HomeMy Public PortalAbout4-8_HazardsHazardousMaterials.pdf4.8 HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
4.8-1
This section addresses the subject of hazards and hazardous materials with
respect to the buildout of the proposed project. The project, a residential
development, would not include the routine transport of hazardous materials
and the project site is not on a list of hazardous materials sites pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5 (this is discussed further below).1 The site
is not located at the base of a major slope and would not be subject to ava-
lanche hazards. Seismic hazards and flooding hazards are discussed in Section
4.6, Geology, Soils, and Seismicity, and Section 4.9, Hydrology and Water
Quality, respectively. Therefore, this section includes an assessment of po-
tential impacts associated with the development of the project with respect to
the wildfire and high voltage transmission line hazards in the project area.
The information and analysis in this section is primarily based on the follow-
ing documents, which is included in Appendix J, Geotechnical and Hazards
Data, of this Draft EIR:
¤ Geologic, Geohazards, and Environmental Hazards Evaluation Report Up-
date prepared by Geocon Consultants, Inc., June 2006.
The abovementioned report is based on a review of the following reports
previously prepared for the project site:
¤ Geologic, Geohazards, and Environmental Evaluation, prepared by Geocon
Consultants, Inc., June 2005.
¤ Geotechnical Engineering Report for Tahoe Boca, Truckee, California, pre-
pared by Holdredge & Kull, 2003.
The Getotechnical and Hazards Report includes a third Party Peer Review of
the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, herein referenced as Phase 1 Re-
port, prepared by Moss Group, May 2000, which was based on the following:
¤ Reconnaissance-level physical inspection of the project site.
1 California Department of Toxic Substance Control, Envirostor, Hazardous
Waste and Substance List, September 9, 2011.
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¤ Review of historical photography and other information regarding prior
land use.
¤ Evaluation of local hydrogeology.
¤ Environmental Data Resources (EDR) Radius Map Report dated June 28,
2004.
¤ Review of local, State, and federal regulatory agency records.
A. Regulatory Framework
This section summarizes existing local, State, and federal laws, policies, and
regulations that apply to the hazards and hazardous materials relevant to the
project site (i.e. wildfire and high voltage transmission line hazards).
1. Federal Laws and Regulations
There are no Federal regulations regarding the relevant hazards associated
with the project site that are applicable to the proposed project.
2. State Laws and Regulations
In California, regional agencies are responsible for programs regulating emis-
sions to the air, surface water, and groundwater. At the Project site, the
Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (NSAQMD) has oversight
over air emissions, and the Lahontan Regional Quality Control Board
(LRWQCB) has jurisdiction over Truckee and surrounding counties, and
regulates discharges and releases to surface and groundwater. Air Quality and
Water Quality impacts are discussed in Section 4.3, Air Quality, and Section
4.9 of this Draft EIR, respectively,
a. Unified Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials Management Regula-
tory Program (Unified Program)
In January 1996, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA
adopted regulations implementing the Unified Program. The program has six
elements: (1) hazardous waste generators and hazardous waste on-site treat-
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4.8-3
ment, (2) underground storage tanks, (3) aboveground storage tanks, (4) haz-
ardous materials release response plans and inventories, (5) risk management
and prevention programs, and (6) Uniform Fire Code hazardous materials
management plans and inventories. The plan is implemented at the local lev-
el. The local agency that is responsible for the implementation of the Unified
Program is called the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), and the
Nevada County Department of Environmental Health is designated the
CUPA.
b. California Emergency Services Act
Pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act, the State has developed
an Emergency Response Plan to coordinate emergency services provided by
federal, state, and local governmental agencies and private persons. Response
to hazardous materials incidents is one part of this plan. The plan is adminis-
tered by the State Office of Emergency Services (OES). The OES coordinates
the responses of other agencies, including Cal EPA, California Highway Pa-
trol (CHP), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), Regional Wa-
ter Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), the local air pollution control dis-
tricts, and local agencies.
