County of San Diego JACK MILLER DIRECTOR SOLID WASTE LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY 5500 OVERLAND AVE STE 170, S A N D I E G O , C A 9 2 1 2 3 858-694-2888, Fax; 858-495-5004 1-800-253-9933 www.sdcdeh.org ELIZABETH POZZEBON ASSISTANT DIRECTOR September 12, 2011 CEQA Initial Study - Environmental Checklist Form (Based on the State CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G Rev. 10/04) 1. Title: East Otay Mesa Recycling Collection Center and Landfill (EOM RCCL) 2. Lead agency name and address: County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health 5500 Overland Avenue, Suite 170 San Diego, CA 92123 3. a. Contact: KariLyn Merlos, Supervising Environmental Health Specialist b. Phone number: (858) 495-5799, Fax number: (858) 495-5004 c. E-mail: KariLyn.Merlos@sdcounty.ca.gov. 4. Project location: The proposed project is located in the East Otay Mesa area in unincorporated south San Diego County. The proposed recycling collection center and class III solid waste landfill would occupy approximately 340 acres of the 450-acre site located approximately two miles east of the Siempre Viva Road exit off of Interstate 905, one quarter mile from Loop Road/Paseo De La Fuente, and east of the planned State Route 11. See enclosed vicinity map. Thomas Brothers Coordinates: Page 1352, Grid D-F1, D-F2 5. Project Applicant name and address: East Otay Mesa Recycling and Landfill Facility, LLC. 5440 Morehouse Drive, Suite 4000 San Diego, CA 92121 6. General Plan Designation: County General Plan: Public/Semi-public - Solid Waste Facility Community Plan: East Otay Mesa EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 2 7. Zoning Use Regulation: 8. Description of project: September 12, 2011 SWF Solid Waste Facility On June 8, 2010 the voters of San Diego County approved county-wide initiative Proposition A. Proposition A amended the County General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and other ordinances and policies of the County of San Diego to allow for the construction and operation of a recycling collection center and class III solid waste landfill on the project site. Proposition A also amended the Siting Element of the County-wide Integrated Waste Management Plan to list the project site as a recycling and disposal site and to conform the siting element text to provide for the proposed project. The proposed recycling collection center and class III solid waste landfill would occupy approximately 340 acres of the 450-acre site. The remaining 110 acres would remain undeveloped. The East Otay Mesa Specific Plan established a 1,000-foot-wide buffer adjacent to the site to the west to minimize land use conflicts between the recycling collection center and landfill and nearby development. The proposed project would include a recycling collection center, lined landfill, scale area, borrow and stockpile area, leachate collection system, chipping and grinding area, storm water retention facilities, a new access route from Loop Road/Paseo De La Fuente, and a facilities and operation area. The facilities and operation area would include a visitors’ center, office building, maintenance office, shop and yard, and landfill gas collection and recovery system. The recycling and solid waste operations components of the proposed project would include the receipt, handling, processing, and/or disposal of solid waste or recyclable materials; cover operations; site grading and/or excavation, including blasting, rock crushing, and export of native material; and heavy equipment operation. Other site activities would include the operation of gas and leachate collection and treatment systems, remedial activities required by regulatory agencies, maintenance within the maintenance yard, and other activities that would support and are customarily associated with recycling and solid waste operations. The landfill would utilize a state-of-the-art composite liner system and a leachate collection and recovery system, in accordance with State and Federal regulatory requirements, including California Code of Regulations Title 27 and subtitle D of Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (27 CCR 20340; SWRCB Resolution 93-62 IIIA; 40 CFR 258.40). The liner system would include from bottom to top: a low permeability barrier layer soil or geosynthetic alternative, a flexible impermeable geomembrane, a leachate collection layer, and a protective soil cover. All components of the liner system would be designed to provide protection of groundwater in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations. The landfill would be developed utilizing a phased approach based on capacity needs, with individual phases or cells ranging in size from 5 to 20 acres, and following an engineered master development plan. Each phase would generally include excavation of native material which would either be used onsite, quarried for use as aggregate, or exported off-site. Estimated landfill capacity is approximately 180 million tons. Both the EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 3 - September 12,2011 capacity and the life of the landfill are subject to disposal rates and current landfill capacity in San Diego County. There is potential refuse capacity for 150 years or more. 9. Surrounding land uses and setting: Lands surrounding the project site are used for institutional confinement and power generation. The project site and adjacent land is located at the foothills of the San Ysidro Mountains. The site is located within two miles of Highway 905. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project and involve at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact" or a "Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated," as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. o Aesthetics o Biological Resources 0Hazards & Haz. Materials o Mineral Resources 0Public Services Utilities & Service Systems o o Agricultural Resources o Air Quality o Geology & Soils 0Hydrology & Water Quality Noise Recreation D Land Use & Planning D Population & Housing o Cultural Resources o o o Transportation/Traffic o Mandatory Findings of Significance DETERMINATION: On the basis of this initial evaluation: o o o On the basis of this Initial Study, the Department of Environmental Health finds that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. On the basis of this Initial Study, the Department of Environmental Health finds that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. On the basis of this Initial Study, the Department of Environmental Health finds that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. q-7-/I Date KariLyn Merlos Printed Name Supervising Env. Health Specialist Title EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 4 - September 12, 2011 I. AESTHETICS -- Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The project area lies on and east of a mesa characterized by flat topography and low-growing vegetation. The topography and vegetation become more varied within the project area and further north and east where the San Ysidro Mountains and canyons stretch inland. The proposed project would utilize a phased approach to construction and operation of the class III solid waste landfill, and a project-specific visual analysis will be conducted to assess potential effects to scenic vistas. b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: State scenic highways refer to those highways that are officially designated by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) as scenic (Caltrans - California Scenic Highway Program). Generally, the area defined within a State scenic highway is the land adjacent to and visible from the vehicular right-of-way. The dimension of a scenic highway is usually identified using a motorist’s line of vision, but a reasonable boundary is selected when the view extends to the distant horizon. The scenic highway corridor extends to the visual limits of the landscape abutting the scenic highway. Less Than Significant Impact: There are no officially designated State scenic highways nor County priority scenic routes located within the Otay Mesa area. The nearest State scenic highway, SB-75 along Silver Strand Blvd., is located over 10 miles west of the proposed project. The project site is not visible from the scenic highway viewshed, therefore the proposed project would have a less than significant impact to a State scenic highway. c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings?  Potentially Significant Impact  Less than Significant Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 5 -  Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated September 12, 2011  No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Visual character is the objective composition of the visible landscape within a viewshed. Visual quality is the viewer’s perception of the visual environment and varies based on exposure, sensitivity and expectation of the viewers. Features of the proposed project have the potential to cause a significant effect to the visual character of the site and surroundings. A project-specific visual analysis will be conducted to assess potential changes to the visual character due to the proposed project. d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare, which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Project design may require elements of lighting to support construction and operation of the proposed facility. Visual compatibility of lighting features will be analyzed in a project-specific visual analysis, and the potential to affect day or nighttime views in the area will be assessed. II. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide or Local Importance (Important Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, or other agricultural resources, to non-agricultural use?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Potential impacts to agricultural resources, and the conversion of agricultural resources to a non-agricultural use will be analyzed in a project-specific technical report. b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 6 -  Potentially Significant Impact  Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated September 12, 2011   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: No portion of the site is zoned for agricultural use. None of the land is subject to a Williamson Act contract. c) Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Important Farmland or other agricultural resources, to non-agricultural use?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: A project-specific agricultural resources technical report will analyze the potential impact of conversion of agricultural resources to the proposed uses. III. AIR QUALITY -- Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the San Diego Regional Air Quality Strategy (RAQS) or applicable portions of the State Implementation Plan (SIP)?