3.6 Geology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and Paleontological ......a wide variety of mineral...

Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis

Geology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and Paleontological Resources

APWRA Repowering Draft PEIR 3.6‐1

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3.6 Geology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and Paleontological Resources

Thissectiondescribestheregulatoryandenvironmentalsettingforgeology,soils,mineralresources,andpaleontologicalresourcesintheprogramandprojectareas.Italsodescribesimpactsongeology,soils,mineralresources,andpaleontologicalresourcesthatwouldresultfromimplementationoftheprogramandtwoindividualprojects.Mitigationmeasuresareprescribedwherefeasibleandappropriate.

3.6.1 Existing Conditions

Regulatory Setting

Federal

NofederalregulationsapplytomineralresourcesorpaleontologicalresourcesintheAPWRA.Thefollowingfederalregulationsarerelatedtogeologichazardsorsoils.

International Building Code

ThedesignandconstructionofengineeredfacilitiesinCaliforniamustcomplywiththerequirementsoftheInternationalBuildingCode(IBC)(InternationalCodeCouncil2011)andtheadoptionsofthatcodebytheStateofCalifornia(seeCaliforniaBuildingStandardsCodeunderStateRegulations).

U.S. Geological Survey Landslide Hazard Program

TofulfilltherequirementsofPublicLaw106‐113,theU.S.GeologicalSurveycreatedtheNationalLandslideHazardsProgramtoreducelong‐termlossesfromlandslidehazardsbyimprovingunderstandingofthecausesofgroundfailureandsuggestingmitigationstrategies.TheFederalEmergencyManagementAgencyistheresponsibleagencyforthelong‐termmanagementofnaturalhazards.

Clean Water Act Section 402 (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program)

Section402oftheCleanWaterAct(CWA)mandatesthatcertaintypesofconstructionactivitycomplywiththerequirementsofEPA’sNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)program.EPAhasdelegatedtotheStateWaterBoardtheauthorityfortheNPDESprograminCalifornia,whereitisimplementedbythestate’snineRegionalWaterBoards.Constructionactivitydisturbing1acreormoremustobtaincoverageunderthestate’sGeneralPermitforStormWaterDischargesAssociatedwithConstructionandLandDisturbanceActivities(Order2010‐0014‐DWQ).(SeeConstructionActivitiesStormWaterConstructionGeneralPermit[2010‐0014‐DWQPermit]).

AdditionaldetailsoftheCWAaredescribedinSection3.9,HydrologyandWaterQuality.




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State

Alquist‐Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act

California’sAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningAct(Alquist‐PrioloAct)(PublicResourcesCode[PRC]Section2621etseq.)isintendedtoreduceriskstolifeandpropertyfromsurfacefaultruptureduringearthquakes.TheAlquist‐PrioloActprohibitsthelocationofmosttypesofstructuresintendedforhumanoccupancy1acrossthetracesofactivefaultsandstrictlyregulatesconstructioninthecorridorsalongactivefaultscapableofsurfaceruptureorfaultcreep(earthquakefaultzones).Generallytherequiredsetbackis50feetfromanactivefaulttrace.Theactalsodefinescriteriaforidentifyingactivefaults,givinglegalweighttotermssuchasactive,andestablishesaprocessforreviewingbuildingproposalsinandadjacenttoearthquakefaultzones.

UndertheAlquist‐PrioloAct,faultsarezoned,andconstructionalongoracrossthemisstrictlyregulatediftheyaresufficientlyactiveandwelldefined.AfaultisconsideredsufficientlyactiveifoneormoreofitssegmentsorstrandsshowsevidenceofsurfacedisplacementduringHolocenetime(definedforpurposesoftheactasreferringtoapproximatelythelast11,000years).Afaultisconsideredwell‐definedifitstracecanbeidentifiedclearlybyatrainedgeologistatthegroundsurface,orintheshallowsubsurfaceusingstandardprofessionaltechniques,criteria,andjudgment(BryantandHart2007).

Seismic Hazards Mapping Act

LiketheAlquist‐PrioloAct,theSeismicHazardsMappingActof1990(PRCSections2690–2699.6)isintendedtoreducedamageresultingfromearthquakes.WhiletheAlquist‐PrioloActaddressessurfacefaultrupture,theSeismicHazardsMappingActaddressesotherearthquake‐relatedhazards,includingstronggroundshaking,liquefaction,andseismicallyinducedlandslides.ItsprovisionsaresimilarinconcepttothoseoftheAlquist‐PrioloAct—thestateischargedwithidentifyingandmappingareasatriskofstronggroundshaking,liquefaction,landslides,andothercorollaryhazards;andcitiesandcountiesarerequiredtoregulatedevelopmentwithinmappedseismichazardzones.

UndertheSeismicHazardsMappingAct,permitreviewistheprimarymechanismforlocalregulationofdevelopment.Specifically,citiesandcountiesareprohibitedfromissuingdevelopmentpermitsforsiteswithinseismichazardzonesuntilappropriatesite‐specificgeologicand/orgeotechnicalinvestigationshavebeencarriedoutandmeasurestoreducepotentialdamagehavebeenincorporatedintothedevelopmentplans.GeotechnicalinvestigationsconductedwithinseismichazardzonesmustincorporatestandardsspecifiedbyCaliforniaGeologicalSurveySpecialPublication117a,GuidelinesforEvaluatingandMitigatingSeismicHazardsinCalifornia(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2008).

Construction Activities Storm Water Construction General Permit (2010‐0014‐DWQ Permit)

Dischargerswhoseprojectsdisturb1ormoreacresofsoil,orwhoseprojectsdisturblessthan1acrebutarepartofalargercommonplanofdevelopmentthatintotaldisturbs1ormoreacres,arerequiredtoobtaincoverageundertheGeneralPermitOrder2010‐0014‐DWQ.Constructionactivity

1WithreferencetotheAlquist‐PrioloAct,astructureforhumanoccupancyisdefinedasone“usedorintendedforsupportingorshelteringanyuseoroccupancy,whichisexpectedtohaveahumanoccupancyrateofmorethan2,000person‐hoursperyear”(CaliforniaCodeofRegulations,Title14,Div.2,Section3601[e]).




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subjecttothispermitincludesclearing,grading,anddisturbancestothegroundsuchasstockpilingorexcavation,butdoesnotincluderegularmaintenanceactivitiesperformedtorestoretheoriginalline,grade,orcapacityofthefacility.

CoverageundertheGeneralPermitisobtainedbysubmittingpermitregistrationdocumentstotheStateWaterBoardthatincludearisklevelassessmentandasite‐specificstormwaterpollutionpreventionplan(SWPPP)identifyinganeffectivecombinationoferosioncontrol,sedimentcontrol,andnon‐stormwaterBMPs.TheGeneralPermitrequiresthattheSWPPPdefineaprogramofregularinspectionsoftheBMPsand,insomecases,samplingofwaterqualityparameters.TheSanFranciscoBayRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardadministerstheNPDESstormwaterpermitprograminAlamedaCounty.The14cities,theunincorporatedarea,andthetwofloodcontroldistrictsofAlamedaCountyshareoneNPDESpermitthatismanagedthroughaconsortiumofagenciescalledtheAlamedaCountywideCleanWaterProgram.

2010 California Building Standards Code

TheCaliforniaBuildingStandardsCode(CBSC)(24CaliforniaCodeofRegulations)providestheminimumstandardsforstructuraldesignandconstruction.TheCBSCisbasedontheIBC,whichisusedwidelythroughoutUnitedStates(generallyadoptedonastate‐by‐stateordistrict‐by‐districtbasis)andhasbeenmodifiedforCaliforniaconditionswithnumerous,moredetailedormorestringentregulations.TheCBSCrequiresthat“classificationofthesoilateachbuildingsitewillbedeterminedwhenrequiredbythebuildingofficial”andthat“theclassificationwillbebasedonobservationandanynecessarytestofthematerialsdisclosedbyboringsorexcavations.”Inaddition,theCBSCstatesthat“thesoilclassificationanddesign‐bearingcapacitywillbeshownonthe(building)plans,unlessthefoundationconformstospecifiedrequirements.”TheCBSCprovidesstandardsforvariousaspectsofconstruction,including(i.e.,notlimitedto)excavation,grading,andearthworkconstruction;fillsandembankments;expansivesoils;foundationinvestigations;andliquefactionpotentialandsoilstrengthloss.InaccordancewithCalifornialaw,certainaspectsoftheprogramwouldberequiredtocomplywithallprovisionsoftheCBSC.

TheCBSCrequiresextensivegeotechnicalanalysisandengineeringforgrading,foundations,retainingwalls,andotherstructures,includingcriteriaforseismicdesign.

California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975

TheprincipallegislationaddressingmineralresourcesinCaliforniaistheSurfaceMiningandReclamationActof1975(SMARA)(PRCSections2710–2719),whichwasenactedinresponsetolanduseconflictsbetweenurbangrowthandessentialmineralproduction.ThestatedpurposeofSMARAistoprovideacomprehensivesurfaceminingandreclamationpolicythatwillencouragetheproductionandconservationofmineralresourceswhileensuringthatadverseenvironmentaleffectsofminingarepreventedorminimized;toensurethatminedlandsarereclaimedandresidualhazardstopublichealthandsafetyareeliminated;andtogiveconsiderationtorecreation,watershed,wildlife,aesthetic,andotherrelatedvalues.SMARAgovernstheuseandconservationofawidevarietyofmineralresources,althoughsomeresourcesandactivitiesareexemptfromitsprovisions,includingexcavationandgradingconductedforfarming,construction,orrecoveryfromfloodingorothernaturaldisaster.

