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Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis

Hazards and Hazardous Materials

APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.8‐1

October 2014ICF 00323.08

3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials Thissectiondescribestheregulatoryandenvironmentalsettingforhazardsandhazardousmaterialsintheprogramandprojectareas.Itdescribesimpactsinvolvinghazardsandhazardousmaterialsthatwouldresultfromimplementationoftheprogramandtwoindividualprojects.Italsoaddressesgeneralissuesofpublicsafetyrelatedtopotentialaccidents,upsetconditionsincludingtransportofmaterials,andairport‐relatedsafetyhazards.Mitigationmeasuresareprescribedwherefeasibleandappropriate.

AsdefinedbySection25501oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode(HSC),hazardousmaterialsarethose“that,becauseoftheirquantity,concentration,orphysicalorchemicalcharacteristics,poseasignificantpresentorpotentialhazardtohumanhealthandsafetyortotheenvironmentifreleasedintotheworkplaceortheenvironment.”

Hazardouswasteisasubsetofhazardousmaterialsanddefinedas:

[W]astesthat,becauseoftheirquantity,concentration,orphysical,chemical,orinfectiouscharacteristics,mayeithercause,orsignificantlycontributeto,anincreaseinmortalityoranincreaseinseriousillness,orposeasubstantialpresentorpotentialhazardtohumanhealthortheenvironmentwhenimproperlytreated,stored,transported,disposedof,orotherwisemanaged(HSC101075).

Hazardousmaterialscanbecategorizedasnonradioactivechemicalmaterials,radioactivematerials,andbiohazardousmaterials.Nonradioactivechemicalmaterialstypicallyfallwithinthedefinitionsofhazardousmaterialsandhazardouswaste,asdefinedabove.

3.8.1 Existing Conditions

Regulatory Setting

Federal

Hazardous Materials and Waste Handling

ThefederalResourceConservationandRecoveryActof1976(RCRA)establisheda“cradle‐to‐grave”regulatoryprogramgoverningthegeneration,transportation,treatment,storage,anddisposalofhazardouswaste.UnderRCRA,individualstatesmayimplementtheirownhazardouswasteprogramsinlieuofRCRAaslongasthestateprogramisatleastasstringentasfederalRCRArequirements.InCalifornia,theDepartmentofToxicSubstancesControl(DTSC)regulatesthegeneration,transportation,treatment,storage,anddisposalofhazardousmaterialwaste.Thehazardouswasteregulationsestablishcriteriaforidentifying,packaging,andlabelinghazardouswastes;dictatethemanagementofhazardouswaste;establishpermitrequirementsforhazardouswastetreatment,storage,disposal,andtransportation;andidentifyhazardouswastesthatcannotbedisposedofinlandfills.Theseregulationsalsorequirehazardousmaterialsuserstopreparewrittenplans,suchasaHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlan,thatdescribehazardousmaterialsinventoryinformation,storageandsecondarycontainmentfacilities,emergencyresponseandevacuationprocedures,andemployeehazardousmaterialstrainingprograms.Anumberofagenciesparticipateinenforcinghazardousmaterialsmanagementrequirements,includingDTSC,the





RegionalWaterQualityControlBoards,andtheAlamedaCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth’sHazardousMaterials/WasteProgram.

Transportation of Hazardous Materials and Oversized Loads

TheU.S.DepartmentofTransportationregulateshazardousmaterialstransportationonallinterstateroads.WithinCalifornia,thestateagencieswithprimaryresponsibilityforenforcingfederalandstateregulationsandforrespondingtotransportationemergenciesaretheCaliforniaHighwayPatrol(CHP)andtheCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans).Together,federalandstateagenciesdeterminedriver‐trainingrequirements,load‐labelingprocedures,andcontainerspecifications.Althoughspecialrequirementsapplytotransportinghazardousmaterials,requirementsfortransportinghazardouswastearemorestringent,andhazardouswastehaulersmustbelicensedtotransporthazardouswasteonpublicroads.

Caltranshasthediscretionaryauthoritytoissuespecialpermitsforthemovementofvehicles/loadsexceedingstatutorylimitationsonthesize,weight,andloadingofvehiclescontainedinDivision15oftheCaliforniaVehicleCode.RequestsforsuchspecialpermitsrequirethecompletionandapplicationforaTransportationPermit.

Aviation Hazards

FederalAviationAdministration(FAA)Regulations(14CFR77)establishstandardsforwhatconstitutesanobstructiontonavigableairspace.Obstructionsincludeanyobjectifitis:(1)500feetabovegroundlevel;(2)200feetabovegroundlevelorabovetheestablishedairportelevation,whicheverishigher,within3nauticalmilesofanairport;and(3)aboveaheightwithinaterminalobstacleclearanceareaorenrouteobstacleclearancearea.Inaddition,CaliforniaPublicUtilitiesCodesection21659prohibitshazardsnearairports(asdefinedby14CFR77)unlessapermitallowingtheconstructionisissuedbytheCaltransDivisionofAeronautics.FAArequiresadevelopertofileaNoticeofProposedConstruction(Form7460)foranystructuregreaterthan200feetabovegroundlevel.Theformrequiresaproposalformarkingandlightingofwindturbinesandtowers.FAAdeterminesiftheproposedprojectwouldcreateahazardtonavigableairspaceandissueseitheraDeterminationofNoHazardoraNoticeofPresumedHazard.

State of California

Californiahazardousmaterialsandwastesregulationsareequaltoormorestringentthanfederalregulations.TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)hasgrantedthestateprimaryoversightresponsibilitytoadministerandenforcehazardouswastemanagementprograms.Stateregulationsrequireplanningandmanagementtoensurethathazardousmaterialsarehandled,stored,anddisposedofproperlytoreduceriskstohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Severalkeystatelawspertainingtohazardousmaterialsandwastesarediscussedbelow.

Worker Safety

Occupationalsafetystandardsexistinfederalandstatelawstominimizeworkersafetyrisksfrombothphysicalandchemicalhazardsintheworkplace.TheCaliforniaDivisionofOccupationalSafetyandHealth(Cal/OSHA)andthefederalOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministrationaretheagenciesresponsibleforassuringworkersafetyintheworkplace.

Cal/OSHAassumesprimaryresponsibilityfordevelopingandenforcingstandardsforsafeworkplacesandworkpracticeswithinthestate.Atsitesknowntobecontaminated,asitesafety





planmustbepreparedtoprotectworkers.Thesitesafetyplanestablishespoliciesandprocedurestoprotectworkersandthepublicfromexposuretopotentialhazardsatthecontaminatedsite.

Fire Protection

TheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode(Section4101etseq.)includesfiresafetyrequirementsforwhichtheDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection(CALFIRE)hasadoptedregulations(forexample,Chapters6and7ofChapter1.5of14CCR)thatapplytostateresponsibilityareas(SRAs).Asthenameimplies,SRAsareareaswhereCALFIREhasprimaryresponsibilityforfireprotection.Duringthefirehazardseason,theseregulations:(a)restricttheuseofequipmentthatmayproduceaspark,flame,orfire;(b)requiretheuseofsparkarrestors1onequipmentthathasaninternalcombustionengine;(c)specifyrequirementsforthesafeuseofgasoline‐poweredtoolsinfirehazardareas;and(d)specifyfire‐suppressionequipmentthatmustbeprovidedonsiteforvarioustypesofworkinfire‐proneareas.

SRAsincludemuchofthewildlandsinunincorporatedAlamedaCounty.AccordingtoCALFIRE’shazardsareamapping,theprogramareaislocatedinazonethathasamoderatetohighriskforwildlandfirehazardswithintheSRA(CaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection2007).

Local

Alameda County General Plan

TheSafetyElementoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan(AlamedaCounty2013)containsgoals,policies,andactionstheCountymighttakerelatedtononnaturalhazardsandfirehazards.Manyoftheprinciplesandactionsrefertonewdevelopment.Thoserelatingtotheproposedprojectasanexistingfacilityareexcerptedbelow.

Goal2.Toreducetheriskofurbanandwildlandfirehazards.

P3.Developmentshouldgenerallybediscouragedinareasofhighwildlandfirehazardwherevegetationmanagementprograms,includingthecreationandmaintenanceoffuelbreakstoseparateurbanuseswouldresultinunacceptableimpactsonopenspace,scenicandecologicalconditions.

Goal4.Minimizeresidents’exposuretotheharmfuleffectsofhazardousmaterialsandwaste.

P1.Usesinvolvingthemanufacture,useorstorageofhighlyflammable(ortoxic)materialsandhighlywaterreactivematerialsshouldbelocatedatanadequatedistancefromotherusesandshouldberegulatedtominimizetheriskofon‐siteandoff‐sitepersonalinjuryandpropertydamage.Thetransportofhighlyflammablematerialsbyrail,truck,orpipelineshouldberegulatedandmonitoredtominimizerisktoadjoininguses.

East County Area Plan

TheECAPcontainsthefollowinggoals,policies,andimplementationprogramsrelatedtofireprotection.

1Asparkarrestorisadevicethatprohibitsexhaustgasesfromaninternalcombustionenginefrompassingthroughtheimpellerbladeswheretheycouldcauseaspark.Acarbontrapcommonlyisusedtoretaincarbonparticlesfromtheexhaust.





Hazard Zones

Goal:Tominimizetheriskstolivesandpropertyduetoenvironmentalhazards.

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

Environmental Health and Safety

Program117:TheCountyshallworkwiththeCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtectiontodesignate“veryhighfirehazardseverityzones”inconformancewithAB337(1992).TheCountyshallensurethatallzonesdesignatedassuchmeetthestandardsandrequirementscontainedinthislegislation.

