Title
Environmental Management Department, Air Quality Management District, recommending adoption of Resolution certifying Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) prepared for the proposed DST Output West Printing Capacity Expansion Project. (Est. Time: 10 Min.) (Cont'd 12-10-09, Item 55)
Resolution 271-2009
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
No net impact to County cost.
Background:
DST Output West, LLC (DST), has proposed to add several new printing machines that will result in additional Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions of up to 0.7 tons per year to their existing facility at 5220 Robert J. Mathews Pkwy, El Dorado Hills. The additional VOC emissions have the potential to exceed the cumulative 10 ton per year VOC emission threshold of significance, established by El Dorado County Air Quality Management District (EDCAQMD) Rule 523 - New Source Review. Pursuant to Health & Safety Code (HCS) Section 40709, in order to accomplish the proposed printing capacity expansion, potential VOC emission exceedances must be offset by emission reductions credited to a stationary source by EDCAQMD, or an other air district. Because currently no emission reduction credits (ERCs) are available in EDCAQMD, DST purchased 1.4 tons of VOC ERCs from a facility located in Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD). Pursuant to EDCAQMD Rule 523 a distance ratio of 2.1:1 must be applied to these specific ERCs, meaning that 1.4 tons ERCs obtained in SMAQMD represents only 0.7 tons ERCs when transferred to EDCAQMD.
HSC Section 40709.6 (a) (1) does not allow ERCs transfer from SMAQMD to EDCAQMD because the districts are located in different air basins and the upwind district (SMAQMD), where the source to which the ERCs are credited is located, is not classified as being in a worse non-attainment than the downwind district (EDCAQMD). Senate Bill (SB) 1662, approved on September 30, 2008, allows one stationary source in EDCAQMD to offset increases in emissions by emission reductions credited to a stationary source located in SMAQMD. Prior to authorizing any offsetting of emissions allowed by SB 1662, EDCAQMD is required to prepare and certify an environmental impact report (EIR) pursuant to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code, including an analysis of, and mitigation for, environmental impacts.
In connection with the foregoing, EDCAQMD as the lead agency caused the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), dated October 2009, State Clearinghouse No. 2009082051 (Attachment A), to analyze potential environmental impacts arising from the proposed DST Output West Printing Capacity Expansion Project (Project). All 17 environmental resource areas identified on the CEQA Guidelines checklist were considered. The DEIR included a detailed description of the Project, the environmental setting and an analysis of environmental impacts, including cumulative impacts, for each environmental resource evaluated. The DEIR concluded that no significant environmental impacts would be expected, so no mitigation measures are required.
Three (3) written comments were received on the DEIR during the public comment period from October 1, 2009, to October 30, 2009. The comments and responses to the comments raised are provided in Section Three of the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). The FEIR (Attachment B) for the Project was prepared and published on November 20, 2009. The information provided in responses to written comments does not identify any new, avoidable significant effects. Therefore, the FEIR confirms the DEIR analysis and conclusions. No significant adverse environmental impacts are expected, and no mitigation measures are required.
The notice for the Board hearing for December 8, 2009, was published in the Mountain Democrat on November 23, 2009. The DEIR and FEIR were made available on the AQMD's website and were available for viewing at the AQMD office. The DEIR and FEIR were also available in hard copy upon request.
Reason for Recommendation:
The FEIR concludes that the proposed Project will not cause or contribute to significant adverse environmental impacts, so no mitigation measures are required. After considering public comments at today's hearing, staff recommends adoption of the Resolution (Attachment C) that certifies the FEIR.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
Within five (5) days of FEIR certification, EDCAQMD will file a Notice of Determination (Attachment D) with the County Clerk.
Contact:
Marcella McTaggart x5306
Concurrences:
County Counsel has approved the Resolution.