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3.6 Geology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and Paleontological Resources
Thissectiondescribestheregulatoryandenvironmentalsettingforgeology,soils,mineralresources,andpaleontologicalresourcesintheprogramandprojectareas.Italsodescribesimpactsongeology,soils,mineralresources,andpaleontologicalresourcesthatwouldresultfromimplementationoftheprogramandtwoindividualprojects.Mitigationmeasuresareprescribedwherefeasibleandappropriate.
3.6.1 Existing Conditions
Regulatory Setting
Federal
NofederalregulationsapplytomineralresourcesorpaleontologicalresourcesintheAPWRA.Thefollowingfederalregulationsarerelatedtogeologichazardsorsoils.
International Building Code
ThedesignandconstructionofengineeredfacilitiesinCaliforniamustcomplywiththerequirementsoftheInternationalBuildingCode(IBC)(InternationalCodeCouncil2011)andtheadoptionsofthatcodebytheStateofCalifornia(seeCaliforniaBuildingStandardsCodeunderStateRegulations).
U.S. Geological Survey Landslide Hazard Program
TofulfilltherequirementsofPublicLaw106‐113,theU.S.GeologicalSurveycreatedtheNationalLandslideHazardsProgramtoreducelong‐termlossesfromlandslidehazardsbyimprovingunderstandingofthecausesofgroundfailureandsuggestingmitigationstrategies.TheFederalEmergencyManagementAgencyistheresponsibleagencyforthelong‐termmanagementofnaturalhazards.
Clean Water Act Section 402 (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program)
Section402oftheCleanWaterAct(CWA)mandatesthatcertaintypesofconstructionactivitycomplywiththerequirementsofEPA’sNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)program.EPAhasdelegatedtotheStateWaterBoardtheauthorityfortheNPDESprograminCalifornia,whereitisimplementedbythestate’snineRegionalWaterBoards.Constructionactivitydisturbing1acreormoremustobtaincoverageunderthestate’sGeneralPermitforStormWaterDischargesAssociatedwithConstructionandLandDisturbanceActivities(Order2010‐0014‐DWQ).(SeeConstructionActivitiesStormWaterConstructionGeneralPermit[2010‐0014‐DWQPermit]).
AdditionaldetailsoftheCWAaredescribedinSection3.9,HydrologyandWaterQuality.
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State
Alquist‐Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act
California’sAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningAct(Alquist‐PrioloAct)(PublicResourcesCode[PRC]Section2621etseq.)isintendedtoreduceriskstolifeandpropertyfromsurfacefaultruptureduringearthquakes.TheAlquist‐PrioloActprohibitsthelocationofmosttypesofstructuresintendedforhumanoccupancy1acrossthetracesofactivefaultsandstrictlyregulatesconstructioninthecorridorsalongactivefaultscapableofsurfaceruptureorfaultcreep(earthquakefaultzones).Generallytherequiredsetbackis50feetfromanactivefaulttrace.Theactalsodefinescriteriaforidentifyingactivefaults,givinglegalweighttotermssuchasactive,andestablishesaprocessforreviewingbuildingproposalsinandadjacenttoearthquakefaultzones.
UndertheAlquist‐PrioloAct,faultsarezoned,andconstructionalongoracrossthemisstrictlyregulatediftheyaresufficientlyactiveandwelldefined.AfaultisconsideredsufficientlyactiveifoneormoreofitssegmentsorstrandsshowsevidenceofsurfacedisplacementduringHolocenetime(definedforpurposesoftheactasreferringtoapproximatelythelast11,000years).Afaultisconsideredwell‐definedifitstracecanbeidentifiedclearlybyatrainedgeologistatthegroundsurface,orintheshallowsubsurfaceusingstandardprofessionaltechniques,criteria,andjudgment(BryantandHart2007).
Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
LiketheAlquist‐PrioloAct,theSeismicHazardsMappingActof1990(PRCSections2690–2699.6)isintendedtoreducedamageresultingfromearthquakes.WhiletheAlquist‐PrioloActaddressessurfacefaultrupture,theSeismicHazardsMappingActaddressesotherearthquake‐relatedhazards,includingstronggroundshaking,liquefaction,andseismicallyinducedlandslides.ItsprovisionsaresimilarinconcepttothoseoftheAlquist‐PrioloAct—thestateischargedwithidentifyingandmappingareasatriskofstronggroundshaking,liquefaction,landslides,andothercorollaryhazards;andcitiesandcountiesarerequiredtoregulatedevelopmentwithinmappedseismichazardzones.
UndertheSeismicHazardsMappingAct,permitreviewistheprimarymechanismforlocalregulationofdevelopment.Specifically,citiesandcountiesareprohibitedfromissuingdevelopmentpermitsforsiteswithinseismichazardzonesuntilappropriatesite‐specificgeologicand/orgeotechnicalinvestigationshavebeencarriedoutandmeasurestoreducepotentialdamagehavebeenincorporatedintothedevelopmentplans.GeotechnicalinvestigationsconductedwithinseismichazardzonesmustincorporatestandardsspecifiedbyCaliforniaGeologicalSurveySpecialPublication117a,GuidelinesforEvaluatingandMitigatingSeismicHazardsinCalifornia(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2008).
Construction Activities Storm Water Construction General Permit (2010‐0014‐DWQ Permit)
Dischargerswhoseprojectsdisturb1ormoreacresofsoil,orwhoseprojectsdisturblessthan1acrebutarepartofalargercommonplanofdevelopmentthatintotaldisturbs1ormoreacres,arerequiredtoobtaincoverageundertheGeneralPermitOrder2010‐0014‐DWQ.Constructionactivity
1WithreferencetotheAlquist‐PrioloAct,astructureforhumanoccupancyisdefinedasone“usedorintendedforsupportingorshelteringanyuseoroccupancy,whichisexpectedtohaveahumanoccupancyrateofmorethan2,000person‐hoursperyear”(CaliforniaCodeofRegulations,Title14,Div.2,Section3601[e]).
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subjecttothispermitincludesclearing,grading,anddisturbancestothegroundsuchasstockpilingorexcavation,butdoesnotincluderegularmaintenanceactivitiesperformedtorestoretheoriginalline,grade,orcapacityofthefacility.
CoverageundertheGeneralPermitisobtainedbysubmittingpermitregistrationdocumentstotheStateWaterBoardthatincludearisklevelassessmentandasite‐specificstormwaterpollutionpreventionplan(SWPPP)identifyinganeffectivecombinationoferosioncontrol,sedimentcontrol,andnon‐stormwaterBMPs.TheGeneralPermitrequiresthattheSWPPPdefineaprogramofregularinspectionsoftheBMPsand,insomecases,samplingofwaterqualityparameters.TheSanFranciscoBayRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardadministerstheNPDESstormwaterpermitprograminAlamedaCounty.The14cities,theunincorporatedarea,andthetwofloodcontroldistrictsofAlamedaCountyshareoneNPDESpermitthatismanagedthroughaconsortiumofagenciescalledtheAlamedaCountywideCleanWaterProgram.
2010 California Building Standards Code
TheCaliforniaBuildingStandardsCode(CBSC)(24CaliforniaCodeofRegulations)providestheminimumstandardsforstructuraldesignandconstruction.TheCBSCisbasedontheIBC,whichisusedwidelythroughoutUnitedStates(generallyadoptedonastate‐by‐stateordistrict‐by‐districtbasis)andhasbeenmodifiedforCaliforniaconditionswithnumerous,moredetailedormorestringentregulations.TheCBSCrequiresthat“classificationofthesoilateachbuildingsitewillbedeterminedwhenrequiredbythebuildingofficial”andthat“theclassificationwillbebasedonobservationandanynecessarytestofthematerialsdisclosedbyboringsorexcavations.”Inaddition,theCBSCstatesthat“thesoilclassificationanddesign‐bearingcapacitywillbeshownonthe(building)plans,unlessthefoundationconformstospecifiedrequirements.”TheCBSCprovidesstandardsforvariousaspectsofconstruction,including(i.e.,notlimitedto)excavation,grading,andearthworkconstruction;fillsandembankments;expansivesoils;foundationinvestigations;andliquefactionpotentialandsoilstrengthloss.InaccordancewithCalifornialaw,certainaspectsoftheprogramwouldberequiredtocomplywithallprovisionsoftheCBSC.
TheCBSCrequiresextensivegeotechnicalanalysisandengineeringforgrading,foundations,retainingwalls,andotherstructures,includingcriteriaforseismicdesign.
California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975
TheprincipallegislationaddressingmineralresourcesinCaliforniaistheSurfaceMiningandReclamationActof1975(SMARA)(PRCSections2710–2719),whichwasenactedinresponsetolanduseconflictsbetweenurbangrowthandessentialmineralproduction.ThestatedpurposeofSMARAistoprovideacomprehensivesurfaceminingandreclamationpolicythatwillencouragetheproductionandconservationofmineralresourceswhileensuringthatadverseenvironmentaleffectsofminingarepreventedorminimized;toensurethatminedlandsarereclaimedandresidualhazardstopublichealthandsafetyareeliminated;andtogiveconsiderationtorecreation,watershed,wildlife,aesthetic,andotherrelatedvalues.SMARAgovernstheuseandconservationofawidevarietyofmineralresources,althoughsomeresourcesandactivitiesareexemptfromitsprovisions,includingexcavationandgradingconductedforfarming,construction,orrecoveryfromfloodingorothernaturaldisaster.
SMARAprovidesfortheevaluationofanarea’smineralresourcesusingasystemofMineralResourceZone(MRZ)classificationsthatreflecttheknownorinferredpresenceandsignificanceofagivenmineralresource.TheMRZclassificationsarebasedonavailablegeologicinformation,
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includinggeologicmappingandotherinformationonsurfaceexposures,drillingrecords,andminedata,andonsocioeconomicfactorssuchasmarketconditionsandurbandevelopmentpatterns.TheMRZclassificationsaredefinedasfollows.
MRZ‐1—areaswhereadequateinformationindicatesthatnosignificantmineraldepositsarepresent,orwhereitisjudgedthatlittlelikelihoodexistsfortheirpresence.
MRZ‐2—areaswhereadequateinformationindicatesthatsignificantmineraldepositsarepresent,orwhereitisjudgedthatahighlikelihoodfortheirpresenceexists.
MRZ‐3—areascontainingmineraldeposits,thesignificanceofwhichcannotbeevaluatedfromavailabledata.
MRZ‐4—areaswhereavailableinformationisinadequateforassignmentintoanyother MRZ.
AlthoughtheStateofCaliforniaisresponsibleforidentifyingareascontainingmineralresources,thecountyorcityisresponsibleforSMARAimplementationandenforcementbyprovidingannualmininginspectionreportsandcoordinatingwiththeCaliforniaGeologicalSurvey(CGS).
