Section 3.12 Socioeconomics and Communities California High Speed Rail Authority 3.12 Socioeconomics and Communities 3.12.1 Introduction This section describes the regulatory setting and the Overview of Socioeconomic and affected environment for socioeconomics and Community Impacts communities; and the potential construction and operation impacts on communities, residents, ▪ Project construction would temporarily businesses, community facilities, and the local disrupt communities along the alignment, with the greatest effects associated with economy. The analysis addresses impacts of the San constructing the Brisbane Light Maintenance Francisco to San Jose Project Section (Project Facility, expanding the Millbrae Station, and Section, or project) on community cohesion, children’s the passing track and viaduct construction health and safety, the impacts of displacement and (under Alternative B). Project construction relocation, and economic impacts. The socioeconomic could permanently affect social relationships data used in the analysis are derived from various and perceptions of quality of life by sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, California displacing residents, businesses, and Department of Finance, and the various county and community and public facilities. city agencies. ▪ No disproportionate impacts on children’s The San Francisco to San Jose Project Section health and safety would occur due to project Community Impact Assessment (San Francisco to San construction or operation. Jose Community Impact Assessment) (California ▪ Alternative A would displace 14 residential High-Speed Rail Authority [Authority] 2019a) provides units, 48 businesses, and 3 community and additional technical details on socioeconomics and public facilities; Alternative B (Viaduct to I- communities from the 4th and King Street Station to 880) would displace 42 residential units, 171 Scott Boulevard in Santa Clara, and the San Jose to businesses, and 6 community and public Merced Project Section Community Impact facilities; and Alternative B (Viaduct to Scott Assessment (San Jose to Merced Community Impact Boulevard) would displace 62 residential Assessment) (Authority 2019b) provides additional units, 202 businesses, and 7 community and technical details from Scott Boulevard to West Alma public facilities. Avenue in San Jose.1 Additional detailed information ▪ Overall the project would have a beneficial on property displacements and relocation impacts effect on the local and regional economy from the 4th and King Street Station to Scott due to sales tax and direct and indirect Boulevard in Santa Clara is provided in the San employment generated by construction and Francisco to San Jose Project Section Draft operations. Relocation Impact Report (San Francisco to San Jose Draft Relocation Impact Report) (Authority 2019c), and for the area from Scott Boulevard to West Alma Avenue in San Jose technical details are provided in the San Jose to Merced Project Section Draft Relocation Impact Report (San Jose to Merced Draft Relocation Impact Report) (Authority 2019d). Additional details on socioeconomics and communities are provided in the following appendices in Volume 2, Technical Appendices, of this Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): • Appendix 2-D, Applicable Design Standards, describes the relevant design standards for the project. • Appendix 2-E, Project Impact Avoidance and Minimization Features, provides the list of impact avoidance and minimization features (IAMF) incorporated into the project. • Appendix 2-I, Regional and Local Plans and Policies, provides a list by resource of applicable regional and local plans and policies. 1 Technical reports for the San Francisco to San Jose Project Section evaluate the portions of the HSR alignment between 4th and King Street Station in San Francisco and Scott Boulevard in Santa Clara, while technical reports for the adjacent San Jose to Merced Project Section evaluate the portions of the HSR alignment south of Scott Boulevard to the Project Section terminus at West Alma Avenue south of the San Jose Diridon Station. California High-Speed Rail Authority July 2020 San Francisco to San Jose Project Section Draft EIR/EIS Page | 3.12-1 Section 3.12 Socioeconomics and Communities • Appendix 2-J, Policy Consistency Analysis, provides a summary by resource of project inconsistencies and reconciliations with local plans and policies. • Appendix 3.12-A, Relocation Assistance Documents, provides information regarding the rights and benefits of displacees under the Uniform Relocation Assistance Program. It includes information applicable to residences, mobile homes, businesses, farms, and nonprofit organizations. • Appendix 3.17-A, RIMS II Modeling Details, provides additional information on the modeling conducted for the regional growth analysis. Ten EIR/EIS resource sections and one chapter provide additional information related to socioeconomics and communities: • Section 3.2, Transportation, evaluates project impacts on traffic and circulation, including bicycle and pedestrian facilities. • Section 3.3, Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases, evaluates project impacts on attainment of national ambient air quality standards. • Section 3.4, Noise and Vibration, evaluates project noise and vibration impacts on sensitive receptors and the feasibility of noise abatement. • Section 3.5, Electromagnetic Fields and Electromagnetic Interference, evaluates project impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) on sensitive receptors. • Section 3.10, Hazardous Materials and Wastes, evaluates project impacts of the use of hazardous materials and wastes during project construction and operation on the public. • Section 3.11, Safety and Security, evaluates project impacts on pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety, and on emergency response and travel times. • Section 3.13, Station Planning, Land Use, and Development, evaluates project impacts on existing and planned land use, including consistency with local and regional land use and transportation plans. • Section 3.14, Parks, Recreation, and Open Space, evaluates project impacts on parks, recreation, and open space. • Section 3.15, Aesthetics and Visual Quality, evaluates project impacts on the visual environment. • Section 3.17, Regional Growth, evaluates project impacts on planned and unplanned growth in the region. • Chapter 5, Environmental Justice, evaluates project impacts on minority and low-income populations. 3.12.1.1 Definition of Resources The following are definitions relating to socioeconomic and community resources analyzed in this EIR/EIS. • Communities—People living in the same city, town, or neighborhood, who exhibit behavior patterns expressed through daily social interactions, the use of local facilities, participation in local organizations, and involvement in activities that satisfy the population’s economic and social needs. This term also refers to areas that have defined boundaries within which a network of roads and nonmotorized transportation routes exist, and that have different characters of land uses and community facilities. • Children’s health and safety—Potential environmental impacts that specifically affect children (i.e., people under 18 years of age). These environmental impacts include air quality, July 2020 California High-Speed Rail Authority 3.12-2 | Page San Francisco to San Jose Project Section Draft EIR/EIS Section 3.12 Socioeconomics and Communities noise impacts on health and learning, EMI, exposure to hazardous materials, and potential safety risks to children. • Displacements and relocations—Displacements refers to the movement of people out of their residences, businesses, or nonprofit organizations as a result of acquisition of private property for a transportation or other government project. Relocations refers to the relocation of people into new homes, or commercial or industrial properties with assistance and benefits in accordance with federal and California laws as discussed in Section 3.12.2, Laws, Regulations, and Orders. • Economic impacts—Changes in employment, business productivity, and public funding induced by a project. Public funding can be affected by displacements and relocations of residences and businesses, which in turn can alter school district funding, and property and sales tax revenues. Changes to regional growth can also influence economic impacts, particularly from changes to employment and population growth. 3.12.2 Laws, Regulations, and Orders This section presents federal and state laws, regulations, and orders applicable to socioeconomics and communities. The Authority would implement the high-speed rail (HSR) project, including the Project Section, in compliance with federal and state regulations. Volume 2, Appendix 2-I provides regional and local plans and policies relevant to socioeconomics and communities considered in the preparation of this analysis. 3.12.2.1 Federal Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts (64 Federal Register 28545) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts Section 14(n)(14) requires an EIS to assess the impacts of the project alternatives on the transportation and general mobility of the elderly and handicapped. Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (USEO 13166) U.S. Presidential Executive Order (USEO) 13166 requires each federal agency to confirm that recipients of federal financial assistance