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FINAL SUBSEQUENT FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT PROPOSED UPDATES TO CITY OF CLOVIS WATER MASTER PLAN, WASTEWATER
MASTER PLAN, AND RECYCLED WATER MASTER PLAN
P R E P A R E D F O R :
CityofClovis1033FifthStreetClovis,CA93612Contact:RyanBurnett559.324.2336
P R E P A R E D B Y :
ICF630KStreet,Suite400Sacramento,CA95814Contact:LindsayChristensen916.231.7614
June2018
ICF.2018.FinalSubsequentFocusedEnvironmentalImpactReportProposedUpdatestoCityofClovisWaterMasterPlan,WastewaterMasterPlan,andRecycledWaterMasterPlan.June2018.(ICF00004.15.)Sacramento,CA.PreparedforCityofClovis,Clovis,CA.
Final Subsequent Focused EIR Proposed Updates to City of Clovis Master Plans
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Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1‐1
1.1 This Document ................................................................................................................. 1‐1
1.2 Revisions to the Draft Subsequent Focused EIR .............................................................. 1‐2
Chapter 2 Comments Received on the Subsequent Focused EIR ........................................................ 2‐1
Chapter 3 Responses to Comments ................................................................................................... 3‐1
Individual Comments ........................................................................................................................... 3‐2
Response to Comment Letter 1 (California Department of Transportation) ............................... 3‐2
Response to Comment Letter 2 (County of Fresno) ..................................................................... 3‐2
Response to Comment Letter 3 (Fresno Irrigation District) ......................................................... 3‐2
Response to Comment Letter 4 (P‐R Farms) ................................................................................. 3‐8
Response to Comment Letter 5 (San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District) .................... 3‐8
References Cited in Response to Comments .................................................................................... 3‐10
Tables
Table Page
2‐1 List of Commenters ...................................................................................................................... 2‐1
City of Clovis Table of Contents
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
µg/m3 microgramspercubicmeter2008MasterPlan WastewaterMasterPlanUpdate,Phase22014GeneralPlan 2014CityofClovisGeneralPlan2017MasterPlan WastewaterMasterPlanUpdate,Phase3AAQA ambientairqualityanalysisAB AssemblyBillAF acre‐feetAFY acre‐feetperyearARB CaliforniaAirResourcesBoardBAAQMD BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrictBAU business‐as‐usualBPS bestperformancestandardsCAA federalCleanAirActCAAQS CaliforniaambientairqualitystandardsCCAA CaliforniaCleanAirActCCR CaliforniaCodeofRegulationsCEQA CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActCIP capitalimprovementprojectsCO carbonmonoxideCO2e carbondioxideequivalentDTSC DepartmentofToxicSubstancesControlEIR EnvironmentalImpactReportEPA U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyF‐gases fluorinatedgasesFEIR FinalEnvironmentalImpactReportFID FresnoIrrigationDistrictFMFCD FresnoMetropolitanFloodControlDistrictGAMAQI GuideforAssessingandMitigatingAirQualityImpactsGHG greenhousegasgpm gallonsperminuteGWP globalwarmingpotentialI&I inflowandinfiltrationICF ICFInternationalIPCC IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeIS subsequentInitialStudyLF linearfeetLOS LevelofServiceMasterPlansorProject proposedupdatestotheCityofClovisWaterMasterPlan,
WastewaterMasterPlan,andRecycledWaterMasterPlanMGD milliongallonsperdayMMs mitigationmeasuresMTCO2e metrictonscarbondioxideequivalentNAAQS nationalambientairqualitystandards
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NewhallRanch NewhallLandandFarmingCompanyNO2 nitrogendioxideNOX nitrogenoxidePEIR ProgramEnvironmentalImpactReportPM particulatematterPM2.5 particulatematterlessthanorequalto2.5micronsindiameterRWRF RegionalWaterReclamationFacilitySB SenateBillSB32ScopingPlan ARB’sRevisedDraft2017ClimateChangeScopingPlanSC standardconditionSJVAB SanJoaquinValleyAirBasinSJVAPCD SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrictSO2 sulfurdioxideSOI SphereofInfluenceSR StateRouteST/WRF SewageTreatment/WaterReuseFacilitySWTP surfacewatertreatmentplantTAC toxicaircontaminantUSTs undergroundstoragetanksUWMP UrbanWaterManagementPlanVERA VoluntaryEmissionReductionAgreementVOC volatileorganiccompoundWaterMasterPlan WaterMasterPlanUpdate–PhaseIII
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Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 This Document ThisdocumentcomprisesonepartoftheFinalSubsequentFocusedEIRfortheProposedUpdatestoCityofClovisMasterPlans.TheotherpartistheDraftSubsequentFocusedEIR(DraftEIR).Thepresentdocumentcontainscommentssubmittedbyagencies,organizationsandindividualsconcerningtheFebruary2018DraftEIR,responsestothosecomments,andappropriaterevisionstotheEIR.TheDraftEIR(StateClearinghouseNumber2017121003)wasmadeavailabletothepublicandregulatoryagenciesforreviewandcommentduringa45‐daycommentperiodbetweenFebruary28,2018andApril13,2018.
TheGuidelinesimplementingtheCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA)requirethatwrittenresponsesbepreparedforallwrittencommentsreceivedonaDEIRduringthepublicreviewperiod.CEQAGuidelinesSection15132specificallystates:
TheFinalEIRshallconsistof:
1. TheDraftEIRorarevisionofthatdraft.
2. CommentsandrecommendationsreceivedontheDraftEIReitherverbatimorinasummary.
3. Alistofpersons,organizations,andpublicagenciescommentingontheDraftEIR.
4. TheresponseoftheLeadAgencytosignificantenvironmentalpointsraisedinthereviewandconsultationprocess.
5. AnyotherinformationaddedbytheLeadAgency.
ThisFinalEIRhasbeenpreparedincompliancewiththeseGuidelinesandincludesthefollowing.
DraftSubsequentFocusedEIR,February2018(notreprinted)
ExecutiveSummary
Chapter1.IntroductionandScopeofEnvironmentalImpactReport
Chapter2.ProjectDescription
Chapter3.ImpactAnalysis
Chapter4.OtherCEQAConsiderations
Chapter5.ReportPreparers
AppendixA–InitialStudy
VolumeIIComments,ResponsestoComments,RevisionstoSubsequentFocusedEIR(thisdocument)
Chapter1.Introduction
City of Clovis Introduction
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Chapter2.CommentsReceivedontheSubsequentFocusedEIR
Chapter3.ResponsestoComments
1.2 Revisions to the Draft Subsequent Focused EIR ThefollowingrevisionsaremadetotheDraftEIR.TherevisionsarelistedbypagenumberintheorderthattheoriginaltextappearedintheDraftEIRthatwascirculatedforreview.Deletedtextisshowninstrike‐outandnewtextisunderlined.
Page3‐18,3.1.3.RegulatorySetting,ThefollowingisinsertedafterthefirstparagraphunderRegulatorySetting:
Pertainingtotheconservationtargets,theCityhasbeenandcontinuestoenforcenewpoliciesandpracticesintheCitytoachievetherequired20%conservationtargetidentifiedinSBX7‐7(Chapter4,Statutesof2009).BetweenJune2015andMarch2016,duringmandatoryconservationperiodsassociatedwithGovernor’sexecutiveordersduringthedrought,theCitywasabletoachieve31%reductionindemands,illustratingtheabilityfortheCitytoachievethe20%targetforconservation.
Page3‐18,3.1.3.RegulatorySetting,Thelastparagraphonthispageisrevisedasfollows:
ThePEIRfoundthatthesustainablegroundwateryieldfortheplanningareawas16,100AFY.The2015UWMPnotesthatnaturalgroundwaterrechargein2015,thefinalyearofCalifornia’smostrecentdrought,was1,788acre‐feetperyear(AFY):substantiallylessthanthe30‐yearaverageofapproximately7,700afydescribedinthePEIR.Forthisandotherreasonssuchasconversionofagriculturallandstourbanusesandthelackofdeeppercolationofsurfacewaterfromirrigation,lesssurfacewaterdeliveriestoagriculturallands,removalofirrigationfacilitiesandthelossofrechargethroughthesesystems,andthecreationofmorehardscapesfromdevelopmentandthecaptureanddischargeofstormwaterstotheFIDsystemsandexportofstormwaterfromthearea,theWaterMasterPlanhasrevisedthesustainablegroundwateryield.UtilizingthefiguresinTable6.11‐1oftheWMP,thesustainablepumpingquantity,includingrechargeefforts,whichtheCityintendstocontinueandincrease,is16,060AFY.to9,400AFY.
Page3‐21,ImpactWR‐1.Thethirdparagraphisrevisedasfollows:
TheWaterMasterPlanUpdatedoesn’tdeterminetheprojectedgroundwaterpumpinglevelsatvarioustimes,butsizesthewatersupplysystembasedondemandsandavailablesupplies.Forthesphereofinfluenceandbuildoutthesustainablegroundwateryieldiscalculatedtobe16,0609,400AFY.Thesustainableyieldishowmuchwatercanbepumpedwithnoartificialrecharge.AssumingthattheCitycontinuestorechargeathistoriclevelsandpotentiallyhigherlevelsifadditionalfacilitiesarebuiltasproposedintheWaterMasterPlanUpdate,theneteffectshouldbeanimprovementingroundwaterconditions.
Page3‐22,3.2.1.Aesthetics.Thisparagraphisrevisedasfollows:
TheinfrastructureresultingfromtheMasterPlanupdateswillbelargelyinstalledundergroundandwillnotchangetheaestheticsfromthoseanticipatedinthe2014programEIR.AsdiscussedinAppendixA:InitialStudy,surfaceSurfaceinfrastructuresuchaswaterstoragetanks,
City of Clovis Introduction
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treatmentplantexpansion,andpumpingstationswillbelocatedwithintheurbanarea,therebyreducingitspotentialtoaffectruralviews,willbelow‐profile,andthereforearenotexpectedtocreateneworsubstantiallymoreseveresignificantimpacts.
