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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 129-88 RESOLUTION NO. 129-88 A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MAKING FINDINGS, APPROVING NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND APPROVING THE PROPOSED REPLACEMENT OR WIDENING AND REPAIR OF THE GORDON'S FERRY BRIDGE AT CHINA GRADE LOOP. WHEREAS, the Public Works Department of the City of Bakersfield has proposed to replace or widen and repair the existing Gordon's Ferry Bridge on China Grade Loop over the Kern River at the northern edge of the city of Bakersfield; and WHEREAS, the proposed widening or replacement will upgrade the presently substandard structure to Amercian Association of State Highway and Transportation Oificials (AASHTO) Standards for two lane structures; and WHEREAS, limitations on the existing structure (e.g., exposed foundation) have created unreasomable detours for trucks exceed- ing the bridges ten ton weight limit; and WHEREAS, replacement or repair and widening of the bridge is necessary to allow heavier trucks to again travel upon it; and WHEREAS, an Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared by Earth Metrics, Inc. to assist the City of Bakersfield and the State of California Department of Transportation in the federal evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of the proposed bridge construction project; and WHEREAS, the requirements of the Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) have been satisfied with the pro- ject obtaining "Categorical Exemption" status; and -2- WHEREAS, in conf!ormance with the California Environmental Quality Act, an Initial Study was conducted and it was determined that, with seven measures incorporated in the project and the conditions of development imposed herein below, the proposed pro- ject would not have a significant effect on tile environment, and a Negative Declaration was prepared; and WHEREAS, measures incorporated in the project are as follows: Prior to ground disturbance, a biological field survey will be performed on the expected areas of disturbance. All potentially active kit fox dens will be identified and marked. The project applicant shall adhere to mitigation measures necessary at the time of construction to satisfy the Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Only the removal of the minimal amount of stream- bank vegetation necessary for construction will occur. The riverbanks which have been stripped of vege- tation by grading activities, including the bare southern bank downstream of the bridge, shall be rapidly sodded and revegetated with appropriate streambank vegetation including cottonwoods and willows. Revegetation will be at an appropriate density and will utilize plants of a large enough size to assure that the creation of a permanent, biologically valuable wetland associ- ation will occur, and to assure the mitigation of potential impacts to habitat and water quality. -3- Nearby vegetation will be protected by careful construction practices, including but not limited to: a) Not storing any construction material or placing any fill on top of or within the dripline of trees which are to remain undisturbed. b) Heavy equipment will not be operated or parked underneath such trees. c) If large trees are very close to the area of construction, the City will place tempo- rary barriers around them to protect accidental damage. In order to avoid any significant deterioration to existing fish and wildlife habitat in the river- bed, a Section 1603 Permit from the California Department of Fish and Game, possibly a wetland protection permit from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and a permit from the State Board of Reclamation will need to be filed with the appro- priate agencies. In order to mitigate potential traffic problems during construction, the applicant shall: a) Conduct bridge closures during non-peak traffic hours, as possible. b) Complete bridge rehabilitation and widening or reconstruction in an expedient a manner as possible. The bridge widening or demolition phase of either options of the project shall avoid the cliff swallow breeding season (from April 15 to July 31). Historical and cultural resource mitigation: a) If construction activity can occur in the area of the existing historical marker without moving it, then the marker will be adequately protected and marked to avoid damage during the construction process. -4- b) If the marker must be moved, it will be placed outside the construction area, covered and marked for protection. When construc- tion is finished, the appropriate location will be determined within reasonable distance from its previous location. The following agencies will be notified before moving the marker: City of Bakersfield Historic Preser- vation Commission, the Kern County Museum (the county historic preservation liaison), and the State of California Historic Preser- vation Office. c) Any new plan, design or location for a new marker will be submitted to the above agencies for review. d) If, during the construction phase, historic or prehistoric cultural resources are un- earthed, work in the area of the discovery shall cease until the finds can be evaluated, and if necessary, mitigation applied prior to resumption of activity; and WHEREAS, the law and regulations relating to the preparation and adoption of Negative Declarations as set forth in CEQA and City of Bakersfield Resolution No. 107-86 