section 2.1 air quality and greenhouse gases · high air pollution levels in coastal communities of...

Draft Final Environmental Impact Report Agriculture Promotion Project 2.1‐1

February 2017ICF 54.15

Section 2.1 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases

Thissectiondescribesexistingairqualityandgreenhousegas(GHG)conditionsandtheapplicableregulatoryframework,andassessespotentialimpactsfromairqualityandGHGemissionsthatmayresultfromimplementingtheproposedproject.Finally,cumulativeimpactsandmitigationmeasuresthatwouldreducepotentiallysignificantimpactsareidentified.

2.1.1 Existing Conditions TheproposedprojectislocatedintheSanDiegoAirBasin(SDAB);theairbasincomprisesthestudyareafortheairqualityanalysis.Ambientairqualityinthestudyareaisaffectedbyclimatologicalconditions,topography,andthetypesandamountsofpollutantsemitted.ThefollowingdiscussiondescribesrelevantcharacteristicsoftheSDAB,describeskeypollutantsofconcern,summarizesexistingambientpollutantconcentrations,andidentifiessensitivereceptors.ThissectionalsoprovidesadiscussionofGHGemissionsastheyrelatetotheGHGstudyarea,whichismuchbroaderthanthestudyareafortheairqualityanalysistoincludepotentialregionalandglobalGHGeffectsoftheproject.Existingmeteorologicalandairqualityconditionswithintheprojectareaandregionallyaredescribedbelow.

2.1.1.1 Regional Climate and Meteorology TheSDABcoversallofSanDiegoCountyandisborderedbythePacificOceantothewest,theSouthCoastAirBasin(SCAB)tothenorth,theSaltonSeaAirBasintotheeast,andtheU.S./Mexicobordertothesouth.TheclimateinSouthernCalifornia,includingtheSDAB,iscontrolledlargelybythestrengthandpositionofasubtropicalhigh‐pressurecelloverthePacificOcean.Precipitationismostlylimitedtoafewstormsduringthewinterseason.Windsinthestudyareausuallyaredrivenbythedominantland/seabreezecirculationsystem.Duringtheday,regionalwindpatternsaredominatedbyonshoreseabreezes.Atnight,windgenerallyslows,remainsstill,orreversesdirection,travelingtowardthesea.TheatmosphericconditionsoftheSDABcontributetotheregion’sairqualityconditions.Becauseofitsclimate,theSDABexperiencesfrequenttemperatureinversions.Typically,temperaturedecreaseswithheight.However,underinversionconditions,temperatureincreasesasaltitudeincreases.Temperatureinversionspreventairthatisclosetothegroundfrommixingwithairathigherelevations.Asaresult,airpollutantsaretrappedneartheground.Duringthesummer,theinteractionbetweentheoceansurfaceandthelowerlayeroftheatmospherecreatesamoistmarinelayer.Anupperlayerofwarmairmassformsoverthecoolmarinelayer,preventingairpollutantsfromdispersingupward.Additionally,reactiveorganicgases(ROG)andnitrogenoxides(NOX)reactunderstrongsunlightandhightemperatures,creatingsmog.Lightdaytimewinds,primarilyfromthenorthwest,furtheraggravatethisconditionbydrivingtheairpollutantsinlandtowardthewarmerfoothills.Duringthefallandwinter,elevatedcarbonmonoxide(CO)andNOXlevelsusuallyoccurondayswithsummer‐likeconditions.

County of San Diego Section 2.1. Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases

Section 2.1. Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases



HighairpollutionlevelsincoastalcommunitiesofSanDiegocanoftenoccurwhenpollutedairfromtheSCAB,particularlyfromLosAngeles,travelssouthwestovertheoceanatnightandisbroughtonshoreintoSanDiegobytheseabreezeduringtheday(SanDiegoCountyAirPollutionControlDistrict2010a).AreductioninsmogtransportedfromtheSCABisakeyfactorinthereductionofpeakozonelevelsseenatcoastalsitesbetween2003and2005.Ozone(O3)anditsprecursoremissions(ROGandNOX)aretransportedtoSanDiegoduringrelativelymildSantaAnaweatherconditions.DuringstrongSantaAnaweatherconditions,however,pollutantsarepushedawayfromSanDiegofarouttosea(SanDiegoCountyAirPollutionControlDistrict2009).

2.1.1.2 Local Climate Conditions TheprojectareaencompassestheunincorporatedareasoftheentireCounty.TherearefivedistinctclimatezonesthroughouttheCountythatrunnearlyparalleltothecoast. Maritime—runsfromthecoastto3–5milesinland. Coastal—runsfrom5–15milesinland. Transitional—runsfrom20–25milesinland. Interior—runsfrom25–60milesinland. Desert—runsabout60milesinlandtotheCounty’seasternborder.Temperatureandprecipitationvarywidelywithintheclimatezones.Forexample,averageannualprecipitationrangesfromapproximately10inchesinthecoastalandinlandareastoover30inchesinthemountains(interiorzone).Ingeneral,moremildannualtemperaturesareexperiencedinthemaritimeandcoastalareas,whereastheinterioranddesertareasexperiencewarmersummersandcoolerwinters.ThemajorityoftheunincorporatedCountyislocatedwithintheinterioranddesertzones(SanDiegoCountyAirPollutionControlDistrict2010b).ThereareseveralweatherandclimatemonitoringstationsthroughouttheCounty.Giventherangeofclimateconditionsthroughouttheunincorporatedareas,historicalclimaterecordsatfourstationswithdiverseclimaterecords,ChulaVista(coastal),ElCajon(transitional),Campo(interiorzone)andCuyamaca(interiorzone),wereassumedtoberepresentativeoftheclimateconditionsovertheprojectarea.AtChulaVista,theannualaveragetemperatureis61degreesFahrenheit(°F),withanaveragewintertemperatureof55°Fandanaveragesummertemperatureof67°F.AtElCajon,theannualaveragetemperatureis65°F,withanaveragewintertemperatureof56°Fandanaveragesummertemperatureof74°F.AtCampo,theannualaveragetemperatureis61°F,withanaveragewintertemperatureof48°Fandanaveragesummertemperatureof71°F.AtCuyamaca,theannualaveragetemperatureis53°F,withanaveragewintertemperatureof40°Fandanaveragesummertemperatureof68°F.Annualprecipitationis10inchesatChulaVista,12inchesatElCajon,15inchesatCampo,and35inchesatCuyamaca(WesternRegionalClimateCenter2015a,2015b,2015c,2015d).ThemajorityofprecipitationoccursbetweenNovemberandMarch,withJanuarybeingthewettestmonthatCampoandFebruarybeingthewettestmonthatCuyamaca(NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration2004).AnnualwindspeedsatCampoaverage8.2milesperhour(mph)fromthenortheast(WesternRegionalClimateCenter2015e,2015f).NowindmonitoringdataareavailableatElCajon,ChulaVista,orCuyamaca.





2.1.1.3 Pollutants of Concern

Criteria Pollutants

Thefederalandstategovernmentshaveestablishedairqualitystandardsforsixcriteriapollutants:ozone,lead,CO,nitrogendioxide(NO2),sulfurdioxide(SO2),andparticulatematter(PM),whichconsistsofPMlessthanorequalto10micronsindiameter(PM10)andPMlessthanorequalto2.5micronsindiameter(PM2.5).OzoneandNO2areconsideredregionalpollutantsbecausethey(ortheirprecursors)affectairqualityonaregionalscale.PollutantssuchasCO,SO2,andleadareconsideredlocalpollutantsthattendtoaccumulateintheairlocally.PM10andPM2.5arebothregionalandlocalpollutants.Theprimarycriteriapollutantsofconcernintheprojectareaareozone(includingROGandNOX),CO,PM,andSO2.Principalcharacteristicssurroundingthesepollutantsarediscussedbelow.Table2.1‐1summarizesprimaryemissionssourcesforeachpollutant,aswellastheireffectsonhumanhealthandtheenvironment.Ozone(O3),orsmog,isaphotochemicaloxidantthatisformedwhenROGandNOX(discussedbelow)reactinthepresenceofsunlight.Ozoneposesahealththreattothosewhoalreadysufferfromrespiratorydiseasesaswellastohealthypeople.Additionally,ozonehasbeentiedtocropdamage,typicallyintheformofstuntedgrowthandprematuredeath.Ozonecanalsoactasacorrosivesubstance,resultinginpropertydamagesuchasthedegradationofrubberproducts.ReactiveOrganicGases(ROG)arecompoundsmadeupprimarilyofhydrogenandcarbonatoms.Internalcombustionassociatedwithmotorvehicleusageisthemajorsourceofhydrocarbons.OthersourcesofROGareemissionsassociatedwiththeuseofpaintsandsolvents,theapplicationofasphaltpaving,theuseofhouseholdconsumerproductssuchasaerosols,andbrewingandfermentingoperations.AdverseeffectsonhumanhealtharenotcauseddirectlybyROG,butratherbyreactionsofROGtoformsecondarypollutantssuchasozone.NitrogenOxides(NOX)serveasintegralparticipantsintheprocessofphotochemicalsmogproduction.ThetwomajorformsofNOXarenitricoxide(NO)andNO2.NOisacolorless,odorlessgasformedfromatmosphericnitrogenandoxygenwhencombustiontakesplaceunderhightemperatureand/orhighpressure.NO2isareddish‐browngasformedbythecombinationofNOandoxygen.NO2actsasanacuterespiratoryirritantandincreasessusceptibilitytorespiratorypathogens.CarbonMonoxide(CO)isacolorless,odorless,toxicgasproducedbyincompletecombustionofcarbonsubstances,suchasgasolineordieselfuel.TheprimaryadversehealtheffectassociatedwithCOisinterferencewithnormaloxygentransfertotheblood,whichmayresultintissueoxygendeprivation.ParticulateMatter(PM)consistsoffinelydividedsolidsorliquidssuchassoot,dust,aerosols,fumes,andmists.Twoformsoffineparticulatesarenowrecognized—inhalablecoarseparticles,orPM10,andinhalablefineparticles,orPM2.5.Particulatedischargeintotheatmosphereresultsprimarilyfromindustrial,agricultural,construction,andtransportationactivities.However,windonaridlandscapesalsocontributessubstantiallytolocalparticulateloading.BothPM10andPM2.5mayadverselyaffectthehumanrespiratorysystem,especiallyinthosepeoplewhoarenaturallysensitiveorsusceptibletobreathingproblems.





SulfurDioxide(SO2)isaproductofhigh‐sulfurfuelcombustion.MainsourcesofSO2arecoalandoilusedinpowerstationsandinindustries,andfordomesticheating.IndustrialchemicalmanufacturingisanothersourceofSO2.

Toxic Air Contaminants

Althoughstateandfederalstandardshavebeenestablishedforcriteriapollutants,noambientstandardsexistfortoxicaircontaminants(TAC).ManypollutantsareidentifiedasTACsbecauseoftheirpotentialtoincreasetheriskofdevelopingcancerorbecauseoftheiracuteorchronichealthrisks.ForTACsthatareknownorsuspectedcarcinogens,theCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(ARB)hasconsistentlyfoundthattherearenolevelsorthresholdsbelowwhichexposureisrisk‐free.IndividualTACsvarygreatlyintheriskstheypresent.Atagivenlevelofexposure,oneTACmayposeahazardthatismanytimesgreaterthananother.TACsareidentifiedandtheirtoxicityisstudiedbytheCaliforniaOfficeofEnvironmentalHealthHazardAssessment(OEHHA).Airtoxicsaregeneratedbyanumberofsources,includingstationarysources,suchasdrycleaners,gasstations,autobodyshops,andcombustionsources;mobilesources,suchasmotorvehicles,dieseltrucks,ships,andtrains;andareasources,suchasfarms,landfills,andconstructionsites.AdversehealtheffectsofTACscanbecarcinogenic(cancer‐causing),short‐term(acute)noncarcinogenic,andlong‐term(chronic)noncarcinogenic.Directexposuretothesepollutantshasbeenshowntocausecancer,birthdefects,damagetothebrainandnervoussystem,andrespiratorydisorders.