3. Local Regulations and Policies
a. Nevada County Fire Plan
The Nevada County Fire Plan (NCFP) was prepared to reduce the risk from
wildland fires to life, property, and natural resources in Nevada County and
comply with the Disaster Management Act of 2000 and the Healthy Forest
Restoration Act of 2003.2 This NCFP was accepted by the Nevada County
Board of Supervisors in 2005. The NCFP includes an extensive series of rec-
ommendations for the Nevada County Board of Supervisors aimed at reduc-
ing wildland fire risk in Nevada County, including fuel management and de-
fensible space enforcement strategies, public education, infrastructure im-
2 The Nevada County Fire Plan: A framework for reducing threats to public
safety and reducing costs and losses as a result of wildfire in Nevada County by the
Fire Plan Committee (FPC) for the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, August
2004.
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4.8-4
provements to increase fire-fighting capacity, and coordination with local fire
agencies to ensure consistent and effective wildland fire mitigation efforts.
b. Town of Truckee Emergency Operations Plan
The Town of Truckee Emergency Operations Plan (TEOP) was prepared in
February 2008 and serves as an extension of the California Emergency Plan.
The TEOP addresses the Town’s responsibilities in emergencies associated
with natural disasters, including wildfires. It provides a framework for coor-
dination of response and recovery efforts within the Town in coordination
and with local, State, and federal agencies. The TEOP establishes the emer-
gency organization, assigns tasks, specifies policies, and general procedures,
and provides for coordination of planning efforts of the various emergency
staff and service elements utilizing the Standardized Emergency Management
System (SEMS). The plan also meets requirements established by the Nation-
al Incident Management System (NIMS).
c. Town of Truckee Standard Condition for Fire Protection Services
The Town established the Town of Truckee Standard Condition for Fire
Protection Services on April 20, 2009 to identify the applicability of Truckee
Fire Protection District requirements on Town-approved projects and the
public official responsible for verifying compliance with the condition.3 The
Standard Condition for Fire Protection Services policy states that the review
authority must make a finding of such before the review authority may ap-
prove a zoning clearance, development permit, or use permit to ensure ade-
quate provisions for emergency vehicle access and fire protection. The find-
ing focuses on the installation of physical infrastructure, facilities, and im-
provements on or adjacent to the property and the payment of development
fees for the construction of facilities and purchase of equipment to address
cumulative impacts on fire services. Because the land use permit is approved
by the Town, a Town official should be responsible for verifying compliance
with this finding in coordination with the Truckee Fire Protection District
Fire Marshal.
3 Town of Truckee Community Development Department, Policies, Proce-
dures, and Determinations, Director’s Determination #43.
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The following condition of approval shall be applied to the approval of all
zoning clearances, development permits, and use permits:
“As determined by the Community Development Director in coordina-
tion with the District Fire Marshal, the project shall comply with all ap-
plicable Truckee Fire Protection District ordinances and requirements re-
lated to the construction or installation of physical infrastructure, facili-
ties, and improvements and the payment of mitigation fees for the con-
struction of facilities and the purchase of equipment. These ordinances
and requirements may include, but not be limited to, installation of fire
hydrants, minimum fire flow, automatic sprinkler systems for buildings,
driveway and turnaround specifications, and fuel clearance. The physical
infrastructure, facilities, and improvements shall be installed at the time
of development and completed prior to occupancy of buildings and the
land, and the mitigation fees shall be paid in accordance with adopted
Council rules for administration of the mitigation fee program.”
d. Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan
The Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan contains goals and policies related to
hazards and hazardous materials in the Town. Relevant goals and policies are
contained in Table 4.8-1.
B. Existing Conditions
The site is located in the central portion of the Sierra Nevada Mountain
Range. The Glenshire area, including the site, is underlain by the Hirschdale
Formation, comprising intermixed volcanic flows and brecciated zones. Lo-
cally overlying the Hirschdale Formation is a thin veneer of Juniper Flat Al-
luvium. Underlying the Hirschdale Formation is the Truckee Formation,
which is locally characterized by Pleistocene-age non-marine sedimentary
rocks comprising unconsolidated and semi-consolidated stream and lake de-
posits of silt, sand, gravel, and clay. Tertiary volcanic rocks are thought to
underlie the Truckee Formation.
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4.8-6
TABLE 4.8-1 TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN POLICIES PERTAINING TO HAZARDS
AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Policy or
Goal No. Goals and Policies
Goal LU-4 Coordinate land development with provision of services and infra-
structure.
LU-P4.1
Work with all special districts, including the Tahoe-Truckee Uni-
fied School District, to ensure that development within the Town
is coordinated with provision of services.
