E. 6th Street Green Infrastructure Corridor (W.O. S33WE6GC / CIP No. WPD000023)

Summary

SCH Number
2024080935
Public Agency
City of Los Angeles
Document Title
E. 6th Street Green Infrastructure Corridor (W.O. S33WE6GC / CIP No. WPD000023)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/23/2024
Document Description
The E. 6th Street Green Infrastructure Corridor (Project) will capture stormwater runoff along E. 6th Street between St. Louis Street and Mathews Street. The Project would construct biofiltration planters, tree wells, landscaped parkways, a pet waste station, and public education signage in various locations along E. 6th Street and its cross streets. The purpose of this Project is to add aesthetic enhancements to the 6th street corridor, manage stormwater runoff from streets in the Project area, and to create open space for the community. Project beneficiaries include members of the community. Please see the Project description continuation in the narrative for more details. On August 8, 2024, the Bureau of Engineering determined the project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approved the Project to move forward to the bid and award phase, with an anticipated construction start date in March 2025. The Project would capture stormwater runoff and add aesthetic enhancements along E. 6th Street between St. Louis Street and S. Mathews Street. The Project would construct 13 biofiltration planters, 37 tree wells, a pet waste station, curb extension, and public education signage at various locations along E. 6th Street and its cross streets, St. Louis Street, Chicago Street, Breed Street, Soto Street and Mathews Street. Biofiltration planters are landscaped areas that are designed to capture and improve the water quality of urban stormwater runoff using layers of mulch, soil media, and a gravel bed. Stormwater runoff will flow from the existing curb and gutter to a catch basin inlet (per City of Los Angeles Standard Plan No. S-354-0), then into the biofiltration planters and flow to the existing storm drain network. The catch basin for each biofiltration planter will be constructed next to the upstream end, at the existing curb and gutter, and include a grate to prevent trash and debris from entering the system. Each biofilter would have catch basin inlet, landscape plantings, mulch, planting soil, drainage gravel, non-woven geotextile and a subdrain pipe. Runoff water quality would be improved by infiltrating through the planting soil underneath the parkway basin. The improved water flows to the subdrain pipe that would connect to a storm drain. The excavation depth required to install a planter is approximately 5 feet. No tree removal is anticipated. The Project site contains 117 existing trees, and all will be protected in place using tree protection fencing. The Project would plant approximately 37 trees and plant new landscaping in new and existing tree wells and parkways. The Project would construct curb extension features including striping and reflective bollards at the intersection of Soto Street and E. 6th Street. No travel lanes or parking spaces would be added or removed. Construction is anticipated to begin in March 2025. Project operation and maintenance includes the general inspection, maintenance, cleanout and replacement of the Project features. The maintenance type and inspection frequency depend on the Project element. The pet waste station requires the most frequent maintenance, involving replacement of the pet waste bag on a weekly basis. The biofiltration planters and landscaped parkways have similar maintenance frequencies, once a month during the wet season and once every two weeks during the dry season. Maintenance involves removing trash, inspecting vegetation and watering landscaping. Biofiltration planter cleanouts also need to be maintained once a year. The planter’s catch basins require maintenance twice a year to remove trash, blockage at the grate and inside the basin. Trees require monthly maintenance, including removal of trash and watering. Signs require monthly inspections to check for vandalism and should be replaced as needed. The City of Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) would be responsible for the maintenance of all Project elements. Unless otherwise stated, the proposed Project will be designed, constructed and operated following all applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and formally adopted City standards including but not limited to: ? City of Los Angeles Municipal Code ? Bureau of Engineering Standard Plans ? Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction, including Additions and Amendments ? Work Area Traffic Control Handbook In addition, the Project will include the following best management practices (BMP): • BMP-ARC-1. Archaeological Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP). Prior to the start of construction, the Qualified Archaeologist or Archaeological Monitor shall conduct training for construction personnel regarding archaeological resources. The training should include an overview of potential archaeological, tribal cultural, and paleontological resources that could be encountered during ground-disturbing activities, contact information and procedures for inadvertent finds, and penalties for unauthorized artifact and/or fossil collecting or intentional disturbance. The WEAP training can be in the form of a video or PowerPoint presentation or printed literature (handouts) that can be given to new workers and contractors to avoid the necessity of continuous training over the course of the project. A copy of the WEAP training materials will be provided to the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering. It is assumed that the training will occur only within on-site construction hours. A training log documenting all on site construction personnel have received the WEAP training will be developed and provided to the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering. In the event of an archaeological resource discovery by construction personnel, all work in the immediate vicinity of the find