Odors

Offensiveodorsrarelycausephysicalharm,buttheycanbeunpleasantandleadtoconsiderabledistressamongthepublic.Thisdistressoftengeneratescitizencomplaintstolocalgovernmentsandairdistricts.AccordingtoARB’s(2005)AirQualityandLandUseHandbook,landusesassociatedwithodorcomplaintstypicallyincludesewagetreatmentplants,landfills,recyclingfacilities,manufacturing,andagriculturalactivities.ARBprovidesrecommendedscreeningdistancesforsitingnewreceptorsnearexistingodorsources.Microbrewingoperationscanalsogeneratehydrogensulfide(H2S),whichcanleadtounpleasantodors.

Greenhouse Gases

PresentintheEarth’sloweratmosphere,GHGsplayacriticalroleinmaintainingtheEarth’stemperature.GHGstrapsomeofthelong‐waveinfraredradiationemittedfromtheEarth’ssurfacethatwouldotherwiseescapetospace.ThephenomenonknownasthegreenhouseeffectkeepstheatmosphereneartheEarth’ssurfacewarmenoughforthesuccessfulhabitationofhumansandotherlifeforms.IncreasesinfossilfuelcombustionanddeforestationhaveexponentiallyincreasedconcentrationsofGHGsintheatmospheresincetheIndustrialRevolution,leadingtowarmingoftheEarth’sloweratmosphereandnoticeablebeginningstagechangesintheEarth’sclimate.TheprincipleanthropogenicGHGscontributingtoclimatechangearecarbondioxide(CO2),methane(CH4),nitrousoxide(N2O),andfluorinatedcompounds,includingsulfurhexafluoride(SF6),hydrofluorocarbons(HFCs),andperfluorocarbons(PFCs).Watervapor,themostabundantGHG,isnotincludedinthislistbecauseitsnaturalconcentrationsandfluctuationsfaroutweighitsanthropogenic(human‐made)sources.TheprimaryGHGsofconcernassociatedwiththeprojectareCO2,CH4,andN2O.Principalcharacteristicssurroundingthesepollutantsarediscussedbelow.





CarbonDioxide(CO2)enterstheatmospherethroughtheburningoffossilfuels(oil,naturalgas,andcoal),solidwaste,treesandwoodproducts,respiration,andalsoasaresultofotherchemicalreactions(e.g.,manufactureofcement,microbrewing).Carbondioxideisalsoremovedfromtheatmosphere(orsequestered)whenitisabsorbedbyplantsaspartofthebiologicalcarboncycle.Methane(CH4)isemittedduringtheproductionandtransportofcoal,naturalgas,andoil.Methaneemissionsalsoresultfromlivestockandotheragriculturalpracticesandbythedecayoforganicwasteinmunicipalsolidwastelandfills.NitrousOxide(N2O)isemittedduringagricultural(i.e.,fertilizerandpesticideapplication)andindustrialactivities,aswellasduringcombustionoffossilfuelsandsolidwaste.MethodshavebeensetforthtodescribeemissionsofGHGsintermsofasinglegastosimplifyreportingandanalysis.ThemostcommonlyacceptedmethodtocompareGHGemissionsistheglobalwarmingpotential(GWP)methodologydefinedintheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC)referencedocuments.TheIPCCdefinestheGWPofvariousGHGemissionsonanormalizedscalethatrecastsallGHGemissionsintermsofcarbondioxideequivalent(CO2e),whichcomparesthegasinquestiontothatofthesamemassofCO2(CO2hasaGWPof1bydefinition).Table2.1‐2liststheGWPofCO2,CH4,andN2O,theirlifetimes,andabundancesintheatmosphere.

2.1.1.4 Ambient Pollutant Concentrations

Criteria Pollutants

TheSanDiegoAirPollutionControlDistrict(SDAPCD)maintainsandoperatesanetworkofambientairmonitoringstationsthroughouttheCounty.Thepurposeofthemonitoringstationsistomeasureambientconcentrationsofthepollutantsanddeterminewhethertheambientairqualitymeetsthenationalambientairqualitystandards(NAAQS)andCaliforniaambientairqualitystandards(CAAQS)(discussedfurtherbelow).Monitoringdatafor3years(2013–2015)fromtheOtayMesa‐PaseoandAlpine‐VictoriaDrivestationsarepresentedinTable2.1‐3torepresenttherangeofambientairqualityconditionsthroughouttheunincorporatedarea.AsshowninTable2.1‐3,theAlpine‐VictoriaDrivestationhasexperiencedfrequentviolationsofthestateandfederalozonestandards,whereastheOtayMesa‐Paseostationdidnotviolateeitherozonestandardoverthese3years.TheOtayMesa‐PaseostationrecordedsixexceedancesofthestatePM10standardin2012.Localmonitoringdata(Table2.1‐3)areusedtodesignateareasasnonattainment,maintenance,attainment,orunclassifiedfortheNAAQSandCAAQS.Thefourdesignationsaredefinedasfollows. Nonattainment—assignedtoareaswheremonitoredpollutantconcentrationsconsistently

violatethestandardinquestion. Maintenance—assignedtoareaswheremonitoredpollutantconcentrationsexceededthe

standardinquestioninthepastbutarenolongerinviolationofthatstandard. Attainment—assignedtoareaswherepollutantconcentrationsmeetthestandardinquestion

overadesignatedperiodoftime. Unclassified—assignedtoareaswheredataareinsufficienttodeterminewhetherapollutantis

violatingthestandardinquestion.





Table2.1‐4summarizestheattainmentstatusofSanDiegoCountywithregardtotheNAAQSandCAAQS.

Toxic Air Contaminants

AccordingtoARB’s(2009)CaliforniaAlmanacofEmissionsandAirQuality,theannualaveragedieselparticulatematter(DPM)concentrationintheSDABwas1.4microgramspercubicmeter(µg/m3)asoftheyear2000,withanestimatedcancerriskof420personsinonemillion.TheannualaveragecancerriskfromallTACswithintheSDABwas187personsinonemillion.Forperspective,1outof3Americanswilleventuallydevelopcancer,and1outof4willdiefromcancer.Therefore,thenationalaveragebackgroundcancerincidenceisequivalentto333,000personsinonemillion(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2009).

Greenhouse Gases

AGHGinventoryisaquantificationofallGHGemissionsandsinks1withinaselectedphysicaland/oreconomicboundary.GHGinventoriescanbeperformedonalargescale(i.e.,forglobalandnationalentities)oronasmallscale(i.e.,foraparticularbuildingorperson).Althoughmanyprocessesaredifficulttoevaluate,severalagencieshavedevelopedtoolstoquantifyemissionsfromcertainsources.Table2.1‐5outlinesthemostrecentglobal,national,statewide,andlocalGHGinventoriestohelpcontextualizethemagnitudeofpotentialproject‐relatedemissions.

2.1.1.5 Sensitive Receptors Theimpactofemissionsonsensitivemembersofthepopulationisaparticularconcern.ARBidentifiessensitivepopulationsassegmentsofthepopulationmostsusceptibletopoorairquality(i.e.,children,theelderly,pregnantwomen,andthosewithpre‐existingserioushealthproblemsaffectedbyairquality).Landuseswheresensitiveindividualsaremostlikelytospendtimeincludeschoolsandschoolyards,parksandplaygrounds,daycarecenters,nursinghomes,hospitals,andresidentialcommunities(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2005).Becauseagriculturaloperationsaretypicallylocatedinruralareas,thenumberofsensitivereceptorsaffectedbytheprojectisgenerallylow,butthesesensitivereceptorsdooccurthroughouttheunincorporatedarea,withhighernumbersclosertotowncenters.

2.1.2 Regulatory Setting TheagenciesofdirectimportancetotheprojectforairqualityaretheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),ARB,andSDAPCD.EPAhasestablishedfederalairqualitystandardsforwhichARBandSDAPCDhaveprimaryimplementationresponsibility.ARBandSDAPCDareresponsibleforensuringthatstateairqualitystandardsaremet,aswellasfordevelopingpoliciesandplanstoreducestateandlocalGHGemissions.Thefollowingfederal,state,andlocalairqualityandGHGregulationsandpoliciesareapplicabletotheproposedproject.

1 Agreenhousegassinkisaprocess,activity,ormechanismthatremovesaGHGfromtheatmosphere.





2.1.2.1 Federal Regulations

Air Quality

TheCleanAirAct(CAA)wasfirstenactedin1963andhasbeenamendednumeroustimesinsubsequentyears(1965,1967,1970,1977,and1990).TheCAAestablishesfederalairqualitystandards(NAAQS)andspecifiesfuturedatesforachievingcompliance.TheCAAalsomandatesthatthestatesubmitandimplementaStateImplementationPlan(SIP)forlocalareasnotmeetingthosestandards.Theplansmustincludepollutioncontrolmeasuresthatdemonstratehowthestandardswillbemet.The1990amendmentstotheCAAidentifyspecificemission‐reductiongoalsforareasnotmeetingtheNAAQS.Theseamendmentsrequirebothademonstrationofreasonablefurtherprogresstowardattainmentandincorporationofadditionalsanctionsforfailuretoattainormeetinterimmilestones.ThesectionsoftheCAAthatwouldmostsubstantiallyaffectthedevelopmentoftheprojectincludeTitleI(NonattainmentProvisions)andTitleII(Mobile‐SourceProvisions).Table2.1‐6showstheNAAQScurrentlyineffectforeachcriteriapollutant.TheCAAQS(discussedbelow)arealsoprovidedforreference.

Greenhouse Gases

Climatechangeiswidelyrecognizedasanimminentthreattotheglobalclimate,economy,andpopulation.TheEPAhasacknowledgedpotentialthreatsposedbyclimatechangeinaCauseorContributeFinding,whichfoundthattheGHGemissionsfromnewmotorvehiclescontributetopollutionthatthreatenspublichealthandwelfareandwasanecessaryfindingpriortoadoptingnewvehicleemissionsstandardsthatreduceGHGemissions.FederalclimatechangeregulationunderthefederalCAAisalsocurrentlyunderdevelopmentforbothexistingandnewsources.StandardsforCO2emissionsfromnewfossil‐fuel‐firedelectricitypowerplantshavealsobeenproposedbyEPAandoutlinedinPresidentObama’s2013“ClimateActionPlan.”FederalvehicleemissionstandardshavebeenestablishedthatspecificallytakeintoaccounttheneedforGHGemissionsreductions.Despitetheseactions,thereisstillnocomprehensivefederaloverarchinglawspecificallyrelatedtothereductionofGHGemissions.

