final subsequent focused environmental impact report ... · final subsequent focused environmental...

FINAL SUBSEQUENT FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT PROPOSED UPDATES TO CITY OF CLOVIS WATER MASTER PLAN, WASTEWATER

MASTER PLAN, AND RECYCLED WATER MASTER PLAN

P R E P A R E D F O R :

CityofClovis1033FifthStreetClovis,CA93612Contact:RyanBurnett559.324.2336

P R E P A R E D B Y :

ICF630KStreet,Suite400Sacramento,CA95814Contact:LindsayChristensen916.231.7614

June2018

ICF.2018.FinalSubsequentFocusedEnvironmentalImpactReportProposedUpdatestoCityofClovisWaterMasterPlan,WastewaterMasterPlan,andRecycledWaterMasterPlan.June2018.(ICF00004.15.)Sacramento,CA.PreparedforCityofClovis,Clovis,CA.

Final Subsequent Focused EIR Proposed Updates to City of Clovis Master Plans

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Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1‐1

1.1 This Document ................................................................................................................. 1‐1

1.2 Revisions to the Draft Subsequent Focused EIR .............................................................. 1‐2

Chapter 2 Comments Received on the Subsequent Focused EIR ........................................................ 2‐1

Chapter 3 Responses to Comments ................................................................................................... 3‐1

Individual Comments ........................................................................................................................... 3‐2

Response to Comment Letter 1 (California Department of Transportation) ............................... 3‐2

Response to Comment Letter 2 (County of Fresno) ..................................................................... 3‐2

Response to Comment Letter 3 (Fresno Irrigation District) ......................................................... 3‐2

Response to Comment Letter 4 (P‐R Farms) ................................................................................. 3‐8

Response to Comment Letter 5 (San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District) .................... 3‐8

References Cited in Response to Comments .................................................................................... 3‐10

Tables

Table Page

2‐1 List of Commenters ...................................................................................................................... 2‐1

City of Clovis Table of Contents


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Acronyms and Abbreviations

µg/m3 microgramspercubicmeter2008MasterPlan WastewaterMasterPlanUpdate,Phase22014GeneralPlan 2014CityofClovisGeneralPlan2017MasterPlan WastewaterMasterPlanUpdate,Phase3AAQA ambientairqualityanalysisAB AssemblyBillAF acre‐feetAFY acre‐feetperyearARB CaliforniaAirResourcesBoardBAAQMD BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrictBAU business‐as‐usualBPS bestperformancestandardsCAA federalCleanAirActCAAQS CaliforniaambientairqualitystandardsCCAA CaliforniaCleanAirActCCR CaliforniaCodeofRegulationsCEQA CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActCIP capitalimprovementprojectsCO carbonmonoxideCO2e carbondioxideequivalentDTSC DepartmentofToxicSubstancesControlEIR EnvironmentalImpactReportEPA U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyF‐gases fluorinatedgasesFEIR FinalEnvironmentalImpactReportFID FresnoIrrigationDistrictFMFCD FresnoMetropolitanFloodControlDistrictGAMAQI GuideforAssessingandMitigatingAirQualityImpactsGHG greenhousegasgpm gallonsperminuteGWP globalwarmingpotentialI&I inflowandinfiltrationICF ICFInternationalIPCC IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeIS subsequentInitialStudyLF linearfeetLOS LevelofServiceMasterPlansorProject proposedupdatestotheCityofClovisWaterMasterPlan,

WastewaterMasterPlan,andRecycledWaterMasterPlanMGD milliongallonsperdayMMs mitigationmeasuresMTCO2e metrictonscarbondioxideequivalentNAAQS nationalambientairqualitystandards



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NewhallRanch NewhallLandandFarmingCompanyNO2 nitrogendioxideNOX nitrogenoxidePEIR ProgramEnvironmentalImpactReportPM particulatematterPM2.5 particulatematterlessthanorequalto2.5micronsindiameterRWRF RegionalWaterReclamationFacilitySB SenateBillSB32ScopingPlan ARB’sRevisedDraft2017ClimateChangeScopingPlanSC standardconditionSJVAB SanJoaquinValleyAirBasinSJVAPCD SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrictSO2 sulfurdioxideSOI SphereofInfluenceSR StateRouteST/WRF SewageTreatment/WaterReuseFacilitySWTP surfacewatertreatmentplantTAC toxicaircontaminantUSTs undergroundstoragetanksUWMP UrbanWaterManagementPlanVERA VoluntaryEmissionReductionAgreementVOC volatileorganiccompoundWaterMasterPlan WaterMasterPlanUpdate–PhaseIII



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Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 This Document ThisdocumentcomprisesonepartoftheFinalSubsequentFocusedEIRfortheProposedUpdatestoCityofClovisMasterPlans.TheotherpartistheDraftSubsequentFocusedEIR(DraftEIR).Thepresentdocumentcontainscommentssubmittedbyagencies,organizationsandindividualsconcerningtheFebruary2018DraftEIR,responsestothosecomments,andappropriaterevisionstotheEIR.TheDraftEIR(StateClearinghouseNumber2017121003)wasmadeavailabletothepublicandregulatoryagenciesforreviewandcommentduringa45‐daycommentperiodbetweenFebruary28,2018andApril13,2018.

TheGuidelinesimplementingtheCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct(CEQA)requirethatwrittenresponsesbepreparedforallwrittencommentsreceivedonaDEIRduringthepublicreviewperiod.CEQAGuidelinesSection15132specificallystates:

TheFinalEIRshallconsistof:

1. TheDraftEIRorarevisionofthatdraft.

2. CommentsandrecommendationsreceivedontheDraftEIReitherverbatimorinasummary.

3. Alistofpersons,organizations,andpublicagenciescommentingontheDraftEIR.

4. TheresponseoftheLeadAgencytosignificantenvironmentalpointsraisedinthereviewandconsultationprocess.

5. AnyotherinformationaddedbytheLeadAgency.

ThisFinalEIRhasbeenpreparedincompliancewiththeseGuidelinesandincludesthefollowing.

DraftSubsequentFocusedEIR,February2018(notreprinted)

ExecutiveSummary

Chapter1.IntroductionandScopeofEnvironmentalImpactReport

Chapter2.ProjectDescription

Chapter3.ImpactAnalysis

Chapter4.OtherCEQAConsiderations

Chapter5.ReportPreparers

AppendixA–InitialStudy

VolumeIIComments,ResponsestoComments,RevisionstoSubsequentFocusedEIR(thisdocument)

Chapter1.Introduction

City of Clovis Introduction


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Chapter2.CommentsReceivedontheSubsequentFocusedEIR

Chapter3.ResponsestoComments

1.2 Revisions to the Draft Subsequent Focused EIR ThefollowingrevisionsaremadetotheDraftEIR.TherevisionsarelistedbypagenumberintheorderthattheoriginaltextappearedintheDraftEIRthatwascirculatedforreview.Deletedtextisshowninstrike‐outandnewtextisunderlined.

Page3‐18,3.1.3.RegulatorySetting,ThefollowingisinsertedafterthefirstparagraphunderRegulatorySetting:

Pertainingtotheconservationtargets,theCityhasbeenandcontinuestoenforcenewpoliciesandpracticesintheCitytoachievetherequired20%conservationtargetidentifiedinSBX7‐7(Chapter4,Statutesof2009).BetweenJune2015andMarch2016,duringmandatoryconservationperiodsassociatedwithGovernor’sexecutiveordersduringthedrought,theCitywasabletoachieve31%reductionindemands,illustratingtheabilityfortheCitytoachievethe20%targetforconservation.

Page3‐18,3.1.3.RegulatorySetting,Thelastparagraphonthispageisrevisedasfollows:

ThePEIRfoundthatthesustainablegroundwateryieldfortheplanningareawas16,100AFY.The2015UWMPnotesthatnaturalgroundwaterrechargein2015,thefinalyearofCalifornia’smostrecentdrought,was1,788acre‐feetperyear(AFY):substantiallylessthanthe30‐yearaverageofapproximately7,700afydescribedinthePEIR.Forthisandotherreasonssuchasconversionofagriculturallandstourbanusesandthelackofdeeppercolationofsurfacewaterfromirrigation,lesssurfacewaterdeliveriestoagriculturallands,removalofirrigationfacilitiesandthelossofrechargethroughthesesystems,andthecreationofmorehardscapesfromdevelopmentandthecaptureanddischargeofstormwaterstotheFIDsystemsandexportofstormwaterfromthearea,theWaterMasterPlanhasrevisedthesustainablegroundwateryield.UtilizingthefiguresinTable6.11‐1oftheWMP,thesustainablepumpingquantity,includingrechargeefforts,whichtheCityintendstocontinueandincrease,is16,060AFY.to9,400AFY.

Page3‐21,ImpactWR‐1.Thethirdparagraphisrevisedasfollows:

TheWaterMasterPlanUpdatedoesn’tdeterminetheprojectedgroundwaterpumpinglevelsatvarioustimes,butsizesthewatersupplysystembasedondemandsandavailablesupplies.Forthesphereofinfluenceandbuildoutthesustainablegroundwateryieldiscalculatedtobe16,0609,400AFY.Thesustainableyieldishowmuchwatercanbepumpedwithnoartificialrecharge.AssumingthattheCitycontinuestorechargeathistoriclevelsandpotentiallyhigherlevelsifadditionalfacilitiesarebuiltasproposedintheWaterMasterPlanUpdate,theneteffectshouldbeanimprovementingroundwaterconditions.

Page3‐22,3.2.1.Aesthetics.Thisparagraphisrevisedasfollows:

TheinfrastructureresultingfromtheMasterPlanupdateswillbelargelyinstalledundergroundandwillnotchangetheaestheticsfromthoseanticipatedinthe2014programEIR.AsdiscussedinAppendixA:InitialStudy,surfaceSurfaceinfrastructuresuchaswaterstoragetanks,



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treatmentplantexpansion,andpumpingstationswillbelocatedwithintheurbanarea,therebyreducingitspotentialtoaffectruralviews,willbelow‐profile,andthereforearenotexpectedtocreateneworsubstantiallymoreseveresignificantimpacts.

