9.1_-_Initial_Study_-FINAL_Nov_2007.pdf

M I T I G A T E D N E G A T I V E D E C L A R A T I O N

I N I T I A L S T U D Y

M U R R A Y S T R E E T B R I D G E S E I S M I C R E T R O F I T P R O J E C T

P R E P A R E D F O R

TRC ENGINEERS

AND

CITY OF SANTA CRUZ PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

P R E P A R E D B Y

STRELOW CONSULTING

N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 7

MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION

The Administrator of Environmental Quality of the City of Santa Cruz has prepared this Negative Declaration for the following described project:

PROJECT: Murray Street Bride Seismic Retrofit Project

PROJECT LOCATION: Murray Street Bridge over Santa Cruz Harbor in the City of Santa Cruz

APPLICANT: City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project consists of a seismic retrofit of the existing Murray Street Bridge, which spans the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor and additional minor modifications to replace deficient bridge barriers (widening shoulders to standard widths and replacement and improvement of sidewalks and railings). The seismic retrofit project will provide the bridge with additional vertical support and resistance to lateral seismic forces by installing additional pilings and supplemental structural elements. In order to provide sufficient area for construction operations, some boats, Harbor facilities, and commercial businesses will require temporary relocation.

FINDINGS: The City of Santa Cruz Public works Department has reviewed the proposed project and has determined, based on the attached Initial Study, that the project will have a less-than-significant impact on the environment with implementation of mitigation measures. Consequently, adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration is appropriate. An Environmental Impact Report is not required pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA). This environmental review process was conducted and the attached Initial Study was prepared in accordance with the State CEQA Guidelines and the local City of Santa Cruz CEQA Guidelines and Procedures.

BASIS OF FINDINGS: The Initial Study finds that all potentially significant impacts that could be caused by the project can be reduced to less-than-significant levels with implementation of mitigation measures as described in the attached Initial Study, agreed to by the project applicant, and to be incorporated into the project plans and specifications. The following mitigation measures will be incorporated into the project design or as conditions of approval, to ensure that any potential environmental impacts will not be significant.

Impact Mitigation

Biological Resources: Potential indirect impacts to steelhead that may be present during installation of piles and future reinstallation of docks and floats for boat berths.

MITIGATION MEASURE 1: Conduct pile driving activities in Harbor waters from July 1 to mid-November, unless otherwise permitted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NFS).

Biological Resources: Potential disruption to roosting pallid bats, Townsends’ big-eared bats, fringed myotis, and/or long-legged myotis if any of these species are using joint crevices of the Murray Street bridge for roosting or maternity roosting.

MITIGATION MEASURE 2: Conduct focused pre-construction surveys of the Murray Street bridge by a qualified biologist to determine if bats are roosting in the bridge’s expansion joint crevices if bridge construction activities are scheduled during the breeding season of native bat species (April 1 through August 31). Bat roosting habitat in crevices will be sealed prior to the onset of bat reproductive season (April 1). If roosting habitat is not sealed prior to bat reproductive season, bat exclusion devices will be installed. If these actions do not result in exclusion, a qualified biologist in possession of an applicable Department of Fish and Game Memorandum of Understanding should remove and relocate the roosting bats to an appropriate alternate habitat (a roost with comparable spatial and thermal characteristics).

Biological Resources: Project construction could result in indirect harm or harassment to marine mammals that may be in the vicinity.

MITIGATION MEASURE 3: Remove known or potential marine mammal resting sites prior to construction based on the outcome of preconstruction survey to assess if and how marine mammals utilize the construction area of potential impact. This preconstruction monitoring will take place at least five days prior to the start of in-water construction. All potential resting sites that occur in the construction work area shall be removed beyond area of activity, either under the bridge or above. These sites could include floating docks (i.e. Dock FF) or boats, such as those used by UCSC.

MITIGATION MEASURE 4: Require a qualified biological monitor be present during in water construction activities to search for target marine mammal species and halt project activities that could result in injury or mortality to these species. Prior to in-water construction, the approved monitor will conduct a workers training to instruct construction crews regarding actions to be taken to avoid or minimize impacts in the event of a target species entering the in-water work area.

