SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

III. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND IMPACTSC. GEOLOGY AND SOILS1.7 REGULATORY FRAMEWORKMineral ResourcesThe Department of Mines and Geology identifies MRZs to describe the significance of mineraldeposits, and the State Public Resources Code requires that local governments considersignificant mineral resources in the planning process. Land use decision-making processes forareas with significant mineral resources on or adjacent to Alameda Watershed lands must complywith code requirements to explain the potential effect of land use actions on future resourceextraction, and justify permitting uses in conflict with future extraction.Ground Rupture HazardsThe Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zones Act (1972) regulates development near active faultswith the purpose of mitigating the hazard of surface fault-rupture. The principal focus of thelegislation is to prohibit the location of developments and structures for human occupancy acrossthe trace of active faults, as defined by the State Geology Board. For SFPUC Watershed lands,the regulation would require specialized geologic reports defining and delineating surface faultrupturehazards prior to undertaking projects that would construct structures for humanoccupancy. The area along the Calaveras Fault Zone is designated as a special studies zone underthe Alquist-Priolo Act, and seismic hazards of surface rupture must be adequately evaluated forprojects that propose structures for human occupancy.2.0 IMPACTS2.1 SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIAThe City has not formally adopted significance standards for geology and seismicity impacts, butit generally considers that implementation of the Alameda Watershed Management Plan wouldhave a significant geologic or seismic impact if it were to:! expose people or property to geologic hazards, such as earthquakes, landslides, mudslides,ground failure, or similar hazards;! cause substantial flooding, erosion, or siltation;! change topography or ground surface relief features;! substantially modify any unique geological or physical features; or! preclude extraction of significant mineral resources.2.2 PROGRAM-LEVEL IMPACTSThis section discusses the potential impacts of implementation of the management actions in theManagement Plan on geology and soils, including potential increases in soil erosion, reducedslope stability, exposure to seismic hazards, and changes to gravel mining operations.NOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan III.C-6 ESA / 930385January 2001