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Potential air quality impacts associated with the construction and operation of the proposed project will be analyzed in a project-specific technical report to determine conformity to the RAQS and/or applicable portions of the SIP. b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation?  Potentially Significant Impact  Less than Significant Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 7 -  Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated September 12, 2011  No Impact Discussion/Explanation: In general, air quality impacts from land use projects are the result of emissions from motor vehicles, and from short-term construction activities associated with such projects. Because the construction of this landfill will be phased, construction-related air quality impacts are expected to be less severe at any single point in time, but the reduced impacts will occur periodically over a longer period of time than would occur in a single-phased project. Because operation of a landfill project involves ongoing vehicle movement on unpaved surfaces and the placement of soil cover materials, the operation of the landfill will have air quality impacts. Once solid waste has been placed in a landfill, landfill gas is generated by the decomposition of that trash, and must be managed to reduce emissions. Landfill gas consists primarily of methane, a recognized “greenhouse gas.” Landfill gas generation is expected to continue after the landfill ceases active operation. However, air quality impacts are not expected to exceed the impacts that would occur if this facility were not operated at this location and its operations were diverted to an alternative location or locations where the necessary functions would be performed. The San Diego County Land Use Environment Group (LUEG) has established guidelines for determining significance which incorporate the Air Pollution Control District’s (SDAPCD) established screening-level criteria for all new source review (NSR) in APCD Rule 20.2. These screening-level criteria can be used as numeric methods to demonstrate that a project’s total emissions (e.g. stationary and fugitive emissions, as well as emissions from mobile sources) would not result in a significant impact to air quality. Since APCD does not have screening-level criteria for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the use of the screening level for reactive organic compounds (ROC) from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) for the Coachella Valley (which are more appropriate for the San Diego Air Basin) are used. Potentially Significant Impact: The project proposes construction and operation activities such as grading, chipping and grinding which have the potential to create pollutant emissions. A project-specific technical analysis will be conducted to determine conformance with the San Diego Regional Air Quality Strategy (RAQS) or applicable portions of the State Implementation Plan (SIP), and County’s Interim Approach to Addressing Climate Change in CEQA Documents. c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 8 - September 12, 2011 Discussion/Explanation: San Diego County is presently in non-attainment for the 1-hour concentrations under the California Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) for Ozone (O3). San Diego County is also presently in non-attainment for the annual geometric mean and for the 24-hour concentrations of Particulate Matter less than or equal to 10 microns (PM10) under the CAAQS. O3 is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) react in the presence of sunlight. VOC sources include any source that burns fuels (e.g., gasoline, natural gas, wood, oil); solvents; petroleum processing and storage; and pesticides. Sources of PM10 in both urban and rural areas include: motor vehicles, wood burning stoves and fireplaces, dust from construction, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, brush/waste burning, and industrial sources of windblown dust from open lands. Potentially Significant Impact: Air quality emissions associated with the construction and operation of EOM RCCL are likely to include emissions of PM10, NOx and VOCs from construction/grading activities, and also as the result of increase of vehicular traffic, fugitive emissions of landfill gas including methane, and combustion-related emission from the burning or collected landfill gas. The proposed project will be regulated through a permit with the SDAPCD, and specific avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures will be enforced to the specifications of the permit. A projectspecific technical analysis will be conducted to assess the potential for a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant. d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Pollutant emissions and the proximity to sensitive receptors will be analyzed in a project-specific air quality technical analysis for the proposed project. e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Discussion/Explanation:   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 9 - September 12, 2011 Potentially Significant Impact: The potential for emissions of objectionable odors associated with the proposed facilities will be analyzed in a project-specific air quality technical analysis for the project. IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Proposition A allows for a 340-acre recycling collection center and class III solid waste landfill within the 450-acre project site. Approximately 400 acres of the 450-acre site were assessed in a preliminary biological reconnaissance, including general baseline surveys and habitat assessments (REC 2011). Several sensitive plant species have been identified onsite during preliminary surveys, including: coast barrel cactus (Ferocactus viridescens), San Diego viguiera (Viguiera lacinata), San Diego marsh elder (Iva hayesiana), southwestern spiny rush (Juncus acutus ssp leopoldii), and Tecate cypress (Cupressus forbesii). The site has the potential to support: Otay tarplant (Dienandra conjugens), San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia), San Diego button celery (Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii), variegated dudleya (Dudleya variegata). Focused rare plant surveys will be conducted during the appropriate seasons to identify if these species occur onsite. Three sensitive wildlife species were observed during preliminary studies, including: Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Two-striped garter snake (Thamnophis hammondii). Focused wildlife surveys will be conducted during the appropriate seasons to identify if sensitive wildlife species are present at the site, including: Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino), burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica), San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis) and Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni). A raptor survey will also be conducted. Potential effects to species that are determined to be present within the survey area will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service?  Potentially Significant Impact  Less than Significant Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 10 -  Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated September 12, 2011  No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Historically, cattle grazed through the project area, and in 2003, sections of the site were burned during the Otay wildfire. A preliminary biological reconnaissance, including general baseline surveys and habitat assessments, was conducted at 400 acres of the site (REC 2011). Seven types of habitat have the potential to occur on the property: chamise chaparral, disturbed coastal sage scrub, non-native grassland, non-native grassland/buckwheat scrub, southern willow scrub, vernal pool habitat, and disturbed areas. Numerous dirt roads, trails, parking areas, and staging locations have been cleared by the Border Patrol and for utility easements and fire roads. These areas are highly degraded and do not support vegetation due to compaction of soil and frequent use. Potential effects to riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, and regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service that are determined to be present within the survey area will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Natural and man-made drainages and habitats occur onsite, and will be delineated and assessed for potential impacts as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers. Potential impacts to jurisdictional resources will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 11 - September 12, 2011 Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The project site’s biological value to the movement of native resident or migratory wildlife species, including the use of wildlife corridors, and the use of native wildlife nursery sites will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. e) Conflict with the provisions of any adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Communities Conservation Plan, other approved local, regional or state habitat conservation plan or any other local policies or ordinances that protect biological resources?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project site is located within the regional planning area of the County’s Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP). The site is identified in the MSCP as amendment areas, including Major Amendment, Minor Amendment, and Minor Amendment with Special Considerations. The project would not conflict with any applicable conservation plan, other approved local, regional or state habitat conservation plan, or any other local policies or ordinances that protect biological resources. V. CULTURAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in 15064.5?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Proposition A allows for a 340-acre recycling collection center and class III solid waste landfill within the 450-acre project site. Approximately 400 acres of the 450-acre site are being assessed in a cultural resource record search, literature review, and field survey by Statistical Research, Inc. Prehistoric and historic sites recorded in the project area will be studied to determine their significance. The project’s potential to change the significance of a historical resource as defined in 15064.5 will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 12 b) September 12, 2011 Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to 15064.5?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: A cultural resource record search, literature review, and field survey for 400 acres of the project area are being compiled by Statistical Research, Inc. (2011). Prehistoric and historic sites recorded in the project area will be studied to determine their significance. The project’s potential to change the significance of an archaeological resource as defined in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15064.5 will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique geologic feature?