2015-004 - Santa Ana-Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Project

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Santa Ana — Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Project Findings and Facts in Support of Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations project would develop a mass transit infrastructure, which is a Transportation Control Measure in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Air Quality Management Plan that seeks to reduce air pollutant emissions via a reduction in vehicle trips and congestion. In addition, the proposed project is included in Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 2012 -2035 Regional Transportation Plan /Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP /SCS), adopted on April 4, 2012. Therefore, a less -than- significant impact related to conflicting or obstructing the air quality management plan would occur. • Operational activity would increase regional emissions by less than one pound per day when compared with the emissions under the No Build Alternative. The net increase in emissions would not exceed the SCAQMD significance thresholds. Therefore, a less -than- significant impact related to violation of an air quality standard or contribution to an existing or projected air quality violation would occur. • The proposed electrically - powered streetcars would not generate localized exhaust emissions. However, changes to intersection operations as a result of project implementation could potentially increase vehicle idling and result in carbon monoxide (CO) hotspots. In addition, the proposed park- and -ride facility located on the northeast corner of the Harbor Boulevard/Westminster Avenue intersection would potentially increase localized pollutant concentrations. The CO hotspot analysis conducted for the project indicated that the proposed project would contribute less than 0.1 part per million (ppm) to the one- and eight -hour CO concentrations and would be less than the State one- and eight -hour CO standards of 20 and 9 ppm. The proposed electrically - powered streetcars would not generate diesel particulate matter. The O & M Facility would service streetcar vehicles and would require the use of solvents and related chemicals for cleaning and repair activities. However, the O & M Facility would not generate diesel emissions or be a substantial source of chemicals identified in the California Air Resources Board guidance for locating pollutant generators near sensitive populations. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to exposing sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations would occur. • The O & M Facility would require the use of solvents and related chemicals for cleaning and repair activities. However, these sources would not be used in sufficient quantities that would emit substantial odors for public complaints. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to odors would occur. D. Biological Resources (page 3 -217 of the EA/DEIR) • The Study Area is heavily developed and contains no natural biological communities. The ground disturbance footprint consists entirely of disturbed or developed land, which includes roadways, developed and undeveloped lots, parking areas, and residential and commercial developments. Literature review and field survey data determined that no special status plant or wildlife species have the potential to occur within the project's footprint and that the Study Area lacks suitable habitat that would typically support special status species or receive State or federal Endangered Species Act protections. Therefore, a less -than- significant impact related to candidate, sensitive, or special species would occur. 9 January 2015