Environmental Assessment Western Dublin Recycled Water Project, California 15-11-MP 1.1.1 1.1.2 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region August 2015 Mission Statements The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and our commitments to island communities. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. i Contents Page Chapter 1. Need for Action ..................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Proposed Action Location............................................................................................. 8 1.3 Need for Action............................................................................................................. 8 1.4 Background ................................................................................................................. 11 Chapter 2. Proposed Action and Alternatives ..................................................................... 13 2.1 Proposed Action .......................................................................................................... 13 2.1.1 New Pipeline Alignments ..................................................................................... 13 2.1.2 Pipeline Sizing and Installation ............................................................................ 13 2.1.3 Proposed Action Construction .............................................................................. 15 2.1.3.1 Construction Methodology ........................................................................... 15 Creek and Flood Control Crossings ...................................................................... 15 Construction Sequence.......................................................................................... 16 Construction Equipment ....................................................................................... 16 Construction Staging ............................................................................................. 16 Construction Schedule .......................................................................................... 16 2.1.4 Proposed Action Operation ................................................................................... 16 2.2 No-Action Alternative ................................................................................................ 17 2.3 Environmental Protection Measures ........................................................................... 17 Chapter 3. Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences ................................ 19 3.1 Biological Resources .................................................................................................. 20 3.1.1 Affected Environment ........................................................................................... 20 3.1.1.1 Habitats......................................................................................................... 20 Open Water Habitat .............................................................................................. 20 3.1.1.2 Special-Status Species .................................................................................. 20 Special-Status Plants ............................................................................................. 24 Special-Status Fish ................................................................................................ 24 Special-Status Wildlife ......................................................................................... 24 Special-Status Amphibians ................................................................................... 24 Special-Status Reptiles.......................................................................................... 25 Special-Status Birds .............................................................................................. 25 3.1.2 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................... 25 3.1.2.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................... 25 3.1.2.2 No-Action Alternative .................................................................................. 28 3.2 Surface Water and Drainage ....................................................................................... 28 3.2.1 Affected Environment ........................................................................................... 28 3.2.1.1 Surface Hydrology ....................................................................................... 28 3.2.1.2 Flood Zones .................................................................................................. 29 3.2.1.3 Surface Water Quality .................................................................................. 29 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................... 29 3.2.2.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................... 29 3.2.2.2 No-Action Alternative .................................................................................. 30 ii 3.3 Geology, Soils and Seismicity .................................................................................... 30 3.3.1 Affected Environment ........................................................................................... 30 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................... 31 3.3.2.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................... 31 3.3.2.2 No-Action Alternative .................................................................................. 31 3.4 Air Quality .................................................................................................................. 31 3.4.1 Affected Environment ........................................................................................... 31 3.4.1.1 Ambient Air Quality..................................................................................... 31 Clean Air Act – General Conformity Rule ........................................................... 32 3.4.1.2 Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change....................................................... 33 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................... 34 3.4.2.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................... 34 3.4.2.2 No-Action Alternative .................................................................................. 37 3.5 Noise ........................................................................................................................... 37 3.5.1 Affected Environment ........................................................................................... 37 3.5.1.1 Ambient Noise Levels .................................................................................. 37 3.5.1.2 Sensitive Receptors ...................................................................................... 37 3.5.2 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................... 38 3.5.2.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................... 38 3.5.2.2 No-Action Alternative .................................................................................. 38 3.6 Transportation / Traffic ............................................................................................... 39 3.6.1 Affected Environment ........................................................................................... 39 3.6.1.1 Traffic Flow Requirements during Construction ......................................... 39 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................... 39 3.6.2.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................... 39 3.6.2.2 No-Action Alternative .................................................................................. 40 3.7 Hazardous Materials ................................................................................................... 40 3.7.1 Affected Environment ........................................................................................... 40 3.7.2 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................... 41 3.7.2.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................... 41 3.7.2.2 No-Action Alternative .................................................................................. 42 3.8 Land Use ..................................................................................................................... 42 3.8.1 Affected Environment ........................................................................................... 42 3.8.2 Environmental Consequences