Thefollowingdesign‐relatedmitigationmeasureswillensurethatthevisualimpactoflargerfacilitieswillbelessthansignificant.
MitigationMeasureAES‐1:ImplementProjectDesignAestheticsforWaterStorageTanks,BoosterPumpStation,andSWTPFacilities
Theprojectengineer/designerwillimplementaestheticdesigntreatmentswithaconsistentmotifforthewatertanksandpumpstations.Ataminimum,watertankswillbecoloredtoblendandrecedeintothelandscape.Choosingearth‐tonedcolorsforthesurfaceswouldbelessdistractingtoviewersthanlightorbrightlycoloredsurfaces.Studieshaveshownthatstructures2to3degreesdarkerthanthecolorofthegeneralsurroundingareacreateslessofavisualimpactthanmatchingorlighterhues.1Ingeneral,whitesandverylightbuff/tan,brown,orgraycolorsstandoutmorethandarkercolorssuchasdarkerbrowns,greens,andwarmgraysthathavetheabilitytocomplementthesurroundingvegetation.Adesignmotifmayalsobeappliedthatreflectsanarchitecturaltreatment,similartotheTollhouseRoadwatertanknearArmstrongAvenue.Thiswouldreducevisualmonotony,softenverticality,reduceglare,andbemorevisuallypleasingtoviewersthanplainsurfacesfortankssurfacesthatwouldbevisibletoadjacentviewers.Inaddition,thepumpstationhouseswillbedesignedusinganarchitecturaltreatmentthatisaestheticallypleasing,similartothepumpstationalongNorthBurlAvenue,sothatthesefacilitiesblendwellwithnearbyarchitecturalstyles.Roughenedwallsurfaceswouldsoftentheverticalityofthewallfacesbyprovidingvisualtextureandreducingtheamountofsmoothsurfacethatcanreflectlight.Furthermore,treeswillbeplantedwithinthefacilities’perimeterwalltoprovidevisualscreeningforthewatertankandpumphouse,toaidinreducingtheapparentscaleofthewatertank,andtoblocklightandglarecomingfromthefacilities.ExistingSWTPfacilitiesalongLeonardAvenuewillensurethatexistingperimeterlandscapingissufficienttoprovidevisualscreeningforresidencetothewestandadditionalvegetationwillbeplantedwheregapsinperimeterlandscapingdonotprovidesufficientscreening.Priortoapprovalofthefacilitydesign,theProjectlandscapearchitectwillworkwiththeCitytoreviewProjectdesignstoensurethatthefollowingelementsareimplementedintheProjectlandscapingplan.
ThemajorityofthespeciescompositionwillreflectspeciesthatarenativeandindigenoustothePlanAreaandCalifornia.Nativeplantspeciescanbeusedtocreateattractivespaces,highinaestheticquality,thatarenotonlydrought‐tolerantbutattractmorewildlifethantraditionallandscapeplantpalettes.UseofnativespeciespromotesavisualcharacterofCaliforniathatisbeinglostthroughdevelopmentandrelianceonnon‐nativeornamentalplantspecies.Non‐invasive,non‐nativeplantspeciesmaybeusedwherenativeplantspecieswillnotachievethedesireddesignintent.
Thespecieslistwillincludetreesandshrubsofvaryingheights,aswellasbothevergreenanddeciduoustypes.Plantvarietywillincreasetheeffectivenessoftheplantingareasbyprovidingmultiplelayersforeffectivescreening,seasonality,andreducedsusceptibilityto
1Refertohttps://www.ntc.blm.gov/krc/viewresource.php?courseID=972&programAreaId=50,Unit5VisualDesignFundamentals,formoreinformationonthistechniqueandotherbestmanagementpracticesandtechniquesforvisualscreening.
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disease.Evergreengroundcoversorlow‐growingplants,suchasCeanothusspp.,andanherbaceousunderstorymayalsobeusedalongtheexterioroftheperimeterwalltocreateamoreformallandscapingdesign.
Specialattentionshouldbepaidtoplantchoicesnearresidencestoensurethatspecieschosenareofanappropriateheightandrelyonevergreenspeciestoprovideyear‐roundlightscreeningfromnuisancelight.
Vegetationwillbeplantedwithinthefirst12monthsfollowingProjectcompletion.
