Gran Plaza Phase 2 Power Center City of Calexico Final Environmental Impact Report ● SCH # 2014061070 SECTION 3. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 3.1 FORMAT OF THE ANALYSIS This section of the EIR indicates the potential environmental impacts that may result from the construction and subsequent operation of the proposed project. The scope of the analysis is detailed herein in Section 1.5. The issue areas evaluated in this EIR include: ● Air Quality (Section 3.2); ● Noise (Section 3.9); ● Biological Resources (Section 3.3); ● Public Services (Section 3.10); ● Cultural Resources (Section 3.4); ● Transportation and Traffic (Section ● Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Section 3.5); 3.11); ● Hazards and Hazardous Materials ● Utilities (Section 3.12); (Section 3.6); ● Urban Decay (Section 3.13). and, ● Hydrology and Water Quality (Section ● Energy (Section 3.14). 3.7); ● Land Use and Planning (Section 3.8); The analysis of environmental effects considered in this section of the EIR will assist the City of Calexico in making a determination as to whether there is a potential for significant or adverse impacts on the environment associated with the project’s implementation. In terms of the evaluation of potential environmental effects, there are four possible outcomes: ● No Impact. The proposed project will not have any measurable environmental impact on the environment. ● Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project may have the potential for impacting the environment, although these impacts are likely to be below levels or thresholds that the City or other responsible agencies consider to be significant. ● Potentially Significant Impact Unless Mitigated. The proposed project may have the potential to generate impacts that are considered to represent a significant impact on the environment. However, the level of impact may be reduced to levels that are considered to be less than significant with the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures. ● Potentially Significant Impact. The proposed project may, or is known to represent impacts, which are considered significant, even after the adoption of all feasible mitigation. In these instances, the City Council would be required to make findings related to a Statement of Overriding Considerations if it wishes to approve the proposed project. SECTION 3.1● ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS PAGE - 61 Gran Plaza Phase 2 Power Center City of Calexico Final Environmental Impact Report ● SCH # 2014061070 The analysis of each issue area considers the following: ● The discussion of each issue begins with a section entitled Scope of Analysis that provides an overview of the analysis called for in the Initial Study prepared for the proposed project. ● The Environmental Setting describes the regulatory framework and the existing conditions with respect to the issue being analyzed and serves as the baseline against which the environmental impacts are weighed. ● The Thresholds of Significance indicates those criteria and standards used by the City, responsible agencies, and trustee agencies in the identification of potentially significant effects. ● The Environmental Impacts, Mitigation Measures, and Significant Impacts discussion indicates the potential short-term (construction-related) and long-term (operational) impacts for each issue analyzed; the measures that will be effective in reducing or eliminating an impact; and whether there are any remaining unmitigable significant environmental impacts following mitigation. SECTION 3.1● ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS PAGE - 62 Gran Plaza Phase 2 Power Center City of Calexico Final Environmental Impact Report ● SCH # 2014061070 3.2 AIR QUALITY IMPACTS 3.2.1 SCOPE OF ANALYSIS The City of Calexico, in its capacity as Lead Agency in the review of the proposed project, directed the preparation of an Initial Study to determine the nature and scope of the analysis that would be required as part of this EIR’s preparation. The environmental analysis undertaken as part of the Initial Study’s preparation indicated the EIR should evaluate the following issues: ● The proposed project’s potential for conflicting with or obstructing the implementation of the applicable air quality plan; ● The proposed project’s potential for violating any air quality standard or contributing substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation; ● The proposed project’s potential for resulting in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is in non-attainment under an applicable Federal or State ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors); and, ● The proposed project’s potential for exposing sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations. The analysis is potential impacts to air quality is based in part no the information contained in the Air Quality Worksheets which are included in this EIR as Appendix B. 3.2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING 3.2.2.1 REGULATORY SETTING There are a number of Federal and State agencies involved in the development, implementation, and enforcement of regulations related to clean air. The primary agencies concerned with these clean air regulations and standards include the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the Imperial County Air Pollution Control Management District (ICAPCMD). These agencies are identified below. ● Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is the lead Federal Agency charged with the implementation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act (CAA). As part of this effort, the EPA is responsible for the establishment of national ambient air quality standards (referred to herein as the Federal Standards). The EPA also regulates mobile emission sources that include automobiles, trucks, aircraft, and recreational vehicles.9 9 Automobiles sold in California must meet the stricter emission standards established by the California Air Resources Board. SECTION 3.2 ● ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ● AIR QUALITY IMPACTS PAGE - 63 Gran Plaza Phase 2 Power Center City of Calexico Final Environmental Impact Report ● SCH # 2014061070 ● California Air Resources Board (CARB). The CARB is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CALEPA), and it is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the California Clean Air Act, overseeing the State requirements that implement the Federal CAA, and establishing the State ambient air quality standards. The CARB is responsible for setting emission standards for vehicles sold in California and for other emission-sources including consumer goods and off-road equipment. The CARB has also established vehicle fuel specifications. ● Imperial County Air Pollution Control Management District (ICAPCD). The ICAPCD has jurisdiction over air quality for the project area and Imperial County. The ICAPCD has adopted an Air Quality Attainment Plan (AQAP) that includes rules and regulations that focus on the attainment of the State and Federal air quality standards. Conformance with the AQAP for development projects is determined by demonstrating compliance with the applicable local land use plans. All development projects within the ICAPCD are required to comply with existing District rules that are applicable to each specific project. The project site is located in the Salton Sea Air Basin (SSAB). The AQAP for the SSAB, through the implementation of Imperial County Air Quality Attainment Plan for Ozone and State Implementation Plan for PM10 in the Imperial Valley, sets forth a comprehensive program that will lead the SSAB into compliance with all Federal and State air quality standards.10 The AQAP control measures and related emission reduction estimates are based upon emissions projections for a future development scenario derived from land use, population, and employment characteristics that were prepared in consultation with local governments. Local provisions that are applicable to the project include ICAPCD Rule 800 that is related to the generation and control of fugitive dust. The use of Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM) is required by Rule 800 during construction and operational activities as a means to reduce the amount of fugitive dust. Some examples of RACM’s include the application of water or chemical soil stabilizers to disturbed soils, the reduction of construction vehicle speeds, the covering of vehicles transporting earth, and some form of approved Track- Out Prevention Device at access points where unpaved surfaces adjoins a paved surface. In addition, ICAPCD Rule 424 regulates the sale of architectural coatings and limits the content of volatile organic chemicals (VOC) in paints. ICAPCD Rule 310 (Operational Development Fee) was adopted November 2007 with the purpose of providing the District with a method for mitigating the emissions produced from the operation of new commercial and residential development to less than significant levels.11 All project proponents have the option to provide off-site mitigation, to pay an operational development fee, or doing a combination of both. This rule will assist the District in attaining the State and Federal ambient air quality standards for PM10 and Ozone (O3). All Applicants have the option to develop and implement an Alternative Emission Reduction Plan to mitigate the emissions associated with on-site and off-site sources. The developer has the option to provide full or partial mitigation of emissions, in which case, the applicable fee will be 10 Imperial County