20A - AA FIRST ST BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION JULY 2010 FIRST STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT CITY OF SANTA ANA E. Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? Less than significant impact. The proposed project will produce odors during the asphalt application during construction. These odors will dissipate very quickly and should not be present within one day of the application. This impact is considered less than significant due to its temporary nature. The operation of the project is not anticipated to result in objectionable odors. The implementation of the project results in the same or similar odor characteristics (fuel exhaust) as existing conditions. Therefore, a less than significant impact is anticipated, and no mitigation is required. IV. Biological Resources Would the project: A. Have a substantial adverse impact, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive or special status species in local or regional plans, policies or regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services? Less than significant impact with mitigation. The First Street Bridge is an urban use with no native habitat. The study area for the proposed project has high density urban development, edged with ornamental vegetation. There is some planted native vegetation (i.e., California encelia [Encelia californica] and brittlebush [E. farinosa]) located in several landscaped areas outside the eastern edge of the Santa Ana River. A Natural Environmental Study (NES) (LSA Associates, Inc. March 2010) was prepared for the proposed project. The study area evaluated in the NES is approximately 1,528 feet (ft) in length by approximately 130 ft in width, inclusive of the approximately 435 ft long existing First Street Bridge. The west end of the study area begins on the east side of the First Street and Susan Street intersection and extends to the east, terminating in line with the east edge of a mobile home park on the north side of First Street. Most of the study area width is the 130 ft area between the existing buildings and residential communities and includes roadside ornamental vegetation, sidewalks, and other urban features; however, a wider section of the study area includes a concrete bike path and ornamental vegetation on the east side of the SAR and is 290 ft in width. The study area is surrounded by high-density commercial and residential development and ornamental vegetation associated with the development. The Santa Ana River is confined within an open concrete channel as it flows south under the Bridge between Harbor Boulevard and Fairview Street. Surface runoff from First Street is directed into the City's existing storm drain system. Vegetation throughout the majority of the study area consists of ruderal and ornamental vegetation, including planted native trees and shrubs (e.g., Bermuda grass [Cynodon dactylon], hottentot fig [Carpobrotus edulis], bougainvillea [Bougainvillea sp.], fruit trees, gum tree [Eucalyptus sp.], pine tree [Pinus sp.], sugar bush, and California encelia [Encelia californica]. Most of the ornamental trees are mature, but limited in cover, with low potential as nesting trees, particularly for raptors. The results of the literature review indicated the potential occurrence of 7 special-status and 28 special-interest plant species, as well as 11 special-status and 31 special-interest animal species. The 07/25/10 «P:\DMJ0701\MND\4.0 Environmental Analysis.doc» 4-10 20A-61