Program118:TheCountyshallprepareacomprehensivewildlandfirepreventionprogramincludingfuelbreaks,brushmanagement,controlledburning,andaccessforfiresuppressionequipment.

Alameda County Department of Environmental Health

TheAlamedaCountyDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth(ACDEH)istheCertifiedUnifiedProgramAgency(CUPA)forAlamedaCounty.ThiscertificationbytheCaliforniaSecretaryofEnvironmentalProtectionauthorizestheACDEHtoimplementtheUnifiedHazardousWasteandHazardousMaterialsManagementRegulatoryProgramspecifiedinHealthandSafetyCodeChapter6.11ofDivision20(beginningwithSection25404).AstheCUPA,ACDEHoverseestheregulatoryprogramsforHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlans,undergroundandabovegroundstoragetanks,onsitetreatmentofhazardouswaste,hazardouswastegenerators,andCaliforniaAccidentalReleasePrevention.

Alameda County Construction and Debris Management Ordinance

TheAlamedaCountyConstructionandDebrisManagementOrdinancespecifieshowproject‐relatedconstructionanddemolitionwasteishandled.Theordinancecoversanyprojectrequiringademolitionpermitandspecifiestheminimumrequirementsfordiversionorsalvageofwaste.ProjectscoveredunderthisordinancearerequiredtosubmitadebrismanagementplantotheAlamedaCountyBuildingDepartment.

Contra Costa County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan

TheContraCostaAirportLandUseCompatibilityPlan(ALUCP)isdesignedtopromotecompatibilitybetweentheairportsinContraCostaCountyandsurroundinglanduses.TheALUCP,asadoptedbytheContraCostaCountyAirportLandUseCommission(ALUC),designatescompatibilitycriteriaapplicabletolocalagenciesintheirpreparationoramendmentoflanduseplansandordinancesandtolandownersintheirdesignofnewdevelopment.

TheALUCPisprimarilyconcernedwithlandusesnearthetwopublic‐useairportsinthecounty,BuchananFieldAirportandByronAirport.

Policiesapplicabletotheprogramareexcerptedbelow(ContraCostaCounty2000).





6.5 Compatibility Zone “C1” Criteria

6.5.4HeightLimitations–Unlessspecificexemptionisgranted(seeCountywidePolicy4.3.2),theheightofobjectswithinCompatibilityZoneC1shallbelimitedinaccordancewiththeByronAirportAirspaceProtectionSurfacesdrawing(Figure4A).

(a)Generally,thereisnoconcernwithregardtoanyobjectupto100feettallunlessitislocatedonhighgroundoritisasolitaryobject(e.g.,anantenna)morethan35feettallerthanothernearbyobjects.

(b)ALUCreviewisrequiredforanyproposedobjecttallerthan100feet.

6.7. Compatibility Zone “D” Criteria

6.7.4.HeightLimitations—SeecriteriaforCompatibilityZoneC1.

6.8 Height Exception Overlay Zone

6.8.1.HeightLimitations—Unlessaspecificexemptionisgranted(seeCountywidePolicy4.3.2),theheightofobjectswithintheHeightExceptionOverlayZoneshallbelimitedinaccordancewiththeByronAirportAirspaceProtectionSurfacesdrawing(Figure4A).

(a)Objectswithinthiszonemayexceedtheheightlimitsestablishedinaccordancewithfederalairspaceprotectionstandardsiftheheightislessthanthatofnearbyobjectsorterrain.

(b)Generally,thereisnoconcernwithregardtoanyobjectupto50feettallunlessitislocatedonhighgroundoritisasolitaryobject(e.g.,anantenna)morethan35feettallerthanothernearbyobjects.

(c) ALUCreviewisrequiredforanyproposedobjecttallerthan50feet.

6.8.2.OtherDevelopmentConditions

(a) DedicationofanavigationeasementtoContraCostaCountyshallberequiredasaconditionforapprovalofanydevelopmentinthiszonehavingaheightinexcessof50feet.SeeCountywidePolicy4.3.3.

(b) Allothercriteriaoftheunderlyingcompatibilityzoneshallapply.

Best Management Practices

AsdiscussedunderChapter3.6,GeologyandSoils,anyfutureprojectthatwoulddisturb1ormoreacresofsoil,orwoulddisturblessthan1acrebutispartofalargercommonplanofdevelopmentmustobtaincoverageunderGeneralPermitOrder2010‐0014‐DWQ.CoverageundertheGeneralPermitrequiresdevelopmentandimplementationofaStormwaterPollutionPreventionPlan(SWPPP).TheSWPPPmustincludeplansforerosionandsedimentcontrolandwouldadheretotheCounty’sgradingordinanceandBMPs.TypicalconstructionerosioncontrolBMPsarelistedbelow.

Performclearingandearthmovingactivitiesonlyduringdryweather.

Limitconstructionaccessroutesandstabilizedesignatedaccesspoints.

Prohibitcleaning,fueling,andmaintainingvehiclesonsite,exceptinadesignatedareawherewashwateriscontainedandtreated.

Properlystore,handle,anddisposeofconstructionmaterials/wastestopreventcontactwithstormwater.

Trainandprovideinstructiontoallemployees/subcontractorsonconstructionBMPs.





Controlandpreventdischargeofallpotentialpollutants,includingpavementcuttingwastes,paints,concrete,petroleumproducts,chemicals,washwaterorsediments,rinsewaterfromarchitecturalcopper,andnon‐stormwaterdischargestostormdrainsandwatercourses.

Alameda County Wind Farm Standard Conditions

AsdiscussedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,thereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty.SetbackrequirementsoriginallydevelopedforAlamedaCountywindfarmsinthe1980sand1990sweretypicallyappliedtowindprojectsusingoldergenerationturbines;however,theserequirementshavebeendeemedinappropriateforthefourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepowering.Accordingly,theCountyhasdevelopedasetofupdatedstandardstobeusedforproposedrepoweringprojects.TheseareshowninTable2‐2.

Professional Standards for Environmental Site Assessments

TheAmericanSocietyofTestingandMaterials(ASTM)establishedASTME1527‐00StandardPracticeforEnvironmentalSiteAssessments:PhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentProcess(PhaseIESA).ThepurposeoftheASTMstandardsistoidentify,totheextentfeasible,recognizedenvironmentalconditionsinconnectionwithasubjectproperty.ASTMdefinesrecognizedenvironmentalconditionasthepresenceorlikelypresenceofhazardoussubstancesasdefinedbythefederalComprehensiveEnvironmentalResponse,Compensation,andLiabilityAct,aswellasconditionsthatindicateanexistingrelease,apastrelease,oramaterialthreatofareleaseofpetroleumproductsintotheground,groundwater,orsurfacewater.

AccordingtoASTM,thePhaseIESAisacomprehensiveassessmentandistobeperformedbyanenvironmentalprofessional.Thedutiesoftheenvironmentalprofessionalincludethreetasks:interviewsandsitereconnaissance,reviewandinterpretationofinformation,andoversightofwritingthereport.

Anenvironmentalprofessionalisdefinedassomeonewithatleastoneofthequalificationslistedbelow.

AcurrentProfessionalEngineer’sorProfessionalGeologist’slicenseorregistrationfromastateorU.S.territorywith3yearsequivalentfull‐timeexperience.

ABaccalaureateorhigherdegreefromanaccreditedinstitutionofhighereducationinadisciplineofengineeringorscienceand5yearsequivalentfull‐timeexperience.

Theequivalentof10yearsfull‐timeexperience.

Environmental Setting

Blade Throw

Onepotentialhazardofwindturbineoperationisbladethrow.Bladethrowcanoccurifallorpartofarotorbladedetachesfromtheturbine,typicallyasaresultofequipmentfailureoranextremeeventsuchaslightningstrikeorhighwinds.Thedistanceabladeisthrowndependsonseveralfactors:turbineheight,topography,bladeorbladefragmentlength,rotorspeed,windspeed,anddepartureangle(LarwoodandvanDam2006).Bladefragmentshavethepotentialtoflyfartherthancompletebladesbecausetheinitialvelocityatfailuretendstobehigherforafragmentthanforafullblade.Ingeneral,bladethrowtakesplacepredominantlyintheplaneofrotation,not





downwind;however,becauseturbinenacellesturntofacethewind,thepotentialhazardzoneisconsideredasaradiusofthepotentialbladethrowdistancewiththetowerascenterpoint.

Theaveragewindturbineheightintheprogramarearangesfrom18to55metersforexistingfirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesandfrom65to88metersforthird‐generationturbines.Theturbineheightoffourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepoweringrangesfrom121to153meters.Usingthesetbackrequirementsabove,theminimumdistancetoensuresafetyfrombladethrowhazardwouldbe459metersfrombuildingsitesand918metersfromI‐580forthetallerwindturbines.

Examinationoftheexistingwindenergyfacilitiesindicatesthatapproximatelysevenexistingwindturbinesarelessthanthreetimestheturbineheightfromhumanstructures(e.g.,countyroadsandresidences).

Nearby Schools and Airports

ThenearestschooltotheprojectisMountainHouseElementary(3950MountainHouseRoad,Byron),approximately0.48mileeastoftheAPWRA.SanJoaquinDeltaCollege(2073SouthCentralParkway)isapproximately0.5mileeastoftheAPWRA.

ThenearestpublicuseairporttotheprojectareasisByronAirport,1.26milenorthoftheAPWRA,andthenearestprivateairstripisMeadowlarkAirfield,3.16milessouthoftheAPWRA.

