Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Toro Park Water System Improvement Project, Project No. 220165 pursuant to California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 15074 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
b. Adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan; and
c. Authorize Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department (PWFP) to proceed with said Project.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution to:
a. Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Toro Park Water System Improvement Project, Project No. 220165 pursuant to California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 15074 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
b. Adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan; and
c. Authorize Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department (PWFP) to proceed with said Project.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The proposed project at Toro Regional Park (TRP), located near the City of Salinas, California includes: 1) rehabilitation of an existing well; 2) installation of approximately 1 mile of new irrigation pipeline; and 3) upgrade of an existing booster station. Reopening the well is estimated to save the County up to $100,000 per year in irrigation utility costs.
Pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21083 and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15063(a) and 15063(b)(2), Monterey County as Lead Agency completed environmental review to determine if the Project may have a significant effect on the environment. The County prepared a draft initial study and mitigated negative declaration (IS/MND) for this Project (Exhibit 1). County staff filed the draft IS/MND with the County Clerk on January 30, 2023, and circulated the draft IS/MND for public review and comment from January 30 through March 1, 2023 (SCH No. 2023010595). The draft IS/MND identified potentially significant impacts to cultural resources and tribal cultural resources, and staff has proposed mitigation measures to reduce the identified impacts to a level of less than significant. Mitigation Measures 1 and 2 would reduce the potentially significant impacts to cultural and tribal cultural resources by requiring the presence of on-site archaeological and tribal monitors during all ground disturbing activities and pre-construction cultural resource sensitivity training. All other standard topics of environmental analysis were found less than significant or no impact.
During the public review period for the draft Initial Study, the County received a request from California Water Service Company (CWSC) to extend the comment period until March 10, 2023, to allow CWSC time to review and comment. The County received comments from CWSC, the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD), Michael Weaver, and the State Water Resources Control Board - Division of Drinking Water, Monterey District Engineer. The comments are attached to the May 9, 2023, staff report to the Board of Supervisors as Exhibit 3. County staff reviewed the comments received based on the specific circumstances of this project and determined that the comments do not conflict with or challenge the analysis and/or conclusions of the draft Initial Study, and no revisions to the draft Initial Study are necessary in response to the comments.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County of Monterey is the lead agency for the proposed Project. PWFP submitted the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for circulation through the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) State Clearinghouse.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact to the General Fund for the preliminary engineering and environmental documentation phase of the project. Total estimated project cost, including project management, engineering, monitoring and construction, is $2,163,554. Additional environmental assessment and well testing costs have increased to total project budget from $1,370,554 to the current $2,163,554. The preliminary engineering and environmental documentation and well rehabilitation phase of the project is funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Water and Sewer Infrastructure funding. Staff is reviewing the department budget to determine if any available funding can supplement project funding. Staff is also requesting additional funding from ARPA or other available sources through the FY 23/24 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This project meets the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives for Administration and Infrastructure by upgrading a County water system and reducing operating costs.
__Economic Development
X Administration
__Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Thomas Montoya, Project Manager II
Reviewed by: Lindsay Lerable, Chief of Facilities
Reviewed by: Tom Bonigut, PE, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Resolution
Exhibit 1 - Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
Exhibit 2 - Mitigated Monitoring and Reporting Plan
Exhibit 3 - Public Comments
Exhibit 4 - County Response to Public Comments