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AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT - Air Pollution Control Officer Joseph Tona
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION - Presentation regarding the Sites reservoir project
b) Discussion and direction to staff regarding the inter-district agreement
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Financial Impact:
No financial Impact at this time
Background Information:
The primary purpose of the Sites Authority is to pursue the development and construction of the Sites Reservoir Project, long viewed as a critical component of California’s water supply strategy. The Project will provide new off-stream storage, delivering direct and measurable benefits to instream flows, the Delta ecosystem, and statewide water reliability. To move the project forward, the Authority is engaging the public, stakeholders, state and federal agencies, and landowners as it transitions from planning to construction. The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors that collaborates with stakeholders across California.
The Sites Project includes construction and operational activities within the Tehama, Glenn, Colusa, and Yolo-Solano Air Districts. On November 17, 2023, the Sites Authority certified the Final EIR, adopted CEQA Findings and a Statement of Overriding Considerations, approved the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and formally adopted the Project through Board Resolution 2023-02.
Air Quality and Mitigation Commitments
Two of the air districts where most construction and operational activity will occur have not developed quantitative CEQA emissions thresholds. In the absence of local thresholds, the Sites Authority applied Tehama County APCD’s thresholds for its CEQA analysis. The Final EIR/EIS concluded that construction of the Project would exceed applicable thresholds, resulting in significant air quality impacts from emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM10) within certain Air District boundaries.
To address these impacts, the Sites Authority committed in the Final EIR/EIS to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the affected Air Districts to reduce NOx and PM10 impacts through an off-site mitigation program.
Next Steps and District Coordination
The draft MOU provides that the four districts will enter into an inter-district agreement to distribute mitigation and administrative funds. Glenn County APCD has requested a meeting with APCOs and a Board representative to discuss the details of this agreement.