REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 11, 2020
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Interim Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
TitleTitle
Final Environmental Impact Report for the Ranchero Road Corridor Widening Project in Hesperia
EndEnd
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Adopt Resolution considering the Environmental Impact Report for the Ranchero Road Corridor Widening project and adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations.
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to file the Notice of Determination.
(Presenter: Brendon Biggs, Interim Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Department of Public Works (Department) is funded by Gas Tax revenues, fees, and other state and local funding. The requested administrative actions will have minimal financial impact. Sufficient appropriation is included in the 2019-20 Road Operations budget (6650002000 14H14943).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department, in cooperation with the City of Hesperia (City), is evaluating improvements to a 5.5 mile stretch of Ranchero Road from east of Mariposa Road to Seventh Street, of which 3.2 miles (Mariposa Road to Topaz Avenue) is within County limits (Project). The Project will involve widening existing two-lane segments of Ranchero Road to four lanes, with a two-way left turn median and shoulders in both directions, pavement rehabilitation and replacing existing corrugated metal drainage pipes with reinforced concrete box culverts at three locations.
On June 28, 2011 (Item No. 95) the Department and City entered into a Cooperative Agreement for the design and environmental services associated with the Project wherein the City agreed to serve as the lead agency.
In order to fully evaluate the Project, preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was required to be completed to comply with CEQA California Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq. and the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 15000 et seq.
The City prepared an Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), which indicated the potential for significant impacts that could not be fully mitigated. Consequently, a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to prepare an EIR was distributed to numerous state, federal, and local agencies, elected officials, and interested parties for a scoping period of 30 days. Relevant comments received in response to the NOP were incorporated into a Draft EIR (DEIR), and the DEIR was circulated for a public review period of 45 days. A total of 11 comments were received from six resource agencies and five from the general public during the public review period. A duly noticed Public Open House regarding the Project was held, and four comments were received. The concerns raised by the general public during the public review period and the Public Open House consisted of air quality, noise, public outreach, intersection signalization, and right-of-way acquisition issues, all which were responded to either via written correspondence or at the Public Open House meeting. All comments and responses to comments received are included in the Final EIR. The City has certified the Final EIR, and adopted the Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program, the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations (FFSOC). The City, as lead agency, has filed its Notice of Determination.
Potential significant environmental effects of the Project have been evaluated and detailed in the Final EIR and the FFSOC. Environmental impacts, which are less than significant and do not require mitigation (aesthetics, agriculture, cultural resources, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, land use planning, mineral resources, population and housing, utilities and service systems, recreation, transportation and traffic) are described in the Final EIR and FFSOC. Environmental impacts, which are identified as significant, but can be mitigated to a level of less than significant through feasible mitigation measures (air quality, biological resources, hydrology and water quality) are described in the Final EIR and FFSOC. Environmental impacts, which are identified as significant, but cannot be fully mitigated to a level of less than significant despite the implementation of feasible mitigation measures (noise and vibration), are described in the Final EIR and FFSOC.
In accordance with Public Resources Code Section 21081 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15091, FFSOC have been prepared for consideration by the Board of Supervisors. The FFSOC also contains a Statement of Overriding Considerations, which outlines benefits of the Project that outweigh the potential cumulative significant unavoidable impacts.
Based on the Department’s review of the EIR, FFSOC and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project, the Department recommends approval in compliance with CEQA Guidelines 15093.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel) on January 21, 2020; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on January 23, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on January 27, 2020.