applicable laws and regulations

The project area would be located within the tidal flats of the San Francisco Bay margin. Native American occupation and use of the general area appears to extend over 5000-7000 years or more. Based on archaeological records and Spanish mission records, the project area was likely a primary settlement for Costanoan peoples within the Ramaytush subdivision during the early 1700s of the Hispanic Era. Extensive ethnographic data on the Costanoans are lacking since the aboriginal lifeway apparently disappeared by 1810. Spanish explorers in the late 1760s and 1770s were the first Europeans to traverse the San Francisco Peninsula. During the Hispanic Period, Redwood Creek was known as los palos colorados after the abundant and notable redwood trees. Beginning in the mid- 19th century, population growth, the American takeover, and the confirmation of property titles led to the subdivision of most of the rancho and pueblo lands. The initial population expansion on the Peninsula was associated with the Gold Rush, followed by the construction of the transcontinental railroad and the development of a prosperous dairy industry. After the discovery of Redwoods Landing in 1850, the natural advantages of Redwood Creek and slough dominated the region and facilitated regional and local growth. The US 101 highway was the first Bay Area highway to be opened for public use in 1947. In 1961, the US 101 highway had been realigned and Bair Island Road had been constructed along with Convention Way to the south of the freeway (Basin, 2013).

No recorded prehistoric or historic archaeological resources have been previously recorded within or immediately adjacent to the proposed project area of potential effect (APE). A systematic field

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2-24 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis inventory of the proposed APE did not locate any surface indications of archaeological resources. None of the known shell mound sites are located in or adjacent to the project alignment, and no Native American prehistoric sites villages, contemporary or traditional uses, sites, or trails have been identified within or in the vicinity of the proposed project location. No architecturally or culturally important structures or landmarks are within or in the vicinity of the proposed project location (Basin, 2013).

No findings of fossils or paleontological resources have been recorded in the vicinity of the project area, according to the University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) online database search conducted on June 11, 2009. The nearest paleontological site is located approximately two miles southeast of the project area near the City of Atherton (City of Redwood City, 2010). In general, paleontological resources within the San Francisco Peninsula are found along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean and the within the outcropping marine units of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

V. CULTURAL RESOURCES -- Would Potentially Less Than Less Than No the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in Section 15064.5? b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section 15064.5? c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature? d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries? a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in Section 15064.5?

The Basin historical resource surveys found no significant historical resources in the project area and concluded that excavation during construction would have a low to very low potential of encountering any significant historical resources. The following mitigation measures would be

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2-25 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis implemented to reduce potentially significant impacts to any historical resources in the unlikely event such resources are encountered during project construction.

Mitigation Measure CULT 1: Stop Work if Buried Historical Resources are Exposed during Ground-Disturbing Construction If ground‐disturbing activities expose buried historical resources, work shall stop within a 50‐foot radius of the find until a qualified historian has identified and evaluated the significance of the find and, if necessary, developed a plan in consultation with the City and Caltrans, if found within the Caltrans right-of-way, for documentation or recovery of these resources.

With the implementation of these mitigation measures, the potential impacts to historical resources would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section 15064.5?

Based on the Basin archaeological resource surveys, the proposed project has a low to very low potential of having any significant impacts to archaeological resources. However, the proposed project could potentially uncover archaeological resources during ground disturbing construction and excavation. The following mitigation measures would be implemented to reduce potentially significant impacts to any archaeological resources in the unlikely event such resources are encountered during project construction.

Mitigation Measure CULT 2: Stop Work if Buried Archeological Deposits are Exposed during Ground-Disturbing Construction If ground‐disturbing activities expose buried archeological resources, work shall stop within a 50‐foot radius of the find until a qualified archaeologist has identified and evaluated the significance of the find and, if necessary, developed a Treatment Plan in consultation with the City and Caltrans, if found within the Caltrans right-of-way. Preservation in place shall be the preferred treatment method for archaeological resources per CEQA Guideline Section 15126.4(b) (e.g., avoidance, open space, capping, or easement). Data recovery of important information about the resource, research, or other actions determined during consultation, is allowed if it is the only feasible treatment method.

With the implementation of these mitigation measures, the potential impacts to archaeological resources would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation)

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2-26 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature?

Based on the University of California, Berkeley record search, there is little or no potential for impact to fossils or paleontological resources. However, the proposed project could potentially uncover paleontological resources during ground disturbing construction and excavation. The following mitigation measures would be implemented to reduce potentially significant impacts to any paleontological resources in the unlikely event such resources are encountered during project construction.

Mitigation Measure CULT 3: Stop Work if Buried Paleontological Deposits are Exposed during Ground-Disturbing Construction If ground‐disturbing activities expose buried paleontological resources, work shall stop within a 50‐foot radius of the find until a qualified paleontologist has identified and evaluated the significance of the find and, if necessary, developed a Treatment Plan in consultation with the City and Caltrans, if found within the Caltrans right-of-way.

With the implementation of these mitigation measures, the potential impacts to paleontological resources would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?

Construction activities would have a low to very low potential for disturbing human remains. If remains are encountered during excavation or construction, the following measures would apply.

Mitigation Measure CULT 4: Notification of Human Remains Exposed during Construction If construction activities expose human skeletal remains, ground-disturbing activities shall stop within a 50-foot radius of the discovery, and the City and the Contractor shall comply with CEQA Section 15064.5 (e), including the following:

 Redwood City shall immediately notify the County Coroner;  If the County Coroner determines that the human remains are Native American, the City shall notify the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), who will appoint a Most Likely Descendant (MLD), pursuant to Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 5097.98);  Redwood City, the MLD, and archaeological consultant shall make all reasonable efforts to develop an agreement for the treatment, with appropriate dignity, of human remains and associated or unassociated funerary objects, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5(d), taking into consideration the appropriate excavation, removal, recordation, analysis, custodianship, curation, and final disposition of the human remains and associated or unassociated funerary objects;

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2-27 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

 If the NAHC-appointed MLD, Caltrans, and the City cannot reach an agreement within 48 hours, the landowner or his or her representative shall rebury the Native American remains on a site where no further subsurface disturbance would occur;  Ground-disturbing activities may resume after the County Coroner and the appropriate law enforcement authority have released the area for construction.

With the implementation of this mitigation measure, the potential impacts to human remains would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation)

2.6 GEOLOGY AND SOILS The Geotechnical Design Report prepared by Cal Engineering & Geology, Inc. (CE&G) describes the existing geologic setting of the project area, evaluates project impacts, and contains site-level design recommendations for mitigating potential impacts associated with geologic hazards (see Appendix F). The City is located within the San Francisco Bay Area, a seismically active region at the boundary of North American and Pacific plates that is susceptible to geologic hazards such as earthquake ruptures, seismic ground shaking, and ground-failure and contains areas subject to liquefaction and landslides.

Redwood Creek, bordering project area to the east, was known as “Redwood Slough” until the 1950’s. During the 1950’s-1960’s, levee banks were constructed to raise the creek bank elevation above the tidal waters within Redwood Creek. Additional fill using stiff-clay and gravel materials was added in the project area as development continued. Bay Mud, which is thick and highly compressible silty clay, underlies the fill materials used in the project area. The proposed project area consists of Urban-land Orthents, reclaimed complex soils with 0 to 2 percent slopes (CE&G, 2013 and USGS, 2009).

CE&G conducted five geotechnical borings within the proposed project area at depths of 10-20 feet using a 4.5 inch solid stem drill with continuous augers. Representative soil samples were collected from the borings and bagged for analysis. The soils that were encountered during drilling of the borings consisted of artificial fill, alluvium, Young Bay Mud, and Old Bay Mud. Artificial fill was encountered in all five of the borings and consisted of firm to hard lean clay in four of the samples and low to medium plasticity of sandy silt in one. Alluvium was encountered in two of the five borings and consisted of poorly graded sand and silty elastic sand. Young Bay Mud was encountered in all five of the borings at various depths 6.0-14.5 feet and consisted of loose, soft to very soft wet clay and elastic silt. Old Bay Mud was encountered in three of the five borings at depths of 13-20 feet and consisted of firm to hard lean clay (CE&G, 2013).

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2-28 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS -- Would Potentially Less Than Less Than No the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving: i) 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 or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. ii) Strong seismic ground shaking? iii) Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? iv) Landslides? b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? c) 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? d) 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? e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems

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2-29 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste water? a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving:

i) 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 or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42.

