HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6.3 Casamira/Moller Attch 2
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RESOLUTION NO. XX-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
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ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION, A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING
CONSIDERATIONS, AND A MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
FOR THE VARGAS PROJECT
P A 06-030
WHEREAS, Sun Valley Land Development Co. proposes to develop up to 33 single family
residential units on an approximately 5.0 gross acre (4.38 net acre) parcel located at 7020 Tassajara Road,
near the Contra Costa County border. Tassajara Creek is located just offsite to the west of the parcel. The
project includes related grading, roadway and utility improvements, a pedestrian trail along the creek, a
water quality pond, landscaping, and demolition of an existing house and related accessory structures.
The project proposes annexation to the City of Dublin ("City") and the Dublin San Ramon Services
District ("DSRSD") and a Pre-Annexation Agreement with the City. The project also proposes to amend
the General Plan and the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan to change the approximately 3.6 acre Medium/High
Density Residential land use designation to Medium Density Residential; and to prezone the property to
the PD-Planned Development Zoning District and adopt a related Stage 1 Development Plan. These
proposed actions are collectively referred to as the "Project"; and
WHEREAS, the Project site is located in Eastern Dublin, for which the City Council adopted the
Eastern Dublin General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan, and certified a program Environmental
Impact Report pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines section 15168
(SCH 91103064; City Council Resolution No. 51-93). The certified EIR consisted of a Draft EIR and
Responses to Comments bound volumes, as well as an Addendum dated May 4, 1993. On August 22,
1994, the City Council adopted a second Addendum updating wastewater disposal plans for Eastern
Dublin. These documents are collectively referred to as the "Eastern Dublin EIR" or "EDEIR." The
Eastern Dublin EIR and Resolution 51-93 are incorporated herein by reference and available for review at
the Dublin City Hall; and
WHEREAS, the Eastern Dublin EIR identified potentially significant environmental impacts and
related mitigation measures, which the City adopted together with mitigation findings and a related
Mitigation Monitoring Program (City Council Resolution No. 53-93, incorporated herein by reference and
available for review at the Dublin City Hall), which mitigation measures and monitoring program
continue to apply to development in Eastern Dublin including the Project. The City also adopted a
Statement of Overriding Considerations for significant impacts that could not be avoided; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with the City's 2005 approval of the Dublin Ranch West/Wallis
Ranch project located to the north, west and south of the Vargas project site, the City Council certified a
Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (City Council Resolution No. 42-05, incorporated herein by
reference and available for review at the Dublin City Hall). Included in the certified Supplemental EIR is
an analysis of cumulative buildout traffic impacts, which analysis assumed development of the Vargas
site. The Supplemental EIR cumulative buildout analysis as to the Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty Road
intersection is incorporated herein by reference and available for review at the Dublin City Hall; and
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WHEREAS, the City prepared an Initial Study for the proposed Project consistent with CEQA
Guidelines sections 15162 and 15163 and determined that a Mitigated Negative Declaration was required
in order to analyze the potential for new or additional significant environmental impacts of the Project
beyond those identified in the prior EIRs; and
WHEREAS, based on the Initial Study, the City prepared a draft Mitigated Negative Declaration
dated March 2007 which reflected the City's independent judgment and analysis of the potential
environmental impacts of the Project, and which was circulated for public review from March 5, 2007 to
April 3, 2007. The draft Mitigated Negative Declaration is incorporated herein by reference and available
for review at the Dublin City Hall; and
WHEREAS, the City received seven comment letters on the draft Mitigated Negative
Declaration, including two received after the close of the public review period, from the following
agencIes:
Regional Water Quality Control Board, dated March 15,2007
Dublin San Ramon Services District, dated March 19,2007
Alameda Local Agency Formation Commission, dated March 20, 2007
Department ofFish and Game, dated March 26,2007
Zone 7, dated April 2, 2007
Alameda County Public Works Agency, dated April 2, 2007
US Fish and Wildlife Service, dated April 3, 2007
Although not required by CEQA, the City prepared responses to each of the comments in the above
letters, providing the City's good faith reasoned analysis as to the environmental issues raised in the
comments. Some of the comments propose revisions to the draft Mitigated Negative Declaration text.
The City carefully reviewed the proposed revisions and determined that they were not "substantial
revisions" requiring recirculation of the draft Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines section 15073.5. The comment letters and responses to the comments are attached as Exhibit
A, dated April 2007 and are incorporated herein by reference; and
WHEREAS, after preparation of Exhibit B, staff determined the need to modify Mitigation
Measure 26 to resolve conflicting statements as to when the mitigation should be implemented.
Mitigation Measure 26, as presented on p. 14 of Exhibit B, is hereby modified to delete the text "shall be
submitted prior to the issuance of grading permits" after the parenthetical midway through the mitigation
measure. This modification clarifies that the hydrology report is required to be submitted with the Stage 2
Development Plan and Site Development Review as stated at the end of the mitigation measure; and
WHEREAS, Exhibit A has been further corrected to include the San Joaquin Kit Fox Protection
Plan approved as modified Appendix E of the Eastern Dublin EIR. Attached Exhibit B as considered by
the City Council includes the correct modified Appendix E; and
WHEREAS, a Staff Report, dated April 10, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference, described
and analyzed the Mitigated Negative Declaration, including comments on the Mitigated Negative
Declaration, and the Project for the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the staff report and the Mitigated Negative
Declaration, including comments and responses, at a noticed public hearing on April 10, 2007, at which
time all interested parties had the opportunity to be heard. Following the public hearing, the Planning
Commission adopted Resolution 07-13 recommending that the City Council adopt the Mitigated Negative
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Declaration, which resolution is incorporated herein by reference and available for review at the Dublin
City Hall; and
WHEREAS, a Staff Report, dated May 1, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference, described
and analyzed the Mitigated Negative Declaration, including comments and responses, and the Project for
the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the Staff Report and the Mitigated Negative Declaration,
including comments and responses, at a noticed public hearing on May 1, 2007, at which time all
interested parties had the opportunity to be heard; and
WHEREAS, the Eastern Dublin EIR and the Dublin Ranch WestlWallis Ranch Supplemental EIR
cumulative buildout analysis as to the Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty Road intersection identified
significant unavoidable impacts that apply to the Vargas project, therefore a Statement of Overriding
Considerations must be adopted, as set forth in attached Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Mitigated Negative Declaration identifies new mitigation measures applicable to
the Project; therefore, a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program must be adopted, which program
is set forth in attached Exhibit C; and
WHEREAS, the Mitigated Negative Declaration dated March 2007, together with the comment
letters and responses in Exhibit B, the clarification to Mitigation Measure 26 noted above, and the
corrected Kit Fox Appendix, constitute the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project and reflect the
City's independent judgment and analysis on the potential for environmental impacts from the Project.
The Mitigated Negative Declaration and related project and environmental documents, including the prior
Eastern Dublin EIR and the above-referenced portion of the Dublin Ranch WestlWallis Ranch
Supplemental EIR and all of the documents incorporated herein by reference, and are available for review
in the City Planning Division at the Dublin City Hall, file P A 06-030, during normal business hours. The
custodian of the documents and other materials which constitute the record of proceedings for the Vargas
Project is the City of Dublin Community Development Department, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA 94568,
attn: Senior Planner, Erica Fraser.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and
made a part of this resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mitigated Negative Declaration together with the
previously certified Eastern Dublin EIR and the above referenced cumulative buildout analysis of traffic
impacts at the Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty Road intersection in the Dublin Ranch W estIW allis Ranch
Supplemental EIR adequately describe the impacts of the Project. There is no substantial evidence in
light ofthe whole record before the City that the Vargas Project as mitigated will have a significant effect
on the environment beyond the significant effects identified in the prior EIRs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dublin City Council reviewed and considered the
Mitigated Negative Declaration, including the corrected Responses to Comments document attached as
Exhibit A, before approving the Vargas Project and hereby adopts the Mitigated Negative Declaration,
with the above noted modification of Mitigation Measure 26, as complete, adequate and in compliance
with CEQA, the State CEQA Guidelines and the City of Dublin Environmental Guidelines.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council hereby adopts the Statement of Overriding
Considerations attached as Exhibit A, Responses to Comments attached as Exhibit B and the Mitigation
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Monitoring and Reporting Program attached as Exhibit C, both of which exhibits are incorporated herein
by reference.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 1st day of May, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
G:\P A#\2003\03-060 Moller Ranch\CC May 1 \CC Reso MND.DOC
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EXHIBIT A
STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
FOR THE VARGAS PROJECT
1. General. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15093, the City Council of the City of Dublin adopted
a Statement of Overriding Considerations for those impacts identified in the Eastern Dublin EIR as
significant and unavoidable. (Resolution 53-93, May 10, 1993.) The City Council carefully considered
each impact in its decision to approve urbanization of Eastern Dublin through approval of the Eastern
Dublin General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan project. In 2005, the City Council approved the
Dublin Ranch West project, a residential development on the west side of Tassajara Road, north of the
existing city limits generally to the county line. The City prepared a Supplemental EIR for the Dublin
Ranch West project which identified supplemental significant cumulative buildout impacts at the Dublin
Boulevard/Dougherty Road intersection that could not be mitigated to less than significant. The Vargas
project is within the area analyzed in the Eastern Dublin EIR and is among the potential projects
considered in the cumulative buildout traffic analysis in the Dublin Ranch West Supplemental EIR.
The City Council adopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations with the original land use approvals
for urbanization of Eastern Dublin and also with the Dublin Ranch West approvals in 2005 and later
amendments in 2007. Pursuant to a 2002 court decision, the City Council must adopt new overriding
considerations for the previously identified unavoidable impacts that apply to the current Vargas project. 1
The City Council believes that many of the unavoidable environmental effects identified in the Eastern
Dublin EIR and in the Supplemental EIR (as to the Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty Road intersection) will
be substantially lessened by mitigation measures adopted with the original Eastern Dublin approvals, to
be implemented with the development of the Vargas project. Even with mitigation, the City Council
recognizes that the implementation of the project carries with it unavoidable adverse environmental
effects as identified in the Eastern Dublin EIR and the Dublin Ranch West Supplemental EIR (as to the
Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty Road intersection). The City Council specifically finds that to the extent
that the identified adverse or potentially adverse impacts for the project have not been mitigated to
acceptable levels, there are specific economic, social, environmental, land use, and other considerations
that support approval of the Vargas project.
2. Unavoidable Sil!:nificant Adverse Impacts from the Eastern Dublin EIR. The following
unavoidable significant environmental impacts identified in the Eastern Dublin EIR for future
development of Eastern Dublin apply to the Vargas project.
Land Use Impact 3.lIF. Cumulative Loss of Agricultural and Open Space Lands; Visual Impacts 3.8/B;
and, Alteration of Rural/Open Space Character. Although development has occurred south of the project
area, the site is largely undeveloped open space land. Future development of the Vargas site will
contribute to the cumulative loss of open space land.
Traffic and Circulation Impacts 3.3/B, 3.3/E. 1-580 Freeway, Cumulative Freeway Impacts: While city
street and interchange impacts can be mitigated through planiled improvements, transportation demand
management, the 1-580 Smart Corridor program and other similar measures, mainline freeway impacts
continue to be identified as unavoidable, as anticipated in the Eastern Dublin EIR. Future development on
1 .... .public officials must still go on the record and explain specifically why they are approving the later project
despite its significant unavoidable impacts." (emphasis original.) Communities for a Better Environment v. California
Resources Aqency 103 Cal.App. 4th 98, _ (2002).
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Exhibit A
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the Vargas site will generate less traffic than anticipated in the Eastern Dublin EIR, but will still
incrementally contribute to the unavoidable freeway impacts.
Traffic and Circulation Impacts 3.3/L 3.3/M. Santa Rita Road/I-580 Ramps, Cumulative Dublin
Boulevard Impacts: The Vargas project will be required to implement all applicable adopted traffic
mitigation measures, including contributions to the City's TIF program; however even with mitigation
these impacts continue to be identified as unavoidable, as anticipated in the Eastern Dublin EIR.
Community Services and Facilities Impact 3.4/8. Consumption of Non-Renewable Natural Resources and
Sewer, Water; and Storm Drainage Impact 3.5/F, H, U Increases in Energy Usage Through Increased
Water Treatment, Disposal and Operation of Water Distribution System: Future development of the
Vargas project will contribute to increased energy consumption.
Soils, Geology, and Seismicity Impact 3.6/B. Earthquake Ground Shaking, Primary Effects: Even with
seismic design, future development ofthe Vargas project could be subject to damage from large
earthquakes, much like the rest of the Eastern Dublin planning area.
Air Quality Impacts 3.1l1A, B, C, and E. Future development ofthe Vargas project will contribute to
cumulative dust deposition, construction equipment emissions, mobile and stationary source emissions.
3. Unavoidable Sil!:nificant Adverse Impacts from the Dublin Ranch West Supplemental EIR. The
following unavoidable significant supplemental environmental impact as to the Dublin
Boulevard/Dougherty Road intersection was identified in the Dublin Ranch West Supplemental EIR.
Development of the Vargas site was assumed in the cumulative buildout analysis in the Supplemental
EIR.
Supplemental Impact TRA-2. Impacts to study intersections under Buildout conditions (Dublin
Boulevard/Dougherty Road). Even with implementation ofthe previously adopted mitigation measures,
including contribution to intersection improvements through the TIF program, the Project will contribute
to significant and unavoidable impacts at this intersection under buildout conditions.
4. Overridinl!: Considerations. The City Council previously balanced the benefits ofthe Eastern
Dublin project approvals against the significant and potentially significant adverse impacts identified in
the Eastern Dublin EIR. The City Council again considers the previously identified significant
unavoidable impacts and hereby determines that the Project benefits set forth below outweigh its
unavoidable impacts.
The project will further the urbanization of Eastern Dublin as planned through the comprehensive
framework established in the original Eastern Dublin approvals. The Project will implement protections
to Tassajara Creek through the proposed creek buffer, but also provides a low-impact recreation
opportunity through a creekside pedestrian path. The project recognizes the site's physical constraints
with Tassajara Creek offsite to the west and Tassajara Road to the east, and proposes reduced
development intensity, with residences located in the more easily developable land in the center of the
site. The project will provide up to 33 units of needed housing with the potential to provide diverse
building types. Development of the site will also provide construction employment opportunities for
Dublin residents.
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RESPONSES TO COMMENTS RECEIVED ON
THE INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION FOR THE VARGAS PROJECT
April 2007
Corrected April 19, 2007
EXHIBIT B
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Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................. ............................. ......... ... ... .... .............3
Clarifications to Text.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . .. . . . . .3
Written Comments and Responses. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ... . . . . ..4
Responses to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.. ........................... ........... ....12
Responses to the Dublin San Ramon Services District.. .. .... . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. ...... . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .... ..19
Responses to the Alameda County Local Agency Formation Commission. . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .,. . ....21
Responses to the State of California Department ofFish and Game.... .... ... .............. ............... ...26
Responses to the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District:
Zone 7.............. ......................................................................................... ....30
Responses to the Alameda County Public Works Agency... ... .... .............. ......... ............ ... ... ....33
Responses to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service............. ....... ... ......... ..... ............... ..38
Appendices ............................................................................................................. 41
A: Map of Annexation Area
B: Verification of Sufficient Water Supply
C: Kit Fox Protection Plan
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
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Introduction
On March 5, 2007, the City of Dublin distributed the Initial StudyIMitigated Negative Declaration
(MND) for the Vargas Project to public agencies and the general public.
In accordance with CEQA section 21091.b, the public comment period for the MND was 30 days. The
review period began on March 5, 2007 and ended on April 3, 2007. During the public review period, the
City received seven comment letters from state, local and regional agencies. Two of these letters were
received after the public comment period ended.
All comments on the MND and the City's responses to the comments are included in this document.
Each letter has been numbered and each comment has been assigned a number. Each comment letter has
been reproduced and is followed by the responses to the comment, generally in order of occurrence.
The responses provide the City's good faith reasoned analysis to the environmental issues raised in the
comments. Some of the comments propose revisions to the MND text, which revisions are set forth
below.
Clarifications to text
The discussion on page 84, under subsection d discusses the two entrances to the Project from Tassajara
Road. Mitigation Measure 33 requires the southern entrance to the Project site to line up with the
southern entrance on the Casamira Valley sit located east of the project site across the road. The
discussion does not discuss the northern entrance which will not be located at a signalized intersection.
The following text is added to clarify the northern entrance to the Vargas site:
The northerly access to the Vargas site does not align with the northerly access to the Casamira
Valley site. Therefore, the northern entrance to the Vargas site is proposed to be used for
emergency access only, and public access to the northerly entrance shall be prohibited. A
break in the median on Tassajara Road will be provided to allow emergency access into the site.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
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Written Comments and Responses on the Draft MND
The written comments received on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and the
responses to those comments are provided in this section. Each comment letter is reproduced in its
entirety and is followed by the City's response to each comment. Deletions are shown in strike out and
additions are shown in bold.
The City received the following letters:
Comment Letter 1: California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region
(dated March 15,2007)
Comment Letter 2: Dublin San Ramon Services District (dated March 19, 2007)
Comment Letter 3: Alameda Local Agency Formation Commission (dated March 20,2007)
Comment Letter 4: State of California Department ofFish and Game (dated March 26,2007)
Comment Letter 5: Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District: Zone 7
(dated April 2, 2007)
Comment Letter 6: County of Alameda Public Works Agency (dated April 2, 2007, received
April 4, 2007)
Comment Letter 7: United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (dated
April 3, 3007, received April 4, 2007)
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Project
March 2007
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California Regional Water Quality Control Board 6lP
San Francisco Bay Region
e
Linda S. Adams
Secretary for
Environmental Protection
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400, Oakland, California 94612
(510) 622-2300. Fax (510) 622-2460
http://www.waterboards.ca. gOY Isan franciscobay.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor
Date: MAR 1 5 2007
File No. 2198.09 (BKW)
Erica Fraser, Senior Planner
City of Dublin, Planning Division
City of Dublin
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
Re: Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas Project
SCH Number: 2007032020
Dear Ms. Fraser:
Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) staffhave reviewed the March 2007,
Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Vargas Project in the City of
Dublin, Alameda County (Project). The Project includes the construction of 33 detached
residential units on a five-acre parcel west of Tassajara Road, south of the Alameda-Contra
Costa County Line. Water Board staffhave the following comments on the MND.
