Item 22 - Approve Adjustments & CIP Amendment, & Agreements with Mark Thomas, So Cal Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), the U.S. Department of Transportation, & Caltrans for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project (No. 26-6718)

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EXHIBIT 2 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION/CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FORM 12-ORA-Santa Ana N/A N/A STPL 5063 (136) Dist.-Co.-Rte. or Local Agency) P.M./P.M. E.A/Project No. Federal-Aid Project No. (Local Project)/Project No. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: (Briefly describe project including need, purpose,location, limits, right-of-way requirements,and activities involved in this box. Use Continuation Sheet,if necessary.) The City of Santa Ana, in coordination with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is proposing to separate the existing Santa Ana Boulevard/Orange County Transportation Authority(OCTA) Metrolink at-grade railroad crossing in the City of Santa Ana, Orange County, California.The purpose of the proposed project is to eliminate the at- grade crossing of Santa Ana Boulevard and the OCTA Metrolink tracks by creating a grade separation to: enhance traffic operations; improve pedestrian and bicycle user safety; improve emergency response times; and reduce existing ra is congestion along Santa Ana boulevara. bee con inua ion page... CEQA COMPLIANCE (for State Projects only) Based on an examination of this proposal and supporting information,the following statements are true and exceptions do not apply (See 14 CCR 15300 et seq.): • If this project falls within exempt class 3,4,5,6 or 11. it does not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated,precisely mapped and officially adopted pursuant to law. • There will not be a significant cumulative effect by this project and successive projects of the same type in the same place,over time. • There is not a reasonable possibility that the project will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. • This project does not damage a scenic resource within an officially designated state scenic highway. • This project is not located on a site included on any list compiled pursuant to Govt.Code§65962.5("Cortese List'). • This project does not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. CALTRANS CEQA DETERMINATION (Check one) ❑ Exempt by Statute.(PRC 21080[b]; 14 CCR 15260 et seq.) Based on an examination of this proposal,supporting information,and the above statements,the project is: ❑ Categorically Exempt.Class . (PRC 21084; 14 CCR 15300 et seq.) ❑ Categorically Exempt.General Rule exemption.[This project does not fall within an exempt class, but it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment(CCR 15061[b][3].) N/A Print Name:Environmental Branch Chief Print Name:Project Manager/DLA Engineer Signature Date Signature Date NEPA COMPLIANCE In accordance with 23 CFR 771.117,and based on an examination of this proposal and supporting information,the State has determined that this project: • does not individually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the environment as defined by NEPA and is excluded from the requirements to prepare an Environmental Assessment(EA)or Environmental Impact Statement(EIS),and • has considered unusual circumstances pursuant to 23 CFR 771.117(b). CALTRANS NEPA DETERMINATION (Check one) ❑ 23 USC 326: The State has determined that this project has no significant impacts on the environment as defined by NEPA,and that there are no unusual circumstances as described in 23 CFR 771.117(b).As such,the project is categorically excluded from the requirements to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act.The State has been assigned,and hereby certifies that it has carried out the responsibility to make this determination pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 23,United States Code,Section 326 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated June 07,2013, executed between the FHWA and the State.The State has determined that the project is a Categorical Exclusion under: ❑23 CFR 771.117(c):activity(c)(_) ❑23 CFR 771.117(d):activity(d)(_) ❑Activity_ listed in Appendix A of the MOU between FHWA and the State ® 23 USC 327: Based on an examination of this proposal and supporting information,the State has determined that the project is a CE underp USC 327. // Print=_Eonmre Br ch Chief PSiZXat0re oject Mana LA Engineer Signa a Date V Date Date of Categorical Exclusion Checklist completion: 7/8/14 Date of ECR or equivalent:7/8/14 Briefly list environmental commitments on continuation sheet. Reference additional information, as appropriate(e.g.,CE checklist, additional studies and design conditions). February 12,2014 Paee I of 2