The major known faults in the vicinity of the project include the San Andreas Fault (4.5 miles southwest of project area), the Hayward Fault (13.1 miles northeast of project are), and the San Gregorio Fault (18.5 miles southwest of project area). Figure PS-1 of the Public Safety Element of the City General Plan shows the locations of regional fault within the City (City of Redwood City, 2011). The proposed project would not be within an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone as indicated by Figure PS-1 and PS-2 in the City General Plan (City of Redwood City, 2011). Therefore, there is a low potential for impacts associated with surface ruptures from a known fault zone. (No Impact)

ii) Strong seismic ground shaking?

A major seismic event on the San Andreas Fault, the fault closest to the project, would result in strong to very strong seismic ground shaking in the project area. National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) data, provided by the USGS, determined that the estimated peak ground acceleration (pga) at the site during maximum magnitude earthquakes, having a 10 percent probability of exceedance within 50 years (a seismic recurrence interval of one event within 475 years) is approximately 0.59g (CE&G, 2013). The joint-use path and pump station are not considered lifeline facilities, and the recommendations in the CE&G report (Appendix F) do not require design for this peak acceleration, but include design criteria for the tieback and retaining walls of the joint-use path. The proposed facilities would be designed in accordance with the California Building Code, but could experience damage to the project walls, structures, and underground facilities from this ground shaking. The proposed project would not affect the integrity of the US 101 freeway bridge. Damage to nonessential facilities such as the proposed joint use path could be repaired relatively easily and would not result in a significant loss of City facilities. In the event of damage, the City would close the access gates to the joint-use path so that the risk to the public from structural damage resulting from seismic ground-shaking would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact)

iii) Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction?

Liquefaction occurs when strong ground shaking causes loose, saturated, and unconsolidated sediments to lose strength and behave in fluid-like characteristics. The alluvium encountered

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2-30 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

during the CE&G subsurface exploration program consists of interbedded layers of loose poorly graded sand with silt and silty sand. The report includes measures to prevent settlement of the path including over-excavation, a woven geotextile mat, 12 inches of crushed rock, and micropiles extending 10 feet into the Old Bay Mud (CE&G, 2013). CE&G identified the potential for liquefaction-induced distress including lateral spreading, subsidence, and ground lurching at the site as moderate, but did not recommend specific measures for liquefaction along the trail, which it does not consider a lifeline facility. In the event of significant ground shaking, the City would automatically close the access gates to the joint-use path, so that the risk to the public would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact)

iv) Landslides?

The project area is relatively flat with elevations ranging from 5-15 feet above sea level. The proposed retaining wall would be constructed on a slanted surface under the US 101. The City would implement the design-level recommendations contained in the geotechnical report by constructing the tieback retaining walls with the appropriate tieback design and lengths, using corrosive protection for the anchors, adding grouting of the tieback anchors for additional support, and testing the maximum load of the anchors for the tieback retaining walls (CE&G, 2013). The implementation of these design measures would reduce the potential impacts associated slope-related issues, such as landslides, to a less than significant level. (Less than Significant Impact) b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil?

The composition of the one soil type within the project area (Urban-land Orthents, reclaimed complex, 0-2 percent slopes) consists of bay mud, gravel, broken cement and asphalt, and solid waste materials. Based on the soil structure and hydraulic conductivity, the Urban-land Orthents, reclaimed complex soil type is considered to have a moderate erosion potential (0.20) (WRECO, 2013). The proposed project includes BMPs for erosion control, including the biodegradable coir rolls, straw wattles, or silt fences installed along the base of slopes during construction, to capture sediment and revegetation. See mitigation measures BIO 7, Site Construction Management Practices; BIO 8, Revegetate Disturbed Areas; and HYD 1, Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs). (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation)

c) 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?

The proposed project includes expansive soils and would be subject to uplifting. The CE&G geotechnical report recommends design criteria for adequate stabilization of the foundation for the joint-use path for both conditions. Due to the highly expansive and saturated nature of the soils in the project area (Young Bay Mud), the subgrade soils that would underlay the pavement of the joint- use path would need to be stabilized prior to the construction of the joint-use path. The City would

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2-31 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis implement one of three options to stabilize the subgrade soils for the joint-use path profile that is above an elevation of 7 feet. The first option is lime treatment, which reduces the expansion of soils by chemically reacting with soils containing clay minerals (CE&G, 2013). The second option the City could implement is encapsulation of the subgrade soils, which would reduce moisture-content changes within the soil (CE&G, 2013). The third option the City could implement is to incorporate tensile elements into the structural section through use of a biaxial geogrid, which would reduce expansion and contraction of the subgrade soils.

For the joint-use path profile that would be below seven feet elevation with wet and very saturated soils, the City would create a compacted crushed rock foundation and then drill the micropiles through the compacted rock to provide an adequate foundation for the joint-use path profile. This would reduce the uplifting buoyant forces and settlement of the soil. Therefore, the implementation these measures would reduce the project impacts from expansive soils to a less than significant level.

Mitigation Measure GEO 1: Geotechnical Report Recommendations Cal Engineering and Geology has prepared a geotechnical report containing site-specific geotechnical recommendations for the proposed US 101 undercrossing project. The design team shall implement the following key recommendations into the final design of the project:

 Joint-use path profile above an elevation of 7 feet: Stabilize the expansive subgrade soils for the portions of the joint-use path profile above an elevation of 7 feet using one of three options: lime treatment of the subgrade, encapsulating the subgrade material with an impervious membrane or incorporating a geogrid reinforcement into the structural section and using a nominally reinforced aggregate base layer.  Joint-use path profile below an elevation of 7 feet: Create a working platform by over- excavating the subgrade soil a minimum of 12 inches and placing a layer of woven geotextile fabric on top of the over-excavated subgrade and a layer of biaxial geo-grid placed directly on top of the fabric. A minimum of 12 inches of ¾ inch compacted crushed rock shall be placed on top of the geo-grid.  The structural concrete slab foundation shall be supported using micropiles. The micropiles shall be advanced to a tip elevation between -15 to -45 feet. The final pile diameters and tip elevations shall be determined by a structural engineer in conformance with the Federal Highway Administration’s Micropile Design and Construction Guidelines Manual (August 2000).  The retaining wall adjacent to the north abutment will be supported by tieback anchors that should be installed between the existing abutment piles. Install tieback anchors at a 10-degree inclination below horizontal with a minimum unbounded length of 10 feet with permanent Class I corrosion protection. The tieback wall shall be in conformance with the FHWA’s Geotechnical Engineering Circular No.4, titled Ground Anchors and Anchored Systems (June 1999).

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2-32 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

 Footings for the cantilevered retaining wall that bear on subgrade soils below an elevation of 7 feet should derive all vertical resistance (downwards and upwards) from micropiles. Any resistance to vertical loads for footings bearing on subgrade soils below an elevation of 7 feet should be neglected.  Footings that bear on subgrade soils above an elevation of 7 feet may be designed using an allowable bearing pressure of 1,000 psf.  The Contractor shall be responsible for the design of the temporary shoring needed for the construction of the wet well and retaining walls in conformance with the Caltrans Trenching and Shoring Manual. The Contractor’s shoring design should be performed by a registered civil engineer and submitted to the City for review prior to construction.  The Contractor shall be responsible for the design of the temporary cofferdam needed to dewater the site to construct the joint-use path under US 101. The Contractor’s cofferdam design should be performed by a registered civil engineer and submitted to the City for review prior to construction.  The site is potentially corrosive to reinforcing steel embedded in concrete structures. A corrosion engineer should be consulted to adjust the concrete mix accordingly.

With the incorporation of these measures the impacts from unstable and expansive soils would be reduced to less than significant levels. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) d) 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?

See the discussion of expansive soils in the analysis of item c) above. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) e) 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?

The proposed project would not involve the disposal of waste water or septic tanks, and there would be no impacts from soils incapable of supporting septic tanks. (No Impact)

2.7 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS The US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Storm Drain Pump Station Project Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Report describes the greenhouse gas regulations applicable to the project, estimates the emissions of greenhouse gases during construction and operation of the proposed project, and identifies mitigation measures for these emissions (see Appendix C).

Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. Each of these gases has a different potential for trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. For example, according to EPA, over a

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2-33 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

100-year period, a pound of methane has 21 times the global warming effect of a pound carbon dioxide. The identification of a greenhouse gas in terms of its global warming potential is its “carbon dioxide equivalent.”

California has adopted Assembly Bill (AB) 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which requires the reduction of GHG emissions in California in order to reduce potential climate change impacts, reduce dependence on oil, diversify energy sources, save energy, create new jobs, and enhance public health. AB 32 provides for programs to reduce emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020, including the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which incorporates 10 percent biofuels in state petroleum products; the Renewable Electricity Standard, which requires 33 percent renewable energy in electricity sold in California; regional transportation targets; and the cap and trade program, which plans to reduce emissions from electric utilities, large industrial sources, refineries, and distributions of transportation and natural gas sources by 15 percent.