LU-P4.1
Work with all special districts, including the Tahoe-Truckee Uni-
fied School District, to ensure that development within the Town
is coordinated with provision of services.
LU-P4.2
Cooperate with special districts to plan for and identify suitable
future sites for needed facilities, including schools, fire stations,
solid and liquid waste disposal sites, and utilities infrastructure, so
that the local population can be safely and efficiently served, while
minimizing potential environmental impacts.
LU-P4.3
Approve rezoning and development permits only when adequate
services are available, or when a program to provide services has
been approved by the applicable District and the Town of Truck-
ee. Standards of services for new development applicable to this
policy are shown in Table LU-6.
Require that sewer be provided for all new residential subdivisions
creating more than four lots, and all new commercial and indus-
trial uses. Existing legal lots and new subdivisions of four or fewer
lots in areas currently without sewer may be developed with resi-
dential uses using septic systems with the approval of the appro-
priate health and environmental agencies.
Such lots may be required to establish connections to the sewer
system if they are located in close proximity to existing or future
sewer lines.
Goal SAF-4
Protect lives and property from risks associated with wildland and
urban fire.
SAF-P4.2
Continue to cooperate with the Fire Protection District to im-
plement fire safety ordinances to minimize wildland fire hazards,
including incorporation of fire resistant building and roofing ma-
terials, and attainment and maintenance of “defensible space.”
Defensible space may include revegetation with less flammable
species, such as fire resistant native and adapted species, and the
use of mulch to prevent erosion on bare soil.
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TABLE 4.8-1 TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN POLICIES PERTAINING TO HAZARDS
AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (CONTINUED)
4.8-7
Policy or
Goal No. Goals and Policies
SAF-P4.3
Promote fire hazard reduction through cooperative fuel manage-
ment activities in association with the Truckee Fire Protection
District, the California Department of Forestry and the U.S. For-
est Service. Such strategies may include identifying and imple-
menting opportunities for fuel breaks in very high fire hazard
severity zones, and ensuring that fire breaks are provided where
necessary and appropriate.
SAF-P4.4 Require new development to incorporate adequate emergency
water flow, emergency vehicle access and evacuation routes.
SAF-P4.5
Continue to support the mitigation fee program for the Fire Pro-
tection District, to ensure that the District is able to meet the fu-
ture fire protection needs of the community as it grows.
SAF-P4.6
Support, as appropriate, efforts to implement the recommenda-
tions of the 2005 Nevada County Fire Plan, and programs of Fire
Safe Nevada County.
SAF-P4.7
Ensure that the development review process addresses wildland
fire risk, including assessment of both construction- and project
related fire risks particularly in areas of the Town most susceptible
to fire hazards. Cooperate with the TFPD in reviewing fire safety
plans and provisions in new development, including aspects such
as emergency access, site design for maintenance of defensible
space, and use of non-combustible materials.
Source: Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan.
1. Hazardous Materials
A substance may be considered hazardous due to a number of criteria, includ-
ing toxicity, ignitibility, corrodibility, or reactivity. The term “hazardous
material” is defined by its definition in law as any material that, because of
quantity, concentration, physical or chemical characteristics, poses a signifi-
cant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the envi-
ronment.
Once a hazardous material becomes ready for discard, it becomes a hazardous
waste. A hazardous waste, for the purpose of this Draft EIR, is any hazard-
ous material that is abandoned, discarded, or (planned to be) recycled. In ad-
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4.8-8
dition, hazardous wastes may occasionally be generated by actions that
change the composition of previously non-hazardous materials. The same
criteria: toxicity, ignitability, corrodibility, or reactivity that renders a mate-
rial hazardous makes waste hazardous.
The Liberty Energy – California Pacific Electric Company’s overhead high-
power transmission line spans the project site in a southwest-northeast orien-
tation for approximately 2,300 feet. The associated electrical substation is
located approximately 100 feet west of the western boundary of the site. Sev-
eral transformers and other electrical equipment were observed at this substa-
tion. Liberty Energy – California Pacific Electric Company is the owner of
this electrical equipment, and assumes all responsibility and liability for any
and all cleanups resulting from potential polychlorinated bi-phenyl (PCB)
spills associated with their equipment. The substation has a transformer that
contains 16 parts per million (ppm) PCBs and two regulators that contain 26
ppm PCBs. In addition, a well exists near the central portion of the project
site on Assessor Parcel Number 49-020-20.