Miningactivitiesthatdisturbmorethan1acreorinvolveexcavationofatleast1,000cubicyardsofmaterialrequireaSMARApermitfromtheleadagency,whichisthecounty,city,orboardthatisresponsibleforensuringthatadverseenvironmentaleffectsofminingarepreventedorminimized.Theleadagencyestablishesitsownlocalregulationsandrequiresaminingapplicanttoobtainasurfaceminingpermit,submitareclamationplan,andprovidefinancialassurancespursuanttoSMARA.
Certainland‐disturbingactivitiesdonotrequireapermit,suchasexcavationrelatedtofarming,gradingrelatedtorestoringthesiteofanaturaldisaster,andgradingrelatedtoconstruction.
California Public Resources Code
SeveralsectionsoftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCodeprotectpaleontologicalresources.Section5097.5prohibits“knowingandwillful”excavation,removal,destruction,injury,anddefacementofanypaleontologicalfeatureonpubliclands(landsunderstate,county,city,district,orpublicauthorityjurisdiction,orthejurisdictionofapubliccorporation),exceptwheretheagencywithjurisdictionhasgrantedexpresspermission.Section30244requiresreasonablemitigationforimpactsonpaleontologicalresourcesthatoccurasaresultofdevelopmentonpubliclands.
Local
Thepoliciesandregulationsofthecountygovernmentthataddressissuesrelatedtogeology,suchasseismichazards,slopestability,anderosion,andmineralresourcesarefoundintheAlamedaGeneralPlan,theECAP,theAlamedaCountyCodeofOrdinances,andtheAlamedaCountyStormwaterManagementPlanandaredescribedbelow.Therearenogeneralplanpoliciesrelatedtopaleontologicalresources.
Alameda County General Plan
TheSafetyElementoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlanspecifiesnumerouspoliciesandactiontomeetitsrelevantgoal,whichis,“Tominimizeriskstolivesandpropertyduetoseismicandgeologichazards.”Thesepoliciesandactionsarelistedbelow(AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency2013).
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Policies
P1.Totheextentpossible,projectsshouldbedesignedtoaccommodateseismicshakingandshouldbesitedawayfromareassubjecttohazardsinducedbyseismicshaking(landsliding,liquefaction,lurking,etc.)wheredesignmeasurestomitigatethehazardswillbeuneconomicorwillnotachieveasatisfactorydegreeofriskreduction.
P2.Structuresshouldbelocatedatanadequatedistanceawayfromactivefaulttraces,suchthatsurfacefaultingisnotanunreasonablehazard.
P3.Aspectsofalldevelopmentinhillsideareas,includinggrading,vegetationremovalanddrainage,shouldbecarefullycontrolledinordertominimizeerosion,disruptiontonaturalslopestability,andlandslidehazards.
P4.Withinareasofdemonstratedorpotentialslopeinstability,developmentshouldbeundertakenwithcautionandonlyafterexistinggeologicalandsoilconditionsareknownandconsidered.Inareassubjecttopossiblewidespreadmajorlandsliding,onlyverylowdensitydevelopmentshouldbepermitted,consistentwithsiteinvestigations;gradingintheseareasshouldberestrictedtominimalamountsrequiredtoprovideaccess.
P5.Allexistingstructuresorfeaturesofstructureswhicharehazardousintermsofdamage,threattolifeorlossofcriticalandessentialfunctionintheeventofanearthquakeshouldbe,totheextentfeasible,broughtintoconformancewithapplicableseismicandrelatedsafety(fire,toxicmaterialsstorageanduse)standardsthroughrehabilitation,reconstruction,demolition,orthereductioninoccupancylevelsorchangeinuse.
P6.TheCountyshallnotapprovenewdevelopmentinareaswithpotentialforseismicandgeologichazardsunlesstheCountycandeterminethatfeasiblemeasureswillbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialrisktoacceptablelevels,basedonsite‐specificanalysis.TheCountyshallreviewnewdevelopmentproposalsintermsoftheriskcausedbyseismicandgeologicactivity.
P7.TheCounty,priortoapprovingnewdevelopment,shallevaluatethedegreetowhichthedevelopmentcouldresultinlossoflivesorproperty,bothwithinthedevelopmentandbeyonditsboundaries,intheeventofanaturaldisaster.
P8.TheCountyshallensurethatnewmajorpublicfacilities,includingemergencyresponsefacilities(e.g.,hospitalsandfirestations),andwaterstorage,wastewatertreatmentandcommunicationsfacilities,aresitedinareasoflowgeologicrisk.
P9.Sitespecificgeologichazardassessments,conductedbyalicensedgeologist21,shallbecompletedpriortodevelopmentapprovalinareaswithlandslideandliquefactionhazardsasindicatedinFiguresS‐2andS‐4andfordevelopmentproposalssubmittedinAlquist‐PrioloZonesasindicatedinFigureS‐1,hazardstobemappedinclude:
Seismicfeatures
Landslidepotential
Liquefactionpotential
Mitigationmeasuresneededtoreducetherisktolifeandpropertyfromearthquakeinducedhazardsshouldbeincluded.
P10.Buildingsshallbedesignedandconstructedtowithstandgroundshakingforcesofaminorearthquake(1–4magnitude)withoutdamage,ofamoderate(5magnitude)earthquakewithoutstructuraldamage,andofamajorearthquake(6–8magnitude)withoutcollapseofthestructure.TheCountyshallrequirethatcriticalfacilitiesandstructures(e.g.,hospitals,emergencyoperationscenters)bedesignedandconstructedtoremainstandingandfunctionalfollowinganearthquake.
P11.AllconstructioninunincorporatedareasshallconformtotheAlamedaCountyBuildingOrdinance,whichspecifiesrequirementsforthestructuraldesignoffoundationsandotherbuildingelementswithinseismichazardareas.
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P12.Totheextentfeasible,majorinfrastructureincludingtransportation,pipelines,andwaterandnaturalgasmains,shallbedesignedtoavoidorminimizecrossingsofactivefaulttracesandtoaccommodatefaultdisplacementwithoutmajordamagethatcouldresultinlong‐termservicedisruptions.
P13.TheCountyshallencouragetheretrofittingofexistingstructuresandotherseismicallyunsafebuildingsandstructurestowithstandearthquakeground‐shaking.
P14.Inordertominimizeoff‐siteimpactsofhillsidedevelopment,newconstructiononlandslide‐proneorpotentiallyunstableslopesshallberequiredtoimplementdrainageanderosioncontrolprovisionstoavoidslopefailureandmitigatepotentialhazards.
Actions
A1.Requireallnewconstructiontomeetthemostcurrent,applicable,lateralforcerequirements.
A2.RequireapplicationsfordevelopmentwithinAlquist‐PrioloStudyZonestoincludegeologicaldatathatthesubjectpropertyisnottraversedbyanactiveorpotentiallyactivefault,orthatanadequatesetbackcanbemaintainedbetweenthefaulttraceandtheproposednewconstruction.
A3.Requiresitestobedevelopedinaccordancewithrecommendationscontainedinthesoilandgeologicinvestigationsreports.
A4.EstablishstandardsforareaspreviouslyinAlquist‐PrioloStudyZones,andeliminatedinthelastupdate.
A5.Regulate,withcollaborationfromutilityowners,theextensionofutilitylinesinfaultzones.
A6.Establish(withcollaborationfromutilityowners)andenforcedesignstandardsfortransportationfacilitiesandundergroundutilitylinestobelocatedinfaultzones.
A7.Requiresoilsand/orgeologicreportsfordevelopmentproposedinareasoferodiblesoilsandpotentialslopeinstability.
A8.Pursueprogramstoidentifyandcorrectexistingstructuralhazards,withprioritygiventohazardsincritical,essentialandhighoccupancystructuresandinstructuresbuiltpriortotheenactmentofapplicablelocalorstateearthquakedesignstandards.
A9.Supportregionalorstatewideprogramsprovidingfundingortechnicalassistancetolocalgovernmentstoallowidentificationofexistingstructuralhazardsinprivatedevelopmentandprovidingassistancetopublicandprivatesectorstofacilitateandtominimizethesocialandeconomiccostsofhazardsabatement.
A10.Continuetorequiretheupgradingofbuildingsandfacilitiestoachievecompliancewithcurrentearthquakebracingrequirementsasaconditionofgrantingbuildingpermitsformajoradditionsandrepairs.
A11.Continue,andasrequired,expandprogramstoprovidethepublicinformationregardingseismichazardsandrelatedstructuralhazards.
A12.Requiregeotechnicalstudiespriortodevelopmentapprovalingeologicand/orseismichazardareasasidentifiedbyfuturestudiesbyfederal,state,andregionalagencies.Requireorundertakecomprehensivegeologicandengineeringstudiesforcriticalstructuresregardlessoflocation.
A13.AdoptandamendasneededthemostcurrentversionoftheCaliforniaBuildingCode(CBC)toensurethatnewconstructionandrenovationprojectsincorporateEarthquake‐resistantdesignandmaterialsthatmeetorexceedthecurrentseismicengineeringstandardsoftheCBC.
A14.Periodicallyupdatedetailedguidelinesforpreparationofsite‐specificgeologichazardassessments.TheseguidelinesshallbepreparedinconsultationwiththeCountyBuildingOfficial,CountyEngineer,CountyCounselandtheCountyRiskManagerandshallensurethatsite‐specificassessmentsfordevelopmentrequiringdiscretionarypermitsarepreparedaccordingtoconsistentcriteria.
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A15.Developandimplementanearthquakeretrofitplantoreducehazardsfromearthquakes.Theplanshouldidentifyandtallytheseismicallyunsafebuildingsandstructures,includingunreinforcedmasonry,unreinforcedconcreteandsoft‐storybuildings,andrequireinspectionforthesestructures.Itshouldalsoidentifysourcesoffundingtohelpreconstructorreplaceinadequatestructuresandassisthomeownerswithearthquakeretrofitting.
A16.Onsiteswithslopesgreaterthan30percent,requirealldevelopmenttobeclusteredoutsideofthe30percentslopearea,withtheexceptionthatdevelopmentuponanyareaoutsideoftheUrbanGrowthBoundarywheretheslopeexceeds25%shallnotbepermitted.
A17.Aspectsofalldevelopmentinhillsideareas,includinggrading,vegetationremovalanddrainage,shouldbecarefullycontrolledinordertominimizeerosion,disruptiontonaturalslopestability,andlandslidehazards.TheCounty’sdevelopmentstandardsandguidelines,permitapplicationreviewprocess,Section15.08.240ofitsBuildingOrdinance,theGradingErosionandSedimentControlOrdinance(Chapter15.36oftheAlamedaCountyGeneralOrdinanceCode),theStormwaterManagementandDischargeControlOrdinance(Chapter13.08),andSubdivisionOrdinance(Title16)shallservetoimplementthispolicy.
