XVI. Utilities and Service Systems

PG&E Land Transfers Final Mitigated Negative Declaration
Section 2-XVI Utilities and Service Systems
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SETTING

The applications that are the subject of this Initial Study involve the transfer of properties between several organizations, including PG&E, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the California Wetlands Foundation, and the California Waterfowl Association. No new structures would be constructed as the result of the project, though a small cartop boat launch facility will be reopened, and the McArthur Swamp area would be subject to an adaptive management program that would improve waterfowl habitat and return the properties to a more natural state. Therefore, the project would not have any effect on the local drinking water, wastewater or landfill facilities or resources.

Burney Falls, Bowman Ditch, and Ahjumawi Property

Other than the recreational lodge accommodations at Camp Britton, there are no structures or paved areas located on the properties subject to this application. Therefore, the properties create no demand for provision of drinking water, or disposal of wastewater or solid waste. The transfer of these properties likely would not result in any change to the demand for these utilities and services. Therefore, the project is not likely to create significant impacts to Utilities and Service Systems.

McArthur Swamp and Glenburn Dredge Site

No structures or paved areas are located on the properties subject to this application. Therefore, the properties create no demand for provision of drinking water, or disposal of wastewater or solid waste. While the reopening of a car-top boat launch area is proposed for the Glenburn Dredge Site, only minimal services would be provided. The transfer of these properties likely would not result in any change to the demand for these utilities and services. Therefore, the project is not likely to create significant impacts to Utilities and Service Systems.

UTILITIES AND SERVICE IMPACT DISCUSSION

Because the project would have no effect on the generation of wastewater, it would not create new demand that would exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
The reopening of the Glenburn Dredge car-top boat launch area is proposed as part of this project, however only minimal facilities will be provided and no new water or wastewater facilities will be required. Additionally, CWA will install an irrigation well capable of providing approximately 2,000 gpm in the area south of the Lee Drain and east of the McArthur Canal, due to local ground water conditions. The water pumped from it will be used for the specific purpose of maintaining permanent wetland habitats on the property. The RMA will also provide up to five cubic feet per second (cfs) of water from the Lee Drain from September 15 through November 15 for wetland management and flooding during the migration season. CWA will install water diversions and control structures in the McArthur and Central Drains to effectively divert water for wetland management. Delivery lines will be constructed from the irrigation well to wetland areas. This groundwater extraction will reduce the amount of water available to the system by the amount that is lost to evapo-transpiration on the wetlands. However, because of the minimal draft on the available groundwater resource by municipal and agricultural uses in the Fall River Valley, this reduction is not expected to impact existing or planned uses. The Fall River Community Services District owns and operates a municipal and domestic water system in the communities of Fall River Mills and McArthur however, none of the proposed actions are expected to impact the district or result in significant environmental effects.
Although implementation of the adaptive management plan for the McArthur Swamp area has the potential to alter existing drainage patterns with the goal of improved waterfowl habitat, the project would not require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities with the potential for significant environmental impacts.
Implementation of the MSMP will involve the transfer of an existing 300 ac-ft water right held by PG&E to CWA for the sole purpose of creating wetlands. Additionally, a new 2,000 gpm well will be installed for a similar purpose however, as described in item (b) above, it is not expected to have any effect on local water supplies, entitlements and resources, nor would it create a demand for new or expanded entitlements.
A wastewater treatment provider does not currently serve the project areas, and no new wastewater treatment facilities would be needed as a result of the project.
The project is not likely to create any new demand for landfill capacity, and therefore would not require services by a landfill provider.
Similarly, because no landfill services would be needed as a result of the project, it would comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste.

REFERENCES