Thefollowingdesign‐relatedmitigationmeasureswillensurethatthevisualimpactoflargerfacilitieswillbelessthansignificant.

MitigationMeasureAES‐1:ImplementProjectDesignAestheticsforWaterStorageTanks,BoosterPumpStation,andSWTPFacilities

Theprojectengineer/designerwillimplementaestheticdesigntreatmentswithaconsistentmotifforthewatertanksandpumpstations.Ataminimum,watertankswillbecoloredtoblendandrecedeintothelandscape.Choosingearth‐tonedcolorsforthesurfaceswouldbelessdistractingtoviewersthanlightorbrightlycoloredsurfaces.Studieshaveshownthatstructures2to3degreesdarkerthanthecolorofthegeneralsurroundingareacreateslessofavisualimpactthanmatchingorlighterhues.1Ingeneral,whitesandverylightbuff/tan,brown,orgraycolorsstandoutmorethandarkercolorssuchasdarkerbrowns,greens,andwarmgraysthathavetheabilitytocomplementthesurroundingvegetation.Adesignmotifmayalsobeappliedthatreflectsanarchitecturaltreatment,similartotheTollhouseRoadwatertanknearArmstrongAvenue.Thiswouldreducevisualmonotony,softenverticality,reduceglare,andbemorevisuallypleasingtoviewersthanplainsurfacesfortankssurfacesthatwouldbevisibletoadjacentviewers.Inaddition,thepumpstationhouseswillbedesignedusinganarchitecturaltreatmentthatisaestheticallypleasing,similartothepumpstationalongNorthBurlAvenue,sothatthesefacilitiesblendwellwithnearbyarchitecturalstyles.Roughenedwallsurfaceswouldsoftentheverticalityofthewallfacesbyprovidingvisualtextureandreducingtheamountofsmoothsurfacethatcanreflectlight.Furthermore,treeswillbeplantedwithinthefacilities’perimeterwalltoprovidevisualscreeningforthewatertankandpumphouse,toaidinreducingtheapparentscaleofthewatertank,andtoblocklightandglarecomingfromthefacilities.ExistingSWTPfacilitiesalongLeonardAvenuewillensurethatexistingperimeterlandscapingissufficienttoprovidevisualscreeningforresidencetothewestandadditionalvegetationwillbeplantedwheregapsinperimeterlandscapingdonotprovidesufficientscreening.Priortoapprovalofthefacilitydesign,theProjectlandscapearchitectwillworkwiththeCitytoreviewProjectdesignstoensurethatthefollowingelementsareimplementedintheProjectlandscapingplan.

ThemajorityofthespeciescompositionwillreflectspeciesthatarenativeandindigenoustothePlanAreaandCalifornia.Nativeplantspeciescanbeusedtocreateattractivespaces,highinaestheticquality,thatarenotonlydrought‐tolerantbutattractmorewildlifethantraditionallandscapeplantpalettes.UseofnativespeciespromotesavisualcharacterofCaliforniathatisbeinglostthroughdevelopmentandrelianceonnon‐nativeornamentalplantspecies.Non‐invasive,non‐nativeplantspeciesmaybeusedwherenativeplantspecieswillnotachievethedesireddesignintent.

Thespecieslistwillincludetreesandshrubsofvaryingheights,aswellasbothevergreenanddeciduoustypes.Plantvarietywillincreasetheeffectivenessoftheplantingareasbyprovidingmultiplelayersforeffectivescreening,seasonality,andreducedsusceptibilityto

1Refertohttps://www.ntc.blm.gov/krc/viewresource.php?courseID=972&programAreaId=50,Unit5VisualDesignFundamentals,formoreinformationonthistechniqueandotherbestmanagementpracticesandtechniquesforvisualscreening.



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disease.Evergreengroundcoversorlow‐growingplants,suchasCeanothusspp.,andanherbaceousunderstorymayalsobeusedalongtheexterioroftheperimeterwalltocreateamoreformallandscapingdesign.

Specialattentionshouldbepaidtoplantchoicesnearresidencestoensurethatspecieschosenareofanappropriateheightandrelyonevergreenspeciestoprovideyear‐roundlightscreeningfromnuisancelight.

Vegetationwillbeplantedwithinthefirst12monthsfollowingProjectcompletion.

