A10. J7_Design Measures_SanFrancisquitoFireStation.pdf

Design Measures for the San Francisquito Fire Station Project

The following design measures have been developed to reduce potential adverse effects associated with the project activities. These design measures are incorporated into the Proposed Action and are a component of the project implementation.

General Resources GR-1 The construction area will be specified in the construction plans and marked on the ground with visible boundaries including but not limited to flagging. These barriers will be maintained until the completion of all construction activities. Construction personnel will strictly limit their activities, vehicles, equipment, and construction materials to the designated construction areas, staging areas or routes of travel.

GR-2 Prior to the start of project activities, all project personnel will be trained on proper implementation of project design measures, measures included in the SWPPP and hazardous materials plan and other applicable permits and environmental commitments.

Fire Resources FR-1 The contractor must comply with the FS approved fire plan.

Soil Resources SR-1 Prior to commencement of construction activities, an Erosion Control and Sediment Response Plan will be prepared and submitted to the ANF for approval. The contractor must be in compliance with the Erosion Control Plan for all project activities.

SR-2 Sidecasting is not permitted and project generated material will not be allowed to roll downslope.

SR-3 Dust control measures such as watering would be implemented to reduce excessive dust emissions. All clearing, grading, earth moving, and excavation would cease during periods of winds greater than 8-10 miles per hour (averaged over one hour) when disturbed material is easily windblown, or when dust plumes of 20 percent or greater opacity impact public roads, occupied structures, or neighboring property.

SR-4 Prior to the start of construction, the construction contractor would obtain coverage under the General Construction Permit (GCP) by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and in compliance with the permit would file a Notice of Intent with the (RWQCB) and prepare and implement appropriate BMPs within a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

Hydrology Resources HR-1 The construction contractor shall be required to obtain all applicable construction permits, including the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and preparing a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP will include an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and designation of refueling locations, emergency response procedures, and reporting requirements for any spill that occurs. The contractor must be in compliance with the SWPPP for all project activities.

HR-2 A project specific hazardous materials management and hazardous waste management plan would be developed prior to initiation of construction and submitted to the FS for approval.

The plan would identify types of hazardous materials to be used during construction, the types of wastes that would be generated and include a personnel training program and an emergency response program to ensure quick and safe cleanup of accidental spills. All hazmat situations must be reported to the USFS Hazmat Coordinator according to the ANF San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Hazard Communication Plan (2016). The contractor must be in compliance with the project hazardous materials and hazardous waste management plan for all project activities.

HR-3 All equipment maintenance, staging, and dispensing of fuel, oil, coolant, or any other toxic substances will occur in developed or designated non-sensitive upland areas at least 100 feet from any drainage. All equipment must contain appropriate spill containment kits to respond to leaks and spills and equipment for spill cleanup will be kept at the construction and staging areas for immediate use.

HR-4 Unless an authorized source is permitted by the Forest Service prior to the start of construction, all water required for construction and project activities must be obtained from a source outside the Forest. Drafting water from Forest streams and springs is not permitted.

HR-5 Rumble strips would be placed at ingress and egress locations or at locations where haul routes transition from unpaved to paved roads.

HR-6 Trucks hauling sediment will be required to utilize haul covers.

HR-7 Staging will only occur in the designated area, and protective mats will be installed to protect the existing ground surface within that designated area if the staging area is outside an existing hardened surface.

HR-8 Permanent impact areas will be designed to avoid or minimize the potential to increase fine-grained sediment delivery to nearby drainages and water bodies.

Botany Resources BR-1 Prior to implementation, the FS will complete pre-construction plant surveys of the work site, access roads and staging areas. If rare plants are found, design measures such as flagging and marking of areas to avoid or limited operating periods may be implemented, as determined by the ANF botanist. If target invasive species are found within the project footprint, design measures such as pre-project removal, weed wash station on site, post-implementation weed monitoring and removal may be needed, as determined by the ANF botanist. If construction deviates from the final approved plans during construction, the ANF botanist may recommend additional surveys.

BR-2 To limit the introduction and spread of new invasive plants, all tools and equipment that will be used for ground disturbance and vegetation removal (including hand tools) must be cleaned prior to entering USFS land. All vehicles/heavy equipment engaged in off-road travel must also be cleaned prior to entering USFS land, and before leaving the project area. Personnel transport vehicles are exempt from this requirement as long as they have not engaged in off-road travel. Washing of tools, equipment and vehicles will be done in a manner that will effectively remove seeds and propagules and must include tires/tracks, wheel wells, bumpers, fuel/skid pans and undercarriages. Disposal of rinse water must be done in a manner that would not further enhance the spread of invasive plants. The form to be used for certification of equipment washing will be provided by the USFS.