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Geologic characteristics that have the potential to support unique geologic features at the site will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. d) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project involves excavation activities, and a site-specific review and technical report of geological formations that potentially contain unique paleontological resources will be conducted for this project. This technical report will analyze the potential to affect a unique paleontological resource or site. e) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?  Potentially Significant Impact  Less than Significant Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 13 Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated  September 12, 2011  No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: A cultural resource record search, literature review, and field survey for 400 acres of the project area are being compiled by Statistical Research, Inc. During site testing at the project site, small pieces of human bone were encountered and the County Coroner and Native American Heritage Commission were notified. A Native American monitor was present for all phases of work, and coordination with applicable agencies, including tribal organizations, is in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and standards. A technical report will be developed to analyze and determine significant effects of the project. VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS -- Would the project: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving: i.   Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project is not located in a fault rupture hazard zone identified by the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, Special Publication 42, Revised 1997, Fault-Rupture Hazards Zones in California, or located within any other area with substantial evidence of a known fault. Therefore, there will be no impact from the exposure of people or structures to adverse effects from a known fault-rupture hazard zone as a result of this project. ii.   Strong seismic ground shaking? Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Less Than Significant Impact: To ensure the structural integrity of all buildings and structures, the project must conform to the Seismic Requirements as outlined within the EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 14 - September 12, 2011 California Building Code. The County Code requires a soils compaction report with proposed foundation recommendations to be approved before the issuance of a building permit. Therefore, compliance with the California Building Code and the County Code ensures the project will not result in a potentially significant impact from the exposure of people or structures to potential adverse effects from strong seismic ground shaking. iii.   Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project site is not located within a “Potential Liquefaction Area” as identified in the County Guidelines for Determining Significance for Geologic Hazards. This indicates that the geologic environment of the project site is not susceptible to ground failure from seismic activity. In addition, the site is not underlain by poor artificial fill or located within a floodplain. Therefore, there will be no impact from the exposure of people or structures to adverse effects from a known area susceptible to ground failure, including liquefaction. iv.   Landslides? Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project site is located within a “Landslide Susceptibility Area” as identified in the County Guidelines for Determining Significance for Geologic Hazards. Landslide Susceptibility Areas were developed based on landslide risk profiles included in the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, San Diego, CA (URS, 2004). Landslide risk areas from this plan were based on data including steep slopes (greater than 25%); soil series data (SANDAG based on USGS 1970s series); soil-slip susceptibility from USGS; and Landslide Hazard Zone Maps (limited to western portion of the County) developed by the California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology (DMG). Also included within Landslide Susceptibility Areas are gabbroic soils on slopes steeper than 15% in grade because these soils are slide prone. However, a project-specific Geotechnical Report will be prepared to determine if the area shows evidence of either pre-existing or potential conditions that could become unstable and result in landslides. b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 15 -   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated September 12, 2011   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: According to the Soil Survey of San Diego County, the soils on-site are identified as HrC, HrC2, HrD, HrD2, SnG, and TeF that have soil erodibility ratings of “moderate” and “severe” as indicated by the Soil Survey for the San Diego Area, prepared by the US Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation and Forest Service dated December 1973. The project will require the construction of cut and fill slopes, which will be designed and constructed in accordance with the San Diego County Code of Regulations, Title 8, Zoning and Land Use Regulations, Division 7, Sections 87.414 (DRAINAGE - EROSION PREVENTION) and 87.417 (PLANTING). In addition, a Storm Water Management Plan will be prepared for the project, which will include Best Management Practices to ensure sediment does not erode from the project site. However, as the proposed project involves the installation of an in-fill class III solid waste facility, the proposed project may result in a substantial loss of topsoil. c) Will the project produce unstable geological conditions that will result in adverse impacts resulting from landslides, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The project will result in site disturbance and grading including both cut and fill slopes for the proposed facility, but would be constructed to be structurally sound taking into account the geological formations underlying the site. As discussed in Section VI. Geology and Soils, Question a., i-iv listed above, the potential for the project to cause adverse effects due to landslides, erosion, and/or loss of topsoil will be analyzed in a project-specific Geotechnical Report. This analysis will also consider the potential for the project to produce unstable geological conditions resulting from landslides, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse. d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Discussion/Explanation:   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 16 - September 12, 2011 Less Than Significant Impact: The project is located on expansive soils as defined within Table 18-I-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994). This was confirmed by staff review of the Soil Survey for the San Diego Area, prepared by the US Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation and Forest Service dated December 1973. The soils onsite include Huerhuero loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes; Huerhuero loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded; Huerhuero loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes; Huerhuero loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, eroded; San Miguel- Exchequer rocky silt loams, 9 to 70 percent slopes; and Terrace escarpments. However the project will not have any significant impacts because the project is required to comply with the improvement requirements identified in the 1997 Uniform Building Code, Division III – Design Standard for Design of SlabOn-Ground Foundations to Resist the Effects of Expansive Soils and Compressible Soils, which ensure suitable structure safety in areas with expansive soils. Therefore, these soils will not create substantial risks to life or property. e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The project proposes to rely on existing public water and sewer for the disposal of wastewater. A project-specific technical analysis will assess the proposed connection and service availability as regulated by the Otay Water District, and determine the final wastewater disposal method through coordination with Otay Water District, if a connection is required. After conducting a review of the Soil Survey for the San Diego Area, prepared by the US Department of Agriculture, the project site does include limitations for containing septic tank absorption fields. Therefore, the project site has the potential to contain soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems. VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS -- Would the project: a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, storage, use, or disposal of hazardous materials or wastes or through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 17 - September 12, 2011 Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The project proposes to construct an approximately 340-acre recycling collection center and class III solid waste landfill which involves the routine use, storage, and/or generation of hazardous materials. The proposed project would include a recycling collection center, lined landfill, scale area, borrow and stockpile area, leachate collection system, chipping and grinding area, storm water retention facilities, and a facilities and operation area. The recycling and solid waste operations components of the proposed project would include the receipt, handling, processing, and/or disposal of solid waste or recyclable materials; cover operations; site grading and/or excavation, including blasting and rock crushing; and heavy equipment operation. Other site activities would include the operation of landfill gas and leachate collection and treatment systems, remedial activities required by regulatory agencies, maintenance within the maintenance yard, and other activities that would support recycling and solid waste operations. The proposed project may involve the transport, storage, use or disposal of hazardous materials during construction and/or operation phases. A project-specific technical analysis will be conducted to determine potential impacts associated with hazardous materials. b) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: There is no existing school within one-quarter mile of the project site. A project-specific analysis will be conducted to assess potential direct and/or indirect hazardous materials impacts to proposed schools, if any. c) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, or is otherwise known to have been subject to a release of hazardous substances and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Discussion/Explanation:   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 18 - September 12, 2011 Potentially Significant Impact: Based on a regulatory database search, the project site has not been subject to a release of hazardous substances that would create a