2.1.2.2 State Regulations

Air Quality

California Clean Air Act and California Ambient Air Quality Standards

In1988,thestatelegislatureadoptedtheCaliforniaCAA,whichestablishedastatewideairpollutioncontrolprogram.TheCaliforniaCAArequiresallairdistrictsinthestatetoendeavortomeettheCAAQSbytheearliestpracticaldate.UnlikethefederalCAA,theCaliforniaCAAdoesnotsetpreciseattainmentdeadlines.Instead,theCaliforniaCAAestablishesincreasinglystringentrequirementsforareasthatwillrequiremoretimetoachievethestandards.CAAQSaregenerallymorestringentthantheNAAQSandincorporateadditionalstandardsforsulfates,hydrogensulfide,visibilityreducingparticles,andvinylchloride.TheCAAQSandNAAQSarelistedtogetherinTable2.1‐6.ARBandlocalairdistrictsbearresponsibilityforachievingCalifornia’sairqualitystandards,whicharetobeachievedthroughdistrict‐levelairqualitymanagementplansthatwouldbeincorporated





intotheSIP.InCalifornia,EPAhasdelegatedauthoritytoprepareSIPstoARB,which,inturn,hasdelegatedthatauthoritytoindividualairdistricts.ARBtraditionallyhasestablishedstateairqualitystandards,maintainingoversightauthorityinairqualityplanning,developingprogramsforreducingemissionsfrommotorvehicles,developingairemissioninventories,collectingairqualityandmeteorologicaldata,andapprovingSIPs.TheCaliforniaCAAsubstantiallyaddstotheauthorityandresponsibilitiesofairdistricts.TheCaliforniaCAAdesignatesairdistrictsasleadairqualityplanningagencies,requiresairdistrictstoprepareairqualityplans,andgrantsairdistrictsauthoritytoimplementtransportationcontrolmeasures.TheCaliforniaCAAalsoemphasizesthecontrolof“indirectandarea‐widesources”ofairpollutantemissions.TheCaliforniaCAAgiveslocalairpollutioncontroldistrictsexplicitauthoritytoregulateindirectsourcesofairpollutionandtoestablishtrafficcontrolmeasures(TCMs).Carl Moyer Program

TheCarlMoyerMemorialAirQualityStandardsAttainmentProgram(CarlMoyerProgram)isavoluntaryprogramthatoffersgrantstoownersofheavy‐dutyvehiclesandequipment.TheprogramisapartnershipbetweenARBandthelocalairdistrictsthroughoutthestatetoreduceairpollutionemissionsfromheavy‐dutyengines.Locally,theairdistrictsadministertheCarlMoyerProgram.Toxic Air Contaminant Regulation

CaliforniaregulatesTACsprimarilythroughtheToxicAirContaminantIdentificationandControlAct(TannerAct)andtheAirToxics“HotSpots”InformationandAssessmentActof1987(“HotSpots”Act).Intheearly1980s,ARBestablishedastatewidecomprehensiveairtoxicsprogramtoreduceexposuretoairtoxics.TheTannerActcreatedCalifornia’sprogramtoreduceexposuretoairtoxics.The“HotSpots”ActsupplementstheTannerActbyrequiringastatewideairtoxicsinventory,notificationofpeopleexposedtoasignificanthealthrisk,andfacilityplanstoreducetheserisks.InAugust1998,ARBidentifiedDPMfromdiesel‐fueledenginesasTACs.InSeptember2000,ARBapprovedacomprehensiveDieselRiskReductionPlantoreduceemissionsfrombothnewandexistingdiesel‐fueledenginesandvehicles.Asanongoingprocess,ARBreviewsaircontaminantsandidentifiesthosethatareclassifiedasTACs.ARBalsocontinuestoestablishnewprogramsandregulationsforthecontrolofTACs,includingDPM,asappropriate.ARBhasadoptedseveralregulationstoreduceemissionsfromin‐usedieselvehiclesandenginesthroughoutCalifornia,includingtrucksandstationarysources(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2012).Insomecases,theTACreductionstrategiesalsoreducesmog‐formingemissionssuchasNOX.

Greenhouse Gases

CaliforniahasadoptedstatewidelegislationaddressingvariousaspectsofclimatechangeandGHGmitigation.Muchofthisestablishesabroadframeworkforthestate’slong‐termGHGreductionandclimatechangeadaptationprogram.TheformerandcurrentgovernorsofCaliforniahavealsoissuedseveralexecutiveorders(EOs)relatedtothestate’sevolvingclimatechangepolicy.Briefsummariesofkeypolicies,EOs,regulations,andlegislationatthestatelevelthatarerelevanttotheprojectaredescribedbelowinchronologicalorder.





Executive Order S‐3‐05 (2005)

EOS‐3‐05isdesignedtoreduceCalifornia’sGHGemissionsto(1)2000levelsby2010,(2)1990levelsby2020,and(3)80percentbelow1990levelsby2050.Assembly Bill 1493—Pavley Rules (2002, Amendments 2009, 2012 Rule‐Making)

AssemblyBill(AB)1493(Pavley)requiresARBtoadoptvehiclestandardsthatwilllowerGHGemissionsfromnewlightdutyautostothemaximumextentfeasiblebeginningin2009.AdditionalstrengtheningofthePavleystandards(referredtopreviouslyasPavleyIIandnowreferredtoastheAdvancedCleanCars[ACC]measure)wasadoptedforvehiclemodelyears2017–2025in2012.Together,thetwostandardsareexpectedtoincreaseaveragefueleconomytoroughly54.5milespergallonin2025.Assembly Bill 32—California Global Warming Solutions Act (2006)

AB32codifiedthestate’sGHGemissionstargetbyrequiringthatthestate’sglobalwarmingemissionsbereducedto1990levelsby2020.The2008ClimateChangeScopingPlanforAB32(AB32ScopingPlan)identifiesspecificmeasurestoreduceGHGemissionsto1990levelsby2020andrequiresARBandotherstateagenciestodevelopandenforceregulationsandotherinitiativesforreducingGHGs.Thefirstupdatetothe2008ScopingPlanwasreleasedinFebruary2014andincludesrevisedGHGreductionestimatesbasedonupdatedstatewideGHGinventories.TheupdatealsodiscussestheneedforcontinuedGHGreductionprogresspost‐2020.ARBiscurrentlyworkingonasecondupdatetotheScopingPlantoreflectthe2030targetestablishedinExecutiveOrderB‐30‐15(discussedbelow).ARBisexpectingtopresentthefinal2030TargetScopingPlantotheboardinlate2016.Executive Order S‐01‐07—Low Carbon Fuel Standard (2007)

EOS‐01‐07mandated(1)thatastatewidegoalbeestablishedtoreducethecarbonintensityofCalifornia’stransportationfuelsbyatleast10percentby2020,and(2)thatalowcarbonfuelstandard(LCFS)fortransportationfuelsbeestablishedinCalifornia.ARBapprovedtheLCFSin2009andimplementedinLCFSasadiscreteearlyactionmeasureunderAB32andwithintheScopingPlan.Inaddition,ARBsubsequentlyapprovedamendmentstotheLCFSinDecember2011,whichbeganimplementationonJanuary1,2013.AstheresultofacourtrulingthatfoundproceduralissuesrelatedtotheoriginaladoptionoftheLCFS,ARBre‐adoptedtheLCFSregulationinSeptember2015,andthechangeswentintoeffectonJanuary1,2016.TheprogramestablishesastrongframeworktopromotethelowcarbonfueladoptionnecessarytoachievetheGovernor’s2030and2050GHGgoals.NotethattheLCFSregulationdoesnotapplytocertaintransportationapplications,includinglocomotivesandocean‐goingvessels.Also,themajorityoftheemissionsbenefitsduetotheLCFScomefromtheproductioncycle(upstreamemissions)ofthefuelratherthanthecombustioncycle(tailpipe)(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2016a).State CEQA Guidelines (2010)

TheStateCEQAGuidelinesrequireleadagenciestodescribe,calculate,orestimatetheamountofGHGemissionsthatwouldresultfromaproject.Moreover,theguidelinesemphasizethenecessityofdeterminingpotentialclimatechangeeffectsofaprojectandproposingmitigationasnecessary.Theyalsoconfirmthediscretionofleadagenciestodetermineappropriatesignificancethresholds,butrequirethepreparationofanEIRif“thereissubstantialevidencethatthepossibleeffectsofa





particularprojectarestillcumulativelyconsiderablenotwithstandingcompliancewithadoptedregulationsorrequirements”(Section15064.4).StateCEQAGuidelinesSection15126.4includesconsiderationsforleadagenciesrelatedtofeasiblemitigationmeasurestoreduceGHGemissions,whichmayinclude,amongothers,measuresinanexistingplanormitigationprogramforthereductionofemissionsthatarerequiredaspartoftheleadagency’sdecision;implementationofprojectfeatures,projectdesign,orothermeasuresthatareincorporatedintotheprojecttosubstantiallyreduceenergyconsumptionorGHGemissions;offsitemeasures,includingoffsetsthatarenototherwiserequired,tomitigateaproject’semissions;andmeasuresthatsequestercarbonorcarbon‐equivalentemissions.California Green Building Standards Code and Title 24 (2010)

TheGreenBuildingStandardsCode(CALGreen)appliestotheplanning,design,operation,construction,use,andoccupancyofnewlyconstructedbuildingsandrequirestheinstallationofenergy‐andwater‐efficientindoorinfrastructureforallnewprojectsbeginningafterJanuary1,2011.CALGreenalsorequiresnewlyconstructedbuildingstodevelopawastemanagementplananddivertatleast50percentoftheconstructionmaterialsgeneratedduringprojectconstruction.AdministrativeregulationstoCALGreenPart11andtheCaliforniaBuildingEnergyEfficiencyStandardswereadoptedin2013andtookeffectonJanuary1,2014.The2013BuildingEnergyEfficiencyStandardsare30percentmoreefficientthanthe2008standardsforcommercialconstruction.Part11alsoestablishedvoluntarystandardsinthe2008editionofthecodethatbecamemandatoryinthe2010editionofthecode,includingplanninganddesignforsustainablesitedevelopment,energyefficiency,waterconservation,materialconservation,andinternalaircontaminants(CaliforniaEnergyCommission2012).Thenextsetofenergyefficiencystandards(the2016BuildingEnergyEfficiencyStandards)takeeffectonJanuary1,2017.Senate Bills X 1‐2 and 350, Renewable Portfolio Standard (2011, 2015)

SenateBill(SB)X1‐2extendedtheRenewablesPortfolioStandard(RPS)enactedunderSBs1078and107torequireallCaliforniaelectricityproviderstoobtainatleast33percentoftheirenergyfromrenewableresourcesby2020.SB350,whichwassignedin2015,extendedtheRPSonceagaintorequire50percentrenewablesourcedenergyby2030.Senate Bill 32 and Assembly Bill 197 (2016)

SB32requirestheARBtoensurethatstatewideGHGemissionsarereducedtoatleast40%belowthe1990levelby2030,consistentwiththetargetsetforthinEOB‐30‐15.AB197createsrequirementstoformatheJointLegislativeCommitteeonClimateChangePolicies,requirestheARBtoprioritizedirectemissionreductionsandconsidersocialcostswhenadoptingregulationstoreduceGHGemissionsbeyondthe2020statewidelimit,requiresARBtopreparereportsonsourcesofGHGsandotherpollutants,establishessix‐yeartermsforvotingmembersofARB,andaddstwolegislatorsasnon‐votingmembersofARB.BothbillsweresignedbyGovernorBrownonSeptember8,2016.





