Ballona CreekBacteriaTotalMaximumDailyLoad
Project
EnvironmentalImpactReport
PublicScopingMeeting
March2,2017
WELCOME!
BallonaCreekBacteria TMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
ProjectBackground
About Ballona Creek/Watershed
The Ballona Creek Watershed covers
approximately 130 square miles in the
coastal plain of the Los Angeles Basin. Its
boundaries are the Santa Monica
Mountains to the north, the Harbor
Freeway (110) to the east, and the
Baldwin Hills to the south. The
watershed includes the Cities of Beverly
Hills and West Hollywood, portions of
the Cities of Los Angeles, Culver City,
Inglewood
and
Santa
Monica,
unincorporated areas of Los Angeles
County, and areas under the jurisdiction
of Caltrans.
Ballona Creek flows as an open channel for just under 10 miles from
mid-Los Angeles (south of Hancock Park) through Culver City,
reaching the Pacific Ocean at Playa del Rey (Marina del Rey Harbor).
The Estuary portion (from Centinela Avenue to the outlet) is soft
bottomed, while the remainder of the Creek is lined in concrete.
Ballona Creek is fed by a network of underground storm drains which
reaches north into Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. Major
tributaries of the Creek and Estuary include Centinela Creek,
Sepulveda Channel, and Benedict Canyon Channel.
WhatisaTMDL?
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is the maximum amount of a
specific pollutant, such as trash, bacteria, or pesticides that could be
discharged into a waterbody without causing that waterbody to
become impaired. Development of TMDLs, which are driven by the
federal Clean Water Act, is an important step in cleaning up our
creeks, lakes, rivers, and beaches.
Purpose of the Project
In June 2006, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
(Board) adopted a Basin Plan Amendment establishing the Ballona
Creek Bacteria TMDL, which became effective in 2007. The TMDL
was amended in June 2012 and the amendment became effective
on July 2, 2014. To meet this new water quality standard, the Board
granted a Time Schedule Order (TSO) to allow the Permittees (Cities
of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Inglewood, and West
Hollywood; County of Los Angeles; County Flood Control District) to
devise an approach to reduce bacteria in Ballona Creek during dry
weather. Compliance with the TSO is required by December 2019.
TimeScheduleOrderTimeline
SubmitEvaluation
ofAlternatives
(May2016)
TSOGranted
(May2015)
Complete
AttainDryWeather
Permitting&
RWLs&WQBELs
Compliance
(Dec.2019)
(Oct.2017)
SubmitaPollution
PreventionPlan
(July2016)
Complete
Constructionof
Project(Sept.2019)
Complete
Planned
As the lead agency of the Project, LA Sanitation of the City of Los
Angeles has performed flow/treatment modeling to determine the
technical specifications that the facilities will require to achieve
TMDL compliance. From this effort, LA Sanitation and the other
Permittees have designed three water quality treatment/diversion
facilities, which comprise the Project. These proposed
developments are discussed in detail at the next stations.
Ballona CreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
AboutTheProposedProject
ProjectOverview
Objectives
After consideration of several options, the Permittees are proposing a three-pronged
approach to effectively reduce bacteria in Ballona Creek and its major tributaries. All
proposed facilities are located on properties where existing water quality facilities are
in place. The proposed Project involves developing the following three facilities:
ThePermitteesproposetomeettheTSOdeadline
andaddressBacteriaTMDLcomplianceinaway
thatwilleffectively:
1) Treat-and-release 6 million gallons per day (MGD) flow in Ballona Creek at an
upgraded Low Flow Treatment Facility 1 and divert up to 23 MGD to the
Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant (Hyperion WRP) for treatment and potential
beneficial reuse.
2) Treat-and-release up to 1.3 MGD flow in Sepulveda Channel at a new Low Flow
Treatment Facility 2.
3) Convert the existing Mesmer pump station to a Low Flow Diversion structure to
divert up to 0.97 MGD of Centinela Creek flow to Hyperion WRP for treatment
and potential beneficial reuse.
