Rising Tree Wind Farm Project Notice of Preparation - County of Kern

More documents

Recommendations

Info

KERN COUNTY PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT RISING TREE WIND ENERGY PROJECT Potentially Significant Impact HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (continued) ii. Are associated with design, layout, and management of project operations; and ii. Disseminate widely from the property; and iv. Cause detrimental effects on the public health or well being of the majority of the surrounding population. Discussion: Potentially Significant Impact Unless Mitigated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact (a) The Project is not expected to result in impacts from hazards and hazardous materials with respect to creating a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials because the Project would not involve the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. The only hazardous materials expected to be transported to or from the site include transformer oil (used in electrical transformers), vehicle fuel, paints and solvents, cleaning agents, and lubrication oils, all of which are expected to be used in small quantities for Project construction and daily maintenance during operations. However, the EIR/EIS will evaluate the transport and use of these materials. The closest route that is designated for the transport of hazardous materials is State Route (SR) 58, located seven (7) miles east of the Project site. The Project may involve blasting to prepare wind turbine generator (WTG) foundations and roads. Blasting will also be evaluated in the EIR/EIS. (b) Potential impacts that may result from construction and operation of the Project include the accidental release of storage materials such as transformer oil, which is used in electrical transformers for turbines, vehicle fuel, carburetor fluid, and various types and grades of lubricants, solvents, and oils. The toxicity and potential release of these materials will depend on the quantity, the type of storage container, safety protocols used on the site, the location and/or proximity to receptors, the frequency and duration of spills or storage leaks, and the reactivity of hazardous substances with other materials. The use of all materials used on site, how the materials will be transported, in what form they will be used, possible environmental contamination or worker exposure, and identification of all regulations and standard protocols to be followed during the storage, transportation, and usage of any hazardous materials will be evaluated in the EIR/EIS. (c) There are no schools located within one (1) mile of the Project site or transmission line routes. The nearest schools include Douglas High School and the Mountain View Continuation School and Joshua Middle school which are located somewhat more than two (2) miles to the east. The effects of hazardous materials releases would not have the potential to extend beyond the work areas on-site and would not affect these schools. Project-related infrastructure would not emit hazardous materials. Nevertheless, potential impacts will be discussed in the EIR/EIS. (d) Both Phase I and Phase II studies to identify “recognized environmental conditions” (RECs) have been completed for the site. According to that study, all parcels are free of RECs. Nevertheless, potential impacts will be discussed in the EIR/EIS. (e) The Project site is located four (4) miles from the Mojave Air and Space Port, 22 miles from Edwards Air Force Base, 13 miles from the California City Municipal Airport, 10 miles from the July 2011 32 Initial Study/Notice of Preparation
KERN COUNTY PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT RISING TREE WIND ENERGY PROJECT Mountain Valley Airport and 12 miles from the Tehachapi Municipal Airport. Safety hazards for people residing or working in the Project area with respect to the Project’s proximity to a public or military airports are expected to be less than significant due to the distances from such facilities. However, the EIR/EIS will evaluate potential impacts related to aviation safety hazards and compliance with the Kern County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 7460, and military airspace requirements. (f) The Project site is not located within 2 miles of a private airstrip. No safety hazard for people residing or working in the Project area with respect to the Project’s proximity to a private airstrip is expected to occur due to the distances from such facilities. (g) Operation of the Project is not anticipated to physically impede existing emergency response plans, emergency vehicle access, or personnel access to the site. Therefore, no operational impacts related to impairment of the implementation of or physical interference with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan is anticipated. However, construction of the Project would generate construction trips and roadway lane closures that could potentially temporarily obstruct traffic on local roadways and intersections, thereby impeding emergency access. Therefore, the potential for Project construction-related traffic to impair or interfere with emergency response actions or evacuation plans will be evaluated in the EIR/EIS. (h) The Project site is under the jurisdiction of the Kern County Wildland Fire Management Plan. This plan documents the wildland fire situation within the county. The Project site is within a State Responsibility Area (SRA), and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) implements wildfire planning and protection for the SRA. The Project site and transmission line route options would be located in an area moderately susceptible to wildfires. Vegetation on the Project site consists primarily of creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) scrub, cheesebush (Hymenoclea salsola) scrub, Mojave mixed woody scrub, and Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) open woodland (Johnston 2006). The potential for construction and operation of the Project to result in increased risk of wildfires in the Project area will be evaluated in the EIR/EIS. The evaluation will include a review of the 2004 Kern County Fire Department Wildland Fire Management Plan and CAL FIRE’s and Kern County Fire Department’s prevention measures for wildland fires. (i,)(i-iv) The Project would result in construction of WTGs, a substation, transmission line infrastructure, and O&M facilities. Project-related infrastructure is not expected to result in features or conditions (such as standing water, agricultural products, agricultural waste, or human waste) that would attract or harbor vectors such as mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches or rodents. Workers would generate small quantities of solid waste (i.e., trash) that would be appropriately stored and disposed of. Nevertheless, potential impacts will be addressed in the EIR/EIS. July 2011 33 Initial Study/Notice of Preparation
Page 1 and 2: PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Page 3 and 4: ZCC #48, Map #197; ZCC #7, Map #180
Page 5 and 6: Center on Race, Poverty & the Envir
Page 7 and 8: Notice of Completion & Environmenta
Page 9 and 10: Reviewing Agencies Checklist Lead A
Page 11 and 12: Notice of Preparation Of a Joint En
Page 13 and 14: NOP / REQUEST FOR SCOPING COMMENTS
Page 15 and 16: INITIAL STUDY/NOTICE OF PREPARATION
Page 17 and 18: KERN COUNTY PLANNING & COMMUNITY DE
Page 19 and 20: 1. Project Description KERN COUNTY
Page 31 and 32: 1.4.2 Construction KERN COUNTY PLAN
Page 37 and 38: AESTHETICS. Would the project: a. H
Page 43 and 44: BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the pro
Page 45 and 46: CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the proje
Page 49: KERN COUNTY PLANNING & COMMUNITY DE
Page 53 and 54: Discussion: KERN COUNTY PLANNING &
Page 55 and 56: LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the pr
Page 57 and 58: NOISE. Would the project result in:

Rising Tree Wind Farm Project Notice of Preparation - County of Kern

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?