MitigationMeasureAES‐2:ApplyMinimumLightingStandards

Allartificialoutdoorlightingandoverheadstreetlightingwillbelimitedtosafetyandsecurityrequirementsandtheminimumrequiredfordriversafety.LightingwillbedesignedusingIlluminatingEngineeringSociety’sdesignguidelinesandincompliancewithInternationalDark‐SkyAssociation‐approvedfixtures.Alllightingwillbedesignedbythelightingdesignertohaveminimumimpactonthesurroundingenvironmentandwillusedowncast,cut‐offtypefixturesthatareshieldedanddirectthelightonlytowardobjectsrequiringillumination.Therefore,lightswillbeinstalledatthelowestallowableheightandcastlow‐angleilluminationwhileminimizingincidentallightspillontoadjacentpropertiesoropenspaces,orbackscatterintothenighttimesky.Thelowestallowablewattagewillbeusedforalllightedareas,andthenumberofnighttimelightsneededtolightanareawillbeminimized.Lightfixtureswillhavenon‐glarefinishesthatwillnotcausereflectivedaytimeglare.Lightingwillbedesignedforenergyefficiency,withdaylightsensorsortimerswithanon/offprogram.Lightswillprovidegoodcolorrenderingwithnaturallightqualities,withtheminimumintensityfeasibleforsecurity,safety,andpersonnelaccess.Lighting,includinglightcolorrenderingandfixturetypes,willbedesignedtobeaestheticallypleasing.LEDlightingwillavoidtheuseofBRWLlampsanduseacorrelatedcolortemperaturethatisnohigherthan3,000K,consistentwiththeInternationalDark‐SkyAssociation’sFixtureSealofApprovalProgram(InternationalDark‐SkyAssociation2010a,2010b,2015).Inaddition,LEDlightswilluseshieldingtoensurethatnuisanceglareandlightspilldoesnotaffectsensitiveresidentialviewers.Technologiestoreducelightpollutionevolveovertime;designmeasuresthatarecurrentlyavailablemayhelpbutmaynotbethemosteffectivemeansofcontrollinglightpollutiononcetheProjectisdesigned.Therefore,alldesignmeasuresusedtoreducelightpollutionwillusethetechnologiesavailableatthetimeofProjectdesigntoallowforthehighestpotentialreductioninlightpollution.

Page3‐25,3.2.11.PublicServices,Utilities,andServiceSystems.Thelastsentenceinthissubsectionisrevisedasfollows:

NotethattheDraftSubsequentFocusedEIRexaminestheavailabilityofwatertomeetfuturedemandinSection3.33.1.3,WaterSupply.


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Chapter 2 Comments Received on the Subsequent Focused EIR

ThischapterincludestheletterofreceiptfromtheStateClearinghouse;alistoftheagencies,organizationsandindividualswhocommentedontheDraftSubsequentFocusedEIR(Table2‐1);andtheactualcommentletterssubmitted.ThecommentlettershavebeennumberedasshowninTable2‐1andincludebothlettersandemails.Theindividualcommentswithineachletterhavebeennumberedintherightmargins.ThereisaresponseforeachcommentinChapter3,ResponsestoComments.EachindividualresponseinChapter3isnumberedtocorrespondwiththecommenttowhichitresponds.

Table 2‐1. List of Commenters

Letter# Commenter

StateAgencies

1 CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans)District6

LocalAgencies

2 CountyofFresno

3 FresnoIrrigationDistrict

5 SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict

Organizations

4 PR‐Farms

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Chapter 3 Responses to Comments

ThischapterincludesresponsesforeachofthenumberedcommentsidentifiedinthecommentlettersinChapter2,CommentsReceivedontheSubsequentFocusedEIR.Eachresponsebeginswithabriefsummaryofthecomment,respondstothecomment,andthenidentifiesifrevisionstotheSubsequentFocusedEIRarerequired.RevisionstotheSubsequentFocusedEIRareincludedinChapter1.2,RevisionstotheSubsequentFocusedEIR,inthisdocument

Inrespondingtocomments,CEQAdoesnotrequireaLeadAgencytoconducteverytestorperformallresearch,studyorexperimentationrecommendedordemandedbycommenters.Rather,aLeadAgencyneedonlyrespondtosignificantenvironmentalissuesanddoesnotneedtoprovideallinformationrequestedbyreviewers,aslongasagoodfaitheffortatfulldisclosureismadeintheEIR(CEQAGuidelinessecs.15088,15204).

City of Clovis Responses to Comments


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Individual Comments

Response to Comment Letter 1 (California Department of Transportation)

Comment 1‐1

CaltransdescribestherequirementforanencroachmentpermitandneedtocoordinatewithCaltranswhenanyworkisdonewithintherightofwayofastatehighway.TheCitywillcomplywiththeserequirements,asrequiredbylaw.ThisisnotacommentontheadequacyoftheCEQAdocumentandnofurtherresponseisnecessary.