SB 375 (2008). This bill requires coordination between transportation planning and land use planning. The bill directs CARB to develop regional greenhouse gas emission reduction targets from automobile and light truck sectors by 2020 and 2035. CARB is working with California’s 18 metropolitan planning organizations to align their regional transportation, housing, and land use plans and prepare a “sustainable communities strategy” to reduce vehicle miles traveled in their respective communities.

State CEQA Guidelines. The Office of Planning and Research adopted amended CEQA Guidelines concerning greenhouse gas emissions on March 18, 2010. The new guidelines require estimation and analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from proposed projects and give lead agencies the discretion to determine the type of methodology to use to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions. The amended guidelines provide guidance on determining the significance of a project’s greenhouse gas emissions as well as appropriate mitigation measures. The factors to be considered include the extent to which a project increases or reduces greenhouse gases compared to the existing setting, comparison to a threshold of significance that the lead agency determined applies to the project, and compliance with adopted local, regional, or statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction plans.

BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines. The 2010 BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines set numeric significance thresholds for operational emissions from stationary sources and for projects other than stationary sources. The BAAQMD has not set a numeric threshold for construction emissions, but encourages implementation of BMPs for limiting greenhouse gas emissions during construction. The BAAQMD significance threshold for stationary sources is 10,000 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year. The BAAQMD has three alternative significance thresholds for land use projects other than stationary sources, which includes residential, commercial, and public land use facilities (see Appendix J). The proposed emergency generator for the storm drain pump station would require a BAAQMD Permit to Operate, and, because of this permit, the BAAQMD classifies the project as a stationary source. The 2010 BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines are subject to challenge and a court order, but the City is exercising its discretion to use the greenhouse gas significance thresholds

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2-34 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis in these guidelines, based on the factual information that the BAAQMD developed while formulating the guidelines (see the discussion under Air Quality).

VII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS- Potentially Less Than Less Than No -Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment?

Although construction and operation of the US 101 undercrossing and Bair Island pump station would generate greenhouse gases, the long-term operation of the underpass would reduce vehicle trips in the areas and would result in a net reduction in greenhouse gases.

Construction of the project would last approximately 13 months and would result in GHG emissions from construction equipment, worker commute vehicles, and delivery trucks. The proposed project construction activities would emit approximately 127.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent gases (see Appendix C). The proposed project would incorporate the BAAQMD best management practices to reduce GHG emissions during construction (see GHG 1 and AIR 1) and would meet the significance threshold. The following mitigation measures would reduce the impacts of the project on greenhouse gas concentrations during construction.

Mitigation Measure GHG 1: Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Reducing GHG Emissions from Construction The City shall encourage the Contractor to implement the following BMPs during construction of the proposed project, where appropriate:

 At least 15 percent of the construction vehicle fleet shall use alternative fuel.  At least 10 percent of the materials used for project construction shall be sourced locally (within 50 miles of the project site).  At least 50 percent of the waste generated by project construction shall be recycled or reused.

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2-35 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

 Use low sulfur fuel for stationary construction equipment, to the extent feasible.  Use existing power sources (e.g., power poles) or clean fuel generators rather than temporary power generators, to the extent feasible.  Use low emission on-site stationary equipment, to the extent feasible.

Operation of the project would require testing the emergency generator up to 50 hours per year. Installation of the diesel generator would require a permit from the BAAQMD, and the greenhouse gas significance level for the project would be 10,000 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Emissions from testing the generator up to 50 hours a year would be less than 10 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent per year, well below the significance threshold.

Project operations would also consume 75 megawatt hours (MWhr) of electricity per year to operate the pump station and 12 MWhr to operate lighting for the undercrossing. Annual operational emissions would result in 35.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent gases (see Appendix C).

Installation of the US 101 pedestrian and bicycle path undercrossing would reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, based on the 2.4 percent reduction in of mobile source emissions from the Bayfront, using CalEEMod modeling for the One Marina development, with and without the proposed project. This reduction would lower greenhouse emissions by at least 53.5 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent per year, based on improved pedestrian access and reduced distance to Downtown and transit stations. The savings in emissions from the reduction in vehicle trips would be greater than the emissions from maintenance and power purchases, and the net result of the project would be a reduction of at least 18.1 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent emitted per year. This lower-bound estimate does not consider future development in the area, trips to nearby Convention Way and Main Street, and assigns the 18 percent reduction attributable to the One Marina location to the existing condition, even through residents are not likely to walk or bike to Downtown without the proposed path.

With the implementation of these measures and Mitigation Measure AIR 1, Basic Construction Mitigation Measures, the temporary impacts of the project to greenhouse gas concentrations and climate change would be less than significant. After a few years of operation, the anticipated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the operation of the proposed project would offset the emissions from construction and result in a net benefit to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases?

The proposed project would be consistent with the applicable state and local plans, policies, and regulations regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases. The temporary increase in emissions would not interfere with the attainment of the AB 32 goals for 2020 and would contribute to the reductions required by the plan. The greenhouse gases generated would reflect the lower emissions required by

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2-36 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis ongoing reduction programs. The construction equipment and vehicles would need to meet state efficiency requirements and use low carbon fuel. The emissions associated with the electricity purchased would reflect increased use of renewable sources. Implementation of the proposed project would promote walking and bicycles use and would be in compliance with state and local plans and policies for the reduction of greenhouse gases. (No Impact)

2.8 HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS The project area has several sources of potential hazards and hazardous materials, including a major freeway, nearby commercial and industrial facilities, and an airport. According to the 2010 General Plan, the majority of the hazardous material-listed sites within Redwood City are concentrated along the US 101 corridor (City of Redwood City, 2011). Most hazardous material releases in the area are related to leaking underground storage tanks (LUST).

CE&G conducted five geotechnical borings within the project areas and tested soil samples from the borings for contaminant concentrations pursuant to Title 22, Chapter 11 of the California Code of Regulations. Appendix G contains the Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for the proposed project containing the soil sampling results. The analytical test results indicated that the project soils do not exceed the Total Threshold Limit Concentrations (TTLC) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), or Title 22 metals (Curtis & Tompkins, 2013). Based on the results, the project area soils encountered and removed during construction can be classified as Class II “designated” (nonhazardous) waste.

The San Carlos Airport, approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the project area, is a general aviation facility that averages 155,000 aircraft annually. The San Mateo County Public Works Department maintains and operates San Carlos Airport (City of Redwood City, 2011).

VIII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS Potentially Less Than Less Than No MATERIALS--Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous

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2-37 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis materials into the environment? c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials?

The proposed project construction would involve the routine use of common hazardous materials, including vehicle fuels, lubricants, and petroleum products. All petroleum and other hazardous

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2-38 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis products would be properly stored in storage containers and handled accordingly to applicable regulations. Construction workers would be educated on the proper handling and storage of these materials before construction begins. (Less than Significant Impact)

b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment?

The proposed project would not result in the routine transportation of hazardous materials or hazardous waste. The City would demolish the old pump station near Bair Island Road and would replace it with a new wet-well and pump station. Excess soil and spoils from excavating associated with the joint-use path and retaining wall construction would be removed. Based upon the soil test results contained in Appendix F, the soil in the proposed project area is classified as Class II “designated” (nonhazardous) waste. The demolition wastes from the old pump station and the excess soils from excavation would be disposed off-site at an appropriate disposal site such as the Ox Mountain Landfill in Half Moon Bay, a Class II landfill capable of accepting designated nonhazardous wastes generated by project construction. The Young Bay Mud soils within the project area may contain too much absorbed moisture to be transported and disposed of as landfill cover. The contractors would dry, mix, and test the Bay Mud soils onsite prior to transport and disposal at an appropriate landfill site. Testing would use the Paint Filter Test to ensure that the soils used as landfill cover are at least 50 percent solids, as required by Section 3004 of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA).

The City would comply with all applicable laws and regulations to ensure safe and proper handling of hazardous materials. Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) is the primary state statue regulating hazardous wastes enforced by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and local Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs). Title 22, Section 66261.20-66261.24 defines hazardous wastes and contain applicable standards and restrictions regarding transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes. Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations, contains regulations related to solid waste and hazardous waste transportation, and proper disposal of solid waste to landfill facilities. Implementing these measures would minimize the risk of exposing the public to potential hazardous materials and reduce potential impacts from accidental releases to a less than significant level. (Less than Significant Impact) c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school?

The proposed construction activities would not result in hazardous emissions or handling of hazardous substances within a quarter-mile of a school. The closest school is Orion Elementary School, approximately 0.4 miles from the project area. (No Impact)

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2-39 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment?

