HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2014 1217 CCSA REG ITEM 09D ITEM 9.D.
CITY OF MOORPARK,CALIF()• 1
City Council Meeting
of a-/7®A0®fot
AC110 �r
. _ �� _.r '` ...
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
Li///FROM: David A. Bobardt, Community Development Director ! 7
DATE: December 8, 2014 (CC Meeting of 12/17/2014)
SUBJECT: Consider Draft Letter to County of Ventura, Public Works Agency, on
Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for
the Moorpark Desalter Project
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On September 17, 2014, the City Council heard a presentation from Reddy Pakala,
Director of the County's Water and Sanitation Department, on the proposed Moorpark
Desalter Project. This project proposes to extract and treat poor quality groundwater
from a shallow aquifer west of Moorpark to enhance local water supplies. It would
include a groundwater treatment facility south of Los Angeles Avenue, east of Hitch
Boulevard, and approximately 22 extraction wells south of Los Angeles Avenue,
between Butter Creek Road and Hitch Boulevard. The County has now issued a Notice
of Preparation of an EIR for this project (attached)
The project is located in Moorpark's Area of Interest, but outside the Sphere of Influence
and City Urban Restriction Boundary (CURB). Staff is concerned with the potential
aesthetic and land use and planning impacts associated with this project. The
treatment plant and extraction wells are located close to Los Angeles Avenue and would
be a prominent feature when entering the City from the west. In addition, the extraction
wells and treatment plant would limit future land uses on this property, should they
continue for agricultural uses or be one day planned for urban uses, which would
require an amendment to the current CURB in the General Plan Land Use Element.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Authorize staff to send letter in response to Notice of Preparation.
Attachments:
1. Notice of Preparation
2. Draft Letter -
63
1 L)
111.0 % ?1 1 1!!
.,,f lir
NOTICE OF PREPARATION
To: California Ofiice of Planning and Research, Responsible Agencies,Trustee
Agencies,and Other Interested Parties
Subject: Notice of Preparation of an Enviromnenrai Impact Repoli.-
Project
eporProjec t Title: Moorpark Desalter Project
Lead Agency: County of Ventura, Public Works Agency
6767 Spring Road, Moorpark, CA,93020
Date: November 21,2014
Review Period: November 21,2014 through December 22, 2014
The County of Ventura Waterworks District No. I (Waterworks District No. I)will be the Lead
Agency and will prepare an Environmental Impact Report(EIR)for the Moorpark Desalter
Project(Project).The purpose of this notice is to help define the scope of the E1R.The Project
location,project description and purpose,and potential environmental impacts are described in
the attached discussion.
If you are a Responsible or Trustee Agency, Waterworks District No. 1 is soliciting written
comments as to the scope and content of the environmental information, including impacts and
mitigation measures,that may be relevant to your agency's statutory responsibilities in
connection with the Project. Your agency will need to use the E1R prepared by Waterworks
District No. I when considering any permit or other approval for the Project. Please provide the
name and telephone number of a contact person in your agency with your response.
If you are a resident,property owner,or interested party,Waterworks District No. I is requesting
your written comments concerning any environmental effects the Project may have on your
property or your community. Please share this Notice of Preparation(NOP)with anyone else you
feel may be interested in this Project.An electronic version of this NOP can be found at
http://pwa.ventura.o g/water-sanitation-department/water-and-sanitation-projects.
Waterworks District No. 1 is holding a 30-day review period in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act(CEQA). Please submit your written comments to the undersigned at
the address shown above no later than 4:00 p.m.on December 22,2014 or email to
Susan.Pan@ventura.org. For further information about the Project,please contact Ms,Susan Pan
at 805-378-3025,or Susan.Pan@ventura.org,
Date: N g4%t4- Jim 'l� ✓��
a
Susan Pan,P.E.