SMARAprovidesfortheevaluationofanarea’smineralresourcesusingasystemofMineralResourceZone(MRZ)classificationsthatreflecttheknownorinferredpresenceandsignificanceofagivenmineralresource.TheMRZclassificationsarebasedonavailablegeologicinformation,




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includinggeologicmappingandotherinformationonsurfaceexposures,drillingrecords,andminedata,andonsocioeconomicfactorssuchasmarketconditionsandurbandevelopmentpatterns.TheMRZclassificationsaredefinedasfollows.

MRZ‐1—areaswhereadequateinformationindicatesthatnosignificantmineraldepositsarepresent,orwhereitisjudgedthatlittlelikelihoodexistsfortheirpresence.

MRZ‐2—areaswhereadequateinformationindicatesthatsignificantmineraldepositsarepresent,orwhereitisjudgedthatahighlikelihoodfortheirpresenceexists.

MRZ‐3—areascontainingmineraldeposits,thesignificanceofwhichcannotbeevaluatedfromavailabledata.

MRZ‐4—areaswhereavailableinformationisinadequateforassignmentintoanyother MRZ.

AlthoughtheStateofCaliforniaisresponsibleforidentifyingareascontainingmineralresources,thecountyorcityisresponsibleforSMARAimplementationandenforcementbyprovidingannualmininginspectionreportsandcoordinatingwiththeCaliforniaGeologicalSurvey(CGS).

Miningactivitiesthatdisturbmorethan1acreorinvolveexcavationofatleast1,000cubicyardsofmaterialrequireaSMARApermitfromtheleadagency,whichisthecounty,city,orboardthatisresponsibleforensuringthatadverseenvironmentaleffectsofminingarepreventedorminimized.Theleadagencyestablishesitsownlocalregulationsandrequiresaminingapplicanttoobtainasurfaceminingpermit,submitareclamationplan,andprovidefinancialassurancespursuanttoSMARA.

Certainland‐disturbingactivitiesdonotrequireapermit,suchasexcavationrelatedtofarming,gradingrelatedtorestoringthesiteofanaturaldisaster,andgradingrelatedtoconstruction.

California Public Resources Code

SeveralsectionsoftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCodeprotectpaleontologicalresources.Section5097.5prohibits“knowingandwillful”excavation,removal,destruction,injury,anddefacementofanypaleontologicalfeatureonpubliclands(landsunderstate,county,city,district,orpublicauthorityjurisdiction,orthejurisdictionofapubliccorporation),exceptwheretheagencywithjurisdictionhasgrantedexpresspermission.Section30244requiresreasonablemitigationforimpactsonpaleontologicalresourcesthatoccurasaresultofdevelopmentonpubliclands.

Local

Thepoliciesandregulationsofthecountygovernmentthataddressissuesrelatedtogeology,suchasseismichazards,slopestability,anderosion,andmineralresourcesarefoundintheAlamedaGeneralPlan,theECAP,theAlamedaCountyCodeofOrdinances,andtheAlamedaCountyStormwaterManagementPlanandaredescribedbelow.Therearenogeneralplanpoliciesrelatedtopaleontologicalresources.

Alameda County General Plan

TheSafetyElementoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlanspecifiesnumerouspoliciesandactiontomeetitsrelevantgoal,whichis,“Tominimizeriskstolivesandpropertyduetoseismicandgeologichazards.”Thesepoliciesandactionsarelistedbelow(AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency2013).




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Policies

P1.Totheextentpossible,projectsshouldbedesignedtoaccommodateseismicshakingandshouldbesitedawayfromareassubjecttohazardsinducedbyseismicshaking(landsliding,liquefaction,lurking,etc.)wheredesignmeasurestomitigatethehazardswillbeuneconomicorwillnotachieveasatisfactorydegreeofriskreduction.

P2.Structuresshouldbelocatedatanadequatedistanceawayfromactivefaulttraces,suchthatsurfacefaultingisnotanunreasonablehazard.

P3.Aspectsofalldevelopmentinhillsideareas,includinggrading,vegetationremovalanddrainage,shouldbecarefullycontrolledinordertominimizeerosion,disruptiontonaturalslopestability,andlandslidehazards.

P4.Withinareasofdemonstratedorpotentialslopeinstability,developmentshouldbeundertakenwithcautionandonlyafterexistinggeologicalandsoilconditionsareknownandconsidered.Inareassubjecttopossiblewidespreadmajorlandsliding,onlyverylowdensitydevelopmentshouldbepermitted,consistentwithsiteinvestigations;gradingintheseareasshouldberestrictedtominimalamountsrequiredtoprovideaccess.

P5.Allexistingstructuresorfeaturesofstructureswhicharehazardousintermsofdamage,threattolifeorlossofcriticalandessentialfunctionintheeventofanearthquakeshouldbe,totheextentfeasible,broughtintoconformancewithapplicableseismicandrelatedsafety(fire,toxicmaterialsstorageanduse)standardsthroughrehabilitation,reconstruction,demolition,orthereductioninoccupancylevelsorchangeinuse.

P6.TheCountyshallnotapprovenewdevelopmentinareaswithpotentialforseismicandgeologichazardsunlesstheCountycandeterminethatfeasiblemeasureswillbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialrisktoacceptablelevels,basedonsite‐specificanalysis.TheCountyshallreviewnewdevelopmentproposalsintermsoftheriskcausedbyseismicandgeologicactivity.

P7.TheCounty,priortoapprovingnewdevelopment,shallevaluatethedegreetowhichthedevelopmentcouldresultinlossoflivesorproperty,bothwithinthedevelopmentandbeyonditsboundaries,intheeventofanaturaldisaster.

P8.TheCountyshallensurethatnewmajorpublicfacilities,includingemergencyresponsefacilities(e.g.,hospitalsandfirestations),andwaterstorage,wastewatertreatmentandcommunicationsfacilities,aresitedinareasoflowgeologicrisk.

P9.Sitespecificgeologichazardassessments,conductedbyalicensedgeologist21,shallbecompletedpriortodevelopmentapprovalinareaswithlandslideandliquefactionhazardsasindicatedinFiguresS‐2andS‐4andfordevelopmentproposalssubmittedinAlquist‐PrioloZonesasindicatedinFigureS‐1,hazardstobemappedinclude:

Seismicfeatures

Landslidepotential

Liquefactionpotential

Mitigationmeasuresneededtoreducetherisktolifeandpropertyfromearthquakeinducedhazardsshouldbeincluded.

P10.Buildingsshallbedesignedandconstructedtowithstandgroundshakingforcesofaminorearthquake(1–4magnitude)withoutdamage,ofamoderate(5magnitude)earthquakewithoutstructuraldamage,andofamajorearthquake(6–8magnitude)withoutcollapseofthestructure.TheCountyshallrequirethatcriticalfacilitiesandstructures(e.g.,hospitals,emergencyoperationscenters)bedesignedandconstructedtoremainstandingandfunctionalfollowinganearthquake.

P11.AllconstructioninunincorporatedareasshallconformtotheAlamedaCountyBuildingOrdinance,whichspecifiesrequirementsforthestructuraldesignoffoundationsandotherbuildingelementswithinseismichazardareas.




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P12.Totheextentfeasible,majorinfrastructureincludingtransportation,pipelines,andwaterandnaturalgasmains,shallbedesignedtoavoidorminimizecrossingsofactivefaulttracesandtoaccommodatefaultdisplacementwithoutmajordamagethatcouldresultinlong‐termservicedisruptions.

P13.TheCountyshallencouragetheretrofittingofexistingstructuresandotherseismicallyunsafebuildingsandstructurestowithstandearthquakeground‐shaking.

P14.Inordertominimizeoff‐siteimpactsofhillsidedevelopment,newconstructiononlandslide‐proneorpotentiallyunstableslopesshallberequiredtoimplementdrainageanderosioncontrolprovisionstoavoidslopefailureandmitigatepotentialhazards.

Actions

A1.Requireallnewconstructiontomeetthemostcurrent,applicable,lateralforcerequirements.

A2.RequireapplicationsfordevelopmentwithinAlquist‐PrioloStudyZonestoincludegeologicaldatathatthesubjectpropertyisnottraversedbyanactiveorpotentiallyactivefault,orthatanadequatesetbackcanbemaintainedbetweenthefaulttraceandtheproposednewconstruction.

A3.Requiresitestobedevelopedinaccordancewithrecommendationscontainedinthesoilandgeologicinvestigationsreports.

A4.EstablishstandardsforareaspreviouslyinAlquist‐PrioloStudyZones,andeliminatedinthelastupdate.

A5.Regulate,withcollaborationfromutilityowners,theextensionofutilitylinesinfaultzones.

A6.Establish(withcollaborationfromutilityowners)andenforcedesignstandardsfortransportationfacilitiesandundergroundutilitylinestobelocatedinfaultzones.

A7.Requiresoilsand/orgeologicreportsfordevelopmentproposedinareasoferodiblesoilsandpotentialslopeinstability.

A8.Pursueprogramstoidentifyandcorrectexistingstructuralhazards,withprioritygiventohazardsincritical,essentialandhighoccupancystructuresandinstructuresbuiltpriortotheenactmentofapplicablelocalorstateearthquakedesignstandards.

A9.Supportregionalorstatewideprogramsprovidingfundingortechnicalassistancetolocalgovernmentstoallowidentificationofexistingstructuralhazardsinprivatedevelopmentandprovidingassistancetopublicandprivatesectorstofacilitateandtominimizethesocialandeconomiccostsofhazardsabatement.