shall cease and a Qualified Archaeologist shall be contacted to evaluate the find before restarting work in the area. If it is determined that the archaeological resource(s) is(are) scientifically significant, the archaeological monitor shall complete the Archaeological Assessment. • BMP-ARC-2. Archaeological Assessment. If a possible archaeological resource is uncovered during earthwork or construction, all work shall cease within a minimum distance of 50 feet from the find until a Qualified Archaeologist has been retained to evaluate the find in accordance with National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources criteria and the Bureau of Engineering is notified of the inadvertent discovery. The Qualified Archaeologist may adjust this avoidance area, ensuring appropriate temporary protection measures of the find are taken while also considering ongoing construction needs in the surrounding area. Temporary staking and delineation of the avoidance area shall be installed around the find in order to avoid any disturbance from construction equipment. Ground Disturbance Activities may continue unimpeded on other portions of the site outside the specified radius. Any potential archaeological resource or associated materials that are uncovered shall not be moved or collected by anyone other than an Archaeological Monitor or Qualified Archaeologist unless the materials have been determined to be non-unique archaeological resources, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21083.1(h), by the Qualified Archaeologist. The Qualified Archaeologist shall determine if the resources are unique archeological resources as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21083.2(g). Consistent with Public Resources Code Section 21083.2, the handling, treatment, preservation, and recordation of unique archaeological resources should occur as follows: • The find should be preserved in place or left in an undisturbed state unless the Project would damage the resource. • When preserving in place or leaving in an undisturbed state is not possible, excavation and recovery of the find for scientific study should occur unless testing or studies already completed have adequately recovered the scientifically consequential information from and about the resource, and this determination is documented by a Qualified Archaeologist. Ground Disturbance Activities in the area where resource(s) were found may recommence once the identified resources are properly assessed and processed by a Qualified Archaeologist. A report that describes the resource(s) and its disposition, as well as the assessment methodology, shall be prepared by the Qualified Archaeologist according to current professional standards and maintained for at least five years after certificate of occupancy. If appropriate, the report should also contain the Qualified Archaeologist’s recommendations for the preservation, conservation, and curation of the resource at a suitable repository, such as the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, with which the City of Los Angeles (City) must comply. Within 60 days following the completion of monitoring and all associated work, the archeologist shall submit the appropriate report to the City Bureau of Engineering and to the South Central Coastal Information Center (SCCIC) at the University Of Fullerton; the report(s) shall include all state and local requirements. Reports submitted to the SCCIC shall be formatted and completed in accordance with the California Historic Resources Inventory System (CHRIS) document submittal standards. • BMP-TCR-1. Treatment of Tribal Cultural Resources. If a possible tribal cultural resource is uncovered during earthwork or construction, all work shall cease within a minimum distance of 50 feet from the find until a Qualified Tribal Monitor or Archaeological Monitor has been retained to evaluate the find and the Bureau of Engineering is notified of the inadvertent discovery. Following discovery, the Bureau of Engineering shall immediately contact all Native American tribes that have informed the City they are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the Project, as well as the Bureau of Engineering. If a Qualified Tribal Monitor or Archaeological Monitor determines, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21074(a)(2), that the object or artifact appears to be a potential tribal cultural resource, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, the City shall provide any affected tribe a reasonable period of time, not less than five business days, to conduct a site visit and make recommendations to the City and Bureau of Engineering regarding the monitoring of future Ground Disturbance Activities and the treatment and disposition of any discovered tribal cultural resources. The City shall implement the tribe’s recommendations if the Qualified Tribal Monitor or Archaeological Monitor reasonably concludes such recommendations are reasonable and feasible. Consistent with Public Resources Code Section 21083.2, the handling, treatment, preservation, and recordation of tribal cultural resources should occur as follows: • The find should be preserved in place or left in an undisturbed state unless the Project would damage the resource. • When preserving in place or leaving in an undisturbed state is not possible, excavation and recovery of the find for scientific study should occur unless testing or studies already completed have adequately recovered the scientifically consequential information from and about the resource, and this determination is documented by a Qualified Tribal Monitor or Qualified Archaeologist. All collected artifacts and fieldwork notes, if not human remains or other mortuary objects, shall be curated at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County or another appropriate curatorial facility for educational purposes. If cleared by the Qualified Tribal Monitor or Archaeological Monitor, Ground Disturbance Activities may continue unimpeded on other portions of the site. Ground Disturbance Activities in the area where resource(s) were found may