MITIGATION MEASURE 5: Prohibit pile driving activities within a 500-foot radius if marine mammals are present. This radius will be visibly flagged on the banks of the harbor during these activities. Each day prior to the commencement of pile-driving, the approved monitor will survey the buffer zone for marine mammals. If a marine mammal is detected, delay pile driving until the marine mammal(s) has moved beyond the buffer zone, verified by visual confirmation or lack of visual sighting within the next 15 minutes of the last sighting. If the animal should move back into the buffer zone after the commencement of pile-driving, no further work stoppage will be necessary. The buffer radius may be reduced based on a measurement of the distance the 160 db pressure travels in the underwater harbor waters. This would be determined using an approved acoustic monitoring device. The City of Santa Cruz would notify NMFS in writing of the proposed change in buffer zone area. No disturbance or noise will be used to encourage the movement of the target species from the work area. The City will contact the appropriate authorities to determine the best approach for exclusion of the target species from the in-water work area.

Biological Resources: Project construction could result in potential disturbance to nesting bird species either under the bridge or in nearby eucalyptus trees.

MITIGATION MEASURE 6: Require that a pre-construction survey for special-status nesting avian species (and other species protected under the Migratory Bird Act) be conducted at least 30 days prior to the beginning of construction activities that occur during the nesting/breeding season (typically February through July) to assure that this area is not actively being used. If active nesting is not occurring, project construction activities may begin. If a nesting special-status bird is found during the survey, construction within 100 feet of the nest site should be postponed until after the bird has fledged or consultation with the California Department of Fish and Game be conducted to determine alternative measures or appropriate buffers.

MITIGATION MEASURE 7: If project activities are to be initiated outside of the breeding season, remove existing nests and/or install exclusion netting under the bridge to prevent nesting for the season. Swallow nests should be removed from the bridge structure before the breeding season including the courtship period, usually January through July. Exclusion netting should be subsequently installed to prevent reestablishment of nest structures on the bridge infrastructure during construction.

Hazardous Materials: Project construction could result in short-term, localized disturbance to or exposure to hazardous materials found in the soils.

MITIGATION MEASURE 8: In conformance with the recommendations of the Phase 1 Environmental Assessment, fill soils excavated from the west end of the bridge shall be tested for motor oil (with silica gel clean-up).

Fill soils excavated from the east end of the bridge shall be tested for diesel, arsenic, motor oil (with silica gel clean-up), and lead (used in old paints). If motor oil is detected, soils shall be further tested for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), due to the presence of a nearby transformer. Any contaminants found shall be treated and/or disposed of in conformance with all applicable regulations.

Hydrology – Water Quality: Construction activities within the Harbor waterway could result in inadvertent erosion or discharge of materials in harbor waters if construction activities and dock replacement are not property contained and managed, resulting in potential water quality impairment and potential indirect effects to aquatic species.

MITIGATION MEASURE 9: Incorporate BMPS into construction specifications, including, but not limited to:

Require all excavated soils, fill and construction materials be stored and contained in a designated area away from Harbor waters, and cover stockpiled soils to prevent release of sediments.

Prohibit fueling, cleaning, or maintenance of equipment except in designated areas located as far from Harbor waters as possible. As a precaution, require contractor to maintain adequate materials onsite for containment and clean-up of any spills.

Install temporary erosion and sedimentation control devices.

Locate equipment and spoils in designated staging areas.

Control of dewatering process to limit turbidity.

Prepare and implement a Stormwater Pollution

Prevention Plan that further details measures for erosion, sediment and water quality control.

All fill material would be clean material that would meet applicable water quality standards.

Noise: Pile installation and construction will result in temporary vibration to residences closest to the construction activities, but vibration levels will significantly decrease with increasing distance from the construction site.

MITIGATION MEASURE 10: Require that property owners and residents located within 150 feet of the pile installation locations be notified at least one week prior to construction.

PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD: Public review of the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration is from November 8, 2007 through December 7, 2007. Written comments should be submitted by December 7, 2007 to:

Josh Spangrud City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department

809 Center Street, Room 201 Santa Cruz, CA 95060

By: Mark Dettle, Director Date

MURRAY STREET BRIDGE SEISMIC RETROFIT

I N I T I A L S T U D Y NOVEMBER 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I. BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Project Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Purpose of Initial Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

SECTION II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Project Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Environmental Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Project Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

SECTION III. ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

SECTION IV. ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

SECTION V. ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

SECTION VI. MITIGATION MONITORING PLAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

SECTION VII. REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Report Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Persons Contacted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1. Vicinity Location .....................................................................................................2-9 FIGURE 2. Aerial Photo of Surrounding Area...........................................................................2-9 FIGURE 3. Bridge Cross Section............................................................................................2-10 FIGURE 4. Relocated Harbor Facilities. .................................................................................2-11

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1. Construction Phasing ...............................................................................................2-7 TABLE 2. Summary of Temporary Harbor Facilities’ Removal and Relocation ........................2-8 TABLE 3. Existing Noise Levels – Murray Street Bridge Area................................................5-18 TABLE 4. Noise Levels and Abatement Potential of Construction Equipment .......................5-20 TABLE 5. Existing Intersection Levels of Service ...................................................................5-24 TABLE 6. Summary of Traffic Conditions and Recommendations For Traffic Management Alternatives.....................................................................5-26