Response to Comment Letter 2 (County of Fresno)

Comment 2‐1

TheCountystatesthatithasnocommentsontheCEQAdocument.Noresponseisnecessary

Response to Comment Letter 3 (Fresno Irrigation District)

TheFresnoIrrigationDistrict(FID)openswithageneralcommentregardingsurfacewateravailabilityforthecity.Asexplainedinthefollowingindividualresponses,theCityisundertakingamulti‐prongedapproachtoensuringClovis’sfuturewatersupply.First,theCityhasgroundwaterandsurfacewatersuppliessufficientthrough2035buildout.Next,theCitywillbenefitfromenhancedconservation,inpartduetostatelawrequirementsandrefinedlocalwatermanagementpractices(asdescribedbelow).TheCityhasalsoenhanceditsabilitytouserecycledwaterandsupplementitswaterresourcesupplywithrecharge,irrigationandwaterexchangeopportunities.TheCityisalsoaggressivelyexploringwatersupply/exchangeagreementswithseveralagenciesincludingFID,thecityofFresno,andCaliforniaStateUniversityFresno(CSUFresno).TheCity’seffortswillcontinueasitgathersresourcestomeetthe2083Buildoutthresholdnotedinthe2014GeneralPlanandGeneralPlanEIR.

Comment 3‐1

TheSEIRdisclosestheuncertaintyintheCity’slong‐termwatersupply.SeeSections1.6.2,disclosingthesignificantandunavoidableimpactsidentifiedinthe2014GeneralPlanEIRonwhichthisSEIRisbased,and2.3.3,whichdiscussestheuncertaintyinlong‐termwatersupply.TheCityiscurrentlyworkingwithFIDonrevisingthecooperativeagreementbetweenFIDandClovisforwaterutilizationandconveyance.

Comment 3‐2

Sincecertificationofthe2014GeneralPlanEIR,theNorthKingsGroundwaterSustainabilityAgency(NKGSA)hasbeenformedinaccordancewiththeSustainableGroundwaterManagementAct(SGMA).However,theNKGSAisstillintheprocessofcollectingdataonthearea’sgroundwateranddevelopingagroundwatersustainabilityplan.Thetargetforadoptionofthegroundwatersustainabilityplanis2020.Asaresult,thereisinsufficientinformationfortheSEIRtodrawdetailedconclusionsaboutthefutureimpactsofSGMAonavailablegroundwatersupply.Nonetheless,the



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2014GeneralPlanEIRconcludedthatpotentialgroundwaterdepletionandgroundwaterrechargeimpedimentsin2035andatfullbuildoutundertheGeneralPlanwouldbeasignificantandunavoidableimpact.Section3.1.3oftheSEIRdiscusses,anddoesnotchange,thatconclusion.ImpactWTR‐1notesthattheproposedWaterMasterPlanwillnotresultinasubstantiallymoresevereproblemthandisclosedinthe2014GeneralPlanEIR.

Comment 3‐3

ThiscommentrelatestotheabilityoftheCitytogrowtotheextentforecastinthe2014GeneralPlan.ImpactWTR‐2disclosesthatthe2014GeneralPlanEIRconcludedthat“[w]atersuppliesforFullBuildoutoftheGeneralPlanhavenotyetbeenidentifiedbeyondthetotal2035forecastwatersupplies...”andthat“impactsoffullGeneralPlanUpdatebuildoutonwatersuppliesaresignificantandunavoidable.”

TheCityrecognizesthat,asdiscussedinSection3.1.3andImpactsWTR‐1andWTR‐2,additionalwatersourceswillneedtobenegotiatedforGeneralPlanBuildoutbeyond2035.Theoutcomeandtimeframeofsuchnegotiationsisuncertain,thereforethe2014GeneralPlanEIRandthisSEIRconcludethatimpactonwatersupplyissignificantandunavoidable.

Comment 3‐4

TheCitywillutilizetheirgroundwatersuppliestoprovidewateroutsideoftheKingsRiverWaterAssociationboundariesandwillutilizeexistingandfuturesurfacewatersupplieswithintheboundary.NegotiationsareongoingwiththeFIDconcerningsurfacewatersuppliesandtheCitywillcontinuetodiscussandcoordinatewithother,neighboringagencies,regardingadditionalsurfacewatersupplies.Additionally,theCitycanutilizebankedwaterwithintheareatoprovidewatersuppliestomeetthedemandsthrough2035.Thetimingandcoordinationofusingthesesupplieswillbeconsideredwhendetermininghowbesttoutilizethem.ItisanticipatedthismaybeacomponentoftheongoingnegotiationsanddiscussionsbetweentheFIDandtheCity.

Comment 3‐5

Theprimarypurposeoftheemergencyinterties(northwestandsouthinterties)wastoprovideemergencysuppliesbetweenthecitiesofFresnoandClovis,whenneeded.Additionally,thecityofFresnoexperiences,attimes,watersupplychallengesinthesoutheastportionofthecity;theintertiesprovideapossibleavenueforClovistoaugmentthesupplythroughthesouthintertieandreceivewaterfromthecityofFresnothroughthenorthwestintertie.Theintertiesactasa”pass‐through”intheseinstancestoprovideassistance.ThiswatersupplyitselfisnotdepletingtheCity’sresources,butinsteadtheintertiesofferanopportunityforenhancement.

Comment 3‐6

TheCityunderstandsthatSGMAimplementationandcompliancerequirementsaredevelopingandsomeareasmay,initially,havevaryingrequirements.However,itisalsounderstoodthat,iftheCity



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annexesareasthatarecurrently”whiteareas,”thoseareaswouldthenbeapartoftheCityandtherebysubjecttothesameSGMArequirementsastheremainderoftheCity.