have been duly followed by the City staff and Council; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED and found by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows: 1. The above recitals and findings, incorporated herein, are true and correct. The Negative Declaration including all miti- gation for measures listed for the bridge on China Grade Loop is hereby approved and adopted. The report of City staff, including maps and all reports and papers relevant thereto, trans- mitted by the C~ty Manager to the City Council, is hereby received, accepted and approved. The City Council hereby approves the replace- ment or widening and repair of Gordon's Ferry Bridge on China Grade Loop. -5- I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on J[TN~ ??, ]988 , by the follow- ing vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: CHILDS, OeMOND, ~NT: COUNOLU~U~ERS: AB%T~NINg; ~OUNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK and Ex officio Clerk of Council of the City of Bakersfield the APPROVED JUNE 22, ]988 /s/ THOMAS A. PAYNE MAYOR of the City of Bakersfield APPROVED as to form: CHINA GRADE LOOP c;tx L_ -T29S, R28E 4 9 EXISTING BRIDGE ROUND MOUNTAIN ROAD , PROPOSED i REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT !o O,F GORDON S FERRY NEW ROAD ALIGNMENT BRIDGE BRIDGE ~"-----~ STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL JUNE 22, 1988 AGENDA ITEM: APPLICANT: City of Bakersfield Public Works Department LOCAT I ON: Gordon's Ferry Bridge at China Grade Loop on the Kern Fiver PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project involves the replacement or widening and repair of the existing China Grade Loop Bridge where it crosses the Kern River. (Refer to attached maps). The proposed widening or replacement will upgrade the presently substandard structure to American Association of State Highway and Transportation o~icials (AASHTO) standards for two lane structures. Currently, the limitations of this structure (e.g. exposed foundation) have created a seven mile detour for oil and sand companies whose trucks exceed the bridge's ten ton weight limit. The additional width is to be used for emergency parking and will also support the bridge's use by the many bicyclists who frequent the Kern Rzver area. Replacement or repaxr and wid- ening of the bridge is necessary to allow heavier trucks to again travel upon it. The China Grade Loop project area is located at the northern edge of the C~ty and includes the existing 379 foot-long bridge and the area around it needed for construction. I~ the structural evaluation of the existing foundation shows that it is not feasi- ble to be repaired, an alternative plan to replace the bridge will be implemented, and the existing structure removed. (See attached figures). In the repair and widening option, the bridge would be widened from 26 to 44 feet of roadway, with an additional 20 feet either side of the existing structure used as a construction zone while the bridge work is being completed. This option consists of wid- ening the existing two lane bridge by adding ten foot wide emer- gency shoulders to both lanes of traffic. Additionally, the structure would be rehabilitated by driving additional piling, replacing the foundation rip-rap, and other work as necessary to bring the structure up to current standards. Iz the bridge needs to be replaced, an additional 60 foot right- of-way width, east of the existing structure, will be dedicated and used to build an entirely new bridge. Staff Reports, City Council, 6/22/88 AGENDA ITEM # Page 2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING China Grade Loop is an arterial roadway currently striped for two travel lanes. This roadway is designated as a major arterial on the City of Bakersfield's Circulation Element map. It provides an important link between the active oil fields to the north and the Alfred Harrell Highway to the Southwest. The road's 1986 Average Daily Traf£ic (ADT) was 3,850 vehicles just south of the bridge, and 3,600 ADT at the bridge. The China Grade Loop Bridge is in the Kern River floodplain and the topography to both sides of the river is relatively level. Directly along the river banks there is an immediate rise of approximately five feet. To the north of the bridge, the terrain has a very slight rise. This area has been developed as oil fields with pumps, tanks, processing facilities with little vege- tation covering the landscape. To the south of the bridge, the land is relatively 2_evel, with ~ew buildings, grassy terrain, and horse corrals. The river and its immediate shoreline would be classified as a riparian wetland with limited value, due to the presence of concrete rip-rap and the encroachment of open types o~ development (i.e~. oil fields, sand mines, horse corrals) into the riparian floodplain. BACKGROUND In November, 1987, Earth Metrics, Inc. submitted to the City of Bakersfield's Public Works Department a Final Environmental Assessment for the proposed replacement or widening and repair of the China Grade ]Loop Bridge. That Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared to assist the City (the project applicant) and the State of California Department of Transportation in the eval- uation of the poten~ial impacts of the proposed bridge construc- tion project. Seve~al State agencies were consulted during the EA process and assisted in mitigation evolution. The EA has already been through the NEPA process and received a Categorical