A10.Continuetorequiretheupgradingofbuildingsandfacilitiestoachievecompliancewithcurrentearthquakebracingrequirementsasaconditionofgrantingbuildingpermitsformajoradditionsandrepairs.

A11.Continue,andasrequired,expandprogramstoprovidethepublicinformationregardingseismichazardsandrelatedstructuralhazards.

A12.Requiregeotechnicalstudiespriortodevelopmentapprovalingeologicand/orseismichazardareasasidentifiedbyfuturestudiesbyfederal,state,andregionalagencies.Requireorundertakecomprehensivegeologicandengineeringstudiesforcriticalstructuresregardlessoflocation.

A13.AdoptandamendasneededthemostcurrentversionoftheCaliforniaBuildingCode(CBC)toensurethatnewconstructionandrenovationprojectsincorporateEarthquake‐resistantdesignandmaterialsthatmeetorexceedthecurrentseismicengineeringstandardsoftheCBC.

A14.Periodicallyupdatedetailedguidelinesforpreparationofsite‐specificgeologichazardassessments.TheseguidelinesshallbepreparedinconsultationwiththeCountyBuildingOfficial,CountyEngineer,CountyCounselandtheCountyRiskManagerandshallensurethatsite‐specificassessmentsfordevelopmentrequiringdiscretionarypermitsarepreparedaccordingtoconsistentcriteria.




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A15.Developandimplementanearthquakeretrofitplantoreducehazardsfromearthquakes.Theplanshouldidentifyandtallytheseismicallyunsafebuildingsandstructures,includingunreinforcedmasonry,unreinforcedconcreteandsoft‐storybuildings,andrequireinspectionforthesestructures.Itshouldalsoidentifysourcesoffundingtohelpreconstructorreplaceinadequatestructuresandassisthomeownerswithearthquakeretrofitting.

A16.Onsiteswithslopesgreaterthan30percent,requirealldevelopmenttobeclusteredoutsideofthe30percentslopearea,withtheexceptionthatdevelopmentuponanyareaoutsideoftheUrbanGrowthBoundarywheretheslopeexceeds25%shallnotbepermitted.

A17.Aspectsofalldevelopmentinhillsideareas,includinggrading,vegetationremovalanddrainage,shouldbecarefullycontrolledinordertominimizeerosion,disruptiontonaturalslopestability,andlandslidehazards.TheCounty’sdevelopmentstandardsandguidelines,permitapplicationreviewprocess,Section15.08.240ofitsBuildingOrdinance,theGradingErosionandSedimentControlOrdinance(Chapter15.36oftheAlamedaCountyGeneralOrdinanceCode),theStormwaterManagementandDischargeControlOrdinance(Chapter13.08),andSubdivisionOrdinance(Title16)shallservetoimplementthispolicy.

Alameda County Code of Ordinances

IntheCodeofOrdinances,Chapter15.08,BuildingCode,theCountysetsforthrequirementsfornewconstructioninareasaffectedbyseismicandgeologichazards.ThecoderequiresthattheprojectproponentsubmitsoilandgeotechnicalreportsbeforetheCountywillpermitconstructionofafoundation.Inaddition,Chapter15.36,GradingErosionandSedimentControl,knownasthegradingordinance,setsforthrequirementsforgrading,construction,andthecontroloferosionandsedimentsinordertosafeguardhumanhealthandproperty,protectwaterways,andensurethatthegradedsiteispreparedinaccordancewiththegeneralplan.

Alameda County Stormwater Management Plan

TheAlamedaCountyCleanWaterProgram’s(ACCWP)StormwaterManagementPlanforunincorporatedAlamedaCountyisdiscussedinSection3.9,HydrologyandWaterQuality.

Alameda County East County Area Plan

TheECAPsetsforththefollowinggoals,policies,andimplementationprogramstominimizetherisksrelatedtoseismichazards(AlamedaCounty2000)andopenspace.

Hazard Zones

Goal:Tominimizetheriskstolivesandpropertyduetoenvironmentalhazards.

Policy134:TheCountyshallnotapprovenewdevelopmentinareaswithpotentialnaturalhazards(flooding,geologic,wildlandfire,orotherenvironmentalhazards)unlesstheCountycandeterminethatfeasiblemeasureswillbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialrisktoacceptablelevels,basedonsite‐specificanalysis.

Policy135:TheCounty,priortoapprovingnewdevelopment,shallevaluatethedegreetowhichthedevelopmentcouldresultinlossoflivesorproperty,bothwithinthedevelopmentandbeyonditsboundaries,intheeventofanaturaldisaster.




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Environmental Hazards

Soil and Slope Stability

Goal:Tominimizetheriskstolivesandpropertyduetosoilandslopeinstabilityhazards.

Policy307:TheCountyshallencourageZone7,cities,andagriculturalgroundwateruserstolimitthewithdrawalofgroundwaterinordertominimizethepotentialforlandsubsidence.

Policy308:TheCountyshallnotpermitdevelopmentwithinanyareaoutsidetheUrbanGrowthBoundaryexceeding25percentslopestominimizehazardsassociatedwithslopeinstability.

Seismic and Geologic Hazards

Goal:Tominimizetheriskstolivesandpropertyduetoseismicandgeologichazards.

Policy309:TheCountyshallnotapprovenewdevelopmentinareaswithpotentialforseismicandgeologichazardsunlesstheCountycandeterminethatfeasiblemeasureswillbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialrisktoacceptablelevels,basedonsite‐specificanalysis.TheCountyshallreviewnewdevelopmentproposalsintermsoftheriskcausedbyseismicandgeologicactivity.

Policy310:TheCounty,priortoapprovingnewdevelopment,shallevaluatethedegreetowhichthedevelopmentcouldresultinlossoflivesorproperty,bothwithinthedevelopmentandbeyonditsboundaries,intheeventofanaturaldisaster.

Policy311:TheCountyshallensurethatnewmajorpublicfacilities,includingemergencyresponsefacilities(e.g.,hospitalsandfirestations),andwaterstorage,wastewatertreatmentandcommunicationsfacilities,aresitedinareasoflowgeologicrisk.

Policy312:TheCountyshallensurethatmajortransportationfacilitiesandpipelinesaredesigned,totheextentfeasible,toavoidorminimizecrossingsofactivefaulttracesandtoaccommodatefaultdisplacementwithoutmajordamagethatcouldresultinlong‐termdisruptionofservice.

Policy313:TheCountyshallrequiredevelopmentinhillyareastominimizepotentialerosionanddisruptionofnaturalslopestabilitywhichcouldresultfromgrading,vegetationremoval,irrigation,anddrainage.

Policy314:TheCountyshallprohibittheconstructionofanystructureintendedforhumanoccupancywithin50feetoneithersideoftheCalaveras,Greenville,orVeronaearthquakefaultzonesasdefinedbytheAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningAct.

Policy315:TheCountyshallrequirethatbuildingsbedesignedandconstructedtowithstandgroundshakingforcesofaminorearthquakewithoutdamage,ofamoderateearthquakewithoutstructuraldamage,andofamajorearthquakewithoutcollapseofthestructure.TheCountyshallrequirethatcriticalfacilitiesandstructures(e.g.,hospitals,emergencyoperationscenters)bedesignedandconstructedtoremainstandingandfunctionalfollowinganearthquake.

ImplementationPrograms:

Program111:TheCountyshalldelineateareaswithinEastCountywherethepotentialforgeologichazards(includingseismichazards,landslides,andliquefaction)warrantspreparationofdetailedsitespecificgeologichazardassessments.Areasshallbedelineatedbasedupondatafrompublishedsourcesandfieldinvestigations.Mapsshallbemaintainedandupdatedasnewdatabecomeavailable.ThesemapsshallnotbeusedbytheCountytodeterminewherehazardousconditionsexist,butinsteadtoidentifythepresenceofconditionswhichwarrantfurtherstudy.

Program112:TheCountyshalldevelopdetailedguidelinesforpreparationofsite‐specificgeologichazardassessments.TheseguidelinesshallbepreparedinconsultationwiththeCountyBuildingOfficial,theCountyEngineer,CountyGeologist,CountyCounsel,andtheCountyRisk




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Manager,andshallensurethatsite‐specificassessmentsfordevelopmentrequiringdiscretionarypermitsarepreparedaccordingtoconsistentcriteria.

General Open Space

Goal:Toprotectregionallysignificantopenspaceandagriculturallandfromdevelopment

Policy52:TheCountyshallpreserveopenspaceareasfortheprotectionofpublichealthandsafety,provisionofrecreationalopportunities,productionofnaturalresources(e.g.,agriculture,windpower,andmineralextraction),protectionofsensitiveviewsheds,preservationofbiologicalresources,andthephysicalseparationbetweenneighboringcommunities.

Environmental Setting

Topography

TheprogramareaislocatedintheAltamontHillsintheDiabloRangeoftheCoastRanges.TheAltamontHillsaresituatedbetweentheeasternedgeofLivermoreValleyandthewesternedgeoftheSanJoaquinValley.Elevationsintheprogramarearangefromapproximately100feetabovemeansealevel(msl)onthefarnortheasternsideoftheprogramareatomorethan2,100feetabovemslinthesouth.Thetopographyintheprojectareasvariesbutoverallissteep,withgenerallymoresmooth,roundedhillsandridgesinthenorthernportionoftheprogramareaandsteeper,moresharp‐crestedterraininthesouthernportionoftheprogramarea.

Thetopographyofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.

GoldenHillsProject—ThenorthernportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaisinthemoreroundedhillsoftheprogramarea,andelevationsrangefromapproximately200to700feetabovemsl.Thesouthernportionoftheprojectareaisinthesteeperterrainoftheprogramarea,andelevationshererangefrom500tonearly1,600feetabovemsl.