Comment 3‐7

ThepotentialdiversionfromtheFriant‐KernCanalcouldrelayexistingKingsRiverWatersuppliestotheCitythroughanexchangeviatheFID,orthepotentialdiversioncouldprovideavehicletoreceiveyet‐to‐beacquiredsurfacewatersuppliesthattheCityisorwillbenegotiatinginthefuture.ThepotentialdiversionwouldprovideadditionalflexibilityandredundancyfortheCitytoaccessitssurfacewatersuppliesduringperiodsofmaintenanceontheEnterpriseCanal.TheCityisinnegotiationswiththeFIDtodeterminesurfacewaterdeliveryparameters;furtherdetailsareunavailableatthistime.

Comment 3‐8

Thiscommentpertainstodevelopmentofnewproductionwellsinthevicinityofprivatewellslocatedinruralresidentialareas.TheWaterMasterPlandoesnotindicatethatanynewwellswouldbelocatedinawaythatwouldimmediatelyaffectprivatewellsinruralresidentialareas.AstheCity’swaterdistributionsystemisdevelopedandcouldprovideservicetotheruralresidentialareas,theCitycanconsiderextendingservicetothoseareas.Extendedservicewouldgreatlyreducerelianceonprivatewellsfordomesticservice.

Comment 3‐9

DiscussionswithCSUFresnohavebeenongoing.Inthepasttheuniversityhasindicatedawillingnesstocontinuethosediscussions.Itisunknownwhatthetermsofapotentialexchange,includingthepossibleratioofanexchange,wouldbewithouthavingnegotiationsproceedfurther.

CSUFresnohasanentitlementtoKingsRiverWater,similartotheCity’sentitlement.UnderanarrangementwiththeCity,thewaterrightsentitlementmayremainwithCSUFresnoandanagreementcouldbeexecutedbetweentheCityandtheuniversitytoexchangethosewaterresourcesforrecycledwaterfromtheCity.

FID’spotentialroleinthispossiblearrangementcouldrangefromveryminimaltoassistingwithconveyancethroughexistingfacilitiesspanningthedistancebetweenCSUFresnoandtheCity.

Comment 3‐10

TheWaterMasterPlanindicatesa2035supplythatwillmeetdemands;however,2083demands,withoutconservation,areforecastedtoexceedsuppliesby5,600acre‐feetperyear.Lessthan10%conservationwillmakeupforthisshortfallortheCitywillworktowardssecuringadditionalwatersuppliesthroughneighboringwaterdistricts.

Pertainingtotheconservationtargets,theCityhasbeenandcontinuestoenforcenewpoliciesandpracticesintheCitytoachievetherequired20%conservationtargetidentifiedinSBX7‐7(Chapter4,Statutesof2009).BetweenJune2015andMarch2016,duringmandatoryconservationperiodsassociatedwithGovernor’sexecutiveordersduringthedrought,theCitywasabletoachieve31%reductionindemands,illustratingtheabilityfortheCitytoachievethe20%targetforconservation.



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However,projecteddemandsarenotbasedonconservationfiguresbutonactualdatafrom2013watermeterreadingsthroughouttheCity.

Thesustainablepumpingnumber,6,660acre‐feetperyear,inSection6.11(page6‐39)oftheWaterMasterPlanwasmisunderstoodtobeatotalsustainableyield.Thisnumberisthesustainablepumpingquantitywithoutconsideringintentionalrecharge.UtilizingthefiguresinTable6.11‐1oftheWMP,thesustainablepumpingquantity,includingrechargeefforts,whichtheCityintendstocontinueandincrease,is16,060acre‐feetperyear.ThisisconsistentwithconclusionofthePEIRthatthesustainableyieldis16,100acre‐feetperyear.ThenumbersarecorrectedinSection1.2ofthisdocument.ThisdoesnotchangetheconclusionsoftheSubsequentEIR.

Comment 3‐11

ImpactWTR‐2iscorrectinstatingthatitisnotadevelopmentprojectthatwillcreateadditionalwaterdemands.Adevelopmentproject,andinabroadersensethe2014GeneralPlan,authorizesnewdevelopmenttooccurthatwillcreateademandforwater.PursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65300,theCityisrequiredtoadopt“acomprehensive,long‐termgeneralplanforthephysicaldevelopmentofthe…city,andofanylandoutsideitsboundarieswhichintheplanningagency’sjudgmentbearsrelationtoitsplanning.”GovernmentCodeSection65580describesoneobjectiveofthegeneralplan’shousingelementas“[d]esignatingandmaintainingasupplyoflandandadequatesitessuitable,feasible,andavailableforthedevelopmentofhousingsufficienttomeetthelocality’shousingneedforallincomelevelsisessentialtoachievingthestate’shousinggoals…”ThisincludesaccommodatingtheCity’sshareoftheregionalhousingneed(GovernmentCodeSection65583).Clearly,the2014GeneralPlanisrequiredtobeaforward‐lookingsetofpolicies,notastaticdescriptionofexistingconditions.TheobjectiveoftheWaterMasterPlanistoestablishthepathbywhichtheCitycanmeettheprojecteddemandsoffuturegrowth.