Exemption. A copy of the EA is available in the Planning Department for review. Although the EA addressed the land use, circulation, soils, hydrology, floodplain, biology, and historic resources of the project site, it was not prepared to comply with the CEQA requirements for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Its results and recommended mitigation measures, however, were incorporated into t'he initial study and checklist and were assumed as adequate for mitigating the possible environmental effects of the proposed project. Staff Reports, City Council, 6/22/88 AGENDA ITEM ~ Page 3 The Environmental Assessment, Negative Declaration and Initial Study were available for public review for thirty days (March 21, 1988 to April 22, 1988) at the City Planning Department. During the public review period, the City received six letters from local agencies and one from a State Agency, all in favor of the proposed bridge repair or replacement project. Copies of the letters received and staff's responses to those comments are attached in Appendices A & B, respectively. A copy of the initial study is also attached as Appendix C. PROJECT A~AL¥SIS The applicant shall comply with the following discretionary con- ditions to mitigate for potentially significant environmental consequences associated with repairing or replacing the subject bridge. Prior to ground disturbance, a biological field survey will be performed on the expected areas of disturbance. All potentially active kit fox dens will be identified and marked. The project applicant shall adhere to mitigation measures necessary at the time of construction to satisfy the Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The riverbanks which have been stripped of vegetation by grading activities, including the bare southern bank down- stream of the bridge, shall be rapidly sodded and revege- rated with appropriate streambank vegetation including cottonwoods and willows. Revegetation will be at an appro- priate density and will utilize plants o~ a large enough size to assure that the creation of a permanent, biologi- cally valuable wetland association will occur, and to assure the mitigation of potential impacts to habitat and water quality. Only the removal of the minimal amount of streambank vegeta- tion necessary for construction will occur. 4. Nearby vegetat].on will be protected by careful construction practices, inc2[uding but not limited to: Staff Reports, City Council, 6/22/88 AGENDA ITEM # Page 4 a) Not storing any construction material or placing any fill on top of or within the dripline of trees which are to remain undisturbed. b) Heavy equipment will not be operated or parked under- neath such trees. c) I~ large trees are very close to the area of construc- tion, the City will place temporary barriers around them to protect accidental damage. In order to avoid any significant deterioration to existing fish and wildlJ. fe habitat in the riverbed, a Section 1603 Permit from the California Department of Fish and Game, pos- sibly a wetland protection permit from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and a permit from the State Board of Reclamation will need to be filed with the appropriate agencies. In order to mitigate potential traffic problems during construction, the applicant shall: a) Conduct bridge closures during non-peak traffic hours, as possible. b) Complete bridge rehabilitation and widening or recon- struction in as expedient a manner as possible. The bridge widening or demolition phase of either options the project shall avoid the cliff swallow breeding season (from April 15 to July 31). Historical and cultural resource mitigation: a) Ii construction actlvity can occur in the area of the existing histo~fical marker without moving it, then the marker will be adequately protected and marked to avoid dam- age during the construction process. b) I~ the marker must be moved, it will be placed outside the construction area, covered and marked for protection. When construction is finished, the appropriate location will be determined within reasonable distance from its previous location. The following agencies will be notified before moving the marker: City of Bakersfield Historic Preservation Commission, the Kern County Museum (the county historic preservation liaison), and the State of California Historic Preservation O£fice. c) Any new plan, design or location for a new marker will be submitted t.D the above agencies for review. d) I~, during the construction phase, historic or prehis- toric cultural resources are unearthed, work in the area of the discovery shall cease until the finds can be evaluated, and if necessary, mitigation applied prior to resumption of activity. Staff Reports, City Council, 6/22/88 Page 5 AGENDA ITEM RECOMMENDED ACTION Motion to adopt resolution making findings and approving the Negative Declaration for the proposed replacement or widening and repair o~ the Gordom's Ferry Bridge at China Grade Loop, includ- ing mitigation measures listed in the staff report. 1:24,000 FIGu~d~ 4. ]-2 LO~&L SETTING 0]~ '~L~ PROJECT SITE EXISTING' .. ' ~' BRIDGE .-.,, IC£RN TZ9S RZBE N RiV£R CHINA GRADE. LOOP BRIDGE ALIGNMENT AT THE KERN RIVER CITY OF BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT APPENDIX C Negative Declaration and Initial Study PROPOSED NEGATIVE DECLARATION NO. 2477 Our File No. China Grade Loop Bridge Name and address of Sponsor(s) of Project: City of Bakersfield - Public Works Department 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 Location of Project: China Grade Loop Brid~e over Kern River at northern edce of City limits. 