Easement to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board

Easement to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board

Issue a permanent public transit facilities (light rail & bus) easement to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board (MTDB) to allow the MTDB and their contractors access across Old Town San Diego State Historic Park property fo the purpose of providing a public transportation light rail extension alignment. The easement will be approximately 48,292 square feet or 1.11 acres. MTDB will notify DPR at least one week prior to performing work, including routine maintenance, within the easement boundaries. Advance notice is not required when responding to an emergency; however, DPR will be notified as soon as feasible after transit personnel arrive at the site. All work conducted within the boundaries of the easement, including routine maintenance will comply with all State and Federal environmental laws, including but not limited to the Endangered Species Act, CEQA, and Section 5024 of the Public Resources Code, with regard to work conducted within the easement area. MTDB representatives will consult with DPR resource specialists to determine the appropriate level of avoidance/mitigation necessary to protect the resource(s) during future work within the easement. All ground-disturbing work within the proposed easement will be monitored by an archaeologist meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Qualification Standards for historic and prehistoric archaeology. If potentially significant resources are unearthed, work in the immediate area of the find will be temporarily halted or diverted until the site monitor consults with a DPR archaeologist, and identification and proper treatment are determined and implemented. MTDB will be responsible for providing all qualified monitors. All finds will become the property of DPR; ownership of any Native American artifacts will be determined on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the appropriate tribal representative(s) and/or the Native American Heritage Commission. Archaeological consultants working within the boundaries of the easement or on adjoining State Park property will obtain a permit from the DPR Cultural Resource Division prior to commencing any investigations on the property. This easement will provide legal access and use of this property to MTDB, while protecting natural resources.

San Diego