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 1-1 NOVEMBER 2007

SECT ION 1 . BACKGROUND

B A C K G R O U N D

1. Project Title: Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project

2. Lead Agency Name and Address:

City of Santa Cruz, Room 201 809 Center Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060

3. Contact Person and Phone Number: Josh Spangrud, (831) 420-5178

4. Project Location: Murray Street Bridge in the City of Santa Cruz.

5. General Plan Designation: Coastal Dependent

6. Zoning: Coastal Dependent Related

7. Other public agencies whose approval is required:

California Coastal Commission: Coastal Development Permit Caltrans: Construction Authorization U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Section 404 Permit and Section 10 Permit Regional Water Quality Control Board: Section 401 Water Quality Certification California Department of Fish and Game: Potential 1601 Streambed Alteration

Permit Public Utilities Commission: Potential approval for encroachment and/or work within or adjacent to the railroad right-of-way. (Approval from the Union Pacific Railroad will be required.)

Santa Cruz Port District: Approval of temporary dock removal and replacement and use of Harbor lands for construction staging areas

U.S. Coast Guard: Bridge Permit County of Santa Cruz: Potential Encroachment Permit for work within County roadways

P R O J E C T O V E R V I E W

The proposed project consists of a seismic retrofit of the existing Murray Street Bridge, which spans the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor and additional minor modifications to replace deficient bridge barriers (widening shoulders to standard widths and replacement and improvement of sidewalks and railings). The seismic retrofit project will provide the bridge with additional vertical support and resistance to lateral seismic forces by installing additional pilings and supplemental structural elements. In order to provide sufficient area for construction operations, some boats, Harbor facilities, and commercial businesses will require temporary relocation. Specific project components are described in Section II.

I - B A C K G R O U N D

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 1-2 NOVEMBER 2007

P U R P O S E O F I N I T I A L S T U D Y

This Initial Study (IS) has been prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The purpose of an IS is to:

1. Provide the Lead Agency with information to use as the basis for deciding whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or a Negative Declaration (ND).

2. Enable a Lead Agency to modify a project, mitigating adverse impacts before an EIR is prepared, thereby enabling the project to qualify for a ND.

3. Assist in the preparation of an EIR, if one is required.

4. Facilitate environmental assessment early in the design of a project.

5. Provide documentation of the factual basis for the finding in a ND that a project will not have a significant effect on the environment.

6. Eliminate unnecessary EIRs.

7. Determine whether a previously prepared EIR could be used with the project. [Per

CEQA Guidelines Section 15063(c)]:

According to CEQA Guidelines Section 15070, a public agency shall prepare a Negative Declaration (ND) or a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) when:

1. The IS shows that there is no substantial evidence, in light of the whole record before the agency, that the project may have a significant effect on the environment, or

2. The IS identifies potentially significant effects, but:

a. Revisions in the project plans made before a proposed MND and IS are released for public review would avoid the effects or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly no significant effects would occur, and

b. There is no substantial evidence, in light of the whole record before the agency, that the project as described may have a significant effect on the environment.

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-1 NOVEMBER 2007

S E C T I O N I I . P R O J E C T D E S C R I P T I O N

P R O J E C T L O C A T I O N

The proposed project is located at the eastern edge of the City of Santa Cruz. The project area includes the Murray Street Bridge which spans the Santa Cruz Harbor, portions of lands within the Santa Cruz Port District harbor area, portions of the harbor waters, and the area along the Murray Street road right-of-way, west of Lake Avenue (see Figure 1).

E N V I R O N M E N T A L S E T T I N G

The existing concrete Murray Street bridge structure, built in 1962, is approximately 544 feet long and 35 feet wide, with eight piers in the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor. The bridge structure carries two lanes of traffic, and has a sidewalk on the south side. The roadway is a portion of the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route, although there are only narrow bike lanes/shoulders on the bridge.

The bridge carries both a 12” water main and a 3” gas main, which are suspended underneath the structure. A sanitary sewer line conveying wastewater from the unincorporated area of the County to the City is located underneath the Harbor in the project vicinity. There are overhead power lines and street lighting facilities just north of the bridge, which will need to be relocated for the pile driving operation.