3. Description of Project as Proposed: Proposed replacement or repair and wideninc of China Grade Loop Bridce. 4. The undersigned, having considered the matters provided in city Council Resolution No. 107-86, City of Bakersfield does hereby find and determine that the above described project will not have a significant effect on. the environment. The Initial Study (refer to Appendices "H" and "I") which comprises part of the Negative Declaration, may be inspected at the office of the Planning Director at city ~all, 1501 Truxtun Avenue; Bakersfield, California. Any member of the public is invited to provide comments on the proposed action, in writing, on or before the 22nd day of April, 1988, at the above office. Dated: March 18, 1988 Posted: March 18, 1988 ~a n n~D~ D irec/~ INITIAL STUDY Replacement or Widening and Repair of the China Grade Loop Bridge at the Kern River APPLICANT: LOCATION: City of Bakersfield Public Works Department China Grade Loop Bridge over the Kern River the northern edge of the City. at PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project involves the replacement or widening and repair of the existing China Grade Loop Bridge where it crosses the Kern River. (Refer to attached maps) The proposed widening or replacement will upgrade the presently substandard structure to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards for two lane structures. Currently, the limitations of this · structure (e.g. exposed foundation) have created a seven mile detour for oil and sand companies whose trucks exceed the brldge's ten ton weight limit. The additional width is to be used for emergency parking and will also support the bridge's use by the many bicyclists who frequent the Kern River area. Replacement or repair and widening of the bridge is necessary to allow heavier trucks to again travel upon it. The China Grade Loop project area is located at the northern edge of the City and includes the existing 379 foot-long bridge and the area around it needed for construction. If the structural evaluation of the existing foundation shows that it is not feasible to be repaired, an alternative plan to replace the bridge will be implemented, and the existing structure removed. (See attached figures). In the repair and widening option, the bridge would be widened from 26 to 44 feet of roadway, with an additional 20 feet either side of the existing structure used as a construction zone while the bridge work is being completed. This option consists of widening the existing two lane bridge by adding ten foot wide emergency shoulders to both lanes of traffic. Additionally, the structure mould be rehabilitated by driving additional piling, replacing the foundation rip- rap, and other mork as necessary to bring the structure up to current standards. If the bridge needs to be replaced, an additional 60 foot right of way midth, east of the existing structure, will be dedicated and used to build an entirely new bridge. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING China Grade Loop is an arterial roadway currently striped for two travel lanes. This roadway is designated as a major arterial on the City of Bakersfield's Circulation Element map. It provides an important link between the active oil fields to the north and the Alfred Hartell Highway to the southwest. The road's 1986 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) was 3,850 vehicles just south of the bridge, and 3,600 ADT at the bridge. The China Grade Loop Bridge is in the Kern River floodplain and the topography to both sides of the river is relatively level. Directly along the river banks there is an immediate rise of approximately five feet. To the north of the bridge, the terrain has a very slight rise. This area has been developed as oil fields with pumps, tanks, processing facilities and little vegetation covering the landscape. To the south of the bridge, the land is relatively level, with few buildings, grassy terrain, and horse corrals. The river and its immediate shoreline would be classified as a riparian wetland with limited value, due to the presence of concrete rip-rap and the encroachment of open types of development (i.e. oil fields, sand mines, horse corrals) into the riparian floodplain. BAUKGROUND In November, 1987, Earth Metrics, Inc. submitted to the City of Bakersfield's Public Works Department a Final Environmental Assessment for the proposed replacement or widening and repair of the China Grade Loop Bridge. That Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared to assist the City (the project applicant) and the State of California Department of Transportation in the evaluation of the potential impacts of the proposed bridge construction project. Several State agencies were consulted during the EA process and assisted in mitigation evolution. The EA has already been through the NEPA process and received a Categorical Exemption. Although the EA addressed the land use, circulation, soils, hydrology, floodplain, biology, and historic resources of the project site, it was not prepared to comply with the CEQA requirements for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Its results and recommended mitigation measures, however, have been incorporated into this initial study and checklist and assumed as adequate for mitigating the possible environmental effects of the proposed project. The entire Environmental Assessment will be available for public review for thirty days at: City of Bakersfield Planning Department, 1501Truxtun Ave., BAK., CA, 93301; (805) 326-3733. ~OC~ SETTING OF ~ PRO.CT SITE ~CALE Le~=h me=Pics 1:24,000 R~U~D MOUNT \ EXISTING, BRIDGE-- k'£RN ,.,....