MitigationMeasureAES‐2:ApplyMinimumLightingStandards
Allartificialoutdoorlightingandoverheadstreetlightingwillbelimitedtosafetyandsecurityrequirementsandtheminimumrequiredfordriversafety.LightingwillbedesignedusingIlluminatingEngineeringSociety’sdesignguidelinesandincompliancewithInternationalDark‐SkyAssociation‐approvedfixtures.Alllightingwillbedesignedbythelightingdesignertohaveminimumimpactonthesurroundingenvironmentandwillusedowncast,cut‐offtypefixturesthatareshieldedanddirectthelightonlytowardobjectsrequiringillumination.Therefore,lightswillbeinstalledatthelowestallowableheightandcastlow‐angleilluminationwhileminimizingincidentallightspillontoadjacentpropertiesoropenspaces,orbackscatterintothenighttimesky.Thelowestallowablewattagewillbeusedforalllightedareas,andthenumberofnighttimelightsneededtolightanareawillbeminimized.Lightfixtureswillhavenon‐glarefinishesthatwillnotcausereflectivedaytimeglare.Lightingwillbedesignedforenergyefficiency,withdaylightsensorsortimerswithanon/offprogram.Lightswillprovidegoodcolorrenderingwithnaturallightqualities,withtheminimumintensityfeasibleforsecurity,safety,andpersonnelaccess.Lighting,includinglightcolorrenderingandfixturetypes,willbedesignedtobeaestheticallypleasing.LEDlightingwillavoidtheuseofBRWLlampsanduseacorrelatedcolortemperaturethatisnohigherthan3,000K,consistentwiththeInternationalDark‐SkyAssociation’sFixtureSealofApprovalProgram(InternationalDark‐SkyAssociation2010a,2010b,2015).Inaddition,LEDlightswilluseshieldingtoensurethatnuisanceglareandlightspilldoesnotaffectsensitiveresidentialviewers.Technologiestoreducelightpollutionevolveovertime;designmeasuresthatarecurrentlyavailablemayhelpbutmaynotbethemosteffectivemeansofcontrollinglightpollutiononcetheProjectisdesigned.Therefore,alldesignmeasuresusedtoreducelightpollutionwillusethetechnologiesavailableatthetimeofProjectdesigntoallowforthehighestpotentialreductioninlightpollution.
Page3‐25,3.2.11.PublicServices,Utilities,andServiceSystems.Thelastsentenceinthissubsectionisrevisedasfollows:
NotethattheDraftSubsequentFocusedEIRexaminestheavailabilityofwatertomeetfuturedemandinSection3.33.1.3,WaterSupply.
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Chapter 2 Comments Received on the Subsequent Focused EIR
ThischapterincludestheletterofreceiptfromtheStateClearinghouse;alistoftheagencies,organizationsandindividualswhocommentedontheDraftSubsequentFocusedEIR(Table2‐1);andtheactualcommentletterssubmitted.ThecommentlettershavebeennumberedasshowninTable2‐1andincludebothlettersandemails.Theindividualcommentswithineachletterhavebeennumberedintherightmargins.ThereisaresponseforeachcommentinChapter3,ResponsestoComments.EachindividualresponseinChapter3isnumberedtocorrespondwiththecommenttowhichitresponds.
Table 2‐1. List of Commenters
Letter# Commenter
StateAgencies
1 CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans)District6
LocalAgencies
2 CountyofFresno
3 FresnoIrrigationDistrict
5 SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict
Organizations
4 PR‐Farms
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Chapter 3 Responses to Comments
ThischapterincludesresponsesforeachofthenumberedcommentsidentifiedinthecommentlettersinChapter2,CommentsReceivedontheSubsequentFocusedEIR.Eachresponsebeginswithabriefsummaryofthecomment,respondstothecomment,andthenidentifiesifrevisionstotheSubsequentFocusedEIRarerequired.RevisionstotheSubsequentFocusedEIRareincludedinChapter1.2,RevisionstotheSubsequentFocusedEIR,inthisdocument
Inrespondingtocomments,CEQAdoesnotrequireaLeadAgencytoconducteverytestorperformallresearch,studyorexperimentationrecommendedordemandedbycommenters.Rather,aLeadAgencyneedonlyrespondtosignificantenvironmentalissuesanddoesnotneedtoprovideallinformationrequestedbyreviewers,aslongasagoodfaitheffortatfulldisclosureismadeintheEIR(CEQAGuidelinessecs.15088,15204).
City of Clovis Responses to Comments
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Individual Comments
Response to Comment Letter 1 (California Department of Transportation)
Comment 1‐1
CaltransdescribestherequirementforanencroachmentpermitandneedtocoordinatewithCaltranswhenanyworkisdonewithintherightofwayofastatehighway.TheCitywillcomplywiththeserequirements,asrequiredbylaw.ThisisnotacommentontheadequacyoftheCEQAdocumentandnofurtherresponseisnecessary.
