Initial Study

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Initial Study SANTA ROSA SUBREGIONAL WATER RECLAMATION SYSTEM INCREMENTAL RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM INITIAL STUDY July 16, 2002 Prepared by Parsons INCREMENTAL RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM INITIAL STUDY TABLE OF CONTENTS BACKGROUND ................................................................................................... 1 Background and Introduction ................................................................................................ 2 Public Involvement............................................................................................................... 2 Scoping Meeting and Comments.......................................................................................... 2 Purpose and Need................................................................................................................ 3 Program Purpose ........................................................................................................... 3 Program Objectives ....................................................................................................... 3 Project Description ............................................................................................................... 4 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4 Project Location ............................................................................................................. 5 Future System Requirements......................................................................................... 5 Existing System ............................................................................................................. 9 Program Alternatives ................................................................................................... 12 Alternative 1 – Indoor Water Conservation............................................................. 15 Alternative 2 – Infiltration and Inflow Reduction ..................................................... 15 Alternative 3 – Urban Reuse .................................................................................. 16 Alternative 4 – Agricultural Reuse.......................................................................... 17 Alternative 5 – Industrial Reuse ............................................................................. 18 Alternative 6 – Geysers Expansion ........................................................................ 18 Alternative 7 – Additional Treatment and Reuse Alternative................................... 19 Alternative 8 – Discharge Alternative ..................................................................... 20 Alternative 9 – No Project Alternative .................................................................... 20 Program Components .................................................................................................. 21 Cumulative Projects..................................................................................................... 28 Other Required Agency Approvals...................................................................................... 30 Federal Agency Permits and Approvals........................................................................ 31 State of California Agency Permits and Approvals ....................................................... 31 Regional Agency Permits and Approvals...................................................................... 33 County and City Agency Permits and Approvals........................................................... 33 EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ............................................. 35 I. Aesthetics..................................................................................................... 36 II. Agriculture Resources .................................................................................. 41 III. Air Quality .................................................................................................... 44 IV. Biological Resources .................................................................................... 47 V. Cultural Resources ....................................................................................... 51 VI. Geology and Soils ........................................................................................ 54 VII. Hazards/Hazardous Materials....................................................................... 58 VIII. Hydrology and Water Quality........................................................................ 63 IX. Land Use and Planning................................................................................. 69 X. Mineral Resources........................................................................................ 73 XI. Noise............................................................................................................ 76 XII. Population and Housing................................................................................ 79 XIII. Public Services............................................................................................. 81 XIV. Recreation.................................................................................................... 82 XV. Transportation/Traffic ................................................................................... 83 XVI. Utilities and Service Systems ....................................................................... 87 XVII. Mandatory Findings of Significance .............................................................. 89 JULY 16, 2002 PAGE I INCREMENTAL RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM INITIAL STUDY DETERMINATION.............................................................................................. 91 PREPARERS AND REFERENCES.................................................................... 92 Preparers ..................................................................................................................... 92 Parsons........................................................................................................................ 92 Merritt-Smith Consulting............................................................................................... 92 LSA Associates ............................................................................................................ 92 Illingworth & Rodkin ..................................................................................................... 92 References ..................................................................................................................... 92 JULY 16, 2002 PAGE II INCREMENTAL RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM INITIAL STUDY BACKGROUND Project Title Incremental Recycled Water Program Lead Agency Name and Address City of Santa Rosa Department of Public Utilities 69 Stony Circle Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Contact Person and Phone Number Dan Carlson Santa Rosa Utilities Department 69 Stony Circle Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (707) 543-3930 Project Location Central Sonoma County from Rohnert Park to Cloverdale and eastern portion of Lake County Assessor’s Parcel Number Numerous Project Sponsor’s Name and Address City of Santa Rosa P.O. Box 1678 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 General Plan Designation Various Zoning Various JULY 16, 2002 PAGE 1 INCREMENTAL RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM INITIAL STUDY BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION The project proponent, the City of Santa Rosa (managing partner of the Santa Rosa Subregional Water Reclamation System), proposes to implement an Incremental Recycled Water Program (IRWP). The City of Santa Rosa, as the lead agency, has decided to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposal. This Initial Study, therefore, has been prepared and circulated to notify the public and interested agencies of the proposal, solicit comments about the environmental impacts of the project, and request assistance in identifying key issues the EIR should evaluate. The EIR is proposed to be a Program EIR under Section 15168 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. In recognition of this, the alternatives and components of the Program have been developed at a conceptual level and environmental review will also be at a conceptual level. The Program EIR is intended to take advantage of this opportunity to consider cumulative impacts, facilitate the analysis of a wide range of alternatives, and allow the City to consider broad policy alternatives and programwide mitigation measures at an early time in the development of the Program. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Three public “pre-scoping” meetings have been held to advise the public of the Program as it is being developed. These meetings were well attended and took place on October 3 and 10, 2001, and May 1, 2002. The IRWP website is available at www.recycledwaterprogram.com to publicize meetings, advise regarding the schedule, and provide ways in which the project proponent can be contacted. SCOPING MEETING AND COMMENTS A public scoping meeting is scheduled to receive public input regarding the content of the EIR, potential alternatives, and information relevant to the environmental review of the Program. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 31, 2002 at the Finley Community Center located at 2060 West College Avenue in Santa Rosa at 6:30 pm. Written scoping comments will be accepted until August 14, 2002. For more information, please contact Pat Fruiht – Community Affairs at 707-543-3023. Written comments should be mailed or faxed to: City of Santa Rosa Santa
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