The Environmental Data Resources (EDR) Radius Map Report dated June 28,
2004 identified five sites with documented environmental conditions within
2 miles of the site. Information regarding the identified sites is contained in
the EDR Radius Map Report in Appendix E (Moss Group, 2000). The sites
and the conditions that apply to them are as follows:
(1) Truckee Quarry – subject to waste discharge requirements
(2) Bryant Property – leaking underground storage tank (LUST) site, Cor-
tese list.
(3) Glenshire/Devonshire Residents Association - LUST site, Cortese list,
California Facilities Inventories Database (CA FID) underground stor-
age tank site (UST) site
(A4) Glenshire Mutual Water Company – Historical UST site
(6) United Trails – CA FID UST site
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4.8-9
2. Wildfire Hazards
The Town of Truckee lies within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as
defined by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal
Fire), indicating that wildland fires are considered to pose a significant hazard.
The Martis Valley fire of 2001 burned approximately 15,000 square miles
(39,000 km2) of land, which included a portion of the project site.
As discussed in the Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan, wildfire risks are par-
ticularly pronounced where homes are located within areas of dense vegeta-
tion and forest land, and where steep slopes and other similar conditions exist.
Calculation of threat from wildfire hazard is based on a number of combining
factors including fuel loading (vegetation), topography, and climatic condi-
tions such as winds, humidity, and temperature. Figure 4.8-1 shows areas
with the Town with potential risk from wildland fire, based on the proximity
of population density to those areas most likely to be at risk due to prevailing
physical and climatic conditions.4 As illustrated on Figure 4.8-1, the level of
fire danger risk within the project site is considered to be very high.
C. Standards of Significance
The proposed project would have a significant impact with regard to hazards
and hazardous materials if it would:
¤ Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the
routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials.
¤ Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through rea-
sonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of
hazardous materials into the environment.
4 Town of Truckee General Plan 2025, Figure SAF-4, Community Areas at
Risk from Wildland Fire, page 9-9.
D o r c h este
r
Wa y
Martis
Creek
Lake
G l e n s h ir e D r
Alder Cree k Rd
Joerger Dr
Prosser D a m R d
BrockwayRd
Alder
Dr
SkiSlopeWay
Hi
rs
ch
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a
le
R
d
Silverfir Dr
Theline D r
P
alis
a
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DonnerPassRd
Gl e n s h i r e D
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i
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89
89
Truckee
Ri
v
e
r
T r u c k e e R i v e r
Truckee-Tahoe
Airport
DonnerLake
P r o s s e r L a k e
TruckeeTownLimits
ProposedSphereofInfluence
BocaRes.
Notes:CDFwildland/urbaninterfacethreat mapping reflects relative risk to ar eas of population density from
wildfire.Riskisexpressedintermsofa "Threat to Community"value,with potential values ranging
from-14(LittleornoThreattocommunity areas wi th average density of 1 housing unit per 20 acres or less)
to+44(ExtremeThreattocommunity areas with average density of 1 unit per acre or more.
ThreatvaluesintheTruckeearearange from 14 to 34,which are all between the Moderate and Very
Highlevel,withmostplacesclassifiedasHigh or Very High threat.
Moderate Very HighHigh
CommunityThreatfromWildland F ire
§¨¦80
012Mile
§¨¦80
§¨¦80
NORTH
Project Site
267
D o r c h ester
Way
Martis
Creek
Lake
Gle n s hir e D r
Alder Creek Rd
Joerger Dr
Prosser D a m Rd
BrockwayRd
Alder
Dr
Ski Slope Way
Hirs
chdale
Rd
Silverfir Dr
Theline Dr
P
alis
a
d
es
D
r
N
o
r
t
h
w
o
od
s Blvd
Donner Pass Rd
DonnerPassRd
Glensh i r e D
r
i
v
e
267
89
89
Truckee
Ri
v
e
r
T r u c k e e R iv e r
Truckee-Tahoe
Airport
D o n n e r L a k e
P r o s s e r L a k e
Truckee Town Limits
Proposed Sphere of Influence
B
o
c
a
R
e
s.
