Calaveras Dam replacement project : draft environmental impact report

2009·33.6 MB·English

by  Kawaguchi, Yuki

Public Draft E1R
October6,200?
Draft
Environmental Impact Report
Volume Appendices
5
San Prancisco Public Utilities Commission
DAM
CALAVERAS
REPLACEMENT PROJE
San Prancisco PlanningDepartment Pile No. 200^.01d>lE
State Clearinghouse No. 200^102102
Public Draft EIR Publication Date: October 200?
6,
Draft EIR Public HearingDate:
November 1 O, 200? in East Batj
November j 2, 200? in San Prancisco
Draft EIR Public Comment Period-. October 6, 200? through November 20, 200?
City and County ofSan Prancisco
San Prancisco PlanningDepartment
5/S
San Francisco PublicLibrary
Government Information Center
San Francisco Public Library
100Larkiri Street. 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
REFERENCE BOOK
Not to be taken from the Library
3 1223 08679 3065
R
Public Draft LI
October 200?
Draft
Environmental Impact [Report
Volume Appendices
5
5
an f^ranci'sco public (Jtilities (Commission
CALAVERAS DAM
PROJECT
KE.rLACE.ME.NT
3
an prancisco Planning department pile N°- 2.005.0 c P
1 1
3tate Clearinghouse (Sjo. 200^ 02 02
i I
Public Draft PJR. publication Pate: October o, 200?
Draft pjR. public Hearing Date:
November O, 200? in p_ast £)au
1
November i 2, 200? in ^an prancisco
Draft PJR. Public Comment period: October 6, 200? tnrouafi November ZO, ZOO?
O
C'ty and ounttj of,3an prancisco
3
an Prancisco planning, Department
GOVERNMENT
DOCUMENTS DEPT
OCT - 7 2009
SAN FRANCISCO
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Digitized by the Internet Archive
2014
in
https://archive.org/details/calaverasdamrep6200kawa_1
1
CALAVERAS DAM REPLACEMENT PROJECT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUMES AND
1 2
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
xi
GLOSSARY
xvii
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1-1
1.1 Introduction 1-1
1.2 Overview ofthe SFPUC Regional Water System 1-2
1.3 Project Objectives and Background 1-8
1.4 Project Description 1-13
1.5 Summary ofProject Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures 1-27
1.6 Alternatives to the Proposed Project 1-32
CEQA
1.7 Other Required Topics 1-33
1.8 Areas ofControversy and Issues to be Resolved 1-35
2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 2-1
2.1 Introduction 2-1
2.2 Project Background 2-2
2.3 Purpose ofthis EIR 2-8
CEQA
2.4 Process 2-9
2.5 Organization ofthis EIR 2-
1 1
2.6 Background Documents 2- 2
1
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3-1
3.1 Project Location 3-2
3.2 Project Purpose and Objectives 3-2
3.3 Overview ofthe Existing Dam and Reservoir 3-10
3.4 Proposed Project Elements 3-23
3.5 Project Construction 3-33
3.6 Project Operation 3-63
3.7 Discretionary Approvals and Agencies Involved 3-70
4. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND IMPACTS 4-1
4.1 Overview 4-1
4.2 Plans and Policies 4 2
1
4.3 Land Use, Agricultural Resources, and Recreation 4.3-1
4.4 Vegetation and Wildlife 4.4-1
4.5 Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat 4.5-1
4.6 Hydrology 4.6-1
4.7 WaterQuality 4.7-1
4.8 Geology, Soils, and Seismicity 4.8-
4.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials 4.9-1
Public Draft EIR-October6,2009 1 2005.0161E CalaverasDamReplacement Ptoj ci
Table ofContents
4.10 Cultural Resources 4.10-1
4.11 Visual Resources 4.11-1
4.12 Transportation and Circulation 4.12-1
4.13 AirQuality 4.13-1
4.14 Noise and Vibration 4.14-1
4.15 Utilities, Service Systems, and Public Services 4.15-1
4.16 Mineral and Energy Resources 4.16-1
MITIGATION MEASURES PROPOSED TO MINIMIZE POTENTIALLY
5.
SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT 5-1
5.1 Overview 5-1
5.2 Plans and Policies 5-1
5.3 Land Use, Agricultural Resources, and Recreation 5-1
5.4 Vegetation and Wildlife 5-2
5.5 Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat 5-16
5.6 Hydrology 5-18
5.7 Water Quality 5-18
5.8 Geology, Soils, and Seismicity 5-27
5.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials 5-27
5.10 Cultural Resources 5-32
5.11 Visual Resources 5-37
5.12 Transportation and Circulation 5-37
5.13 AirQuality 5-38
5.14 Noise and Vibration 5-40
5.15 Utilities, Service Systems, and Public Services 5-42
5.16 Mineral and Energy Resources 5-42
5.17 Cumulative Impacts 5-43
6. OTHER TOPICS REQUIRED BY CEQA 6-1
6.1 Growth Inducement 6-1
6.2 Cumulative Impacts 6-7
6.3 Significant Environmental Effects That Cannot Be Avoided ifthe
Proposed Project Is Implemented 6-52
6.4 Significant Irreversible Environmental Changes 6-55
7. ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT 7-1
7.1 Overview 7-2
7.2 WSIP Alternatives 7-5
7.3 Alternative 1, No Project Alternative 7-22
7.4 Alternative 2, Off-site Disposal Alternative 7-32
7.5 Alternative 3, Off-site Borrow Alternative 7-42
7.6 Alternative 4, Consolidated On-site Disposal Alternative 7-50
7.7 Alternative 5, New Downstream Dam without Provision for Potential
Future Enlargement Alternative 7-57
7.8 Alternative 6, Replacement Dam at Existing Location Alternative 7-64
7.9 Environmentally Superior Alternative 7-73
7.1 Alternatives Considered and Rejected 7-75
Public Draft EIR-October6,2009 II 2005.0161E/CalaverasDam Replacement Project
Table ofContents
VOLUME
3
APPENDICES
A. Notice ofPreparation
B. Public Scoping Process Summary Report
C. Vegetation and Wildlife Survey Reports
C.l Special Status Plant andAnimal Species Evaluated in the
Calaveras Dam Replacement Project EIR
C.2 Memorandum: Evaluation ofProposed Mitigation Areas forthe Calaveras Dam
Replacement Project
D. Hydrology Modeling
D.l Water System Modeling and Analysis Conducted for the CDRP Impact
Assessment
D.2 SFPUC Memorandum Detailing Revised 2018 HHLSM Model Run Performed
CDRP
forthe
D.3 Technical Memorandum: Estimation ofFlow Changes in Lower Alameda Creek
with Implementation ofthe CDRP and WSIP
D.4 Analysis ofWSIP Operation on Alameda Watershed Stream Flows
E. Cultural Resources Survey Reports
E.l Table ofCultural Resource Studies within the CDRP Cultural Resources Study
Area
E.2 Archaeology Sensitive Area Alert Sheet
F. Traffic Calculations
G. Air Quality Modeling
H. 1997 Memorandum ofUnderstanding California Department ofFish and Game
I. Mitigation Measure Consistency with WSIP PEIR
J. Calaveras Dam Replacement Project: Future Steelhead Cumulative Impacts Analysis -
Central California Coast Steelhead
K. List ofPreparers
PublicDraft EIR-October6, 2009 iii 2005.01hi!' ( alaxcras Pain Replacement Pn i<
Table ofContents
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure S.l: Existing Facilities 1-10
Figure S.2: Proposed Plan ofDam Area 1-15
Figure S.3: Proposed Dam Cross Section 1-16
Figure S.4: Work Limit Area 1-19
Figure 2.1: SFPUC Regional Water Supply System 2-3
Figure 2.2: SFPUC Water Service Area 2-4
Figure 3.1: Project Location 3-3
Figure 3.2: Calaveras Dam Vicinity 3-4
Figure 3.3: Existing Facilities 3-12
Figure 3.4: Calaveras Dam Watershed 3-15