2.1.2.3 Local Regulations

Air Quality

SDAPCDhaslocalairqualityjurisdictionoverprojectsinSanDiegoCounty.Responsibilitiesoftheairdistrictincludeoverseeingstationary‐sourceemissions,approvingpermits,maintainingemissionsinventories,maintainingairqualitystations,overseeingagriculturalburningpermits,andprovidingCEQAcomplianceassistanceonanas‐neededbasis.SDAPCDisalsoresponsibleforestablishingandenforcinglocalairqualityrulesandregulationsthataddresstherequirementsoffederalandstateairqualitylawsandforensuringthatNAAQSandCAAQSaremet.SDAPCDhasadoptedairqualityplanstoimproveairquality,protectpublichealth,andprotecttheclimate.TheSanDiegoRegionalAirQualityStrategy(RAQS)identifiesfeasibleemissioncontrolmeasuresandprovidesexpeditiousprogresstowardattainingthestateozonestandards.SDAPCDhasalsodevelopedplansforattainingandmaintainingfederalozonestandards,includingthe2012maintenanceplanand2007attainmentplan,bothforthe1997ozonestandard.SDAPCDiscurrentlyworkingonupdatingtheRAQSanddevelopinganattainmentplanforattainingthefederal2008ozonestandard.Theprojectmaybesubjecttothefollowingdistrictrules.ThislistmaynotbeallencompassingasadditionalSDAPCDrulesmayapplytotheprojectasspecificcomponentsareidentified. Regulation2,Rule20.2—NewSourceReviewNon‐MajorStationarySources:establishes

AirQualityImpactAnalysis(AQIA)TriggerLevels,whichsetemissionlimitsfornon‐majornewormodifiedstationarysources.

Rule50—VisibleEmissions:establisheslimitstotheopacityofemissionswithintheSDAPCD.TheproposedfacilityissubjecttoRule50(d)(1)and(6)andshouldnotexceedthevisibleemissionlimitation.

Rule51—Nuisance:prohibitsemissionsthatcauseinjury,detriment,nuisance,orannoyancetoanyconsiderablenumberofpersonsortothepublic;orwhichendangerthecomfort,repose,health,orsafetyofanysuchpersonsorthepublic;orwhichcauseinjuryordamagetobusinessorproperty.

Rule52—ParticulateMatter:establisheslimitstothedischargeofanyparticulatematterfromnon‐stationarysources.

Rule54—DustandFumes:establisheslimitstotheamountofdustorfumedischargedintotheatmosphereinany1hour.

Rule55—FugitiveDustControl:setsrestrictionsonvisiblefugitivedustfromconstructionanddemolitionprojects.

Rule67—ArchitecturalCoatings:establisheslimitstotheROGcontentforcoatingsappliedwithintheSDAPCD.

SDAPCDhasnotdevelopedadvisoryemissionthresholdsorguidancetoassistleadagenciesindeterminingthelevelofsignificanceofaproject’semissionsinCEQAdocuments.However,theCountyhasdevelopedguidancethatincludesrecommendedscreeninglevelthresholdstoassistleadagenciesindeterminingthelevelofsignificanceofaproject’semissionsinCEQAdocuments.Furthermore,CountyCodeSection87.428,DustControlMeasures,alsorequiresallclearingandgradingtobecarriedoutwithdustcontrolmeasuresadequatetopreventcreationofanuisanceto





personsorpublicorprivateproperty.Clearing,grading,orimprovementplansmustrequirethatmeasuressuchasthefollowingbeundertakentoachievethisresult:watering,applicationofsurfactants,shrouding,controlofvehiclespeeds,pavingofaccessareas,orotheroperationalortechnologicalmeasurestoreducedispersionofdust.Theseprojectdesignmeasuresaretobeincorporatedintoallearth‐disturbingactivitiestominimizetheamountofPMemissionsfromconstruction.

Greenhouse Gases

TheCountyiscurrentlypreparingaClimateActionPlan(CAP).TheCAPwillbeacomprehensiveplanoutliningthespecificactivitiesthattheCountywillundertaketoreduceGHGemissionsinitsunincorporatedcommunities.TheCAPwillalsohelptheCountymeetstate‐mandatedGHGreductiontargets.TheCAPwillfocusonactivitiesthatcanachievethegreatestGHGemissionreductionsinthemosttechnologicallyfeasibleandcost‐effectivemanner.AdoptionoftheCAPisexpectedinthefallof2017.

2.1.3 Analysis of Project Effects and Determination of Significance

TheproposedprojectconsistsofanamendmenttotheZoningOrdinancerelatedtoaccessoryagriculturalusesinunincorporatedportionsoftheCountyoverwhichtheCountyhaslandusejurisdiction(seeSection1.4,ProjectDescription,forfurtherdetails).Specifically,theproposedprojectappliestopropertieswhereactiveagricultureexistswithintheCountyorpropertieswhereagriculturalusesareallowed.Duringthescopingprocessforthisproject,whichconsideredpotentiallysignificantenvironmentalimpactsandinvolveda30‐dayNoticeofPreparationpubliccommentperiod,allthresholdsrelatedtoairqualityandGHGemissionswereconsideredtobepotentiallysignificantandarethusevaluatedbelow.NocommentsonairqualityorGHGemissionswerereceivedduringthepubliccommentperiod.Asignificantimpactonairqualitywouldoccuriftheproposedprojectconflictedwithapplicableairqualityplans,violatedanyairqualitystandard,exposedsensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations,orcreatedobjectionableodors.AsignificantimpactonGHGswouldoccuriftheproposedprojectgeneratedasubstantialamountofGHGemissionsorconflictedwithapplicableplansorpoliciesadoptedtoreduceGHGemissions.Eachoftheseissuesisevaluatedbelow.TheanalysisbelowisbasedontheevaluationguidanceandthresholdrecommendationswithintheCounty’sGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforAirQuality(CountyofSanDiego2007a).

2.1.3.1 Air Quality Plan

Guidelines for the Determination of Significance

ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould: Conflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheapplicableairqualityplan.Forthepurposesofthisanalysis,“conflictwithorobstructimplementation”isdefinedascircumstancesinwhichtheprojectwouldworsenexistingairqualityviolationsorexceedthegrowthprojectionsdevelopedbytheCountyandSanDiegoAssociationofGovernments(SANDAG).Aprojectisdeemedinconsistentwithairqualityplansifitwouldresultinpopulationand/or





employmentgrowththatexceedsestimatesusedtodevelopapplicableairqualityplans,which,inturn,wouldgenerateemissionsnotaccountedforintheregionalemissionsbudgets.Therefore,theproposedprojectisevaluatedtodetermineifitisconsistentwiththelandusedesignationsandgrowthanticipatedintheRAQSandozoneattainmentandmaintenanceplanspreparedfortheSanDiegoregion.

Analysis

SanDiegoCountyiscurrentlydesignatedasanonattainmentareaforthefederal8‐hourozonestandardandthestateozone,PM10,andPM2.5standards(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2014;EPA2015a).TheRAQSistheregion’splanforimprovingairqualityandattainingthefederalandstateairqualitystandards.TheRAQSreliesoninformationfromARBandSANDAGtoprojectfutureemissionsanddetermineappropriateemissionsreductionstrategies.SDAPCDhasalsoadoptedanozonemaintenanceplan.TheproposedprojectconsistsofamendmentstothezoningordinancetopromoteandencourageadditionallanduseactivitiesonactiveagriculturallandsthroughouttheCounty.AlthoughtheproposedprojectwouldamendtheexistingZoningOrdinance,nochangeinlanduseswouldoccur,andtheproposedprojectwouldremainconsistentwiththeexistinglandusedesignationasdelineatedintheCountyGeneralPlan.BecausetheproposedprojectincludesdevelopmentthatisconsistentwiththeusesallowedbytheLandUseElementandagriculturalzones,thenewdevelopmentwasanticipatedinSANDAGgrowthprojectionsusedinestablishingtheRAQSandSIP.Therefore,itconformstotheforecastandwouldnotconflictorobstructimplementationoftheairqualityplans.Impactswouldbelessthansignificantandnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.

2.1.3.2 Violate Air Quality Standards


ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould: Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairquality

violation.Forthepurposesofthisanalysis,“violateanyairqualitystandardorsubstantiallycontributetoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation”isdefinedascircumstancesinwhichconstructionoroperationalemissionsexceedthepertinentairqualitythresholds,asdescribedinAppendixDunderRegionalThresholdsforAirBasinAttainmentofStateandFederalAmbientAirQualityStandards.AsdescribedinAppendixD,emissionsinexcessofSanDiegoCounty’sscreeninglevelthresholds(SLTs)wouldbeexpectedtohaveasignificantimpactonairqualitybecauseanexceedanceoftheSLTsisanticipatedtocontributetoCAAQSandNAAQSviolationsintheCounty.

Emissions Assumptions and Modeling Methodology

Implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldreviseandintroducenewpermittingrequirementsforagriculturalareas.Severaloftheserevisionswouldpromotethedevelopmentofusesthatareaccessorytoagriculturalactivities,includingmicrobreweries,dairyoperations,andretailstores.Table2.1‐7summarizesthe14usesassociatedwiththeprojectandidentifieswhetherthechanges





tothedraftZoningOrdinancewouldinduceincreasesinconstructionoroperationalcriteriapollutantorGHGemissions.AsshowninTable2.1‐7,severalusesassociatedwithagriculturalactivitiessupportedbytheprojectcouldresultinincreasedcriteriapollutantandGHGemissions(identifiedas“moderate”and“high”foremissionspotential).Forexample,constructionofnewbuildingswouldgenerateemissionsthatcouldresultinshort‐termairqualityandGHGimpacts.Operationofthebuildingswouldresultinlong‐termcriteriapollutantandGHGemissionsfrommobile(i.e.,vehicletrips),area(i.e.,periodicpaintemissionsfromfacilityupkeep),andenergy(i.e.,naturalgascombustion).OperationalGHGemissionswouldalsobegeneratedbyelectricityandwaterconsumption,aswellaswastegeneration.Certainuses,suchasmicrobreweries,wineries,anddairies,couldalsoresultinprocess‐relatedemissions—forexample,microbrewinggeneratesROGduringfermentation.LivestockmanagementcanalsogenerateCH4andN2Oemissions.ThedraftZoningOrdinancerevisionsidentifymaximumfloorareasandacreagesforeachnewuse,asapplicable.Thenumberofnewbuildingsandusesthatcouldbeinducedbythepermittingrevisionsiscurrentlyunknown.Accordingly,toillustratethepotentialairqualityandGHGimpactsfromconstructionandoperationofnewdevelopment,arepresentativeprojectwithineachusecategorywiththepotentialtogeneratemoderateorhighemissionswasevaluated.Table2.1‐8summarizesthekeymodelingassumptionsforeachprojectbyuse.Becauseagriculturaltourism,aquaponics/fishmarkets,andmobilebutcheringwouldnotsupportrelativelyfewnewbuildingconstructionoroperationalvehicletrips,theyhavearelativelylowemissionspotential(seeTable2.1‐7).Assuch,anillustrativeemissionsanalysiswasnotperformedfortheseusetypes.Constructionandoperationalemissionsforeachoftheprojecttypesexceptanimalraising2wereestimatedusingtheCaliforniaEmissionsEstimatorModel(CalEEMod),version2013.2.2.CalEEModdoesnotcontainlandusetypesforanyoftheprojectuses.Accordingly,therepresentativeprojectsweremodeledusingthefollowinglanduseassumptions,whichareconsideredmostsimilartothepotentialprojecttypes. Homestay=Hotel Microbrewery,Winery,andDairy=RefrigeratedWarehouse RoadsideSalesandAgriculturalStore=ConvenienceStoreEmissionsfromconstructionactivityandoperationalareasources,energyconsumption,wateruse,andwastewatergenerationwerequantifiedusingmodeldefaultsbasedontheprojectsizesandselectedlandusetypes,withthefollowingexceptions.Thesedefaultswerereplaced,basedonavailableinformation,tocapturetheuniqueenergyandwaterdemandsassociatedwithmicrobreweries,wineries,anddairies. CalEEModdefaultsforelectricity,naturalgas,andindoorwaterconsumptionforarefrigerated

warehousewerereplacedbasedondataspecifictomicrobreweries.Itwasassumed120,000kilowatts(kWh),10,400therms,and2.5milliongallonsofwaterwouldbeconsumedannuallytoproduce248,000gallonsofbeer(SoundBrewingSystems2016).