Fire Protection

Fire Protection Providers

TheclosestCALFIREstationtotheprojectareaistheCastleRockStationat16502SchulteRoadinthecityofTracy,approximately3mileseastoftheeasternprogramareaboundary.TheCastleRockStationispartoftheCALFIRE’sSantaClaraUnit.Thisisaseasonalstationgenerallyoperatingduringfireseason,whichtypicallyextendsfromthemiddleofMaythroughtheendofOctober.

CrewsandequipmentfromseveraldifferentlocationsrespondtowildlandfiresintheAPWRA.AccordingtoMikeMartin(pers.comm.2013),BattalionChiefofCALFIREBattalion4,SantaClaraUnit,atypicalCALFIREresponsetoafullwildlanddispatchwouldinvolvetheresourceslistedbelow.

Six4‐wheel‐driveenginesdispatchedfromTracy,EastContraCosta,Sunol,andPatterson,eachcapableofholding500gallonsofwater.

Twoairtankers,eachcapableofholding1,200gallonsofwater.

OnehelicopterfromtheSantaClaraUnitwitha6‐personcrew.

Onebattalionchief.

Onetothreewatertendertrucks,eachcapableofholding2,000gallonsofwater.

Twobulldozers.

21five‐personhandcrewsdispatchedfromDeltaCampinFairfield.

Oneairtacticalaircraft,afixed‐wingaircraftusedasaerialcommandandcontrolofaircraftonwildlandfires,dispatchedfromHollister.





AlthoughtheAPWRAisunderCALFIREjurisdiction,theAlamedaCountyFireDepartment(ACFD)wouldalsorespondtoanywildlandfireintheprogramarea.TheACFDisaConsolidatedDepartmentwithatotalof30firestationsservingtheunincorporatedareasofAlamedaCounty;thecitiesofSanLeandro,Dublin,Newark,UnionCity;theLawrenceBerkeleyNationalLaboratory;andtheLawrenceLivermoreNationalLaboratory.Servicesincludefiresuppression,arsoninvestigation,hazardousmaterialsmitigation,paramedicservices,urbansearchandrescue,fireprevention,andpubliceducation.

Stations20and8arethetwoACFDstationsclosesttotheprogramarea.Station20islocatedattheLawrenceLivermoreLaboratoryat7000EastAvenueinLivermore,approximately3milesfromtheprogramarea’swesternboundary.Station20employstwocrewscomprisingeightfirefighters,oneTypeIIIengine,twoTypeIVapparatus(patrols),ahazardousmaterialsunit,andanambulance(AlamedaCountyFireDepartment2012).InadditiontotheLawrenceLivermoreLaboratory,areasofresponsibilityincludetheAltamontPassareatothecityofTracyboundariesandtheeasternedgeofthecounty(AlamedaCountyFireDepartmentn.d.[a]).

Station8,at1617CollegeAvenueinthemiddleofLivermore,servesabout250squaremilesofunincorporatedruralareaineastAlamedaCountyandisresponsible,inpart,forthevastunincorporatedareaoftheAltamontPass.Typically,Station8woulddispatchfourengines,a3,000‐gallonwatertender,andabattalionchief.

Engineshold500–700gallonsofwaterandrefillfromthewatertender(Berdanpers.comm.).Ifmorewaterisneeded,thewatertenderwouldlocatethenearestfirehydrantwhich,dependingofwherethefireislocated,couldbeasfarasthecityofLivermore(Berdanpers.comm.).Therearealso5,000‐gallonwatertanksonsomeofthepropertiesintheAltamontPass(AlamedaCountyFireDepartmentn.d.[b]).Finally,ifnecessary,helicopterscouldretrievewaterfromseveralreservoirs(e.g.,Bethany,CliftonCourtForebay,LosVaqueros)inandneartheAPWRA(Berdanpers.comm.).

TheACFDhasanautomaticaidagreementwiththeLivermore/PleasantonFireDepartment(LPFD),whichwillrespondtogetherwiththeACFDifneeded(Berdanpers.comm.).ThereisalsoamutualaidagreementbetweentheACFDandtheTracyRuralFireDepartment(TRFD)fortheareaseastofGrantLineRoadontheeasternedgeofthecountyline(AlamedaCountyFireDepartmentn.d.[b]).

Fire Hazards

Fivegeneralcategoriesoffireoriginareassociatedwithwindgenerators:hardwareandconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,construction‐relatedaccidents,andavianrelatedincidents.

Wildfiresrelatedtopowercollectionlinesandmalfunctionormechanicalfailureofturbinescanresultfromturbineoverload,bearingoverheating,orpendantcablefailure;suchincidentsoccurprimarilyonolderunits.(Apendantcableisacollectionoflow‐voltageandcommunicationcables,whichdropthroughthetopoftheturbinesupportstructureandconnecttoaweatherheadorjunctionboxatalowerlevelonthetower.)Ifnotproperlymaintained,thesecablesmaytwistandbindorrubandcauseanelectricalshort,emittingsparksorflames.Onun‐enclosedtowersthesparkscanescapethestructuremoreeasily.Avian‐relatedincidents(i.e.,electrocutedbirds)involvingbirdscatchingfireandfallingtothegroundhavealsobeenasourceofwindgenerator–relatedfiresintheprogramarea.

FirepreventionisrequiredundertheexistingCUPs.ExhibitCofthe2005CUPsdescribestheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirements.Themainmechanismforfirepreventionisthe





maintenanceofa30‐foot‐widefirebreakaroundbuildingsandstructures,includingturbines,riserpoles,andsubstations.Firebreaksaroundturbinesmaybeconstructedaroundaturbinestringratherthanindividualturbines.Electricallinesrequirea20‐footclearanceofflammablevegetation.InAlamedaCounty,thisisaccomplishedbyapplicationofherbicideinOctoberorNovember.Amechanismforfirepreventiononturbinesistheprovisionofayawdamperorotherapprovedmethodtopreventtheover‐twistingofpendantcablesandtheuseofinsulatedandconductivematerialstopreventavianelectrocution.ExhibitCalsorequiresyear‐roundwatersuppliesofatleast5,000gallonstobeprovidedforfirefightingpurposesinstrategiclocationsthroughoutthesubjectprojectareaaswellasthepreparationofanannualfirepreventionplan.Thefirepreventionplanincludesamapoffacilities,watersupplylocations,andaccessroutes.

Inviewofthefirehazardzoningandthestate’sjurisdictionovertheprogramarearelatedtofireprotection,thestatutoryandregulatorypublicsafetyrequirementstominimizetheriskofwildlandfirethataredescribedabovewouldapplytotheprogram.

3.8.2 Environmental Impacts

Methods for Analysis

Evaluationofhazardsandhazardousmaterialsisbasedoninformationfrompublishedmaps,reports,AlamedaCountygeneralplandocuments,theCounty’supdatedsetbackrequirements,telephoneinterviewswithfireprotectionagencies,andotherdocumentsthatdescribethepotentialforhazardsandhazardousmaterialsoccurrenceintheAPWRA.Nofieldworkorhazardousmaterialssitesdatabasesearcheswereconductedfortheproposedprogram.Theanalysisassumesthatexistingturbinefacilitieswillcontinuetobeoperatedconsistentwiththe2005CUPs(andthe2007CUPAmendments)untilsuchtimeaseachsiteisrepoweredordecommissioned.

Determination of Significance

InaccordancewithAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelines,programAlternative1,programAlternative2,theGoldenHillsproject,orthePattersonPassprojectwouldbeconsideredtohaveasignificanteffectifitwouldresultinanyoftheconditionslistedbelow.

Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials.

Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment.

Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithinone‐quartermileofanexistingorproposedschool.

BelocatedonasitethatisincludedonalistofhazardousmaterialssitescompiledpursuanttoGovernmentCodeSection65962.5and,asaresult,woulditcreateasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment.

Belocatedwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,bewithintwomilesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,andresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.





Belocatedwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstripandresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.

Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.

Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands.

Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Thissectiondescribespotentialimpactsrelatedtohazardsandhazardousmaterialsthatcouldresultfromimplementationoftheproposedprogramandprojects.

ImpactHAZ‐1a‐1:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)

ConstructionassociatedwithAlternative1wouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.However,becausestandardconstructionBMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducepollutantemissionsduringconstruction,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.

Themajorityofhazardousmaterialstobeusedduringoperations,decommissioning,andremovalandreclamationactivities—fuels,oils,andlubricants—areoflowtoxicity.Asthesematerialsarerequiredforoperationofconstructionvehiclesandequipment,BMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducethepotentialfororexposuretoaccidentalspillsinvolvingtheuseofhazardousmaterials.

Asmallpercentage(fewerthan10%)ofgeneratorstoberemovedcouldcontainsmallamountsofasbestos(i.e.,the11‐inchwireleadconnectioninsulation/coveringismadefromasbestos).Additionally,inaccordancewithindustrystandardsinpracticeatthetimetheturbineswerebuilt,thetowersandnacellemachinecomponentswerelikelyoriginallycoatedwithgalvanizedzinc,whichcontainstraceamountsoflead.Disturbanceofthesematerialscouldcausetheirreleaseintotheenvironmentorendangerworkersafetyandhealth.However,windturbineswillbecarefullydisassembledandremovedinamannerconsistentwithrecyclingand/orresellingtheunits.Thisprocedurewillhelpensurethatturbinecomponentswillnotbedamagedandreleaseeitherleadorasbestosintotheenvironment.Theamountofleadandasbestospotentiallyencounteredisverysmallandnotlikelytoexceedleadorasbestosexposurelevelsingeneralconstructionregulations.AdherencetocurrentBMPsdesignedtolimitworkerexposuretoleadand/orasbestoswillbeimplemented.TheseBMPswillbeguidedbyOSHA’sleadandasbestosstandardsasoutlinedin29CFR1910.134and29CFR1926.1101.