The project area does not contain any sites that are on the list of Hazardous Waste and Substance Site maintained by the DTSC, pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 (DTSC, 2102). Based on the hazardous material database searches and ESA (See Appendix F), one facility adjacent to the project area, at 350 Convention Way, was reported to have LUSTs; the facility site-clean up has been completed, and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) closed the case as of February 6, 2001 (SWRCB, 2013). The proposed project would not involve any activities on the parcels identified as hazardous material-listed sites. No federal National Priority-listed (NPL) sites are within a 3.0-mile radius of the project area. One active Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) site (Duolite International) is approximately one mile southeast of the project area. Three Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste sites are within a 3.0- mile radius of the project area; the closest is 1.3 miles to the northeast. At these distances, the materials at these sites would not affect the proposed construction activities. (No Impact) f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area?

The proposed project would be approximately 1.5 miles from the San Carlos Airport and would be consistent with the areas of influence established by the City and County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG). The ground-level facilities would not result in a hazard to navigable airspace at the airport, according to the criteria in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 77, Objects Affecting Navigable Airspace. There are no other private airstrips in the vicinity of the project area. There would be no impacts to airport safety. (No Impact) g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?

The proposed project would not interfere with any emergency response and evaluation plans. The proposed construction activities would occur underneath the US 101 bridge or on lands owned by the City, outside designed roadways. All major roads and evacuation routes would be accessible during construction. The City would design the proposed joint-use path to be capable of accommodating passage of a light duty emergency vehicle should access be needed in the event an emergency. (Less than Significant Impact)

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2-40 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands?

According to Figure PS-6 in the City General Plan, the project area is not within a Fire Hazard Severity Zone (City of Redwood City, 2011). Therefore, the proposed project would not have any impacts from wildland fires. (No Impact)

2.9 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY The Location Hydraulic Study Report in Appendix H summarizes the floodplain management regulations, describes the existing floodplain conditions in the project area, evaluates potential flooding hazards from the proposed project, and details conformance with the applicable requirements.

The Water Quality Report in Appendix I summarizes the water quality regulations and guidelines, describes the quality of surface waters in the area, evaluates potential project impacts of the project to water quality, and includes measures that will be implemented to maintain water quality objectives.

Average annual rainfall in the City is approximately 19.16 in. (Western Regional Climate Center, 2012). The project is adjacent to Redwood Creek, a 9.5-mile long perennial stream that drains a watershed in the Emerald Lake Hill area and discharges into San Francisco Bay at the Port of Redwood City. The portion of the creek at US 101 within the project area is tidally influenced. Based on the nearest gauge, the MHHW elevation is 7.4 feet above sea level, and the Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) elevation is -0.8 feet (WRECO, 2013). Higher and lower water levels occur in Redwood Creek, depending on tidal cycles and stormwater events. According to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) 0301E, the project area would be located within a 100-year flood zone, Zone AE, with a base flood elevation of 10 feet (FEMA, 2012).

The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and California Department of Water Resources (DWR), estimate that continued sea level rise will increase the water level in the San Francisco Bay by 16 inches (1.3 feet) by 2050 and 55 inches (4.6 feet) by 2100 (DWR, 2011).

The existing Bair Island Road pump station at end of East Bayshore Road receives stormwater from a 22.28-acre area on both sides of Bair Island Road and discharges to Redwood Creek through an existing 24-inch storm drain pipe approximately 25 feet northeast of US 101 (KPFF 2008). The existing pump station has a discharge rate of 13.37 cfs, which is inadequate for the 32.40 cfs peak flow from the 100-year storm.

Redwood Creek is within the Santa Clara Valley Groundwater Basin and in the San Mateo Plain Groundwater Basin (Basin Number 2-9.03). The National Resource Conservation Service Web Soil Survey for the project area indicates that that the depth of the groundwater table is more than 6.5 feet deep (WRECO, 2013). CE&G detected groundwater at 2 to 4 feet during its boring. WRECO

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2-41 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis collected and analyzed groundwater samples at the site for the proposed project, and the results were well below the Soluble Threshold Limit Concentration (STLC) for contaminant concentrations classified as hazardous (see Environmental Site Assessment in Appendix G).

Regulatory Setting. The CWA establishes the legal foundation for regulating surface water quality throughout the nation. The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act predates the CWA and requires reporting discharge of waste to land or surface waters.

Sections 303 and 304 of CWA provide water quality standards and guidelines for all surface waters of the United States. “Waters of the US” is a term that includes navigable water bodies, tributaries of navigable waters, and adjacent wetlands. Section 401 requires that discharges to waters of the US obtain certification from the state that the discharge complies with applicable requirements for protecting water quality in the area. Section 402 of the CWA establishes the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), a permitting system for any discharges into waters of the US, enforced by the SWRCB and RWQCBs. Section 404 of the CWA gives the USACE jurisdiction over regulating the discharges of dredge or fill material in waters of the U.S.

The SFRWQCB Basin Plan identifies Redwood Creek as having wildlife habitat, warm-freshwater habitat, and recreational water opportunities (WRECO, 2013).

The City is a member of the San Mateo County Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP), which shares a common NPDES permit. The project area would be within San Mateo County and Redwood City NPDES Permit No. CA-S612008 (WRECO, 2013). Provision C.3 (Stormwater Technical Guidance) of the MRP requires projects to evaluate and implement permanent post- construction stormwater treatment and hydromodification mitigation. The MRP outlines the state’s requirements for municipal agencies in San Mateo County to address water quality and stormwater runoff issues (WRECO, 2013).

Under NPDES regulations, a project that would disturb more than one acre of land would be subjected to the NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity (Order No. 2009-0009-DWQ). Projects that create less than 10,000 square feet of impervious surface need to implement erosion control measures to the maximum extent practical under the provisions of the City’s NPDES permit.

The Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) is the nationwide administrator of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and enforces flood hazard assessment and mitigation for potential flood disasters.

Executive Order 11988 of Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 650, Subpart A (23 CFR 650A, directs federal agencies to avoid short-term and long-term impacts associated with modifications to floodplains and discourages incompatible development within floodplains.

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2-42 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

IX. HYDROLOGY AND WATER Potentially Less Than Less Than No QUALITY -- Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements? b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre- existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site? e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?

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2-43 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map? h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which would impede or redirect flood flows? i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam? j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements?

The proposed project would comply with all applicable water quality requirements. The proposed construction activity for the storm drain pump station and US 101 undercrossing would result in surface disturbance of 1.2 acres and would require formal notification and submittals under the general permit for construction stormwater discharges. The City would file a Notice of Intention to comply with the California General Storm Water Construction Permit (Order No. 2012-006-DWQ) and would submit a SWPPP to the SFRWQCB. The City would incorporate BMPs for preventing contaminants and sedimentation from construction activity from entering stormwater and affecting the water quality in Redwood Creek. The City would prepare an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that would require storage and containment of potential spills of hydrocarbon fuels, concrete wastewater, or sanitary wastes during construction. Cleaning, fueling, or any maintenance of construction equipment would take place in designated staging areas at least 100 feet away from any sensitive areas and Redwood Creek. A cofferdam would isolate the impacts of the construction activity on creek bank from the waters in Redwood Creek; the dam would be installed during low tide, also reducing impacts to water quality. Erosion control measures would be implemented on land surface disturbance upland of Redwood Creek, and the project would incorporate the designated measures in the NPDES compliance checklist in Appendix I. The BRS in Appendix D lists additional measures to protect water quality. With the implementation of all proposed mitigation measures, the impacts of construction and operation of the project on water quality would be less than significant.

There would be no discharge to surface or groundwater during dewatering of the wet well and the cofferdam area. The City would discharge the water to a filtration system prior to discharging the

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2-44 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis water to the existing sanitary sewer system within in the project area. Thus, dewatering would not have any water quality impacts to surface or groundwaters in the area.

The stormwater discharges would comply with the SMCWPPP requirements and the shared City of Redwood City and San Mateo County NPDES Permit No. CAS612008. The discharges would be subject to existing monitoring and inspection requirements.

The stormwater that collects in the new joint-use path would discharge through two new 18-inch pipes to Redwood Creek.

The following mitigation measures would reduce the potential impacts of the project to water quality.

Mitigation Measure HYD 1: Implementation of BMPs A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) shall be prepared for the project. The BMPs contained in the SWPPP shall be implemented, and the NPDES Permit Compliance Checklist (see Appendix I) to control and prevent the potential discharge of non-stormwater discharges and pollutants to Redwood Creek during construction shall be completed. The Contractor shall utilize measures such as sediment barriers, silt fences, straw wattles, biodegradable fiber rolls, or hydraulic mulches to trap sediment in stormwater runoff away during construction to prevent the discharge of pollutants to Redwood Creek. The Contractor shall revegetate the disturbed areas of landscaped vegetation along the creek banks with a hydroseed native plant mix for slope stabilization. The Contractor shall implement rock slope protection (RSP) on the creek bank below the proposed 18-inch drainage pipes’ discharge points to prevent erosion along the creek bank.