PattersonPassProject—ThePattersonPassprojectareaisthecentralportionoftheprogramareainfairlysteep,sharp‐crestedterrain.Elevationsrangefromapproximately700to2,000feetabovemsl.

Geology

Regional

Theprogramareaisintheeast‐centralportionofCalifornia’sCoastRangesgeomorphicprovince(e.g.,NorrisandWebb1990:359–363;CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2002:3).TheCoastRangesprovinceischaracterizedbyenechelon(i.e.,paralleltosubparallel)northwest‐trendingmountainrangesformedbyactiveupliftrelatedtocomplextectonicsoftheSanAndreasfault/plateboundarysystem(NorrisandWebb1990:359–380).

TheeasternCoastRangesarebroadlyantiformal(i.e.,foldisconvex,witholdestgeologicunitsinthecore).Atthegenerallatitudeoftheprogramarea,theyconsistofacentralcoreofMesozoicunits—primarilytheCretaceousPanocheFormation—flankedontheeastbyanupwardyoungingsequenceofmarineandterrestrialsedimentaryunitsthatincludetheSanPabloFormation,aMiocenefanglomerate,andQuaternaryalluvialdeposits(Wagneretal.1991).




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Local

ThebedrockgeologyoftheprogramvicinityisshowninFigure3.6‐1.Graymeretal.havedividedthegeologyofAlamedaCountyintoninestratigraphicassemblages,eachofwhichisafault‐boundedblock.Twooftheseassemblages,VIandXI,occurintheprogramarea.Adescriptionoftheseassemblages,ratherthantheindividualgeologicunits,isprovidedherebecauseofthelargeextentoftheprogramarea.

AssemblageVImakesupmostoftheprogramarea.ThisassemblageisboundedbytheGreenvillefaulttothewestandtheCarnegiefaulttothesouth.ThenorthernhalfoftheassemblageismadeupoftheGreatValleySequence,whichconsistsprimarilyofsandstoneandinterbeddedsandstoneandshaleofCretaceousage.ThesouthernhalfoftheassemblageismadeupofmassivemarinesandstoneandbasalconglomerateofthelateMioceneCierboSandstone(Tc)andNerolyFormation(Tn)(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:27–30).TheCierboSandstoneisalightgraytowhite,thick‐bedded,fine‐tocoarse‐grained,moderatelyconsolidated,quartzsandstone.Insomelocationsitcontainsabundantmolluskfossils.TheNerolySandstoneisabluesandstonewithminorconglomerate(Graymeretal.1996:12).

AssemblageXIisawedge‐shapedblockinthesouthwestcorneroftheprogramarea,boundedbytheCarnegiefaulttonorthandtheGreenvillefaulttothewest.MostofthisassemblageismadeupofMiocenesedimentarydeposits,primarilytheNerolysandstoneandTeslaFormation.TheTeslaFormationisamarinetobrackishwatersandstone.TheextremesouthernedgeoftheassemblageintheprogramareaismadeupthesandstonesoftheGreatValleySequence(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:27–30).

Thegeologyofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.

GoldenHillsProject—InthenorthernportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectarea,thegeologicunitexposedatthesurfaceisaCretaceoussandstone(KdonFigure3.6‐1).Inthesouthernportionoftheprojectarea,theunitsexposedareaCretaceousshaleinthecenter(Kcu),theCretaceoussandstone(Kd)tothewestandeastoftheshale,theMioceneCierbosandstone(Tc)tothewestandeastoftheCretaceoussandstone,andtheMioceneNerolyFormation(Tn)ontheeasternedgeoftheCierboSandstone.

PattersonPassProject—ThegeologicunitsexposedatthesurfaceinthePattersonPassprojectareaaretheCretaceousshale(KcuonFigure3.6‐1)tothenorth,theMioceneCierboSandstone(Tc)inthecenter,andtheMioceneNerolyFormation(Tn)tothesouth.

Seismicity

Primary Seismic Hazards

TheStateofCaliforniaconsiderstwoaspectsofearthquakeeventsasprimaryseismichazards:surfacefaultrupture(i.e.,visualdisruptionoftheEarth’ssurfaceasaresultoffaultactivity)andseismicgroundshaking.

Surface Fault Rupture

Thereisariskofsurfaceruptureintheprogramareabecausetwoactivefaults(theMarshCreeksectionoftheGreenvillefaultzoneandtheCorralHollow‐Carnegiefaultzone)occurintheprogramarea.Inaddition,anotheractivefault(theLosPositasfault)isjustwestoftheprogramarea.AlamedaCountyisinaseismicallyactiveregionandAlquist‐Prioloearthquakefaultzonemapshave




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beenpreparedformuchofthecounty(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2007).Oneofthesemapscoversthewesternportionoftheprogramarea,whichisinanAlquist‐Prioloearthquakefaultzone.Twoactivefaultshavebeenmappedaspartofthisstudy:theGreenvillefaultzone(CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology1982),specificallytheMarshCreek‐Greenvillesection,andtheLosPositasfault(Figure3.6‐2).TheGreenvillefaultzoneisanorthwesttrendingstrike‐slipfaultzonethatisapproximately30mileslong,extendingfromtheTassajaraquadrangle(justnorthofLivermorequadrangle)totheEylarquadrangle(inSantaClaraCounty)alongthewesternsideoftheDiabloRange(CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology1981:3;BryantandCluett2002:1;CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2007).TheMarshCreeksectionoftheGreenvillefaultoccursonthewesternedgeoftheprogramarea.Thefaultisactive,withsomesegmentshavingbeenactivehistorically(includingportionsthatshowedminorruptureduringtheLivermoreValleyquakein1980)andothersegmentsactiveinthelast11,000to15,000years(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2010;BryantandCluett2002:1)(Figure3.6‐2).TheLosPositasfaultisaneast‐westtrendingfaultjustwestoftheAPWRAthathasbeenactiveinthelast200years(CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology1981).

ThethirdactivefaultintheprogramareaistheCorralHollow‐Carnegiefaultzone,portionsofwhichhavebeenactiveinthelast15,000years(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2010;U.S.GeologicalSurvey2013a)(Figure3.6‐2).

ItshouldalsobenotedthattheMidwayfaultextendsthroughtheeasternedgeoftheprogramarea.AlthoughtheU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS)QuaternaryFaultDatabase(2013b)andCaliforniaGeologicalSurvey(2010)designatethisfaultaspotentiallyactive(i.e.,experiencedmovementinthelast130,000years),ratherthanactive(i.e.,experiencedmovementinthelast11,000years),workconductedbyUnruhandKrug(2007:17)fortheUSGSconcluded“thattheMidwayfaultisanactivestructurethatprimarilyaccommodatesstrike‐slipdisplacement.”

Thesurfacefaultrupturepotentialofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.

GoldenHillsProject—AlthoughnoportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaiswithinanAlquist‐Prioloearthquakefaultzoneornearasegmentofafaultdesignatedasactive,aportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareadoesoverlieasegmentoftheCorralHollow‐CarnegiefaultzonedesignatedasQuaternaryundifferentiated(i.e.,thedateofthemostrecentrupturehasnotbeendetermined)(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2010)(Figure3.6‐2).Thisoccursatthenorthernendofthefaulttrace.TheMarshCreeksectionoftheGreenvillefaultzoneisneartheGoldenHillsprojectarea,buttheprojectareadoesnotcrossorcomewithin50feetofthisfaultzone.

PattersonPassProject—NoportionofthePattersonPassprojectareaislocatednearaQuaternaryfaulttrace.

Seismic Ground Shaking

Unlikesurfacerupture,groundshakingisnotconfinedtothetraceofafault,butrathergroundshakingpropagatesintothesurroundingareasduringanearthquake.Theintensityofgroundshakingtypicallydiminisheswithdistancefromthefault,butgroundshakingmaybelocallyamplifiedand/orprolongedbysometypesofsubstratematerials.Thesefactorsareusedtomaptheprobabilisticshakinghazardsthroughoutthestate.

Basedontheprobabilisticseismichazardmap,whichdepictsthepeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesexceededata10%probabilityin50years(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2003;Caoetal.2003),theprobabilisticpeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesfortheprogramarea




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rangefrom0.2gto0.5g(wheregequalstheaccelerationofgravity)(Figure3.6‐3).Asapointofcomparison,probabilisticpeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesfortheSanFranciscoBayArearangefrom0.4gtomorethan0.8g.Theaccelerationvaluefortheprogramareaindicatesamoderateground‐shakinghazard(Figure3.6‐3).

ThemainsourceofstronggroundshakingistheGreenvillefaultzone,whichhasexperiencedmovementasrecentlyas1980duringtheLivermoreValleyearthquake(Figure3.6‐2).TheGreenvillefaultzoneextendsalongtheeasternedgeoftheLivermoreValleyandisconsideredtobepartofthelargerSanAndreasfaultsystem(BryantandCluett2002:1).OtheractivefaultsintheprojectvicinityincludetheHayward‐RogersCreekfault,theLosPositasfault(associatedwiththeGreenvillefault),andtheCalaverasfault.

Theseismicground‐shakingpotentialofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.

GoldenHillsProject—TheprobabilisticpeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesfortheGoldenHillsprojectarearangefrom0.2gto0.5g—thesameasfortheentireprogramarea.

PattersonPassProject—TheprobabilisticpeakhorizontalgroundaccelerationvaluesforthePattersonPassprojectareaalsorangefrom0.2gto0.5g,withmostoftheprojectareainthehigherendoftheshakingintensityrange.