Alameda County Code of Ordinances
IntheCodeofOrdinances,Chapter15.08,BuildingCode,theCountysetsforthrequirementsfornewconstructioninareasaffectedbyseismicandgeologichazards.ThecoderequiresthattheprojectproponentsubmitsoilandgeotechnicalreportsbeforetheCountywillpermitconstructionofafoundation.Inaddition,Chapter15.36,GradingErosionandSedimentControl,knownasthegradingordinance,setsforthrequirementsforgrading,construction,andthecontroloferosionandsedimentsinordertosafeguardhumanhealthandproperty,protectwaterways,andensurethatthegradedsiteispreparedinaccordancewiththegeneralplan.
Alameda County Stormwater Management Plan
TheAlamedaCountyCleanWaterProgram’s(ACCWP)StormwaterManagementPlanforunincorporatedAlamedaCountyisdiscussedinSection3.9,HydrologyandWaterQuality.
Alameda County East County Area Plan
TheECAPsetsforththefollowinggoals,policies,andimplementationprogramstominimizetherisksrelatedtoseismichazards(AlamedaCounty2000)andopenspace.
Hazard Zones
Goal:Tominimizetheriskstolivesandpropertyduetoenvironmentalhazards.
Policy134:TheCountyshallnotapprovenewdevelopmentinareaswithpotentialnaturalhazards(flooding,geologic,wildlandfire,orotherenvironmentalhazards)unlesstheCountycandeterminethatfeasiblemeasureswillbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialrisktoacceptablelevels,basedonsite‐specificanalysis.
Policy135:TheCounty,priortoapprovingnewdevelopment,shallevaluatethedegreetowhichthedevelopmentcouldresultinlossoflivesorproperty,bothwithinthedevelopmentandbeyonditsboundaries,intheeventofanaturaldisaster.
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Environmental Hazards
Soil and Slope Stability
Goal:Tominimizetheriskstolivesandpropertyduetosoilandslopeinstabilityhazards.
Policy307:TheCountyshallencourageZone7,cities,andagriculturalgroundwateruserstolimitthewithdrawalofgroundwaterinordertominimizethepotentialforlandsubsidence.
Policy308:TheCountyshallnotpermitdevelopmentwithinanyareaoutsidetheUrbanGrowthBoundaryexceeding25percentslopestominimizehazardsassociatedwithslopeinstability.
Seismic and Geologic Hazards
Goal:Tominimizetheriskstolivesandpropertyduetoseismicandgeologichazards.
Policy309:TheCountyshallnotapprovenewdevelopmentinareaswithpotentialforseismicandgeologichazardsunlesstheCountycandeterminethatfeasiblemeasureswillbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialrisktoacceptablelevels,basedonsite‐specificanalysis.TheCountyshallreviewnewdevelopmentproposalsintermsoftheriskcausedbyseismicandgeologicactivity.
Policy310:TheCounty,priortoapprovingnewdevelopment,shallevaluatethedegreetowhichthedevelopmentcouldresultinlossoflivesorproperty,bothwithinthedevelopmentandbeyonditsboundaries,intheeventofanaturaldisaster.
Policy311:TheCountyshallensurethatnewmajorpublicfacilities,includingemergencyresponsefacilities(e.g.,hospitalsandfirestations),andwaterstorage,wastewatertreatmentandcommunicationsfacilities,aresitedinareasoflowgeologicrisk.
Policy312:TheCountyshallensurethatmajortransportationfacilitiesandpipelinesaredesigned,totheextentfeasible,toavoidorminimizecrossingsofactivefaulttracesandtoaccommodatefaultdisplacementwithoutmajordamagethatcouldresultinlong‐termdisruptionofservice.
Policy313:TheCountyshallrequiredevelopmentinhillyareastominimizepotentialerosionanddisruptionofnaturalslopestabilitywhichcouldresultfromgrading,vegetationremoval,irrigation,anddrainage.
Policy314:TheCountyshallprohibittheconstructionofanystructureintendedforhumanoccupancywithin50feetoneithersideoftheCalaveras,Greenville,orVeronaearthquakefaultzonesasdefinedbytheAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningAct.
Policy315:TheCountyshallrequirethatbuildingsbedesignedandconstructedtowithstandgroundshakingforcesofaminorearthquakewithoutdamage,ofamoderateearthquakewithoutstructuraldamage,andofamajorearthquakewithoutcollapseofthestructure.TheCountyshallrequirethatcriticalfacilitiesandstructures(e.g.,hospitals,emergencyoperationscenters)bedesignedandconstructedtoremainstandingandfunctionalfollowinganearthquake.
ImplementationPrograms:
Program111:TheCountyshalldelineateareaswithinEastCountywherethepotentialforgeologichazards(includingseismichazards,landslides,andliquefaction)warrantspreparationofdetailedsitespecificgeologichazardassessments.Areasshallbedelineatedbasedupondatafrompublishedsourcesandfieldinvestigations.Mapsshallbemaintainedandupdatedasnewdatabecomeavailable.ThesemapsshallnotbeusedbytheCountytodeterminewherehazardousconditionsexist,butinsteadtoidentifythepresenceofconditionswhichwarrantfurtherstudy.
Program112:TheCountyshalldevelopdetailedguidelinesforpreparationofsite‐specificgeologichazardassessments.TheseguidelinesshallbepreparedinconsultationwiththeCountyBuildingOfficial,theCountyEngineer,CountyGeologist,CountyCounsel,andtheCountyRisk
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Manager,andshallensurethatsite‐specificassessmentsfordevelopmentrequiringdiscretionarypermitsarepreparedaccordingtoconsistentcriteria.
General Open Space
Goal:Toprotectregionallysignificantopenspaceandagriculturallandfromdevelopment
Policy52:TheCountyshallpreserveopenspaceareasfortheprotectionofpublichealthandsafety,provisionofrecreationalopportunities,productionofnaturalresources(e.g.,agriculture,windpower,andmineralextraction),protectionofsensitiveviewsheds,preservationofbiologicalresources,andthephysicalseparationbetweenneighboringcommunities.
Environmental Setting
Topography
TheprogramareaislocatedintheAltamontHillsintheDiabloRangeoftheCoastRanges.TheAltamontHillsaresituatedbetweentheeasternedgeofLivermoreValleyandthewesternedgeoftheSanJoaquinValley.Elevationsintheprogramarearangefromapproximately100feetabovemeansealevel(msl)onthefarnortheasternsideoftheprogramareatomorethan2,100feetabovemslinthesouth.Thetopographyintheprojectareasvariesbutoverallissteep,withgenerallymoresmooth,roundedhillsandridgesinthenorthernportionoftheprogramareaandsteeper,moresharp‐crestedterraininthesouthernportionoftheprogramarea.
Thetopographyofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.
GoldenHillsProject—ThenorthernportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaisinthemoreroundedhillsoftheprogramarea,andelevationsrangefromapproximately200to700feetabovemsl.Thesouthernportionoftheprojectareaisinthesteeperterrainoftheprogramarea,andelevationshererangefrom500tonearly1,600feetabovemsl.
PattersonPassProject—ThePattersonPassprojectareaisthecentralportionoftheprogramareainfairlysteep,sharp‐crestedterrain.Elevationsrangefromapproximately700to2,000feetabovemsl.
Geology
Regional
Theprogramareaisintheeast‐centralportionofCalifornia’sCoastRangesgeomorphicprovince(e.g.,NorrisandWebb1990:359–363;CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2002:3).TheCoastRangesprovinceischaracterizedbyenechelon(i.e.,paralleltosubparallel)northwest‐trendingmountainrangesformedbyactiveupliftrelatedtocomplextectonicsoftheSanAndreasfault/plateboundarysystem(NorrisandWebb1990:359–380).
TheeasternCoastRangesarebroadlyantiformal(i.e.,foldisconvex,witholdestgeologicunitsinthecore).Atthegenerallatitudeoftheprogramarea,theyconsistofacentralcoreofMesozoicunits—primarilytheCretaceousPanocheFormation—flankedontheeastbyanupwardyoungingsequenceofmarineandterrestrialsedimentaryunitsthatincludetheSanPabloFormation,aMiocenefanglomerate,andQuaternaryalluvialdeposits(Wagneretal.1991).
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Local
ThebedrockgeologyoftheprogramvicinityisshowninFigure3.6‐1.Graymeretal.havedividedthegeologyofAlamedaCountyintoninestratigraphicassemblages,eachofwhichisafault‐boundedblock.Twooftheseassemblages,VIandXI,occurintheprogramarea.Adescriptionoftheseassemblages,ratherthantheindividualgeologicunits,isprovidedherebecauseofthelargeextentoftheprogramarea.
AssemblageVImakesupmostoftheprogramarea.ThisassemblageisboundedbytheGreenvillefaulttothewestandtheCarnegiefaulttothesouth.ThenorthernhalfoftheassemblageismadeupoftheGreatValleySequence,whichconsistsprimarilyofsandstoneandinterbeddedsandstoneandshaleofCretaceousage.ThesouthernhalfoftheassemblageismadeupofmassivemarinesandstoneandbasalconglomerateofthelateMioceneCierboSandstone(Tc)andNerolyFormation(Tn)(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:27–30).TheCierboSandstoneisalightgraytowhite,thick‐bedded,fine‐tocoarse‐grained,moderatelyconsolidated,quartzsandstone.Insomelocationsitcontainsabundantmolluskfossils.TheNerolySandstoneisabluesandstonewithminorconglomerate(Graymeretal.1996:12).
AssemblageXIisawedge‐shapedblockinthesouthwestcorneroftheprogramarea,boundedbytheCarnegiefaulttonorthandtheGreenvillefaulttothewest.MostofthisassemblageismadeupofMiocenesedimentarydeposits,primarilytheNerolysandstoneandTeslaFormation.TheTeslaFormationisamarinetobrackishwatersandstone.TheextremesouthernedgeoftheassemblageintheprogramareaismadeupthesandstonesoftheGreatValleySequence(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:27–30).
Thegeologyofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.
GoldenHillsProject—InthenorthernportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectarea,thegeologicunitexposedatthesurfaceisaCretaceoussandstone(KdonFigure3.6‐1).Inthesouthernportionoftheprojectarea,theunitsexposedareaCretaceousshaleinthecenter(Kcu),theCretaceoussandstone(Kd)tothewestandeastoftheshale,theMioceneCierbosandstone(Tc)tothewestandeastoftheCretaceoussandstone,andtheMioceneNerolyFormation(Tn)ontheeasternedgeoftheCierboSandstone.
