ARCHIVED REPORTS LEC APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION

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5.3 CULTURAL RESOURCES segment of the UPRR,historically the WPRR,which crosses the proposed natural gas line corridor,was recorded as an historic resource,this short segment is not eligible to the NRHP and not considered a significant resource. The integrity of the section of the UPRR/WPRR located in the project area was compromised by a series of improvements to enable larger locomotives and heavier freight cars running at higher speeds to run on the WPRR. The improvements,begun in 1983, included heavier rails,new ties, and improving the rail beds to permit higher tonnage (Bridges, 1983;Larson and Johnson,2003). This short segment no longer retains the essential physical features that made up its character or appearance during its period of importance from 1905 to 1909, and although the rail line is located in its original footprint,the original historic materials and workmanship are no longer present or able to convey important associations with local historic events (National Park Service, 1991). Additionally,the two previously recorded discontinuous sections of the UPRR/WPRR that are located north of the project and buffer areas are also considered not eligible;however,these eligibility determinations are for the discontinuous segments of the WPRR only. Finally,as this railroad is now a part of the UPRR and currently in use,it will not be affected by the proposed project as placement of the new underground gas line will be accomplished by boring under the rail grade. Therefore,the project is unlikely to have an adverse effect on significant historical or archaeological sites (that are eligible for listing in the NRHP or CRHR). Lastly,there are no known cemeteries in the project area or linear facilities that project construction might disturb. It is unlikely, due to the extensive disturbance by construction of the STIG plant or the WPCF,that the project would encounter buried intact cultural resources that have not previously been disturbed or destroyed in sediments near the ground surface. Additionally, the natural gas line is proposed within the same corridor as an existing gas line;therefore, the gas line corridor is disturbed,as well. However, some limited potential does exist for intact cultural resources to be discovered in soils below the plow zone. With the incorporation of mitigation described in Section 5.3.4,construction impacts to cultural resources will be less than significant. 5.3.2.3 Operation Impacts No ground disturbance would be required during project operation;therefore,impacts to cultural resources are not anticipated during LEC operation. Maintenance of project facilities will not cause any effects outside of the initial construction area of impact. No significant impacts to cultural resources will result from operations. 5.3.3 Cumulative Effects A cumulative impact refers to a proposed project's incremental effect together with other closely related past,present,and reasonably foreseeable future projects whose impacts may compound or increase the incremental effect of the proposed project (Pub. Resources Code Section 21083;California Code of Regulations.,Title 14,Sections 15064(h), 15065(c),15130, and 15355). In July 2008,21 projects were in various stages of progress with the City of Lodi. Most of these projects are zoned residential,with a few office,mixed use,institutional,commercial, and industrial projects proposed. All of these projects are more than 4 miles from the 5.3-14 SAC/371322/082330008(LEC_5.3_CULTU RAL.DOC)