With the incorporation of these measures, the impacts to water quality would be reduced to less than significant levels. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)?

Excavation for the 26-foot deep wet well at the replacement pump station, trenching for the pipelines, and excavation for the joint-use path would likely encounter groundwater at levels below 2- 4 feet and need dewatering. The City does not use groundwater for water supply wells. The required dewatering would affect groundwater levels in the immediate vicinity of the project, but would not have a substantial effect on groundwater supplies or interfere with groundwater recharge activities. (Less than Significant Impact)

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2-45 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site?

The stormwater collected at the replacement pump station and wet well would discharge through an existing 24-inch line. The new pump station would have a wet-well structure capable of collecting up to 2,900 cubic feet of stormwater. The new pump station would be capable of discharging up to 32.40 cfs, the predicted flow from the 100-year storm, which would decrease the potential for flooding in the area.

The discharge rate from the pump station would increase from 13.37 cfs to 32.40 cfs. The new station would interconnect to the existing 24-inch pipeline to the creek. During peak storms, the flow through the existing pipeline would increase from approximately 4.3 fps to 10.3 fps. The increase in discharge into the creek would occur during storm events when runoff was greater than the discharge from the current pump station. During these events, the water level in the creek would be higher than normal. The increased flow of 10.3 fps would slightly exceed the 10.0 fps design criteria for the existing 24-inch pipe, but would not result in substantial erosion or siltation of the creek bed. (Less than Significant Impact) d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site?

See the discussion in item c above concerning the proposed changes to the existing drainage pattern in the site area. The upgraded pump station would reduce the potential for flooding in the Bair Island drainage area, and the increased discharge to Redwood Creek during peak storm events would be an insignificant increase in channeled downstream flows to the Bay. (Less than Significant Impact) e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff?

The proposed joint-use path and sidewalks would add approximately 9,000 square feet (0.20 acres) of new impervious surfaces to the existing area. Stormwater along the joint-use path would be collected and discharge through a new 24-inch pipe. The new impervious surfaces would not substantially alter the existing drainage patterns of the project area given the small footprint and relatively flat nature of the project. The new pump station and wet well would be underground, and the emergency generator housing would be smaller than the existing pump station. The additional impervious surface represents 0.004 percent of the existing total watershed area of Redwood Creek

The pump station replacement project would not alter surface drainage patterns in the 22.28-acre collection area along Bair Island Road, which includes 4.94 acres of Peninsula Park development that drain into the station. Under the proposed project, the City would install approximately 35 linear feet

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2-46 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis of 42-inch storm drain that would convey the existing stormwater runoff from the Bair Island Road area to the new pump station and approximately 100 feet of 24-inch pipe to tie into the existing 24- inch discharge line to Redwood Creek. (Less than Significant Impact) f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?

With the proposed mitigation measures, the project would not substantially degrade water quality. See the response to a) above. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map?

The proposed project would not place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area. (No Impact) h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which would impede or redirect flood flows?

The proposed facilities would be within a 100-year floodplain, but would not impede or redirect flood flows. (Less than Significant Impact)) i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?

The project area is tidally influenced and would be subject to increased water levels during peak storm events. The present flood level and tidal data for Redwood Creek are as follows:

Datum Elevation (ft, NAVD 88) 100-Year (stillwater) 9.7 50-Year (stillwater) 9.6 10-Year (stillwater) 9.3 MHHW (tidal) 7.4 MLLW (tidal) -0.8 NAVD 88= North American Vertical Datum 1988

The floodplain data is “stillwater data,” which includes storm surge and astronomical tides, but not the effects of waves or tsunamis. The tidal data is from the period October 1997 to October 2011. The City would construct the creek-side retaining wall to a height of 10.0 feet, which would be higher than the current 100-year stillwater elevation.

The proposed facilities would not have a significant effect on flood levels in the creek, but would be subject to increased flooding. Future sea level increases would modify the floodplain elevations in the project area. Assuming a sea level rise of 1.3 ft (16 inches) by the year 2050, the MHHW elevation would be 8.7 feet, and the 10-year stillwater elevation would be 10.6 feet. If the sea levels

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2-47 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis increase as predicted, the water surface elevation during an extreme storm or tidal event would exceed the top of the creek-side wall.

A sea level rise of 4.6 feet (55 inches) by the year 2100 would increase the MHHW to 12.0 feet. This daily MHHW level would exceed the adjacent banks of Redwood Creek, potentially flooding the nearby development areas. The City would need to implement other measures to mitigate this potential impact. See Mitigation Measure HYD 2 below.

The City anticipates that inundation of the joint-use path during some peak storm and tidal events and would close the path to avoid risk to the public. The project would include provisions to discourage users during extreme events. City maintenance staff would be responsible to close access to the joint-use path when unsafe conditions are apparent. Call boxes at each end of the joint-use path under US 101 would provide direct access to City emergency dispatch services or 911. Temporary closing of the path would not result in increase flooding risk elsewhere, but would reduce the use of the path and decrease its benefits.

The following measure would reduce the effect of increased sea levels in the project area.

Mitigation Measure HYD 2: Increased Height of Creek-side Wall The height of the creek-side wall may require retrofitting if future sea level rise in Redwood Creek results in frequent flooding of the joint-use path during 5 or 10 year storm events. The City shall monitor seal level rise and retrofit the creek-side wall when necessary.

With the proposed mitigation, the effect of increased flooding would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?

The project area would be located near an area subject to tidal seiches. The buffer of the islands around the project area and distance from the San Francisco Bay shoreline would decrease the severity of impacts associated with seiches and protect against tsunamis (City of Redwood City, 2010). Gate closures during such emergency conditions and call boxes would reduce potential risks to the public, and the impacts of these events would be a less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact)

2.10 LAND USE AND PLANNING The proposed US 101 undercrossing would create a strong physical link between the Downtown district and the Bayfront, implementing a major objective of the North Main Street Precise Plan (North Main Street Precise Plan 2007), the Peninsula Park Precise Plan, and the General Plan. The proposed pedestrian and bicycle access improvements would strengthen the corridor linking these important evolving districts.

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2-48 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

X. LAND USE AND PLANNING -- Potentially Less Than Less Than No Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Physically divide an established community? b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan? a) Physically divide an established community?

As identified in the Urban Form and Land Use Element of the City General Plan, the proposed joint- use path would connect the new Mixed Use Waterfront Neighborhood north and east of US 101 to the Mixed Use Corridor and Mixed Use Downtown areas south of the US 101 (City of Redwood City, 2011). The project would physically link development areas and negate some of the division produced by the highway.

A small homeless encampment currently occupies a portion of the space underneath the US 101 bridge on the western bank of Redwood Creek. The proposed project would displace this informal community, estimated to consist of three to six people, based on site surveys. The City has a number of homeless prevention programs that would be available to these individuals prior to the commencement of project construction. The City has adopted the following objectives in its Consolidated Plan (2010-2015) to address homelessness and homelessness prevention:

HOM-1 Increase the number of transitional and permanent supportive housing units for the homeless. HOM-2 Support existing emergency shelter facilities and programs. HOM-3 Increase the number of shelter beds available for families with children

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2-49 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

under the age of 18. HOM-4 Meet the human services needs of the homeless. HOM-5 Prevent homelessness. HOM-6 End chronic homelessness.

The City programs and resources include five emergency shelters, transitional housing, assistance in securing health care, financial benefits, employment training, and help for individuals with mental health disabilities. Homeless assistance meets the City’s human service objectives to prevent homelessness, provide intervention programs, and assist special needs populations. Homeless services range from emergency shelter to transitional housing to shared housing to permanent housing according to the City’s Continuum of Care Plan. (No Impact) b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect?

The proposed project would comply with the applicable land use plans, programs, and policies in the 20210 General Plan, the North Main Street Specific Plan, the Peninsula Park Specific Plan, and the Comprehensive Land Use Compatibility Plan (CLUCP) for San Carlos airport. The setbacks and dimensions of the joint-use path are consistent with the Class I requirements for bicycle paths in the Build Environment Circulation element of the General Plan. The lighting, landscaping setbacks, design, and orientation would comply with the Site and Landscape Improvement requirements of the North Main Street Precise Plan and the City Zoning Ordinance Article 53.3 (City of Redwood City Zoning Ordinance, 2011). The land use is consistent with the 2010 General Plan, and the low-lying features and structures would be consistent with the adopted CLUCP for the San Carlos airport, 1.5 miles away. (No Impact) c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan?