Secondary Seismic Hazards

Secondaryseismichazardsareseismicallyinducedlandslide,liquefaction,andrelatedtypesofgroundfailureevents.AsdiscussedinRegulatorySettinginSection3.6.1,ExistingConditions,theStateofCaliforniamapsareasthataresubjecttosecondaryseismichazardspursuanttotheSeismicHazardsMappingAct.Thesehazardsareaddressedbrieflybelowbasedonavailableinformation.

Landslide and Other Slope Stability Hazards

Severalsquaremilesonthewesternsideoftheprogramareaareinearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzones(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a,2000b)(Figure3.6‐4).ThesezonesaredesignatedasaZoneofRequiredInvestigationforlandslidehazardbytheStateofCalifornia.

AccordingtotheCaliforniaGeologicalSurvey(2009b:Section2,page25):

Earthquake‐inducedlandslidezonemapsareintendedtopromptmoredetailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationsasrequiredbytheAct.Assuch,thesezonemapsidentifyareaswherethepotentialforearthquake‐inducedlandslidesisrelativelyhigh.Duetolimitationsinmethodology,itshouldbenotedthatthesezonemapsdonotnecessarilycaptureallpotentialearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazards.Earthquake‐inducedgroundfailuresthatarenotaddressedbythismapincludethoseassociatedwithridge‐topspreadingandshatteredridges.Itshouldalsobenotedthatnoattempthasbeenmadetomappotentialrun‐outareasoftriggeredlandslides.Itispossiblethatrunoutareasextendbeyondthezoneboundaries.

Thelandslidezonestendtobeconcentratedinareaswheretheslopesaresteeperand/orrockstrengthsareweaker.NumeroushistoricallyactivelandslidesoccuralongtheGreenvillefault.ManyofthemoderatetolargerockslidesareunderlainbytheMioceneunitsoftheNerolySandstone(Tn),OroLomaFormation(Tol),andTeslaFormation(Tte),andalsotheCierboSandstone(Tc)buttoalesserextent.Steepslopesandproximitytofaultsappeartobethepredominantcausesoflandslidinginthearea(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:vandSection2,pages31–32).




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Althoughtheremainderoftheprogramareaisnotinanearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzone(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2007),severalfactorsmakeslopeinstability(bothseismicallyandnonseismicallyinduced)aconcerninthisarea.Thesefactorsincludethesteeptopography,thepotentialformoderategroundshaking,andtheproximitytoareasdesignatedaslandslidehazardzones.Inaddition,slopestabilityrelatedtoprecipitationisalsofactorintheprogramarea(seeSlopeStability[Nonseismic‐Related]below).

Liquefaction and Related Ground Failure

Liquefactionistheprocessinwhichsoilsandsedimentsloseshearstrengthandfailduringseismicgroundshaking.Thevibrationcausedbyanearthquakecanincreaseporepressureinsaturatedmaterials.Iftheporepressureisraisedtobeequivalenttotheloadpressure,thiscausesatemporarylossofshearstrength,allowingthematerialtoflowasafluid.Thistemporaryconditioncanresultinseveresettlementoffoundationsandslopefailure.Thesusceptibilityofanareatoliquefactionisdeterminedlargelybythedepthtogroundwaterandtheproperties(e.g.,grainsize,density,degreeofconsolidation)ofthesoilandsedimentwithinandabovethegroundwater.Thesedimentsmostsusceptibletoliquefactionaresaturated,unconsolidatedsandandsiltwithin40feetofthegroundsurface.AccordingtotheCGSreportpreparedfortheadjacentAltamontquadrangle,CGSevaluationsfocusonareascoveredbyQuaternary(lessthanabout1.6millionyears)sedimentarydeposits(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:Section1,pages2–4).Improperlycompactedartificialfillmayalsobesusceptibletoliquefaction.

Althoughaportionoftheprogramareaisinaseismichazardzone(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2007),noliquefactionhazardzonesaremappedintheprogramarea(Figure3.6‐4).Becausethedepthtogroundwaterinthefoothills,whichareoutsidethegroundwaterbasin,isgenerallygreaterthan60feet(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2009a:Section1,page9),theliquefactionhazardintheprogramareaislikelylow.Inaddition,theagesoftherockunitsintheAPWRAaregenerallyTertiaryandCretaceous,whichareolderthanmostliquefiablesediments.However,landslidedepositsmaybelessconsolidatedand,therefore,moresusceptibletoliquefaction.

Othertypesofgroundfailurerelatedtoliquefactionincludelateralspreadinganddifferentialsettlement.Lateralspreadingisafailureofsoil/sedimentwithinanearlyhorizontalzonethatcausesthesoiltomovetowardafreeface(suchasastreambankorcanal)ordownagentleslope.Lateralspreadingcanoccuronslopesasgentleas0.5%.Evenarelativelythinlayerofliquefiablesedimentcancreateplanesofweaknessthatcouldcausecontinuouslateralspreadingoverlargeareas(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2008:36).

Thepotentialforlateralspreadingintheprojectareaisunknown.

Differentialsettlement—theunevensettlingofsoil—isthemostcommonfilldisplacementhazard(CaliforniaGeologicalSurvey2008:56).Thepotentialfordifferentialsettlementisunknownbecauseitsdeterminationrequiressite‐specifictesting.

Slope Stability (Nonseismic‐Related)

Nonseismic‐relatedlandslidingiscommonintheAPWRA.

In1998,heavyrainfallcausedwidespreadlandslidinginthe10‐countySanFranciscoBayregion.Asaresult,USGSgeologistsconductedalandslideinventoryoftheaffectedcounties,includingAlamedaCounty.Figure3.6‐5showsthelandslidesthatweremappedinandneartheprogramarea,includingoneverynearthePattersonPassprojectarea.However,becauseoftheextentofthelandsliding,




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onlylandslidesassociatedwithdamagetothebuiltenvironmentweremapped(U.S.GeologicalSurvey1999:2andmap).Becausetheprogramareaisinaruralarea,manylandslidesarenotshown.

Inaddition,thewideextentoflandslidinginandaroundtheprogramareaisfurtherexemplifiedbytheomissionoflandslidesfromthebedrockgeologicmapofAlamedaCounty“becausetheyaresonumeroustheywouldconcealmuchoftheinformationonbedrockgeology”(Graymeretal.1996:6).

Soils

Becausetheprogramareaislarge,thesoilsarebestdescribedatalandscapescale,ratherthanatadetailedscale.NaturalResourcesConservationServicemapssoilsatalandscapescalebymappingsoilassociations.Soilassociationsaregroupingsofindividualsoilsthatoccurtogetherinarepeatingpatternonthelandscapeandaretypicallynamedafterthetwoorthreedominantsoilseries.

Severalsoilassociationsoccurintheprogramarea(Figure3.6‐6).Table3.6‐1summarizesimportantissuesofconcernrelatedtosuitabilityforconstruction.Theprimaryissueofconcernistheshrink‐swellpotentialofthesoils(i.e.,linearextensibilityorexpansiveness).ManyofthesoilsthatmakeuptheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation,whichoccursovermostoftheprogramarea,haveahighshrink‐swellpotential.Severalotherminorsoilassociationsalsohaveahighshrink‐swellpotential.

Thesoilassociationsofthetwoprojectareasaresummarizedbelow.

GoldenHillsProject—AlloftheGoldenHillsprojectareaisunderlainbytheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.AsdescribedinTable3.6‐1,twoconstructionissuesassociatedwiththesoilsinthisassociationarehighshrink‐swellpotentialandsusceptibilitytowatererosion.

PattersonPassProject—MuchofthePattersonPassprojectareaisalsounderlainbytheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.Inaddition,thesoutheasternportionoftheprojectareaisunderlainbytheCarbona‐Callasoilassociation.Somesoilsinthisassociationhaveahighshrink‐swellpotential(Table3.6‐1).




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Table 3.6‐1. General Characteristics of Soil Associations in the Program Area

MapSymbol SoilAssociation LocationandCharacteristics

s697 SanYsidro‐Rincon Occursinnortheastcornerofprogramarea.Somesoilsinthisassociationaresusceptibletowinderosion.

s694 Fontana‐Diablo‐Altamont

Dominantsoilassociationinprogramarea;occursovermostofthearea.Mostsoilsinthisassociationhaveahighshrink‐swellpotential.Somesoilsinthisassociationhaveahighersusceptibilitytowatererosion.

s863 Carbona‐Capay‐Calla

Occursintheeast‐centraledgeofprogramarea.Allsoilsinthisassociationhaveamoderatetohighshrink‐swellpotential.

s864 Carbona‐Calla Occursintheeast‐centralportionofprogramarea.Mostsoilsinthisassociationhaveamoderatetoveryhighshrink‐swellpotential.

s792 Wisflat‐Badland‐Arburua

Smallareaoccursinthesoutheastedgeofprogramarea.Severalsoilsinthisassociationhaveahighshrink‐swellpotential.Somesoilsinthisassociationhaveahighersusceptibilitytowatererosion.

s892 Vallecitos‐Honker‐Gonzaga‐Franciscan

Smallareaoccursinthesouthedgeofprogramarea.Mostsoilsinthisassociationhaveamoderatetohighshrink‐swellpotential.

s970 Vallecitos‐Parrish‐LosGatos‐Gaviota

Smallareaoccursinthesouthwestedgeofprogramarea.Mostsoilsinthisassociationhaveamoderatetohighshrink‐swellpotential.

Source:NaturalResourcesConservationService2006.

