Item 22 - Public Hearing Regarding Bristol Project

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Related Bristol Mixed -Use Project CEQA Findings of Fact Impact Finding: The Project would not substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere with groundwater recharge such that the Project may impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin (Draft Supplemental EIR at p. 5.7-12). Facts in Support of Findings: Construction Any groundwater dewatering would be temporary and limited to the excavation area. Because of the relative size of the Project site, as compared to the water basin, and the limited scope of excavation that would be deep enough to encroach into groundwater, the volume of groundwater removed would not be substantial and would not decrease groundwater supplies or impede groundwater management. The proposed Project would comply with the requirements of Groundwater Discharge Permit, including testing and treatment, if necessary, that would be implemented through the RWQCB and the City's development permitting process (and included as PPP WQ-2). Thus, any dewatering activities during construction would result in less than significant impacts to groundwater (Draft Supplemental EIR at pp. 5.7-1 2 through 5.7-13). Operation The Orange County Basin provides approximately 76 percent of the City's water supply. The remaining supply comes from the Metropolitan Water District (23 percent) and recycled water (1 percent) (UWMP 2020). As shown on Table 5.7-1 of the Draft Supplemental EIR, the City's UWMP shows that the anticipated production of groundwater would remain steady from 2025 through 2045 and that in 2045 approximately 84.4 percent of supply would be from the Orange County Basin and 14.9 percent from imported/purchased sources. As detailed in Section 5.15, Utilities and Service Systems of the Draft Supplemental EIR, the supply of water would be sufficient during both normal years and multiple dry year conditions between 2025 and 2045 to meet all of the City's estimated needs, including the proposed Project. Therefore, the proposed Project would not result in changes to the projected groundwater pumping that would decrease groundwater supplies. Thus, impacts related to groundwater supplies would be less than significant. In addition, the onsite soils have a low infiltration rate and do not currently provide onsite infiltration. As such, infiltration of water to the existing groundwater basin is neither currently occurring, nor would occur by the proposed Project. Therefore, impacts related to interference with groundwater recharge would be less than significant (Draft Supplemental EIR at p. 5.7-13). Plans, Program and Policies: PPP WO-2: Groundwater Dewatering Permits. As listed previously. Impact Finding: The Project would not substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in a substantial erosion or siltation on- or off -site (Draft Supplemental EIR at p. 5.7-13). City of Santa Ana 22 CEQA Findings of Fact September 2024