ITEM:		PUBLIC HEARING
16.	CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A CEQA ADDENDUM to the ASR EIR/EA for THE Backflush basin EXPANSION (CEQA: Approve Addendum to the ASR EIR/EA for the Backflush Basin Expansion Under CEQA Guideline Sections 15162 and 15164)
Meeting Date:			July 16, 2018	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item:
Prepared By:			Maureen Hamilton	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: Yes
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: Addendum to EIR under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15164

SUMMARY: Expansion of the ASR Phase 1 (Santa Margarita) backflush basin requires land clearing, excavation, grading, and construction of a second driveway entrance. Construction activity environmental impacts and mitigation measures at the Santa Margarita site were previously considered with the ASR EIR/EA. Impacts from construction of an additional backflush basin at the ASR Water Project 2 (Seaside Middle School) facility were previously considered in the April 2012 Addendum to the ASR EIR/EA.

An evaluation of the environmental impacts due to the Backflush Basin Expansion Project (Project) was prepared (Exhibit 16-A). The evaluation found that the Project would not result in any new significant environmental effects that cannot be mitigated with existing, previously identified mitigation measures in the ASR EIR/EA.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board adopt Resolution No. 2018-17 (Exhibit 16-B) adopting the Backflush Basin Expansion Addendum as Addendum 4 to the ASR EIR/EA.

DISCUSSION: MPWMD’s Phase 1 ASR Project, located at 1910 General Jim Moore Boulevard, included construction of two ASR wells and a backflush basin. Construction of a backflush basin sized to accommodate two wells at the Santa Margarita site was environmentally evaluated in the ASR EIR/EA.

On August 21, 2006 the MPWMD Board adopted Findings, adopted the Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, certified the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment for the Phase 1 ASR Project, and approved the Phase 1 ASR Project on August 21, 2006. Documents for this action are incorporated by reference and are available at the MPWMD office or on the web at: http://www.mpwmd.net/asd/board/boardpacket/2006/20060821/10/item10.htm; the Draft ASR EIR/EA is available on the web at: http://www.mpwmd.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MPWMD-Draft-EIR-EA-3-06.pdf; and the Final EIR/EA for the Phase 1 ASR Project is available on the web at: http://www.mpwmd.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FEIR_8-21-06.pdf.

The ASR Water Project 2, located at 2111 General Jim Moore Boulevard, included construction of two ASR wells and a backflush basin on Seaside Middle School property. The environmental impact due to construction of this second backflush basin was evaluated in the April 2012 Addendum to the Phase 1 ASR EIR/EA; however, the School District would not allow a backflush basin on school grounds and the basin was never constructed. Backflush water is conveyed to the Santa Margarita backflush basin.

On April 16, 2012 the MPWMD Board approved and adopted the April 2012 Addendum to the Phase 1 ASR EIR/EA, adopted the April 2012 Mitigation Monitoring Plan, and approved the full implementation of ASR Water Project 2 on April 16, 2012. Documents for this action are incorporated by reference and are available at the MPWMD office or on the web at:

http://www.mpwmd.net/asd/board/boardpacket/2012/20120416/16/item16.htm

Cal-Am is planning to construct two new ASR wells at the Fitch Park facility as part of the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project (MPWSP). The Fitch Park site does not have space to accommodate a backflush basin. Backflush water from the Fitch Park site will be conveyed to the Santa Margarita backflush basin.

The Santa Margarita backflush basin must be expanded to accommodate backflush water from up to six ASR wells on a schedule that is operationally feasible. A map of existing and planned ASR facilities can be found in Figure 1 at the end of this staff note.

Potential impacts from the earth moving activity to construct and operate the Project will be similar to the impacts associated with other activities at the ASR sites including impacts to air quality, noise, and sensitive species. The environmental evaluation included construction of two sound walls that are not planned for construction in 2018, but may be constructed in the future. All appropriate measures to reduce impacts to less than significant described in the adopted 2006 and 2012 Mitigation and Monitoring Programs would apply to the Project.

CEQA Guidelines section 15162 “Subsequent EIRs and Negative Declarations” and 15164 “Addendum to an EIR or Negative Declaration” apply to this action. Under Section 15162, there are no new significant environmental effects nor new mitigation measures necessary from the proposed earthmoving activity. The proposed Project constitutes a technical change that under CEQA Section 15164 allows the Board to adopt an addendum to the existing EIR/EA, which has been amended by previous Addenda. The addendum for the Project consists of this staff note, the Backflush Basin Addendum (Exhibit 16-A), Findings of Environmental Review and the Resolution (Exhibit 16-B).

Additional previous actions that constitute the CEQA record are:

· June 20, 2016 – the MPWMD Board approved the Hilby Avenue Pump Station and adopted the June 2016 Hilby Avenue Pump Station Addendum as Addendum 2 to the ASR EIR/EA on June 20, 2016 by Resolution No. 2016-12. Documents for this action are incorporated by reference, and are available at the MPWMD office or on the web at: http://www.mpwmd.net/asd/board/boardpacket/2016/20160620/16/Item-16.htm

· February 22, 2017 – The MPWMD Board approved a realignment of a segment of the Monterey Pipeline and adopted the February 2017 Monterey Pipeline Addendum as Addendum 3 to the ASR EIR/EA on February 22, 2017 by Resolution No. 2017-03. Documents for this action are incorporated by reference and are available at the District office or on the web at: http://www.mpwmd.net/asd/board/boardpacket/2017/20170222/02/Item-2.htm

Figure 1 – Santa Margarita ASR Facility Map

EXHIBITS

16-A Addendum No. 4 to the ASR EIR/EA for Backflush Basin Expansion

16-B Resolution 2018-17 Certifying Addendum 4 to the Aquifer Storage and Recovery Area

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