Mineral Resources

Therearenoknownmineralresourcesintheprogramarea.AccordingtotheCaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeologylandclassificationmappreparedfortheSouthSanFranciscoBayProduction‐Consumption(P‐C)Region,whichincludesAlamedaCounty,therenoareasdesignatedasMRZ‐2(Kohler‐Antablin1996:viiiandPlate17).Nominingisknowntooccurinthearea.Inaddition,thegeneralplandoesnotidentifymineralresourcesintheprogramarea.

Paleontological Resources

Paleontologicalsensitivityisaqualitativeassessmentbasedonthepaleontologicalpotentialofthestratigraphicunitspresent,thelocalgeologyandgeomorphology,andotherfactorsrelevanttofossilpreservationandpotentialyield.AccordingtotheSocietyofVertebratePaleontology(SVP)(2010),standardguidelinesforsensitivityare(1)thepotentialforageologicalunittoyieldabundantorsignificantvertebratefossilsortoyieldafewsignificantfossils,largeorsmall,vertebrate,invertebrate,orpaleobotanicalremainsand(2)theimportanceofrecoveredevidencefornewandsignificanttaxonomic,phylogenetic,paleoecological,orstratigraphicdata(Table3.6‐2).




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Table 3.6‐2. Paleontological Sensitivity Ratings

Potential Definition

High Rockunitsfromwhichvertebrateorsignificantinvertebrate,plant,ortracefossilshavebeenrecoveredareconsideredtohaveahighpotentialforcontainingadditionalsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesPaleontologicalpotentialconsistsofboth(a)thepotentialforyieldingabundantorsignificantvertebratefossilsorforyieldingafewsignificantfossils,largeorsmall,vertebrate,invertebrate,plant,ortracefossilsand(b)theimportanceofrecoveredevidencefornewandsignificanttaxonomic,phylogenetic,paleoecologic,taphonomic,biochronologic,orstratigraphicdata.

Undetermined Rockunitsforwhichlittleinformationisavailableconcerningtheirpaleontologicalcontent,geologicage,anddepositionalenvironmentareconsideredtohaveundeterminedpotential.Furtherstudyisnecessarytodetermineiftheserockunitshavehighorlowpotentialtocontainsignificantpaleontologicalresources.

Low Reportsinthepaleontologicalliteratureorfieldsurveysbyaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistmayallowdeterminationthatsomerockunitshavelowpotentialforyieldingsignificantfossils.Suchrockunitswillbepoorlyrepresentedbyfossilspecimensininstitutionalcollections,orbasedongeneralscientificconsensus,willonlypreservefossilsinrarecircumstancesandthepresenceoffossilsistheexceptionnottherule.

No Somerockunits,suchashigh‐grademetamorphicrocks(suchasgneissesandschists)andplutonicigneousrocks(suchasgranitesanddiorites),havenopotentialtocontainsignificantpaleontologicalresources.Rockunitswithnopotentialrequireneitherprotectionnorimpactmitigationmeasuresrelativetopaleontologicalresources.

Source:SocietyofVertebratePaleontology2010.

Becauseofthelargeareaoftheprogramareaandthemanygeologicunitsthatoccurinthatarea,itisnotpossibletomakeadeterminationofthesensitivityforpaleontologicalresourcesofeachunit.However,mostofthegeologicunitsintheAPWRAarelikelyhighlysensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,basedprimarilyonrocktype.BothassemblagesintheAPWRA(seediscussionunderGeology)aremadeupofsedimentaryrocks,suchassandstoneandshale.Theserocks,ingeneral,haveahighpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresources.Inaddition,someoftheseunitsareknowntocontainfossils.Forexample,theUniversityofCaliforniaMuseumofPaleontology(UCMP)databasecontainsfourrecordsofmammalfossilsintheNerolyFormation(UniversityofCaliforniaMuseumofPaleontology2013a).AnotherexampleistheGreatValleySequence,whichcontainsunitswithadiverseassemblageofinvertebrates,plusmarinereptilesandnumeroustypesofplants(PaleoPortal2013).

ItshouldalsobenotedthattheUCMPdatabasecontains1,241recordsofvertebratefossilsinAlamedaCounty.However,mostoftheserecordsarefromgeologicunitsnotfoundintheprogramarea.(UniversityofCaliforniaMuseumofPaleontology2013b).

Thepaleontologicalresourcesofthetwoprojectareasissummarizedbelow.

GoldenHillsProject—TheGoldenHillsprojectareaisunderlainbyCretaceousandMiocenesedimentaryunitswithpotentialtocontainsensitivepaleontologicalresources.TheseunitsincludeCretaceoussandstoneandshale(KdandKcuonFigure3.6‐1),theMioceneCierboSandstone(Tc),andtheMioceneNerolyFormation(Tn).




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PattersonPassProject—ThePattersonPassprojectareaisalsounderlainbyCretaceousandMiocenesedimentaryunitswithpotentialtocontainsensitivepaleontologicalresources.TheseunitsincludeCretaceousshale(KcuonFigure3.6‐1),theMioceneCierboSandstone(Tc),andtheMioceneNerolyFormation(Tn).

3.6.2 Environmental Impacts

Theimpactsassociatedwiththeexposureoftheprogramandtwoindividualprojectstotheexistingknowngeologicandsoilhazards,mineralresources,andpaleontologicalresourcesarediscussedbelow.Mitigationmeasuresareprovided,whereappropriate.

Methods for Analysis

Evaluationofthegeologyandsoilimpactsinthissectionisbasedoninformationfrompublishedmaps,reports,andotherdocumentsthatdescribethegeologic,seismic,soil,andmineralresourceconditionsoftheprogramarea,andonprofessionaljudgment.TheanalysisassumesthattheprojectproponentswillconformtothelatestCBSCstandards,countygeneralplanseismicsafetystandards,countygradingordinance,andNPDESrequirements.

TheprimarysourceofinformationusedindevelopingthepaleontologicalresourcessectionisthepaleontologicaldatabaseattheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley.Effectsonpaleontologicalresourceswereanalyzedqualitativelyonalarge‐scalelevel,basedonprofessionaljudgmentandtheSVPguidelinesbelow.

SVP’sStandardProceduresfortheAssessmentandMitigationofAdverseImpactstoPaleontologicalResourcesprovidesstandardguidelinesthatarewidelyfollowed(SocietyofVertebratePaleontology2010).Theseguidelinesreflecttheacceptedstandardofcareforpaleontologicalresources.TheSVPguidelinesidentifytwokeyphasesintheprocessforprotectingpaleontologicalresourcesfromprojectimpacts.

Assessthelikelihoodthattheareacontainssignificantnonrenewablepaleontologicalresourcesthatcouldbedirectlyorindirectlyimpacted,damaged,ordestroyedasaresultoftheproject.

Formulateandimplementmeasurestomitigatepotentialadverseimpacts.

AnimportantstrengthofSVP’sapproachtoassessingpotentialimpactsonpaleontologicalresourcesisthattheSVPguidelinesprovidesomestandardizationinevaluatingpaleontologicalsensitivity.Table3.6‐3definestheSVP’ssensitivitycategoriesforpaleontologicalresourcesandsummarizesSVP’srecommendedtreatmentstoavoidadverseeffectsineachsensitivitycategory.

Nonewfieldwork,research,orengineeringleveldesignwasconductedforthepreparationofthisEIR.




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Table 3.6‐3. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology’s Recommended Treatment for Paleontological Resources

SensitivityCategory MitigationTreatment

HighorUndetermined

Anintensivefieldsurveyandsurfacesalvagepriortoearthmoving,ifapplicable.

Monitoringbyaqualifiedpaleontologicalresourcemonitorofexcavations.

Salvageofunearthedfossilremainsand/ortraces(e.g.,tracks,trails,burrows).

Screenwashingtorecoversmallspecimens,ifapplicable.

Preliminarysurveyandsurfacesalvagebeforeconstructionbegins.

Preparationofsalvagedfossilstoapointofbeingreadyforcuration(i.e.,removalofenclosingmatrix,stabilizationandrepairofspecimens,andconstructionofreinforcedsupportcradleswhereappropriate).

Identification,cataloging,curation,andprovisionforrepositorystorageofpreparedfossilspecimens.

Afinalreportofthefindsandtheirsignificance.

Loworno Rockunitswithlowornopotentialtypicallywillnotrequireimpactmitigationmeasurestoprotectfossils.

Source:SocietyofVertebratePaleontology2010.

Determination of Significance

InaccordancewithAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelines,programAlternative1,programAlternative2,theGoldenHillsproject,orthePattersonPassprojectwouldbeconsideredtohaveasignificanteffectifitwouldresultinanyoftheconditionslistedbelow.

Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvinganyofthefollowing.

Ruptureofaknownearthquakefault,asdelineatedonthemostrecentAlquist‐PrioloEarthquakeFaultZoningMapissuedbytheStateGeologistfortheareaorbasedonothersubstantialevidenceofaknownfault.(RefertoDivisionofMinesandGeologySpecialPublication42).

Strongseismicgroundshaking.

Seismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includingliquefaction.

Landslides.

Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil.

Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty.

Havesoilsincapableofadequatelysupportingtheuseofseptictanksoralternativewastewaterdisposalsystemsinareaswheresewersarenotavailableforthedisposalofwastewater?

Resultinthelossofavailabilityofaknownmineralresourcethatwouldbeofvaluetotheregionandtheresidentsofthestate.

Resultinthelossofavailabilityofalocallyimportantmineralresourcerecoverysitedelineatedonalocalgeneralplan,specificplan,orotherlanduseplan.




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Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature.

Theprogramwouldnotincludeinstallationofsepticsystemsoralternativewastewaterdisposal.ThereforethistopicwasdismissedfromfurtherdiscussionduringthescopingperiodandthereisnoneedtoaddressimpactsrelatedtothisCEQAchecklistcriterion.