Response to Comment Letter 2 (County of Fresno)
Comment 2‐1
TheCountystatesthatithasnocommentsontheCEQAdocument.Noresponseisnecessary
Response to Comment Letter 3 (Fresno Irrigation District)
TheFresnoIrrigationDistrict(FID)openswithageneralcommentregardingsurfacewateravailabilityforthecity.Asexplainedinthefollowingindividualresponses,theCityisundertakingamulti‐prongedapproachtoensuringClovis’sfuturewatersupply.First,theCityhasgroundwaterandsurfacewatersuppliessufficientthrough2035buildout.Next,theCitywillbenefitfromenhancedconservation,inpartduetostatelawrequirementsandrefinedlocalwatermanagementpractices(asdescribedbelow).TheCityhasalsoenhanceditsabilitytouserecycledwaterandsupplementitswaterresourcesupplywithrecharge,irrigationandwaterexchangeopportunities.TheCityisalsoaggressivelyexploringwatersupply/exchangeagreementswithseveralagenciesincludingFID,thecityofFresno,andCaliforniaStateUniversityFresno(CSUFresno).TheCity’seffortswillcontinueasitgathersresourcestomeetthe2083Buildoutthresholdnotedinthe2014GeneralPlanandGeneralPlanEIR.
Comment 3‐1
TheSEIRdisclosestheuncertaintyintheCity’slong‐termwatersupply.SeeSections1.6.2,disclosingthesignificantandunavoidableimpactsidentifiedinthe2014GeneralPlanEIRonwhichthisSEIRisbased,and2.3.3,whichdiscussestheuncertaintyinlong‐termwatersupply.TheCityiscurrentlyworkingwithFIDonrevisingthecooperativeagreementbetweenFIDandClovisforwaterutilizationandconveyance.
Comment 3‐2
Sincecertificationofthe2014GeneralPlanEIR,theNorthKingsGroundwaterSustainabilityAgency(NKGSA)hasbeenformedinaccordancewiththeSustainableGroundwaterManagementAct(SGMA).However,theNKGSAisstillintheprocessofcollectingdataonthearea’sgroundwateranddevelopingagroundwatersustainabilityplan.Thetargetforadoptionofthegroundwatersustainabilityplanis2020.Asaresult,thereisinsufficientinformationfortheSEIRtodrawdetailedconclusionsaboutthefutureimpactsofSGMAonavailablegroundwatersupply.Nonetheless,the
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2014GeneralPlanEIRconcludedthatpotentialgroundwaterdepletionandgroundwaterrechargeimpedimentsin2035andatfullbuildoutundertheGeneralPlanwouldbeasignificantandunavoidableimpact.Section3.1.3oftheSEIRdiscusses,anddoesnotchange,thatconclusion.ImpactWTR‐1notesthattheproposedWaterMasterPlanwillnotresultinasubstantiallymoresevereproblemthandisclosedinthe2014GeneralPlanEIR.
Comment 3‐3
ThiscommentrelatestotheabilityoftheCitytogrowtotheextentforecastinthe2014GeneralPlan.ImpactWTR‐2disclosesthatthe2014GeneralPlanEIRconcludedthat“[w]atersuppliesforFullBuildoutoftheGeneralPlanhavenotyetbeenidentifiedbeyondthetotal2035forecastwatersupplies...”andthat“impactsoffullGeneralPlanUpdatebuildoutonwatersuppliesaresignificantandunavoidable.”
TheCityrecognizesthat,asdiscussedinSection3.1.3andImpactsWTR‐1andWTR‐2,additionalwatersourceswillneedtobenegotiatedforGeneralPlanBuildoutbeyond2035.Theoutcomeandtimeframeofsuchnegotiationsisuncertain,thereforethe2014GeneralPlanEIRandthisSEIRconcludethatimpactonwatersupplyissignificantandunavoidable.
Comment 3‐4
TheCitywillutilizetheirgroundwatersuppliestoprovidewateroutsideoftheKingsRiverWaterAssociationboundariesandwillutilizeexistingandfuturesurfacewatersupplieswithintheboundary.NegotiationsareongoingwiththeFIDconcerningsurfacewatersuppliesandtheCitywillcontinuetodiscussandcoordinatewithother,neighboringagencies,regardingadditionalsurfacewatersupplies.Additionally,theCitycanutilizebankedwaterwithintheareatoprovidewatersuppliestomeetthedemandsthrough2035.Thetimingandcoordinationofusingthesesupplieswillbeconsideredwhendetermininghowbesttoutilizethem.ItisanticipatedthismaybeacomponentoftheongoingnegotiationsanddiscussionsbetweentheFIDandtheCity.
Comment 3‐5
Theprimarypurposeoftheemergencyinterties(northwestandsouthinterties)wastoprovideemergencysuppliesbetweenthecitiesofFresnoandClovis,whenneeded.Additionally,thecityofFresnoexperiences,attimes,watersupplychallengesinthesoutheastportionofthecity;theintertiesprovideapossibleavenueforClovistoaugmentthesupplythroughthesouthintertieandreceivewaterfromthecityofFresnothroughthenorthwestintertie.Theintertiesactasa”pass‐through”intheseinstancestoprovideassistance.ThiswatersupplyitselfisnotdepletingtheCity’sresources,butinsteadtheintertiesofferanopportunityforenhancement.
Comment 3‐6
TheCityunderstandsthatSGMAimplementationandcompliancerequirementsaredevelopingandsomeareasmay,initially,havevaryingrequirements.However,itisalsounderstoodthat,iftheCity
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annexesareasthatarecurrently”whiteareas,”thoseareaswouldthenbeapartoftheCityandtherebysubjecttothesameSGMArequirementsastheremainderoftheCity.
