Environmental Review Process

Denise Duffy & Associates, Inc. (DD&A) will prepare a Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the proposed MetroBase facility for the Harvey West Cluster preferred alternative in Santa Cruz, proposed by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District. The EIR/EIS will be prepared in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. The project proposes to consolidate the majority of the District's maintenance, bus storage, and administrative offices on two locations on River Street and Golf Club Drive in Harvey West. The new facility will support up to 98 buses in the near term. The following timeline provides a general description of items to be reviewed and tentative dates for completion of the MetroBase project:

Step 1: Environmental Impact Report - , Notice of Preparation/Notice of Intent and Scoping Meeting
The Environmental Review process began with the public scoping process. The scoping process for the proposed MetroBase project commenced on May 1, 2002 and will conclude on May 31, 2002 at 5:00p.m. The Notice of Preparation/Notice of Intent includes a brief project summary and the identification of potential impacts. If you wish to comment during the scoping period please do so by letter directed to Les White, General Manager, SCMTD, 370 Encinal Street, Suite 100, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or e-mail your comments to metrobase@scmtd.com. The environmental consultants, Duffy & Associates, will facilitate one public scoping meeting about the potential impacts of MetroBase. The scoping meeting will allow the public to voice their concerns about scope of the environmental analysis for the project. The Scoping Meeting will be held on May 22, 2002 from 7:00 - 10:00p.m. at the Santa Cruz Metro Administration Offices, 370 Encinal Street, Suite 100, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

Step 2: Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement Submittal and Draft Review
The EIR/EIS will address development of the 2 location option. The EIR/EIS will describe in detail the proposed MetroBase facility, the existing environmental conditions on the project site, and assess potentially significant impacts associated with the proposed facility. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant environmental impacts identified in the EIR/EIS. The EIR/EIS will be circulated for a 45-day public review upon authorization by the Metro Board. All interested parties are able to review the draft EIR/EIS and comment on technical deficiencies in the document. The consultants will address the public comments and submit a final EIR/EIS to the Board of Directors. The EIR/EIS process is expected to take approximately 7 - 12 months to complete.

Step 3: Acceptance of the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement
The EIR/EIS is expected to be final in late 2002. If the EIR is certified by the Metro Board of Directors and if the MetroBase Project is approved, the construction of Phase 1 will begin in late 2003. The major issues to be addressed in the EIR are described below:


Project Description:
This section will describe the project options, location, project objectives and intended uses of the EIR/EIS: * Provide a list of discretionary actions required for the project * Describe the project's objectives in terms of the Metroıs long-term plans * Present the rationale/requirements for a consolidated facility * Identify bus schedules for entering and exiting the MetroBase facility * Describe proposed demolition, recycling and reuse of existing structures on project site * Identify option for other Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) users to fuel at the project site

Land Use:
This section will describe the existing land uses on and surrounding the River Street and Golf Club Site, including industrial, office and residential development, as well as natural resources. This section will assess the land use impacts of the project options including: * Compatibility with surrounding, existing and planned uses, and nearby businesses and residences * Project consistency with applicable land use plans and policies. * Impacts from acquisition of property rights. * Identify the components of the relocation plan, including any permanent loss of business, and the number of jobs and residents displaced * Determine project consistency with Cityıs planning requirements (including industrial and economic goals) * Describe the existing operations at businesses to be relocated, including Goodwill * Mitigation will be identified for significant impacts.

Traffic and Circulation:
The traffic study will be prepared by Higgins Associates, Inc. and will address the following: * Description of existing roadway network in the project area. * Evaluation of the traffic impacts/conditions at key intersections. * Operational analysis of the Highway 1/Highway 17 interchange, using data from the County Regional Transportation Commission and Caltrans. * Identification of anticipated traffic impacts on affected transportation facilities based on trip generation and a level of service analysis at the study intersections. * Adequacy of site access, including emergency access. * Address traffic from other CNG users fueling at MetroBase * Describe park-and-ride lot at the intersection of Highway 1/9 as part of setting section * Identification of temporary traffic impacts during installation of CNG line and requirement for a construction/detour plan * Address project consistency with County Regional Transportation Plan and County Regional Transportation Commissionıs Major Transportation Investment Study * Identification of mitigation measures. * Identification of shuttle bus service or other transportation demand management measures to reduce traffic from MetroBase employees, as needed

