2017-046 - Approving Addendum Nos. 1 and 2

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OCTA I Santa Ana/Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Project FNCultural Resources Technical Memo Update Memo Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Project: OCTA Santa Ana/Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Project To: Mary Shavalier/Program Manager, OCTA From: Nina Delu /Environmental Planner - Cultural Resources Lead, HDR Subject: Cultural Resources Technical Memo Update Background In July of 2016, HDR performed a cultural resources technical analysis re-evaluation in response to advancements in engineering by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) on the Santa Ana/Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Project (Project). The purpose of that 2016 analysis was to identify whether any of the proposed minor design modifications to the adopted Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) would affect the previous findings regarding cultural resources (both historic and archaeological) within the previously -approved Area of Potential Effects (APE), and the revised APE to reflect design modifications. That updated cultural resources analysis confirmed that the proposed engineering refinements to the Project did not change the previous conclusions regarding cultural resources and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recommended that there would be no adverse effects within the expanded APE under NEPA and a less than significant impact would remain the finding for the design modifications within the expanded APE under CEQA. The sensitivity of the area for archaeological resources and the recommendation for archaeological monitoring to be conducted for earth -disturbing activities that could encounter previously undisturbed soils remained unchanged and consistent with the 2015 EA/EIR. On October 14, 2016, the California State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) concurred with the findings of that Cultural Resources Technical Memo Update (OHP reference number FTA111011B, see Attachment A). In regards to the revised APE, the SHPO noted that "the APE should include the entirety of individual resources and historic properties located within it. As shown on sheet 4 of 15 of the APE, only part of the Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge (P-30-161847) is located within the APE. The APE should be expanded to include the whole property." The Project has since advanced with the completion of the 60% design. OCTA, as the agency responsible for design and implementation of the Project, is again proposing minor design modifications to the adopted LPA comprised of physical and operational improvements. This memo reviews the new design modifications and their potential to affect the previous findings regarding cultural resources (both historic and archaeological) within the previously -approved APE, and, where necessary, revises the APE to reflect these design modifications. February 8, 2017 1 1