_TOCEspola Road Improvement Project Final EIR i
May 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Title Page
ES Executive Summary ..........................................................................................ES-1
1.0 Introduction and Project Description .................................................................. 1-1
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 1-1
1.1.1 Introduction to Document Organization .......................................... 1-2
1.2 Project Location and Environmental Setting ............................................. 1-3
1.2.1 Location and Relation to Surrounding Roadways ............................ 1-3
1.2.2 Changes in Adjacent Uses/Planning Constraints ............................. 1-4
1.3 Project History ........................................................................................... 1-5
1.4 Project Objectives ...................................................................................... 1-7
1.5 Project Description .................................................................................... 1-7
1.5.1 Roadway Upgrades .......................................................................... 1-8
1.5.2 Construction Activities ................................................................... 1-11
1.5.3 Construction Control Measures ...................................................... 1-13
1.5.4 Utility Relocation ........................................................................... 1-13
1.5.5 Transit Service ................................................................................ 1-13
1.6 Required Discretionary Permits and Actions .......................................... 1-14
1.6.1 City Discretionary Actions ............................................................. 1-14
1.6.2 Other Discretionary Actions ........................................................... 1-14
2.0 Significant Environmental Impacts .................................................................. 2.1-1
2.1 Land Use and Planning ........................................................................... 2.1-1
2.1.1 Affected Environment ................................................................... 2.1-1
2.1.2 Thresholds of Significance ............................................................ 2.1-8
2.1.3 Impacts .......................................................................................... 2.1-8
2.1.4 Mitigation Measures .................................................................... 2.1-13
2.2 Visual/Aesthetics .................................................................................... 2.2-1
2.2.1 Affected Environment ................................................................... 2.2-1
2.2.2 Thresholds of Significance ............................................................ 2.2-9
2.2.3 Impacts ........................................................................................ 2.2-10
2.2.4 Mitigation Measures .................................................................... 2.2-22
2.3 Noise ....................................................................................................... 2.3-1
2.3.1 Affected Environment ................................................................... 2.3-1
2.3.2 Thresholds of Significance ............................................................ 2.3-6
2.3.3 Impacts .......................................................................................... 2.3-6
2.3.4 Mitigation Measures .................................................................... 2.3-11
2.4 Biological Resources .............................................................................. 2.4-1
2.4.1 Affected Environment ................................................................... 2.4-1
2.4.2 Thresholds of Significance .......................................................... 2.4-10
2.4.3 Impacts ........................................................................................ 2.4-10
2.4.4 Mitigation Measures .................................................................... 2.4-12
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
Section Title Page
2.0 Significant Environmental Impacts (cont.)
2.5 Cultural Resources .................................................................................. 2.5-1
2.5.1 Affected Environment ................................................................... 2.5-2
2.5.2 Thresholds of Significance ............................................................ 2.5-7
2.5.3 Impacts .......................................................................................... 2.5-8
2.5.4 Mitigation Measures ...................................................................... 2.5-8
2.6 Geology/Soils ......................................................................................... 2.6-1
2.6.1 Affected Environment ................................................................... 2.6-1
2.6.2 Thresholds of Significance ............................................................ 2.6-8
2.6.3 Impacts .......................................................................................... 2.6-8
2.6.4 Mitigation Measures .................................................................... 2.6-13
3.0 Effects Found Not to be Significant .................................................................... 3-1
3.1 Effects Found Not to be Significant During EIR Preparation ................... 3-1
3.1.1 Traffic/Transportation ................................................................... 3-1
3.1.2 Air Quality .................................................................................. 3-12
3.1.3 Hydrology and Water Quality ..................................................... 3-25
3.1.4 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ............................................... 3-45
3.1.5 Paleontological Resources .......................................................... 3-48
3.1.6 Public Services ............................................................................ 3-49
3.1.7 Population and Housing .............................................................. 3-52
3.2 Effects Found Not to be Significant During Initial Study Preparation .... 3-53