Inaddition,theprogramwouldnotaffectmineralresourcesbecausetherearenoknownmineralresourcesintheprogramareaandnominingisknowntooccurinthearea.Therefore,thereisnoneedtoaddressimpactsrelatedtothisCEQAchecklistcriterion.

Impacts and Mitigation Measures

ImpactGEO‐1a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Placementofaturbineorpowercollectionsystemonornearafaultcouldresultindamageordestructionoftheturbine.Ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

Twoactivefaults,twoofwhicharezonedundertheAlquist‐PrioloAct,arepresentintheprogramarea.Inaddition,athird,theMidwayfault,thoughdesignatedonlyaspotentiallyactive,alsooccursintheprogramarea.Ruptureofafaultandthesubsequentdamageandharmthatcouldresultwouldbeasignificantimpact.

AportionoftheGreenvillefaultzoneintheprogramareaisaSpecialStudiesZone;however,becausetheturbinesarenotdesignedforhumanoccupancy,theyarenotregulatedbytheAlquist‐PrioloAct.TheCountywouldneverthelessrequiregeotechnicalinvestigationbeforetheCountyapprovesconstructionneartheGreenvilleandCorralHollow‐Carnegiefaultzonesbecausetheyaredesignatedasactivebythestate.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissuesandmaynotapplytotheMidwayfault,whichisdesignatedaspotentiallyactivebythestate.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldbelocatedonornearafaulttracethatrupturesandcausesdamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.

Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

MitigationMeasureGEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport

Priortoconstructionactivitiesatanysite,theprojectproponentwillretainageotechnicalfirmwithlocalexpertiseingeotechnicalinvestigationanddesigntoprepareasite‐specificgeotechnicalreport.ThisreportwillbepreparedbyalicensedgeotechnicalengineerorengineeringgeologistandwillbesubmittedtotheCountybuildingdepartmentaspartoftheapprovalprocess.Thisreportwillbebasedondatacollectedfromsubsurfaceexploration,laboratorytestingofsamples,andsurfacemappingandwilladdressthefollowingissues.




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Potentialforsurfacefaultruptureandturbinesitelocation:ThegeotechnicalreportwillinvestigatetheGreenville,CorralHollow‐Carnegie,andtheMidwayfaults(asappropriatetothelocation)anddeterminewhethertheyposeariskofsurfacerupture.Turbinefoundationsandpowercollectionsystemswillbesitedaccordingtorecommendationsinthisreport.

Stronggroundshaking:Thegeotechnicalreportwillanalyzethepotentialforstronggroundshakinginprojectareaandprovideturbinefoundationdesignrecommendations,aswellasrecommendationsforpowercollectionsystems.

Slopefailure:Thegeotechnicalreportwillinvestigatethepotentialforslopefailure(bothseismicallyandnonseismicallyinduced)anddevelopsite‐specificturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemplansengineeredfortheterrain,rockandsoiltypes,andotherconditionspresentattheprogramareainordertoprovidelong‐termstability.

Expansivesoils:Thegeotechnicalreportwillassessthesoiltypesintheprogramareaanddeterminethebestengineeringdesignstoaccommodatethesoilconditions.

Unstablecutorfillslopes:Thegeotechnicalreportwilladdressgeologichazardsrelatedtothepotentialforgradingtocreateunstablecutorfillslopesandmakesite‐specificrecommendationsrelatedtodesignandengineering.

ImpactGEO‐1a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)


Twoactivefaults,twoofwhicharezonedundertheAlquist‐PrioloAct,arepresentintheprogramarea.Inaddition,athird,theMidwayfault,thoughdesignatedonlyaspotentiallyactive,alsooccursintheprogramarea.Ruptureofafaultandthesubsequentdamageandharmthatcouldresultwouldbeasignificantimpact.

AportionoftheGreenvillefaultzoneintheprogramareaisaSpecialStudiesZone;however,becausetheturbinesarenotdesignedforhumanoccupancy,theyarenotregulatedbytheAlquist‐PrioloAct.TheCountywouldneverthelessrequiregeotechnicalinvestigationbeforetheCountyapprovesconstructionneartheGreenvilleandCorralHollow‐Carnegiefaultzonesbecausetheyaredesignatedasactivebythestate.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissuesandmaynotapplytotheMidwayfault,whichisdesignatedaspotentiallyactivebythestate.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldbelocatedonornearafaulttracethatrupturesandcausesdamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.






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ImpactGEO‐1b:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)


AportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaoverliesasegmentoftheCorralHollow‐CarnegiefaultzonedesignatedasQuaternaryundifferentiated(i.e.,thedateofthemostrecentrupturehasnotbeendetermined).AsdiscussedunderImpactGEO‐1a‐1andGEO‐1a‐2,ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldbelocatedonornearafaulttracethatrupturesandcausesdamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.



ImpactGEO‐1c:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)


TherearenoactivefaulttracesinornearthePattersonPassprojectarea.Therefore,constructionoftheprojectwouldbeunlikelytoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffectsasaresultofruptureofaknownfault.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.Nomitigationisrequired.

ImpactGEO‐2a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencestronggroundshakingcouldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationswerenotproperlydesignedtowithstandtheappropriatelevelofgroundshaking,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowers.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.




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Theprogramareaisinaseismicallyactivearea,withthepotentialformoderatelystronggroundshakingfromsourcessuchastheGreenvillefaultandtheCalaverasfault.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfrommoderatelystronggroundshakingwouldbeasignificantimpact.

BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailduringstronggroundshakingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.



ImpactGEO‐2a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)


Theprogramareaisinaseismicallyactivearea,withthepotentialformoderatelystronggroundshakingfromsourcessuchastheGreenvillefaultandtheCalaverasfault.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfrommoderatelystronggroundshakingwouldbeasignificantimpact.




ImpactGEO‐2b:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencestronggroundshakingcouldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationswerenotproperlydesignedtowithstandtheappropriatelevelofgroundshaking,they




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couldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowers.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

TherangeofshakingintensityintheGoldenHillsprojectareaextendsacrossallshakingintensitiesexperiencedintheprogramarea,fromlowtohigh.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfrommoderatelystronggroundshakingwouldbeasignificantimpact.


ImplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


ImpactGEO‐2c:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)


TherangeofshakingintensityinthePattersonPassprojectareaisonthehigherendofshakingintensitiesexperiencedintheprogramarea.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfrommoderatelystronggroundshakingwouldbeasignificantimpact.


ImplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.





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ImpactGEO‐3a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperienceseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,suchaslandsliding,liquefaction,lateralspread,anddifferentialsettlement,couldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

Theprogramareaisknowntobesusceptibletoearthquake‐inducedlandslidingandthesouthwesternportionoftheprogramareaisinastate‐designatedearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzone(Figure3.6‐4).Inaddition,althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementwouldbeasignificantimpact.

BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedgroundfailureissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.



ImpactGEO‐3a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperienceseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,suchaslandsliding,liquefaction,lateralspread,anddifferentialsettlement,couldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

Theprogramareaisknowntobesusceptibletoearthquake‐inducedlandslidingandthesouthwesternportionoftheprogramareaisinastate‐designatedearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzone(Figure3.6‐4).Inaddition,althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateral




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spreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementwouldbeasignificantimpact.




ImpactGEO‐3b:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperienceseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,suchaslandsliding,liquefaction,lateralspread,anddifferentialsettlement,couldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentattheprojectarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

ThesouthwesternportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaisinastate‐designatedearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzoneandtheremainingareaisinanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding(Figure3.6‐4).Inaddition,althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementwouldbeasignificantimpact.







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ImpactGEO‐3c:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperienceseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,suchaslandsliding,liquefaction,lateralspread,anddifferentialsettlement,couldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentattheprojectarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

ThePattersonPassprojectareaisinanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Inaddition,althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthtogroundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementwouldbeasignificantimpact.




ImpactGEO‐4a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Inadditiontotheseismic‐relatedgroundfailuredescribedinImpactGEO‐3a‐1andGEO‐3a‐2,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenonseismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedforthelandslidingconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

Theprogramareaisinsteep,hillyterraininanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandslidingwouldbeasignificantimpact.

BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedlandslidingissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationor




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collectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandslidingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.



ImpactGEO‐4a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Inadditiontotheseismic‐relatedgroundfailuredescribedinImpactGEO‐3a‐1andGEO‐3a‐2,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenonseismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedforthelandslidingconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

Theprogramareaisinsteep,hillyterraininanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandslidingwouldbeasignificantimpact.

BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCBSC.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedlandslidingissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandslidingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.



ImpactGEO‐4b:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Inadditiontotheseismic‐relatedgroundfailuredescribedinimpactGEO‐3b,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenonseismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedforthelandslidingconditionspresentattheprojectarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.




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Theprogramarea,includingtheGoldenHillsprojectarea,isinsteep,hillyterraininanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandslidingwouldbeasignificantimpact.




ImpactGEO‐4c:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeathasaresultoflandsliding—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Inadditiontotheseismic‐relatedgroundfailuredescribedinimpactGEO‐3c,constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenonseismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedforthelandslidingconditionspresentattheprojectarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

Theprogramarea,includingthePattersonPassprojectarea,isinsteep,hillyterraininanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.Thepotentialdamageandharmthatcouldresultfromlandslidingwouldbeasignificantimpact.




