NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION PROJECT NAME : LOWER LAKE EMERGENCY WATER INTERTIE PROJECT Date of Preparation: June 27, 2019 Lead Agency: Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1 Project Description: The project would provide an emergency water intertie between three existing water systems, Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1, Highlands Mutual Water Company, and Konocti County Water District. The three water systems serve the community of Lower Lake and parts of the City of Clearlake in Lake County. Project Location: Lower Lake and City of Clearlake, Lake County, CA Findings: Based on the Initial Study dated June 27, 2019, the Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1 has determined that: 1. This project does not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, nor to curtail the diversity of the environment. 2. This project will not have a detrimental effect upon either short-term or long-term environmental goals. 3. This project will not have impacts that are cumulatively considerable. 4. This project will not have environmental impacts that will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly. Public Review June 27, 2019 to July 26, 2019 Period: Public Review: The Initial Study is available (beginning June 27, 2019) for public review at the Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1, 16254 Main Street, Suite B, Lower Lake. The Initial Study can also be viewed at https://llcwd.com/current-projects . All documents referenced in the Initial Study are available at the office of Brelje & Race, 475 Aviation Blvd. Suite 120, Santa Rosa. The public is invited to submit written comments regarding the environmental findings and the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration determination to the Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1. Persons commenting are advised to raise all pertinent issues during the public comment period. If action taken by the Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1 is challenged in court, the legal challenge may be limited to those issues raised by persons during the public comment period. Where to Submit Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1 Comments: 16254 Main Street, Suite B Lower Lake, CA 95457 Contact Person: Todd Fiora. General Manager (707) 994-6009 [email protected] The Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared in compliance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION Project Title: Lower Lake Emergency Water Intertie Project Date of Preparation: June 27, 2019 Lead Agency: Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1 Project Description: The project would provide an emergency water intertie between three existing water systems, Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1, Highlands Mutual Water Company, and Konocti County Water District. The three water systems serve the community of Lower Lake and parts of the City of Clearlake in Lake County. Project Location: Lower Lake and City of Clearlake, Lake County, CA General Plan: Varies, primarily in roadways or public utility easements Zoning: Varies, primarily in roadways or public utility easements Findings: 1. With the incorporation of mitigation measures, this project does not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, nor to curtail the diversity of the environment. 2. This project will not have a detrimental effect upon either short-term or long-term environmental goals. 3. This project will not have impacts that are cumulatively considerable. 4. This project will not have environmental impacts that will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly. ○ The proposed project could not have a significant effect on the environment and a Negative Declaration will be prepared. ● Although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A Mitigated Negative Declaration will be prepared. Public Review Period: June 27, 2019 to July 26, 2019 Mitigation Measures: See Initial Study Where to Submit Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1 Comments: 16254 Main Street, Suite B Lower Lake, CA 95457 Contact Person: Todd Fiora. General Manager (707) 994-6009 [email protected] Attachment: Initial Study LOWER LAKE EMERGENCY WATER INTERTIE PROJECT Lower Lake and City of Clearlake, California Initial Study June 2019 Prepared for: Lower Lake County Waterworks District No. 1 16254 Main Street Suite B Lower Lake, CA 95457 Prepared by: Brelje & Race Engineers 475 Aviation Blvd., Suite 120 Santa Rosa CA 95403 707/576-1322 Contents Project Data ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Project Setting ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 Project Objectives/Purpose and Need........................................................................................................................... 9 Project Background ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 Existing Water Systems ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Policy Setting ............................................................................................................................................................... 17 Project Description ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 Project Construction ........................................................................................................................................... 22 Growth Inducement Potential ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Other Public Agency Approvals ................................................................................................................................... 24 Environmental Significance Checklist: ......................................................................................................................... 26 I Aesthetics ......................................................................................................................................................... 27 II Agricultural & Forest Resources ...................................................................................................................... 29 III Air Quality ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 IV Biological Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 40 V Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................................................... 51 VI Energy ............................................................................................................................................................. 59 VII Geology & Soils .............................................................................................................................................. 62 VIII Greenhouse Gas Emissions ........................................................................................................................... 71 IX Hazards & Hazardous Materials ..................................................................................................................... 75 X Hydrology & Water Quality ............................................................................................................................. 80 XI Land Use & Planning ....................................................................................................................................... 89 XII Mineral Resources ......................................................................................................................................... 90 XIII Noise ............................................................................................................................................................. 92 XIV Population & Housing ................................................................................................................................... 97 XV Public Services ............................................................................................................................................... 98 XVI Recreation .................................................................................................................................................. 100 XVII Transportation