Draft Environmental Impact Report - East Bay Municipal Utility District

Estates Reservoir Replacement Draft Environmental Impact ReportVisual Qualitypublic open space, or residential areas; the degree to which the various Project elementswould contrast with or be integrated into the existing landscape; the extent of change inthe landscape’s composition and character; and the number and sensitivity of viewers.Impacts and Mitigation MeasuresImpact 3.2-1: Short-term visual effects experienced from nearby areas duringProject construction.Construction activities associated with the reservoir replacement would require earthwork,stockpiling of material, and the use of heavy equipment. Earthwork could periodicallycreate dust. The construction period is projected to last a maximum of two years.Construction would be limited to the general area of the existing basin and access roadwayswithin the Project site. The degree to which construction activities within the excavatedreservoir bowl would be noticeable would vary, depending on the view currentlyexperienced by residents, pedestrians and drivers along Estates Drive. Downward viewsinto the site (from adjacent residences) would be filtered by existing vegetation, driversalong Estates Drive would have fleeting images, and pedestrians would have limited, eyelevelviews across and into the bowl. Most views would be partial and obstructed.Because the Montclair Pumping Plant is located to the rear of the reservoir, and on adownslope screened from Estates Drive, views of equipment and vehicles duringinstallation of replacement facilities over a maximum four month period would be even lessdiscernable. Although Impact 3.2-1 is considered less than significant, EBMUD proposesto implement Measure 3.2 -1 to further screen construction activities from off-site viewsand ensure that the construction site is maintained in an orderly manner, and tocommunicate the project need to area residents.Measure 3.2-1: EBMUD will require the contractor to ensure that the constructionsite is clean by storing building materials and equipment within the proposedstaging areas in the reservoir bowl, or in areas removed from public view, and bypromptly removing construction debris that is not to be reused on-site.Construction phasing shall be organized to minimize equipment storage on-site.EBMUD will also use interpretive materials to explain the need for the Project, inattractive and simple graphic displays. Signage locations could include, but wouldnot be limited to, areas near the Estates Reservoir entry, along Estates Drive and theresidentially developed segments of the truck route.Significance after Mitigation: Less than Significant.Impact 3.2-2: Alteration of the site’s appearance and long-term visual effects.The changes proposed as part of the reservoir replacement would constitute a majoralteration in the appearance of the Project site at project completion, a significant impact.The specific modifications proposed and the resulting changes in site appearance aredescribed below, with references to proposed site layout drawings.sb09_001.doc 3-2.8 7/22/2009