Comment 1
Discussion of Water Board jurisdictional waters and wetlands in Section IV (page
47), Section IV b,c (page 54), and Appendix A, Section 2.2.2 (page 5 of Appendix A).
The MND discusses "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jurisdiction" and the. areas under the
jurisdiction of the California Department ofFish and Game (CDFG). However, the MND
does not discuss waters of the State under the jurisdiction of the Water Board.
The discussions of wetlands and jurisdictional waters in the MND should be expanded to
clarify that the Water Board has regulatory authority over wetlands and waterways under
both the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the State of California's Porter-Cologne
Water Quality Control Act (California Water Code, Division 7). Under the CW A, the
Water Board has regulatory authority over actions in waters of the United States, through
the issuance of water quality certifications (certifications) under Section 401 of the CW l'~,
which are issued in combination with permits issued by the Army Corps of Engineers
(ACOE), under Section 404 of the CW A. When the Water Board issues Section 401
certifications, it simultaneously issues general Waste Discharge Requirements for the
project, under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Activities in areas that are
outside of the jurisdiction of the ACOE (e.g., isolated wetlands, vernal pools, or stream
banks above the ordinary high water mark) are regulated by the Water Board, under the
authority of the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. In addition, channels that have
either been modified by human activities or have been created by human activities, but
which convey surface runoff that enter the channel through gravity flow may also be
regulated as waters ofthe State. Activities that lie outside of ACOE jurisdiction, but
within Water Board jurisdiction, may require the issuance of either individual or general
waste discharge requirements (WDRs) from the Water Board.
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Preserving, enhancing, and restoring the San Francisco Bay Area's waters for over 50 years MAR 1 {} 2007
RECf2IVED
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Ms. Fraser
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MND, Vargas Project, Dublin
The MND should be revised to describe the need to obtain WDRs from the Water Board
for any Project impacts to channels or wetlands at the Project site. The 0.086 acres of
ACOE jurisdictional waters and 0.397 acres of ACOE jurisdictional wetlands on the
Project site (page 54) are waters of the State, subject to the jurisdiction of the Water Board.
Comment 2
Mitigation Measure 18 (page 54).
This mitigation measure states that, prior to receiving building or grading permits, the
developer shall apply for and receive all required permits for formal delineation form the
ACOE for the jurisdictional waters at the Project site. This is a legal requirement; it is not
a mitigation measure. In addition, the Water Board must be contacted to determine if there
are non-ACOE jurisdictional waters of the State at the Project site.
Comment 3
Mitigation Measure 19 (page 54).
This mitigation measure states that the Project developers shall retain a qualified biologist
to develop a plan to mitigate impacts to wetlands at a 2: I ratio and impacts to waters of the
United States at a I: 1 ratio, through the creation of new wetlands, or as otherwise approved
by the Corps of Engineers. The MND should note that mitigation for these impacts is also
subject to review and approval by the Water Board.
The proposed mitigation lacks sufficient detail for Water Board staff to evaluate whether
or not the mitigation would be adequate to mitigate impacts to a less than significant level.
The amount of mitigation required for an impact is a function of both the proposed
mitigation project and distance between the location of the impact and the location of the
mitigation site. The mitigation required for an impact increases as a function of the
distance between the impact location and the mitigation location. Since the proposed
location is not yet identified, the amount of mitigation required cannot be evaluated. In
addition, the amount of mitigation required is greater for "out of kind" mitigation (i.e.,
mitigation habitats that are different from the type of impacted habitat). Since no details
are provided for the proposed mitigation, it is not clear yet whether or not the Project is
proposing to provide "in-kind" mitigation. The amount of mitigation required may also be
a factor or the likelihood of success at the mitigation site. Since no detai Is of the proposed
mitigation project are provided in the MND, it is not possible for Water Board staff to
evaluate the feasibility of the proposed mitigation.
Proposed mitigation measures should be presented in sufficient detail for readers of a
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document to evaluate the likelihood that
the proposed remedy will actually reduce impacts to a less than significant level. CEQA
requires that mitigation measures for each significant environmental effect be adequate,
timely, and resolved by the lead agency. In an adequate CEQA document, mitigation
measures must be feasible and fully enforceable through permit conditions, agreements, or
Preserving, enhancing, and restoring the San Francisco Bay Area's waters for over 50 years
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MND, Vargas Project, Dublin
other legally binding instruments (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4). Mitigation
measures to be identified at some future time are not acceptable. It has been determined by
court ruling that such mitigation measures would be improperly exempted from the process
of public and governmental scrutiny which is required under the California Environmental
Quality Act. Based on the information provided in the MND, it is not possible to evaluate
the adequacy of mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of the Project to a less than
significant level.
Comment 4
Section VIII (page 62)
The discussion of storm water discharges includes the following statement, "[F]ederal
regulations were issued in November 1990, and were recently updated to expand the
authority of the RWQCB to include permitting of storm water discharges from municipal
storm sewer systems, industrial processes and construction sites which will disturb an area
which is larger than one acre." This sentence appears to conflate municipal stormwater
permits and permits for construction activity. While it is true that construction sites that
will disturb one or more acres of land are required to comply with General NPDES permit
for construction activities, the current municipal stormwater pennit for Alameda County
requires treatment measures for projects that will create or recreate more than 10,000
square feet of impervious surfaces. The Project is in the area covered by the Alameda
Countywide Clean Water Program (ACCWP). Under the NPDES Municipal Stormwater
Permit (Order R2-2003-0021; NPDES Permit No. CAS0029831) that was issued to
ACCWP, all projects that create or replace 10,000 square feet of impervious surfaces are
required to provide post-construction best management practices (BMPs) for stormwater
management. Provision C.3 of the NPDES Permit specifies the criteria to be used in sizing
these BMPs.
Comment 5
Section VIII, Mitigation Measure 25 (pages 63 and 64)
Mitigation Measure 25 states that the Project will prepare a Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to reduce impacts form construction and post-construction
activities to a less than significant level. However, the MND does not discuss the proposed
post-construction stormwater treatment BMPs, or the proposed locations of these BMPs on
the Project site layout, at any level of detail. Text on page 64 states that a water quality
detention pond will be constructed adjacent to Tassajara Creek to treat surface water runoff
from a portion of the Project site. Treatment measures for the remainder of the site are not
discussed in the body of the MND. The MND also does not describe how the proposed
detention pond was sized or demonstrate that sufficient land area has been set aside for an
adequately sized pond. Therefore, it is not possible to evaluate whether or not the Project
can attain the treatment requirements of the Alameda County Clean Water Program's
NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permit. Also, it is not acceptable to discharge untreated
Preserving, enhancing, and restoring the San Francisco Bay Area's waters for over 50 years
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MND, Vargas Project, Dublin
stormwater from developed portions of the site to the storm drain system in Tassajara
Road, as is proposed on page 64.
Text in Appendix D is also not consistent with the body of the MND. Appendix D states
that a basin is not feasible and proposes to use swales for most of the developed area of the
site. Appendix D also proposes to use CDS separators to treat runoff from some portions
of the developed Project site. CDS units belong to a class of treatment devices referred to
as "hydrodynamic separators". Water Board staff discourage the use of hydrodynamic
separators as the sole means of treating runoff at a new residential site. These devices are
more appropriate at dense infill sites that lack adequate surface area for landscape-based
treatment devices. At a new development, it is possible to design the project to set aside
sufficient surface area for appropriate stormwater treatment BMPs. In addition,
hydrodynamic separators are only appropriate if used in combination with BMPs that are
capable of removing the fine particulate matter that is not amenable to removal by
hydrodynamic separators, and in combination with filter media that permanently absorbs
hydrocarbons. "
At this stage of the CEQA process, sufficient design detail should be provided to ensure
that the Project has set aside sufficient land area for appropriately sized treatment
measures. As was stated above in Comment 3, proposed mitigation measures should be
presented in sufficient detail for readers of the CEQA document to evaluate the likelihood
that the proposed remedy will actually reduce impacts to a less than significant level.
Post-construction BMPs are required to provide treatment that meets the maximum extent
practicable (MEP) treatment standard in the Clean Water Act. Treatment consistent with
the MEP standard is defined in the NPDES permit. To meet the MEP standard, treatment
BMPs are to be constructed that incorporate, at a minimum, the following hydraulic sizing
design criteria to treat stormwater runoff. As appropriate for each criterion, local rainfall
data are to be used or appropriately analyzed for the design of BMPs.
Volume Hydraulic Design Basis: Treatment BMPs whose primary mode of action
depends on volume capacity, such as detention/retention units or infiltration structures,
shall be designed to treat stormwater runoff equal to:
1. the maximized stormwater quality capture volume for the area, based on
historical rainfall records, determined using the formula and volume capture
coefficients set forth in Urban Runoff Quality Management, WEF Manual of
Practice No. 23/ ASCE Manual of Practice No. 87, (1998), pages 175-178 (e.g.,
approximately the 85th percentile 24-hour storm runoff event); or
2. the volume of annual runoff required to achieve 80 percent or more capture,
determined in accordance with the 7 set forth in Appendix D of the
/
Preserving, enhancing, and restoring the $tm Francisco Bay Area's waters for over 50 years
/&cled Paper
8C11J l.Q7
1.10
1.11
1.12
[pDtrb 20J I
Ms. Fraser
- 5 -
MND, Vargas Project, Dublin
California Stormwater Best Management Practices Handbook, (1993), using
local rainfall data.
Flow Hydraulic Design Basis: Treatment BMPs whose primary mode of action depends
on flow capacity, such as swales, sand filters, or wetlands, shall be sized to treat:
1. 10% of the 50-year peak flow rate;
2. or the flow of runoff produced by a rain event equal to at least two times the
85th percentile hourly rainfall intensity for the applicable area, based on
historical records of hourly rainfall depths; or
3. the flow of runoff resulting from a rain event equal to at least 0.2 inches per
hour intensity.
Water Board staff strongly encourage the use of landscape-based stormwater treatment
measures, such as biofilters and vegetated swales, to manage runoff from project sites.
Since landscape-based stormwater treatment measures require that some of the site surface
area be set aside for their construction, the proper sizing and placement of these features
should be evaluated early in the design process to facilitate incorporation of the features
into the site landscaping. Water Board staff discourage the use of inlet filter devices for
stormwater management. Filtration systems require a maintenance program that is
adequate to maintain the functional integrity of the systems and to ensure that improperly
maintained filtration devices do not themselves become sources of stormwater
contaminants or fail to function. Water Board staffhave observed problems with the use
of inlet filter inserts, since these devices require high levels of maintenance and are easily
clogged by leaves or other commonly occurring debris, rendering them ineffective.
Research conducted by the California Department of Transportation has demonstrated that
inlet filters can be clogged by a single storm event. The study found that these devices
required maintenance before and after storm events as small as 0.1 inch of rain. In
addition, trash, debris, and sediment in the catchment had a significant impact on the
frequency of maintenance I. Therefore, adequate maintenance of inlet filters to provide
MEP water quality treatment would be prohibitively expensive and impractically time
consummg.
Water Board staff recommend that the project proponents refer to Start at the Source, a
design guidance manual for storm water quality protection, for a fuller discussion of the
1 Othmer, Friedman, Borroum and Currier, November 2001, Performance Evaluation of Structural BMPs:
Drain inlet Inserts (Fossil Filter™ and Stream Guard™) and Oil/Water Separator, Sacramento, Caltrans.
Preserving, enhancing, and restoring the San Francisco Bay Area's waters for over 50 years
~ycled Paper
1.13
1.14
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Ms. Fraser
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MND, Vargas Project, Dublin
selection of stormwater management practices. This manual provides innovative
procedures for designing structures, parking lots, drainage systems, and landscaping to
mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff on receiving waters. This manual may be
obtained from the [Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program's
web site (www.scvurppp.orQ)] or bye-mailing a request to the e-mail address in the last
paragraph of this letter. Additional innovative techniques for incorporating structural
stormwater best management practices (BMPs) into urban design, such as infiltration
planter boxes, can be found in Portland, Oregon's 2002 Storm water Management Manual,
which can be obtained at www.cleanrivers-pdx.org/techresources/2002swmm.htm.
Comment 6
Section VIII, Mitigation.Measure 26 (page 64)
Mitigation Measure 26 refers to the construction of a water quality detention pond above
the banks of Tassajara Creek. However, the MND does not discuss how the treated
stormwater will be conveyed to Tassajara Creek. It is likely that the outfall from the pond
to the creek will require permits from the ACOE, Water Board, and/or CDFG. In addition,
mitigation may be required for any impacts associated with the outfall. These potential
impacts and mitigation measures are not addressed in the MND
If you have any questions, please contact me at (510) 622-5680 or bye-mail at
bwines@waterboards.ca.gov.
1.15
Sincerely,
'72 WrUv~
/J-~~
Brian Wines
Water Resources Control Engineer
cc State Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 3044, Sacramento, CA 95812-3044
USACE, San Francisco District, Attn: Regulatory Branch, 1455 Market Street, San
Francisco, CA 94103-1398 .
CDFG, Central Coast Region, Attn: Robert Floerke, Regional Manager, P.O. Box
47, Yountville CA 94599
CDFG, Central Coast Region, Attn: Janice Gan, P.O. Box 47, Yountville CA
94599
United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento
Fish and Wildlife Office, Attn: Chris Nagano, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605,
Sacramento, CA 95825-1846
Preserving, enhancing, and restoring the San Francisco Bay Area's waters for over 50 years
tffYcled Paper
(-0 ~ ~:b 2fl 7
Ms. Fraser
- 7 -
MND, Vargas Project, Dublin
United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento
Fish and Wildlife Office, Attn: Kim Squires, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605,
Sacramento, CA 95825-1846
Preserving, enhancing, and restoring the San Francisco Bay Area's waters for over 50 years
&cled Paper
f.p?tif) 2C,7
Comment Letter 1: California Regional Water Quality Control Board
Comment 1.1: The Mitigated Negative Declaration does not discuss waters of the State as being under
the jurisdiction of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board).
Response: The above comment is noted. The last paragraph on page 47 of the MND, under the heading
of "Wetlands" is clarified as follows (new text in bold). In order to further clarify the following
mitigation measures, additional language has been included which requires the developer to follow all
permit conditions of approval.
A jurisdictional delineation of Waters of the United States has been submitted to the United States
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Vargas property, but the USACE has not yet verified
this delineation. The Section 404 Delineation Map submitted to the USACE indicates that
approximately .483 acres of US ACE jurisdictional habitats have been identified on the Vargas
property. The location of these jurisdictional wetlands and jurisdictional waters can be found in
Exhibit 12.
In addition to the USACE, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board also has
regulatory authority over wetlands and waterways under the federal Clean Water Act and the
State of California's Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.
Mitigation Measure 18 on page 54 of the MND is hereby clarified as follows:
Mitigation Measure 18: Prior to issuance of a Building Permit or grading permit, the developer shall
apply for and receive all required permits for formal delineation, water quality certifications and
individual or general waste discharge requirements from the United States Army Corps of
Engineers and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board for the jurisdictional waters
and jurisdiction wetlands on the Project site. The Applicant shall follow all requirements and
conditions included in the permit.
Comment 1.2: The discussions of wetlands and jurisdictional waters in the Mitigated Negative
Declaration should be expanded to clarify that the Water Board has regulatory authority over wetlands
and waterways under both the Federal Clean Water Act and the State of California's Porter-Cologne
Water Quality Control Act. In addition, channels that have either been modified by human activities or
have been created by human activities, but which convey surface runoff that enter the channel through
gravity flow may also be regulated as waters of the State.
Response: The above comment is noted. Please see the response under Comment 1.1 for clarifications to
page 47 of the MND and Mitigation Measure 18. No other channels are present on the site (other than
what is shown on Exhibit 12 ofthe MND).
Comment 1.3: Activities that lie outside of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
jurisdiction, but within the Water Board jurisdiction, may require the issuance of either individual or
general waste discharge requirements (WDRs) from the Water Board. The Mitigated Negative
Declaration should be revised to describe the need to obtain WDRs from the Water Board for any
Project impacts to channels or wetlands at the Project site. The 0.086 acres of US ACE jurisdictional
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Project
March 2007
12
{p t.fr;b 7..'17
waters and 0.397 acres of US ACE wetlands on the Project site are waters ofthe State, subject to the
jurisdiction of the Water Board.
Response: The above comment is noted. Please refer to the clarified Mitigation Measure 18 under
Comment 1.1.
Comment 1.4: Mitigation Measure 18 on page 54 ofthe MND requires the developer to apply for and
receive all required permits for formal delineation from the Army Corps of Engineers for jurisdictional
waters which is a legal requirement, not a mitigation measure. The Water Board must be contacted to
determine if there are non Army Corps of Engineers jurisdictional waters of the State at the Project site.
As clarified in Mitigation Measure 18, the developer is required to contact the Water Board.
Response: While the permit noted above is a requirement, the requirement of this permit has been
included in the MND to show how this regulation applies to the Vargas Project. Additionally Mitigation
Measure 18 includes a timing requirement which enables Staff to verify that the required permits have
been granted prior to issuing any permits to develop the site.
Comment 1.5: Mitigation Measure 19 on page 54 should note that mitigation for impacts to wetlands
and waters of the United States are also subject to the review and approval by the Water Board.
In response to comments received from the Fish and Wildlife Service the Mitigation Measure has also
been clarified to require that the US ACE and the Water Board determine if the biologist is qualified to
perform the work.
Response: The above comment is noted. Mitigation Measure 19 is hereby clarified to include the
following text (noted in bold):
Mitigation Measure 19: Prior to issuance of a Building Permit or a grading permit, the
Project developers shall retain a qualified biologist (as determined by the City and the
USACE and California Regional Water Quality Board) to develop a plan to mitigate
impacts to .397 acres of wetlands at a 2: 1 ratio and impacts to .086 acres of Waters of the
United States, not including wetlands, at a 1: 1 ratio (total mitigation for US,^...CE
jurisdictional waters will total .88 acres) through creation of new wetlands, or as otherwise
approved by the Corps of Engineers and/or the California Regional Water Quality Board.
Comment 1.6: Mitigation Measure 19 does not have sufficient detail regarding the proposed location of
the wetlands mitigation. Because the location is not defined, the amount of mitigation required cannot be
evaluated.