CalEEModdefaultsforelectricity,naturalgas,andoutdoorwaterconsumptionforarefrigeratedwarehousewerereplacedbasedondataspecifictowineries.Itwasassumed481,000kWhand

2Revisionstotheanimalraisingprovisionswouldnotpermitanynewbuildingsthatwouldgenerateconstructionoroperationalemissions.





5,900thermsareconsumedannuallyatasmallwinery,andthat5.8milliongallonsofirrigationwaterareneededtosupportvinestoproduce12,000gallonsofwineperyear(Wuetal.2013;Dunne2014).

CalEEModdefaultsforelectricityandoutdoorwaterconsumptionforarefrigeratedwarehousewerereplacedbasedondataspecifictoCaliforniadairies.Itwasassumed900kWhand12,337gallonsofwaterareconsumedeachyearperdairyhead(LooperandWaldner2007;Ludingtonetal.2007).

OperationalemissionsfrommobilesourceswereestimatedusingthetripgenerationassumptionsprovidedbyChenRyan(2016)andsummarizedinTable2.1‐8.Allvehicletriplengthsweresetto9milespertheCounty’sTransportationImpactFee.Itwasconservativelyassumedallconstructionwouldtakeplaceimmediatelyfollowingadoptionoftherevisedordinancein2017.Asnotedabove,beerandwineproductioncanresultinROGemissions.Likewise,fugitiveN2Oemissionscanbereleasedduringfertilizerapplicationatwineries.LivestockmanagementalsorepresentsasourceofCH4andN2Ofrommanuremanagementandentericfermentation.Processemissionsfrombeerandwineproductionwereestimatedassuming4.17poundsofROGareemittedper1,000barrelsofbeerand6.2poundsofROGareemittedpergallonofwine(SanJoaquinValleyAirPollutionControlDistrict2010,2015).FugitiveGHGemissionsfrommanuremanagementandentericfermentationwereanalyzedusingemissionsfactorsfromICLEI(2012)andEPA(2015b).Itwasconservativelyassumedthatnewanimalswouldbedairycows,whichhavethehighestCH4andN2Oemissionsperhead.EmissionsresultingfromfertilizeruseatvineyardswerecalculatedusingemissionfactorsfromARB(2013).Theanalysisalsoaccountsforincreasedcarbonsequestrationatvineyardsassumingacarbonstockfactorof1.2metrictonsperacre(KroodsmaandField2006).AsdiscussedinSection2.10,WaterSupplyandGroundwater,themajorityoftheunincorporatedareaisreliantoneitherseparategroundwater‐dependentdistrictsorprivatewellsthatareunaffiliatedwiththeSanDiegoCountyWaterAuthority.Thewater‐relatedGHGcalculationscontainedhereinassumethatallproject‐relatedwateruseshaveassociatedsupply‐,conveyance‐,treatment‐,anddistribution‐relatedenergyrequirements.Becausetheseprocessesconsumemoreelectricitythanwaterdeliveredbyaprivatewell,theemissionsanalysisrepresentsaconservativeassessmentofpotentialwater‐relatedGHGimpacts.Theinstallation,use,anddisposalofrefrigerationsystemslikeairconditioners,chillers,andrefrigeratorsmayresultinrefrigerantleaks.Thesefugitiveleakscanresultinsmall,butpotentemissionsofhigh‐GWPgasesthatconsistmostlyofhydrofluorocarbons(HFCs).Becausetheexactrefrigerationrequirementsarenotknownatthistime,refrigeration‐relatedhigh‐GWPgassesarediscussedqualitatively.

Analysis

Potentialviolationofairqualitystandardsisanalyzedseparatelyforconstructionandoperations.General Construction‐Related Impacts

AsshowninTable2.1‐7,severalusesassociatedwithagriculturalactivitiessupportedbytheprojectcouldresultinincreasedcriteriapollutantemissions.However,thenumberofnewbuildingsandusesthatcouldbeinducedbythepermittingrevisionsiscurrentlyunknown.Accordingly,toillustratethepotentialairqualityimpactsfromconstructionofnewdevelopment,arepresentativeprojectwithineachusecategorywiththepotentialtogeneratemoderateorhighemissionswas





evaluated.EmissionswereestimatedusingCalEEModbasedonthemaximumfloorareasandacreagesforeachnewuse,asshowninTable2.1‐8.ItwasconservativelyassumedallconstructionwouldtakeplaceimmediatelyfollowingadoptionoftherevisedZoningOrdinancein2017.Table2.1‐9summarizestheanticipatedcriteriapollutantemissionsfromconstructionofeachproject.AsshowninTable2.1‐9,emissionsfromconstructionoftherepresentativeprojecttypeswouldnotexceedtheCounty’sthresholdsofsignificance.Accordingly,constructionofindividualprojectsinducedbythepermittingrevisionswouldnothaveadirectairqualityimpact.However,thereisthepotentialthatmultipleusescouldbeconstructedsimultaneously.Theexactnumberandtimingofallconstructionactivitiesthatcouldoccurasaresultoftheprojectareunknown.BasedontheillustrativeanalysispresentedinTable2.1‐9,foursimultaneousmicrobreweries,wineries,ordairiescouldbeconstructedatthesametimebeforeanemissionsthresholdisexceeded.Iffiveprojectswereconstructedatonce,NOXemissionswouldbe259poundsperdayandwouldexceedtheCounty’sSLTs.SanDiegoandSonomaCountieshavethehighestdensitiesofbreweriesandwineriesperacreinthestate.3Iftheexistingdensitiesareappliedtohalftheprojectstudyarea(185,100acres),8newbreweriesand83newwineriescouldbedevelopedasaresultoftheproject.ExtendingthesamelogictotheCounty’sfourdairies,onenewdairymaybedevelopedwiththepermittingrevisions.Assuch,itishighlylikelyfiveormoremicrobreweries,wineries,ordairieswouldbeconstructedatthesametime,resultinginashort‐termimpact.Simultaneousconstructionoftheotheranalyzeduses—homestay,roadsidesales,andagriculturalstores—wouldfurthercontributetotheemissionsexceedance.Therefore,ifmultipleprojectsarebuiltsimultaneously,constructionimpactsrelatedtoaviolationofanairqualitystandardwouldbepotentiallysignificant(ImpactAQ‐1).General Operational‐Related Impacts

Developmentaccessorytoagriculturalactivitiesthatarepromotedbytheproposedprojectrepresentsalong‐termsourceofcriteriapollutants.Newbuildingswouldgenerateemissionsfromenergy,mobile,andareasources.Energysourcesincludenaturalgascombustionforspaceheating,whereasmobilesourcesarevisitorandemployeevehicletrips.Areasourcesincludeconsumerproducts,landscapingequipment,andtheperiodicapplicationofpaintforfacilityupkeep.MicrobreweriesandwineriesalsoreleaseROGduringthemaltingandfermentationprocesses,respectively.Thenumberofnewbuildingsandusesthatcouldbeinducedbythepermittingrevisionsiscurrentlyunknown.Accordingly,toillustratethepotentialairqualityimpactsfromoperationofnewdevelopment,arepresentativeprojectwithineachusecategorywiththepotentialtogeneratemoderateorhighemissionswasevaluated.EmissionswereestimatedusingCalEEModbasedonthemaximumfloorareasandacreagesforeachnewuse,asshowninTable2.1‐8.Itwasconservativelyassumedallprojectswouldbeginoperationin2018immediatelyfollowingconstruction.Table2.1‐10summarizestheanticipatedcriteriapollutantemissionsfromoperationofeachproject.AsshowninTable2.1‐10,emissionsfromoperationoftherepresentativeprojecttypeswouldnotexceedtheCounty’sthresholdsofsignificance.Accordingly,operationofindividualprojectspromotedbythepermittingrevisionswouldnothaveadirectairqualityimpact.However,atfull

3Therearecurrently116breweriesinSanDiegoCounty(2.7millionacres)and450wineriesinSonomaCounty(1millionacres)(ChenRyan2016).





buildout,multipleuseswouldoperatesimultaneously.Theexactnumberofnewusesthatcouldoccurasaresultoftheprojectareunknown.Asanillustrativeexampleofpotentialoperationalimpactsatfullbuildout,developmentassociatedwiththethreeuseswiththelargestemissionspotential—microbreweries,wineries,andcreameries/dairies—wereestimatedbasedonexistinglandusedensities.Asdiscussedabove,itisassumedthat8newbreweries,83newwineries,and1newcreamery/dairymaybedevelopedwiththepermittingrevisions.AsnotedintheTransportationImpactAssessment(TIA)(ChenRyan2016),itisunreasonabletoassumethateveryeligibleparcelwithintheCountywillconstructorincorporatetheimprovementsthatwouldbeallowedbytheproposedproject.TheTIAanalyzespotentialtrafficimpactsatfull‐buildassumingthat7%oftheeligibleparcelswouldconstructorimplementimprovements.Thisvaluerepresentsanaverageacrossallimprovementtypes;itispossiblemoreorlessbreweries,wineries,anddairiescouldbedeveloped.Accordingly,sincetheairqualityanalysispresentsemissionsassociatedwithbreweries,wineries,anddairiesasanillustrativeexampleofpotentialimpacts,theassessmentassumesahigherpenetrationratetoensureimpactsarenotunrepresented.4Totaloperationalemissionsgeneratedbytheseusesbasedontheindividualprojectemissions(seeTable2.1‐10)aresummarizedinTable2.1‐11.AsshowninTable2.1‐11,allemissionsexceptSO2fromatheoreticalfullbuildoutscenarioformicrobreweries,wineries,andcreameries/dairieswouldexceedCountythresholdsofsignificance.Operationalemissionsfromtheotheranalyzeduses—homestay,roadsidesales,andagriculturalstores—wouldfurthercontributetotheemissionsexceedances.Therefore,ifmultipleprojectsoperatesimultaneously,operationalimpactsrelatedtoaviolationofanairqualitystandardwouldbepotentiallysignificant(ImpactAQ‐2).

2.1.3.3 Exposure of Receptors to Substantial Pollutant Concentrations


ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould: Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations.Forthepurposeofthisanalysis,schools,daycarefacilities,placesofassembly,medicalfacilities,parks,andresidencesareconsideredsensitivereceptorlocations.A“substantialpollutantconcentration”isdefinedaslevelsinexcessofapplicableCountythresholds,asdescribedinAppendixDunderHealth‐BasedThresholdsforProject‐GeneratedPollutantsofHumanHealthConcern.AsdescribedinAppendixD,emissionsinexcessofSanDiegoCounty’sSLTswouldbeexpectedtohaveasignificantimpactonairqualitybecauseanexceedanceoftheSLTsisanticipatedtocontributetoCAAQSandNAAQSviolationsintheCounty.

4AsnotedintheTransportationImpactAssessment(TIA)(ChenRyan2016),itisunreasonabletoassumethateveryeligibleparcelwithintheCountywillconstructorincorporatetheimprovementsthatwouldbeallowedbytheproposedproject.TheTIAanalyzespotentialtrafficimpactsatfull‐buildassumingthat7%oftheeligibleparcelswouldconstructorimplementimprovements.Thisvaluerepresentsanaverageacrossallimprovementtypes;itispossiblemoreorlessbreweries,wineries,anddairiescouldbedeveloped.Accordingly,sincetheairqualityanalysispresentsemissionsassociatedwithbreweries,wineries,anddairiesasanillustrativeexampleofpotentialimpacts,theassessmentassumesahigherpenetrationratetoensureimpactsarenotunrepresented.





