HomeMy WebLinkAbout12. Consider the Buchanan Lift Stations Abandonment and Sewer District Project 100041 exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)�,�50��ENTRAL
MEETING DATE: AUGUST 15, 2024
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
POSITION PAPER
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Item 12.
SUBJECT: CONSIDER THE BUCHANAN LIFT STATIONS ABANDONMENT AND
SEWER, DISTRICT PROJECT 100041, EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITYACT (CEQA)
SUBMITTED BY:
INITIATING DEPARTMENT:
KEVIN RANDENI, ASSOCIATE ENGINEER ENGINEERINGAND TECHNICAL SERVICES-
SASHA MESTETSKY, SENIOR ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECTS
REVIEWED BY: EDGAR J. LOPEZ, CAPITAL PROJECTS DIVISION MANAGER
GREG NORBY, DEPUTY GM - ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS
Roger S. Bailey Leah Castella
General Manager District Counsel
ISSUE
Outside agencies can require proof of a CEQA determination to provide permits or conditions for Capital
Projects. The Buchanan Lift Stations Abandonment and Sewer, District Project 100041 (Project), requires
the Board of Directors (Board) to consider a CEQA Notice of Exemption for permitting purposes with the
Contra Costa County and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other agencies.
BACKGROUND
The Project is within the Capital Improvement Program, Collection Systems and Pumping Stations. The
Project scope of work involves replacing or rehabilitating approximately 5,000 feet of small -diameter
sewers, abandoning sewers, constructing maintenance access structures, and other related sewer work
within public rights-of-way and private easements, while also demolishing the North and South Buchanan
Lift Stations. The Project will result in a full gravity sewer main where a majority of the flow will be rerouted
to the 96 inch A -Line sewer.
August 15, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 50 of 189
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The sewer main that traverses around and through airport property is an eight inch cast iron sewer main
installed in 1959. Due to the location, the sewer main is difficult to access and maintain without disruption
to the airport. It is also experiencing tuberculation where the inside diameter of the pipe is reduced to four
inches. This buildup of mineral deposits and corrosion compromises the sewer main's structural integrity,
posing a threat of failure causing major disruption to the airport and our facilities.
The Buchanan North and South Lift Stations are air ejector lift stations that use a series of one-way check
valves and an air compressor to create positive and negative pressure within the vessel, resulting in
suction and lift.
Due to maintenance requirements and aging components, these lift stations are in below -standard
condition and need replacement.
Staff will coordinate with and obtain necessary approval and/or permits from the FAA, Contra Costa
County, and any other applicable agencies. Some of these permits will require proof of CEQA
determination.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAIL QUALITY ACT
Staff has concluded that this Project is exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines in the California
Code of Regulations Section 15302 since it involves replacement of existing facilities at substantially the
same locations and with the same purpose and level of activity as the facilities being replaced. Any
capacity increases are for non -growth inducing, hydraulics purposes. The Project and all related real estate
transactions are also exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), because
"it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect
on the environment."
This conclusion is based on: (1) Central San's extensive experience with similar projects; (2) the relatively
short distance involved; and (3) Central San's construction specifications, which are made a part of the
Project bid documents and require the contractor to protect natural resources, including trees and riparian
areas, and further requires compliance with all applicable federal, state, county, district, municipal and local
laws, ordinances, orders, and regulations. Approval of this Project will establish the Board's independent
finding that this Project is exempt from CEQA.
ALTERNATIVES/CONSIDERATIONS
None at this time; however, alternatives shall be provided at the time of Project award.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Permitting costs have been included in the Project budget and are typically standard fees for
encroachment permits or other transactions. The Buchanan Lift Stations Abandonment and Sewer, District
Project 100041 is included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Budget on page 240 with a
total estimated lifetime budget of $6,400,000.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Staff has been communicating with the County, Airport, golf course, and businesses through the planning
and design phase of the project.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Engineering and Operations Committee reviewed this matter at its August 7, 2024 meeting
and recommended approval after extensive comments and questions from the Board committee
members. Staff will finalize the Position Paper with review of the District's CEQA consultant and legal.
August 15, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 51 of 189
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RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION
Find that the Buchanan Lift Stations Abandonment and Sewer, District Project 100041, is exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act.
Strategic Plan Tie -In
GOAL ONE: Customer and Community
Strategy 3 - Build neighborhood and industry relations
GOAL TWO: Environmental Stewardship
Strategy 1 - Achieve compliance in all regulations
GOAL SIX., Infrastructure Reliability
Strategy 2 - Execute long-term capital renewal and replacement program
August 15, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 52 of 189