REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 18, 2014
FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: STEPHEN A. HOGG, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division
BY: KEVIN L. NORGAARD, PE, Supervising Professional Engineer
Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Recycled Water Distribution System, Southwest Quadrant California Environmental Quality Act document and County Agreement (Council District 3 and a portion of Fresno County)
1. Adopt a finding of Mitigated Negative Declaration, pursuant to Sections 15178(b)(1) and (2), of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines for the Recycled Water Distribution System, Southwest Quadrant
2. Approve the Agreement for Repair of Fresno County roads for the Southwest Quadrant Recycled Water Distribution System project
3. Authorize the Director of Public Utilities or his designee to sign the County Agreement on behalf of the City
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a finding of Mitigated Negative Declaration, pursuant to Sections 15178(b)(1) and (2), of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Staff also recommends that the City Council approve the Agreement for Repair of Fresno County roads, and authorize the Director of Public Utilities or designee to sign the County Agreement on behalf of the City for the Recycled Water Distribution System, Southwest Quadrant.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Wastewater Management Division is seeking the City Council adoption of a finding of Mitigated Negative Declaration, pursuant to CEQA guidelines for the Recycled Water Distribution System (RWDS), Southwest Quadrant. DPU is also seeking the approval of the Agreement for Repair of Fresno County Roads and the authorization for the Director of Public Utilities or designee to sign the County Agreement on behalf of the City. The County requires a repair agreement for the road surfaces where the new pipe is installed. The RWDS project is in the design phase and will be bid and brought to Council to award a construction contract for Phase 1 in 2015.
BACKGROUND
Water is an essential resource and the City must secure an adequate supply to ensure the health and continued growth of the community. Recycled water from urban wastewater provides a reliable long-term sustainable and drought tolerant supply of water. Recycled water helps improve reliability and preserve limited surface and groundwater supplies. In 2009, the State of California adopted a recycled water policy establishing a mandate to increase the use of recycled water in California by 200,000 acre-feet per year by 2020 and by an additional 300,000 acre-feet per year by 2030. On September 14, 2014 the Governor of California signed into law three bills that are collectively referred to as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (the Act).
The Act recognizes that excessive groundwater extraction can cause overdraft, failed wells, deteriorated water quality, environmental damage, and irreversible land subsidence - all of which require corrective action. The Recycled Water Master Plan prepared by the Department of Public Utilities' Wastewater Management Division (Division) identifies opportunities to assist with compliance of this law by reducing groundwater pumping and replacing groundwater with recycled water for non-potable purposes (i.e. outdoor irrigation, dust control, fountains, etc.). The Division's long-term goal is to produce and deliver 25,000 acre-feet of recycled water to the City's service area to reduce groundwater over drafting.
On April 11, 2013, the City Council adopted the Recycled Water Master Plan and associated environmental documents. On June 27, 2013, the City Council approved a design contract for the RWDS, Southwest Quadrant starting at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
This project, the Southwest Quadrant of the RWDS, will convey tertiary treated recycled water from the Fresno-Clovis Regional Water Reclamation Facility (RWRF) for state approved urban non-potable reuse, groundwater recharge, and agricultural reuse. The recycled water is needed to meet the state mandated use of recycled water to offset potable water use in the City. The use of recycled water will also enhance the sustainability and reliability of the water supply.
In order to move the project forward, the department is seeking the approval of the attached Agreement for Repair of Fresno County Roads and the authorization for the Director of Public Utilities or designee to sign the agreement on behalf of the City. The County requires a repair agreement for the road surfaces whenever new pipelines are installed in their right of way. The RWDS project is in the design phase and will be bid and brought to Council to award a construction contract for Phase 1 in 2015.
An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was prepared and published by the California State Clearinghouse for the required 30 calendar days for public comment. There were no adverse comments received after the 30 day period. Therefore, staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to CEQA guidelines.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The proposed project could have a potentially significant effect on the environment. Feasible mitigation measures or alternatives have been incorporated in order to avoid the effects or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly no significant effect on the environment will occur. The project specific mitigation measures included in the project to avoid potentially significant effects are set forth in the attached Initial Study, which is incorporated into this Mitigated Negative Declaration. With the project specific mitigation imposed, there is no substantial evidence in the record that this project may have a significant direct, indirect or cumulative effect on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines sections 15071(e) and 15369.5.)
Therefore, based on the attached environmental assessment and the list of identified mitigation measures, staff has determined the project will not have a significant impact on the environment and that the filing of a mitigated negative declaration is appropriate in accordance with the provisions of CEQA Guidelines sections 15178(b)(1) and (2). A public notice of the attached mitigated negative declaration finding for the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration was published on August 22, 2014 with comments received from state agencies within the 20 day comment period.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not involved because adopting CEQA and County Agreement do not include an award of a service or construction contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The actual fiscal impact of adopting the CEQA and County Road Agreement is zero. Fiscal impact will be added when the construction contract is awarded.
Attachments:
· Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for RWDS
· Fresno County Road Agreement