ü ProtecttherecreationalusesinBallonaCreek
andEstuary;
ü MeettheTMDLdryweatherstandardsfor
bacteriaconcentrationsinBallonaCreekand
Estuarytoprotectpublichealth;and
ü Provideopportunitiesformorerecycledwater
forbeneficialreuse.
BallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
LFTF-1,LFTF-2,andMesmerLFD
LowFlowTreatmentFacility1(LFTF-1)atBallona Creek
• Demolish/remove
portionsoftheexisting
NorthOutfall
TreatmentFacility
LowFlowTreatmentFacility2(LFTF-2)atSepulvedaChannel
• Constructnewpump
stationandtreatment
facility
• Installsaw-cut
diversionchannel
• Installsaw-cut
diversionchannel
• Constructpumpingand
treatmentfacilities
• Treatupto1.3MGD
withUltraViolet
disinfection
• Treatupto6MGDwith
UltraViolet disinfection
andreleasebackto
BallonaCreek
• Releasetreatedflow
backtoSepulveda
Channel
• Installnewconnectionto
existingNorthOutfall
Sewer(NOS)
LFTF-1willbelocatedatanexistingLA
Sanitationwatertreatmentfacilityontheeast
sideofBallonaCreekintheCityofCulverCity,
approximately300feetnorthoftheintersection
ofJeffersonBlvd.andRaintreeCircle.
• Conveyupto23MGDtoHyperionWRPfor
treatmentandpotentialbeneficialreuse
LFTF-2wouldbedevelopedadjacenttoanexistingwatersampling
facilityonthesouthwestsideoftheSepulvedaChannel.LFTF-2
wouldbelocatedwestofCulverBlvd.,approximately300feet
southofwhereMcLaughlinandSlauson AvenuesintersectCulver
Blvd.
MesmerLowFlowDiversiontoHyperion(MesmerLFD)at
Centinela Creek
• Install30-footchannelandat-grade
grateinCentinelaCreek
• Extendexistinginlettocaptureflow
andreconfigureMesmer
wastewaterfacilitytoaLFDfacility
• Conveyapproximately0.97MGDof
flowtoHyperionWRPviaan
existingconnectionwiththeNOS
(thiswouldhappenafterthenew
Bankfield wastewaterpumpstation
isconstructedin2018)
ProposedSitePlanforLFTF-1
TheMesmerLFDwouldbedevelopedattheexisting
CulverCityMesmerPumpStation,locatedonthe
northsideofMesmerAve.,justeastofJuniette St.
BallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
PotentialAlternatives
AlternativestotheProject
IndevelopingtheproposedProject,LASanitationandthePermitteesevaluatedarangeofalternativestoassistincomplyingwiththeBacteria
TMDL,includingfacilitydesignconfigurations,flowdiversionoptions,andwatertreatmenttechnologies.LASanitationandthePermitteesare
consideringthreealternativesinadditiontotheProject.WhiletheAlternativesarenotfullydevelopeduntilaftertheScopingprocessis
complete,someformofthefollowingAlternativesarealsolikelytobeanalyzedintheEIRforpotentialeffectsandenvironmentalimpacts:
Alternative1
• InstalladiversionchannelinBallonaCreekandconstructnewpumpstationattheexistingNorthOutfallTreatmentFacility(NOTF)site.
• RetrofittheexistingNOTFtoLFTF-1totreatupto29MGDofflowwithUVdisinfectiontechnologyandreleasethetreatedflowbackto
BallonaCreek.
• DevelopLFTF-2forthetreatmentofupto1.3MGDwithUVdisinfectiontechnology,releasethetreatedflowbacktoSepulvedaChannel.
• DevelopMesmerLowFlowDiversioninCentinelaCreekforconveyanceofupto0.97MGDtoHyperionWRPfortreatmentandpotential
beneficialreuse.
