BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Public Hearing on the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Engineer’s Report; Resolution Adopting the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; Resolution Approving the Engineer’s Report; and Project Approval of the Main Avenue and Madrone Pipeline Restoration Project, Project No. 26564001 (Morgan Hill) (District 1).
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Conduct Public Hearing on the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Engineer’s Report for the Main Avenue and Madrone Pipeline Restoration Project (Project);
B. Close the Public Hearing;
C. Consider the potential environmental effects of the Project as discussed in the Final IS/MND;
D. Adopt a Resolution ADOPTING THE FINAL INITIAL STUDY AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORT PROGRAM FOR THE MAIN AVENUE AND MADRONE PIPELINE RESTORATION PROJECT;
E. Adopt a Resolution APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR THE MAIN AVENUE AND MODRONE PIPELINE RESTORATION PROJECT; and
F. Approve the Project.
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SUMMARY:
The Main Avenue and Madrone Pipeline network is the main water supply system in south Santa Clara County for recharging the Llagas groundwater subbasin. The objective of the Main Avenue and Madrone Pipeline Restoration Project is to restore the Pipeline system to its full operating capacity. Restoration of the system will allow for groundwater recharge via the Main Avenue Recharge Ponds and the Madrone Channel from Anderson Reservoir or the Santa Clara Conduit. Completion of the Project will address current and future groundwater recharge demands.
The Main Avenue and Madrone Pipeline system conveyance capacity has deteriorated over the past 60 years, due to excess leakage and invasive tree roots. Over the last 20 years, temporary fixes have been implemented but the condition of the pipelines continues to degrade. In addition, Water Resources Planning Studies conducted in 2005 and 2010 have shown that there will be water supply shortages ranging from 4,000 acre-feet per year (AFY) to 16,000 AFY by the year 2030 in the South Santa Clara County, including the Llagas groundwater subbasin. The scope of the proposed Project is to design and construct approximately 14,000 linear feet of 30 and 36-inch diameter raw water pipeline and appurtenances to replace the existing pipelines with larger diameter pipelines, restore the system to its full operating capacity, and address the potential water supply shortages.
Environmental Review:
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the District as a lead agency prepared a Final IS/MND, which is included as Attachment 1 for the Board’s consideration prior to approving the Project. The draft IS/MND was circulated for public review from March 1, 2017 to April 3, 2017. The District received comments from five agencies and one member of the public. Staff considered these comments and made minor revisions, as appropriate, in the Final IS/MND.
As discussed in the attached Final IS/MND, the Project would result in no, or less than significant impacts, in all resource areas except for biological resources, cultural resources, hydrology/water quality, and noise. Below is a summary of the potentially significant impacts; however, these impacts would be reduced to less than significant levels, with implementation of mitigation measures proposed in the Final IS/MND and included in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP, Section 5 of the Final IS/MND).
With respect to biological resources, there are approximately 80 native oak trees in the northeastern portion of the project area which could be affected by construction activities. Although no trees are proposed to be removed, because of the proximity of these trees to the limits of construction, these trees could experience root loss due to soil disturbance and compaction from the narrow work area. Mitigation Measure BIO-1 has been proposed to implement a number of tree protection measures (e.g. establishing a tree protection zone from the tree base extending to the drip line of the canopy) to ensure that surrounding trees maintain their health and vitality during construction activities and prevent tree loss.
With respect to cultural resources, the northeastern portion of the project area was determined to be sensitive for the presence of archaeological and paleontological resources. The proposed project would entail sub-surface ground disturbance in areas without previous disturbance (e.g. wider and deeper trenches), and ground disturbance in areas that could potentially damage or destroy previously unidentified archaeological deposits, human remains, or vertebrate fossils. The proposed project would comply with District’s standard best management practice (BMP CR-1) which provides precautionary measures in the event unknown finds were encountered during construction. In addition, the proposed project would implement mitigation measures MM CR-1 and CR-2, which require archeological monitoring, preparation of a data recovery plan, and/or preservation of resources if discovered during construction.
With respect to hydrology/water quality, dewatering activities, if needed during construction, could create erosion and increase sediment within receiving waters. Mitigation measures WQ-1, WQ-2, and WQ-3 have been proposed to minimize these impacts by monitoring discharge rates, implementing erosion control measures, and monitoring discharge locations for erosion.
With respect to noise, construction equipment associated with the proposed project is expected to be spread out between the various construction areas over a 17-month period. Some areas in the vicinity of the proposed project would be exposed to noise levels greater than the County’s standard. Mitigation Measure NO-1 has been proposed to reduce the noise impact by preparing a noise logistics plan that incorporates noise reduction measures.
Engineer’s Report:
Section 12 of the District Act requires the Board to conduct a public hearing to hear testimony on a project when: 1) the project is new construction; and 2) the project is funded by a single or joint zone of benefit. As the proposed Project meets both conditions, staff has prepared an Engineer’s Report (Attachment 4) for the purpose of public disclosure. The Notice of Public Hearing for the Engineer’s Report (Attachment 5) was published in accordance with the District Act, and has been made available at the District Headquarters Building (5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, California) and on the District’s website at: http://valleywater.org/PublicReviewDocuments.aspx
Relevant Prior Board Action(s):
On May 23, 2017, the Board set the time and date for a public hearing on the Engineer’s Report.
Next Steps:
If the Board approves the Project, the upcoming Project milestones are:
A. Staff recommendation to the Board to adopt plans and specifications and authorize construction bidding: August 2017
B. Board award of construction contract: October 2017
C. Construction initiation: November 2017
D. Construction completion: November 2018
Project Delivery Process:
Attachment 6 (Project Delivery Process Schematic) highlights the current Project phase and the staff recommendations currently before the Board.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost to plan, design, and construct the proposed Project is $17.2 million (in 2018 dollars). The Project will be funded by the Water Enterprise Fund, $10.9 million (63%), and the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, $6.3 million (37%).
CEQA:
A final IS/MND has been prepared and is included in this Agenda Memo for Board consideration and adoption before Project approval.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Final IS/MND including MMRP
Attachment 2: Resolution Adopting Final IS/MND and MMRP
Attachment 3: Resolution Approving the Engineer’s Report
Attachment 4: Main Avenue and Madrone Pipeline Engineer’s Report
Attachment 5: Notice of Public Hearing
Attachment 6: Project Delivery Process Schematic
Attachment 7: PowerPoint
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Christopher Hakes, 408-630-3796