The Santa Cruz Harbor is located directly beneath the bridge. The Harbor accommodates 920 boat berths that support both commercial and recreational boating activities. In the immediate project vicinity, the Santa Cruz Rowing Club boat storage and UCSC rowing berth facility are located underneath the bridge and immediately south of bridge, respectively, on the west side of the Harbor. There are two waterway openings beneath the bridge through which all boats berthed in the northern portion of the harbor must pass. These two openings are required for efficient operations in the harbor.

A pedestrian path/sidewalk loops around the Harbor from Aldos Restaurant on the west side to the Crow’s Nest Restaurant commercial area on the east side. A portion of this path is located within the construction area on both sides (see Figure 2). Bicyclists and other recreational users also occasionally use the path, although bicyclists mostly use the harbor service road and use the path/sidewalk where the service road does not exist. Residential uses generally surround the harbor area on all sides (see aerial photo on Figure2). The city-owned Arana Gulch greenbelt area is located to the north of the project area, outside of the proposed project construction zone.

P R O J E C T D E S C R I P T I O N

Project Background

The bridge consists of nine spans. The Murray Street bridge has a precast concrete “I” girder superstructure set atop concrete columns, which in turn are supported by concrete piles with

I I - P R O J E C T D E S C R I P T I O N

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-2 NOVEMBER 2007

concrete pile caps. The original structural support for the bridge was provided by driven, cast-in-place, 16-inch and 12-inch diameter concrete pilings; these pilings were supplemented with additional precast concrete pilings in later years. In 1989, following the Loma Prieta Earthquake, the existing structure was modified. These modifications included the widening of the columns at Bents 2, 3 and 4 along with foundation widening at Bent 6 (this included adding piles). All of the pilings are embedded to varying extents into underlying rock, lagoon deposits (sand, mud, silt, and erosion deposits), and artificial fill.

Project Purpose and Need

The existing Murray Street Bridge (Bridge # 36C-0108) crosses the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor in the city of Santa Cruz, California (see the Figure 1, Vicinity Map). Due to the structure’s seismic vulnerability, the City in conjunction with Caltrans has embarked upon development of retrofit design plans. The City also received approval from Caltrans to rehabilitate the bridge, including replacement of the deficient bridge barriers under the HBRR (now HBP) program. In order to bring the bridge up to current standards, the narrow shoulders will be widened as part of the project.

Project Characteristics

Bridge Seismic Retrofit. The nine-span bridge is supported by two abutments (identified as Abutments 1 and 10, located at the western and eastern ends of the bridge, respectively) and 8 “bents” (identified as Bents 2 through 9, located at 60-foot intervals between the abutments) as shown on Figure 3. The seismic retrofit project consists of the following basic elements:

(1) Installation of concrete infill walls at Bents 2, 3, 4, and 9. These walls will span the voids between the existing concrete support columns and will be anchored to the columns with bonded dowels.

(2) Installation of shear keys and seat extenders at Abutment 1 and Bents 2 through 9.

(3) Retrofit of foundations with 16-inch diameter CISS (cast-in-steel-shell) piles at Bent 9 and Abutment 10. These piles will extend to depths of approximately –55 feet to –85 feet at Bent 9 and to depths of approximately –30 feet to –50 feet at Abutment 10.

(4) Retrofit abutment with two 96-inch CIDH piles behind Abutment 10 to a depth of -50 feet.

(5) Retrofit of both outriggers and bents with 30-inch diameter CISS piles at Bents 6, 7, and 8 and 30-inch diameter CIDH (cast-in-drilled-hole) piles at Bent 5. These piles will extend to depths of approximately -55 feet to -80 feet at Bent 5 and at approximately –85 feet to – 110 feet at Bents 6-8.

(6) Installation of fenders to protect new piles.

Figure 3 provides a cross section showing the abutment and bents and proposed improvements.

The installation of new piles at Abutment 10 and Bents 5 through 9 will include two piles on each side for a total of 24 piles. Both the CISS piles and the CIDH piles will be installed at 1:12 angles.

Additional Bridge Improvements. The project also includes replacement of deficient bridge barriers. In order to bring the bridge up to current standards, the narrow shoulders will be widened

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-3 NOVEMBER 2007

to provide standard 5-foot shoulders. The shoulder widening will consist of approximately an additional 2 feet on the north side of the bridge and 5-6 feet on the south side of the bridge. It is not anticipated that any work other than an overhang extension will be required on the north side widening. In addition, the construction of new bridge railings is required to conform to current codes.

Roadway lane widths will remain the same as currently exists.

The proposed project will include the following improvements:

(1) Removal of existing curbs, sidewalks, and barrier railings on the bridge.