significant hazard to the public or environment. The project site is not included in any of the following lists or databases: the State of California Hazardous Waste and Substances sites list compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5., the San Diego County Hazardous Materials Establishment database, the San Diego County DEH Site Assessment and Mitigation (SAM) Case Listing, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Site Mitigation and Brownfields Reuse Program Database (“CalSites” Envirostor Database), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS) listing, the EPA’s Superfund CERCLIS database or the EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL). Additionally, the project is not located on or within 250 feet of the boundary of a parcel identified as containing burn ash (from the historic burning of trash), is not on or within 1,000 feet of a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), and does not contain a leaking Underground Storage Tank (UST). However, the project does propose structures for human occupancy (i.e., office building, maintenance office, shop and yard, and visitor center) that will be located onsite of the proposed recycling collection center and landfill. Also, the historic agricultural uses of the site would need to be reviewed to determine if the site presents a potential for contamination from any previous intensive agricultural historic uses. Therefore, further evaluation of the proposed design features for proposed structures and the site’s historical uses will be required to determine if the project would not create a significant hazard to the public or environment. d) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project is not located within an Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP), a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), within a Federal Aviation Administration Height Notification Surface, or within two miles of a public airport, or 10,000 feet of any airport runway. Also, the project does not propose construction of any structure that would conflict with applicable safety standards, and would not constitute a safety hazard to aircraft and/or operations from an airport or heliport. Per Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 20270(b), affected airports (potentially including Brown Field) that are within a 5 mile radius of the proposed project will receive notification, as will the Federal Aviation Administration. e) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 19 -   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated September 12, 2011   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project is not within one mile of a private airstrip. As a result, the project will not constitute a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area. f) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: The following sections summarize the project’s consistency with applicable emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans. i. OPERATIONAL AREA EMERGENCY PLAN AND MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN: Less Than Significant Impact: The Operational Area Emergency Plan is a comprehensive emergency plan that defines responsibilities, establishes an emergency organization, defines lines of communications, and is designed to be part of the statewide Standardized Emergency Management System. The Operational Area Emergency Plan provides guidance for emergency planning and requires subsequent plans to be established by each jurisdiction that has responsibilities in a disaster situation. The Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan includes an overview of the risk assessment process, identifies hazards present in the jurisdiction, hazard profiles, and vulnerability assessments. The plan also identifies goals, objectives and actions for each jurisdiction in the County of San Diego, including all cities and the County unincorporated areas. The project will not interfere with this plan because it will not prohibit subsequent plans from being established or prevent the goals and objectives of existing plans from being carried out. ii. SAN DIEGO COUNTY RESPONSE PLAN NUCLEAR POWER STATION EMERGENCY No Impact: The San Diego County Nuclear Power Station Emergency Response Plan will not be interfered with by the project due to the location of the project, and the specific requirements of the plan. The emergency plan for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 20 - September 12, 2011 Station includes an emergency planning zone within a 10-mile radius. All land area within 10 miles of the plant is not within the jurisdiction of the unincorporated County and as such a project in the unincorporated area is not expected to interfere with any response or evacuation. iii. OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY ELEMENT No Impact: The Oil Spill Contingency Element will not be interfered with because the project is not located along the coastal zone or coastline. iv. EMERGENCY WATER CONTINGENCIES ANNEX AND ENERGY SHORTAGE RESPONSE PLAN No Impact: The Emergency Water Contingencies Annex and Energy Shortage Response Plan will not be interfered with because the project does not propose altering major water or energy supply infrastructure, such as the California Aqueduct. v. DAM EVACUATION PLAN No Impact: The Dam Evacuation Plan will not be interfered with because the project is not located within a dam inundation zone. g) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project is adjacent to wildlands that have the potential to support wildland fires. A project-specific technical analysis shall be conducted to assess the potential to expose people or structures to risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires. The project will comply with the regulations relating to emergency access, water supply, and defensible space specified in the County Code of Regulatory Ordinances, Title 3, Division 5, Chapter 3 and Appendix II-A of the Uniform Fire Code. A Fire Service Availability Letter will be submitted to the San Diego Rural Fire Protection District to identify service conditions, expected travel time to the project site, and the maximum allowable travel time. Following the review of the project by the Fire District, a determination would be made on the anticipated exposure from hazardous wildland fires to people or structures as a result of the project. EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 21 h) September 12, 2011 Propose a use that would substantially increase current or future resident’s exposure to vectors, including mosquitoes, rats or flies, which are capable of transmitting significant public health diseases or nuisances?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The project may include storm water retention facilities that have the potential to allow water to stand for a period of 72 hours (3 days) or more. Also, the project involves the collection of solid waste that may potentially include the collection of organic and animal wastes. Therefore, the project may expose people to a vector risk. The project will be evaluated further for public exposure to substantial vectors and a Vector Management Plan may be required for the project to ensure the project will not substantially increase current or future resident’s exposure to vectors, including mosquitoes, rats or flies or create a cumulatively considerable impact. VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -- Would the project: a) Violate any waste discharge requirements?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The project proposes to construct an approximately 340-acre recycling collection center and class III solid waste landfill that would include a recycling collection center, lined landfill, scale area, borrow and stockpile area, leachate collection system, chipping and grinding area, storm water retention facilities, and a facilities and operation area. The proposed project will include development of a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP). The SWMP will identify any special site design considerations, source control Best Management Practices (BMPs) or treatment control BMPs, under the San Diego Municipal Storm Water Permit (SDRWQCB Order No. R-92007-0001) as implemented by the San Diego County Jurisdictional Urban Runoff Management Program (JURMP) and Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plan (SUSMP). The project will require an NPDES wastewater discharge permit or a state Waste Discharge Requirements permit, either of which would be issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The RWQCB could choose to incorporate stormwater provisions into that permit. If stormwater matters are left to the County and to applicable general permits, the project will be required to conform to Countywide watershed standards in the JURMP and SUSMP, derived from State regulations and the RWQCB- EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 22 - September 12, 2011 issued Municipal Stormwater Permit to address human health and water quality concerns. A project-specific technical analysis will be prepared to analyze potential waste discharge impacts and the project’s compliance with State and County waste discharge and storm water management requirements. b) Is the project tributary to an already impaired water body, as listed on the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list? If so, could the project result in an increase in any pollutant for which the water body is already impaired?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The project lies in the 911.12 hydrologic subarea, within the Tijuana River hydrologic unit. According to the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list, July 2003, portions of this watershed are impaired. The Tijuana River is impaired for eutrophication, coliform bacteria, organic enrichment/low dissolved oxygen, pesticides, solids, synthetic organics, trace elements, and trash; Tijuana River Estuary is impaired for eutrophication, coliform bacteria, lead, nickel, pesticides, thallium, trash; and the Pacific Ocean at the Tijuana River mouth is impaired for coliform bacteria. Constituents of concern in the Tijuana River watershed include: Freshwater: coliform bacteria, nutrients, trace metals, pesticides, miscellaneous toxics, low dissolved oxygen, and trash; Groundwater: total dissolved solids, nitrates, petroleum, MTBE, and solvents. The proposed project has the potential to release pollutants, including sediment, during construction and operation of the proposed facility. Therefore, the proposed project has the potential to result in an increase in any pollutant to an already impaired water body, as listed on the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list. A project-specific technical analysis will be conducted to analyze potential impacts to water bodies. A Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) would be prepared as part of this proposed project which will address the potential for release of pollutants during construction and identify any special site design considerations, source control Best Management Practices (BMPs) or treatment control BMPs to be implemented. c) Could the proposed project cause or contribute to an exceedance of applicable surface or groundwater receiving water quality objectives or degradation of beneficial uses?