Onceconstructioniscomplete,therewouldbelittleuseofhazardousmaterialsorpotentialexposureassociatedwithprogramAlternative1.Dielectricfluidtobeusedintransformersisbiodegradable,containsnoPCBs,andisnotconsideredahazardousmaterial.Accordingly,underthisalternativethepotentialforhazardousmaterialstoendangerthepublicortheenvironmentislessthansignificantandnomitigationisrequired.





ImpactHAZ‐1a‐2:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)

ConstructionassociatedwithAlternative2wouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.However,becausestandardconstructionBMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducepollutantemissionsduringconstruction,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.



Onceconstructioniscomplete,therewouldbelittleuseofhazardousmaterialsorpotentialexposureassociatedwithprogramAlternative2.Dielectricfluidtobeusedintransformersisbiodegradable,containsnoPCBs,andisnotconsideredahazardousmaterial.

Accordingly,underthisalternativethepotentialforhazardousmaterialstoendangerthepublicortheenvironmentislessthansignificantandnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐1b:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)

Constructionoftheproposedprojectwouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.However,becausestandardconstructionBMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducepollutantemissionsduringconstruction,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.

Duringconstruction,hazardousmaterialswouldbestoredatoneofthestagingareas(useofextremelyhazardousmaterialsisnotanticipated).Stagingareaswouldbeclearedofvegetation,graded,andcoveredwithgravel.Tominimizethepotentialforharmfulreleasesofhazardousmaterialsthroughspillsorcontaminatedrunoff,thesesubstanceswouldbestoredwithinsecondarycontainmentareasinaccordancewithfederal,state,andlocalrequirementsandpermitconditions.Storagefacilitiesforpetroleumproductswouldbeconstructed,operated,andmaintainedin





accordancewiththeSPCCplanthatwouldpreparedandimplementedfortheproposedproject(40CFR112),includingengineeringstandards(e.g.,secondarycontainment);administrativestandards(e.g.,trainingwithspecialemphasisonspillprevention,standardoperatingprocedures,inspections);andBMPs.

AHazardousMaterialsBusinessPlanwillbedevelopedfortheproposedproject.TheHMBPwouldcontainspecificinformationregardingthetypesandquantitiesofhazardousmaterialsassociatedwithprojectactivities,aswellastheirproduction,use,storage,spillresponse,transport,anddisposal.

Asmallpercentage(fewerthan10%)ofgeneratorstoberemovedcouldcontainsmallamountsofasbestos(i.e.,the11‐inchwireleadconnectioninsulation/coveringismadefromasbestos).Additionally,inaccordancewithindustrystandardsinpracticeatthetimetheturbineswerebuilt,thetowersandnacellemachinecomponentswerelikelyoriginallycoatedwithgalvanizedzinc,whichcontainstraceamountsoflead.Disturbanceofthesematerialscouldcausetheirreleaseintotheenvironmentorendangerworkersafetyandhealth.However,windturbineswillbecarefullydisassembledandremovedinamannerconsistentwithrecyclingand/orresellingtheunits.Thiswillhelpensurethatturbinecomponentswillnotbedamagedandreleaseeitherleadorasbestosintotheenvironment.Theamountofleadandasbestospotentiallyencounteredisverysmallandnotlikelytoexceedleadorasbestosexposureingeneralconstructionregulations.AdherencetocurrentBMPsdesignedtolimitworkerexposuretoleadand/orasbestoswillbeimplemented.TheseBMPswillbeguidedbyOSHA’sleadandasbestosstandardsasoutlinedin29CFR1910.134and29CFR1926.1101.

Onceconstructioniscomplete,therewouldbelittleuseofhazardousmaterialsorpotentialexposureassociatedwiththeproject.Lubricantsusedintheturbinegearboxarepotentiallyhazardous;however,thegearboxwouldbesealedtopreventlubricantleakageandwouldbesampledandtestedperiodicallytoconfirmthatitretainsadequatelubricatingproperties.Whenthelubricantshavedegradedtothepointwheretheynolongerprovidetheneededlubricatingproperties,thegearboxwouldbedrained,newlubricantwouldbeadded,andtheusedlubricantswouldbedisposedofatanappropriatefacilityinaccordancewithallapplicablelawsandregulations.

Transformerscontainoilforheatdissipation.ThetransformersaresealedandcontainnoPCBsormovingparts.Thetransformeroilwouldnotbesubjecttoperiodicinspectionanddoesnotneedreplacement.

O&Mvehicleswouldbeproperlymaintainedtominimizeleaksofmotoroils,hydraulicfluids,andfuels.Duringoperation,O&MvehicleswouldbeservicedandfueledattheexistingO&Mbuilding(usingfueltrucks)oratanoffsitelocation.Nostoragetanksarelocatedattheexistingwindfarm,andnoneareproposedfortheproposedproject.Accordingly,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.Nomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐1c:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughtheroutinetransport,use,ordisposalofhazardousmaterials—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

Constructionoftheproposedprojectwouldinvolvesmallquantitiesofcommonlyusedmaterials,suchasfuelsandoils,tooperateconstructionequipment.However,becausestandardconstruction





BMPswouldbeimplementedtoreducepollutantemissionsduringconstruction,thisimpactisconsideredlessthansignificant.



Onceconstructioniscomplete,therewouldbelittleuseofhazardousmaterialsorpotentialexposureassociatedwiththeprogram.Dielectricfluidtobeusedintransformersisbiodegradable,containsnoPCBs,andisnotconsideredahazardousmaterial.Accordingly,thepotentialforhazardousmaterialstoendangerthepublicortheenvironmentislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐2a‐1:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)

Siteworkers,thepublic,andtheenvironmentcouldbeinadvertentlyexposedtopreexistingonsitecontaminantsduringprojectconstruction.Smallquantitiesofpotentiallytoxicsubstances(suchaspetroleumandotherchemicalsusedtooperateandmaintainconstructionequipment)wouldbeusedintheprogramareaandtransportedtoandfromtheareaduringconstruction.Duringoperation,largerquantities(morethan55gallonsofliquid,500poundsofsolids,or200cubicfeetofcompressedgases)offuelcouldbestoredinindividualprojectareas.Inaddition,fuelandotherpetroleumproductscouldbestoredonsite.Releaseofthesehazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentwouldbeasignificantimpact.

However,thehandlinganddisposalofthesematerialswouldbegovernedaccordingtoregulationsenforcedbyCUPA,Cal/OSHA,andDTSC,aspreviouslydiscussed.Inaddition,regulationsunderthefederalCleanWaterActrequirecontractorstoavoidallowingthereleaseofmaterialsintosurfacewatersaspartoftheirSWPPPandNPDESpermitrequirements(seeChapter9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,foradiscussionoftheCWAandSWPPPs).Thisregulatoryschemewouldensurethatsafetymeasuresandprecautionsaretaken,therebyreducinganypotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeaccidentalupsetorreleaseofhazardousmaterials.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.





ImpactHAZ‐2a‐2:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)

Siteworkers,thepublic,andtheenvironmentcouldbeinadvertentlyexposedtopreexistingonsitecontaminantsduringprojectconstruction.Smallquantitiesofpotentiallytoxicsubstances(suchaspetroleumandotherchemicalsusedtooperateandmaintainconstructionequipment)wouldbeusedintheprogramareaandtransportedtoandfromtheareaduringconstruction.Duringoperation,largerquantities(morethan55gallonsofliquid,500poundsofsolids,or200cubicfeetofcompressedgases)offuelcouldbestoredinindividualprojectareas.Inaddition,fuelandotherpetroleumproductscouldbestoredonsite.Releaseofthesehazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentwouldbeasignificantimpact.

However,thehandlinganddisposalofthesematerialswouldbegovernedaccordingtoregulationsenforcedbyCUPA,Cal/OSHA,andDTSC,aspreviouslydiscussed.Inaddition,regulationsunderthefederalCleanWaterActrequirecontractorstoavoidallowingthereleaseofmaterialsintosurfacewatersaspartoftheirSWPPPandNPDESpermitrequirements(seeChapter9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,foradiscussionoftheCWAandSWPPPs).Thisregulatoryschemewouldensurethatsafetymeasuresandprecautionsaretaken,therebyreducinganypotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeaccidentalupsetorreleaseofhazardousmaterials.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐2b:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)

Siteworkers,thepublic,andtheenvironmentcouldbeinadvertentlyexposedtopreexistingonsitecontaminantsduringprojectconstruction.Smallquantitiesofpotentiallytoxicsubstances(suchaspetroleumandotherchemicalsusedtooperateandmaintainconstructionequipment)wouldbeusedintheprogramareaandtransportedtoandfromtheareaduringconstruction.Duringoperation,largerquantities(morethan55gallonsofliquid,500poundsofsolids,or200cubicfeetofcompressedgases)offuelcouldbestoredintheprojectarea.Inaddition,fuelandotherpetroleumproductscouldbestoredonsite.Releaseofthesehazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentwouldbeasignificantimpact.

However,aspreviouslydiscussed,anHMBPwouldbedevelopedfortheproposedproject.TheHMBPwouldcontainspecificinformationregardingthetypesandquantitiesofhazardousmaterials,aswellasproduction,use,storage,spillresponse,transport,anddisposalofsuchmaterials.ThehandlinganddisposalofthesematerialswouldbegovernedaccordingtoregulationsenforcedbyCUPA,Cal/OSHA,andDTSC,aspreviouslydiscussed.Inaddition,regulationsunderthefederalCWArequirecontractorstoavoidallowingthereleaseofmaterialsintosurfacewatersaspartoftheirSWPPPandNPDESpermitrequirements(seeChapter9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,foradiscussionoftheCWAandSWPPPs).Thisregulatoryschemewouldensurethatsafetymeasuresandprecautionsaretaken,therebyreducinganypotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeaccidentalupsetorreleaseofhazardousmaterials.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.





ImpactHAZ‐2c:Createasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentthroughreasonablyforeseeableupsetandaccidentconditionsinvolvingthereleaseofhazardousmaterialsintotheenvironment—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

Siteworkers,thepublic,andtheenvironmentcouldbeinadvertentlyexposedtopreexistingonsitecontaminantsduringprojectconstruction.Smallquantitiesofpotentiallytoxicsubstances(suchaspetroleumandotherchemicalsusedtooperateandmaintainconstructionequipment)wouldbeusedintheprojectareaandtransportedtoandfromtheareaduringconstruction.Duringoperation,largerquantities(morethan55gallonsofliquid,500poundsofsolids,or200cubicfeetofcompressedgases)offuelcouldbestoredintheprojectarea.Inaddition,fuelandotherpetroleumproductscouldbestoredonsite.Releaseofthesehazardousmaterialsintotheenvironmentwouldbeasignificantimpact.

However,aspreviouslydiscussed,anHMBPwouldbedevelopedfortheproposedproject.TheHMBPwouldcontainspecificinformationregardingthetypesandquantitiesofhazardousmaterials,aswellasproduction,use,storage,spillresponse,transport,anddisposalofsuchmaterials.ThehandlinganddisposalofthesematerialswouldbegovernedaccordingtoregulationsenforcedbyCUPA,Cal/OSHA,andDTSC,aspreviouslydiscussed.Inaddition,regulationsunderthefederalCWArequirecontractorstoavoidallowingthereleaseofmaterialsintosurfacewatersaspartoftheirSWPPPandNPDESpermitrequirements(seeChapter9,HydrologyandWaterQuality,foradiscussionoftheCWAandSWPPPs).Thisregulatoryschemewouldensurethatsafetymeasuresandprecautionsaretaken,therebyreducinganypotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeaccidentalupsetorreleaseofhazardousmaterials.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐3a‐1:Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool—programAlternative1:417MW(noimpact)

TherearenopublicorprivateK–12schoolswithin0.25mileoftheprogramarea.Thenearestschoolisapproximately0.48mileeastofproposedwindfacilitiesanditisunlikelythathazardousmaterialswouldbeemittedorreleasedwithin0.25mileofanyschools.Also,implementationoftheSWPPPbycontractorswouldreducethepotentialofahazardousspillincident.Therewouldbenoimpact.

ImpactHAZ‐3a‐2:Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool—programAlternative2:450MW(noimpact)

TherearenopublicorprivateK–12schoolswithin0.25mileoftheprogramarea.Thenearestschoolisapproximately0.48mileeastofproposedwindfacilitiesanditisunlikelythathazardousmaterialswouldbeemittedorreleasedwithin0.25mileofanyschools.Also,implementationoftheSWPPPbycontractorswouldreducethepotentialofahazardousspillincident.Therewouldbenoimpact.





ImpactHAZ‐3b:Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool—GoldenHillsProject(noimpact)

TherearenopublicorprivateK–12schoolswithin0.25mileoftheprojectarea.Thenearestschoolisapproximately0.48mileeastofproposedwindfacilitiesanditisunlikelythathazardousmaterialswouldbeemittedorreleasedwithin0.25mileofanyschools.Also,implementationoftheSWPPPbycontractorswouldreducethepotentialofahazardousspillincident.Therewouldbenoimpact.

ImpactHAZ‐3c:Emithazardousemissionsorinvolvehandlinghazardousoracutelyhazardousmaterials,substances,orwastewithin0.25mileofanexistingorproposedschool—PattersonPassProject(noimpact)

TherearenopublicorprivateK–12schoolswithin0.25mileoftheprojectarea.Thenearestschoolisapproximately0.50mileeastofproposedwindfacilitiesanditisunlikelythathazardousmaterialswouldbeemittedorreleasedwithin0.25mileofanyschools.Also,implementationoftheSWPPPbycontractorswouldreducethepotentialofahazardousspillincident.Therewouldbenoimpact.

ImpactHAZ‐4a‐1:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Itisnotknownifhazardousmaterialssitesarepresent.However,thepotentialfortheexistenceofhazardousmaterialsisgenerallylow.LandusesintheAPWRAincludeagriculture,grazing,ridingandhikingtrails,andwindfarms.Someoftheselandusesinvolvetheuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials(e.g.,fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionofindividualwindprojects,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4awouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheprogram.Therefore,futurerepoweringprojectswouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.

MitigationMeasureHAZ‐4:PerformaPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentpriortoconstructionactivitiesandremediateifnecessary

Priortoconstruction,theprojectproponentwillconductaPhaseIenvironmentalsiteassessmentinconformancewiththeAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterialsStandardPracticeE1527‐05.Allenvironmentalinvestigation,sampling,andremediationactivitiesassociatedwithpropertiesintheprojectareawillbeconductedunderaworkplanapprovedbytheregulatoryoversightagencyandwillbeconductedbytheappropriateenvironmentalprofessionalconsistentwithPhaseIsiteassessmentrequirementsasdetailedbelow.Theresultsofanyinvestigationand/orremediationactivitiesconductedintheprojectareawillbeincludedintheproject‐levelEIR.





APhaseIenvironmentalsiteassessmentshould,ataminimum,includethecomponentslistedbelow.

Anonsitevisittoidentifycurrentconditions(e.g.,vegetativedieback,chemicalspillresidue,presenceofabove‐orundergroundstoragetanks).

Anevaluationofpossiblerisksposedbyneighboringproperties.

Interviewswithpersonsknowledgeableaboutthesite’shistory(e.g.,currentorpreviouspropertyowners,propertymanagers).

Anexaminationoflocalplanningfilestocheckpriorlandusesandanypermitsgranted.

Filesearcheswithappropriateagencies(e.g.,StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,firedepartment,Countyhealthdepartment)havingoversightauthorityrelativetowaterqualityandgroundwaterandsoilcontamination.

Examinationofhistoricalaerialphotographyofthesiteandadjacentproperties.

Areviewofcurrentandhistorictopographicmapsofthesitetodeterminedrainagepatterns.

Anexaminationofchain‐of‐titleforenvironmentalliensand/oractivityandlanduselimitations.

IfthePhaseIenvironmentalsiteassessmentindicateslikelysitecontamination,aPhaseIIenvironmentalsiteassessmentwillbeperformed(alsobyanenvironmentalprofessional).

APhaseIIenvironmentalsiteassessmentwouldcomprisethefollowing.

Collectionoforiginalsurfaceand/orsubsurfacesamplesofsoil,groundwater,andbuildingmaterialstoanalyzeforquantitiesofvariouscontaminants.

Ananalysistodeterminetheverticalandhorizontalextentofcontamination(iftheevidencefromsamplingshowscontamination).

IfcontaminationisuncoveredaspartofPhaseIorIIenvironmentalsiteassessments,remediationwillberequired.Ifmaterialssuchasasbestos‐containingmaterials,lead‐basedpaint,orPCB‐containingequipmentareidentified,thesematerialswillbeproperlymanagedanddisposedofpriortoorduringthedemolitionprocess.

AnycontaminatedsoilidentifiedonaprojectsitemustbeproperlydisposedofinaccordancewithDTSCregulationsineffectatthetime.

HazardouswastesgeneratedbytheproposedprojectwillbemanagedinaccordancewiththeCaliforniaHazardousWasteControlLaw(HSC,Division20,Chapter6.5)andtheHazardousWasteControlRegulation(Title22,CCR,Division4.5).

If,duringconstruction/demolitionofstructures,soilorgroundwatercontaminationissuspected,theconstruction/demolitionactivitieswillceaseandappropriatehealthandsafetyprocedureswillbeimplemented,includingtheuseofappropriatepersonalprotectiveequipment(e.g.,respiratoryprotection,protectiveclothing,helmets,goggles).





ImpactHAZ‐4a‐2:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Itisnotknownifhazardousmaterialssitesarepresent.However,thepotentialfortheexistenceofhazardousmaterialsisgenerallylow.LandusesintheAPWRAincludeagriculture,grazing,ridingandhikingtrails,andwindfarms.Someoftheselandusesinvolvetheuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials(e.g.,fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionofindividualwindprojects,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4awouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheprogram.Therefore,futurerepoweringprojectswouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.


ImpactHAZ‐4b:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Itisnotknownifhazardousmaterialssitesarepresent.However,thepotentialfortheexistenceofhazardousmaterialsisgenerallylow.LandusesintheAPWRAincludeagriculture,grazing,ridingandhikingtrails,andwindfarms.Someoftheselandusesinvolvetheuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials(e.g.,fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionoftheproposedproject,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4awouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheprogram.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.


ImpactHAZ‐4c:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Itisnotknownifhazardousmaterialssitesarepresent.However,thepotentialfortheexistenceofhazardousmaterialsisgenerallylow.LandusesintheAPWRAincludeagriculture,grazing,ridingandhikingtrails,andwindfarms.Someoftheselandusesinvolvetheuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials(e.g.,fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionoftheproposedproject,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.





AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheprogram.Therefore,theproposedprojectwouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.