Manger of Planning, Design,and Construction
Water and Sanitation Department
CC ATTACHMENT 1
Waterworks District No.1 Moorpark Coulter Project Nouemcer 2014
Notice of Preparation
64
Project Location
Waterworks District No. 1 is proposing a groundwater treatment facility west of the City of
Moorpark in the County of Ventura. The proposed Moorpark Desalter would be located east of
the existing Moorpark Water Reclamation Facility(MWRF)which is located at 9550 East Los
Angeles Avenue just west of Moorpark City limits along State Highway 118. The extraction
wells would be located within or near an active agricultural field east of Hitch Boulevard between
Los Angeles Avenue and the Arroyo Las Posas/Arroyo Simi (Figure 1).
Project Description
The desalter facility would pump and treat poor quality groundwater from a shallow aquifer in the
South Las Posas Basin and provide higher quality water to future users. The Project is a key
element in the Northern Reach Renewable Water Management Plan which was developed as part
of the Calleguas Creek Boron, Chloride,Total Dissolved Solids, and Sulfate Total Maximum
Daily Load Compliance Plan. The Project would supplement imported water supplies,remove
poor quality groundwater, allow higher quality storm flows to recharge the shallow unconfined
groundwater basin,and improve the groundwater quality of the overall basin. Brine produced by
the reverse osmosis process would be transported out of the watershed through the Salinity
Management Pipeline(SMP), currently being constructed by Calleguas Municipal Water District.
The SMP would convey brine from Moorpark to the ocean discharge point at Point Hueneme.
The Project would include approximately twenty two extraction wells and a conveyance pipeline
from the well field to the desalter facility(see Figure 1).
Potential Environmental Effects
CEQA requires analysis and consideration of a project's environmental impacts. The EIR will
evaluate potential direct, indirect,and cumulative impacts associated with implementation of the
Project. The EIR will assess both short-term construction impacts as well as long-term effects
associated with Project operation. Mitigation measures will be recommended where appropriate
to reduce significant adverse impacts.The following sections summarize potential effects of the
Project to be evaluated in the EIR.
Aesthetics
Construction and operation of the desalter facility and well fields would have the potential to alter
existing visual conditions and may affect public vistas and the visual character of the site and its
surroundings. The EIR will assess the potential impacts of the proposed project on aesthetics and
visual resources.
Agricultural Resources
Development of the proposed project would include the construction of a desalter facility and the
installation of wells in an existing agricultural area. Impacts associated with the implementation
of the desalter facility would remove agricultural land out of product and may include the
temporary cessation of agricultural production on the well sites.The EIR will evaluate impacts to
the loss of agricultural lands and impacts to the adjacent farming operations.
Waterworks District No 1 Moorpark Desalter Project 2 November 2014
Notice of Preparation 65
Air Qu:lity and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Construction of the proposed project would generate emissions from construction equipment
exhaust, earth movement,construction workers' commute, and material hauling that could
adversely affect regional air quality. The EIR will estimate daily exhaust and fugitive dust
emissions to assess the potential short- and long-term air quality impacts. The EIR will identify
sensitive receptors within the Project area that could be adversely affected by the Project
construction and operation. The EIR will assess the potential impacts of the proposed project to
air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
Biological Resources
The operation of the Project would include the extraction of groundwater. The EIR will analyze
the biological resources within Arroyo Las Posas and evaluate potential effects to these resources
from extraction activities. The EIR will provide mitigation measures to ensure that groundwater
extraction does not significantly affect beneficial use of local surface water. Further the project
may have the potential to impact sensitive species and habitats during construction and operation.
The EIR analysis will include a comprehensive list of permits required from resource agencies to
implement the project.
Cultural Resources
Construction of the project would require excavation that could occur in archaeologically and
paleontologically sensitive areas. The EIR will evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed
project on archaeological and paleontological resources.
Geology, Soils, and Seismicity
The Project is located in a seismically active region of California. Seismic activity on local faults
within the region could cause considerable ground shaking in the Project area.The EIR will
evaluate potential impacts related to geology, soils,mineral resources, including seismicity of the
area,potential for liquefaction and subsidence,erodibility of the site's soils, soil stability
characteristics,and shrink/swell potential of site soils as applicable.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Contaminated soils and groundwater could be encountered during construction of the desalter
facility and well field. The EIR will assess the potential for encountering contaminated soils and
the release of hazardous materials during construction. In addition, the EIR will evaluate the
potential public health concerns associated with the construction and operation and the use and
storage of chemicals for the operation of the proposed project.