Analysis

Theanalysisofproject‐relatedimpactsonhumanhealthfocusesonthoselocalizedpollutantswiththegreatestpotentialtoresultinasignificant,materialimpactonhumanhealth.Thisisconsistentwiththecurrentstate‐of‐practiceandpublishedguidancebytheCaliforniaAirPollutionControlOfficersAssociation(2009),OfficeofEnvironmentalHealthHazardAssessment(2015),andARB(2005).ThesepollutantsarelocallyconcentratedDPMandCO.Diesel Particulate Matter

HealthrisksrelatedtoDPMareassessedqualitativelybasedonanticipatedprojectemissionsandproximitytosensitivereceptors.ProjectsthatrequireconstructionactivitywouldgenerateDPMemissionsfromtheuseofheavy‐dutyequipmentandtrucks.AsshowninTable2.1‐9,microbreweries,wineries,andcreameries/dairiesareanticipatedtogeneratethehighestPMemissionsofallusespromotedbytheproposedproject.TheseuseswouldalsogenerateminorDPMemissionsfrommaterialdeliveriesandexportofbottledbeveragesandotherproducts.Diesel‐poweredprocessingequipmentmayalsogenerateDPMemissions.Cancerhealthrisksassociatedwithexposuretodieselexhaustaretypicallyassociatedwithchronicexposure,inwhicha70‐yearexposureperiodisassumed.Basedonthemaximumallowablebuildingsizes,constructionactivitiesatindividualprojectsitesareanticipatedtobeshort‐termandwouldnotexceed2years(refertoAppendixD).Inaddition,DPMconcentrations,andthuscancerhealthrisks,dissipateasafunctionofdistancefromtheemissionssource.Becauseagriculturaloperationsaretypicallylocatedinruralareas,thenumberofsensitivereceptorsaffectedbyindividualprojectsisexpectedtobeminimal.SDAPCDRule1200alsoestablishesacceptablerisklevelsandemissioncontrolrequirementsfornewandmodifiedfacilitiesthatmayemitoperationalTACs,includingDPM.5UnderRule1200,permitstooperatemaynotbeissuedwhenemissionsofTACsresultinanincrementalcancerriskgreaterthan1in1millionwithoutapplicationofbestavailablecontroltechnologyorahealthhazardindex(chronicandacute)greaterthanone. GiventheruralnatureofanticipatedconstructionandrequiredcompliancewithSDAPCDRule1200,implementationoftheprojectisnotanticipatedtoexposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialDPMconcentrations.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.Carbon Monoxide Hot‐Spots

TheCountyrequiresananalysisoflocalizedCOconcentrationsassociatedwithtrafficcongestiontoensureconcentrationsremainbelowCAAQSandNAAQS.AsdiscussedinAppendixD,theCountyhasdevelopedasetofpreliminaryscreeningcriteriathatcanbeusedtodeterminewhetheraprojectwouldcauseorcontributetoanexistingorfutureviolationoftheambientairqualitystandards.Thecriteriaareplacementofreceptorswithin500feetofasignalizedintersectionoperatingatorbelowlevelofservice(LOS)E,ordegradationofroadintersectionswithpeak‐hourtripsexceeding3,000toLOSEorworse.Theproposedprojectwouldnotsupportanysensitivelandusesandthereforewouldnotplacenewsensitivereceptorswithin500feetofasignalizedintersectionoperatingatorbelowLOSE.

5Specifically,Rule1200appliestoanynew,relocated,ormodifiedemissionunitthatmayincreaseemissionsofoneormoreTACandforwhichanAuthoritytoConstructorPermittoOperateisrequiredpursuanttoRule10,orforwhichaNoticeofIntentionorApplicationforCertificationhasbeenacceptedbytheCaliforniaEnergyCommission.





AlthoughthetrafficstudypreparedbyChenRyan(2016)didnotanalyzeintersectionoperations,itdoesindicatethattheprojectwouldimpactsevenroadwaysegmentsoperatingatLOSF.6Accordingly,theprojectmayfailtheCounty’ssecondCOscreeningcriteriaatintersectionsalongtheaffectedroadwaysegments,resultinginelevatedCOconcentrationsandpotentialhealthrisks.AscreeninganalysiswasperformedtoconfirmthatimplementationoftheprojectwouldnotcauseCOhot‐spots.TheanalysisutilizeddailytrafficcountsprovidedbyChenRyan(2016)alongtheLilacRoad(betweenValleyCenterRoadandNewRoad19)segment,whichhasthehighestprojectandcumulativeplusproject‐relatedtraffic.Itwasconservativelyassumedthatpeak‐hourvolumestravelalongtheroadwayat5mphatyear2016emissionrates.Becausepeakhourvolumeswerenotavailable,dailyvolumeswereconvertedtopeakhourusingaconversionfactorof5,whichisacommonpractice(Cookpers.comm.).Convertingdailytopeakhourprovidesaconservativeyetrealisticassessmentofprojecttrafficimpactsasadditionalvehicleswouldbespreadthroughoutseveralhoursoftheday,andduringeventhemostcongestedtimeswouldtravelatspeedsabove5mph.ElevatedCOconcentrationsaretypicallyfoundinareaswithsignificanttrafficcongestion.COisapublichealthconcernbecauseitcombinesreadilywithhemoglobinandreducestheamountofoxygentransportedinthebloodstream.Table2.1‐12presentstheresultsoftheworst‐caseCOscreening,whichwasmodeledusingtheCALINE4dispersionmodel.Worst‐casecumulativeplusproject(2035)trafficconditionswithin2016emissionratesweremodeledtoprovideaconservativeanalysisofpotentialimpacts.AsshowninTable2.1‐12,COconcentrationsarenotexpectedtocontributetoanynewlocalizedviolationsofthe1‐or8‐hourambientairqualitystandards.Becausethescreening‐levelanalysisconcentratesthehighestpeakhourvolumesatasingleroadwaysegmentatalowtravelspeed,actualCOconcentrationsthatwouldbegeneratedatmultipleintersectionsthroughouttheCountywouldnotresultinCOhot‐spots.Consequently,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

2.1.3.4 Objectionable Odors


ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould: Createobjectionableodorsaffectingasubstantialnumberofpeople.Forthepurposeofthisanalysis,anodor‐producingfacility,asdefinedbyARB(2005),createsan“objectionableodor”ifitresultsinanuisanceviolation,perSDAPCDRule51.Thepotentialfortheprojecttocreateobjectionableodorsisassessedqualitativelybasedontheproposedlandusetypesandproximitytosensitivereceptors.

Analysis

TheproposedprojectwouldpromoteandencourageadditionalagriculturaluseswithintheCounty.AgriculturalactivitiesareconsideredbytheCountyandARB(2005)ashavingahighpotentialtogeneratenuisanceodors.Usetypesmostlikelytoresultinodorsincludecreameries/dairiesand

6Theprojectwouldimpactfiveadditionalroadways,butthesehavebeenacceptedbytheCounty’sMobilityElementasoperatingatLOSF(ChenRyan2016).





animalraising.Potentialodorsassociatedwiththeseuseswouldbecausedbyanimalwastegeneratedandstockpiledonsite.Microbreweriesandwineriesmayalsoresultintemporaryodorsduringfermenterventing.Althoughthenumberofpeopleexposedtopotentialodorsisanticipatedtobeminimal,odordispersionduringwindeventsmayleadtooffsitenuisanceviolations.Therefore,impactsrelatedtoobjectionableodorswouldbepotentiallysignificant(ImpactAQ‐3).

2.1.3.5 Generate Substantial GHG Emissions


ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould: Generategreenhousegasemissions,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,thatmayhaveasignificant

impactontheenvironment.Forthepurposesofthisanalysis,asignificantlevelofGHGemissionsisacircumstanceinwhichconstructionoroperationalemissionsexceedthepertinentGHGthresholds,asdescribedinAppendixDunderThresholdsforGreenhouseGases.

Analysis

GHGemissionsduringconstructionandoperationwereassessedusingthesamemethodsasdescribedaboveinSection2.1.3.2,ViolateAirQualityStandards.TheimpactofGHGemissionsisanalyzedseparatelyforconstructionandoperationsGeneral Construction‐Related Impacts

AsshowninTable2.1‐7,severalusesassociatedwithagriculturalactivitiessupportedbytheprojectcouldresultinincreasedGHGemissions.However,thenumberofnewbuildingsandusespromotedbythepermittingrevisionsiscurrentlyunknown.Accordingly,toillustratethepotentialGHGimpactsfromconstructionofnewdevelopment,arepresentativeprojectwithineachusecategorywiththepotentialtogeneratemoderateorhighemissionswasevaluated.EmissionswereestimatedusingCalEEModbasedonthemaximumfloorareasandacreagesforeachnewuse,asshowninTable2.1‐8.Itwasconservativelyassumedallconstructionwouldtakeplaceimmediatelyfollowingadoptionoftherevisedordinancein2017.Table2.1‐13summarizestheanticipatedGHGemissionsfromconstructionofeachproject.AsshowninTable2.1‐13,therepresentativeprojectswouldgeneratebetween58and323metrictonsCO2eduringtheconstructionperiods.ConsistentwiththeCounty’sGHGguidance,construction‐relatedGHGemissionswereamortizedovera20‐yearperiodanalyzedwiththeoperationalemissionsdiscussedbelow.General Operational‐Related Impacts

Developmentofaccessoryusestoagriculturalactivitiesthatarepromotedbytheproposedprojectrepresentalong‐termsourceofGHGemissions.Newbuildingswouldgenerateemissionsfromenergyconsumption,mobileandareasources,andfromwaterconsumptionandwastewaterandwastegeneration.WineriesalsorepresentbothasourceandsinkofGHGemissions,generatingN2OduringfertilizerapplicationandsequesteringCO2throughphotosynthesis.Livestockmanagement





representsasourceofCH4andN2Ofrommanuremanagementandentericfermentation.Allofthesesourcesweretakenintoaccountwhenassessingproject‐generatedGHGemissions.Thenumberofnewbuildingsandusesthatcouldbeinducedbythepermittingrevisionsiscurrentlyunknown.Accordingly,toillustratethepotentialGHGimpactsfromprojectoperation,arepresentativeprojectwithineachusecategorywiththepotentialtogeneratemoderateorhighemissionswasevaluated.EmissionswereestimatedusingCalEEModbasedonthemaximumfloorareasandacreagesforeachnewuse,asshowninTable2.1‐8.Itwasconservativelyassumedallprojectswouldbeginoperationin2018immediatelyfollowingconstruction.Table2.1‐14summarizestheanticipatedGHGemissionsfromoperationofeachproject.Amortizedconstructionemissionsarealsoprovided,consistentwithCountyguidance.AsshowninTable2.1‐14,emissionsfromoperationoftherepresentativewineryandmicrobreweryprojecttypeswouldexceedtheCounty’sinterimscreeninglevelof900metrictonsCO2e.AsdiscussedinAppendixD,thisscreeninglevelisrecommendedbytheCountyasanindicatorforprojectsthatrequirefurtheranalysisandmitigationandmayresultinsignificantGHGimpacts.Thenumberofnewbuildingsandusesthatcouldbeinducedbythepermittingrevisionsiscurrentlyunknown.Therefore,theanalysishereindisclosespotentialGHGemissionsusinganillustrativeexampleofpotentialprojectbuildout.Additionaldetailtoallowforfurtheranalysisofprojectemissionsisnotavailableatthistime.Accordingly,the900metrictonsCO2escreeninglevelisusedasanindicatorofprojectsignificanceinthiscase.Becauseoperationofindividualprojectspromotedbythepermittingrevisionsexceed900metrictonsCO2e,implementationoftheproposedprojectmaypotentiallyhaveadirectGHGimpact.Moreover,atfullbuildout,multipleuseswouldoperatesimultaneously.Theexactnumberofnewusesthatcouldoccurasaresultoftheprojectareunknown.Asanillustrativeexampleofpotentialoperationalimpactsatfullbuildout,developmentassociatedwiththethreeuseswiththelargestemissionspotential—microbreweries,wineries,andcreameries/dairies—wereestimatedbasedonexistinglandusedensities.Asdiscussedabove,itisassumedthat8newbreweries,83newwineries,and1newcreamery/dairymaybedevelopedwiththepermittingrevisions.7Totaloperationalandamortizedconstructionemissionsgeneratedbytheseusesbasedontheindividualprojectemissions(seeTable2.1‐14)aresummarizedinTable2.1‐15.AsshowninTable2.1‐15,GHGemissionsfromatheoreticalfullbuildoutscenarioformicrobreweries,wineries,andcreameries/dairieswouldexceedtheCounty’sinterimscreeninglevelof900metrictonsCO2e.Operationalemissionsfromtheotheranalyzeduses—homestay,roadsidesales,andagriculturalstores—wouldfurthercontributetotheemissionsexceedances.Therefore,impactsrelatedtogreenhousegasemissionswouldbepotentiallysignificant(ImpactAQ‐4).