The project would not conflict with any state or federal habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan. (No Impact)

2.11 MINERAL RESOURCES There are no mineral resources or mineral resource recovery plans within the project area. The City’s General Plan does not delineate any areas for mineral resource recovery or areas of use for mineral extraction. Therefore, the proposed project would have no impact to mineral resources.

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2-50 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

XI. MINERAL RESOURCES -- Would Potentially Less Than Less Than No the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state? b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan?

2.12 NOISE The Noise Technical Report provides background explanation of noise characteristics, typical levels, and key terms, describes background noise levels in the project area, summarizes the applicable regulations, evaluates the potential impacts of the project to sensitive receptors, and recommends mitigation measures for potentially significant impacts. Appendix J contains the Noise Technical Report for the US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project.

The proposed project would be located in a noise environment highly influenced by the traffic on US 101. Other noise sources in the vicinity of the project are local streets and occasional aircraft. The surrounding land uses are compatible with this environment and include commercial (regional and office professional/technology), mixed-use districts (commercial and residential), and open space uses. Houseboats line Redwood Creek north of US 101. The nearest noise sensitive receptors south of US 101 are the residential district on Brewster Avenue more than 0.25 miles from the project, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center 0.3 miles away, and Orion Elementary School 0.4 miles away.

The two districts adjacent to the project area, Mixed Use Waterfront Development north of the highway and Mixed Use Corridor south of the highway, are affected by traffic noise from US 101. The general plan requires that structures in these districts be designed to account for the background traffic noise. Residential units in both areas are currently under construction.

The 2010 Redwood City General Plan adopts noise guidelines for land use planning and establishes “normally acceptable” and “conditionally acceptable” criteria for new development in different land use categories. The Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) noise levels, in decibels (dB), for the land uses in the vicinity of the project as follows.

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2-51 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

Normally Acceptable Conditionally Acceptable Mixed-Use Districts 60 dB CNEL 75 dB CNEL Commercial - Neighborhood 65 db CNEL 75 dB CNEL Commercial – Regional 70 dB CNEL 75 dB CNEL Commercial – Office 65 db CNEL 75 dB CNEL Professional/Technology Open Space/Recreational -- 75 dB CNEL

The City Noise Ordinance (Chapter 24 of the Municipal Code) prohibits noise levels generated by construction within 500 feet of a residential district between the hours of 8:00 pm to 7:00 am weekdays, or at any time on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. Section 24.21 of the ordinance prohibits noise increases in a residential district of more than 6 dBA above measured ambient levels from an assembly of three or more persons between the hours of 8:00 pm and 8:00 am. In addition, Section 24.31 prohibits noise levels for any item of equipment used during construction in a residential district from exceeding 110 dBA at a distance of 25 feet.

XII. NOISE -- Would the project result Potentially Less Than Less Than No in: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project?

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2-52 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies?

Construction of the proposed project and demolition of the existing pump station would result in maximum noise levels that would typically range from 75 to 81 dBA at a distance of 50 feet (see Appendix J). This range of noise levels would be less than the average levels from weekday traffic on US 101 at this distance. While noise from construction may occasionally be audible at the adjacent properties because of variations in construction activity and traffic conditions, most noise from the installation of the replacement pump and the joint-use path would be below background levels.

The highest noise levels from construction of the proposed project would come from the pile driver used for up to 10 days during the installation of the replacement pump station on the north side of

US 101. The noise levels from pile driving would be 94 dBA Leq at 50 feet. On the north side of US 101, the nearest uses are regional commercial, One Marina development, a mixed-use residential development currently under construction, and the houseboats along Redwood Creek. The One Marina Village residential units need to incorporate measures to reduce interior noise levels to meet city and state standards. These features would lessen the impact of noise from pile driving to less than 62 dBA Leq in the interior of any occupied units. The houseboats along Redwood Creek are 800 to 1,300 feet from the pump station site but 150 to 640 feet from US 101. At those distances, the noise levels from pile driving would be within the range of noise measurements from traffic on US 101.

Public exposure to noise from construction would exceed the levels that the general plan considers normally acceptable at adjacent commercial and mixed-use properties north and south of US 101. This activity would require the recommended construction mitigation measure, limiting construction to daytime hours on weekdays and using routine noise suppression techniques (see mitigation measures NOI 1, NOI 2, NOI 3, NOI 4, and NOI 5).

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2-53 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

The temporary noise from routine construction activity, however, would be within the levels considered normally acceptable at the residential districts on Brewster Avenue and at the Kaiser Permanente facilities. The proposed construction activity and equipment would comply with the City noise ordinance and would not result in prohibited increases in noise levels in residential areas.

Once constructed, noise levels from the US 101 undercrossing and Bair Island pump station would be within the levels normally acceptable for the surrounding areas. The replacement pumps would be underground and would typically operate when submerged in the wet well, which would dampen the pump noise. The emergency generator would have a noise enclosure, which would reduce noise levels to 71 dBA at 50 feet. Noise levels at the adjacent commercial uses would be less than 65 dBA.

The following measures would reduce noise impacts from project-related construction activities and the emergency generator:

Mitigation Measure NOI 1: Construction Scheduling The Contractor shall ensure that noise-generating construction activity is limited to between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and noise levels generated by construction are prohibited on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Mitigation Measure NOI 2: Construction Equipment Mufflers and Maintenance The Contractor shall equip all internal combustion engine-driven equipment with intake and exhaust mufflers that are in good condition and designed for the equipment.

Mitigation Measure NOI 3: Quiet Equipment Selection The Contractor shall use quiet construction equipment, particularly air compressors, wherever possible.

Mitigation Measure NOI 4: Notification of Pile Driving The Contractor shall provide advanced written notification of the schedule for project pile driving activities to homes and businesses on the east side of US 101 within 200 feet of the replacement pump station site.

Mitigation Measure NOI 5: Noise Disturbance Coordinator The City shall designate a "noise disturbance coordinator" who would be responsible for responding to any local complaints about construction noise. The disturbance coordinator would determine the cause of the noise complaint (e.g., starting too early, bad muffler, etc.) and institute reasonable measures warranted to correct the problem. The telephone number for the disturbance coordinator shall be posted in a conspicuous location at the construction site.

Mitigation Measure NOI 6: Enclosure The Contractor shall select an available sound attenuation enclosure for the emergency generator that would reduce noise levels to 71 dBA at 50 feet.

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2-54 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

With the incorporation of these measures, the impacts of the proposed project from noise during construction and operation would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels?

Based on vibration levels for construction equipment in the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment manual (May 2006), typical project equipment such as dozers and loaded trucks could generate vibration below the level of concern for most structures. The highest source of vibration would be the pile driving for the replacement pump station, 100 feet from the US 101 bridge structure. At this distance, the vibration from pile driving would be below the level that would damage the US 101 bridge. Vibration would not affect the other nearby structures on the east side of US 101, which consists of an automobile dealership, approximately 300 feet from the pump station and wet well, and the One Marina development, approximately 400 feet from the location of the pile driving equipment. (Less than Significant Impact) c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project?

The US 101 undercrossing and Bair Island storm drain pump station would not result in a substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project. Noise levels from pedestrian and bicycle use of the undercrossing would be less than the existing levels without the project. The submerged replacement pumps at the new pump station would not operate unless there was an electrical outage and would not increase noise level above background levels. The emergency generator would have a noise enclosure, which would reduce noise levels to below the typical background levels from traffic on the adjacent highway. (Less than Significant Impact) d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project?

The temporary increase in ambient noise levels from the construction of the proposed project would not be substantial. While occasionally audible, the increases would be within the range of ambient noise levels from traffic on US 101. (Less than Significant Impact) e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?

The project area is more than 1.5 miles from the San Carlos Airport and beyond the 55 dBA CNEL noise contour established in the San Carlos Airport Land Use Plan. The project would not expose people living or working in the area to excessive airport noise. (No Impact)

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2-55 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?

There are no landing strips near the proposed project area. (No Impact)

2.13 POPULATION AND HOUSING The City had a population of 78,244 in 2012, according to the Department of Finance (DOF), a 1.2 percent increase since January 1, 2011 (DOF, 2012). The City projects the population to increase by approximately 16,000 people in 2013 (City of Redwood City, 2011). According to the One Marina Village Plan Draft EIR, the development of the One Marina Village Plan would add 231 new residential units to the north of the project area and result in up to 4,020 additional people living in the project area (Marina Village Shores Draft EIR, 2003). The North Main Street Precise Plan development would involve 438 new multi-family units and result in an additional 964 people living in the project area (North Main Street Precise Plan, 2007). Cumulatively, the two development projects would add approximately 4,984 new residents in the project area, which is 31 percent of the projected population growth in the City within the next year.