Comment 3‐7
ThepotentialdiversionfromtheFriant‐KernCanalcouldrelayexistingKingsRiverWatersuppliestotheCitythroughanexchangeviatheFID,orthepotentialdiversioncouldprovideavehicletoreceiveyet‐to‐beacquiredsurfacewatersuppliesthattheCityisorwillbenegotiatinginthefuture.ThepotentialdiversionwouldprovideadditionalflexibilityandredundancyfortheCitytoaccessitssurfacewatersuppliesduringperiodsofmaintenanceontheEnterpriseCanal.TheCityisinnegotiationswiththeFIDtodeterminesurfacewaterdeliveryparameters;furtherdetailsareunavailableatthistime.
Comment 3‐8
Thiscommentpertainstodevelopmentofnewproductionwellsinthevicinityofprivatewellslocatedinruralresidentialareas.TheWaterMasterPlandoesnotindicatethatanynewwellswouldbelocatedinawaythatwouldimmediatelyaffectprivatewellsinruralresidentialareas.AstheCity’swaterdistributionsystemisdevelopedandcouldprovideservicetotheruralresidentialareas,theCitycanconsiderextendingservicetothoseareas.Extendedservicewouldgreatlyreducerelianceonprivatewellsfordomesticservice.
Comment 3‐9
DiscussionswithCSUFresnohavebeenongoing.Inthepasttheuniversityhasindicatedawillingnesstocontinuethosediscussions.Itisunknownwhatthetermsofapotentialexchange,includingthepossibleratioofanexchange,wouldbewithouthavingnegotiationsproceedfurther.
CSUFresnohasanentitlementtoKingsRiverWater,similartotheCity’sentitlement.UnderanarrangementwiththeCity,thewaterrightsentitlementmayremainwithCSUFresnoandanagreementcouldbeexecutedbetweentheCityandtheuniversitytoexchangethosewaterresourcesforrecycledwaterfromtheCity.
FID’spotentialroleinthispossiblearrangementcouldrangefromveryminimaltoassistingwithconveyancethroughexistingfacilitiesspanningthedistancebetweenCSUFresnoandtheCity.
Comment 3‐10
TheWaterMasterPlanindicatesa2035supplythatwillmeetdemands;however,2083demands,withoutconservation,areforecastedtoexceedsuppliesby5,600acre‐feetperyear.Lessthan10%conservationwillmakeupforthisshortfallortheCitywillworktowardssecuringadditionalwatersuppliesthroughneighboringwaterdistricts.
Pertainingtotheconservationtargets,theCityhasbeenandcontinuestoenforcenewpoliciesandpracticesintheCitytoachievetherequired20%conservationtargetidentifiedinSBX7‐7(Chapter4,Statutesof2009).BetweenJune2015andMarch2016,duringmandatoryconservationperiodsassociatedwithGovernor’sexecutiveordersduringthedrought,theCitywasabletoachieve31%reductionindemands,illustratingtheabilityfortheCitytoachievethe20%targetforconservation.
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However,projecteddemandsarenotbasedonconservationfiguresbutonactualdatafrom2013watermeterreadingsthroughouttheCity.
Thesustainablepumpingnumber,6,660acre‐feetperyear,inSection6.11(page6‐39)oftheWaterMasterPlanwasmisunderstoodtobeatotalsustainableyield.Thisnumberisthesustainablepumpingquantitywithoutconsideringintentionalrecharge.UtilizingthefiguresinTable6.11‐1oftheWMP,thesustainablepumpingquantity,includingrechargeefforts,whichtheCityintendstocontinueandincrease,is16,060acre‐feetperyear.ThisisconsistentwithconclusionofthePEIRthatthesustainableyieldis16,100acre‐feetperyear.ThenumbersarecorrectedinSection1.2ofthisdocument.ThisdoesnotchangetheconclusionsoftheSubsequentEIR.
Comment 3‐11
ImpactWTR‐2iscorrectinstatingthatitisnotadevelopmentprojectthatwillcreateadditionalwaterdemands.Adevelopmentproject,andinabroadersensethe2014GeneralPlan,authorizesnewdevelopmenttooccurthatwillcreateademandforwater.PursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65300,theCityisrequiredtoadopt“acomprehensive,long‐termgeneralplanforthephysicaldevelopmentofthe…city,andofanylandoutsideitsboundarieswhichintheplanningagency’sjudgmentbearsrelationtoitsplanning.”GovernmentCodeSection65580describesoneobjectiveofthegeneralplan’shousingelementas“[d]esignatingandmaintainingasupplyoflandandadequatesitessuitable,feasible,andavailableforthedevelopmentofhousingsufficienttomeetthelocality’shousingneedforallincomelevelsisessentialtoachievingthestate’shousinggoals…”ThisincludesaccommodatingtheCity’sshareoftheregionalhousingneed(GovernmentCodeSection65583).Clearly,the2014GeneralPlanisrequiredtobeaforward‐lookingsetofpolicies,notastaticdescriptionofexistingconditions.TheobjectiveoftheWaterMasterPlanistoestablishthepathbywhichtheCitycanmeettheprojecteddemandsoffuturegrowth.