7AsnotedintheTIA(ChenRyan2016),itisunreasonabletoassumethateveryeligibleparcelwithintheCountywillconstructorincorporatetheimprovementsthatwouldbeallowedbytheproposedproject.TheTIAanalyzespotentialtrafficimpactsatfull‐buildassumingthat7%oftheeligibleparcelswouldconstructorimplementimprovements.Thisvaluerepresentsanaverageacrossallimprovementtypes;itispossiblemoreorlessbreweries,wineries,anddairiescouldbedeveloped.Accordingly,sincetheairqualityanalysispresentsemissionsassociatedwithbreweries,wineries,anddairiesasanillustrativeexampleofpotentialimpacts,theassessmentassumesahigherpenetrationratetoensureimpactsarenotunrepresented





2.1.3.6 Consistency with GHG Plans, Policies, and Regulations


ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould: Conflictwithanapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingthe

emissionsofgreenhousegases.Forthepurposesofthisanalysis,applicableplansincludetheAB32ScopingPlan,SB32,theCounty’sGeneralPlan,andEOS‐3‐05.

Analysis

TheAB32ScopingPlanandSB32representthemostapplicableplans,policies,orregulationsadoptedforthepurposeofreducingGHGemissions.AB32codifiedtheState’sGHGemissionsreductiontargetsfor2020andidentifiedtheacceptablelevelofGHGemissionsinCalifornia,withreductionscomingintheformofchangestovehicleemissionsandmileagestandards,sourcesofelectricity,andenergyefficiency.Remainingreductionswillneedtocomefromplans,policies,orregulationsthatwillrequirenewfacilitiestohavelowercarbonintensitiesthantheyhaveunderbusinessasusual(BAU)conditions.TheAB32ScopingPlandetailsspecificGHGemissions‐reductionmeasuresthattargetspecificGHGemissionssources.TheScopingPlanconsidersarangeofactions,includingdirectregulations,alternativecompliancemechanisms,monetaryandnon‐monetaryincentives,voluntaryactions,andmarket‐basedmechanisms(e.g.,acap‐and‐tradesystem).Alsoincludedaremobile‐sourceemissionsreductionmeasures(Pavley,LowCarbonFuelStandardvehicleefficiencymeasures),energyproduction–relatedemissions‐reductionmeasures(naturalgastransmissionanddistributionefficiencymeasures,naturalgasextractionefficiencymeasures),andtheRPS(electricity).WhiletheARB’s2030ScopingPlanforachievingSB32hasnotyetbeenpublished,itisanticipatedtoextendandfurthermuchofthepoliciesandprogramsincludedintheAB32ScopingPlan.Asaresult,project‐relatedGHGemissionswouldbereducedthroughseveraloftheAB32andSB32ScopingPlanmeasures.Atthelocallevel,theCountyiscurrentlypreparingaCAPthatwillprovideaframeworkformeetingstate‐mandatedGHGreductiontargets.AdoptionoftheCAPisexpectedinthefallof2017.Untilthen,themostrelevantlocalplanistheCounty’sGeneralPlan,whichlaysoutthelong‐termlanduseplanningframeworkforfuturegrowthanddevelopmentpatternswithintheunincorporatedareasoftheCounty.TheproposedprojectisforaZoningOrdinanceAmendmentthatintroducesnewpermittingrequirementstopromotethedevelopmentofusesthatareaccessoriestoagriculturalactivities,includingmicrobreweries,dairyoperations,andretailstores.AsdiscussedinSection3.1.1,LandUseandPlanning,theproposedprojectwouldbeconsistentwiththeCounty’sGeneralPlan’sgoalsandpoliciespertainingtoagriculturaldevelopmentwithintheCounty.Onanindividualbasis,projectsallowedundertheZoningOrdinanceAmendmentwouldgenerallybesmallandresultinminoramountsofemissions;however,takenasawhole(i.e.,maximumnumberofuses)theymayresultinasubstantialincreaseinGHGemissions.Individualprojects,suchasmicrobreweriesandwineries,wouldlikelyresultinthehighestGHGemissionsgiventheamountofprocess‐relatedinputsrequired,includingelectricityandwateraswellascoolingrequirementsandfugitivereleases.





TheprojectwouldbeconsistentwithAB32,SB32,andtheCounty’sGeneralPlanbyprovidingforusesthatareconsistentwiththeCounty’sGeneralPlan’sgoals,policies,anddevelopmentpatternspertainingtoagriculturaldevelopmentwithintheCounty.TheseuseswouldnothindertheState’sabilitytomeetthereductiongoalsofAB32orSB32.Asdiscussedabove,EOS‐03‐05establishedalong‐termgoalofreducingstatewideGHGemissionsto80percentbelow1990levelsby2050.Achievingthislong‐termGHGreductionpolicywillrequiresystemicchangesinhowenergyisproducedandused.Thesedeepreductionsaretobeachievedonlywithsignificantchangesinelectricityproduction,transportationfuels,andindustrialprocesses,suchasincreasingenergyefficiency,avoidingwasteemissions,andreplacinghighglobalwarmingpotentialgases.Thechangesnecessitatedtoachievethesetargetswillrequireadditionalpolicyandregulatorychanges,whichareunknownatthistime.Moreover,thereiscurrentlynostatewideplanthatlaysouttheframeworkastoexactlyhowthestateplansonachievingthistargetandtowhatextentactionisrequiredatthelocalandprojectlevelinordertoachievethetarget.Therefore,theextenttowhichtheproject’semissionsandresultingimpactswouldbemitigatedthroughimplementationofsuchchangesisnotknownandwouldthusbeinconsistentwithplans,policies,orregulationsadoptedforthepurposedofreducingGHGemissionsinthelong‐term.Therefore,impactsrelatedtoconflictswithanapplicableplan,policy,orregulationwouldbepotentiallysignificant(ImpactAQ‐5).

2.1.4 Cumulative Impacts Analysis ThegeographicscopeforthecumulativeanalysisofairqualityincludestheSDAB,whichencompassestheentireCounty,includingbothincorporatedandunincorporatedareasandtribalandpublicagencylands.BecauseGHGsareglobalpollutants,thegeographicscopefortheGHGanalysisismuchbroaderandconsidersglobaleffectsofproject‐generatedemissions.

2.1.4.1 Air Quality Plan TheRAQSistheregion’splanforimprovingairqualityandattainingthefederalandstateairqualitystandards.ThecontrolstrategiesandemissionsforecastsanalyzedintheRAQSaccountforcurrent,planned,andreasonablyforeseeableprojectsintheSDAB.Accordingly,theRAQSconsistencyanalysiscompletedinSection2.1.3,AnalysisofProjectEffectsandDeterminationofSignificance,isinherentlycumulative;asdiscussedabove,becausetheproposedprojectincludesdevelopmentthatisconsistentwiththeusesallowedbytheLandUseElementandagriculturalzones,thenewdevelopmentwasanticipatedinSANDAGgrowthprojectionsusedindevelopmentoftheRAQSandSIP.Therefore,theprojectwouldnotconflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheairqualityplansorcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpact.

2.1.4.2 Violate Air Quality Standards SanDiegoCountyiscurrentlyinmarginalnonattainmentforthefederal8‐hourozonestandardandnonattainmentforthestateozone,PM2.5,andPM10standards(seeTable2.1‐4).Thenonattainmentstatus,whichisaresultofpastandpresentprojects,maybefurtherimpededbyreasonablyforeseeablefutureprojects.TheprojectwouldresultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofcriteriapollutantsifemissionsexceedtheCounty’sthresholdsduringconstructionorlong‐termoperation.Inaddition,cumulativeimpactscouldoccurifemissionsofconcernfromotherpast,present,orreasonablyforeseeablefutureprojectswithinproximityoftheprojectwouldexposenearbyreceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations.





Asdiscussedabove,concurrentconstructionandoperationofagriculturalusespromotedbytheprojectwouldexceedtheCounty’sapplicableairqualitythresholds.TheseemissionswouldoccurduringthesameperiodasotherprojectsintheSDAB,furthercontributingtotheemissionsexceedances.Accordingly,theprojectwouldcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactonairqualitystandards(ImpactAQ‐6).

2.1.4.3 Exposure of Receptors to Substantial Pollutant Concentrations TheprojectisnotanticipatedtoexposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialDPMorCOconcentrations.GeographicallyproximateconstructionactivitiesassociatedwithplannedandreasonablyforeseeableprojectsmayexposeadjacentreceptorstoincreasedhealththreatsfromlocalizedCOorandDPM.Effectswouldvaryaccordingtotheequipmentused,locationsofemissionsourcesandreceptors,andunderlyingmeteorology.However,giventheremotenatureoftheprojectareaandthefactthatconstructionanoperationalactivitieswouldbespreadthroughoutthe370,200‐acrestudyarea,receptorexposuretoCOorDPMinexcessofCountythresholdsisunlikely.Accordingly,theproposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactfromexposureofreceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations.

2.1.4.4 Objectionable Odors TheprojectwouldpromoteagriculturalactivitiesthatareconsideredbytheCountyandARB(2005)ashavingahighpotentialtogeneratenuisanceodors.Theseodoremissionswouldbemagnifiedwhencombinedwithodorsfromgeographicallyproximateprojects.Similartoreceptorexposuretosubstantialpollutantconcentrations,effectswouldvaryaccordingtounderlyingmeteorologyandthelocationsofodorsourcesandreceptors.Althoughthenumberofpeopleexposedtopotentialodorsisanticipatedtominimal,giventhenatureofagriculturalactivities,cumulativeodoremissionswithinthestudyareamaycreateanuisanceviolation,perSDAPCDRule51.Accordingly,theprojectwouldcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactonodors(ImpactAQ‐7).

2.1.4.5 Generate Substantial GHG Emissions Climatechangeisaglobalproblem,andGHGsareglobalpollutants,unlikecriteriaairpollutants(suchasozoneprecursors),whichareprimarilypollutantsofregionalandlocalconcern.Giventheirlongatmosphericlifetimes,GHGsemittedbycountlesssourcesworldwideaccumulateintheatmosphere.NosingleemitterofGHGsislargeenoughtotriggerglobalclimatechangeonitsown.Rather,climatechangeistheresultoftheindividualcontributionsofcountlesspast,present,andfuturesources.Therefore,GHGimpactsareinherentlycumulative,andtheGHGanalysispresentedinSection2.1.3isacumulativeimpactanalysis.Asdescribedabove,concurrentconstructionandoperationofagriculturalusespromotedbytheprojectwouldexceedtheCounty’sGHGSLT.Accordingly,theprojectwouldcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactonGHGemissions(ImpactAQ‐8).