AnEIRisadisclosuredocumentintendedtoinformthepublic,agencies,anddecision‐makersofthepotentialimpactsofaparticularaction(here,adoptionoftheWaterMasterPlan).TheEIRdoesnotapprovethataction.ApprovaloftheGeneralPlanin2014facilitatesfurthergrowthinaccordancewithitspolicies;thepurposeoftheWaterMasterPlanistoidentifythemeansbywhichsufficientwaterwillbeobtainedtoaccommodatethatgrowth.Asdisclosedinthe2014GeneralPlanEIRandthisSEIR,atthistimeitdoesnotappearthattheCitycanobtainalong‐termwatersupplysufficienttoservefuturedevelopmentundertheGeneralPlan.

ThereisnofeasiblemitigationmeasuretoensurethattheCitywillhavesufficientwatertomeetitslong‐termwaterdemand.TheCityisalreadyundertakingseveralprogramstoreducethedemandoffuturedevelopment,therebystretchingexistingandprojectedsupplies.ThesearedetailedinChapter9,DemandManagementMeasures,ofthe2015UrbanWaterManagementPlan.BecauseofthehousingelementrequirementsplacedontheCitybystatelaw,constraininggrowthintheabsenceofaclearabsenceofwatertosupportthatgrowthisnotlegallyfeasible.

Comment 3‐12

Asmentionedabove,theCitywillcontinuetoworkwithneighboringagenciestosecureadditionalwatersuppliestomeetfuturedemands;theCityispresentlyworkingwiththeFIDtonegotiatewatersuppliesforfuturegrowth,beforethosesuppliesareneededimmediately.

Additionally,itisimportanttonotethatalargeportionofthelandstheCitywillexpandintohaseither(a)existingwaterrightsthatshouldberetainedwiththelandandconveyedtotheCityupon



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developmentand/or(b)hasanexistingwaterusedemandthatfrequentlyexceedsthatofthedevelopedurbanwaterdemand.Therefore,itshouldnotbeseenthatdevelopmentiscreatingentirelynewdemands,butinsteadisconvertingexistingsuppliesanddemandstodifferentusesthatmayprovideanet‐reductioninwaterdemand.

Comment 3‐13

ThisshouldreferenceSection3.1.3oftheSEIR.TheFinalSEIRincludesthisrevision.

Comment 3‐14

TheWaterMasterPlandemandforecastisbasedonthelevelofgrowthenvisionedunderthe2014GeneralPlan.Asaresult,theWaterMasterPlancannotinduceagreaterlevelofgrowththansetoutintheGeneralPlananditwillbenogreaterthandisclosedinthe2014programEIR.

Comment 3‐15

AsdiscussedinSection3.1.3oftheSEIR,the2014GeneralPlanEIRconcludedthatdevelopmentundertheGeneralPlanwouldresultinasignificantimpactonwaterresources.TheSEIRfoundthattheWaterMasterPlanwouldsimilarlyhaveasignificanteffect.ThoseconclusionsareconsistentwiththefindinginSection4.5.

Comment 3‐16

TheCityisworkingwiththeFIDtosecurereliablewatersuppliesnow,wellinadvanceofneedingthosesupplies.TheCityisalsocontinuingdiscussionswithotherneighboringwaterdistrictstoexploreadditionalwatersupplyagreementswiththoseentities.TheWaterMasterPlandoesnotprovidedetailsofthosenegotiationsanddiscussionsbecausetheyarenotconcluded,anddetailsarenotfirmandbindingatthistime.

Comment 3‐17

AsexplainedinSection1.5.2ofthissubsequentEIR,thefocusofthisdocumentisdisclosureofwhetherthecurrentprojectwouldresultinaneworsubstantiallymoresevereimpactnotaddressedinthe2014ProgramEIR.ThesubsequentEIRisbasedupontheprogramEIRcertifiedforthe2014GeneralPlan.The2014ProgramEIRconcludedthatdevelopmentundertheGeneralPlanwouldresultinsignificantandunavoidableimpactsongroundwaterrecharge(Impact5.9.2)andwatersupply(Impact5.17.1).ThesubsequentEIRcorrectlynotesthatthesearesignificantandunavoidableimpactspreviouslyidentifiedinthe2014ProgramEIR,butwillnotbesubstantiallymoreseverethanidentifiedinthatpreviousEIR.

Comment 3‐18

TheCityisnotpresentlyutilizingitsentirerecycledwatersupplieswithintheCitylimitsandintendstomakechangesinoperationstochangethatpractice.Ifthe”potential”recycledwaterusers,weretocommittousingthissupplytheusewouldoutstriptherecycledwatersupplieswithintheCity.Theexchangeofrecycledwaterwouldbeutilizedduringperiodsofexcess,whichmaybelonger‐termbasedonuseswithintheCityor,intheeventoflong‐termdemandsthatexceed



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supplies,throughanexpansionoftherecycledwatertreatmentfacility.Anexpansionisnotidentifiedatthistime,butcouldbeconsideredatalaterdateifnecessary.