--NEW BRIDGE ROAD N N.T.S. I:? I V £ t~ CHINA GRADE LOOP BRIDGE ALIGNMENT AT THE KERN RIVER CITY OF BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT I-1 APPENDIX I ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM (To be completed by Lead Agency) BACKGROUND 1. Name of Proponent: City of Bakersfield Public Works Department 2. Address and Phone Number of Proponent: 1501Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 Phone: (805) 326-3724 3. Date of Checklist Submittal: 3/18/88 4. Agency requiring Checklist: City of Bakersfield (Planning Division) 5. Name of Proposal, if applicable: Proposed Replacement or Widening and Repair of the China Grade Loop Bridge II ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS (Explanations of all "yes" and attached sheets.) "maybe" answers are required on YES MAYBE NO 1. Earth Will the problem result in: a. Unstable earth conditions or in changes in geologic substructures? X b. Disruptions, displacements, compaction, or overcovering of the soil? X c. Change in topography or ground surface relief features? X d. The destruction, covering, or modification of any unique geologic or physical features? X e. Any increase erosion of soils, off site? in wind or water either on or X f. Changes in deposition or erosion of beach sands, or changes in siltation, deposition or erosion which may modify the channel of a river or stream or the bed of the ocean or any bay, inlet or lake? X I-2 g. Exposure of people or property to geologic hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, ground failure, or similar hazards? Air Will the proposal result in: a. Substantial air emissions or deterioration of ambient air quality? b. .The creation of objectionable odors? c. Alteration of air movement, moisture or temperature, or any change in climate, either locally or regionally? Water Will the proposal result in: a. Changes in currents, or the course or direction of water movements, in either marine or fresh water? b. Changes in absorption rates, drainage patterns, or the rate and amount of surface water runoff? c. Alterations to the course or flow of fleod waters? d. Change in the amount of surface water in any body of water? e. Discharge into surface waters, or in any alteration of surface water quality, including but not limited to temperature, dissolved oxygen, or turbidity? f. Alteration of the direction or rate of flow of ground waters? g. Change in the quantity of ground waters, either through direct additions or withdrawals, or through interception of and aquifier by cuts or excavations? YES MAYBE X NO X X X X X X I-3 Water Will the proposal result in: {continued) h. Substantial reduction in the amount of water otherwise available for public water supply7 i. Exposure of people or property to water related hazards such as flooding or tidal waves? j. Will the proposal result in water service from any public or private entity? Plant Life Will the proposal result in: a. Change in the diversity of species or number of any species of plants (including trees, shrubs, grass, crops, microflora and aquatic plants)? b. Reduction unique, rare of plants? of the numbers of any or endangered species c. Introduction of new species of plants into an area, or result in a barrier to the normal replenishment of existing species? d. Reduction in acreage of any agricultural crop? Animal Life Will the proposal result in: a. Change in the diversity of species or numbers of any species or animal (birds, land animals including reptiles, fish and shellfish, benthic organisms, insects or microfauna)? b. ~eduction of the numbers of any unique, rare or endangered species of animals? c. Introduction of new species of animals into an area, or result in a barrier to the migration or movement of animals? YES MAYBE X X NO X X X X (SEE COMMENT) X X X I-4 10. 11. 12. Animal Life Will the proposal result in: (continued) d. Deterioration to existing fish or wildlife habitat? Noise Will the proposal result in: a. Increases in existing noise levels? b. Exposure of people to severe noise levels? Light and Glare Will the proposal produce new light or glare? Land Use Will the proposal result in a substantial alteration of the present or planned land use of an area? Natural Resources Will the proposal result in: a. Increases in the rate of use of any natural resources? b. Substantial depletion of any nonrenewable natural resource? Risk of Upset Does the proposal involve a risk of an explosion or the release of hazardous substances (including, but not limited to, oil, pesticides, chemicals, or radiation) in the event of an accident or upset conditions? Population Will the proposal alter the location, distribution, density or growth rate of the human population of an area? Housing Will the proposal affect existing housing, or create a demand for additional housing? YES MAYBE NO X X X X X X X X I-5 14. 