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Discussion/Explanation:   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 23 - September 12, 2011 Potentially Significant Impact: The Regional Water Quality Control Board has designated water quality objectives for waters of the San Diego Region as outlined in Chapter 3 of the Water Quality Control Plan (Plan). The water quality objectives are necessary to protect the existing and potential beneficial uses of each hydrologic unit as described in Chapter 2 of the Plan. The project lies primarily within the 911.12 hydrologic subarea, within the Tijuana River hydrologic unit that has the following existing and potential beneficial uses for inland surface waters, coastal waters, reservoirs and lakes, and ground water: municipal and domestic supply; agricultural supply; industrial process supply, industrial service supply; freshwater replenishment; contact water recreation; non-contact water recreation; warm freshwater habitat; cold freshwater habitat; wildlife habitat; commercial and sport fishing; preservation of biological habitats of special significance; estuarine habitat; marine habitat; migration of aquatic organisms; shellfish harvesting; and, rare, threatened, or endangered species habitat. The proposed project has the potential to contribute potential sources of polluted runoff through construction and operation of the facility including transport and storage of waste materials. A project-specific technical analysis will be conducted to analyze potential impacts to surface and groundwater receiving water quality objectives and potential degradation of beneficial uses. d) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of preexisting nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The need for water services will be assessed. The evaluation will include groundwater availability and supplied water services. If applicable, service availability forms will be submitted to the Otay Water District to identify the availability of adequate water resources and entitlements to serve the requested water resources of the project. In addition, the project may involve diversion or channelization of a stream course or waterway that may potentially impact rates of groundwater recharge. A project-specific technical analysis will be prepared to analyze the project’s potential to interfere substantially with groundwater recharge. e) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 24 -   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated September 12, 2011   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project will result in installation and operation of a 340-acre recycling collection center and class III solid waste facility. The proposed project site contains multiple existing drainages, which may need to be altered in order to accommodate the proposed facility and ancillary services. A project-specific technical analysis will be prepared to analyze the project’s potential to result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site. f) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project will result in installation and operation of a 340-acre recycling collection center and class III solid waste landfill. The proposed project site contains multiple existing drainages, which may need to be altered in order to accommodate the proposed facility and ancillary services. A project-specific technical analysis will be prepared to analyze the project’s potential to alter the drainage pattern and increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which could result in flooding on- or off-site. g) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned storm water drainage systems?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: As the proposed project will result in installation of a 340-acre recycling collection center and class III solid waste landfill, the project would result in an increase in the amount of impervious surface. Drainage may need to be altered and conveyed to either natural drainage channels or approved drainage or EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 25 - September 12, 2011 infiltration facilities. A project-specific technical analysis will be prepared to analyze the project’s potential to create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned storm water drainage systems. h) Provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project will result in an increase in the amount of impervious surfaces due to the planned improvements. Drainage will be conveyed to either natural drainage channels or approved drainage facilities. The proposed project has the potential to release pollutants, including sediment, during construction and operation of the proposed facility. A project-specific technical analysis will be prepared to analyze the project’s potential to provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff. i) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map, including County Floodplain Maps?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: No FEMA mapped floodplains or County-mapped floodplains were identified within the project site. In addition, the project does not propose construction of housing; therefore, the proposed project would not result an impact within a 100-year flood hazard area. j) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which would impede or redirect flood flows?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Discussion/Explanation:   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 26 - September 12, 2011 No Impact: No 100-year flood hazard areas were identified within the project site. Therefore, there are no structures proposed that would impede or redirect flood flows within a 100-year flood hazard area. k) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The project site lies outside any identified special flood hazard area. Therefore, the project will not expose people to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding. l) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The project site lies outside a mapped dam inundation area for a major dam/reservoir within San Diego County. In addition, the project is not located immediately downstream of a minor dam that could potentially flood the property. Therefore, the project will not expose people to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding. m) Inundation by seiche or tsunami?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: i. SEICHE No Impact: The project site is not located along the shoreline of a lake or reservoir; therefore, could not be inundated by a seiche. ii. TSUNAMI EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 27 - September 12, 2011 No Impact: The project site is located more than a mile from the coast; therefore, in the event of a tsunami, the site would not be inundated. n) i. Inundation by mudflow? MUDFLOW  Potentially Significant Impact Than Significant With Mitigation  Less Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Potentially Significant Impact: Mudflow is a type of landslide. The site is located within a landslide susceptibility area as the site contains slopes greater than 25%. A project-specific Geotechnical Report will be prepared to determine if the area shows evidence of either pre-existing or potential conditions that could become unstable and result in landslides. IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING -- Would the project: a) Physically divide an established community?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project is located outside of urbanized areas and would not alter land use in the community. The site is undeveloped and located in a largely undeveloped area of East Otay Mesa and would not divide an established community. b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The County of San Diego was authorized by the voters of San Diego County and directed to amend elements of the General Plan, sub-regional plans, community plans, Zoning Ordinance, Waste Management Plan and other ordinances and any other legislative acts affected by the approved initiative to ensure consistency between the initiative and other elements of the County's General Plan, sub-regional EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 28 - September 12, 2011 and community plans, Zoning Ordinance and other County ordinances and policies. The land use element of the County General Plan and all sub-regional and community plans which apply to the project site and any related maps as well as the zoning ordinance have been amended to designate the project site Public/Semi-public lands with a Solid Waste Facility Designator. The proposed project site is located within the regional planning area of the County’s Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP). The site is identified in the MSCP as amendment areas, including Major Amendment, Minor Amendment, and Minor Amendment with Special Considerations. The project would not conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project, including those adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. X. MINERAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The project site has been classified by the California Department of Conservation – Division of Mines and Geology (Update of Mineral Land Classification: Aggregate Materials in the Western San Diego Production-Consumption Region, 1997) as an area of “Potential Mineral Resource Significance” (MRZ-3). A project-specific technical analysis of impacts to mineral resources would be required to determine if a potentially significant loss of availability of a known mineral resource of value to the region and the residents of the state would occur as a result of this project. b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The project site is zoned Solid Waste Facility, which is not considered to be an Extractive Use Zone (S-82) nor does it have an Impact Sensitive Land Use Designation (24) with an Extractive Land Use Overlay (25) (County Land Use Element, 2000). The County of San Diego was authorized by the voters of San Diego County and directed to amend elements of the General Plan, sub-regional plans, community EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 29 - September 12, 2011 plans, Zoning Ordinance, Waste Management Plan and other ordinances and any other legislative acts affected by the approved initiative to ensure consistency between the initiative and other elements of the County's General Plan, sub-regional and community plans, Zoning Ordinance and other County ordinances and policies. XI. NOISE -- Would the project result in: a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project involves