To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Candace Messner, (707) 524-6424
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth
Title:
Title
Santa Rosa Aqueduct and Russian River to Cotati Aqueduct Cathodic Protection Project
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution determining that the Santa Rosa Aqueduct and Russian River to Cotati Aqueduct Cathodic Protection Project will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment, adopting the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for the Project, adopting mitigation measures and the mitigation monitoring reporting program, making certain related findings, and approving the Project. (Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Districts)
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Executive Summary:
The Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) is proposing the Santa Rosa Aqueduct and Russian River to Cotati Aqueduct Cathodic Protection Project (Project). The objective of the Project is to prevent corrosion of the Santa Rosa Aqueduct and Russian River to Cotati Aqueduct, thereby extending the lives of these aqueducts. The Project includes the installation of Cathodic Protection Stations and Test Stations along these aqueducts, and vegetation management at various locations along these aqueducts and one location along the Petaluma Aqueduct. An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (Initial Study) was prepared to evaluate and disclose the potential environmental impacts of the Project, which determined that all potential impacts would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated. Approval of this item would adopt a resolution determining that the Project will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment, adopt the Initial Study and the mitigation monitoring reporting program for the Project, make certain related findings, and approve the Project.
Discussion:
Background
Sonoma Water operates several aqueducts to provide a reliable supply of naturally-filtered drinking water from the Russian River to residents throughout its service area. The Santa Rosa Aqueduct was constructed from 1968 to 1985 and consists of approximately 16 miles of 36-inch to 42-inch diameter concrete mortar lined pipe. The Russian River to Cotati Aqueduct was constructed in 1963 and consists of approximately 18 miles of 30-inch to 48-inch diameter concrete mortar lined steel pipe. Because these aqueducts and the existing cathodic protection system are aging, an upgrade is necessary to protect these aqueducts and ensure the safety of these critical components of the region’s water supply transmission system.
Santa Rosa Aqueduct and Russian River to Cotati Aqueduct Cathodic Protection Project
The Project would include the installation of Cathodic Protection Stations and Test Stations along the Santa Rosa Aqueduct and along the Russian River to Cotati Aqueduct; vegetation maintenance activities associated with both aqueducts; and vegetation management at one location on the Petaluma Aqueduct.
Cathodic Protection Stations would include both an anode well and a source of electrical power. The anode well would be comprised of a 1-foot-diameter well drilled to a depth of approximately 250 feet; the top of the well would be flush with the surface of the ground. A perforated vent pipe with silicon cast anodes would be installed in each well. The well would be filled with a carbonaceous backfill material referred to as “Coke Breeze.” This material creates a path for current to flow from the pipeline down to the anodes. The well would then be capped and electrical services provided through either a rectifier or a small solar installation. A rectifier would be housed in an olive-green structure measuring five feet tall installed aboveground on a two-foot by three-foot concrete pad. Two sites would include a solar installation in place of a rectifier and would consist of a solar panel installation measuring approximately 10 feet by 15 feet.
Test Stations could be installed as either posts or flush-mounted at ground level. In locations that can accommodate aboveground posts, Test Stations would include a six-inch diameter steel post filled with concrete that would stand approximately four feet tall surrounded by a concrete encasement that is flush with the ground to a depth of three or more feet. This concrete encasement would measure approximately two feet by two feet. Flush-mounted test stations may be installed in locations where aboveground components could hinder existing vehicle traffic or other activities. Flush-mounted test stations would include the same internal components as other test stations but would be installed below ground and capped with a concrete around a box that would be flush with the surface of the ground and would measure approximately two feet across.
Operational activities related to the Project would be minimal with Sonoma Water staff visiting Cathodic Protection Stations and Test Stations approximately once or twice per year. Maintenance activities related to the Project would include vegetation maintenance and repair and replacement of project components as needed. The anticipated lifespan of project components is 30 years; therefore, maintenance activities would be minimal. The Project was designed to minimize disturbance to sensitive habitats. The Project includes mitigation measures to minimize the potential for the Project to adversely affect air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, noise, transportation, tribal cultural resources, and wildfire.
California Environmental Quality Act Documentation
Sonoma Water, as lead agency under CEQA, on July 9, 2018, posted a Notice of Preparation of an Initial Study at the Sonoma County Clerks’ Office and with the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research State Clearinghouse and mailed the notice to stakeholders, interested persons, and property owners adjacent to the project area. The public scoping period was from July 9, 2018 to August 10, 2018. Comments received during the public scoping period expressed concern about coordination with the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), if necessary; requests for clarification regarding landowner landscaping and vegetation in or adjacent to project sites; and access to nearby homes and driveways during construction activities.
Sonoma Water prepared an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact (Initial Study) for the Project pursuant to the requirements of the CEQA (California Public Resources Code sections 21000 et seq.), the State CEQA Guidelines (Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3), and Sonoma Water’s Compliance Procedures for CEQA. The Initial Study discloses potential environmental impacts of implementing the Project; identifies the means to avoid or reduce potential significant adverse impacts on the environment; and concludes the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Project would not have a significant adverse effect on the environment.
The Notice of Completion, and Notice of Availability and Notice of Intent to Adopt the Initial Study and Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact (Notice of Availability) for the Project was posted with the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research’s State Clearinghouse and the Sonoma County Clerk on September 28, 2021. The Initial Study was available on September 29, 2021 for a 30-day public review period that ended October 28, 2021. The Notice of Availability for the Initial Study was distributed to jurisdictional and permitting agencies and mailed to stakeholders, interested persons, and property owners adjacent to the Project area on September 24, 2021. Copies of the Initial Study and Notice of Availability and Notice of Intent to Adopt were also made available at Sonoma Water’s administrative office and an electronic version of the documents were made available on Sonoma Water’s website. A legal notice was also published in the Press Democrat on October 3, 2021. During the review period, Sonoma Water received eleven requests for additional information from interested persons requesting clarification regarding the project scope and locations of activities. Sonoma Water did not receive any additional comments regarding the Initial Study during the public review period. A summary of the requests for additional information received and Sonoma Water’s responses is provided in Attachment 1.
Sonoma Water staff recommends that the Board adopt a resolution determining that the Project will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment, adopting the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for the Project, adopting mitigation measures and the mitigation monitoring reporting program, making certain related findings, approving the Project, and acknowledging the filing of a Notice of Determination.
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment:
Water Supply and Transmission System, Goal 2: Maintain and improve the reliability of the Water Transmission System.
The subject actions will allow the repair and upgrade of the existing cathodic protection systems for the Santa Rosa and Russian River to Cotati aqueducts to occur, which will cost-effectively extend the useful life of this critical infrastructure that provides drinking water to portions of Sonoma County.
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
3,610,575 |
2,073,000 |
140,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$3,610,575 |
$2,073,000 |
$140,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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|
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State/Federal |
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|
|
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Fees/Other |
3,610,575 |
2,073,000 |
140,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$3,610,575 |
$2,073,000 |
$140,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $3,610,575 is available from FY 2021/2022 appropriations for the Water Transmission Fund. FY 2022/2023 and FY 2023/2024 appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Exhibit A)
Summary and Response to Comments (Attachment 1)
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
Draft Notice of Determination