Response: As noted above, Mitigation Measure 19 requires mitigation of the loss in jurisdictional
wetlands and jurisdictional waters. Final permitting and review of the proposed mitigation will be done
by the USACE and/or by the Water Board in accordance with Section 401 and Section 404 under the
Clean Water Act. Mitigation Measure 19 specifically requires that wetlands be replaced at a ratio of 2: 1
for jurisdiction wetlands and at a ratio of 1: 1 for jurisdictional waters requires a finite amount of acreage
(.88 acres) as mitigation. The mitigation measure also requires that a qualified biologist prepare the
mitigation plan which shows the wetland area to be created which will then be reviewed by the USACE
and/or the Water Board during the permitting process. Because the mitigation measure requires a
specific amount of wetlands and waters mitigation, the requirement for permits and includes monitoring
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
13
l.I?61J 2.41
to ensure that the permit procedures are carried out, the City has determined that the propose mitigation
is adequate under CEQA.
Comment 1.7: The Project is in the area covered by the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program
(ACCWP). Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal
Stormwater Permit (Order R2-2003-0021, NPDES Permit No. CAS0029831) that was issued to
ACCWP, all projects that create or replace 10,000 square feet of impervious surfaces are required to
provide post construction best management practices (BMPs) for stormwater management. Provision
C.3 of the NPDES Permit specifies the criteria to be used in sizing these BMPs.
Response: The above comment is noted. Water quality and regulation by the Environmental Protection
Agency and the Water Board are discussed in the third paragraph on page 62. As noted in the comment,
municipal stormwater permits and permits for construction are separate permits.
As noted in the comment above, the Applicant will be required to comply with Best Management
Practices for stormwater management. The text in the Hydrology and Water Quality section of the MND
discusses the need for a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to reduce impacts from
stormwater runoff. In order to clarify the purposes of the SWPPP, the following mitigation measure is
clarified as follows:
Mitigation Measure 26: In accordance with the City's Municipal Stormwater Permit, Section C.3, a
drainage and hydrology study shall be submitted to the City of Dublin Public Works Department,
including historic drainage flows from the site, estimated increases in the amount of stormwater
runoff, and the ability of downstream facilities to accommodate flow increase and post
construction Best Management Practices (BMPs) for stormwater management (as provided
under the provisions of Section C.3 of the NPDES Permit) shall be submitted prior to the
issuance of grading permits (text removed). This report shall also document the project's fair share
contribution to fund any improvements in downstream facilities that are required to support this
project and shall be submitted with the Stage 2 Rezone and Site Development Review plans.
Comment 1.8: Mitigation Measure 25 states that the Project will prepare a Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to reduce impacts from construction and post-construction activities to a less
than significant level. However, the MND does not discuss the proposed post-construction stormwater
treatment best management practices (BMPs), or the proposed locations of these BMPs on the Project
site layout at any level of detail.
Response: The MND included a Preliminary Hydrology and Drainage Plan prepared by RJA as
Appendix D. The Plan provides for the detention of runoff to pre-development levels by over sizing a
portion of the storm drain system to store peak flows. The plan also provides for the treatment of runoff
through the use of swales to the extent practical with CDS centrifugal stormdrain manholes in the
locations where swales cannot be located.
Comment 1.9: The text on page 64 states that a water quality detention pond will be constructed adjacent
to the Tassajara Creek to treat surface water runoff from a portion of the project site. Treatment
measures for the remainder of the site are not discussed in the body of the MND. The MND does not
describe how the proposed detention pond was sized or demonstrate that sufficient land area has been set
aside for an adequately sized pond. Therefore it is not possible to evaluate whether or not the Project can
attain the treatment requirements ofthe Alameda County Clean Water Program's NPDES Municipal
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Project
March 2007
14
~ut217
Stormwater Permit. Also it is not acceptable to discharge untreated stormwater from developed portions
of the site to the storm drain system in Tassajara Road.
Response: Appendix D in the MND included a preliminary hydrologic analysis which discussed the
treatment of runoff from the site. In order to clarify how runoff from the site will be treated, the
following clarification below the first paragraph on page 62 of the MND is provided:
Approximately 48% of the site will be treated using a grassy swale along the street and
bubble up systems in the front yards of the lots. The stormwater runoff from the double
loaded street (approximately 14% of the site) will be treated using a media filter
mechanical device. The stormwater runoff from the open space areas along the western
and northern property line (38% of the site) will not be treated since no development is
proposed in that area. The Plan, in Appendix D, also provides for the detention of runoff to
pre-development levels by over sizing a portion of the storm drain system to store peak
flows. The plan also provides for the treatment of runoff through the use of swales to the
extent practical with CDS centrifugal stormdrain manholes in the locations where swales
cannot be located.
Comment 1.10: The text in Appendix D is not consistent with the body of the MND. The text states that
a basin is not feasible and proposes to use swales for most of the developed area of the site.
Response: RJA, the preparers of Appendix D indicated that a detention pond, in the size typically
needed, would not be practical due to the proposed density of the development and the size of the
property. The site plan in the Appendix shows the location of a smaller "DetentionlWater Quality
Pond." Upon further review, RJA clarifies that the "Detention" notation on the site plan is a drafting
error and that the pond will only be used for water quality. The pond will be shallow and will be used as
a swale.
The MND is hereby clarified to remove all references to "detention."
Comment 1.11: Appendix D proposes to use CDS separators to treat runoff from some portions of the
developed Project site. CDS units belong to a class of treatment devices referred to as "hydronamic
separators." Water Board staff discourage the use ofhydronamic separators as the sole means of treating
runoff at a new residential site. Sufficient design detail should be provided to ensure that the Project has
set aside sufficient land area for appropriately sized treatment measures.
Response: Stormwater will be treated to the maximum extent practical by the use of grassy swales or the
water quality pond. In areas where topography or site design precludes the use of swales or ponds,
runoffwill be treated using CDS centrifugal storm drain manholes. As part of the City's conditions of
approval for the project, the developer will be required to execute a post-construction operations and
maintenance agreement (the standard Alameda County Clean Water Program format) with the City,
requiring that the Homeowner's Association maintain all stormwater measures, and granting the City,
Regional Board, and Mosquito Abatement District the right to inspect these measures.
Comment 1.12: Post-construction BMPs are required to provide treatment that meets the maximum
extent practicable (MEP) treatment standard in the Clean Water Act. Treatment consistent with the MEP
standard is defined in the NPDES permit. To meet the MEP standard, treatment BMPs are to be
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Project
March 2007
15
constructed that incorporate, at a minimum, the hydraulic sizing criteria to treat stormwater runoff
included on pages 4-6 of the Regional Water Quality Control Board letter.
(p 11JZC1 f
Response: The above comment is noted. Mitigation Measure 25 is clarified to include the following
(new text in bold):
Mitigation Measure 25: The developer of the Vargas property shall prepare a Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) which lists Best Management Practices to provide
treatment that meets the minimum extent practicable (MEP) treatment standard in the
Clean Water Act and incorporate the hydraulic sizing criteria to treat stormwater runoff
as referred in pages 4-6 of the Regional Water Quality Control Board letter dated March
16,2007 to reduce construction and post-construction activities to a less-than-significant level.
Measures may include, but shall not be limited to revegetation of graded areas, silt fencing and
the use ofbiofilters within landscape areas. The SWPPP shall conform to standards adopted by
the Regional Waster Quality Control Board and the City of Dublin. The SWPPP shall be
approved by both agencies and shall obtain a Notice oflntent from the State Water Resources
Control Board prior to the issuance of grading permits.
Comment 1.13: The Water Board strongly encourages the use of landscape-based stormwater treatment
measure, such as biofilters and vegetated swales, to manage runoff from Project sites. The Water Board
discourages the use of inlet filter devices for stormwater management.
Response: As noted under Comment 1.10,48% of the site will be treated using grassy swales and 38%
ofthe site will not be treated because no development will occur in these open space areas. Only 14% of
the site will be treated using a media filter mechanical device. These devices will be centrifugal storm
drain manholes; filter devices on individual inlets will not be used. Please refer to the City's responses to
Comment 1.11 for additional information.
Comment 1.14: The Water Board staff recommends that the project proponents refer to Start at the
Source, a design guidance manual for storm water quality protection for a fuller discussion of the
selection of stormwater management practices.
Response: The above comment is noted. The developer has been mad aware that Start at the Source
should b used as a design guidance manual.
Comment 1.15: Mitigation Measure 26 refers to the construction of a water quality detention pond above
the banks of Tassajara Creek. It is likely that the outfall from the pond to the creek will require permits
from the Army Corps of Engineers, Water Board and/or California Department ofFish and Game. In
addition, Mitigation may be required for any impacts associated with the outfall. These potential impacts
and mitigation measures are not addressed in the MND.
Response: Please refer to the City's response to Comment 1.10. The reference to "detention" pond has
been removed from the MND and the pond will function as a swale.
There will not be a direct outfall from the pond into Tassajara Creek; the pond will discharge to the on-
site storm drain system and in turn to the Tassajara Road storm drain system, which will connect to an
existing culvert crossing of Moller Creek to the south.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Project
March 2007
16
DUBLIN
SAN RAMON
SERVICES
DISTRICT
&~DQ2-'11
7051 Dublin Boulevard
Dublin, California 94568
Phone: 925 828 0515
FAX: 925 829 1180
www.dsrsd.com
March 19,2007
Erica Fraser, Project Planner
City of Dublin - Community Development Dept.
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
Subject:
Vargas Property Mitigated Negative Declaration (PA 06-030)
Dear Ms. Fraser:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above subject document. The Dublin San
Ramon Services District (DSRSD) has reviewed the Mitigated Negative Declaration and has the
following comment.
The proposed project is within the current DSRSD Sphere of Influence and is included in the
current DSRSD Urban Water Management Plan and Wastewater Collection System Master Plan
Update. The determination has been made that DSRSD has sufficient water availability and
sewer treatment capacity to serve the proposed project upon annexation by DSRSD.
Construction of pipelines and related appurtenances needed to serve the project area will be
required.
2.1
The planned Configuration of the Zone 2 Water Facilities in Eastern Dublin along Tassajara
Road has changed from what was specified in the 2005 Water Master Plan Update. Therefore
extension of potable water service to the proposed development along Tassajara Road is not
considered to be major infrastructure and shall be completed by the developer. A Public
Facilities Planning Agreement shall be entered into between the property owner and DSRSD,
which may include the completion of a water service analysis to determine how potable water
service will be provided to the proposed development.
2.2
As specified in the 2005 DSRSD Water Master Plan Update extension of Recycled water service
to the proposed development along Tassajara Road is not considered to be major infrastructure
and shall be completed by the developer.
2.3
The Dublin San Ramon Services District is a Public Entity
RECEIVEP
MAR 2 1 Z007
DUBLIN PLAI'tl'tlN\.:l
Erica Fraser
March 19,2007
Page 2 of2
iJ;q~Z~7
The current DSRSD Wastewater Collection System Master Plan update does not specify the
extension of required sewer mains along Tassajara Road as reimbursable major infrastructure.
Extension of these services shall be completed by the developer in accordance with all DSRSD
"Standard Procedures, Specifications and Drawings for Design and Installation of Wastewater
Facilities", all applicable DSRSD Master Plans and all DSRSD policies.
2.4
Thank you for your consideration in this matter. If you have any questions regarding these
comments, please contact me at (925) 875-2255.
~' ~
. RHO:!!;AN ~L
Senior Engineer
ATJ/RNB:es
cc: Dave Requa
H:\ENGDEPfICEQA\lnitial Sludy Mitigllled NegDec Vargas Property,doc
OlronIFile: DP-06-030
10rro 2~7
Comment Letter 2: Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD)
Comment 2.1: The proposed project is within the current DSRSD Sphere of Influence and is included in
the current DSRSD Urban Water Management Plan and Wastewater Collection System Master Plan
Update. The determination has been made that DSRSD has sufficient water availability and sewer
treatment capacity to serve the proposed project upon annexation by DSRSD. Construction of pipelines
and related appurtenances needed to serve the proj ect area will be required.
Response: The above comment is noted. The developer of the Project will be required to construct
pipelines and related appurtenances to serve the Proj ect area.
Comment 2.2: The extension of potable water service and recycled water service to the Project along
Tassajara Road shall be completed by the developer.
Response: The above comment is noted. The Applicant will be required to construct the extension of the
potable water service and recycled water service to serve the Project.
Comment 2.3: A Public Facilities Planning Agreement shall be entered into between the property owner
and DSRSD.
Response: The above comment is noted. The developer has been made aware that the property owner
must enter into a Public Facilities Agreement with DSRSD.
Comment 2.4: Extension ofthe required sewer mains along Tassajara Road shall be completed by the
developer in accordance with all DSRSD "Standard Procedures, Specifications and Drawings for Design
and Installation of Wastewater Facilities", all applicable DSRSD Master Plans and all DSRSD policies.
Response: The above comment is noted. The Applicant will be required to construct the extension of the
required sewer lines in accordance with all DSRSD requirements.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
19
~
7/1) 2.&>f7
ALAMEDA LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION
1221 OAK STREET, SUITE 555 * OAKLAND, CA 94612
(510) 271-5142 FAX (510) 272-3784
LAFCO
Members
Jocelyn Combs, Vice Chair
Special District Member
Katy Foulkes
Special District Member
Alternates
Herbert Crowle
Special District Member
Executive Officer
Crystal Hishida Graff
Gail Steele
County Member
Nate Miley
County Member
Janet Lockhart, Chair
City Member
Marshall Kamena
City Member
Sblend Sblendorio
Public Member
Scott Haggerty
County Member
Jennifer Hosterman
City Member
Linda Sheehan
Public Member
March 20, 2007
Erica Fraser, AICP, Senior Planner
City of Dublin
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin CA 94568
Subject: Vargas Project Initial StudylMitigated Negative Declaration
Dear Ms. Fraser:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Vargas Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration.
The Alameda Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) must evaluate the potential impa~s of proposed
reorganizations in order to ensure that the Commission can make an informed decision. Therefort, we offer the
following comments on the document: .
3.1 ·
Please include annexation proposal maps. There should be one for the City of Dublin proposed annexation, and
one for the proposed annexation to the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD).
Please provide a description of the City's affordable housing plan, including the impact of this proposed
annexation on the City's plan to meet its regional housing allocations, whether any alternate housing is going to
be provided, and whether such plans will induce development in other areas.
Please provide a table of existing and proposed service providers in the project description.
Please provide a discussion of the potential impacts of the proposed annexation to DSRSD. For example, are
there any impacts from installation of infrastructure (e.g., transmission lines)? When water lines are extended
to Casamira Valley and the other affected properties, will this induce growth on lands to northwest?
Please provide an evaluation of the water supply demands and/or potential impacts.
3.2 ·
3.3 ·
3.4 ·
3.5 ·
Should you have questions about the information above, please contact Barbara Graichen, LAFCo Planner at 916-
991-2177 or Mona Palacios, LAFCo Analyst at 510-272-3894.
Sincerely,
~ HiShida~
Executive Officer
cc: Barbara Graichen, LAFCo Planner
Mona Palacios, LAFCo Analyst
V:ILAF\DublinIMoller Ranch, DublinlVargas IS.MND response.3.20.07.DOC
RECEIVED
MAR 2 ~ Z007
DUBLIN PLANNING
1 ZfJ2'17
Comment Letter 3: Alameda Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo)
Comment 3.1: Include Annexation proposal maps.
Response: A map showing the annexation area is included in this document as Appendix A.
Comment 3.2: Provide a description ofthe City' affordable housing plan, including the impact of this
proposed Project on the City's plan to meet its regional housing allocations, whether any alternative
housing is going to be provided and whether such plans will induce development in other areas.
Response: The provision of affordable housing is required by Chapter 8.68, Inclusionary Zoning
Regulations, of the Dublin Zoning Ordinance. As required by this Ordinance, all new residential
developments with 20 or more dwelling units are required to provide 12.5% ofthe total number of
dwelling units as affordable units. The Zoning Ordinance specifies the allocation of units and allows for
payment of an in-lieu fee for up to 40% of the required units.
As stated in the Applicant's Stage 1 Development Plan the Applicant is proposing to construct 60% of
the required number of affordable units on the site. The Applicant will then pay an in-lieu fee for the
remaining 40% as permitted by the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. Inclusionary housing requirements
are generally applied at the tentative map or site development review stage of a project (see section
8.68.030.C)
The City's Housing Element does not identify the Vargas site as one ofthe sites with future housing
potential in the City during the Housing Element Planning Period (as noted in Table 40 ofthe Housing
Element) because the project site is outside of the City Limits. Therefore, the proposed General Plan and
Specific Plan Amendment to reduce the density so that a maximum of 33 dwelling units can be
constructed does not conflict with the Housing Element.
Construction ofthe Vargas Project is not anticipated to have the potential to induce growth in the area.
Residential development of the Vargas site has been anticipated since 1993 when the Eastern Dublin
General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan were adopted. Land to the north ofthe project site (past the
Tipper property) is zoned for agricultural uses and are under the jurisdiction of Contra Costa County. A
residential development was recently approved on Wallis Ranch, located east of the project site, and is
anticipated on the Casamira Valley site (included in the annexation request). Development-level plans
for a residential community are currently being reviewed by the City on the Mission Peak site located
east of the Vargas site; a prezoning and Stage 1 Development Plan were previously approved for this
site in connection with its annexation. Residential construction is also currently underway on the Silvera
Ranch site located southeast of the project site.
It is unclear what "alternative housing" referenced in the comment means. The proposed residential
community on the Vargas site will have small lots, detached units, a small front yard and a small rear
yard. Housing types in the vicinity vary and include estate lots, condominiums and traditional single
family houses. The proposed Vargas Project will offer a new housing type and will increase housing
options in the vicinity.
Comment 3.3: Provide a table of existing and proposed service providers in the project description.
Responses to Comments on the Initial StudylMitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
21
I ~tfJJ 2.47
Response: The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration is clarified to include the table on page 5 of
the MND:
Existing and Proposed Service Providers:
The following table lists the existing and proposed service providers for the Vargas project:
Service
Current Provider
Alameda County
Sherriff's Department
Police
Fire
Alameda County Fire
De artment
PG&E
Well
Electrici
Water
Sewer
Septic
Garba e
Street Lightin
Road Maintenance
Flood Control
Parks and Recreation
Libra Services
Transit
Schools
Alameda Coun
Dublin Unified School
District
Pro osed Provider
City of Dublin - Alameda
County Sherriff's
De artment
City of Dublin - Alameda
Coun Fire De artment
PG&E
Dublin San Ramon
Services District
Dublin San Ramon
Services District
Amador Valle Industries
City of Dublin
Ci of Dublin
Cit of Dublin
East Bay Regional Park
District and City of
Dublin Parks and
Communi Services
Alameda Coun
LATV A HEELS)
Dublin Unified School
District
Comment 3.4: Provide a discussion ofthe potential impacts to DSRSD. Will the extension of water lines
induce growth on lands to the northwest?
