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HomeMy WebLinkAbout468-500 Westmont Avenue Tentative Tract MapPrinted on Recycled Paper April 30, 2021 Mr. Kyle Van Leeuwen Associate Planner City of San Luis Obispo 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 KVanLeeu@slocity.org MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR 468-500 WESTMONT AVENUE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP – DATED APRIL 2021 (STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NUMBER: 2021040701) Mr. Van Leeuwen: The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) received a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for 468-500 Westmont Avenue Tentative Tract Map (Project). The Lead Agency is receiving this notice from DTSC because the Project includes one or more of the following: groundbreaking activities, work in close proximity to a roadway, work in close proximity to mining or suspected mining or former mining activities, presence of site buildings that may require demolition or modifications, importation of backfill soil, and/or work on or in close proximity to an agricultural or former agricultural site. DTSC recommends that the following issues be evaluated in the MND Hazards and Hazardous Materials section: 1. The MND should acknowledge the potential for historic or future activities on or near the project site to result in the release of hazardous wastes/substances on the project site. In instances in which releases have occurred or may occur, further studies should be carried out to delineate the nature and extent of the contamination, and the potential threat to public health and/or the environment should be evaluated. The MND should also identify the mechanism(s) to initiate any required investigation and/or remediation and the government agency who will be responsible for providing appropriate regulatory oversight. 2. Refiners in the United States started adding lead compounds to gasoline in the 1920s in order to boost octane levels and improve engine performance. This practice did not officially end until 1992 when lead was banned as a fuel additive Mr. Kyle Van Leeuwen April 30, 2021 Page 2 in California. Tailpipe emissions from automobiles using leaded gasoline contained lead and resulted in aerially deposited lead (ADL) being deposited in and along roadways throughout the state. ADL-contaminated soils still exist along roadsides and medians and can also be found underneath some existing road surfaces due to past construction activities. Due to the potential for ADL-contaminated soil DTSC, recommends collecting soil samples for lead analysis prior to performing any intrusive activities for the project described in the MND. 3. If any sites within the project area or sites located within the vicinity of the project have been used or are suspected of having been used for mining activities, proper investigation for mine waste should be discussed in the MND. DTSC recommends that any project sites with current and/or former mining operations onsite or in the project site area should be evaluated for mine waste according to DTSC’s 1998 Abandoned Mine Land Mines Preliminary Assessment Handbook https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2018/11/aml_handbook.pdf). 4. If buildings or other structures are to be demolished on any project sites included in the proposed project, surveys should be conducted for the presence of lead-based paints or products, mercury, asbestos containing materials, and polychlorinated biphenyl caulk. Removal, demolition and disposal of any of the above-mentioned chemicals should be conducted in compliance with California environmental regulations and policies. In addition, sampling near current and/or former buildings should be conducted in accordance with DTSC’s 2006 Interim Guidance Evaluation of School Sites with Potential Contamination from Lead Based Paint, Termiticides, and Electrical Transformers https://dtsc.ca.gov/wpcontent/uploads/sites/31/2018/09/Guidance_Lead_ Contamination_050118.pdf). 5. If any projects initiated as part of the proposed project require the importation of soil to backfill any excavated areas, proper sampling should be conducted to ensure that the imported soil is free of contamination. DTSC recommends the imported materials be characterized according to DTSC’s 2001 Information Advisory Clean Imported Fill Material (https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp- content/uploads/sites/31/2018/09/SMP_FS_Cleanfill-Schools.pdf). 6. If any sites included as part of the proposed project have been used for agricultural, weed abatement or related activities, proper investigation for organochlorinated pesticides should be discussed in the MND. DTSC recommends the current and former agricultural lands be evaluated in accordance with DTSC’s 2008 Interim Guidance for Sampling Agricultural Properties (Third Revision) (https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp- content/uploads/sites/31/2018/09/Ag-Guidance-Rev-3-August-7-2008-2.pdf). Mr. Kyle Van Leeuwen April 30, 2021 Page 3 DTSC appreciates the opportunity to comment on the MND. Should you need any assistance with an environmental investigation, please submit a request for Lead Agency Oversight Application, which can be found at: https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp- content/uploads/sites/31/2018/09/VCP_App-1460.doc. Additional information regarding voluntary agreements with DTSC can be found at: https://dtsc.ca.gov/brownfields/. If you have any questions, please contact me at (916) 255-3710 or via email at Gavin.McCreary@dtsc.ca.gov. Sincerely, Gavin McCreary Project Manager Site Evaluation and Remediation Unit Site Mitigation and Restoration Program Department of Toxic Substances Control cc: (via email) Governor’s Office of Planning and Research State Clearinghouse State.Clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov Mr. Dave Kereazis Office of Planning & Environmental Analysis Department of Toxic Substances Control Dave.Kereazis@dtsc.ca.gov