Hydrology, Water Quality and Quantity
Construction and operation of the proposed project could affect storm water quality and drainage
patterns. Further, extraction of brackish water could impact groundwater resources. The EIR will
describe the Project's potential effect on the hydrology and water quality characteristics of the
Waterworks District No.1 Moorpark Desalter Project 3 November 2014
Notice of Preparation
66
project area including alteration of drainage patterns, ground water,erosion, stormwater
discharges, and flooding.
Land Use and Planning
Construction and operation of the desalter facility and well field could conflict with local land use
ordinances.The EIR will identify potential conflicts with land use plans, policies, and
regulations.
Noise
Construction activities would generate short-term noise and vibration that could affect nearby
sensitive receptors. Operation of the Project could generate noise that would impact nearby
sensitive receptors and land uses.The EIR will identify sensitive receptors and land uses near the
proposed facilities and evaluate noise impacts associated with the Project,
Employment, Population and Housing
The EIR will evaluate the Project's effect on employment, population, and housing in the local
area based on projections of project employment and distribution of their residences.
Public Services
The EIR will evaluate the Project's potential to create an adverse impact to public services.
Recreation
The EIR will evaluate whether the proposed project could potentially contribute to recreational
impacts.
Transportation and Traffic
Construction activities could temporarily impact vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The EIR will
identify the potential impacts of the proposed project on traffic circulation.
Utilities
The EIR will analyze the current capacity of the drainage, water, wastewater, natural gas, and
electrical systems and the Project's impact on these systems, if any. The EIR will describe the
existing dry utilities(gas, electric,phone,etc.)and water, wastewater,and drainage facilities
within the Project vicinity. The EIR will also describe the existing facilities that serve the site.
Waterworks District No.1 Moorpark Desalter Project 4 Novemoer 2014
Notice of Preparation
67
o m
•
c\I a)
r•:--- - (3.)
- •c c,')
, •
. •
TIS .2
x?^Yt
• '''''if " l'i •- . 2.
• 4 , „,....,..„:„.. . . • !.,,. ., - ,.... . - ,
.- . , .7 -. , , , .,•
6 (13
' . •711.'4 -.".i•I N., , -,• _,.., .
o
. •
CI_ n
:._„. ,. .!Z.4 , - • ... r'.;,,,,,,if"'
• ,
. . . 414 ' '''' '. •
• . a., a,
• Tierra_ReOle ' ,,... . s% ' > —
= (7s '5
...
- . .•... (7"",•.k '',4 •:, ,„ , , o •-,' (,) (i)
(1)
N ' °
„-,.A ',.....,.'.. o 0 .a'
, 1.-
1V.:•:. 11.i 5 ”1-:',..' ' 14 • -
cii 1:1-
4 ,. • 'c.,' - -.. ,
,;,r.... -- r.-0,-,
. : . . ..;...-, ...-...1•4."-- ...-%..,, -71". -.--' -. ,:i.'k, ". . •'- - v. '
:- ,,,....k ., ..,,..i., ..ft‘••, .0.- ,-,,,,., —
- ...:. _ .• . . -• . . ,...,.,4 1 .0 N;,.„ d
z
. l'.. , - ,',. ' '..i ':••••• • '',\: ...t. ' 2_
(7)
• ' 'VII. .* ',.‘4 .•r"IP,l't E
7 7 -4.y!'..--e- ‘. ",•"':.4'..„''' .,'"1:'... .: 8
a
.
i . 1111.• .i•••,,c, ,,,.,..,•_••••• '„I '
' :,i• (,•,.,-•i:..-.,.. 2 1-• ... ,•
-
'' ': 't :ji',-,t.:,',..,,, ••,•• :,.., .7...;,-. ,
. ..,.. ' •
AN . • ,,,, .
