Agmt 2003 Environmental Science Associates (3)

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TASK 3.0: INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION ESA will obtain and review existing available information relevant to the impact analysis for the proposed project. Based on the information provided by available documents, agency consultation, and field review, ESA will prepare a CEQA Initial Study. The Administrative Draft Initial Study will identify potential environmental issues, provide a preliminary assessment of potential impact significance, and identify the need for project design modification to mitigate effects based on the available information. ESA will complete the full checklist addressing all issues and explain why there could or could not be a significant impact in each issue area. The specific issue areas that will require field reconnaissance will be confirmed once facility locations and operating characteristics are identified, but are. assumed to include the following: Biological Resources. ESA will review facility locations (pipeline routes, pump station sites) and determine whether a biological site survey is required. If necessary, ESA will conduct a field reconnaissance and use available sources of information, including aerial photographs, topographic maps, and existing biological and planning documents to examine potential impacts. ESA will utilize the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) to identify the potential for sensitive species within the project area, and will conduct a field reconnaissance to identify the potential far sensitive species to be present onsite. Detailed protocol surveys for special status species are not proposed, because impacts to special status species are not expected. However, ESA will submit a proposal to conduct these surveys if necessary. Cultural Resources. ESA will retain the services of William Self and Associates to conduct field reconnaissance of proposed facility sites and review appropriate databases for known cultural resource sites. If newly discovered resources are present, preparation of site record, or a detailed Archaeological Survey Report would be conducted as an additional optional task, as determined necessary. If required, ESA will prepare a separate scope of work and cost estimate for these services. The records search and subsequent information will be integrated into the Initial Study. The Initial Study will include the Project Description, the Environmental Checklist, an explanation of the checklist, and References. It will contain appropriate graphics showing project locale and proposed facilities. ESA will develop measures to mitigate any significant environmental impacts identified in the Initial Study, coordinating with the City of San Leandro and/or Kennedy/Jerks Consultants. Based on the results of the administrative draft Initial Study, ESA will consult with the Project Team and recommend appropriate CEQA documentation for the proposed project- Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration, or EIR. Based on current project understanding, it appears that a Mitigated Negative Declaration would satisfy the CEQA-plus requirements. ESA Consulting Services Agreement between City of San Leandro and Environmental Science Associates (ESA)--Exhibit A Page 2 of 5