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c) Less-than-Significant Impact. As part of the project design process, a site-specific geotechnical investigation was prepared for the project site (CEG 2020)to identify project design features that may be necessary to ensure compliance with the CBC and to address seismic design considerations. As part of the project and as recommended by the geotechnical investigation, remedial grading will occur within the proposed building areas to remove undocumented fill that underlies the project site, and these soils will be replaced with compacted fill soils. As a result of these grading activities, which are both part of the project and required by the CBC, the project would not be susceptible to the effects of any potential lateral spreading, subsidence, or liquefaction. Compliance with the CBC and the engineering recommendations in the site-specific geotechnical investigation would ensure structural integrity in the event that seismic-related issues are experienced at the Project site. Therefore, impacts associated with unstable geologic units would be less than significant, and this issue will not be further evaluated in the Draft EIR. d) Less-than-Significant Impact. Expansive soils are characterized by their potential shrink/swell behavior. Shrink/swell is the change in volume (expansion and contraction)that occurs in certain fine-grained clay sediments from the cycle of wetting and drying. Much of the damage to building foundations, roads, and other structures can be caused by the swelling and shrinking of soils as a result of wetting and drying. The volume change is influenced by the amount of moisture and the amount of clay in the soil. Clay minerals are known to expand with changes in moisture content. The higher the percentage of expansive minerals present in near-surface soils, the higher the potential for substantial expansion. According to the site-specific geotechnical investigation report prepared for the project (CEG 2020), moderately expansive surficial soils generally blanket the project site. As a result, the geotechnical investigation report includes engineering specifications to reduce the potential for damage to the planned structures, including placing a layer of non-expansive artificial fill beneath on-grade slabs, placing footings below the zone of seasonal moisture fluctuation, and limiting moisture changes in the surficial soils by using positive drainage away from buildings. As a result of these grading and engineering specifications, which are both part of the project and required by the CBC, the project would not be susceptible to the effects of expansive soil. Compliance with the CBC and the engineering recommendations in the site-specific geotechnical investigation would ensure structural integrity in the event that seismic-related issues are experienced at the Project site. Therefore, impacts associated with expansive soils would be less than significant, and this issue will not be further evaluated in the Draft EIR. e) Less-than-Significant Impact. The Project would include on-site septic tanks and associated leach fields to treat wastewater generated by the three warehouse buildings. Septic tanks installed in the County are subject to San Joaquin County Ordinance Code Section 9-1100, et seq., which requires issuance of a Sanitation Permit by the San Joaquin County Environmental Health Division for the construction of a private septic system and sets forth requirements for the siting and construction of private septic systems. Prior to issuance of a Sanitation Permit, the San Joaquin County Environmental Health Division will review the proposed septic system to ensure on-site soils would be capable of supporting such a system. As part of the project entitlement process, the Project Applicant will comply with the County's Sanitation Permit process and submit proposed plans to the County Environmental Health Division for review and approval. Compliance with this process will ensure that adverse impacts associated with on-site soils and septic systems do not occur. Therefore, impacts associated with the underlying soils' ability to support septic systems would be less than significant, and this issue will not be further evaluated in the Draft EIR. f) Less-than-Significant Impact.According to the County's General Plan EIR(County of San Joaquin 2014), several paleontological specimens have been discovered in the County. The vast majority of paleontological specimens from San Joaquin County have been found in rock formations in the foothills of the Diablo Mountain Range. However, remains of extinct animals such as mammoth could be found virtually anywhere in the County, especially along watercourses such as the San Joaquin River and its tributaries. While the Project site is located within the proximity of these fossil-bearing features, the project site has been subject to extensive disturbance, including previous grading and utility excavation activities, that occurred as a result of the prior on-site biomass energy facility. In addition, previous development of the project site involved the placement of artificial fill on the site. Human-transported fill materials generally do not contain significant paleontological resources on or very near the surface immediately underlying the project site. These activities have resulted in a project site that is highly variable, containing various depressions as deep as 20 feet below ground surface. Given the extent of this disturbance, it is unlikely that paleontological resources, if they were ever present on site, would remain intact. Therefore, impacts associated with paleontological resources would be less than significant, and this issue will not be further evaluated in the Draft EIR. Enter oroiect#s. —Initial Study 17