3.2.1 Aesthetics .................................................................................... 3-53
3.2.2 Agricultural Resources ................................................................ 3-53
3.2.3 Air Quality .................................................................................. 3-54
3.2.4 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ............................................... 3-54
3.2.5 Mineral Resources ....................................................................... 3-55
3.2.6 Noise ........................................................................................... 3-55
3.2.7 Population and Housing .............................................................. 3-55
3.2.8 Recreation ................................................................................... 3-56
3.2.9 Transportation and Traffic .......................................................... 3-56
3.2.10 Water and Waste Systems ........................................................... 3-57
4.0 Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................ 4-1
4.1 Land Use .................................................................................................... 4-4
4.2 Visual/Aesthetics ....................................................................................... 4-4
4.3 Noise .......................................................................................................... 4-5
4.4 Biological Resources ................................................................................. 4-5
4.5 Archaeological Resources ......................................................................... 4-6
4.6 Geology and Soils ...................................................................................... 4-7
4.7 Traffic/Transportation ............................................................................... 4-7
4.8 Air Quality and Global Climate Change ................................................... 4-8
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
Section Title Page
5.0 Growth Inducement ............................................................................................ 5-1
6.0 Alternatives ......................................................................................................... 6-1
6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 6-1
6.2 No Project Alternative ............................................................................... 6-2
6.2.1 Description of the No Project Alternative ........................................ 6-2
6.2.2 Comparison of Effects of the No Project Alternative to the
Proposed Project ............................................................................... 6-2
6.2.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................ 6-5
6.3 Alternatives Considered but Rejected ....................................................... 6-6
6.3.1 Alternative Location ......................................................................... 6-6
6.3.2 Design Alternatives Reviewed in Detail .......................................... 6-7
6.3.3 Additional Design Alternatives ...................................................... 6-11
6.4 Environmentally Superior Alternative ..................................................... 6-13
7.0 References .......................................................................................................... 7-1
8.0 List of Individuals and Organizations Contacted ................................................ 8-1
9.0 List of Preparers .................................................................................................. 9-1
LIST OF APPENDICES
A Notice of Preparation of the EIR, Responses and Other Public Outreach
B Noise Technical Report
C Biological Technical Report
D Cultural Resources Reports
E Geotechnical Design Report
F Traffic Analysis
G Air Quality Technical Report
H Preliminary Drainage Study
I Preliminary Water Quality Technical Report
J Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
LIST OF TABLES
Number Title Page
ES-1 Permits and Approvals ..........................................................................................ES-8
ES-2 Significant Impacts and Proposed Mitigation .....................................................ES-16
1-1 Permits and Approvals .......................................................................................... 1-14
2.3-1 Measured Average Noise Level and Concurrent Traffic Volumes ..................... 2.3-3
2.3-2 City of Poway Noise Requirements ..................................................................... 2.3-6
2.3-3 Predicted Future Noise and Barrier Effectiveness Analysis ................................ 2.3-9
2.4-1 Existing Vegetation Communities within the BSA ............................................. 2.4-1
2.4-2 Existing Jurisdictional Areas within the Study Area ........................................... 2.4-6
2.4-3 Project Impacts to Vegetation Communities ..................................................... 2.4-11
2.4-4 Proposed Mitigation for Impacts to Sensitive Habitats ..................................... 2.4-13
2.5-1 Properties Constructed Prior to 1963 ................................................................... 2.5-7
2.6-1 Description of On-site Soil Properties ................................................................. 2.6-2
2.6-2 Fault Summary – Deterministic Site Parameters ................................................. 2.6-5
3.1.1-1 Signalized Intersection Level of Service – Highway Capacity Manual
Operational Analysis Method ................................................................................. 3-2
3.1.1-2 2006 Roadway Segment Conditions ....................................................................... 3-5
3.1.1-3 2006 Existing Peak Hour Intersection Conditions .................................................. 3-6
3.1.1-4 Without and With Project Roadway Segment Conditions in the Near Term ......... 3-8
3.1.1-5 Without and With Project Peak Hour Intersection Conditions in the Near
Term ........................................................................................................................ 3-9