Response: The commenter is directed to Comment Letter 2 received from the Dublin San Ramon
Services District (DSRSD) which discusses the proposed Project. As summarized under Comment 2.1,
DSRSD notes that DSRSD has sufficient water availability and sewer treatment capacity to serve the
proposed project upon annexation by DSRSD. As discussed under comments 2.2 through 2.4, the
Applicant will be required to install all pipelines to serve the Project
Please refer to the discussion under Comment 3.2 regarding the potential of the Project to induce growth
in the area. Additionally, lands to the north, west and south of the Vargas site are included in the Dublin
Ranch West/Wallis Ranch project. This area has been annexed to the City of Dublin and development
recently approved. The Tipper property is also north of the Vargas property. Tipper is not proposed for
any development; however, like Dublin Ranch West and Vargas, it is located within the Dublin and
DSRSD Spheres of Influence. These lands have been planned for residential development since 1993
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Project
22
March 2007
7'11;2. C,7
and are the last remaining areas to be annexed and developed in this area. The Vargas project is not
expected to induce growth in this area.
Comment 3.5 Provide an evaluation of the water supply demands and/or potential impacts.
Response: Development of the Project site has been planned for since the Eastern Dublin General Plan
Amendment and Specific Plan were adopted and the related Environmental Impact Report was certified
in 1993. The commenter is directed to the Earlier Analysis section starting on page 2 in the Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for more information on the 1993 Environmental Impact
Report. As discussed in the Project Description beginning on page 5 of the MND, the proposed Project
will have fewer units that was previously planned for in the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific
Plan.
As noted in the Dublin San Ramon Services District letter (Comment Letter 2), the project area is within
the DSRSD Sphere of Influence and is included in the current DSRSD Urban Water Management Plan
and Wastewater Collection System Management Plan Update. The commenter is also directed to the
City's response under comment 3.4 regarding water availability. Water supply is further addressed in
the Initial Study checklist in section XVI, Utilities and Service Systems, beginning at page 85. No
additional impacts were identified for water supply.
The City notes that the DSRSD water supply assumptions for water planning were based on the existing
General Plan, which would allow for more development than the Project proposes. The project is
typical residential development, with water demand for residents and for irrigating landscaping. There
are no unusual characteristics of the Project or site that would affect DSRSD's water use assumptions
for the Project.
Additionally, please refer to the letter attached as Appendix B to this document. Appendix B includes a
letter from the Dublin San Ramon Services District dated March 29, 2007which verifies that there is
sufficient water supply to serve the proposed Project.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
23
State of California - The Resources Aoency
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
http://www.dfg.ca.gov
POST OFFICE BOX 47
YOUNTVILLE, CALIFORNIA 94599
(707) 944-5500
ARNOLD SCHWARZENECiCiER. Ciovern-1~~ 211
e
March 26, 2007
Erica Fraser, Senior Planner
City of Dublin
Community Development Department
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
Dear Ms. Fraser:
Subject: Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas Project,
SCH 2007032020, City of Dublin, Alameda County
Department of Fish and Game (DFG) personnel have reviewed the above Initial
Study\Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Vargas Project.
The Project Site is located at 7020 Tassajara Road in the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan
area, outside of the City of Dublin limits, but within the City Sphere of Influence. The
site is located in unincorporated Alameda County and is zoned for agriculture. The
property has a Dublin General Plan/Specific Plan land use designation of Medium-
Density Residential and Medium/High-Density Residential. The project site is 5.0 gross
acres and is located north of Fallon Road adjacent to Tassajara Road to the east and
Tassajara Creek to the west. The Vargas property has been within the Dublin General
Plan/Specific Plan since its inception.
The IS/MND assesses anticipated environmental impacts resulting from the proposed
project of developing the Vargas property with 33 detached units on 2.5 acres of the
project site. DFG has the following comments on portions of the Draft Environmental
Impact Report (DEIR) that may affect sensitive species and habitats.
Tassajara Creek, located adjacent to the Project Area is known to include habitat for the
California tiger salamander (CTS) and the California red-legged frog (CRLF). Suitable
breeding habitat for CTS likely occurs within dispersal distance of the project area. CTS
move long distances, up to one mile, between breeding habitats and aestivation sites.
CRLF depend on upland areas adjacent to creeks and wetland features and have also 4.1
been documented in Tassajara Creek within dispersal distance of the project site.
Recent research has shown that CRLF move over one and one-half miles during
dispersal.
Conserving Ca[ifomiaJs Wi[cf[ife Since 1870
~
RECEIVED
MAR 2 "{ Z007
DUBLIN PLANNING
-U-A tJfJ z.cr 7
Erica Fraser, Senior Planner
March 26, 2007
Page 2
The IS/MND does not adequately identify mitigation for the loss of habitat for these two
species. The mitigation stated in the IS/MND includes surveys and exclusion devises.
This mitigation is not a substitute for loss of habitat. Should pre-construction surveys
document CRLF and/or CTS presence, the loss of occupied habitat will need to be
mitigated at a 3:1 ratio.
On page 54, Mitigation Measure 17 states that plant surveys will be conducted.
Focused species rare plant surveys shall be conducted during the blooming period to
facilitate identification.
4.2
DFG appreciates the opportunity to comment on the IS/MND. If you have any comments
or questions regarding this letter, please contact Suzanne DeLeon, Environmental
Scientist, at (831) 940-4433; or Liam Davis, Acting Habitat Conservation Supervisor, at
(707) 944-5529.
Sincerely,
f~ttuA~ F/)R
Charles Armor
Acting Regional Manager
Bay Delta Region
-rl1J ~~7
Comment Letter 4: State of California Department of Fish and Game
Comment 4.1: Tassajara Creek, located adjacent to the Project, is known to include habitat for the
California Tiger Salamander (CTS) and the California Red-Legged Frog (CRLF). Suitable breeding
habitat for the CTS likely occurs within dispersal distance of the project area. CTS move long distances,
up to one mile, between breeding habitats and aestivation sites. CRLF depend on upland areas adjacent
to creeks and wetland features and have also been documented in Tassajara Creek within dispersal
distance ofthe Project site. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration does not adequately
identify mitigation for the loss of habitat for these two species. Should pre-construction surveys
document the presence of CRLF and/or CTS, the loss of occupied habitat will need to be mitigated at a
3: 1 ratio.
Response: Neither the California Tiger Salamander nor the California Red-Legged Frog were observed
on the site during the 2006 biological survey conducted by Olberding Environmental (included as
Appendix A in the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. Although the species were not
observed, Mitigation Measures regarding both species were included in the Mitigated Negative
Declaration in the event that the species do locate on the site in the future. Additionally, the Mitigation
Measures require that the developer work with the Department of Fish and Game and Fish and Wildlife
Services if the species are found on the site.
The commenter's request to include a Mitigation Measures which requires the loss of habitat to be
mitigated at a ratio of 3: 1 is noted. The following mitigation measures are clarified to reflect comments
received:
Mitigation Measure 8: A pre-construction survey to determine if there are California Red-Legged
Frogs one or near the site shall be conducted no more than 60 days prior to construction or grading
on the Project site. A copy of the survey report shall be submitted to the Community Development
Department for review prior to the issuance of any grading or Building Permit. Should the survey
determine that these species are located on the site, the developer shall work with the Community
Development Department, a qualified biologist (as determined by the City and the Department of
Fish and Game and Fish and Wildlife) and the Department of Fish and Game and Fish and
Wildlife Service to determine any additional measures that shall be placed on the project to avoid
impacts to these species. If habitat loss for the California Red-Legged Frog will occur as a result
of the Project, the loss in habitat shall be mitigated at a ratio of 3:1.
Mitigation Measure 10: If the California Tiger Salamander is found within or close to the area
proposed for grading and/or construction and could, in the opinion of the resource agency be
impacted, a California Tiger Salamander management plan shall be prepared by a qualified biologist
(as determined by the City and the Department of Fish and Game and Fish and Wildlife) and the
Project developer and shall be approved by the California Department of Fish and Game and the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service prior to the start of construction. The plan shall detail how
the California Tiger Salamander will be managed before and during construction activities and shall
include the following:
1) Installation of a temporary herpetological fence prior to any ground disturbance around the
entire development footprint, or the area designated by the resource agencies which shall
prevent the California Tiger Salamander from entering the construction site and shall remain in
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
26
l~trb7}17
place until a permanent fence or barrier approved by the resource agencies is installed. A
maintenance schedule for the temporary fences shall also be provided.
2) A trapping and relocation plan shall be prepared that details how aestivating California
Tiger Salamander individuals will be adequately relocated from the development footprint and
into permanently suitable aestivation habitat.
3) Exclusionary barriers shall be installed prior to the onset of winter rains which stimulate the
California Tiger Salamander to move to breeding ponds. A qualified biologist (as determined
by the City) shall monitor the installation of the barriers to ensure that they are properly
installed.
4) The barrier fencing shall be maintained and monitored continuously for the duration of the
construction of the development and site to ensure that migrating and dispersing California
Tiger Salamanders do not re-enter the construction area.
5) The exclusion fencing shall remain in place until the construction of the development and
site is complete.
6) A qualified biologist (as determined by the City) shall be present during grading and ground
disturbance construction activities to ensure that there is no harm to California Tiger
Salamanders.
7) Grading and vegetation clearing shall not occur within 750 feet of the California Tiger
Salamander breeding pond, if a breeding pond is found on the site in the future, during the
breeding and migrating season which occurs from November to June.
8) If habitat loss for the California Tiger Salamander will occur as a result of the Project,
the loss in habitat shall be mitigated at a ratio of 3:1.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Project
March 2007
27
,q P{)" '11
Comment 4.2: Focused species rare plant surveys shall be conducted during the blooming period to
facilitate identification.
Response: The commenter's request to revise the Mitigation Measure to require the plant survey to be
conducted during the blooming period is noted. The Mitigated Negative Declaration is hereby clarified
to reflect the following (new text noted in bold):
Mitigation Measure 17: Prior to issuance of any grading or Building Permits including sitework
permits, a plant survey shall be conducted on the site, during the blooming period of plant species,
to determine if any special status plant species are located on the site. A copy of the report shall be
submitted to the Community Development Department for review prior to the issuance of the
Building Permit. Any rare plants shall be staked and the California Department of Fish and Game
shall be immediately notified of their presence. If special status plants are found on the site and will
be disturbed due to grading or construction, the Project developer shall protect or relocate the
plant(s) as required by the respective resource agency. Copies of the surveys and measures to protect
or relocate plants as required by the resource agency, shall be submitted to the City prior to the
issuance of a grading or Building permit, whichever is issued first.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
28
~Dcro7- q 7
ALAMEDA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
100 NORTH CANYONS PARKWAY, LIVERMORE, CA 94551-9486 i PHONE (925) 454-5000
April 2, 2007
Ms. Erica Fraser, Senior Planner
City of Dublin
Parks and Community Services Department
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
Re: Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas Project
Dear Ms. Fraser:
Zqne 7 has reviewed the referenced CEQA document in the context of Zone Ts mission to provide
drinking water, non-potable water for agriculture and irrigated turf, flood protection, and groundwater and
stream management within the Livermore-Amador Valley. We have the following comment.
In Appendix D, RJA proposes to up size storm drain pipe to detain 10 and 100 year storm events and
meter them out to the storm drain system in Tassajara Rd. Who will be maintaining and operating the
metering of the storm drain? Zone 7 does not support local detention basin (pipeline) facilities unless
some public entity is involved with the maintenance/operation of the detainment system. A public entity,
such as the City of Dublin, should be responsible for the detention system as the timing of the releases is
crucial and may impact downstream Zone 7 facilities. The developer would need to show how the flows
will be released and what impact these flows will have at the Arroyo Mocho confluence with Tassajara
Creek and at Bernal Bridge on Arroyo de la Laguna.
5.1
5.2
We appreCiate the opportunity to comment on this document. If you have any questions or comments,
please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience at 925-454-5036 or via e-mail at
mlim@zone7water.com.
"
Attachment
cc: Karla Nemeth, Environmental & Public Affairs Manager, Zone 7
Joe Seto, Principal Engineer, Zone 7
Jeff Tang, Associate Civil Engineer, Zone 7
RECEIVED
APR O'3Z007
DUBUN PLANNING
1j(O(j z~7
Comment Letter 5: Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District: Zone 7
Comment 5.1: In Appendix D, RJ A proposes to upsize storm drain pipe to detain 10 and 100 year storm
events and meter them out to the storm drain system on Tassajara Road. Who will maintain and operate the
metering of the storm drain? A public entity, such as the City of Dublin, should be responsible for the
detention system as the timing of the releases is crucial and may impact downstream Zone 7 facilities.
Response: The proposed storm drain detention for the Vargas project will act as an underground detention
pond; there will be no valves, gates, or anything requiring an operator in order to function. Periodic
maintenance will involve keeping the pipes and outlets clean of debris or trash.
During the final review of the storm drain system during the permitting process, the City will consider
placement of the detention pipe in the public right-of-way which will allow the City to periodically maintain
the system. In the event that the detention pipe is located in the development, maintenance by the
Homeowner's Association will be required. As part of the City's normal reviewing process prior to the
issuance of permits, the final storm drain system design will be forwarded for review by Zone 7.
Comment 5.2: The developer must show how the flows will be released and what impact these flows will
have at the Arroyo Mocho confluence with Tassajara Creek at Bernal Bridge on Arroyo de la Laguna.
Response: Due to the small size of the Project, Staff anticipates that the modeling will be inconclusive due
to the flows out ofthe project being much smaller than the flows in the Arroyo Mocho.
Prior to approval of a tentative map for the proj ect, the City will require an analysis of flows to Arroyo
Mocho for Zone 7. The level of analysis required for this project can be determined by Zone 7 at that time.
As part of the normal review procedures, the City would not approve the map until Zone 7 is satisfied with
the proposal.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Project
March 2007
30
~2UV?,ct7
COUNTY OF ALAMEDA
PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
951 Turner Court, Room 100
Hayward, CA 94545-2698
(510) 670-6601
FAX (510) 670-5269
April 2, 2007
Erica Fraser, AICP
Senior Planner
Community Development Department
City of Dublin
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
Dear Ms. Fraser:
Subject: Vargas Project - Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
Reference is made to your transmittal of March 2, 2007, of the Initial Study/Mitigated
Negative Declaration for the Vargas Project, located on approximately 4.38 acres of land on
the west side of Tassajara Road south of the Alameda-Contra Costa. county line in
unincorporated Alameda County.
We have reviewed the submitted document and offer the following comments:
I. From this, and other proposed development projects along Tassajara Road it appears that
the entire length of Tassajara Road within Alameda County is to be annexed by the City of
Dublin. Verify that annexation will not leave any short sections of Tassajara Road in the
unincorporated County area.
6.1
2. The only roadways, or portions thereof in the region that appear will remain County
roadways are El Charro Road at 1-580 and Collier Canyon Road. With the widening of
Fallon Road, the portion of County roadway that access Fallon Road from 1-580 (El
Charro road) will also need to be widened from its current two lanes up to eight lanes to
mitigate for the increased traffic. Upon such improvement ofEl Charro Road, the County
will look to the City of Dublin to enter into an agreement for maintenance of the improved
roadway.
6.2
3. Although the project site is located in Zone 7, runoff ultimately drains to the Alameda
.' Creek Federal Project .in western Alameda County. This flood control facility is
maintained by the Alameda County Flood Control District. The District is concerned with
augmentation in runoff from the site that may impact flow capacity in the Federal Project
and in the watercourses between the site and the Federal Project, as well as the potential
RECEI ED
APR 0 4. Z001
,DUBUN PLAnn'rtU
6.3
TO SERVE AND PRESERVE OUR COMMUNITY
Ms. Erica Fraser
2
<3~~ 2. or7
April 2, 2007 U
for runoff from the project to increase the rate of erosion along those same watercourses
that could cause localized damage and result in deposition of silt in the Federal Project.
There should be no augmentation in runoff quantity or duration from the project site that
will adversely impact downstream drainage facilities. The District should be involved in
the review of the project hydrologic and hydraulic models, including the design of any
detention ponds that may be necessary.
Thank you for the opportunity to review the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for
this project. If you have any questions, please call Andrew Otsuka at (510) 670-6613.
Very truly yours,
l~ flA-
George Sukkar
Deputy Director
Development Services Department
GS:AO
cc: Moses Tsang, Flood Program
Rory MacNeil, Real Estate Division
James Chu, Road Department
John Bates, Traffic Engineering
Tom Hinderlie, Maintenance & Operations
K wablah Attiogbe, Environmental Services
Robert Hale, Clean Water Division
John Nguyen, Permits and Grading
Bill Lepere, Construction
'8+rt 7-0,7
Comment Letter 6: Alameda County Public Works Agency
Comment 6.1: From this, and other proposed development projects along Tassajara Road it appears that the
entire length of Tassajara Road within Alameda County is to be annexed by the City of Dublin. Verify that
annexation will not leave any short sections of Tassajara Road in the unincorporated County.
Response: The above comment is acknowledged and the City of Dublin will submit an annexation request to
LAFCO that brings the City Limit line up to the current Alameda/Contra Costa County Line so that there
are no gaps in local governmental jurisdiction regarding Tassajara Road. Additionally, a preliminary
annexation map is included as Appendix A to this document.
Comment 6.2: The only roadways, or portions thereof in the region that appear will remain County
roadways are EI Charro Road at 1-580 and Collier Canyon Road. With the widening of Fallon Road, the
portion of County roadway that access Fallon Road from 1-580 (EI Charro Road) will also need to be
widened from its two lanes up to eight lanes to mitigate for the increased traffic. Upon such improvement of
El Charro Road, the County will look to the City of Dublin to enter into an agreement for maintenance of
the improved roadway.
Response: As noted in the MND, the Vargas project will not have any impacts south ofthe freeway. The
area mentioned in the above comment is located in unincorporated Alameda County near the future Staples
Ranch development. This area is anticipated to be annexed into the City of Pleasanton in the future and is
outside of the City's jurisdiction.