XIII. POPULATION AND HOUSING - Potentially Less Than Less Than No - Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)? b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?

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2-56 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

The proposed project would add infrastructure to the area and would increase the appeal of the designated development areas east and west of US 101. The project would be consistent with both development plans and would accommodate the projected population growth in the Bayfront and Downtown areas advocated in the Urban Form Land Use Element of the City General Plan (City of Redwood City, 2011). Therefore, the proposed project would not individually or cumulatively induce population growth in the project area. The proposed project fulfills long-term planning goals and would not, in itself, induce substantial population growth in the area. (Less than Significant Impact) b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?

The proposed joint-use path and pump station does not contain any residential components or require construction of replacement housing. (No Impact) c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?

A small encampment of three to six homeless people were encountered during site surveys underneath the US 101 bridge. The proposed project would displace this informal community of people living under the bridge. However, the City has a number of homeless prevention programs that would be available to these individuals prior to the commencement of project construction. As discussed above in Section 2.10, Land Use and Panning, homeless services range from emergency shelter to transitional housing to shared housing to permanent housing according to the City’s Continuum of Care plan. Therefore, the City’s available programs would be a suitable alternative to the homeless population. Impacts to population and housing would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact)

2.14 PUBLIC SERVICES The existing fire protection, police services, and governmental services are sufficient to support the project development. The proposed project would not involve the construction of new housing units or residential development that would necessitate an increased demand for additional services and manpower, or the expansion of existing services.

The proposed project is not considered to be a commercial or residential project requiring impact fees to be paid to the Redwood City School District that oversees building permits issued. There would be no impact to schools in the area from the proposed project. According to the Building Community Element of the City General Plan, the closest park to the project area is Courthouse Square Park, which is approximately 0.4 miles away (City of Redwood City, 2011). The proposed project would have no impact on existing park services. No additional types of public services would be needed for the proposed project facilities.

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2-57 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

XIV. PUBLIC SERVICES Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Impact Significant Significant Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: i Fire protection? ii Police protection? iii Schools? iv Parks? v Other public facilities?

2.15 RECREATION Recreational opportunities in the vicinity of the project area include city parks, community facilities, marinas, trails, bikeways, and open space. All nearby city parks and community facilities are in the developed portions of the City south and west of US 101. The nearest neighborhood/regional park is Courthouse Square Park, 0.4 miles south of the project (Figure BC-1, General Plan, Redwood City, 2011). The water-oriented recreational opportunities are north and east of US 101. These facilities include Pete’s Harbor in the Bayfront area, marinas at Seaport Boulevard and Redwood Shores, waterfront tails, and open space. A wildlife refuge, the DESFBWR, is on Bair Island 0.4 miles north of the project area. The refuge is currently undergoing restoration for preservation of wetlands and enhancement of public access (City of Redwood City, 2011).

The San Francisco Bay Trail, approximately 400 miles of natural trail for pedestrians and bicyclists that the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is planning in nine counties circling the bay, runs past the northern entrance to the joint-use path. Within Redwood City, the Bair Island and

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2-58 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

Seaport Boulevard segments of the Bay Trail are complete (ABAG Gap Analysis, 2005). ABAG expects to complete the segments from Whipple Avenue to the pump station on Bair Island Road this year (City of Redwood City) and plans to extend the trail east to Blomquist Street in the near future. The proposed project would connect these Bayfront trails to an existing Class II bike lane that runs along Main Street.

XV. RECREATION -- Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?

The project is expected to increase the use of the existing and planned bike paths and trails in the Bayfront area and the other recreational facilities at Bair Island and Seaport Boulevard. Increased access to these new facilities is consistent with local and regional recreational planning and would not result in substantial deterioration. The project would not cause a significant increase in the use of existing neighborhood/regional parks or community facilities within the developed portions of the City south of US 101. (Less than Significant Impact) b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment?

The proposed joint-use path is a recreational facility, but it would not have an adverse effect on the environment. As indicated in other sections of this document, the path would be located along an existing disturbed trail and would include measures to protect the sensitive environmental resources in the area, including Best Management Practices for protection of Redwood Creek and avoidance and minimization measures for the special status species that may occur in the adjacent natural areas.

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2-59 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

The proposed project would not require new recreational facilities or expansion of existing facilities. The approved One Marina development to the north includes provisions for the construction of new recreational park facilities in the area (Peninsula Park Precise Plan, 2008).

The City has plans to use Redwood Creek as a new source of water-oriented recreational amenities (canoes, kayaks, etc) and is currently investigating requirements for a comprehensive plan for providing boat access to Downtown via Redwood Creek (City of Redwood City, 2011). The proposed project would be consistent with such plans, but would not require their implementation. (Less than Significant Impact)

2.16 TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC The transportation network in the project area contains roadways, bikeways, and alternative modes of transportation. US 101 is the major freeway in the project area, which travels north to south. The project area also has local roads, collector roads, and arterial roads including Veteran’s Boulevard, Whipple Avenue, and Main Street. Bair Island Road, Convention Way, and East Bayshore Road are all local roads within the vicinity of the project area.

The joint-use path would connect the Bayfront area to the North Main Street corridor and the Downtown area. The proposed Class I pedestrian and bicycle path promotes use of alternative modes of transportation. An existing Class I bike path (Bay Trail) is located to the northwest of the project area on Bair Island Road and an existing Class II bike lane on Main Street to the south of the project area (see Figure 1-1 in the Project Description). The City General Plan classifies the following types of bike facilities similar to that of Caltrans (City of Redwood City, 2011):

Class I Bikeway (Bike Path): designated for the exclusive use for bicyclists and pedestrians with vehicle-pedestrian cross-flow minimized. Class II Bikeway (Bike Lane): striped lane designated for the use of bicycles on a street. Vehicle parking and vehicle-pedestrian cross-flow are permitted at certain locations. Class III Bikeway (Bike Route): route designated by signs or pavement markings for bicyclists within a vehicular travel lane of a roadway (i.e., shared use).

Alternative modes of transportation in the project area include bus and train service. The SamTrans has routes and bus stops located along Veterans Boulevard. The Alameda Contra Costa Transit District (A/C) provides daily bus transportation with routes along the US 101 freeway and Bay Road. The Redwood City Caltrain station is located approximately 0.6 miles south of the project in the Downtown area (City of Redwood City, 2010).

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2-60 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

XVI. TRANSPORTATION AND Potentially Less Than Less Than No TRAFFIC -- Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy establishing measures of effectiveness for the performance of the circulation system, taking into account all modes of transportation including mass transit and non-motorized travel and relevant components of the circulation system, including but not limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit? b) Conflict with an applicable congestion management program, including, but not limited to level of service standards and travel demand measures, or other standards established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? e) Result in inadequate emergency access? f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such facilities?

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2-61 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

Construction of the proposed project would require 6 to 12 workers a day for up to 13 months, conducted in two phases, one for the pump station and one for the US 101 undercrossing. Construction of the proposed project would also generate an estimated 231 truckloads of excess soil (35 truckloads for the pump station and 196 truckloads for the undercrossing) and 127 deliveries of materials and equipment (32 for the pump station and 95 for the undercrossing). Construction would occur during the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

The peak daily traffic volume would occur during excavation for the US 101 undercrossing when there would be up to 12 worker vehicles and an estimated 20 truckloads of excavated soil each day, resulting in a maximum of 32 project-related round trips daily. Except for work on the City-owned parcel west near Main Street, all workers, haul trucks, and vendor deliveries would access the site via East Bayshore Road. The entrance to the off-road staging and parking areas would be near the intersection of East Bayshore Road and Bair Island Road. Most worker, haul, and vendor vehicles would to use the Whipple Avenue exits at US 101, but project construction vehicles and trucks would also add to current traffic levels on the main roadways connecting to East Bayshore Road, including, Brewster Avenue, Main Street, Whipple Avenue, El Camino Real, and Veterans Boulevard. Less than 16 workers and vendors would use Main Street and Brewster Avenue for access to work on the City- owned parcel. a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy establishing measures of effectiveness for the performance of the circulation system, taking into account all modes of transportation including mass transit and non-motorized travel and relevant components of the circulation system, including but not limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit?

The proposed project would not conflict with any applicable plan, policy, or ordinance that measures the performance of the circulation system and would promote the use of pedestrian and bicycle paths. (No Impact) b) Conflict with an applicable congestion management program, including, but not limited to level of service standards and travel demand measures, or other standards established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways?