Notes:CDF wildland/urban interface threat mapping reflects relative risk to areas of population density from
wildfire.Risk is expressed in terms of a "Threat to Community"value,with potential values ranging
from -14 (Little or no Threat to community areas with average density of 1 housing unit per 20 acres or less)
to +44 (Extreme Threat to community areas with average density of 1 unit per acre or more.
Threat values in the Truckee area range from 14 to 34,which are all between the Moderate and Very
High level,with most places classified as High or Very High threat.
Moderate Very HighHigh
Community Threat from Wildland Fire
§¨¦80
0 1 2 Mile
§¨¦80
§¨¦80
N O RT H
Project Site
267
D o r c h ester
Wa y
Martis
Creek
Lake
G le n s h ir e D r
Alder Creek Rd
Joerger Dr
Prosser D a m Rd
BrockwayRd
Alder
Dr
Ski Slope Way
Hirs
chd
ale
R
d
Silverfir Dr
Theline Dr
P
alis
a
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es
D
r
N
o
r
t
h
w
o
o
d
s Blvd
Donner Pass Rd
DonnerPassRd
Glen s h i r e D
r
i
v
e
267
89
89
Truckee
Ri
v
e
r
T r u c k e e R iv e r
Truckee-Tahoe
Airport
D o n n e r L a k e
P r o s s e r L a k e
Truckee Town Limits
Proposed Sphere of Influence
BocaRes.
Notes:CDF wildland/urban interface threat mapping reflects relative risk to areas of population density from
wildfire.Risk is expressed in terms of a "Threat to Community"value,with potential values ranging
from -14 (Little or no Threat to community areas with average density of 1 housing unit per 20 acres or less)
to +44 (Extreme Threat to community areas with average density of 1 unit per acre or more.
Threat values in the Truckee area range from 14 to 34,which are all between the Moderate and Very
High level,with most places classified as High or Very High threat.
Moderate Very HighHigh
Community Threat from Wildland Fire
§¨¦80
0 1 2 Mile
§¨¦80
§¨¦80
N O R T H
Project Site
267
WILDLAND FIRE HAZARDS MAP
FIGURE 4.8-1
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CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR
HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Source: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 2003.
10 2 MilesNORTH
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4.8-11
¤ Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous ma-
terials, substances, or waste within ¼-mile of an existing or proposed
school.
¤ Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites
compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result,
would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment.
For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has
not been adopted, within 2 miles of a public airport or public use airport,
would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in
the project area.
¤ For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project
result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project ar-
ea.
¤ Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emer-
gency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.
¤ Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death
involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urban-
ized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands.
D. Impact Discussion
1. Project Impacts
a. Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the
routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials.
The proposed project, a residential development, would not include the rou-
tine transport or disposing of hazardous materials. Construction of the pro-
posed project would involve the use and handling of small amounts of haz-
ardous materials (e.g. diesel gasoline, fertilizers, etc.). Construction activities
at the project site would involve the use of petroleum-based fuels for mainte-
nance and construction equipment, which would be transported to the site
periodically by vehicle and would be present temporarily during construc-
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4.8-12
tion. Through mandatory compliance with all related federal, State, and local
regulations with respect to transportation, handling, and use of any construc-
tion fuels or other hazardous materials, impacts resulting from the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials would be less than significant
and no mitigation measures are warranted.
b. Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through
reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release
of hazardous materials into the environment.
The proposed project involves a residential subdivision on undeveloped land.
The potential for pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers accumulation at the pro-
ject site is negligible. Landscaping chemicals and fuels are expected to be on
the site, for routine use by residents and maintenance personnel. The use and
storage of these chemicals is common in the area, and is not expected to pro-
duce significant environmental hazards to users of the site.
The Liberty Energy – California Pacific Electric Company’s overhead high-
power (60 kilovolt) transmission line spans the project site in a southwest-
northeast orientation for approximately 2,300 feet. The associated electrical
substation is located approximately 100 feet west of the western boundary of
the site. Several transformers and other electrical equipment at this location
are known to contain PCBs. The Liberty Energy – California Pacific Electric
Company owns and operates the transmission lines, and is the responsible
party in the event that there is a PCB spill or related accident that may cause
PCBs to leak from the transformers. As with existing conditions, the Truck-
ee Fire Protection District and Liberty Energy – California Pacific Electric
Company would be the first responders in the event of an accidental spill or
release. The development of the proposed project would not physically inter-
fere with any potential clean-up response as these transformers are currently
surrounded by residential development to the south, west, and north.
