Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration For the California American Water Slant Test Well Project & Appendices A-E (May 2014)

ABSTRACT: The “Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration For the California American Water Slant Test Well Project” and Appendices A-E, May 2014, prepared for the City of Marina and prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants documents are embedded. “The City of Marina oversaw preparation of an Initial Study (IS) for the project in October 2013 (SWCA 2013). The IS indicated that the proposed project had the potential to result in significant adverse effects on the environment, but that any such effects could be avoided or reduced to a less than significant level through project design modifications and development and implementation of feasible mitigation. Pursuant to the terms of a 1986 Settlement Agreement between the City of Marina and the Sierra Club, the IS was provided to the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club for their review and recommendation as to the appropriate environmental document required for environmental compliance under CEQA. On November 1, 2014, the California Environmental Law Project (attorney for the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club) responded by stating, “…the Sierra Club has no objection to the City preparing a mitigated negative declaration in connection with California American Water’s application for a test well in connection with its proposed desal[ination] facility.”
“Based on the analysis provided in the IS, the findings of additional environmental analysis conducted and technical studies prepared in response to early agency consultation, and concurrence from the Sierra Club per the requirements of the 1986 Settlement Agreement, the City of Marina has prepared a Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Cal Am Slant Test Well Project for public circulation and review. The Draft IS/MND will be circulated for public review during a 30-day public comment period pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15105. Prior to approving a proposed project, the City must consider the draft environmental documentation, together with any public comments received during the public review period.”
Moreover, according to reporting in The Monterey County Herald, “The study assessed the potential impact of a test slant well and four monitoring wells on the Cemex site in north Marina where desal plant source water would be pumped from beneath the ocean floor. The test wells are designed to operate for up to two years and gather technical data on the potential hydrogeologic and water quality effects of the proposed pumping for the desal plant. The data would not, however, be included in the project's environmental impact report, which is due to be released early next year.” Additionally, “The city's planning commission is scheduled to consider the permit application on July 10, and an expected state Coastal Commission review could occur by October, theoretically allowing the test wells to be drilled the following month."  Importantly, “The test wells are separate from a series of bore holes used to collect information for a hydrogeological working group, whose findings will be used to determine the suitability of the proposed Cemex desal plant source water intake site.”
RELATED NEWS ARTICLE:
Monterey desal: Environmental study released on proposed slant wells
By Jim Johnson, The Monterey County Herald, 05/31/2014

Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration

Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration For the California American Water Slant Test Well Project
May 2014
Prepared For: City of Marina
Prepared By: SWCA Environmental Consultants

Slant Test Well Draft IS-MND_051614 - Appendices 2014.pdf

APPENDICES A-E

APPENDIX A: SIERRA CLUB RESPONSE LETTER
APPENDIX B: BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPENDIX C: CULTURAL RESOURCES BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPENDIX D: GEOLOGY AND SOILS BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPENDIX E: HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY BACKGROUND INFORMATION

NOTE: The review period for the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration begins May 19, 2014 through June 17, 2014.