3.1.1-6 Year 2030 Without and With Project Roadway Segment Conditions .................. 3-10
3.1.1-7 Year 2030 Without and With Project Peak Hour Intersection Conditions ........... 3-11
3.1.2-1 Ambient Air Quality Standards ............................................................................ 3-16
3.1.2-2 Ambient Background Concentrations ................................................................... 3-18
3.1.2-3 Attainment Classification and Number of Air Quality Violations at the Nearest
Monitoring Station ................................................................................................ 3-19
3.1.2-4 Anticipated Project Construction Equipment ....................................................... 3-20
3.1.2-5 Estimated Construction Emissions ....................................................................... 3-21
3.1.3-1 Summary of Contaminant Sources for Urban Storm Water Runoff ..................... 3-27
3.1.3-2 Typical Contaminant Loadings in Runoff for Various Urban Land Uses ............ 3-27
3.1.3-3 Surface and Groundwater Quality Objectives for the Poway Hydrologic Area ... 3-33
3.1.3-4 Summary of Typical/Proposed Post-construction BMP Monitoring and
Maintenance Efforts .............................................................................................. 3-44
3.1.4-1 Regulatory Agency Responsibility Matrix ........................................................... 3-45
4-1 Cumulative Projects ................................................................................................ 4-1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
LIST OF FIGURES
Follows
Number Title Page
1-1 Regional Location Map ........................................................................................... 1-4
1-2 Project Vicinity Map ............................................................................................... 1-4
1-3 Study Area and Potential Roadway Footprint ........................................................ 1-4
1-4a Proposed Project ..................................................................................................... 1-8
1-4b Proposed Project ..................................................................................................... 1-8
1-4c Proposed Project ..................................................................................................... 1-8
1-4d Proposed Project ..................................................................................................... 1-8
1-4e Proposed Project ..................................................................................................... 1-8
1-5 Typical Cross Section ............................................................................................. 1-8
1-6 Storm Drains ......................................................................................................... 1-10
2.1-1 Existing Land Uses .............................................................................................. 2.1-2
2.1-2 General Plan Land Use and Zoning Designations ............................................... 2.1-2
2.2-1a Landscape Units and Key View Points ................................................................ 2.2-2
2.2-1b Landscape Unit 1 ................................................................................................. 2.2-2
2.2-1c Landscape Unit 2 ................................................................................................. 2.2-2
2.2-1d Landscape Unit 3 ................................................................................................. 2.2-4
2.2-1e Landscape Unit 3 ................................................................................................. 2.2-4
2.2-1f Landscape Unit 4 ................................................................................................. 2.2-4
2.2-1g Landscape Unit 4 ................................................................................................. 2.2-4
2.2-1h Landscape Unit 5 ................................................................................................. 2.2-4
2.2-2a Parkway Landscape Theme ............................................................................... 2.2-12
2.2-2b Intersection Landscape Theme .......................................................................... 2.2-12
2.2-2c Bioswale and Sound Wall Landscape Themes .................................................. 2.2-12
2.2-2d South Segment Typical Landscape Elements .................................................... 2.2-12
2.2-2e Central Segment Typical Landscape Elements .................................................. 2.2-12
2.2-2f Northern Segment Typical Landscape Elements ............................................... 2.2-12
2.2-3a Typical City Sound Walls .................................................................................. 2.2-12
2.2-3b Typical Sounds Walls with Vegetation Screening............................................. 2-2.12
2.2-4 Photosimulation from Key View 1 .................................................................... 2-2.16
2.2-5 Photosimulation from Key View 2 .................................................................... 2-2.16
2.3-1 Noise Measurement and Noise Receiver Locations ............................................ 2.3-4
2.3-2 Noise Receivers and Proposed Barrier Locations ................................................ 2.3-8
2.4-1a Existing Vegetation and Sensitive Biological Resources .................................... 2.4-2
2.4-1b Existing Vegetation and Sensitive Biological Resources .................................... 2.4-2
2.4-2a Corps Jurisdictional Areas ................................................................................... 2.4-6
2.4-2b Corps Jurisdictional Areas ................................................................................... 2.4-6
2.4-3a CDFW Jurisdictional Areas ................................................................................. 2.4-6
2.4-3b CDFW Jurisdictional Areas ................................................................................. 2.4-6
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
LIST OF FIGURES (cont.)