ImpactHAZ‐5a‐1:Locationwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,within2milesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

TheclosestpublicairporttotheproposedprojectistheByronAirport,locatedapproximately2.08milesnortheastoftheprogramareaboundary.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofapublicairport,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducethemajorityoftheprojects’potentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofrisk.

However,thenortheasterncorneroftheprogramareaiswithintheByronAirportinfluenceareainCompatibilityZonesC‐1andDandtheHeightExceptionOverlayZone.Applicablepoliciesaspreviouslydescribedspecifyheightlimitationsforthisarea.ThesepoliciesstipulateconsultationwithandreviewbytheContraCostaALUCforanyproposedobjecttallerthan100feet.Constructionofstructuresmorethan100feetabovegroundlevelwithintheairportinfluencezonescouldcauseanobstructionorhazardtoairnavigation.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐5,wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

MitigationMeasureHAZ‐5:CoordinatewiththeContraCostaALUCpriortofinaldesign

IfwindturbinesareproposedtobeconstructedwithintheByronAirportinfluenceareazones,theprojectproponentwillcoordinateandconsultwiththeContraCostaCountyAirportLandUseCommissionandrequestreviewandobtainapprovalofthefinaldesignandplacementofwindturbines.Inaddition,theprojectproponentwillincorporateanyALUCrecommendationsintothefinaldesign.

ImpactHAZ‐5a‐2:Locationwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,within2milesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

TheclosestpublicairporttotheproposedprojectistheByronAirport,locatedapproximately2.08milesnortheastoftheprogramarea.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofapublicairport,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettalland





mustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducethemajorityoftheprojects’potentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofrisk.

However,thenortheasterncorneroftheprogramareaiswithintheByronAirportinfluenceareainCompatibilityZonesC‐1andDandtheHeightExceptionOverlayZone.Applicablepoliciesaspreviouslydescribed,specifyheightlimitationsforthisarea.ThesepoliciesstipulateconsultationwithandreviewbytheContraCostaALUCforanyproposedobjecttallerthan100feet.Constructionofstructuresmorethan100feetabovegroundlevelwithintheairportinfluencezonescouldcauseanobstructionorhazardtoairnavigation.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureHAZ‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

MitigationMeasureHAZ‐5:CoordinatewiththeContraCostaALUCpriortofinaldesign

ImpactHAZ‐5b:Locationwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,within2milesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)

TheclosestpublicairporttotheproposedprojectistheByronAirport,approximately6.5milesnortheastoftheprojectarea.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofapublicairport,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducethemajorityoftheproject’spotentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofrisk.

ImpactHAZ‐5c:Locationwithinanairportlanduseplanareaor,wheresuchaplanhasnotbeenadopted,within2milesofapublicairportorpublicuseairport,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

TheclosestpublicairporttotheproposedprojectistheByronAirport,locatedapproximately6.5milesnorthoftheprojectarea.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofapublicairport,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.





CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheproject’spotentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

ImpactHAZ‐6a‐1:Locationwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)

Theprogramareaboundaryisapproximately2.43milesnortheastoftheMeadowlarkAirstrip,thenearestknownprivateairstrip.Becausetheprogramareaisnotwithin2milesofaprivateairstrip,implementationofprogramAlternative1wouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprogramarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheprojects’potentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

ImpactHAZ‐6a‐2:Locationwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)

Theprogramareaboundaryisapproximately2.43milesnortheastoftheMeadowlarkAirstrip,thenearestknownprivateairstrip.Becausetheprogramareaisnotwithin2milesofaprivateairstrip,implementationofprogramAlternative2wouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprogramarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheprojects’potentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

ImpactHAZ‐6b:Locationwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)

Theprojectareaisapproximately8milesnortheastoftheMeadowlarkAirstrip.Becausetheprojectareaisnotwithin2milesofaprivateairstrip,implementationoftheprojectwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheproject’spotentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.





ImpactHAZ‐6c:Locationwithinthevicinityofaprivateairstrip,resultinginasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprojectarea—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

Theprojectareaisapproximately3.42milesnortheastoftheMeadowlarkAirstrip.Becausetheprogramareaisnotwithin2milesofaprivateairstrip,implementationoftheprogramwouldnotgenerallyresultinasafetyhazardforpeopleresidingorworkingintheprogramarea.Also,asdiscussedinChapter2,ProjectDescription,allrepowerwindturbineswouldrequireFAAlightingasmostwouldbemorethan200feettallandmustbeindividuallylitwithobstructionlighting.ThroughitsNoticeofProposedConstructionorAlteration(Form7460.1),theFAAwouldreviewtheproposedprojectspriortoconstruction(14CFRPart77).TheFAAanalysiswouldincludeareviewofproposedmarking(paintscheme)andnighttimelightingtoensurethataircraftcouldreadilyidentifyandavoidthewindturbines.CompliancewithFAArequirementswouldreducetheproject’spotentialaviationsafetyimpactstoanacceptablelevelofriskandthereforetoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

ImpactHAZ‐7a‐1:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan—programAlternative1:417WM(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

ExistingvehiculartrafficisassociatedwithoperationsandmaintenanceofprojectfacilitiesandisnotanticipatedtochangeunderprogramAlternative1.Accordingly,operationoftheprogramwouldhavenoimpact.Duringconstruction,therewouldbeanincreaseinvehiculartraffictransportingworkcrews,equipment,andmaterials.

AsspecifiedinSection3.15,Transportation/Traffic,aTrafficControlPlan(TCP)wouldbepreparedforeachproposedrepoweringprojecttoreducehazardsthatcouldresultfromtheincreasedtrucktraffic,andtoensurethattrafficflowonlocalpublicroadsandhighwayswouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporarylandconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.

ProjectsproposedwithintheunincorporatedareaofthecountyarereviewedbytheAlamedaCountyFireDepartmentduringthebuildingpermitprocesstoensurethattheyareconsistentwithadoptedemergencyresponseplansandemergencyevacuationplans.Consequently,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.

Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towers,andothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldtakeplaceatanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans)regulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprogramarea.Accordingly,decommissioningactivitieswouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

MitigationMeasureTRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan





ImpactHAZ‐7a‐2:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan—programAlternative2:450WM(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

ExistingvehiculartrafficisassociatedwithoperationsandmaintenanceofprojectfacilitiesandisnotanticipatedtochangeunderprogramAlternative2.Accordingly,operationoftheprogramwouldhavenoimpact.Duringconstruction,therewouldbeanincreaseinvehiculartraffictransportingworkcrews,equipment,andmaterials.

AsspecifiedinSection3.15,Transportation/Traffic,aTrafficControlPlan(TCP)wouldbepreparedforeachproposedrepoweringprojecttoreducehazardsthatcouldresultfromtheincreasedtrucktraffic,andtoensurethattrafficflowonlocalpublicroadsandhighwayswouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporarylandconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.

ProjectsproposedwithintheunincorporatedareaofthecountyarereviewedbytheAlamedaCountyFireDepartmentduringthebuildingpermitprocesstoensurethattheyareconsistentwithadoptedemergencyresponseplansandemergencyevacuationplans.Consequently,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.

Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towers,andothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldtakeplaceatanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans)regulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprogramarea.Accordingly,decommissioningactivitieswouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


ImpactHAZ‐7b:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Existingvehiculartrafficisassociatedwithoperationsandmaintenanceofprojectfacilitiesandisnotanticipatedtochangeundertheproposedproject.Accordingly,operationoftheprojectwouldhavenoimpact.Duringconstruction,therewouldbeanincreaseinvehiculartraffictransportingworkcrews,equipment,andmaterials.ATrafficManagementPlanwouldbepreparedfortheproposedprojecttoreducehazardsthatcouldresultfromtheincreasedtrucktraffic,andtoensurethattrafficflowonlocalpublicroadsandhighwayswouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporarylandconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.ProjectsproposedwithintheunincorporatedareaofthecountyarereviewedbytheAlamedaCountyFireDepartmentduringthebuildingpermitprocesstoensurethattheyareconsistentwithadoptedemergencyresponseplansandemergency





evacuationplans.Consequently,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towersandothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldoccuratanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaltransregulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprojectarea.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


ImpactHAZ‐7c:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

Existingvehiculartrafficisassociatedwithoperationsandmaintenanceofprojectfacilitiesandisnotanticipatedtochangeundertheproposedproject.Accordingly,operationoftheprojectwouldhavenoimpact.Duringconstruction,therewouldbeanincreaseinvehiculartraffictransportingworkcrews,equipment,andmaterials.ConstructiontrafficroutingwouldbeestablishedinaConstructionTrafficPlan,whichwouldincludeatrafficsafetyandsigningplanpreparedbytheprojectengineersincoordinationwithAlamedaCountyandotherrelatedagencies.Theplanwoulddefinehours,routes,andsafetyandmanagementrequirements.EDFwouldobtainallnecessarypermitsandregulatoryapprovalssubjecttoreviewunderapplicablelaw.Theproposedprojectwouldthereforenotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towersandothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldoccuratanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaltransregulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprojectarea.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducepotentialimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


ImpactHAZ‐8a‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands—programAlternative1:417WM(lessthansignificant)

Theprogramareaconsistsprimarilyofgrasslandandgrazingland.Dryclimateconditionscreatecircumstancesrichwithfuels,althoughactivegrazing,agriculturalirrigation,andlandscapeirrigationprovidesomefuelreduction.Humanactivitiesaretheprimaryreasonwildfiresstart,althoughlightningstrikesdooccasionallyoccur.Asdiscussedabove,themostlikelysourceofanignitionfromtheprojectwouldbehardwareand/orconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,andavian‐relatedincidents.