Figure 3.5: Existing Annual Recharge - Drawdown Cycle ofCalaveras Reservoir 3-18
Figure 3.6: Proposed Dam Cross-Section 3-27
Figure 3.7: Proposed Plan ofDam Area 3-29
Figure 3.8: Work Limit Area 3-34
Figure 3.9: Material Balance Diagram 3-38
Figure 3.10: Locations ofBorrow Areas 3-39
Figure 3.11: Locations ofStaging Areas 3-44
Figure 3.12: Locations ofDisposal Sites 3-46
Figure 3.13: Existing Roads, Proposed Roads, and Haul Route Options 3-51
Figure 3.14: Proposed Bypass Tunnel at Alameda Creek Diversion Dam 3-57
Figure 3.15 Proposed Bypass Tunnel Staging Area at Alameda Creek Diversion Dam 3-58
Figure 3.16: Proposed CDFG MOU Flow Releases 3-68
Figure 4.3.1: Land Use Designations in the Project Vicinity 4.3-3
Figure 4.3.2: Grazing Use ofSFPUC-Owned Lands 4.3-6
Figure 4.3.3: Recreational Facilities in the Vicinity ofthe Project Site 4.3-8
Figure 4.4.1: Vegetation and Wildlife Study Area 4.4-2
Figure 4.4.2: Regional Land Cover 4.4-9
Figure 4.4.3: Wetlands 4.4-17
Figure 4.4.4: Rare Plant Occurrences 4.4-23
Figure 4.4.5: Callippe Silverspot Butterfly Habitat in the Project Vicinity 4.4-27
Figure 4.4.6: California Red-Legged Frog Occurrences, Habitat, and Critical
Habitat 4.4-31
Figure 4.4.7: California Tiger Salamander Occurrences, Habitat,
and Critical Habitat 4.4-38
Figure 4.4.8: Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog Occurrences 4.4-43
Figure 4.4.9: Alameda Whipsnake Habitat and Critical Habitat 4.4-49
Figure 4.4.10: Bald Eagle Nest Locations 4.4-53
Figure 4.4.1 1 : Berkeley Kangaroo Rat Historic Locations and Subspecies Range 4.4-56
Figure 4.4.12: Detail ofSeasonal Wetlands UnderPre-DSOD Restricted Operations 4.4-81
Public Draft fclR-October6, 2009 iv 2005.0161E/CalaverasDamReplacementProject
59
Table ofContents
Figure 4.5.1: Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Study Areas 4.5-3
Figure 4.5.2: Major Facilities and Fish Passage Barriers/Obstacles in the Alameda
Creek Watershed 4.5-12
Figure 4.5.3: Daily Flows in Alameda Creek and Diversions at the ACDD During
DSOD
Restricted Conditions 4.5-19
Figure 4.6.1: Alameda Creek Drainage and Sub-Drainage Areas 4.6-3
Figure 4.6.2: Sub-Watersheds and Major Hydrologic Features ofthe Project
Watershed 4.6-7
Figure 4.6.3a: Average Daily Flow in Arroyo Hondo Upstream ofCalaveras Reservoir,
Water Years 1998-2009 4.6-14
Figure 4.6.3b: Average Daily Flow in Arroyo Hondo Upstream ofCalaveras Reservoir,
Winter Months ofWaterYear 2006 4.6-1
Figure 4.6.4: Average Daily Flow in Calaveras Creek Downstream ofCalaveras
Reservoir, Water Years 2002-2009 4.6-18
Figure 4.6.5: Alameda Creek Elevation Profile, Camp Ohlone to Arroyo de la Laguna ... 4.6-1
Figure 4.6.6: Average Daily Flow in Alameda Creek Downstream ofthe Calaveras
Creek Confluence, WaterYears 1998-2009 4.6-23
Figure 4.6.7: Average Daily Flow in Alameda Creek Downstream ofthe Welch Creek
Confluence, Water Years 1998-2009 4.6-26
Figure 4.6.8: Average Daily Flow in Alameda Creek Near the Downstream End of
Niles Canyon, WaterYears 1998-2009 4.6-28
Figure 4.6.9: Daily Water Surface Elevations in Calaveras Reservoir, Water Years
1998-2009 4.6-31
Figure 4.6.10: Average Daily Unimpaired Inflow, Diversions, and Calculated Spill at
ACDD, Water Years 1998-2009 4.6-36
Figure 4.6.1la: Modeled Calaveras Reservoir Storage and Releases to Calaveras Creek.