Comment 6.3: Although the project site is located in Zone 7, runoff ultimately drains to the Alameda Creek
Federal Project in western Alameda County. This flood control facility is maintained by the Alameda
County Flood Control District. The District is concerned with augmentation in runoff from the site that may
impact flow capacity in the Federal Project and in the watercourses between the site and the Federal Project
as well as the potential for runoff from the proj ect to increase the rate of erosion along those same
watercourses that could cause localized damage and result in deposition of silt in the Federal Project. There
should be no augmentation in runoff quantity or duration from the project site that will adversely impact
downstream drainage facilities. The District should be involved in the review ofthe project hydrologic and
hydraulic models, including the design of any detention ponds that may be necessary.
Response: The above comment is noted. The MND contained a Preliminary Hydrologic Analysis showing
that the Project will attenuate runoff to pre-development runoff rates. The City will consult with and provide
plans to the County of Alameda regarding the hydrologic and hydraulic models as a part of the normal
routing procedures when these plans are submitted. The City clarifies that the pond will function as a swale.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
33
<<Be-Db z, ~ 7
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office
2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605
Sacramento, Califomia 95825-1846
US.
....Sll .. "'ILDU!'!!
SI1Q"I($
~
United States Department of the Interior
In reply refer to:
1-1-07- T A-0729
APR 3 2007
Ms. Erica Fraser, Senior Planner
Dublin Community Development Department
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, California 94568
Subject: Comments on the Initial StudyIMitigated Negative Declaration for the
Vargas Project in the City of Dublin, Alameda County, California
Dear Ms. Fraser:
This letter contains the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) comments on the City of
Dublin's Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Vargas Project in
Dublin, Alameda County, California. The IS/MND evaluates the proposed Specific
Plan/General Plan amendment for the Vargas property in the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan, PD
,Prezoning and related Stage 1 Development Plan, Pre-annexation Agreement and Annexation.
The Service received the IS/MND on March 7, 2007. Our comments are provided under the
authority ofthe Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act).
It is our understanding the 5-acre proposed project consists ofthe development of 33 residential
units, roads, trails, utilities, and a water detention basin. The project is located at 7020 Tassajara
Road in the East Dublin Specific Plan area adjacent to Tassajara Creek and the proposed Dublin
Ranch West residential development.
The Service believes the proposed project may result in take of the California red-legged frog
(Rana aurora draytonii) (red-legged frog), California tiger salamander (Ambystoma
californiense) (tiger salamander), and the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macro tis
mutica) (kit fox). The action area contains suitable habitat for all three species. The IS/MND
does not contain an adequate analysis of the potential effects of the proposed project on these
listed species. The surveys conducted by Olberding Environmental were habitat surveys and
not Service protocol-level surveys for each species.
TAKEPRIDE~~ ~
I.NAMERJCA~'
RECEIVED
APR 0 4 2007
DUBLIN PLANNING
Ms. Erica Fraser
~U; i5{) ~ q 7
2
Tassajara Creek contains known dispersal and possible breeding habitat for the red-legged frog.
Tiger salamanders and red-legged frogs have been documented on the adjacent Wallis property
proposed for the Dublin Ranch West development. Suitable habitat and prey base exists for the
kit fox on the project site.
Section 9 of the Act prohibits the take of any federally listed animal species by any person
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. As defined in the Act, take is defined as "...to
harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in
any such conduct." "Harm has been further defined to include habitat destruction when it
injures or kills a listed species by interfering with essential behavioral patterns, such as
breeding, foraging, or resting. Thus, not only are the red-legged frog, tiger salamander, and kit
fox protected from such activities as collecting and hunting, but also from actions that cause
their death or injury through damage or destruction of their habitat. The term "person" is
defined as "...an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or any other private
entity; or any officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal .
government, of any State, municipality, or political subdivision of a State, or any other entity
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States."
Take incidental to an otherwise lawful activity may be authorized by one of two procedures. If
a Federal agency is involved with the permitting, funding, or carrying out of the project and a
listed species is going to be adversely affected, then initiation of formal consultation between
that agency and the Service pursuant to section 7 of the Act is required. Such consultation
would result in a biological opinion addressing the anticipated effects of the project to the listed
species and may authorize a limited level of incidental take. If a Federal agency is not involved
in the project, and federally listed species may be taken as part of the project, then an incidental
take permit pursuant to section lO(a)(1)(B) of the Act should be obtained. The Service may
issue such a permit upon completion of a satisfactory conservation plan for the listed species
that would be taken by the project.
Specific Comments:
I. Due to the future and on-going development of eastern Dublin, the Service recommends
the City of Dublin participate in a regional habitat conservation plan or conservation
strategy to streamline the consultation process and effectively conserve and manage
habitat for listed species.
7.1
2. The red-legged frog section on page 49 does not contain information relating to the most
recent sightings of red-legged frogs and the restoration and use of Tassajara Creek as a
red-legged frog compensation site for the Dublin Ranch project. According to the
California Department ofFish and Game's Natural Diversity Data Base there numerous
records of the red-legged frog in the creek and the surrounding area. The section also
underlines that the red-legged frog was not found during 2006 surveys. Appendix A of
the IS/MND stated that the June 1,2006, and August 7, 2006, surveys were general
habitat surveys and not Service-approved protocol surveys for this listed species.
7.2
Ms. Erica Fraser
~7 eso l-'l 7
3
3. Mitigation Measure 8 states that a pre-construction survey will be conducted no more
than 60 days prior to construction and will be submitted for review to the City of
Dublin's Community Development Department for review. It also states that should the
survey determine presence of the species, the developer will work with the Community
Development Department and the regulatory agencies. Based on the suitable on-site
habitat and the proximity of records of the species, we recommend the applicant seek
authorization for the incidental take of the red-legged frog prior to certification of the
ISIMND.
4. We have similar concerns described in comments 1 and 2 on the tiger salamander
section and Mitigation Measure 10 pages 49 through 51.
5. The Service and the California Department ofFish and Game (DFG) should also be
included on the determination a qualified biologist to work with Federal and State listed
species. If listed species are going to be subject to take, the biologist should be Service-
approved under a section 7 biological opinion, section lO(a)(I)(B) habitat conservation
plan, or a section lO(a)(1)(A) scientific collection permit.
6. Mitigation Measure 10-7 mentions avoidance of a tiger salamander breeding pond by
750 feet. Is there a breeding pond on site? Tiger salamanders have been documented to
disperse from ponds in distances over one mile. The 750 feet buffer from the pond
likely is not an adequate buffer.
7. The tiger salamander trapping and relocation plan should be reviewed and approved by
the Service and DFG.
8. The project is within the range of the kit fox and contains suitable habitat. Service
protocol-level surveys have not been conducted in this area in 10 years and are not
considered valid by the Service. Weare not aware of any surveys conducted on this
site. The surveys conducted by Olberding Environmental were habitat surveys and not
Service protocol-level surveys. Based on the suitable on-site habitat and the biology of
the species, we recommend the applicant seek authorization for the incidental take prior
to certification of the ISIMND.
9. The Service is not aware of the Eastern Dublin San Joaquin Kit Fox Protection Plan and I.
we recommend it be submitted to us and DFG for review.
10. Mitigation Measure 19 should include a Service and DFG approved biologist to develop I
a plan to address appropriate habitat compensation. The Regional Water Quality
Control Board should also be consulted on waters of the State.
11. The Service recommends minimum setbacks of 300 feet from Tassajara Creek.
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
7.11
Ms. Erica Fraser
ItZoo 2~1
4
This concludes our comments on IS/MND for the Vargas Project. The Service is interested in
working with the City of Dublin and the applicant in the resolution of these issues to listed
species and other wildlife. If you have any questions regarding our comments, please contact
Kim Squires or Ryan Olah of my staff at (916) 414-6625.
Sincerely,
Christop er D. ~
Deputy Assistant Field Supervisor
cc:
Scott Wilson, CaliforniaDdepartment ofFish and Game, Yountville, California
Janice Gan, California Department of Fish and Game, Tracy, California
Brian Wines, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, Oakland, California
Jane Hicks, U S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco, California
Fred Musser, Sun Valley Land Company, Pleasanton, California
Jeff Olberding, Olberding Enviromental Inc., Concord, California
<lf1 ttJ ?OC 1
Comment Letter 7: United Stated Fish and Wildlife Service
The comment letter contains general introductory comments which are also addressed in later detailed
comments. See comments and responses below.
Comment 6.1: Due to the future and on-going development of eastern Dublin, the Service recommends the
City of Dublin participate in a regional habitat conservation plan or conservation strategy to streamline the
consultation process and effectively conserve and manage habitat for listed species.
Response: The project site is one of the few remaining development sites in the area. Impacts to biological
resources have routinely and successfully been identified and mitigated through other projects in the area
and the City's feels that this will continue to be a successful approach for the Project area and the few
remaining projects in the area.
Comment 6.2: The red-legged frog section on page 49 does not contain information relating to the most
recent sightings of red-legged frogs and the restoration and us of Tassajara Creek as a red-legged frog
compensation site for the Dublin Ranch project. According to the California Department of Fish and
Game's Natural Diversity Data Base there are numerous records of the red-legged frog in the creek and
surrounding area. The section also underlines that the red-legged frog was not found during the 2006
surveys. Appendix A of the MND stated that the June 1, 2006 and August 7, 2006 surveys were general
habitat surveys and not service-approved protocol surveys for this listed species.
Response: The MND acknowledges previous sightings of red-legged frogs in the vicinity, but the fact
remains that no red-legged frogs were observed on the site. As noted on pages 5 and 8 of the biological
analysis in Appendix A, the objectives of the survey were to determine the potential presence or absence of
special status species or habitat. The surveys were appropriate for this purpose. The City notes that even
though no red-legged frogs (or California tiger salamanders) were observed on the site, the MND took a
conservative approach in identifying contingency responses in the form of Mitigation Measure 8 (and 10).
Comment 6.3: Mitigation Measure 8 states that a pre-construction survey will be conducted no more than 60
days prior to construction and will be submitted for review to the City of Dublin's Community Development
Department for review. It also states that should the survey determine the presence of the species, the
developer will work with the Community Development Department and the regulatory agencies. Based on
the suitable on-site habitat and the proximity of records of the species, we recommend the applicant seek
authorization for the incidental take of the red-legged frog prior to certification ofthe MND.
Response: The red-legged frog was not observed on the site during the 2006 survey performed by Olberding
Environmental. As discussed in the MND, development of the site is not anticipated to occur for several
years and the red-legged frog could locate on the site in the future.
As noted under Comment 4.1, Mitigation Measure 8 has been clarified to state "If habitat loss for the
California Red-Legged Frog will occur as a result of the Project, the loss in habitat shall be mitigated at a
ratio of 3: 1." This clarified mitigation measure provides specific amount of mitigation, the requirement for
approval of any mitigation from the Department of Fish and Game and Fish and Wildlife and also provides
for monitoring to ensure that the provisions are carried out. The City believes that the mitigation measure is
adequate under CEQA as it recognizes there was no observed presence of red-legged frogs, but conditions
cold change in the future when development occurs.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
38
qofJ2ctl
Comment 6.4: The Department ofFish and Game has similar concerns regarding the Tiger Salamander.
Response: The rationale for the prior response also applies to the California Tiger Salamander. This species
was not observed on the site, but the mitigations recognize this situation could change in the future. The
mitigation for California Tiger Salamanders as clarified adequately protects the species from harm if present
at the time of future development. Please refer to the City's response to Comment XX for the clarified
mitigation measure. Mitigation Measure 10 has been clarified to include an additional requirement which
requires that the loss in habitat for the Tiger Salamander be mitigated at a ratio of 3: 1.
Comment 6.5: The Service and the California Department ofFish and Game should also be included on the
determination a qualified biologist to work with Federal and State listed species. If listed species are going
to be subject to take, the biologist should be Service-approved under section 7 biological opinion, section
10(a)(1)(B) habitat conservation plan, or section 10(a)(1)(A) scientific collection permit.
Repose: The above comment is noted. Mitigation Measures 8 and 10 have been clarified, under the response
to Comment 4.1, to state that the qualified biologist shall also be determined by the Department of Fish and
game and Fish and Wildlife. All other mitigation measures which reference the term "qualified biologist"
(mitigation measures 7, 9, 13, 14 and 16) are clarified as follows:
.. ."qualified biologist (as determined by the City and the Department ofFish and
Fish and Wildlife Service..."
Game and
Comment 6.6: Mitigation Measure 10 mentions the avoidance of a tiger salamander breeding pond by 750
feet. Is there a breeding pond on site? Tiger salamanders have been documented to disperse from ponds in
distances over one mile. The 750 foot buffer from the pond is not likely to be an adequate buffer.
Response: No breeding pond as found on-site. As noted in the MND, the annual grasslands on the site are
considered to be a suitable habitat for the Tiger Salamander species. The MND also notes the observance of
the species off of the site. However, the species was not found on the site during the 2006 survey conducted
by Olberding Environmental. Because construction of the Vargas project is not anticipated to begin for
several years there is the potential that the species could locate on the site in the future and Mitigation
Measure 10 was include to mitigate impacts if the species locates on the site in the future. Based on this
comment, Mitigation Measure 10 will be clarified to meet the distance requirement include in the Casamira
Valley/Moller Ranch Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for a project located in close proximity to
the Vargas project. The mitigation measure is clarified for a portion of the measure to state:
7) Grading and vegetation clearing shall not occur within 1W 2,100 feet of the California Tiger
Salamander breeding pond, if a breeding pond is found on the site in the future, during the breeding
and migrating season which occurs from November to June.
Comment 6.7: The tiger salamander trapping and relocation plan should be reviewed and approved by the
Service and Department of Fish and Game.
Response: Mitigation Measure 10 requires the developer of the project to prepare a plan detailing the
management of the California Tiger Salamander, if the species is found on the site in the future. The
mitigation measure includes several components that must be a part of the plan. The main text of the
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
39
?11 6fJ 2.'11
mitigation ensure requires the plan to be prepared and "approved by the California Department of Fish and
Game and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service prior to the start of construction."
Comment 6.8: The project is within the range of the kit fox and contains suitable habitat. Service protocol-
level surveys have not been conducted in this area in 10 years and are not considered valid by the Service.
Weare not aware of any surveys conducted on this site. The surveys conducted by Olberding were habitat
surveys and not Service protocol-level surveys. Based on the suitable on-site habitat and the biology of the
species, we recommend that the applicant seek authorization for the incidental take prior to certification of
the MND.
Response: As noted in the MND, no kit fox have been identified within miles of the project site and none
have been recently observed. In spite of repeated surveys and negative survey results, the remote potential
for the presence of kit fox is analyzed in the MND and Mitigation Measure 12 was identified in response to
the remote possibility that the species could locate on the site in the future. The kit fox protection plan is a
comprehensive response to the potential for kit fox presence and is attached as Appendix C to this
document. The protection plan was first adopted when the Eastern Dublin project was approved in 1993 and
has been updated since then. It continues to b adequate mitigation in the unlikely event that kit fox are found
to b present.
Comment 6.9: The Service is not aware of the Eastern Dublin San Joaquin Kit Fox Protection Plan and we
recommend it be submitted to us and the Department ofFish and Game for review.
Response: Please refer to the response under Comment 6.8 and the Plan included as Appendix C. The Plan
has been cited in numerous Eastern Dublin environmental documents.
Comment 6.10: Mitigation Measure 19 should include a Service and Department of Fish and Game
approved biologist to address appropriate habitat compensation. The regional Water Quality Control Board
should also be consulted on waters of the State.
Response: The above comment is noted. Please see the clarified mitigation measure under the response to
Comment 1.5.
Comment 6.11: The Service recommends minimum setbacks of 300 feet from Tassajara Creek.
Response: The above comment does not identify the purpose of the recommended setback. If the setback is
intended to reflect potential upland habitat for red-legged frog, the clarifications to Mitigation Measure 8
address the potential for lost habitat. As noted in the MND, no red-legged frog were observed on the site.
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
40
q~ 2'11
Appendix A: Map of Annexation Area
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
a
--N .--
~
UN
GLEASON
CENTRAL
c:;:,
~
0:::
~
~
~
~
DRIVE
PKWY
DUBLIN BL IoD
INTERSTATE 580
Q~
~
~'\~
~'\~
s~
VICINITY MAP
NOT TO SCALE
PROJECT
SITE
UN
C>
~C)
~~
(,j~
ij
'131:; ?'~1
..q ..., t 2.- ~ 7
Appendix B: Verification of Sufficient Water Supply
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Project
March 2007
q~rtJ 7- '11
DUBLIN
SAN RAMON
SERVICES
DISTRICT
7051 Dublin Boulevard
Dublin, California 94568
Phone: 9258280515
FAX: 925 829 1180
www.dsrsd.com
March 29, 2007
Erica C. Fraser
Senior Planner
City of Dublin
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
SUBJECT: Moller Ranch/Casamira Valley, Vargas and Tipper Properties
SB221 Verification of Sufficient Water Supply
Dear Erica:
This letter provides SB221 verification of sufficient water supply from the Dublin San Ramon
Services District (DSRSD) for service to the Moller RanchiCasamira Valley" Vargas and Tipper
Properties.
The Project is included in the District's Urban Water Management Plan and Water Master Plan.
DSRSD does have the capability to provide water service to the Moller Ranch/Casamira Valley,
Vargas and Tipper Properties. The providing of services is contingent on installation of water
and sewer infrastructure, payment of fees, and satisfaction of all requirements contained in the
District Code and implementing District Master Plans, policies, and ordinances.
The District's 2005 Urban Water Management Plan Update (UWMP), which was adopted by our
Board at its May 17, 2005 meeting, includes detailed water service analysis for the Moller
Ranch/Casamira Valley, Vargas and Tipper Properties. The verification of sufficient water
supply included in the UWMP meets the requirements of SB221. The District's water supply is
documented in Section 4.0 of the UWMP. Historical and projected demands are documented in
Section 6.0. Water supply and demand comparisons were conducted in Section 7.0. The
comparisons include supply and demands for normal, dry, and multiple dry years. The UWMP
indicates that the projected water supply is sufficient for the Moller Ranch/Casamira Valley,
Vargas and Tipper Properties. The District can provide service to the planned projects without
significqrrtly and ,adversely affecting the, reliability of water service. to the Di~trict's existing
customers. The UWMP was distributed to the' City of Dublin, City of Livermore, Citizens for
Balanced Growth, and other parties associated with the "Agreement to Settle Water Litigation By
and Between Zone 7 Water Agency, Dublin San Ramon Services District, et. al." The District
has received no opposition to the UWMP.