(2) Installation of new girders, road foundations, and road surfacing along the entire southern edge of the bridge, providing 5.5 feet of additional width. (The girders will be supported by the new 30-inch piles at Bents 5 through 8 and the 16-inch piles at Abutments 1 and 10 and at Bents 2, 3, 4, and 9.

(3) Installation of a new cantilevered extension along the entire northern edge of the bridge, providing approximately two feet of additional width. (This will not require additional foundation work.)

(4) Repaving of the bridge surface, and construction of a new 7-foot, 6-inch wide sidewalk on the south side of the bridge. Class 2 bike lanes will be provided in the roadway shoulders.

(5) Installation of new metal bridge railings on both the southern and northern sides of the bridge.

Description of Construction Activities

Construction Schedule and Phasing. The Murray Street Bridge Retrofit project is tentatively proposed for construction in five partially overlapping phases, from approximately May 2009 through December 2010. Generally, work will begin on the eastern side of the Harbor and progress to the western side. The timing of each phase and a brief description of work to be performed during each phase is provided in Table 1. Overall, the seismic retrofit work outlined above will be executed over a period of approximately 18 months within four construction phases as described in Table 1. The additional bridge improvements will be constructed over a period of approximately 6 months as part of Phase 5 of the construction.

Due to need for large construction equipment and harbor access, as described below, there will be traffic control on Murray Street to include various measures such as temporary lane closures, temporary one-way traffic movement, and detours. A detailed review of traffic impacts and options to manage traffic is presented further below in the “Transportation and Traffic” section of this Initial Study.

Construction Methods and Equipment. The proposed project includes the following construction activities and associated equipment.

Demolition: The primary demolition activities include the removal of pilings at Bent 6, the temporary removal of the gangway under Bent 4, the removal of existing sidewalks and railings along the entire length of the bridge, the removal of pavement at both ends of the bridge, and the temporary removal of some docks.

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-4 NOVEMBER 2007

Equipment: Demolition will require the use of equipment such as cranes, excavators, front-end loaders, dump trucks, concrete saws, and jackhammers.

Work Platforms within the Waterway: Work within the waterway will require either the use of barges or construction of trestles to provide work platforms. If barges are utilized, prefabricated modular units may be brought to the site and locked together. This type of platform can be installed, reconfigured, and removed relatively quickly, but the system is not suitable for areas that are too narrow to accommodate the modules. For example, footings from the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge to the north and footings from the Murray Street Bridge appear too close together to allow use of a modular barge between footings. In these areas, a trestle likely will need to be constructed.

Pile Installation within the Waterway: The CISS piles at Bents 5 through 8 will be installed within the waterway by driving 30-inch steel casings either to refusal at rock or into a shaft drilled within rock (depending on the location). The shaft and/or casing will be dewatered and concrete will be poured into the casings, which will be left in place. The 30-inch CIDH piles at Bent 5 will also be constructed by pouring concrete into permanent steel casings;

dewatering is not expected to be achievable at this location, and a “wet” installation is planned. Overall the installation of piles is expected to take approximately 2 days for each pile.

Equipment: The installation of these piles requires the use of a crane(s), a drilling rig, a pile driver, excavation and earthmoving equipment, concrete trucks and pumps, concrete vibrators, supply trucks, welding equipment, and other machinery. The piles will either be driven in with a pile driver or a vibrator.

Pile and Anchor Installation outside the Waterway: The CISS piles at Bent 9 and Abutment

10 will be installed by driving 16-inch steel casing to depths of approximately –30 to –85 feet and filling them with concrete. These piles will be installed perpendicular to the ground surface. The 96-inch diameter anchor pile for Abutment 10 will require excavation and installation of a temporary steel casing, which will be filled with concrete. The anchor pile excavation will be dewatered by pumping, if necessary.

Equipment: The installation of these piles will require the use of excavation equipment, soil tamper equipment, and the other construction equipment described above for installing piles within the waterway.

Construction of Concrete Infill Walls, Shear Keys, Bent Caps, etc.: This part of the project will include the installation and construction of various project features below the bridge road surface and above the piles. Concrete forms will be constructed on the new footings.

Equipment: Equipment required for this part of the project would include concrete trucks and pumps, supply trucks, welding equipment, and other machinery.

Superstructure Construction: This part of the project will include the installation of new girders on the southern edge of the bridge, the installation of a cantilevered extension along the northern edge of the bridge, and the construction of barrier railings.

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-5 NOVEMBER 2007

Equipment: Equipment required for this part of the project would include a crane, concrete trucks and pumps, paving equipment, trucks to haul supplies, welding equipment, and other machinery.

Roadway Approach Construction: Excavation of existing road approaches will be performed.

Gravel base and asphalt concrete will be placed to match the new widened bridge deck.