1920-1959 4.6-70
Figure 4.6.1lb: Modeled Calaveras Reservoir Storage and Releases to Calaveras Creek.
1960-2002 4.6-71
Figure 4.6.12: Modeled Storage in Calaveras Reservoir, Annual Average and Range in
Storage Volume 4.6-74
Figure 4.6.13a: Modeled Flows in Alameda Creek Downstream ofthe ACDD. 1920-
1959 4.6-78
Figure 4.6.13b: Modeled Flows in Alameda Creek Downstream ofthe ACDD. 1960-
2002 4.6-79
Figure 4.6.14a: Analysis of 15-Minute USGS Gage Data from Alameda Creek above the
ACDD and Flow Past the Dam (March 1996, December 996. and
1
February 1999) 4.6-84
Figure 4.6.14b: Analysis of 15-Minute USGS Gage Data from Alameda Creek abo\ c the
ACDD and Flow Past the Dam (February 2000. December 2002, and
March 2006) 4.6-85
Figure 4.6.15a: Modeled Flow in Alameda Creek Downstream ofCalaveras (reck
Confluence (1920-1959) 4.6-8S
Figure 4.6.15b: Modeled Flow in Alameda Creek Downstream ofCalaveras Creek
Confluence (1960-2002) 4 6 89
Figure 4.6.16: Comparison ofAverage Monthly Flow at the Niles Gage, Recorded I low
versus Flow with Proposed Project 4.6 96
Figure 4.6.17: Depth ofFloodwaters from Modeled Breach ofCalaven I >am \,6 101
Public Draft FIR-October6.2009 V 2005.01611 ( al;i\crss Ham KcplMMMOl IYoJbOI
1
Table ofContents
Figure 4.8.1: Lithology and Geologic Features ofthe Project Site 4.8-4
Figure 4.8.2: Regional Fault Locations 4.8-9
Figure 4.8.3: Changes in Topography 4.8-35
Figure 4.9.1: Calaveras Test Site Borrow Avoidance Area 4.9-9
Figure 4.9.2: Wildfire Severity 4.9-10
Figure 4.10.1: Cultural Resources Study Area and Work Limit Area 4.10-3
Figure 4.11.1: Viewpoint Locations 4.11-4
Figure 4.11.2: View ofthe North End ofCalaveras Reservoir Looking East from
Calaveras Road 4.11-5
Figure 4.11.3: View ofCalaveras Dam Looking Northeast from Calaveras Road 4.11-6
Figure 4.1 1.4: View ofCalaveras Dam and Hill 1000 Looking Northeast from
Calaveras Road 4.11-8
Figure 4.1 1.5: View ofWatershed Keeper's Residence Looking East from Calaveras
Road 4.11-9
Figure 4.1 1.6: View ofthe Southern Portion ofCalaveras Reservoir Looking Southeast
from Calaveras Road 4.11-10
Figure 4.1 1.7: View ofCalaveras Reservoir Looking North from Felter Road 4.11-1
Figure 4.11.8: View ofObservation Hill Looking Southeast from Southern End of
Sunol Wilderness Parking Lot 4.11-13
Figure 4.1 1.9: View ofHill 1000 Looking South from Little Yosemite 4.11-14
Figure 4.1 1.10: View ofExisting Dam Site Looking Southwest from Cerro Este 4.11-15
Figure 4.1 1.1 1 : View ofObservation Hill Looking Southeast from Flag Hill 4.11-17
Figure 4.12.1: Project Area Roads 4.12-2
Figure 4.14.1: Noise Measurement and Sensitive Receptor Locations 4.14-5
Figure 6.1 Cumulative Projects in the Sunol Valley Region 6-18
:
Public Draft KIR-October6,2009 vi 2005.0161E/CalaverasDam ReplacementProject