Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Certify the Environmental Impact Report for the Nacimiento Lake Drive Bridge at San Antonio River Replacement Project, County Bridge Number 449;
b. Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for said Project;
c. Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and
d. Authorize the Resource Management Agency - Public Works to proceed with the Nacimiento Lake Drive Bridge at San Antonio River Replacement Project.
StaffReport
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution to:
a. Certify the Environmental Impact Report for the Nacimiento Lake Drive Bridge at San Antonio River Replacement Project, County Bridge Number 449;
b. Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for said Project;
c. Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and
d. Authorize the Resource Management Agency - Public Works to proceed with the Nacimiento Lake Drive Bridge at San Antonio River Replacement Project.
SUMMARY:
An Initial Study and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) have been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to assess potential environmental impacts of the Nacimiento Lake Drive Bridge at San Antonio River Replacement project (Project). The Initial Study concluded that the Project would result in a significant and unavoidable impact on a historic resource, namely the existing bridge; which is proposed to be removed. The Initial Study, therefore, concluded that the preparation of an EIR was warranted. The EIR was prepared and circulated pursuant to the requirements of CEQA.
The Preferred Alternative listed in the Draft EIR will replace the existing Nacimiento Lake Drive Bridge over the San Antonio River and will include the realignment of the roadway approaches to the new bridge. The Preferred Alternative will provide the following benefits: 1) A replacement bridge that meets State seismic and structural standards; 2) Improved safety for vehicles, pedestrian, and bicyclist by providing two lanes for traffic and four foot shoulders; 3) Improve traffic safety by removing the 90 degree substandard curve at the north approach roadway, the 15 m.p.h. speed limit on the bridge, and the one lane width of the existing bridge; 4) Accommodate emergency vehicles and firefighting equipment weighing more than legal loads; and 5) Improve public services by allowing simultaneous access in both directions for emergency vehicles.
The existing truss bridge will be removed after the replacement bridge is operational. The adoption of the Statement of Overriding Considerations pursuant to California Public Resources Code 21081 and CEQA Guidelines 1503 is required for the construction of the preferred alternative.
DISCUSSION (see attached):
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County of Monterey is the lead local agency for the Project. The Environmental Impact Report was prepared in accordance with the CEQA. The project also requires Caltrans and Federal Highway Administration (FHA) approval due to Federal funding. Caltrans and FHA authorized the initial funding for the project on September 11, 1998. The EIR was submitted to the State Clearinghouse and the Monterey County Clearinghouse for review by State and Local agencies.
FINANCING:
This project does not impact the General Fund. The Fiscal Year 2014-15 Adopted Budget Road Fund includes $159,000 to finance the local match for preliminary engineering and right-of-way. Design of the project will be financed 80% by the Federal Highway Bridge Program (HBP) administered by the Caltrans Office of Local Assistance, and 20% by the County Road Fund and State Seismic Retrofit Program. Right of Way and Construction of the project will be financed 88.53% by the HBP and 11.47% by the State Seismic Retrofit Funds.
Prepared by: Jonathan L. Pascua, P.E., Senior Civil Engineer, (831) 755-8963
Approved by:
_________________________________________
Robert K. Murdoch, P.E. Director of Public Works
_________________________________________
Benny J. Young, RMA Director
Dated: August 15, 2014
Attachments: Discussion; Resolution; Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program - Exhibit A; Final EIR dated Feb. 2014; Draft EIR dated Nov. 2013; Appendices A-F; Project Budget; Location Map (Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board)
cc: Craig Spencer, Secretary, Historical Resource Review Board c/o RMA- Planning