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 A jurisdictional delineation was prepared to address the Santa Ana River within the study area. The total area of ACOE nonwetland waters of the U.S. within the study area is approximately 1.86 ac. There are no locations in the study area where potential ACOE jurisdictional wetlands occur (i.e., areas that satisfy all three criteria [i.e., soil, hydrology, vegetation] for ACOE jurisdictional wetlands). The area satisfying the ACOE jurisdictional criteria for nonwetland area, (waters of the U.S), is also subject to CDFG jurisdiction. In addition to the ordinary high water mark (OHWM), the width of the concrete banks can also be considered jurisdictional by the CDFG. Within the study area, approximately 2.50 ac of nonriparian (concrete-lined) streambed are under CDFG jurisdiction; however, due to the small area and the nonwetland status of the concrete channel, it is at the discretion of CDFG whether it chooses to take jurisdiction over the project. Construction activities include demolition of four existing bridge piers in the Santa Ana River. These four piers will be replaced with two new piers for the new bridge. The reduction of piers in the Santa Ana River is an overall benefit because it reduces flow impediments in the river. Authorizations required will include the following: (1) An ACOE Nation Wide Permit (NWP) No. 14 for linear transportation projects with permanent impacts less than 0.50 ac within the OHWM of the SAR, (2) An ACOE NWP No. 33 for temporary structures, work, and discharges necessary for construction activities, (3) Compliance with the General Conditions of any NWP, including notification to the ACOE District Engineer with a preconstruction notification (PCN) as early as possible, (4) A Streambed Alteration Notification (SAN) must be filed with CDFG for the permanent bridge structure over the channel, and (5) The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) needs to certify the use of NWP Nos. 14 and 33 for this project. D. Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as tree preservation policy or ordinance? No impact. The Santa Ana General Plan identifies two locally significant plant species: hibiscus is the official city flower and jacaranda is the official city tree. There are neither hibiscus flowers nor jacaranda trees on the project site. Moreover, the City of Santa Ana has not adopted any plant or tree preservation policy or ordinance concerning those species. Therefore, no impact is anticipated and no mitigation is required. V. CULTURAL RESOURCES Would the project: A. Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in Section 15064.5? 07/25/10 <PA\DMJ070l\MND\4.0 Environmental Analysis.doc» 4-13 20A-64