Follows
Number Title Page
2.4-4a Impacts to Vegetation and Sensitive Resources ................................................ 2.4-10
2.4-4b Impacts to Vegetation and Sensitive Resources ................................................ 2.4-10
2.6-1 General Geology .................................................................................................. 2.6-3
2.6-2 Regional Fault Map.............................................................................................. 2.6-6
3.1-1 Existing Circulation Network ................................................................................. 3-2
3.1-2 Existing Roadway Segment Conditions .................................................................. 3-4
3.1-3 Near-term Roadway Segment Conditions Without and With Project .................... 3-8
3.1-4 Year 2030 Roadway Segment Conditions Without and With Project .................. 3-10
3.1-5 Hydrologic Designation ........................................................................................ 3-26
6-1 Typical Cross Sections – Alternatives 1, 2, and 3 .................................................. 6-8
6-2a Conventional Roadway – Alternative 1 .................................................................. 6-8
6-2b Conventional Roadway – Alternative 1 .................................................................. 6-8
6-2c Conventional Roadway – Alternative 1 .................................................................. 6-8
6-2d Conventional Roadway – Alternative 1 .................................................................. 6-8
6-2e Conventional Roadway – Alternative 1 .................................................................. 6-8
6-3 Typical Conceptual Landscape Plan for Alternatives 1 and 3 ................................ 6-8
6-4a Split Grade Roadway – Alternative 2 ................................................................... 6-10
6-4b Split Grade Roadway – Alternative 2 ................................................................... 6-10
6-5a Conceptual Landscape Cross-sections – Alternative 2 ......................................... 6-10
6-5b Conceptual Landscape Cross-sections – Alternative 2 ......................................... 6-10
6-6 Westerly Roadway Alignment – Alternative 3 ..................................................... 6-10
6-7 Two-lane Collector With Safety Improvements – Alternative 4 .......................... 6-12
6-8 Typical Cross Sections – Alternatives 4 and 4A .................................................. 6-12
6-9 Four-lane Intersection – Alternative 4A ............................................................... 6-12
6-10 Single-lane Roundabout – Alternative 5 ............................................................... 6-12
6-11 Typical Cross Section – Alternative 5 .................................................................. 6-12
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AB Assembly Bill
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
ADT average daily traffic
Affinis Affinis Environmental Services
AGR agricultural supply
AMSL above mean sea level
APCD San Diego Air Pollution Control District
APE Area of Potential Effect
APN Assessor’s Parcel Number
APWA American Public Works Association
ARB California Air Resources Board
ASR Archaeological Survey Report
ASTM ASTM International
Basin Plan Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
BAT best available technology
BCLA biological core and linkage area
BCT best conventional pollutant control technology
BIOL biological habitats of special significance
BMI benthic macroinvertebrate
BMPs best management practices
BOD biochemical oxygen demand
BSA biological study area
BSO Building, Structure and Object Record
BV Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
CAA Clean Air Act
CAAQS California Ambient Air Quality Standards
CAD Computer Aided Design
CAL/OSHA California Division of Occupational Safety and Health
Caltrans California Department of Transportation
CBC California Building Code
CCR California Code of Regulations
CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife
CDMG California Division of Mines and Geology
CEQ Council on Environmental Quality
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
cfs cubic feet per second
CGS California Geological Survey
CIP Capital Improvement Program
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont.)
