ICLEI (LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY USA) -2012

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AECOM City of Santa Ana Climate Action Plan EIR conditions in the city) and the proposed project's operational GHG emissions will be quantified to determine the net change in GHG emissions associated with implementation of the CAP. TheGHG inventory and projections prepared for the CAP will be used in this analysis. CO2e emissions will be estimated based on the methodologies recommended by the International Panel on Climate Change, the California Climate Action Registry's General Reporting Protocol (Version 3.1), the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Local Government Operations Protocol (Version 1.1), and the California Air Resources Board's Local Government Protocol for Greenhouse Gas Assessments (Version 1.1). Transportation and Traffic As part of development of the CAP and the City's work to complete an update to the General Plan Circulation Element, transportation studies have been prepared and are available for the CEQA analysis. AECOM will prepare the transportation and traffic impact analysis based on transportation studies provided by the City. Mitigation measures to reduce impacts on the transportation system will be recommended, as appropriate. AECOM would request that the City's traffic consultant for the Circulation Element update be made available to work with AECOM to understand the traffic modeling performed and assumptions made in the traffic report. AECOM does not propose doing any additional traffic modeling or analysis beyond that which is provided in the traffic study or provided by the City's traffic consultant. Noise The noise analysis will include a description of the existing noise environment along major roadways, based on existing environmental documentation. No noise monitoring is proposed as part of this scope because the type of noise that would occur as a result of project implementation largely already occurs throughout the city and at specific improvement sites. Furthermore, AECOM will use industry - standard typical noise levels for the equipment to be used for roadway and utilities improvements to accurately characterize the level of noise that could be generated with project implementation. Existing noise - sensitive receptors and noise sources will be identified and discussed. Relevant background information, including noise fundamentals, descriptors, and applicable federal, state, and local regulatory framework, will be described. The analysis will include an assessment of potential temporary, short -term noise generation (i.e., construction) associated with identified roadway or utilities improvements and its impact on any nearby noise - sensitive receptors and their relative exposure (considering intervening ground type and distance). Project - generated noise levels at these receptors will be determined using the referenced noise measurement data along with standard noise modeling techniques (e.g., combined noise level from the simultaneous operation of individual pieces of equipment). Noise mitigation strategies such as operational modifications will be identified. The EIR will also include a discussion of potential impacts resulting from localized changes in traffic, if any, resulting from CAP implementation. The significance of potential impacts will be determined, and mitigation measures to minimize potential adverse impacts will be recommended, if needed to avoid, or fully reduce significant and potentially significant impacts. Utilities and Service Systems The utilities and service systems analysis will describe the existing utilities that serve the city and identify citywide demand for services, including water supply, wastewater collection and treatment systems, natural gas, and energy. Potential improvements to water and wastewater systems as well as electrical utilities will be identified and the impact of implementing those improvements and efficiencies described. It is anticipated that a solid waste disposal analysis would be focused out in the Initial Study presented in Task 2. The analysis will identify any utilities - related physical impacts associated with proposed utility expansion, including impacts related to construction of new facilities to serve the proposed project. Mitigation to avoid or fully reduce significant impacts will be indentified. Alternatives The EIR will include an analysis of a reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed project that could reduce or avoid the significant impacts identified for the proposed project. This chapter will include a comparative analysis of up to three alternatives to the proposed project, including the "No Project" Alternative required by CEQA. Alternatives will be designed to eliminate, avoid, or substantially reduce one or more significant environmental impacts of the project (see State CEQA Guidelines Code of Regulations Section 15126.6[a]). AECOM will address a reasonable range of alternatives designed to reduce or avoid potentially significant impacts of the proposed project. The project objectives (defined as a part of the Project Description) will inform development of alternatives. In addition, we will use input from the scoping process and the environmental analysis to help formulate the alternatives. Additional information to be provided by the City will aid in the formulation of the project objectives, as well as alternatives considered and alternatives considered and rejected from further consideration.