No other hazardous substance or petroleum products were observed or rec-
orded on the project site. No unusual odors, pools of liquids, ponds, or la-
goons, stained soils or pavement, above ground storage tanks, or stressed veg-
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4.8-13
etation are present at the project site. The five facilities identified on the
EDR Radius Map Report located within a 2-mile radius of the project site, are
either down-gradient or are located too far away from the proposed project
site to have an impact. Therefore, implementation of the project would not
create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasona-
bly foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazard-
ous materials into the environment and associated impacts would be less than
significant.
c. Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous ma-
terials, substances, or waste within ¼-mile of an existing or proposed
school.
The project site is not within ¼-mile of an existing or proposed school. The
closest school to the project site is the Glenshire Elementary School, located
approximately 1 mile to the west of the project site. Therefore, the project
would not emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazard-
ous materials, substances, or waste within ¼-mile of an existing or proposed
school and no impact would occur.
d. Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites
compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result,
would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment.
The Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites (Cortese) List is a planning docu-
ment used by the State, local agencies and developers to comply with CEQA
requirements in providing information about the location of hazardous mate-
rials release sites. Government Code Section 65962.5 requires Cal EPA to
develop at least annually an updated Cortese List. DTSC is responsible for a
portion of the information contained in the Cortese List. Other State and
local government agencies are required to provide additional hazardous mate-
rial release information for the Cortese List.5 The project site is not on a list
5 California Department of Toxic Substance Control, http://www.dtsc.
ca.gov/SiteCleanup/Cortese_List.cfm.
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4.8-14
on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code
Section 65962.56 and no impact would occur.
e. For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a
plan has not been adopted, within 2 miles of a public airport or public
use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing
or working in the project area.
The project site is not within an airport land use plan, nor is it within 2 miles
of a public or private airport. The airport closest to the project site is the
Truckee Tahoe Airport, located approximately 4 miles to the west-southwest
of the project site. Therefore, the project would not expose persons to safety
hazards associated with an airport and no impact would occur.
f. For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project
result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project ar-
ea.
The project site is not within an airport land use plan, nor is it within 2 miles
of a public or private airport. The airport closest to the project site is the
Truckee Tahoe Airport, located approximately 4 miles to the west-southwest
of the project site. Therefore, the project would not expose persons to safety
hazards associated with an airport. Thus, no further analysis of this issue is
required.
g. Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emer-
gency response plan or emergency evacuation plan.
As discussed in Section 4.13, Public Services and Recreation, of this Draft
EIR, no project or cumulative impacts to fire protection services would occur
when considering the project’s design features, compliance with mandatory
regulations, including the payment of Truckee Fire Protection District
(TFPD) Development Impact Fees, and the recent expansion of their Station
95. The project’s internal roadway system provides residential and emergen-
6 California Department of Toxic Substance Control, Envirostor, Hazardous
Waste and Substance List, September 9, 2011.
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cy access. Vehicles would circulate through the project area using the internal
roadway system and main entrance point; however, secondary access for fire
safety would provide looped secondary emergency vehicle access and egress.
Emergency access would be provided by creating a secondary access point to
the project off of Edinburgh Drive. This secondary access point is located on
the western border of the project site and can be seen on Figure 3-5 in Chap-
ter 3, Project Description, of this Draft EIR. Furthermore, as illustrated on
Figure 3-13, the emergency access point would be constructed during Phase 1
of the project’s development phases. Therefore, the project would not impair
implementation of or physically interfere with an the Town of Truckee Emer-
gency Operations Plan, which addresses the Town’s responsibilities in emer-
gencies associated with natural disasters, including wildfires and associated
impacts would be less than significant.
h. Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death
involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urban-
ized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands.
