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Community Development Services, Department of Transportation, recommending the Board take the following actions related to the El Dorado Trail - Missouri Flat Road to El Dorado Road Project, CIP 97014, and El Dorado Trail - Missouri Flat Road Bike/Pedestrian Overcrossing Project, CIP 97015:
1) Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration; and
2) Approve the project as described in the California Environmental Quality Act Document.
FUNDING: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (Environmental and Design Phases) and Active Transportation Program Funds (Construction Phase) (88.53%), Toll Credits (11.47%). (Federal Funds)
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Community Development Services, Department of Transportation (Transportation), recommends the Board adopt the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and approve the El Dorado Trail - Missouri Flat Road to El Dorado Road (Trail Project), Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 97014, and El Dorado Trail - Missouri Flat Road Bike/Pedestrian Overcrossing (Overcrossing Project), CIP 97015, as described in the CEQA IS/MND.
The recommended Board actions are based on the following findings:
A) The CEQA document, on file with the Clerk of the Board and on Transportation’s website, <https://www.edcgov.us/Government/dot/Pages/ceqa.aspx>, was prepared pursuant to Public Resources Code §21000 et seq., and State CEQA Guidelines.
B) There is no substantial evidence that the Trail Project and Overcrossing Project, as mitigated, will have a significant effect on the environment.
C) The IS/MND for the Trail Project and Overcrossing Project reflect Transportation’s independent judgment and analysis, as lead agency for the County.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Transportation proposes to construct approximately 2.2 miles of Class 1 bicycle path between Missouri Flat Road and the town of El Dorado. The proposed Class 1 bicycle path would be constructed adjacent to the existing railroad tracks. The construction of the Class 1 bicycle path will not require the removal of the railroad tracks. The Trail Project will leave adequate space for a natural trail within the railroad corridor. In addition, a bike/pedestrian overcrossing would be constructed over Missouri Flat Road connecting the existing Class 1 El Dorado Trail to the east and the proposed new segment.
Proposed Trail Project amenities would include the installation of 2-foot unpaved shoulders, signage, and pedestrian crossings at Forni Road and Blanchard Road. A pedestrian connection would be provided between the new Class 1 trail and the sidewalk on Missouri Flat Road. Additional amenities may include the installation of fencing or railing at appropriate locations.
The proposed Trail Project and Overcrossing Project will be located entirely within the Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor-Joint Powers Authority (SPTC-JPA) right-of-way from northwest of milepost 143 within the town of El Dorado, just north of Pleasant Valley Road and Oriental Street, to east of milepost 144 at Old Depot Road south of Placerville.
The purpose of the Trail Project and Overcrossing Project is to construct a Class 1 trail within Section C2 of Segment C identified by the SPTC-JPA Master Plan. The proposed Trail Project and Overcrossing Project are consistent with the El Dorado County Bicycle Transportation Plan and would increase transportation options, help reduce carbon emissions, and provide low or no cost recreational and health benefits to community members.
Transportation is the CEQA lead agency and prepared the IS/MND to consider the significance of potential impacts resulting from the Trail Project and Overcrossing Project in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines (14 CA Administrative Code, §14000 et seq.). Certification of this IS/MND would complete the CEQA portion of the environmental phase toward ultimate delivery of both projects. Because these are federally funded projects, the Federal Highway Administration has designated California Department of Transportation as the lead agency to administer the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Categorical Exclusion, utilizing the required studies completed by Transportation as lead agency for the County. At this time, NEPA is not yet approved. Request for approval of NEPA follows CEQA.
Project Description: The Trail Project involves construction of approximately 2.2 miles of an 8-foot wide paved Class I multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail, with signage and at-grade crossings at Forni and Blanchard Roads. The bike/pedestrian Overcrossing Project would be constructed at Missouri Flat Road, consisting of a prefabricated steel truss with a weathered steel, rust-colored finish and a 12-foot wide concrete deck. A pedestrian connection would be provided between the Class I trail and the existing sidewalk on the west side of Missouri Flat Road.
Construction: The Trail Project is anticipated to begin construction in 2018, once all required approvals, permits and funding have been obtained. The Overcrossing Project is anticipated to begin construction in 2019 or later, depending on how soon funding can be secured for the construction phase.
Mitigation Measures: Mitigation measures are added to the projects to reduce potential impacts to a level of insignificance. The Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan can be found within the IS/MND Document.
Public Notification: The Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration was advertised in the Mountain Democrat on October 4, 2017 and the entire document was posted on Transportation’s website at <https://www.edcgov.us/Government/dot/Pages/ceqa.aspx>. A hard copy was available at the Transportation office located at 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville. Individual notices were sent via US Mail to all property owners adjacent to the SPTC-JPA within the limits of the Projects and to relevant agencies. The public review period began on October 4, 2017 and ended on November 3, 2017.
Public Comments: A total of five (5) comment letters were received during the comment period; three (3) from public agencies and two (2) from members of the public. Responding agencies included the SPTC-JPA, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB), and the El Dorado County Historical Museum. The SPTC-JPA and El Dorado County Historical Museum expressed support for the projects while requesting the County to follow California Public Utilities Commission regulations and maintain the existing rail use. A standard comment letter was received from the CVRWQCB. While expressing support for the projects, community members raised a couple questions and concerns regarding continued equestrian use of the El Dorado Trail and the reduction of privacy and screening from the removal of trees and vegetation.
Response to Comments: Complete responses to each of the comments received during the comment period are found in Exhibit A (Attachment C). No additional impacts were identified that were not discussed in the IS/MND and no additional mitigation measures are required. Three (3) letters were received after the comment period which are found in Exhibit B (Attachment D). Responses were not prepared for late comments.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could choose not to adopt the IS/MND and approve the projects. Transportation would make adjustments as directed by the Board and bring this item back to the Board at a later date. This could increase project cost and delay delivery.
2) The Board could cancel the projects. Transportation would be required to return all federal funds spent thus far.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Prior to construction, resource agency permits may be required as follows:
1) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Section 404 Clean Water Act Nationwide Permit
2) CVRWQCB - Section 401 Water Quality Certification
3) California Department of Fish and Wildlife - Streambed Alteration Agreement
4) El Dorado County Air Quality Management District - Fugitive Dust Plan Approval
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the IS/MND.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Trail Project and the Overcrossing Project are included in Transportation’s adopted 2017 CIP, which was approved by the Board on June 27, 2017 (Item 25). Adoption of this IS/MND and approval of the Projects will not result in any change to Net County Cost.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
TRANSPORTATION FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) File a Notice of Determination with the office of the County Recorder/Clerk.
2) Proceed with the projects through the NEPA clearance process, final design and construction.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Community Development Services, Department of Transportation