The Dublin San Ramon Services District is a Public Entity
RECEIVED
APR 0 ~ Z007
DUBLIN PLANNING
Erica C. Fraser
March 29,2007
Page 2 of2
t:i14 "b '-' &r1
This transmittal satisfies the SB221 verification of sufficient water supply for the Moller
Ranch/Casamira Valley, Vargas and Tipper Properties. If you have any questions, please call me
at your convenience at (925) 875-2255.
a~A'"
'-RHODORA N. BJA~
Senior Civil Engineer
RNB/es
cc: Bert Michalczyk, DSRSD
David A. Requa, DSRSD
Joanne Wilson, RJA
Fred Musser
Glenn Brown
ChronIFile: 23PF03 5.0 Casamira Valley Project
H'\ENGDEP1\SB610 & SB221\Moller Ranch - Casamira Valley\SB221 Veriflcation.DOC
Cr'1J LCf?
Appendix C: Kit Fox Protection Plan
(Responses to Comments corrected to include the adopted Kit Fox Protection Plan)
Responses to Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Vargas
Proj ect
March 2007
t1~O()Z.q7
cj-~
r Response to Comment 15-57: The Appendix is a part (i.e., Part II) of the ErR, thus
_ -. mitigation included in the Appendix is included in the EIR. The primary objective of the
kit fox mitigation measure is to minimize the potential for "take" of the fox as a result of
development activities within the Project area. The City acknowledges that, in spite of the
number of surveys conducted, there remains disagreement among professionals regarding both
kit fox presence and the quality of habitat provided within the Project area. The City also
agrees that the suggested five year monitoring period after project approval presents an undue
burden that mayor may not resolve the issue. For this reason, the requirement for annual
surveys that was included in the Kit Fox Protection Plan in Appendix E of the DEIR has been
deleted. The pre-construction surveys required in the Protection Plan will be adequate to
avoid an inadvertant "take". Other minor revisions have been made to Appendix E to clarify
its intent and implementation. !he revised appendix is included in this res.Q.onse to comment.
The cost of conducting surveys will be the responsibility of the development applicant, not
the City.
15-58 Comment: California Tieer Salamander. The last sentence in the California Tiger Salamander
section (page 3.7-5) is representative of a general concern with this section of the DEIR. It
proclaims the presence of "high quality habitat." Yet, without the presence of the species, it
cannot be habitat. If the author intends to speak in terms of potential habitat, the author
should take pains to make that distinction, by inserting "potential" in aU appropriate places,
such as in this particular section, as in the "Overview" on page 3.7-12, i.e., "reduction in the
number of potential denning or nesting sites", and in many other places in the DEIR.
ReSbonse to Comment 15-58: In an effort to explain what appears to be a misunderstanding
by the commentor, it should be explained that "habitat" refers to a place or environment where
a plant or animal could naturally live. The quality of the habitat is based on the presence and
condition of all the characteristics necessary to support a certain species. Habitat does not
require the presence of a certain species to be suitable for that species, just as a house does
not require a tenant to be considered suitable habitat for people. For this reason, tpere is no
need to insert the word "potential" at the referenced location on page 3.7-5.
Similarly, in the Overview section on page 3.7-12, there is no real need to insert the word
Dotential before .....denning or nesting sites." This is an overview section and, if anything, it
would be more accurate to insert known and Dotential before "...denning or nesting sites" to
cover all possibilities.
15-59 Comment: Golden Eaele. The Golden Eagle nest cited on page 3.7-6 appears to have been
abandoned and of no further concern to the Project.. It has been monitored since 1989. It was
definitely not used in 1992, and almost certainly not used in 1991. The prObable reason for
abandonment of the nest is the fact that much of the nest tree died during the freeze in the
winter of 1990-1991, which resulted in defoliation of the branches shielding the nest and the
exposure of the nest to winds and potential predation. The nest is starting to fall apart, and
shows no evidence that it has bee~ used recently. In this regard, the USFWS has been
contacted repeatedly, but, as of yet, has not found time to visit the site of the nest.
Verification of nest abandonment should alleviate the need for Mitigation Measures 3.7/23
and 3.7 /24. It should also be noted that Mitigation Measure 3.7/25 should include a proyision
for nest abandonment; specifically that, if the nest is abandoned, Mitigation Measure 3.7 /23
will not be implemented, and that 571.1 acres of open space and 2,672.3 acres of Rural
Residential lands alone would provide suitable foraging habitat and'reduce-the impacts to a-
level of insignificance.
EIR 1-23.RSP
114
1%/1/92
695
?tt1 1:; zt17
Eaatern Dublin SPjGPA Em
\ 'RM~ AiEl
\
Appendix E
Project site, then a "take" permit under Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) would be
required and a compensation replacement ratio could be enacted. Additional mitigation measures may
also be necessary.
Most of the Eastern Dublin study area is considered pOtential kit fox habitat. Pre-mitigation impacts
are potentially significant (see 1M 3.7/D). Implementation of mitigation measures should reduce
impacts to an insilmificant level. A voidance of potential significant impacts is a key element of these
mitigation guidelines. Project design, especially the Rural Residential and Open Space areas,
effectively provides defacto compensation for potential kit fox habitat impacted in more developed
areas. The City suppOrts the concept .of working with appropriate agencies and .
jurisdictions to develop a management plan to protect viable habitat for the kit
fox.
APPE/l.O
MeaiteriBg Sl:lfveys
APPE/ !.()
.i:r1ll:u:l1 mfmitsring srx.~l'e}'S will he s9,,~eri fer ,'eft fax in the Spedfif: PlsH
8ml Gelleriill plt,m ,1me:uiment Bress seginnmg with PrB}eel spprBI'S:. ~I:lrve)'
protesel will fellsII' sf:eepteri fJ.~susW'-es rie7elsped sy the Cs!ifsmfQ
Dc-partmellt 9/ .l:'ish Elnd Game /8.~ Regi81f 4. All .%irveys shsuld he €91ltil:lcteri
setween Ms)' lam} Se-pte1'i18e.~ 3(). AIl surveys will he 681Idu€-Ies hy s. !Jus!ified
hielegi:l. ,f wriuen pr8;ress repert will he prspares SlUt s!lhmittcd to the Cit)'
Planning DefJEl.~tl'llellt fe.~ [Jusfic rel'iell'. Amll:lsl S1Nve)'s will be c9nriucted }8t
the /i.~st /i':e yaMs f sllswiHg pn1}est llfJprSI'El!.
APPEjl.() ~ Land Use and Management Practices
APPE/J. J.1 Land use practices within the Open Space and Rural Residential areas should
be compatible with kit fox. This includes grazing, dry land agriculture, and
orchards. Ho}vever, areas that are currently grassland habitat should not be
converted to dry land or orchards. Any type of large scale irrigated agriculture
would not be suitable.
APPE/J. 1.2 Livestock grazing should be regulated within the within the open space and
rural residential areas. Light to moderate grazing activities is required to
maintain optimum percent ground coyer and herbaceous vegetation height
(approximately 6 inches high; 50% ground cover). Grazing intensity. duratioll.
and timing should be regulated by a qualified biologist in consultation with
CDFG and USFWS.
APPE/J.l.3 US#! 0/ TDR.'s should be encourag#!d 10 mllUItUZ#! d#!velopmenl of Rural
Residential aT#!QS. Howeyer. any dDeve[opment that is permitted in the rural
residential areas should be clustered/sited as much as possible to presene
large portions of undisturbed habitat.
AP P E/ J. 1.4 All areas of ground disturbance (including storage areas) should be revegetated
as soon as possible (preferably immediately after construction and before
winter rains begin) to reduce erosion hazards and restore lost habitat values.
Hydromulching of disturbed areas with grass and forb mixes will be required.
All revegetation efforts must use native. local plants. Revegetation is especially
important near steep drainages.
APPE/J. 1.5 The use of rodenticide or herbicides should be greatly restricted within the
Project area. The following rodelllicides should be banned entirely from the
Project area: Compound /080. strychnine. C<diphazinone, and fumigants such
APP-E/3
698
c....
100 rt>ZCf-'
Appendix E
Ea.:stem Dublin SP!GPA EIR
as methyl bromide. If rodenticides must be used. we recommend the use of
zinc phosphide, which has a substantially reduced risk of secondary poisoning
to canids compared to these other compounds (Hegdal et ai. 1986. SchiLOskey
1975, Swick 1973). Poisoning programs should be done in cooperation and
supervision of the Alameda County Department of Agriculture.
APPE/J 1.6 The following restrictions apply to the on-site residents within 1/1 mile of
rural residential areas: J) To help minimize predatiOlz and harassment of kit
foxes by dogs, the residents should restrict their dogs' movements by leashing;
or enclosures. 2) Every effort should be made to enforce a 25 mph speed limit
(or less). particularly at night.
APPE/~ 1.7 Predator trapping activities should be strictly controlled or eliminated to
minimize the potential for incidental take of kit foxes.
APPE/3- 2.0
Pre-Construction Conditions
APPE/J. 2.1 A pre-construction survey shall be conducted within 60 days prior to any habitat
modification (such as, grading. clearing, and road development). The purpose
of this survey is to locate known and potential kit fox dellS. These den surveys
should be conducted by a qualified biologist (i. e., specializes ill kit fox)
throughout the entire area of disturbance and a buffer zone of 500 feet beyond
these areas. Due to the large size of the Project area and the need to conduct
surveys within 60 feet of construction, surveys may need to be conducted
sequentially in smaller portions of the Project site as they are ready to be
developed.
APP~/3.2.2 In addition to pre-construction den surveys, consultations
should occur with USFWS and COFG to consider other ~~~Yey
techniques (i.e., spotlighting and scent stations I ~hoa%d-be
~~ed to reassess kit fox presence. ~he~e-addi~iona%-techniqae~
wiii_he%p_co_Yer~f1-thdt-k~t-fox-UtskeU-wiii-not-occttr-S~-d
re~a%t_of_deYe~opment~--~he~e-dddi~ionsi-effort~-a=e-ftece~~4ry
for_~everai_rea~on~~-~t-kit-fox-den~-are-often-not-redd=it
identifidbie-tiittie-to-no-~i9n~-of-~~et-and-therefore-the
evaiadtion_of_k~t_fox_oecurrence-eo~=d-be-mi~jttdged-dttrifig-den
~arveys_teriof:-%99itT-%t-kit-fox-eo~id-be-osing-the-Project
sice_fOr_oniy_foraging-which-woaid-not-be-detected-daring-den
~~rYeyst_at_kit_fox_eo~id-e~tabiish-pre~enee-within-the-site
oYer_the_time-be~een-the-~as~-~~rvey-effort~-and-the-start-of
d~veiopment7_snd_4t-d~e-to-i~ck-of-conf:rmed-kit-fox-Pre~e~ee-a
UtakeU_perm:t_w=ii-probsbiy-not-be-=ss~ed-by-H5PW5-or-eBPST
~herefore_if_k=t_fox_eet~eit1-do-oee~r-on-site7-and-a-uknownu
den_i~_de~troyed-or-~-animai-i~-d:~ec~iy-kiiied.-the
devetopers_wonid-be-vioiating-the-federai-and-state-Endangered
speeies_Aet~--Me~hods-emptoyed-dtt~:ng-these-=ttrYe1=-=hoaid
foiiow_standa=~-eBF6-Reqion-4-9Uide~=ne~-or-othe~ise-ds
speeified_b1_the_resoaree-Ageneies~--Ait-s~rveys-snouid-be
eond~cted_be~~een-Hay-i-and-5epte~ber-39~--%f-~tt=Ye1~-cannot-be
condoeted_d~ri~g-th:~-optimat-pe~:e~-of-time-the-=nrYeyor-shai:
consutt_with-the-resoarce-agencies-=or-an-aceepta~:e
a!terndtiYe_approaeh~--Ait-snrYeys-wiii-be-eondnc~ed-by-a
q~aiif~ed_biO!09istT--A-written-prog=es~-re?ort-wiit-be
prePdred_and-~ttbmitted-to-the-eity-?:anning-aepartm~nt-for
pnbiie-roview.,.
APPEj43.0
Protection Measures
APPE/43.1 If any kit fox dens potential, known. or natal are located during the Jl!e-
construction surveys, implement protection in consultation with CDFG and
APP-Ej4
699
APp<Ddi<}O I rrtJ2 '1/
Eastern Dublin SP/GPAEIR.
USFWS,. Such measures could include those id~n1ified in APPE/4.0 through
A.PPE/7.9:
APPEj5- 4.0 potential Dens
APPE/~ 4.1 . If potential kit fox dens will likely be destroyed by construction or other
related activities. the following procedures should be initiated prior to
disturbance. First. the den should be monitored over at least three consecutive
days to determine if it actually is being used by kit flJx. ActivityaJ the subject
den can be monitored by placing tracking medium at the den's entrance and by
spotlighting. If there is any slL$pected or confirmed sign of kit fox activity
during the monitoring. USFWS and CDFG should be contacted immediately
(see known den recommendations below).
APPE/~4.2 If the den is thought to be unoccupied (immediately following monitoring). the
entrance can then be progressively plugged with loose dirt for several days to
discourage the use of the den while still allowing resident animals to escape
easily. When there is no sign of activity at the den and it is deemed safe to do
so by a trained biologist. the den can be dug out with hmld tools to a point
where it is certain no kit fox is using the den. The den should be fully
excavated and then be filled with dirt and compacted to ensure that kit fox
cannot reenter the den during the constructioll period. If.at any point a kit fox
is thought 10 be using the den. the plugging or excavation activity will stop alld
USFWS and CDFG contacted immediately (see known den recommendations
below). All attempts at monitoring, plugging. and excavating a den should be
conducted by a biologist experienced in the biology mId behavior of kit fox.
All such efforts shall be fully documented.
APPEjfr 5.0 KnownjNatal Dens
APPE/65.1 Protective exclusion zones lVld fencing should be established around identified
kit fox dens with the following specified distances: known dens (dens that have
good evidence of kit fox use. past or present) : 300 feet; natal dens (multiple
hole dens and/or dens. with sign of pupping activity) ;: 500 feee. Any
suspected knowlI den or natal den should be given a I mile buffer between
January and June to reduce possible adverse impacts to active natal dens and
pupping activities. If an active naJal den is confirmed. this buffer zone should
be extended to J mile. Human activities should be greatly restricted within
these exclusiOlT areas; vehicle operation and constructioll. materials storage, or
other types of surface disturbing or vibration producing activity should be
prohibited.
APPE/65.2 Exclusion fencing should consist of large flagged stakes (4 - 5 foot metal or
1 x J wooden stakes) c01T11ected by heavy rope or cord. Each exclusion zone
should be posted with two to three signs placed at equidistant points along the
perimeter; each sign should identify the fenced zone as an environmentally
sensitive area and state that no disturbance is permitted without prior
authorization from the appropriate Project personnel or USFlVS and CDFG.
Exclusion zone fencing should be maintained Witil all construction-related or
operational disturbance have been terminated. At that time. all fencing and
signs should be removed to avoid allractillg subsequelll attentioll to the dell.
APP-Ej5
700
E;utern Dublin S?/GPA EI~()~tfJZ. or J
J,.ppendil< E
APPEl'+- 6.0
Iuteragency Coordination
APPEI7- 6.1 Prior to the on-set of construction and den destruction. the USFWS and CDFG
should be notified in writing of the intentta destroy subject dens and reasons
given why alternative courses of action are not possible. No activities shall
occur in the exclusion zone until the USFWS and CDFG are provided the
opportunity to review and comment on this proposal. These agencies may
recommend alternative courses of action to avoid den destruction or reduce
impacts.
APPEll- 6.2 If given permission by these agencies. excav.ation of known kit fox dens may
then proceed following the procedures outlined above for potential dens. J r
there is any sign of kit fox activity during the monitoring. a period of at least
5 days should be observed to allow the animal to mOve to another den during
its normal activities. If the animal does not change dens during the course of
monitoring. use of the den can be discouraged by partial plugging for several
days. If this fails the den may have to be excavated when it is temporarily
vacant (e.g.. at night). However, the disturbance of an known den should be
avoided if at all possiQle and under no circumstances should a natal den be
destroyed or disturbed. [f excavation of a den thought to be known or natal is
unavoidable. the plugging and excavation activities should not take place during
the breeding seas a/! (November 1 to July 31) when most dens are being used as
reproductive or pupping dens.
APPEll- 6.3 The destruction of a "known" kit lox den is considered a "take~ as defined
under Section 3 and prohibited under Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act.
and appropriate permitting and mitigations would have to be developed in
cooperation with the USFWS. If appropriate. provisions for .take" will be
addressed in a Biological Opinion concerning the subject project issued by the
USFWS. in which this mitigation plan will be incorporated by reference.
Similar provisions exist for the CDFG.
APPE/8- 7.0 Construction Conditions
APPEI8-7.1 1n order to prevent kit lox or other animals from being injured or trapped
during the construction phase of the Project. excavated steep-walled holes or
trenches greater than two feet deep should be covered with plywood at the close
of each working day. or provided with one or more escape ramps constructed
of earth fill or wooden plWlks. Escape ramps should be placed at least every
100 feet along the perimeter of the e;'Ccavation. In general. open trenches for
pipelines. etc.. should not exceed in length that which equals approximately one
week's construction. All holes or trenches over 21eetdeep should be monitored
daily. Before such holes or trenches are filled, they should be inspected for
trapped animals.
APPEI8- 7.2 The area of disturbance should be minimi::ed as much as possible. Locations
of material handling areas. constructioll camps. and vehicle and material
storage sites. should be situated in previously disturbed areas. or selected to
avoid other sensitive resources such as ponds. water courses. alld riparian areas.
APPEI8- 7.3 Construction vehicle traffic should be restricted to designated access roads,
storage areas. disturbed sites. parking areas and other project related areas
that are necessar.v for the construction of the project. Other roads. such as
APP-E/6
70.1
ID? ~2Cf1
Appendix E
B""teru Dublin SPjGPA EIR
ranch roads. should be closed to construction traffic and off -road cravel
should be prohibited.
APPE/& 7.4 Within construction areas every effort should be made to enforce a 20 mph
speed limit or less. particularly at night. Speeds shall be controlled by posting
signs. installing speed bumps. educating construction workers. and enforcing
through proje.cl construclion contr(l[;t provisions.
APPE/ g. 7.5 Rock outcrops and rock piles provide shelter for many of the species which are
preyed upon by kit fox. particularly cottontails. If rocks are excavated for
project construction. permanent rock piles should be established at strategic
locations. contingent upon staff review for aesthetics. For rock-piles to provide
needed shelter. rocks need to be medium to large sized (>6 inches) and piled
high enough (2 to 3 feet) to allow small prey such as cottontails to fit inside
the crevices.