As noted above, no project or cumulative impacts to fire protection services
would occur. Emergency access would be provided by creating a secondary
access point to the project off of Edinburgh Drive and would be constructed
during Phase 1 of the project’s development phases. It is not expected that
traffic congestion would create unsafe conditions for emergency evacuation
during a wildland fire event. As described in Section 4.14, Transportation
and Traffic, with the project all intersections studied in the project site vicini-
ty would continue to operate at acceptable levels, as evaluated for peak traffic
conditions, with the exception of the Glenshire Drive/Donner Pass Road
intersection, which currently operates at an unacceptable level. This intersec-
tion is to the west of State Route 267. Therefore, vehicles evacuating the pro-
ject site and Glenshire area would be able to access Interstate 80 to either the
east or west. In the event of an evacuation, vehicles could exit the area either
to the east or the west. Vehicles that exit to the west could make a left or
right turn at the Glenshire Drive/Donner Pass Road intersection, at which
point they would have already evacuated the Glenshire area. These evacua-
tion routes would be feasible in both peak and non-peak hours. Therefore,
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the two available points of egress from the Glenshire area are considered suf-
ficient for emergency evacuation situations.
Furthermore, the project would incorporate a number of fire safety features
in accordance with applicable TFPD fire-safety code and Town regulations
for construction, access, fire flows, and fire hydrants (e.g. spaced a maximum
of 500 feet apart). The project would install fire hydrants, provide a mini-
mum flow requirement of 1,500 gallons per minute (gpm) for a two-hour du-
ration with a 20 pounds per square inch (psi) residual, construct minimum 24-
foot-wide roadways, allow for adequate building spacing, use fire resistive
building materials, and insure adequate vegetative clearance around structures.
Fire lanes and turning radii would be designed in cooperation with local offi-
cials so as to be adequate for emergency and fire equipment vehicles. Pave-
ments would be designed with all weather surfaces and would be capable of
supporting emergency vehicles up to 40,000 pounds.
The project would be required to comply with the Town of Truckee Stand-
ard Condition for Fire Protection Services and obtain a “Will Serve” letter
from the TFPD prior to the issuance of building permits. In addition, the
project applicant would pay all mandatory Development Impact Fees as de-
termined by the Fire Chief or his designee after consultation with the appli-
cant. Subsequently, as illustrated in Section 4.10, Land Use and Planning, of
this Draft EIR, the project would be consistent will all applicable General
Plan policies aimed at reducing fire hazards in the Truckee area. Nonethe-
less, due to the introduction of residential homes in an area of dense vegeta-
tion and forested land, wildfire hazard impacts would be potentially signifi-
cant.
2. Cumulative Impacts
The project, in conjunction with the Town buildout identified in the Town of
Truckee 2025 General Plan, would cumulatively increase the potential for
wildfire and high voltage transmission line hazards in the project area. How-
ever, as with the project, the applicants of the projects in the TFPD’s service
area would be required to pay Developer Impact Fees to the TFUD, obtain a
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‘Will Serve” letter, and be consistent with the applicable fire protection and
safety policies identified in the General Plan; combined, these regulatory re-
quirements would ensure any cumulative impacts from wildfire and high
voltage transmission line hazards would be less than significant. As stated
previously, the project and cumulative impacts to fire protection services
would be less than significant. With implementation of Mitigation Measure
HAZ-1a and -1b and consistency with General Plan policies designed to re-
duce impacts caused from exposure to natural and man-made hazards, con-
struction and operation of the proposed project would not contribute to any
potential cumulative impacts, and cumulative impacts from hazards and haz-
ardous materials would be less than significant.
E. Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Impact HAZ-1: The introduction of residential homes in an area of dense
vegetation and forested land could expose people or structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires.
Mitigation Measure HAZ-1a: The project applicant shall submit a fire
safety and fuel modification plan that provides for (1) adequate safety for
emergency fire equipment and evacuating residents and visitors, (2) a
point of attack or defense from a wild-fire, and (3) strategic siting of fuel
breaks, fire breaks, and greenbelts. Fuel modification shall include (1)
underbrush, dead and dying branches from trees shall be removed up to a
minimum of 100 feet from the perimeter of all structures, (2) all flamma-
ble vegetation within 10 feet from the edge of road and driveway pave-
ment shall be removed, and (3) all flammable vegetation within 30 feet of
all structures shall be removed. The plan shall be reviewed and approved
by the Truckee Fire Protection District prior to the issuance of building
permits.
Mitigation Measure HAZ-1b: The project applicant shall ensure that fire
flow be provided to each hydrant at a rate of no less than 1,500 gallons
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per minute (gpm) for a two-hour duration with 20-pounds per square
inch (psi) residual in residential areas.
Significance After Mitigation: Less than significant