2.1.4.6 Consistency with GHG Plans, Policies, and Regulations TheGHGanalysispresentedinSection2.1.3isacumulativeimpactanalysis.Asdiscussedabove,theprojectwouldbeconsistentwithAB32,SB32,andtheCounty’sGeneralPlanbyprovidingforusesthatareconsistentwiththeCounty’sGeneralPlan’sgoals,policies,anddevelopmentpatternspertainingtoagriculturaldevelopmentwithintheCountythatwouldnotresultinemissionthat





wouldimpedeprogresstoward2020or2030targets.However,asthereisnoframeworkforachievinglong‐termreductiontargets(2050),itisunknownexactlyhowthestateplansonachievingthesetargetsandtowhatextentactionisrequiredatthelocalandprojectlevelinordertoachievethesetargets.Accordingly,theprojectwouldcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactonlong‐termGHGreductionplanningefforts(ImpactAQ‐9).

2.1.5 Significance of Impacts Prior to Mitigation TheproposedprojectwouldresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsrelatedtoconstructionandoperationalcriteriapollutantandGHGemissions(ImpactsAQ‐1,AQ‐2,AQ‐4,andAQ‐5,direct/indirect,andAQ‐6andAQ‐8,cumulative),aswellasodors(ImpactAQ‐3,direct,andAQ‐7,cumulative).Theproposedprojectwouldresultinless‐than‐significantimpactsrelatedtoconsistencywithapplicableairqualityplansandexposureofsensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations.

2.1.6 Mitigation Measures 2.1.6.1 Air Quality Plan

TheprojectwouldnotconflictwithorobstructimplementationoftheRAQSandSIP.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.

2.1.6.2 Violate Air Quality Standards SimultaneousconstructionandoperationofagriculturalusespromotedbytheprojectwouldexceedtheCounty’scriteriapollutantthresholds,andassuch,mayviolateairqualitystandards.Mitigationmeasures(describedbelow)havebeenidentifiedthatwouldreduceconstructionandoperationalemissions,butnotbelowasignificantlevel.

Mitigation Measures

M‐AQ‐1:Duringtheenvironmentalreviewprocessforfuturediscretionarypermits,theCountyGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforAirQualitywillbeapplied.Whenimpactsaredeterminedtobesignificant,feasibleandappropriateproject‐specificmitigationmeasureswillbeincorporated.Gradingcangeneratefugitivedust,includingPM10andPM2.5.Projectsthatinvolvesitegrading,excavation,orsubstantialmaterialmovementwillimplementthefollowingdustcontrolmeasuresduringconstruction,asapplicable,incompliancewithSDAPCDRule55. Waterthegradingareasaminimumoftwicedailytominimizefugitivedust. Stabilizegradedareasasquicklyaspossibletominimizefugitivedust. Applychemicalstabilizerorpavethelast100feetofinternaltravelpathwithinthe

constructionsitepriortopublicroadentry. Installwheelwashersadjacenttoapavedapronpriortovehicleentryonpublicroads. Removeanyvisibletrack‐outintotraveledpublicstreetswithin30minutesofoccurrence. Wetwashtheconstructionaccesspointattheendofeachworkdayifanyvehicletravelon

unpavedsurfaceshasoccurred.





Providesufficientperimetererosioncontroltopreventwashoutofsiltymaterialontopublicroads.

Coverhaultrucksormaintainatleast12inchesoffreeboardtoreduceblow‐offduringhauling.

Suspendallsoildisturbanceandtravelonunpavedsurfacesifwindsexceed25mph. Cover/wateronsitestockpilesofexcavatedmaterial. Enforcea15mphspeedlimitonunpavedsurfaces. Ondrydays,sweepupanydirtanddebrisspilledontopavedsurfacesimmediatelyto

reducere‐suspensionofparticulatemattercausedbyvehiclemovement.Cleanapproachroutestoconstructionsitesdailyforconstruction‐relateddirtindryweather.

Hydroseed,landscape,ordevelopasquicklyaspossiblealldisturbedareasandasdirectedbytheCountyand/orSDAPCDtoreducedustgeneration.

Limitthedailygradingvolumes/area.M‐AQ‐2:Duringtheenvironmentalreviewprocessforfuturediscretionarypermits,theCountyGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforAirQualitywillbeapplied.Whenimpactsaredeterminedtobesignificant,feasibleandappropriateproject‐specificmitigationmeasureswillbeincorporated.Constructionprojectstypicallyrequireequipmentsuchasbulldozers,graders,loaders,scrapers,backhoes,andheavytrucks.Projectapplicantswillutilizeclean‐diesel,alternativefuel,orotherenginecontrolstoreduceequipmentandvehicleexhaustemissionsduringconstruction.Projectapplicantswillimplementthefollowingcontrolmeasures,asapplicable,toreduceequipmentandexhaustrelatedemissions. Requireequipmenttobemaintainedingoodtuneandtoreduceexcessiveidlingtime. Utilizealternativefuels,suchascompressednaturalgas,renewablediesel,anddiesel. RequiretheuseofequipmentthatmeetsEPATier4orhigher(aspromulgated)emission

standards. Requireolderequipmentberetrofittedwithadvancedenginecontrols,suchasdiesel

particulatefilters,selectivecatalyticreduction(SCR),orcooledexhaustgasrecirculation.M‐AQ‐3:Duringtheenvironmentalreviewprocessforfuturediscretionarypermits,theCountyGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforAirQualitywillbeapplied.Whenimpactsaredeterminedtobesignificant,feasibleandappropriateproject‐specificmitigationmeasureswillbeincorporated.Buildingconstructionmayresultinoff‐gassingofROGfromarchitecturalcoatingsandpaintsthatexceedtheCounty’sthreshold.ProjectapplicantswillreduceROGemissionsrelatedtoarchitecturalcoatingsthroughtheuseoflowVolatileOrganicCompound(VOC)coatings(VOCcontentlessthanorequalto50gramsperliter).M‐AQ‐4.Duringtheenvironmentalreviewprocessforfuturediscretionarypermits,theCountyGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforAirQualitywillbeapplied.Whenimpactsaredeterminedtobesignificant,feasibleandappropriateproject‐specificmitigationmeasureswillbeincorporated.Projectapplicantswillimplementthefollowingcontrolmeasures,asapplicable,toreduceoperationalrelatedcriteriapollutantandGHGemissions.GeneralStrategies





Increaseenergyefficiencybyatleast10percentbeyondtheTitle24standardinplaceatthetimeofconstruction,unlessdemonstratedtobeinfeasible.

UtilizelowVOCcoatings(VOCcontentlessthanorequalto50gramsperliter)forperiodicpaintingandfacilityupkeep.

Plantshadetreeswithin40feetofthesouthsideorwithin60feetofthewestsideofproperties.

Utilizecoolroofmaterials(albedogreaterthanorequalto30)orinstallgreenroofs. Installsolarwaterheaters. Maximizeinteriordaylightandutilizehighefficiencylighting. Increaseroof/ceilinginsulationbeyondtheAmericanSocietyofHeating,Refrigerationand

AirConditioningEngineersStandard90.1‐2010. Installlow‐wateruseappliancesandfixturestoreduceindoorwaterconsumptionby

aminimumof10percentrelativetothe2008PlumbingCodebaseline. Designandinstallabackbonerecycledwatersystemtosupplytolandscapedspaces. Installweather‐basedirrigationcontrollerstoreduceoutdoorwaterconsumption. Compostfoodwasteandotherformsoforganicwaste,asfeasible. Provideeasilyaccessibleandwell‐maintainedrecyclingbinsforvisitoruse. Provideshuttlesforvisitorsandemployeesfromthenearesttown. Incorporateonsiterenewableenergyproduction,includinginstallationofphotovoltaiccells

orotheroptions.AdditionalStrategiesforMicrobreweries

Prepareandimplementanenergymanagementsystem(EMS)toimproveprocess‐andfacilityenergy‐efficiencyandreduceoverallenergyconsumption.Table2.1‐16listspotentialmeasuresthatmaybeincorporatedintotheEMS.PleaserefertotheGeneralStrategiessectionforpotentialmeasurestoreducewaterconsumptionandwastegeneration.

AdditionalStrategiesforWineries,andDairies

PrepareandimplementanEMStoimproveprocess‐andfacilityenergy‐efficiencyandreduceoverallenergyconsumption.Table2.1‐17listspotentialmeasuresthatmaybeincorporatedintotheEMS.PleaserefertotheGeneralStrategiessectionforpotentialmeasurestoreducewaterconsumptionandwastegeneration.

AdditionalStrategiesforDairies

PrepareandimplementanEMStoimproveprocess‐andfacilityenergy‐efficiencyandreduceoverallenergyconsumption.Table2.1‐18listspotentialmeasuresthatmaybeincorporatedintotheEMS.PleaserefertotheGeneralStrategiessectionforpotentialmeasurestoreducewaterconsumptionandwastegeneration.

Becausethemitigationmeasureslistedabovewillnotbeappliedtofuturenon‐discretionaryactionsthatwillresultfromtheproposedzoningordinanceamendment,impactswouldremain





potentiallysignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedprojectthatwouldresultinsomereducedimpactsassociatedwithairqualityascomparedtotheproposedproject.

2.1.6.3 Exposure of Receptors to Substantial Pollutant Concentrations TheprojectisnotanticipatedtoexposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialDPMorCOconcentrations.Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant,andnomitigationisrequired.

2.1.6.4 Objectionable Odors TheprojectwouldpromoteagriculturalactivitiesthatareconsideredbytheCountyandARB(2005)ashavingahighpotentialtogeneratenuisanceodors.AsdiscussedinSection2.5,HydrologyandWaterQuality,agriculturaloperationsintheCountyarerequiredtoimplementstormwaterbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)toprotectwaterquality.TotheextentthattheseBMPsreducemoistureinmanurestockpilesandpreventanimalwaste(andassociatedodor)runoff,ambientodorsfromanimaloperationsmaybelessened.Thefollowingmitigationmeasurehasbeenidentifiedtoreduceodors,butnotbelowasignificantlevel.

Mitigation Measure

M‐AQ‐5:Duringtheenvironmentalreviewprocessforfuturediscretionarypermits,theCountyGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforAirQualityshallbeapplied.Whenimpactsaredeterminedtobesignificant,feasibleandappropriateproject‐specificmitigationmeasuresshallbeincorporated.Creameries/dairiesandanimalraisingmaygenerateodorsfromanimalwaste.Microbreweriesandwineriesmayalsoresultintemporaryodorsduringfermenterventing.Projectapplicantswillimplementbestmanagementpracticestocontrolodors.Animal‐RelatedOperations

Animalstallswillbecleanedatleastonceperdayincludingtheremovalofanimalwasteandsoiledbedding.

Animalwastewillbestockpiledinanenclosed,coveredcontainmentvesseltoensureanaerobicoff‐gassingandassociatedodorgenerationisminimized.Thecontainmentvesselwillprotectanimalwastestockpilesfromheavyweatherconditions,includingwindandrainwhichmaycausesiltationandaccelerateanaerobicdecompositionofthewaste.

Ifaprojectsiteislocatedwithin1mileofresidentsand/orsensitivereceptors,containmentvesselsstoringanimalwastewillbelocatedatthefurthestfeasibledistancefromnearbyresidentsand/or

section 2.1 air quality and greenhouse gases · high air pollution levels in coastal communities of...

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