PattersonPassProject—ThegeologicunitsexposedatthesurfaceinthePattersonPassprojectareaaretheCretaceousshale(KcuonFigure3.6‐1)tothenorth,theMioceneCierboSandstone(Tc)inthecenter,andtheMioceneNerolyFormation(Tn)tothesouth.
Seismicity
Primary Seismic Hazards
TheStateofCaliforniaconsiderstwoaspectsofearthquakeeventsasprimaryseismichazards:surfacefaultrupture(i.e.,visualdisruptionoftheEarth’ssurfaceasaresultoffaultactivity)andseismicgroundshaking.
Surface Fault Rupture
Thereisariskofsurfaceruptureintheprogramareabecausetwoactivefaults(theMarshCreeksectionoftheGreenvillefaultzoneandtheCorralHollow‐Carnegiefaultzone)occurintheprogramarea.Inaddition,anotheractivefault(theLosPositasfault)isjustwestoftheprogramarea.AlamedaCountyisinaseismicallyactiveregionandAlquist‐Prioloearthquakefaultzonemapshave
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beenpreparedformuchofthecounty(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2007).Oneofthesemapscoversthewesternportionoftheprogramarea,whichisinanAlquist‐Prioloearthquakefaultzone.Twoactivefaultshavebeenmappedaspartofthisstudy:theGreenvillefaultzone(CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology1982),specificallytheMarshCreek‐Greenvillesection,andtheLosPositasfault(Figure3.6‐2).TheGreenvillefaultzoneisanorthwesttrendingstrike‐slipfaultzonethatisapproximately30mileslong,extendingfromtheTassajaraquadrangle(justnorthofLivermorequadrangle)totheEylarquadrangle(inSantaClaraCounty)alongthewesternsideoftheDiabloRange(CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology1981:3;BryantandCluett2002:1;CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2007).TheMarshCreeksectionoftheGreenvillefaultoccursonthewesternedgeoftheprogramarea.Thefaultisactive,withsomesegmentshavingbeenactivehistorically(includingportionsthatshowedminorruptureduringtheLivermoreValleyquakein1980)andothersegmentsactiveinthelast11,000to15,000years(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2010;BryantandCluett2002:1)(Figure3.6‐2).TheLosPositasfaultisaneast‐westtrendingfaultjustwestoftheAPWRAthathasbeenactiveinthelast200years(CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology1981).
ThethirdactivefaultintheprogramareaistheCorralHollow‐Carnegiefaultzone,portionsofwhichhavebeenactiveinthelast15,000years(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2010;U.S.GeologicalSurvey2013a)(Figure3.6‐2).
ItshouldalsobenotedthattheMidwayfaultextendsthroughtheeasternedgeoftheprogramarea.AlthoughtheU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS)QuaternaryFaultDatabase(2013b)andCaliforniaGeologicalSurvey(2010)designatethisfaultaspotentiallyactive(i.e.,experiencedmovementinthelast130,000years),ratherthanactive(i.e.,experiencedmovementinthelast11,000years),workconductedbyUnruhandKrug(2007:17)fortheUSGSconcluded“thattheMidwayfaultisanactivestructurethatprimarilyaccommodatesstrike‐slipdisplacement.”
Thesurfacefaultrupturepotentialofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.
GoldenHillsProject—AlthoughnoportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaiswithinanAlquist‐Prioloearthquakefaultzoneornearasegmentofafaultdesignatedasactive,aportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareadoesoverlieasegmentoftheCorralHollow‐CarnegiefaultzonedesignatedasQuaternaryundifferentiated(i.e.,thedateofthemostrecentrupturehasnotbeendetermined)(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2010)(Figure3.6‐2).Thisoccursatthenorthernendofthefaulttrace.TheMarshCreeksectionoftheGreenvillefaultzoneisneartheGoldenHillsprojectarea,buttheprojectareadoesnotcrossorcomewithin50feetofthisfaultzone.
PattersonPassProject—NoportionofthePattersonPassprojectareaislocatednearaQuaternaryfaulttrace.
Seismic Ground Shaking
Unlikesurfacerupture,groundshakingisnotconfinedtothetraceofafault,butrathergroundshakingpropagatesintothesurroundingareasduringanearthquake.Theintensityofgroundshakingtypicallydiminisheswithdistancefromthefault,butgroundshakingmaybelocallyamplifiedand/orprolongedbysometypesofsubstratematerials.Thesefactorsareusedtomaptheprobabilisticshakinghazardsthroughoutthestate.
Basedontheprobabilisticseismichazardmap,whichdepictsthepeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesexceededata10%probabilityin50years(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2003;Caoetal.2003),theprobabilisticpeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesfortheprogramarea
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rangefrom0.2gto0.5g(wheregequalstheaccelerationofgravity)(Figure3.6‐3).Asapointofcomparison,probabilisticpeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesfortheSanFranciscoBayArearangefrom0.4gtomorethan0.8g.Theaccelerationvaluefortheprogramareaindicatesamoderateground‐shakinghazard(Figure3.6‐3).
ThemainsourceofstronggroundshakingistheGreenvillefaultzone,whichhasexperiencedmovementasrecentlyas1980duringtheLivermoreValleyearthquake(Figure3.6‐2).TheGreenvillefaultzoneextendsalongtheeasternedgeoftheLivermoreValleyandisconsideredtobepartofthelargerSanAndreasfaultsystem(BryantandCluett2002:1).OtheractivefaultsintheprojectvicinityincludetheHayward‐RogersCreekfault,theLosPositasfault(associatedwiththeGreenvillefault),andtheCalaverasfault.
Theseismicground‐shakingpotentialofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.
GoldenHillsProject—TheprobabilisticpeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesfortheGoldenHillsprojectarearangefrom0.2gto0.5g—thesameasfortheentireprogramarea.
PattersonPassProject—TheprobabilisticpeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesforthePattersonPassprojectareaalsorangefrom0.2gto0.5g,withmostoftheprojectareainthehigherendoftheshakingintensityrange.
Secondary Seismic Hazards
Secondaryseismichazardsareseismicallyinducedlandslide,liquefaction,andrelatedtypesofgroundfailureevents.AsdiscussedinRegulatorySettinginSection3.6.1,ExistingConditions,theStateofCaliforniamapsareasthataresubjecttosecondaryseismichazardspursuanttotheSeismicHazardsMappingAct.Thesehazardsareaddressedbrieflybelowbasedonavailableinformation.
Landslide and Other Slope Stability Hazards
Severalsquaremilesonthewesternsideoftheprogramareaareinearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzones(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a,2000b)(Figure3.6‐4).ThesezonesaredesignatedasaZoneofRequiredInvestigationforlandslidehazardbytheStateofCalifornia.
AccordingtotheCaliforniaGeologicalSurvey(2009b:Section2,page25):
Earthquake‐inducedlandslidezonemapsareintendedtopromptmoredetailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationsasrequiredbytheAct.Assuch,thesezonemapsidentifyareaswherethepotentialforearthquake‐inducedlandslidesisrelativelyhigh.Duetolimitationsinmethodology,itshouldbenotedthatthesezonemapsdonotnecessarilycaptureallpotentialearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazards.Earthquake‐inducedgroundfailuresthatarenotaddressedbythismapincludethoseassociatedwithridge‐topspreadingandshatteredridges.Itshouldalsobenotedthatnoattempthasbeenmadetomappotentialrun‐outareasoftriggeredlandslides.Itispossiblethatrunoutareasextendbeyondthezoneboundaries.
Thelandslidezonestendtobeconcentratedinareaswheretheslopesaresteeperand/orrockstrengthsareweaker.NumeroushistoricallyactivelandslidesoccuralongtheGreenvillefault.ManyofthemoderatetolargerockslidesareunderlainbytheMioceneunitsoftheNerolySandstone(Tn),OroLomaFormation(Tol),andTeslaFormation(Tte),andalsotheCierboSandstone(Tc)buttoalesserextent.Steepslopesandproximitytofaultsappeartobethepredominantcausesoflandslidinginthearea(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:vandSection2,pages31–32).
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Althoughtheremainderoftheprogramareaisnotinanearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzone(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2007),severalfactorsmakeslopeinstability(bothseismicallyandnonseismicallyinduced)aconcerninthisarea.Thesefactorsincludethesteeptopography,thepotentialformoderategroundshaking,andtheproximitytoareasdesignatedaslandslidehazardzones.Inaddition,slopestabilityrelatedtoprecipitationisalsofactorintheprogramarea(seeSlopeStability[Nonseismic‐Related]below).
Liquefaction and Related Ground Failure
Liquefactionistheprocessinwhichsoilsandsedimentsloseshearstrengthandfailduringseismicgroundshaking.Thevibrationcausedbyanearthquakecanincreaseporepressureinsaturatedmaterials.Iftheporepressureisraisedtobeequivalenttotheloadpressure,thiscausesatemporarylossofshearstrength,allowingthematerialtoflowasafluid.Thistemporaryconditioncanresultinseveresettlementoffoundationsandslopefailure.Thesusceptibilityofanareatoliquefactionisdeterminedlargelybythedepthtogroundwaterandtheproperties(e.g.,grainsize,density,degreeofconsolidation)ofthesoilandsedimentwithinandabovethegroundwater.Thesedimentsmostsusceptibletoliquefactionaresaturated,unconsolidatedsandandsiltwithin40feetofthegroundsurface.AccordingtotheCGSreportpreparedfortheadjacentAltamontquadrangle,CGSevaluationsfocusonareascoveredbyQuaternary(lessthanabout1.6millionyears)sedimentarydeposits(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:Section1,pages2–4).Improperlycompactedartificialfillmayalsobesusceptibletoliquefaction.
Althoughaportionoftheprogramareaisinaseismichazardzone(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2007),noliquefactionhazardzonesaremappedintheprogramarea(Figure3.6‐4).Becausethedepthtogroundwaterinthefoothills,whichareoutsidethegroundwaterbasin,isgenerallygreaterthan60feet(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:Section1,page9),theliquefactionhazardintheprogramareaislikelylow.Inaddition,theagesoftherockunitsintheAPWRAaregenerallyTertiaryandCretaceous,whichareolderthanmostliquefiablesediments.However,landslidedepositsmaybelessconsolidatedand,therefore,moresusceptibletoliquefaction.
Othertypesofgroundfailurerelatedtoliquefactionincludelateralspreadinganddifferentialsettlement.Lateralspreadingisafailureofsoil/sedimentwithinanearlyhorizontalzonethatcausesthesoiltomovetowardafreeface(suchasastreambankorcanal)ordownagentleslope.Lateralspreadingcanoccuronslopesasgentleas0.5%.Evenarelativelythinlayerofliquefiablesedimentcancreateplanesofweaknessthatcouldcausecontinuouslateralspreadingoverlargeareas(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2008:36).
