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 effect of the proposed project with the No Build Alternative would not result in a cumulative impact. Therefore, geology and soil impacts would not be cumulatively considerable. G. Greenhouse Gas Emissions California is the 15th largest emitter of GHG on the planet, representing about two percent of the worldwide emissions. An individual project may contribute an incremental amount of GHG emissions that could combine with other emission sources to create concentrations of GHG that could influence climate change. The transportation sector, largely the cars and trucks that move people and goods, is the largest contributor with approximately 37 percent of the State's total GHG emissions. Because of the high percentage of transportation- related GHG emissions, many GHG reduction plans (e.g., Orange County SCS) focus on reducing regional dependence on single - passenger vehicles. The proposed project is designed to reduce vehicle miles traveled - related emissions by encouraging the use of public transit by providing accessibility to activity centers that provide employment and educational opportunities, goods, and services. The proposed project would encourage a shift in mode of transportation travel from private passenger vehicle to commuter use of the mass transit system. As a result, the contribution of the proposed project to the combined GHG impact would not be considerable. Therefore, GHG emission impacts would not be cumulatively considerable. H. Hazards and Hazardous Materials Potentially significant impacts of the related projects associated with hazards and hazardous materials, or the release, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials, would be assessed on a case -by -case basis. While impacts associated with hazards and hazardous materials are typically site - specific and do not cumulatively affect off -site areas, conditions, such as contaminated groundwater, can affect down - gradient properties. In addition, operation of the related projects can reasonably be expected to involve the limited use of potentially hazardous materials typical of those used in residential and commercial developments, including cleaning agents, paints, pesticides, and other materials used for landscaping. Related projects would be subject to local, State, and federal regulations pertaining to hazards and hazardous materials. It is expected that all potentially hazardous materials would be used, stored, and disposed of in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and handled in compliance with applicable standards and regulations. With adherence to these regulations, hazards and hazardous materials impacts would not be cumulatively considerable. I. Hydrology and Water Quality The geographic context for the cumulative impact analysis on water quality is the Santa Ana River watershed. Like the proposed project, growth in the Santa Ana River watershed would be subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements regarding water quality. The Study Area is already densely developed and future land use changes or development are not likely to cause substantial changes in regional surface water quality. It is also anticipated that these related projects would also be subject to Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan requirements and implementation of measures to comply with total maximum daily loads. In addition, it is not anticipated that related projects would significantly impact flood 26 January 2015