15. Transportation/Circulation Will the proposal result in: a. Generation of substantial additional vehicular movement? b. Effect on existing parking facilities, or demand for new parking? c. Substantial impact upon existing transportation systems? d. Alterations to present patterns of circulation or movement of people and/or goods? e. Alterations to waterborne, rail or air traffic? f. Increase in traffic hazards to motor vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians? Public Services Will the proposal have an effect upon, or result in a need for new or altered governmental services in any of the following areas: a. Fire protection? Police protection? c. Schools7 d. Park or other recreational facilities? e. Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? Energy Will the proposal result in: a. Use of substantial amounts of fuel or energy? b. Substantial increase in demand upon existing sources of energy, or require the development of new sources of energy? YES MAYBE X NO X X X X X X X X X I-6 17. 18. 19. 20. Utilities Will the proposal result in a need for new systems, or substantial alterations to the following utilities: a. Power or natural gas? b. Communications systems? c. Water7 d. Sewer or septic tanks? e. Storm water drainage? f. Solid waste and disposal? Human Health Will the proposal result in: a. Creation of any health hazard or potential health hazard (excluding mental health)? b. Exposure of people to potential health hazards? Aesthetics Will the proposal result in the obslruction of any scenic vista or view open to the public, or will the proposal result in the creation of an aesthetically offensive site open to the public view? Recreation Will the proposal result in an impact upon the quality or quantity of existing recreational opportunities? ArchaeoloEical/Historical Will the proposal result in an alteration of a significant archaeological or historical site, structure, object or building? YES MAYBE X NO X X X X X X X X X I-7 21. Mandatory Findings of Significance (a) Does the project have the potential 1:o degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? (b) Does the project have the potential to achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of long-term, environmental goals? (A short- term impact on the environment is one which occurs in a relatively brief, definitive period of time while long-term impacts will endure well into the future.) (c) Does the project have impacts which are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (A project may impact on two or more separate resources where the impact on each resource is relatively small, but where the effect of the total of those impacts on the environment is significant.) (d) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? YES MAYBE NO X X X I-8 IV. DETERMINATION (To 5e completed 5y the Lead Agency) On the basis of this initial evaluation: +--+ I find the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant I ~ effect on the environment, and a Negative Declaration will +--+ be prepared. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significanl effect in this case because the mitigation measures identified in the Final Environmental Assessment, and described on an attached sheets, have been added to the project. A NEGATIVE DECLARATION MILL BE PREPARED. I find the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. Date: March 18,1988 (Signature) For Jack Hardisty, Planning Director I-9 APPENDIX I Proposed Replacement or Widening and Repair of the China Grade Loop Bridge Explanations of all "yes" and "maybe" answers. 1. Earth b. Yes - Site preparation and bridge construction would require the soils in the floodplain, which consist of alluvial sands and gravel, classified in the Carriso Association, to be disrupted, displaced, compacted and overcovered. e. Yes Although the soils in the riverbed have adequate bearing ability and limited swell characteristics (which makes it suitable for construction), the grading activities and the placement of new pilings in the streambed will temporarily disrupt the stream bottom and allow bank erosion. Proposed Mitigation The riverbanks which have been stripped of vegetation by grading activities shall be rapidly sodded and revegetated to prevent erosion of the streambank into the river and to mitigate potential impacts to habitat and water quality. f. Maybe - Design of the proposed project is not finalized and complete plans on grading and changes to the approaches to the bridge are not available. Some minor grading will be necessary, although, and the construction of additional piers may somewhat alter the channel of the Kern River. These alterations are considered to be negligible, however, since the bridge widening or reconstruction would provide a clear span equal to that of the existing structure. Water a. Maybe - The construction of additional the Kern River channel. piers may somewhat alter b. Maybe - The proposed project is within the lO0 year floodplain. Since the number of piers will be maintained, the hydraulic capacity of the river channel will be the same. No decrease in the river channel discharge would be allowed if the bridge replacement alternative is selected. A summary of floodplain encroachment has been filed with the Secretary of Resources noting that the project will "provide negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing" and documenting that "the risk of flooding associated with the implementation of the proposed action is low." 1-10 Proposed Mitigation The proposed project shall be designed as not to result in a reduction in the river discharge capacity. e. Yes - Grading and piling construction activities will temporarily disrupt the stream bottom and allow for bank erosion~ These activities will lead to a temporary reduction