APPE/g. 7.6 To prevent access by kit foxes. all construction pipes of 4 to 14 inches in
. diameter will be stacked or otherwise stored prior to use in such a manner they
are elevated at least 3.5 feet above the ground. If this is not feasible. all stored
pipe will be' thoroughly inspected to make certain no kit foxes are using the
pipe (using high beam torches) before the pipe is buried, capped. or otherwise
used or moved in any way.
APPE/g. 7.7 An information pamphlet should be developed by the project propone1ll in
conjunction with the resource agencies to educate construcLion w.orkers OJ! the
need to avoid accidental or intentional harm to kit foxes and other sensitive
. species. The pamphlet should explain restrictions on vehicle traffic along with
other pertine1ll information on how to avoid injuring kit /o."Ces and other
sensitive species. All construction workers should be instructed to report
observations of kit fox or other fox species as depicted in the information
pamphlet. All observations including instances of entrapment. injury. or
mortality shall be reported to their supervisors. USFWS and CDFG should be
/lotified in writing within three working days of the finding. All independent.
construction company field supervisors and their employees (via a single
representative). should be required to read this fact sheet before they are
allowed to begin work on the proposed project. A copy of this in/ormation
sheet also should be made available to each resident.
APPE/87.8 To prevent harassment. mortality. or destruction 0/ kit foxes or their burrows
by dogs or cats. pets should not be allowed within the construction site. No
firearms should be permitted within the construction sites to avoid ha;assment
or killing of kit foxes. These restrictions should be presented to the
construction workers.
APPE/87.9 All/ood-related trash items. such as wrappers. cans. bottles. and food scraps.
should be disposed of in a closed container or removed from the construction
site. Food items often attract kit foxes and other wildlife into the construction
zone at night. consequently exposing them to construction-related hazards.
APP-E/7
702
lo~ '1J2&j(
APPENDIXE
SUPPLEMENTAL ADDENDUM TO THE
EASTERN DUBUN SAN JOAQUIN KIT FOX PROTECTION PLAN
(ADDENDUM TO APPENDIX E OF THE EASTERN DUBLIN EIR)
This document is an addendum to the East Dublin San Joaquin Kit Fox Protection Plan,
Appendix E from the Eastem Dublin General Pian Amendment and the Specific Plan DEIR
(1992). This document updates the informatipI\ contained in that document and updates
recommendations for the survey and protection measures based on the latest protocols
released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS 1997 and 1999).
Appendix E's mitigation measures are based on the assumption that the East Dublin
General Plan and Specific Plan Areas support potential kit fox habitat and the impacts
resulting from build Qut.are potentially significant. The mitigation measures are divided
into seven sections as follows: 1.0 Monitoring Surveys, 2.0 Land Use and Management
Practices, 3.0 Pre-Construction Conditions, 4.0 Protection Measures, 5.0 Potential Dens,
6.0 Known/Natal Dens, 7.0 Interagency Coordination and 8.0 Construction Conditions.
Since that document was written and adopted, a number of surveys for kit fox have been
conducted in the East Dublin area (H.T. Harvey & Associates 1997a) and the adjacent
North Livermore Valley (H.T. Harvey & Associates 1997b). None of these surveys
detected kit fox with the exception of one kit fox detected while spotlighting
approximately 2 miles .north of the North Livermore site in Contra Costa County on
Morgan Territory Road (1996). In addition, no kit fox have been incidentally detected in
this area in the past nine years. The survey protocols have recently been updated
(USFWS 1999) and the preconstruction survey protocol and construction measures have
been updated as well (USFWS 1997) since Appendix Ewas written.
The 1,212-acre Dublin Ranch, located just west of the subject area, was surveyed for kit
fox in 1991 (HT. Harvey & Associates 1997a). The negative results were included in the
earlier GP A/SP EIR (1992). Since that time, Dublin Ranch was subject to intensive kit fox
surveys in 1996 and 1997 (H.T. Harvey and Associates 1997a). The Dublin Ranch and
areas within 2.5 miles of the site were subject to 32 nights of spotlighting and, the
property itself, to 560 track station nights and 280 camera station nights. These survey
efforts yielded negative results (that is, no kit fox or kit fox sign was detected).
Furthermore, the North Livermore project areas totaling 4,31O-acreslocated just east of
the GP A/SP area were also intensively surveyed for kit fox. The total level of survey
effort resulted in 56 nights of spotlighting, 946 track station nights, and 991 camera
station nights between 1992 and 1996 (H.T. Harvey & Assodates 1997b). One kit fox was
detected during spotlighting on Morgan Territory Road in Contra Costa County a
couple miles north of the project area. No other kit fox or sign of kit fox were detected
within any project area boundary or the surrounding areas.
The San Joaquin kit fox, at least during the late 80's and early 90's, were detected in
areas near Frick Lake (approximately 7.5 miles to the east of the study area), in Round
Valley (approximately 11 miles to the northeast), and in areas near Los Vaqueros
Reservoir and the intersection of Camino Diablo and the new Vasco Road realignment
(approximately 12 miles to the northeast) during surveys conducted to detect kit fox.
Despite more intense efforts to detect kit fox in the East Dublin and North Livermore
Appendix E: Supplemental Addendum to the East Dublin San Joaquin Kit Fox Protection Plan
Page 1
Valley areas than these previous surveys, none! have been detected. BaSed on negative
results within the GPA/SP Area and the surrOllllding areas, kit fox appear to be largely
absent from both the North Livermore Valley and East Dublin area (see analysis
presented in H.T. Harvey & Associates 1997c).
The section "1.0 Monitoring Surveys" recommends annual monitoring surveys for
approved projects following the 1989 protocol developed by the CDFG. The latest Survey
Protocol Jor the San Joaquin Kit Fox for the Northern Range (USFWS 1999) should replace
this recommendation and should only be conducted if no other kit fox survey has
preced,ed project approval. Yearly monitoring should only be completed if
recommended on a project by project basis by a regulating agency. Sections 3.0 through
6.0 and 8.0 should be replaced by the Sta11dard Recommendation jor the Protection of the San
Joaquin Kit Fox Prior to or During Ground Disturbance (USFWS 1997) that contains updated
measures to protect the kit fox. Section 7.0 Interagency Coordination is adequate.
The following sections are provided to help ensure that no inadvertent harm to the San
Joaquin kit fox will occur during project implementation. The following section contains
updated versions of sections 1.0,3.0 through 6.0 and 8.0:
APPEIl.O
Monitoring Surveys
APPEIl.1 (updated) Survey protocol will follow most recent guidelines, San foaquin
kit for Survelj Protocol for the Northern Range, developed by the USFWS 0 une 1999). This
survey protocol recommends that an Early Evaluation be completed by a qualified
biologist prior to focused surveys. The need for further focused surveys and! or yearly
monitoring should be determined during informal consultation with the Service after an
early evaluation has been completed on project by project basis. An early evaluation
includes the following:
. Brief description of the proposed project and map
. Compilation of sighting records within a ten-mile radius of the boundaries of the
project site
. Description of vegetative communities on site
. Description of vegetative communities within a ten-mile radius of the project site
. Description of habitat suitability on the project site assessed by completing one
set of walking transects
. Analysis of adverse effects of the project on kit foxes (if any)
. Preliminary recommendations for mitigation of adverse effects and an analysis of
cumulative effects.
APPEI2.0 Land Use and Management Practices
(see original Appendix E)
APPE/3.0
Preconstruct ion Conditions
APPFJ3.1 A pre-construction survey shall be conducted not more than 30 days and
not less than 14 days prior to the beginning of ground disturbance and/or construction
activities or any project activity likely to impact the San Joaquin kit fox. Surveys should
identify kit fox habitat features in the project area and areas within a 200-foot buffer of
the project site by conducting walking surveys. The status of all dens should be
I with the one exception of the kit fox detected on Morgan Territory Road in 1996
Appendix E: Supplemental Addendum to the East Dublin San Joaquin Kit Fox Protection Plan
Page 2
\IJ6 iflJ ZDt1
loLP lfb 2Cif]
determined and mapped (USFWS 1997). The status of dens should be determined by
monitoring them for a minimum of three nights with tracking medium and/or camera
stations. The survey will be conducted by a qualified biologist. Survey results will be
submitted to the City Planning Department. If the survey results are negative, project-
related ground disturbance can proceed.
APPE/4.0
Protection Measures
APPEl4.1 If occupied kit fox dens are detected during the preconstruction surveys,
implementation of protection measures or den destruction should be conducted in
consultation with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and the Service.
Guidelines for protection measures and den destruction are provided in U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Standardized Recommendations for Protection of the San Joaquin Kit Fox Prior
to or During Ground Disturbance (April 1997).
APPE/5.0
Potential Dens
APPFJ5.1 Potential dens should be monitored a minimum of three nights in order
to determine if a potential den is occupied (see APPE/l.O). Destruction of potential dens
should be avoided to the greatest extent possible as these dens are used for refugia
among other th41gs by kit fox. If these potential dens are to be destroyed, they should
only be destroyed if they are verified vacant by a qualified biologist. Recommendations
for length of time after verification of non-use of a potential den that the den can safely
be destroyed should be made by the biologist who conducted the preconstruction
survey. This time period shall not exceed 30 days.
APPE/6.0
Known/Natal Dens
APPE/6.1 Known dens should have an exclusion zone of at least 100 feet. If a natal
or pupping den is detected, the USFWS should be contacted to determine the size of the
exclusion zone. To ensure protection, the exclusion zone should be demarcated by
fencing that encircles each den occupied by kit foxes. Exclusion zone fencing that allows
kit fox to move through should be maintained until all construction-related or
operational disturbances have been terminated. At that time, all fencing shall be
removed to avoid attracting subsequent attention to the dens (USFWS 1997).
Construction-related and other project related activities should be prohibited or greatly
restricted within these exclusion zones. Only essential vehicle operation on existing
roads and foot traffic should be permitted. Otherwise all construction vehicle operation,
material storage, or any other type of surface-disturbing activity should be prohibited
within the exclusion zone.
Destruction of any known or natal/pupping dens requires take authorization/permit
from the Service (USFWS 1997).
APPE/7.0
Interagency Coordination
(see original Appendix E: Generally, if kit fox are detected within the project boundaries,
formal consultation with the USFWS for a Section 7 or Section 10 is recommended.)
APPE/B.O
Construction and Operational Requirements
Appendix E: Supplemental Addendum to the East Dublin San Joaquin Kit Fox Protection Plan
Page 3
_ ...w._. t[) 1 Db
"
These recommendations should be implemented during project-related construction in
order to prevent kit fox or other animals from being injured or trapped during the
construction phase of the project unless expressly exempted from doing so by the
Service. The following recommendations with some minor modifications are taken from
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Standardized Recommendations fOT Protection of the San
Joaquin Kit Fox Prior to or During Ground Disturbance {April 1997).
APPF18.1 To minimize. temporary disturbance, all project-related vehicle traffic
should be restricted to established roads, construction areas, and other designated areas.
These areas should also be included in preconstruction surveys and, to the extent
possible, should be established in locations disturbed by previous activities to prevent
further impacts.
APPF18.2 Project-related vehicles should observe a 20-mph speed limit in all project
areas, except on county roads and State and Federal highways; this is particularly
important at night when kit foxes are most active. To the extent possible, nighttime
construction should be prohibited during the rainy season, then 'minimized once the
rainy season has ended (see below). Offwroad traffic outside of designated project areas
shall be prohibited.
APPF18.3 To prevent inadvertent entrapment of kit foxes or other animals during
the construction phase of the project, all excavated, steep-walled holes or trenches more
than 2-feet deep should be covered at the close of each working day by plywood or
similar materials, or provided with one or more escape ramps constructed of earth fill or
wooden planks. Before such holes or trenches are filled, they should be thoroughly
inspected for trapped animals. If at any time a trapped or injured kit fox discovered,
construction in that area will be halted, and a qualified biologist will be notified
immediately. The qualified biologist in conjunction with a local CDFG biologist and the
Service will determine how to proceed. The Sacramento Field Office and California
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) will be notified in writing within three working
days of the accidental death or injured animal and any other pertinent'information.
APPEt8.4 All construction pipes, culverts, or similar structures with a diameter of 4-
inches or greater that are stored at a construction site for one or more overnight periods
should be thoroughly inspected for kit foxes before the pipe is subsequently buried,
capped, or otherwise used or moved in any way. If a kit fox is discovered inside a pipe,
that section of pipe should not be moved until the u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) (916-414-9600) has been consulted. If necessary, and under the direct
supervision of the biologist, the pipe may be moved once to remove it from the path of
construction activity, until the fox has escaped.
. APPEt8.S All food related trash items such as wrappers, cans, bottles; food scraps
should be disposed of in a closed container and removed at least once a week from a
construction or project site.
APPF18.6
No firearms shall be allowed on the project site.
APPF18.7 To prevent harassment, mortality of kit foxes or destruction of dens by
dogs or cats, no pets shan be permitted on project sites.
APPF18.8 Use of rodenticides and herbicides in project areas should be restricted.
This is necessary to prevent primary and secondary poisoning of kit foxes and the
depletion of prey populations on which they depend. All uses of such compounds
Appendix E: Supplemental Addendum to the East Dublin San Joaquin Kit Fox Protection Plan
Page 4
lif66b 241
should observe label and other restrictions mandated by the U.s. Environmental
Protection Agency, California Department of Food and Agriculture, and other State and
Federal legislation, as well as additional project-related restrictions deemed necessary by
the Service.
APPF18.9 A representative shall be appointed by the project proponent, who will be
the contact source for any employee or contractor who might inadvertently kill or injure
a kit fox or who finds a dead, injured or entrapped individual. The representative will be
identified during the employee education program. The representative's name and
telephone number shall be provided. to the Service.
APPFJ8.10 An employee education program should be conducted for any project
that has expected impacts to kit fox or other endangered species. The program should
consist of a brief presentation by persons knowledgeable in kit fox biology and
legislative protection to explain endangered species concerns to contractors, their
employees, and military and agency personnel involved in the project. The program
should include the following: description of the San JOaquin kit fox and its habitat needs;
address the occurrence of the kit fox in the project area; status of the species and its
protection under the Endangered Species Act; and measures being taken to reduce
impacts to the during project construction and implementation. A fact sheet conveying
this information should be prepared for distribution to above-mentioned people and
anyone else who.may enter the project site.
APPF18.11 Upon completion of the project, all areas subject to temporary ground
disturbances, including storage and staging areas, temporary roads, and pipeline
corridors should be recontoured if necessary, and revegetated to promote restoration of
the area to pre-project conditions. An area subject to "temporary" disturbance means
any area that is disturbed during the project, but that after project completion will not be
subject to further disturbance and has the potential to be revegetated: Appropriate
methods and plant species used to revegetate such areas should be determined on a site-
specific basis in consultation with the Service, CDFG, and revegetation experts. .
APPE/8.U In the case of trapped animals, escape ramps or structures should be
installed immediately to allow the animal(s) to escape, or the Service should be
contacted for advice.
APPEl8.13 Any contractor, employee(s) or military or agency personnel who
inadvertently kills or injures a San Joaquin kit fox shall immediately report the incident
to their representative. This representative shall contact the CDFG immediately in the
case of a dead, injured or entrapped kit fox. The CDFG contact for immediate assistance
is State Dispatch at (916) 445-0045. They will contact the local warden or biologist.
APPFJ8.14 The Sacramento Field Office and COPG will be notified in writing within
three working days of the accidental death or activities. Notification must include the
date, time, location of the incident or of the finding of a dead or injured animal and any
other pertinent information.
LITERATURE CITED
H.T. Harvey & Associates. 1997a. Dublin Ranch San Joaquin kit fox Survey. Project No.
555-13. October 9, 1997.
Appendix E: Supplemental Addendum to the East Dublin San Joaquin Kit FOlt Protection Plan
Page 5
H.T. Harvey & Associates. 1997b. North Livermore Valley San Joaquin Kit Fox Surveys.
Project No. 1037.01 (77 p.).
H.T. Harvey & Associates. 1997c. Distribution of the San Joaquin Kit Fox in the North
Part of Its Range. Project No. 673.11. March 13, 1997.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 1997. Standard Recommendation for the Protection
of the San Joaquin Kit Fox Prior to or During Ground Dis~rbance. April 7, 1997.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Survey Protocol for the San Joaquin Kit Fox
for the Northern Range. June 1999.
Appendix E: Supplemental Addendum to the East Dublin San Joaquin Kit Fox Protection Plan
Page 6
\ Dt1 tsb 1f1?
Vargas Mitigated Negative Declaration
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
P A #06-030
April 2007
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Mitigation Measure Implementing Monitoring Monitoring Verification
ResDonsibility Responsibility Schedule
Mitigation Measure 1: A visual survey/analysis Project Developers Dublin Community Application
of the development shall be submitted in Development requirement for the
conjunction with the Stage 2 Rezone and Site Department Stage 2 Rezone and
Development Review to ensure that the proposed Site Development
development including design, height and Review
location complies with the Eastern Dublin Scenic
Corridor Policies and Programs and that views of
the creek bank from Tassajara Road are
maintained. Additionally, the visual analysis shall
show that distinctive natural features will be
visible once the development is complete.
Mitigation Measure 2: The Stage 2 Rezone and Project Developers Dublin Community Application
Site Development Review plans shall show that Development requirement for the
residential development shall be designed to Department Stage 2 Rezone and
retain as much of the existing topography as Site Development
possible. The residential development shall Review
comply with the Eastern Dublin Scenic Corridor
Policies and Standards which require projects to
maintain the visual character of the ridgelands,
watercourses and distinct landscape features for
travelers on the designated scenic routes.
Miti2ation Measure 3: Pole-mounted street Project Developers Dublin Community Building Permit
...--
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Mitigation Measure
lights shall be equipped with cut-off lenses and
oriented down toward interior streets to
minimize unwanted light and glare spill over.
Mitigation Measure 4: Construction contractors
shall water or cover stockpiles of debris, soil and
other materials that can be blown by the wind
during construction of the development.
Mitigation Measure 5: Construction contractors
shall sweep (preferably with water sweepers) all
paved access roads, parking areas and staging
areas at construction sites daily.
Mitigation Measure 6: Construction contractors
shall install sandbags or other erosion control
measures to prevent silt runoff to public
roadways.