ImpactGEO‐5a‐1:Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)

Ground‐disturbingearthworkassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedprogrammayincreasesoilerosionrates.Theseactivities,whichincludeexcavation,grading,trenching,compaction,and




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roadwidening,wouldcausesurfacedisturbanceandvegetationremovalduringturbinefoundationconstructionandpowercollectionsystemandcommunicationlinesinstallationand,toalesserextent,duringpreparationanddecommissioningofthestagingareas.Asaresult,soilwouldbeexposedtorainandwind,potentiallycausingacceleratederosion,therebyresultinginsignificantimpacts.Inaddition,ifdecommissionedsiteswereleftunvegetated,thebaregroundcouldbeexposedtoacceleratederosion.

Mostsoilsintheprogramareaarecoveredbygrasses.Mostunvegetatedareasareassociatedwithroads.

Toaddressconstruction‐relatederosion,anapprovedSWPPP,asrequiredbytheapplicableRegionalWaterBoard,isrequiredwhenaprojectinvolves1acreormoreofdisturbance.ASWPPPspecifiesBMPsthatwouldpreventconstructionpollutantsfromcontactingstormwaterwiththeintentofkeepingallproductsoferosionfrommovingoffsiteintoreceivingwaters.Compliancewiththefederalandlocalerosion‐relatedregulationsapplicabletotheproposedprogram(i.e.,theSWPPPthatisdevelopedforthesiteandtherequirementsofthecounty’sStormwaterQualityManagementPlan)wouldensurethattheconstructionactivitiesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

Toaddresserosionofdecommissionedsites,asdescribedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,decommissionedsiteswillberegradedandseededtopreprojectconditions(unlessleavingcertainroadwaysorfootingsisdeemedtobemoreprotectiveofnaturalresourcesthanremoval).TheprojectapplicantswilldevelopareclamationplanincoordinationwiththeCounty,USFWS,andCDFW.ThereclamationplanwillbecompletedandapprovedbytheCounty6monthsinadvanceofprojectdecommissioning.Compliancewiththereclamationplanwouldensurethatdecommissionedsitesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

ImpactGEO‐5a‐2:Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)

Ground‐disturbingearthworkassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedprogrammayincreasesoilerosionrates.Theseactivities,whichincludeexcavation,grading,trenching,compaction,androadwidening,wouldcausesurfacedisturbanceandvegetationremovalduringturbinefoundationconstructionandpowercollectionsystemandcommunicationlinesinstallationand,toalesserextent,duringpreparationanddecommissioningofthestagingareas.Asaresult,soilwouldbeexposedtorainandwind,potentiallycausingacceleratederosion,therebyresultinginsignificantimpacts.

Mostsoilsintheprogramareaarecoveredbygrasses.Mostunvegetatedareasareassociatedwithroads.

AnapprovedSWPPP,asrequiredbytheapplicableRegionalWaterBoard,isrequiredwhenaprojectinvolves1acreormoreofdisturbance.ASWPPPspecifiesBMPsthatwouldpreventconstructionpollutantsfromcontactingstormwaterwiththeintentofkeepingallproductsoferosionfrommovingoffsiteintoreceivingwaters.Compliancewiththefederalandlocalerosion‐relatedregulationsapplicabletotheproposedprogram(i.e.,theSWPPPthatisdevelopedforthesiteandtherequirementsofthecounty’sStormwaterQualityManagementPlan)wouldensurethattheconstructionactivitiesdonotresultinsignificanterosionandthatimpactswouldbereducedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.




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ImpactGEO‐5b:Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)

Ground‐disturbingearthworkassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedprojectmayincreasesoilerosionrates.Theseactivities,whichincludeexcavation,grading,trenching,compaction,androadwidening,wouldcausesurfacedisturbanceandvegetationremovalduringturbinefoundationconstructionandpowercollectionsystemandcommunicationlinesinstallationand,toalesserextent,duringpreparationanddecommissioningofthestagingareas.Asaresult,soilwouldbeexposedtorainandwind,potentiallycausingacceleratederosion,therebyresultinginsignificantimpacts.

Mostsoilsintheprojectareaarecoveredbygrasses.Mostunvegetatedareasareassociatedwithroads.



ImpactGEO‐5c:Resultinsubstantialsoilerosionorthelossoftopsoil—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

Ground‐disturbingearthworkassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedprojectmayincreasesoilerosionrates.Theseactivities,whichincludeexcavation,grading,trenching,compaction,androadwidening,wouldcausesurfacedisturbanceandvegetationremovalduringturbinefoundationconstructionandpowercollectionsystemandcommunicationlinesinstallationand,toalesserextent,duringpreparationanddecommissioningofthestagingareas.Asaresult,soilwouldbe




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exposedtorainandwind,potentiallycausingacceleratederosion,therebyresultinginsignificantimpacts.

Mostsoilsintheprojectareaarecoveredbygrasses.Mostunvegetatedareasareassociatedwithroads.



ImpactGEO‐6a‐1:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.Themetrologicaltowerandundergroundsystemswouldbesubjecttothesameexpansionandcontraction.

Expansivesoilsoccurinmuchoftheprogramarea,particularlyintheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocalbuildingcodes.CompliancewiththesecodesandimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldensurethatthisisaless‐than‐significantimpact.


ImpactGEO‐6a‐2:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.Themetrologicaltowerandundergroundsystemswouldbesubjecttothesameexpansionandcontraction.

Expansivesoilsoccurinmuchoftheprogramarea,particularlyintheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocal




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buildingcodes.CompliancewiththesecodesandimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldensurethatthisisaless‐than‐significantimpact.


ImpactGEO‐6b:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.

TheGoldenHillsprojectareaisunderlainbytheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation,whichcontainssoilswithhighshrink‐swellpotential.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocalbuildingcodes.CompliancewiththesecodesandimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldensurethatthisisaless‐than‐significantimpact.


ImpactGEO‐6c:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.

ThePattersonPassprojectareaisunderlainbytheFontana‐Diablo‐AltamontandtheCarbona‐Callasoilassociations,whichbothcontainsoilswithhighshrink‐swellpotential.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocalbuildingcodes.CompliancewiththesecodesandimplementationofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1wouldensurethatthisisaless‐than‐significantimpact.


ImpactGEO‐7a‐1:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Iffossilsarepresentintheprogramarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensiveanddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.

Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.Substantialdamagetoor




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destructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSocietyofVertebratePaleontology(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.

Becausemostgeologicunitsintheprogramareaarelikelytobesensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,excavationintheseunitscoulddamagepaleontologicalresources.

Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasuresGEO‐7athroughGEO‐7cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

MitigationMeasureGEO‐7a:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities

TheapplicantwillretainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistasdefinedbytheSVP’sStandardProceduresfortheAssessmentandMitigationofAdverseImpactstoPaleontologicalResources(2010)tomonitoractivitieswiththepotentialtodisturbsensitivepaleontologicalresources.Datagatheredduringdetailedprojectdesignwillbeusedtodeterminetheactivitiesthatwillrequirethepresenceofamonitor.Ingeneral,theseactivitiesincludeanyground‐disturbingactivitiesinvolvingexcavationdeeperthan3feetinareaswithhighpotentialtocontainsensitivepaleontologicalresources.Recoveredfossilswillbepreparedsothattheycanbeproperlydocumented.Recoveredfossilswillthenbecuratedatafacilitythatwillproperlyhouseandlabelthem,maintaintheassociationbetweenthefossilsandfielddataaboutthefossils’provenance,andmaketheinformationavailabletothescientificcommunity.

MitigationMeasureGEO‐7b:Educateconstructionpersonnelinrecognizingfossilmaterial

Theapplicantwillensurethatallconstructionpersonnelreceivetrainingprovidedbyaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistexperiencedinteachingnon‐specialiststoensurethattheycanrecognizefossilmaterialsintheeventanyarediscoveredduringconstruction.

MitigationMeasureGEO‐7c:Stopworkifsubstantialfossilremainsareencounteredduringconstruction

Ifsubstantialfossilremains(particularlyvertebrateremains)arediscoveredduringearthdisturbingactivities,activitieswithin100feetofthefindwillstopimmediatelyuntilastate‐registeredprofessionalgeologistorqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistcanassessthenatureandimportanceofthefindandaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistcanrecommendappropriatetreatment.Treatmentmayincludepreparationandrecoveryoffossilmaterialssothattheycanbehousedinanappropriatemuseumoruniversitycollectionandmayalsoincludepreparationofareportforpublicationdescribingthefinds.Theapplicantwillberesponsibleforensuringthatrecommendationsregardingtreatmentandreportingareimplemented.

ImpactGEO‐7a‐2:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Iffossilsarepresentintheprogramarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensive




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anddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.

Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.SubstantialdamagetoordestructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSocietyofVertebratePaleontology(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.

Becausemostgeologicunitsintheprogramareaarelikelytobesensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,excavationintheseunitscoulddamagepaleontologicalresources.





ImpactGEO‐7b:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Iffossilsarepresentintheprojectarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensiveanddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.

Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.SubstantialdamagetoordestructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSVP(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.

Becausemostgeologicunitsintheprojectareaarelikelytobesensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,excavationintheseunitscoulddamagepaleontologicalresources.







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ImpactGEO‐7c:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Iffossilsarepresentintheprojectarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensiveanddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.

Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.SubstantialdamagetoordestructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSVP(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.

Becausemostgeologicunitsintheprojectareaarelikelytobesensitiveforpaleontologicalresources,excavationintheseunitscoulddamagepaleontologicalresources.





3.6.3 References Cited

AlamedaCounty.2000.EastCountyAreaPlan.AdoptedMay1994.ModifiedbypassageofMeasureD,effectiveDecember22,2000.Oakland,CA.

AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.2013.SafetyElementoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan.AdoptedJanuary8,2013.

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