Equipment: Equipment used will be typical paving equipment including graders, loaders, bulldozers, sheep's-foot rollers, dump trucks, and a paving machine. The roadway approach work will be limited to less than 200 feet from each end of the bridge. Metal beam guard railings will be placed at each corner of the bridge.

Contractor Staging. Contractor staging activities for Phases 1 and 2 of the project will take place in an approximately 8,000 square-foot portion of an existing boat yard beneath the eastern edge of the bridge. The establishment of this staging area will require that 9 boats be temporarily relocated as further discussed below. Additionally, the pedestrian path beneath the bridge will be temporarily closed. At the end of Phase 2, the boat yard will be restored.

Contractor staging activities for Phases 3, 4, and 5 of the project will take place in the northern portion (approximately 11,000 square feet) of a parking lot situated at the western edge of the bridge. Adjacent existing offices, bathroom facilities, and storage areas will be relocated, as described below. The access ramp to Dock FF will be temporarily closed (replaced by a temporary ramp at the southern end of the dock). Additionally, the pedestrian path beneath the bridge and the concrete stairway beneath the western edge of the bridge will be temporarily closed. This staging area will be used through the end of Stage 5, when original facilities will be restored.

Temporary Harbor Facility Relocation. The temporary use of portions of the eastern harbor boat yard and the western parking lot for contractor staging as described above, in combination with provision of construction access to the bridge from the waterway, will result in temporary disruptions of harbor activities including boat berths, boat storage, buildings, and businesses. Facilities to be temporarily removed and relocated are described below, summarized on Table 2, and illustrated on Figure 4.

During Phases 1 and 2 of the project, two berths will be removed from dock T at the east end of the bridge, and the two boats located there will be temporarily stored for up to four months. (These berths will be restored at the end of Phase 2.) During Phase 4, which includes work within the waterway, a portion of Dock FF will be removed and temporarily relocated: two boats will be relocated to dock AA and 8 boats to new docks that will be installed at the ends of docks N, O, P. A temporary dock FF--with fewer berths—will be constructed at the southern end of the dock, which will accommodate 6 boats. (Affected portions of Dock FF will be restored at the end of Phase 4.)

Additionally, the berth for the commercial “Chardonnay” boat will be temporarily unavailable for a period of approximately two weeks during Phase 4 construction. Figure 4 shows the location of the berths to be temporarily removed, the temporary docks, and the new docks.

The contractor staging area on the east side of the Harbor will require that nine boats in the boat yard be temporarily relocated to boat storage for approximately four months. On the west side, 60 rowing boats stored under the existing Murray Street bridge will be temporarily relocated to a recently constructed onland dry boat storage facility near docks A and B. An additional 200+ square

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-6 NOVEMBER 2007

feet of storage area would be constructed to accommodate the temporary row boat storage. Row boats stored under Span 2 and UCSC Rowing Facility boats under Span 1 will be temporarily relocated to the US Coast Guard parking lot and fenced.

Existing offices, bathroom facilities, and storage areas located north of the western staging area (and within the City’s right-of-way) will be displaced during Phases 3, 4, and 5 of the project. These facilities include: the UCSC storage building, the Lighthall Yacht Charters office, rowing equipment storage, the Santa Cruz Rowing Club Oar House, the Chardonnay Sailing Charters office, the Pacific Yachting Sailing School Charters office, and men’s and women’s restrooms. The buildings will be protected during construction, and a temporary 600 square foot facility (modular) will be installed on the US Coast Guard parking area for a period of approximately six months, which will temporarily house these businesses. An existing memorial bench and plaque will be removed, properly stored, and reinstalled in the West Harbor upon completion of construction.

In addition, as indicated above, traffic on Murray/Eaton will be subject to temporary controls as further discussed in this Initial Study. A portion of Lake Avenue may be also be subject to temporary traffic controls during setup of the construction staging area on the east side of the Harbor. The existing pedestrian path on both sides of the Harbor, the western concrete stairway, and the access ramp to Dock FF also will be closed during certain phases of construction.

Approximately 30-50 Harbor parking spaces (for permit users) on the west side of the Harbor will be temporarily unavailable when the construction staging area is setup in that location.

Reinstallation of Boat Berths After Project Construction. Upon completion of the project construction, two boat slips at the end of dock T will be reinstalled. Additionally, the temporary boat berths at dock FF will be removed, and the dock FF will be reconstructed to its current form. The eight new boat berths at the ends of docks N, O and P will remain permanently.