Thepotentialforlateralspreadingintheprojectareaisunknown.
Differentialsettlement—theunevensettlingofsoil—isthemostcommonfilldisplacementhazard(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2008:56).Thepotentialfordifferentialsettlementisunknownbecauseitsdeterminationrequiressite‐specifictesting.
Slope Stability (Nonseismic‐Related)
Nonseismic‐relatedlandslidingiscommonintheAPWRA.
In1998,heavyrainfallcausedwidespreadlandslidinginthe10‐countySanFranciscoBayregion.Asaresult,USGSgeologistsconductedalandslideinventoryoftheaffectedcounties,includingAlamedaCounty.Figure3.6‐5showsthelandslidesthatweremappedinandneartheprogramarea,includingoneverynearthePattersonPassprojectarea.However,becauseoftheextentofthelandsliding,
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onlylandslidesassociatedwithdamagetothebuiltenvironmentweremapped(U.S.GeologicalSurvey1999:2andmap).Becausetheprogramareaisinaruralarea,manylandslidesarenotshown.
Inaddition,thewideextentoflandslidinginandaroundtheprogramareaisfurtherexemplifiedbytheomissionoflandslidesfromthebedrockgeologicmapofAlamedaCounty“becausetheyaresonumeroustheywouldconcealmuchoftheinformationonbedrockgeology”(Graymeretal.1996:6).
Soils
Becausetheprogramareaislarge,thesoilsarebestdescribedatalandscapescale,ratherthanatadetailedscale.NaturalResourcesConservationServicemapssoilsatalandscapescalebymappingsoilassociations.Soilassociationsaregroupingsofindividualsoilsthatoccurtogetherinarepeatingpatternonthelandscapeandaretypicallynamedafterthetwoorthreedominantsoilseries.
Severalsoilassociationsoccurintheprogramarea(Figure3.6‐6).Table3.6‐1summarizesimportantissuesofconcernrelatedtosuitabilityforconstruction.Theprimaryissueofconcernistheshrink‐swellpotentialofthesoils(i.e.,linearextensibilityorexpansiveness).ManyofthesoilsthatmakeuptheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation,whichoccursovermostoftheprogramarea,haveahighshrink‐swellpotential.Severalotherminorsoilassociationsalsohaveahighshrink‐swellpotential.
Thesoilassociationsofthetwoprojectareasaresummarizedbelow.
GoldenHillsProject—AlloftheGoldenHillsprojectareaisunderlainbytheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.AsdescribedinTable3.6‐1,twoconstructionissuesassociatedwiththesoilsinthisassociationarehighshrink‐swellpotentialandsusceptibilitytowatererosion.
PattersonPassProject—MuchofthePattersonPassprojectareaisalsounderlainbytheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.Inaddition,thesoutheasternportionoftheprojectareaisunderlainbytheCarbona‐Callasoilassociation.Somesoilsinthisassociationhaveahighshrink‐swellpotential(Table3.6‐1).
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Table 3.6‐1. General Characteristics of Soil Associations in the Program Area
MapSymbol SoilAssociation LocationandCharacteristics
s697 SanYsidro‐Rincon Occursinnortheastcornerofprogramarea.Somesoilsinthisassociationaresusceptibletowinderosion.
s694 Fontana‐Diablo‐Altamont
Dominantsoilassociationinprogramarea;occursovermostofthearea.Mostsoilsinthisassociationhaveahighshrink‐swellpotential.Somesoilsinthisassociationhaveahighersusceptibilitytowatererosion.
s863 Carbona‐Capay‐Calla
Occursintheeast‐centraledgeofprogramarea.Allsoilsinthisassociationhaveamoderatetohighshrink‐swellpotential.
s864 Carbona‐Calla Occursintheeast‐centralportionofprogramarea.Mostsoilsinthisassociationhaveamoderatetoveryhighshrink‐swellpotential.
s792 Wisflat‐Badland‐Arburua
Smallareaoccursinthesoutheastedgeofprogramarea.Severalsoilsinthisassociationhaveahighshrink‐swellpotential.Somesoilsinthisassociationhaveahighersusceptibilitytowatererosion.
s892 Vallecitos‐Honker‐Gonzaga‐Franciscan
Smallareaoccursinthesouthedgeofprogramarea.Mostsoilsinthisassociationhaveamoderatetohighshrink‐swellpotential.
s970 Vallecitos‐Parrish‐LosGatos‐Gaviota
Smallareaoccursinthesouthwestedgeofprogramarea.Mostsoilsinthisassociationhaveamoderatetohighshrink‐swellpotential.
Source:NaturalResourcesConservationService2006.
Mineral Resources
Therearenoknownmineralresourcesintheprogramarea.AccordingtotheCaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeologylandclassificationmappreparedfortheSouthSanFranciscoBayProduction‐Consumption(P‐C)Region,whichincludesAlamedaCounty,therenoareasdesignatedasMRZ‐2(Kohler‐Antablin1996:viiiandPlate17).Nominingisknowntooccurinthearea.Inaddition,thegeneralplandoesnotidentifymineralresourcesintheprogramarea.
Paleontological Resources
Paleontologicalsensitivityisaqualitativeassessmentbasedonthepaleontologicalpotentialofthestratigraphicunitspresent,thelocalgeologyandgeomorphology,andotherfactorsrelevanttofossilpreservationandpotentialyield.AccordingtotheSocietyofVertebratePaleontology(SVP)(2010),standardguidelinesforsensitivityare(1)thepotentialforageologicalunittoyieldabundantorsignificantvertebratefossilsortoyieldafewsignificantfossils,largeorsmall,vertebrate,invertebrate,orpaleobotanicalremainsand(2)theimportanceofrecoveredevidencefornewandsignificanttaxonomic,phylogenetic,paleoecological,orstratigraphicdata(Table3.6‐2).
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Table 3.6‐2. Paleontological Sensitivity Ratings
Potential Definition
High Rockunitsfromwhichvertebrateorsignificantinvertebrate,plant,ortracefossilshavebeenrecoveredareconsideredtohaveahighpotentialforcontainingadditionalsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesPaleontologicalpotentialconsistsofboth(a)thepotentialforyieldingabundantorsignificantvertebratefossilsorforyieldingafewsignificantfossils,largeorsmall,vertebrate,invertebrate,plant,ortracefossilsand(b)theimportanceofrecoveredevidencefornewandsignificanttaxonomic,phylogenetic,paleoecologic,taphonomic,biochronologic,orstratigraphicdata.
Undetermined Rockunitsforwhichlittleinformationisavailableconcerningtheirpaleontologicalcontent,geologicage,anddepositionalenvironmentareconsideredtohaveundeterminedpotential.Furtherstudyisnecessarytodetermineiftheserockunitshavehighorlowpotentialtocontainsignificantpaleontologicalresources.
Low Reportsinthepaleontologicalliteratureorfieldsurveysbyaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistmayallowdeterminationthatsomerockunitshavelowpotentialforyieldingsignificantfossils.Suchrockunitswillbepoorlyrepresentedbyfossilspecimensininstitutionalcollections,orbasedongeneralscientificconsensus,willonlypreservefossilsinrarecircumstancesandthepresenceoffossilsistheexceptionnottherule.
No Somerockunits,suchashigh‐grademetamorphicrocks(suchasgneissesandschists)andplutonicigneousrocks(suchasgranitesanddiorites),havenopotentialtocontainsignificantpaleontologicalresources.Rockunitswithnopotentialrequireneitherprotectionnorimpactmitigationmeasuresrelativetopaleontologicalresources.
Source:SocietyofVertebratePaleontology2010.
Becauseofthelargeareaoftheprogramareaandthemanygeologicunitsthatoccurinthatarea,itisnotpossibletomakeadeterminationofthesensitivityforpaleontologicalresourcesofeachunit.However,mostofthegeologicunitsintheAPWRAarelikelyhighlysensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,basedprimarilyonrocktype.BothassemblagesintheAPWRA(seediscussionunderGeology)aremadeupofsedimentaryrocks,suchassandstoneandshale.Theserocks,ingeneral,haveahighpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresources.Inaddition,someoftheseunitsareknowntocontainfossils.Forexample,theUniversityofCaliforniaMuseumofPaleontology(UCMP)databasecontainsfourrecordsofmammalfossilsintheNerolyFormation(UniversityofCaliforniaMuseumofPaleontology2013a).AnotherexampleistheGreatValleySequence,whichcontainsunitswithadiverseassemblageofinvertebrates,plusmarinereptilesandnumeroustypesofplants(PaleoPortal2013).
ItshouldalsobenotedthattheUCMPdatabasecontains1,241recordsofvertebratefossilsinAlamedaCounty.However,mostoftheserecordsarefromgeologicunitsnotfoundintheprogramarea.(UniversityofCaliforniaMuseumofPaleontology2013b).
Thepaleontologicalresourcesofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.
GoldenHillsProject—TheGoldenHillsprojectareaisunderlainbyCretaceousandMiocenesedimentaryunitswithpotentialtocontainsensitivepaleontologicalresources.TheseunitsincludeCretaceoussandstoneandshale(KdandKcuonFigure3.6‐1),theMioceneCierboSandstone(Tc),andtheMioceneNerolyFormation(Tn).
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PattersonPassProject—ThePattersonPassprojectareaisalsounderlainbyCretaceousandMiocenesedimentaryunitswithpotentialtocontainsensitivepaleontologicalresources.TheseunitsincludeCretaceousshale(KcuonFigure3.6‐1),theMioceneCierboSandstone(Tc),andtheMioceneNerolyFormation(Tn).
3.6.2 Environmental Impacts
Theimpactsassociatedwiththeexposureoftheprogramandtwoindividualprojectstotheexistingknowngeologicandsoilhazards,mineralresources,andpaleontologicalresourcesarediscussedbelow.Mitigationmeasuresareprovided,whereappropriate.
Methods for Analysis
Evaluationofthegeologyandsoilimpactsinthissectionisbasedoninformationfrompublishedmaps,reports,andotherdocumentsthatdescribethegeologic,seismic,soil,andmineralresourceconditionsoftheprogramarea,andonprofessionaljudgment.TheanalysisassumesthattheprojectproponentswillconformtothelatestCBSCstandards,countygeneralplanseismicsafetystandards,countygradingordinance,andNPDESrequirements.
TheprimarysourceofinformationusedindevelopingthepaleontologicalresourcessectionisthepaleontologicaldatabaseattheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley.Effectsonpaleontologicalresourceswereanalyzedqualitativelyonalarge‐scalelevel,basedonprofessionaljudgmentandtheSVPguidelinesbelow.