in water quality due to increased turbidity, which could reduce the photosynthetic activity of aquatic plants, act as an irritant to the gills of fish, and reduce the aesthetic value of the river. Rapid sodding and revegetation measures discussed above will reduce the potential impact to water quality caused by increased turbidity. Plant Life a. Yes - Construction will necessitate removal of willow trees on both banks of the river. On the south bank several saltbushes and bushy willows will also need to be removed. On this bank and on a nearby midstream island, three large willow trees are close enough to the proposed area of construction that they may be disturbed by construction activities. Mitigation Measures i) Revegetation of the bare southern bank downstream of the bridge with appropriate streambank vegetation including cottonwoods and willows. Revegetation will be at an appropriate density and will utilize plants of a large enough size to assure that the creation of a permanent, biologically valuable wetland association will occur. it) Only the removal of the minimal amount of streambank vegetation necessary for construction Occur. will iii) Nearby vegetation will be protected by careful construction practices, including but not limited to: - Not storing any construction material or placing any fill on top of or within the dripline of trees which are to remain undisturbed. Heavy equipment will not be operated or parked underneath such trees. If large trees are very close to the area of construction, the City will place temporary barriers around them to protect accidental damage. 1-11 5. Animal Life 13. a. Comment - Although no impacts are expected to endangered species (as no signs of their habitation were found during field surveys), removal of or construction to the bridge will affect the nests of cliff swallows, currently attached to the underside of the existing structure. Even though cliff swallows enjoy no special state protection, they are protected during their breeding season under federal law through the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Proposed Mitigation The bridge widening or demolition phase of either options of the project shall avoid the cliff swallow breeding season (from April 15 to July d. Maybe - Deterioration to the existing fish and wildlife habitat is considered to be temporary and insignificant. Proposed Mitigation In order to avoid any significant deterioration to existing fish and mildlife habitat in the riverbed, a Section 1803 Permit from the California Department of Fish and Game, and possibly a wetland protection permit from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, will need to be filed with the appropriate agencies. Transportation/ Circulation c & d. Maybe If the bridge is rehabilitated within its existing right-of-way, temporary closure of one or both lanes of traffic over the bridge will be necessary. Local traffic patterns would be modified to accommodate bridge work using a seven mile detour from China Grade Loop west to Manor Street and into the City. If it is determined that a replacement structure is needed, the new bridge will be constructed within 80 feet east of the existing structure. Under this alternative, no circulation impacts are identified because the existing bridge would remain in operation. Proposed Mitigation i) Conduct bridge closures during non-peak traffic hours, as possible. ii) Complete bridge rehabilitation and widening or reconstruction in as expedient a manner as possible. 20. Archaeological/ Historical Maybe - The single known historical resource within the project area is a marker commemorating the site of the historical Gordon's Ferry operations. Presently, this marker is located on the south side of the existing bridge, 1-12 approximately four feet east of the roadway, and approximately five feet from the edge of the south bank of the Kern River. Based on presently available documentation, it is not possible to pinpoint the actual Ferry site. Best estimates place the Gordon's Ferry location somewhere between a few yards to several hundred yards west of the current historical marker. Because the marker lies east of the present bridge, the proposed activity may cause the marker to be disturbed. Based on a cultural resource survey completed by a consulting archaeologist, it was concluded that no archaeological sites currently exist within the study area boundary. Proposed Mitigation i) If construction activity can occur in the area of the existing historical marker without moving it, then the marker will be adequately protected and marked to avoid damage during the construction process. ii) If the marker must be moved, it will be placed outside the construction area, covered and marked for protection. When construction is finished the appropriate location will be determined within reasonable distance from its previous location. The following agencies will be notified before moving the marker: City of Bakersfield Historic Preservation Commission, the Kern County Museum (the county historic preservation liaison), and the State of California Historic Preservation Office. iii) Any new plan, design or location for a new marker will be submitted to the above agencies for review. iv) If, during the construction phase, historic or prehistoric cultural resources are unearthed, work in the area of the discovery shall cease until the finds can be evaluated, and if necessary, mitigation applied prior to resumption of activity.