STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PETE WILSON, Governor
November 6, 1998
RE: Variance Request #1 - Relocation of the project pipeline through the City of Paramount
Dear Mr. Cornman:
We have reviewed the above-referenced variance request and approve your request, based on the following factors:
- SFPP submitted a variance request (Variance Request #1) for the relocation of the project pipeline in the City of Paramount, starting at the corner or Garfield Avenue and Jackson Street and rejoining the approved route at the corner of Paramount and Alondra Boulevards. This route deviates from the approved route by one block (to the east and north). This route was developed in response to concerns of the City of Paramount about the construction impacts to businesses and street improvements along Alondra Boulevard between Garfield Avenue and Paramount Boulevard. SFPP has provided a letter from the City stating that the realignment is acceptable due to its reduced impacts on businesses and traffic.
- An analysis of the potential environmental impacts that could result from the proposed realignment was conducted to determine if there was a net increase in impacts in comparison to the pipeline route approved by the CPUC. From the analysis, it was determined that the proposed alignment change would not result in the creation of new significant impacts. Following is a discussion of our findings, including the conditions of approval of this variance, which will be implemented by our Environmental Monitors during construction.
Air Quality. The proposed realignment is approximately 0.25 miles longer than the approved route segment that would be replaced. In addition, a bore would be conducted at the UP railroad crossing, requiring excavation of bore pits. While this additional length could result in increased air emissions, the reduction in traffic is likely to reduce the construction time required through the area. In addition, air quality impacts during construction are short-term in nature, and would be mitigated to the extent feasible with the implementation of project mitigation measures. Therefore, overall emissions are not expected to be greater than those of the approved route.
Cultural Resources. The pipeline route would be within paved roadways, with the exception of the crossing of the UP railroad (which would be bored from a dirt lot west of the railroad tracks into a paved parking lot east of the tracks). SFPP’s archaeologist, William Self Associates, did not conduct field surveys along the route due to its developed character. However, they did confirm that a records search does not show any cultural resources along the realignment. Cultural resources Mitigation Measure C-1 requires that SFPP’s environmental monitor observe all trenching and Mitigation Measures C-2 and C-3 specify actions to be taken if unanticipated cultural resources are discovered. No cultural resources had been identified along the approved route portion that this realignment would replace. Therefore, this realignment is not anticipated to result in impacts to cultural resources.
Environmental Contamination. SFPP completed a database search for the realignment, which showed that the realignment could affect 3 sites with medium potential for affecting the project and 1 site with high potential. The approved route had 2 sites with medium potential and 1 site with high potential. While the realignment could affect one more medium potential site, implementation of Mitigation Measures EC-1 through EC-3 would eliminate the possibility that a significant impact could result.
Land Use and Sensitive Receptors. A survey was conducted by Aspen personnel on October 23, 1998 to evaluate land uses along the proposed realignment. The survey of residences noted approximately 45 units along the realignment and approximately 162 units on the approved route. The realignment would affect two sensitive receptors (Paramount New Commandment Baptist Church and Wesley Gaines Elementary School), whereas the approved route would affect three sensitive receptors (Wesley Gaines School, Portuguese Hall, and Garfield Animal Hospital). Because the realignment would affect significantly fewer residential units than the approved route, it would reduce impacts to residences which are also considered to be sensitive receptors. Mitigation Measures L-1 through L-3 would be implemented to reduce impacts to residents, and Mitigation Measure L-5 would be implemented for construction adjacent to Wesley Gaines School.
Socioeconomics/Business Impacts. The proposed realignment traverses areas that are primarily occupied by industrial firms with very few retail businesses. The approved alignment would affect industrial and commercial firms, including a number of retail businesses on Alondra Boulevard between Vermont and Paramount. The realignment would affect overall fewer businesses. The realignment will still require implementation of Mitigation Measure S-2 (coordination with businesses to minimize construction impacts).
Traffic. Traffic impacts would be significantly reduced since the realignment will eliminate approximately 2,400 feet of construction within the roadway on Alondra Boulevard. Alondra is a heavily traveled, divided, 4-lane road. The realignment along Jackson Street, Minnesota Avenue, Madison Street, and Paramount Boulevard with a Level of Service (LOS) of A (define). These streets are lightly traveled, and Madison Avenue (the longest portion of the realignment) is not a through street due to the UPRR crossing.
System Safety. The likelihood of a pipeline leak or rupture increases with the length of the pipeline, so an additional 0.25 miles of pipe would result in a very slightly greater spill probability. However, the consequences of a pipeline accident would be reduced with the realignment because the number of residential units is significantly lower than that along the approved route, and there are fewer sensitive receptors.
Other Issue Areas. Since the approved route and the realignment traverse highly developed urban areas, no increased impacts would result from the proposed realignment for the following issue areas: biological resources, geology, water resources, and visual resources.
- This variance is approved subject to implementation of all applicable mitigation measures for the project at the subject location, as requested in the variance. In addition, implementation of this variance in accordance with these measures shall be verified during construction by a CPUC Environmental Monitor.
Sincerely,