SVP’sStandardProceduresfortheAssessmentandMitigationofAdverseImpactstoPaleontologicalResourcesprovidesstandardguidelinesthatarewidelyfollowed(SocietyofVertebratePaleontology2010).Theseguidelinesreflecttheacceptedstandardofcareforpaleontologicalresources.TheSVPguidelinesidentifytwokeyphasesintheprocessforprotectingpaleontologicalresourcesfromprojectimpacts.
Assessthelikelihoodthattheareacontainssignificantnonrenewablepaleontologicalresourcesthatcouldbedirectlyorindirectlyimpacted,damaged,ordestroyedasaresultoftheproject.
Formulateandimplementmeasurestomitigatepotentialadverseimpacts.
AnimportantstrengthofSVP’sapproachtoassessingpotentialimpactsonpaleontologicalresourcesisthattheSVPguidelinesprovidesomestandardizationinevaluatingpaleontologicalsensitivity.Table3.6‐3definestheSVP’ssensitivitycategoriesforpaleontologicalresourcesandsummarizesSVP’srecommendedtreatmentstoavoidadverseeffectsineachsensitivitycategory.
Nonewfieldwork,research,orengineeringleveldesignwasconductedforthepreparationofthisEIR.
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Table 3.6‐3. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology’s Recommended Treatment for Paleontological Resources
SensitivityCategory MitigationTreatment
HighorUndetermined
Anintensivefieldsurveyandsurfacesalvagepriortoearthmoving,ifapplicable.
Monitoringbyaqualifiedpaleontologicalresourcemonitorofexcavations.
Salvageofunearthedfossilremainsand/ortraces(e.g.,tracks,trails,burrows).
Screenwashingtorecoversmallspecimens,ifapplicable.
Preliminarysurveyandsurfacesalvagebeforeconstructionbegins.
Preparationofsalvagedfossilstoapointofbeingreadyforcuration(i.e.,removalofenclosingmatrix,stabilizationandrepairofspecimens,andconstructionofreinforcedsupportcradleswhereappropriate).
Identification,cataloging,curation,andprovisionforrepositorystorageofpreparedfossilspecimens.
Afinalreportofthefindsandtheirsignificance.
Loworno Rockunitswithlowornopotentialtypicallywillnotrequireimpactmitigationmeasurestoprotectfossils.
Source:SocietyofVertebratePaleontology2010.
Determination of Significance
InaccordancewithAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelines,programAlternative1,programAlternative2,theGoldenHillsproject,orthePattersonPassprojectwouldbeconsideredtohaveasignificanteffectifitwouldresultinanyoftheconditionslistedbelow.
Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvinganyofthefollowing.
Ruptureofaknownearthquakefault,asdelineatedonthemostrecentAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningMapissuedbytheStateGeologistfortheareaorbasedonothersubstantialevidenceofaknownfault.(RefertoDivisionofMinesandGeologySpecialPublication42).
Strongseismicgroundshaking.
Seismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includingliquefaction.
Landslides.
Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil.
Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty.
Havesoilsincapableofadequatelysupportingtheuseofseptictanksoralternativewastewaterdisposalsystemsinareaswheresewersarenotavailableforthedisposalofwastewater?
Resultinthelossofavailabilityofaknownmineralresourcethatwouldbeofvaluetotheregionandtheresidentsofthestate.
Resultinthelossofavailabilityofalocallyimportantmineralresourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplan,orotherlanduseplan.
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Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature.
Theprogramwouldnotincludeinstallationofsepticsystemsoralternativewastewaterdisposal.ThereforethistopicwasdismissedfromfurtherdiscussionduringthescopingperiodandthereisnoneedtoaddressimpactsrelatedtothisCEQAchecklistcriterion.
Inaddition,theprogramwouldnotaffectmineralresourcesbecausetherearenoknownmineralresourcesintheprogramareaandnominingisknowntooccurinthearea.Therefore,thereisnoneedtoaddressimpactsrelatedtothisCEQAchecklistcriterion.
Impacts and Mitigation Measures
ImpactGEO‐1a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Placementofaturbineorpowercollectionsystemonornearafaultcouldresultindamageordestructionoftheturbine.Ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Twoactivefaults,twoofwhicharezonedundertheAlquist‐PrioloAct,arepresentintheprogramarea.Inaddition,athird,theMidwayfault,thoughdesignatedonlyaspotentiallyactive,alsooccursintheprogramarea.Ruptureofafaultandthesubsequentdamageandharmthatcouldresultwouldbeasignificantimpact.
AportionoftheGreenvillefaultzoneintheprogramareaisaSpecialStudiesZone;however,becausetheturbinesarenotdesignedforhumanoccupancy,theyarenotregulatedbytheAlquist‐PrioloAct.TheCountywouldneverthelessrequiregeotechnicalinvestigationbeforetheCountyapprovesconstructionneartheGreenvilleandCorralHollow‐Carnegiefaultzonesbecausetheyaredesignatedasactivebythestate.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissuesandmaynotapplytotheMidwayfault,whichisdesignatedaspotentiallyactivebythestate.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldbelocatedonornearafaulttracethatrupturesandcausesdamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
Priortoconstructionactivitiesatanysite,theprojectproponentwillretainageotechnicalfirmwithlocalexpertiseingeotechnicalinvestigationanddesigntoprepareasite‐specificgeotechnicalreport.ThisreportwillbepreparedbyalicensedgeotechnicalengineerorengineeringgeologistandwillbesubmittedtotheCountybuildingdepartmentaspartoftheapprovalprocess.Thisreportwillbebasedondatacollectedfromsubsurfaceexploration,laboratorytestingofsamples,andsurfacemappingandwilladdressthefollowingissues.
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Potentialforsurfacefaultruptureandturbinesitelocation:ThegeotechnicalreportwillinvestigatetheGreenville,CorralHollow‐Carnegie,andtheMidwayfaults(asappropriatetothelocation)anddeterminewhethertheyposeariskofsurfacerupture.Turbinefoundationsandpowercollectionsystemswillbesitedaccordingtorecommendationsinthisreport.
Stronggroundshaking:Thegeotechnicalreportwillanalyzethepotentialforstronggroundshakinginprojectareaandprovideturbinefoundationdesignrecommendations,aswellasrecommendationsforpowercollectionsystems.
Slopefailure:Thegeotechnicalreportwillinvestigatethepotentialforslopefailure(bothseismicallyandnonseismicallyinduced)anddevelopsite‐specificturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemplansengineeredfortheterrain,rockandsoiltypes,andotherconditionspresentattheprogramareainordertoprovidelong‐termstability.
Expansivesoils:Thegeotechnicalreportwillassessthesoiltypesintheprogramareaanddeterminethebestengineeringdesignstoaccommodatethesoilconditions.
Unstablecutorfillslopes:Thegeotechnicalreportwilladdressgeologichazardsrelatedtothepotentialforgradingtocreateunstablecutorfillslopesandmakesite‐specificrecommendationsrelatedtodesignandengineering.
ImpactGEO‐1a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Placementofaturbineorpowercollectionsystemonornearafaultcouldresultindamageordestructionoftheturbine.Ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Twoactivefaults,twoofwhicharezonedundertheAlquist‐PrioloAct,arepresentintheprogramarea.Inaddition,athird,theMidwayfault,thoughdesignatedonlyaspotentiallyactive,alsooccursintheprogramarea.Ruptureofafaultandthesubsequentdamageandharmthatcouldresultwouldbeasignificantimpact.
AportionoftheGreenvillefaultzoneintheprogramareaisaSpecialStudiesZone;however,becausetheturbinesarenotdesignedforhumanoccupancy,theyarenotregulatedbytheAlquist‐PrioloAct.TheCountywouldneverthelessrequiregeotechnicalinvestigationbeforetheCountyapprovesconstructionneartheGreenvilleandCorralHollow‐Carnegiefaultzonesbecausetheyaredesignatedasactivebythestate.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissuesandmaynotapplytotheMidwayfault,whichisdesignatedaspotentiallyactivebythestate.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldbelocatedonornearafaulttracethatrupturesandcausesdamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
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ImpactGEO‐1b:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Placementofaturbineorpowercollectionsystemonornearafaultcouldresultindamageordestructionoftheturbine.Ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
AportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaoverliesasegmentoftheCorralHollow‐CarnegiefaultzonedesignatedasQuaternaryundifferentiated(i.e.,thedateofthemostrecentrupturehasnotbeendetermined).AsdiscussedunderImpactGEO‐1a‐1andGEO‐1a‐2,ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldbelocatedonornearafaulttracethatrupturesandcausesdamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐1c:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)
Placementofaturbineorpowercollectionsystemonornearafaultcouldresultindamageordestructionoftheturbine.Ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
TherearenoactivefaulttracesinornearthePattersonPassprojectarea.Therefore,constructionoftheprojectwouldbeunlikelytoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffectsasaresultofruptureofaknownfault.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.Nomitigationisrequired.