City City of Poway
CMP corrugated metal pipe
CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database
CNEL Community Noise Equivalent Level
CO carbon monoxide
COCs constituents of concern
COD chemical oxygen demand
COLD cold freshwater habitat
Corps U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
County County of San Diego
CRHR California Register of Historic Resources
CSS coastal sage scrub
CWA Clean Water Act
dB decibel(s)
dBA A-weighted decibel(s)
DE diesel exhaust
DEH County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health
DTSC California Department of Toxic Substances Control
EA Environmental Assessment
EIR Environmental Impact Report
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ESA Endangered Species Act
EST estuarine habitat
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
g acceleration due to gravity
GHG greenhouse gas
Greenbook Greenbook Committee of Standard Specifications for
Public Works Projects
HA Hydrologic Area
HCM Highway Capacity Manual
HCP Habitat Conservation Plan
HELIX HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc.
HNL Hourly Noise Level
HPSR Historic Property Survey Report
HRER Historic Resource Evaluation Report
HU Hydrologic Unit
HUD U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont.)
I-15 Interstate 15
IBC International Building Code
ICC International Code Council
IND industrial service supply
IRIS Integrated Risk Information System
Ldn day-night average sound level
Leq equivalent sound level
LED Light Emitting Diode
LID low impact development
LOS level of service
LU landscape unit
LUZP Land Use and Zoning Plan
MAR marine habitat
MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act
MEC MEC Analytical Systems
MEP maximum extent practicable
mg/l milligrams per liter
mg/m3 milligrams per cubic meter
MHPA Multi-habitat Planning Area
MIGR migration of aquatic organisms
MLS mass loading station
MS4 municipal separate storm sewer system
MSATs Mobile Source Air Toxics
MSCP Multiple Species Conservation Program
MTS San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
MUN municipal and domestic supply
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NAHC Native American Heritage Commission
NATA National Air Toxics Assessment
NCCP Natural Community Conservation Planning
NDIR Non-dispersive Infrared Spectroscopy
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NES Natural Environment Study
NHPA National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended
NNG non-native grassland
NO2 nitrogen dioxide
NOx nitrogen oxides
NOP Notice of Preparation
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPPA Native Plant Protection Act
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont.)
NRCS U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRHP National Register of Historic Places
NWP nationwide permit
O3 ozone
OES Office of Emergency Services
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Pb lead
PFD Poway Fire Department
PM2.5 particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter
PM10 particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter
ppm parts per million
Project Espola Road Improvement Project
PVC polyvinyl chloride
PVRA Poway Valley Riders Association
RARE rare, threatened and endangered species
RCB reinforced concrete box culvert
RCP reinforced concrete pipe
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
REC1 contact water recreation
REC2 non-contact water recreation
Reserve Blue Sky Ecological Reserve
ROC reactive organic compounds
RTP Regional Transportation Plan
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board
SANDAG San Diego Association of Governments
SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
SCS Soil Conservation Service
SDAB San Diego Air Basin
SHELL shellfish harvesting
SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer
SIP State Implementation Plan
SO2 sulfur dioxide
SOx sulfur oxides
SPWN spawning, reproduction and/or early development
SR 67 State Route 67
SRA Scientific Resources Associated
SUSMP Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plan
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board
SWSAS Storm Water Sampling and Analysis Strategy
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont.)
TCG TerraCosta Consulting Group, Inc.
TDS total dissolved solids
TeNS Technical Noise Supplement
THPO Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
TMDL total maximum daily load
TME Transportation Master Element
TMS Traffic Management System
TNM Traffic Noise Model
TSS total suspended solids
URMP Urban Runoff Management Plan
U.S. United States
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
UST underground storage tank
V/C volume-to-capacity ratio
VMT vehicle miles traveled
WARM warm freshwater habitat
Weston Weston Solutions, Inc.
WILD wildlife habitat
Wilderness Area Clyde E. Rexrode Wilderness Area
WQTR Water Quality Technical Report
WURMP Watershed Urban Runoff Management Plan
g/m3 micrograms per cubic meter
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