BR-3 All plant material (e.g., straw, mulch, seeds, etc.) used for erosion control and/or road maintenance must be certified weed-free. If not available, only weed-free rice straw or rice mulch shall be allowed. All erosion control material must be biodegradable. Wattles wrapped in “photodegradable” plastic are not acceptable.

BR-4 The appropriate specialists including a Forest botanist will be provided information regarding the location of the source for any imported material (soil, sand, gravel, boulders, etc.), so that a site inspection can be completed, and the material can be approved by the ANF.

BR-5 Project activities will generate a small amount of soil debris. If soil and debris collected contains target invasive plant species with a rating “high” from the California Invasive Plant Council (CAL-IPC) it must be deposited to a proper disposal facility.

BR-6 If any trees are identified for protection in place within the project area, the FS will mark them with flagging prior to the start of project implementation and the contractor will avoid impacts to these individuals. If unplanned impacts to trees selected for protection in place occur, this information must be provided to the FS. Any pruning or removal of these selected trees will require FS approval and will be in accordance with ANSI standards. Oak trees shall only be pruned from May to September.

BR-7 Once the construction has been completed, the appropriate ANF staff will evaluate all disturbed project areas to determine the need for restoration. The Forest botanist will take into consideration the size of the disturbed area, topography, surrounding vegetation and adjacent sensitive resources. If revegetation of the site is required, locally collected native seed will be used and the Forest botanist will determine the appropriate seed mix.

BR-8 If invasive plant treatment is required, it will follow the design criteria, application methods, and post-application monitoring protocols outlined in the Santa Clara River invasive plant NEPA (2013). If removal of invasive plants is required, the FS botanist will determine the appropriate disposal method.

BR-9 Monitoring for detection of new or expanding target invasive plant populations and treatment of project related invasive plant populations will occur for a minimum of two growing seasons after completion of the Project. If new infestations are detected, they will be eradicated.

Eradication will be considered complete when the infestation is shown to be absent for two consecutive growing seasons.

Wildlife Resources WR-1 Vehicles shall only be allowed to idle for two minutes or less to reduce emissions.

WR-2 Pets of project personnel and employees shall not be allowed on-site.

WR-3 If a federally listed species is observed in the project area at any time, work will halt and the USFWS will be notified immediately.

WR-4 To the extent practical, non-federally listed wildlife encountered during the course of project implementation should be given the opportunity to evacuate the site or can be moved out of harm’s way. Personnel will be reminded that harassment or removal of wildlife from the site is not permitted.

WR-5 Trash, food and debris shall be stored in closed containers and properly disposed of off Forest on a daily basis.

WR-6 All project materials will be properly stored and secured and any items that could pose a risk of entanglement such as ropes, cables, lines, etc. will be kept secure. Materials that are in any type of liquid or powder form must be stored in sealed leak-proof containers.

WR-7 For project work that occurs during the bird nesting season (February 15 – September 15), measures will be taken to discourage bird nesting in the construction/staging area and will include installation of blocking nets as needed and visual inspections. On each work day during the nesting period, visual inspections are to be conducted for the detection of new nesting activity in the construction/staging area and will focus on the detection of new nesting activity such as placement of vegetation and other materials used for the construction of nests. If the visual inspection results in detection of new nesting material within the initial 24 hours of its placement, removal of this material found on equipment and in the work area is acceptable.

Removal of nests with eggs or chicks is not allowed. If an occupied nest is found within the construction or staging area, the ANF biologist will be notified within 24 hours and a decision will be made regarding establishment of a no-disturbance buffer.

WR-8 Excavations that will be left open and unattended for more than 12 hours must either be covered or an escape ramp will be constructed to the bottom of the pit with less than a 2 to1 slope to provide an escape route for small wildlife species. Prior to commencement of work activity each day and before covering, backfilling or permanently closing any excavation, it must be checked to make sure no wildlife is present within the excavated area. If wildlife has become trapped, the excavation cannot be covered or backfilled until the individual has either exited or been removed from the excavation.

WR-9 Prior to project implementation, the ANF will conduct surveys to determine if the buildings scheduled for demolition are occupied by roosting bats. If surveys confirm buildings are utilized by roosting bats, the FS biologist will determine the strategy for safely evicting the resident bats and if installation of alternate roosting structures is necessary. Efforts will be made to exclude the bats from the buildings only after the seasonal period of occupancy has ceased and will utilize bat safe exclusion techniques designed to prevent entrapment and re-entry of roosting bats. Demolition activities can begin only after it is confirmed the buildings are no longer being used by roosting bats.

Design Measures for the San Francisquito Fire Station Project