Comment 3‐19

TheCityintendstoprioritizeusesoftherecycledwatersuppliesfor(1)in‐Cityirrigationdemandsindevelopingareas,(2)groundwaterrechargeuses,and(3)exchangesorout‐of‐Cityirrigation(agricultural)uses,inthatorder.

Comment 3‐20

Asmentionedabove,theCityisnotpresentlyusingitsentirerecycledwatersuppliesandisinstead,deliveringtheexcesstoanotheragencyforuseoutsidetheCityboundaries.TheinclusionofrecycledwaterasanadditionalsupplyissimplytoindicatetheCity’sintentiontomodifypracticeswithintheCitywherethosesupplieswouldbeusedwithintheCityboundarytomeetdemands.



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Response to Comment Letter 4 (P‐R Farms)

Comment 4‐1

RegardingMitigationMeasureAES‐1(ImplementProjectDesignAestheticsforWaterStorageTanks,BoosterPumpStation,andSWTPFacilities),theCityroutinelyworkswithpropertyownerswhendeterminingthelocationofwaterstoragetanksandotherfacilitiesthatwouldbelocatedoutsideofexistingrights‐of‐way.ThatisrequiredbeforetheCitymayacquireasiteforpublicfacilities.MitigationMeasureAES‐1relatestothedesignoflargerfacilitiesandnottheacquisitionofsites,sonochangeismadetothemeasure.

ThismitigationmeasureandmeasureAES‐2arediscussedinAppendixA,InitialStudy,butwereinadvertentlyleftoutofthetextoftheDraftSubsequentEIR.ThisisrectifiedintherevisionmadeinSection1.2ofthisdocument.Thereisnochangetothesignificanceoftheimpact.

Comment 4‐2

TheCitywillinformpropertyownersandworkwiththempriortoacquiringanysitesforpublicfacilities.

Response to Comment Letter 5 (San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District)

Comment 5‐1

TheCityappreciatestheAirPollutionControlDistrict’s(District’s)concurrenceinthefindingofsignificance.

Comment 5‐2

TheSubsequentEIRisaprogram‐leveldocumentandtheimprovementsthataredescribedthereinaredescribedingeneraltermsbecausenodetailsofconstructionandoperationsareavailableatthistime.Withoutthisdetailedinformation,theCitycannotaccuratelyestimatetheextent,timetable,orintensityofconstructionactivities,andthereforecannotreasonablyundertakeaHealthRiskAssessment(HRA)atthistime.

Inareasthatarecurrentlyundeveloped,theCityanticipatesinstallingwater,wastewater,anddrainageinfrastructureinadvanceoftheoccupancyofnewdevelopment.Theextentthatthiswilloccurcannotbeaccuratelyestimatedatthistime,butitisafurtherlimitationonassessingwhethertherearesensitivereceptorsthatcouldbeadverselyaffectedbyconstructionemissions.

TheCitywillprepareHRAsascircumstancesdictatewhenproject‐specificinformationbecomesavailableduringtheCEQAprocessforlateractivitiesundertheMasterPlans.LateractivitieswillberequiredtobereviewedforpotentialnewormoresevereimpactsunderCEQAGuidelinesSections15162‐15164.

Comment 5‐3

TheSubsequentEIRisaprogram‐leveldocumentandtheimprovementsthataredescribedthereinaredescribedingeneraltermsbecausenodetailsofconstructionandoperationsareavailableat



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thistime.Withoutdetailedinformation,suchasmightbeavailableonceactivitieshavebeendesigned,theCitycannotprepareanaccurateestimateofthepotentialairemissionsthatwouldresult.Therefore,itwouldbeprematurefortheCitytoconsiderenteringintoaVoluntaryEmissionsReductionAgreement(VERA)withtheDistrict.AstheCitydesignsthevariousprojectsthatareenvisionedintheMasterPlans,itwilldiscusstheneedforVERAswiththeDistrictanddecidewhethertoenterintosuchagreementsatthattime.

Comment 5‐4

TheprojectdescriptiondoesnotprovidesufficientinformationtodeterminewhetherfutureIndirectSourceReviews(ISRs)willbenecessarybecausedetailedinformationaboutconstructionandoperationsisnotavailableatthistime.AstheCitydesignsthevariousprojectsthatareenvisionedintheMasterPlans,itwillcoordinatewiththeDistrictovertheneedforindividualISRs.

Comment 5‐5

TheCityintendstocomplywithDistrictrulesandobtainanynecessarypermits.AsprojectsundertheMasterPlansmoveforwardtodesign,construction,andoperation,theCitywillworkwiththeDistricttoidentifyandcomplywiththeapplicablerules.Thespecificpermitswilldependontheprojectoractivitybeingundertaken.

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