Noise:
The EIR/EIS will describe the existing ambient noise in the vicinity of the site being considered for use, and assess both the short-term and long-term noise impacts resulting from the proposed project, based on a noise analysis prepared by Charles M. Salter Associates, Inc. The noise analysis will address the following: * Identification of sensitive receptors like residences, parks and schools near the site. * Measure existing noise levels at sensitive receptors near the site, primarily residential areas. * Estimate the increase in environmental noise levels along roadways serving the site due to changes in bus operations. * Estimate the environmental noise levels generated by onsite maintenance activities, including vehicle washing and repair, brake testing and idling. * Short-term noise impacts during building, demolition and construction. * Identify of mitigation for significant impacts on nearby sensitive receptors.

Air Quality:
Air Quality: The EIR/EIS will describe the air quality of the area and provide an assessment of the potential air quality impacts of the project. The air quality analysis will be prepared by Donald Ballanti, certified consulting meteorologist, and will include the following: * Description of the existing meteorological characteristics and air quality in the project area, and identification of sensitive receptors like residences, parks and schools affected by development. * Discussion of the relevant federal, state and local regulatory provisions regarding air pollutant emissions. * Assessment of potential localized impacts from project traffic at congested (LOS D or worse) study intersections from carbon monoxide concentrations. * Evaluation of potential toxic air contaminants (TACs) from the project, including diesel emissions (from diesel buses during the phase-in of compressed natural gas) and certain maintenance activities, including spray painting operations. This will be conducted performing a screening health risk assessment. * Address short-term air quality impacts during construction, resulting from dust and exhaust emissions from construction activities. * Identify mitigation for significant impacts * Identify reduction in air pollutant emissions from conversion of fleet to CNG

Biology:
An assessment of potential impacts on biological resources will be conducted by Duffy & Associates to determine potential impacts on vegetation and wildlife. This analysis will focus on: * Address potential effects on the San Lorenzo River riparian corridor and other resources. * The biological investigation will include a check of the CNDDB and CNPS databases, contact with the California Department of Fish and Game area biologist, a site visit, habitat mapping, identification of typical species present, and analysis of direct and indirect impacts. * Assess impacts on heritage trees and wildlife using trees * Analyze adequacy of buffer for riparian habitat * Identify appropriate mitigation and monitoring.

Hazardous Materials:
This section will address the potential for hazardous materials contamination on the project site and surrounding area. The assessment will be prepared by Lowney Associates, Inc. and will address the following: * Results of an onsite survey of existing uses to determine hazardous material use and potential contamination. * Findings of a drive-by survey of surrounding uses to determine potential for use of hazardous materials. * Discussion of site history, based on review of sources such as aerial photos, topographical maps, fire insurance rate maps, title reports, and files at local health and building departments. * Review of the regulatory database to determine the presence and type of contamination incidents reported in the project vicinity. * Evaluation of potential hazardous materials impacts, including 1) contamination from onsite or adjacent uses, and 2) use of hazardous materials at the proposed facility. * Discussion of compressed natural gas use and potential hazards based on information provided by Metro, including risks from CNG tanks on buses and CNG fueling stations on site * Identification of mitigation or recommendations for further analysis (i.e. soil or groundwater) for potentially significant impacts.

Cultural Resources:
The project site, although developed, may be archaeologically sensitive due to its location near Pogonip Creek. An evaluation of potential archaeological resources on the site will be provided based on a study prepared by Archaeological Consulting. This study will include an archival search, surface reconnaissance to determine the potential for archaeological resources on the site, and identify potential impacts and mitigation. An evaluation of the historical significance of all properties within the project area will be provided based on a historic architectural technical report prepared by URS Corporation. The analysis will include the following: * Preliminary Search of records from the Northwest Information Center, the California Office of Historic Preservation and the City and County of Santa Cruz. * Field survey and photographs of all buildings. * Research to prepare the historic contexts within which to evaluate the significance of all properties greater than 45 years of age. * Preparation of address list for buildings less than 45 years of age. For buildings greater than 45 years of age, evaluation of significance in relation to California Register of Historic Resources.

