Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Adopt the final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail - Moss Landing Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Bridge Project, Project No. 8868, Federal Aid Project No. HP - 5944 (083, 084, 085, 089, 108, and 112) (SCH No. 2014121057);
b. Adopt a Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Program;
c. Authorize the Resource Management Agency (RMA) - Director of Public Works or designee to proceed with the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail - Moss Landing Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Bridge Project; and
d. Authorize the RMA - Director of Public Works or designee to submit an application for a Coastal Development Permit to the Californian Coastal Commission.
[(APN 133-181-009, 133-173-005, 133-173-002)]
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution to:
a. Adopt the final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail - Moss Landing Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Bridge Project, Project No. 8868, Federal Aid Project No. HP - 5944 (083, 084, 085, 089, 108, and 112) (SCH No. 2014121057);
b. Adopt a Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Program;
c. Authorize the Resource Management Agency (RMA) - Director of Public Works or designee to proceed with the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail - Moss Landing Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Bridge Project; and
d. Authorize the RMA - Director of Public Works or designee to submit an application for a Coastal Development Permit to the Californian Coastal Commission.
[(APN 133-181-009, 133-173-005, 133-173-002)]
SUMMARYDISCUSSION:
An Initial Study (IS) and a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) have been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to assess potential environmental impacts of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail - Moss Landing (MBSST-ML) Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Bridge project (Project). A Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration was filed with the Clerk of the Board on December 22, 2014 and March 6, 2015. The document was circulated for a 45-day public review period from December 22, 2014 to February 4, 2015. The County decided to recirculate the Draft IS/MND providing an additional 30-day period, which commenced on March 6, 2015 and ended on April 6, 2015, in order to clarify a few details about the project and project site. The clarifications provided in the Recirculated Draft IS/MND did not result in any new, unavoidable, significant effects nor require any new or revised mitigation measures.
Environmental factors that were analyzed in the MND included aesthetics, biological resources, greenhouse gas emissions, cultural resources, hazards and hazardous materials, air quality, biological resources, geology and soils, hydrology and water quality, noise, recreation, and mandatory findings of significance. Mitigation measures for biological resources, archeological resources, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, and noise were incorporated into the project to reduce the environmental effect to less than significant. A Condition Compliance & Mitigation Monitoring and/ or Reporting Program (MMRP) has been prepared in accordance with CEQA and the County’s Conditions of Approval and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. The County is adopting the MMRP as part of project approval.
The Project is located in the Community of Moss Landing. The proposed Project is an approximate 4,466 foot (0.85 mile) bicycle/pedestrian path extending from the North Harbor (northwest side of the existing State Highway 1 Bridge) to Moss Landing Road. It includes the construction of a (ten) 10 foot paved bicycle path with two (2) foot wide decomposed granite shoulders on either side of the path and a 12 foot-wide, 386 foot-long, pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the Elkhorn Slough.
Currently, the only alternative for bicycle and pedestrian traffic in this area is along the shoulders of State Highway 1, which has high traffic volumes at highway speeds. The Project will provide a continuous, convenient, and safe Bicycle/Pedestrian access from the North Harbor to Moss Landing Road.
The Project lies within the jurisdictional boundaries of both the County and the California Coastal Commission and thus will require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP). The California Coastal Commission will consider the County’s application for the Coastal Development Permit and take jurisdiction over the entire permit.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County of Monterey is the lead local agency for the Project. The Resource Management Agency - Public Works has circulated the IS and MND through the California State Clearinghouse and will submit an application for a Coastal Development Permit to the California Coastal Commission. The Planning Commission considered the project as part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and found it to be consistent with the General Plan.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund. The Fiscal Year 2015-16 Adopted Budget 002-3000-8195 RMA012 includes $368,453 in the Road Fund - Construction to complete design and right-of-way acquisition costs. Design, environmental review, right of way, and a portion of construction costs are funded by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU DEMO) (Federal - $3,835,827) and 2% Transportation Development Act (TDA) (Local - $276,930). Staff will seek federal, state and local grants for the unfunded amount of $6,125,046.
Prepared by: Jonathan L. Pascua, Sr. Civil Engineer, (831) 755-8963
Approved by: Robert K, Murdoch, P.E., Director of Public Works
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, Acting RMA Director
Dated: August 28, 2015
Attachments:
Resolution and Exhibit A - Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program;
Project Budget;
Location Map;
Final Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration;
(Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board)