According to the City General Plan EIR, all segments of roadways in the vicinity of the project area (US 101, Brewster Avenue, Main Street, Whipple Avenue, El Camino Real, and Veterans Boulevard) currently operate at a Level of Service (LOS) D or better, the acceptable threshold for roadways in the City (City of Redwood City, 2010). The maximum 32 project-related trips would be approximately one percent of the existing peak-hour (7-9 AM or 4-6 PM) traffic volume on the US 101 freeway, Veterans Boulevard, and Whipple Avenue. This estimate represents the upper bound of the potential project impacts since most haul trips and vendor deliveries would occur outside peak traffic hours. The 16 project-related trips on the west side of the project would be less than three percent of the existing peak hour traffic volumes on Main Street and Brewster Avenue. Traffic

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2-62 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis volumes and existing LOS thresholds are not available for local roads in the project area such as Bair Island Road and East Bayshore Road. Typically, traffic volumes on local roads are significantly lower than that of arterial roads, collector roads, expressway, or freeway volumes. Given the small number of construction workers needed for the project area, project construction would not be anticipated to adversely impact the local roads within the area. Therefore, the proposed project construction would not individually or cumulatively exceed the LOS thresholds for any roadway segment. Therefore, the impacts would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact) c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks?

The proposed project would be 1.5 miles away from the San Carlos Airport, and the ground level facilities would have no impact to air traffic. (No Impact) d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)?

The City would comply with all applicable design guidelines contained in the Redwood City Zoning Ordinance and City codes in constructing the joint-use path to ensure traffic, pedestrian, and bicyclist safety. As discussed above, except for Convention Way, the proposed Class I joint-use path would avoid cross traffic between pedestrian/bicyclist and vehicles, thus reducing the potential hazards. The impact of the single crossing at Convention Way would be less than significant. Therefore, the proposed project would reduce any traffic hazards impacts to less than significant level. (Less than Significant Impact) e) Result in inadequate emergency access?

The proposed joint-use path would be able to accommodate one emergency vehicle (maximum weight of 8 tons) or police vehicle in the event an emergency. Thus, the proposed project would not restrict emergency access in the project area. (No Impact) f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such facilities?

The proposed project would encourage use of alternative modes of transportation. By connecting the Bayfront area to Downtown, the project would enable residents of One Marina and other development north of US 101 to have pedestrian and bicycle access to existing alternative transportation services Downtown, including SamTrans Bus routes, A/C bus routes, or Caltrain. The existing Class I and Class II bike facilities on Bair Island Road and the existing bike facilities on Main Street would remain accessible during construction. The proposed project would support the adopted plans, policies, and programs related to alternative transportation and are expected to result in a decreased use of roadways and decreased traffic in the project area. Therefore, the project impacts to transportation services would be beneficial. (No Impact)

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2.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS Appendix K contains the Utilities and Service Systems Report that describes the existing utilities within the project area and evaluates the potential project impacts to utility systems including wastewater, stormwater treatment, water supply, and solid waste facilities.

The project area would be located within a developed area that contains wastewater, water supply, and solid waste systems. Section 2.10, Hydrology and Water Quality, discusses the existing stormwater drainage facilities within the project area in more detail. The City’s 2005 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) objective is intended for replacing existing storm drain pipes with new polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, ductile iron pipes (DIP), or reinforced concrete pipes (RCP) to accommodate current discharge rates from stormwater runoff and storm events (City of Redwood City, 2011).

The local wastewater systems in the project area are owned and operated by the City, which has a joint powers authority ownership with the South Bayside System Authority (SBSA). The SBSA operates a wastewater treatment plant near Radio Road on the eastern part of Redwood Shores. The SBSA has a current operating capacity of 29 million gallons per day (mgd) average dry weather flow (ADWF) and a peak wet weather flow (PWWF) of 71 mgd to discharge to the San Francisco Bay (City of Redwood City, 2010). The SBSA has an existing 48-inch sewer force main that runs along the east side of US-101 freeway and would be directly adjacent to the proposed project facilities (City of Redwood City, 2011).

The City’s potable water supply is provided by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) through the Hetch Hetchy regional water system (City of Redwood City, 2011

The South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA) has a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City for managing solid waste generated in the City. The Ox Mountain Landfill is the primary landfill to which solid waste in the City is transported to and disposed of. The landfill currently has 80 percent (31 million cubic yards of space) left and is permitted to operate through 2018 (City of Redwood City, 2010).

AT&T, Comcast, and Astound provide cable services in the City; Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) provides electric and gas services for the City. AT&T conduits run under the US 101 freeway where the proposed joint-use path would be located. Additionally, PG&E has two 25-kV lines in an underground utility trench that cross under the highway where the proposed joint-use path would go. Both of these utilities would be relocated to a deeper elevation underneath the proposed joint-use path to minimize the disruption of any cable or electricity services prior to project construction. This would minimize the impact to existing cable, gas, and electric utility services in the area to a less than significant level.

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2-64 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis

XVII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE Potentially Less Than Less Than No SYSTEMS -- Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments? f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project’s solid waste disposal needs? g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste?

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2-65 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board?

As discussed above, the SBSA wastewater treatment plant and sanitary sewer system would have more than sufficient capacity for the proposed project’s wastewater generated during construction dewatering. (Less than Significant Impact) b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects?

The wastewater in the project area is conveyed through large municipal collector lines that lead to the SBSA wastewater treatment plant. The City would consult with the SBSA during the development phase for the proper method of installing the proposed 24-inch storm drain main intended to cross over the existing SBSA 48-inch sewer main. The project construction would involve dewatering to be done during excavation for the joint-use path and new pump station and wet well. The contractor would discharge the water directly to a manhole of the existing sanitary sewer force main. The proposed project would not require additional wastewater treatment facilities to be built or require expansion of the existing wastewater facilities within the area. No determination of insufficient capacity would be expected to be made by the SBSA for the project wastewater. (No Impact) c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects?

See the discussion under Section 2.9, Hydrology and Water Quality for the analyses of storm drainage. Appendix H contains the Hydraulic Study Report and Appendix J contains the Water Quality Study. (Less than Significant Impact) d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed?

The proposed project would not involve the construction of any residential units or structures necessitating a demand for additional potable water supply. The City currently has sufficient water supplies for the dust suppression during construction and landscaping and maintenance during operation. Therefore, the proposed project would not adversely affect or demand additional water supplies and entitlements. The impacts to water supplies would be less than significant. (No Impact) e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments?

See a) and b) above. (No Impact)

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2-66 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project’s solid waste disposal needs?

As discussed in Section 2.8, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, the Ox Mountain Landfill near Half Moon Bay would have sufficient capacity to accommodate the solid waste generated during project construction. The soil has been tested for levels of hazardous waste (such as lead) in compliance with state and federal solid waste laws. Bay Mud soils would be dried and mixed to meet landfill disposal criteria. The Ox Mountain Landfill or another landfill in the area would be able to accept the excavated soil from the proposed project area. (No Impact) g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste?

The City would comply with all federal, state, and local solid waste regulations including Title 22 and 27 of the California Code of Regulations, RCRA, and the HSWA. The impacts would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact)

2.18 MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE The following mandatory findings of significance are discussed in accordance with the criteria listed in Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines.

XVIII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF Potentially Less Than Less Than No SIGNIFICANCE -- Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively considerable” means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection

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2-67 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)? c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory?

As noted in the discussions for Biological Resources, Hydrology and Water Quality, and Cultural Resources, sensitive resources are potentially located in the project area. Implementation of proposed mitigation would reduce impacts to the sensitive resources to less-than-significant levels. The project would not degrade the environment, substantially reduce the habitat for rare and endangered species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal, or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation) b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively considerable” means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)?

The project would not contribute considerably to significant cumulative impacts. The proposed project would commence construction for the new pump station and wet well in January 2014 at a time when construction at the One Marina development would still be underway. Most project impacts would be site-specific and would not combine with the impacts from adjacent activities. The parking and staging areas for the proposed project would be on site and would not block the roadway, and the combined traffic on East Bayshore Road and Bair Island Road would not be significant. Construction on the City-owned parcel would also occur during ongoing construction from the North Main Street Precise Plan, but the combined impacts would not cause significant parking or traffic impacts on Main Street and Brewster Avenue. The proposed improvements on the City-owned parcel would require few workers and deliveries and would not result in significant delays to existing and planned traffic in the area. The air quality and noise impacts of the individual project would be mitigated to less than significant levels. The combined impacts from concurrent construction activities would not be significant. (Less than Significant)

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2-68 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project 2 Environmental Analysis c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly?

The proposed project would not have a substantial adverse effect on human beings. The potential health risks from air emissions, noise impacts, and hazardous substances would be less than significant. (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation)

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