ProgramAlternative1wouldentailtheremovalofexistingturbinesandinstallationofnewturbines.Decommissioningandremovingexistingwindturbineswouldrequireadditionalworkcrews,temporarilyincreasingthenumberofvehiclesintheindividualprojectareas.Climateconditionstogetherwiththepotentialforvehicle‐relatedignitionsmakethisaconcern,especiallyduringthesummermonths.

Thepotentialforwildlandfiresalreadyexistsintheprogramareaduetothepresenceofthewindenergyfacilities.BecauseCALFIREandACFDalreadyprovidefireprotectionservicestotheprogramarea,thefireprotectionfacilitiesandinfrastructurerequiredtoprotecttheexisting





facilitiesareinplace.TheprogramwouldnotaltertheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirementsasdescribedinExhibitCofthe2005CUPs.Consequently,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfiresislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐8a‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands—programAlternative2:450WM(lessthansignificant)

Theprogramareaconsistsprimarilyofgrasslandandgrazingland.Dryclimateconditionscreatecircumstancesrichwithfuels,althoughactivegrazing,agriculturalirrigation,andlandscapeirrigationprovidesomefuelreduction.Humanactivitiesaretheprimaryreasonwildfiresstart,althoughlightningstrikesdooccasionallyoccur.Asdiscussedabove,themostlikelysourceofanignitionfromtheprojectwouldbehardwareand/orconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,andavian‐relatedincidents.

ProgramAlternative2wouldentailtheremovalofexistingturbinesandinstallationofnewturbines.Decommissioningandremovingexistingwindturbineswouldrequireadditionalworkcrews,temporarilyincreasingthenumberofvehiclesintheindividualprojectareas.Climateconditionstogetherwiththepotentialforvehicle‐relatedignitionsmakethisaconcern,especiallyduringthesummermonths.

Thepotentialforwildlandfiresalreadyexistsintheprogramareaduetothepresenceofthewindenergyfacilities.BecauseCALFIREandACFDalreadyprovidefireprotectionservicestotheprogramarea,thefireprotectionfacilitiesandinfrastructurerequiredtoprotecttheexistingfacilitiesareinplace.TheprogramwouldnotaltertheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirementsasdescribedinExhibitCofthe2005CUPs.Consequently,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfiresislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐8b:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)

Theprojectareaconsistsprimarilyofgrasslandandgrazingland.Dryclimateconditionscreatecircumstancesrichwithfuels,althoughactivegrazing,agriculturalirrigation,andlandscapeirrigationprovidesomefuelreduction.Humanactivitiesaretheprimaryreasonwildfiresstart,althoughlightningstrikesdooccasionallyoccur.Asdiscussedabove,themostlikelysourceofanignitionfromtheprojectwouldbehardwareand/orconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,andavian‐relatedincidents.

Theproposedprojectwouldentailtheremovalofexistingturbinesandinstallationofnewturbines.Decommissioningandremovingexistingwindturbineswouldrequireadditionalworkcrews,temporarilyincreasingthenumberofvehiclesintheprojectarea.Climateconditionstogetherwiththepotentialforvehicle‐relatedignitionsmakethisaconcern,especiallyduringthesummermonths.

Thepotentialforwildlandfiresalreadyexistsintheprojectareaduetothepresenceofthewindenergyfacilities.BecauseCALFIREandACFDalreadyprovidefireprotectionservicestotheproject





area,thefireprotectionfacilitiesandinfrastructurerequiredtoprotecttheexistingfacilitiesareinplace.TheproposedprojectwouldnotaltertheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirementsasdescribedinExhibitCofthe2005CUPs.Consequently,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfiresislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐8c:Exposepeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfires,includingwherewildlandsareadjacenttourbanizedareasorwhereresidencesareintermixedwithwildlands—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

Theprojectareaconsistsprimarilyofgrasslandandgrazingland.Dryclimateconditionscreatecircumstancesrichwithfuels,althoughactivegrazing,agriculturalirrigation,andlandscapeirrigationprovidesomefuelreduction.Humanactivitiesaretheprimaryreasonwildfiresstart,althoughlightningstrikesdooccasionallyoccur.Asdiscussedabove,themostlikelysourceofanignitionfromtheprojectwouldbehardwareand/orconductorfailuresofpowercollectionlines,droppingofcollectionlines,turbinemalfunctionormechanicalfailure,andavian‐relatedincidents.

Theproposedprojectwouldentailtheremovalofexistingturbinesandinstallationofnewturbines.Decommissioningandremovingexistingwindturbineswouldrequireadditionalworkcrews,temporarilyincreasingthenumberofvehiclesintheprojectarea.Climateconditionstogetherwiththepotentialforvehicle‐relatedignitionsmakethisaconcern,especiallyduringthesummermonths.

Thepotentialforwildlandfiresalreadyexistsintheprojectareaduetothepresenceofthewindenergyfacilities.BecauseCALFIREandACFDalreadyprovidefireprotectionservicestotheprojectarea,thefireprotectionfacilitiesandinfrastructurerequiredtoprotecttheexistingfacilitiesareinplace.TheproposedprojectwouldnotaltertheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirementsasdescribedinExhibitCofthe2005CUPs.Consequently,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingwildlandfiresislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐9a‐1:Duringnormaloperation,theeffectsofbendingandstressonrotorbladesovertimecouldleadtobladefailureandbecomeapotentialbladethrowhazard—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificant)

Generally,setbackrequirementsforwindturbinesarebasedontheturbineheight.AccordingtoareportpreparedforCEC(LarwoodandvanDam2006),severalstudieshavebeenconductedinthelast25yearsusingvariousmethodstodeterminethefrequencyofbladethrow.Definitivedata,however,arelimited—particularlyforthecurrentgenerationofwindturbinesintermsofbladethrowdistances—becausetypicalfailurereportsdonotdifferentiatebetweenbladethrowandothertypesoffailures.

ThereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty;rather,setbacksaredeterminedonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinaccordancewiththestandardconditionsofapprovalforaCUP.TheAlamedaCountyWindFarmStandardConditionsrequiresaminimumsetbackofthreetimesthetotalheightoftheturbine(totopofblade),orfourtimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationistwoormoretimestheturbineheightaboveCountyroads,residences,propertyboundaries,transmissionfacilities,andrailroads.SetbackrequirementsfromI‐580aremorestringent,requiringasetbackofsixtimesthetotalheightoftheturbine,oreighttimesthe





totalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationoftheturbineistwoormoretimestheheightoftheturbineabovethetraveledwayofI‐580,butinnocaselessthan152meters.

Personsandfacilitieswithinthebladethrowhazardzonecouldbeatriskofdamage,injury,ordeathifstruckbyafallingblade.Peoplepotentiallywithinthehazardzoneincludetheresidenceswithintheprogramarea,recreationalistsinandaroundBethanyReservoir,andmotoriststravellingalongI‐580andcountyroads.TheimportantinfrastructureinandadjacenttotheprogramareapotentiallysusceptibletodamagefrombladethrowincludesPG&Etransmissionlinesandwindfarmsubstations.

Thebladethrowhazarddistancefortheexistingwindenergyfacilitiesindicatesthatapproximatelysevenexistingwindturbinesarecloserthanthreetimestheturbineheighttocountyroadsandthreeresidences.Theseinconsistenciesmaybebecausetheturbinesarelocatedonvariedtopographyandthedistancemeasuredalongthegroundsurfaceisthroughspaceor“asthecrowflies.”Table3.8‐1showsthedistanceoftheclosestwindturbinestofacilitieswherepeoplearemostoftenpresentintheAPWRA.Elevationrangesarenotconsideredinthesenumbers.

Table 3.8‐1. Facilities within Specified Setback Distances from Existing Turbines

FacilityType DistancefromClosestWindTurbine(meters[feet])

Interstate580 150(492)

DyerRoada 173(568)

AltamontPassRoada 95(312)

PattersonPassRoada 116(381)

VascoRoada 404(1,325)

Residence1a 163(535)

Residence3a 245(804)(GoldenHillsprojectarea)

Residence25a 213(699(GoldenHillsprojectarea)

BethanyReservoir 674(2,211)(GoldenHillsprojectarea)a Closerthanthreetimestheturbineheighttosensitivereceptor.

AsdescribedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,theturbineheightforfourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepoweringrangesfrom121to153meters.Usingthesetbackrequirementabove,theminimumsafedistanceinthecontextofbladethrowhazardzoneis,conservatively,459meters(1,506feet)forthetallerwindturbinesand918meters(3,012feet)fromI‐580.Ifexistingturbinesarereplacedwithfourth‐generationturbinesinthesamelocations,thebladethrowhazardzonecouldpossiblyencroachintosensitiveareasofhumanoccupancy.However,sitingofwindturbineswouldcomplywiththeStandardConditions,ensuringthatnonewwindturbineswouldbesitedwithinthebladethrowhazarddistance.Consequently—inrelationtotheseventurbinesmentionedabove—theprogramwouldhelpreduceimpactsrelatingtobladethrow.

Bladethrowrisksarealsoreducedasaresultofnewtechnologiesandengineeringdesigndevelopedoverthepastdecades.Mostcommerciallyavailableturbines,includingthoseproposedfortheprogram,areequippedwithsafetyandengineeringfeaturestoreducetheriskofbladefailureandaredesignedtoensuresafeoperationundernormalconditions.Fourth‐generationrotorsincludebladepitchcontrolsthatregulatetheangleoftherotorbladeintothewind,andredundantbrakemechanismsthatcancontrolspeedandshutdownorslowdowninresponsetoexcessivewindspeed.