Although design plans have not yet been completed for the reinstalled berths, it is expected that the docks would be plastic, wood or concrete over polyethylene floats and would be anchored with pilings. Piles would be drilled into the harbor floor by mechanical hammer. There would be no dredging or placement of fill in Harbor waters with reinstallation of docks and both berths.

Railroad Right-of-Way Encroachment. The Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) maintains a bridge and track located approximately 20 to 30 feet north of the Murray Street Bridge (as measured from edge of deck to edge of deck, with the distance increasing west to east). Construction on the northern side of the bridge will require railroad flaggers for the protection of workmen and railroad traffic. In addition, a portion of the existing bridge is located within the UPRR right-of-way, and the project will encroach further.

TABLE 1. Murray Street Bridge Retrofit Project: Construction Phasing & Approximate Schedule

Work Tasks Effects on Harbor and Road Operations Phase 1: Construction in East Zone

2 months (5/09-7/09) [1]

* Temporarily relocate overhead utilities north of bridge * Install traffic control system with alternating 1-way traffic

* Prepare construction staging area (8,000 sq.ft.) at harbor boat yard * Close Murray for 7 days for driving anchor piles

* Retrofit Bent 9 & Abutment 10; install anchor piles * Temporary relocation (dry storage) of 9 dry-docked boats from boat yard

* Erect Girder Span 9 * Traffic controls along Lake Avenue during construction staging area setup

* Remove existing south rail * Close east walkway under bridge

* Close bridge sidewalk Phase 2: Construction in Eastern Waterway

5 months (7/09-12/09)

* Construct new berths (8) at ends of docks N, O, P * Temporary relocation of 2 boats from Dock T to AA or new dock N-Q

* Construct work platform(s) (trestle or barge) for Stage 2 work [2] * Temporary closure of East Drive & part of harbor boat yard

* Retrofit Bents 7 & 8 (includes installing anchor piles at Bents 7 & 8) * Availability of only one boat channel under the bridge for 6 non-consecutive half-days

* Erect Girder Spans 7 & 8 and construct Deck Spans 7, 8, & 9

* Construct north and south rails (optional) [3]

* Restore boat yard; reopen pedestrian path

* Remove east work platform

Phase 3: Construction in West Zone 6 months (12/09-5/10)

* Install row boat storage at docks A/B & USCG area * Closure of West Path, western concrete stairway and access ramp to Dock FF

* Install temporary building at USCG area * Temporary relocation of affected facilities (offices, storage, restrooms, etc.)

* Temporarily relocate existing offices and row boats to above [2]

* Close portion of western parking lot [2]

* Construct temporary access ramp to Dock FF

* Retrofit Abutment 1 and Bents 2, 3, & 4

* Erect Girder Spans 1, 2, & 3 [and construct Deck Spans 1, 2, & 3]

Phase 4: Construction in Western Waterway 5 months (5/10-10/10)

* Construct modifications to Dock FF; move 7 boats to new Dock FF * Closure of West Path, western concrete stairway and access ramp to Dock FF

* Construct work platform(s) (trestle or barge) for Stage 4 work * Temporary relocation of affected facilities (offices, storage, restrooms, etc.)

* Retrofit Bents 5 & 6 (including installation of anchor piles) * Temporary relocation of 8 boats from Dock FF

* Erect Girder Spans 4, 5, & 6 [and construct Deck Spans 4, 5, & 6] * Availability of only one boat channel under the bridge for 6 non-consecutive half-days

* Construct north and south rails [3]

* Remove work platform(s)

Phase 5: Construction of Superstructure and Barrier Rails [no timing provided]

* Remove sidewalks & temporary barrier rails

* Construct new barrier rails

* Restore Dock FF, parking lot, existing offices and related facilities

* Restore all remaining facilities to original condition

* Repair deck

Footnotes:

[1] Note that construction phases overlap; the sum of the construction periods specified is therefore greater than the total period indicated by start and finish dates.

[2] These tasks could be initiated and/or completed during the prior stage.

[3] [These tasks could be completed either in Phase 2 or 4.

[4] Temporary closure of Murray Street bridge roadway to all traffic is possible during any phase for a short duration. The alternating one-way traffic with sign control will occur during the consturction, but not during the full duration of construction activities.

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-8 NOVEMBER 2007

TABLE 2: Summary of Temporary Harbor Facilities’ Removal and Relocation

(SEE FIGURE 4 FOR LOCATIONS)

Facility Location Action

Pedestrian Bridge #1 - Beneath Span 4 Remove or salvage.

Rowing Center #2 - Row boat storage under bridge Relocate 60 boats to new facility near A/B Dock.

Construct addition to new storage rack at A/B Dock.