installation and operation of a 340-acre recycling collection center and class III solid waste facility. The project would add vehicle and truck trips to the surrounding roadways as import of waste materials would be associated with the operation of the facility. Therefore, there is a potential that traffic noise could increase due to the proposed project. In addition, operation of the facility would include such activities as chipping and grinding of materials, rock crushing, use of heavy equipment, and ongoing activities at the proposed maintenance yard. Therefore, a project-specific noise analysis will be conducted to assess the potential noise effects of these activities in accordance with the County General Plan – Noise Element and the County Noise Ordinance. Furthermore, construction of the proposed project has the potential to generate noise emissions that may exceed standards of the County of San Diego Noise Ordinance (Section 36-410). b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project may result in impacts recurring periodically over a long period of time due to operation of heavy equipment in the project area. As the proposed class III solid waste landfill would be in-filled (not stockpiled), the project has the potential to result in exposure of persons to excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels. The duration and schedule of these activities will be further evaluated in a project-specific technical analysis. EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 30 c) September 12, 2011 A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project would add vehicle and truck trips to the surrounding roadways as import of waste materials would be associated with the operation of the facility. Therefore, there is a potential that traffic noise could increase due to the proposed project. In addition, operation of the facility would include such activities as chipping and grinding of materials, blasting and rock crushing, use of heavy equipment, and ongoing activities at the proposed maintenance yard Therefore, a project-specific noise analysis will be conducted to assess the potential noise effects of these activities in accordance with ambient noise levels in the project vicinity. d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Construction and operation of the proposed project has the potential to generate noise emissions that may exceed standards of the County of San Diego Noise Ordinance (Section 36-410), which may result in a substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project. A project-specific noise analysis will be conducted to assess the potential increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project. e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Discussion/Explanation:   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 31 - September 12, 2011 No Impact: The proposed project is not located within two miles of a public airport or public use airport. The proposed project will not expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive airport-related noise levels. Therefore, no impact will result due to implementation of the proposed project. f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project is not located within a one-mile vicinity of a private airstrip; therefore, the project will not expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive airport-related noise levels. XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING -- Would the project: a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project is located outside of urbanized areas and would not alter land use or induce growth in the area. There is no potential for the recycling collection center and landfill project to directly or indirectly induce substantial population growth in the area and the 1,000 foot buffer will prevent such growth in the immediate area of the project site. b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Discussion/Explanation:   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 32 - September 12, 2011 No Impact: The project is proposed on a vacant site in an undeveloped area and would not require the removal of existing housing, and therefore would not necessitate the construction of replacement housing. c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The project is proposed on a vacant site in an undeveloped area and would not displace substantial numbers of people, and therefore would not necessitate the construction of replacement housing. XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: i. ii. iii. iv. v.   Fire protection? Police protection? Schools? Parks? Other public facilities? Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The need for public service improvements to incorporate response services the site will be assessed. Service availability forms will be submitted to all applicable public service agencies to determine the need for significantly altered services or additional facilities to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance service ratios, or objectives for any public services. The evaluation on public services will include the assessment of fire protection, groundwater availability, police protection, and emergency response. Particular attention will be given to construction and operational activities. The project is EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 33 - September 12, 2011 anticipated to require a blasting permit from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. The project would not impact or require public services from schools or parks. XIV. RECREATION a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Less Than Significant Impact: The proposed project is located on a vacant site in an undeveloped area and does not involve a residential use that would increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities. Therefore, the project would have a less than significant impact to recreation facilities. b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities, which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project is located on a vacant site in an undeveloped area and does not include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities. Therefore, the project would not have an impact on the construction or expansion of recreational facilities. XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC -- Would the project: a) Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial in relation to the existing traffic load and capacity of the street system (i.e., result in a substantial increase in either the number of vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio on roads, or congestion at intersections)?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Discussion/Explanation:   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 34 - September 12, 2011 Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project would add vehicle and truck trips to the surrounding roadways as import of waste materials would be associated with the operation of the facility. A project-specific traffic analysis will be conducted to assess potential impacts to the existing traffic load and capacity of the street system. b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service standard established by the County congestion management agency and/or as identified by the County of San Diego Transportation Impact Fee Program for designated roads or highways?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: A project-specific traffic analysis will be conducted to assess impacts to applicable level of service standards. c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: No Impact: The proposed project is located outside of an Airport Influence Area and is not located within two miles of a public or public use airport; therefore, the project will not result in a change in air traffic patterns. d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Less than Significant Impact: A project-specific traffic analysis will be conducted to assess impacts to roadways and if required, all road improvements will be constructed according to applicable Public and Private Road Standards. The proposed project will not alter traffic patterns, roadway design, place incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment) on existing roadways, or impede adequate site distance on a road. EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 35 - e) September 12, 2011 Result in inadequate emergency access?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Less Than Significant Impact: The proposed project will not result in inadequate emergency access. All roads used will be required to be consistent with applicable Public and Private Road standards and in conformance with the Consolidated Fire Code for the Fire Protection Districts in San Diego County. f) Result in inadequate parking capacity?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Less Than Significant Impact: A project-specific technical analysis will be conducted to determine the requirement for parking capacity associated with the proposed project. Zoning Ordinance Section 6766 Parking Schedule requires provision for on-site parking spaces, and the proposed project will be consistent with the Ordinance for total parking requirements; therefore, the proposed project will not result in insufficient parking capacity. g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks)?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Less Than Significant Impact: A project-specific traffic analysis will be conducted, and if required, all road improvements will be constructed according to applicable Public and Private Road Standards and will be consistent with applicable policies, plans, and programs supporting alternative transportation. XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS -- Would the project: EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 36 a) September 12, 2011 Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Wastewater generated from the project is required to conform to the RWQCB’S applicable standards, including the Regional Basin Plan and the California Water Code. The method of wastewater management will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project’s method of wastewater management will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. If applicable, environmental impacts associated with the construction or expansion of water or wastewater treatment facilities will be assessed. c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project’s method of storm water management will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. If applicable, environmental impacts associated with the construction or expansion of storm water facilities will be assessed. The project will comply with all requirements of the RWQCB to ensure the protection of surface water quality. The project will secure a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 37 - September 12, 2011 System Permit, Section 401 Water Quality Certification, and a Water Appropriation Permit. The project will involve landform modification and will implement Best Management Practices for storm water run-off. d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The need for water services will be assessed. The evaluation will include groundwater availability and supplied water services. If applicable, service availability forms will be submitted to the Otay Water District to identify the availability of adequate water resources and entitlements to serve the requested water resources of the project. e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider, which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: The proposed project’s method of wastewater management will be assessed in a project-specific technical analysis. If applicable, the capacity of the wastewater treatment provider to serve the project’s projected demands will be assessed. The evaluation will include assessing the provider’s existing commitments and the impacts of additional demands resulting from the project projected demands. f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project’s solid waste disposal needs?