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FINDING: As described in the Draft SEIR, there would be no adverse effects <br />of potentially present explosive compounds. <br />STATEMENT OF FACTS: Considering the past land use of the project area, <br />the possible presence of explosive compounds in soil is a concern. Nitrostarch, <br />quantified as nitrocellulose (a similar compound), used as a propellant, was found in <br />Area 2 in all 8 samples for which it was tested, in concentrations from 20 mg/kg to <br />6,400 mg/kg (equivalent to a total explosive concentration of 0.002% to 0.64%). <br />Nitroglycerin was found in one sample of the 19 tested for this analyte. On the basis <br />of research conducted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Center <br />(USAEC) on the ignitability of nitrocellulose in soil at the U.S. Army Badger <br />Ammunitions Depot in Wisconsin, the concentrations of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin <br />in soils present at the project site do not pose an explosion hazard. A review of HLA's <br />investigations on the Roberts Landing site was recently conducted by an independent <br />consultant, Tetra Tech Incorporated. Tetra Tech, in their report, notes that the USAEC <br />considers soils with total explosive concentrations about 14% to be potentially <br />dangerous. However, explosive concentrations measured on the project site are an order <br />of magnitude below this level. Consequently, Tetra Tech concluded that the <br />concentrations of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin measured in soil on the site "do not <br />appear to pose a threat to human health or the environment." The Tetra Tech report <br />also suggested that additional sampling for explosive compounds might be appropriate, <br />particularly in areas where major channel excavation would occur as part of the wetland <br />enhancement plan implementation. However, such additional sampling does not appear <br />warranted, given that the entire sampling protocol for the project site was developed in <br />close consultation with and, under the approval of, both DTSC and RWQCB. In <br />addition major channel excavation of Roberts Landing Slough immediately downstream <br />of the project site was carried out recently as part of the City's Shoreline Marshlands <br />Enhancement project without any incident relating to potential presence of explosive <br />compounds. <br />C.3 POTENTIAL IMPACT: Exposure to electric and magnetic fields <br />generated by power lines in the transmission corridor could pose direct health threats <br />to certain future residents in the project area. <br />FINDING: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, <br />the project that further avoid or substantially lessen the potential significant <br />environmental effect. <br />STATEMENT OF FACTS: No definite conclusion has been reached in the <br />scientific community regarding the health effects of exposure to high -voltage <br />transmission lines. Currently, no State or Federal regulations exist regarding <br />electromagnetic radiation from powerlines in proximity to residential areas. At <br />200 feet, a typical 115 kilovolt transmission line would emit 1.9 milligauss magnetic <br />fields and 0.01 kilovolts/meter electric fields (APA, 1991). Measurements taken at the <br />site indicate that at the closest homesite in Phase 113, about 175 feet, the milligauss <br />8 <br />