Chardonnay #5 – Beneath Span 3 (City right-of-way) Install temporary, 600sf building at USCG concrete pad. Protect existing building in place, if possible, or remove and replace.

Rowing Club Equipment Storage

#6 – Beneath Span 2 (City right-of-way) Relocate units to temporary fenced storage area at USCG.

UCSC Storage Space #7 – Beneath Span 1 (City right-of-way) Remove from site or temporarily store at fenced USCG site. Restore upon completion of construction.

Aquarius Boatworks #11 – East Harbor Temporary use of site (~8,000 sf);

relocate 9 drydock boats to storage;

remove 2 boat slips; reconstruct dock and yard upon completion of construction.

Pacific Yachting & Sailing #17 – Building on upper west Harbor Relocate to temporary building for #5.

Protect existing building in place, if possible, or remove and replace.

Santa Cruz Rowing Club Oar House

#25 – Under bridge on upper west Harbor Two week relocation to USCG site.

Concrete Stairway #26 – Upper west Harbor Remove and replace.

Timber Retaining Wall #27 – Upper east Harbor Remove and replace.

Restrooms #28 - Under bridge on upper west Harbor Install temporary restrooms at USCG.

Dock AA Dock AA Utilize southern portion for temporary boat relocation

Docks FF, N, O, P, Q, AA Docks FF, N, O, P, Q, AA Remove portion of Dock F-F.

Relocate 10 boats: 2 to Dock AA; 8 to new Docks N, O, P.

Construct temporary Dock FF and relocate 6 boats to Dock FF.

Reconstruct Dock FF and relocate

10 boats back to dock upon completion of construction.

Construction extensions of Docks N-P.

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-9 NOVEMBER 2007

F I G U R E 1 : V I C I N I T Y L O C A T I O N

F I G U R E 2 : A E R I A L P H O T O O F S U R R O U N D I N G A R E A & A R E A S O F P O T E N T I A L E F F E C T

SOURCE: TRC Engineers

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-10 NOVEMBER 2007

F I G U R E 3 : B R I D G E C R O S S S E C T I O N

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-11 NOVEMBER 2007

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 2-12 NOVEMBER 2007

F I G U R E 4 : R E L O C A T E D H A R B O R F A C I L I T I E S

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 3-1 NOVEMBER 2007

S E C T I O N I I I . E N V I R O N M E N T A L C H E C K L I S T

E N V I R O N M E N T A L F A C T O R S P O T E N T I A L L Y A F F E C T E D

The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.

X

Aesthetics

Agricultural Resources

Air Quality

Biological Resources

Cultural Resources

Geology / Soils

Hazards & Hazardous Materials

Hydrology / Water Quality

Land Use / Planning

Mineral Resources

Noise

Population / Housing

Public Services

Recreation

Transportation / Traffic

Utilities / Service Systems

Mandatory Findings of Significance

E N V I R O N M E N T A L C H E C K L I S T

1. A brief explanation is required (see Section 4--“Environmental Evaluation”) for all answers except "No Impact" answers that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses following each question (see references listed in Section VII).

A "No Impact" answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A "No Impact" answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards (e.g., the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project-specific screening analysis).

2. All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off-site as well as on-site, cumulative as well as project-level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational impacts.

3. Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or less than significant. “Potentially Significant Impact” is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that any effect may be significant. If there are one or more "Potentially Significant Impact" entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required.

4. “Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated: applies where incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from “Potentially Significant Impact” to a “Less Than Significant Impact.” The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level.

I I I - E N V I R O N M E N T A L C H E C K L I S T

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 3-2 NOVEMBER 2007

5. Earlier Analysis may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, one or more effects have been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). In this case a discussion should identify the following on attached sheets:

a) Earlier analysis used. Identify earlier analyses and state where they are available for review.

b) Impacts adequately addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis.

c) Mitigation measures. For effects that are "Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated," describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project.

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 3-3 NOVEMBER 2007

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

(Explanation of answers are found in Section V - Environmental Evaluation)

Potentially Significant

Issues

Unless Mitigation

Incorporated

Less Than

Impact

No

1. AESTHETICS. Would the project:

a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?

(Source VII.1 - Map CD-3)

b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway?

c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings?

d) Create new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area

2. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES. In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Department of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. Would the project:

a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? (Source VII.1 - Map EQ-5)

b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract?

c) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use?

3. AIR QUALITY. Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project:

a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan?

b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute to an existing or projected air quality violation?

c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)?

I N I T I A L S T U D Y 3-4 NOVEMBER 2007

Unless

d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations?

e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people?

4. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the project:

a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means?

d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?

e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?

f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan?

5. CULTURAL RESOURCES.