AnEIRisadisclosuredocumentintendedtoinformthepublic,agencies,anddecision‐makersofthepotentialimpactsofaparticularaction(here,adoptionoftheWaterMasterPlan).TheEIRdoesnotapprovethataction.ApprovaloftheGeneralPlanin2014facilitatesfurthergrowthinaccordancewithitspolicies;thepurposeoftheWaterMasterPlanistoidentifythemeansbywhichsufficientwaterwillbeobtainedtoaccommodatethatgrowth.Asdisclosedinthe2014GeneralPlanEIRandthisSEIR,atthistimeitdoesnotappearthattheCitycanobtainalong‐termwatersupplysufficienttoservefuturedevelopmentundertheGeneralPlan.
ThereisnofeasiblemitigationmeasuretoensurethattheCitywillhavesufficientwatertomeetitslong‐termwaterdemand.TheCityisalreadyundertakingseveralprogramstoreducethedemandoffuturedevelopment,therebystretchingexistingandprojectedsupplies.ThesearedetailedinChapter9,DemandManagementMeasures,ofthe2015UrbanWaterManagementPlan.BecauseofthehousingelementrequirementsplacedontheCitybystatelaw,constraininggrowthintheabsenceofaclearabsenceofwatertosupportthatgrowthisnotlegallyfeasible.
Comment 3‐12
Asmentionedabove,theCitywillcontinuetoworkwithneighboringagenciestosecureadditionalwatersuppliestomeetfuturedemands;theCityispresentlyworkingwiththeFIDtonegotiatewatersuppliesforfuturegrowth,beforethosesuppliesareneededimmediately.
Additionally,itisimportanttonotethatalargeportionofthelandstheCitywillexpandintohaseither(a)existingwaterrightsthatshouldberetainedwiththelandandconveyedtotheCityupon
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developmentand/or(b)hasanexistingwaterusedemandthatfrequentlyexceedsthatofthedevelopedurbanwaterdemand.Therefore,itshouldnotbeseenthatdevelopmentiscreatingentirelynewdemands,butinsteadisconvertingexistingsuppliesanddemandstodifferentusesthatmayprovideanet‐reductioninwaterdemand.
Comment 3‐13
ThisshouldreferenceSection3.1.3oftheSEIR.TheFinalSEIRincludesthisrevision.
Comment 3‐14
TheWaterMasterPlandemandforecastisbasedonthelevelofgrowthenvisionedunderthe2014GeneralPlan.Asaresult,theWaterMasterPlancannotinduceagreaterlevelofgrowththansetoutintheGeneralPlananditwillbenogreaterthandisclosedinthe2014programEIR.
Comment 3‐15
AsdiscussedinSection3.1.3oftheSEIR,the2014GeneralPlanEIRconcludedthatdevelopmentundertheGeneralPlanwouldresultinasignificantimpactonwaterresources.TheSEIRfoundthattheWaterMasterPlanwouldsimilarlyhaveasignificanteffect.ThoseconclusionsareconsistentwiththefindinginSection4.5.
Comment 3‐16
TheCityisworkingwiththeFIDtosecurereliablewatersuppliesnow,wellinadvanceofneedingthosesupplies.TheCityisalsocontinuingdiscussionswithotherneighboringwaterdistrictstoexploreadditionalwatersupplyagreementswiththoseentities.TheWaterMasterPlandoesnotprovidedetailsofthosenegotiationsanddiscussionsbecausetheyarenotconcluded,anddetailsarenotfirmandbindingatthistime.
Comment 3‐17
AsexplainedinSection1.5.2ofthissubsequentEIR,thefocusofthisdocumentisdisclosureofwhetherthecurrentprojectwouldresultinaneworsubstantiallymoresevereimpactnotaddressedinthe2014ProgramEIR.ThesubsequentEIRisbasedupontheprogramEIRcertifiedforthe2014GeneralPlan.The2014ProgramEIRconcludedthatdevelopmentundertheGeneralPlanwouldresultinsignificantandunavoidableimpactsongroundwaterrecharge(Impact5.9.2)andwatersupply(Impact5.17.1).ThesubsequentEIRcorrectlynotesthatthesearesignificantandunavoidableimpactspreviouslyidentifiedinthe2014ProgramEIR,butwillnotbesubstantiallymoreseverethanidentifiedinthatpreviousEIR.
Comment 3‐18
TheCityisnotpresentlyutilizingitsentirerecycledwatersupplieswithintheCitylimitsandintendstomakechangesinoperationstochangethatpractice.Ifthe”potential”recycledwaterusers,weretocommittousingthissupplytheusewouldoutstriptherecycledwatersupplieswithintheCity.Theexchangeofrecycledwaterwouldbeutilizedduringperiodsofexcess,whichmaybelonger‐termbasedonuseswithintheCityor,intheeventoflong‐termdemandsthatexceed
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supplies,throughanexpansionoftherecycledwatertreatmentfacility.Anexpansionisnotidentifiedatthistime,butcouldbeconsideredatalaterdateifnecessary.