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Discussion/Explanation:   Less than Significant Impact No Impact EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 38 - September 12, 2011 No Impact: The project is the construction of a new landfill, recycling collection center, and associated facilities. Any solid waste generated from the project will be disposed of on-site and would not place any burden on existing permitted capacity of other landfills or transfer stations within San Diego County. g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Less than Significant Impact: The project is the construction of a new landfill, recycling collection center, and associated facilities, and will not place any burden on the existing permitted capacity of any landfill or transfer station within San Diego County. Solid waste generated by the project would be disposed of at the project site. All solid waste facilities, including landfills require solid waste facility permits to operate. In San Diego County, the County Department of Environmental Health, Local Enforcement Agency issues solid waste facility permits with concurrence from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) under the authority of the Public Resources Code (Sections 44001-44018) and California Code of Regulations Title 27, Division 2, Subdivision 1, Chapter 4 (Section 21440 et seq.). The project will comply with Federal, State, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste. XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE: a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Project-specific technical analyses for potential impacts to biological and cultural resources will be conducted for the proposed project. The analysis will consider the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 39 - September 12, 2011 endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively considerable” means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: A list of past, present and future projects will be considered and evaluated for potential adverse cumulative effects. In addition to project specific impacts, the proposed project will be analyzed for the potential of incremental effects that are cumulatively considerable. c) Does the project have environmental effects, which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly?   Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated   Less than Significant Impact No Impact Discussion/Explanation: Potentially Significant Impact: Project-specific technical analyses for potential direct and indirect impacts to human beings will be conducted for the proposed project. XVIII. REFERENCES USED IN THE COMPLETION OF THE INITIAL STUDY CHECKLIST All references to Federal, State and local regulation are available on the Internet. For Federal regulations refer to http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/. For State regulations refer to www.leginfo.ca.gov. For County regulation refer to www.amlegal.com. All other references are available upon request. AESTHETICS California Street and Highways Code [California Street and Highways Code, Section 260-283. (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/) California Scenic Highway Program, California Streets and Highways Code, Section 260-283. (http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/scenic/scpr.htm) County of San Diego, Department of Planning and Land Use. The Zoning Ordinance of San Diego County. Sections 5200-5299; 5700-5799; 5900-5910, 6322-6326. ((www.co.san-diego.ca.us) County of San Diego, Board Policy I-73: Hillside Development Policy. (www.co.san-diego.ca.us) County of San Diego, Board Policy I-104: Policy and Procedures for Preparation of Community Design Guidelines, Section 396.10 of the County Administrative EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 40 Code and Section 5750 et seq. of the County Zoning Ordinance. (www.co.san-diego.ca.us) County of San Diego, General Plan, Scenic Highway Element VI and Scenic Highway Program. (ceres.ca.gov) County of San Diego Light Pollution Code, Title 5, Division 9 (Sections 59.101-59.115 of the County Code of Regulatory Ordinances) as added by Ordinance No 6900, effective January 18, 1985, and amended July 17, 1986 by Ordinance No. 7155. (www.amlegal.com) County of San Diego Wireless Communications Ordinance [San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances. (www.amlegal.com) Design Review Guidelines for the Communities of San Diego County. (Alpine, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Julian, Lakeside, Ramona, Spring Valley, Sweetwater, Valley Center). Federal Communications Commission, Telecommunications Act of 1996 [Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. LA. No. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996). (http://www.fcc.gov/Reports/tcom1996.txt) Institution of Lighting Engineers, Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Light Pollution, Warwickshire, UK, 2000 (http://www.dark-skies.org/ile-gd-e.htm) International Light Inc., Light Measurement Handbook, 1997. (www.intl-light.com) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Lighting Research Center, National Lighting Product Information Program (NLPIP), Lighting Answers, Volume 7, Issue 2, March 2003. (www.lrc.rpi.edu) September 12, 2011 County of San Diego, Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures, “2002 Crop Statistics and Annual Report,” 2002. ( www.sdcounty.ca.gov) United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service LESA System. (www.nrcs.usda.gov, www.swcs.org). United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Survey for the San Diego Area, California. 1973. (soils.usda.gov) AIR QUALITY CEQA Air Quality Analysis Guidance Handbook, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Revised November 1993. (www.aqmd.gov) County of San Diego Air Pollution Control District’s Rules and Regulations, updated August 2003. (www.co.sandiego.ca.us) Federal Clean Air Act US Code; Title 42; Chapter 85 Subchapter 1. (www4.law.cornell.edu) BIOLOGY California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). Southern California Coastal Sage Scrub Natural Community Conservation Planning Process Guidelines. CDFG and California Resources Agency, Sacramento, California. 1993. (www.dfg.ca.gov) US Census Bureau, Census 2000, Urbanized Area Outline Map, San Diego, CA. (http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/ua2kmaps.htm) County of San Diego, An Ordinance Amending the San Diego County Code to Establish a Process for Issuance of the Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat Loss Permits and Declaring the Urgency Thereof to Take Effect Immediately, Ordinance No. 8365. 1994, Title 8, Div 6, Ch. 1. Sections 86.101-86.105, 87.202.2. (www.amlegal.com) US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) modified Visual Management System. (www.blm.gov) County of San Diego, Biological Mitigation Ordinance, Ord. Nos. 8845, 9246, 1998 (new series). (www.co.sandiego.ca.us) US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects. County of San Diego, Implementing Agreement by and between United States Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game and County of San Diego. County of San Diego, Multiple Species Conservation Program, 1998. US Department of Transportation, National Highway System Act of 1995 [Title III, Section 304. Design Criteria for the National Highway System. (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/nhsdatoc.html) AGRICULTURE RESOURCES California Department of Conservation, Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program, “A Guide to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program,” November 1994. (www.consrv.ca.gov) California Department of Conservation, Office of Land Conversion, “California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model Instruction Manual,” 1997. (www.consrv.ca.gov) California Farmland Conservancy Program, 1996. (www.consrv.ca.gov) California Land Conservation (Williamson) Act, 1965. (www.ceres.ca.gov, www.consrv.ca.gov) California Right to Farm Act, as amended 1996. (www.qp.gov.bc.ca) County of San Diego Agricultural Enterprises and Consumer Information Ordinance, 1994, Title 6, Division 3, Ch. 4. Sections 63.401-63.408. (www.amlegal.com) County of San Diego, Multiple Species Conservation Program, County of San Diego Subarea Plan, 1997. Holland, R.R. Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California. State of California, Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California, 1986. Memorandum of Understanding [Agreement Between United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), San Diego County Fire Chief’s Association and the Fire District’s Association of San Diego County. R.E.C., Summary Report Biological Preliminary Draft Report for the East Otay Mesa Recycling Collection Center and Landfill. April 2011. Stanislaus Audubon Society, Inc. v County of Stanislaus (5 th Dist. 1995) 33 Cal.App.4 144, 155-159 [39 Cal. Rptr.2d 54]. (www.ceres.ca.gov) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Laboratory. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wetlands Research Program th EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 41 Technical Report Y-87-1. 1987. (http://www.wes.army.mil/) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. America's wetlands: our vital link between land and water. Office of Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds. EPA843-K95-001. 1995b. (www.epa.gov) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 1996. (endangered.fws.gov) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. Consultation Handbook: Procedures for Conducting Consultation and Conference Activities Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 1998. (endangered.fws.gov) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan for the Vernal Pools Stewardship Project. Portland, Oregon. 