Repoweringwouldreducethetotalnumberofwindturbinesintheprogramareabecauseofthevastlygreaternameplatecapacityoffourth‐generationturbines.Thereducednumberofturbineswouldalsoreducethepotentialforwindturbine‐relatedhazards.

Inmostoftheprogramarea,duelargelytothesetbackstandards,anypotentialforbladethrowwouldoccurwellwithinwindfarmboundaries—notinareasaccessibletothepublic.Individualwindfarmcompaniesstrictlycontrolaccesstotheexistingwindenergyfacilities,andoverallsiteaccessislimitedtopersonsapprovedforentrybythewindfarmoperatorsorlandowners.Thisstrictcontrolofpublicaccesswouldfurtherreducetheriskofpotentialbladestrikeintheprogramarea.Accordingly,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingbladethrowislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐9a‐2:Duringnormaloperation,theeffectsofbendingandstressonrotorbladesovertimecouldleadtobladefailureandbecomeapotentialbladethrowhazard—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificant)

Generally,setbackrequirementsforwindturbinesarebasedontheturbineheight.AccordingtoareportpreparedforCEC(LarwoodandvanDam2006),severalstudieshavebeenconductedinthelast25yearsusingvariousmethodstodeterminethefrequencyofbladethrow.Definitivedata,however,arelimited—particularlyforthecurrentgenerationofwindturbinesintermsofbladethrowdistances—becausetypicalfailurereportsdonotdifferentiatebetweenbladethrowandothertypesoffailures.

ThereisnoordinancedictatingsetbackconditionsinAlamedaCounty;rather,setbacksaredeterminedonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinaccordancewiththestandardconditionsofapprovalforaCUP.TheAlamedaCountyWindFarmStandardConditionsrequiresaminimumsetbackofthreetimesthetotalheightoftheturbine(totopofblade),orfourtimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationistwoormoretimestheturbineheightaboveCountyroads,residences,propertyboundaries,transmissionfacilities,andrailroads.SetbackrequirementsfromI‐580aremorestringent,requiringasetbackofsixtimesthetotalheightoftheturbine),oreighttimesthetotalheightoftheturbineifthegroundelevationoftheturbineistwoormoretimestheheightoftheturbineabovethetraveledwayofI‐580,butinnocaselessthan152meters.

Personsandfacilitieswithinthebladethrowhazardzonecouldbeatriskofdamage,injury,ordeathifstruckbyafallingblade.Peoplepotentiallywithinthehazardzoneincludetheresidenceswithintheprogramarea,recreationalistsinandaroundBethanyReservoir,andmotoriststravellingalongI‐580andcountyroads.TheimportantinfrastructureinandadjacenttotheprogramareapotentiallysusceptibletodamagefrombladethrowincludesPG&Etransmissionlinesandwindfarmsubstations.

Thebladethrowhazarddistancefortheexistingwindenergyfacilitiesindicatesthatapproximatelysevenexistingwindturbinesarecloserthanthreetimestheturbineheighttocountyroadsandthreeresidences.Theseinconsistenciesmaybebecausetheturbinesarelocatedonvariedtopographyandthedistancemeasuredalongthegroundsurfaceisthroughspaceor“asthecrowflies.”Table3.8‐1showsthedistanceoftheclosestwindturbinestofacilitieswherepeoplearemostoftenpresentintheAPWRA.Elevationrangesarenotconsideredinthesenumbers.

AsdescribedinChapter2,ProgramDescription,theturbineheightforfourth‐generationturbinesproposedforrepoweringrangesfrom121to153meters.Usingthesetbackrequirementabove,theminimumsafedistanceinthecontextofbladethrowhazardzoneis,conservatively,459metersfor





thetallerwindturbines—918metersfromI‐580.Ifexistingturbinesarereplacedwithfourth‐generationturbinesinthesamelocations,thebladethrowhazardzonecouldpossiblyencroachintosensitiveareasofhumanoccupancy.However,sitingofwindturbineswouldcomplywiththeStandardConditions,ensuringthatnonewwindturbineswouldbesitedwithinthebladethrowhazarddistance.Consequently—inrelationtotheseventurbinesmentionedabove—theprogramwouldhelpreduceimpactsrelatingtobladethrow.

Bladethrowrisksarealsoreducedasaresultofnewtechnologiesandengineeringdesigndevelopedoverthepastdecades.Mostcommerciallyavailableturbines,includingthoseproposedfortheprogram,areequippedwithsafetyandengineeringfeaturestoreducetheriskofbladefailureandaredesignedtoensuresafeoperationundernormalconditions.Fourth‐generationrotorsincludebladepitchcontrolsthatregulatetheangleoftherotorbladeintothewind,andredundantbrakemechanismsthatcancontrolspeedandshutdownorslowdowninresponsetoexcessivewindspeed.

Repoweringwouldreducethetotalnumberofwindturbinesintheprogramareabecauseofthevastlygreaternameplatecapacityoffourth‐generationturbines.Thereducednumberofturbineswouldalsoreducethepotentialforwindturbine–relatedhazards.

Inmostoftheprogramarea,anypotentialforbladethrowwouldoccurwellwithinwindfarmboundaries—notinareasaccessibletothepublic.Individualwindfarmcompaniesstrictlycontrolaccesstotheexistingwindenergyfacilities,andoverallsiteaccessislimitedtopersonsapprovedforentrybythewindfarmoperatorsorlandowners.Thisstrictcontrolofpublicaccesswouldfurtherreducetheriskofpotentialbladestrikeintheprogramarea.Accordingly,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingbladethrowislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐9b:Duringnormaloperation,theeffectsofbendingandstressonrotorbladesovertimecouldleadtobladefailureandbecomeapotentialbladethrowhazard—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)


Personsandfacilitieswithinthebladethrowhazardzonecouldbeatriskofdamage,injury,ordeathifstruckbyafallingblade.PeoplepotentiallywithinthehazardzoneincludetheresidencesintheprojectareaandmotoriststravellingalongI‐580andcountyroads.TheimportantinfrastructureinandadjacenttotheprojectareapotentiallysusceptibletodamagefrombladethrowincludesPG&Etransmissionlinesandwindfarmsubstations.

NextErastrictlycontrolsaccesstotheexistingwindenergyfacilities,andoverallsiteaccessislimitedtopersonsapprovedforentry.Thisstrictcontrolofpublicaccesswouldfurtherreducetheriskofpotentialbladestrikeintheprojectarea.Residencesintheprojectareaaremorethan424





meters(1,391feet)fromthenearestproposedturbine.Moreover,compliancewiththeminimumsetbacksestablishedintheAlamedaCountyWindFarmStandardConditionswouldensurethatnoturbineisplacedwithinthespecifieddistancefromanyresidenceorotheridentifiedfeature.Accordingly,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingbladethrowislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

ImpactHAZ‐9c:Duringnormaloperation,theeffectsofbendingandstressonrotorbladesovertimecouldleadtobladefailureandbecomeapotentialbladethrowhazard—PattersonpassProject(lessthansignificant)


Personsandfacilitieswithinthebladethrowhazardzonecouldbeatriskofdamage,injury,ordeathifstruckbyafallingblade.Peoplepotentiallywithinthehazardzoneincludemotoriststravellingalongcountyroads;therearenoresidenceswithinsetbackdistancesintheprojectarea.TheimportantinfrastructureinandadjacenttotheprojectareapotentiallysusceptibletodamagefrombladethrowincludesPG&Etransmissionlinesandwindfarmsubstations.

EDFREstrictlycontrolsaccesstotheexistingwindenergyfacilities,andoverallsiteaccessislimitedtopersonsapprovedforentry.Thisstrictcontrolofpublicaccesswouldfurtherreducetheriskofpotentialbladestrikeintheprojectarea.Accordingly,thepotentialforexposureofpeopleorstructurestoasignificantriskofloss,injury,ordeathinvolvingbladethrowislessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

3.8.3 References Cited

Printed References

AlamedaCounty.1998.DraftEnvironmentalImpactReport—RepoweringaPortionoftheAltamontPassWindResourceArea.August.StateClearinghouse#98022024.Hayward,CA:AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.

———.2013.SafetyElementoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan.AdoptedJanuary8,2013.Available:http://acgov.org/cda/planning/generalplans/index.htm.

AlamedaCountyFireDepartment.2012.FireStationsandFacilities‐ACFDStation20.Available:<http://www.acgov.org/fire/about/station20.htm>.Accessed:April22,2013.

———.n.d.(a)CompanyOfficerReferenceGuide―Station20.DivisionofTraining,AlamedaCounty,California.

———.n.d.(b)CompanyOfficerReferenceGuide–Station08.DivisionofTraining,AlamedaCounty,California.





CaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection2007.FireHazardSeverityZone.MapAdoptedNovember2007.Available:http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_prevention/fhsz_maps_alameda.php.Accessed:April22,2013.

ContraCostaCounty.2000.ContraCostaCountyAirportLandUseCompatibilityPlan.December.

Larwood,S.,andC.P.vanDam(CaliforniaWindEnergyCollaborative).2006.PermittingSetbackRequirementsforWindTurbinesinCalifornia.CaliforniaEnergyCommission,PIERRenewableEnergyTechnologies.CEC‐500‐2005‐184.

Personal Communications

Berdan,Chuck.DispatchManageroftheAlamedaCountyRegionalEmergencyCommunicationsCenter.AlamedaCountyFireDepartment,California.May15,2013—telephonecallwithTinaSorvari,ICFInternational.

Martin,Mike.BattalionChiefofCALFIREBattalion4,SantaClaraUnit.CalFire,California.May23,2013—telephonecallwithTinaSorvari,ICFInternational.