Alternative2
• InstalladiversionchannelinBallonaCreekandconstructnewpumpstationattheexistingNorthOutfallTreatmentFacility(NOTF)site
• DivertinstreamflowstoHyperionWRPviaanewconnectiontotheNOS,locatedattheexistingNOTFsite.Upto29MGDofflowwouldbe
treatedatHyperionWRPfortreatmentandpotentialbeneficialreuse,butnoUVdisinfectionatLTFTforreleasebacktoBallona Creek.
• DevelopLFTF-2forthetreatmentofupto1.3MGDwithUVdisinfectiontechnology,releasethetreatedflowbacktoSepulvedaChannel.
• DevelopMesmerLowFlowDiversioninCentinelaCreekforconveyanceofupto0.97MGDtoHyperionWRPfortreatmentandpotential
beneficialreuse.
• CompliancewiththeTimeScheduleOrderandwaterqualityobjectivessetforthintheBasinPlanwouldnotbeachieved.
NoAction
• Potentialhealthriskforrecreationaluseswillremain.
• NOTFwouldnotbeupgradedtoLFTF-1,andtreat-and-releaseof6MGDwouldnotoccur.
• LFTF-2wouldnotbedevelopedandnotreat-and-releaseinSepulvedaCreekwouldoccur.
• TheexistingMesmerpumpstationwouldbedecommisioned whentheBankfield pumpstationiscompletein2018.
• DiversionofflowfromBallonaCreekorCentinelaCreektoHyperionWRPwouldnotoccur.
• CompliancewiththeTimeScheduleOrderandwaterqualityobjectivessetforthintheBasinPlanwouldnotbeachieved.
Ballona CreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
TheCEQA/EIRProcess
Overview of CEQA Process
The CEQA environmental review process will be conducted for the Project with LA Sanitation preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The
EIR will evaluate the potential impacts that the Project and Alternatives may have on people or the environment and addresses issues such as, air
quality, biology, hydrology, noise, and construction impacts, among others. As provided in the timeline below, the public will have the opportunity
to comment on the project and the environmental review during the public involvement processes and release of the Draft EIR (anticipated in July
2017).
LASanitation’sRole
CEQA/EIRTimeline
InitialStudy
Prepared&
ProjectRedesign
(Oct.2015)
LASAN
Determines
ProjectRequires
CEQAReview
(Jan.2015)
IssueNoticeofPreparationfor
DraftEIR,30-dayPublic
Comment,andHoldPublic
ScopingMeeting(Feb.-Mar2017)
Preparationof
Decisionto
DraftEIR
Prepare
anEIR (April-June
2017)
(Nov.2016)
CompletedTask
UpcomingTask
PreparationofFinalEIR
withResponsestoDraft
EIRComments
(Aug.2017)
Public
Reviewof
DraftEIR
(July2017)
DecisionBy
LASanitation
(Sept.2017)
PublicInvolvementPeriod
Asshownatthenextstation,theProjectisanticipatedtorequireconsultation,review,or
approvalsfromseveralfederal,state,andregionalagencies,suchas:USFishandWildlife
Service,StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,CaliforniaFishandWildlife,California
CoastalCommission,LosAngelesRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,andSouthCoast
AirQualityManagementDistrict.
As part of the Department of Public
Works, LA Sanitation oversees the City of
Los Angeles' Clean Water, Solid
Resources and Watershed Protection
programs.
Through LA Sanitation’s efforts, Los
Angeles has been at the forefront of
environmental stewardship, from the
restoration of Santa Monica Bay, to
achieving one of the highest trash
recycling rates among large cities in the
nation, to the implementation of the Low
Impact Development (LID) Ordinance for
stormwater capture and infiltration.
On behalf on the Permittees, LA
Sanitatiom will serve as the CEQA
Responsible
Agency.
Being
the
Responsible Agency means LA Sanitation
takes the lead on preparing the EIR,
conducting public involvement, and
consulting with other federal and state
agencies.
BallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
RegulatoryFrameworkandPermitting
LevelofGovernment
Agency
Permit/Approval
USArmyCorpsofEngineers
FederalCleanWaterAct(CWA)Section
404,408Permits
US Fish&WildlifeService
FederalEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA);
informalconsultation
State WaterResourcesControlBoard
CWASection401
Federal
State
Regional/Local
CaliforniaDepartmentofFish&
Wildlife
CAESASection2080
CAFishandGameSection 1602Permit
California CoastalCommission
LocalCoastal Permit;Federal
ConsistencyDetermination
LosAngeles RegionalWaterQuality
ControlBoard
CWASection401 NationalPollutant
DischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)
Stormwater/WasteDischargePermit
BallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
KeyEnvironmental,Public,andSocialResources
IssuestobeAnalyzedintheEIR
TheProjecthasthepotentialtohaveaneffectonawiderangeofenvironmental,public,andsocialresources.Thepublicscopingprocess
assistsinidentifyingwhichissuesandresourcesshouldbefocusedonintheEIR,andthelevelofanalysisiscontingenton theresultsofthe
scopingprocess.Potentialareasofanalysisincludethefollowing:
• Aesthetic/VisualResources
• PublicHealth&Safety
• AirQuality
• Recreation
• BiologicalResources
• VisualResources
• CulturalResources
• LandUseandPlanning
• GreenhouseGasEmissions
• Geology/Soils
• MineralResources
• HazardsandHazardousMaterials
• Agricultural&ForestryResources
• HydrologyandWaterResources
• PopulationandHousing
• Noise
• UtilitiesandServiceSystems
• PublicServices
• CulturalResources
• TransportationandTraffic
LevelsofSignificance
PerCEQAguidance,thefollowingpointsdefinethevariouslevelsof
“significance”indescribinganeffect:
• Beneficial Effect - The Project would result in an overall improvement to the
existing baseline condition.
• No Impact - The Project will not have any measurable environmental impact
on the environment.
• Less Than Significant Impact - The Project may have the potential for
affecting the environment, although these impacts will be below levels or
thresholds that the City of Los Angeles or other responsible agencies
consider to be significant.
• Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation - The Project may have the
potential to generate impacts that will have a significant impact on the
environment. However, the level of impact may be reduced to levels that are
less than significant with the implementation of mitigation measures.
• Potentially Significant Impact - The Project may result in environmental
impacts that are significant and cannot be reduced to levels that are less
than significant even with the implementation of mitigation measures.
WhenMitigationIsApplied
If an impact is determined to be potentially significant,
an Agency/Department may assign mitigation measures
to abate the intensity of the effect. Mitigation, for
example, can be a Project design feature, operating
procedure, and/or resource monitoring. Mitigation is
intended to reduce the intensity of the impact to “less
than significant” (LTS) and can be included as a
condition of permit issuance.
BallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
HydrologyandWaterResources
AboutBallonaCreek/Watershed
• LandusewithintheBallonaCreekWatershed
consistsof64%residential,8%commercial,4%
industrial,and17%openspace(LADPW2015).
• Followingdamagingfloodingevents,theLos
AngelesCountyFloodControlDistrict(LACFCD)
concretedBallonaCreekanditstributariesduring
the1930s.TributariestoBallonaCreekinclude
CentinelaCreek,SepulvedaChannel,andBenedict
CanyonChannel.
• BallonaEstuaryflowsintotheSantaMonicaBay,
anditswaterqualitycouldaffecttheadjacent
shorelineofDockweiler Beach.
• WaterqualityintheWatershedislargelyinfluenced
byintensiveurbanlanduses.Contaminantsinclude
bacteria,pesticides,metals,organiccompounds,
andhydrocarbons.
• Ballona CreekandEstuaryareconsideredimpaired
bytheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardbecause
bacterialevelsareexceedingregulatorystandards.