recommence once the identified resources are properly assessed and processed. A report that describes the resource and its disposition, as well as the assessment methodology shall be prepared by the Qualified Tribal Monitor or Archaeological Monitor, according to current professional standards and maintained for at least five years after the certificate of occupancy is issued. A copy of the report shall be submitted to Bureau of Engineering, the South Central Coastal Information Center at California State University, Fullerton and to the Native American Heritage Commission for inclusion in its Sacred Lands File. The Bureau of Engineering may review and approve any monitoring or mitigation plan prior to implementation. • BMP-PAL-1. Paleontological Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP). Prior to the start of construction, the Qualified Paleontologist or Paleontological Monitor shall conduct training for construction personnel regarding the appearance of fossils and the procedures for notifying paleontological staff should fossils be discovered by construction staff. The WEAP training can be in the form of a video or PowerPoint presentation or printed literature (handouts) that can be given to new workers and contractors to avoid the necessity of continuous training over the course of the project. A copy of the WEAP training materials will be provided to the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering. It is assumed that the training will occur only within on-site construction hours. A training log documenting all on site construction personnel have received the WEAP training will be developed and provided to the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering. In the event of a fossil discovery by construction personnel, all work in the immediate vicinity of the find shall cease and a Qualified Paleontologist shall be contacted to evaluate the find before restarting work in the area. If it is determined that the fossil(s) is(are) scientifically significant, the Paleontological Monitor shall complete the next two steps. • BMP-PAL-2. Treatment of Paleontological Resources. If a probable paleontological resource is uncovered during earthwork or construction, all work shall cease within a minimum distance of 50 feet from the find until a Qualified Paleontologist has been retained to evaluate the find in accordance with the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology’s Standard Procedures for the Assessment and Mitigation of Adverse Impacts to Paleontological Resources (2010) and the Bureau of Engineering is notified of the inadvertent discovery. Temporary flagging shall be installed around the find in order to avoid any disturbance from construction equipment. Any paleontological materials that are uncovered shall not be moved or collected by anyone other than a Qualified Paleontologist or his/her designated representative such as a Paleontological Monitor. If cleared by the Qualified Paleontologist, Ground Disturbance Activities may continue unimpeded on other portions of the site. The found deposit(s) shall be treated in accordance with the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology’s Standard Procedures for the Assessment and Mitigation of Adverse Impacts to Paleontological Resources. In consultation with the City, Ground Disturbance Activities in the area where resource(s) were found may recommence once the identified resources are properly assessed and processed by Qualified Paleontologist. A report that describes the resource and its disposition, as well as the assessment methodology, shall be prepared by the Qualified Paleontologist according to current professional standards and maintained for at least five years after certificate of occupancy. If appropriate, the report should also contain the Qualified Paleontologist’s recommendations for the preservation, conservation, and curation of the resource at a suitable repository, such as the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, with which the City must comply. Within 60 days following the completion of monitoring and all associated work, the archeologist shall submit the appropriate report to the City Bureau of Engineering and to the South Central Coastal Information Center (SCCIC) at the University Of Fullerton; the report(s) shall include all state and local requirements. Reports submitted to the SCCIC shall be formatted and completed in accordance with the California Historic Resources Inventory System (CHRIS) document submittal standards. • BMP-NOI-1. LAMC Noise Ordinance Compliance. The proposed Project shall comply with the City of Los Angeles Noise Ordinance No. 144,331 and 161,574 (LAMC Section 112.05), and any subsequent ordinances, which prohibit the emission or creation of noise beyond certain levels. • BMP-NOI-2. Permitted Time for Construction. Construction shall be restricted to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Construction activity shall not be permitted on any Sunday or national holiday. • BMP-NOI-3. Noise-generating equipment. NOISE RCM-3: Noise-generating equipment operated at the Project site shall be equipped with the most effective and technologically feasible noise control devices, such as mufflers, lagging (enclosures for exhaust pipes), and/or motor enclosures. All equipment shall be properly maintained to ensure that no additional noise, due to worn or improperly maintained parts, is generated. • BMP-NOI-4. Construction signage. The proposed Project shall comply with the City of Los Angeles Building Regulations Ordinance No. 178,048 (LAMC Section 91.106.4.8), which requires a construction site notice to be provided that includes the following information: job site address, permit number, name and phone number of the contractor and owner or owner’s agent, hours of construction allowed by code or any discretionary approval for each site, and City telephone numbers where violations can be reported. The notice shall be posted and maintained at the construction of each site prior to the start of construction and displayed in a location that is readily visible to the public.