.„ -•.. .4.... ,,,k, ...,,,
- '
. . ..,..,..4.
<
.r.A., ....Ai
-,....., • •N„......,,,,,., .., eii ,--. .,--
''...,.74...,.''',., .1, '''');ii''.:•::: '4 ..7 ' • c '
. . .
..'..a.,, ',S.".4-f' '.., .::. • ' ., .. •
- t.-1.- -... . -.5 ) ,4 k ..,fr:;•
' ...1,.:.- X.
.. "44
..' •''. ' '..... '
V. .v. . . ZY, - ..l'.. '•'.•' v _ ' 1., fk ,,. ...•. ..'I, ,v.vc.'",,It.;..,„i"
,:v.,: •:.'_...• ''' V. 0,
.. ,...•'"•.- .e ..* •
:'..1.''':'--`,, '''il,,. -',-,,d,....4 • .. ,. I t. .. .,
.-..':•.:. ts',.;BIZ.,i,'7i*, . ..-7-74,. , ,-.1 .. ik.,....-.:
-. ,—
rifr:,
,
- ''''''' To '0''''• - : • • ..
,•. :1.'•''7.'',It
.........
',0if.
k
• :•• .'' i ;7-'- .'4r;j14 I ',4*.,.- - ;
a` '- co h., , .....,..r . %
....'2 f'• 44'''.. ‘ r . •E eL
8 *T*-
,.......,.. ..• ...1:,v , ,: %
0 , .•-1..,.;,..-•,, . -
: •.,', ,k,i,,
•
N 71..;4,•..•. .
. . ..
4 •. ,, 1 '.4.74' '- i .
.. . ,. .. ..
. - .4k-,-...-1,.. . :. . .. • ' ' •.
-:;-, .., I"*"404..,..ii;r::,,,i. ...• v --",' ..%....;•`00..." , ot:
•,.. "7.:-A04411111;..'.::At
'•.'c'-'" ‘
C'' ' ' ' .. -_
. '. .,,.. , V-i: " \
\‘`-'44 . • . ,.-''. -4 .,‘...:.: ,,, , .,-, .. -
-. :
• •-•'4'1-
Itilist
4 ,' .- - ---,'. .4•;:z.';',`"-1. ,,, .. -.
- ......,!.,...
-:.',r.;.....,:„.1.:,.:43....." ....4,,,,,iii iii ,....,„"t ,,,
.34`.4,,. ir';--1,.• '.a..4..:•c...?,4'.,:i,""1,,:. -'''!' ,,.' .,'':',.*!,....'..-,-,
''':,,-'r411. `. rta,':•"-N-;:7. 71,4'E'il•:";•. '''s" '''• ''. : -
• ,i.t. .--..;.,.,,,,..'4*,•+,,,... ' , ,:",.,-, ,.•- • ..,. .•-•.... 41•4.',-..- ,-,*.'!!'•',..,.,••• • ' fl!,,,l-g'.* •*''''..,;••••,.... .-
.., ..., -, 4 Vci:; :Ai,fig•., ..-4:,'7.-7.«4-',,,•;•?:',..:; - .j• ..; ':,. .-,f, Ak- -!;i. . ,i•'. ... '.,":. . elr ..' ''t',' '`---2•'..
- :.. - ' . 4=7,:r.".'"••,'•1c0;;Cip' '11,.11,,W,' g:,ts-i',i,i, -:: ..i.;.'.. ,;,!.. 014..'v't ,x-, 4 ''' -.',...,:,9 4,,' ' ..r.,,. v,,.,...iN•,•-...,,,,,r•-. •
.._ '; -.1 ... r- ''-' •-."' . .,01....,.4•;',.f;'.' ,.:;-#14.*"., V ip.'t V, itk.0.", .c-"J.4:,;..•%`k;:t '' .-' . ''`;'*A'';`-.., ''''
,.. ,,,,,,,o.,. -,, t -... .:,I,1 . •• ,",,, ', ,:'",1 . , '. .':
0 = . .
j • i
0
CD a-.