MapoftheBallonaCreekWatershed
• TheotherwaterbodiesthatarehydrologicallylinkedtotheBallonaCreekEstuary
includetheDelReyLagoonandtheBallonaWetlandAreaB,whichareconnected
throughtidegates.
• ThewatershedupstreamoftheNOTFisapproximately85squaremiles(54,000
acresor66%ofthetotalwatershed)withmostlyurbanlanduse.BelowReach2,
BallonaCreekbecomesanestuaryatCentinelaAvenueandreachesthePacific
OceanatPlayadelRey.
BallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
BiologicalResources
AboutBiologicalResourcesintheBallonaCreekWatershed
andEstuary
• BallonaCreekReaches1and2arechannelizedwith
cementwallsandarenotvegetated.
• Withoutvegetation,thereisnoviablehabitatforspecies
ofconcerninBallonaReach1and2.However,theProject
maypotentiallyalterdownstreamflowstotheBallona
Estuaryduringdryweather.
• SensitivespeciespotentiallyoccurringwithintheBallona
CreekWatershedareprovidedinthetabletotheright.
• HabitatintheBallonaEstuaryissuitableforanumberof
estuaryandmarinefishspecies,includingCalifornia
halibut(Paralichthys calfornicus).
• TheBallonaEstuaryexperiencestidalflowsasfarinland
astheLincolnBoulevardBridge.
SensitiveSpeciesPotentiallyPresentintheBallonaCreekWatershed
SpeciesName
ProtectionDesignation
ElSegundoBlueButterfly
FederallyEndangered
Euphilotes battoides allyni
MonarchButterfly
StateSpeciesofSpecialConcern
Danaus plexippus
CaliforniaLegless
StateSpeciesofSpecialConcern
Lizar Anniella pulchra
LeastBell'sVireo
StateandFederallyEndangered
Vireobellii pusillus
Belding'sSavannahSparrow
StateEndangered
Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi
CaliforniaLeastTern
StateandFederallyEndangered
Sternula antillarum browni
BurrowingOwl
StateSpeciesofSpecialConcern
Athenecunicularia
LeastBittern
StateSpeciesofSpecialConcern
Ixobrychus exilis
LoggerheadShrike
StateSpeciesofSpecialConcern
Lanius ludovicianus
Tricoloredblackbird
StateEndangered
Agelaius tricolor
Yellowwarbler
StateSpeciesofSpecialConcern
Dendroica petechiassp.brewsteri
Light-footedclapperrail
StateandFederallyEndangered
Rallus longirostris levipes
VesperSparrow
StateSpeciesofSpecialConcern
Pooecetes gramineus
WesternSnowyPlover
FederallyThreatened
Charadrius alexandinus nivosus
SouthCoastMarshVole
StateSpeciesofSpecialConcern
Microtuscalifornicus stephensi
SouthernCaliforniaSaltMarshShrew
StateSpeciesofSpecialConcern
Sorex ornatus salicornicus
SaltMarshHarvestMouse
StateandFederallyEndangered
Reithrodontomys raviventris
BallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
CommunityCompatibility
Noise
• TheEIRwillconsidernoisegeneratedfromtheconstructionandoperationoftheproposed
facilities.
• Typesofconstructionequipmentmayinclude:excavator,backhoe,trencher,dumptrucks,
tunnelingequipment,andhand-tools.
• Intermittentconstructionactivitieswouldoccurovera6monthperiod.
• Theloudesttypicalconstructionequipmentgenerallyemitsnoiseintherangeof80to90
dBA at50feet.Thisnoiselevelisaboutthesameasakitchengarbagedisposalorblender.
• ConstructionwouldcomplywithCitycode(s)tooccurbetween8:00amand8:00pmon
MondaythroughFriday,between9:00amand7:00pmonSaturday,andbetween10:00am
and7:00pmonSunday.