Geology/Soils:
The geologic and geotechnical hazards on the site will be addressed in the EIR/EIS based on a preliminary geotechnical report prepared by Haro Kasunich Associates. Key issues to be evaluated include: * Seismicity * Soil conditions/hazards * Grading * Erosion * Mitigation and recommendations in the preliminary geotechnical study will be identified for significant impacts.

Drainage/Water Quality:
The EIR/EIS will describe the drainage characteristics of the project site and area, including flood potential and existing drainage facilities. Flooding potential on the site from the San Lorenzo River or Pogonip Creek will be identified. This section will describe: * Identify location of the project in the flood zone * The proposed drainage system for the project * Estimate the increase in post-development runoff flows * Assess the potential surface water quality impacts from project development, resulting from construction activities and runoff from the site containing pollutants such as oil, grease and metals from buses and maintenance activities on the site. * Appropriate mitigation will be identified for drainage and water quality impacts * Identify National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements

Visual:
The visual effects of the project will be evaluated using site photographs and conceptual renditions of the proposed MetroBase facility. Visual impacts may result from alteration of the existing viewshed, and the use of night lighting for maintenance activities and security. The EIR/EIS will address the visual impacts from surrounding viewpoints, including residential areas. The proposed landscape plan will be analyzed to determine its ability to appropriately screen tanks. Mitigation will be identified for significant visual impacts.

Public Services:
The EIR/EIS will address the anticipated project demands on public services and utilities, including water supply/service, wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal, police and fire protection services. Emergency access for Harvey West occupants, as well as emergency providers including police, fire and ambulance will be addressed. This section will also evaluate CNG demand and infrastructure requirements of the project and the long-term availability/cost of CNG.

Economic/Financial:
The EIR/EIS will summarize the results of a new financial study to be prepared for the project by Metro. The EIR/EIS will also identify the costs of the following: * Loss of property taxes from removal of businesses * Relocation costs of businesses and/or homes * Cost of CNG implementation

Cumulative Impacts:
The EIR/EIS will describe the cumulative impacts resulting from the project combined with other proposed development in the project area, based on consultation with the City and County of Santa Cruz. The cumulative analysis will address (at a minimum) impacts upon traffic, air quality and noise. The EIR/EIS will consider cumulative impacts from the potential development of 100 units north of Pogonip, if deemed relevant by the City of Santa Cruz.

Project Alternatives:
Duffy and Associates will consult with Metro staff to determine a range of feasible alternatives. Project alternatives would consider previous sites evaluated by the Metro, including the Westside site and mid-county sites in a background discussion, with the rationale for unfeasibility. Summarize other alternatives identified during the scoping process, which are not feasible, with rationale for rejection. Analyze the following project alternatives: * No Project ­ provide expanded discussion qualitatively addressing the long-term environmental and service impacts of not building the project (e.g. increased vehicular use, increased air pollution emissions) * Consolidate facility on Watsonville site * Cluster alternative within Harvey West (which avoids Goodwill) * Two-base alternative: Watsonville and Harvey West (restoration of existing District-owned facilities) * Identify an environmentally superior alternative, based on the number and degree of associated environmental impacts

Other CEQA/NEPA Sections:
The major environmental issues to be addressed in the EIR/EIS are described above. The EIR/EIS will also address other issues, as required by CEQA and NEPA. These issues are: * Growth inducing impacts * Effects Found to be Less than Significant * Irretrievable Commitment of Resources * References

Prepare Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program:
A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) will be prepared. The MMRP will identify responsibility, timing, funding and reporting of mitigation measures identified in the EIR/EIS.

Other:
The EIR/EIS will summarize a report prepared by Metro about the use of Bio-diesel. The report will be attached as an appendix.

ISSUES NOT RELEVANT TO EIR/EIS:
CEQA and NEPA do not require that the environmental analysis address issues that do not relate specifically to the environmental review, do not pertain to the project proposed, and/or require analysis that is highly speculative. Items raised during the public scoping process that fall into these categories would not require analysis, based on state and federal requirements.