Comment 3‐19
TheCityintendstoprioritizeusesoftherecycledwatersuppliesfor(1)in‐Cityirrigationdemandsindevelopingareas,(2)groundwaterrechargeuses,and(3)exchangesorout‐of‐Cityirrigation(agricultural)uses,inthatorder.
Comment 3‐20
Asmentionedabove,theCityisnotpresentlyusingitsentirerecycledwatersuppliesandisinstead,deliveringtheexcesstoanotheragencyforuseoutsidetheCityboundaries.TheinclusionofrecycledwaterasanadditionalsupplyissimplytoindicatetheCity’sintentiontomodifypracticeswithintheCitywherethosesupplieswouldbeusedwithintheCityboundarytomeetdemands.
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Response to Comment Letter 4 (P‐R Farms)
Comment 4‐1
RegardingMitigationMeasureAES‐1(ImplementProjectDesignAestheticsforWaterStorageTanks,BoosterPumpStation,andSWTPFacilities),theCityroutinelyworkswithpropertyownerswhendeterminingthelocationofwaterstoragetanksandotherfacilitiesthatwouldbelocatedoutsideofexistingrights‐of‐way.ThatisrequiredbeforetheCitymayacquireasiteforpublicfacilities.MitigationMeasureAES‐1relatestothedesignoflargerfacilitiesandnottheacquisitionofsites,sonochangeismadetothemeasure.
ThismitigationmeasureandmeasureAES‐2arediscussedinAppendixA,InitialStudy,butwereinadvertentlyleftoutofthetextoftheDraftSubsequentEIR.ThisisrectifiedintherevisionmadeinSection1.2ofthisdocument.Thereisnochangetothesignificanceoftheimpact.
Comment 4‐2
TheCitywillinformpropertyownersandworkwiththempriortoacquiringanysitesforpublicfacilities.
Response to Comment Letter 5 (San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District)
Comment 5‐1
TheCityappreciatestheAirPollutionControlDistrict’s(District’s)concurrenceinthefindingofsignificance.
Comment 5‐2
TheSubsequentEIRisaprogram‐leveldocumentandtheimprovementsthataredescribedthereinaredescribedingeneraltermsbecausenodetailsofconstructionandoperationsareavailableatthistime.Withoutthisdetailedinformation,theCitycannotaccuratelyestimatetheextent,timetable,orintensityofconstructionactivities,andthereforecannotreasonablyundertakeaHealthRiskAssessment(HRA)atthistime.
Inareasthatarecurrentlyundeveloped,theCityanticipatesinstallingwater,wastewater,anddrainageinfrastructureinadvanceoftheoccupancyofnewdevelopment.Theextentthatthiswilloccurcannotbeaccuratelyestimatedatthistime,butitisafurtherlimitationonassessingwhethertherearesensitivereceptorsthatcouldbeadverselyaffectedbyconstructionemissions.
TheCitywillprepareHRAsascircumstancesdictatewhenproject‐specificinformationbecomesavailableduringtheCEQAprocessforlateractivitiesundertheMasterPlans.LateractivitieswillberequiredtobereviewedforpotentialnewormoresevereimpactsunderCEQAGuidelinesSections15162‐15164.
Comment 5‐3
TheSubsequentEIRisaprogram‐leveldocumentandtheimprovementsthataredescribedthereinaredescribedingeneraltermsbecausenodetailsofconstructionandoperationsareavailableat
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thistime.Withoutdetailedinformation,suchasmightbeavailableonceactivitieshavebeendesigned,theCitycannotprepareanaccurateestimateofthepotentialairemissionsthatwouldresult.Therefore,itwouldbeprematurefortheCitytoconsiderenteringintoaVoluntaryEmissionsReductionAgreement(VERA)withtheDistrict.AstheCitydesignsthevariousprojectsthatareenvisionedintheMasterPlans,itwilldiscusstheneedforVERAswiththeDistrictanddecidewhethertoenterintosuchagreementsatthattime.
Comment 5‐4
TheprojectdescriptiondoesnotprovidesufficientinformationtodeterminewhetherfutureIndirectSourceReviews(ISRs)willbenecessarybecausedetailedinformationaboutconstructionandoperationsisnotavailableatthistime.AstheCitydesignsthevariousprojectsthatareenvisionedintheMasterPlans,itwillcoordinatewiththeDistrictovertheneedforindividualISRs.
Comment 5‐5
TheCityintendstocomplywithDistrictrulesandobtainanynecessarypermits.AsprojectsundertheMasterPlansmoveforwardtodesign,construction,andoperation,theCitywillworkwiththeDistricttoidentifyandcomplywiththeapplicablerules.Thespecificpermitswilldependontheprojectoractivitybeingundertaken.