20A - AA FIRST ST BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

Home Browse Search

LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION JULY 2010 FIRST STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT CITY OF SANTA ANA Less than significant impact. The following are six criteria pollutants as designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): ozone (03), carbon monoxide (CO), particles (PM10, PM 2.5), nitrogen dioxide (N02), sulfur dioxide (S02), and lead (Pb). The proposed project is located in the South Coast Air Basin which is under attainment for the CO, N02, S02, and Pb and is in non-attainment status for PM 2.5 and PM 10, and federal 03 8-hour standards and state 03 1-hour. According to the Traffic Analysis Study (LSA, July 2007) the proposed project will help to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on roadway link in the project vicinity. The proposed project is not expected to generate any additional traffic and the regional traffic trips pattern would remain similar. Therefore, no new long-term regional emissions would result from implementation of the proposed project. However, the proposed project could result in an increase in load concentrations due to vehicle trips being attracted to the improved facility. Localized emissions of CO and PM10 may increase with implementation of the proposed project however, the concentration will not exceed ambient air quality standards. The proposed project would also not create a new, or worsen an existing, PM10 or PM2.5 violation. No exceedance of the SCAQMD criteria pollutant emissions thresholds would be anticipated during construction of the proposed project. Short-term construction activities will comply with SCAQMD Rule 403 regarding reducing fugitive dust emissions (PM10, listed in mitigation measure AQ-5) and Best Available Control Measures (BALM). Implementation of these standard measures will further reduce short term emissions resulting from use of construction equipment. Therefore, the project will not result in cumulatively considerable net increase of criteria pollutants. The proposed project's contribution to cumulative emissions of criteria pollutants is considered less than significant. D. Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? Less than significant impact. Sensitive receptors include the very young, the elderly, and those suffering from certain respiratory illnesses or disabilities. Common locations of sensitive receptors include schools, daycare centers, parks and recreational areas, medical facilities/hospitals, rest homes, and convalescent care facilities. According to the above definition, sensitive receptors are present in the project vicinity. Four schools are located within the 0.5 mile from the project site: Spurgeon Intermediate and Edward B. Cole Senior Academy north-east of the project site, Lincoln Elementary south-east of the project site, and Garden Grove USD: Russell Elementary School is located south west of the project site. Students attending any of these schools may have respiratory sensitivity to airborne dust during construction. However, the proposed project would not create a substantial source of pollutant concentrations, as it will not create additional traffic. The project is not anticipated to increase the CO levels such that they could have an impact on students. Because of the distant location of the schools to the project site, the pollutants will most likely dissipate before reaching the sensitive receptors. Therefore, the students will not likely be affected by the increase in pollutants emissions on the project site. This is considered a less than significant impact. Refer to Hazards Section VII for an additional discussion on airborne hazardous pollutants. 07/25/10 «PA\DMJ070l\MND\4.0 Environmental Analysis.doc» 4-9 20A-60