1997. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Vernal Pools of Southern California Recovery Plan. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Region One, Portland, Oregon, 1998. (ecos.fws.gov) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Birds of conservation concern 2002. Division of Migratory. 2002. (migratorybirds.fws.gov) CULTURAL RESOURCES California Health & Safety Code. §18950-18961, State Historic Building Code. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Health & Safety Code. §5020-5029, Historical Resources. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Health & Safety Code. §7050.5, Human Remains. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, (AB 978), 2001. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Public Resources Code §5024.1, Register of Historical Resources. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Public Resources Code. §5031-5033, State Landmarks. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Public Resources Code. §5097-5097.6, Archaeological, Paleontological, and Historic Sites. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Public Resources Code. §5097.9-5097.991, Native American Heritage. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) County of San Diego, Local Register of Historical Resources (Ordinance 9493), 2002. (www.co.san-diego.ca.us) Demere, Thomas A., and Stephen L. Walsh. Paleontological Resources San Diego County. Department of Paleontology, San Diego Natural History Museum. 1994. Moore, Ellen J. Fossil Mollusks of San Diego County. San Diego Society of Natural history. Occasional; Paper 15. 1968. U.S. Code including: American Antiquities Act (16 USC §431-433) 1906. Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act (16 USC §461-467), 1935. Reservoir Salvage Act (16 USC §469-469c) 1960. Department of Transportation Act (49 USC §303) 1966. National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC §470 et seq.) 1966. National Environmental Policy Act (42 USC §4321) 1969. Coastal Zone Management Act (16 USC §1451) 1972. National Marine September 12, 2011 Sanctuaries Act (16 USC §1431) 1972. Archaeological and Historical Preservation Act (16 USC §469-469c) 1974. Federal Land Policy and Management Act (43 USC §35) 1976. American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 USC §1996 and 1996a) 1978. Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 USC §470aa-mm) 1979. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 USC §3001-3013) 1990. Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (23 USC §101, 109) 1991. American Battlefield Protection Act (16 USC 469k) 1996. (www4.law.cornell.edu) GEOLOGY & SOILS California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, California Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, Special Publication 42, Revised 1997. (www.consrv.ca.gov) California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, Fault-Rupture Hazard Zones in California, Special Publication 42, revised 1997. (www.consrv.ca.gov) California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, Special Publication 117, Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California, 1997. (www.consrv.ca.gov) County of San Diego Code of Regulatory Ordinances Title 6, Division 8, Chapter 3, Septic Ranks and Seepage Pits. (www.amlegal.com) County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health, Land and Water Quality Division, February 2002. On-site Wastewater Systems (Septic Systems): Permitting Process and Design Criteria. (www.sdcounty.ca.gov) County of San Diego Natural Resource Inventory, Section 3, Geology. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Survey for the San Diego Area, California. 1973. (soils.usda.gov) HAZARDS & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS American Planning Association, Zoning News, “Saving Homes from Wildfires: Regulating the Home Ignition Zone,” May 2001. California Building Code (CBC), Seismic Requirements, Chapter 16 Section 162. (www.buildersbook.com) California Education Code, Section 17215 and 81033. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Government Code. § 8585-8589, Emergency Services Act. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Hazardous Waste and Substances Site List. April 1998. (www.dtsc.ca.gov) California Health & Safety Code Chapter 6.95 and §25117 and §25316. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Health & Safety Code § 2000-2067. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Health & Safety Code. §17922.2. Hazardous Buildings. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California Public Utilities Code, SDCRAA. Public Utilities Code, Division 17, Sections 170000-170084. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) EAST OTAY MESA RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER AND LANDFILL - 42 California Resources Agency, “OES Dam Failure Inundation Mapping and Emergency Procedures Program”, 1996. (ceres.ca.gov) County of San Diego, Consolidated Fire Code Health and Safety Code §13869.7, including Ordinances of the 17 Fire Protection Districts as Ratified by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, First Edition, October 17, 2001 and Amendments to the Fire Code portion of the State Building Standards Code, 1998 Edition. County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health Community Health Division Vector Surveillance and Control. Annual Report for Calendar Year 2002. March 2003. (www.sdcounty.ca.gov) County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials Division. California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP) Guidelines. (http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/, www.oes.ca.gov) County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials Division. Hazardous Materials Business Plan Guidelines. (www.sdcounty.ca.gov) County of San Diego Code of Regulatory Ordinances, Title 3, Div 5, CH. 3, Section 35.39100.030, Wildland/Urban Interface Ordinance, Ord. No.9111, 2000. (www.amlegal.com) Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act as amended October 30, 2000, US Code, Title 42, Chapter 68, 5121, et seq. (www4.law.cornell.edu) Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization Operational Area Emergency Plan, March 2000. Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization Operational Area Energy Shortage Response Plan, June 1995. Uniform Building Code. (www.buildersbook.com) Uniform Fire Code 1997 edition published by the Western Fire Chiefs Association and the International Conference of Building Officials, and the National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 &13-D, 1996 Edition, and 13-R, 1996 Edition. (www.buildersbook.com) HYDROLOGY & WATER QUALITY American Planning Association, Planning Advisory Service Report Number 476 Non-point Source Pollution: A Handbook for Local Government California Department of Water Resources, California Water Plan Update. Sacramento: Dept. of Water Resources State of California. 1998. (rubicon.water.ca.gov) California Department of Water Resources, California’s Groundwater Update 2003 Bulletin 118, April 2003. (www.groundwater.water.ca.gov) California Department of Water Resources, Water Facts, No. 8, August 2000. (www.dpla2.water.ca.gov) California Disaster Assistance Act. Government Code, § 8680-8692. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) California State Water Resources Control Board, NPDES General Permit Nos. CAS000001 INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES (97-03-DWQ) and CAS000002 Construction Activities (No. 99-08-DWQ) (www.swrcb.ca.gov) California Storm Water Quality Association, California Storm Water Best Management Practice Handbooks, 2003. September 12, 2011 California Water Code, Sections 10754, 13282, and 60000 et seq. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board, Region 7, Water Quality Control Plan. (www.swrcb.ca.gov) County of San Diego Regulatory Ordinance, Title 8, Division 7, Grading Ordinance. Grading, Clearing and Watercourses. (www.amlegal.com) County of San Diego, Groundwater Ordinance. #7994. (www.sdcounty.ca.gov, http://www.amlegal.com/,) County of San Diego, Project Clean Water Strategic Plan, 2002. (www.projectcleanwater.org) County of San Diego, Watershed Protection, Storm Water Management, and Discharge Control Ordinance, Ordinance Nos. 9424 and 9426. Chapter 8, Division 7, Title 6 of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances and amendments. (www.amlegal.com) County of San Diego. Board of Supervisors Policy I-68. Diego Proposed Projects in Flood Plains with Defined Floodways. (www.co.san-diego.ca.us) Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), 1972, Title 33, Ch.26, Sub-Ch.1. (www4.law.cornell.edu) Freeze, Allan and Cherry, John A., Groundwater, PrenticeHall, Inc. New Jersey, 1979. Heath, Ralph C., Basic Ground-Water Hydrology, United States Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper; 2220, 1991. National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. (www.fema.gov) National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994. (www.fema.gov) Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, California Water Code Division 7. Water Quality. (ceres.ca.gov) San Diego Association of Governments, Water Quality Element, Regional Growth Management Strategy, 1997. (www.sandag.org San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, NPDES Permit No. CAS0108758. (www.swrcb.ca.gov) San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin. 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(www.amlegal.com) National Housing Act (Cranston-Gonzales), Title 12, Ch. 13. (www4.law.cornell.edu) County of San Diego, Board of Supervisors Policy I-84: Project Facility. (www.sdcounty.ca.gov) San Diego Association of Governments Population and Housing Estimates, November 2000. (www.sandag.org) County of San Diego, Board Policy I-38, as amended 1989. (www.sdcounty.ca.gov) US Census Bureau, Census 2000. (http://www.census.gov/) County of San Diego, Department of Planning and Land Use. The Zoning Ordinance of San Diego County. (www.co.san-diego.ca.us) County of San Diego, General Plan as adopted and amended from September 29, 1971 to August 3, 2011. (ceres.ca.gov) County of San Diego. Resource Protection Ordinance, compilation of Ord.Nos. 7968, 7739, 7685 and 7631. 1991. Design Review Guidelines for the Communities of San Diego County. Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by Michael H. Remy, Tina A. Thomas, James G. Moore, and Whitman F. 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US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) modified Visual Management System. US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects. September 12, 2011 East Otay Mesa Recycling Collection Center and Landfill Proposed Project Vicinity Map - . "b i- 7 Viva RdUni?d States 9&1"ng -- 4?3" 3? I -a ase a Fuente' {r . a" Locenon of The East Cleft-lose Recycling Collection Center and Landfill .. Ct?lt?li?lt?