ImpactGEO‐2a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencestronggroundshakingcouldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationswerenotproperlydesignedtowithstandtheappropriatelevelofgroundshaking,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowers.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
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Theprogramareaisinaseismicallyactivearea,withthepotentialformoderatelystronggroundshakingfromsourcessuchastheGreenvillefaultandtheCalaverasfault.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfrommoderatelystronggroundshakingwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailduringstronggroundshakingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐2a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencestronggroundshakingcouldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationswerenotproperlydesignedtowithstandtheappropriatelevelofgroundshaking,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowers.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Theprogramareaisinaseismicallyactivearea,withthepotentialformoderatelystronggroundshakingfromsourcessuchastheGreenvillefaultandtheCalaverasfault.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfrommoderatelystronggroundshakingwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailduringstronggroundshakingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐2b:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencestronggroundshakingcouldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationswerenotproperlydesignedtowithstandtheappropriatelevelofgroundshaking,they
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couldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowers.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
TherangeofshakingintensityintheGoldenHillsprojectareaextendsacrossallshakingintensitiesexperiencedintheprogramarea,fromlowtohigh.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfrommoderatelystronggroundshakingwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailduringstronggroundshakingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
ImplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐2c:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencestronggroundshakingcouldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationswerenotproperlydesignedtowithstandtheappropriatelevelofgroundshaking,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowers.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
TherangeofshakingintensityinthePattersonPassprojectareaisonthehigherendofshakingintensitiesexperiencedintheprogramarea.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfrommoderatelystronggroundshakingwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailduringstronggroundshakingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
ImplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
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ImpactGEO‐3a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperienceseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,suchaslandsliding,liquefaction,lateralspread,anddifferentialsettlement,couldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Theprogramareaisknowntobesusceptibletoearthquake‐inducedlandslidingandthesouthwesternportionoftheprogramareaisinastate‐designatedearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzone(Figure3.6‐4).Inaddition,althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedgroundfailureissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐3a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperienceseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,suchaslandsliding,liquefaction,lateralspread,anddifferentialsettlement,couldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Theprogramareaisknowntobesusceptibletoearthquake‐inducedlandslidingandthesouthwesternportionoftheprogramareaisinastate‐designatedearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzone(Figure3.6‐4).Inaddition,althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateral
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spreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedgroundfailureissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐3b:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperienceseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,suchaslandsliding,liquefaction,lateralspread,anddifferentialsettlement,couldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentattheprojectarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
ThesouthwesternportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaisinastate‐designatedearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzoneandtheremainingareaisinanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding(Figure3.6‐4).Inaddition,althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedgroundfailureissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
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ImpactGEO‐3c:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperienceseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,suchaslandsliding,liquefaction,lateralspread,anddifferentialsettlement,couldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentattheprojectarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
ThePattersonPassprojectareaisinanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Inaddition,althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedgroundfailureissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐4a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Inadditiontotheseismic‐relatedgroundfailuredescribedinImpactGEO‐3a‐1andGEO‐3a‐2,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenonseismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedforthelandslidingconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Theprogramareaisinsteep,hillyterraininanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandslidingwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedlandslidingissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationor
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collectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandslidingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐4a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Inadditiontotheseismic‐relatedgroundfailuredescribedinImpactGEO‐3a‐1andGEO‐3a‐2,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenonseismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedforthelandslidingconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Theprogramareaisinsteep,hillyterraininanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandslidingwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedlandslidingissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandslidingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐4b:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Inadditiontotheseismic‐relatedgroundfailuredescribedinimpactGEO‐3b,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenonseismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedforthelandslidingconditionspresentattheprojectarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
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Theprogramarea,includingtheGoldenHillsprojectarea,isinsteep,hillyterraininanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandslidingwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedlandslidingissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandslidingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐4c:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathasaresultoflandsliding—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Inadditiontotheseismic‐relatedgroundfailuredescribedinimpactGEO‐3c,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenonseismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedforthelandslidingconditionspresentattheprojectarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Theprogramarea,includingthePattersonPassprojectarea,isinsteep,hillyterraininanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandslidingwouldbeasignificantimpact.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedlandslidingissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandslidingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐5a‐1:Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)
Ground‐disturbingearthworkassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedprogrammayincreasesoilerosionrates.Theseactivities,whichincludeexcavation,grading,trenching,compaction,and
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roadwidening,wouldcausesurfacedisturbanceandvegetationremovalduringturbinefoundationconstructionandpowercollectionsystemandcommunicationlinesinstallationand,toalesserextent,duringpreparationanddecommissioningofthestagingareas.Asaresult,soilwouldbeexposedtorainandwind,potentiallycausingacceleratederosion,therebyresultinginsignificantimpacts.Inaddition,ifdecommissionedsiteswereleftunvegetated,thebaregroundcouldbeexposedtoacceleratederosion.
Mostsoilsintheprogramareaarecoveredbygrasses.Mostunvegetatedareasareassociatedwithroads.
Toaddressconstruction‐relatederosion,anapprovedSWPPP,asrequiredbytheapplicableRegionalWaterBoard,isrequiredwhenaprojectinvolves1acreormoreofdisturbance.ASWPPPspecifiesBMPsthatwouldpreventconstructionpollutantsfromcontactingstormwaterwiththeintentofkeepingallproductsoferosionfrommovingoffsiteintoreceivingwaters.Compliancewiththefederalandlocalerosion‐relatedregulationsapplicabletotheproposedprogram(i.e.,theSWPPPthatisdevelopedforthesiteandtherequirementsofthecounty’sStormwaterQualityManagementPlan)wouldensurethattheconstructionactivitiesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
Toaddresserosionofdecommissionedsites,asdescribedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,decommissionedsiteswillberegradedandseededtopreprojectconditions(unlessleavingcertainroadwaysorfootingsisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval).TheprojectapplicantswilldevelopareclamationplanincoordinationwiththeCounty,USFWS,andCDFW.ThereclamationplanwillbecompletedandapprovedbytheCounty6monthsinadvanceofprojectdecommissioning.Compliancewiththereclamationplanwouldensurethatdecommissionedsitesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactGEO‐5a‐2:Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)
Ground‐disturbingearthworkassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedprogrammayincreasesoilerosionrates.Theseactivities,whichincludeexcavation,grading,trenching,compaction,androadwidening,wouldcausesurfacedisturbanceandvegetationremovalduringturbinefoundationconstructionandpowercollectionsystemandcommunicationlinesinstallationand,toalesserextent,duringpreparationanddecommissioningofthestagingareas.Asaresult,soilwouldbeexposedtorainandwind,potentiallycausingacceleratederosion,therebyresultinginsignificantimpacts.
Mostsoilsintheprogramareaarecoveredbygrasses.Mostunvegetatedareasareassociatedwithroads.
AnapprovedSWPPP,asrequiredbytheapplicableRegionalWaterBoard,isrequiredwhenaprojectinvolves1acreormoreofdisturbance.ASWPPPspecifiesBMPsthatwouldpreventconstructionpollutantsfromcontactingstormwaterwiththeintentofkeepingallproductsoferosionfrommovingoffsiteintoreceivingwaters.Compliancewiththefederalandlocalerosion‐relatedregulationsapplicabletotheproposedprogram(i.e.,theSWPPPthatisdevelopedforthesiteandtherequirementsofthecounty’sStormwaterQualityManagementPlan)wouldensurethattheconstructionactivitiesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
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Toaddresserosionofdecommissionedsites,asdescribedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,decommissionedsiteswillberegradedandseededtopreprojectconditions(unlessleavingcertainroadwaysorfootingsisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval).TheprojectapplicantswilldevelopareclamationplanincoordinationwiththeCounty,USFWS,andCDFW.ThereclamationplanwillbecompletedandapprovedbytheCounty6monthsinadvanceofprojectdecommissioning.Compliancewiththereclamationplanwouldensurethatdecommissionedsitesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactGEO‐5b:Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)
Ground‐disturbingearthworkassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedprojectmayincreasesoilerosionrates.Theseactivities,whichincludeexcavation,grading,trenching,compaction,androadwidening,wouldcausesurfacedisturbanceandvegetationremovalduringturbinefoundationconstructionandpowercollectionsystemandcommunicationlinesinstallationand,toalesserextent,duringpreparationanddecommissioningofthestagingareas.Asaresult,soilwouldbeexposedtorainandwind,potentiallycausingacceleratederosion,therebyresultinginsignificantimpacts.
Mostsoilsintheprojectareaarecoveredbygrasses.Mostunvegetatedareasareassociatedwithroads.
AnapprovedSWPPP,asrequiredbytheapplicableRegionalWaterBoard,isrequiredwhenaprojectinvolves1acreormoreofdisturbance.ASWPPPspecifiesBMPsthatwouldpreventconstructionpollutantsfromcontactingstormwaterwiththeintentofkeepingallproductsoferosionfrommovingoffsiteintoreceivingwaters.Compliancewiththefederalandlocalerosion‐relatedregulationsapplicabletotheproposedprogram(i.e.,theSWPPPthatisdevelopedforthesiteandtherequirementsofthecounty’sStormwaterQualityManagementPlan)wouldensurethattheconstructionactivitiesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
Toaddresserosionofdecommissionedsites,asdescribedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,decommissionedsiteswillberegradedandseededtopreprojectconditions(unlessleavingcertainroadwaysorfootingsisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval).TheprojectapplicantswilldevelopareclamationplanincoordinationwiththeCounty,USFWS,andCDFW.ThereclamationplanwillbecompletedandapprovedbytheCounty6monthsinadvanceofprojectdecommissioning.Compliancewiththereclamationplanwouldensurethatdecommissionedsitesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactGEO‐5c:Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)
Ground‐disturbingearthworkassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedprojectmayincreasesoilerosionrates.Theseactivities,whichincludeexcavation,grading,trenching,compaction,androadwidening,wouldcausesurfacedisturbanceandvegetationremovalduringturbinefoundationconstructionandpowercollectionsystemandcommunicationlinesinstallationand,toalesserextent,duringpreparationanddecommissioningofthestagingareas.Asaresult,soilwouldbe
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exposedtorainandwind,potentiallycausingacceleratederosion,therebyresultinginsignificantimpacts.
Mostsoilsintheprojectareaarecoveredbygrasses.Mostunvegetatedareasareassociatedwithroads.
AnapprovedSWPPP,asrequiredbytheapplicableRegionalWaterBoard,isrequiredwhenaprojectinvolves1acreormoreofdisturbance.ASWPPPspecifiesBMPsthatwouldpreventconstructionpollutantsfromcontactingstormwaterwiththeintentofkeepingallproductsoferosionfrommovingoffsiteintoreceivingwaters.Compliancewiththefederalandlocalerosion‐relatedregulationsapplicabletotheproposedprogram(i.e.,theSWPPPthatisdevelopedforthesiteandtherequirementsofthecounty’sStormwaterQualityManagementPlan)wouldensurethattheconstructionactivitiesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
Toaddresserosionofdecommissionedsites,asdescribedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,decommissionedsiteswillberegradedandseededtopreprojectconditions(unlessleavingcertainroadwaysorfootingsisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval).TheprojectapplicantswilldevelopareclamationplanincoordinationwiththeCounty,USFWS,andCDFW.ThereclamationplanwillbecompletedandapprovedbytheCounty6monthsinadvanceofprojectdecommissioning.Compliancewiththereclamationplanwouldensurethatdecommissionedsitesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactGEO‐6a‐1:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.Themetrologicaltowerandundergroundsystemswouldbesubjecttothesameexpansionandcontraction.
Expansivesoilsoccurinmuchoftheprogramarea,particularlyintheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocalbuildingcodes.CompliancewiththesecodesandimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldensurethatthisisaless‐than‐significantimpact.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐6a‐2:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.Themetrologicaltowerandundergroundsystemswouldbesubjecttothesameexpansionandcontraction.
Expansivesoilsoccurinmuchoftheprogramarea,particularlyintheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocal
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buildingcodes.CompliancewiththesecodesandimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldensurethatthisisaless‐than‐significantimpact.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐6b:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.
TheGoldenHillsprojectareaisunderlainbytheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation,whichcontainssoilswithhighshrink‐swellpotential.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocalbuildingcodes.CompliancewiththesecodesandimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldensurethatthisisaless‐than‐significantimpact.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐6c:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.
ThePattersonPassprojectareaisunderlainbytheFontana‐Diablo‐AltamontandtheCarbona‐Callasoilassociations,whichbothcontainsoilswithhighshrink‐swellpotential.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocalbuildingcodes.CompliancewiththesecodesandimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldensurethatthisisaless‐than‐significantimpact.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ImpactGEO‐7a‐1:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Iffossilsarepresentintheprogramarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensiveanddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.
Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.Substantialdamagetoor
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destructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSocietyofVertebratePaleontology(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.
Becausemostgeologicunitsintheprogramareaarelikelytobesensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,excavationintheseunitscoulddamagepaleontologicalresources.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasuresGEO‐7athroughGEO‐7cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7a:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities
TheapplicantwillretainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistasdefinedbytheSVP’sStandardProceduresfortheAssessmentandMitigationofAdverseImpactstoPaleontologicalResources(2010)tomonitoractivitieswiththepotentialtodisturbsensitivepaleontologicalresources.Datagatheredduringdetailedprojectdesignwillbeusedtodeterminetheactivitiesthatwillrequirethepresenceofamonitor.Ingeneral,theseactivitiesincludeanyground‐disturbingactivitiesinvolvingexcavationdeeperthan3feetinareaswithhighpotentialtocontainsensitivepaleontologicalresources.Recoveredfossilswillbepreparedsothattheycanbeproperlydocumented.Recoveredfossilswillthenbecuratedatafacilitythatwillproperlyhouseandlabelthem,maintaintheassociationbetweenthefossilsandfielddataaboutthefossils’provenance,andmaketheinformationavailabletothescientificcommunity.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7b:Educateconstructionpersonnelinrecognizingfossilmaterial
Theapplicantwillensurethatallconstructionpersonnelreceivetrainingprovidedbyaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistexperiencedinteachingnon‐specialiststoensurethattheycanrecognizefossilmaterialsintheeventanyarediscoveredduringconstruction.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7c:Stopworkifsubstantialfossilremainsareencounteredduringconstruction
Ifsubstantialfossilremains(particularlyvertebrateremains)arediscoveredduringearthdisturbingactivities,activitieswithin100feetofthefindwillstopimmediatelyuntilastate‐registeredprofessionalgeologistorqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistcanassessthenatureandimportanceofthefindandaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistcanrecommendappropriatetreatment.Treatmentmayincludepreparationandrecoveryoffossilmaterialssothattheycanbehousedinanappropriatemuseumoruniversitycollectionandmayalsoincludepreparationofareportforpublicationdescribingthefinds.Theapplicantwillberesponsibleforensuringthatrecommendationsregardingtreatmentandreportingareimplemented.
ImpactGEO‐7a‐2:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Iffossilsarepresentintheprogramarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensive
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anddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.
Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.SubstantialdamagetoordestructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSocietyofVertebratePaleontology(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.
Becausemostgeologicunitsintheprogramareaarelikelytobesensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,excavationintheseunitscoulddamagepaleontologicalresources.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasuresGEO‐7athroughGEO‐7cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7a:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7b:Educateconstructionpersonnelinrecognizingfossilmaterial
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7c:Stopworkifsubstantialfossilremainsareencounteredduringconstruction
ImpactGEO‐7b:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Iffossilsarepresentintheprojectarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensiveanddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.
Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.SubstantialdamagetoordestructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSVP(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.
Becausemostgeologicunitsintheprojectareaarelikelytobesensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,excavationintheseunitscoulddamagepaleontologicalresources.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasuresGEO‐7athroughGEO‐7cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7a:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7b:Educateconstructionpersonnelinrecognizingfossilmaterial
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MitigationMeasureGEO‐7c:Stopworkifsubstantialfossilremainsareencounteredduringconstruction
ImpactGEO‐7c:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)
Iffossilsarepresentintheprojectarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensiveanddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.
Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.SubstantialdamagetoordestructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSVP(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.
Becausemostgeologicunitsintheprojectareaarelikelytobesensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,excavationintheseunitscoulddamagepaleontologicalresources.
Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasuresGEO‐7athroughGEO‐7cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7a:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7b:Educateconstructionpersonnelinrecognizingfossilmaterial
MitigationMeasureGEO‐7c:Stopworkifsubstantialfossilremainsareencounteredduringconstruction
3.6.3 References Cited
AlamedaCounty.2000.EastCountyAreaPlan.AdoptedMay1994.ModifiedbypassageofMeasureD,effectiveDecember22,2000.Oakland,CA.
AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.2013.SafetyElementoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan.AdoptedJanuary8,2013.
Bryant,W.A.,andS.E.Cluett.2002.FaultNumber53b,GreenvilleFaultZone,MarshCreek‐GreenvilleSection,inQuaternaryFaultandFoldDatabaseoftheUnitedStates.Lastrevised:July23,2012.Available:http://geohazards.usgs.gov/cfusion/qfault/qf_web_disp.cfm?qfault_or=1303&qfault_id=53b.Accessed:May17,2013.
Bryant,W.,andE.Hart.2007.SpecialPublication42Fault‐RuptureHazardZonesinCalifornia,InterimRevision.Alquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningActwithIndextoEarthquakeFaultZones1Maps.CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey.August.Sacramento,CA.Available:ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/dmg/pubs/sp/Sp42.pdf.
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CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology.1981.FaultEvaluationReportFER112.Available:ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/dmg/pubs/fer/112/.Accessed:May17,2013.
———.1982.StateofCaliforniaSpecialStudiesZone,AltamontOfficialMap.EffectiveJanuary1,1982.Available:http://gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp/download/quad/ALTAMONT/maps/ALTAMONT.PDF.Accessed:May17,2013.
CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey.2002.CaliforniaGeomorphicProvinces.Note36.Available:http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/information/publications/cgs_notes/note_36/Documents/notn_36.pdf.Accessed:April11,2013.
———.2003.SeismicShakingHazardsinCalifornia.Lastrevised:April13,2011.Available:http://www.consrv.ca.gov/CGS/rghm/pshamap/pshamain.html.Accessed:April2013.
———.2007.SearchforRegulatoryMaps.Available:http://www.quake.ca.gov/gmaps/WH/regulatorymaps.htm.Accessed:April8,2013.
———.2008.GuidelinesforEvaluatingandMitigatingSeismicHazardsinCalifornia.SpecialPublication117A.Available:http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/shzp/webdocs/Documents/sp117.pdf.Accessed:May21,2013.
———.2009a.CaliforniaSeismicHazardZones,AltamontQuadrangle.February27.Available:http://gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp/download/quad/ALTAMONT/maps/ozn_alta.pdf.Accessed:May16,2013.
———.2009b.SeismicHazardZoneReportfortheAltamont7.5‐MinuteQuadrangle,AlamedaCounty,California.SeismicHazardZoneReport119.Available:http://gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp/download/quad/ALTAMONT/reports/alta_eval.pdf.Accessed:May16,2013.
———.2010.2010FaultActivityMapofCalifornia.GeologicDataMapNo.6.Available:http://www.quake.ca.gov/gmaps/FAM/faultactivitymap.html.Accessed:May2013.
Cao,T.,W.A.Bryant,B.Rowshandel,D.Branum,andC.J.Wills.2003.TheRevised2002CaliforniaProbabilisticSeismicHazardMaps.June.Available:http://www.consrv.ca.gov/CGS/rghm/psha/fault_parameters/pdf/2002_CA_Hazard_Maps.pdf.Accessed:May21,2013.
Graymer,R.W.,D.L.Jones,andE.E.Brabb.1996.PreliminaryGeologicMapEmphasizingBedrockFormationsinAlamedaCounty,California:ADigitalDatabase.Lastrevised:March31,2013.Available:http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_22969.htm.Accessed:May21,2013.
InternationalCodeCouncil.2011.2012InternationalBuildingCode.Albany,NY:DelmarPublishers.
Kohler‐Antablin,S.1996.UpdateofMineralLandClassification:AggregateMaterialsintheSouthSanFranciscoBayProduction‐ConsumptionRegion.CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology.DMGOpen‐FileReport96‐03.Sacramento,CA.
NaturalResourcesConservationService.2006.DigitalGeneralSoilMapofU.S.Lastrevised:July6,2006.Available:http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Metadata.aspx?Survey=US.Accessed:May20,2013.
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Norris,R.M.,andR.W.Webb.1990.GeologyofCalifornia.2ndedition.NY:JohnWiley&Sons.
PaleoPortal.2013.ThePaleontologyPortal,Time&Space,CaliforniaUS.Available:http://www.paleoportal.org/index.php.Accessed:June27,2013.
SocietyofVertebratePaleontology.2010.StandardProceduresfortheAssessmentandMitigationofAdverseImpactstoPaleontologicalResources.Available:http://www.vertpaleo.org/Impact_Mitigation_Guidelines.htm.Accessed:November29,2011.
UniversityofCaliforniaMuseumofPaleontology.2013a.UCMPAdvancedSpecimenSearch:VertebratesandNerolyFormation.Available:<http://ucmpdb.berkeley.edu/advanced.html>.Accessed:May22,2013.
———.2013b.UCMPSpecimenSearch:AlamedaCounty.Available:<http://ucmpdb.berkeley.edu/>.Accessed:May22,2013.
U.S.GeologicalSurvey.1999.MapsShowingLocationsofDamagingLandslidesCausedbyElNiñoRainstorms,WinterSeason1997‐98,SanFranciscoBayRegion,California.PamphlettoaccompanyMiscellaneousFieldStudiesMapsMF‐2325‐A‐J.Lastrevised:March17,2003.Available:<http://pubs.usgs.gov/mf/1999/mf‐2325/>.Accessed:April8,2013.
———.2013a.EHPQuaternaryFaults,CorralHollow‐CarnegieFaultZone.Lastrevised:April17,2013.Available:<http://geohazards.usgs.gov/qfaults/map.php>.Accessed:May20,2013.
———.2013b.EHPQuaternaryFaults,MidwayFault.Lastrevised:April17,2013.Available:<http://geohazards.usgs.gov/qfaults/map.php>.Accessed:May20,2013.
Unruh,J.,andK.Krug.2007.AssessmentandDocumentationofTranspressionalStructures,NortheasternDiabloRange,fortheQuaternaryFaultMapDatabase:CollaborativeResearchwithWilliamLettis&Associates,Inc.,andtheU.S.GeologicalSurvey.FinalTechnicalReport.WalnutCreek,CA.U.S.GeologicalSurveyNationalEarthquakeHazardsReductionProgram,Award06HQGR0139.Available:http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/external/reports/06HQGR0139.pdf.
Wagner,D.L.,E.J.Bortugno,andR.D.McJunkin.1991.GeologicMapoftheSanFrancisco–SanJoseQuadrangle.CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey,RegionalGeologicMapNo.5A,1:250,000scale.Available:http://www.quake.ca.gov/gmaps/RGM/sfsj/sfsj.html.Accessed:April8,2013.