Contact Information

Name
Lauren Rhodes
Agency Name
City of Los Angeles
Job Title
Environmental Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide
Other Information
E. 6th Street from St. Louis Street to Mathews Street in the Boyle Heights Community Plan Area of the City of Los Angeles

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 15301, 15303, 15304, and 15311
Reasons for Exemption
This Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1 Existing Facilities, Section 15302, Class 3 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, Section 15304, Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land, and Section 15311, Class 11, Accessory Structures. Additionally, the Project is exempt pursuant to Los Angeles CEQA Guidelines Article III, Section 1, Section 1 Class 1 Existing Facilities, Class 3 New Construction of Small Structures, Class 4 Minor Alterations to Land, and Class 11 Accessory Structures. The proposed Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1 Existing Facilities for minor alteration of an existing public facility used to provide stormwater conveyance and minor alteration of an existing street and sidewalks with negligible or no expansion of use; Section 15303, Class 3 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures for construction of limited new, small structures including construction of new, small stormwater conveyances structures; Section 15304, Class 4 Minor Alterations to Land for the minor public alterations of the condition of vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees including new gardening or landscaping and minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored; and Section 15311, Class 11, Accessory Structures for the construction of minor structure access to the existing land uses including on-premise signs for education purposes. Additionally, this Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to the Los Angeles CEQA Guidelines Article III, Section 1, Class 1 Existing Facilities for the minor alteration with negligible or no expansion of use of an existing public facility and street, and modification of existing storm drain systems for collection of local water at alternate points within an existing local drainage area unless impact to a park is anticipated; Class 3 New Construction of Small Structures for the construction of limited numbers of new, small facilities including storm drain constructed to collect low flow or alleviate other local drainage problems unless impact on a park is anticipated; Class 4 Minor Alteration to Land for the minor public alteration to the condition of vegetation, including new gardening, tree planting or landscaping, which does not involve removal of mature scenic trees and or minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored; and Class 11 Accessory Structures for the construction of minor structures accessory to adjacent land uses including a sign located on City property managed by a City department.
County Clerk
Los Angeles

Attachments

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