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Task 2 - Prepare Environmental Technical Studies <br />Based on review of pertinent and available information related to the project (e.g., originally <br />certified EIR) and initial field reconnaissance, it is assumed that technical studies for the topics <br />listed below will be prepared to support the NEPA EA. As stated previously, the technical <br />studies described below will use, to the extent possible, analyses performed as part of the City's <br />originally certified EIR. It is assumed that all other resources for which technical studies are not <br />prepared will be addressed through documentation in the NEPA document itself (i.e., no <br />separate technical study is required). Finally, an External Quality Control Certification will be <br />signed by the author of each respective technical study for submittal to Caltrans to confirm <br />conformance with applicable reporting requirements. <br />Air Quality Study - The proposed project is not exempt from the requirement to demonstrate air <br />quality conformity pursuant to applicable state and federal regulations. An important component <br />of the air quality assessment, particularly in light of recent legislation, will be to determine of the <br />project is a Project of Air Quality Concern (POAQC) pursuant to 40 CFR 93.123(b)(1) as it <br />relates to PM2,5 and PM,o. In coordination with the City and Caltrans, URS will submit the <br />necessary analyses to SCAG's Transportation Conformity Working Group (TCWG) to ascertain <br />the project's conformity status. URS has recently coordinated with Caltrans to navigate projects <br />successfully through the TCWG's POAQC determination process. <br />A separate air quality conformity analysis, pursuant to Section 6005 Pilot Program under <br />SAFETEA-LU also will be prepared for submittal to Caltrans and FHWA to assess potential <br />operational-related impacts for key criteria pollutants (including, but not limited to, CO, PM,o, <br />and PM2,5) pursuant to applicable local, state, and federal regulations. <br />Cultural Resources (Section 106) Studies - A HPSR, including Area of Potential Effects (APE) <br />Map and ASR, will be prepared pursuant to guidelines set forth under Caltrans' SER, Volume 2 <br />(Cultural Resources). Consultation with the Native American community, including the Native <br />American Heritage Commission (NAHC) and pertinent tribes recommended by the NAHC, also <br />will be performed as part of the cultural resources documentation. Based on the findings of the <br />City's originally certified EIR, there are no previously documented archaeological sites within the <br />project area. Furthermore, no sites listed, or eligible for listing, on the National Register, State <br />Register, or Santa Ana Register have been identified along the segment of Grand Avenue <br />between First and Fourth Streets. <br />As of January 1, 2004, cultural resource studies must be prepared and processed in <br />accordance with the Programmatic Agreement (PA) among FHWA, the Advisory Council on <br />Historic Preservation, the California State Historic Preservation Officer, and Caltrans regarding <br />compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as it pertains to the <br />administration of the Federal Aid Highway Program in California. A qualified architectural <br />historian will conduct a field survey of each proposed project area to record buildings, <br />structures, and historic features through photography and written descriptions. However, in <br />accordance with the Section 106 PA, and based on findings included in the originally certified