Mitigation Measure 7: A pre-construction
survey shall be conducted for nesting raptors
prior to the start of grading or construction within
100 feet of any known nesting tree(s). If eggs
have been laid, a buffer shall be established
around the nest tree and the site shall be
protected from January 1 until August 1, or until
the young have fledged. The buffer shall be
determined by a qualified biologist (as
determined by the City and the Department of
Fish and Game and Fish and Wildlife). If a
known nesting tree or vegetation is removed, it
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Implementing
Responsibility
Project Developers
Project Developers
Project Developers
Project Developers
Monitoring
Responsibility
Development
Department
Dublin Community
Development
Department and
Public Works
Department
Dublin Community
Development
Department and
Public Works
Department
Dublin Community
Development
Department and
Public Works
Department
Dublin Planning
Division
Monitoring
Schedule
Plans
Issuance of Building
Permits and During
Construction
Issuance of Building
Permits and During
Construction
Issuance of Building
Permits and During
Construction
Prior to Issuance of
a Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Verification
Page 2
~
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Mitigation Measure
shall only occur during the raptor non-breeding
season which occurs from the months of October
to December.
Mitigation Measure 8: A pre-construction
survey to determine if there are California Red-
Legged Frogs one or near the site shall be
conducted no more than 60 days pnor to
construction or grading on the Project site. A
copy of the survey report shall be submitted to
the Community Development Department for
review prior to the issuance of any grading or
Building Permit. Should the survey determine
that these species are located on the site, the
developer shall work with the Community
Development Department, a qualified biologist
(as determined by the City and the Department of
Fish and Game and Fish and Wildlife Service) to
determine any additional measures that shall be
placed on the project to avoid impacts to these
species. If habitat loss for the California Red-
Legged Frog will occur as a result of the Project,
the loss in habitat shall be mitigated at a ratio of
3:1.
Mitigation Measure 9: A pre-construction
survey to determine if there are California Tiger
Salamanders on or near the site shall be
conducted no more than 60 days pnor to
construction or grading on the Proiect site. A
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Implementing
Responsibility
Project Developers
Project Developers
Monitoring
Responsibility
Dublin Planning
Division
Dublin Planning
Division
Monitoring
Schedule
Prior to Issuance of
a Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Prior to Issuance of
a Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Verification
Page 3
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Mitigation Measure
copy of the survey report shall be submitted to
the Community Development Department for
review prior to the issuance of any grading or
Building Permit. Should the survey determine
that these species are located on the site, the
developer shall work with the Community
Development Department, a qualified biologist
(as determined by the City and the Department of
Fish and Game and Fish and Wildlife Service) to
determine any additional measures that shall be
placed on the project to avoid impacts to these
species.
Mitigation Measure 10: If the California Tiger
Salamander is found within or close to the area
proposed for grading and/or construction and
could, in the opinion of the resource agency be
impacted, a California Tiger Salamander
management plan shall be prepared by a qualified
biologist (as determined by the City and the
Department of Fish and Game and Fish and
Wildlife) and the Project developer and shall be
approved by the California Department of Fish
and Game and the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service prior to the start of construction.
The plan shall detail how the California Tiger
Salamander will be managed before and during
construction activities and shall include the
following:
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Implementing
Responsibility
Project Developers
Monitoring
Responsibility
Dublin Planning
Division
Monitoring
Schedule
Prior to Issuance of
a Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Verification
Page 4
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Mitigation Measure
I) Installation of a temporary herpetological
fence prior to any ground disturbance around the
entire development footprint, or the area
designated by the resource agencies which shall
prevent the California Tiger Salamander from
entering the construction site and shall remain in
place until a permanent fence or barrier approved
by the resource agencIes IS installed. A
maintenance schedule for the temporary fences
shall also be provided.
2) A trapping and relocation plan shall be
prepared that details how aestivating California
Tiger Salamander individuals will be adequately
relocated from the development footprint and
into permanently suitable aestivation habitat.
3) Exclusionary barriers shall be installed prior to
the onset of winter rains which stimulate the
California Tiger Salamander to move to breeding
ponds. A qualified biologist (as determined by
the City) shall monitor the installation of the
barriers to ensure that they are properly installed.
4) The barrier fencing shall be maintained and
monitored continuously for the duration of the
construction of the development and site to
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Implementing
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility
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ensure that migrating and dispersing California
Tiger Salamanders do not re-enter the
construction area.
5) The exclusion fencing shall remain in place
until the construction of the development and site
is complete.
6) A qualified biologist (as determined by the
City) shall be present during grading and ground
disturbance construction activities to ensure that
there is no harm to California Tiger Salamanders.
7) Grading and vegetation clearing shall not
occur within 750 feet of the California Tiger
Salamander breeding pond, if a breeding pond is
found on the site in the future, during the
breeding and migrating season which occurs
from November to June.
8) If habitat loss for the California Tiger
Salamander will occur as a result of the Project,
the loss in habitat shall be mitigated at a ratio of
3:1.
Mitigation Measure 11: A permanent
herpetological fence or barrier shall be installed
around the north, east and southern area of the
residential footprint following construction
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Implementing
Responsibility
Project Developers
Monitoring
Responsibility
Dublin Planning
Division
Monitoring
Schedule
Prior to Occupancy
of first unit
Verification
Page 6
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activities to prevent movement of the California
Tiger Salamander into the developed area.
Mitigation Measure 12: The Project shall
comply with the Eastern Dublin San Joaquin Kit
F ox Protection Plan.
Mitigation Measure 13: Prior to the issuance of
any grading or Building Permit, a survey shall be
conducted to determine if the Southwestern Pond
Turtle is located within the Tassajara Creek
corridor adj acent to the Vargas property and to
locate their positions if any are found. If any
Southwestern Pond Turtles are found on the site,
the turtles shall be moved (under the supervision
of a qualified biologist, as determined by the City
and the Department of Fish and Game and Fish
and Wildlife, and consistent with applicable
resource agency protocols) or the area shall be
blocked off from construction and foot traffic.
Mitigation Measure 14: A pre-construction
survey shall be conducted by a qualified
biologist (as determined by the City and the
Department of Fish and Game and Fish and
Wildlife) for burrowing owls prior to any
ground disturbance between September I and
January 31. If ground disturbance is delayed or
suspended for more than 30 days after the
survey, the site shall be re-surveyed. If no over-
wintering birds are present, burrows shall be
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Implementing
Responsibility
Project Developer
Project Developers
Project Developers
Monitoring
Responsibility
Dublin Planning
Division
Dublin Planning
Division
Dublin Planning
Division
Monitoring
Schedule
During
Construction
Prior to Issuance of
a Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Prior to Issuance of
a Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Verification
Page 7
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removed prior to the nesting season. If over-
wintering birds are present, no disturbance shall
occur within 150 feet of occupied burrows. If
burrowing owls must be moved from the
disturbance area during this period, paSSIve
relocation measures shall be prepared and
implemented according to current California
Department of Fish and Game burrowing owl
guidelines, approved by the Department and
completed prior to construction.
Mitigation Measure 15: If construction IS
scheduled during the nesting season of February
1 through September 1, a pre-construction
survey shall be conducted within 30 days prior
to construction or ground disturbance. A
minimum 250 foot buffer shall be maintained
during the breeding season around active
burrowing owl nesting sites identified in pre-
construction surveys to avoid direct loss of
individuals.
Mitigation Measure 16: If destruction of
occupied burrows during either the breeding or
non-breeding season, or any burrows that were
found to be occupied during the pre-
construction surveys is unavoidable, a strategy
shall be developed to replace such burrows by
enhancing existing burrows or creating artificial
burrows at a 2:1 ratio on permanently protected
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Implementing
Responsibility
Project Developers
Project Developers
Monitoring
Responsibility
Dublin Planning
Division
Dublin Planning
Division
Monitoring
Schedule
Prior to issuance of
grading permit.
Prior to issuance of
Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Verification
Page 8
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lands adjacent to occupied burrowing owl
habitat and shall include permanent protection
of a minimum of 6.5 acres of burrowing owl
habitat per pair or unpaired resident owl. A plan
shall be prepared by a qualified biologist (as
determined by the City and the Department of
Fish and Game and Fish and Wildlife) and the
developer and shall be approved by the
California Department of Fish and Game which
describes the creation or enhancement of
burrows, maintenance of burrows and
management of foraging habitat, monitoring
procedures and significant criteria, funding
assurance, annual reporting requirements to the
California Department of Fish and Game,
contingency and remediation measures.
Mitigation Measure 17: Prior to issuance of
any grading or Building Permits including
sitework permits, a plant survey shall be
conducted on the site, during the blooming
period of plant species, to determine if any
special status plant species are located on the
site. A copy of the report shall be submitted to
the Community Development Department for
review prior to the issuance of the Building
Permit. Any rare plants shall be staked and the
California Department of Fish and Game shall
be immediately notified of their presence. If
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Implementing
Responsibility
Project Developers
Monitoring
Responsibility
Dublin Planning
Division
Monitoring
Schedule
Prior to issuance of
grading permit.
Verification
Page 9
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Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility
Monitoring
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Verification
special status plants are found on the site and
will be disturbed due to grading or construction,
the Proj ect developer shall protect or relocate
the plant(s) as required by the respective
resource agency. Copies of the surveys and
measures to protect or relocate plants as
required by the resource agency, shall be
submitted to the City prior to the issuance of a
grading or Building permit, whichever is issued
first.
Mitigation Measure 18: Prior to issuance of a
Building Permit or grading permit, the
developer shall apply for and receIve all
required permits for formal delineation, water
quality certification and individual or general
waste discharge requirements from the United
States Army Corps of Engineers and the
California Regional Water Quality Control
Board for the jurisdictional waters and
jurisdiction wetlands on the Project site. The
Applicant shall follow all requirements and
conditions included in the permit.
Mitigation Measure 19: Prior to issuance of a
Building Permit or a grading permit, the Project
developers shall retain a qualified biologist (as
determined by the City and the USACE and
California Regional Water Quality Control Board)
to develop a plan to mitigate impacts to .397 acres
Project Developers
Project Developers
Dublin Planning
Division
Dublin Planning
Division
Prior to Issuance of
Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Prior to Issuance of
Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
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of wetlands at a 2: 1 ratio and impacts to .086 acres
of Waters of the United States, not including
wetlands, at a 1: 1 ratio (total mitigation for
jurisdictional waters will total .88 acres) through
creation of new wetlands, or as otherwise
approved by the Corps of Engineers and/or the
California Regional Water Quality Control
Board. .
Mitigation Measure 20: Construction and Project Developers
grading activities related to the trail system and
water quality pond, located within the 100 foot
creek setback, shall not occur during the wet
season which occurs from October 1 through
April 15
Mitigation Measure 21: Prior to issuance of a Project Developers
Building Permit or grading permit, a protection
plan shall be prepared which details how the
creek and riparian resources will be protected
during construction of the trail and water quality
pond. At a minimum, the plan shall include
construction fencing, proj ect schedule and
measures for erosion control.
Mitigation Measure 22: Despite negative Project Developers
results for archeological resources within the
project area, the possibility that undetected
prehistoric archeological resources might exist
on the property must be recognized and a
contingency plan shall be developed III
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Monitoring
Responsibility
Dublin Community
Development
Department
Dublin Planning
Division
Dublin Community
Development
Department
Monitoring
Schedule
During all phases of
the Project (pre-
construction,
construction and
post-construction)
Prior to Issuance of
a Building Permit or
Grading Permit
During
Construction
Verification
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accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section
15064.5 to handle discoveries during project
construction. In the event that any prehistoric
material is discovered, work shall be halted in
the immediate vicinity of the site until a
qualified archeologist inspects the discovery,
and, if necessary implement a plan for further
evaluative testing and/or retrieval of endangered
materials.
Mitigation Measure 23: Site Preparation and
grading recommendations to remove unstable
fill materials included on page 3 in the
Preliminary Geologic and Geotechnical Report
prepared by ENGEO, Inc. for the Project site
shall be incorporated into the grading plan.
Mitigation Measure 24: The development shall
be designed in such a manner as to comply with
relevant provisions of the City of Dublin's
Wildfire Management Plan. The development
shall also include automatic sprinklers on all of
the homes. The design of the Project shall
comply with all Alameda County Fire
Department rules and regulations, City of
Dublin standards and the California Fire Code.
Mitigation Measure 25: The developer of the
Vargas property shall prepare a Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) which lists
Best Management Practices to provide treatment
Casamlra Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Implementing
Responsibility
Project Developers
Project Developers
Project Developers
Monitoring
Responsibility
Dublin Planning
Division and Public
Works Department
Dublin Planning
Division and Fire
Department
Dublin Planning
Division and Public
Works Department
Monitoring
Schedule
Prior to Issuance of
Building Permit or
Grading Permit.
Prior to Issuance of
Building Permit.
Prior to Issuance of
Building Permit or
Grading Permit and
During and After
Construction.
Verification
Page 12
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Responsibility
Monitoring
Schedule
Verification
that meets the minimum extent practicable
(MEPs) treatment standard in the Clean Water
Act and incorporate the hydraulic sizing criteria
to treat stormwater runoff as referred in pages 4-6
of the Regional Water Quality Control Board
letter dated March 16, 2007 to reduce
construction and post-construction activities to a
less-than-significant level. Measures may
include, but shall not be limited to revegetation
of graded areas, silt fencing and the use of
biofilters within landscape areas. The SWPPP
shall conform to standards adopted by the
Regional Waster Quality Control Board and the
City of Dublin. The SWPPP shall be approved by
both agencies and shall obtain a Notice of Intent
from the State Water Resources Control Board
prior to the issuance of grading permits.
Mitigation Measure 26: In accordance with the Project Developers Dublin Public Application
City's Municipal Stormwater Permit, Section Works Department Submittal During
C.3, a drainage and hydrology study shall be Stage 2 Rezone and
submitted to the City of Dublin Public Works Site Development
Department, including historic drainage flows Review
from the site, estimated increases in the amount
of stormwater runoff, the ability of do~nstream
facilities to accommodate flow increase and
post construction Best Management Practices
(BMPs) for stormwater management (as
provided under the provisions of Section C.3 of
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
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Monitoring
Responsibility
Monitoring
Schedule
Verification
the NPDES Permit). This report shall also
document the proj ect' s fair share contribution to
fund any improvements in downstream facilities
that are required to support this project and shall
be submitted with the Stage 2 Rezone and Site
Development Review plans.
Mitigation Measure 27: The siting of the storm Project Developers Dublin Public Prior to Issuance of
drainage infrastructure shall be consistent with Works Department a Building Permit or
the Resource Management Policies of the Grading Permit
Eastern Dublin Specific Plan.
Mitigation Measure 28: The Stage 2 and Site Project Developers Dublin Planning Application
Development Review plans shall show noise Division Submittal During
barriers, berms or solid fencing, which are Stage 2 Rezone and
attractively designed, to control noise in outdoor Site Development
spaces (including rear and side yards) to comply Review
with applicable noise standards. A noise study
shall be prepared for the development and
submitted with the detailed construction plans
prior to issuance of a Building Permit. The noise
study shall evaluate noise impacts of traffic on
Tassajara Road on the Project. The construction
plans shall include the measures recommended
in the analysis and the interior noise level shall
be brought to 45 dBA or less.
Mitigation Measure 29: The Project developer Project Developers Dublin Public Shown on Final
shall widen Tassajara Road between North Works Department Map and
Dublin Ranch Drive and the City/County line to Completed Prior to
Occupancy of First
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
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Responsibility
Monitoring
Schedule
Verification
four lanes, in the event that this Project is Unit
developed prior to the Fallon Crossings or
Casamira Valley proj ects, and shall dedicate
additional property as determined by the Dublin
City Engineer.
Mitigation Measure 30: Improvements at the Project Developers Dublin Public Prior to Issuance of
Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty Road intersection are Works Department Building Permit
included in the Eastern Dublin Traffic Impact Fee
(TIF) program. The project is required to make its
fair share payment of impact fees for these
improvements.
Mitigation Measure 31: The proj ect developer Project Developers Dublin Public Prior to Issuance of
shall advance to the City applicable monies for Works Department Building Permit
acquisition of right-of-way and construction of
the improvements assumed in this study for the
intersection of Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty
Road. The amount of money advanced to the
City shall be based on the developer's fair share
of the deficit (spread over those projects that are
required to make up the deficit) between funds
available to the City from Category 2 Eastern
Dublin TIF funds and the estimated cost of
acquiring the right-of-way and constructing the
improvements. The City will provide credit for
Category 2 Eastern Dublin TIF to the developer
for any advance of monies made for the
improvements planned for the Dublin
Boulevard/Dougherty Road intersection.
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
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Monitoring
Responsibility
Monitoring
Schedule
Verification
Mitigation Measure 32: The Project developer Project Developers Dublin Planning Prior to any tree
shall contribute a pro-rata share of the cost to Division pruning, grading or
improve the Santa Rita Road/I-580 Eastbound other construction
Ramp/Pimlico Drive intersection to include a activities.
third left-turn lane for the eastbound off-ramp
approach at this intersection and other
downstream improvements including
modifications to the striping on the northbound
lanes of the Tassajara Road/I-580 overpass to
accept traffic from the third left-turn lane and
maintain three northbound through lanes at the
Tassajara Road/I-580 Westbound Ramps
intersection. Alternatively, the Project
Developer shall contribute a fair share of the
cost to install the above improvements by
payment of the Eastern Dublin Traffic Impact
Fee, if the Traffic Impact Fee is updated to
include the above intersection improvements
prior to the time building permits are issued for
the Proiect.
Mitigation Measure 33: The Site Development Project Developers Dublin Planning Application
Review and Stage 2 Rezone project plans shall Division and Public Submittal
show that the southern entrance/exit on the Works Department Requirement
Project site wi111ine up with the southern During Stage 2
rezone and Site
entrance/exit located on the Moller Ranch! Development
Casamira Valley proj ect site. The developer Review
shall also install a traffic signal at the
intersections of Tassaiara Road and the southern
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
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Schedule
Verification
entrance/exit for the Proiect.
Mitigation Measure 34: The final project design Project Developers Dublin Planning Stage 2 Rezone and
shall provide adequate parking to serve the resident Division and Public Site Development
development. A detailed parking analysis which Works Division Review
reviews on-street and off-street parking provided fo
the residential development shall be submitted in
conjunction with the detailed Stage 2 Rezone plans
and the Site Development Review.
Casamira Valley Project
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
City of Dublin
Page 17
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