CD w ."-- • . , '•'''. , .,.: .....,. ,-1.4;3:n.i'e,.,.,.. ..-- ,,
' • \ .
" 0 ...
<
. . w f,wilit • 4...)Aq) .1 ". • . , ,
-E.
•-)
).„...)• .r ..
• . •,..
3,, . - ---„,„.••- -
.3
0
,
.•, - - • .. ) ., ii,„ .,....
_.,,,,,,,„ ..,., .,.„,.7.-..'>.•-•ia,i,.., •-•. , .. ,s. . , I. ... , . • ,. . 1'
.
,A3rditor ,. 4,4_,.. ..,..,•30, i-
,,i,L,6.0-to- _, -tv,- ..- ,. •1,- I , i..... ,..,:-..... .,- _,. •,,
.E•_.••
0 •
.-,
_• . . . mo. - 1,. . , .44-g„, •, ,,, tt--• ., ;#4
Tr---44:c,i... -:4•-•....--=-. -• ...• .,,,-.?-4,,isz,- • • ,..ir .,.$,.. k• ,,• .1, ...
.c..)
.
. .-.. . .-' 14,•.••.;,•,. - -,le,.--z •- •-.,--.-, . .-
. •,..: • • 11-`‘. ..i.
. .
. ,, %, , .\ :. . .
o
.
•:0-I'.
-.71,;-;44,:—A.,.
'co
._ .
.._ _.
,-i-.0.....:
68
Fwd,%=,; CITY OF MOORPARK
Ter. COMMUNITY DEVFLOPMI:NT DEPARTMENT I 799 Moorpark Avenue,Moorpark,California 93021
4.`Oa Main City Phone Number(805)517-6200 I Fax(805)532-2540 I www.moorparkca.gov
0
December , 2014
Susan Pan
Manager of Planning, Design, and Construction
County of Ventura Water and Sanitation Department
6767 Spring Road
Moorpark, CA 93020
Dear Ms. Pan:
RE: Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Moorpark Desalter Project
Thank you for requesting comments from the City of Moorpark on the Notice of Preparation of an EIR for the
Moorpark Desalter Project. Recognizing the potential benefit of an additional local source of water to help
supplement imported supplies, the City has the following concerns it would like to see addressed in the EIR for
this project:
• Land Use and Planning Impacts — This project is located in the City of Moorpark's Area of Interest, just
west of its corporate boundaries and Sphere of Influence. It is outside the City Urban Restriction
Boundary (CURB) established in the Land Use Element of the General Plan by the Save Open Space
and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) Ordinance, adopted on February 3, 1999. City staff is currently
studying the potential of including the affected property in its future urban growth boundary in a
comprehensive update to the General Plan Land Use Element. Regardless of whether or not the site is
included in a future urban growth boundary, the proposed groundwater treatment facility and extraction
wells would greatly affect the future use of the site, whether for agricultural or for urban uses.
• Aesthetic Impacts — The project site is located along State Highway 118, and, as historically used for
row crops, is a prominent visual feature when entering Moorpark from the west. The addition of a
treatment facility and extraction wells would greatly change the viewshed and could result in significant
adverse visual impacts.
• Alternatives Analysis — Alternative locations for the treatment facility and extraction wells should be
considered that would lessen these land use and planning and aesthetic impacts. The area north of the
Union Pacific Railroad tracks should be considered as an alternative location as land use and visual
impacts could be lessened in this location.
Please place the City on the notification list for this EIR and project and let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David A. Bobardt
Community Development Director
C: Honorable City Council
Honorable Planning Commission
Steven Kueny, City Manager
Dave Klotzle, City Engineer/Public Works Director
File
Chron
CC ATTACHMENT 2
JANICE S.PARVIN ROSEANN MIKOS,Ph.D. KEITH F. MILLHOUSE DAVID POLLOCK MARK VAN DAM6 9
Ma vnr rnu,,ri ,,,',,,6,.r C.......:'.,,.....i___