SU0007882 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

5.3.1 Environmental Effects Implementation of the Modernization-Only Alternative would reduce impacts related to agricultural resources, traffic -- at the same time, however, one intermodal train can transport the same amount of cargo as 280 trucks, and so if the cargo containers originally assumed for the proposed project were instead shipped by truck (vs. rail), truck traffic within the region could significantly increase with the Modernization-Only Alternative as compared to the proposed project—air quality emissions and greenhouse gas emissions—at the same time, however, with the Modernization-Only Alternative, overall regional emissions with truck traffic may be increased because if the cargo containers originally assumed for the proposed project (i.e., increase opportunities for rail shipment) were instead shipped by truck (vs. rail), the diesel emissions, including VOC and NOx, and GHG associated with trucks within the region would significantly increase—noise, aesthetics, biological resources, cultural resources, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, public services and energy, utilities and service systems. Demands for water and wastewater services would not significantly change with the Modernization-Only Alternative.The site would continue to operate with roughly the same square footage of buildings,the existing level of water service and the similarly scaled septic system, whether or not relocated.There would be no change in impacts to geology and soils. 5.3.2 Relation to Project Objectives Because lift capacity would not be materially increased, this alternative would not meet the following stated objectives for the project,but would meet the other stated objectives: • To expand capacity in order to meet the growing demand for rail transport within the region by 2013 through 2035. • To provide local and area shippers and receivers of goods with increased opportunities for transport via rail as an alternative to long-haul shipment by truck on the regional highway --/ network; • To provide additional capacity for rail transport within an established,regionally-significant area in close proximity to two major highways (1 5 and SR 99) and the Union Pacific's Oakland and Fresno Subdivisions (which are connected to the Union Pacific's national network), and adjacent to or near light industrial,rural and other complementary,non-residential uses. • To increase capacity by enabling the facility to handle longer uninterrupted lengths of rail cars, allowing more rail cars to be loaded and unloaded in one sequence while reducing crossings over the local roadway network. 5.3.3 Feasibility The Modernization-Only Alternative is infeasible because it would not meet the project objectives. This alternative would not provide certain of the specific social, economic, and other project benefits outlined above or in the Statement of Overriding Considerations or to the same extent as the proposed project. 6.0 FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO MITIGATION OF SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS AND ADOPTION OF MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM Based on the entire record before the County, and having considered the significant and unavoidable impacts of the project, the County hereby determines that all feasible mitigation within the responsibility and jurisdiction of the County has been adopted to reduce or avoid the potentially significant impacts identified in November 2012 33 Findings of Fact/ Statement of Overriding Considerations