LandUse
Recreation
• AllproposedfacilitieswouldbelocatedonexistingCity-ownedor
leasedpropertiesthatincludeexistingwaterqualityfacilities.
• BallonaCreekReach2,whereLFTF-1wouldbelocated,is
designatedasalimitedcontactrecreationarea(LREC-1).
• ResidentiallanduseisthedominantuseintheProjectarea(s).
LandusewithintheBallonaCreekWatershedconsistsof64%
residential,8%commercial,4%industrial,and17%openspace.
• SepulvedaChannel,whereLFTF-2wouldbelocated,is
designatedasFreshWaterContactRecreation(REC-1)
PublicSafety
• TheproposedProjectfacilitieswouldonlyrequireperiodicmaintenance
andnotresultinanypermanenton-siteemployeesthatwouldrequire
utilitiesorpublicservices.
• Projectwouldnotrequireanynewpolice/fire/EMRorschoolservices.
• ProjectwouldnotintroduceanynewhazardousmaterialstoProjectsites.
Traffic
• TheProjectwouldlikelyaddlessthan15additionalvehiclestothetraffic
circulationsystemduringthe6-monthconstructionperiod.
• SiteaccessatLFTF-1,LFTF-2,andMesmerisprovidedviaexistingroads
andnonewingress/egresspointswouldbeintroduced.
• ParkingformaintenanceactivitieswillbeprovidedwithineachProject
site.
• Downstreamflowshavepotentialtoaffectrecreation(i.e.
kayaking,fishing)intheBallonaEstuaryandWetlands.
BallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
TipsforWritinganEffectiveComment
Public comments play a critical role in the CEQA process. By providing
comments, Agencies and the Public help frame the Alternatives and
issues for analysis in the EIR.
The CEQA process benefits from the Public providing substantive
comments that focus on the design/layout of the proposed Project
facilities, Alternatives to the Project, and the environmental, social, and
public resources potentially impacted by the Project.
The following points summarize the guidance provided by the federal
Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) on writing an effective comment:
• Comments should be clear, concise, and relevant to the analysis of the
Proposed Action.
• Comments that are solution-oriented and provide specific examples
are more effective than those that simply oppose the proposed
Project.
• Comments that contribute to the development of Alternatives that
address the Purpose and Need are most effective early in the
NEPA/CEQA process (i.e. during scoping).
• When writing comments, focus on the Purpose and Need, proposed
Project, Alternatives to the Project, the assessment of environmental
impacts of those Alternatives, and potential mitigation measures.
• Commenting is not a form of “voting” on an Alternative. The number
of negative comments received does not prevent an action from
moving forward. Numerous comments that repeat the same basic
message of support or opposition will typically be responded to
collectively.
• General comments that state an action will have “significant
environmental effects” will not help an agency make a better decision
unless the relevant causes and effects are explained and technically
supported.
BallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLProject– EnvironmentalImpactReport
SubmitAComment
YourcommentsareimportanttotheCEQAprocess!Yourcommentsdirectlyinformtheissues
andAlternativesanalyzedintheEIR.LASanitationencouragesthesubmissionofcomments
concerningtherangeofalternatives,potentiallysignificanteffects,andmitigationmeasures
thatshouldbeanalyzedintheEIR/EIS.
PleasesendcommentsregardingtheBallonaCreekBacteriaTMDLEIRbyoneofthe
methodsbelow.AllcommentsmustbereceivedbyMarch20,2017.
Written: Submitacommenttodayatthewrittenororalcommentstations.Commentcards
andpensareavailable. Acourtreporterisavailableifyouprefertogiveyour
commentorally.
Email:
[email protected]
Fax:
213-485-3939
Post:
Mr.HubertusCox
LASanitation– WatershedProtectionDivision
th
1149S.Broadway,10 Floor
LosAngeles,CA90015
Pleasealsojointheprojectmailinglist toreceiveupdatesontheCEQAprocess.Youcansignuptoday
atthecommentstationorincludeyouremailaddressinyourcomment.